Update 7
Priya sipped her Adrak wali chai deep in thought oblivious to her mother’s constant chatter.
Shipra: Priya…beta kahaan kho gayi..kab se pooch rahi hoon…
Priya: Sorry ma who… no bas woh meeting ke baare mein soch rahi thee..sorry please poochiye na..
Shipra: Beta, I just wanted to know if we can make Paneer makhanwala, stuffed capsicum, aloo paranthas, pulao and mmm dessert ke liye…
Priya: gajjar ka halwa and vanilla ice cream…ok ma?
Shipra was happy..maybe raita bhee add Karen..waise Ram eats well haan- koi fuss nahin ki yeh nahin chahiye…main sirf continental khaata hoon types! Bahut nek insaan hain woh. Mujhe lagta hain Natasha bhee aisee hee hogi.
Priya looks at her mother with a smile..haan Ma Natasha aisee hee hai- simple and child-like.
Priya thinks her mother was such a simple person at heart..all she knew was to be loving and kind. But that thought, that vision kept gnawing her mind. The man in her dreams- the man who walked into the orphanage..it was shocking..how could it be?
But no time to dwell on these thoughts- lots to do.. she piled her hair up and used a barrette to hold it away from her face. She took a beautiful checked apron from the cupboard and started getting the ingredients ready for that special meal she was going to make. She chopped vegetables, made gravy and worked gracefully around the kitchen..
Sudhir: ( calling Shipra) Look at my daughter…she how gracefully she works..aur tum ho ki
Shipra: Haan jaanthi hoon bahut clumsy hoon par kya karoon..I have always been like this and she has always been like that..ab iss umar mein ussey classes loon kya?
Sudhir puts his arm around her shoulders: koi zaroorat nahin hai, tum jaise bhee ho, mujhe achhee lagtee ho..
Shipra blushes as Priya catches her parents sharing a sweet moment.. she smiles at them.
Sudhir: Beta, jab khana ban gaya ho tho mujhe bula denaa, main taste karne pahunch jaaoonga..
Priya : Yes Papa..how will I forget this special ritual..main jab bhee khana banaatee hoon tho first aap hee karte ho na?
Sudhir: (beams at his daughter) Aur nahin tho kya…main tumhara hero jo hoon..
Shipra: bade aaye hero..bas wait kijiye..koi aisa insaan aayega Priya ke life mein…ki baaki sab ussey nazar hee nahin aayenge..she will have eyes only for him.
Priya: Maaaaaaaaaa yeh aap kya bol rahe ho? You know I don’t like such talk na? Koi aaye ya na aaye, I will always love you.
Shipra: Beta tum mujhe help karne bhee nahin deti..chalo jaldi finish karo aur change karna..mmm wear something nice.
Priya: Raises her eyebrows but keeps quiet.
The aroma of gajjar halwa fills the room bringing Sudhir back to the kitchen to do the honours…he tastes each of the dishes and Priya looks at him expectantly for him yummmmmm wah kya baat hai…mazaa aa gaya..
This has been their father-daughter moments right from the time she started learning to cook.
Sudhir looks at the mouth-watering gajjar halwa …loads of chopped almonds, raisins..looked great, smelled yumm and tasted divine..
Sudhir gives his daughter a pat on her head…my Priya is the best cook in the world- pata hai aaj phir meri maa ki yaad aa gayee.
Shipra: Priya beta..sab ho gaya hai na..table main set karti hoon..tum jaake tayyaar ho jaana..Ram aatey hi honge.
Priya went upstairs to her bedroom…her mind was not calm..there was a strange restlessness. She kept going back to the image of the handsome man in the black suit and red tie…and the person who strode into the orphanage..She looked at all the sarees and just picked one off the hanger- a cream coloured chiffon with a light brown border…understated and classy. She showered, changed into her saree and used moisturiser generously..her skin loved it. She lined her eyes with kolh, some eye-liner and a nude shaded lipstick.. a nice maroon bindi..not small..but not too large between her eyebrows. Her neck was bare of any ornament..she wore a gold bangle. She pulled off her barrette and her piled- up hair cascaded down upto her waist like a water-fall. She brushed it lovingly till it shone.
