Update 10
Ram spent a busy afternoon looking at
properties…his mind kept going back to his time with Priya.
Ram: (thinking) I came here for a
reason…came to look at some estates and a good house to buy and here I
am-absolutely feeling scatter-brained…the only thing I can think about is
Priya…her face, her hair, her smile..I will go crazy!!
The estate agent was in a fix…Mr Kapoor
was a very important client..he seemed to be very pre-occupied. Looked as if he
was not interested in any of the estates and properties that he showed
him…there was just one left…nestled in the woods..not many takers for that
one..
Ram looked at the house- Glendale…the
entrance had a long drive-way with Eucalyptus trees on either side..the house-
White..a colonial structure..very elegant..huge creepers with beautiful roses
in full bloom on either side of the porch. There was something very regal about
the place…fit for a queen…fit for HIS queen! Lovely manicured lawns…Ram could
visualise a swing set there…he looked pleased at the exterior.. the house did
not disappoint him at all- very spacious, lot of rooms to accommodate his
entire family and friends..
The master bedroom had huge French
windows overlooking the back gardens and the valley..it was breath-taking. It
had a view of the Bear Shola falls… quiet and serene…far from the maddening
crowd.
Ram knew this was what he wanted! The
agent was extremely pleased to have stuck this deal. He promised all paper-work
would be taken care of and that he would inform Ram of the registration date.
He realised that the purpose of his
visit to Kodaikanal was over. He got what he wanted…or had he?
Ram spent the rest of the evening alone
in his hotel room doing his office work..but mind very restless. He had to see
Priya…tell her how he felt..but one part of him was worried- she was known to
be a very reclusive person- she was beautiful, dignified and they shared a
beautiful friendship..it was a very new relationship. What if his confession
hurt her? He did not want to lose her.
He decided finally to meet her in the
morning and speak to her ..
Priya could not sleep…visions of Ram
she saw in her dream when he came and said ‘I am going to marry you’ kept flashing before her… She paced about her room
restlessly. Ram’s cologne disturbed her.
Priya: (thinking) Priya….you better
sleep now..how can you let someone whom you have just met disturb you so much?
Yes, he is nice..but what if doesn’t feel the same way about you?
Priya kept looking at her phone…hoping
to hear from him..something…atleast a hi..with great difficulty she resisted
the temptation to call him to find out how he was doing.
Priya fell asleep in the early hours of
morning….dreams of the handsome man in coat disturbed her endlessly.
Ram woke up by 5… he had barely slept
anyway..how could he? He could not think of anything but Priya.. he dressed in
jeans and a red turtle neck sweater and decided to go for a walk..well if a
certain Ms Sharma came, he would have to jog besides her..
Ram thought…uff all that gym equipment
in his house..he had barely used them..He wished he had! He looked at himself
in the mirror- a very rare occurrence indeed! He said- Hey man! For a 40 year
old, you do look quite suave!!!
Well, Ram never walked so much in a
long time…she was not to be seen anywhere. Ram was annoyed. It was 7 am and he
took out his phone and called..
Ram was standing close to her…he
brushed her cheek as he put the coat on her. She blushed and try to move
away..he caught her hand and pulled her close to him. She landed on his chest.
He looked deep into her eyes.. she closed her eyes..his hands went to her
waist…her eyes flew open in shock..
The phone rang..Priya’s eyes flew
open..she was in her room…God!!! What was that? Why did he come? The constant
ringing of her phone disturbed her..she picked it up..who else could it be? Why
didn’t he leave her alone?
Priya: (softly) Hello..
Ram: Hi Good morning…
Priya( looks at the time) Itni
subah..sab theek tho hai na?
Ram: (thinks) Ufff looks like I woke
her up from sleep…but her voice does something to me…
Ram: Haan sab theek hai..was just
wondering..I went for a walk today and thought maybe I would meet you..looks
like you did not go after all..are you ok?
Priya..Oh I did not go for a walk
today..I ummmm overslept.
Ram (surprised) overslept?
Priya : Haan, did not sleep properly
last night tho….
