Hello Friends
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Here Is Part 5
Frankly …I don’t know Ram said He continued. Anyway I am leaving today to Mumbai.There is nothing to do here. But Just wanted to ask you … Can I come meet you in Mumbai.. Ram while asking was holding his breath .
No She said decisively . No .
He felt a prick in his heart , he knew she was going to say this but still he hoped that .. …what she will fall at his feet for kissing her without her permission. dammit nothing he thought .. she was just not interested in him that is it .. there was nothing in the kiss.. she didn’t even want it . so nothing !! it meant nothing to her..
So should I say goodbye then Ram asked. He extended his arm for a handshake.
Priya got up from the bed , for minute she hesitated He saw hesitating, it hurt him to see that she didn’t trust him. He mentally kicked himself for his behaviour
You know what Priya I know you don’t have great opinion about me but trust me I am not rapist .. It is just a handshake promise I won’t do anything Ram said wryly
After a minute Priya took his extended arm, and shook it .. A tentative smile formed on her lips.. She said thank you !!! and sorry for the confusion..
That is okay.. You know what Priya This is the first time I have seen you smile, you have a beautiful smile.. you should smile lot more. Said Ram
She smiled once again at Ram’s words..
Ram saw her eyes lit up, face take a new glow.. Why did he ever think she was not beautiful. Dammit … She was the most beautiful woman .. her eyes were quite adorably blinking and befuddled, her hair softly falling on one side of her shoulder , leaving the other side bare For him to see the span of her neck and shoulder. There was no lipstick , but the lips were rosy enough to tempt him to taste it again, she just wore a jean and pink kurthi but looked uncommonly fetching, and he wondered how he hadn't noticed that earlier .He'd never met anybody like her who made his blood go wild with just a smile. But she didn’t like him, infact she hated him.
He didn’t know whether to cry or to laugh at the irony of the situation, the only woman whom he was attracted , felt anything for .. didn’t like him and couldn’t stand the sight of him.
Priya slowly walked upto the door , and turned around said goodbye !!!
As she opened the Door to leave , Ram wanted her to know something .. he called her Priya.. before you go, just wanted to tell you , I am sorry for what happened before , it was a moment of craziness but truth to be the told , I am not sorry for kissing you .. because the kiss made me feel something good that I have never felt before in life it felt right it was beautiful, I never regret that kiss…But I am sorry for the way it happened, I shouldn’t have done it that way..sorry Bye he said and closed the door.
Priya stood there seeing the closed door, it was as if she lost a part of her heart. She didn’t know what to think, what to do , she never felt this broken before there was a pain in her heart that she couldn’t not explain … it was bad very bad.
2 months later…
On Sands of Chowpathy Beach, Mumbai
Priya was walking down the beach , seeing waves play tag with sands of the beach. This had become her favorite pastime since last two month, since day she came back from Pune. Something about the dancing waves calmed her mind and bought a peace to her heart.. the crowd in the beach made her feel that she was part of the world, lately loneliness was wrecking her peace. Silence echoed.. she felt dreadfully lonely . Since .. that kiss. Since Ram
Her eyes kept looking at every suit clad man, hoping it was him wanting it to be him. But when it was not , hopes crashed heart ,tears pricked her eyes. Somehow she felt she lost her chance to happiness. She didn’t know what she felt for Ram .. but one thing she knew she missed him , missed him terribly . Everything reminded her of him., red roses ,red balloons, dogs on the road…anything and everything .
She had bought herself butha , because she felt hungry but couldn’t make herself eat it , nothing interested her not even food . Doctors were worried about her, she kept getting fever every now then, in fact she stopped going to the Dr because she was just not bothered anymore.
She looked at the butha closely , decided to eat it .She took a bite from it and at the same time little boy came from somewhere pushed her .. she landed on someone , definitely a male . She was little winded, but most embarrassed. She apologized to person without looking up … and she tried to get up . But the sand below her feet didn’t cooperate , she slipped once again .
