This is a lengthy chapter. I will complete this story in next part. Happy reading.

Meanwhile at the boutique, Ram and kunal entered the boutique after Arpita called Ram.
Kunal: baby this will suit you better.
Kunal showed a dress to which Arpita made a face and went near Ram.
Arpi: Bhai you select for me and you Kunal, you are totally useless.
Ram: arey leave him bacha, we will get you the best dress.

Ram turned towards the sales person
Ram: show us the most expensive outfit in this boutique.
Kunal: seriously Ram, she will just wear once and then that outfit will become useless to your sister. You are wasting so much money for this.
Ram: Kunal, stop being stingy like your bhabhi. My sister will get only the best and whatever she wishes.
Kunal: wait till my Bhabhi comes.
Ram: like we are afraid of her.
Arpi: Bhai, bhabhi will surely kill us.
Ram: let get your dress billed before she comes.
Arpi: love you Bhai.
Arpita linked her arms with Ram while Ram winked at arpi making her to grin widely.

Bri came and elbowed Ram making him scowl in fake annoyance.
Ram: kya yaar bri
Bri: what about my shopping?
Ram: ask your husband to pay.
Bri: you owe me Ram
Ram: I don't owe you anything. So ask your husband to pay.
Bri: so you really want me to jog your memory.
Ram knew bri will embarass him with details.
Ram: jaan, you can buy whatever you want. I will pay for everything.
Bri: that's better.
Bri dusted her hands lazily while Kunal chuckled witnessing that.
Twinkle came and linked her arms with other side of ram.
Twinkle: this is not fair jeeju. You are gifting only for these two and left me alone.
Ram: arey buy whatever you want. I'm here to pay for you guys .
Twinkle: that's like my jeeju.
Soon all three started their shopping, Seeing them busy in selecting so many outfits. Ram turned to Kunal who was laughing out loud seeing ram's shocked face.
Ram: Kunal get your bhabhi asap, these three are planning to leave me bankrupt with their shopping.
Kunal just laughed in response.
Kunal: enjoy the shopping Ram. I'm off to play zone.
Ram: Kunal kunallll.
This was all witnessed by shivi and sandy who also came their for shopping separately. Both looked at the scene infront them remembering the way Ram behaved with them similarly in the past.
Ram excused himself giving his card to Arpita asking her to make the payment as he wanted to attend a call.

Ram walked out of the boutique looking into his phone only to be dash into shivi. He asked a sorry and was about to walk away but stopped listening to shivi.
Shivi: Ram bhai.
Ram was surprised seeing both shivi and sandy.
Ram: arey Tum dono yahan? How are you guys?
Shivi: Bhai did you really forget us?
Ram: why are speaking like this shivi?
Sandy: you never came to meet us. You and pri di totally forgot us.
Ram: it's not like that we just got busy in life. Leave all that. How are you guys?
Shivi: not fine without you Bhai. Where were you all these years?
Ram: shivi,
Before he can say further, Kunal came with the wailing Khushi in his arms which made Ram to dash to them. Ram tried pacify her but she kept crying asking for Priya.

While Priya was busy talking to her family.
Meera: Priya, where were you all this years?
Priya: somewhere in this world ma.
Meera: you still didn't forgive us for the past.
Priya: I forgot everything ma. You too should forget everything and move on.
Sara: Priya please forgive us for the past mistakes.
Priya: let's not talk about the past di. How is ishaan?
Sara: he is in America now busy with his research works.
Priya: thats a very good news.

Before she can say further, her phone started ringing. Priya silenced her phone immediately after taking out from her pant pocket. Priya softly rocked the boy who stirred in her arms. Priya attended the call after making the baby boy to sleep comfortably. Meera noticed the way Priya handled the kid with ease.
Priya: heloo
Ram: jaan where are you?
Priya: kya hua
Ram: Khushi is crying for you
Priya: where are you?
Ram: I'm near a boutique
Priya: I'm at the other end of the boutique.
Ram: two mins. We are coming. You stay there.
Priya: yeah come soon.
Sara: where is Ram? Priya
Priya: he is also here, Maitri
Maitri: haan di.
Priya gave her the now sleeping kid to maitri and started looking around to find Ram.
Priya: excuse me.
Priya literally ran to ram who was now carrying the badly crying Khushi. Priya quickly picked her daughter in her arms and softly caressed her whispering sweet nothings along with humming Khushi's favourite song softly. Priya made her daughter drink the warm milk that Ram handed to her. Khushi started snoozing in her mother's arms after filling her little tummy.
Ram: when she needs you, she needs only you period. I can never understand her.
Priya: perfect blend of us.
Ram: that's true.
Ram was wearing a jean, t-shirt and hoodie with its zipper open with sneakers matching his wife. Both looked awesome together and more young than the last time they saw them. Ram just had medium stubble not full grown beard like in the past. Priya gently ran her hands through his hair combing it properly which looked tousled. His current style gave a suave look to him. Ram gave a smile and Removed his hoodie on noticing his daughter slightly shivering. Ram covered his daughter with hoodie properly after kissing her forehead as she refused to leave Priya 's arms.
Ram: shaitaan bacha.
Ram ruffled khusi's hair softly with a small smile.
Ram: you look tired Jaan.
Priya: no I'm fine.
Ram: sorry.