A whiff of Givenchy’s Simply Irresistible and her make-up was done. She was not one to spend hours in front of the mirror. But her elegance and beauty left people gaping. She was blissfully unaware of the havoc she created when she walked into a room full of people- men ogled and women were jealous- of her beauty, grace, poise and dignity.
Priya felt butterflies in her stomach- she was not one to get rattled so easily. She simply walked up to the balcony to feel the cold breeze…it was Poornima- a full moon day..the moon shone- it was breath taking.
The cold breeze blew on her face bringing a smile to her lips…the wind caressed her lovingly…blew her silky hair away from her face..her arms were outstretched, feeling the wind..the chiffon saree moulded into her curves…she closed her eyes and savoured this moment…something felt very nice. Her apprehensions were all gone..she felt an inner peace.
The black Mercedes came to a quiet halt at the porch..Ram got out of the car, looking extremely distinguished in his black Armani suit, red Hermes tie and highly polished and hand-crafted Italian leather shoes…he remembered the flowers and chocolates that were in the car.. he bent down to retrieve it……he took the flowers out and looked up...and saw her- the ethereal sight..the beautiful face bathed in moonlight, her arms outstretched..her slender frame clad in an ultimate cream coloured chiffon saree…her silky hair…and those beautiful hands…His Priya…it was his Priya…but how??? Ram felt as if someone punched him in his gut…he was dizzy…he just leaned on the door of his car and let out a sigh…he finally saw her!! His eyes could not believe it…all these years of waiting endlessly and he saw this woman- his woman. Ram just stood still flowers in his hand taking in the sight of this lovely lady .
Priya opened her eyes and looked down…It was him again- the man from her dreams, the man who came to the orphanage who disturbed her mind so much…her eyes widened in shock and confusion and both their eyes met…they simply knew it…this was a different connection- their souls simply recognised each other. The wind also stopped blowing…there was just silence when the two beautiful people just looked at each other- not smiling, not saying a word. When their eyes did all the talking, there was no need for words. Both their hearts were pounding and did tell them what they already knew.
Ram simply stood there leaning against the car door, flowers in his hand and totally mesmerised by her. She could not drag her eyes away from him either…felt as if time stood still watching these two eternal lovers come face to face again.
The sound of the door opening jerked Ram and Priya both. Ram looked at her again..she went inside.
Sudhir: Ram beta…aaao aao..welcome.
Shipra: Arrey…you are just standing outside….are you alright?
Ram: (smiles) Haan ji I am fine..thinking…God I just got punched in my gut…felt as if the world stopped for a while..how can I be fine? I can’t think of anything or anyone…Oh my God, I hope I don’t make a fool of myself…Ram Kapoor, Hell man! You are forty and you are behaving like a love struck teenager!!!! He shakes his head in disbelief.. his heart is still pounding and aching to see her again.
The house seemed to look different now- in fact everything looked so different now- the freshly cut flowers, the huge Ganesha idol – a big brass vessel filled with water and floating petals of flowers. There was something divine about the house- was it to do with her presence? He gave the flowers and chocolates to Mrs Sharma and made polite conversation. His eyes kept darting inside to see if he could have a glimpse of her!
Priya sat down on the couch in her room…her cheeks were flaming…how could she? Oh God how could she just stand rooted like that and stare? No one ever affected her so much? What was different about him? Why did she feel as if she knew him already? How could she go down now and face him after what happened just now? She heard her mother calling her as she climbed up the stairs.
She got up trying to compose herself and brushed her hair again as Shipra walked in..
Shipra: Priya beta…kya hua..aaj tayaar hone mein itna waqt laga diya? Jaldi karo..Ram aa gaye hain..
Priya: Haan, jaanthi hoon..and thinks ishhhhhhhh and bites her lip and turns away.
Thank goodness her mother did not notice.
Priya: Ma, tum chalo, main abhee aayi.
Ram was talking to both the Sharmas but his mind was elsewhere.. God..where is she? Was it my imagination again?
