Chapter 1

Ram Kapoor.. The name was more than enough to shake grounds of the most powerful people in the world.. With being one of the biggest entrepreneurs, He was a member of the United Nations.. He was undoubtedly.. The richest man in the world.. This evening was one of the most eventful ones.. With delegates, business men and politicians from all over the world flooding in to wish the classy Mr. Ram Kapoor.. But surprisingly.. He wasn’t there.. His best friends Vikram and Neha started wondering.. As it was unusual for Ram to disappear..

Vik: Neha Ram kaha hai yaar?

Neha: Sab ne wish kardiya.. Toh..

Vik understands.. Ram is a man of few words.. He liked to keep to himself.. They both decide not to disturb him.. And play good hosts to the guests..

40 years of his life was being celebrated.. But he seemed disinterested.. And they both knew why..

The dark sky twinkled bright.. A man in his tux.. Walked with his hands in hid pockets.. His blazer folded roughly.. Hung over his left shoulder.. He looked back at the party hall through his glasses.. And smiled as thoughts occupied his mind.. Sab kush hai.. Aur kya chahiye.. And sighed..Chalo Ram ghar chalo.. He walked to his car.. Empty.. His head hurt.. It was a long day.. Umpteen empty wishes.. The white Volkswagen.. That stood majestically waiting for him.. The driver stood out and smiled..

Ram: kaka aap Vikram aur Neha ko drop kijiye.. Mein yeh gaadi khud lejaaunga..

He smiled.. And got in.. Driving away into the dark ampty streets..

The convertible car opened up.. And he enjoyed the wind blowing by his face.. He had conquered the world.. But he was empty.. To fill this void he did everything he could for his family.. Their happiness.. He smiled to himself.. Wondereing if he had ever done anything for himself..

But there was something about this evening.. Something different.. Something kept him from going home.. He decided to drive through the posh locality of Juhu.. The Slums.. The posh area.. He drifted driving away to Lonavla.. The beautiful landscape.. The large roads.. Beautiful.. He passes by a huge wall.. It seemed endless.. And then arrived majestic gates.. Beautiful copper gates.. With high security.. He drove past it.. And then something struck him.. He wanted to buy it!    

Ram thought as he looked carefully.. Itna security? Yeh kya hai.. Office ya ghar.. Dekhne mein toh ek bungalow jaisa dikhtha hai.. de Drives back to the gate..

The guards recognize him immediately..

Guard: Ram Kapoor!!? Sir aap yaha?

Ram: Haan.. Yaha kaun rehetha hai? Kya mein andar jaasaktha hu?

Guard: Humaare malkin.. Ek min sir.. He calls.. Malkin.. Ram Kapoor aaye hai.. Andar bhejdu..

Ram smiled.. As he saw them hesitating.. He was just another human being.. But the world feared him..

Woman: Nahi.. Hum abhi kaam mein uljhe hue hai.. Kal aane keliye boldijiye..

Guard: Tik hai.. Looking at Ram.. Sir sorry.. Woh kaam karrahe hai.. Aap nahi jaasakthe..

Ram smiled.. For the first time.. Someone had denied him of something.. Kya mein unse baat karsaktha hu.. ?

They looked at one another unable to say no to such a big man.. They redialed and looked at him..

Guard: Malkin ek minute.. Gives the phone to Ram..

Woman: Kaun?

She didn’t seem angry.. Her voice was husky.. Enchanting.. There was calm and softness in her voice.. Ram smiled..

Ram: Suniye.. Mein Ram Kapoor bol raha hu.. Can we talk.. Please..? Zyada waqt nahi lunga..

Woman: Mr. Kapoor aap yaha.. Tik hai.. Park the car to your right and wait there..

Ram: Thankyou..

He smiled as the guards opened the gates for him.. He was awestruck by the beauty of the place.. All white.. A beautiful Japanese Garden.. Water lakes peering below small bridges.. He parked his car and looked around.. There was just one other car in the Parking lot.. An Audi.. Clean and white.. Sparkling in the moonlight..

Ram walked out of the car.. And thrust the keys in his pockets.. He looked at the flora.. There were long stone pergolas that stood majestically.. Different flowers gave life to the surrounding.. The fresh waters kept the air humid and cold.. As he stood there.. He saw a woman clad in an off white saree walk to him.. She held a candle that lit her figure.. Her long straight hair blew back in the wind.. She wore a big red bindi.. Her beautiful doe eyes lightly defined by kohl twinkled as she smiled.. She had beautiful full lips red with a small mole on top.. He noticed that she wore a golden anklet.. A simple one which jingled as she walked towards him.. Her divinity and grace had captivated his thoughts and heart..

