TDT-2 Update 8

Update 8

Ram drove that big beautiful machine with a smile…he just could not get her out of his mind…her smile, her face, her hair..he was awestruck..

Ram thinks…Ram Kapoor what is wrong with you? You met her today and you cannot think of anything else..

Priya walks back into her bedroom…she kept watching the black Mercedes drive away…why did he leave so soon?

I wanted to ask him so much…but just could not bring myself to talk to him. What is wrong with me? She sat down in front of the huge dressing table and took off those beautiful earrings..she looked different..mmm how? But yes, something was different..she looked nice..did he notice that?

Priya changed and sat down on her bed- her mind went back to seeing him- handsome, flowers in his hand, they seemed to connect- it felt like they did not have to say anything.

Ram reached the hotel..he changed into his trademark white kurta pyjama…opened the French windows..he wished he could speak to her..hear her voice just once..Oh! he forgot to talk to her about her book! He decided that he had to talk to her right away – he looked for her number and dialled…eager to hear her..

Priya’s phone flashed…it was Ram.

Priya: Hello..

Ram: Hi Priya..it’s me- Ram

Priya : smiles, mm pata hai..we just met!

Ram: Yeah we did…just called to say…mmm I love your books- you are an amazing writer..have read all of them..

Priya: (embarrassed) Er thanks Ram..yeh kehne ke liye aapne phone kiya ?

Ram: Well, yes…actually no..yeah one of the reasons..Ram is literally kicking himself..what is wrong with you Ram…God you sound like an awkward teenager.

Priya: Well??

Ram: Mmmm Priya..( thinking of the first thing that comes to his mind) I am sort of new to this place..I was wondering if you could tell me about some places I could probably visit..

Priya: sure I will Ram..

Ram: (enthusiastically) Great! Just great… see you tomorrow then..

Priya: Good night…

Ram : good night Priya..thinking will I be able to sleep tonight?

The first rays of the sun slowly falls on the sleepy valley..Ram who usually loves to sleep wakes up and goes straight to the window..opens the curtains…he sees her…Priya..she is jogging..

Ram thinks..Oh my God it is Priya..she is so graceful…Ram..why the hell did you sleep so long? Should have gone for a walk…well that was not to be..she would be miles ahead by the time he reaches downstairs.. He sighs and goes to take a shower…

Priya jogs with her ipod playing a soothing Clementi sonatina…an odd combination..people listen to fast songs while exercising..but she was not like the others…she loved the finer nuances in life!

She jogs along and sees Hotel Carlton- her thoughts fly to Ram- so dignified, suave..totally unassuming…he stayed at the Carlton…wonder if he was awake!

Ram got dressed in cream casual trousers, a nice brown shirt…a cream jacket thrown casually over his shoulders should the weather turn cold,  and brown shoes. He took more care than usual..generously splashed after shave on his cheeks and sprayed his favourite perfume….he was all set…to meet her..

Priya came down after a nice shower having changed into a powder blue chiffon saree , minimal make-up and jewellery..she looked calm and beautiful.

Sudhir and Shipra were surprised to see their daughter ready so early..

Sudhir: Priya, tum aaj bahar jaa rahi ho kahin? I thought you were going to stay at home.

Shipra: Haan, tumne kahaa na beta that you would spend time at home..

Priya: smiles..haan but Ram wanted some help around in Kodaikanal tho…

Shipra raises her eyebrows and looks at Sudhir..

Priya tries to sound very casual but her heart is pounding.. her eyes keep darting to see the black Mercedes..

And it comes….. Ram sees the vision in blue…God she took his breath away..

He walks coolly to the threesome….his eyes fixed on Priya.

He smiles..Priya thinks…his smile does something to me…

She smiles back at him..he feels as if air just got sucked out of his lungs..

He joins them at the lawn..Priya quietly hands him a cup of adrak wali chai..

Ram: How did you know?

Priya: what?

Ram: that it is my favourite! Thank you..mmmm smells good.

Priya: Would you like to have breakfast Ram?

Ram: No Priya..I’d rather get going if you don’t mind…have a meeting with my estate agent in the afternoon.

Ram: Priya…chalein?

Priya: yes, will just be back..

He says I will wait..he thanks Sudhir and Shipra and goes to his car and waits patiently.

Priya rushes into her room, checks her hair and takes her purse and gets ready to go.

Ram leans on the passenger door..waiting for her to come…and she does…Ram can’t help stare..she surely is a sight for sore eyes!!! Her chiffon saree hugs her slender frame lovingly..Silky waist-length hair – Ram’s hands itch to run his fingers through them! As she turns to wave to her parents Ram notices her beautiful back…his heart pounds…He tells himself to keep his roving eyes to himself…God she is killing me!!!

Priya walks upto to the car…Ram has the passenger door open for her..she thanks and gets in..the gentle breeze blows and her silky hair brushes his face..was that bliss? Ram…you need to stay alive to drive the car..he carefully shuts the door checking if her saree is not caught..he walks over to the driving seat..as he clicks on the seat-belt..his hand accidently brushes hers..there is an immediate rush- he feels as if an electric current just passed through…he apologises and concentrates on reversing the car out of the drive-way!

Priya feels that touch too…God! What was that? An accidental brush of his hands- definitely not a deliberate attempt..but it evokes all sorts of reactions…she nods at his ‘sorry’ and turns away as if it didn’t matter…but unknown to her Ram just saw her clenched fists…

Ram was confused…Priya was quiet, her fist was clenched..was she angry?

He wants so much to hear her voice…he says..Priya??

