FF-Kuch Mere Dil Ne Kaha- Part 20

Part 20

A million words were left unspoken between two lovers, heartbroken. The distance was not the issue and love certainly was not lacking. But something held both Ram and Priya back, something very unnatural. He wanted to hold her in his arms just as badly as she needed to be held.  However, she stood distant and he remained cold, both adamant on their own perspectives.

“Why can’t she just make this right?”  Ram revved his engine, hoping to elicit a reaction from Priya.

“Why can’t Ram just understand that I never doubted his love? Why should I clear a suspicion that doesn’t even exist to begin with?” She thought to herself teetering between the fading fine lines of sadness and annoyance. Priya could feel his piercing gaze on her. From the moment that Ram had sat in his car she knew he was watching her intently in the reflection of the rearview mirror.  That knowledge was like a double-edged sword of sorts, flattering and upsetting, a confusing mix of two opposite emotions. His unwavering gaze on Priya made her feel special. But at the same time she was hurt by the fact that Ram didn’t care enough to make an effort.

Brushing aside her ego Priya made the first move. Walking to the car, she got in and sat beside him, slamming the door shut.  Ram sat up straight in his seat, slightly surprised. He shouldn’t have been, this was exactly what he had wanted. But there was something in her demeanor that he detected, which left him feeling uncertain of her intentions. Undoubtedly, Ram craved to hear her voice in redemption. And just as he had wished, she finally spoke, neglecting his ardent gaze, “Take me home. I want to go home.”

There she was, clutching her purse, enraged. With an expression on her face as lethal, if not more than, any weapon known to mankind.

“Tread carefully man.” Ram’s ego offered scraps of wisdom before its cowardly exit.

“I thought you had left.” Ram stated unable to hide the unusual sense of relief that her presence had provoked within him.

“I was on my way out.” She retorted with a subtle sass in her tone that was elevated by an unmistaken hint of rage.

“I am glad I caught you then.” Taking a few awkward and abrupt steps towards her Ram continued eagerly, aiming to lessen the burden of guilt on his shoulders. “Listen Priya, I wanted to apologize for…”

“Just stop it Mr. Kapoor.” She interrupted catching him off-guard. “How many times are you going to apologize only to make the same mistakes again? Quite frankly, I’m tired of it!”

“No this time I am serious Priya. I wanted to apologize since last night.” There was actual truth in his words but to her ears it was all gibberish.

“Nonsense,” Was her only thought as she shook her head in disbelief. “How can a man be so full of it?”

Ram continued to ramble, taking full advantage of her peculiar silence. “Listen, I really am sorry for everything that I have ever said or done. I know it may be hard but you have to trust me just this once. At first I was out to get revenge for Sid and Sheena. I didn’t know that he was alive or that she was using me. But when I found out that he was alive I should have been thankful instead I was jealous because I couldn’t do anything for him. I was hurt because he didn’t reach out to me for help but he relied so heavily on you. —And… about last night.” Ram paused for a second wetting his dry lips quickly. He watched nervously as the expression of rage on her face-hardened and her eyebrows scrunched in curiosity at the mention of last night. “I wasn’t actually going to do anything. I mean… I was just playing around. Of course I shouldn’t have but still…I did. And I was wrong. I am sorry Priya… I really am. For tricking you into signing the marriage papers, for kissing you, for getting into bed with you last night, for taking jabs at your character. For everything… ”

Ram’s burdened conscious heaved a slight sigh of relief following his overdue apology.

Unable to decipher whether his words held any ounce of truth, Priya analyzed Ram from head to toe hoping to come across a shred of evidence, which would suggest that his apology was nothing more than a cleverly presented charade. But before she could probe further on the subject a familiar, stern voice surfaced from the direction of the open doorway behind Ram. In one swift pivot Ram turned around, coming face to face with Sudhir. The look on Sudhir’s face was icy cold; fitting for a father who had just overheard the hardships his beloved child had silently endured. Priya was baffled by her father’s presence; she could read the hurt hidden beneath the rage in his eyes. The fact of the matter was that she kept Ram’s wrongdoings bottled up. And even though it was a sacrifice, which she had made for the sake of her family; at the end of the day she had, for the first time, kept her struggles a secret from the only man whom she trusted blindly, her father.

“Papa…” She stated the obvious in a tone, which lacked its usual composure in his presence.

“Whatever he just said…” Sudhir questioned Priya, his gaze fixed on Ram like a dart on a target. “Is it true?”

Priya gulped before stammering out a response. “Yes…Papa…It is true. But it’s not as bad as it sounds.” It was as though Priya’s words had no effect on him. 

Sudhir’s blood boiled, but being the reasonable man that he was, he somehow managed to remain calm as he propped the package he had in his hands on top of the foyer table to the side of the entrance.

“Priya let’s go.” He ordered in a tone as stern as the unchanged expression on his face.

Ram and Priya were equally surprised by Sudhir’s composure. Surely there must have been a storm lurking behind his uncharacteristic silence. They both quickly exchanged nervous glances as Priya made her way to the door, following her father’s command.  As they turned to leave Ram remained frozen knowing he had to stop Priya but equally aware of the fact that nothing he said now would make a difference. He had screwed it all up. This one was from every angle in every way, on his ego.

Just as Sudhir wrapped his fingers firmly around the faux glass doorknob, a tired voice bounced with much effort off the walls in the foyer.

“Sudhir? My son… Are you going to leave without meeting me?”

The concern upon seeing Ram’s Dada-ji standing in the hallway with the support of his frail wife was shared amongst Ram, Priya and Sudhir.

