Worth It

Part 13

It's been five days, Priya and Arjun have moved into their new home. It wasn't big as The Kapoor Mansion, but big enough, and cozy for the two, beautiful would be an understatement, the house was decorated by Priya's instruction, it was the epitome of classy but homely. It was a one story villa, with six rooms, one of which she had converted into a office room. It was also kid friendly, as it should be, with Arjun around, growing up, it was spacious, with a small lawn in the back. Now that they have comfortably shifted in, and settled, Priya hasn't been to the office for the whole time, basically she has dodged Ram all this time, she has to give him an answer, either a yes or a no. Drinking her morning coffee, she saw an energetic Arjun jumping around in the backyard happily playing some game of his own, she knew what had to be done. She decided to host a small house warming party, inviting Krish, Zoya, obviously, Sandy, Misha, her assistant. Then she thought maybe, it's time to face the deal, be done with it, going forward, she also called up Ram, and the gang to join, who happily took up the invitation.

Ram was pacing back and forth, throwing clothes onto his bed, Pawan stood behind, used to his antics, but was not quite sure how long he could see his sir not finding the right dress, and even if he did suggest, it was of no use, Ram would simply make a face. "Yaar, Tarun, mere paas to kuch bhi nahi hai." Ram whined, Pawan let out a small sigh, "Sir, aap yeh black wala pehle jiya, aap pe black bohut achha dikta hai." He said, Ram looked at him for a few seconds, then picking up the blavk semi formal shirt, "Will this be good for a house warming?" he asked himself. "Priya bha-, Priya mam ki house warming?" Pawan asked him, Ram nodded. After thirty minutes of contemplating, he finally decided to wear the black, pairing with a dark grey blazer. To say he looked good would be also be an understatement, he looked absolutely hot. He looked at himself, after a long time, he felt good for some reason, thought there was a deep feeling that she might say no, and everything will be lost. But it's best to be positive, chuckling, it sure has been long since he felt positive. Sadly, he couldn't enjoy his self time, because Vedika has to be there to give her comment. "Rammm, wah, aaj toh bade hot lag rahe ho? Big date huh?" she teased, looking at her unimpressed at first, then smirked, "Hai toh?" he challenged, taken back by his words, she gave a weak, not so happy smile, "Kon?" she asked slowly but obviously filled with jealousy, "does it matter? I have to go now. So, please excuse me." Ram said brushing her aside, calling up his driver to bring out the car. Vedika simply stood there, eyes burning, giving out oomph sound and a unnecessary hair flip, she just went back to her room.

Ram was in awe, the house was so pretty, it screamed home, something he so longed for, something that was once his but brutally snatched away, something in him gave him the hope he could find it again, maybe in the same person. He rang the bell, and the sight in front him, made him speechless for the next thirty seconds. Priya standing there, her wavy hair falling on her shoulder, wearing a light blue kurti that had small embroidery work, reaching just below her knee, and a white dupatta draped on her shoulder, she looked so regal, he swore, he had never seen anything so beautiful. She still had the same effect on him, as he heard the background songs play, she pulled him out of his reverie, by snapping her fingers on his face. "Mr. Kapoor? Aap bahar kade kade kya daydream kar rahe hai?" she asked, hearing her say Mr. Kapoor after all these years did something to him, is all this a bad idea? He thought. Chucking lightly, he greeted her and entered. The interior was also so incredible, joining his friends who had already arrived since they didn't take so much time in deciding a dress. Priya went in the kitchen to help Krish who was setting up the dining table.

It wasn't only Ram who felt something, Priya did too, seeing him in his suit, trimmed beard, his non gelled hair styled perfectly, mesmerized her. He was too distracting, she could feel herself drifting, with every cell in her resisting.

