Falling For You

Past and Present

Ram moved in his sleep, and realized priya wasn’t beside him. Through the corner of his drowsy eyes, he saw priya sitting by the bay window. 

Ram: priya what are you doing? It’s really late

Priya jerked with his sudden speech, immediately closing her journal,

Priya:uh, nothing. Sorry I’ll turn-off the light now.

Ram turns off the lights immediately,

Priya shouts scared, and immediately closes her mouth.

Darkness scares her, but she didn’t want ram to know her weakness. Cursing him under her breaths turns on her mobile torch. Settling on bed, she turned off her mobile torch.

Next day morning,

The room felt like unattended stadium after cricket match, there were things all over the place, thanks to their battle for restroom.

Ram: Bansikaka, can you get the room cleaned? We’re in a hurry.

Priya gave an apologetic smile.

Lawyers’ Office:

Lawyer: so may I know the reason?

Ram: can you just say it’s a mutual decision?

Lawyer: nodding absently, hmm, ok I’ll look into it. I’ll inform you once I submit these in court, but have you both thought through it?

Both nod.

Ram: but I have a request, this need to be a secret for now.

Lawyer: Ok then,

Office,

Ak: ok Sudheer, let’s seal the deal then, shaking hand. And I think we should now tell this to priya.

Ram: priya doesn’t know about this? Surprised

Sudheer: sorry AK, I knew you wanted this to be a surprise, but I did inform her about the deal, not all the details, just an idea though.

Ak: But, we decided on surprise? What happened..!!
Sudheer: she heard me talking to you one day, so I had to let out a few details, now I think ram can update her.

Ak laughs at the situation: looks like priya has given you some hard time.

Sudheer: she always does..!! small smile on his lips, I gotta go now. Nods head.

Ram just looks at the scene helpless, replaying the scenes with priya in his mind and Sudheer leaves the room.

Ak: Ram sit down, I know we haven’t had enough time to catch up after your wedding. How are you?

“Iam fine papa,why do you ask?”, replied ram

AK: you haven’t asked, and I never told, but do you not want to know why I proposed priya for you?

Ram looks on,

“She first came here during her internship days, she was the junior architect on our project, and then when she started her own firm, the interior work we had done in the extended block?? The work I asked you to overlook and you denied, and appreciated the work later. Had you accepted, you would’ve met priya then. She had this very calm but determined attitude, and had detailed study of what she works for, a thorough professional. The aura she had, which one could never ignore. But, then I didn’t know she was Sudheer’s daughter. Priya would never reveal too.  

AK Laughs,

One night when your mother put forth her wish of wanting to get you married, I don’t really know why and how her image popped in my head for you. I just thought she might be perfect for you, she was like you in one many ways, calm, classy and determined. But then, I first wanted to know her background, not that I would refuse if she were from some other background. Nevertheless, I soon came to know she is Sudheer’s daughter, and during our first meeting for this deal, I proposed him the idea. He seemed excited, but I asked him if priya would agree. He promised he’d try. I tried asking priya of the same, but then she didn’t answer my question, I never know why. But a couple of days later I got a call from sudheer that priya has accepted the proposal.

I thanked heavens, that day.

And now seeing you both happily married, has made me so happy, for taking the decision.

 I really hope you keep her happy, I have my utmost respect for that Lady.

Patting Ram’s arm, AK looks on.

Other side of the city,

Neha opens a cabin door “Surprise”

“What a pleasant surprise neha, how come you are here?” Priya

“Am I not allowed?” questioned neha with her trademark single raised eyebrow

“Just update the drawings as I told you, we’ll have discussion later again. Sit Neha”, Priya smiles        

 Door locked,

“So what’s up??” Priya asks

“I was passing by, so I just barged in. Actually, I wanted to confess something too.” Neha stares, Priya wears a questioning look.

“I know this is all new to you, but for us we have all known each other, so it was easy for us to accept you. I know ram and you didn’t have courtship, but I hope you two have got known each other to some extent during your honeymoon.”

“But”, priya interrupted,

“Wait let me complete, during your reception time, I saw your face twitch when I teased you both. Later, vikram did complain to me about it. Priya, you must have realized I am an extrovert, but for you, this is all new and you’ll sure take time to adjust here. Everything until now happened in a rush, first your marriage, then your honeymoon.(rolls eyes)So, you know ram now, and I am Neha (giggles) and I have a husband, Vikram. Ram, Vikram and I were classmates in college.

“Enough Now” priya giggles “I know everything is new, I am sure taking my time, but with you around, it feels lot easier neha. Trust me.”  

“ohh thank you thank you so much.” Neha Bows head. “ok, now that we have become friends, again, and friends are not supposed to have secrets you see, so I’ll now tell you one secret of ram”

Priya shifts in seat uncomfortably hearing word “Secret.” Hasn’t it been the code word between the new couple for a while??!!

“You know as college mates, we never knew Ram was the son of AK, he never let it out. He worked part-times, so we never suspected.  He even got us through our relationship during hard times, (giggles) though we couldn’t help his when our time came, (stops abruptly).”

Priya looks shocked.

“Ram didn’t want to marry, you see men have thing strong persona on the exterior, but at heart they are timid. (Laughs) Don’t tell him, I told you about this “not wanting to marry”, sure he’ll kill me at the first chance he gets.  Don’t misinterpret, I mean ram was determined to take business to soaring heights. He didn’t surely want any distraction; for he thought a marriage would be a one. See how silly he is. (Shakes her head) it took a lot from us and a little from uncle and aunty, since he always obeyed them.”

“And you see you have got to thank us for giving this wonderful human as a gift to you. Only I know the hardship I endured in convincing him to get married, stupid vikram wasn’t of any help. I don’t even know why I love him.” Neha went on with her dramatized explanation of the events, while priya gazed.

“Neha can you take a break? I mean I am really hungry, let’s go out to have lunch please.” 

Priya interrupted. She now wanted distraction from Ram’s topic. Now it was neha’s turn to be shocked.

“What the hell, I am telling you about your husband lady? Do you not have an ounce of interest?” Hand on her hips, Neha glares.

“Please understand na” priya makes a puppy face.

In car, neha instructs the driver, while priya gazed into nothingness, with her thoughts lost on ram. Neha for one, hit the right chords this time.