Chapter 8 : The First Date

Chapter 8: The First Date!!

“So you at last you declared it to her.” With a satisfying smile and just made drink in his hand Vikram said to Ram, who was still in the kitchen.

“Yes. I have.” Ram said walking out with a hot bowl of just prepared curry. Placing it on the dinning table; he took off the kitchen apron, “And you and Neha blundered our moment just on time.”

“I and Neha?” he asked pretty curiously, putting the glass on the table he leaned forward with hands clasped against eachother. “And exactly how?”

“She would have confessed her love for me too. But that moment you guys buzzed in.” Ram complained.

“She doesn't express her love for you?” Amazed at Ram’s revelation Vikram sat straight. His expression was hard to read. He is looking like a man with two facets. One part of him wanted to cry down him other part was supressing the laugh under his gasps.

“Why are you giving me confusing looks?” Displeased by his friend's reaction he retorted. Just after Ram paused; Vikram laughed out loud. “Is there any comedy show going around?” asked Ram.

“You have given her an upper hand my dear friend.” Under his laugh Vikram said.

“Thank for your comments. But no thanks. I know how to tackle my girl.” Annoyed Ram replied.

“My Girl?” Vikram sat shell shocked.

“Now one more time you sound like a sadist, I will never mind to throw you off from the top floor of this building.” Said Ram gritting every word under his teeth.

Vikram maintained peace knowing any further attempted humorous deception will make thing go worse for him. Sinking on the couch he looked at his friend before sipping his drink.

“You will come with me tomorrow and be obedient friend of mine.” Announcing Ram looked at Vikram for a positive answer only. Knowing the same the latter one shook his head in confirmation.

“Good.” Ram replied.

“When I have to come with you?” asked Vikram.

“11 am will be perfect. As much I know her, tomorrow being the holiday she will sleep till 10 or 10:30 am so 11 makes sense. 11 confirm and put a stamp on it.” Ram confirmed. Again nodding his head in affirmation Vikram continued to concentrate on his liquor.

Next Morning 11: 15 am

Priya looked at her messy self reflected on the mirror and even messier friend seated on the bed with her chin resting on the right palm. “What??” exclaimed Priya to reply Neha’s interrogative expression. “Haven't you done this before?”

“Yes I have.” Neha stood up placing the hair straighteners on the bed. “But you never took so much time in front of a mirror. This bothers me; your reverse behaviour.”

“Is it a crime to pamper oneself?” Priya checked herself again.

“How many times? I am hungry.” Neha said.

“Go and help yourself. I will have a satisfying bathe. Then you will help me with my hair. Got it!” Ordered Priya.

“Yes Madam. Now may I have some food?” folding her hands in front Neha pleaded.

With a smirk Priya mocked softly on Neha’s hand and went inside the washroom. When Neha came back to the living room her smile arched back to dissatisfaction. She hurried to the phone which survived a dive into the carpet from the table. It was still alive and vibrated insanely. Thanks to the brand.

“Hello” she answered.

“7 times; I was calling you since ages Neha.” Ram scolded from the other side. “Now tell me where is Priya?” he asked.

“Priya is in... Wait where are you?” Neha asked back preventing herself from answering.

“Who came first? I so answer me first.” Ordered Ram, “And be quick.”

“Why?”

“Okay open the door.”

“You are outside our flat and calling me?” Neha said while opening the door. “Vikram you are too.” She screamed at their face almost.

“Shhhh..” gaging her with his palm pressed against her mouth Ram pushed Neha in. Moving back he ordered Vikram to take her for a date.

“What date? I am not going anywhere.” Shrugging off Neha declared.

“You are. Vikram take her away. I want some lone time with Priya.” Ram behaved normal.

“O hello!” Neha stood in front with her hand against her hips. “Lone time? Do you want us to get kicked by the society people?”

“No one is going to kick you darling trust me.” Ram said with an anomaly smirk.

“Neha come na, they will have their time. We will have ours.” Vikram made a cute face like a kid of two years.

“Sabbash mere sher; great going my boy” Ram flattered Vikram with a pat.