Shipra and Sudhir could sense something different about Ram…he seemed withdrawn. And then Ram’s expression changed like he was hit by a bolt of lightening!
She was walking down the stairs… Ram saw her- she was regal..there was a calmness and grace in her stride…her saree swished as she walked down..he just could not take his eyes off her…she came down….
Shipra: Priya…this is Ram.
Priya smiled and folded her hands in a Namaste.
Ram smiled and said…hello Priya..namaste…his voice had sort of given up on him..so it came out in a small whisper!
Priya sat down and Sudhir and Shipra were engaging in small talk- about the goings-on, about cricket but Ram and Priya were having a different conversation all-together! Their eyes did the talking..
Ram: tho tum hee thee na? Everytime visiting me and troubling me? Do you know how much I have looked for you?
Priya: Aap ne bhee tho thang kiya mujhe!
Ram just looked at her and smiled. Priya smiled back.
Shipra cleared her throat…
Shipra: Beta, khana laga dein?
Priya: Ma, I will look at the arrangements..aap bhaitiye..
Ram (thinking) please don’t go away…
Priya: turns slightly to look at him, a small smile and says-‘excuse me, I will be back’!
Ram did not know what he ate ….it was out of the world- in fact everything seemed surreal to him. Shipra and Sudhir were very proud parents…they told Ram that Priya was the one who had cooked the entire meal. Ram knew it must have been her…he had never tasted anything delicious before.
Ram: Khana bahut acha banaaya hai aapne..
Priya: smiles ..thank you.
Ram’s eyes kept going back to her…he was eager to know her..but Priya kept silent..just answering to keep the conversation going. The meal was long over… Ram excused himself to wash his hands.. Sudhir and Shipra were still in the dining room.
Priya handed him a towel quietly with a smile.
Ram: Priya, have we met before?
Priya: (stunned) Mmmm it feels like… but no.
Ram nods and walked back to the hall. They all spoke for a while more..rather The Sharmas spoke but Ram and Priya we more thoughtful…something had happened tonight…they were still coming to terms with it.
Ram thanked them all and took leave.. His eyes wandered back to Priya…
Ram: (quietly) Bye Priya..
Priya..smiles..See you Ram.
He went outside and got into his car. He took his time to wear the seat-belt and looked up through the dashboard. She stood there in the balcony…with a beautiful smile and waved to him. He grinned and waved back.
He switched on the car radio as he reversed the big machine… his thoughts go back to seeing her in the balcony…
Ek Ajnabi Hasina Se Yun Mulaaqat Ho Gayi
Phir Kya Hua Yeh Na Poochho
Kuch Aisi Baat Ho Gayi
Wo Achanak Aa Gayi
Yun Nazar Ke Saamne
Jaise Nikal Aaya Ghata Se Chaand
Her face glowed in the moonlight….
Chehre Pe Zulfen Bikhri Hui Thi
Din Mein Raat Ho Gayi
Ek Ajnabi Hasina Se Yun Mulaaqat Ho Gayi
Her lovely hair…her shapely fingers…she was the same girl….
Jaaneman Jaane Jigar
Hota Main Shaayar Agar
Kehta Ghazal Teri Adaon Par
Would I be able to say that? I feel tongue-tied…totally mesmerised…
Maine Yeh Kaha To
Mujhse Khafa Wo
Jaane Haya Ho Gayi
Ek Ajnabi Hasina Se Yun Mulaaqat Ho Gayi
Priya??? And annoyed??? Ram laughs..I don’t see that happening…
Khubsurat Baat Yeh
Chaar Pal Ka Saath Yeh
Saari Umar Mujhko Rahega Yaad
Main Akela Tha Magar
Ban Gayi Wo Humsafar
Wo Mere Saath Ho Gayi
Ek Ajnabi Hasina Se Yun Mulaaqat Ho Gayi
Ram thinks…No this is not just a chance meeting…why do I feel that she is the one I have waited for all these years?
Priya goes back to her room smiling as she thinks of Ram…aisa kya hai unmey ki I can’t stop thinking of him.. something happened tonight…kya hai…
Her phone rings…..
