Part 32 (PRESENT TIME)
Priya: KYA??? What are doing there?
Ram: ummm woh, Suhagraat ka tyaari…
Priya: Ram how disgusting… Aap apna suhagraat
mananey ke liye hotel mein hain? And you have no shame or hesitation disclosing
this to me…
Ram: Oye wait… Mera suhagraat nahin
hain… C’mon Priya how can I have
my suhagraat without you? I am preparing a room here for Sid’s suhagraat…
Priya: haaww Ram… Aap Sid aur Ayesha ka…
Ram: PRIYA CHUP!!! Listen to the whole story before you interrupt.
(Priya stays mum and listens actively) As you know, after you left I was
completely distraught. Every night I would pretend to be drunk and I refused to
call Kush my own… Ayesha was thrown off
track by my unaccepting behaviour it was alarming to her because everyone
including her knew that I loved Kush like my own son… The day that Sid was released from jail I brought him back into
the KM and apologized for allowing you to manipulate me into turning against
him. In front of the entire family I
offered Sid the deal of his lifetime. I told him that if he married Ayesha and
took responsibility for his son, Kush, than I would sign over my entire
property to Kush and make Sid the power of attorney until Kush turned 18. I
convincingly conveyed through my shattered behaviour, my complete lack of
interest in money and an extreme lack of confidence in my ability to raise
Kush. The connotation of my message was, “How could I possibly
provide a safe and secure childhood for Kush when I could not even protect my
own daughter Pihu”? As we both know, the
only set back in my plan was that the priest said that the best date for
marriage was 7 months later. And here we are, seven months later, finally
Ayesha and Sid’s marriage is just two
days away. We were all hoping that in these 7 months Ayesha could realize Sid’s true colour and desert him. But love truly is blind, and Sid
made sure that it remained that way. He would only interact with Kush whenever
he saw me around and Ayesha did not care less as long as at the end of the day
she had money. Unfortunately, she does not realize that Sid will not throw her
a single rupee when he becomes the power of attorney. So moving on to plan B.
Remember I told you about Chamelli, Sid’s addiction, the dancer
at his favourite club? (She nodded in agreement) Well, Chamelli is going to
seduce Sid and try to get him to confess that he is only using Ayesha and when
he does than she will record it… We will show Ayesha that
recording on her wedding day and HOPEFULLY than she realizes that Sid is just
using her, causing her to back out… Ayesha is the only one
who can stop Sid and vice versa… Time to beat them at
their own game.
Priya: Ram I hope everything goes according to plan and nobody gets hurt
in the aftermath of this scheme… (Ram nods in approval)
Their discussion about prospective schemes is interrupted by a
joyful knock on the door.
Priya (scared) Ram maybe I should go now… who could it be?
Ram: (he looks at his watch) No don’t go… It’s time for your surprise.
He covered the webcam with a piece of paper and opened the door.
Priya tried aimlessly to hear whom it was at the door but she was greeted only
by complete silence. Finally Ram removed
the piece of paper from the webcam and Priya was shocked at the sight. Her eyes
filled up unconsciously with tears as she saw the one person that she was
yearning to see who was smiling widely at her.
Priya: Pihu… Mere baachi
Priya’s heart throbbed to hold
her baby girl in her arms. She blinked rapidly trying to capture Pihu’s image in her eyes as much as possible to her hearts content.
With tears rolling down her cheeks and onto her laptop she looked up at Ram and
mouthed, “Thank you”. He smiled proudly and tilted his head forward slightly, to show
acknowledgement for her appreciation.
Pihu let go of Dhaijaan’s hand and walked towards
her mother’s image on the laptop…
Pihu: I missed you Mumma… (She placed a sloppy
kiss on the screen and Priya also did the same) I love you…
Priya: (in tears) I love you too my baby… Mumma has missed you
sooo much… (So lost in the moment,
Priya moved her hand forward trying to carress Pihu’s cheeks, but her hands were greeted by the sensation of the cold
glass screen.)
Pihu placed both hands on the laptop screen, trying to wipe the
tears of Priya’s cheeks…
Pihu: (says sadly) Mumma please don’t cry… (Priya wiped her cheeks but her daughter’s display of concern and affection brought a new set of tears down
it) Aj meri birthday hain Mumma, please don’t cry on this day.
Otherwise I will also start crying, you know I can’t see you crying…
Priya thought, “Bikul apni Papa pe gayi
hain” she looked up at Ram who already had tears in his eyes. Priya
sniffled and wiped her tears, exchanging her sad expression with a happy one…
Priya: okay Baba!! See, no more tears… Apni Papa se bhi kahiye
na…
Pihu looked at Ram and pouted, folding her arms across her chest.
Pihu: Aaj meri Birthday hain and everyone is crying…
Ram quickly wiped his tears and smiled. Dhaijaan also did the same…
Ram: you are right my princess. Today is not the day to cry but it is
the day to celebrate… I know what will cheer you
up… (He goes into the kitchen and brings back a Minnie mouse shaped
black forest Cake. Pihu’s face lit up like the
candle wedged on top of the cake. He placed the cake in between Pihu and the
laptop...) Make a wish my princess.
She made a wish and blew out all of the candles in one go… everyone in the room sang “Happy Birthday” for her. Dhaijaan received a call from Apeksha on her cellphone
and excused herself from the mini-party that did not do any justice for the
daughter of Ram Kapoor, the multi-billionaire. But like her mom, Pihu enjoyed
the simple things in life and it was evident from the smile that never left her
face that she was swimming in a sea of happiness that to the world might have
seemed like a puddle.
Ram took a piece of cake and fed Pihu twice, once on Priya's
behalf.
