BALH Paanch Saal Baad Part 109

Part 109


What exactly makes you impatient love or ego? Or both? A particular last minute wave of impatience ran through Ram's nerve. Though the man and his wife is particularly not in talking terms for almost two months now, the excitement of her to be back with him makes him more impatient provoking him to curse the airlines which was taking some last minutes before allowing his wife and daughter to come out of the terminal building. With his father in law and mother around it was difficult for him to react. His body language and facial expressions went in two directions making the families aware of his present state of mind.

“Ram. What is making you so restless?” Asked his mother.

“Nothing Maa. I just...” Ram thought of a lie that can be constructed as a good looking believable truth but nothing came into his mind right then. “Nothing as such Maa. I will check with the arrivals.” He chose not so clever choice as an excuse.

Smiles got exchanged amongst the parents.

~~

For next one hour the impatience continued within Ram. With the announcement of arrival of the airbus, Sudheer and Krishna waited for Priya and Pihu with inexplicable happiness suffused all over their face. And within next half an hour, the wait got over. A smile conquered all over his ego. The bright smile over his wife's face lightened up his face suddenly. Unaware a smile crawled on his lips making its two corners go farther arched up. The sudden piece of peace paused the ego and thumped it to the a corner where it should lie, for a moment though.

“Papa...” Pihu waved happily expressing the inexplicable happiness that shuddered her. “Mamma... look Papa is here.” She screamed into Priya's ears. Almost pushing and grabbing eye balls from the fellow passengers, Pihu ran towards her father, until she jumped into his safe arms. The father daughter absorbed in each other till the father's eyes meet his daughter's mother.

“Welcome back Princess.” Ram kissed Pihu's forehead lovingly. “Had a good flight?” his eyes paved its way to Priya's eyes.

“Hmmm...” she replied.

“Maa and your father is also here. There.” He pointed to a place where the elders could be seen flashing their smiles towards them.

“Hi Bhai!” Apeksha came there behind Priya and Pihu a few minutes apart.

“Hello Mr..Kapoor” greeted Dev.

Both their greetings were taken as if they were least expected there. “Hello. I have just given a hint to Maa. She is not aware of your relationship. So until we discuss it in details, please behave.” Ram frowned. “And Dev I have arranged your stay in The Taj Palace.”

“Bhai. This is rude. If he can't stay at Kapoor Mansion...” Apeksha stopped in Dev's interference.

“I think Mr. Kapoor is right. This is not the right time.” Dev said to Apeksha.

“But...”

“No Apeksha. Stop making a scene. You go home with your family I will visit tomorrow. If Mr. Kapoor permits.” Dev looked to Ram.

“First stop calling me Mr. Kapoor.” Ram snorted. “It irritates me. Second, you can come tomorrow.” His eyes meet slightly with Priya's as he ended. “Don't call me that again...” he added and reminded again.

“Okay Sir.”

“Better. Priya Maa is waiting for you.” Ram recited his direction to her cleverly. “Apeksha you should come quick too.” He insisted his sister to follow them immediately. “And Dev, I have appointed a chauffeur at your service 24 by 7 with a BMW. Use it and him as and when needed but maintain the decorum. This is India.” Ram followed his wife with Apeksha by his side leaving the man alone behind.

~~

“Priya!” exclaimed Sudheer in joy. After months he could touch and feel his daughter. In a composed embrace of eachother they stood. “We missed you a lot beta and you... Pihu.” Sudheer turned his head to Pihu who pouted her lips for being neglected.

Touching her mother in laws feet, Priya hugged her dearly.

“If we are done with the expressions of love and affections shall we leave. I am too much hungry.” Pihu bumped into the conversation of the elders.

“Haan bhai we should. Everyone is waiting for us to arrive with you.” Sudheer said happily before they headed to the exit.

~~

Same evening. Sharma house.

Pihu and Priya came with Sudheer to pay a short visit to the Sharmas and the kids who were equally excited and anxious to meet their bua and didi after a long gap, which was unusual and a first for them.

“Maa. Shall we leave?” Pihu came to the kitchen enquiring.

“Haan...  Hmm” She dropped her eyes to the cutting board. “Pihu you leave for Kapoor Mansion. I will stay back here today.”

“But bua and kids are coming along with us. So do Mama.” Pihu replied surprisingly. “We would have dinner together.”

“But not Nanu and Nani right?”

“Nani had some fast and Puja...” Pihu stopped at her Mother's angry gaze. “Sorry. I will leave.” Silently she turned back obeying her mother. Before leaving she looked at her granny busy in whispering her queries into her mother's ears, making her irritate in turn.

~~

“Why you stayed back here?” Asked Shipra terrifying her daughter deeply engrossed in a book. “What would Ram feel?”

“He is not a kid.” Priya pulled her up to a sitting position. “And we are comfortable without each other now a days.” Priya looked into the book immediately after the answer.

“Oh stop it Priya.” Shipra snatched the book away from Priya. “And look at me now.” She ordered.

“What?”

“Is there something that you are hiding from us.” Shipra asked caressing Priya's head lovingly.