“We? Where are we? And I am in pajamas Vikram!” denied Neha going out.

“Come with me.” Grabbing Neha by her hand Vikram took her outside asking Ram to close the door. He smiled looking the prospective couple while closing it. He made sure no one could ever know about his staying back at Priya’s flat. He definitely didn't want to disturb her peace.

“Where we will go?” Neha scolded Vikram, “And I don't want to come along with a boy who don't even have guts to express his feelings about his liking.”

“You are still angry with me about it!” Vikram said pouting. Holding his ears he continued, “Sorry. Please don't spoil our first date.”

It was hard for Neha to hold back her smile. With no lift man appointed, the elevators of their society are called a secret place of doing unwanted activities. Even she heard few of the aunties to address it as sex chamber. Having heard that she tried to guess how a couple can complete the cycle within a matter of seconds. Even a super fit professional will fail in this. When she just touched Vikram’s hand the elevator door opened and few aunties of that floor walked in. One of them was accompanied by a little boy. Rudely she covered the boy's eyes with half of her palm and the other half made him struggle to breathe.

“Didi he can't breathe. We are not practicing Kamasutra here. It takes time.” Neha whispered but with the intention of reaching it to her ears.

“This society is ruined by these kind of girls. Jaha dekho waha shuru ho jatein hain; they can get turned on at any place.” The lady cocked away her face.

“Oh! AUNTY!!” Neha held back Vikram’s hand and voiced, “What I did? I touched his arm only did I climbed him? Or was he penetrating inside me?”She shocked everyone present.

“Ram Ram Ram Ram...” the lady chanted some sacred mantras to keep evil away from her and her boy. “I am going to complain to the secretary today. He will throw you shameless girls out from here.” She cursed Neha when Vikram forced her to come along. Quickly signing on the visitors register he smiled to the security tapping twice on the register (bribed by Ram the security will do the needful with the out time against Ram’s name). He felt the ladies from the elevator following them. Stopping Neha from creating chaos he apologized to them and pulled her out from the scene.

“Why you apologized to them?” Neha was certainly unhappy with Vikram’s reaction.

“You want to spoil their and our day?” He asked mentioning Ram and Priya and them. “You have already given them enough; it will take some good amount of time for her to recover.”

“As if her husband gave her all the pleasures and made her pregnant masturbating only.” Neha sounded upset, “I don't understand why people are so conserved about having friends of opposite sex? They frame the boys a pervert and girl as..” Vikram completed her sentence stopping her, “Slut?”

“No...” Neha responded, “Don't consider them to be such darlings. They label us as whores.” Disgusted Neha replied.

“I love you.” Vikram said suddenly.

“What???” Neha looked aside bemused. “What did you say?”

“I love you.”

Neha kept her eyes fixed on Vikram for next several minutes to figure out if she really heard it or she was day dreaming from hunger. “Okay.” She replied sitting straight on the seat. “I am hungry.” She behaved reverse to her nature, calm and content. “I need to eat to figure out what you said right now.”

It was not the first time for Vikram he is dating a girl. Unlike Ram, he dated three girls starting from college to the girl residing opposite to his flat. But he also felt a nervous humidity around. He accelerated.

~~

Priya’s Apartment

After checking the living room and two empty bedrooms, Ram decided to settle down in the room where he spotted Priya’s hand bag that she carries to office daily. Stretching his legs forward he supported body weight on his hands. He sat there admiring the decor of the room whereas he felt that Priya is one of the most unorganized people he ever meet.

Not even a minute passed when Priya stepped out of the wash room. Her hair wrapped in a blue towel is stacked over her head. Though she wore a loose top reaching till her thighs making her bum invisible, he can easily guess that she has no inner over her skin. He tried not to look towards her. Cursing himself Ram tried to move, the scrunch on the bed sheet made Priya aware with the presence of another person in her room. She screamed to the top notch finding Ram there.

“Get Out!!” Priya shouted.

“Shhhh... I am sorry. How do I know you will come out half naked?” Ram gave excuse.

“Really? This is my bed room. What ever I want and the way I want I will be. You get lost from here.” She replied from behind the curtain, which she used to cover her appearance from him.

