It was 6:15am when Ram's sleep broke abruptly. He started rubbing his eyes. He opened his eyes and saw Pihu sleeping peacefully holding his hand but Priya was not there on her side. He began feel panicky.
"Where is Priya? Kayi usse phir se panic attack toh nahi aaya? Oh no!", he thought.
He quickly loosened Pihu's hold, caressed her head and went out of the room in search of Priya. He went downstairs. No one was there in the living room or dining room. He went to the balcony and again found no one. He started sweating heavily.
Ram(a little loudly): Priya?
No sound came.
Ram noticed that it was raining.
Ram(worry in his voice): Priya? Where are you?
Again no voice came.
He started running his fingers in desperation.
Suddenly Priya's voice could be heard by him from a little far. She was singing. It took Ram some seconds to realize where the voice was coming from and he ran towards the terrace.
Reaching the terrace, what Ram saw shook him pleasantly to the core. There was Priya, in the middle of the terrace, hands forwarded, getting drenched in the rain. She was singing his favorite actually their favorite "Bade Acche Lagte Hain". Her beautiful melodious voice calmed his nerves.
"Hum tum kitne paas hai
kitne duur hain chaand sitaare
Sach poochho to mann ko jhoothe lagte hain yeh saare ×2
Magar saccche lagte hai
Yeh Dharti, yeh nadiyaa, yeh rainaa
Aur?
Aur Tum...."
Ram was facing her back. He was utterly stunned. Her voice, her body language told him that she was happily getting wet in the rain. He knew that she didn't like rains. Yes she got drenched with him under the shower that night but still this Priya in front of him was completely different. She loved the rains.
"Kuch jaana kuch anjaana sa
Mujhko toh woh laage
Saari raina sapna banke
Wo aankhon mein jaage...
Bade achhe lagte hain
Ye taare nazare
Ye Chanda Aur?
Aur Tum..."
A beautiful, warm smile adorned his lips. He felt a weird comfort feeling after seeing the rain after 5 long year and that too because of his Priya whom he thought still didn't like the rains. And her, singing their favorite song made the moment more enchanting.
"Bade achhe lagte hain
Ye dharti ye nadiya..
Ye raina aur?
Aur tum..."
That Priya who always carried an umbrella, whose best friend was her raincoat, who hated the wet feeling of the rain droplets, who used to make faces just by hearing the word 'Baarish', was now getting completely soaked in it delightfully. Ram felt sad for some reason.
Priya finished singing the song. There was a pretty smile on her face as she was remembering getting wet in the rains with her Mr. Kapoor for the first time, how to protect her from the rains he was holding his blazer over her head, his charming smile when raindrops were touching his handsome face. She let out a soft chuckle.
She turned around to go back and saw Ram standing under the shed looking at her.
She stood frozen at her place. There was some feet of distance between them. She tried to scrutinize his expression. That pure disgust, irritation, hatred mixed feelings she observed 2 days ago was not there. It was replaced by wonder and sadness in his eyes. She could feel his feelings of surprise by seeing her like that. He was completely stupefied.
Priya took a deep breath.
Priya: Aap?
Ram slowly got out of his dazzled state listening to her question.
Ram(clearing his throat): Umm...yeah...umm...I woke up and you were not there so...
He started looking here and there. Priya slowly walked towards him and stood in front of him keeping some distance.
Priya: Oh...umm...woh...Pihu?
Ram: She's sleeping peacefully don't worry.
Priya: Windows and the balcony door is closed na?
Ram: Ha. Why?
Priya: Woh she'll wake up if she hears the rain. She'd want to get wet then also.
Ram: Oh..okay. No everything is fine. You were singing so beautifully.
Priya awkwardly blushed.
Priya: Umm...Thanks.
Ram: Didn't know you could sing this well?
Priya: Ummm...I used to when I was little. Didn't take any training though. But then I.....stopped.
Ram could hear the pain in her voice.
He just nodded.
Finally he noticed her fully. She was completely drenched. She looked fresh like a flower. Her beautiful long hair soaked in the rain. Raindrops on her pretty face made her look more ethereal.
