Part 29
Credit: Neha
Priya reached Ram's study room all the time fuming..Can't even wipe himself off she angrily gritted her teeth..She took the fax in her hands and looked at it. It was the list of numbers that had called Ram's office that day.
Priya was interested in the second half of the numbers as Ram had aranged his ticket in the evening..
She put her finger across the numbers going through each number one by one and seeing the timings against them..There was Sumit, Meera and some other numbers that had called in last. As Priya came to the end of the list she froze ...there had been a call from Saket's number...and there was an outgoing call to Sheena's number..
Saket had maybe called to speak to Ram but who from Ram's office had called Sheena? She needed to speak to Ram about this..If what Ram had said about Vishal was true then there has to be someone from the office who is providing Sheena with all the information. She walked back to the swimming pool. Ram and Shweta had both dressed up and were relaxing by the pool. Meera was also with them playing with Peehu..
Priya: Ram..
Ram turned to find Priya standing there..
Ram: Where did you disappear? Come sit with us..you will love to hear the stories that Shweta has to share..too funny..
Priya: Ram i need to talk to you..its important..
Ram sensed the urgency in her voice..He got up from his chair and moved towards her. He raised his eyebrow at her..
Priya: Can we move into the house?
Ram nodded and followed her inside the house..
Priya: Ram, have a look at this..she handed the paper to him.
Ram: Whats this? He scanned the paper and then he realized..Oh the list of numbers ..so Ellie sent it to you..
Priya : Ram go through the numbers please..specially the second half of the day..
Ram went through the numbers but could not understnad anything..He gave a blank look to Priya..
Priya: Ram, the second last number..some one from your office called Sheena..see it
Ram again looked at the number..it was Sheena's..My office called Sheena?
Priya: Ram, someone from your office is revealing all your moves to Sheena..this is how anyone knew you were going to be in Delhi..Thats why the attack on you..
Ram recoiled in horror as the full impact of the words sunk in..There was a traitor in his office..someone who was sneaking on him and selling information..
Priya: Can we go to your office right now?
Ram: Now? Priya i agree the doctor has given you permission to move around but aren't you taking too much liberty with your health?
Priya: Ram, this is urgent..don't you understand? I am going to your office whether you come or not..
Priya stormed out of the room followed hastily by Ram..
Ram: I am coming Priya...wait for me..
Meera and Shweta watched as both of them got into the car and sped off..
Shweta: Where did they go?
Meera: No idea..
Shweta: He loves her doesn't he?
Meera smiled at her : Its that evident ?
Shweta: I have seen his eyes sparkle when he sees Priya...they make a cute couple..only if he had never met Sheena..i so so hate her..
Meera: Join the club...I just hope this case thing gets resolved quickly...and Ram proposes..
Shweta: What about Priya?
Meera: Confused is what best i can describe her at this moment...and besides her priority is Peehu..but i am hopeful..
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Ram: Has anybody ever told you how stubborn you are?
Priya: Me and stubborn? It should be the other way round...Do you have any inkling of the seriousness of the case, no..all you care about is swimming with your partner..
Ram looked at a fuming Priya..Her nose had literally become red with rage..
Ram: Swimming is relaxing...it takes the stress out of you...you should try that..
Priya: Thanks but no thanks i have better ways of relaxing...
Ram: Why you getting so hyper about? My swimming or my swimming with Shweta?
Priya: Why would i get hyper..swim with Shweta or with the whales..i care two hoots...i am only concerned about our case..
Ram: Relax Priya..we are going to the office na, everything will get sorted..
Priya became silent after that..Why was she anyways getting irritated with Ram...she had no reason to be..She looked out of the window at the road passing by...try as she may she could not deny the fact that Ram's and Shweta's closeness had irritated her to no end. What was with this man..he brought out such strong emotions in her..
Ram waved a hand in front of her to get her attention.
Ram: We have reached.
Priya watched as Ram got out from the car and quickly came up to her side. He held the door open for her. Priya stepped outside and Ram escorted her to the lift. As the lift doors closed Priya turned to face Ram..
Priya : Hope you did not inform anyone in office that we are coming?
Ram: No..why?
Priya: You ll find out soon..
Ram: Why do you have to be so secretive always?