Priya sipped her Adrak wali chai deep in thought oblivious to her mother’s constant chatter.
Shipra: Priya…beta kahaan kho gayi..kab se pooch rahi hoon…
Priya: Sorry ma who… no bas woh meeting ke baare mein soch rahi thee..sorry please poochiye na..
Shipra: Beta, I just wanted to know if we can make Paneer makhanwala, stuffed capsicum, aloo paranthas, pulao and mmm dessert ke liye…
Priya: gajjar ka halwa and vanilla ice cream…ok ma?
Shipra was happy..maybe raita bhee add Karen..waise Ram eats well haan- koi fuss nahin ki yeh nahin chahiye…main sirf continental khaata hoon types! Bahut nek insaan hain woh. Mujhe lagta hain Natasha bhee aisee hee hogi.
Priya looks at her mother with a smile..haan Ma Natasha aisee hee hai- simple and child-like.
Priya thinks her mother was such a simple person at heart..all she knew was to be loving and kind. But that thought, that vision kept gnawing her mind. The man in her dreams- the man who walked into the orphanage..it was shocking..how could it be?
But no time to dwell on these thoughts- lots to do.. she piled her hair up and used a barrette to hold it away from her face. She took a beautiful checked apron from the cupboard and started getting the ingredients ready for that special meal she was going to make. She chopped vegetables, made gravy and worked gracefully around the kitchen..
Sudhir: ( calling Shipra) Look at my daughter…she how gracefully she works..aur tum ho ki
Shipra: Haan jaanthi hoon bahut clumsy hoon par kya karoon..I have always been like this and she has always been like that..ab iss umar mein ussey classes loon kya?
Sudhir puts his arm around her shoulders: koi zaroorat nahin hai, tum jaise bhee ho, mujhe achhee lagtee ho..
Shipra blushes as Priya catches her parents sharing a sweet moment.. she smiles at them.
Sudhir: Beta, jab khana ban gaya ho tho mujhe bula denaa, main taste karne pahunch jaaoonga..
Priya : Yes Papa..how will I forget this special ritual..main jab bhee khana banaatee hoon tho first aap hee karte ho na?
Sudhir: (beams at his daughter) Aur nahin tho kya…main tumhara hero jo hoon..
Shipra: bade aaye hero..bas wait kijiye..koi aisa insaan aayega Priya ke life mein…ki baaki sab ussey nazar hee nahin aayenge..she will have eyes only for him.
Priya: Maaaaaaaaaa yeh aap kya bol rahe ho? You know I don’t like such talk na? Koi aaye ya na aaye, I will always love you.
Shipra: Beta tum mujhe help karne bhee nahin deti..chalo jaldi finish karo aur change karna..mmm wear something nice.
Priya: Raises her eyebrows but keeps quiet.
The aroma of gajjar halwa fills the room bringing Sudhir back to the kitchen to do the honours…he tastes each of the dishes and Priya looks at him expectantly for him yummmmmm wah kya baat hai…mazaa aa gaya..
This has been their father-daughter moments right from the time she started learning to cook.
Sudhir looks at the mouth-watering gajjar halwa …loads of chopped almonds, raisins..looked great, smelled yumm and tasted divine..
Sudhir gives his daughter a pat on her head…my Priya is the best cook in the world- pata hai aaj phir meri maa ki yaad aa gayee.
Shipra: Priya beta..sab ho gaya hai na..table main set karti hoon..tum jaake tayyaar ho jaana..Ram aatey hi honge.
Priya went upstairs to her bedroom…her mind was not calm..there was a strange restlessness. She kept going back to the image of the handsome man in the black suit and red tie…and the person who strode into the orphanage..She looked at all the sarees and just picked one off the hanger- a cream coloured chiffon with a light brown border…understated and classy. She showered, changed into her saree and used moisturiser generously..her skin loved it. She lined her eyes with kolh, some eye-liner and a nude shaded lipstick.. a nice maroon bindi..not small..but not too large between her eyebrows. Her neck was bare of any ornament..she wore a gold bangle. She pulled off her barrette and her piled- up hair cascaded down upto her waist like a water-fall. She brushed it lovingly till it shone.
