On the way back home Ram started to think about Tara's words. She asked him to find out what Priya's love language was
Ram(whispering while counting his fingers): Gift giving? Naah. Priya doesn't like gifts that much aur abhi kuch dunga toh accept bhi nahi karegi. Quality time? Naah. Meri shakal nahi dekhna chahti woh. Physical touch? Bilkul nahi. (Sadly) She doesn't like me touching her anymore.
He let out a deep sigh.
"Words of affirmation? Words bolne degi tab na. Do din se baat nahi ki hai Priya ne mujhse. Mr. Kapoor...toh ek baar bhi nahi bulaya. Sirf Ram bulaya...do baar...woh bhi gusse se. Main baat karoon toh karoon kaise? Act of service? Madam ko sab khud karna pasand hai.
Uff...kya problem hai! Aur yeh Tara ko toh kuch samajh nahi aata. Mujhe bol diya aur ho gaya kya! Kaise baat karoon main Priya se?"
Suddenly an idea flashed into his mind.
"I can try to be a good boy!", Ram thought to himself. "Priya toh yeh hi chahti hai na ke main thoda responsible ho jaun, khudka khayal rakkhun...toh yeh hi karunga main. Shayad yeh dekhke at least baat karna shuru kare mujhse."
He rested his head on the window, thinking about the ways in which he could develop good habits and grow to be a better person.
. . . . . . . .
Reaching home he quickly went upstairs to see his girls. He stood at the doorway and saw Pihu writing something in her notebook while Priya was reading a magazine. Pihu looked up once and noticed her standing at the door with a small smile. Her eyes glimmered in joy and she ran into his arms.
Pihu: Papa!
Ram hugged Pihu close to his heart, embracing the warmth that her little body radiated. Her love made him forget all the tiredness he was feeling. Pihu was also happy to have her Papa back home as she missed him all day. It felt good to be in his arms finally.
He kissed her hair and then shifted his gaze at Priya who was taking a peek at him. Her gaze was soft yet sad. As soon as she realised what she was doing, she averted her gaze from him, making Ram let out a soft sigh.
"Priya...main tumhe hug karna chahta hoon. Tumhara haath pakadke yeh bolna chahta hoon ke aaj Sandy ne kitna achha presentation diya hai aur main kitna proud feel kar raha hoon. Tumse yeh kehna chahta hoon ke maine kitna akela mehsoos kiya tumhare bina aaj jab main Tara ke clinic mein wait kar raha tha, tumhara haath pakadke usse milne jaana kitna miss kiya. Main tumhe yeh batana chahta tha ke tum mere liye kya ho, main tumse kitna pyaar karta hoon, tumhara mere saath rehna mere liye kitna zyada matter karta hai mere liye par tum toh sunne ke liye hi taiyaar nahi ho Priya. Main kya karoon? Kaise tumse maafi maangu? Jaanta hoon tum khafa ho mujhse par yeh dooriyan mujhse aur sehen nahi ho rahe Priya. Mera dil taras raha hai bass ek baar tumhare hothon se Mr. Kapoor sunne ke liye ", Ram thought, wiping off the big teardrop from the corner of his eyes.
Suddenly Pihu turned to look at Priya.
Pihu: Mumma main Papa ke saath khelne jaun?
Priya gave her a gentle nod and Pihu hugged Ram more tightly, smiling eye to eye.
Priya: Par Pihu at least unhe....(stoping abruptly in between her statement)...it's okay. Tumhe jo karna hai karo.
It took Ram half a second to realise that it wasn't for Pihu but for him. Priya wanted him to freshen up before he started to play with Pihu.
"Tara was right. Priya indirectly mujhe bol rahi hai ke mujhe karna kya hai", Ram thought as he made Pihu stand on the bed.
Ram: Cupcake main aata hoon 10 minutes mein ek quick shower leke. Aapko jo bhi finish karna hai kar lo tab tak. Okay?
Pihu(with a smile): Okk. Jaldi!
Ram: Haan meri maa jaldi niklunga.
Ram stared at Priya for a couple of seconds before running towards the washroom to take a shower.