Priya: Because i am a lawyer..i need to make sure that no one takes advantage of the loopholes.
Ram sighed deeply...it was useless to argue with her..
The lift doors opened and Ram and Priya stepped in Ram's cabin..
Ram sat down in his chair and gestured Priya to sit down..
Priya: Please call Ellie here i need to speak with her. Ram did as he was told..From above the line of his laptop Ram stole a glance at Priya ..She was looking out through the window but she looked so lovely..He shuddered at the thought that he had almost lost her..she could have died while trying to save him..
Ellie: Good afternoon sir..good afternoon madam
Ram: Good afternoon ellie..please sit down..we need to talk to you..
Priya: Ellie, you must be aware of the case Ram is involved in and the latest bid on his life..
Ellie: Yes Madam..i am aware of it
Priya: Ellie, call me Priya please..i need a small help from you..will you do me a favour?
Ellie: Any thing..Ma..Priya..
Priya: I have the list you sent me regarding the phone numbers. Can you please try and recall who all were there in office that night..
Ellie thought for a while..I was there the travel manager was there and Mr. Steve was there..he was working late..
Priya: Okie, when you confirmed the tickets, who were the people aware of it?
Ellie: Me, Ram sir and the travel manager..
Priya: You sure no one else was aware of it?
Ellie: Yes
Priya pointed out to a number on the list..Can you tell me which extension was this number called from..
Ellie looked at the number Priya had pointed out..
Ellie: This is my extension Priya but i did not call Sheena madam..Ellie's voice was trembling as she said that..she looked at Ram..
Priya: Ellie, we know you did not call Sheena..but please please try and recall who might have called from your extension? Did you leave your desk that day?
Ellie thought hard about it...Yes madam i had received a call on my mobile that day and as the reception was poor i went to the corridor to attend it..
Priya: Who was there at your desk?
Ellie: Only Mr. Satish Shukla was there ..the travel manager..
Priya looked at Ram who frowned immediately. Mr. Shukla had been with him just over an year and he did not have a very good reputation..
Ram dialed the extension his head full of rage. This was the bas***d who had let Sheena know about his Delhi plan...it was him who had led to Priya being shot..As the scene replayed in his mind his fingers clutched the phone harder..
Ram: Satish i want you in my cabin right now...he barked over the phone his voice filled with rage..
Satish ran to the office sensing something wrong in Ram's voice. He knocked on the door and was promptly called inside by Ram..
Ram: How much do i pay you?
Satish: 35 thousand per month..Sir..
Ram: And you buy a rolex watch out of that? Quite impressive...
Satish looked at his watch which shone: I ..I have done a lot of smart investments Sir..Satish tried to sound convincing enough..
Ram: Must say your sense of the market is quite good ...
Satish seemed to relax a bit: Sir, if you want i can suggest some good stocks for you to invest..
Ram: I am sure you will do that because you don't have a job from this moment onwards..
Satish: But Sir..what have i done? You cannot fire me like this..
Ram: Oh..yeah..you will tell me how i can do things ..Ram looked straight into his eyes..his pupils blazing with rage...He swung back and took the paper from Priya..and shoved it at his face..
Ram: Did you not call Sheena and inform about my travel plans?
Satish's face was drained of all colour as he looked at the paper..
Satish: There has to be some misunderstanding sir..i did not call Sheena Madam..why would you do that..
Priya: The game's up Mr. Shukla..we have been told by Sheena herself that it was you who provided the information. We have already informed the police, they would be here soon..
Satish: I am so sorry..sir..i am so sorry..the money was so tempting..and i was just told to give about your travel details nothing else..please sir, don't call the police..don't do this..Satish almost fell into Ram's feet..
Ram held him up by his shoulders..and gave one tight slap across his face..
Ram: Forgive you..bloody forgive you...look at her you scoundrel...she got hit by a bullet..do you even understand what that means..she could have died..just because you gave out that information...Do you have any idea what i went through the entire night she was unconscious ? Ram tightened his grip on Satish's neck almost choking him..
Ram: If anything had happened to her i would have torn you to pieces ..you bas***d...
Priya was surprised at the rage which engulfed Ram..He was literally shaking from it..
Priya: Ram..leave him Ram...
