BALH Paanch Saal Baad Part 97

“Hi Dev” Apeksha entered the well dressed cabin with Priya, while the man was talking over phone.

“Please sit.” He addressed Priya with a smile.

“Dev I need to go. Take Priya with you and just brief her everything we discussed earlier.” Apeksha stood up dialing number on her mobile, “And Priya be comfortable with him, he is here even before I came up, and I guess you two are of almost same age, around..just a moment.” Apeksha turned to her phone, “Ok when she came back. Ok” she said the phrases with a pause. “Pihu is back home. Catch her after few minutes, she must be freshening up, and where I was.” She knocked her forehead with her phone, “ Yes.. Dev and You go around, he is a good businessman and bhai trusts him more than me. He is the backbone of the business here.” She smiled.

Priya looked back as Apeksha left. She felt awkward to be alone with the man.

“Mrs. Kapoor” Dev just started and Priya interrupted, “ Priya. Please don’t call me Mrs. Kapoor.”

“I will learn, gradually. Now we must be get going. Not in a day, but you have much to learn and I am sure this is going to be fun and keep you busy at the same time.” He smiled as he opened the door for the lady.

“if you don’t mind, excuse me, I have to check in with Pihu.”

“Oh Sure Of Course. Join me in the basement, if you find any trouble drop me a call.” He extended his business card, “there it is.. the number” he pointed out.

Priya called on Pihu’s Number but it kept on ringer for the fourth time straight, now she was just going to try for the fifth time, but in turn her phone flashed with Pihu’s Number.

“Where you were?” Priya charged her directly.

“Oh!” Pihu replied bluntly, “ I thought you knew, because you were there when you and Bua dropped me to university.”

“Pihu, why you weren’t receiving the call?’

“Mom, this is not India, that I will flew off with someone or I am partying, I don’t know anyone. Rather I don’t want to know even.” She sighed, “ I was in the washroom. Should I have to take permission for that also?’

Priya didn’t replied in turn.

“Oh! I will do that mom.” This time Priya cut in , “Shut up Pihu. You could have called me after you reached home.”

“I was not in mood, and I thought you must have know, company car dropped me only. That’s why I didn’t bothered to call” Pihu was very reluctant, “Mom stop chasing me everytime. Please.”

There was an absolute silence. “Mom. Bye. Take care and I am fine.”

Without waiting for Priya’s reply Pihu disconnected the line. Priya still held the phone against her earlobe, an utter shock hit her, maybe she is right. With the clock alarming for the completion of another hour, in its melodious tune, Priya came back to reality. Dev was waiting for her. She walked slowly towards the basement. As the elevator stopped, she saw Dev puffing of a cigar, with his elbow resting on the car’s roof with his back facing her. Walking to him she greeted him with his name.

“Are you fine?” he asked looking straight at her.

“Yes perfectly.” She replied, “Let’s go.” She walked to the front seat, before she could open, Dev held the door, “Allow me Ma’am.”

“Please it’s Priya.” She smiled as she slides inside.

They drove out of the basement parking. Until the first traffic, none of them talked. With a long waiting ahead, Dev thought to break the silence. “Anything that is worrying you, Mrs. Kapoor?” This time with a snap of the lady, he corrected himself, “OK Priya”

“Better” Priya smiled, “No nothing just..” She paused.

“You can share if you want.” Dev moved the car along with the sloth traffic.

“No it’s fine. Tell me something about you, and I guess you know about me and my family.”

“Oh yes! And about me you know my name, and I am basically your husband’s junior from college. I was working here when we meet after college days and he gave me whooping offer, irresistible of it’s kind, and about family, I have had a bad marriage, I have daughter too, who don’t lives with me and I last saw her when she was 12. Now she is of 22, lives in Illinois, with my estranged wife and her family.” He said almost in a breath.

“So, you are successfully unsuccessful in family and accomplished in career front and the way you spoke about it, you are happy, being that way.” Priya looked up.

“Yes.”

“Don’t you feel alone, anytime?” Priya asked, knowing his current emotional status.

“Priya everyone is not lucky as you. I don’t give me time to be away from work. Even if I am sick, I work from home. I don’t allow me to think that I am a failed family man, I have money, I have respect, what one could need more than this.”

“You are influenced by Mr. Kapoor much.” Priya asked

Dev laughed this time, as he brought the car to a halt, infront of a multiplex, “Everyone is not lucky as Mr Kapoor. “ he smiled. First time from the morning, Priya now looked at the man, by her side, her probable mentor, he has dark brown eyes, Wheatish complexion good physique even in this age. She smiled and added, “nice to meet you Mr. Singhal.”