“Can’t we just sit and talk for a moment and…” Dada-ji suddenly began coughing unable to finish his sentence. Both Ram and Sudhir rushed to his side.  

“Sir the doctor ordered bed rest. Why are you walking about?” Sudhir questioned trying his best to sound assertive without being disrespectful.

“Yes Dada-ji… Why are you doing this?” Ram added as they walked his Dada-ji towards the sofa in the living room. Dadi waddled behind them rightfully panicked and distressed. She cursed herself for giving into her husband’s request to get out of the room. But what could she have done? It’s not like if she had denied helping him up he would have remained in his bed like he was supposed too. After all stubbornness is the Kapoor family hallmark of authenticity, so to speak.

“Priya grab the medication will you.” Sudhir shouted back as they entered the living room.

“What a turn of events.” Priya couldn’t help but to think amidst the chaos. Even for a moment Ram and Sudhir had put their differences aside, finally finding common grounds.

Ram glared angrily at Priya who had just requested to be dropped home. She could sense his strong emotions without him ever needing to speak. It was a gift, which was quite convenient in their relationship. Although Ram was stellar in many aspects of his life, expressing his feelings had always been a weakness, which he had never bothered to improve upon.

“No fucking way!” Ram cursed, blatantly turning her down. 

“Fine!” Unbuckling her seat belt Priya loosely tugged at the door handle hearing the faint click as it gave, announcing her exit.  “Beats me!” She shrugged. “I’ll just take a cab to the airport then.” Surprised by his inaction, Priya stepped out of the car with ease. However, barely into her second step away from the vehicle she felt his familiar firm grip around her arm. His mere touch was like a hit of ecstasy, hurling her heart into a race against itself and warming her up from the inside out. “That was fast.” She thought, trying her best to understand exactly how Ram had managed to get out of the car with such speed. But before Priya could come up with an explanation she found herself propped across his shoulder like a sack of potatoes being carried back into the house against her will. 

“Ram put me down this instant… I mean it Ram… Put me down… Dammit Ram I am not a child you can’t just manhandle me like this… I said put me down.”

It was evident that Ram was a man on a mission making it a task to ignore her many objections.  Treading up the last few steps Ram entered the bedroom. Striking the door shut with his foot he finally gave into her demands propping her figure on the floor like a mannequin.  The distaste of being manhandled was clearly painted in the expression on her face.

“What the hell is wrong with you Ram?” Priya shouted at him while smoothing the freshly formed crinkles in her saree with the brush of her palms.

“Serves you right!” Ram hissed as he grabbed hold of her arms pinning her against the door. “You know just how much I hate the thought of you leaving me yet somehow you always manage to squeeze that in as a threat whenever we argue. Why?”

“Ouch…Ram…” She moaned squirming to break free from his unrelenting grip. “Please… You’re hurting me.” Those three words, and of course I love you, had a way of working like magic each time it passed her lips. And this time was no different. Ram loosened his hold around her arms, slowly setting her free almost as though he was unsure of his decision to ultimately let her go.

“What is it about you that drives me so insane? I never used to be like this.” Ram confessed, without an ounce of fear in his voice. 

“It’s because you love me you crazy man.” She stated in a tone saturated in attitude. Soothing her arms where Ram had held her, Priya noticed his lips quiver into a subtle grin.

 Very charmingly Ram began moving towards her with his grin appearing more sinister the closer he got. “And you? What about your love?”

“It goes without saying.” Priya stammered as her back finally kissed the closed doors, alerting her of the obvious dead end.

“But I want to hear you say it. I want to hear you say I love you…” Gliding his arms around her waist Ram had Priya exactly where he wanted her. And at that point, it was no secret what his intentions were; she could read the script clearly in his lustful gaze. Feigning control over her untamed feelings for him Priya made an attempt to break free. “Ram choro na… please… ” Priya’s unconvincing plea was met by the exact opposite.  Whispering a quick, “shhh…” against her lips Ram kissed Priya tenderly almost as though to confirm her silence.

All that was left of her strength crumbled to mush the moment their lips collided. And as always nothing else mattered in that moment, which was only theirs to cherish. Without so much as a thought Priya wrapped her arms loosely around his neck for support as she ran her fingers up the back of his head and through his freshly gelled hair. The wet strands of his hair sent a shiver down her spine immediately. It was the thought of the earlier shower they shared mingled in with the taste of Ram’s warm lips working fervently against hers, which had Priya melting in his embrace. Splaying his fingers on her buttocks Ram pulled Priya into the caress of his body emphasizing his need in case a passionate kiss wasn’t clear enough for her. She moaned in his mouth when their bodies softly smacked as they came together. Ram was frantic in his approach to loving her. There was no predicting his next move and that for Priya was magic.  Not knowing and just feeling a gush of sensations as it rushes through your veins. Breathlessly, Ram pecked the corner of her mouth, creating a trail of kisses down the arch of her neck. “I love you Ram.” She managed to whisper focusing on each word. “I love you so much.”

“Then why did you want to leave?”  

“I knew you would never let me go.”

“What?” He looked at her confused.

Composing herself Priya leaned against the door unable to stand. Exhaling deeply she explained, “Because Ram you said that I doubted your love. So I said I wanted to leave. I trusted your love Ram. I knew you loved me too much to let me leave.”

Combing his fingers through his hair Ram shook his head in utter shock. “Jesus Priya. How could you do this to me? Do you have any idea how scared I was?”

“What? Is this supposed to be my fault?” Finally regaining composure Priya stood up straight with her hands on her hips. “You’re the one who wanted proof and that’s exactly what I gave you.”

