OS - Admit it

This is my old work which I had posted in IF. I have edited some scenes. Hope you guys like it and do shower me with your feedback.

PROMPT: When Ram realizes he is in love with Priya.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters. 

Ram followed Pihu through the doors of her favourite restaurant. His, now 10 years old daughter wanted soup chow. He frowned when he saw Priya in the nearby booth publically canoodling with Rajat.

OW! He hated him. He hated seeing them together. And it seemed that wherever he went, Priya was there. Like either he was following her or she was following him. But there she was sitting, smiling, blushing at the words of her new boyfriend.

O GOD! Why was he holding her that tight? Hip to hip. Jesus! Let the woman breath for a second. What did he think of himself? This was a public place for Christ sake. Ram thought to himself.

He had to stop his thoughts now but no, his eyes would dart back to that "happy-annoying" coupling sitting in front of him. He made his way inside, following Pihu. This restaurant was one of the finest and was owned by his best friend Neha.

Ram rolled his eyes when the pair saw him and made eye contact with him. Priya had smiled at him and offered a small wave which had made Ram's heart skip a beat, but before he could smile back or respond, he caught Rajat giving him a smile as well. He didn't need to greet them but he did, he gently nodded his head as if they were friends.

"Papa? What happened? "Pihu asked as he plopped heavily in the seat across from her, his face contorted into a scowl.

"What? No..I'm fine Pihu" he replied still distracted from the view in front of his unlucky eyes. He set his eyes back to Pihu "Why, do I not look fine? "

"You look distracted and you also look like you want to hit someone, "she giggled. Well. What an idea. I could surely do that. I could surely go hit him in the face. He forced out a laugh "No Pihu..I'm fine" he distracted his thought and started reading the menu. "So Princess, what do you want? "

"Hi, my babies" Neha greeted them. "What are you having tonight?" she asked. A waiter, holding a pad followed her to take their orders.

As Pihu responded, his mind, eyes and his entire body turned to look at THEM again. JESUS! What was Priya doing? Like what was it with that weird giggles and smiles? This wasn't the lady he had a crush on. Why was she acting like a teenager, she never giggled like 15 years old? This wasn't the Priya Sharma he knew.No..No.Damn No!

"Ram? "

Ram's head jerked back at the concerned voice of Neha.

"Huh? What? What happened? " he asked with confusion in his voice.

"Ram. Have you been listening to what we were talking about ? " she raised her brows.

"Huh? "he asked "Yeah! I was totally listening "he forced a grin.

"Yeah? "Pihu challenged." Then tell us what I was saying? "

"I... um? "He felt the sweat dripping off his forehead.

When they got no response from him, Pihu said "See. You weren't listening to us. What is the matter with you, Papa? You are acting weird. Actually you have been acting weird lately."

"No, I haven't. What do you mean by I am acting weird? "he protested with a snort.

"Yes, you are! Pihu exclaimed a little louder.

"Okay. Okay. You two stop it! "Neha stepped in between. "And for a moment I agree with Pihu." Ram gasped at Neha

"Where are you Ram? "she asked concerned to which-- Ram laughed " What? Can't you see, I'm right here? "he laughed again.

"Uh-huh.. very funny." Neha rolled her eyes. Ram glanced his eyes over the other table again and his heart clenched when he realized that Priya was looking right at him. SHIT!!! He murmured.

Neha watched him closely. She was noticing how Ram's eyes darted back to Priya and Rajat's table and the scowl on his face only seemed to deepen. It wasn't the first time she had noticed this. She has been watching him on and off mood lately and she was surprised when she realized that his crappy mood coincided with the presence of Priya and her newfound boyfriend.

"SEEMED LIKE SOMEONE WAS JEALOUS!" Neha smirked thinking to herself. 

While Pihu went to start with her dinner, Neha shifted towards Ram and softly spoke " So...Tell me?"

"Tell you what? "Ram asked staring blankly at her face.

"Tell me how long has this been going on? "

"Going on what? What are you talking about? "Ram asked sincerely confused.

"This..You being JEALOUS over Priya" she smirked.

Ram froze "What?" he snapped "Ridiculous. I am not jealous of Priya. Why would I be? "he gulped and when he received no comment from Neha he continued "She has her own life she can be with anyone, love anyone, who am I to judge and beside Rajat – " he stopped. He didn't know how to conclude his sentence. He huffed a long breath.

"Haa! That was quite what I wanted to hear!" Neha spoke astonished. "And it clearly shows how much you hate seeing Priya with Rajat" she laughed.

"Wha—What? What do you think? "He hesitated, "You think I am into Priya? "

"No" Neha replied grinning "I totally know you are into Priya. Every time you see them together you are in a terrible mood."

Ram tried to find words to argue, despite the strange feeling that was igniting in his gut. Everything Neha said made sense. But was he going to admit it?

No.No.No "Listen Neha. I am not into Priya " he hushed his words "and you better not open that big mouth of yours and declare it to the world" Neha knew how Ram was trying his best to hide his feeling but she also knew that eventually, he would let it out. She felt proud of herself for starting this topic.

"Your food is getting cold, "she said changing the topic and padding his shoulder while Ram's face still stood frozen. Neha left to check on the kitchen.

Ram dropped his spoon and took a deep breath, that gut feeling only intensifying. As he heard the melodious laugh of Priya, his heart clenched tightly. At the incredible yet painful sensation, he watched Pihu. She was into her desert. He shot his head back to the table again, and as soon as he saw Priya, his stomach flipped and flipped and again ... His eyes widen in horror...

O, God! He thought. I'm totally in love with her.

THE END!!!