Kuch Mere Dil Ne Kaha Part 12

Part 12

Ram initiated a precious moment when he pushed aside all his inhibitions and brought his lips forward to fuse with hers. Priya felt her heart jump in her chest when Ram made his bold move. "What was she mad about before?" She stood thinking, numb from her face down.  Now that incident in the office was well beyond her, shrugged to the side so as not to be forgotten but giving way to the most pressing issue at hand, which was his lips tugging on hers. Ram was puzzled by his own action; he knew that once Priya regains a hold over the situation, shit was going to hit the fan for sure. But Ram had no intention of leaving her lips, come what may. It was not because of his ego, for once, but the way that she tasted made him feel as though he had found the path to nirvana and there was no turning back. Ram deepened the pressure in his kiss in search of some reason to explain why he enjoyed the soft, forbidden feeling of her lips so much. It was not like she was his first kiss but with god as his witness he felt like she should be his last. The shift in Ram’s passion was the anecdote to her paralysis; she fisted his shirt tightly and pushed him back. He jilted like a rag doll so easily moved back in a state of ecstasy with no substantial effort from Priya. Although Ram had felt the vibration of a gentle thud as his body nudged up against the door to the Sharma house, neither him nor Priya had figured that this noise could’ve alerted the family of the fact that they were outside and on the verge of engaging in a war of words. Ram observed Priya intently from the same distance that she had created when she had pushed him; there was unimaginable rage that looked back at him mixed with an overwhelming display of hurt which he had no purposeful intention of igniting. Although he didn't regret kissing her, he now realized, given what he had labelled her earlier, it probably wasn't the best thing for him to have done. So he stepped forward with a difficult intent to apologize, not for the kiss however, but for exactly the reason that he had followed her to her apartment in the first place, for basically calling her characterless, a reflection of her deceased mother. “Why did he kiss her?” Ram thought as the kettle of hot rage in Priya’s mind steamed and hissed. “To shut her up?” Ram looked on puzzled, standing naively on the path of her destruction, still trying to find a sorry from beneath the depths of his ego. “But… She was quiet the moment their lips touched so why didn't, or better yet, why COULDNT he stop kissing her?”
Shrugging the thought from his mind, he refocused on the only woman, he had decided in that moment, who was capable of splaying his insides out and spraying it in ever shade of colour that he hated just to make a rainbow of his emotions for the world to see. "Priya I am so." She put her palm up, not the least bit interested in the thought of his dishonestly perceived apology. Ram had managed to uncork Priya’s bottled up demons and now with it released it reached and lashed in his direction. "How dare you Mr.Kapoor?" She obviously didn't care for his response maddened with an urgency to make her point. "I never hated you. Not even after what you said earlier about my mom because I figured you didn’t know. However, after what you just did? You disgust me… And you know what? You don't deserve the little respect that I used to carry for you." The lump in his throat elevated and dropped as he gulped her harsh words. Even when they engaged in childish squabbles, there was always a region of unstated mercy that tonight Ram had burnt to ashes along with the remains of Priya’s pride. She devoured him whole with a side of anger in her eyes for him that he had never seen before. But in all honesty, he didn’t intend to hurt her more than he had already done. In fact, he wanted to apologize with utmost sincerity but his inappropriate display of affection had her hurled into a whirlpool of uncontainable aggression. It was much to Ram’s surprise that Priya hadn’t thrown a few slaps his way but than he concluded that it was probably the final attack that she had tactically planned to finish him at last. The silence tempted him to speak but she was not in the state to comprehend whatever justification he genuinely sent her way. So instead he waited to hear the continuation of her wrath but that plan also failed and crashed when another voice joined in to bash him.  
"Priya? What did this bastard do to you?" Sudhirs voice sliced through the tension, revising the equation and changing the game entirely for both Ram and Priya. Raising Priya for all those years, he was unfamiliar with this side of her and he was rightfully convinced that Ram had hurt his baby in a major way. "Priya tell me what this good for nothing brat has done to you? I will kill him…" It is unwise to test the strength of the wisest but it was a father who had grabbed Ram’s collar that night, and so the strength was bound to have multiplied.  Sid, Karthik and Shipra rushed toward the entrance owing to the commotion. Neighbours were like vultures praying at the hinges of their door for a shred of drama to feast on and this sight was like the last supper so everyone wanted a bite. Priya finally shattered her vow of silence and stated to everyone's surprise, "Papa please." She grabbed on to her fathers arms pulling at it gently for him to let go. “Mr. Kapoor didn’t do anything…It was late and he offered to give me a ride, that’s all!” Ram couldn’t believe his ears; he thought for sure Sudhir had his collar gripped so tightly that he was pushed to the verge of hallucination. But when his scrunched collar loosened Ram hadn’t a hunch as to what had crossed Priya’s once heated mind. He couldn’t help but wonder, "Was Priya really going to let me off the hook?" However, much more disturbing was the latter thought, “But why is she covering for me?” Sudhir could tell for a fact that she was hiding something from him, her eyes although deceptive, were far moister than he remembered. Glancing at Ram, Sudhir followed his fixed gaze to Priya’s blank face; her ears were pink but not as bright as her freshly lubricated eyes. Without a word more, Sudhir walked back into the apartment and Priya followed anxiously offering a quick yet deadly sideways glance at Ram, who stood in a flood of new guilt adding tremendously to the previous puddle. Slowly but unwillingly the spectators returned displeased to their homes with no fruitful gain other than small dinner talk amongst their families jotting down key points to expand further with their peers the following day.  Ram desperately wished to speak with Priya; it was not so much about the apology anymore but more so to realize just what the heck had happened. However, Sid suggested wisely that it was ill advised to strike the kettle when it was hot, as it would cause more damage than gain in this situation. Instead Sid stated with as much seriousness as his curiosity ridden mind could offer, “Go home Ram. I will call you in a bit… And for gods sake please don’t do anything stupid.”  If Ram had a nickel for each time he heard that, he’d still be the millionaire that he was today.

After dining with his beautiful wife, Ram took her in his strong arms to the plush sofa in the living room hoping to unwind further. Plopping straight down on the cushion seat he hugged Priya tightly on his lap, nuzzling his face against the arch of her left breast taking in the scent of his musky cologne, which was now more passionately unique from the pin drop touch of her womanly essence.  “Gosh you smell so good… Where can I buy this cologne?” He whispered in her ears, speaking in syllables so that she was tortured with the stimulating force of his hot breath. Priya struggled to find some flexibility in his grip. Managing to do so, she straddled his hips, lowering down slowly to tease the tip of the tent that was formed against the fabric of his pants. Anxiously, Ram palmed her firm buttocks tightly out of excitement and pulled her hastily down against his probing shaft as he groaned and leaned back, still seated.  Priya made herself comfortable riding on the high of his action; she rested the side of her arms on his firm shoulders while her fingers instinctively fled into the field on his lush black hair, it’s tips lightly caressing the back of his scalp. Ram had no desire to open his eyes and so with his head tilted back he felt his core bake in the fire of her passion with her kisses igniting a blazing trail down to the side of his face inching closer to his lips and just pausing. Confused, his eyelids unwillingly peeped while his heart beat in frustration against his chest. Ram’s neglected moist lips parted but Priya was determined to not let him speak. And what Priya wanted she got, that was the mutually accepted philosophy of their relationship. Ram was usually the leader of their romantic encounters, the marvel of their love story… But when Priya placed her index finger on his lips to shush him there was a subtle nervousness in his eyes, the excited kind, which was like an unexpected surge of energy, it turned her on even more. Tracing her finger to the edge of his lips, Priya spoke softly, “Meet me upstairs in 15 minutes… I have a surprise for you. okay?” Ram nodded almost robotically, clearly dumbfounded by her seduction. She smiled when she heard the rough swoosh of his gulp as she smooched his cheeks, climbing off of him surprisingly with no vocal protest. “Well I’ll be damned,” she thought to herself biting down gently on her lips. “I have rendered ‘the Ram Kapoor’ speechless? Wow!” Ram observed keenly as Priya’s hips swayed enticingly on her way up the stairs. 