Heaving a sigh of relief Ram teased his wife. “There are so many different ways you could have gone about this. Drama queen.”

“Really Ram? I’m dramatic?” She probed in complete denial of his presumption.  “It was not too long ago that you carried me up the stairs against my will like a madman. A simple no Priya you’re not going anywhere would have sufficed.”

“Yeah I am a madman.” Ram moved slowly towards Priya, his intent clear as day.

“Ram don’t you dare.” She raised her index finger in protest moving backwards. However it was too late, Ram had already made up his mind. Once again she found herself across his shoulders. Although Priya knew that changing his mind was a lost cause she still moped in an attempt to persuade him. “Ram… please… Choro na… okay… I am sorry baba…I swear I wont ever talk about leaving you again…not even to make a point…” Not bothered by her demands Ram slapped her buttocks with his free hand. “Ram,” She moaned his name loudly feeling the subtle sting on her backside.  It was strange, he had never done that before but for some reason she was aroused by his boldness. “That’s your punishment for even joking about leaving me, Mrs. Kapoor.” Ram stated with a naughty grin on his face, knowing very well that she enjoyed his every move.  That knowledge was definitely stiffening. God he loved her with all his heart and to have those feelings reciprocated by Priya was a blessing that he didn’t dare take for granted. Perhaps that’s why the lingering reality of separation was too large of a pill for either one of them to swallow, it was something well beyond their control. Shrugging aside his insecurities Ram tossed Priya into the soft embrace of the plush king sized mattress. Climbing on top of her with lightening speed Ram pinned her beneath his large frame. She gulped as he inched closer to her lips. “Ram, it’s so beautiful out.” Priya spoke timidly, averting his intense, lustfully driven gaze.

Right before he kissed her, Ram whispered against her lips, sending her over the edge. “Nothing is more beautiful than this.”  

FF:-Kuch Mere Dil Ne Kaha- Part 19-

Part 19

“Good morning Sir,” Jenny greeted Ram as he made his way off the elevator heading towards his cabin.

Normally Ram would acknowledge her reception with the subtle nod of his head. But today that affirmation was not even attempted by the tycoon.  Although Jenny found Ram’s rejection to be strange, being recently reappointed as his assistant prying into his personal affairs was out of the question completely. As her job description dictated, she followed Ram into his cabin with a copy of the daily agenda in hand along with a pen to mark any changes. 

“Sir, today you have 10 meetings starting with the Saxena brothers at 11am. The files for the meetings...”

“No… no meetings or phone calls today Jenny.” Ram interrupted slumping lifelessly in his office chair. “Cancel all the meetings.”

“But Sir what do I tell them…”

Ram responded in a tone that highlighted his impatience and disregard, “I don’t care. Make something up if you have too. But no meetings today.”

“Okay Sir… Is there anything else I can do for you?”

Stretching his legs out under his desk Ram leaned back in his executive leather chair. “Yeah I need a bed.”

“Sorry Sir?” Jenny asked, confused.

Exhaling lazily Ram stared hopelessly at his flustered personal assistant, wishing she would transform into a genie of some sort. All he needed was a bed but even in his delusional and sleep deprived state Ram knew he had to be somewhat rational in his demands.

“Nothing Jenny.” Still very much slouched in his chair Ram requested drowsily, “Just get me a cup of coffee.”

“Coffee?”  Jenny’s voice instinctively raised an octave. It was general knowledge perhaps amongst every employee in the entire Kapoor Industries enterprise that Ram hated coffee. In his own words, he had described his strong dislike for the very same beverage. The taste, the look and even the stench; he had once stated that he hated it all.

“Yes coffee.” He repeated, more sternly. Already in a foul mood from the night before Ram was not the least bit pleased with the ensuing informal interrogation.

Keying in on his crankiness Jenny quickly redeemed herself. “Okay Sir, how would you like your coffee?”

“Black and strong.”

No point in sugar coating the poison. He thought to himself. But god if he ever needed caffeine it was now.  

“Right, Sir…” Jenny observed Ram as he shrugged his black suit jacket off his shoulders and swung it over the backrest of his chair in an uncharacteristically unkempt fashion. He tugged at the slack knot of his grey tie and loosened it slightly. Ram looked like hell and the day hadn’t even begun properly. Jenny could only imagine the kind of hell he would raise for her today. Silently whispering a prayer in her heart she left Ram’s cabin. 

Ram’s jaw dropped in shock, shaken by the initial impact. Priya’s hands remained frozen on the steering wheel; her eyes shut tight as she tried to make sense of what had just happened. No airbags were deployed so it was safe to assume that the crash was minor. Priya had accidentally placed the car in reverse mistaking it for drive. So when her foot slammed on the gas pedal, Ram’s beloved beauty jolted backwards, kissing the brick wall mere inches behind it.

Finally exchanging glances, Ram and Priya quickly got out of the car heading to the rear end to assess the damage. “It nothing,” Ram thought to himself, obviously more concerned about Priya’s well being. However, her reaction was the stark opposite. Breaking down into tears she made a mad dash to the nearest powder room inside the house. Slamming the door behind her she locked herself in.

And now the creases of concern began forming on his forehead with only one thought replaying in his head in a frightening loop, “Is she hurt?” He cursed himself for letting her drive in the first place.

Sprawled out on the couch with his feet up on the glass coffee table, Ram chew desperately on a stick of gum staring pointlessly at the ceiling. Up until the point that he had a large sip of coffee Ram was simply feeling drowsy. But now he felt sick to his stomach, anxiously trying to rid his mouth of the potent bitter after taste.  