"Mr. Kapoor...main chahti hoon ke hamare beech sab thik ho jaaye par woh baatein main bhool nahi paa rahi. Aap kaise woh sab soch sakte hain mere baare mein? Aapko sach mein lagta hai ke main Krish ke saath.......mujhse aur nahi ho raha. Pihu ke hazaar sawaalon ke jawaab nahi hain mere paas. Main khudko nahi samjha paa rahi. Usko kya samjhaun? Dil toh toota hai mera. Phir se. Har baar unn toote huye hisso ko jodne ki himmat kahan se laun main?", Priya thought quickly wiping off the lone tear that escaped her eyes.
She decided to divert her thoughts by helping Pihu with her sums while Ram finished taking a shower.
. . . . . . . .
After Ram freshened up Pihu took him to her playroom to show him her drawings.
Ram: Wow yeh toh bohot beautiful hai. Especially yeh Palm trees toh bohot pretty hain.
Pihu hit her forehead gently.
Pihu: Arey Papa woh Palm trees nahi, Sunflowers hain!
Ram(biting his tongue): Ohh! Sorry sorry. Main bhi na...haan sunflowers hi toh hain.
They had a good laugh about it.
Later Pihu handed Ram a story book and sat on Ram's lap comfortably as he started to read the story for her. Pihu started laughing heartily as Ram kept modulating his voice and talk in funny voices while telling Pihu a story about a cow and a donkey.
He finished the story and looked at his little munchkin.
Ram: Mazza aaya story sunke?
Pihu(happily): Bohot.
But Pihu's happy mood didn't last long. She wanted to talk to her Papa about the fight that was happening between him and her Mumma.
Pihu: Papa?
Ram: Hmm?
Pihu: Mumma aur aapki fight kab finish hogi?
Pihu's sudden questioning left Ram totally flabbergasted.
Ram: Haan? Kya?
Pihu: Haan Mumma ne bataya mujhe ke aap dono mein best friend wali fight ho rahi hai aur isliye woh sad hai.
Ram swallowed hard recalling how Tara asked him not to involve Pihu in their issues.
Ram: Aapki Mumma ne aapse kya kaha hai Pihu bachhe?
Pihu told Ram whatever her Mumma told her and that made Ram feel tensed. He honestly didn't want Pihu to know anything.
Pihu(shaking his arm): Bolo na Papa aap dono ki fight kab khatam hogi?
Ram: Bachhe hum....hum suljha lenge fight. Aap tension mat lo.
Pihu(sadly): Mujhe achha nahi lagta aap dono fight karte ho toh.
Ram(caressing her cheeks): Main jaanta hoon Pihu bachhe. Sab thik ho jayega.
Pihu hugged him tightly while Ram hugged her back.
. . . . . . . .
At the dinner table, all three of them sat silently. Priya was about to serve Ram some rotis when Tarun came with a bowl of grilled chicken salad that was loaded with veggies and some mayonnaise. Priya and Pihu's eyes widened looking at the scene in front of them. Both looked at him as though they've seen a ghost. Priya looked at Tarun, wanting him to explain.
Tarun: Bhabhi woh Sir ne hi kaha tha ke woh Chicken salad khayenge dinner mein.
Ram was dying inside. There was Chilli Paneer in front of him that was calling him eagerly but he chose to shift his gaze to Priya who was still looking at him weirdly.
Ram: Kya yaar! Ab main Salad bhi nahi kha sakta kya...Kitna healthy hota hai body ke liye. Sab ko khana chahiye.
He took a bite of the salad and started munching on it. It didn't taste bad but it was not something his taste buds approved of. It would take him some time to be okay with it. But he was ready to do that for his Priya.
"Inhe kya ho gaya achanak? Salad kha rahe hain.", Priya thought while playing with her food.
Pihu was observing her parents closely. Her Mumma was still not talking with her Papa and her Papa was eating a weird looking Salad which he never did before. And all of it made her upset. Tarun came with a cheese omelette for Pihu but not even giving it a look, Pihu came down from the chair and ran towards the staircase. Ram, Priya and Tarun all were really shocked to see that.
Tarun: Pihu baby yeh omelette?