Ram: Leave him...leave him..does he not know what he has done..
Priya: Ram...we will deal with him in other ways..;eave him right now..
Ram: He tired to harm you Priya...Turning back to Satish..Do you even know who you tired to harm?
Priya: Ram..i am fine now..please Ram leave him..listen to me Ram..look at me...
The moment Ram looked at Priya his anger subsided..Priya felt his grip loosen on Satish..She tugged at his arm and pulled him aside..
Ram: Ellie..call the security guards..i want this man thrown out right away and immediately terminated from the job..
Ellie did the needful and went out of the room..
Priya came near Ram...
Priya: Ram..calm down..you could have almost killed him..
Ram: So? I don't care..nobody and i repeat nobody can harm you..I would never let that happen..I swear i will kill anybody who tries to do that..
Priya looked at Ram..there was no way she could tell him about Saket now...Saket was the key to Ram's deal and if Ram ever learnt that Jimmy was Saket he would do something that will be regretted..Not telling him was the best decision at the moment...let the final report on the deal come through..
Priya: Ram...calm down..see i am there with you..alive and kicking...nothing has happened..
Ram tried to speak something but Priya put a finger on his lips ...
Priya: Ram...unless we win the case, nothing will happen to me..and with you around..definitely no..Please don't let your anger weigh down on your logic..it would only complicate matters..please for my sake atleast..
Ram just looked at her absorbing every word she had just said..He so wished he had met Priya before..a happy picture of him, Priya and Peehu flashed before his eyes..The warm breath emanating from his lips made Priya aware of her finger still on his lips. She immediately pulled her hand back..
Priya: I ll coffee for us..
Ram nodded at her...
Priya came out of his cabin and walked over to Ellie..
Priya: Ellie can we get 2 coffee's please?
Ellie: Sure...
Priya: Ellie...who's is this number who had called?
Ellie looked at the number Priya was referring to..: Oh..that is Jimmy Sir's number..
Priya: Any specific reason that he called? Priya tried to sound as normal as possible..
Ellie: Ohh yaa..he also had to go to Delhi that night..we only booked his ticket..At first i thought that he was going with Ram sir but then he said that he was not aware that Ram sir was also travelling to Delhi that night. I asked him if he wanted to be booked in the same flight as Ram sir but he said he will take the earlier flight..
Priya grasped this piece of information with as much straight face as possible..Even Saket had been to Delhi that very same night...
Ellie: Priya..i ll send the coffee inside..
Priya nodded and walked back to Ram's cabin..
Ram had by then composed himself ..he was thinking how much had he revealed about his feelings to Priya..
Priya sat down in front of him..deep in her thoughts..Saket had gone to Delhi..he had the same watch as the person who had shot at Ram...But it was Mr. Shukla who had told Sheena about Ram being in Delhi then why was Saket getting into the frame again and again..
Ram: Priya..i need to ask you something...
Ram looked at Priya who did not respond to him..
Ram: Priya?? he tried a little louder this time..
Priya: Huh? What? Did you say something?
Ram: Yes..i was actually going to ask you how to go about filing for Divorce..
Priya: Divorce?
Ram: Yeah..me and Sheena...
Priya: Oh..you need a divorce lawyer..he or she will be able to guide you better..
Ram: Ok
The office boy arrived with the coffee and both Ram and Priya became silent..
Ram: How soon can i get the divorce?
Priya: If its proved beyond reasonable doubts about Sheena then should not be more than 2 months...Whats the hurry..you are already eyeing a girlfriend?
Ram smirked at that: No..a wife..
Priya was s startled at that reply that she almost spat out the coffee..
Ram: Easy..east..whats wrong with you?
Priya: Nothing..just took me by surprise...
Ram smiled to himself, wait till i reveal who i am eyeing that would be the real surprise..
Priya somehow felt jittery at that piece of news...
Priya: Have you...have you asked someone? Priya could literally feel her heartbeat hammering away against her ribs...
Ram leaned a little forward and whispered in an almost husky voice..
Ram: Interested...
Priya looked at him startled out of her wits...before she could reply Ram continued
Ram: Interested in someone...hoping that it will work out...
Ram watched as Priya let out the breath she was holding till now..
