Priya was ready sitting on the edge of the bed... she was embarrassed about what happened at the kitchen...Ram came huffing and puffing climbing two fleet of stairs at a time... Reaching his room he saw here there sitting quietly with her head down and her hands resting on each other above her lap... He moved slowly towards her... feeling blank of how to manage the situation... Running his hand through his and over his wiping the sweat...he stood right infront of her...but Priya did not look at him...her head was still down looking at his feet... Taking a deep breath Ram bend down...and sat on his knees...taking her hand on his giving it a light squeeze... he looked at her... and the sight broke his heart... there were files of tears in her eyes... He could live with anything but not the tears in her eyes He lifted her face by the chin... "Priya I am really sorry for what happened in the kitchen...mother... I really lost track of time...I should have told you...and..." Ram tried to explain with broken words... She placed her finger on his moving lips...Ram was startled and quite looking straight at her... She took his face...in her soft hands..." Ram I am not crying because your mother saw us like that ... we are adults we can talk it through with her...and we love each other...and what she said is correct ...we can walk the path together with the blessings of our parents ..." she spoke caressing his cheeks "these tears are not of repentance...but of joy that I have found you as life partner who loves me a lot...makes me feel special each and every moment...I love you Ram..." and she kissed him softly on the lips... Ram swallowed the lump in his throat... "so we are good?" still trying to sink in the situation... Priya nodded in approval... "but it was little embarrassing standing infront for your mother in your tshirt and shorts..." she spoke... turning a bit pink... He patted her hands "She came be a bit drama queen at times...rest she is the best..." Ram smiled back..." I shall too change and we will leave for work..then " Ram stood and moved to the changing room Priya though that talk to Krishna aunty would be good idea after the morning encounter...she hesitated a bit then... as a matter of respect and courtesy she walked out to look for the elderly women She walked down the stairs and found the elderly women sitting in the grand Hall of Kapoor Mansion sipping a cup of tea... Priya walked up to her...bend down talking her blessing ...waiting for what next was to come... Krishna aunty smiled and showered her blessings... patting the empty space on the sofa she indicated Priya to sit...Priya obediently followed and sat beside her... Krishna aunty took Priya's hand in her's "My son is so lucky to find you...I know you will make a perfect daughter in law but you will be a far better perfect bride for my son..." Priya could just blush at the thought... Krishna aunty continued ..." I was sure there was someone in his life since collage days but he never spoke clearly...used to talk to years book... or collage pictures..." Priya thought "how naive were we then taking friendship as love...now she realized it was LOVE and not mear attraction... The soft touch of the elderly women brought her back to reality Krishna aunty tugged the side of her hair behind her ears...kissing her on the forehead... "you two will make a great pair...I know it..." by the time Ram walked down ready in his suit for university and lab...Priya stood taking Krishna aunty blessing ..."shall we leave?" Priya nodded in affirmation "Ram..." came the voice of his mother " ...now I know the reason of u talking to the year book and finding the collage pic over your chest while you slept at night..." Ram's eyes popped out as his secret were being let out...He stooped his head down covering with his hands...Priya smiled Ram grabbed Priya's and walked towards the main door... "Ram wait" again his mother called from behind. Ram rolled his eye and prayed "let it not be another secret..." " I may not be at home days as I have to meet few relatives so I will be out of town ..." Ram thanked all the gods that it was not another leg pulling session by her mother...but think he thanked too soon... " so if you two want to have another sip of coffee and spend time it will be a nice plan..." "Ma..." Ram smirked at his mother in disbelief while Priya was giggling looking at Ram's teenage behaviour... Ram stormed out of house still grabbing Priya's hand who had to almost run to keep pace with him...
Storming out of the house escaping more of his mother teasing... Ram reached near his black SUV... he was still holding Priya's who was trying her best to suppress her giggling... "We will first go to your apartment so you can change...then to the collage..." he spoke for the first time after the event in the hall... Priya nodded yes and moved to the front of the car to take her seat...while Ram stayed back...taking time to compose himself...
Taking her seat Priya could see him through the rare view mirror... He imitated banging his head against the car... which left priya laugh out loud...She had to cover her mouth..not to make any sound to make him feel more embarrassed...She was still glancing at him through the mirror...He ran his hand through his hair...and over his face to calm himself...finally he let out a deep breath...relaxing his shoulders...
Opening the door...to the driver seat...his eyes meet hers...She was still smiling at his teenage behaviour...he smiled back sheepishly...and ignited the engine..
Priya rested hand on the window and chin supported on it..she was enjoying the view and...remembering their yesterday and morning whereabouts...The events of life has changed for her...where she disliked this person..but each time he was at her side since collage days and now...he promised he would walk by her side together and forever...
Glancing towards him...she smiled at the thought...walking the life side by side in his arms...shyly she lowered her face and turned towards the window again...
Priya walked up to her apartment replying "i will be back in few minutes..." Ram nodded in affirmation...with a sweet smile...
He moved out of the car...and stood leaning against the door with his legs crossed and his hand tugged in his trousers pocket...
He started recapitulating the events of the past...his propose...her acceptance...and the morning intimacy...the way she captivated him...and the kiss which was the sweetest thing and he would love to wake up each day to it...
He closed his eyes and nodded his head side ways when he thought about the encounter which involved her mother...but the slight discomfort was erased as quickly as it came..when Priya's words ringed in his ears...
His thought broke by the click sound of her heels against the marble stairs...she was in a professional dress...brown trousers..cream blouse and a brown blazer matching her trousers and a white scarf done around her neck..her hair neatly tied in a high pony swaying with her move...Ram was left baffled... each time he looked at her...