Pihu(in a hurtful tone): Mujhe nahi khana.
And she went upstairs. Ram and Priya stood up from her seat.
Priya: Pihu! Idhar aao abhi. Dinner khatam karke jao. Pihu!
Pihu was deeply hurt. After years of feeling lonely, she got her happy family that she always wished for but everything changed in front of her eyes and it was too much for her to accept.
Tears came into Priya's eyes as she started walking towards the stairs. Ram followed her upstairs.
When they entered their bedroom, the scene in front of them broke their hearts into pieces. Pihu was crying, hugging her favourite pink bunny.
Priya ran to her and picked her up in her arms. Ram gave her an apologetic look.
Priya: Pihu....kya hua mera bachha? Aise kyun aa gaye?
But Pihu kept crying her heart out. It pained both Ram and Priya to see their little one in such a bad shape.
Ram: Pihu? Bachhe please aap rona bandh karo. Dekho hum dono yahan hain.
Ram forwarded his arms so Priya passed Pihu to him. He rocked her for sometime until Pihu's cries lessened. And then he made her sit at the foot of bed and passed her a tissue. Pihu wiped her tears still sniffling. Ram held her tiny hands in between his.
Ram: Sweetheart hume bilkul achha nahi lagta jab aap aise rote ho toh.
Pihu: Toh fight kyun karte ho aap dono?
Ram looked at Priya and then again focused on Pihu again.
Ram: Pihu...bachhe hum kabhi khushi khushi toh fight karte nahi. Kabhi kabhi ho jaata hai. Sab ke saath hota hai. Aur thik bhi ho jaata hai.
Pihu: Toh aap ki fight kab khatam hogi?
Ram(letting out a sigh): Mujhe pata hota toh main bata deta. Bachhe aap jab bade hoge aur kisi se fight hogi toh aap ko bhi aisa hi lagega par sab thik ho jaata hai. Waise hi hamari bhi ho jayegi. Par aap aise gussa hoke rahoge, khaana nahi khaoge toh kaise chalega bachhe? Haan?
Pihu didn't answer and kept looking at Ram with a pout.
Ram: Bachhe jab koi aap pe gussa hota hai aur finally aapko maaf karta hai na...toh maafi na hamesha dil se deni chahiye. Samjhe?
Pihu gently nodded.
Ram: Aur main chahta hoon aapki Mumma mujhe jab bhi maafi dein woh dil se dein. Par aap aise jidd karoge toh shayad woh mujhe maaf toh karegi par dil se nahi karegi.
Pihu looked at her Mumma who was staring at her.
Ram: Aur aapka jitna gussa hai mujhpe utar lo...aapki Mumma ki koi galti nahi hai Pihu. Toh isliye unse gussa mat rehna please.
Priya was staring at Ram while he was trying to reason with Pihu. She didn't have it in her to forgive him just yet. The wound was too deep to mend.
Pihu: Kya kiya hai aapne Papa ke Mumma itni gussa hai?
Ram gave Priya a side-eye and lowered his head.
Ram: Woh...woh...maine...maine woh...
Pihu: Kya?
Ram: Maine...woh bada tub wala icecream...umm...poora....poora kha liya. Akele...
Pihu's eyes widened in shock. Priya was in no better position. How Ram came up with such a thing was beyond her imagination.
Pihu: AKELE KHA LIYA?
Ram nodded still lowering his head because he didn't have it in him to meet eyes with Pihu when he was lying.
Pihu: MUJHE BOLA BHI NAHI?
Ram shook his head sadly.
Ram: Sorry.
Pihu: Kaan pakdo! Bad boy!
Ram held his ears and finally looked at her.
Pihu: Isiliye Mumma gussa hai! Bad boy!
Ram: I'm sorry bachhe.
Pihu: Mujhe bhi khana hai ek tub icecream.
Priya glared at Pihu.
Priya: Pihu! Aap chahte ho main aapse bhi baat na karoon?
Pihu bit her tongue and went in Priya's arms.
Pihu: No no...bilkul nahi. Main toh good girl hoon! Papa bad boy hain. Maine bhi daant laga di.
Priya: Achha kiya.
