Chapter 9

Moor278

@Moor278

[MEMBERSONLY]

[NOCOPY]

Part 9 (A)

A few days later

Sara is managing the cafe and glancing at the clock in between when Ram, Adi, Brinda and Kunal walk in.

“Are tum log sab yahan?” She asks, slightly concerned.

“Are Sara di, Adi ko na cupcakes khaane ka man kar raha tha..” Ram answers winking at Adi and Kunal.

Sara smirks, “Adi ko khaana tha ya aapko? Jaante hai na Priya ko pata chalega to kya hoga?” 

“Are Sara di, daraao mat yaar please….”

“Dara nahi rahi hun, Priya aane wali hai yahan pe… aap cupcake se dur hi rahenge to thik hoga…abhi abhi to aap thik hue hai” 

“Are mar gaye beta Ram…. Ab to cupcakes gaye” Ram exclaims, leading to a round of laughter.

“Vaise vo yahan kyun aa rahi hai?”

Unsure how to handle the question without revealing the truth and wishing these would leave quickly, Sara stutters, “Are vo….” when the door clinks and walks in Virat.

Seeing him, Ram immediately goes and shakes his hand,

“Aap yahan? Sab thik hai na?” and turns to look at Sara.

Virat notices Sara’s nervousness and smiles …

“Bas aise hi… routine”

In a bid to distract Ram, Sara calls him for a cupcake while Virat takes up a seat at the far end of the cafe.

The Kapoor gang is enjoying their time while Sara brings green tea for Virat and motions him to wait.

Virat patiently sits in the corner, sipping his tea when his eyes dart ahead hearing a sound.

Kunal has let out a whistle and everyone is looking towards the door.

And in walks a vision in red. The slightly sheer saree highlighting the perfect curves all the more enhanced by the tall physique, the gait emphasizing the sway of the hips.

But it is the voice and the words that are like sweet honey that startles Virat more.

“Kunaaalllll…. Kya hai ye?”

“Are Sai… kya lag rahi ho tum aaj. Kitno ko katl karke aayi ho?”

Sai blushes and laughs, “Kuch bhi… aisa kuch nahi hai”

Brinda juts in, “Are but Sai seriously… man you are looking hot today… Kahan se aa rahi ho?”

Still blushing at the wave of compliments, Sai answers… “Are aaj college main Saree day tha… isliye pehni thi… aur phir din bhar timepass karte karte bhook lag gai…. Sara di ke haath ka pasta yaad aa gaya to yaha aa gai”

“Well that made our day” teases Ram…

“Jeeju aap bhi…” and Sai turns another shade of red.

Virat is too stunned to react at this and the conversation is making him frustrated like anything. It is another pain that Sai hasn't even noticed that he is sitting there. He clutches the cup tightly, spilling some tea on the table. Kunal and Brinda notice this and in a typical manner when friends converse without talking, Brinda looks at Kunal, quickly goes and changes the music to a waltz.

Ram offers her hand to Sai, who is amazed, but then accepts it and starts dancing. They slow dance to the music when Kunal offers his hand and Ram extends Sai for a twirl. Kunal quickly catches her and settles his hand on her waist. Leaning towards her, he whispers in her ears.

“Virat baitha hai cafe main… and he is looking like he is going to kill me.”

Sai moves her head away shocked at the smirking Kunal and is about to look for him when Kunal whispers again.

“Ruko… jara maje lene do uske… Pretend I told you a joke and show your brightest smile”

Sai is amused to hear all this and decides to play along. She tilts her head back slightly and laughs.

Virat is fuming in anger and yet is unable to do more than just stare. 

Sai turns and sees him, surprise written clear on her face, she smiles at him and Virat feels as if a ray of sunshine has fallen on him. Sai tries to decipher his expressions and a tiny corner of her heart understands that he is deeply affected seeing her like this in a red saree. Internally enjoying her moment, she smiles brighter and waves at him.

Virat is about to get up and walk towards her when Priya walks in the cafe.

Seeing all of them here and then noticing Virat, Priya gets anxious. Ram notices this and goes near her and they have a chat. Virat notices Priya glancing at him in between.

Virat is contemplating whether to come along another day when Priya comes and sits across from him. Ram takes up another seat and Sara comes and stands behind them. 

Adi, Brinda, Kunal and Sai are also surprised at the turn of events and maintain their places, their ears focused on the conversation at the other table.

Developing a calm composure, Priya asks,

“ACP Chavan… kya aapko kuch nayi information mili hai?”

Virat looks at her, unsure whether to disclose this but then he sees Priya holding Ram's hand, whether to comfort him or to gain strength herself, is unknown. She looks at him and blinks her eyes, a subtle nod to continue.

Putting on his professional demeanor, Virat looks straight at Ram and Priya and answers,

“Aapka shaq sahi tha Priya di… it was a deliberate attempt”

Ram looks at Priya astonished.

Priya hints at Virat to continue. Transferring his attention to Ram, Virat explains,

“Aapke saath jo accident hua Vapi main Ram Sir… vo accident nahi tha. It was an attempt on your life. And Priya ji ko kisi pe shaq tha. I did my investigation and found it to be true. That person was driving the vehicle which collided with you”

“And who is that person aur tumne mujhe kyun nahi bataya Priya?” Ram turns towards her feeling hurtful.

Tears are pooled in Priya’s eyes and she is fighting hard to control it. Gulping down her sob, in a gloomy tone, Priya looks down but answers,

“Kya batati main aapko Mr. Kapoor? Ki mere pita aapki jaan lena chahte hai? What would you think of me?”

Priya covers her face with her palms and sobs ruefully.

Overcome with emotion to see her break down like this, Ram questions,

“Priya… Priya … Priya… look at me.. Look at me… tumhari galti nahi hai… how are you responsible for what he does? Why would I think bad of you? Aur ek minute… vo aise kyun karenge mere saath? Are you sure officer?” the last question directed at Virat.

Virat just shrugs but Priya answers,

“Kyunki vo pehle bhi aisa kar chuke hai… he hates me. Vo mujhe khush nahi dekh sakte. That's why he does all this. Lohri ke accident main maine aapko bacha liya tha Mr. Kapoor. I couldn't save you this time. I am sorry. I am so sorry” Priya’s tears now fall unabated. Ram quickly takes her in a hug and caresses her head to calm her down.

Everyone else is stunned, unsure about what to say. Virat throws a glance at Sai and she too is in tears, seeing her two favourite people broken down.