Chapter Two
As the early morning sun kissed the day ahead, its bright sun rays streamed through the window, the striking yellow hue awakening Priya from her deep sleep. Rubbing her eyes to absorb the light, she lazily stretched her hand then covered her mouth as she yawned. While putting on her slippers, innocently Bansi kaka their most trusted servant entered the study/office and stopped as he was surprised to see the boss, oh I am sorry madam I didn’t mean to. Priya motioned for him to be quiet and tip- toed out of the room. The servant was apologetic for the interruption, madam I am really so sorry to have disturbed you, I didn’t realize you were here with sir. No its ok Bansi Kaka, Mr Kapoor was tired he fell off to sleep while working in here, and I didn’t want to disturb him so I came to keep him company.
Bansi Kaka smiled at Priya thinking to himself, what a wonderful and loving wife she was. Everyone knew how much the boss loved her, she was his savior. It was a pleasure to see them together their love for each other just lit up Kapoor Mansion like never before. Always in his thoughts he prayed to god to shower this couple with his most special blessings. Clearing his throat he said, madam can I offer you some chai? No Bansi Kaka she replied, I am going to go get ready for work but you can make the usual blend of coffee for Mr Kapoor I’m sure he’ll be up just now, I’ll wait until breakfast is served, she walked away to go up to her room while Bansi kaka walked into the direction of the kitchen.
A little while later Priya was in her dressing room getting ready for her day, she hadn’t realized Ram had walked into the dressing room, when she did, their eyes clashed in the expanse of the mirror, his disheveled appearance and blood shod eyes were very evident of his drunken state from last night. Priya’s hands stilled as she moved her hair to the side of her neck, gently she bit into her lower lip unsure of herself. Their eyes were dead-locked; the silence unnerving but finally the bull broke his silence and he asked her, are you going to college today? She nodded her head to confirm yes, and then he asked her, are you going out dressed like that?
Priya glanced at herself confused, trying to find what was wrong with her dressing. She was wearing an emerald green chudidhar suit, the back of the dress had a slightly deeper cut than normal, it showed off the smoothness of her skin, it was beautiful and she loved the feel of the fabric on her. I want you to change right now, he firmly said. Confused with his demand she asked him why and in his very commanding voice he said, because I don’t want your students seeing more than they used to, especially of my wife.
Priya was angry, how dare he speak to her like this, she had worn this outfit before and he did not have a problem with it then, in fact he couldn’t take his eyes and hands off her. Ram I don’t know what’s going on with you but there is no need for you speak to me like this, it’s uncalled for. You are my wife and I expect you to have a lot more dress sense that you do right now, I don’t want your body parts exposed for others to see and touch so go and change into something decent and cover yourself up. After giving her a mouthful he stormed into the bathroom banging the door with a loud noise that left Priya visibly shaken, what was happening here, why was he behaving this way? Being the dutiful wife she was, she opened her cupboard to find something else to wear. Still reeling from Ram’s outburst she did not hear Dadi, Ram’s beloved grandmother who had entered the room calling out to her.
Dadi slowly limped into the room, her age and ailing health was evident of her old age, she was the matriarch of the family, respected and revered by all. Priya hurriedly wiped her tears as she answered out to Dadi’s call, Ji Dadi. With concern and a curious face she asked Priya, what was all that noise last night?
Priya was stunned by the question and trying to cover up she said, oh no Dadi there was no noise, Dadi however was adamant she had heard the door bang. No Dadi, Priya denied stammering a white lie when said, it was just the wind, the window in the study was left open and the door banged, she lowered her eyes hoping her lying eyes would not reveal itself to Dadi because she didn’t want her to know about Ram’s behavior from last night.