Ram: You and baarish. Never thought you would like it.
Priya: You and no baarish. Never thought you would not like it.
Ram sighed lightly and gave her a small sad smile. Priya also did the same.
Ram: Priya let's go inside. Please go change or you'll catch cold.
Priya nodded.
They went to their room. Priya took a peek on Pihu and saw her sleeping like a log then went to the washroom.
She came out 10minutes later and saw Ram was not in the room. She went to the balcony and he wasn't there too. She was about to go out of the room when she saw him coming with 2 cups in hand.
He handed her a cup and they both went to the balcony.
There was Ginger Tea in the cup. Priya took a sip and it made her feel good.
Priya(looking at Ram): Wow...Tarun's tea making skills are getting better day by day.
To her surprise, Ram smiled a little sheepishly.
Priya(eyes big): No way! You made this Mr. Kapoor!
Ram gave her a little nod with a smile.
Priya laughed a little.
Priya: You are kidding right?
Ram: I made this Priya.
Priya(facepalming herself): Umm...Thank you it's great actually.
Ram(smiling): Thanks.
Priya: And I thought you can't even turn on the stove. When did you learn it?
Ram's face fell. His eyes went darker.
Ram: For Pihu's mother Gothel. I was taking care of her, learnt some basic things to make her eat while she was just pretending to be sick and faking panic attacks whereas you and Pihu were struggling.
Priya didn't expect that answer from him. She could feel his pain. His eyes were blank.
She held his hand and intertwined their fingers together to comfort him.
Priya: It's okay. You were doing what a good son must've done.
Ram(chuckling sadly): Yeah while being the worst husband and father.
Priya: You were manipulated.
Ram: Priya stop justifying me please.
Priya sighed deeply. She didn't know how to really comfort him.
They started sipping their tea silently.
Suddenly, Ram felt his phone vibrate. It was Kunal.
Kunal: Good morning.
Ram: Morning. Kaisa hai?
Kunal: I'm good. Tumlog thik ho? Priya Pihu aur baki sab?
Ram: Ha hum thik hain. Can't say the same about Adi though.
Kunal: Kyun usne kya kiya?
Ram: Yaar he got heavily drunk last night and was a huge mess. Don't even get me started on how he tortured me. Bohot pitega aaj.
Kunal started laughing.
Kunal: Yaar mujhe FOMO ho raha hai. I would've loved to see Adi like that.
Ram: Yeah it would've been better with you both. Anyways..
Kunal: Ram I called you as something happened.
Ram: Kya?
Kunal: The reporter had started asking questions about Priya's jail time.
Ram(shocked): Whattt?
Priya was a little startled.
Kunal: Ya. We haven't said anything. But they somehow got to know that you both are getting back together. So...yeah.
Ram: But it wasn't Priya, Kunal. Shivi was accidentally pushed by someone else.
Kunal: Who?
Ram: I'll tell you all together. Just give me a minute I'm putting you on hold.
Kunal: Okay.
Ram put the call on hold and looked at Priya.
Priya: What happened?
Ram: The reporters started questioning about your jail time.
Tears started forming in Priya's eyes.
Ram: Hey hey it's okay. It wasn't you. But I think it would be better if we tell them that it wasn't you, you just took the blame Priya. But not now. Ab it's your choice if you tell me not to clarify anything I understand. And Ishaan's name will not be disclosed in any circumstances. I promise.
Priya(wiping her tears): Do whatever you feel is right. I don't know about these things.
Ram: Sure?
Priya nodded.
Ram: Okay.
Ram resumed the call with Kunal.
Ram: Kunal are you there?
Kunal: Ya ya. Bol.
Ram: So do a thing give a statement saying, we don't want to disclose anything right now and we want them to respect our privacy. Okay?
Kunal: Okay fine. And they're asking for interviews of you and Priya.
Ram: What the hell? Kunal I want to clarify something for now on I'm not gonna give any personal interviews and nor will Priya. They'll unnecessarily harrass her. Somethings should be private and I understand that now. Mujhe kisiko kuch justify nahi karna. So yeah I'll just do interviews on professional matters and nothing else.
