Passionate Love

Chapter 7

Priya kept gazing at him while Ram attempted to bring her along, but Neha intervened.

She released Priya's hand from Ram's grasp and stated, "Priya isn't going anywhere, do you get that?"

"Why can't she come with me? I'm her husband, and you just mentioned that she's your responsibility. So, what's changed?" Ram inquired.

"I understand she's your wife, but you can't take her away like this," Neha explained.

"What? Neha, I'm not getting it. What do you want, and what am I supposed to do?" Ram asked irritably.

"I want neither you nor Priya to leave this place. We all came here together, and we'll go back home together after a week," Neha said.

"Yes, everyone agreed."

Ram looked at everyone and said, "And I cannot do that. If you all want to stay here, you can stay. Priya can stay with you all, but I cannot stay here anymore because I have some very important work to do, and I cannot let it go."

"Is it more important than Priya?" Neha asked.

Ram scratched his temple with his finger, glanced at Priya, and closed his eyes for a few seconds. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke firmly, "I have to leave, and I will." With determination in his eyes, Ram began ascending, and Ram started climbing up stairs.

"Ram, you haven't answered my question," Neha asked.

Ram halted abruptly and turned back, saying, "I didn't answer your question because I don't think I need to explain myself." He then walked into his room, shutting the door behind him.

Priya advised, "Neha, just let it be. Why provoke him? Give him some space."

"Why should I let him off the hook? He just wants to do whatever he pleases," Neha retorted.

Vikram questioned, "And what do you expect? Do you think arguing like this will make him see your point?"

Neha turned to Vikram and said, "Hey, don't you have anything to say? I made an effort, unlike you. You just listened to him. How can you be a friend if you can't make him understand?"

"Neha, you know Ram doesn't listen to anyone. When he decides something, he sticks to it," Vikram explained.

"But I don't get why Bappa is doing this," Soumya wondered.

"I don't know, Soumya. Maybe there's something very important that Ram needs to take care of, and he can't delay it any longer," Vikram replied. "Or maybe there's some personal matter that he needs to attend to. Whatever it is, we should try to understand and support him, instead of getting upset or angry."

"We should talk to Dadi about Ram bhai," Rishabh suggested.

"I'm going to speak with Dadi as soon as I get back home," Neha stated.

"Yes, our holiday plans are all messed up now," Natasha added. "Thanks to your brother," Neha teased.

"Alright, now that this has happened, what's the next step?" Vikram asked.

"What should we do next?" Neha pondered. "Oh, I see. What do you guys want to do? Do you want to continue your vacation or go back home?" Vikram inquired.

"Yes, bolo gaon walo, one by one everyone wants to go home or stay here?" Neha said.

Interrupting Priya's attempt to speak, Neha continued, "Let it be, Priya. I already know your answer. You want to follow him, right?"