“Ram what’s going on? Are you okay buddy?” The sound of Vikram’s familiar voice filled Ram’s ears prompting him to lift his head up for a quick second to glance in his direction. Confirming that it was in fact his friend who had entered his cabin Ram rested his head back thinking to himself, “Finally, the bastard has come around.”

“No I am not okay Vikram yaar. What does it look like?” Swiftly placing his foot on the floor Ram sat upright to analyze his buddy’s reaction. “But why do you care? You’re on team Priya.”

“Oye, stop being melodramatic you ass and tell me what happened? Jenny says you cancelled all the meetings for today. You can’t just do that.”

“Look at my face Vikram. No. Actually look at me in general. I am in no shape to lead a meeting let alone 10.”

Crossing his arms Vikram examined his sprawled out friend from top to bottom. “You’re right Ram.” He stated with a soft chuckle. “You look like shit man. One day married and this is your state? You’ve got a long way to go my friend.”

“Ha Ha! Very funny.” Ram exclaimed sarcastically.

“Well…” Vikram sat on the couch adjacent to Ram. “It’s obvious that you got little to no sleep last night. What exactly happened?” He probed, already trying to suppress his smile.

“Priya and Kush… That’s what happened.” Ram explained the events of the night from the moment he entered his room after work. “Can you imagine, I was a stranger in my own home. By the time I cleaned myself up and came out of the washroom, Kush and Priya were asleep on the bed. I had no choice but to sleep on a measly sofa. It was either that or the floor. My back hurts like hell, I got zero hours of rest.” He halted his tale of woe hearing his friend burst into a laughing fit. “Man shut the f*ck up, it’s not funny.”

Trying to catch his breath but unable to fully contain his amusement, Vikram somehow managed to form a sentence, “Karma Ram. Karma…”

“Yeah you laugh now.  But when your child comes into this world you will be the self-taught expert on sleep deprivation. Just a couple more months you ass.”

“We’ll see when that time comes. But what are you going to do about your current situation?” Vikram took a few deep breaths and tried to focus on keeping a straight face. Tried, being the key word. 

“I don’t know man. I need to sleep that’s the first thing. Only then will I be able to come up with some solution to this madness. But I can’t go home; she will be there along with that crying and pooping machine. Yaar, help me out man?” Ram genuinely begged for his assistance.

“Alright, here’s what you do.” Vikram, still very much amused, decided to help his buddy out, figuring he had suffered enough. “Go to your home away from home and relax. I will handle the meetings for the day.”

“Shit! See Vikram I am really screwed up. How could I have forgotten about my safe haven? Thanks man I owe you.” Ram scrimmaged through his pockets coming up empty handed. “Damn I forgot my phone also!  I swear this woman will lead me to an early death.”

“This one is on you alone Ram. Even the wisest of men know better then to piss a woman off.” Vikram offered one of his many life lessons while watching Ram fumble through his cabin grabbing his keys and throwing on his now creased suit jacket.

“Save it man I am in no mood for your lectures.” Ram refuted his advice unwisely. Scurrying to the door he added before making his way out, “Call the house phone if you need anything. Seriously Vikram, I owe you man.”

“Many have come and many have gone. But it only took Priya one night to break Ram. Looks like you have finally met your match.” Vikram scoffed at the thought as the cabin door slammed shut. In all the years that he knew Ram this was the first time he had seen him so senselessly frantic.   

Ram pounded the powder room door with the side of his fist, desperate for entry.  Curiosity of her condition plagued his wandering thoughts. The weeping and sniffling sounds coming from inside the room made matters worse in his already uneasy mind.

“For god sake Priya open the damn door!” He yelled, having asked politely before with no results.

“No. Just leave me alone Ram.” Lacking the boldness and structure in her voice, Priya’s request seemed unconvincing.

“We both know that’s not going to happen. Open the door I just want to see you.”

“Why? I wrecked your favorite car. You warned me but I didn’t listen. Ram I don’t want to go out anymore. Just leave me.”

Leaning with her back against the door she waited for his response. Although, she had asked him to leave her alone, in her heart she wanted nothing more then for him to stay. But as the first minute of silence prevailed around her, she knew he had heeded her untruthful request.

“He hates me.” She wallowed in her self-pity and guilt unable to hold back the salty streams coursing down her cheeks.

But it wasn’t long before she heard a series of crashing sounds hailing from the garage. Unable to contain her curiosity Priya ran out of the powder room and towards the source of the commotion.

Swinging a wooden bat Ram smashed the passenger side window of the very same car that she had wrecked earlier. 

“Ram what are you doing?”

“Proving a point.” He stated vaguely before raising the bat for another blow, this time aiming for the back seat window.

“Are you crazy Ram? Please stop this madness.” She shrieked over the sound of glass kissing concrete.

“Yes. I am crazy.” He chucked the wooden bat to the ground just as she’d ordered before walking toward her.  “You are the root to my madness.” Ram’s voice sounded rough and edgy. Finally they were face to face, his fingers clasped around her arms, gently yet firm, assertive but with a strong presence of concern. Staring into the depth of his eyes, she was unable to read him.  Perhaps her own strung emotions were the culprits that had thrown her off her game. 

Almost in a faint whisper, Priya quickly recited the pressing thought on her mind hoping to ease her burden a little. “I am sorry for ruining your car Ram.”

His reaction was blank and impalpable. She was beginning to wonder if he had even heard her apology. But before she could confirm her suspicions with a statement, Ram offered her his own words. “Are you hurt?” He asked in tandem with his eyes searching her body for an answer.

Still secured in his hold, she replied softly, “No.” Gulping nervously, she added, “Are you hurt?”