Kunal: Okay. I'll add that too.
Ram: Kunal? Do they know about Pihu?
Kunal: Nahi. Unn tak baat abhi pohochi nahi hai.
Ram: And we'll try to keep it like that. I don't want Pihu to face this at such an young age.
Kunal: Yeah I was thinking the same. Tum dono tak baat aayi hai phir bhi thik hai but Pihu...no Ram.
Ram: Yeah...okay so do this and let me know kya hota hai.
Kunal: Okay. Where's Priya and Pihu?
Ram: Ek second. Priya yahi hai.
He put the phone on speaker.
Kunal: Priya tension mat lo. We'll handle everything kuch nahi hoga.
Priya: Kunal Pihu ko kuch nahi pata unn 2 years ke baare mein. She's just a child uski capacity nahi hai itna complex matter samajhne ki. We'll tell her everything when she gets older but abhi ke lia we can't take any risks. It'll break her heart.
Kunal: I understand Priya. And aisa kuch nahi hoga. We'll sort this out. Tum tension mat lo. Where's Pihu? Can I talk to her?
Ram: Naah...she's sleeping like a log. 8-8:30 se pehle uthti nahi hai. Uthne ke baad bhi 30-40 minutes toh aise muh fulake baithi rehthi hai ke puri duniya se usse problem hai. Uska morning version aur uske baad ka personality totally different.
Bilkul Priya ki tarah...
Ram bit his tongue and looked at Priya who was glaring at him.
Kunal started laughing heartily.
Kunal: Omg! Yeah Brinda was telling me. I just thought she was joking. But ab nahi lag raha...
Ram: No no it's not a joke. Tu khud hi dekh lena when we go back.
Kunal: Okay. Kab aa rahe ho tum log?
Ram: I'll discuss with Priya and let you guys know.
Kunal: Okay okay. Then bye Ram, bye Priya.
Ram and Priya: Bye.
Ram cut the call and looked at Priya.
Ram: Ummm...I was thinking if we can go back tomorrow Priya? If it's okay with you.
Priya: Whatever you feel is okay do that. You have to join office.
Ram: Yeah that's why I was thinking if we go back tomorrow I'll have 2-3 days to spend with you both uninterrupted and after that....(sighing) I don't know how I'm gonna go to office.
Priya: Well you are saying that you don't how you'll go to office. That's surprising.
Ram rolled his eyes at her.
Priya: Talk to Pihu. See what she says.
Ram: Priya Kapoor Mansion Pihu ko overwhelm nahi karega na? I'm worried about her.
Priya(with a small smile): Mr. Kapoor, Rapunzel was born to be a princess.
Ram smiled at her.
Priya: Don't worry she'll adjust in no time.
Ram: Okay if you're saying.
Priya: Waise I was thinking about your thought of telling Sara Di and Vikrant about Ishaan after their wedding.
Ram: Yeah what about it?
Priya: In my opinion I feel we should tell them beforehand and let them decide what they want to do. Mr. Kapoor marriage is a big decision. And we shouldn't make judgment about their life. I mean other people always took decisions for us, I don't want that to happen with them too. What do you think?
Ram thought for sometime.
Ram: You are right Priya. But because of this what if they call off their wedding?
Priya: Then that would be their decision. We shouldn't hide the truth from them anymore. Mr. Kapoor it took me years to realize that hiding things wouldn't gain you anything. They should decide for themselves.
Ram nodded understanding her POV.
Ram: Okay then we'll tell them.
Priya nodded.
Ram checked his watch. 7:20am.
Ram: Pihu ke uthne mein abhi time hai. Let's go downstairs.
Priya: Okay.
They entered the room. Priya noticed Pihu had thrown her blanket aside in sleep.
Priya: Offo! Yeh ladki bhi na!
She covered her with the blanket properly then placed a kiss on her forehead. Ram smiled at her.
Then they went downstairs in the living room and saw others already there. Ram went and slapped Adi's back hard.