“Okay okay I am going out. Don't shout yaar.”

“I will kill you if you don't move out right now.” Priya warned. Without taking any more risk Ram stepped out of the room. He turned after Priya shut the door close behind him with a thud sound. Stirred he gulped some water that lay on the table.

“How dare you come inside my bedroom?” Priya asked rushing towards Ram after ten minutes almost. Water was dripping from her hair; other difference he noticed was her attire. She wore her inner and a shorts under the loose fit t-shirt. “Neha... Neha...” she walked towards the other room only to find it empty. “Where is Neha?” asked Priya.

“Calm down. Calm down.” Ram stood up and walked towards her.

“Where is she?”

“She is on her first date.” Ram smiled putting the wet strand of hair behind Priya’s ear. “Stop pretending that you are mad over me.”

With her eyes aimed to some other direction she tried to move. Ram synchronised his steps with hers causing trouble to her to move out. “Now what?” she scorned.

“You look beautiful in your anger.” He smiled.

“Stop smiling like an idiot!” she frowned, “You have spoiled my plan. Now I have to spend few bucks in a beauty parlour. I hate beauty parlours.” Stomping her feet on floor she expressed her agony.

“What did you say? You don't like what?” Ram expressed his bemused state. “Did you mention Beauty Parlour?”

“Yes I did!! What's the big deal in it!!” shrugging off her shoulders she stood straight.

“I couldn't thank my destiny enough. My girl friend doesn't like beauty parlour. What can be more interesting?” he smiled to himself.

“Girl Friend? Who Girl Friend?” Priya asked.

“You who else?”

“I hate that word. Dare you take it again.” Warned Priya.

“Okay so you suggest what I should name our relationship?” Ram sat back.

“We can be partners!” Priya opened the refrigerator. “Shit now I have to make breakfast? You spoiled my holiday Ram!!”

“What did you say?” his lips arched into a broad smile as she ended. Realising her mistake she remembered their conversation from the last night. “What did you say?” Ram stood behind her as he repeated his query.

“I need to make breakfast.” She failed to move out from his strong arms which were wrapped around her then. “Please leave me.” She requested.

“Do I look like a mad?” Ram asked pulling her closer. “I won without even trying. Do you realise that?” He traced his eyes to hers, which fixed its gaze to the floor. “Look at me Peaches.” His sweet voice shivered Priya at her place.

“Leave me.”

“I will. Once you say who am I for you that you have expectation from me?” He asked trying to make her look at him. She dodged his gaze looking to the opposite side. “Nahi bologi. Will you?” Ram felt her gasping. “I am making this easy for you Peaches. Look at me.” Holding her chin when he pushed her face up to him, Priya has shut her eyes tight. Her irregular breathes implicated the tension that build inside her. Placing a feathery kiss on her forehead Ram took a step back. She surrendered. Throwing her into a deep hug she whispered her heart out to him, “I love you Ram. I love you.” She made her grip tighter around his neck till he slid his hands around her waist. Pulling her into embrace they stood in silence enjoying the love blossomed.

Coming out from the embrace Ram took Priya’s face between his hands. His twinkling eyes hinted her about the next move. Tilting his face he moved near until he felt her warm uneven breathes on his face. Smiling a little he reached for her cheeks. Tracing his lips against it he placed feathery kisses on her ear lobes. Priya shivered at her place when Ram softly kissed her collar bone. He felt her tight fist against his t-shirt. Their eyes meet eachothers gaze when Ram came in front. He felt her to gulp air in throat.

Ram felt her hand griping his hairs in a fist. Supporting her nape, he took her lips into a consuming kiss. They explored each other’s sweet nectar till need of fresh air alarmed them. With their hands laced with one another they stood with their forehead against eachother.

“Why you call me peaches?” Priya broke the silence. Smiling to her, Ram took her in a deep embrace. Absorbing the essence of that moment he stood content.

“Because you are as lovely and sweet like it.” Kissing Priya’s forehead Ram smiled to her.