Dadi however was not convinced but she did not want to push any further, she would get the real story, somehow she always does in her own sly way because nothing by passes her in this house. She looked at Priya and smiled you look very pretty today. Ram walked in hearing his Dadi’s comment and when she saw her grandson her smile broadened, he stood in front of her and all she could see is her life, her joy, her strength, her success. She was very proud of him and nobody would dare to tell her anything bad about him, all hell would break loose even if they tried. She was the only one that was allowed to reprimand him and he listened, he listened because he loved her unconditionally.
Dadi said to Ram, my Priya is looking very pretty today, while Priya blushed unsure, and Ram glared at her, his deadly eyes conveying his displeasure to her. Dadi then said, its late lets go have our breakfast, she held onto Priya’s hand quite ready to wobble out of the room, she called out to grandson, Golu, are you coming? Ji Dadi I’m coming he replied. Priya didn’t have a chance to change her dress, Dadi liked what she was wearing while Ram hated it, what should she do and Dadi wasn’t giving her time to think, holding onto her frail hand she commanded Priya to come with her.
At breakfast Priya served Ram his favorite aloo paratha and he liked it best with lots of butter which actually annoyed her but today there was no health talks from her, because she knew her limits. Sitting down next to him, she took a juicy red apple from the fruit bowl and slowly sliced it into pieces. With enough energy for all, Rishab came charging to the table, bhabhi thanks so much for last night I managed to make the changes to my assignment. He looked at her and she gave him her warm smile, then he really looked at her and innocently said, wow bhabhi you looking really hot, Priya uncomfortably blushed some more.
Ram was just about to reprimand him when Dadi spoke instead, calling out to Rishab, she said Rishab I want to speak to my nephew in Australia on that sky thing, Rishab laughed and said skype dadi, it’s skype. Dadi was not interested in hearing the correct terminology, she said whatever it is, you just come home early so I can talk to him on this sky. Rishab shook his head at her demand while Priya smiled at Dadi’s cuteness. Ram observed all this and glaring at Rishab he said, I am just reminding you don’t forget what I told you last night. Rishab nodded his head, knowing his brother was still in a pissed off mood but what could it be that got him so angry, hmmmm eyeing his Babhi he thought, something, something is happening. He was hoping to find some clue maybe they had an argument because it was clear there was some tension.
Just then Bansi kaka came to the table with a beautiful arrangement of shaded pink roses, and a packaged box, the clear wrapping over it showed the content of the assortment of almonds, all in different flavors, from chocolate, spicy and plain almonds too. Ram looked at Bansi kaka questioningly, the servant responded Sir this was delivered just now, and everyone looked on with interest while Ram took the card to read the message. His face was a myriad of expressions as he read the note, he could barely contain his anger, but only because his beloved Dadi was at the table. The message was short and simple but broke a no go barrier with the raging bull, it simply read,
Priya
It was such a pleasure to see you again after all these years, for you, a beautiful memory of Priya Sharma.
Best Wishes Always!
Nikhil Advani.
Ram slammed the card down next to her, how sweet your friend is, he sniggered, excusing himself from the table, with a deadly smile to her, he said enjoy it Mrs Kapoor, his parting words to her, from your friend off course. He stormed out while Priya was stunned; there was silence around the table and Priya excused herself without eating as she went up to her room and broke down into tears. She was upset because she had not done anything to encourage Nikhil, they were just college friends a long time ago and had met up accidently at the party last night, it was a surprise to see him, off course they chatted and for old time sake they danced just the once dance. It was his very last night in Mumbai; he was off course flying back to the US today. She wasn’t even going to see him again, thinking that’s why he must off sent her the flowers and the box of assorted almonds, a memory of their friendship because he knew how much she loved them from before, but Ram off course was reading different shades into it.
She was upset with Ram, mad that he could treat her this way, suddenly he has a problem with everything that I do, she thought out aloud, why is he treating me like this, why can’t he understand there is nothing going on and never was between me and Nikhil. Wiping her tears she went into her dressing room as she ripped her dress off her, in her anger she took a pair of sharp scissors remembering Ram’s words from earlier she shredded her outfit into pieces, her anger ripping itself as she cut through each damning piece; once she was satisfied with her destruction she found a dress that covered every part of her. Now he won’t have a need to complain about her dressing, her tears didn’t stop as her heart was shattering into a million pieces. This was turning out to be long, long dreadful day ahead.
