A Jealous Rage! Chapter Fifty Seven

                                                      The stroke of a violinist!

Chapter Fifty Seven

 

The International school of arts and learning was a private institution in Mumbai; it was divided into an all girl’s school and an all boy’s school so you were either here through academic achievements, or by having wealthy parents.  Riddhima Shergill was one such girl who had rich parents that could afford the cost of the absorb dent school fees.  She was a tomboy by nature yet over the past year her personality seemed to change as she began playing the violin in a more serious refined way.  Her parents were surprised by her talent and encouraged her to play more by sending her for extra lessons, her school was big on arts an once a child’s potential was discovered from a very young age they were groomed for stardom, they were groomed to be  bigger than their dreams.  No doubt Neha and Vikram Shergill had pride for their princess’s talent but due to his demanding role at Kapoor Industries being second in command Vikram found it difficult to be there at every single recital or function that Ridzy was performing at.  Most times it was up to Neha to be there for her daughter and to ensure she made up for the lack of her sometimes absent father like today.

The schools facilities was grand and impressive, no doubt when you are bank rolled by wealthy parents every single need of a child is full filled in a lap of luxury, the back stage room where all the participants were was huge and busy with over bearing mothers and their talented kids while they got them ready for their upcoming performance which was taking place in a short while.  Neha on the other hand was on the phone in conversation with her mother, yes ma, no ma, we’ll see, I’m not sure, ok fine we’ll try ma, yes I promise.  Poor little Ridzy on the other hand was impatient with her own mother, tugging on her sleeve, mama please answer me mama please she caught her mother’s arm a bit more forcefully to get her attention.  Neha was annoyed at the constant interruption and interrogation from her sometimes demanding daughter, for the tenth time Ridzy please stop it I’m on the phone baby, but mama you not answering my question she moaned childishly. Looking confused she said what question, when is Priya aunty coming? For god sake Ridzy how many times have I told you, but mama why isn’t she here yet, baby just let me finish speak to nani first ok.  Ridzy scrunched her innocent little face disappointed, the concert was going to start soon and her aunty was not here yet. Going to the corner of the backstage room where she left her violin, she sat on the floor cross legged and sulking.

 A few minutes later, please tell me why my beautiful girl who’s dressed like a princess is looking so sad. Just hearing that voice alone, Ridzy jerked her head up and jumped up in excitement as Priya dropped to her knees.  The little girl rushed to hug her with force, you came she squealed you came I’m so happy she clung to her neck. Hugging the little girl back Priya laughed, off course I came, I can’t miss my rock-star perform today.   She handed her a little bouquet of pink roses, these are for you she said, for me Ridzy squealed in wonder and happiness all at the same time, my papa always buys flowers for mama and sometimes he buys them when they fight she said quite innocently. Priya laughed well now I bought them for you because you my most special little girl ever.  Standing there looking on with her own smiles, Riddima Shergill are you now finally happy, Neha asked,  didn’t mama tell you your aunty Priya was coming.  Priya looked up to Neha and they both smiled at each other Priya my daughter is driving me crazy since this morning and it’s all because of you, they all laughed and hugged together it was a special sight to see.

On the other-side of town at the headquarters of Kapoor Industries, Ram called out to Jenny to ask if Vikram was back, yes sir he’s in his office right now.  Ram nodded and walked down the passage to Vikram’s office he didn’t bother to knock.  Vikram was at this desk busy looking into his computer screen with a frown, he looked up blankly to find Ram glaring at him.  What’s wrong he asked?  Ram certainly did not look impressed and made that vocal, you dumb ass get of that chair and come with me now.  Vikram was confused where to he asked, just come with me Vikram and he walked out the office to the bank of lift not giving poor Vikram a chance to question him but to tag along rushing after him,  he tried again for at least some sort of answer Ram what’s going on I’m busy.  Ram eyed him when I blast your head against that wall then you will be busy until then I don’t want to hear another word from you.  Vikram was clearly at a loss for words.

Today the all girl’s school and the all boy’s school combined in this yearly once off concert when both schools mixed together, no doubt there was pride for their little angel Neha and Priya sat in the fourth row from the front of the big auditorium.  They were not big on being made a spectacle, but rather casually blended into the crowd.   No doubt there were other well known rich parents here who made them-selves very noticeable, Neha softly referred to them as cheap braggers; Priya had to laugh at her friends comment.  For any parent there was always that nervous tension, right now Priya had that feeling, she clutched onto Neha’s hand, god Neha I don’t know how you handle this I’m feeling so nervous, Priya really there’s no way of handling it  I swear I’m a nervous wreck every single time, they leaned close to whisper more.  The auditorium lights dimmed and the heavy blood red curtain draped open; the spot lights shone brightly making the stage the center of attention. The compere made the introductions there-after there was a welcome address from the all girls school principal, and the all boys school principal gave a key note address as well.  So began the concert each child introduced themselves before their act and went on to display their own individual talents.  No doubt there was a huge display of talent it was a spectacle to watch and then some to laugh at with their slapstick comedy.    Priya and Neha were sitting in anticipation one being a doting aunt and the other a loving mother. Unbeknown to them their seats next to each were being quietly cleared out, leaving a few empty spaces in the row that they sat in.   