“But still!” Priya played with the hem of his t-shirt, “My holiday is ruined. I convinced Neha after a great struggle to help me in straightening my hair. Now you send her out.”

“So what I will help you. I am at your service.” Ram offered to help.

“Thanks but no thanks. I love my hair. I don't want it to get destroyed.” Refuted Priya.

“So what is the plan?”

“Nothing.” Pushing Ram back Priya turned her back to him.

Hugging her from behind, Ram rested his chin on her shoulder, “I have a better plan.”

“What?”

“Remember our incomplete date?” with Ram saying Priya turned to him. Now he rests his hands around her shoulder straight. “Date?”

“Not a bad idea Mr. Kapoor.”

“Not again.”

“I am joking!” pulling his nose she said, “My impatient Foxy.”

“Now what was that?” asked Ram when Priya started moving away.

“Nothing. It just came impromptu. I am coming in 10 minutes.” She turned.

“Do you need any help?”

“No my foxy!! I can help myself.”

Scratching his head Ram took his seat on the couch. Picking up the newspaper he turned to the second page, to his left advert of the marathon event adorned the whole page. He definitely hates walking, but Malhotra forcibly put his name in the management team. Looking to his right, he started absorbing the important news. A minute after, his phone rang. His smile broadened before taking the call.

“Bhai I need your help!” from other side Natasha almost jumped into Ram.

“Okay okay. I will but what is the matter?” asked Ram.

“Why don't you get married?”

“What!!” Ram sat straight. “Why you want me to get married?” he gestured Priya who stood there in her most casual attire not to voice. “Is there anything going back at home that I don't know?” He called Priya near waving his hand.

“No in Mumbai.”

“Choti what is going on?” Ram asks concerned.

“Bhai, I said everything to Maa yesterday about him. We want to settle down. We want to get married but mom wants you to get married first.” Natasha said sadly.

“Choti I am not getting married to get you married but I will speak to Mom Dad about this matter. By the way what he does?” asked Ram after affirming his sister.

“Job obviously, a great one. He is very sweet. We meet in a cafe and you know there is a click which I waited for.” Natasha sounded very happy.

“How long you two know eachother?” asked Ram.

“Three months.”

“And you want to get married so soon?” Ram stood at his placing feeling awful. “Isn't it so quick?”

“Bhai we love eachother.”

“Choti does anything happened that you are in hurry? You can share it with me.” Ram looked worried.

“No bhai nothing happened and what made you think all those.” Natasha felt her voice to stammer.

“Choti what is the matter?”

“Nothing bhai. I just want to get married. He wants to get married. That's it.” Natasha fumed.

“I am not convinced but okay I will speak to Mom Dad about you. But you are an adult now, at least you should have learned about protections before doing all those.” Ram sighed.

“Bhai you are too much. You are not speaking to your brother; I am your sister.” Uneasiness reflected in her voice.

“Okay Time out. I will speak to mom dad happy?” Ram smiled. Happily Natasha disconnected the call.

“Your sister?” Priya asked.

“Yes and she is in love.” Ram looked down, “You know when she was a little kid of 5 I was in Standard VI” He laughed while sharing his childhood, “She used to ask me what I will do when she will find her prince? And my answer used to be I am the only Prince and there will be no one.” With a deep sigh he continued, “And see she has her prince charming.”

“Come-on be happy she is in love.” Priya moved closer to him.

“I am happy but worried too” Ram replied, “The way she sounded I think something is wrong. I feel she is pregnant.”

“What?”

“Why she is in hurry to marry?”

“You are feeling that she is pregnant because she is in hurry to get married?” asking Priya clasped her hand against her head “Suppose if I wish to get married you will think that I am pregnant?”

“How can you be pregnant?” Ram asked making a child like face.

“Am I a guy?”

“No.”

“Don't tell me you have superpowers to carry baby in your tummy.” Priya teased Ram.

“I never thought all these yaar.” Ram stood up in dejection.

“Even I never thought I will end up kissing you after I saw you staring at half naked me. Those are moments yaar. But why I am talking all these? Look Ram she is in love and every person has a different perspective of looking towards a relationship. You, your sister, I everyone. Don't jump into any conclusions. This can effect us also.” Resting her head on Ram’s back she whispered, “I love you Ram.”