It is okay Priya.. I got you said the voice… the same deep timber voice that haunted her dreams , that she heard in every corner of her house.. the same voice .. The Voice of Ram ..
Priya choked on the corn which tried she to swallow hurriedly , then coughed, sending a fine spray of corn through the air.
"Mr Kapoor ," she gasped, fervently praying the largest of the globs had missed him.
"Priya." He smiled warmly. "It's good to see you."
"And you."
he said, "You look well but you have lost weight are you okay."
No I am fine , just being under weather lately
"And you, how are you" she said, too preoccupied with his eyes and dimple she couldn’t think anything much too add variety to her conversation.
"That's a nice dress," he said, motioning to her green silk kurthi .
She smiled consciously tucking her hair behind “ Thanks "
Ram Uncle… small voice interrupted their awkward conversation…why is this lady sitting on your lap…
Realization stuck Priya.. Oh shit !!! she was sitting on his lap.. Hurriedly most ungracefully got up from his lap .
Sorry she said again she never been more embarrassed or more mortified in her life..
Ram too got up , picked the little tyke by his arms put him over his shoulders. And softly said That is because you pushed this aunty on to my lap when you were trying to catch the ball. I told you to be careful, but you didn’t listen to me. Now say sorry to aunty ..
Little boy turned around looked at Priya… and said Sorry
Priya , kneeled down to the same height of the boy said, that is okay… but just be careful.
Boy picked his ball again , ran away to play with the little girl. who was calling him.
Priya got up to see Ram looking at her peculiarly ..
She asked .. what is it ..
Nothing he said.
Do you come here often he asked
Yes .. she answered. Almost every day.. especially in the evening I like to see the setting sun … each day it is different and each day it is beautiful
Ram looked keenly , last rays of the sun streaming through her, the smile offering a balm to his broken heart, Her eyes dazzling his mind. She was only one who could make him want to love … But fact was she didn’t want to love him.
Yes .. he said without even looking at the sun.. today was beautiful day.. because today he met her, after two months he saw her again today. Somehow everything looked more beautiful and brighter
She asked him, how is it that you came here? Do you come here regularly ? but I have never seen you .
No I don’t .. I came to Chowpathy after long time Neha and Vikram have gone out today it is their anniversary , I had actually volunteered to baby sit Rahul and Ritzy for them today . As they were bored , so thought of bringing them here…
You know Neha right he asked
Ofcourse I do remember her I met her in delhi.
Yes Neha and Vikram are my only friends and the closest. Vikram and I studied to gether from school… now we work together.
What about family?
Yeah .. I have them, right now they are travelling .
He didnt expand not beyond that .
She was curious, She didn’t know how to ask without sounding insensitive
Just when she was wondering about it .The little boy called out to his Ram uncle to join them
Ram smiles said no.. because the aunty was here and he was talking her but the two kids were so adamant, then the little girl Ritzy suggested that he bring Aunty to play with them,
When Priya refused , the little girl face crumpled..
Ram sent a pleading glaze towards her requesting her join them…
Priya was not sure ..but she couldn’t see the little girl’s disappointment etched on her face also… So reluctantly agreed…
Thus began a beautiful evening of magic … they laughed, they played, they sang , they smiled … they lived for the time in their life for themselves .
When the time to go home came, both of them didn’t want to say bye, at same time they did not know what to say to prolong the evening. Sometimes when Adult complicate issue, the best solution comes from a child. Here also it happened.
Rahul and Ritzy asked Priya join them for Pizza treat at the KM….
Looking at their pleading faces.. she couldn’t say no ,, has she always been a sucker for children. That was the reason she joined school… to be with children.
She looked at Ram…
Ram replied .. please do come,
But My dress…
Ram hurriedly said.. It is beautiful, we are going to be at home anyway .It just going to be us in the house, rest of people at home are anyway out. So please do come… I will happy if you could come, I drop you back in the night after I drop these kids at their Nani place.. Come Priya .. it will be fun ,
Priya … didn’t want the day to end , she didn’t know what tomorrow is going to be but she didn’t want today to end.