“Next time when I ask you to open the door, you open the damn door.” Completely ignoring her question Ram masked his concern with assertiveness. And although she was irritated by his disregard of her question Priya knew by the look on his face that she was in no position to argue.  

“Do you understand?” Priya had a hard time deciding which was more threating, Ram’s glare or the seriousness in his tone.  Not that it was of any importance for her to decipher.

The nod of her head was a subtle response to his inquiry but it proved to be rather powerful, softening Ram’s expression. He pulled her into his warm embrace, one that she craved so badly. Resting against his chest she could feel his fear. Without miss, his heartbeat always found a way to report to her whatever he tried hard to conceal. It was as though his heart knew that she was only person that could settle him in his moment of frenzy. And of course, it was right. Kissing him softly, several times through his shirt, Priya whispered once more, “I’m so sorry.”

Robbing her of warmth Ram stepped back. Although, the look on his face had left Priya guessing, it wasn’t long before Ram had recaptured her wandering mind.

“I am hurt Priya.” Ram settled her curiosity with a rather unsettling statement.

“What? Where?” Unsure of her words, she anxiously reached out to touch him. However, Ram held both her hands, denying Priya of her desperate need.

 “I am hurt that you think a car is worth more to me than our love and your well-being.” Letting go of her hands Ram added, “You obviously have no idea about the extent of my love for you. Or maybe you do and you just don’t care.”

“No, Ram it’s not like that.” Priya tried to muster up an explanation without breaking down. She just needed him to know that she never once doubted his love. But Ram was in no mood to listen.

“It is exactly like that Priya.” He stated outright staring squarely in her hurt, moist eyes. “Anyways, forget it. If you still want to go for that ride I will be waiting in the car.” Finishing the conversation on his own terms Ram made his way to another one of his luxury rides like nothing had even happened.

Starting the engine, Ram examined Priya’s unmoved figure in the rearview mirror. He watched with a rock on his heart as she brushed her cheeks with the palms of her soft hand. It was obvious to Ram that his words were the reason for her distress. But he was no stranger to the pain either, having experienced the same.  

Unleashing his frustrations on the steering wheel Ram waited impatiently for Priya. This time around he desperately needed for her to make things better. In fact, he was insistent on it.  

Although he was unfit to drive Ram quickly zipped through traffic focused only on his destination, a five-minute car ride away from the Kapoor Industries.

Shutting off his ignition Ram stepped out of his car with surprising speed for a sleep deprived man. A smile unmistaken on his face and a rich pep in his step Ram skipped up the mini staircase leading to the door. It wasn't the house that peaked his interest but the people inside who meant the world to him. Somersaulting in his chest as he rang the doorbell, his heart filled with glee impatiently waiting to see the serene face of the only woman he knew he could trust blindly. As the lock clicked and the door slowly opened Ram prepared himself to catapult into her warm embrace.

But when he caught a glimpse of the woman who stood in front of him, Ram's excitement faded just as quickly as it was brought on.

"Priya? What the hell are you doing here? Wait… Are you following me?" Ram squeezed his words through clenched teeth. Suddenly all emotion failed him with the exception of one, anger.

"I could ask you the same thing Mr. Kapoor!" She snapped back at him with equal distaste.

Hearing the commotion an old and slightly plump lady waddled her way to the entrance. Upon catching a glimpse of her grandson she shrieked, "Ram beta I am so happy to see you. Thank god you came. I have been calling you all morning but there was no answer. I even tried calling you at the office with no luck."

Normally he read her emotions like an open book. Had his judgment not been clouded by baseless rage he would have definitely picked up on the latent despair and fear in her uncertain voice.

Ram stormed through the doorway his eyes still seasoned with rage unwavering from his target.

"This is my dadi and dada-ji's house. I have every right to be here.” That statement alone was ample justification for his presence in the house. But being the angry, bitter man that he was, Ram added a final and arguable unnecessary blow. “Just because your family is no more doesn't mean you have the right to interfere with mine."

“Baas Ram!” Having heard enough Dadi finally put an end to the madness. She was no stranger to her grandson’s volatile nature but for the first time she felt like he had crossed a line and had she not stopped him when she did, he might have decimated Priya’s emotions beyond repair. But one glance at Priya’s face stirred an uneasy feeling inside her; perhaps the damage had already been done.

Reeling in the bitterness of his statement Ram’s ego cowardly took shelter in the shadow of his judgment. “What the hell was I thinking?” He thought to himself drowning in the sea of pain filling in her eyes.  It was only then that it hit him. Priya had no knowledge of his Dada-ji. In fact, she had believed him when he told her that his Dada-ji had passed away. Although he had his reasons for shielding the truth from her, he couldn’t come up with an acceptable excuse for his rash behavior.

“I called her here.” Dadi stood next to Priya unfolding the events of a hectic morning. “Ram I called you on your cell and at your office number.  But Priya advised me that you had forgotten your phone at home and Jenny said you weren’t able to take any calls at the office. Thank god Priya answered. I wouldn’t have known what to do if she hadn’t helped.”

“What happened Dadi?” He finally questioned, coming to his senses. “Is Dada-ji…” Dadi began weeping before Ram could finish his sentence. He took her in his arms his eyes scanning Priya’s body language for any clues. Silently Ram begged her for an answer, which she probably didn’t feel he deserved.  

He guided his Dadi to the living room and got her to take a seat on the sofa. Ram sat next to her. 

“ Ram, your Dada-ji fell ill early this morning. Priya answered the phone when I called you several times. Thank god she did. She came with Sudhir and they took your Dada-ji to the hospital. He is back now. Resting in his room.”

