BALH Paanch Saal Baad Part 101

As expected Ram was in the Bedroom. Before Priya could enter the room, she heard the furious and curious steps moving relentlessly around. Though she had some hint from Advik, where she could land after facing the man, she stood there thinking about the damage control. She was not allowed to think further, by her ringing phone, fisted.

“I am here only.” Priya entered the room, with the shopping bags in her hand. Disconnecting the call she set aside the shopping bags and asked Ram about the urgency.

“You went for shopping?” Ram was uttered surprised by the calmness of his wife. “this was your important work, that also with Dev?”

“Oh! Please Mr. Kapoor, can you please focus on the urgency for which I am here.” Priya cut in very rudely.

“I see now Madam has no time for her husband and daughter! I see.” Ram’s anger was raging with passing time. “Ok I will not waste your time Priya, just answer me one thing.” He stepped towards her.

“What!” Priya can feel her nervousness. “Please Ram don’t ask me something worse that will throw us further apart.” She pleaded to him inside her head, a prayer to God, wishing for it to be granted.

“How could you even think that our daughter is demented?” Ram shouted at Priya at the top of his voice.

“What!!”

“Pihu is not mad Priya.” Ram shouted again.

“Who said Pihu is demented? Boliye kaun kaha aap se yeh. I will the first one to kill that…” Priya stopped with anger ragging inside her.

“wah! Khud kehti ho aur khud… I feel like applauding you Priya for your stellar performance.” Ram shook his head in disagreement, “I don’t believe this Priya that you have really done this. You know something..” He stretched his words, “ I felt bad after I said all those to you last night but I was right.”

“Oh! You really felt bad, Thank you for being so thoughtful, or atleast you tried to be one, but you don’t need to do this, that is not your cup of tea.” Priya annoyed Ram pretty much.

“What did you want to mean?”

“Nothing! None of your business.” Priya ignored, “ I was expecting you to be a sensible father atleast, but no.. and and what you were saying, or trying to say, who said Pihu is demented?” Priya asked.

“Do I need to point out!”

“What do you mean?”

“Stop this Priya as if you don’t know anything!”

“Do you want to mean I.. I ..” Priya stopped as Ram shrugged of his shoulders, “I don’t believe this Mr Kapoor. I really don’t have words to appreciate your fatherhood. Kal tak toh mein ek budi maa thi today I am a mother who thinks that her daughter is mad! Is this you think about me?”

Ram stood unanswered, unmoved.

“yaad hain aap ko Mr. Kapoor when we had a second thought of having another baby, If you remember why we turned it down. Because Pihu completes us and we don’t need anyone else to complete us. I wanted to give full to Pihu, and wanted you to reciprocate the same to her and you think I consider my daughter a demented. Is this you know me?” Priya shouted in pain.

“So Why did you engage Advik?” Ram rushed towards her.

“What! Advik? Does his presence in Pihu’s life make you feel that. I don’t believe this. Mr Kapoor Advik is Pihu’s Doctor, and woh pagalo ka doctor nahi hai” Priya gritted her teeth, “She needs help! That’s it!”

“Oh! Come-on on Priya every one knows what is Advik’s specialization!” Ram rejected Priya’s thought.

“Ram! Stop it” Priya shouted to the top of her voice, “Just shut up!” She was raging in anger, “ It is your thoughts that is taking you to a conclusion about our daughter’s condition. It is you who need to re-think not me. What I know is Pihu needs to be guided and that Advik can do best. I don’t take my daughter as dement or mad, and Advik not a Pagalon ka doctor he is a psychiatrist, a specialist.”

“Priya you are crossing your limits.” Ram was stopped by his intervening angry wife. “Oh! And you are in your limits, you said me a bad mother, a failure I was okay with it. But how dare you think that my daughter is dement.”

“She is my daughter too Priya” Ram said alarming Priya.

“Oh! Never, she is my daughter only my. If she is yours you could have never thought of that word to be her condition what you used just now. She is only mine.” A lone tear dropped.

Ram stood perplexed looking at his wife’s outburst.

