Ram had utilized the day in conversing with his step mom and sister. Though he had not gained any additional information, the belief that they did not actually care for him and wanted his marriage to break, was reinforced many times over. He was sure of that. Now he needed further information on what was happening in his office where so many powers were delegated to these family members. And more importantly, he needed to know who had made that phone call to him and who had struck the blow. Somehow he believed that the call had been from a genuine well wisher. The voice had been too courteous and gentle. And had even warned him against his step family. He had asked his assistant to get him a new phone the next morning with all his contacts and important information updated. The previous one could not be found after the attack on him. But he didn't think it was related to the incident. It was an expensive phone and would have been picked up by any passerby. He needed one more night .. with an intoxicated Mamaji and Sid to collect as much information as he could before he winded up this drama.
I really must have done something bad in my previous life, he thought wryly. My own mother deserted me and then my step family whom I loved so much also hoodwinked me for so many years. He remained pensive and silent for some time.
He wanted to respond to the email … but anyways Priya would access it the next day only. Was there any way he could pull off something in front of Niharikaji and manage to have Priya in his arms for a brief moment? Mamaji was also on his way up … what could he do?
He knew Niharika and Shiney totally believed in his partial amnesia act. Was there any incident during his marriage, which had taken place supposedly just a week back, and which he could utilize to his own advantage now?
He thought for some time. And yes. He had an idea. A bumper idea. Somehow just the thought of Priya in his arms seemed to instigate his thinking buds. He was sure he had never behaved like this before Priya came into his life.
He opened his laptop. Niharika was busy watching the fashion show. He took a piece of paper from the side table and placed it on the keyboard and started writing on it, under the cover of the laptop screen.
My love,
I will respond to your email later. And explain many things over and over practically so that you never have have to say "I don't know why" ever again.
Now, ask Neha to give a call on your phone … and disconnect. You hand over the phone to me and say that a lady wants to speak to me.
And don't forget to shred this paper.
Ram didn't dare to add anything more. Mamaji would come up soon and he was sharper than his sister. Priya was stealing glances at him from over the top of her notebook. He indicated the piece of paper and then hid it in his pocket and went to the washroom.
One of Priya's nightgowns was hanging behind the door. He slipped the piece of paper in a pocket of the nightgown and came out and sat down to do some work again.
After five long minutes, Priya got up and went to the washroom too. She found the note almost immediately. She read it over and over again but could not shred it. "My love" these words in Ram's writing were so precious. This was her husband's first letter to her. She read it once more and came out of the washroom. She opened Ram's wardrobe and hid the piece of paper in Ram's chocolate box. Now this chocolate box was special for her too.
Ram prayed that Mamaji would not enter before Priya had managed to do what he'd asked. He started discussing the fashion show with his mom. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Priya come out and settle herself on the couch again and pick up her pen. Then she put down her pen, took up her cell and typed a message.
Within a few minutes, there was a call on her phone.
Priya : Hello
……
Priya : Haan ji, this is Mr. Priya Kapoor. May I know who's speaking?
….
Priya : Yes, Mr. Kapoor's phone is not working now. Yes, of course you can speak to him.
Niharika and Ram were both looking at Priya. Niharika put the television on mute. Priya got up from the couch and walked to the bed handing out the phone to Ram.
Priya : Mr. Kapoor, koi Ms. Malhotra ka phone hai. She's been trying to contact you par aapka number nahin lag raha hai.
Ram took the phone and swiftly switched it off. He could not afford to have the phone suddenly ring whilst he was on his pretend call.
Ram : Hello ! Yes?
……
Ram : What? How did you get this number?
……
Ram : Australia?
Ram paced the room angrily and then walked out of the room, still talking.
Priya gave a shrug and walked back to the couch. Niharika switched off the TV and stood up, tensed. Mamaji also came into the room. He looked around for Ram and was surprised to see Niharika standing by the door looking worried.
After a few minutes Ram came back to the room. He was totally disturbed, sweating profusely. And in a very foul mood.
Ram : Ma …. then he looked towards Priya and stopped.
Ram : Priya, if you don't mind, I need to speak to Ma and Mamaji for some time, alone.
Priya got up from the couch : Yes of course Mr. Kapoor. I'll go down to Daadi and when …..
Ram, interrupted : No, I think, you stay here. Ma, Mamaji please come with me.
He looked back towards Priya : Priya, there's a red office file there. Can you please take that out?
There was just a slight emphasis on the word "red".
He didn't wait for an answer nor did he look back. He walked down the stairs to the bar with Niharika and Shiney following him. He was so angry that his hands were shaking whilst he tried to pour out a drink. Mamaji took the bottle from him and filled three glasses.
Niharika : Kya ho gaya Ram? Whose call was that? Why are you so worried?