“What exactly happened to him Dadi? He has been taking his meds right?” Ram was now wide-awake.  

“I don’t know beta. Sudhir just stepped out to fill your dada-ji’s prescription. He should be back shortly. You can ask him. I wouldn’t be able to tell you.”  She paused momentarily and then as if a light bulb had switched on in her head, she quickly added. “Priya…Yes, ask Priya. She will know.” Scanning the otherwise empty living room Dadi looked back at Ram, “Where is she? Ram did she leave?”

Ram was equally curious. She couldn’t just leave like that after doing so much for him, he thought to himself. “Dadi, I’ll just check. You relax. I am here now and this will never happen again. I promise.”

Ram rushed to the foyer. For the first time he was anxious to see her face. One could tell by his changed demeanor that he was eager to apologize and make amends. Perhaps even extend his hand in friendship. However, when he got to the foyer, Ram was greeted by silence and emptiness. The closed door alerted him of her departure. He couldn’t deny the subtle rage building up inside of him. But this time his anger was directed at his own ego. 

Running to the door he swung it open hoping to catch her just on her way out. But alas, he had no such luck.

“Excuse me…” Suddenly, the voice of a woman sounded from behind him.

Spinning as fast as he could, Ram turned to put a face to the voice, praying that it belonged to Priya.

Kuch Mere Dil Ne Kaha Part 18

Part 17 Recap- Ram returns home tired from work in need of some rest. Priya decides to irritate him by getting into his bed before him thus forcing him to sleep on the couch. However, when Ram climbs into bed beside her it startles Priya. She wants to get out but Ram holds her back joking about how good he is to get her to join him in bed after just a few hours. Unable to escape Priya starts crying. Ram immediately sets her free unable to handle the sight of her tears. Ram insists that he was simply joking and that he would never think about forcing himself on her. But Priya is not satisfied with his explanation. Instead of getting angry with him, she simply states that she is disappointed, not expecting this kind of behavior from a man who she thought had some level of respect for women.

Priya leaves the room. Ram can’t sleep. Following her in the darkness of the hallway, Ram sees Priya talking to his father outside his parent’s bedroom. Ram thinks for sure she was going to rat him out but once again Priya proves him wrong. She clearly has no intention of ruining an already broken relationship to a point beyond repair. Priya simply wanted to see if Kush was awake so that she could take him with her back to Ram’s room.

Ram heads over to his favorite spot in the mansion, the balcony. Deciding he must apology to Priya he scours his brain for ideas, coming up empty handed. The last time he tried to apologize to Priya it ended up in a kiss, which of course Ram blames Priya for because she wouldn’t shut up and listen to what he had to say. To prevent the same from reoccurring, Ram decides he must come up with a way to apologize to Priya without actually saying that he was sorry.

In the present scene Ram and Priya share a steamy shower before getting dressed to go out for a ride. Both seem to know that they can’t be together forever and for some reason the clock is ticking on their love.

Part 18

“Penny for your thoughts”, Mocked an amused voice inside of Ram's clueless head. He was a billionaire businessman whom had built an empire with much ease from scraps of the very same thoughts, which now failed him.  Ram sighed deeply combing his fingers through the lush fields of his hair and pivoting to lean against the cold steel rails on the balcony. It had not been his intention to hurt Priya but it seemed as though he was developing a tremendous talent in that department. Having achieved damn near everything Ram was easily a master of sorts. However, he lacked the one thing that he needed the most in his current predicament, compassion. Unsure of his next move Ram nervously made his way to his bedroom like a stranger in his own home. Although he had acknowledged that an apology was in order, Ram had not a clue as to how he would pursue the task. Failure plagued his mind, unable to produce a solution.  A simple sorry stated in the classic, conventional manner seemed farfetched even to his heightened ego. Ram knew he needed to come up with a method of apology, which offered a little more leverage after what he had done.

A blank expression masked his face as he stood outside his bedroom with his left hand cradling the chrome-polished doorknob. It didn’t take a psychologist to arrive at the obvious conclusion that Ram was frightened to enter. As if in his room there was a test in progress for which he hadn’t studied in advance. 

“C’mon Ram,” He muttered in an attempt to persuade himself. “Why the hell are you standing out here like a thief? It’s your bedroom dammit!” Ram cautiously took a step forward pausing to comb his fingers through his hair and with his eyes shut tight he exhaled deeply.

“Ram Beta?” Hearing his name uttered in the dark, Ram spun around in shock nearly tripping as his feet tangled in the rush. “Sambal ke Beta.” Steadying himself, Ram looked up to see his mother standing in front of him with Kush, who seemed very much awake, embraced in her arms. Ram noticed the glisten in Kush’s glare as he watched him curiously; it became clear that he had been crying. 

“Ram, who were talking to just now?” Krishna piped up scanning the empty hallway. 

“Umm, no one Ma I was just umm… I was talking to myself.” Ram’s ego palmed his forehead unimpressed by his attempt at an excuse. However, unknown to Ram, Krishna had overheard his little pep talk. In fact, she found his hesitation to enter his own bedroom rather amusing. 

“Are you sure beta?” She probed, concealing her amusement Krishna continued to feign innocence.

“Ma it’s nothing!” Ram stated firmly. “What are you doing here at this hour anyway?” The answer to his question was clear; it had teary eyes and a thumb lodged in his mouth like a pacifier. But for Ram he simply asked anything just to swerve the conversation off track and more importantly, off him as the subject. 