“And..” Priya continued, “ If you think that Pihu has lost it! She is a has turned into a dement, Just leave, neither of us need you. I can handle my love alone. I can bring her back alone.” Ram was trying to speak but Priya didn’t allow, “Let me finish, you can say me anything, sayad bhool bhi jaati mein jo aap ne kaha but for my daughter, I forbid your thoughts too, She is my part, your part, our love. She was not born as part of the duties of a husband wife Mr Kapoor, if you remember, and even if not let me remind you what you said when I was pregnant with Pihu.” Priya wanted Ram to respond but he didn’t. “Our child will remind us everyday how beautiful our love is.” She sobbed badly, “Ram blame me for anything I am okay with it. But dare to disgrace our love, our daughter.”

Before Ram could react, she grabbed the shopping bags and rushed out of the room. Ram sat on the bed, clutching his head tight amongst his hands. He at last decided to call Advik. He asked him to meet.

When Ram was downstairs to leave, he decided to see Priya for once, he knocked at the door before entering. “Come in” she said, clearing her throat.

“Priya.” With a deep sigh he called her. Priya on the other side never expected him there after such rude words she said for him. For moment her heart ached with the thought of him leaving Australia as asked by her. She didn’t replied.

“I am …” Ram stopped to know if Priya is fine at that moment or not. “priya” he called her again.

“boliye I am listening.” She replied.

“I am going to meet Advik, and pihu ko leke hi lautunga.” Ram left, preventing Priya to speak any further.

While leaving Ram met Apeksha outside, his body language signaled her about the tension that brewed up further between the man and the wife, she didn’t interfered Ram. She walked inside and mistook Priya to be in her bedroom, not finding her there she walked to the kitchen made two cups of coffee and went to the guest room. Priya was sitting on the rocking chair, by the side of the window, eyes shut tight hands clasped on her lap.

“Priya!” Apeksha caressed her hairs slowly. She looked up to find Apeksha there. At first she refused to take the coffee, but Apeksha insisted.

“I will not ask what actually happened between you and Bhai, but I can feel something pretty bad happened here.” Apeksha said sipping her coffee.

“ I can forgive Mr Kapoor for everything but not for he thought, and even spoke.” Priya kept her coffee cup on the tea table.

“ Priya, it is good na he spoke, had he kept it within do you even get to know about it?” Apeksha had a valid point, “ I know you are angry, but think about it! Waise kaha gaye abhi? Bolke gaye, else I will call him”

“ Advik se milne, Pihu ko leke lautenge.”

“Priya, wo kal Karvachauth hain and Maa called me, even Bhai.” Apeksha was hesitating to continue.

“ kya Apeksha, jitna bhi halat kharab kyun na ho, I will never stop loving him. I also spoke to them and I am keeping fast, so tumhe jo kaha gaya hain you do it.” Priya at last smiled.

“But Bhai, will he…?”

“Yes He will come and Apeksha thodi der ke liye leave me alone please .”

Apeksha respected her decision and left the room. Left behind alone Priya sat thinking about the Ram and Pihu.

At college canteen as decided by Advik, Ram meet him there.

“May I know why we need to meet here?” Ram started sharp.

“So that you can know where your daughter stands right now.” Advik smiled.

“Where?”

“Perplexed, Confused, disconcert, unsettle, and many more.” Advik replied, “And you should witness this under covered, I have arranged all. There..” he pointed to table by his.

“How the hell I am going to witness things happening over here from there, isn’t she going to catch us ?” Ram looked surprised.

“Leave it to me, just don’t over react to what you hear from either of us.” Advik said. Ram was not convinced but he agreed to Advik only for Priya, rather to prove her wrong he agreed to Advik.

Almost after waiting for 10 minutes, Advik, saw Pihu coming towards the cafeteria. This time she was alone. “Hey Pihu! Miss Potato Wadges.” Advik annoyed her at the very first greet.

“Not again” Pihu mumbled to herself, she decided to ignore him and move out of the place, but couldn’t, Advik almost dragged her to the table which he decided.

“Look I have ordered something for you and why you are so late.” He enquired.

“Why should I tell you, My mother’s informer.” Pihu replied.

“Hey this is wrong, don’t bring Priya Aunty amongst all this.” He tried to defend.