For the first time in his life.. He couldn’t take his eyes off a woman.. She was nothing like the other women he knew, who mindlessly decked up to please everyone else but themselves.. They were always prying for his attention.. And would often throw themselves at him..

He looked at her in awe as she walked to him..

Woman: Architect Priya Sharma.. She smiled to him.. She does a half Namaste with the candle in her hand.. Wax trickles and falls on her soft skin.. She closes her eyes.. Not letting out a sigh..

Ram looks at her.. Tolerance he smiles at her.. And prevents another drop from falling on her hand..

Ram: Ouch.. The hot wax hurt.. He wonders how she didn’t react.. And his hand slightly brushes hers.. The touch of her hand so soft brings a smile on his face.. Her skin was like feather touch.. But it lasted just for a moment.. He looked at her and said.. Ram.. Ram Kapoor..

Priya smiled acknowledging his gesture: Aayiye..

He followed her.. There was a circular sit out leveled will pillars all around.. A white marble table.. Just enough for two..

They walked on to the spotless white marble.. He was lost.. In her.. In her world..

Priya: Have a seat Mr. Kapoor.. He looked at her.. Her calm smile.. Uff..

Ram sat down and watched her.. As she placed the candle in the middle of the table..

Priya: Woh aaj fuse udgaya.. Toh I'm sorry.. She sat right opposite to him and corrected the beautiful Arabian crème shawl..

Ram: Its ok..Ms. Sharma.. Very nice house.. He looked at the marble pillars that held the disc of this beautiful Gazebo.. It was a marvel.. Sculpted to perfection..

Priya smiles.. Toh aap yaha.. ?

Ram: Haan... Kya yeh aapka ghar hai?

Priya: Ji.. She sat with so much dignity and grace.. He felt like he was talking to royalty..

Ram: I'm sorry.. Meine baahar se dekha.. I wanted to buy this house.. Tho..

Priya smiles.. Im sorry Mr. Kapoor lekin this house is not for sale.. She grinned as Ram looked at her with interest..

Her phone buzzed.. She picked it up..

Priya: Kaun?.. She continued talking apologizing to him through her eyes for disturbance..

Ram looked at her.. He had seen her before.. But where.. ? He wondered and buzzed through his memories.. Did she say she was an architect.. ?

Suddenly it hit him.. How could he have been so naive? She was India's youngest and the most popular Architect.. She had appeared just once in the media when she won a National Award for designing her trust's Orphanage.. And here he was wanting to buy her house..

Her voice broke his train of thoughts..

Priya: I'm sorry.. aap kuch lenge?

Ram feeling embarrassed.. Woh.. Mein.. I'm sorry I didn’t recognise you..

Priya grinned at this handsome rich man.. It's ok.. Actually accha laga.. So yeh ghar toh mein nahi desakthi.. Toh..

Feeling a little awkward because neither of them had anything to say..

Ram: It's late.. Mein chaltha hu.. Somewhere inside he didn’t want to leave..

Priya: Ji..

They walked towards the parking lot when Priya received a call from the security guard..

Guard: Malkin woh press wale aagaye hai.. Ghar ke baahar.. And aap news par bhi aarahe hai..

Ram also received a call..

Vik: Tum yeh kya kar rahe ho Ram.. Koi itni raat ko ek ajnabhi ke ghar jaatha hai kya.. You are all over the news channels..

Ram and Priya looked at each other.. Worried they smiled.. Trying to ease the tension..

Priya: Aap kuch der keliye andar aajaayiye.. The press have crowded around the house..

Ram: Ji.. I'm so sorry.. Meri wajah se aapko itna taklief..

Priya reassured him that it was ok with a smile.. She took him through a beautiful pathway of stones to her house.. It was a living come dining with a kitchen.. All in white.. His favorite colour.. Everything was so clean just as he liked it..

Priya: Aap apne juthe utaarsakthe hai..? He looked at her and nodded.. Usually no one is allowed here.. So.. I hope you don’t mind..