Bansi Kaka smiled at Priya thinking to himself, what a wonderful and loving wife she was. Everyone knew how much the boss loved her, she was his savior. It was a pleasure to see them together their love for each other just lit up Kapoor Mansion like never before. Always in his thoughts he prayed to god to shower this couple with his most special blessings. Clearing his throat he said, madam can I offer you some chai? No Bansi Kaka she replied, I am going to go get ready for work but you can make the usual blend of coffee for Mr Kapoor I’m sure he’ll be up just now, I’ll wait until breakfast is served, she walked away to go up to her room while Bansi kaka walked into the direction of the kitchen.
A little while later Priya was in her dressing room getting ready for her day, she hadn’t realized Ram had walked into the dressing room, when she did, their eyes clashed in the expanse of the mirror, his disheveled appearance and blood shod eyes were very evident of his drunken state from last night. Priya’s hands stilled as she moved her hair to the side of her neck, gently she bit into her lower lip unsure of herself. Their eyes were dead-locked; the silence unnerving but finally the bull broke his silence and he asked her, are you going to college today? She nodded her head to confirm yes, and then he asked her, are you going out dressed like that?
Priya glanced at herself confused, trying to find what was wrong with her dressing. She was wearing an emerald green chudidhar suit, the back of the dress had a slightly deeper cut than normal, it showed off the smoothness of her skin, it was beautiful and she loved the feel of the fabric on her. I want you to change right now, he firmly said. Confused with his demand she asked him why and in his very commanding voice he said, because I don’t want your students seeing more than they used to, especially of my wife.
Priya was angry, how dare he speak to her like this, she had worn this outfit before and he did not have a problem with it then, in fact he couldn’t take his eyes and hands off her. Ram I don’t know what’s going on with you but there is no need for you speak to me like this, it’s uncalled for. You are my wife and I expect you to have a lot more dress sense that you do right now, I don’t want your body parts exposed for others to see and touch so go and change into something decent and cover yourself up. After giving her a mouthful he stormed into the bathroom banging the door with a loud noise that left Priya visibly shaken, what was happening here, why was he behaving this way? Being the dutiful wife she was, she opened her cupboard to find something else to wear. Still reeling from Ram’s outburst she did not hear Dadi, Ram’s beloved grandmother who had entered the room calling out to her.
Dadi slowly limped into the room, her age and ailing health was evident of her old age, she was the matriarch of the family, respected and revered by all. Priya hurriedly wiped her tears as she answered out to Dadi’s call, Ji Dadi. With concern and a curious face she asked Priya, what was all that noise last night?
Priya was stunned by the question and trying to cover up she said, oh no Dadi there was no noise, Dadi however was adamant she had heard the door bang. No Dadi, Priya denied stammering a white lie when said, it was just the wind, the window in the study was left open and the door banged, she lowered her eyes hoping her lying eyes would not reveal itself to Dadi because she didn’t want her to know about Ram’s behavior from last night.
Dadi however was not convinced but she did not want to push any further, she would get the real story, somehow she always does in her own sly way because nothing by passes her in this house. She looked at Priya and smiled you look very pretty today. Ram walked in hearing his Dadi’s comment and when she saw her grandson her smile broadened, he stood in front of her and all she could see is her life, her joy, her strength, her success. She was very proud of him and nobody would dare to tell her anything bad about him, all hell would break loose even if they tried. She was the only one that was allowed to reprimand him and he listened, he listened because he loved her unconditionally.