“Stop it Mr Doctor I know Mom very well, Papa is here na, so she is pretty insecure that she will loose and I will win. Papa will obviously choose me. You all don’t know my father. He can do anything for me.” Pihu took a wedge from the plate, “ I was a good daughter and will be one always for him.”

“What so ever happens around?” Advik asked.

“Yes!’ she replied confidently.

“Even If you loose you mother.” He fired another question.

“Ye..” Pihu stopped, “What will happen to my mom, where she will go?”

“No like you said your father will choose you, so he should leave your mom no for supporting you, or something natural must happen with your…” Advik was cut in by Pihu..

“Stop It you bustard!” Pihu shouted grabbing everyone’s attention, “ Nothing can happen to my mom, neither my dad will leave her, he supports me that’s it! I need both of them in my life. Get that!”

“In the way you want them to be?” Advik asked.

“Yes! I want them to follow my rules. I want freedom! And mom is jailing me up.” Pihu said.

“And you are using your father as the key.”

“So whats wrong in that! If I use. They are my parents… My Parents and they should look after my well being, they should look for what makes me happy not for something that makes them happier.” Pihu was loosing her mind again.

“At any cost they should keep you happy, being by your side irrespective of you do good or bad.” Advik didn’t loose the eye contact.

“Yes they should!”

“Even if they die!”

“Shut up Advik!!!” She shouted to the topmost voice, “ I will kill you next time you say this!” She collected her belongings and walked away. Advik pulled out his phone and called someone.

Ram who controlled himself to the extreme walked to Advik, “Is that the way of treating a patient?”

“No.” He answered looking at the phone.

“Then why you made her vulnerable more.” Ram looked to him for an answer.

“I knew she will react. I knew it will be bad, I had made up this plan to show you… One Minute” He stopped as the phone buzzed. “Great now take her back to home and don’t forget to sedate her.” Looking to Ram he added, “ I think now you know that your daughter needs help and all the things she made up infront of you all the day, is only to win your confidence, you were not here that night when she showed up the symptoms for the first time. I was there. I saw her to react to her mom and all the case history. I had a talk with aunty too, and the same thing I will tell you too, don’t force her something let her do , let her fail and let her gain.”

“At the cost of what? My Daughter?” Ram asked.

“I guarantee you, she will be back. She will the same daughter you and aunty had. Just give her time and have faith. Let her know that importance of her mother in her life. Let her know what she did for her was not wrong. Till then let me handle her and do what I tell you two to do, whatever aunty has done this morning was in accordance to my instruction, and you also don’t show that you know the truth. Let her know that you are still in dark.” Advik suggested.

“Do I have any other option left with me?” Ram said in disgust.

“Uncle, go home, my teammate, another doctor has already taken Pihu back to home. Dev uncle is along with them.” Advik suggested.

Now this name again startled Ram. This name brings a sense of jealousy in him and he don’t know why. Ram ignored everything for a moment and for the situation that went awkward for him, he agreed to leave for home.

He reached little late, Dev has already shifted Pihu to her room, there she slept very calmly, the effect of the medicine helped her to remain calm. By her sat Priya holding her hands between her palm. Apeksha and Dev stood by Priya in deep thoughts. Ram walked inside, his footsteps brought a stir in the ghostly environment created.

“We should leave.” Apeksha said to Dev, they in unison left the room. Ram softly shut the door and sat by Pihu, caressing her head.

“So you saw everything?” Priya asked. Ram didn’t answered, “ This was the reason, Advik is here. To get our daughter back. Ram nothing can be worst in this life seeing our love like this. But this is the truth. I can’t let her drown just by accepting her demands just to be a good mom, neither can I let her break like this. I need my baby back and for this if I had to go against you, your thoughts I will go.” Priya carefully kept Pihu’s hands back on the bed and stood up to leave.

“Priya.” Ram called her, “ ek baat…”

“Please Mr.Kapoor abhi kuch maat kahiye. Please stay with Pihu. Mein.. mujhe kuch kaam hain. Waise Pihu trusts you more.” Priya left.

It was 11 at night then, when Pihu woke up, “Good Evening Papa” she greeted her father assuming it to be evening. Ram poured water into the glass, alarming her about the exact time.