They all got into the car , drove down to KM… Kapoor Mansion… It was bungalow on Peddar road in Bandra. The high gates and tall compound wall hid the massive building and its huge lawns. It was two storey building with huge windows. She never knew there existed a such a huge house in Mumbai.. When she entered the gates, it looked like they were in a completely different world , it had no connection to hustle and bustle of the city outside..
This house was built by my Great grandfather when he became a successful businessman, he bought this house from a English officer. Through the years we made lot of changes and completely modernized it but it was all inside, we always maintained the exterior charm as it was from early 1900 hundreds. The inside modernization was also done so that it doesn’t kill the soul of the house. Everything in the house was chosen to match the sensibility of the house.. thus keeping its soul intact.
Priya was awed … to say the least. Interiors was more impressive , It was done so tastefully and beautifully .. that Priya felt she entered altogether a different era.
Do you like to take grand tour of the house? He asked..
The first time, he wanted to show somebody his house. He worked religiously for 15 years to bring it to this stature… to return to its glory. His father left it has ruined rambling house, which was falling by ears. When he took over everything, he took over this house also. It was his pride. He never allowed anybody to do anything to the house. Niharika had tried to interfere, but Ram didn’t allow her. When she knew that Ram would not allow, she stopped interfering , it was but a small sacrifice to pay to enjoy the luxuries of life.
As each person had they own Quarters, they were allowed to do what they want with it , but otherwise the house remained in Ram’s
Children ran off to play in the garden, followed by 2 servants to watch over them.
Ram took Priya to each part of the house, explained each part to her.
Priya could see the love he had for the house.. the pride he took in it .
At last they came to his Quarters… comparative to the house his quarters were stark, there were no pictures on the wall no work of art the walls were bere. except for the huge queen size bed ,few settee and huge Mahoney desk there was nothing in the room.. It was bare.
She didn’t understand .. asked him…
He just shrugged .. said he couldn’t think nothing to put up…
And quickly walked out , asking her to come and see his gardens
First time, Priya felt a pain that was behind the façade. She saw the loneliness in his existence. But she knew he had family but why was he alone. She didn’t see a single photo of his parents… yes there were lot of photos of his siblings and his step mother but not one of his father or mother.
As they were moving towards the garden , an old man dressed in white band gala suit, came forward and said there was somebody waiting to meet from office…
Ram , was irritated because he didn’t want anything interrupt his time with Priya.. but he also knew if it was not something important his staff would never disturb him. He excused himself , and said Priya .. sorry something urgent has come up, this is Bansi Kakha, he is the person who runs this house for me, he would show the rest of the house.. I will back in another Half an hour. Then we can all have dinner…
That is okay , I will be fine don’t worry . just go finish of the work. She said
Bansi kaka then took priya around the rest of the house and when the tour was over… Ram was not yet back. Bansi Kaka made her sit in the spacious study , as she waited for Ram. The children were up having their bath . There was nothing else to do except wait. So she started to make small talk with Bansi Kaka asking him about the house. It seemed Bansi Kakha lived in the house for generations. His parents before home served the Kapoors. and He has been working here for past 40 years.
Priya , was curious now she wanted to know more about Ram. But she didn’t know how to ask.
But Bansi Kakha opened up… Madam, I have never seen baba ! sorry Sir realizing his pauxpas !! this happy , I have seen him from day he was born. He was handsome child, his mother loved him, but she was just not happy here. Bade Sahib , loved his drinks. He drank and drank neglected everything the house , the business and his family. Chote sahib tried to be best in everything to make his mother happy and father take note of him. He thought if he was the best somehow things would be become normal but every time he won anything there was nobody to encourage him . Every time he got a cup he took to show his mother, but memsahib would always be crying , and sahib always drinking. So He kept it on the top of the glass cupboard opposite to his parents room hoping his parents would see it , soon the glass shelf over flowed with the cups / medal he own. Still nothing changed .
