New Story 10th Feb 2012 : This starts from the morning after the long drive, when Ram falls asleep whilst Priya is speaking to him and after Priya confesses her love for Ram.
Priya is sitting on the sofa with a book. But it is difficult for her to read even one page. Every few minutes her eyes drift to Ram, sleeping on his side, facing her. There's a big smile on her face. This was the person who had made her feel so special. Taken care to fulfill whatever meaningless wish she came up with. And she was deeply in love with him. Priya closes her eyes in a brief prayer to the Almighty.
Suddenly she notices the time. Mr.Kapoor would be late for office. She calls him, trying to wake him up.
Ram stretches on the bed and opens his eyes.
Ram : Priya? Subah ho gaya? I cannot get up now. Mera sar itna bhari lag raha hai.
Priya : Kya hua? Sar mein dard ho raha hai?
Ram : No, its not paining exactly but I don't feel well. Kya karoo'
Priya looks at the door and reassures herself that its closed. Then she gets up and goes near the bed, near Ram.
Priya : Thoda hatiye.
Ram looks up with sleepy eyes : Haan?
Priya : Thoda hatiye' mujhe yahan baithna hai.
Ram, surprised, moves a bit.
Priya moves the extra pillows and sits on the bed and lifts her feet up. She arranges the pillow on her lap and..
Priya : Aap yahan aayie. She tries to lift Ram's head with both her hands.
Ram, very very surprised : Tum yeh kya kar rahe ho?
Priya : Bas, chup rahiye. Trust me.
She arranges Ram's head on her lap and starts to stroke his head. Like a mother puts her child to sleep. Ram keeps looking at her for some time. It's a precious moment and slowly, he begins to relax. He closes his eyes. Priya continues what she's doing, without saying anything. After some time, Ram falls asleep, with a smile on his face.
Priya smiles, looking at her husband's peaceful, smiling, sleeping face. Memories of the last few days flash through her mind. Unconsciously, her action changes a bit. She's now caressing Ram's hair, his head'..gradually, she changes from a mother to a wife. When this thought hits her after some time, she blushes. Krishuji was right, she thinks. A woman's role can be so myriad !
Ram awakens after a good hour of solid sleep. He opens his eyes and smiles.
Ram : Priya, tumhari haato mein sahii mein jadoo hai. Thank you.
Priya : You're welcome.
Ram, sits up and grins and scratches the side of his forehead : Waise, you've been sitting in the same position for so long' are you ok?
Priya smiles : Ab aap yeh sab sochonge ya office bhi jayenge? I'll arrange for breakfast. She starts to get down form the bed.
Ram sees the time and is shocked: I can't go to office so late. I might as well stay at home and work here.
Priya : Kyon? Its not that late. Please get ready.
Ram : No Priya, I'm not going. I told you, I've started being late ever since my marriage but today is the limit !
Priya : Thik hai phir' we'll have breakfast and then I'm leaving for my class.
Ram : What is this? Why can't you take leave for one day? We can go out'?
Priya, smiles : No thanks. I cannot miss my classes.
Ram grumbles : Phir main akele ghar me kya karunga? He gets up to get ready too.
They have their breakfast together and leave.
Evening
Priya is standing in front of the mirror in the changing room. There's a frown on her face. Ram enters, calling her. He doesn't see in the bedroom and comes to the changing room to look for her.
Ram : Hi. Main tumhe kab se bula raha hoon. Why aren't you replying?
Priya : Hi.
Ram : Kya hua?
Priya lifts one strand of hair and shows him.
Ram : Haan, baal hai. Kya hua?
Priya : Yeh safed hai, Mr. Kapoor. I'm becoming old.
Ram bursts out laughing : Priya, I didn't think you would be bothered by all this. Baal safed hue toh kya hua? Tum ab bhi acchi lagti ho, white hair ke saath bhi achchi lagogi.
Priya sees his innocent face and smiles inside.
Priya : Haan, mujhe pata hai. Main pehle bhi behenji lagti thi aur baad mein bhi lagoongi. This is what you want to say, right?
Ram : Priya ! I'd said that in fun. Tumhe abhi bhi woh yaad hai ! I'd said that just to get that man to go away and mind you, after apologizing to you. Please ..
Ram's phone rings. Ram indicates that its Vikram's and picks up the call.
Ram : Haan bol.
Vikram : Tu free hai na?
