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.”