Priya: Oh...Can we leave we are getting late...
Ram: Ya sure ...
Ram shut down his laptop and moved towards the elevator. He smiled to himself as he remembered Priya's reaction a little while ago..
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Mr. Shah: This was expected sooner or later..i told you Priya is very sharp..
Mr. Shah had been summoned by Sheena to discuss the latest move by Ram. The news of Mr. Shukla had promptly reached her..
Mr Shah: That Shukla fellow is lucky to be still alive..anyways he was good for nothing..
Sheena: Can you stop praising Priya? Remember its me who pays you and you are on my side..
Mr Shah: I have not forgotten that but i also need you to realize that our every move has been counter attacked. We have tried every trick in the trade..We really have to do something that will help us win the case..
Sheena: Ram has such incredible luck...his lawyer saved him..
Mr, Shah: That was anyways a bad move..killing Ram or anyone will not benefit us...
Sheena: Please..i don't want a lecture from you now..i have already had enough..Are we prepared for the next hearing?
Mr. Shah: Yes..we are..
Sheena: I expect nothing to go wrong this time..this should not backfire under any circumstances..
Mr. Shah gulped a little...It won't...and he sincerely hoped that it won't. He had got away on the last occasion but any further slip ups will cost him dearly..Sheena had proven to be quite a dangerous woman and he could not afford to upset her .
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Saket looked down from his window to see Ram and Priya get into the car. He felt good seeing her like this..she was well on her road to recovery..He had still not figured out a way to approach her and he knew time was running out fast..
Steve: What are you looking at ? Steve too looked down..
Steve: She is pretty isn't she?
Saket: Yeah...
Steve: do you think there is something going on between them?
Saket: Between who?
Steve: Ram and his lawyer?
Saket: No,, why?
Steve: They seem to share a relationship more than a lawyer and client...something more personal..
Saket: Must be friends Saket shrugged his shoulders as if he did not care..but Steve's words echoed in his ears...more than a client and a lawyer..
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Ram observed Priya..she was quiet the whole journey...She had been silent from the moment he had mentioned he was interested in someone..Was she upset at that?
Ram: Priya...you believe in love?
Priya: What kind of question is that?
Ram: Answer me yaar...yes or no
Priya: S
Ram: S? What S?
Priya: Right now that is what is bothering me..there are too many S in your life...i just can't figure out who the lighter belongs to
Ram: Let me also know about the S's in my life..
Priya: Sheena, Mr. Shah her lawyer..this Satish...Sumit and Shweta...
Ram: Shweta? Come on yaar..Sumit and Shweta are not problematic..
Priya: Whatever...
Ram: And anyways...i am not interested in the S's in my life i am interested in P...
Priya turned her face towards Ram as he mentioned that...her eyes just stopped at his lips anticipating explanation of what he had just said..
Priya: P ? she said softly
Ram: Yep...my darling Pri...Ram deliberately took a long pause just to see the anticipated look on Priya's face..He watched with enjoyment as Priya gulped and regulped ..the tension writ large on her face..Princess Peehu...he said with a smile..
Priya almost looked relived the moment he said Peehu..
Ram: What were you thinking?
Priya: Nothing...Priya lied to him..she literally had her heart in her mouth fearing he would say her name or did she herself want to hear her name..
Priya looked out and was relived to find that they had reached home..It somehow soothed the butterflies in her stomach..Being with Peehu would at least divert her mind from Ram..As soon as the car stopped Priya did not wait for Ram to open the door..she herself got out..
She turned to walk off when she saw Siddhant walking towards her..
Siddhant walked past her and stood in front of Ram..
Siddhant: I need you to come to the police station..right now..
Ram: What? Why?
Siddhant: Because either you are totally ignorant of the law or just want to test it to the fullest..Get into my jeep..
Ram: What if i don't?
Priya stepped in between: Mr. Singh i need to know why you want my client at the police station, i am sure you can show me the papers..
Siddhant looked at Priya, he was sure she would come up with this..He removed the paper from his pocket and showed it to Priya..
Priya read the paper and looked at Ram..who gave her a questioning look..
Priya: Charge of Assault...with intention to kill
Ram: What? Who?
Priya: Satish Shukla...
To be Continued
Anupamaa