Ram : Haan, ghar pe hoon. Bata.
Vikram : Nahin, tu free hai na?
Ram : Haan bola to.
Vikram : Nahin tu soch le.. tu dance vance toh nahin kar raha hai na? Else I'll call back later.
Ram delivers a few of his choicest abuses to Vikram who starts laughing.
Vikram : See, I called up for something serious. Tomorrow there's an office party at the Hilton which I need to attend. Neha also wants to go, just to see my new colleagues, but unofficially. So her suggestion is that both of you and Neha have dinner at the Hilton tomorrow and I'll join you after I'm free. Meanwhile she can see everyone. Kya kehta hai?
Ram : That's ok with me. I'll tell Priya. But the kids?
Vikram : We'll drop them at Neha's mom's place on our way there. So we'll meet at 7.
Ram disconnects the phone and updates her. He then goes to change while Priya arranges dinner. She has cooked a vegetarian dinner for Ram which he thoroughly enjoys.
Post dinner, they sit down on the bed to talk. After some time, Priya starts to yawn. She gets up and starts to walk to the couch.
Ram : Priya..
Priya : Haan..?
Ram : Tum yehi so jao na' now you're not disturbed by my snoring any more, are you?
Priya shakes her head.
Ram : Toh phir aa jao. Baat karte karte so jayenge.
Priya nods and goes around to the other side of the bed. Even before she can lie down, Ram's snoring starts. Priya looks at him adoringly. Then she lies down and turns towards him. She finally falls asleep, looking at his face.
Next evening
Ram picks up Priya from Kapoor Mansion and they go to The Hilton. Neha and Vikram have already reached.
Ram : Aa gaye hum.
Neha : Dikh raha hai, Fatty. Tum aaoge aur dikhae nahin dega, aise ho sakta hai kya?
Ram : Vikram? Party has started? Your boss is also here?
Vikram : No. I heard Boss is not coming. But the party is just starting and I need to go.
The 3 of them sit down. Ram orders for a drink. Neha tells Priya about their time together in college. Priya also asks many questions as she wants to know about Ram as much as possible. Vikram comes in once in a while, spends some time with them and leaves. They can see some of the happenings of the party too, albeit from a distance. Neha makes Ram & Priya laugh with her comments on Vikram's colleagues. She especially praises someone, saying he looks like an ideal hero, tall, dark and handsome.
After some time..
Priya : Neha, dekho..Vikram is coming this way with that tall dark and handsome guy. Ab tum Vikram ke saamne iske saath flirt karoge?
Vikram reaches them. He is accompanied by two of his senior colleagues and he introduces them as Mr. Khanna and Mr. Gulati. They are very happy to meet the famous businessman Mr.Ram Kapoor and repeatedly request him to join their party.
After a long argument, finally Ram is persuaded and all 3 of them join Vikram and his colleagues.
There are many people wanting to greet Ram and soon Priya and Neha find themselves alone. In some time, Mr. Khanna comes and starts talking to them. 3 of them spend some time after which Vikram calls Neha to introduce her to some of his colleagues. Priya is left standing alone, with Mr. Khanna. Mr.Khanna had a lot of information on how coaching classes ran and was cynical about the whole process, suggesting that these centres were set up only to mint money. Priya argued with him and they continued to talk for a long time.
Ram, out of the corner of his eye, had been noticing this for quite some time. He was furious with Neha for leaving Priya alone and is also furious with Priya for spending so much time with that guy. A crowd of people are surrounding him and it is some time before he is able to join her. As soon as he reaches, Priya includes him in the debate and asks him for his views on the subject. Ram is still angry and does not say much.
Ram : By the way, how do you have so much information on the subject? Did you run a coaching class earlier?
Mr.Khanna : No, my wife.. or rather, my ex-wife did. We're divorced now but earlier, I used to assist her a lot in her work.
Another colleague calls Mr.Khanna and he excuses himself.
Ram is still very angry. Priya suddenly realizes this and asks him the reason. Ram does not explain. After some persuation, he says : That guy, that stupid, divorced, over confident conceited guy was flirting with you, Priya.
Priya : No, Mr.Kapoor, you're mistaken. He was just conversing with me.
Ram, angrily : Haan, mujhe dikh raha tha.
Priya cannot believe that her husband is actually jealous ! She is very happy and provokes him further : Then why didn't you deal with him like you did in Australia? Aaap bata dete ki unka level gir jayega agar woh meri tarah ek behenji se flirt karenge?