“What??” her reaction was recorded by Ram, it was not natural. Pihu ran towards the glass pane, sliding the curtain aside she stood awestruck.

“Mr Kapoor” Priya’s voice echoed into the room, Pihu in her disbelief sat on the chair kept beside the study table. Priya stood at the door with dinner for Ram and Pihu. She pushed the food trolley inside before closing the door.

“Pihu, Mr Kapoor Dinner kar lijiye It’s really late. Kal mujhe bahut kaam hain.” Priya said arranging the plates for the father Daughter on the table. “What happened Pihu, go and change and have your dinner. I need to sleep. I have to wake up early tomorrow. Please.”

“Kal kya hain Mom?” Pihu asked.

“Karvachauth.” Ram answered.

“Oh! I thought you forgot Mr. Kapoor.” Priya walked to Pihu. She caressed her hair, “What happened Pihu, If you want to share.”

“How and when I came back home?” Pihu asked looking clueless for an answer from her parents. Priya waited for few seconds giving her husband a chance to answer, but when he didn’t she made up a story. “Arey tuje yaad nahi! You came little late today and when papa asked you about your day, you said that you are too tired and rushed towards your room.”

“And I slept so deep like dead!” Pihu didnt got it to be authenticate.

“That we were also worried about, hua kya tha? Was it a hectic day for you?” Priya asked. Ram looked at Pihu trying to judge her body language.

“ I was in canteen, then I was with Kunal and he was accompanied with one his friends and Mia and … I don’t remember.. “ Pihu looked worried. Ram noticed that she didn’t mentioned Advik.

“Leave It! Come lets have dinner, Mamma ko kal bahut kaam hain.” Ram stood up and walked to Pihu. She looked up and was utterly stressed.

“Pihu, please have your dinner I really need to sleep.” Priya said again reminding her about the Karvachauth next day.

“But I cant be here. I mean to say mom, I have not informed about the leave.” Pihu informed that she will not be able to stay back home.

“It’s fine, there is nothing to do in morning and even if you are late in the evening, it has really nothing to do, because I am fasting. Ok” Priya smiled.

Pihu nodded and with Ram she walked to the table and settled for dinner.

“Priya tum?” Ram asked her for dinner.

“I will do it with Apeksha and wasie bhi yahan sab non veg hain. Please call me when you two are done with your food.” Priya walked out of the room.

Ram didn’t spoke a word during dinner but noticed the agitation that clustered around Pihu. He asked Pihu if she is fine, for which Pihu expressed that she wants to sleep. Ram unsure about how to react, he preferred to leave her alone and decided to meet Advik for detailed discussion on the day after Karvachauth.

~~

As usual Priya was not in the bedroom, which took Ram to the guest room once again, this time he didn’t care to knock before entering. “Priya” he called which made Priya look up to him from the book she was reading that time.

“Oh! I was waiting only for you.” Priya said keeping the book aside.

“Here?” Ram looked annoyed.

“Why? Whats the problem with this place?” She looked around.

“I thought husband or wife wait for each other in their bedroom not in their respective bedrooms.” The annoyance reflected pretty clear.

“I have already informed you that till you are here I will not be there in that room, didn’t I?”

“Why I am fighting with you?” Ram said, “ I am here to tell you .. I mean confess you something.”

“And That is?” Priya asked assuming that Ram has at last realized his mistake and she smiled inside that she can actually cherish his company after a long time. In pretty advance without knowing the full truth she thanked God to clear all the misunderstanding before Karvachauth.

“Some where you were right” Ram started, “ And I will talk to Advik in details and I will try to sort this out. I will bring back Pihu to normal.”

“Ok!” Priya was little upset and happy at the same tie. Happy because her husband has realized that their daughter is not doing good, and upset because she expected Ram to say sorry for all the incidents that happened in last two days. Though she waited for Ram to speak, there was only mentions of Pihu there was no place for him to regret which he said to his wife. While Priya was engrossed in her thoughts Ram continued to speak about what happened in the college cafeteria that day, afternoon.

“Mr.Kapoor.” Priya intervened.

“Haan Bolo?” Ram replied.