Dadi said to Ram, my Priya is looking very pretty today, while Priya blushed unsure, and Ram glared at her, his deadly eyes conveying his displeasure to her. Dadi then said, its late lets go have our breakfast, she held onto Priya’s hand quite ready to wobble out of the room, she called out to grandson, Golu, are you coming? Ji Dadi I’m coming he replied. Priya didn’t have a chance to change her dress, Dadi liked what she was wearing while Ram hated it, what should she do and Dadi wasn’t giving her time to think, holding onto her frail hand she commanded Priya to come with her.
At breakfast Priya served Ram his favorite aloo paratha and he liked it best with lots of butter which actually annoyed her but today there was no health talks from her, because she knew her limits. Sitting down next to him, she took a juicy red apple from the fruit bowl and slowly sliced it into pieces. With enough energy for all, Rishab came charging to the table, bhabhi thanks so much for last night I managed to make the changes to my assignment. He looked at her and she gave him her warm smile, then he really looked at her and innocently said, wow bhabhi you looking really hot, Priya uncomfortably blushed some more.
Ram was just about to reprimand him when Dadi spoke instead, calling out to Rishab, she said Rishab I want to speak to my nephew in Australia on that sky thing, Rishab laughed and said skype dadi, it’s skype. Dadi was not interested in hearing the correct terminology, she said whatever it is, you just come home early so I can talk to him on this sky. Rishab shook his head at her demand while Priya smiled at Dadi’s cuteness. Ram observed all this and glaring at Rishab he said, I am just reminding you don’t forget what I told you last night. Rishab nodded his head, knowing his brother was still in a pissed off mood but what could it be that got him so angry, hmmmm eyeing his Babhi he thought, something, something is happening. He was hoping to find some clue maybe they had an argument because it was clear there was some tension.
Just then Bansi kaka came to the table with a beautiful arrangement of shaded pink roses, and a packaged box, the clear wrapping over it showed the content of the assortment of almonds, all in different flavors, from chocolate, spicy and plain almonds too. Ram looked at Bansi kaka questioningly, the servant responded Sir this was delivered just now, and everyone looked on with interest while Ram took the card to read the message. His face was a myriad of expressions as he read the note, he could barely contain his anger, but only because his beloved Dadi was at the table. The message was short and simple but broke a no go barrier with the raging bull, it simply read,
Priya
It was such a pleasure to see you again after all these years, for you, a beautiful memory of Priya Sharma.
Best Wishes Always!
Nikhil Advani.
Ram slammed the card down next to her, how sweet your friend is, he sniggered, excusing himself from the table, with a deadly smile to her, he said enjoy it Mrs Kapoor, his parting words to her, from your friend off course. He stormed out while Priya was stunned; there was silence around the table and Priya excused herself without eating as she went up to her room and broke down into tears. She was upset because she had not done anything to encourage Nikhil, they were just college friends a long time ago and had met up accidently at the party last night, it was a surprise to see him, off course they chatted and for old time sake they danced just the once dance. It was his very last night in Mumbai; he was off course flying back to the US today. She wasn’t even going to see him again, thinking that’s why he must off sent her the flowers and the box of assorted almonds, a memory of their friendship because he knew how much she loved them from before, but Ram off course was reading different shades into it.
She was upset with Ram, mad that he could treat her this way, suddenly he has a problem with everything that I do, she thought out aloud, why is he treating me like this, why can’t he understand there is nothing going on and never was between me and Nikhil. Wiping her tears she went into her dressing room as she ripped her dress off her, in her anger she took a pair of sharp scissors remembering Ram’s words from earlier she shredded her outfit into pieces, her anger ripping itself as she cut through each damning piece; once she was satisfied with her destruction she found a dress that covered every part of her. Now he won’t have a need to complain about her dressing, her tears didn’t stop as her heart was shattering into a million pieces. This was turning out to be long, long dreadful day ahead.
Hi T...Love the way you have sketched every character including bansi kaka with great finesse. Probably the only story where his loyalties and love for the family are conveyed across at each and every occasion.
ReplyDeleteLove Meg