Adi(loudly): Ouchhh! What is wrong with you Ram?
Ram: What is wrong with you? Aise peeta hai koi Adi! And Krish also! Koi thik teekana hi nahi tha tum dono ka!
Krish was rubbing his forehead and looked at Ram, annoyed.
Ram: Adi you kissed me thrice on the cheeks last night. Yuck!
Adi: Ha toh woh toh main aise bhi karta hoon.
Ram: No you did that thinking of me as Brinda that's my problem. Ab tu soch tune kya kiya hai!
Sandy, Priya and Brinda started laughing heartily while Adi was visibly embarrassed.
Krish(laughing): Ohhhhh! Before I got too drunk I remember him wandering his hands on you, singing Bheegey Hont Tere.
Priya's hands shot up to her mouth.
Ram: No one asked for the details Krish. Shut up.
Krish: Ugh! My head hurts.
Ram: Achha hua hai. Kitna bura gaate ho tum dono. Sapne aayenge mujhe tum dono ke torture ki.
Sandy: What songs?
Ram(highly irritated): Musafir hoon yaaron and chaar bottle vodka.
Sandy and Brinda sat down on the floor laughing.
Brinda: Looks like you had an interesting night Jaan!
Ram hit Adi hard once more.
Adi: Ouch! Ram jaane de please. I'm sorry.
Ram(angrily): Kal raat se gussa hoon main tujh par.
Adi: I'm sorry kaha na.
Priya went beside Ram and patted his shoulder.
Priya: Let him go Mr. Kapoor. Please.
Ram calmed down a little.
Adi: Thanks Priya.
Priya gave him a small smile.
Tarun came with two glasses of lemonade.
Priya handed them to Adi and Krish.
Priya: Ab yeh thooso tum dono. Kya haalat banake rakkhi hai.
Adi and Krish: Thanks.
Priya looked at Ram who still looked pretty annoyed. He eyes went to her and Priya started laughing crazily.
Ram: Priya! Meri woh haalat thi and you're laughing! Kya yaar!
Priya: I feel bad for you.
Ram: I don't think so. You are clearly enjoying this.
Brinda: Jaan ki izzat ka faluda bann gaya.
Priya couldn't help herself anymore. She also sat down with Sandy and Brinda and started laughing.
Ram: I'm not liking this! Tum logo ko mera saath dena chahiye aur tum log mera hi mazaak bana rahe ho. Ek meri beti hi hai jo achhi hai.
Adi: Ram Pihu toh khud tera mazaak udati hai....tu kya bol raha hai.
And that was it. Ram stormed out of there in the balcony angrily while others were still laughing.
Brinda: Don't worry main jaati uska gussa thanda karne. Adi tum chup rehna. Aur Priya tum bhi. Stop laughing yaar. He's really irritated.
Priya: Brinda tum khud has rahi ho abhi bhi.
Brinda stood up, still laughing hard and went to the balcony in search of Ram.
Brinda saw him sitting on the couch. She went and sat beside him. Ram turned his face to the other side, sulking like a 5 year old.
Brinda: Vikrant was right ek choti Pihu or ek usse bhi choti Pihu.
Ram couldn't help but chuckle at her words.
Brinda: Jaan we're sorry. We all sympathize with you. Adi was a literal mess last night and Krish also.
Ram: Hmm...
Brinda hugged him tightly.
Brinda: Achha I wanted to talk to you about something. It's totally upto you if you want to answer or not.
Ram(frowning): What?
Brinda: How's Priya okay with this Angira thing? Dekho Jaan I don't her heart to break again. I'm concerned for her. Adi was asking me the same thing yesterday.
Ram looked at her blankly for some moments.
Ram: I never cheated on Priya, Bri. If I did I would've never asked her to give our marriage another chance.
Brinda(shocked): But all this time you said you were dating them.
Ram: That's what everyone knows. That's that I wanted people to think.
Brinda: But why?
Ram: Because I wanted to keep Priya alive in my heart. And no one was helping. Tum log, meri so called ex-family everyone kept reminding me how she cheated on me, how because of her Shivi died. That's why when I started going on dates tum sab ki baatein kam hui. You guys started thinking that I'm getting over Priya. And that's what I wanted you all to think.