Ram smiled and removed his shoe and socks.. He placed it in the stand and washed his hands.. And legs following what Priya was doing.. She walked in and he steped in.. The touch of his feet onto the cold white marble floor made him smile.. He felt like the floor drew all his worries away.. He felt relaxed.. She asked him to sit down and walked to the kitchen while he looked around the house.. It was dark and decorated with candles..

He found an open hand made book in front of him on the teapoy.. He took it and lost himself in the flow of a beautiful hand writing.. It read..

Aap se gila.. Aapki kasam..

Sochthe rahe.. Karsake na hum..

Uski kya katha.. Laa dawa hai gham..

Kyu gila kare.. Chaaraghar se hum..

Aap se gila..

Priya walked in and placed the tray with hot tea on the teapoy.. He watched her seat herself diagonally..

Ram: Aap bohot acchi likthi hai..

Priya pouring tea into his cup said.. Kisi ki diary padna acchi baath nahi hai.. And smiled at him..

Ram thought.. How can she not be angry with me.. She just smiles all the time.. He bit his tongue for his doing and apologized..

Priya switched on the television..

Reporter: Business tycoon aur mashoor Architect.. Dono ke janam din ek hi din pe hai aur dono ek saath ek jagah pe mana rahe hai..

They gape at the television shocked.. Priya quickly changes to another news channel..

Reporter: Business tycoon ditches his birthday party to go and wish Architect Priya Sharma.. I think finally the two of India's biggest names will be coming together..

Priya switched off the television..

Ram was enraged.. I'm going to sue each and every one of them.. How dare they create rumors without verifying facts.. He stood up and called Vikram..

Priya sat there calmly sipping her tea.. She picked up her phone and texted someone..

Ram looked at her in disbelief and disconnected his phone.. He looked at her puzzled.. Nervous and confused..

Priya: Mr. Kapoor.. With her voice his senses calmed down.. Don’t worry.. I have informed the main media authorities that we are discussing about a project.. They have confirmed that they will clear the rumors out..

Ram listened to her with his jaws dropped.. She had just cleared everything.. With a smile..

Ram: Thank you.. He sat down and sipped his tea.. It was delicious.. He was blown away by its aroma.. It’s essence.. Aah.. It was the best tea he had ever tasted in his life..  Kisne banaya hai ?

Priya smiled at his broad grin.. Meine.. Mujhe lagtha hai ki aapko todi deir yahi rukhna chahiye.. It'll take a while for the media to leave..

He smiled and enjoyed his tea..

Just then.. Karthik came running in looking extremely happy..

Karthik: Hi di.. He hugged her and lifted her swirling her round.. Di meine chun liya.. And put her down.. Priya just smiled nodding her head in approval..

Priya: Khush raho..

Karthik: Looked at Ram.. Sir aap yaha..?

Ram smiled.. Hi Karthik..! Karthik touched his feet and took his blessings..

Priya looked at them.. And waited for an explanation.. She had no idea what was going on..

Ram hugged Karthik and said.. Choti bohot khush hai..

Karthik looked at Priya.. Di meine bataya tha na Nutz ke baare mein.. Woh Ram sir ki choti behen hai..

Priya looked at Ram and smiled.. Toh hum ab samdi hai..

Ram nodded in affirmative.. Thinking.. Aapse rishtha hai humaara.. Iss rishthe ko mein khoob nibhaaunga..

Ram: Mujhe chalna chahiye.. Kal hum sab aapke yaha shagun leekar aayenge..

Karthik: Ji sir..

Karthik walked Ram out.. Telling him how much he loved Natasha.. Ram turned back to look at Priya.. She walked away with the tea tray to the kitchen.. He smiled to himself.. And left..

Priya came back and picked up her diary.. Ram had added to her writing.. He had a rough but neat handwriting.. She smiled and walked to her room.. While she read his lines..

Yeh agar nahi.. Yaar ke gali..

Chalte chalte kyun.. Rukh gaye kadam..

Aapse gila.. Aapki kasam..

Sochthe rahe.. Karsake na hum..

Priya sat down on her soft velvet duvet and looked at his writing thinking .. Ajeeb insaan hai.. Jab mein baat kar rahi thi.. Bas muskuraathe rahe.. Aur jab media ki baat aayi.. Toh ek hi pal mein itna gussa hogaye.. Aur jab Karthik ki baat aayi toh.. Itna pyaar.. She smiled..