“Can we discuss this later, I almost knew everything that you are telling me. So Can we discuss it tomorrow, I really need to sleep now, otherwise, I will miss the morning alarm definitely” Priya pleaded almost.

“Ok… So you will be here only?” Ram asked.

“Yes, and this is the last time I am telling you this.” Priya said, while sitting on the bed.

“Good Night” Ram greeted and turned to left.

“Good Night” priya reciprocated, “ and please darwaza bandh kar dena.” She turned her back to Ram and tried to sleep. “Ek baar sorry toh bol diya hota Ram” she said to herself digging her face inside the pillow

~~

Next morning, when Priya came down to hall, she found Apeksha talking to her parents back in India. She wished them and sat there.

“Priya bahut sundar lag rahi ho.” Her mother in law complemented her.

“Hi Priya!” Natasha greeted from other side, “ This is very bad Priya haan, you completely forgotton us, this is very bad. Do Shaitaan hain ni idhaar nahi toh dekhte mami ko kitna yaad karte hain”

“Natasha how can I forget you, bas couldn’t make it! Even I have not spoken to anyone back in India, thoda bahut Mr Kapoor se baateine hoti thi.” Priya paused for a while, which didn’t go well with Natasha.

“Apeksha is everything all right?” She asked.

Before Apeksha could react, Priya clutched her wrist to prevent her from speaking any details.

“Yes Nuts, everything is fine, I have made her busy, aatien hi kaam pe laga diya hain.” Apeksha supported Priya when she was not in a mood to do so.

“okay.. Hey Bhai..” Natasha exclaimed finding Ram behind Priya.

“Ram.” His Mother’s voice made Ram duck to get a view of them on the screen, “ Sit by Priya.” She said.

Apeksha stood up and made way for Ram to sit. He sat by Priya their arms brushed against eachother. In these three days that was the first time, they sat by eachother. Though they tried to hide their prevailing awkwardness the result of the fight from the family back in India, Natasha caught the same at their first glimpse.

“Maa App bhai Priya se baatien kijiye I have to check with mumiji when she is coming” Natasha walked away and called Apeksha.

“Hi Nuts..” Apeksha said, “ I know for what you are calling.”

“So Say it na, what happened? Why they are so awkward with each other.” Nuts sounded impatient.

“I don’t know.” Apeksha Sighed.

“What so you mean you don’t know? You are there with them and you don’t know. Please don’t go with Priya.” Natasha’s frustration was clear.

“Nuts I know there is nothing right between them but I don’t know what actually it is. The reason I don’t know. But it is related to Pihu.” She said.

“Pihu?”

“Yes.. I know Bhai has not informed you guys anything but nothing is right with Pihu. Promise me you will keep this with you only no one else and Priya and Bhai must not know that you are being informed.” Apeksha wanted a promise from Natasha.

“Promise Apeksha and now tell me.” Nuts insisted. After hearing everything in brief. “Nothing is going to be fine between them when Pihu is involved. We have seen many fights between them which went on for days but this is a serious issue. I am worried this time Apeksha. I said you guys there is no need to take Pihu to Australia but none of you listened.”

“Natasha I have to go, Priya is calling me.” Apeksha said.

“Okay Listen please keep me updated.” Natasha added before disconnecting the call.

“Yes Priya..” Apeksha answered.

“ Apeksha we will be here this side, please complete the rituals on our behalf.” Krisha Kapoor said to her. Apeksha did every rituals as instructed and directed by the elders from india through the virtual medium, thanks to technological advancement.

On her regular time Pihu came downstairs looking for her parents, Apeksha asked her to go to the lawn where her parents are at that time. When Pihu went there, she found Priya strolling around and Ram engulfed in reading the newspaper.

“Mamma Papa” Her first words drew their attention, “Good Morning and Happy karvachauth.”

“Thank You Pihu, Breakfast Kiya?” Priya asked.

“No.”

“Have your breakfast Pihu and Mr. Kapoor App bhi.” She paused , “I mean will you drop Pihu to college?”

“Ya.. Pihu finish your Breakfast we have to leave or you will be late.” Ram insisted her to be little fast. She nodded and left.