"I believe we haven't officially met." Zo turned to Ram, who gave a sheepish smile remembering their first meet, where he had accidently mistook Priya and Krish. "Yeah, I am sorry for the other day. I know I shouldn't have made any assumptions." He said, she eyes him even more, making him feel uneasy, "Yeah, you really shouldn't. It's fine, I'll give you another chance, but hurt Priya once more, you will not live to see the next day." She said calmly with a smile terrifying him, "O-Okay... I am Ram Kapoor from Bandra." He extended his hand out, "Yeah, Zoya Ahuja, soon to be Dixit, if my man ever musters up the courage to propose me with the ring he has hidden so badly." She took his hand, shaking it firmly. "Why are you telling me that?" Ram asked, Zoya chuckled, "Ah only, to remind you that Krish is mine, and no, I don't mean it in a jealous way, just for you to know, that Krish loves me. Do you get it, or do I need to dissect it more?" Ram shook his head, understanding what she clearly was trying to imply. Zo excused her self to find Krish, while Adi and Bri sat next to Ram. "Toh, usne kya kaha?" Kunal asked, "Arrey, did you guys even see me talking to Priya? With all of you here, she will not say anything about it, I'm sure." The gang just gave a disappointed look. "RKKKKK!!!" Ram heard the young boy screaming as he ran down the stairs, frightening both Priya and Ram who leaped to the stirs to catch him. Ram quick enough held arjun, while Priya glanced up and down for injuries, "Arjun, what is this? How many times have I told you not to run while coming down." Priya scolded, while Arjun's eyes became watery, normally Priya would try pacify him, but she knew him very well, this waterworks is only an act, intensified because of a certain person holding him, so she was unfazed by it. Meanwhile, Ram was shocked and unaware of what to do. He immediately consoled Arjun by patting him, and taking him away from Priya, whose glare only intensified, "Ram! Aap yeh kya kar rahe hain? Usse wahan kyun leke jaa rahe hain?" Priya scolded, Arjun took him to the corner of the sifa, made him sat next to him, "Priya, gussa mat karo, he wouldn't do it again. Right Kid?" Arjun nodded sadly. Sighing, Priya simply left to setting the table.

"Thanks RK, Mumma is awctually nice, but.." Ram laughed, "I know, kid. She's very scary when she's angry. But she is right, you might fall down, be careful okay." Ram completed his sentence. "I wike you." Arjun said, Ram gave a sweet smile, "I like you too." Krish then came out announcing that the table has been set up. It has been far too long since he had Priya's food. He had had time controlling his moans, as he put the naan and butter chicken in his mouth, it was heavenly, just like her, the memories came rushing in, his eyes teared as they did. He softly smiled, as his mind filled with what ifs, did he still love her? Does he want her back? These questions spiralled in his brain making him distracted from everyone else talking and Bri noticed it, nudging him softly, he just shook his head. "Priya, I'm telling you, You need to open a restaurant of yours, because goddamn, this is paradise" Adi praised, Priya gave him a kind smile, thanking him. They had fun, talking and joking, making sure they don't bring up the past or the five years apart. Everything was going fine, or was it.

There was still the unspoken topic left hanging in the hair, they knew it needs to be addressed. As one by one started leaving, on purpose, they knew Ram and Priya had to talk it out. Arjun had fallen asleep soundly on the couch, who was then put to bed by Krish. Ram was just sitting on the sofa, getting grilled by Zoya, Priya could only laugh. Krish joined Priya in the kitchen, "do you know what your are going to say to him?" Priya sighed, "Yeah..."

"You are Priya's best friend, she would have probably told you what I asked her few days ago..." He went on, Zoya pressed her lips into a thin line before cutting, "If you are to ask me what her decision is, don't. I don't know, and even if I did, I wouldn't tell you. So... Just brace yourself for whatever she has decided. Just remember one thing, She has gone through so much as well, and she has Arjun to think about." Ram sat there alone waiting for Priya as she said her goodbyes the happy couple. She turned to him with an unreadable expression, and his eyes held curiosity, and something else, she couldn't get it. They just stood there, looking at each other, like its their last time seeing each other, or just either one is scared to make the first move. Just before one could talk, they heard another voice, "mumma... where are you?" Priya looked at Ram apologetically, Arjun walked down sleepily, Priya lifted him and put him to sleep again in her arms. Ram stood there looking at the mother son duo, and felt a pang of guilt, it could have been them together, only if....

"I have decided what I want to do. But I want to discuss about it properly. What do you think about tomorrow for dinner, you can decide the place and time." She said quietly, Ram smiled, "Are you asking me out, Priya?" the calm face she had quickly turned into a scowl, "Sorry, of course, we can. I will text you the details. I waited all this time, what is one more day" he chucked nervously, scratching his head. "See you soon, then. Bye." 

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hello.... hehe, I know I'm late af. So... I also finished the next chapter...

Enjoy!! Do tell me what you think about this :)) <3