Ram Kapoor, the business tycoon knew every nook and cranny of his craft. But he foolishly let himself be blindsided by a conversation that he had overheard in the Sharma house. And now that he knew the truth to the last word about how Priya's past occurred he was stumped realizing that his subtle attack was more like a massacre. Power and money is great for everything but it still failed to buy back the hands of time after it had struck. Yesterday he tried to apologize for his rude assumption and for Ram that was a difficult task in and of itself. However, now he was determined to say he was sorry before the day was over atleast. Guilt was a burden that even his strong shoulders couldn't hold up much longer. Dressed in his sharpest of suits, a grey Armani as opposed to the usual solid black and red tie contrast, Ram skipped into the elevator rehearsing his apology in his head. It was hard for a man of his calibre to slay his ego and state with equal remorse, two otherwise simple words, I'm sorry. The elevator door began sliding slowly to close when he heard someone call out, "Please hold the elevator door!" Instinctively he stuck out his arm opposing the door and when it opened and he saw Priya he felt like he finally had scored the opportunity that he was searching for. "Hey..." Ram started, stepping aside to give her some space to enter. Priya's eyes told the clear tale of her rage and even before she headed towards the staircase without saying a word to Ram, he knew that this was coming. Undeterred by her frank rebuttal, Ram pushed the thought aside and decided it was time to step his game up to another level and besides it was better for her to walk up the stairs maybe it would serve useful for her anger to settle a little before he curled the bat back and lined up for a second swing.

Priya stomped wildly up two flights of stairs; if she were in her right mind, she would have strategically paced herself because after the fifth floor she had still five more thigh scorching sets to go. “Screw Mr. Kapoor… I hate him… I will never forgive that egotistic bastard… Who the hell does he thing he is?” She spoke to herself quite audibly, relapsing on her rage dangerously. Although, she was of a fit build and athletic to say the least, Priya was clearly exhausted, breathing heavily like she had never worked out in her life before. “F--- this…” She cursed, uncharacteristically… “I am going to take the elevator, if it’s still in service after the dinosaur took a crack at it…” Priya reached the hallway and pushed the button for the elevator… Crossing her arms snuggly under her bosom, she focused on the ground trying to regain some sense of normalcy in her breathing pattern. The elevator dinged to signal it’s arrival, opening up at it’s own sophisticated pace. Irritated by every little detail of the still fresh day, Priya shook her head annoyed before she looked up to finally get into the elevator. Bad move… Priya’s blood boiled in her veins at the sight in front of her. Ram looked back, smiling modestly as he gestured and made way for her to get in once more… “Are you crazy?” She snapped like a burst fuse, not giving a damn as to who might hear her. “Priya… I need to talk to you…” Ram stepped out and approached her, in an aim to silence her a bit so that he could save face in front of his employees.

“Go to hell Mr. Kapoor!!!”

“Priya…” He warned her with a threatening glare in his eyes… “Calm down… Get in the elevator and we’ll talk about this in my office…” Ram ordered, unwisely, his commands only fuelled her fire.

“And if I don’t? What will you do?” Walking up to him with her head up high sending her own arrogant vibes, She questioned. “Fire me? Is that what you will do Mr. Kapoor?” Ram scrunched his fist; he always failed whenever his patience was tested and today the results wouldn’t be any different. It was hard to tell when Priya continued, whether she was oblivious to Ram’s slowly increasing temper or whether she just didn’t care in her own craze… “Well I’ll have you know that I am not here to work I am here to give my resignation letter to the owner of this company, your father… So back off!” Priya pushed him back and off balance; he managed to stay standing nonetheless watching her practically run towards the stairs once more. But this time he wouldn’t stop at every floor in the elevator and wait for her, hoping that she would calm down and quietly get in; this was the limit and Priya had no respect for it. Ram refused to be battered any more, he was sore from her words and by the look in his eyes you could tell it was high time for him to even the scores.

“Priya!” He called out to her for the umpteenth time, while clunking up the stairs, right on her tail. “Priya stop!”

“Go screw yourself.” Priya finally screamed, not stopping in her dual quest to avoid him and get up the stairs to Amarnath.

“Priya dammit stop… Priya god… My chest…” The thud sound of the soles of his shoes as it made contact with the concrete cement slowed down and than stopped completely. Ram was a devious man so Priya was sceptical to turn back but than she heard the most convincing painful grunt halting her from going up any further without a quick glance at the source of the disturbance. 

She was shocked at the sight, the pink on her cheeks from running drained instantly to a pale, fearful pigment. “oh my god, Mr. Kapoor are you okay?” Racing down the stairs she kneeled by his side on one of the steps where he was slumped. Without thinking she rested her palm over his hand, which clenched at his chest. “I am so sorry, I am so sorry” Priya rubbed over his hand while looking around, up and down at the empty stair way… “Help! Somebody help!” She screamed in vain…

“Mr. Kapoor, hang in there…” Priya tried nervously to reassure Ram…

“Priya, it hurts so much… I don’t think I will make it…” Ram whispered in between gasps… The bitter thought of death, which had haunted Priya, all her life, resurfaced in that moment. Ram winced once more, shifting when he caught a glimpse of the clear beads of tears forming along the line of her eyelids. “Mr. Kapoor, please you can’t do this… Everyone dies because of me… Ma, Papa and now…” She paused and got up panicky in her speech and jerky in her movements, “Just wait here, Mr.Kapoor I will go and get someone…” Ram’s conscience stung his skull with a bone-crushing backhand that he deserved. All he wanted was her attention, but perhaps he had played the wrong card or pushed the same hand farther than its value. As Priya made her way up the stairs, Ram tugged her hand, underestimating his own strength. She felt something yank her so strongly that it swept her of her feet. Closing her eyes shut tightly, she anticipated a hard landing on the cement stairs, but instead her upper body was cushioned by something comfy, something firm yet not rough…