“Mr.Kapoor be little gentle with her.” Priya said.

“I am furious with you. I am mad at you Priya.” Ram almost threw the newspaper.

“What!!” Priya Exclaimed, “ Now what I have done?”

“Nothing!” Ram paced out of the lawn. Priya picked up the newspaper and followed.

~~

Though both of them wanted to speak to eachother, their ego prevented them. Ram mostly spent his time in study Video calling to India for official works and Priya was busy talking to her parents, Neha and her own Family. While Apeksha stayed back at home trying to figure out a solution to resolve everything between the couple. Dev who visited Apeksha and Ram for some official works invited them for the Evening Program organized by Apeksha for the Indian Families of Melbourne. They assured to be there and make their contributions in the same with Pihu.

While in College, Pihu tried to figure out the last night, tried to fetch out the memory that was dramatically erased from last evening. She found much of it to be self constructed by her parents but when Kunal and Mia said the same she got more confused. When she should believe what she was being informed she disbelieved them even more. Between all these, there came a moment when she could really rejoice, when her presentation for the week was considered to be best. At first she thought it to a be contribution from her father, but she later realized that is it had been India, Mr Ram Kapoor and can buy anything for his daughter but here like her, many other powerful personalities wards are present, some belong to mightier families than hers that is almost next to impossible. Being congratulated and applauded by professors and batch mates, she became a rockstar within a matter of minutes.

That evening, when Pihu came back home, with a big smile painted on her face, Priya felt peace inside. Pihu disclosed her first achievement to her parents and bua very excitingly. Being congratulated by her parents Pihu became more excited and asked if she could accompany them for the Karvachauth celebrations. Priya seemed to be very elated when her daughter expressed her willingness to be a part of their celebrations. Pihu ran upstairs to get ready for the evening.

“She looked different today, isn’t it?” Ram asked the ladies.

“Yes bhai. That makes the thing more complicated. These mood swings are..” Apeksha was stopped by Priya.

“Leave it Apeksha yeh aaj kush hain wahi bahut hain.” Priya said, “ I should also change and aap dono bhi ready ho jayiye.” Priya left for her bedroom.

~~

When Priya came out in her Red saree adorning a red lipstick, Ram could hardly resist. His eyes froze to her, which followed her still she came and stood right infornt of him. Then also he didn’t stop staring, Truly he was not in that room, he transported himself to another world, where there is no fight no guest room no odds amongst.

“Anything wrong?” Priya took him out of his fantasies.

“No…” Ram blushed, “ You are looking beautiful.”

“Thank You.”

“Wow.. Mom you are looking so pretty.” Pihu complemented her mother.

“Thank you and so do my princess.” Priya hugged her daughter, when she must be happy that her daughter is connecting with her again, now she looked little worried to see Pihu’s sudden abrupt change. Specially her reactions towards her made her think what Apeksha said. She wanted to know what is going inside Pihu’s head.

“Bhai Priya One picture please I have to send this to Maa.” Apeksha said.

“Yes today they are looking too perfect isn’t it bua?” Pihu walked to Apeksha and stood by her. That change in pihu also bothered her, but she didn’t react reading Priya’s allusions.

Things were not good between the loving couple yet they stood side by side holding a smile. Apeksha now showed her disgust. “I am not clicking photo for any official documents that need husband and wife to stand so formally.”

“What!’ Ram said.

“Arey thoda pass ayiye.” Apeksha teased.

Ram Priya looked at each other they remembered their engagement night, how Vikram and Neha put them in a single frame for a romantic picture.

“No…” Ram smiled, No that can’t…” he looked at Priya who was smiling too.

“Okay..” Ram moved little closer to her and encircled his hands around her shoulder. Priya didn’t resist this time, she wanted to keep her issues personal, only between her and Ram. “Kush!” Ram said.

“Perfect!” Apeksha sad before clicking their pictures.

“Chalien abb.” Priya insisted.

“Yup.. Do one thing Bhia you and Priya come together I and Pihu are following.” Apeksha called the driver and instructed ignoring Priya, who wanted them to come along too. Basically Apeksha was executing Natasha’s plan to keep them closer and lone as much as possible.