Pihu: Mumma aap bohot gussa ho?
Priya didn't know what to answer.
Pihu: Papa ko maaf nahi karoge?
Ram and Priya looked at each other but then Priya averted her gaze and started to look at her hands with a frown.
Ram: Pihu...bachhe nahi. Please Priya ko force mat karo.
Pihu: Par...
Ram: Pihu No. Aisa nahi karte aur aap toh mere pyaare cupcake ho. Aap toh hamesha baat maante ho.
Priya was stunned as maybe for the first time Ram said "No" to Pihu. She expected him to give in but it didn't look like he was going to give into Pihu's tantrums. She knew it might have broken his heart to do that but he still chose to do that.
Ram(kissing Pihu's forehead): Hum hamesha aapke saath hain aur yeh fight bhi hum suljha lenge. (Looking at Priya) I promise main phir bhi poora tub icecream nahi khaunga. Bohot badi galti ho gayi mujhse. I'm sorry.
Priya understood that the apology and the promise was for her, not for Pihu.
Pihu: Pinky promise?
Ram: Pinky promise.
Pihu gave a hug to Ram.
Ram: Ab chalein dinner ke liye?
Pihu(with a pout): Ok. .
Ram picked her up in his arms and turned towards Priya.
Ram: Priya?
Priya looked up at them and nodded gently. So Ram started walking towards the stairs.
Pihu: Papa aap woh boring wala salad kyun kha rahe ho?
Ram(whispering to Pihu): Tumhari mumma ko manana hai na Pihu bachhe....I hope woh dekhke thoda khush ho jaaye.
Pihu: Ouuuuu...
Ram: Batana mat. Haan?
Pihu: Okk.
They again sat down at the dinner table. Priya also came a minute later. Ram made Pihu sit on his lap and fed her dinner. Priya let out a sigh of relief as she saw Pihu finish her food. She started thinking how to prevent Pihu from getting affected more. That poor girl has suffered so much already but they somehow keep adding things that were hard to digest for her.
. . . . . . . . .
Pihu fell asleep in Ram's arms after finishing dinner so he went upstairs and made her sleep on the bed. He tucked her blanket properly and was about to go find Priya when she entered the room.
Ram: Mujhe tumse baat karni thi.
Priya totally ignored him and started walking towards the balcony. Ram followed her.
Ram: Priya mujhe tumse baat karni hai. Rukko! Yeh hamare baare mein nahi. Pihu ke baare mein hai.
Priya stopped in her tracks and turned to look at Ram.
Ram: Bagal wale kamre mein aao mujhe kuch baat karni hai.
And Ram started walking and Priya followed him. They entered the next room and Ram locked the door.
Ram looked at her for some seconds while Priya still didn't make any eye contact with him.
Ram: Priya...Pihu se na sach mat kehna inn sab ke baare mein. Dekho na kaise react kiya aaj. Main Tara se milne gaya tha aaj. Usne toh bilkul mana kar diya Pihu ko kuch bhi bolne se.
Priya gave no answer.
Ram: Kuch bhi jhooth bol dena yaar...ke maine tumse chhipake kuch kha liya ya kuch kar liya jisliye tum gussa ho.
Finally Priya looked at him with utter disbelief.
Priya: Yeh hi lagta hai na aapko ke mere liye toh yeh sab bohot asaan hai. Kya ho jayega ek aur jhooth bol diya Pihu ko toh...(tears started forming in her eyes) Itne saalon se toh jhooth hi bole jaa rahi hoon. Hai na?
Ram was bewildered with her reaction.
Ram: Priya mera woh matlab nahi tha.
Priya(tears still flowing down her eyes): Toh kya matlab tha aapka? Mujhe mazze nahi aate Pihu se jhooth bol ke aur nahi main bolna chahti hoon. Chubte hai mujhe usse bole huye ek ek jhooth. Char saal bass jhooth hi bole hain maine usse. Thakk chuki hoon main jhooth bol bol ke. Aur nahi hota mujhse. Aap toh uski aankhon mein bhi nahi dekh paaye jhooth bolne ke waqt. Mujhe uski aankhon mein dekhke saalon saal jhooth bolna pada hai. Mumma mere school mein sab ke paas Papa hain. Mere Papa kahan hai? Mumma mere Nana Naani Dada Dadi kahan hai? Mumma mere koi Mama Maasi koi nahi hai? Kya baataun main usse? Koi jawaab nahi tha mere paas. Usse toh yeh lagta tha ke uska koi nahi hai iss duniya mein sivay mere aur Krish ke. Mujhe nahi achha lagta ke main usse aur jhooth bolun.