“Priya are you okay?” When she had fallen back or rather hurled back she had not the slightest clue as to what she had landed on. But with her eyes shut her sense of touch and smell piled into overdrive, she now knew that her left arm had clung around the shoulders of a person and judging by the scent of their rich, musky cologne it had to be an affluent man. The voice coated in palpable concern made her certain beyond a shred of doubt that the person whose embrace she was enwrapped in was none other than Ram, the same Ram for whom she had been running up the stairs in the first place. Her eyes darted open and she steadied her feet on the ground, shrugging cautiously off of him but continually observing the change in his behaviour. Ram gulped audibly and than clearing his throat, he spoke, “Priya, I was just joking… I didn’t think that this little prank would hurt you so much… Honestly, if I had any idea that this would make you cry, I would have never done it…” Ram continued empathetically noting her tears as they somersaulted down her cheeks. In fact, he was incredibly surprised that he was still talking and that Priya did not even try to stop him. “I wanted to say that I was sorry about yesterday and about right now as well. I am sure your parents were great individuals and it was wrong for me to speak ill of your mother based on no solid grounds. I am so sorry for what happened to your parents… I am so sorry…” He paused and than added… “You told me last night that you hated me, but if you did you wouldn’t have stopped to help me now would you? Can you please forgive me Priya?” He lips curved on one side to smile, clearly his heart was not into it but maybe he had thought wrongfully that a subtle playful remark would bring some ease to the tension between them. “Priya…” He started once more, taking this golden opportunity and hoping to run with it to the edge of the world it seemed. But his illusion was short lived; she roughly patted her cheeks with the long sleeves of her red and black salwar and than stuck up her right palm authoritatively putting a halt to his apologies immediately. 

“So you did all this to prove to me that I didn’t actually hate you?” She asked, a scary seriousness in her tone for someone who was crying only a moment ago.

“Yes! In the most innocent way, I swear.” He answered, truthful in his reply.

“Great…” Priya wiped her eyes and smiled tiredly. “So it’s settled than, I don’t hate you Mr. Kapoor…” Ram felt a strange need to celebrate as if her acceptance was an award, an honour of some kind. “Thank you Priya…”

She nodded in response and than added, “Actually I couldn’t really hate you…” Ram smiled innocently, his ego soaking in what he thought was a compliment… But than when Priya continued, dropping her façade of forgiveness Ram’s jaw and heart fell slowly in utter shock. “I can’t be bothered… You don’t deserve anything and I have nothing, not even my hatred to offer to you…And who the hell do you think you are to tell me that my parents were loving? You wouldn’t know what love is like, because everyone in your life couldn’t stand you… And I don’t blame them… As for your sympathy and your apology you can keep that to yourself. Besides you could never relate to me? How would you know what it was like to lose somebody that you loved when you have never loved anybody? You’re so lucky that Ayesha loves Sids otherwise you would have been history yesterday when you dared to touch me… What did you think? I enjoyed it and that’s why I kept my mouth shut? If that’s what you thought than please get that image out of your dirty mind.” Priya pulled out an envelope from her purse and waved it in his face, “After I hand this in to your father, I never want to see your face again, you got that?” 

It was of course a rhetorical question but to Priya’s surprise Ram didn’t retort to her aggression. Even as Priya walked past him to the door, he stood sulking with a puzzled frown on his face glaring at the ground. It was too soon for Priya’s ego to celebrate her victory; last night she assumed triumph prematurely and instead ended up ultimately losing the battle that she had started. So this time she was cautious as she walked towards the elevator, heard it ding upon arrival, got in and than watched the doors slide shut in front of her before she heaved a sigh of relief, he had finally left her alone.

Jenny greeted Priya as she wearily existed the elevator looking right and left for trouble named Ram Kapoor. It was a miracle; she was actually free from his angry egotistic clenches. But she held back the urge to pump her fists in the air excitedly, partly due to the fact that she was still trying to digest what had unravelled in the past 24hours and the other half of the reason being that the day wasn’t even halfway over.

“Good morning Priya Ma’am.” Jenny greeted Priya who was behaving detectably spaced out…

“Uhh…” she stuttered looking about as she walked closer to her office, probably for the last time. “Is Mr. Amarnath here yet?” She asked, staring in the direction of Amarnath’s office adjacent to Ram’s.

“No Ma’am, he will be arriving late this morning… There was a meeting scheduled for him today…”

“Ahh crap…” Priya muttered under her breath while turning the door handle to her office. “Okay thanks!”

“Let me know if you need anything Ma’am.” 

Priya nodded with a gentle smile to hide her true feelings. She entered her office and flicked on the lights, figuring she would take this time to pack her belonging and than hand in her resignation letter the first chance that she got. But her thoughts fumbled at the sight of a bouquet of red roses sitting out of place on her desk…”What the hell is this?” She thought to herself, walking cautiously towards the roses as if there was bomb hidden beneath the thorny branches.  Priya’s immediate thought, as she got close enough to the bouquet to see the note neatly tucked between the beautifully shaped roses was, “Rajat!! It has to be Rajat…” Alas, when she opened up the note, her eyes cheated, scrolling to the bottom of the paper to see who the message and the flowers were from, but she came up empty, it was blank… Scrolling back up, perplexed and irritated she read what was written hoping for some clue…

“Dear Priya,

It’s very hard for me to apologize because I am usually never wrong. But about last night, to say that I was out of line would be a gross understatement. When you told me that your parents passed away in a car accident when you were 5 years old, it broke my heart. Actually, I can relate; I lost my very near and dear dada-ji when I was about that age too. You have probably gathered while working here that I don’t share a healthy relationship with my father. On his greedy quest to run the most prominent business in India, my father had abandoned everyone, including my dada-ji to whom this business belonged. Before this, we used to live in the Kapoor Mansion like a happy family. But when my father was willing to sacrifice anything for business, my dada-ji stepped in to object. It was too late, my father had already conned my dadi-ji, his very own father, into signing over the entire enterprise in his name. I was 6 when my otherwise healthy dada-ji suffered a massive heart attack; I believe to this day that my father brought it on… That day I didn’t lose my dada-ji I lost the only man who loved me unconditionally, and that was the day that I had lost faith in love… Priya I think you are very brave, to lose everything but still stay smiling. The way you handle your family, Kush and my brother is worthy of appreciation if not applause. I don’t know why I felt the need to share this portion of my past with you but I guess it could be because when I saw the picture of you and your father, it made me realize what I will never have despite having everything at my disposal.

P.S. you don’t have to re-type the Prasad’s file, I completed it last night…

I hope you liked the roses, please tell me that you are not allergic to it like I am…

Oh and I found a picture of your father holding you when you were a baby at one of Kapoor Industries Diwali functions… It was in an album in the storage but now it’s framed and on your desk…

Well I should really stop beating around the bush now and just say what I started writing this ‘short’ note for…

Priya, I am so very sorry…

“Mr. Kapoor…”Priya uttered to herself knowing immediately who the note was from… Her legs felt like blocks of ice making it hard for her to walk to her desk. Sure enough there was a picture of her father holding on to a little baby wrapped up in a tiny blue blanket. The corners of her eyes stung recalling the overkill in the stairway. Criss-crossing back and forth from the roses to the photo and than the note in her hand, she wished she had known; it was so unlike her to snap the way that she did. Priya had provoked a war stupidly ignoring a peace offering from a man who was genuinely sorry. Whatever happened to her motto, “everyone deserves a second chance.” Priya slumped on her chair, the words that she said to Ram replayed in her head. Now she saw the concern that was in his eyes, the truth that was in his words and the truthfulness in the way in which he approached her. Embarrassed, she looked at the beautifully framed photo and said, “Papa, what have I done?”    