They were inches apart...Ram could not help but cares her soft cheeks...and mumble "you looking so beautiful..." tugging the strand of her hair behind the ears...he naughtily brushed his fingers against the soft skin of her neck...Priya closed her eyes at his touch...and lowered her head...
Ram smiled sensing her condition and lifted her by the chin...she was blushing and a radiant shade of red was visible on her cheeks...he kissed them only to make them go even darker shade of red
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Ram and Priya walked towards the University... with their fingers entangled in between each other...He used to glance at her every now and then...Priya used to blush lowering her head or trying to cover her flushed face by tugging the strands of her hair behind her ears... But the ecstasy was short lived as Esha popped up for thin air...in between then...
Ram ran his hand over the face in case not to show the irritation caused by the uninvited guest... Priya faked a smile "Hi Esha how you...and today at the University...?" Esha reciprocated with a smile flicking the strand of her hair to the side of her face tugging them in between her two fingers... "Hi Priya.." and she looked cooingly at Ram " I am here for the guest lecture and i am not able to find the auditorium...Ram will you help me find it PLEASE !!!!"
Ram smirked with a charming smile..trying to be calm on Esha's request "Sure Esha why not I will help you..." Priya was somewhere heartbroken to see Ram help Esha...but the next moment she was left laughing... Ram called a passing student... "Hey...Sunny can you please escort Dr.Esha to the auditorium..." Esha was in no mood to take the insult she had her answer ready... but Dr.Philips was an angel in disguise...he approached the trio in his three piece suit... "Good Afternoon Ram" the two men exchanged a handshake... "Hello Dr.Priya..." he smile and greeted her... "Oh Dr.Esha you are here too.." Dr.Philips greeted her too... "You are here for the guest lecture...right" Esha nodded a yes flipping the strand of her hair.. between the two fingers... His eye fell on the student standing beside them.."Sunny why don't you escort Dr.Esha to the auditorium..." Turning to Esha he smile "Have a good time imparting insight on the topic" Esha was left with foot in the mouth...she could say nothing she could react nothing...she stormed past them with Sunny following her...
Priya and Ram exchanged a mischief smile and eyelock...
"Ram would you please meet me in my office...need to further discuss on the proceedings of the experiment..." Dr.Phillips spoke who was still look at the direction Esha left in the odd manner...which also gave time for the couple to come out of their dream land... "Sure..." Dr.Phillips walked past a few steps and entered the office to his right...
Ram turned to Priya who was looking at him... "Duty call" he shrugged his shoulder and made a puppy face... Priya smiled and nodded "Sure..." His next move startled her ... he leaned forward and gave a soft peck on her cheeks...and whispered in her ears... " meet you in sometimes alone...need to finish what was incomplete in the kitchen..." Priya blushed and hit on his chest... "Go Ram..."and pushed him away... He winked at her and mimed... "meet you soon" with a flying kiss...
About an hour later Ram walked past Dr.Phillips office...they shook hands and Dr.Phillips patted on his back... "we expecting a lot from the team..." Ram was elated to listen that the council as appointed Priya to work with him as a team...He was on cloud nine...and wanted to celebrate this news with her... He looked at his watch...it was lunch time and she would sure be in her cabin...this would be a better time to share the news...and also to complete the morning unfinished business...he smile like a Cheshire Cat and walked towards the cafeteria to get some bagel and coffee... On the way he recollected the day the college Dean called them at his office to discuss his proposal to work as a team with Priya...
Flash back...
A huge office with... huge French windows with white curtain adorning it...infront of it was a mahagony table and a leather chair...the room had posters of former dean's and previous pass outs...
An old man was sitting on the chair...with specs on the bridge of his nose..resting his chin on his hand... "The COMMITTEE for the first time in history has approved for such a proposal...and I am also glad that they agreed because both of you deserve that opportunity to take up the research work..." He looked at Ram and then at Priya...who was looking down without making any eye contact with the other two...
"The college expects lot from both of you...and I am sure you will come out with flying colours..." He again looked at Ram..."Yes Sir...we'll" Ram whispered the last word and was starring at Priya for her reaction...but she was cold and still her eyes were at the ground... "Priya...I want the same response from you as Ram..." She for the first time looked up and met eyes with Ram.. "Yes Sir we'll not disappoint you or the college..." "So off you to go make the college Proud" dean replied with a jolly mood...
"Thankyou Sir" Ram and Priya spoke simultaneously...
She moved out of the dean's office clinging to her notebook against her chest...while Ram holding his back...followed her... "Priya...listen to me..." but she was in no mood "I know what I did the other day was not right to do...i am sorry for that..." but she kept walking... Ram ran his hand over his face...in frustration...but he was not letting go of the sorry which he owed her...
Priya reached the class...took her usual seat...Ram scurried into the class...huffing and puffing..he took the seat right beside her... "Priya please listen to me once...i just want to apologize for what I did...and...trust me..it not because we will be working as a team..but because i owe it to you...and also don't think that I put your name to be up in the team for sympathy...but because you deserve it more than..." Rest of the words he could not complete as the professor entered the class... this gave Priya the chance to brush of the tears that were brimming up in her eyes...
Throughout the lecture Ram tried to talk to her but she was giving him silent treatment...
As the lecture got over and the students made their way out of the class...Ram was still sitting in his place dejected...not to get any response for Priya...his face covered with both his hands... But then...he heard her... " we shall meet in the library..." she still did not look at him...took her books and moved out...But it was the best thing to happen then she atleast spoke to him...his face was lit up with joy...he took his bag rushed to the library...and grabbed the last table near the window...stacking all the necessary book...sitting patiently with his eyes glued at the door waiting for her to walk through it...
Ram reached the caf ordered the coffee...in few minutes the take away was ready...but he sung he almost bumped into Esha...
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