Chapter 11 : Weirdest Patch Up!

Chapter 11 : Weirdest Patch Up!

“What happened?” Neha asked as Priya threw her bike keys into the glass bowl which they used as a key holder, gifting it a scratch at the bottom.

“Nothing!” Priya croaked. “I had a talk with 3 brokers and we are going for a hunt this weekend. Please be free.” She denied speaking further.

“Priya wait!” Neha was faster this time. “Just wait. Ram and Vikram are taking care of it right?”

“What if they were not here?”

“This problem would never have arrived?”

“Would you be able to control your over spoken mouth then?”

“What's wrong with you? I said sorry for the mess. It was you who made me feel better that day and now suddenly I am getting cold vibes from you. This is ridiculous.” Neha sounded pretty disappointed. “And for the weekend. I am free on Sunday. I have plans on Saturday already.”

“Okay then I will go all by myself.” Priya shut the room's door right at Neha's face.

“Priya what is this non sense.” Rebuked Neha after she rushed inside the room. “Is this a way to react? Just that I said...”

Priya cut short Neha with her apologies. “I am sorry Neha. I am flooding you with some other's rage. I am sorry. But please leave me alone, I  will go on my own. If I like any of it I will let you know.”

“But is there any problem if Ram and Vikram find a good stay for us?”

“Let’s help us own. Please leave me alone.” Priya turned to Neha. Their eyes meet only to tell Neha to stay back from her as long as Priya wants. Nodding in acceptance, Neha left the room pulling the door behind. Just after her exit she heard the click when Priya locked the door.

Smelling the odd, Neha walked to the living room and fetched her phone and two hundred rupee notes. Pushing them inside her pajama pockets she called out Priya's name loud. “I will be back in half an hour or quarter more than it. Lock the door.”

On her way down, she called Vikram.

~~

Next Morning.

Lazily Priya opened her eyes to switch of the alarm clock that screamed just near her ears. Looking outside she found dawn to just welcome the new sun. 5:15 am the clock read on her mobile. Sprawling city view was the first thing she saw that morning as she parted the curtains off aside. With her eyes shoot to the aimless distance Priya stood silent and numb at her place with the support of the window ledge while her hands remained folded near her belly. The incident from last night played back into her mind. The flash backs of the photo that she destroyed crumbling it up gave her hallucinations. She could see Ram happily putting the engagement ring on Nisha's ring finger and she reciprocating the same. Soon after imaginary figures appeared without any impressions on their face congratulating the couple for their new life ahead. In between all the flat faces, appeared the lady, who forced her to blink. Involuntary gasp from her parted lips made her come out of the day dream. She found beads of sweat bubbling around her forehead. Priya pressed her palm against the forehead to soak them away. The churn in her stomach reminded her that she didn't have a single bite after lunch since previous day. She badly needed to have food.

In the refrigerator she found a Tupperware lunch box, in which Neha has kept the food for her safe. Re-heating them she quickly finished it to kill the hunger. But even after having the regular sufficient meal, Priya still felt hungry. At first she thought to have a pack of Maggie but she found herself too lazy to make one. May be her hurt heart is taking a charge over all urges. Changing her mind she decided to take a quick shower.

Standing under the running water had always helped her out to wash out the official frustrations that she used to carry back at home. She always felt light after it. But this time it didn't help. She still felt heavy. Her head thumped against the skull. Cutting short the shower she came back and checked the time first. 6:01, her mobile showed. To kill time she opened her laptop and went through the internet searching almost nothing for the dongle gave almost zero speed. “They must be sued for the scam. Charging us huge every month for this nasty service. Everyone is corrupted.” She cursed the system or the service provider it was difficult to say.

Choosing the dress for the day, she sat with her coffee, and kept it ready for Neha in the coffee maker, that Neha bought few days earlier. Sipping to it, she felt a little calmer and light inside her head.

But, she couldn't forget what she saw and couldn't forgive Ram for hiding it from her. Being aware of Neha awake, Priya chose not to speak to her until she was ready for office. She walked out when it was 8:15 am.

“Good Morning!” Neha wished her quiet surprised. “Is there a meeting or conference or a seminar or an event?”

“No. But I have dropped the idea of the house hunt this weekend.” Priya changed the topic as she knew where Neha would lead the conversation to.

“Why? And why are you leaving early?” Neha cleverly took the train of talk back on its desired track.

“I forgot about the Marathon that is scheduled on Sunday and you have pre plans on Saturday. So I will shift it to the next weekend.” Priya said putting on her shoes.

“You are looking different today.” Neha said looking to Priya from head to toe. Priya wore a regular kurti and salwar drowning it with a white churni. There was almost no make up and her hair were held together with a clutches. “Is this a demand from Ram?” she said jocularly.

“What? Do you think I am his slave?” Priya shouted back.

“What happen Priya?” Neha was taken aback with sudden reaction. “I was just joking.”

“Don't joke with me taking his name along.” Priya warned. “Bye!” the door slammed against its ledge reacting to the rough pull that Priya put on it.