“I love you too...” Ram smiled turning to her, “Let’s go.”

~~

Connaught Place, New Delhi

“Tell me something about your family.” Ram asked putting spoonful of rice in his mouth and making things little difficult for her.

“There is nothing such special. Baba is a retired public servant, Maa is homemaker and my younger brother lives in Mumbai and if there is someone to mention is my elder brother, he is a big shot name in his field. He is a surgeon.” There was no enthusiasm in her voice as she continued; the response came in the dullest manner.

“And then you.” Ram broke her thought.

“Haan..” she smiled, under her deep sigh Priya continued, “Yeah! Me the rebel.”

“Aren't they happy with you?”

“I don't know Ram. What I know is....” Priya paused for next several seconds. She remembered her aunt’s advice to share every event of her life honestly with Ram. Differing from her advice she wanted to wait and let the relationship grow strong. “I don't know Ram. Can we discuss something else?”

“It reflects that you have an authoritative family.” Ram sighed. He slid Priya’s hand on his making the grip strong against them he said, “I am born to a family who never asked me to do what they want. I did and continue to do what I want. I moved out of the country they never complained. They wanted me to get married; I denied again they showed as if they have no issues. But you know they have. They really do. Some parents show their concern some don't. That doesn't mean they don't love us.” He smiled as Priya looked at him.

“Chalo we will go for shopping. You will feel good.” Ram smirked before calling the staffer of the cafe for bill.

“Why Shopping?”

At first Ram struggled to answer, after few seconds he smiled and answered, “You will feel good.”

“Good.” She asked, “You think shopping will lift up my mood?”

“Yeah! I mean all my married or committed friends used to say this...” he answered only to find Priya smiling in disbelief.

“You mentioned about your previous girl friend. Was she like this?” maintaining a pleasant smile  Priya asked.

“She was not my girl friend and I was not in a relationship with her.” Ram cleared the confusion.

“Then how did you learn to kiss?”

“Is it...” after a loud start to his answer he whispered the last few words, “something to learn.”

“Obviously! I mean I kissed Amit two times, but what I am trying to mean is the spark that I felt today with you, I never felt with him.”

“Because you love me.”

“Okay.” Priya stood after Ram. He weaved his hands with her while she spoke, “But how you became such a passionate kisser?”

“I don't want to undress my despicableness on our first date and will love to continue convincing you with the charade of being a gentleman, Ma’am I want to gift you something.” Ram said pulling him closer, “I can demonstrate you later how wild I am.” He winked.

“Keep your wild dreams in you pocket Mr. Ram Kapoor.” She replied, “But I really don't need any new apparel now.”

“Are you really a woman or a something else in the jacket of woman?” Ram traced his hands along an imaginary figurein the air as he said.

“After having an eyeful feast of me this morning you think so?” Priya asked naughtily.

“I didn't see anything.” Ram defended.

“I never came under the scanner of a boy before today.” Said Priya.

“I am not a boy.” Ram protested.

“Oh!!” she scoffed. “Now I get it Mr. Kapoor what you ...” clearing her throat she smiled hysterically.

“Oh hello!” The hubbub inside the mall suppressed his loud voice. “I didn't mean that!” he whispered.

“What did I mean?”

“You meant man.... boy... I know what you mean!” Ram felt nervousness under his stammer.

“You are too cute..” Clinging to Ram, Priya pulled his cheek. “Now if you really want to gift me something, buy me a beautiful saree.”

Ram’s face lit up with a bright smile. “I know a good shop here and reason is my mom before you grill me again. Come.”

~~

It was 7:00 pm when Ram and Priya came back to the latter’s flat. With a dull and tensed face Neha opened the door. Vikram was also waiting there.

“Hey..” Priya’s approach went unanswered. She knew some bad news is waiting for her. “What happened?” without wasting time she asked.

“We are going to be homeless.” Neha started crying.

“What!!!” Priya screamed in disbelief.

Until we meet.

Love

NB