• Second Chances •

32. Vanilla

Ram couldn't sleep. He was supposed to be tired. But he just couldn't get himself to sleep. In the darkness of the night, he traced the phone with slightly shaky hands. It still had the abusive, derogatory, below the belt messages that he had received from a random mobile number.

Part of him wanted to involve the police right away. And somehow, he had told his police officer friend about it too but he still wanted to be physically present whilst lodging an official FIR. He had ensured that the police protection for all the families involved, be it Priya's, his or his friends; was increased. He had made sure that undercover bodyguards were following all the members at all given times, ready to take charge if something went wrong.

But there was still a dull fear in his chest, almost as if he couldn't breathe well.

Licking his dry lips, he got up and leaned on the glass railing. History was repeating itself. Ram still remembered in crisp detail how his father also had gotten similar threats before he succumbed to death. Would history truly repeat itself? Ram hoped not.

For he had more riding on his shoulders than his father ever had. He had his family to look after. Ram had always felt acutely responsible for Aditya, for Vikrant and for Kunal's wellbeing. He wanted to keep Brinda happy. Now, he had the Soods to look after too and most importantly, Priya.

Ram pressed his temples and looked back. Through the huge french doors, he could see her bundled under the fluffy duvet, sleeping soundly.

This was the peace that she deserved now. Ram wished for Priya to have at least some happy moments in her life. It felt unfair to drag her into a storm that wasn't even her own. She had seen enough and endured enough.

Sighing, he slid down on the cold floor and pressed his forehead on the glass. Life had never been kind to him. Even though Nandini was there, he had pretty much grown motherless. The boarding school hadn't been kind either. Setting up the business had taken blood and more blood from him. He was a newbie. Aditya was a newbie. Ram hadn't had a chance to learn much from his father but whatever little he had seen, Ram had tried to stay true to it. By the end of it, everything had left Ram exhausted and terribly alone.

In the faint darkness, the blue waters of the lake Wakatipu still shimmered. Or maybe, the darkness was starting to give away to the morning. His gaze remained on the blue vastness as he watched the darkness fade. Even though it felt melancholic, it felt peaceful. It would perhaps find a way out of this mess.

"Hey!"

Priya's soft voice made Ram snap out of his thoughts. He looked back to see her standing over him with a frown. Pushing everything aside, he flashed his trademark big grin at her and wished, "Hey! Good morning. When did you wake up?"

"Just now..." replied Priya. Then she looked down and asked, "Are you okay? Why are you sitting on the ground?"

Realizing that he was indeed sitting on the cold ground, Ram slowly got up. "Oh, I was so mesmerized by the lake's view that I must have sat down unknowingly."

"I see..." Priya didn't look convinced but she didn't pursue the topic. She motioned him towards the small sitting area and said, "I took the liberty of brewing coffee for us. I hope that is okay."

Ram smiled. "It's perfect."

Smiling, Priya picked up the large coffee mug and settled down on the couch beside Ram. It was a perfect morning, not too cold. With the wind rasping against her cheeks, she took leisurely sips of the slightly bitter coffee. She didn't remember the last time she was this thoughtless, this at ease.

"So," she whispered. "When did you wake up?"

Ram lied quickly. "Half an hour ago. You were fast asleep so I came out to sit here. I am never getting tired of this view."