“No.”

“Then the girl who craves to be with her husband, what makes her stay back?”

“Okay. I am leaving. I think I have lost my rights as a daughter.” Priya stood up hurryingly.

“Beta. When did I say anything unwanted that made you react so weirdly?” Shipra asked trying to stop Priya. “Priya this is not done. Please tell us what’s the matter?” Shipra followed her to the living room to get a surprise again. They found Ram standing there at the door, while Sudheer dearly welcomed him inside. Ram's not so pleased eyes fell on Priya.

“Mr. Ram please come inside. When you are here, I insist you to take dinner with us after my pooja.” Shipra said.

Under a deep sigh Priya looked at her husband who conquered the new couch, an addition to the living room of the Sharmas after she moved to Australia, royally.

“If you insist how can I say no?” Ram sweetly answered making his mother in law blush. “But I heard from Pihu that Priya expressed to stay back with you two, so I thought to join her here. If there is no issue from your end then.” Ram said under his smile.

“There is no second good choice on this earth than this.” Sudheer said.

“Actually I know how Priya was missing you all these days. I care for it and her. So I thought to accompany her here.” Ram added.

“So Priya shall we leave???” The last few words from her husband pulled Priya out of the hallucination she was having.

Priya looked up to fetch the  reality. Ram was still standing at the middle of the living room, starring his angry gaze over her. The sinner in her was roaming freely till her husband's voice echoed against the closed room once again. “Maa and Papa will join us after the Pooja as pre decided. Is there any problem?”

“No beta. It was Priya who wanted to accompany us in Pooja.” Sudheer tried to act as a moderator. “But we have no problem with the first plan.”

“Priya can we leave. Everyone is eager to see you back in the mansion.” Ram ordered this time.

Without replying, Priya walked out from her house and directed herself to the car parking. Leaning against the car door she waited for Ram to turn up. In minutes Ram came there. Walking close to her, faster than her impulse to react, he pulled the car door open. His hand brushed against her hand. Closing her eyes to the reflex she froze at her place for seconds. The clicking sound forced her to look up only to get arrested under the intense gaze of her husband.

“The door is open.” The magic spell broke with Ram's voice. She shivered out from her thoughts. Moving back Ram gave her that much space which is needed to turn and slip inside the car.

The drive was particularly ghostly and painfully killing.

~~

Kapoor Mansion.

In the drizzle Priya walked fast towards the mansion door, with her hands wrapped around her belly. Ram followed her immediately. With Priya's first step inside, all the ado stopped. The leader of the clan Pihu stood up as her eyes fell on her unhappy mother.

“I..I...” she stopped with the view of her father behind. Priya looked back to confirm the same.

“I am not feeling well. I need to sleep. You guys continue. My body is not permitting me to torture it more. Good Night.” Priya walked to Dadi and sat down on her knees. “Dadi. I am really tired that was the only reason to stay back with Maa and Papa. I need to sleep. Please don't take this as an offence.”

“Beta, you are just recovering from the past traumas. I also strongly feel you should go and sleep.” Dadi’s elegant smile made Priya smile back. Wishing her, Krishna and all others Priya walked upstairs to her bedroom.

“Maa, please send dinner to our bedroom.” Ram was loud. He followed Priya next. “And Maa, please ask them to be quick.” He said leaning from the ledge.

~~

Pihu's Room.

“You saw them. How they reacted. I am sure they have fought again.” Pihu said. “I am telling you it is the best option to send them to a vacation to a place which comes least in the list of the tourists.”

“So that they can fight more.” Kush rebuked. “Bad Idea!!”

“They will never go there, that's why it is a bad idea. But... Pihu how much you have?” Natasha asked.

“1100 dollars!” Pihi replied.

“I will add some more and we are done. I have a beautiful place in my mind. Let me make some calls and I have Bhai's and Priya's every details with me so it is easy to surprise them for me.” She patted her own shoulders appreciating herself.

“What you are planning nuts? You are looking so scary you know?” Apeksha said.

“Shut up! You all will thank me later.” Natasha pulled out her phone. “Pihu but you have to make them agree to go alone. Can you do that?” Natasha asked looking at her niece before making the call.

“Yes Bua I can. I have to. I want their cold war to end.” Pihu answered.

“Good. Let me see if they can allocate and have resources that Bhai and Priya are comfortable with, then I will share the complete plan with you all.” Natasha dialled a number.

~~

Master Bedroom.

Ram sat on chair, and looked at Priya who sat in front the dresser combing her hair silently. “Was it needed?” he asked.

“Haan.??” Priya looked back.

“The show down that you did. Was it needed?” Ram asked again.

“I don't want to talk. I need to sleep. A long sleep. I am not in a mood to talk.” Priya denied speaking about the matter.

“Have your food and then sleep.” Ram ordered.

“I am not hungry.”

“I have not asked or requested. I want you to be here now.” Ram's voice became hoarse.

“If I say no.”

“Don't force me to force.” Ram stood up.