“Same here, Priya and the name is Dev.”

Both of them laughed in unison.

It was 7 in the evening, Apeksha came back home, calling Priya by her name she threw herself to the couch. She called out for her once again.

“Mom’s not home, yet.” Pihu answered from upstairs.

“Not Home?” Apeksha sat up, she dialed Priya’s Number it kept on ringing and no one answered.

“You were not with mom?” Pihu came and sat there.

“Yes..” Apeksha answered looking into the phone, “means NO. I was, then I asked her to look around the city with Dev.”

“Who’s that?”Pihu acted odd, “And looking around the city? Means, I am here suffocating, and she is in holiday.”

“Not in holiday Pihu. I was at work. I was looking around the business we have across the city.” Looking back, she called Dev inside and introduced him to Pihu.

“Hello.” She kept it short.

“Come Dev, have coffee with us.” Priya insisted.

“Any other day Priya, have to go, some preplanned schedules are there.” Dev waved bye to the ladies and left.

Priya tried to talk with Pihu, but she left is haste.

~~

After dinner, Priya walked to Pihu’s room and knocked once before she entered.

“You didn’t have to knock mom.”Pihu said looking up from the Mac Book screen.

“How’s day?” Priya asked sitting just by her.

“Good, nothing special though.”

Priya’s eyes went to the file having the name “MIA” engraved on it. “Who’s file is this?” She took it on her hands and opened it.

“It’s an assignment. My some classmate’s file, and I have to submit some report in this regards, I mean all these to the mentor.” Pihu said handing over the Instruction Sheet to Priya.

“And you are done with it?”

“Nah! Not interested. “

“Pihu this is your assignment.”

“I will take care of it mom. Don’t worry about it.” Pihu now looked to Priya, “Mom who was that?”

“Who”

“That man who came to drop you.”

“Don’t try to be a mess Pihu, he is your father’s friend and works with us. I am learning business under him.” Priya snapped out.

“Doesn’t he have manners?” Said pihu sipping to her coffee just laid by. Priya looked surprisingly to her daughter this time. “No I mean, he must be calling you Ma’am or Mrs. Kapoor at least. He must not call you by your name.”

“I asked him to do so.” Priya said, “and that must not be bothering you, right?” Priya was about to leave, but she froze at her place as pihu said, that, it might bother her husband.

“Are you trying to blackmail me Pihu?”

“No mom, I am just informing you, reminding you about papa’s possessiveness.” Pihu pulled the quilt over her, “Good Night Mom! And forgive me for the offense.”

Priya walked out of the room in sheer silence, chills hit her senses as she thought of the incident happened way back when Pihu was just 14.

“Kaun tha wo?” Ram asked Priya in a haste.

“Ram, he is my childhood friend. Itne dino bad mulakat hua that’s other thing.” Priya said combing her hair standing infront of the mirror. Now Ram stood just behind him, She looked up and saw Ram raging. “What Ram?” Priya dropped the comb and turned around, “I cant speak with anyone? Even after such long marriage you are behaving like a mad man?” Priya tried to walk away.

“Look at me and say.” Ram held Priya tight in his grip.

“Ahh! Ram you are hurting me.” Priya winced her face.

“And you know how it hurts me when I saw you with him? Is that a way a friend talks to a friend?” Ram shouted.

Tears tickled down her face, “Ram we are married for 15 years have I looked at anyone other than you? This is the trust you have on me?”

“Who was he Priya?” Answer me. Ram made the grip even more tighter.

“Ahh! Ram Please leave me. What made you so much angry? You were never like this. Please ram Leave me.” Priya winced.

“This is not the first day you lied to me Priya, to meet that man..” Ram was interrupted when he heard Pihu and Kush’s voice. Priya wiped off her tears and Ram made himself look as much relaxed she can be.

“Papa Maa why are you fighting?” Pihu asked.

“No baby, we were just talking.” Priya ducked to the kids.

“Then why you are crying.” Kush Asked.

“It’s Late kids, go and sleep.” Ram walked to them, “We just having an argument and I already said you nah, every husband wife have had some arguments, especially those who are in love.” Ram looked at Priya this time, “Chalo it’s late you guys should sleep.” Ram walked away with the kids leaving Priya behind.

Priya tried to chalk out what would have made Ram go so much mad over her. Climbing to the bed, she leaned back to the headrest. She heard Ram bolting the door and walking up to her. “I am not done yet Priya.”

“Does my recent action make you feel that I am dishonest in this relationship Mr. Kapoor?” Priya sat straight, without getting any answer, “Oh! So after so many years  you take me to be dishonest Mr. Kapoor.”