One day , Bade sahib in drunken stupor broke the glass shelf .. all the cups scattered all-round the place, one of it cut his leg.. in his anger… he asked the servant to throw all of it out . The servant throwed it … Chote sahib came back from school next day to see that his glass shelf was gone so were his cups. He cried , and searched but he couldn’t find them, then came to know that were thrown way in the garbage.. he ran out with bag … collected it all back from the garbage . Stored it way in the trunk. After that he whenever he won he gave his prize away , he never bought it home.
When his mother left him with his father for another man, Chote sir didn’t saying anything he understood that his mother happiness was not this house.. he let her go , he was just 17 years of age . He didn’t shed single tear, nor he was angry at her. But it broke my heart to see him standing all alone in this huge house .
But later when sahib bought in other family, I thought they would be the family chote sahi never had. But that was also not to happen. Niharika Madamji was interested only in the money the Kapoor Industries made.. she never bothered with anything else.. Sir ji works hard to earn the money , and they work hard spend it. Sirji never once has questioned them about their spending whenthey want anything he provides without asking a single question.The only person who loves sir is Natasha baby, but she is also studying in the some school in London now. It is only when she there you can see Sir ji happy, otherwise there is nothing in this house for him except loneliness. All his life he has lived this way.. but honestly , you will never find more finer gentleman than Sir ji..
Madamji.. you may think I am gossiping .. No madamji , this is the first time Sir has bought somebody home, This is first time I have seen him genuinely happy. I know this is becuase of you. I don’t know what your relationship with sir , it is not my place to know also.. but Madamji I just wanted to tell Sir ji needs family his own and this house need children and love.
There were tears glistening in Bansi kaka’s eyes.. so were there in Priya’s eye also . Her heart went out to the little boy ram who wanted to be loved…
Ram Came back ,, apologizing profusely for the delay . Priya was to moved what bansi kaka told her to reply . She looked at the Ram standing before her now she understood that the arrogance he showed was just façade inside there was heart waiting to be loved and to love.. She had seen him today with the children , One day he will be one of the best father… a wonderful loving father… and she wanted to be one to give that happiness to him, she wanted to be mother of his children . That is when she realized that she loved .. she loved with her whole heart That acceptance bought with unbridled happiness and along with came bundle of nervousness also because she knew not what Ram felt for her… she knew he wanted her but love ? that she was not sure.
At the that moment , children came in announcing the pizza was ready and they were hungry… it was then decided that would have the dinner in the entertaintment room watching a movie….
They had lot fun having pizza seeing the movie.. half way through the movie children slept. Ram and Priya carried one child each , took them by the car to their Nani ‘s House. The children were too tired , they did not getup not even once during the shifting .
Then in silence , they drove towards her home. The day was over, clock had struck, it was time for Cinderella say good bye to her prince.
When her apartment came, and car stopped, she said her bye, and got down..
Mr Kapoor she said … thank you for the lovely time.. I enjoyed it .
No .. Priya It was my pleasure , Thank you for accepting the invitation, you needn’t have. But you did . So Thank you
No Mr kapoor , I really wanted to do it .. Thanks , Bye .. and Good night
Priya ! he called again, just one thing , can we meet again tomorrow? This time it will be just us . Children will not be there.
She knew what he meant , She nodded her head,
Okay then I can call you tomorrow, and you will come na ?? he asked .. There was insecurity tinged in his words and a fear of rejection in his eyes .He looked so earnest, so boyishly serious, that it was a hard battle not to throw her arms around him and attempt to comfort him.
She said .. Yes I would be there.!!!! She smiled a smile with all the love she could muster.
Author
Priya RamKumar
2 comments:
Lovely update.
Waiting for next one.
Eagerly waiting for update...do post it... Awesome stories
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