RamYa ke Marital Adventures

Chapter 2: Pehli Raat, Part Two

Note: Characters' inner monologues are in italics.

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Ram stood up, Priya shifting away from his shoulder. Standing around awkwardly, the duo realized the shower was still running. Priya looked at Ram, her eyes shifting from left to right to take in his blue eyed beauty. Ram stood still, lost in the moment. Why was Priya staring at him like that?

"Woh...paani.." Ram rushed to turn off the shower while Priya tugged at her chunri which was of no use, now that it was wet.

"Ahh." Priya winced upon the pain inflicted by the bobby pins, attached to the chunri, pulling at her hair. The cloth seemed to be pinned badly to her hair bun.

Ram walked back to where Priya stood, his eyes making note of the problem that had occurred. "Main kuch madad karoon?"

"Nahi, it's okay. Main kar loongi."

Falling under the pressure of proving to Ram that she could handle everything by herself, Priya repeatedly tried to untangle the pins, hair, and whatever mess she was carrying. Ram tried not to stare, but he couldn't help but grow curious. Was Priya always like this? Had she ever asked for help? Nahi nahi, aisa toh nahi ho sakta na Ram? Tu toh ek din bhi guzaar nahi sakta Brinda aur Adi ke bina. Unke support ke bina. Aur boss Priya. Itna independent? Yaar over-independent hona koi isse seekhe.

"Priya. Wait, main help karta hoon." Priya looked up to find Ram standing right in front of her, their faces only a few inches apart. Something stirred inside her, her gaze fixed on his eyes. Damn. He had gorgeous eyes... Priya tu toh kisi aur track pe ja rahi hai. Jaldi Mr. Kapoor ko boldo ki tujhe madad nahi chahiye unki.

Before she could refuse, Ram jumped in to say something else. "Mujhe pata hai tumhe aadat nahi hai kisise aise madad lene ki, par phir bhi. I want to be of some assistance. Warna main aise tumhe struggle karte huwe dekhun, toh accha nahi lagega na?"

"Mr. Kapoor, aap ye kehna chahte hain ke main struggle kar rahi thi? Ji nahi. Bilkul nahi. Mera..woh.." She quickly thought of an excuse. "Mera chooda atak gaya tha baalon mein. Aur kuch nahi."

"Accha?" Ram raised an eyebrow, smirking as he slowly circled Priya, making his way behind her. He waited for Priya to turn and seeked her permission through his soft eyes. Not knowing what else to do, Priya responded with a slight nod. Mr. Kapoor was being so nice to her, and she was melting. She had to admit, he was a sweet person, just like the red velvet cupcakes he was so fond of.

Struggling to loosen the stuck bobby pin, Ram stood focused, his fingers brushing Priya's not-so-neat hair. As Priya stood patiently, her nostrils were telling her something else. Acheeee! Priya sneezed, sending Ram's fingers onto her neck, immediate goosebumps arising on her skin. She rubbed her nose as she turned to apologize to Ram, who was debating whether to remove his hand from her delicate neck. His other hand remained glued to the bobby pin he was trying to remove.

"Woh thanda paani ke wajah se.. Acheeee!"

In an effort to grab some tissues for Priya, Ram yanked the bobby pin that he was holding, leaving Priya screaming in pain.

"Ouch! Mr. Kapoor! Ek kaam toh diya tha aapko. Ab, aaah!"

"Sorry woh tissues laane.. khair. Ek minute, main nikaal deta hoon woh pin. Almost done."

Ram rested his hand on Priya's shoulder as he removed the last pin from her bun, letting her hair drop on his fingers, her strands feeling silky on his knuckles.

"Thanks."

"Yeah." Ram smiled, his eyes not leaving Priya's smooth brown hair he had touched.

Priya turned around to find Ram standing, his blue eyes getting bluer whilst staring at her. What, was she looking alright? Was there something on her face? "Mere chehre pe kuch laga hai kya?" Touching her face, she looked at her husband who was behaving so weirdly.