Finally their wait was over they clutched each other’s hand tightly, oh my god I want to cry Priya whispered, look at her when she did she get so big,  I know Neha said proudly with tears in her own eyes I don’t even know how it happened.  Ridzy came on stage wearing a navy blue velvet satin dress, with a fine layering of tulle lining underneath.  Around her waist was an ivory belted ribbon, her hair was neatly braided on the side and knotted into a bun, on her feet she wore little ballerina slippers.  She came up to the microphone and spoke in her child voice, my name is Riddhima Shergill and I’m going to play the violin, I just want to say I love my aunty Priya very much and off course, I love mama to.  The audience had to laugh at her cuteness the aunt and mother couldn’t stop beaming with pride and tears.  Priya blew a kiss to her all the way to the stage.  There was a glow of surprise on the little girls face, her eyes popped wide open and she shouted in excitement, papa, Ram uncle dropping her violin she ran down the stairs in front of her as the audience gasped and turned to look at all the drama taking place in the center of the main aisle.  There was delight as the little girl ran to her father who dropped down on his knees and hugged his little princess, oh papa you came thank you so much I love you and she kissed his cheek, she turned to her uncle hugging his thigh as he lifted her up kissing her cheek, he laughed with pride carrying her forward back to the stage, the audience clapped in excitement for the little girl indeed they were shocked at who was actually here.   The compere came back on stage, what a lovely surprise he said to the audience we have Mr Ram Kapoor here thank you sir thank you for coming please come up on stage sir, Ram picked up his hand to signal no and very nicely declined, please continue he said as he went to take his own seat next to his very shocked wife.

They both looked at each other as he sat down, she held onto his arm curling her hands around it  dropping a light kiss on his shoulder thank you she smiled at him with tears in her eyes. He covered her hand with his own and smiled back at her as the sounds of violin strung together classic and soft it floated through the auditorium, the girl stood poised drawing a bow across the stringed instrument like she did it forever , in the background she was accompanied by her music teacher on piano playing in synchronized harmony to her violinist student.  Little Ridzy built up on the tempo picking up the speed into a some- what modern twist that had the audience mesmerized by her many transitions,  focused she was and feeling her music,  she played it out beautifully moving her head and shoulders like a pro, indeed she was stepping ahead into something big.  When finally her piece was over her family stood up clapping with pride and joy while other parents were equally impressed at the little girl’s performance and could not help but join in.  Ridzy curtsied to the audience  while her teacher looked on proudly the darling little girl couldn’t stop smiling at the clapping but she was most excitement because of her parents, her Ram uncle and her aunty Priya were all here to see her play, today she was indeed a spoilt little princess.

 When the concert was over and they all got up to leave, Ram asked his adorable little niece so what does our Ridzy want to do now, jumping up and down even more happy she said I want to have a burger and one strawberry milkshake, one banana milshake popping her eyes even bigger and also I want a chocolate doughnut, Neha immediately said no Ridzy  you can't and Vikram said baby that’s not good for you but papa I want a burger please. Ram said well if my Ridzy wants a burger  and two milkshakes and a doughnut well then that’s what she’s going to have, yayyyyyy she clapped her hands in excitement they all couldn’t stop laughing at her exuberance.  Neha turned to Vikram but what about the boys she asked with concern, Ram said don't worry about those two they busy playing play-station with their uncle Rishab, today its our Ridzy's day he said adoringly.  Much later that evening after spoiling Ridzy to whatever she wanted to do, Ram and Priya were returning back to their home when suddenly Priya shouted in excitement, Ram stop the car now, in shock he said what happened, what’s wrong, just stop the car she demanded, he screeched to a break at the side of the road, what he turned to her? She laughed kulfi pointing out to the vendor, Jesus Christ Priya you will kill us both for this craziness, awhhh come on Mr K don’t be spoilt sport, she giggled as she opened the door and he shook his head following her out the car.

 It was close to midnight a beautiful night it was, Priya went to the ice-cream vendor to buy her favorite, Kulfi, as she took the kulfi of her choice Ram came to stand next to her very casually, I swear Priya you will give Ridzy a run for her money with your childish behavior.  She turned to him pouting her lips into a big kiss for him, she brought the kulfi to his mouth for a bite, he had no choice but to bite into the ice cold cream stick covered in finely chopped pistachio nuts, Mr Kapoor live a little more and enjoy the moment she grabbed another kulfi and walked to stand against the car leaving Ram to settle the very minor task of paying.  He walked to her leaning against the car.  She tilted her head against his shoulder licking on to her kulfi and looking up to the stars.  It was peaceful and solemnly, she asked softly, Ram do you think our Kush is up there as she pointed up to a single star that seemed to be sparkling more brightly than the others, he looked up at the direction of her finger holding her close to him rubbing his cheek against her head, yes was all he said.  