Ram: Princess Pihu I have something for you...
Pihu: (she gets excited) Saachi!!
Ram: haan of course... But first close your eyes... And no peeking...
Pihu nodded excitedly and closed her eyes; she rested her tiny
palms gently on her eyelids. Ram and Priya momentarily adored her innoncent
gesture as she eagerly waited for her surprise. He reached behind his back and
pulled forward a small box wrapped in red and pink glitter giftwrap. Priya
watched as Ram lovingly removed Pihu’s tiny hands, uncovering
her srunched up eyelids...
Pihu: Can i open my eyes now papa?
Ram: Yes my princess...
She opened her eyes slowly and was immediately elated seeing the
vibrant giftbox in her Dad’s hands. Ram grabbed her
hand and drew it towards his lips; he gave her palm a soft peck before he
placed the giftbox on it.
Ram: This is for you my princess.
Pihu ripped open the box thinking of a million things that could
possibly be at the core of it. Finally she pulled out a gold chain with a generously
sized pendant attached to it that was fit for a princess.
Pihu: Papa? This is Durga Ma right!! (She said looking at the 24 Karat
diamond studded gold pendant)
Ram (taking the pendent from Pihu he adorned her neck with it, while
he responded to her question) Haan Princess, this is a Durga Ma pendent. (He
hooked the chain in place and made her sit on his lap facing Priya) You said
that you are missing mumma a lot na (Pihu nodded and looked at Priya sadly)
Well now, Ma (he touches the pendant and
than touches Pihu's forehead, blessing her) will always be with you and like
Mumma (he points to Priya) she will always protect you... I know that all this
is hard for you Princess but I promise soon we will all be together…very soon...
Pihu: (hugged Ram) Thank
you Papa!!!
Ram: You're welcome my
darling… (He winks at Priya, who
was teary eyed at the sight. She cursed and thanked her fate at once for
blessing her with an understanding husband like Ram but a selfish sister like
Ayesha because of whom she is not able to be physically present in this
precious moment.)
Pihu: (breaks the hug and
looks at Ram confused) Papa? But I miss you a lot too...
Ram: Janta hoon Pihu,
which is why I have the perfect solution… You see, the Durga Ma
pendent is so you don’t miss Mumma too much.
But I have something for you that will remind you of Papa so you don’t feel my absence. Ek
minute… (He leaves the room and comes back with something hidden behind
his back) Pihu close your eyes once more… (She does as he says. He
sits next to her and holds a large plush polar bear in front of Pihu) Okay open
your eyes now…
Pihu: (excitedly grabs the polar bear and squeezes it into a soft, warm
embrace) Papa I love it… (She hugged Ram) Lekin,
what do I call him…
Priya: hmmmm good question what about golu bear?
Pihu: Haan Mumma you are so smart… Golu Papa (she points to
Ram), Golu Pihu (she points to herself) and now Golu bear… Perfect…
Pihu started playing with her new plush toy, thinking about
introducing him to Happy and Tiger once she returned back to the KM. Ram saw
Priya watching Pihu longingly; he understood the turmoil of being away from
Pihu, that must have been revving up in her heart. To be with them in this
moment was a dream of hers that he was not able to fulfill in the present time
and therefore he thought that it would be best to keep her happy until he could
capture her dream and gift it to her in reality.
Ram: Priya? (Her focus shifted to him after hearing his voice)
Priya: Jee!
Ram: Smile! Don’t worry your polar bear will
be by your side very soon…
Priya: (she blushed and looked at Pihu to see if she heard anything but
Pihu was too busy with her golu bear. Priya replied teasingly…) Romantic wala or unromantic?
Ram: (smiling) you can see for yourself…
Their gaze locked, expressing a multitude of desires from longing
to lust to love all mingled in one stare that was quickly dissolved at the
sound of Pihu’s voice.
Pihu: Papa… Mumma… (She looked at both of them) Mujhe cake khana hain…
Ram: Mujhe bhi… Let’s eat…
Pihu: but Mumma?
Priya: Pihu, you can eat one piece
extra on my behalf… (She quickly added) BUT
a small piece, okay? (Pihu nodded in agreement with her mother’s words)
Priya watched helplessly as Pihu and Ram devoured the cake, piece
by piece. They had saved a piece for Dhaijaan to have when she came back but
the rest was all for them…
Priya: Ram, Pihu don’t eat the whole thing
your stomach will hurt…
Pihu (looked at Ram): Papa… Is your tummy hurting?
Ram (looked at Pihu): Nope. Is your tummy hurting princess?
Pihu: No…
Ram: Good… you know what that
means?
Pihu: (confused) No…
Ram: It means that we can keep eating…
Pihu: yay!!!
Priya: (helpessly) Ram why aren’t you stopping her, you
know this is not good for her health or your health…
Ram: Priya… C’mon yaar it’s her birthday, let her
eat…
Priya: Okay maanti hoon ki Pihu ka birthday hain. And what about you?
Hmmm??? You are eating faster than her… Why are you behaving
like a child Ram baas kijiye?
Ram gave Priya a baffled look as he stared down at his hands and
suit, which was covered in cake. Priya pointed to his cheeks; “You missed a spot” she said and smiled.
Pihu enjoyed the cake and laughed at her dad’s childish behaviour.
Time showed no mercy on Ram, Priya and Pihu as it flew by putting an end to the
most special night that they shared after a long time… Ram drove Pihu and Dhaijaan to an undisclosed location where
three bodyguards awaited their arrival… They got into another
car and drove off blending into the darkness.
Ram received a text from one of his employees’ whom he had hired for a special job, “Sid has arrived at the hotel”.
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