Priya stayed quiet for a next few minutes before reacting. Mostly to maintain the peace, she agreed to Ram and walked to the table where the dinner was served minutes before by the valets. She took a chapati and a little paneer and sat in comfort of the chair. “What?” she snapped at Ram's possessive look.

“Is that what you will have for your dinner?” Ram asked sharply.

“Yes. Is there any problem?”

“Yes.” Ram picked up another chapati followed by a spoonful of paneer curry and placed those on her plate. “Now this may be called as a dinner. May be.” Ram sat next taking chapatis on his plate. “What happened?” he asked Priya, who sat silent without touching her food.

“Why you are forcing me?” Priya asked. “I wanted to be with Maa Papa but you forced me to come back with you. I agreed. But now with food too!”

“Priya I am not your enemy. I am your husband.”

“Wow so lately you remembered that you are my husband!” Priya smirked.

“What is there to laugh?”

“Mr. Kapoor. Just rewind what happened in last few months.”

“It is not one sided!”

“I accept the things that I misjudged and misunderstood but you?”

“Did you give me a chance?”

“I didn't give you a chance? How many chance do you want Mr. Kapoor? How many?” Priya raised her voice.

“Priya I don't want to fight with you.”

“So do I want to?”

“When did I say that?” Ram shouted.

“Right now!”

“Really?”

“Yes!” Priya answered.

“Priya we are not alone here Maa sun legi toh?” Ram toned down his voice trying to hold Priya.

“You are aware of others but about me why? Why everytime either you will force your thoughts on me or you will say sorry after all the damage made. Ho gaya. Meine toh sorry keh diya. Baat khatam.”

“Priya you are over thinking. Please stop over reacting.” Ram held Priya in his strong grip.

“Just stop making me feel guilty every time.” She shrugged off him with all her force. “Just stop this.”

“Priya we can sort this out. You need to take rest.” Ram tried to speak.

“I was wrong! I was. But when you were wrong I gave you a chance more than once, but you, just a single time you gave me chance and when I reacted opposite to your expectations what you did? What you did Mr. Kapoor do you even remember? You left me. You left me to crave for you. You left me to make me feel that I was the one to push you away from me. I kept on ruing my decision but you never gave me another chance to repent. What was my fault Ram? I was just being huffy? Didn't I have that much right over you anymore?” Priya shouted.

“Priya... Priya...” Ram had to fight a little before getting her control. “Listen to me. We can discuss this later. But not now.” Ram pulled up her face cupping it in his palms. “Listen to me Priya. Have your food and sleep. Please. We will talk tomorrow. We will sort this out. Trust me once.”

“I trust you. But I don't trust my rights any more. You have barred my rights. You have made it clear I have no right to show my anger, huff, pain, not a single thing. So whatever I will do from now I am not answerable to you.” Priya wiped off her tears with both her hands. “I know my limits now. I forgot that I am a mother, sister in law, daughter in law, aunt and just a wife. Only a wife who must know her limits to react to her husband.”

“Have you lost it?” Ram walked towards her in hurry. “Priya I think you are reminding me about my limits. It was me who took all your huffs as a challenge and won you back. If my work comes in between what I can do? Bolo toh baith jau ghar pe?”

“When did I say that?” Priya snapped.

“Good night!” Ram replied.

“Good Night!” Priya snapped back. She moved back to the bed. For next half an hour she rocked at her place. She averted her eyes to Ram who slipped inside the duvet. Next she lied down on the bed, as soon as she closed her eyes tiredness took all over and she slipped into a deep slumber.

~~

Next Morning.

When the sun scorched its demonic ray on the mother earth Priya remained void from it. Her eyes opened when Ram called her. With much difficulty she opened her eyes. For a moment she forgot about the fight that took place last night. On witnessing the dreamy view in front Priya smiled. “Good Morning.” Her voice sounded more seductive being deprived with sleep though, making Ram to think differently. But that open eyed dream lasted for next  second only. Pulled down to the earth Priya remembered the last night. Hurrying out from the bed from the opposite end of the bed void of any guard Priya walked fast towards the changing room.

Breakfast Table. Kapoor Mansion.

“Attention everyone!” Natasha stood up with an announcement. “I have two things to share. One our own Pihu have a surprise for her parents and Apeksha has another for you Maa and Dadi.” She smiled. “So now I want you to decide whom to choose first Pihu or Apeksha?”

“We should start with the junior most Kapoor.” Krishna said happily. “Pihu beta what is your surprise? We are waiting for it.”

Little nervous and scared, Pihu stood up at her place while she knew about the fight that took place inside the master bedroom. Accidentally she witnessed the fight through the key hole after getting attracted to the screams and shouts that came out from her parent's bedroom.

“Maa Papa, my surprise is for you.” She opened her mouth with much courage. “Maa Papa I know I have done a lot to disgrace you. I don't know how to say sorry but if you will accept my gift I will be the happiest person on this earth.”

“Beta go ahead.” Ram said with a smile.

“Okay...” Pihu said under a deep sigh. Pulling out an envelope she looked at her parents for another time. “Maa Papa, I have planned a trip for you.”

“What!!” together Ram and Priya called out in shock.

Until we meet.

Love

NB.