Kuch Mere Dil Ne Kaha Part 11

PART 11 

 An entire week unravelled to the sight of Ram and Priya putting on a show of their undying love for one another. But anyone who has ever loved was able to smell the hatchings of a scam that they were brewing, including the main spectator for whom the charade was specifically tailored, Sheena. Suddenly Ram and Priya weren’t an immediate threat to her, she could sense the weakness in their ‘so called’ relationship from a mile away. Although Siddhant’s trust was abused at Sheena expense, in her defense she did everything for the sake of her love; and when love is in question, right and wrong are undefined. So it’s obvious that Sheena would do anything up her sleeves to crush Priya, to shoo her away from Ram’s life just to be safe. “It’s quite easy to do so, if you span out the facts” As Raj explained to Sheena the night before when they spoke, “Both Ram and Priya have someone or something that they love more than each other. And that is the key to ripping them apart.”

Ram coaxed her with kisses guiding her with his body to lay down on the plush mattress. The urgency with which their lips fused led to the inevitable and when their sense of desire took over, their sensitized bodies followed mindlessly on the path to promised heaven. Although Priya winced as Ram inched inside her she didn't mind the intrusion. There was no denying her strong need to feel his manly touch, embedded snuggly within her. No matter how loud the thunder roared outside, inside the lovers were in paradise. Coated in sweet sweat, two bodies joined to dance a lovers waltz in tune with the beat of their speeding hearts. The tug of her insides drew out a groan from his mouth crashing at the side of her neck and a shy, naughty curve spelled on her lips melting by the warmth of his sugary breath. Now the thud of his thrusts suddenly matched the commotion in his chest forcing her devious lips to relax as she gasped and uttered loops of Ahhs and ohhs; it was as if she was singing a song of pleasure that he was writing in the flesh with his touch. Priya felt the crank and tightening of her pelvis, her legs felt heavy as though they were logs, she knew her body craved to let go almost as much as she wanted him to never stop. Ram could tell by the sudden intensification of her moans that she was teetering on the edge of no return, afraid to jump into the forbidden pool of pleasure, atleast not alone. While she had her eyes closed counting the stars that twinkled on her eyelids he enveloped her lips sealing it within his like it was the key to heaven, the place where he was about to take her. She pushed her bottom up off the mattress, he nudged it down with a gentle push, she jetted her arms to scrunch the sheets in her fist, he held her hands in his above her head. His rod was hot, relentlessly pushing into her, threatening her to let go. At the mercy of his love, his intense passion, she convulsed around him triggering his ecstatic eruption. Gyrating his hips slowly and sensually their lips broke apart as did their bodies. Ram laid on his side, looking at her in the darkness and holding her as close as physically possible until they fell asleep.

Priya glanced sideways at the clock that hung on the wall of her new cabin, her reward for being Ram’s pretend girlfriend. But if something seems to good to be true than it usual is and unfortunately for Priya she had to learn this brutal lesson the hard way. Sliding her chair back she got up in obvious fury with a file clutched in her right hand paying the price for her rage. She literally stomped to Ram’s cabin, the door was cracked open, almost invitingly. So she unknowingly walked into her millionth mistake of the week. Ram probed the rubber scroll of his mouse, fully engrossed by the bright computer screen. Being mindful of the time and her desire to get home to Kush, she spoke up without a thought as to whom she was about to speak too. Clearing her throat she stated almost rhetorically, “Mr. Kapoor?” He looked up stealthily, slightly alarmed by her presence. “I am done with this file.” She held up the blue file she was clutching and than she added, “The Prasad’s file… That you wanted me to look over…” In sync with her words she walked forward, ignorant to the gleam in his eyes, his raging ego starting to rise from rest. 

With his eyelids shut, he sighed through his nostrils, she saw it flare as he did and stopped in her track towards him. “Don't you have any manners?” He hissed quite audibly, when he felt it was apt to speak. “I hope you haven’t taught Kush this madness.”

Maybe it was something in the darkness of the hour, or perhaps the fact that she was working on an empty stomach thanks to Ram Kapoor’s demanding nature. But in that moment of challenge, something snapped inside of her and suddenly she was surged with a courage that was irresistibly unfamiliar. “This file is complete,” she stated, opening up the blue folder and pulling out a thin stack of professionally printed papers. Taking each end in both hands, she put pressure on opposite directions of the important document, ripping it to shreds with the thought of his cynical attitude pacing through her steaming head. He stood up straight and made his way towards her on the other side of his desk. “What the hell are you doing Priya?” Her response was an act not words; she dashed the crumbled paper in his direction; it softly whipped against his expensively sheathed chest before it fell with all its pieces to the floor.  “Have you lost your mind?” Ram looked squarely into her unfathomed, indestructible gaze. “Yes!!” She screamed, taking a threatening step towards him, causing him to unconsciously take a step back. “ I had lost my mind the day that I agreed to engage in this pretend play with you… Maybe, just maybe, I thought that there was a heart somewhere beneath this egotistic front. But I was wrong… I am going home and you can go screw yourself for all I care!”

Damn, she felt invincible like a force to be reckoned with but this fantasy of dominance was as short lived as the conception of the thought itself. Ram clasped her arm and spun her immediately as she had turned to walk away. Now that the cloud of illusion had cleared her mind, she stared into his stormy rage, feeling fearful in his presence for the first time. Priya could almost see the indent on her arms from the pressure in his persistent grip, which he maintained despite the obvious grimace on her face. Mustering up what was left of her courage she opened her mouth to speak but the look in his eyes warned her otherwise. She knew what was about to ensue, the battle of the egos in the screaming Olympics. Priya had mapped out the uncivilized conversation that would follow. He would ask her, “Are you crazy”, with no actual concern for her mental well-being. And than she would reply, “Let go of me you jerk”, while avoiding eye contact and fidgeting to free herself from his death grip. Ram would purposely clamp her tighter, she would groan and grimace, unintentionally feeding into his controlling fantasy.

In reality, much to her surprise, after glaring at her enraged he simply let go of her arms and turned his back to her, slipping his hands into his pant pockets. This was just the calm before the storm but like an amateur Priya foolishly let down her guards thinking that the worst was over. And so she unwisely stood soothing her arms instead of jumping at this golden opportunity to leave his office, an inaction for which she would have to pay a steep price. Gathering his sanity while Priya regained her composure, Ram turned around once more, this time with a wicked grin on his face, an almost sinister look. “Shit!” Priya thought kicking herself for literally walking into this mess and not bailing when she had the perfect chance. “Priya…” he stated, rather softly; she looked at him surprised that his voice was capable of such calmness.  “I pay you for your work, not your attitude.” Her eyebrows scrunched in dismay, this man had such audacity to state the first thought that came to his mind, without fear of any repercussions. She was completely baffled, not by his rudeness; she had become accustomed to that. Instead she was at a loss for words and it seemed like her entire vocabulary was spent on her earlier rant. So he seized the moment in her silence and carried on with his conceited demeanour. “You know what I don’t understand?.” Ram walked over to the crumbled pieces on the floor, kicking at it and than looking up at her unshaken stance. “We both agreed that we would make Sheena believe that we are dating. You know to throw her off her guard and make her do something foolish.” That last sentence was an immediate trigger for Priya, she piped up angrily, “I know Mr. Kapoor but why have you been keeping me here so late every day this week.” She looked around, “Everyone is gone… There is no one here to put on this show for. And this…” She traced an imaginary circle in the space between them with her index finger. “This isn’t exactly what people in relationships do, spend late hours in the office working on files that could very well be completed the next day.”