A whiff of Givenchy’s Simply Irresistible and her make-up was done. She was not one to spend hours in front of the mirror. But her elegance and beauty left people gaping. She was blissfully unaware of the havoc she created when she walked into a room full of people- men ogled and women were jealous- of her beauty, grace, poise and dignity.
Priya felt butterflies in her stomach- she was not one to get rattled so easily. She simply walked up to the balcony to feel the cold breeze…it was Poornima- a full moon day..the moon shone- it was breath taking.
The cold breeze blew on her face bringing a smile to her lips…the wind caressed her lovingly…blew her silky hair away from her face..her arms were outstretched, feeling the wind..the chiffon saree moulded into her curves…she closed her eyes and savoured this moment…something felt very nice. Her apprehensions were all gone..she felt an inner peace.
The black Mercedes came to a quiet halt at the porch..Ram got out of the car, looking extremely distinguished in his black Armani suit, red Hermes tie and highly polished and hand-crafted Italian leather shoes…he remembered the flowers and chocolates that were in the car.. he bent down to retrieve it……he took the flowers out and looked up...and saw her- the ethereal sight..the beautiful face bathed in moonlight, her arms outstretched..her slender frame clad in an ultimate cream coloured chiffon saree…her silky hair…and those beautiful hands…His Priya…it was his Priya…but how??? Ram felt as if someone punched him in his gut…he was dizzy…he just leaned on the door of his car and let out a sigh…he finally saw her!! His eyes could not believe it…all these years of waiting endlessly and he saw this woman- his woman. Ram just stood still flowers in his hand taking in the sight of this lovely lady .
Priya opened her eyes and looked down…It was him again- the man from her dreams, the man who came to the orphanage who disturbed her mind so much…her eyes widened in shock and confusion and both their eyes met…they simply knew it…this was a different connection- their souls simply recognised each other. The wind also stopped blowing…there was just silence when the two beautiful people just looked at each other- not smiling, not saying a word. When their eyes did all the talking, there was no need for words. Both their hearts were pounding and did tell them what they already knew.
Ram simply stood there leaning against the car door, flowers in his hand and totally mesmerised by her. She could not drag her eyes away from him either…felt as if time stood still watching these two eternal lovers come face to face again.
The sound of the door opening jerked Ram and Priya both. Ram looked at her again..she went inside.
Sudhir: Ram beta…aaao aao..welcome.
Shipra: Arrey…you are just standing outside….are you alright?
Ram: (smiles) Haan ji I am fine..thinking…God I just got punched in my gut…felt as if the world stopped for a while..how can I be fine? I can’t think of anything or anyone…Oh my God, I hope I don’t make a fool of myself…Ram Kapoor, Hell man! You are forty and you are behaving like a love struck teenager!!!! He shakes his head in disbelief.. his heart is still pounding and aching to see her again.
The house seemed to look different now- in fact everything looked so different now- the freshly cut flowers, the huge Ganesha idol – a big brass vessel filled with water and floating petals of flowers. There was something divine about the house- was it to do with her presence? He gave the flowers and chocolates to Mrs Sharma and made polite conversation. His eyes kept darting inside to see if he could have a glimpse of her!
Priya sat down on the couch in her room…her cheeks were flaming…how could she? Oh God how could she just stand rooted like that and stare? No one ever affected her so much? What was different about him? Why did she feel as if she knew him already? How could she go down now and face him after what happened just now? She heard her mother calling her as she climbed up the stairs.
She got up trying to compose herself and brushed her hair again as Shipra walked in..
Shipra: Priya beta…kya hua..aaj tayaar hone mein itna waqt laga diya? Jaldi karo..Ram aa gaye hain..
Priya: Haan, jaanthi hoon..and thinks ishhhhhhhh and bites her lip and turns away.
Thank goodness her mother did not notice.
Priya: Ma, tum chalo, main abhee aayi.
Ram was talking to both the Sharmas but his mind was elsewhere.. God..where is she? Was it my imagination again?