“So Madam had a fight! God bless Ram.” Neha said to herself holding the door and looking at Priya who hurried down by the stairs cursing the society people making their last few months stay difficult like hell, when reality was during that time they usually had to wait for the elevator for almost 15 minutes.

~~

Work Place

The first sight of Priya stuck Ram like a thousand watts of current making him forget about the grief that engulfed him after Neha called him to inform about Priya's early leave from home for office. That is another side of her he was absorbing. The casual look that she droned made her more beautiful. The loose fit kurti covered her curves, prominently visible under the formals, which he used to caress everyday with his eyes but she looked all together different that moment. The loose lock that disturbed her while she instructed something to the boy who sat just by her. Every time when she tucked it behind her ears it slipped out troubling her to look straight. That made her look pretty. The way she swung her dupatta back to its position made her look beautiful. The sandals she wore exposed her perfectly manicured feet adorning the French nails. He was consuming her from head to toe silently and peacefully. Just then a voice broke his spell.

“The new girl is really beautiful right?” the coarse voice broke the drill. Unhappy with the comment from a senior Ram turned to Amar Singh Rajput forcing a smile on his face. “She is pretty attractive too.” The senior man prompted again for Priya. That moment Ram wanted to scream into Amar's ears to let him know that Priya is his girl but maintaining the courtesy and to keep the promise he made to Priya he behaved otherwise.

“Sorry Sir.” Ram greeted him only as “Sir” in the whole office. Amar Singh Rajput graduated from Kanpur IIT seven years before Ram enrolled. That makes him Ram's super senior. Though track records, an ace academics, second topper in UP boards, the topper in IIM of his batch and behaviour gave Ram a niche. The grapevines those were taking round lately about Amar to resign if he has to work under Ram sooner or later made him more insecure which was actually the truth.

“I liked her from the day she came for interview.” Amar's words and eyes manoeuvre dirtily over Priya.

“I think there should be a respect you must give to the lady employees. Lately you were inquired about sexual harassment. If you remember.” Ram warned him subtly siting his own sinful examples.

“Come on Ram. Do you think I don't know what is brewing up between her and you. I was not here for Months and you had cleverly hunt down my prey?” Amar’s words made Ram clench his fist. “Well how's she?”

“Mind your tongue! I think a next complain can completely destroy you.” Ram paced out of the place and stopped only when he reached the concourse.

~~

Office Cafeteria

Priya stood up to leave as Ram headed to the table. It was lunch hours and almost most of the employees were present there and with Amar around the employees became more aware to encircle around a table and show their eagerness to learn about the opulent places that he visited during his visit to the foreign land in deputation. Ram and Malhotra along with few others who could be counted on fingers paid no attention to him, but the majority wanted to grab Amar's attention for better.

Priya passed by the crowd, but the human wall kept her away from Amar's eyes. Ram thanked his stars and pawed out of the canteen and followed Priya to the smoking zone which were void of cameras.

“Priya.” Ram clutched her wrist and before she could react or understand she found her pinned against the wall.

“Leave me Ram. Else I will shout.” She warned.

Being on the 6^th floor, they could be hardly be visible to anyone. “Shut up!” Ram pressed his palm against her lips. “Just shut up and listen to me carefully. You dare not visit Amar alone. Dare not.” Ram warned after which he freed Priya from his might. “Just obey me this time.” He bend against the ledge with the help of his elbow.

“What do you think of yourself?” Priya turned Ram to her. “What do you think? Do you think there is a chance of me ditching you for what you did to me?”

“Priya I never ditched you. I never lied to you. I hide a fact that I was engaged.” Ram said looking into her eyes straight.

“Wow!” Priya feigned. “How easy it was for you to say?”

“Yes it is easy for me.” Ram moved closer. “You know why because I have done nothing wrong. Nisha and I were together in IIM, we got placed in the same location we thought we are compatible and I was engaged to her three years back for a mere 2 months. The moment we felt that we are attracted to each other we called it off. But it is no coincidence that the lady you saw related to Nisha shares a flat in the same society. My father bought that flat at the same time, so that the co-parents can stay together while their children would be busy making life out of the town or country. She is Nisha's mother and if you ask about Nisha; she is now married awaiting to welcome her first child which is definitely not mine!” Ram breathed heavy catching up fresh air but kept his gaze fixed over Priya. “Now tell me what else do you want? A DNA test of the unborn child in Nisha's womb who resides at Ottawa!”

“When did I say that?” Priya said looking to the other side.

“No look at me.” Ram turned her to him in a jerk. You shared about your first kiss right? I also kissed and felt Nisha several times. But I never crossed my line and still not!” Ram said. “I am not a jerk who jerks off every then and now! I was with Nisha for three years and two months that’s it and still now we are connected through common friends and IIM alumnus community. We are not even so close friends Priya.” He was angry, but not on Priya but over Amar and self.

“And I dare you, don't visit that lecherous Amar alone. He has his bad eyes over you.” Ram warned her.

“He is boss to everyone. And I have to visit him if he summons me. Bye.” Priya tried to walk away.

“Wait Priya.” The urge in Ram's voice compelled Priya to stop. “You are coming with me today right?”