Ram: OH! OH! And softly mumbles….You
too?
Priya: Kya?
Ram: Nothing..will meet u later..mmm I
would like to speak to you..
Priya spent a long time deciding what
to wear..she finally chose a baby pink chiffon saree..her heart skipped a
beat..she felt happy..he said he wanted to speak to me ...what could that
be? Her mind kept going back to that
telephone conversation… he mumbled something that sounded like ‘you too’? What did
he mean?
Priya was cutting roses for the flower
arrangement…the purr of the powerful Mercedes was music to her ears..she did
not look back..she knew he was coming …
Ram: Hi Priya…
Priya: Smiles…Hi Ram…
Ram: Priya…I would like to speak to
you..akele mein…not at your place please?
Priya: Mmmm ok we can walk
somewhere…and..
Ram : Your parents??
Priya: They are inside.. Ram I will
just tell them and will join you.. we could go to Bryant Park and walk..ok?
Ram: Great…
Ram: (thinks) Goodness, I have never
felt so nervous in my life… she looks like an angel..I just can’t take my eyes
off her..
Priya came back and Ram kept the door open for her. Priya carefully
got in and wore her seat-belt…hands
clutched tight… Ram smiled, got in and
started the car.
They got off at Bryant Park…walked into the beautiful
park… the roses in different colours..the beautiful trees, the peace and
quiet..far cry from the city life he abhorred…
Ram and Priya walked in silence…there
was a nice bench..Ram just looked at her
in question…she nodded.
Both of them sat quietly…just enjoying
nature. There seemed to be intimacy even in their silence. Ram was looking
around at the beautiful surroundings. What better place and time than here and
now to confess what he felt for Priya?
Ram: Priya…. You know I came here for a
purpose…
Priya: (nods) yes..
Ram: I found what I was searching
for…in a way I found my life..
Priya: smiles but gives a curious
look.. (thinks) Ram, what are you hinting at?
Ram: Priya, I don’t want to beat around
the bush…I want to tell you how much I love and respect you. I know it is too
soon..we have only just met. But it does feel as if I have known you all my
life and more. Will you marry me Priya?
Priya : (taken aback with surprise) :
Ram….blushes…ttthaaaat was a vvvvery direct question…what do I say?
Ram: I know Priya…I am not the kind of
guy who would shower petals on you from a helicopter or gift you a thousand
roses for your birthday..but yes, I promise to love and cherish you forever..I
want to share your life-make you happy, be your friend and lover..I don’t have
flowery sentences or lofty plans- I am a simple guy. I have fallen in love with
you deeply..you mean the world to me. I would be honoured if you accepted my
proposal, but if I have offended you in any way, Priya, I promise you I will
stay away from you and not disturb you at all.
Priya: Ram, I admire you very much and
yes am attracted to you a lot…mmmm your proposal is so sincere and heartfelt. I
am honoured Ram. To be honest with you, I have felt the same way about you…felt
as if I have known you all along- I enjoy spending time with you..maybe you are
the one I have waited all along.
Ram: (his voice thick with emotion)
Priya… tell me I am not dreaming.. do you feel the same way about me?
Priya looks down blushing..Ram walks in
front of her..goes down on his knees lifts her chin…looks at her eyes …
Ram: Priya…look at me…he takes her
right hand in his and asks…Priya, will you marry me?
Priya’s eyes well-up with tears…tears
of joy and happiness..she simply nods….
Ram: (teasing) kya kaha tumne? Sunayi
nahin diya…
Priya: (very very softly) Yes, Ram..I
will marry you.
Ram is ecstatic …Thank you Priya…thank
you so much..pata hai…I did not sleep last night..actually jab se tum mili na
meri neend udd gayi..
Priya blushes and tells softly..aapne
bhee tho mujhe sone nahin diya…
Ram: What??? WHAT?
Priya…mmm nothing…let’s go..Ma aur Papa
will wonder where we are…mmm sawaal poochenge..
Ram: Priya…I am so happy today..thank
you..I can’t wait to marry you!
Priya: Ram…I have a request….
No comments:
Post a Comment