Part : 6
He was standing in the deck, with his hands over the railings, looking at the sea. It was eve. The deck was empty. Someone hugged him from behind and kissed him on his cheeks. He smiled and put his hand behind her and pulled her in the front. She was in-between him and railings. He looked at her angelic face; he caressed them with his hand. She smiled at him, enjoying his touch. "I love you Priya" he said. He hugged him lightly "You're my life now" she replied. He raised her chin and kissed her forehead. He cupped her face and lowered his head; she raised her toes to reach him, their lips inches apart. His lips lightly brushed hers. Her hands found his hair.
BANG..!! BANG..!! BANG...!!
Ram woke up with a start. "God what a dream" he whispered. Someone was banging the door, now he knew what woke him up. He felt annoyed. "Don't I have the rights to dream" he muttered and left to open the door. He opened the door with frustration on Kevin, but to his astonishment. Priya stood there smiling at him, carrying a tray with coffee. She was in a white salwar looking like a queen. That was the first time he saw her in salwar. He looked at her, lost in her beauty. "Good morning" she greeted him. "Ya good morning Priya, come in na" he opened the door for her to enter. She entered with the tray; he closed the door behind them. He saw her hair, which fell like cascades, she looked irresistible. "Err..! Priya where's Kevin?" He asked. She poured the coffee and looked at him."Why shouldn't I have coffee with you" she asked. "Nooo I didn't mean like that, of course you can" he smiled. "Ok now brush your teeth and be back" she ordered. "Yes mam" saying he left to the restroom. He stood in front of the sink and closed his eyes. The dream was maddening him. He longed for it to be true. "Ram what would Priya think if she knows your imaging such things" he scolded himself. He remembered Priya waiting outside and hurried.
Priya set the two cups of coffee in the table and sat in the chair. Her mind was full. There were lots to do today. "Ok today I going to know myself if Ram gives me more importance. If he accepts and come with me, then what Ma told would be right, that I am special to him" she thought to herself and smiled. "Hello madam" Ram called and settled himself opposite to her. He looked like a cute teddy in his white kurta. She smiled seeing him. "What's so funny?" he asked. "Nothing you look sinfully very cute" she replied. He blushed at her compliment "thanks yaar" he replied and sipped his coffee. "Ram any plans today?" she asked. "Whatever you say?" he replied. "Ok so you're sure you will do whatever I say" she asked hiding a grin. "I smell something evil" he replied. "Ok fist tell me what is today" she asked. "Monday" he replied. "err..!! I knew you wouldn't know it. Today is holi" she said smiling. "Oh..!! I don't like it much" he said making a face. "Well I know that Ma told me, but no excuses today you are coming with me, the whole ship is playing" she insisted. He nodded no. "Please Ram. At 11 all are going to play with colour, I would love to play with you" she begged. "Sorry Priya its hard for me to deny to you, but I have no other go. I can't play" he said. She looked at him disappointed. "Fine" she snapped and got up to leave. He sighed as he heard the door bang.
She sat on the bench thinking about their morning convo. She felt dejected. Tears welled her eyes "Priya why do you want to be special to him? Are you in love?" she asked herself. Her heart answered "yes" but her mind said "no"."No I can't be" she told herself firmly ."Aunty" the small boy came running to her. "Hello baby" she said and hugged him. "Come let's play na" he asked. "Aunty is not in mood. I will see you play" she replied. "Please aunty. Please" the boy asked. "Come-on champ, let us play, you will play with me na" a voice called from behind. Priya turned to see Ram looking at her lovingly. He was in a white shirt and white trousers. Tears from her eyes found their ways to her nose. She rubbed them. "Shall we play" Ram asked looking at both of them. "come-on uncle lets go" the boy called. Ram took the boy in one hand and extended the other to Priya "satisfied" he asked. "Thanks" she said and took his hand. "Don't be, you pushed me, I can't see you like this for 3 months so I had to come" he complained. She laughed. They went to the centre where all people where gathered. Ram set the boy on foot. The holi colours were kept in small bowls here and there. Priya took it full in both her hands and Ram followed her. Everybody in the ship including the foreigners was in white, ready to play. All were waiting for the announcement to be given. "Let the game begin" Captain Mark's voice yelled. Priya looked at Ram who was standing near her. He looked at her. "Should I really" he asked. "You are playing" she cut in. She took her hand to his cheeks as he closed his eyes, as if someone was going to feed him poison. Her smooth fingers rubbed his cheeks. He was able to feel her hands on his cheeks; nothing else seemed too mattered him. His hands which where clutched into a fist with the colours released. The colours fell down. His hands found hers, which was on his cheeks. He took her hands and placed it on his chest, his gaze never leaving her. She looked at him stunned. He smiled and rubbed the colour remaining in his hands on her cheeks. She closed in excitement. Soon both of them were drenched in colours. The little Ram came with a water gun splashing colours all over them. First time Ram realized that Holi was a festival to be enjoyed. More than all he felt happy seeing her happy.