Priya was crying at this point. Ram regretted immediately all that he told her. He should have understood her situation.
"Tch. Ram kya kar diya yeh! Nahi bolna chahiye tha tujhe yeh sab. Dekh Priya ko aur zyada hurt kar diya tune. Priya ne itne saal Pihu ko sambhala hai. Tu kya samajhta hai khudko!", Ram thought to himself.
Priya sat down at the foot of the bed. Ram also sat down a little far away from her. He placed a tissue just beside her. Priya grabbed it and started wiping her tears.
Priya: Nahi aap poora din Ghar pe rehte hain aur na hi Tara. Pihu ko main sambhalti hoon. Din mein uske hazaaron sawaalon ka jawaab mujhe dena hota hai. (Letting out a hollow laugh) Main yeh sab aapko bol bhi kyun rahi hoon....aisa toh nahi hai ke aap mujhe samajhte hain. Meri galti thi yeh sochne ki ke koi aur mujhe samjhe ya na samjhe...at least aap mujhe samajhte hain.
Ram averted his gaze feeling guilty. He had hurt her too much and it was written in her voice. But still he wanted to try.
Ram: Tum chahti ho ki main ghar pe rahoon? Priya main break le sakta hoon office se. Tumhe bass bolna hai.
Priya: Aur kya bolenge Pihu ko ke ek bunch cupcake khaya hai aapne isliye main gussa hoon? No thank you.
Ram: Priya main tumhe blame nahi kar raha. I'm sorry agar tumhe laga ho aisa. Anyways Pihu at least kuch din shayad nahi react karegi aise. Aur iske baad se tumhe bolne ki zaroorat nahi, jo karna hai main kar lunga, usse jhooth bolna hai toh main bol dunga.
Priya closed her and let out a deep sigh.
Priya: Agar aapke sawaal jawaab khatam ho gaye ho toh main chalti hoon.
Ram: Priya I'm sorry...uss baat...
Priya was still in no mood to listen any other extra word from him so she walked towards the door and went out, slamming the door in Ram's face.
Tears flowed down Ram's eyes as the more he tried, the more everything kept getting messed up. He had no idea how to live with himself after hurting Priya like that again. He felt his chest paining with guilt.
"Aisa toh nahi hai ke aap mujhe samajhte hain. Meri galti thi yeh sochne ki ke koi aur mujhe samjhe ya na samjhe...at least aap mujhe samajhte hain."....Priya's words kept ringing in his ears.
He sat on the bed and started to think about each time he failed Priya by not trusting her, by not standing up for her, by disrespecting her.
Ram(in broken voice): Sach hi toh kaha Priya ne...main nahi samajhta usse. Agar samajhta toh itni badi galti nahi hoti mujhse. Main kaise soch sakta hoon ke meri Priya kisi aur ke saath...chee Ram! Kyun maaf kare woh tujhe? Kyun tujhe haq de? Kisi layak chorha hai tune khudko? Tu khud mein itna involved rahega, teri apni insecurities ke baare mein itna sochega toh Priya ke baare mein kaun sochega? Pihu ke baare mein kaun sochega? Tere liye Priya ne woh case reopen karwane ko kaha tha, sirf tere liye, taaki tu Dad ko justice dila paaye.
Priya teri biwi hai. Usse protect karna, uski dignity ko protect karna teri responsibility hai par tune toh khud har baar usse disrespect kiya hai toh tu dusro ko kya bolega?
Jab shaadi chorhke aaya kuch naa batake, bechari toh kitne taane sunne pade honge. Uske aansu dekhe the tune! Tu itna insensitive kyun hai? Akki Shivi ki shaadi ko lekar bhi tune jhagda kiya usse! Woh bhi toh unke liye hi lad rahi thi. Hum dono toh ek team mein the isiliye toh humne shaadi ki.
