LOVE REKINDLED

Rekindling Love

As soon as Ram crossed the threshold, He embraced Priya tightly. He held onto her as if he never wanted to let her go. Priya reciprocated the hug, holding him closer. She felt a mix of relief and overwhelming emotions. 
They stood locked in each other's arms, and allowing the tears to flow freely. These tears were a symbol of healing, of emotions too deep to put into words. Ram gently wiped away her tears and placed tender kisses on her forehead, her cheeks and wherever his lips found her face, reaffirming his love in each touch.
The walls that once separated them began to crumble. Their souls had started to heal, and they knew that with patience, understanding and forgiveness, they could build a new life together. One where their love would weather any storm that came their way. 

Few minutes later, they broke the hug and then gazed into each other's eyes. Priya feelt a mixture of joy and vulnerability. She looked down, feeling a bit shy and unsure about the intensity of their connection. Ram held her hand firmly, lifted her chin up and  locked his eyes with her. He wiped away her tears, and tenderly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and then planted another gentle kiss on her forehead.

Overwhelmed by her emotions, Priya couldn't hold back her tears. She hit Ram's chest softly in a mixture of anger, frustration and pent-up emotions flooding out. Ram, understanding her pain and acknowledging his own shortcomings, pulled her back into a tight and warm hug again, offering comfort in his arms. Their tears mingled. Their hearts beat as one. They finally allowed themselves to release the pent-up emotions that had haunted them for years.

In that very moment, the rain outside seemed to echo the turmoil inside their hearts. Priya's tears were a mix of joy and pain, feeling the warmth of his touch after what felt like an eternity. Ram held her as if afraid to let her go again. His heart raced with both regret and hope.

"Mr. Kapoor, aap theek hain?....maine aapko bohot miss kiya..", she whispered.
He whispered softly, cupping her cheeks "Maine bhi tumhe bohot zyada miss kiya, Priya. Tumhe koi andaaza bhi nahi hoga ki meri zindagi tumhare bina kya se kya bann gaya tha."

Priya, still overwhelmed, responded with a choked voice, "Har pal, har ghadi aapko hi yaad karti rehti thi. But things happened, aur mai aapko bhugatate hue nahi dekhna chahati thi, par mai galat thi...galti ho gayi mujhse."

"Galti tumhare akele ki nahi hai priya," Ram said, his voice was sincere and apologetic. "Hum dono se hua hai. I have failed you, as a husband aur as a father bhi. Mujhe maaf karogi na please?"

Priya took a deep breath, looking into his eyes, bit upsetting tone, "Aap bhale hi hamare bachhi ke papa honge par aap mere ex-husband hai, husband nahi."
Ram: Priya, maine kaha na woh...
Priya(releasing herself from his hold): Mr. Kapoor, aapke kehne ya na kehne se yeh baat thodi badal jayegi ki hum pati-patni nahi rahe, haina?
Ram nodded not meeting her eyes
Priya: Mujhe na iss baat ki bohot pachtaava hai ki, Maine aapse hamari bachhi ki sacchai chupayi, Jo mujhe nahi karni chaiye thi, Par mai kya karti? Haalat aise thi ki mai dari hui thi, Agar Mrs. Kapoor ki dhamki ke baare mein bata bhi deti toh kya aap mujhe trust karte uss wakt? Nahi karte! Aur Pihu ke janam ke baad, Usse waha, Uss mansion mein Mrs. Kapoor se saath ek chhath ke neeche rakhte...Jo mai bilkul nahi honay deti. Aur phir..
Ram: Ek second...Tum hi bole jaa rahi hu tabse, Mujhe bhi kuch bolne ka mauka dogi? 
Priya: I'm sorry Mr. Kapoor.
Ram: Sorry...Mai woh...Mujhe aise nahi bolna chaiye tha. Mai maanta hu meri bhi galti thi, Par kya tumhe sach mei lagta hai ki mai tumpe trust nahi karta? Especially tab, jab hamare beech ek bacHha involved tha? Ek bharosa kar ke dekh leti toh tum. Pihu, Ishaan aur mujhe, hum sabko yeh sab nahi bhugatna padta. Especially tumhe! Par nahi tumhe har wakt sirf baatein chupaani hai mujhse.....Aur haan ek baat aur yaad rakhna, Mai tumhara tha, aur tumhara hi rahunga...Ek kaagaz ke upar sign kar dene se hamare beech ka rishta bhale hi khatam ho gya par pyaar nahi badla....Aaj bhi utna hi pyaar karta hoon tumse, Jitna saalon phele karta tha.
Priya(whispering softly): Sorry!
Ram: Sorry nahi, Waada chaiye ki abse tum mujhse kuch nahi chupaogi aur sab kuch khud se hi deal nahi karogi. Tumne kuch bhi akele karne ki koi zarurat nahi hain. Jo bhi tumhaare mann mein hai, Mujhe khul ke kaho, Lado mujhse. Par aise gussa hoke baatein mat chupana abse.
Priya: Aap...Mujhpe...trust karenge..n..na?
Ram: Na karne ka koi sawaal hi nahi hai. I trust you priya, khud se bhi zyada.
Priya: Sach bolun toh, Mr. Kapoor, jo hua so hua, abb mai na sab kuch bhula dena chahti hu.....Mai na chahti hu ki jab mai kal subah apne aankhein kholu, toh yeh sab ek bura sapna ho, jo kabhi hua hi nahi tha. Aisa hoga na Mr.Kapoor? hoga na? Boliye?
"Zarur, I promise. Tum bass mujhpe trust karo aur sab kuch mujhpe chhod do. Abb har ek chiz ka hisaab hoga Priya." Ram said wiping the tears rolling on her cheeks.


 "Mujhe darr lagg raha hai Mr. Kapoor" she admitted, her voice shaking. "Darr, Kahi main aapko phir se na kho doon, Kahi hamara dil phir se na toot jaaye."