“I am not taking the topic concerning about honesty or dishonesty Priya.” Ram Snorted.

“You are. You definitely are Ram.” Priya sobbed, “he is my friend, we grew up together, he was here for a short trip, if I have had meet him everyday laughed with him, walked around with him, does that mean I am cheating on you, does that mean I love him, we have something?”

“Priya you are crossing the limits. I have seen you everyday with him, you used to sit in the coffee shop just near to our office building.” Ram stopped as priya started laughing very oddly, “What!”

“you have seen me sitting there, but you never felt why I am sitting there, Have I missed to have lunch with you any day Mr. Kapoor? Have I forgot to remind you about your medicines? Any day? Tell me.” Priya waited for a reply, “ No reply now. It’s your ego Mr. Kapoor Ego! If I wanted to hide that from you I would have skipped everyday lunch with you. I would have never told you about his presence. About our meetings. Haven’t I told you? Or I am making it up? “

“Oh what Priya, What you have told me? An old friend from school is here. Only this was the line used by you. Have you said me who was it? He or She?” Priya was about to reply, Ram stopped her to continue, “Meeting an old friend and sitting by him as close as one can, taking pictures together standing shoulder to shoulder, crossing the roads hand in hand, walking along, that just not justifies to be a friend, only Priya.” Ram’s eyes had turned into bleeding red, this time.

“oh! I see this all bothered you? Why I have clicked pictures.. why I …” She sighed, “Ram, how did you came to know about all these?” He didn’t answered again, “ I told you. Haven’t I mentioned his gender that time Mr Kapoor? Haven’t I said you it’s “HE/HIM” And you thought I am having an … Disgusting Ram.” Priya looked at Ram, he didn’t said a word for a while. “Ram will you say anything?”

“You said me about the Photos, Yes you do. But have to said me about the strolling around the Juhu beach! Hand in hand.” Ram looked up

“Ram!” Priya sighed, “Why don’t you understand he is just a friend Ram. Just a friend, my childhood friend. Till 12^th we were together. We shared a special bond. I love you Ram, and I cant even imagine myself cheating you.” Now priya moved close to her husband, leaning her head on his shoulder, wrapping her arms around, “ Why are you behaving so mad? Why darling?”

“because you are mine!” Ram pinned her to the bed. The dark intense eyes were almost flooded with tears, in anger. “Can’t you see my pain Priya?”

“No Ram. It’s Arrogance. It’s your Ego Speaking aloud and leave me.” Priya tried to move out.

“Go!” Ram sat up.

“Ram!” Priya looked in deep surprise.

“Go where ever you want.” Ram didn’t looked at her this time.

“Where?” Priya asked.

“Where ever you want.”

“Oh! So you take me to be dishonest after all these?”

“ I am sleepy!” Ram lied down, with his back facing her. Priya stood up and before walking away she added, “ Don’t think I am going to meet my alleged lover.” It was late for Ram to react, Priya left the place. Downstairs she sat there in the study room, with a sleepless night almost.

Priya’s thought broke as her phone rang, rather vibrated on the side desk. She took the call, “Hi Mr. Kapoor”

“not again Priya.” Ram said, “Please cheer up.”

“I am fine Ram, just something came into my mind suddenly. Leave that, Tell me khana khaya?” Priya asked.

“Yes meri maa, Khana Khaya, healthy one, Dawai liya, madamji app ne jo jo likhe diya tha sab kiya. Abb Batayo baat kya hain?”  Priya could feel Ram smiling.

“I love you Ram.” Priya said.

“Areey wah, door rehne ka itna asar.  I love you too darling.” Adding to it Ram now insisted on revealing the dilemma.

“I remembered something. Something that I shouldn’t have Ram.” With a pause she said about the bitter incident from past. There remained a deadly silence between them.

“Priya, we grew along with our marriage, I and your both were in wrong feet in terms that time.” Ram couldn’t complete, while Priya said “ How I was Wrong then Ram. What I have had done then?’

“Priya!” Ram tried to calm her down.

“Ego, will ever take me over your ego, You will never accept nah, that it was your fault.” Priya scolded Ram.

“There were errors on your part too.”

“My Part!” Priya said loud this time, “my Part Ram. What was my fault? You will never understand me Ram, Still you think I was the one with the fault.”

“Priya .. Priya, darling calm down. Ok. I was wrong that time. Only me.” Ram tried to make the situation light for them.