Priya tujhpe bharosa karegi bhi kaise? Tu jaanta hai uske liye 'trust' kitna important hai. Phir bhi baar baar...ussi ko bhugatna padta hai.
He lay down on his side and started caressing the left side of the bed where Priya slept 3 days back. Ram sighed thinking how happy they were that night and how they slept cuddling each other.
He didn't have the heart to go to their bedroom and sleep there after making Priya upset and lying to Pihu.
"Priya ne thik hi toh kaha. Main toh nahi rehta. Pihu ka khayal toh Priya hi rakhti hai. Nahi mujhe chutti leni chahiye. Priya ko meri zaroorat ho agar Pihu ko sambhalne mein toh? Waise bhi hamare jhagde ki wajah se Pihu ka mood bhi bigda hua hai. Main kal Office jayunga aur schedule thik karunga. Jo bhi important meetings hongi main ghar se kar lunga baaki Adi, Vik aur Kunal ko request karunga sambhal lene ko. Aur parso se ghar mein rahunga kuch din, jab tak Pihu thoda shant nahi ho jaati. Pihu bechari hath pair phalake ro rahi thi aaj. Usne kabhi hume aise toh dekha nahi isiliye hurt hui hai aise. Office main sambhal lunga kuch karke, mujhe Priya aur Pihu meri first priority hain.", Ram thought to himself before sleep engulfed him.
Priya, on the other hand, kept looking at the door for almost an hour, waiting for Ram to enter, before her eyes felt too droopy to keep open.
. . . . . . . . .
Priya's sleep broke at 7'o clock in the morning. She sat up rubbing her eyes and her eyes fell on Ram's side of bed. It was almost tidy without any creases.
"Tch. Kal mujhe aise unke muh pe darwaza bandh nahi karna chahiye tha. It was very rude Priya. Very impolite.", Priya thought pressing her forehead. She caressed Pihu's hair who was sleeping like a log and gave a peck on her forehead. And then she went to see where Ram was.
She stood before the next room and saw the door open. She took a peek inside and noticed that the bedsheet was all crumpled up. She understood that Ram slept there only. She checked his study once but he wasn't there either. So she went to the living room and started looking all around her but there was no sign of Ram.
Pawan came to talk to Priya.
Pawan: Good morning Bhabhi. Chai bana doon aapke liye?
Priya: Morning Pawan. Nahi chorho main bana lungi chai. Woh Mr. Kapoor nahi dikh rahe.
Pawan: Bhabhi Sir toh jogging pe gaye hain Tarun ko leke.
Priya's eyes widened in shock.
Priya: KYA?
Her reaction startled Pawan a little.
Priya: Sorry mera matlab kya?
Pawan: Ji woh Sir toh aaye 6-6:30 baje niche aur Tarun ko leke nikal gaye jogging pe.
Priya: Oh...thik hai Pawan. Tum jao.
"Woh jogging pe gaye hain? Jogging? Kal chicken salad kha rahe the. Unko kya yeh lagta hai ke yeh sab karke woh mujhe manayenge?", Priya thought pressing her lips together.
She went to the kitchen and made herself some tea. She sat in the living room sipping her tea.
10 minutes later, the doorbell rang and Pawan opened the door. Ram and Tarun entered with huge shopping bags.
Priya scanned Ram from top to bottom. He was wearing an aquamarine blue T-shirt that Pihu chose for him when they went shopping with a pair of beige coloured joggers. He was all sweaty so that made Priya sure that he actually went to jog.
Priya averted her gaze as Ram's eyes fell on her.
Ram(proudly): Pawan dekho kya sabziyaan laya hoon aaj! Ek dum khett se uthake laane wala fresh. Colours dekho kitne bright hai.
Priya was looking at Tarun for an explanation who gave her a sad smile.
Ram(holding a cauliflower in hand): Aur yeh Gobi dekho! Ummm....kitna pyaara dikhta hai. Iska Roast bana dena aaj.