Karthik walked in..
Karthik: Di.. Aap bhi kamaal karthi ho.. Apne janam din pe bhi kaam..
Priya smirked at how Ram wanted to buy her house..  Karthik looked at her.. She seemed lost in her own sweet world..

Karthik: Kaha kho gayi aap.. Yeh lijiye..
He gave her a family portrait of Sudhir Shipra Priya and Karthik..
Priya smiled.. Bohot pyaari hai.. Ma papa tumhaari dulhan ke liye saadiyaan lene Amritsar gaye hai..
Karthik: Pata hai.. Papa ne phone kiya tha.. Aap kabhi toh apne aap ke baarein mein sochiye di.. Chalo aap sojaao.. 
Priya: Tum bhi sojaao.. Kal bohot saara kaam hai..
Karthik left with a smile..
Priya's phone rang..
Priya: Haan papa boliye..
Sudhir: Kya beta.. Aaj pehele hume bhagadiya aur phir kaam shuru kardiya.. 
Priya: Chodiye na papa.. Aap kal che bhaje aarahe ho na?
Sudhir: Haan.. Kal woh sab aarahe hai toh.. Shayad aur jaldi pohounch jaayenge.. 
Priya: Tik hai papa.. Rakhthi hu..
Priya thought to herself.. Aaj Mr. Kapoor ka bhi janam din tha.. Wish karna hi bhul gayi.. 
She lies down.. And soon doses off to sleep..

In KM: 

Ram entered with a pleasant smile.. 
Krishna: Kya hua Ram..? Tum Architect ke ghar kyu gaya tha?
Ram very cleverly wades her away.. Ma woh actually Karthik ka ghar hai..
Nutz: Bhai! Wow thank you.. Waise yeh aap aur Karthik ka di kuch kaam disscuss kar rahe the kya..?
Ram scratched his temple.. Haan woh..
Nutz and Krishna looked at each other and smiled.. They knew Ram very well. He would never discuss work without Vikram by his side..
Krishna: Tik hai tu so jaa.. Kal subah jaldi unka ghar jaana hai..

Ram left to his room hurriedly and changed.. He stood by the balcony’s railing thinking..Ajeeb hai.. Kabhi gussa nahi karthi.. He closed his eyes.. Unki aankein.. Unki muskaan.. Aur itna aacha likthe bhi hai.. How can a woman be so gifted.. I think mujhe woh naya office ka project unko dena chahiye.. She will do an excellent job..

The flashes of her house stay captivated in front of his eyes.. He drifts to his thoughts again.. Kash woh ghar mera hota.. He remembered that it was her birthday too.. He smiled thinking.. Karthik ne apne di ka number diya tha.. Shall call and wish her.. Looks at the clock.. Its 11.55.. 

Without giving a second thought he calls..
Priya: Kaun?
A smile lit his face.. The same voice.. The same word.. Yet again.. With the same softness..
Ram: Mein Ram bolraha hu.. 
Priya wondered why he cleed so late.. Ji kahiye..
Ram: Woh mein aapko wish karna bhulgaya tha.. Happy birthday..
Priya bit her lips trying to surpress her smile.. Ji wish you the same.. 
Ram: Aur maafi bhi maangni thi aapse.. Woh aapki kitaab mein..
Priya: Meine pada.. Aap bhi accha likh lethe hai.. 
There was so much comfort in their conversation.. They smile to themselves.. Their hearts connect.. But the are naïve to this feeling..
Ram ponders over his thoughts.. Not wanting to discontinue the conversation..  Aaj aapse milke bohot accha laga.. I have never seen someone so calm..
Priya giggled at his observation.. Aap kuch zyada hi gussa karthe hai nahi? She said with a naughtiness in her tone..
Ram laughed..  Haan sorry about that..
Priya’s heart smiled to his laughter..Toh kal milthe hai.. She gave a pause and wished him good night.
Ram: Ji good night..
Both of them smiled..

Ek unkahi dastaan unki intezaar mein thi.. Nagmein the.. Shikwe the.. Kisse the.. Aur the baatein.. Ram ki zindagi ki daud mein ek teheraav aagayi thi.. Ek khaali dil mein.. Kahi ek choti si umeed jaagi thi..

Kya yeh rishtha sirf ek samdhan ki hasiyath mein rehejaayegi.. yaa.. Do sitaaron ka zameen par thi milan.. Aaj ki raath..

Aaj ki raath..