Shipra and Sudhir could sense something different about Ram…he seemed withdrawn. And then Ram’s expression changed like he was hit by a bolt of lightening!
She was walking down the stairs… Ram saw her- she was regal..there was a calmness and grace in her stride…her saree swished as she walked down..he just could not take his eyes off her…she came down….
Shipra: Priya…this is Ram.
Priya smiled and folded her hands in a Namaste.
Ram smiled and said…hello Priya..namaste…his voice had sort of given up on him..so it came out in a small whisper!
Priya sat down and Sudhir and Shipra were engaging in small talk- about the goings-on, about cricket but Ram and Priya were having a different conversation all-together! Their eyes did the talking..
Ram: tho tum hee thee na? Everytime visiting me and troubling me? Do you know how much I have looked for you?
Priya: Aap ne bhee tho thang kiya mujhe!
Ram just looked at her and smiled. Priya smiled back.
Shipra cleared her throat…
Shipra: Beta, khana laga dein?
Priya: Ma, I will look at the arrangements..aap bhaitiye..
Ram (thinking) please don’t go away…
Priya: turns slightly to look at him, a small smile and says-‘excuse me, I will be back’!
Ram did not know what he ate ….it was out of the world- in fact everything seemed surreal to him. Shipra and Sudhir were very proud parents…they told Ram that Priya was the one who had cooked the entire meal. Ram knew it must have been her…he had never tasted anything delicious before.
Ram: Khana bahut acha banaaya hai aapne..
Priya: smiles ..thank you.
Ram’s eyes kept going back to her…he was eager to know her..but Priya kept silent..just answering to keep the conversation going. The meal was long over… Ram excused himself to wash his hands.. Sudhir and Shipra were still in the dining room.
Priya handed him a towel quietly with a smile.
Ram: Priya, have we met before?
Priya: (stunned) Mmmm it feels like… but no.
Ram nods and walked back to the hall. They all spoke for a while more..rather The Sharmas spoke but Ram and Priya we more thoughtful…something had happened tonight…they were still coming to terms with it.
Ram thanked them all and took leave.. His eyes wandered back to Priya…
Ram: (quietly) Bye Priya..
Priya..smiles..See you Ram.
He went outside and got into his car. He took his time to wear the seat-belt and looked up through the dashboard. She stood there in the balcony…with a beautiful smile and waved to him. He grinned and waved back.
He switched on the car radio as he reversed the big machine… his thoughts go back to seeing her in the balcony…
Ek Ajnabi Hasina Se Yun Mulaaqat Ho Gayi
Phir Kya Hua Yeh Na Poochho
Kuch Aisi Baat Ho Gayi
Wo Achanak Aa Gayi
Yun Nazar Ke Saamne
Jaise Nikal Aaya Ghata Se Chaand
Her face glowed in the moonlight….
Chehre Pe Zulfen Bikhri Hui Thi
Din Mein Raat Ho Gayi
Ek Ajnabi Hasina Se Yun Mulaaqat Ho Gayi
Her lovely hair…her shapely fingers…she was the same girl….
Jaaneman Jaane Jigar
Hota Main Shaayar Agar
Kehta Ghazal Teri Adaon Par
Would I be able to say that? I feel tongue-tied…totally mesmerised…
Maine Yeh Kaha To
Mujhse Khafa Wo
Jaane Haya Ho Gayi
Ek Ajnabi Hasina Se Yun Mulaaqat Ho Gayi
Priya??? And annoyed??? Ram laughs..I don’t see that happening…
Khubsurat Baat Yeh
Chaar Pal Ka Saath Yeh
Saari Umar Mujhko Rahega Yaad
Main Akela Tha Magar
Ban Gayi Wo Humsafar
Wo Mere Saath Ho Gayi
Ek Ajnabi Hasina Se Yun Mulaaqat Ho Gayi
Ram thinks…No this is not just a chance meeting…why do I feel that she is the one I have waited for all these years?
Priya goes back to her room smiling as she thinks of Ram…aisa kya hai unmey ki I can’t stop thinking of him.. something happened tonight…kya hai…
Her phone rings…..
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