“ No Ram I was wrong. Wrong because I dared to talk, laugh, roam around with my friend. And that apology was fake, now I understand. Why you brought me back Ram? Why?” Priya was fuming with anger then.

“Priya let’s talk later, or keep this aside, I don’t know who’s fault was it, what I know is that day we came more closer. Our bond strengthened more than ever.”

“No Ram, it was me, who should have cling to you for forgiveness. I was wrong, and everything is fine here, I am learning slowly and Pihu has started her college, I think I will manage her slowly.” Priya shared all the updates in brief.

“ I have neither called you to fight nor to take updates.” Ram said politely. “ I called to speak to my wife. But she is in anger right now, I don’t know why? As soon as she gets normal, and misses me, ask her to call.” Ram paused, “ And tell my wife that I love Her more than everything and…” Now Ram Stretched his Words, “tell her I miss her very Much.” Ram waited for a reply, “Good night Priya.” Even though he didn’t want to hung up, he wanted to give Priya time to settle up. He knew how disturbed she is then.

On his study, he leaned back to his arm chair.. he remembered that night…

After Priya left the room, Ram sat up. He felt an ache in his heart. For an hour he spent in his room and decided to go for a drink. Before he could drive away, he realized that he has forgotten his car’s key in his study, that took him to the study only that night.

As he entered, he saw priya on his arm chair, tears dried up on her cheeks a clear sight of devastation hit him. For a moment he found himself deserted. He walked slowly to her, brushing his hand against her hair. Before leaving Ram, had scooped her up in his arms from there and tucked her carefully under the quilt. But his ego didn’t let him to wake her up and love her. While driving to the pub he loved, he parked his car by the beach and sat there for a while. The incidents from past that bothered him a lot then, He realized how demented he has become, obsessed with his wife. He loves her, she is not his obsession, she is his Love, whom he loves more than his life. “Why Ram, Why?” he shouted to himself. His head ached in pain. With breathes getting heavier from second to seconds, he screamed out a cry of frustration over himself. The big guy cried like a little boy inviting every visitor / stroller around him, to look at him with utter surprise. After an Hour or two he drove back to the Mansion, walking straight to the room, he didn’t found Priya at the bed, looking around he found her in the couch.

“Priya!” he called.

“Thanks Mr. Kapoor for bringing me here. But I am not sleeping on that bed.”

“Priya please. I am sorry.” Ram stood just by her.

“What!” Priya turned around, “What sis I heard, You.. The Ram kapoor is Sorry. Go and Sleep Mr Kapoor.”

“Please come with me Priya. I cant sleep alone.”

“No. I am not coming Mr. Kapoor. I am fine Over here.”

“Okay then, Move, slid aside, mujhe bhi idhar hi sona hain.” Ram sat on the couch pushing Priya aside.

“Ram I am dating someone else, Probably informing you, You have had seen me with him and now I want it over from you.” Priya irked Ram, but he controlled his anger, this damage has been made by him only. He has to mend the same, he knows.

“baby!” Ram couldn’t complete…

“How stupid! Stop it Mr. Kapoor. I have thought a lot and concluded, If you are happy by thinking that something is cooking between me and him, ok fine. I am done with this madness Mr.Kapoor. If you don’t realize how much I love you, then leave it. I don’t need your love. I was living without your love earlier, Isn’t it?”

“Priya! What did you said just now!’ Ram stood up, “ you don’t need my love anymore.” He wished a response from his wife, but she kept silent. He waited for the answer standing there for minutes. He only left the room when Priya turned and said him to leave her alone.

That Night Priya and Ram spent their nights in their respective places, chosen by them in anger in pain, in tears.”

Ram came out of his thoughts, with his wife’s call. He smiled and responded.

“I love you Ram…” Priya said almost out of the cry, “ I shouldn’t have reacted so badly with you, when you came. I ..” Ram stopped her, “Priya.. Priya stop it. I don’t want to remember that day anymore, I could have lost you darling. I don’t know what was that, But I don’t want to remember, and trust me that drew us much more closer than we could be.”

“I miss you Ram” This time Priya broke into tears. “I miss you.. I need you..”

“Priya I miss you too and I love you, Now stop crying and sleep, It’s almost midnight there, you must sleep. It’s not good for your health. Please Priya.”

“I am sorry again Ram.”

“Stop it and sleep Priya! It’s an order.” Ram demanded an action now.

“Ok Sir..” Priya at last had a smile.

“So my darling is smiling.” Ram added, “ I can feel you Priya, and I know you too. Don’t you?”

“Yes I do. Mr. Kapoor”

Greeting each other, they disconnected the call, wishing to have a dream that they will share.