There was quietness and just the sound of night time more silence passed as they finished eating their kulfi.  She picked up her head and moved to stand in front of him, wrapping her arms around his waist, he spread his legs  further apart to bring her close up to him while gently stroking her back,  she laid her head against his chest and spoke what her heart felt right this moment, Ram I love you more for the little things that you do, what you did for Ridzy today was so special and I was so proud of the man you represent, you made her so happy and you made me even more, thank you for just being the person you are, I just love you so much. How much he asked her, she moved a little and flung her arms out this much she smiled,  only that much he asked, hmmmmmm shaking head with a pressed smile she said no this much more she stretched herself even further, he laughed at her expressions taking  a deep breath and inhaling all the kind words she spoke he pulled her back to his embrace and he simply spoke what he felt for her, Priya there’s not a thing I won’t do for you baby wherever you are I want to be there, I want to know that you are always safe, I want to know that no matter what happens you are the most important part of my life and I just want to say how proud I am of you,  for the way you’ve just picked yourself up and became my Priya all over again. It’s a second chance we have baby and I’m not wasting a moment of it.  He tightened his arms around her as they hugged each other tightly on the roadside.   It was past midnight who would ever think that this was just a husband and wife, who would ever think that this was just loving of the heart of lover’s, the simplicity of speaking  to each other baring their souls open to midnight and the star’s above.

The next day the Mumbai Telegraph spoke of a lucky girl Riddhima Shergill who was surprised by the very famous Ram Kapoor, her doting uncle.  At school she was the highlight of the day as the other kids came to know of her association with the richest man around and no doubt more celebrity news was going to make rounds of this cute story.   While Vikram took a few minutes to tweet a picture of him and his daughter with a simple line, ‘my baby girl did me proud’.  The next few days seemed to fly by rather quickly, Ram was busy with business and also in preparing for the upcoming Presidential tour in accompanying the President to the world economic conference in Geneva and there after travelling straight to Mexico with talks to strengthen trade relations between the two countries.  Domestically during the past two weeks he flew four times but he'd always done that within a day and got back home to whatever ungodly hour he could make it.  Priya on the other hand tried to keep herself busy around the house, she was missing spending time with Ram but she also understood the bigger picture to his life.   She battled a bit with sleeping, the nightmares still would come to disturb her but she felt safest when she was wrapped in Ram’s arms.  Though she never shared with him her trouble in sleeping because by the time he got to bed he was always too tired to even think of anything being wrong with her so Priya hid her suffering to herself because she wanted to be strong for him. 

Before we knew it, It was the last weekend before Ram could leave, he was flying out on Monday night and today was Saturday a working day for him.  He had scheduled meetings at the house and was working from his home office with his project team since 0830 am this morning.  Now it had just gone past 1130am when he said to them continue here, I’ll be back now, he got up to leave his office walking out dressed rather casually in jeans and a shirt.  He was about to climb the stairs to go to his room when sauntering down the staircase all dressed up looking very casual and chic was his wife; she had a designer bag on her arm, heeled sandals on her feet.  Looking up at her with his hand on the balustrade blocking her path down, so madam he asked, where do you think you going to? She smiled at him, out she said, lifting his eyebrow out where he asked, out to place that won’t be of interest  to you.  He walked up a few stair’s enclosing her with his body holding her against the balustrade, enlighten me please he said with a devilish glint to his eye and she said I’m going to the salon to have my hair cut.

Looking at her open hair he wrapped his hand around it to feel the silk through his fingers why do you need to cut it he asked, because I want to she said, no he said you not cutting it, why not she asked? Pushing his body closer to hers because I said so, he took his hands to her face and slid it against her head bringing her face to his, he kissed her. With the intensity of the kiss her bag slipped from her hand as she kissed him back, god I miss you he said against her mouth, their tongues deepened into each other but they sprung apart when they heard a door open and voices down the passage.  In heavy breathing she turned to pick up her bag and he turned in time to see two of his employees looking at him with business in mind sir I think we found something that might interest you, what is it he asked as he ran his shaky fingers through his hair while Priya smiled a bit to sexily for Ram and said excuse me gentleman I’ll leave you’ll to your discussion and she walked down the last two bottom steps her ass just a bit to shapely against those snug fitting jeans she wore.  Ram said to his two team member's go back to the office I’m coming now, he went after her, Priya he called out but she chose to ignore him Priya he called out to her again she turned around seeing him walking towards her with a serious threat while she mischievously continued walking backwards, what is it Ram? Priya you are not cutting your hair, I think Mr Kapoor if you really like long hair then you should grow your own, Mrs Kapoor don’t get smart with me ok, she laughed go back to work Ram your staff are waiting for you, do you think I really give a fuck, shush she scolded him just go.  I’m warning you Priya cut just an inch of your hair and you shall regret it, she giggled blowing him a kiss go make some money Mr Kapoor and she turned around running to her waiting car. He shouted out to her I swear it Priya you shall the see the worst of me as he idly threatened her watching the car leave with her body guards in tow. Smiling to himself he turned to walk back inside the house to just business of the day.

 

          Looking forward to your comments on this chapter and do post on the blog if you can.

 

                                                      Until Later, Love

                                                                  T