Priya: mmm

Ram: Music??

Priya smiles…

Ram switches on the car stereo… sounds of piano fills the space transporting them to a different world..

Priya smiles….Humoresque??

Ram looks at her with surprise…Do you like Western classical music?

Priya smiles: Ram I like good music- doesn’t matter if it western or Indian..kya farak padta hai? Just cannot listen to heavy metal rock..the kind of music my brother Karthik listens to!!

Ram laughs loudly: Oh that is great…I love all kinds of music as well and yes Natasha loves rock music…I simply don’t have the ear for that!!! We are similar in a lot of ways!!

Priya raises her eyebrows..Ram just smiles and says Ok Priya tell me where we are headed now..

Priya: Ram.. I don’t know if you are religious…there is this beautiful temple called the Kurinji Andavar temple…it is a very peaceful place..we could go there if you like…

Ram: Sure Priya…I have a lot to thank Him for…smiles.

They visit the beautiful temple…so serene and peaceful….

Priya stands with her eyes closed in prayer..

Ram prays too- God I don’t know what this is…but I want to see Priya happy always…please keep her happy always…I have everything I need..give her my share of happiness too!

Priya prays…God…this man has so much honesty in him..he is such a wonderful person..hope he is always happy in life…give him my share of happiness too!

They leave the temple in silence..eyes speak volumes…there is a lot of tension in the air..but a nice kind of tension. As she is about to get into the car..she almost bangs her head on the roof of the car…but there is something soft…Ram has his hand to shield her from getting hurt..

Priya….sambhalke..

Priya: thanks Ram…thinks…how thoughtful he is!!!

Ram: Ok madam…I have heard about this place Coaker’s walk…can we go there for a stroll?

Priya: yes Ram..it is a nice place…

They park their car outside Coaker’s walk and start strolling…

Both walk in silence…sometimes words simply do not do justice to the beautiful moments…

Ram thinks….Anmol pal…totally precious moments…special moments…she walks a little ahead and her pallu flies and brushes his face and with it is the whiff of a special fragrance- unique to her..Ram is totally mesmerised…he takes the pallu from his face and gives it back to her..

Priya is embarrassed..she holds it tight with her right hand.. His presence affects her…Priya thinks..God I have met so many people in my life…but why does Ram disturb me so much…he smells great by the way her mind tells her..and she tries shushing her mind to focus on the walk…

The regular walkers stop to look at this beautiful couple…they have seen Priya..they know her..but who is this handsome man? The women can’t help ogling at him…absolutely handsome…casual yet trendy clothes- extremely classy..they envy this woman with him…she looks gorgeous too- how beautiful they looked together…he was tall, dark, handsome..a little heavy set but who cared? The best thing was that both these people were not even aware of how they looked!!

It seemed the whole world was happy for these two people- most certainly the Rain God had plans to make mischief!!

So, without warning huge raindrops started falling…Ram instinctively put his palm above her head…well it was not as big as an umbrella was- but it took Priya by surprise! She laughed and both started walking really quick…back to the car literally running for cover…the rain God was not yet done..her saree was wet and started clinging..Priya was feeling cold now…

Ram saw her shiver..quietly took off his coat and put is over her shoulders…but not before catching his breath..he was attracted to her…he got into the car..turned on the heater and the car stereo..while both of them enjoyed watching the rains….

rimjhim gire sawan, sulag sulag jaaye mann

bhige aaj iss mausam me, lagee kaisee yeh agan

rimjhim gire sawan

jab ghunghru see bajatee hain bunde

armaan hamare palke na munde

kaise dekhe sapne nayan, sulag sulag jaaye mann

bhige aaj iss mausam me, lagee kaisee yeh agan

rimjhim gire sawan

His mind kept wandering to her silky hair on his face…her fragrance..just her presence in his life..his mind was building a life in his dreams…he wanted to capture this moment forever..

mehfil me kaise keh de kisi se

dil bandh raha hai kis ajnabee se

haye kare abb kya jatan, sulag sulag jaye mann

bhige aaj iss mausam me, lagee kaisee yeh agan

rimjhim gire sawan, sulag sulag jaye mann

bhige aaj iss mausam me, lagee kaisee yeh agan

rimjhim gire sawan

Ram knew he was getting attracted to Priya….big time!! But he was here as Natasha’s brother..how could he tell her that he was getting attracted to her? What if she did not feel the same way about him?

Priya feels Ram’s presence…his coat..his fragrance..it clouds her mind…her cheeks brush the soft material of his coat….what is this feeling? Something new…something scary..but nice… she always loved rain…but what was special today? His palm over her head? Did it mean something?

Pahale Bhii Yuu.N To Barase The Baadal,
Pahale Bhii Yuu.N To Bhiigaa Thaa Aa.Nchal
Ab Ke Baras Kyuu.N Sajan, Sulag Sulag Jaae Man
Bhiige Aaj Is Mausam Me.N, Lagii Kaisii Ye Agan
Rim-Jhim Gire Saavan

Is Baar Saavan Dahakaa Huaa Hai, 
Is Baar Mausam Bahakaa Huaa Hai
Jaane Piike Chalii Kyaa Pavan, Sulag Sulag Jaae Man
Bhiige Aaj Is Mausam Me.N, Lagii Kaisii Ye Agan
Rim-Jhim Gire Saavan

Ram started driving the car… he switched off the music..the only sounds were from the windscreen wiper and sounds of thudding of their hearts…something  had changed between the two of them…there was some kind of awareness of the situation…but both did not want to acknowledge it…..