“Chalo Pihu..”Apeksha waved bye to the couple and left.

Suddenly the awkwardness came back into its action between Ram and Priya. They stood for few minutes in silence which was broke with the driver intervening.

“Yes.. we are coming.” Ram asked him to wait outside, “Chalien?” Ram asked Priya.. She nodded with a smile and walked out with Ram. In the car Ram asked Priya why was she smiling when Apeksha asked them for a romantic snap.

“ Mujhe humari engagement yaad aa gayi thi.” Priya blushed.

“Iska matlab hum dono aaj bhi ek dusre ko kuch na bole hi padh lete hain.” Ram said, “Hain na.”

Priya looked surprised. “ I was also thinking the same and I am not making this up I am serious.” Ram said.

“ I know.” Priya looked other side. Ram looked at priya and got a hope to sort out every differences on that day only, “Aaj guest room mein jake toh dikhao tum..” Ram smiled as he said to himself in his mind.

~~

At the venue, Dev welcomed Ram and Priya. Presence of their boss made many of the employees elated. Priya was also introduced formally. Pihu also found few of her age group and to her nightmare Advik with a great smile came to her greeting her as “Miss Potato Wedges.”

“Please Advik don’t test my patience.” Pihu tried to ignore.

Poking Pihu on her shoulder Adviik said it is his duty to test her patience.

“Please…” Pihu shouted but her voice got suppressed by the loud music, she wanted to tell something more when one of the guests said excitingly, “ Chand aa gaya… Chand Aa gaya…”

“I must be with mom dad not you..” Pihu annoyingly smiled and walked towards the open terrace, Advik followed. “Not again” Pihu was utterly disgusted.

“Wo kya hain naa my mom dad is also here so don’t you think I must also come.” Advik whispered.

“Whatever.” Pihu paced up. Smiling Advik followed.

~~

On the terrace, Priya performed the Pooja, Ram broke her fast, as all the husbands did there. Then suddenly he found tiny drop of perspiration accumulated on her temple.

“Are you okay Priya?” Ram asked.

“Yeah.” Priya said, asking ram to break his fast too. Ram smiled though in little tensed situation he allowed Priya to break his fast which almost no one knew.

“Arey Ram Bhi..” Dev looked surprised.

“Yes. Bhai bhi fasting karte hain.” Apeksha said smiling, looking at them. “While most of the other couples left for the dinner they are here pampering themselves. Whatever may happen Dev their love can never fade off.”

Dev and Apeksha smiled, “But don’t you think they must also come for dinner” Dev asked.

“Yes.. “ Apeksha walked to them and asked them to join for dinner. She wanted to take the Pooja tray from Priya but she denied. “Okay” Apeksha didn’t mind and asking them to come fast and went downstairs with Pihu.

Ram again noticed the perspiration accumulating on Priya’s face. That made him concerned more, “Are you fine Priya?” He asked clutching her hand.

“Yes Mr. Kapoor I am. Chaliye sab wait kar rehe honge.”

On assurance from Priya he left to leave. Dev followed. But something wrong was on store for Priya. Dev who was following Ram and Priya found later little trembling, before he could react the brass tray slipped out of her hand making an odd sound. Ram looked back. Dev caught priya at the right time which prevented her from falling of the stairs. Ram ran and almost snatched her out of Dev’s arms. “Priya … Priya .. Priya.. are you fine.. open your eyes.” he repeatedly took her name. Priya heard her name only before passing out in Ram’s arms.

“Let me help” Dev came in rescue.

“ I can handle my wife.” Ram picked her up in his arms and rushed towards the car. Apeksha who was with other guests and Pihu was informed about the incident immediately, they also followed accompanied by Dev.

On the car Ram sprinkled water on Priya’s face, which brought Priya to her senses, but she could barely look up.

“Are you okay Priya.” Ram jerked her to senses.

“Y..ya..” Priya snuggled close to Ram.

Taking out his phone Ram asked Apeksha to call doctor. Apeksha informed him that Doctor will be at home before they reach, as she has already informed him. Disconnecting Ram looked at Priya in his arms, she was in her senses but she could barely feel anything. He held her closer and asked the driver to speed up.

~~