Ram holds her hand and takes her to a corner.
Ram : Priya, main tumhe bahut baar bol chuka hoon ki woh baat maine mazaak mein bola tha. Why don't you understand? And that type of response was adequate for that guy. This one is a polished flirt ! How dare he come near you and'
Priya smiles and looks down.
Ram holds her by the shoulders : Priya, main yeh tolerate nahin sakta ki '. Then he notices Priya smiling.
Ram : Why are you smiling?
Priya tries to move back : Nothing
Ram strengthens his grip on her shoulders, perplexed : Batao. I will not let you go till you tell me.
They can hear Vikram calling Ram and he releases her. Vikram and Neha reach them.
Neha : Now they're going to start dancing. Ram, I want you out on the dance floor now.
Ram is trying to hush up Neha.
Priya : Mr. Kapoor dance karenge?
Neha : Haan. Fatty, tumne Priya ko bataya nahin?
Ram puts his hand on his head : Neha, can't you keep a secret?
Priya looks from Ram to Neha, confused.
Neha : Priya, tumhara pari mere se salsa seekh raha hai for the last few days.
Priya is like : Hawww !!
Vikram : Haan Ram, chal na. Ab toh tu achcha dance kar leta hai' Sab milke dance karenge toh mazaa aayega..
Ram : Nahin.
Neha : Ram, hadh hoti yaar. Tum apne teacher ke baat nahin sunoge?
Vikram : Haan Ram, maan ja. Mazaa aayge. Tu Neha ke saath dance karle'.
Neha interrupts : Vikram, have you gone mad? You want me in the hospital with a crushed foot?
She turns to Priya : Priya , your husband stamped my foot TWICE with his 500 kg foot and..
Priya, suddenly reemebering their deal, that they would not allow any outsider to make fun of each other, interrupts : Neha, that must have been your mistake'.
Now it's Vikram's and Neha's turn to go Hawww!!!
Ram gives his cute smile.
However, Neha is not someone who will give in so easily. She smiles at Priya and says'..Accha Madam, ab tumhe dance karna padega Ram ke saath.
Priya : Nahin, sorry Neha.. please.. .. mujhe dance karna nahin aata !
Ram gives an "Now don't lie" look to Priya.
Everyone drifts to the small ballroom close by. The ballroom is lighted up by lots of small lights, glowing like candles all around. The music starts and many couples join the dance. Vikram and Neha too join, pushing along Ram & Priya.
Ram holds Priya and they sway to the beat of the slow music. It's not salsa but Ram is now confident and he guides Priya expertly. Priya is pleasantly surprised and enjoying the closeness. She looks up to see Ram looking at her. They continue looking at each other. Ram is lost in a world of her own. So many thoughts ply his mind; so many memories in this short time, accumulated with his loving wife. This sensation of holding her close' why is he enjoying this so much .. in fact , to be honest, even craving it? Why was he so angry at someone trying to close to her ? Ram is caught in a web of emotions. He closes his eyes and tries to blank out everything. Why is he enjoying fulfilling Priya's wishes? Why is he willing to do anything just to see a smile on her face? He doesn't understand.. and '.. he doesn't want to. For the moment, he just wants to live in the present. He opens his eyes to see Priya, looking at him. He smiles and gathers her closer, almost resting his face on her soft hair.
The music stops. Vikram and Neha pull Ram and Priya to the side.
Vikram : Ram, Priya, tum dono ghar jao.
Ram : Kyon? Kya hua?
Neha : Tum dono ke shakal pe saaf dikh raha hai ki tum yahan kitna bore ho rahe ho aur akele mein kuch aur hi'..
Priya interrupts, Neha, kuch bhi bolti ho.
Neha, smiles : Achcha, tel me honestly.. were you guys in this world whilst you were dancing?
Ram & Priya look at each other embarrassed. Priya starts blushing.
Vikram : Anyways, ab toh Neha ne bhi officially party join kar liya hai'.. toh tum dono jaa sakte ho.
Ram : Vikram, tu hume bhaga raha hai?
Neha : Haan. Ab jao. Good night.
RaYa leave. They get into the car and start the return trip. Both are silent and apprehensive and also awkward and excited, all at the same time.
Ram parks the car and they enter.
Niharika is waiting near the entrance.
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