Ram looked at Priya and gave her a smile before walking towards the staircase. Tarun walked towards Priya. Pawan also stood beside Tarun as he wanted to know what really happened to his Ram Sir suddenly.
Priya(with a frown): Tarun kya chal raha hai?
Tarun: Mat poochiye Bhabhi ke Sir ne aaj kya kiya hai. Pehle toh jogging ki humne phir Ghar aane ke time sir ko ek Sabzi ka thela dikha. Unhone kabhi jo nahi kiya woh aaj kiya. Chalke gaye uss Thele ke paas gaye aur Sabziyaan dekhne lage. Aur unhe toh dekhke hi koi bhi samajh jayega ke unhe aadat nahi hai Sabzi khareedne ki. Aur mujhe pehle hi bol diya "Tarun tu kuch nahi bolega. Aaj main sabzi khareedunga. Dekh aur shikh mujhse kaise fresh aur achhi sabzi chunte hain."
Priya was already laughing as Ram buying vegetables was way too funny in her head. Plus his confidence was on another level.
Tarun: Khatam nahi hua hai. Aur bhi hai suniye. Woh Sabzi wala toh dekhte hi samajh gaya ke inko toh rate ka kuch pata hai nahi, toh saare sabziyon ki keemat zyada bolne laga. Maine kitni baar rokne ki koshish ki par Ram sir ne chup karake rakh diya. Uss phoolgobi ka 100rs liya usne Bhabhi! 40-50rs daam hoga uska aur inhone de bhi diya. Meri ek baat nahi maani. 90 rupay kilo piyaz liya unhone.
Priya started laughing her heart out. Ram was coming down the stairs but he stopped as he heard Priya's laugh. He hid behind a pillar and watched her laughing. Tarun was narrating how he was buying vegetables and she was laughing.
"Pata hai ke tum gussa ho abhi bhi par itne dino baad at least khulke hassi toh. Tumhe rulana nahi chahta main Priya, hamesha aise hi khush dekhna chahta hoon.", Ram thought while wiping the lone tear that escaped his right eye.
Tarun: Maine bola Ghar mein tomato hai par phir bhi unhone le liya kyunki "itne pyaare tamatar kaise chorhke jaun. Inko dukh hoga agar Ghar lekar nahi gaya toh." Aur pata hai aapko ek kilo Parwal lekar aaye hain. Iss ghar mein parwal koi nahi khata. Pihu baby toh dekhke muh latkati hai, aapko bhi pasand nahi, Sir khud bhi nahi khaate. Maine bola toh bole hain "Tarun tu kha lega. Yeh tere liye hai. Dekh kitne achhe hain." (On the verge of crying) Main nahi khaata parwal! Mujhe nahi khaana! Bhabhi main toh kabhi phir nahi jaunga unke saath jogging pe. Pawan tu jayega kal se.
Pawan(narrowing his eyes): Nahi Sir toh bole hain na Tarun tu hi jayega.
Tarun looked at Priya with puppy eyes.
Tarun: Bhabhi please...main nahi jaunga Sir ke saath sabzi lene.
Priya gave Tarun a glass of water, still laughing.
Priya: Yeh paani piyo aur thoda shant ho jao. Main Parwal ki curry bana dungi woh lunch mein pack kar lena Mr. Kapoor ke liye. Woh khud lekar aaye hain toh woh hi khayenge.
Tarun let out a sigh of relief.
"Oh shit! Ab mujhe khaane padenge woh Parwal? Oh no! Nahi lene chahiye the.", Ram thought scratching the back of his head.
"Par Priya ne abhi Mr. Kapoor bola. Achha laga mere kaano ko.", He took a deep breath resting his right palm over his heart.
He took a look at his watch and went to get ready for the office.
. . . . . . . . . .
During lunchtime, Ram got anxious as he got a call from Priya who had stopped calling him completely.
Ram: Haan Priya? Kya hua? Kuch hua hai? Tum thik ho? Pihu thik hai?
Pihu: Offo Papa! Kitne questions poochte ho!
Ram: Oho...Pihu bachhe aap ho.
Pihu: Haan main.
Ram: Kya hua?