“Ram. The matter is not Nisha. The matter is not your engagement neither Nisha's mother. It was the truth that you hide from me. It is about the belief and faith a couple shares.” Priya’s eyes got locked under Ram's still gaze. “And if one hides it from another then two things can easily be judged. One, he or she has something to hide that still exists in the present and second, he or she don't trust the partner and one of them has to be true. In our case the second one is applicable. Isn't it?”

“You are mistaking.”

“I need time and Ram stop being insecure.” Priya replied before walking out from the place.

He thought to follow Priya and force her to listen to him but he dropped the idea as the lunch time was about to end soon.

~~  

After Office, Bus Stand.

“One minute!” Supriya asked her husband to stop the bike in front of Priya, who waited for her ride back home at the bus stand. “Hello Ms. Opportunist.” She derided Priya, who was forced to eat her words. “Where is your chauffer or he has got better option?” Supriya looked behind as her husband honked the bike's horn. “One minute darling.” She said to him. “This is the place for people like you but alas you guys will find someone lecherous sooner or later. Hain naa.” Supriya showed Priya her middle finger before leaving. With still Priya in earshot Supriya introduced Priya as a whore to her husband.

Soon after she reached home hiring a cab, few ladies glanced over her like she is an alien. It was rare she drones ethnics, but expression like that was not expected. Being traumatised much by Supriya then by the ladies she decided to walk upstairs. After almost 5 to 7 minutes she reached her flat and pressed the calling bell.

To her surprise Ram opened the door for her. Finding him infront, her darting eyes fell on his appearance. He was still in the same shirt that he wore at office. How edible he looks in rugged hair with that maroon colour shirt her thoughts hammered but fell weak when she donned the rage over again.

“Priya. He is here since an hour.” Neha came dressed.

“Where are you going?” Priya asked coming inside only then she realised that Vikram is also there. He smiled and waved his hand in gesture of hello to her.

“Leaving for a date.” Neha said under her laugh. Putting her watch she pulled Priya to a corner. “I am leaving for you two.” Priya tried to leave in disgust only being stopped by Neha again. “Listen darling. Sort this out. He loves you and I think today you two will cross every limit!” she said grinning ear to ear.

“Will you shut your mouth or you want a tight slap?” Priya feigned.

“Neither. But keep these.” Neha pushed a gift wrapped box into Priya's hand. “I don't think that he has one. Ask him to use it.” Briefing a hug Neha wrapped her hand around Vikram and left closing the door behind, which was later closed  by Ram.

“What she was saying to you?” Ram inquired looking into Priya's hand. “And what she gifted?”

“I don't know. It’s for you. She asked you to use it not me. I am not interested either. I said you to give me time. Please give me time and stop being over possessive.” Priya threw the gift wrapped box towards Ram and walked towards her room.

Out of curiosity Ram unwrapped the box and immediately wrapped it unevenly and sat shocked and embarrassed at the same time.

~~

“Do you want some coffee?” Priya asked when she came out to the living room again. She was dressed in a pink sleeveless tanks and a sorts. When Ram didn't reply she walked towards him and broke his spell. “I asked do you want some coffee?”

“Y..yes.” Ram looked down again.

“What happen? Why you look so red as if you have seen some thing wrong again” Priya stressed every word. “Wait!” she sat by him. “Did you peep in again in my room without my permission?”

“No.” Ram stole his eyes again. “It's your friend who embarrassed me this much!”

“Why? What Neha did?”

“Look at it..” Ram darted his eyes to the gift wrapped box that he left on the table.

“You opened it?” It was easy for Priya to open the unevenly wrapped box. Unwrapping it he eyes rounded and it bobbed out of the shell. Not embarrassed but little uncomfortable with it she threw it to Ram. “It's for you. Don't show me. What I will do with these. And dare you Ram to think about it!”

“Think about what? What kind of friend is she yaar? Who gifts condom to friend's boy friend?” Ram declared hesitatingly.

“She don't have a bad intention. She gifted it me, asked me to tell you to use it.” Priya stomped her feet on the floor. “I should have known what she meant. Shit! Shit! Shit!”

“Give this back to her.” Ram extended that packet to her.

“Wh..why should I?” She asked.

“She gifted you so why should I give her back?”

Mumbling for a while, she spoke. “Ge...get get out!”

“Why?”

“Before you think of using it get out!”

“Wh.what? Why I would think of using it? I am not a man who thinks sex is solution to end every problem.” Ram was shocked with his reply like Priya was. “Di... did I say that?”

“Get out.”

“Yaar I am not thinking anything like that! And I don't need this.” He kept it on Priya’s palm.

“Take this and get out!” Priya pushed Ram to the door. “Out! I know what is going on inside your head.”

“Arey.. I have no such in my head.” Ram fought back but it was too late. Priya succeeded to throw him out of the flat. Closing the door she stood behind it catching up her uneven breath because Priya knew another minute if he remained in front, she would have surrender to his impossible appeal.

Downstairs Ram climbed his car and after driving for a while he opened the window to throw the packet out but on other note he thought otherwise. Ensuring its place in the glove compartment he drove back to his flat.

Until We Meet

Love

NB