Krishna understood exactly what her son was up to and so she obliged saving him further embarrassment. Besides she was thoroughly entertained by then; amusement that he couldn’t rob her of anyhow. “Kush had a little accident,” Krishna started as she handed Kush over to Ram. “And I foolishly forgot to carry diapers for him. Besides your Papa brought up a valid point, Priya must be missing Kush.” 

“Wait, what?” Ram’s face shaped in disgust as he finally processed or rather smelt what his mother meant by ‘little accident’.  He held Kush out in front of him like a sac of potatoes. Startled, Kush watched on confused and unsure of how to react. “Take him back! Priya is in the room you go give him to her.” 

Krishna refused, “Oh come on Ram behave yourself. He is just a baby. Besides, you should be thankful. Kush is your key back into your bedroom.” She chuckled unable to contain her amusement any longer.  “Good night beta!” Planting a kiss on Kush’s forehead, Krishna stroked the side of Ram’s face absorbing every ounce of humour in his flabbergasted expression. 

“Gross.” Ram said staring at Kush whose bottom lip began its curl outwards. “No, no, no don’t you dare.” Ram ordered as he swung open his bedroom door and jolted in. Hoping to get rid of his nephew before the water works began, Ram’s eyes searched for Priya to no avail. “Where the hell is she?” 

Just as that thought crossed his mind, Kush began wailing, not taking to kindly to being handled with no affection. Ram ran to the bathroom holding Kush like a shield in front of him. “Priya!” Ram screamed out for her in the abandoned room over Kush’s escalating tantrum. 

Priya was nowhere to be found like solace, which was once contained within the four walls of his bedroom. Seeing no other alternative, Ram decided he had to do something to silence Kush. His undying wailing was wrecking havoc on Ram’s last panicked nerve. How hard could this be? Ram consoled himself, placing Kush in the bathroom sink. The cold ivory surface agitated Kush further as Ram picked at his diaper looking for a way to undo it. “Oh god. Oh god. Oh god, oh god, oh god.” Ram chanted taking the first and then the final sticky diaper tab off.  Seeing that the ‘little accident’ wasn’t so little after all Ram began pacing in the bathroom searching frantically for a way out of the mess. 

“Okay, okay, hold on, hold on!” Ram tried consoling Kush from afar. His cheeks had turned tomato red from crying. And in all the chaos, only one solution came to Ram’s mind. Sliding the glass doors back Ram turned on the shower, adjusting the water until it was lukewarm. Lifting Kush out of the sink, Ram placed his messy bottom up towards the showerhead. 

It worked! Ram thought, an accomplished smile highlighting his lips.  If he hadn’t known any better it seemed as though Kush was enjoying himself too. The crying had ceased and Kush’s bottom was slowly being cleaned.  Ram didn’t even care that he was getting wet. Heck, even his ransacked bathroom didn’t bother him either. Kush kicked his legs ecstatically in the air as beads of water from the gentle rainfall shower tickled his tiny feet. Ram had done it, he had accomplished mission impossible. 

“What the hell is going on here?” Priya’s voice rose from behind him just when he thought that nothing could ruin his mood there she was to stick a dagger in his slice of happiness. 

“Oh my gosh Kush.” She leaped forward to snatch Kush from Ram but Ram held him back.

“No!” Ram took Kush in his embrace and out of Priya’s reach. Turning off the shower Ram snapped back, “Where the hell were you when he needed you? I cleaned him up! You can’t just sweep in here and take all the credit.” 

“Mr. Kapoor, he’s going to get sick! Let me dry him off at least.” 

“No way!” Priya watched as Ram grabbed a towel hanging behind the bathroom door and wrapped Kush warmly in it. “Nothing to it.” He said as he finished. 

“You’re so immature.” Priya stated shaking her head in disbelief. 

“You’re just jealous that I was able to take care of Kush so well. It must bug you to know how easily you could be replaced.” 

“Oh please…” Priya drew a circle in the air with her hand bringing the mess in the bathroom to Ram’s attention. “I can see just how magnificently you have handled this whole situation.”

“Yeah whatever. Where the hell were you?” 

“Waise, it’s none of your business but if you must know, I was talking to my Papa. Is that a crime?” 

“What was wrong with talking in the room? And also, what the hell are you feeding Kush?” he pointed to the dirty diaper in the sink. “That can’t be normal for someone his age.”  

Ram was repulsed watching Priya bundle the dirty diaper chucking it in the nearby trashcan. “Mr. Kapoor you are so arrogant. Kush is just a baby.” 

“And when the hell did I say that he is a grown man. All I am saying is that you should put him on a healthy diet or something.” Kush yawned in Ram’s arms, his drowsy eyes fighting to stay open.    

“Excuse me!” Priya blurted out clearly offended by Ram’s remark. “If anyone needs to be put on a diet it’s you Mr. Kapoor.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean? Are you suggesting that I am fat?” 

“No Mr. Kapoor.” She stated sarcastically. “I am stating it outright. You’re definitely not skinny.”

“You take that back right now,” Ram hollered at her. 

“No, I refuse to lie!” She snapped back just as viciously. 

“Listen---“ Ram’s sentence came to an abrupt halt. His clothes were drenched from the shower but suddenly Ram felt something warm trickle down his belly. “What the hell man!” Priya watched with a beaming smile on her face as Kush put the brakes on Ram’s raging ego. “He peed on me!” Ram complained handing Kush over to Priya in a hurry but the damage was done. 

“Good, it serves you right! Priya stated, adding insult to injury before leaving the bathroom in a laughing fit. She had never been more proud of Kush than in that moment. “That’s my baby boy.” She kissed Kush’s forehead as she triumphantly headed back to the bedroom.