Ram raised his index finger, shushing her without even touching her lips, “Who said, this was part of the show?” Priya shook her head, simultaneously mouthing, “what?”

“Of course I am going to keep you late. During the day, your job is to loaf around and go to expensive restaurants for lunch with me. So I have to get you to do some work, I can’t pay you for sitting around and looking pretty, can I? Priya wanted to scream and lash out at him, but she had learnt from experience that it was futile. One could lose their voice yelling but it would make no difference to Ram. “Oh and Priya…” He pointed to her immature reaction crumbled to pieces on the floor, “this is your task for tomorrow, re-typing this entire file…” He smiled, “You’re dismissed!”

Evidently pleased with his behaviour, his sheer control of an out of control situation, Ram mentally patted himself on the back, making his way to his make shift bar to pour himself a glass of smooth scotch that tasted the best after a well fought victory. However, Priya was miles away from being down for count. “Mr. Kapoor…” he continued pouring his delicious, golden amber, liquid luxury into a bold crystal clear glass, with an ear open out of courtesy to hear her closing remarks. “You must have had a very,” she emphasized, “very neglected childhood to have turned out so cold.” Ram stilled, placing the bottle back clumsily on the frosted glass countertop. Priya continued, offering an analysis of his behaviour while dangerously unaware of the bomb that she had unwittingly detonated in his heart. “No one is born this heartless so someone must have done something terrible to your trust as a child to leave you this broken now. So broken that you have to feign confidence, to pretend that you don’t care for company and love of others, just so no one can ever neglect you by definition.” Chugging the substantial amount of scotch that he had poured out in his glass Ram slammed it on the counter and turned around screaming, “SHUT UP PRIYA!”  His steps towards her seemed like leaps because within a second he was in her space, screaming in her face, “JUST SHUT UP!!” Priya was taken aback, something she had said had definitely struck a chord inside him but that only meant that whatever she said was to some degree a true depiction of his past. “you don’t know anything about me and you never will..” He wasn’t screaming anymore, but his voice was solid hiding any hint of hurt that she may have uncovered. Ram grabbed a hold of her, right below her shoulders to keep her from moving back… “Who want to poke at my past, let’s talk about yours… No matter what anyone says, I know a characterless woman when I see one. Being rich, women throw themselves at me, but you, you did all this pretend love crap free of charge. You know what that means right, even the lowest of sluts have higher value than you…” She squirmed, his words were harsh but the immediate pain of his fingers knowing or unknowingly grazing her bandaged wound was far more agonizing.

“Leave me Mr. Kapoor!”

“Or else what?” He tugged her closer bringing his face down to hers. “You’ll scream?”

In that moment her entire body went numb, completely lifeless, she stood in his grip as he manoeuvred closer to her in proximity, this was every girl’s worst nightmare and Priya stood face to face with it.

“Priya, I actually don’t blame you for being this way.” he whispered more allegations; even though his face was mere inches away from hers, the stench of booze on his breath was undetectable because her senses were paralyzed by a horrendous thought. “It’s in your genes, you’re an illegitimate child and you know what they say, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” His words zapped her nerves because suddenly she was able to feel and the same chord that she had struck in him a while earlier he had now successfully discovered in her.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Priya shrugged hard, surprising him with a firm push that set her free. He had no need to regain his hold on her, judging by her tone and the spike in her behaviour, she had no intention of leaving without a few answers.

“Why? Was it supposed to be a secret that your mother was the home wrecker that tore the Sharma family apart? Well, Priya I know everything, you keep forgetting who I am.” Ram purposely failed to mention in his answer to Priya, the conversation that he overheard between Shipra and Sudhir earlier in the week when he had gone to meet his brother. Shipra clearly stated, “Why should I show more concern towards Priya. I am not her mother. She is your problem, not mine, I didn’t make a mistake, you did. And now we all have to suffer. I am tolerating Priya even though I can’t stand her… Every time I see her face I think of your stupid mistake and how that one mistake changed our lives forever. Thank you but you can keep your advice to yourself.”

That was all he heard, but it was ample for him to fuel his assumption that Priya was Sudhir’s love child. However, Priya felt obligated for the sake of her late mother to offer Ram the shock that came with the truth. It was a truth that she never wished to discuss with anyone even though so many years had passed by since the accident; she was convinced that there was no greater loss in the world and didn’t trust Ram enough to divulge details of her grief but it needed to be done to shut him up. “Just stop it Mr. Kapoor, you don’t know anything about my past to pass that kind of judgement.” Spinning on her heels, she turned in a rush to leave, hoping to jot the final period to the dangerously escalating conversation.

“One minute Priya.” he obstructed her escape route not allowing her too get past him. Helpless, she gave up her struggle but remained adamant in avoiding eye contact. Truthfully, she didn’t want a sick, arrogant man like Ram to see her cry; she refused to give him that gratification. Nonetheless Ram had a sharp eye and so the glisten that she tried to hide from him revealed itself. Despite what Priya would like to think about Ram’s awareness of her display of emotions, it actually worked in her favour. The calmness with which he spoke was highly influenced by her tears. Unfortunately, the resignation of his rage was something she would never know and he would never understand. “Look Priya, you started this by taking a stab at my past… Otherwise, I would have never brought up your mother and Sudh--.”

With her fist clenched to her sides, her eyes closed shut tight, she interrupted, “ Mr. Kapoor, Baas!” she opened her eyes and stepped up to him, her eyes red and her cheeks were moist from the uncontained waterfall. “My parents were happily married. They died in a car crash when I was five, I was in the back and unfortunately I survived.” Ram gulped at the thought of the things that he said to her a moment ago, all the false allegations to bring her down only dropped him in both their eyes. “Sudhir adopted me… That’s what my papa wanted before he died… Are you happy now?” Ram couldn’t meet her eyes let alone react to what she just told him. Standing limp, remorseful for the first time, Ram watched her leave the cabin. The common man would stop her and apologize immediately but the concept of sorry was too foreign for him to grasp in a heartbeat. When he finally wrapped his head around the situation, replaying it in his mind a million times, his ego deflated with a gush and he snapped back into action rushing to Priya’s cabin. “Priya, Priya…” He pushed open the door calling out her name in desperation, finally coming to terms with the fact that he must apologize for his earlier behaviour. However, the cabin was empty and Priya was nowhere to be found, which left him with one other place to check, outside. Her purse was missing from the usual spot where she kept it; confirming his guess that she had left the building.