Shiney : Oye kya hua Ram puttar? Bata toh sahii? Kya hua? Kis ka phone ayaa tha?
Ram, almost screamed : That was Apeksha. I don't know how the hell she got Priya's number. Mamaji, you said you would take care of her. On the mehendi night, she managed to enter my room in office and now she's calling up Priya. What is happening? And she kept on referring to Australia …. that what she didn't manage to do there, she would complete now. She said she's coming here tomorrow and will enter Kapoor Mansion at any cost. What is happening? Is she is Australia? And what did she try to do there?
Niharika picked up her glass and downed its contents in a gulp. She did not know what exactly transpired between Ram and Priya on the day she had arranged for the divorce papers … but she felt somehow that Ram would not have disclosed the truth to Priya. At that time, Ram was not in love with Priya and would have laid greater emphasis on his mother's words that revealing of this terrible secret would make Priya leave him. He would definitely not have shared Apeksha and Krishnaji's secret with Priya.
But now things were different. In case Apeksha managed to meet Priya and talk to her at length, and then Ram recovered his memory and Priya shared the discussion with him, that would mean the end of her stay in Kapoor Mansion.
She forgot what had happened the last few days. She was desperate now. She tried to pull her brother with her out of the room. Shiney, the ever practical man, disengaged his hands from his sister's clasp, refilled the two glasses and then followed his sister.
Shiney : Ram puttar, you stay here.I'll just settle this issue. Agar woh kal aa rahi hai, toh hume abhi usse rokna hoga. We'll just join you in 10 minutes.
Ram waited till his step mother and step uncle left the room. He walked slowly to the bottom of the flight of stairs leading to his room. He looked around quicky to see if anyone was watching and then ran up the stairs, taking two steps at a time. This was actually the first time he had run in his life … for as long as he could remember.
He entered his room and locked the door. But where was Priya ?
He made his way to the changing room. And then he caught a glimpse of red. Priya was standing hidden behind the open door of the wardrobe. He walked to the wardrobe and closed the door. Priya, standing in the red nightgown, covered her face with her hands.
Slowly Ram removed her hands and forced her to look up to him. Priya raised her face but kept her eyes closed.
Ram : Mujhe dekhogi bhi nahin?
Priya shook her head.
Ram just held out his hands. Priya opened her eyes for a brief moment and and buried herself in his chest.
They had hugged a few times earlier. All their hugs had been spontaneous with no one to stop them. But this was special since this time they had to wait for this. Control their emotions and wait even to embrace the other. Priya could hear Ram's heart beating wildly against her, his arms so fiercely enclosing her that she felt her bones would break. Ram could smell her sweet fragrance, could feel her heart pulsating with desire.
He slowly disengaged himself and kissed her, on her forehead, on her eyes. Then he stopped. Priya had her face upturned towards him, waiting for the feel of him on her lips. She waited for some time and opened her eyes, wondering.
Ram : Will you ever tease me with the bindi like you did this morning?
Priya blushed.
Ram : No, you have to reply. Will you ever do that again?
Priya shook her head and tried to move closer to him.
Ram smiled at her and brought his lips down to meet hers. Was love really so special, so beautiful ?
After some time, they moved back.
Ram : Mujhe jaana hoga. They must be waiting or me to return. And I have a lot to discuss with them today.
Priya nodded.
Ram : Tum aaj bhi Daadi ke paas chale jao. Just for tonight.
Priya nodded again.
Ram left the room. Just before leaving, he turned back once more : And don't forget to change your clothes before you go.
Priya smiled. At peace after the turmoil of the last few days.
Originally posted by: Priya_Fan
WOW! lemme read!
then I'll comment! (But U don't reply to comments!)Thanks for upadating!😊CommentThat's unexpected!! Ram using Apeksha's name?great... Now sure Nih will fall into hole she dug for herself!!What Can I say about the RaYa moment!! My heartbeat was running fast when I read that!Ab kya bolu? words hi nahi hai... toh wahi meri line bol deti hu... 'what a Fab writer u are!'👏
Originally posted by: LalitaLahiri
Amy, yes I do respond to comments sometimes... I remember responding to yours specifically 😭
Actually when I read other FFs...when I have to go through many pages to get the next update, I get frustrated...and so I don't reply individually to all the responses and increase the pages so that the readers don't get frustrated when they try and read this.but I read (many times over) AND TREASURE each comment, rest assured. Trust me.And why Apeksha? I thought that was the only "jhatka" which would actually terrify niharika and hence allow RaYa a few moments together...
Originally posted by: Priya_Fan
so sweet of you di!😊Apeksha was unexpected bcoz u have still shown Ram only doubting Nih,so is he trying to reconsider his feelings for Ape-KK? May be I'll get my anss in next update!will wait😛
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