Meri do duniya thi. Ek mein tum sab aur ek mein sirf Priya. I was in denial that I don't love her but in my heart I knew that's not possible. Forgetting her or not loving her anymore was never an option for me. So I wanted to keep her and our precious memories hidden from outer world, away from everyone else. And about Angira, Shweta I had a few drinks with them, we talked sometimes it helped with my loneliness. But I never did anything with any one of them. I hope that answers your question.
Brinda was in tears.
Brinda: I'm sorry Ram. We shouldn't have pressurised you like that. Aur maine bohot zyada kia hai. I wish I could change the past.
Ram: It's in the past. We've decided to try again mutually and not only because of Pihu but because we want to be together.
Brinda(nodding with a smile): I understand.
Ram checked his watch.
Ram: Pihu ke uthne ka time hogaya. I should go.
Brinda nodded.
Ram went inside in the living room.
Ram: Priya let's go. Pihu ko uthana hai.
Priya: Yeah.
They both went upstairs in their room.
Ram was usually happy about waking Pihu up.
Priya: Aap achanak itna happy kyun hain?
Ram just gave her his signature goofy smile.
They both sat either side of Pihu.
Priya: Pihu baby wake up.
Ram: Cupcake Good morning!
Priya's eyes got bigger as Ram never tried to wake Pihu up from sleep.
Priya shook Pihu a little. Pihu rolled to the side of her Papa and hugged him in her sleep. Priya smiled at Ram.
Ram: Pihu bachhe look the sun is up. I was waiting for you to wake up from long ago. Uth jao.
Pihu slowly opened her eyes gloomily.
Pihu(rubbing her eyes, in a sleepy voice): Good morning Popsie.
Ram: Morning Cupcake!
Pihu turned to her Mumma and gave her hug.
Priya: Good morning.
Pihu: Morning.
And then Priya realized why Ram was so chirpy as he pulled out a coupon from his pocket like a trump card.
Ram(smiling widely): Princess look here.
Pihu turned around still rubbing her eyes and saw her Papa holding a coupon given by her in his hand, smiling cheekily.
Ram: You remember na that you gave me coupons?
Pihu: Hmm.
Ram: I want to use one.
Ram gave Pihu the coupon to read what was written on it.
Pihu tried to read it then handed it back to him.
Pihu: Papa your handwriting is too bad. Kuch samajh nahi aaya. Aap hi bata do.
Priya started laughing at Pihu's words while Ram pouted.
Ram: I wrote "Spend a morning with me like you do with Priya".
Pihu looked at him with a great frown.
Pihu(grumpily): Why?
Ram: Because I didn't get to spend time with you last night, I didn't get to hug you. So I want my share of hugs and kisses now.
Pihu pouted thinking deeply.
Ram: Dekhlo Pihu bachhe tumne waada kiya hai mujhse ke mere inn 5 coupons ki wish tum poori karogi. Please na. Please. Please.
Pihu(waving her right hand just like her mother): Thik hai. Thik hai. Agar Pihu ne aapse waada kiya hai, (rolling her eyes a little) toh woh apna waada nibhayegi.
This made Ram facepalm himself as he remembered Priya's drunken state 5 years ago on his birthday and how she fulfilled his wish of getting wet in the rain. He started smiling cheekily.
Pihu gave her mumma a peck on the cheeks and walked to her Papa with her grumpy morning expression then wrapped her arms around his neck while Ram hugged her and kissed the side of her head.
Priya: I can't believe you just did that.
Ram(mocking her): I very well know how to use my coupons.
Priya smiled at him shaking her head.
Priya felt a little sad as Ram just took away her morning time with Pihu. But it also gave her reality check of how he missed each of Pihu's days all these years. She sighed.
Pihu kissed Ram's cheek and hid her face in his neck.
Ram: Subah subah 5 star treatment milta hai roz tumhe Priya.
Priya chuckled lightly.