Priya awoke to the sound of his snoring, the same ruckus that could also put her to sleep in peace knowing that he was right by her side. And usually Ram was literally on her side, of the bed that is, snuggled close to her bare body like they were one. As she lay there admiring her man of steel, she couldn’t help but be slightly turned on by the placement of his hot hand possessively on her buttocks; as if to intentionally secure her front against his heated groin for easy access should the night turn passionate once more. The lights had turned back on, she wasn’t sure when but she was now able to see the shirt, which she had on, discarded by the foot of the bed. Ram was so deep in his sleep cycle that the light from the lamp on the night table couldn’t on its brightest use disturb his slumber. They mated ferociously, as if in any second they could be separated from each other indefinitely.  Priya was rightfully exhausted; her eyes were lost in the beauty of her man; her body ached in a painful pleasure, but her hunger refused to be ignored.  She slowly slid out of bed, it was hard to break free from his secure hold but it was even harder to do so when she desperately didn’t want to go. A chill ran its course through her naked body and she was about to head over to the closet for a warm fleecy robe when she remembered her lover’s request, “Don’t change.” She blushed, biting her lower lip as she walked over to grab his oversized dress shirt draping it on her body. The night was still young and these two lovebirds were far from being done with their romance. With a ticklish tingle present in the pit of her stomach she skipped merrily to the kitchen and flicked up the light switch. Priya couldn’t believe that Ram had neatly laid out the table with an unlit candle in the middle of it all, adding to the romantic set up. Ram had the secret recipe to make her feel like a queen and this was the perfect example of such sensation. Totally engrossed by the beauty of the arrangement Priya was shocked when she felt a soft wet impression on the back of her head, making her jump out of impulse.

“It’s me baby,” She heard his voice and felt his chest press against her back as he wrapped his arms around her belly, teasing the spot that tingled.

“Ram you startled me.” he kissed her exposed neck and whispered a quick and seductive, “Sorry my jaan.” Resting his chin on her shoulder he looked ahead at his creation, “Do you like it?”

“I love it…” she confessed and leaned back on him secured in his strong arms, smelling the scent of his intoxicating cologne.

After what seemed like only a second Ram whispered, “Priya?”

“Hmm?” she swayed in his arms, answering lazily.

“Is this for real? Everything about tonight seems so surreal, I only remember us fighting and now you are here with me in my arms…Baby please tell me I am not dreaming and if I am than don’t ever wake me up.”

Priya turned to face him, his hands resting against her back while she wrapped her arms around his neck placing a long kiss on his lips, catching him off guard. Usually he was the one to lead but he didn’t mind the role reversal one bit. Priya broke the seal of their lips with much difficulty; Ram kept urging his lips against hers with sensual caresses and after a great deal of effort she finally broke free, whispering breathlessly, “Ram even if this is all a dream and we were to wake up in a different circumstance, the love that we share is immortal.” Ram felt blessed to have her, she always knew what to say when he needed to hear it the most.

“I love you so much Priya.” he pulled her without any hesitation into a heart-crushing embrace.

“I love you too Ram.”

“I hate you Mr. Kapoor…” Priya stated, obviously furious as she closed the gate to the elevator denying him access. Ram had followed Priya all the way home when his guards informed him that she got into a cab 5 minutes before he made it outside. Seriously beginning to doubt whether he should even apologize given the kind of attitude he was receiving for his attempts, he concluded that he must say sorry otherwise his guilty conscience would not let him live in peace. With best intentions in his mind he ran up four flights of stairs to her floor, there was nowhere else for her to go. Ram was sweating beads of fire from his forehead, trying to catch his breath bent forward with his hands resting on his thighs. Priya looked at him shocked and began walking quickly to the door to her apartment but he was not about to let his effort go down the drain.

“Priya I need to say something,” Ram stood by the locked door blocking her entry.

“get out of my way…”

“Listen Priya,” He paced himself as he spoke, catching his breath on intervals.

“I said get out of my way, I don’t want to hear anything you have to say.”

She continued talking with tears welling in her eyes and dripping down her cheeks. The hurt was evident and Ram felt like such an ass for what he said. Even when he was calling Priya characterless, he knew it was far from the truth, it was just a cheap blow to cause her pain. And this was by no means the first time Ram had made a woman cry but this was the first time he felt so awful, so wrong. Although he didn’t quite understand why he had this reaction to Priya’s pain, he knew he had to do something. So suspending all thoughts and consequences he listened to the one voice that was left to guide him, his heart. He had reached a stubborn wall with Priya on the other side of it; there was no getting to her simply with words. So Ram stepped forward, palmed her moist cheeks firmly and kissed her mid-sentence in such a synchronized fashion that she had no way of knowing what had happened until after their lips met at the crossroad of anger and passion.

Kuch Mere Dil Ne Kaha Part 10

Part 10

“Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!” He hissed alarmed, pressing his palm tighter against her mouth. Priya struggled, fear clearly announcing it’s presence in her eyes. She parted her lips and bit down. Judging by his painful grunt and the immediate withdrawal of his hand from her face she knew she had sunk her teeth hard in his flesh.

“Ah!” He shook his hand at his side taking a moment afterwards to rub over the indent that her bite left on the fleshly prominence under his ring finger. The tall, well pronounced toned man spoke past the initial sting, desperate in his aim to stop her from screaming he ignored the throbbing heated pain of her bite mark on his palm and stated in a rush, “Priya, please don’t scream… It’s me…Remember me?”

Still clinging on to her phone Priya stammered in shock with blood streaming to her cheeks commencing an embarrassing apology, “u-uhh..u-hh- (she finally managed to say) I am so so sorry R-rajat..." Priya rocked forward to help in some way but swayed back immediately realizing the ineffectiveness of her ability to aid in a situation that she started. "I'm so sorry!" She uttered repeatedly in a looped chorus. A fog of confusion blanketed her mind leaving her blank with regards to Ram on the phone. And Ram, the eager businessman, who wasn’t familiar with being placed on hold that too by a middle class woman like Priya, called out to her through the speaker grill of her phone to no avail.

“Please Priya don’t apology” Rajat curled his bottom lip ever so slightly biting down on it’s soft texture hurling Priya into a new dimension of desire. Although, Priya never made it clear with a confession that she liked Rajat, he had always known by the way that she used to look out for him during their college days. “It was actually my fault to have snuck up on you like that.” Combing his sweat slicked hair with one thorough brush of his fingers into its lush softness, he continued. “Actually I was returning from my morning jog, you know I still like to stay fit…” His laid back sense of humor forced her lips into a subtle smile. “But Priya what are you doing here? Do you live here?” He glanced at the door behind her, which she had silently closed. And than the thought of Ram on hold splashed through her conscience like a rough wave slapping a rock repeatedly. Priya jerked her hand looking at her cell when Rajat intervened, “I am so sorry, you were in the middle of a call?” Flustered by the presence of the man of her dreams she spoke promptly unaware of any consequence that might ensue, “It’s actually no one important… In fact I was just about to hang up…” Rajat flashed his classic charming smile and glanced down at her cell “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I- I am.” She firmly pressed the end call button not realizing past her excitement that her one action would wreck havoc on the other end of the line and she would surely feel its wrath.

“So, tell me. How have you been? And what brings you here?” He started his sentence with a victorious smile that slowly but surely transformed into a look of sincere wonder. Helpless like a teenager in front her crush she told Rajat everything that he wanted to hear, leaving out the significant part about Ram and Sheena. Just as she had finished her painful rendition of the night and before Rajat could begin to offer his sympathy on the subject matter, Ram called Priya again… Eager to impress, Priya quickly rejected his call once more, as if she was an expert at hanging up calls from egotistic rage-a-holics.