The weather was rather nice owning to the breeze, which added a cool touch to the otherwise thick humid air. It was a casual outing for the couple but for lovers no meeting ever falls short of a date. Hand in hand they walked cherishing the closeness amongst them, never taking it for granted. Twenty-four measly hours together was all that they had left before they would be forced to part ways, hopefully not forever. Although the thought of separation stung at the back of their minds, Ram and Priya had silently vowed to not let an unforeseen future consume the beauty of their present experience. The garage door rose up slowly at the push of a button as though to graciously unveil Ram’s collection of vehicles. Having the love of his life by his side and his collection of cars in front of his eyes Ram needed nothing more to be happy. A smile danced on Ram’s lips before he caught a glimpse of his loving wife. 

“What?” He questioned reading the stern look on Priya’s face.

“I can’t believe this,” She shook her head feigning disbelief. “You’re like a fat kid in a candy shop.”

“Are you calling me fat again Priya?” Ram stated boisterously letting go of her hand. “You know I am sensitive and besides Dadi says I am healthy.” Turning his face away like a stubborn child, Ram complained.

Exhaling deeply Priya walked over to Ram, being unable to resist the urge she tugged his cheeks gently. “No my Golu Molu.” Ram glared at her unimpressed shrugging her hands away. “Arey… if anyone should be mad right now it’s me.” She stated, wisely using the one tactic she knew would catch him off guard.  

“What? Why?” Ram asked, hoping that this wasn’t the making of another fight. 

“Well?” She continued teasing him, flipping the tables in her favour. “The way your face lights up when you step into this garage. I mean I have a right to be a little jealous being your wife and all. These expensive pieces of metal and paint hold more value in your heart than me.” Priya sulked; pouting her lips she stole a page right out of his book. 

Ram remained stunned, frozen in his spot. “Pieces of metal and paint?” That thought alone was too farfetched to be considered as grounds for an argument even for a vehicle enthusiast like him. Priya was unpredictable and he loved that about her. But sometimes that same love of his worked against him. Deciding it best to let her win this ridiculous metal and paint round, Ram began speaking as calmly as he could. “What? Baby, how can you say that I love my cars more than you? Haven’t I proved anything to you about my love in these last 48 hours? Or shall we go back upstairs so I can try again?” Ram finished on a naughty note forcing her lips to shape into a shy smile. 

Approaching her, Ram wrapped his arms loosely around Priya’s waist, placing an innocent kiss on her forehead.  “How do I prove that I love you more Mrs. Kapoor?” He asked, not realizing how much he would later regret his own question. 

“Hmm…” Priya pretended to think, swaying comfortably in his hold. “I want you to let me drive.” She ordered with a smile too angelic to refute.   

“No problem my love. What’s it going to be today? The Benz, Land Rover or better yet your favourite, the Jaguar?” Ram offered Priya with luxurious options like a top car sales man. But unfortunately none of his suggestions matched the vehicle of her choice. 

“I want to drive that one!” She pointed to the lone electric red sports car parked elegantly in a corner away from the others.   

“The F12?” Ram asked, his voice uncharacteristically screechy.  

“Yes!” Priya stated with certainty, walking towards the ride of her choosing. She knew very well that that car was Ram’s baby and it was for that reason alone she had decided to choose it as her ride. How else would she fairly judge whether Ram loved her truly or not? That was her justification.

“But that’s Berlinetta…” Ram whined following Priya closely as the man-child inside of him threw a massive tantrum sensing that he would eventually have to succumb to her wishes. How can you ask a man to choose between his car and his wife? Ram thought to himself while trying to come up with reasons why Priya couldn’t drive his baby. Reasons that were valid enough to not get him killed or even worse, divorced. 

Priya turned around and faced him, shaking her head in disbelief. “Really Ram? Berlineta?” 

“But Priya…” Ram complained

“No Ram. Whatever happened to proving that you love me more? You’re the one who proposed the idea. Now you have to decide? Who’s it going to be Berlinetta or me?” She placed her foot firmly on the ground and crossed her arms, waiting for her flustered husband to respond.  

Knowing he was trapped in his own net, Ram tried his best to not whine as he attempted one last time to steer Priya away from Berlinetta. “Priya… but the F12 is not your average car. I mean it’s a beast. That baby, I mean that thing can go from 0-100 in 3.2 seconds. Just imagine. That’s less than 4 seconds Priya… Can you believe it? It’s quite dangerous if you think about it carefully!” 

Uninterested Priya replied without a hint of sarcasm in her voice. “And I can go from happy wife to angry wife in less time then that. You decide what’s more dangerous for you.” 

Pausing for a moment to take in Priya’s words Ram thought to himself, “It’s true. Berlinetta is harmless, but Priya on the other hand…” Inhaling deeply ram made what he felt to be the toughest decision of his entire life. “O-okay, no problem. I love you more so…you can drive Berlinetta…” Ram finally concluded with his head hung in shame from having betrayed his baby. 

“Yay!” Priya jumped up in glee and hugged him. “I love you baby.” 

As they walked to the car and got in Ram had beads of sweat collecting on his forehead. Even the subtle breeze failed in its attempts to cool him.  

The powerful roar of the engine sounded like a cry for help. Ram sat low in his seat, his heart stuck in his throat. Loosening his tie he whispered a silent prayer before glancing at his wife, hoping that this was just a nightmare or a bad joke at least. “You ready baby.” She asked with a huge smile on her face, revving the engine. Ram nodded, trying his best to sound as excited as she was, “yep!” 

As she began accelerating, within seconds a loud crash bounced off the walls of the garage followed by the sputtering sounds from the once roaring Berlinetta breathing her last.