Pihu: Aapko scold karne ke liye call kiya.
Ram: Hein? Ab kya kiya maine?
Pihu: Papa aap na bohot bad ho! Aapki wajah se mujhe Parwal khana pada aaj. Aap kyun lekar aaye Parwal! Mujhe bilkul nahi pasand!
Ram: Oho...sorry bachhe. I'm sorry. Galti ho gayi. Phir kabhi nahi launga. Mujhe bhi khana hoga.
Pihu: Offo...kya kya karte rehte ho Papa!
Ram: Sorry...maaf kardo pleaseeeeeee.
Pihu thought for a moment.
Pihu: Thik hai maaf kiya par phir kabhi nahi lana woh...parwal...
Ram: Bilkul nahi. Bilkul nahi. Achha Pihu bachhe mujhe na aap se kuch important baat karni thi.
Pihu: Kya?
Ram: Woh aaj na mujhe late hoga Ghar aane mein.
Pihu: KYA? KYUN?
Ram: Meri baat toh sun lo pehle.
Pihu(with a pout): Okk.
Ram: Main kal se ghar pe hi rahunga kuch din aap sabke saath chutti leke aur iss liye kuch kaam hai jo khatam karke jaana hai.
Pihu(excited): Sachhi? Aap chutti loge?
Ram: Haan baba! Main poora din aapke saath khelunga. Aapko stories sunayunga. Par aaj ke liye please maan jao. Gussa mat hona.
Pihu: Okk.
Ram: Promise na?
Pihu: Haan haan promise. Main gussa nahi karungi.
Ram: Thank you Cupcake!
Pihu: Yayyyy! Bohot mazza aayega!
Ram: Haan...okay bachhe meri ek meeting hai. Main baad mein baat karta hoon. Thik hai?
Pihu: Haan thik hai. Byeeee!
Ram: Byeeeee!
And Pihu cut the call.
. . . . . . . . . . .
It was 10:30pm at night. Priya decided to sit at the living room and wait for Ram to come home because she didn't want him to feel lonely. She fed Pihu her dinner and made her sleep.
Suddenly she saw Tarun coming to her in a hurry.
Tarun: Bhabhi woh...I'm sorry. Aapko yeh dena tha. Aapke naam pe yeh aaya tha.
Tarun forwarded an envelope to Priya.
Tarun: Woh do delivery boy aaye the ek saath toh yeh Sir ke papers ke saath chala gaya tha. Main abhi sametke rakh raha tha toh mila. Sorry mujhe dhyaan rakhna chahiye tha.
Priya(with a smile): Tarun it's okay. It's okay. Galti sab se hoti hai.
As Priya finally saw the name over the envelope, all the colours drained out of her face. Tarun saw that.
Tarun: Bhabhi sab thik hai na?
Priya nodded not looking at him and ran upstairs. She came down a little later with her purse.
Priya(clearing her throat): Tarun main bahaar jaa rahi hoon. Pihu abhi nahi uthegi. Main aa jayungi thik hai?
Tarun: Par Bhabhi dinner?
Priya(sadly): Mujhe bhook nahi hai Tarun. Agar Pihu uth bhi jaaye toh bolna main aa jayungi.
Tarun nodded. Just then Priya's phone rang. It was Ram. She cut the call without receiving it. Tarun noticed that.
Priya: Main aati hoon.
Priya started walking towards the door and heard Tarun's phone ringing. She turned as she heard Tarun saying 'Hello Ram sir?'. Tarun was looking at Priya who had tears in her eyes. Priya shook her head, to silently forbade Tarun to not tell Ram that she was going out.
Tarun(a little loudly): No Sir Priya Bhabhi uper hai. Shayad so gayi hogi. Unka phone niche hai.
Two seconds later,
Tarun: Ji ji. Pihu baby ne kha liya hai. Main bhabhi ko bhi bol dunga ke aapko late hoga.
And Tarun cut the call and nodded at Priya. He heard a very low 'thank you' from Priya before she left the house.
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I know the chapters are too stressful to read but it's not an issue that can be handled easily. It'll take time to get resolved.
Hope you all liked the chapter!