“oh my god, I am so sorry to hear that… But you can’t possibly stay here…Let me help you out…Why don’t you and your family stay at my Mumbai mansion… In fact I’ll get my driver to drop you guys off first thing in the morning.”

“No Rajat, it’s okay…”

“Come on… I insist, you are my good friend, it’s the least I can do.”

Priya lied to get him off the topic, there was no way she could accept such a huge favour from Rajat, no matter how tempting it was, without being completely honest with him about her situation with Ram. “Rajat, this is just a temporary thing. Papa has some money saved and we will be shifting from here either tomorrow or the day after. But what are you doing here, this definitely isn’t a five star hotel that you are probably accustomed too?”

“Okay Priya, if you insist. And come on, you know that I wasn’t born with luxuries; I am very accustomed to this kind of living arrangement.” He chuckled and added.  “Honestly though, I was so tired from my flight that I picked any hotel to lay my head down for a bit… Thankfully I did cause I ended up meeting you… God I missed you so much, but you just went off the radar.”

Priya blushed, “Rajat I have always been here, you just became a big businessman and forgot little people like me.”

Almost as if on cue, Rajat grabbed a hold of Priya’s hands, “there wasn’t a day that went by in my life in which the thought of us never crossed my mind. I even called you several times on your old number but wasn’t able to reach you…I guess it changed when you moved, right?” She nodded lost in his worry filled pupils. “How can you so easily assume that I had forgotten you? You know I love you…”

Rajat’s cleverly sought out path to her heart met an obstacle named Ram Kapoor who refused his access to her emotions for his own selfish needs. “I bet I love her more…” Ram’s voice came from behind them forcing them apart. Walking gingerly towards Rajat and Priya whose attentions he had seized, Ram took Priya’s hand in his and placed a hesitant kiss on it like a gentleman. “And I know she loves me too.” Priya’s inner conscience cried like a little girl who had just had her favourite toy snatched and destroyed right before her innocent eyes. Rajat was the object of her desire, the only thing that she wanted that was solely for her. Now when it seemed like he was actually coming to his senses regarding feeling he had for her, she would have to dance to Ram’s tune for the sake of her family and portray a lie that she had moved on. She was used to strangling her heart with her bare hands but this time it hurt so much more, “Mr. Kapoor this is Rajat, my best friend from college.” With a possessive and uncomfortable hold on Priya’s hand Ram gave a slight nod of his head to acknowledge Rajat. “And Rajat this is…”

Piping up mid-sentence Rajat stated with a competitive grin on his face. “Ram Kapoor, THE Ram Kapoor.” Extended his hand forward for a shake Ram rejected his introductory gesture with a rude glare followed by, “I don’t shake hands...with people I do not know or have no intention of knowing.”

Priya observed helplessly as Rajat dryly pulled his hand back, “Really Ram, you don’t know me? We were both contenders for the top businessman of the year award. Honestly, dude it could’ve gone to either one of us…Maybe this year since you have lady luck on your side you might win, but just know that I am not used to losing.” His last few words although disguised had an obvious meaning. This guy was a prick, a cactus dressed up as rose with a charm that screamed bootleg but Priya was completely sold. Well Ram couldn’t blame her, he thought as he caught a glimpse of the coy smile that Rajat shared with Priya, “To a beggar, anything that sparkles is a diamond.”

Clearing his throat Ram spat out a firm blow of his own, “Rajat, I am a businessman and when I take on a challenge, I win…”

“Touché, my friend. Let’s just see how everything plays out… The best challenge is one with a worthy opponent otherwise it’s just a victory with no meaning.” Out of anger and irritation Ram clenched his fist tighter squeezing Priya’s hand unintentionally, she clutched his arm with the same pressure hoping he’d get her message to release his hold. Meanwhile Rajat continued,  “Dude can I borrow your pen.” Rajat pointed to one straddling the edge of Ram’s chest pocket. And before Ram could hand it to him, Rajat grabbed it with a cocky grin facing up to the red of rage plastered on Ram’s face. All Ram could do was watch on as Rajat grabbed a hold of Priya’s free hand and began writing his digits. “Priya now that we have reunited, let’s keep in touch. Call me and we can grab some coffee and catch up…” She nodded and smiled hiding her grimace beneath it. Placing the pen with a cocky grin, back into Ram’s chest pocket, he bid adieu to the cautious couple and got into the elevator, winking at Priya as the steel doors came to a sliding shut in front of him. Ram released Priya’s hand putting an end to the charade that no longer had an audience to fool. Priya massaged her compressed palm in an attempt to ease the pain from his grip while Ram tugged his pen from his pocket and chucked it sideways on the floor. Hearing the faint click clack of its dimension as it ricocheted down the hallway subdued his anger a smidgen and brought Priya face to face with the stark reality that she had consciously provoked a battle within an already unsettled war. Their eyes met like locked horns with no intent of backing down from an otherwise futile battle of the egos. And it began with his remark paving away from the traditional expectation of ladies first. He took one step forward, she took a half step back and stopped still when she concluded that another retreating step from her end would set her up as bait for an early death. 

Ram: (Stern sketched expression though he spoke emotionless) Priya what are you doing out here? You have just sustained an injury to your shoulder, if you waltz about all night long how do you expect to recover? For gods sake Priya, can't you ever just once think about yourself?

Priya glanced around at the pale painted walls of the corridor, “Was there a camera hidden somewhere in the cracks in the walls of this tacky hotel?” Besides her and Ram there was no one else in sight, save the random eerie clicking sounds that echoed every so often. So what had gotten into Ram, why the sudden concern? Priya decided she had to put a dagger in whatever ‘this’ was and so she uttered mis- beginning to form the words Mr. Kapoor but he robbed her the chance to start let alone finish her sentence. 

Ram: (the concern plastered on his face was mimicked with genuineness in his voice) No Priya, not a single word! I don’t want to hear anything. Has it ever dawned on you, how much I love you and how much it hurt me every uncertain second you were in the hospital not sure whether you would wake up. And when I saw you alive and well at the police station that was the happiest moment of my life.

Priya scoffed with a look of relief on her face like a light had just turned on in her head. With her palm slightly elevated up for his plain sight to see, looking as if she was taking an oath to put an end to this madness, she spoke.  

Priya: (spoke jeeringly) Baas Baas! I know exactly what this is about. And (she glanced around to prove her point) you don’t have to pretend like we have some sort of an emotional connection; there is no one around. (Adding the final blow) Besides, it’s bad enough that I had to pretend to like you in front of everyone at the police station; the least you can do is let me express how I really feel about you in these moments alone.

Ram came with his wits for this early morning interaction that would have happened regardless of the fact that she hung up his calls. In fact he had been waiting outside the hotel not motivated enough to walk into such a downgraded living arrangement.

Ram: Don’t flatter yourself; you’re not my type… (To that comment Priya squinted her eyes and offered him her famous evil glare) And everything that I said was to prove a point.

Priya: (spoke with a sarcastic interest) Mr. Kapoor you don’t have to prove anything to me… I already know that you’re crazy… Any why are we still pretending that we like each other?