Ram: Okay Cupcake! Let's go brush your teeth.
Pihu(moodily): Okay. You kept your promise Papa.
Ram: Of course. I promised you Cupcake.
Pihu: Good boy.
Ram kissed her forehead lovingly.
He gave Priya a cheeky smile and went to washroom with Pihu.
Ram made Pihu sit on the platform and started searching for her toothbrush.
Pihu(pointing at a shelf): It's there in that shelf. The giraffe one.
Ram: Tumhare toothbrush mein giraffe hain?
This made Pihu chuckle. Ram also laughed then taking her toothbrush, he put toothpaste in it.
Ram: Daant dikhao aapne.
Pihu opened her mouth. Ram started scrutinizing her teeth.
Ram: Sab sar chuke hain daant tumhare chocolate khake.
Pihu: No. I brush my teeth two times everyday. Aap daant dikhao.
Ram opened his mouth and Pihu scanned them.
Pihu(smirking): Aap ke bhi saare daant kharab ho gaye hain cupcakes khaake.
They both started chuckling together.
Ram was about to brush her teeth that's when...
Pihu: I can do it Popsie! Give me the brush.
Ram smiled and handed her the brush. Pihu started brushing her teeth.
"Of course you can do it yourself now. I missed those days when you would've needed my help.", he thought silently sighing.
After brushing her teeth Pihu washed her face properly with her gentle cleanser . Then Ram dried her face with a soft towel.
Pihu forwarded her arms and Ram took her in his arms then went out of the washroom.
Priya was sitting on the bed scrolling through her phone mindlessly.
Priya: Areeyy ho gaya brush?
Pihu nodded her head while Ram smiled at Priya.
Then Pihu pointed at her baby cream.
Ram: Cream?
Pihu: Hmm...uske bina mera morning skincare routine kaise complete hoga.
To Ram, she exactly sounded like Shivi.
He smiled, took the baby cream and started applying it on Pihu.
Ram: Okay done.
Pihu gave him a little smile.
Then the three of them went downstairs.
Krish choked on his tea seeing Pihu in Ram's arms in the morning. Brinda was eating a biscuit, it fell of her hand watching Pihu kissing Ram's cheek while Priya was behind them.
Krish looked outside.
Krish: Aaj sooraj south se nikla hai kya? Yeh kya hai?
Ram pulled out the coupon from his pocket and waved it to them.
Krish: Oh! You used a coupon. Smart haan!
Pihu: Smart nahi, Chant hain Papa.
Ram(utterly shocked): Dekha Priya mujhe Chant bulaya...
Pihu: Sach hi bola maine. Hai na Mumma?
Priya(declaring she's neutral): No comments.
Ram and Pihu(together): Areeyyy! Aise kaise!
Ram: Sandy tu bol. Main Chant hoon?
Pihu: Ha ha bolo Sandy.
Sandy: Woh kya hai na if I take Jiju's side Pihu won't talk to me and if I take Pihu's side toh meri job khatre mein hai. So I'm also neutral like Pri di. No comments.
Ram chuckled at Sandy's logic which didn't make any sense.
Pihu: Krish?
Krish: Main toh tumhari side mein hoon darling. Hai Ram Chant. I agree.
Pihu smirked at Ram.
Brinda: Main bhi Pihu ki side mein.
Adi: Main bhi. Main bhi.
Ram: Kaise dost go tum log. Mushkil waqt hai yeh mera.
Brinda: Ha toh Pihu is our sweetheart.
Pihu: Ha ha. Papa aapke friends bhi mere side mein hain.
Ram: Rukko rukko. Tarun tum batao.
Tarun: Main toh Pihu baby ke side mein hi hoon.
Ram(shocked): Tarun! Tune yeh kiya mere saath!
Tarun smiled sheepishly.
Pihu started clapping her hands.
Pihu: Yayyy...I win, you lose Papa.
Ram(pouting): Okay I lose, you win.
Pihu smiled at Ram cheekily.....
I have exams coming up so regular updates won't be possible for sometime.
Anyways,
Hope you all liked the chapter!