Ram: (scoffed) Of course, I didn’t expect you to get the point… (she listened with her arms crossed across her chest like she didn’t care) Well let me explain, I wanted to prove how realistic this fake relationship thing is and I came here to tell you that we have to carry on with this charade until I say it’s over.

Priya: (with an appalled expression she stepped back and eyed him) No way! That was just a one-time thing… to get Sheena to shut up and leave the police station.

Ram: it’s funny how you think that you have a choice… I wasn’t asking you, I am telling you that that’s what’s going to happen from now on.

Priya: (stuck firm on her response) No! No way! I am not going to play along any further. You’re lucky I even amused the idea at the police station and in front of Rajat just to give you a chance to explain yourself…

Ram: (with a certain selling tone) You wouldn’t even do this for Kush?

As he flung his trump card Ram couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed. Even though this was all a sham it was shameful that he had to blackmail a girl into being his ‘pretend’ girlfriend. Any other girl would just name their price to participate in this drama but not Priya and this lack of manipulation drove Ram bonkers.

Priya: (clearly from her voice she was getting a bit frustrated) How would Kush benefit from this arrangement at all?

Ram: (on cue he began speaking like he was presenting a business proposal to a beneficial delegate) Didn’t you see the look on Sheena’s face when we said that we loved each other? It seemed like somebody had just pulled the ground from up under her feet. If we continue on with this fake relationship than finding out Kush’s real identity will be the least of her worries. She will try to break us up but that will only bring us closer together, which will mess with her more. I just want to make her so insecure that she fumbles and slips. We need proof against her and by doing this I think she will let down her guard about other things.

Priya: (defeated, she hated that she was beginning to understand his perspective) Fine. But only on one condition

Ram: (puzzled) What?

Priya: (foolishly feeling as if she had the upper hand) I want an apology.

Ram: For what?

Priya: (she gaped in awe) For what? oh my gosh… For everything… Ever since you came into my life you have been a pain in the ass and you have said so many things to me and my family that you were out of line to say but still you said it.. So I want to hear an apology. Just one “sorry” and all is forgiven.

Ram: (with his ego in overdrive) I am The Ram Kapoor and I don’t apologize even when I am wrong, which I never am or ever will be… And don't try to act smart with me you need Sheena to go to jail just as badly as I do. So are you really going to wager your family’s happiness on a sorry that will have no meaning?

Priya: (glaring at him in disgust) You’re such an ass.

Ram: (with a victorious grin he mocked) really? you think so? I am flattered. (Priya rolled her eyes and turned to go back into her room) Hold on I am not finished yet!

“When have you ever been finished?” She muttered to herself as she stopped, sighed, and turned back around to see him pulling a set of keys out from his pocket.

Ram: (he stretched out his hand with the key in it) One of the perks of dating the Ram Kapoor is that you don’t get to live in shitty places like this. (adding with a swaggering punch) It ruins my image. So take these (he gestured at the keys still laying snug in his plump palm) and shift back into your old apartment. I have ordered my driver to arrive at this location at 8am sharp. People who work for me are never late so be ready on time.

The arrogance with which he presented the keys sparked an instant refusal from Priya, she flat out denied his gift for fear of strings attached.

Priya: (smugly) No thanks… My family and I will manage here until I can afford to shift us somewhere else… I never needed your help before this so why would I now?

Ram: uh excuse me…this isn’t an option for you. Kush will not live here, do you understand? (he took her hand and planted the keys in it, forcefully in his own style) Plus this isn’t a gift of any sort so don’t flatter yourself. It’s a loan that you will pay off by working for me…

Priya: (sarcastically) oh thank you… I’m glad it’s a loan; a gift from THE RAM KAPOOR would be hard to swallow.

Ram: (with a frown keying in on her sassiness) Yeah whatever! Just for the record, you still have to come into work tomorrow. The faster we get this thing over with the better it will be for me.

Priya shook her head in fascination, she did not know when or why she expected Ram to shower some kindness on her and let her rest for a few days. But than again she thought, convincing herself, “It’s probably all for the best anyways. Like he said the faster this is over the better it will be.” And so ignoring her pain, which she had forgotten from the moment she had seen Rajat, Priya stated in confirmation, “Yes I couldn’t agree more with you on that last point! I will see you tomorrow.” With that Ram was on his merry old way feeling satisfied with the conversation because it had gone just as he had planned, which was a rarity when it came to speaking with Priya about anything. From the moment he met her, he knew she was too thick headed for her own good but of course he would never admit that he had met his match!

Priya closed the door behind her leaning exhaustedly against it. She exhaled staring at the keys in her hand. Unintentionally Ram did her a huge favour, she really had no idea how she would be able to dig herself out from this mess that fate had selfishly hurled her family into…

***

A short distance away, in the Kapoor Mansion Sheena fumed knowing that Ram had been out all night and she assumed that he spent it with Priya. She picked up her phone and dialed her love to complain about the sudden interest that Ram had in Priya. At any cost, she felt obligated for her own peace of mind to strangle this developing relationship while it was still in its beginning phases. Her man answered the phone tiredly and from the moment his voice reached her she began her rant explaining her frustrations, failed plans, and more. When she was finished her Oscar worthy performance, the only thing that the man on the end of the line said was, “Babe, don’t worry!”

Sheena: (on the phone) Don’t worry? (she repeated with more oomph) Don’t worry? You obviously don’t understand how big of an impact Ram and Priya’s relationship will have on my ability to secure more funds. That cheap bastard Siddhant left only a quarter of his shares for me in his will, the rest of it he left for Ram to sort out. Did you know that I have Ram dancing on the palm of my hands and I would like to keep it that way.

Raj: (annoyed) So what do you want me to do? You wanted me to set Priya’s house on fire and make it seem like an accident, I did and babe it didn’t work. Maybe we are overthinking this and this time we got lucky but next time it might not be so.

Sheena: (angrily) Don’t lecture me! You’re useless. You just don’t understand, if Priya sways Ram and I lose control of him you can kiss the rest of Siddhants money goodbye. And with what I have right now the least we can do is live a comfortable middle class life for some time. (she began crying) And I don’t want that Raj, I want to live luxuriously. We deserve it. Why isn’t anything working out? I want to be with you… Can’t we just leave this money behind? Your business is doing so good.

Raj: (now sounding more awake) Baby, please don’t cry. (she sniffled easily coaxed) Look we are so close to being together and living the life that we both dreamt of…I know that we can live off our business but if I just had some more money I can stabilize it so that we never have to worry about being bankrupt. Please… Will you do this one last thing for me? Baby, I love you and want to spend the rest of my life by your side, giving you everything that you deserve. Baby?

Sheena: (she answered still upset) I love you too Raj… But I am so nervous that Ram is getting close to any girl, let alone Priya. We have to do something…

Raj: ummm… (he thought for a second and than added) okay baby I got it… by the end of this week Priya will never want to see Ram ever again… That’s my promise…

Sheena: (intrigued) What? How?

Raj: Leave that to me. (he smiled cunningly) Now please be happy… I am with you every step of the way!

Sheena: (with a sense of ease) I love you…

Raj: I love you too…