Ram placed a soft kiss on Priya's side of her head before ushering her towards their gang. In all this, Priya genuinely forgot all the person she was talking to Previously who were now standing in shock watching Everything in a distance from the Little family.

Seeing Priya walk away, Meera quickly shouted her name which made both Ram and Priya to stop in their track. Ram turned back curiously only to find neeraj,maitri,Meera and Sara standing there. He suddenly remembered shivi and sandy.
Ram: it's seems whole sood family is in this mall.
Priya: huh?
Ram: I met shivi and sandy earlier.
Priya: Ram
Ram: it's okey Jaan. Let's face it.
Priya: this is so emotionally tiring.
Ram rubbed her arms softly in order to give her some comfort. Priya gave a small smile to Ram and both walked towards the sood's while shivi and sandy as well joined them.
Meera: Ram beta how are you?
Ram: I'm fine aunty. How are you guys? How is ishaan?
All looked at Ram in shock listening to the word aunty. They knew at that moment nothing can be changed.
Ram can't bring himself to address her as ma after remembering his wife's pain.
Priya: it seems ishaan is in America.
Ram: that's great. He will have a bright future.
Sara: all thanks to you Ram. As you were the one who helped ishaan.
Ram: arey di, he helped himself. All credit goes to him alone.
Meera: is this your daughter?
Meera asked going near Priya to take a look at Khushi.Ram softly removed his jacket from his daughter's face while Meera caressed Khushi's cheek softly which made Khushi to stir. Meera softly placed a kiss on khushi's forehead which made the toddler to whine a little while Priya rocked her daughter.
Priya: sorry ma. She is just cranky.
Neeraj: so Mr. Kapoor what are you doing?
Ram: arey just call me Ram.
Neeraj: you were the one who insisted on calling Mr. Kapoor before.
Maitri nudged her husband asking him to shut up seeing his smirk.
Ram: that was before. Now it's just Ram.

Ram stopped using Kapoor once they left Mumbai. It was just Ram and Priya Ram. They didn't even want to be associated with anyone from their past. They decided to create their own identity. Listening to Mr. Kapoor after 7 years felt weird to him.
Ram: just business.
Shivi: Bhai what's her name? She is damn preety
Ram: khushi
Sara: she is so cute.
Sandy: bilkul pari ki tara
Ram smiled listening to them.
Priya: jaan
Ram: haan
Priya gave Khushi who finally fell in deep sleep to ram. Ram quickly got their daughter from Priya and patted her to sleep.
Ram: are you okey?
Priya: just my hand went numb.
Ram softly pressed her hand to ease her.
Priya: I'm fine.
Ram: shall we sit somewhere?
Ram asked looking no one in particular.
Neeraj was all ready to watch the family drama. So he was the first one to agree.
Neeraj: yeah sure.
Ram: how about in food court?
Neeraj: sure why not?
Ram: then shall we?
Neeraj nodded and started walking towards food court followed by all.
Shivi: bhabhi how are you?
Priya: I'm fine shivi. How are you? How is akki?
Shivi: I'm fine pri di, akki is also doing fine. Where are you guys staying?
Priya: hotel.
Meera: why will you stay in hotel when you have home here? You three come with us and stay in our home.
Priya: no it's okey. It's just a matter of few days.
Sara: few days?
Sandy: you didn't return back to Mumbai?
Priya: this is just a business trip. We will return back in a week or two.
Sara: where are you living Priya?
Priya looked at Ram uncomfortably who shrugged in reply. Meera noticed that and decided to ignore it.
Meera: atleast till you are here, you guys can stay with us right?
Sandy: yeah di, just for few days.
Priya: We will visit some other time ma.
Neeraj: seems like Priya is holding grudge against you all.
Maitri scolded neeraj while the latter just smirked.
Meera: Priya why can't you forget everything and move on.
Priya looked at her mother sadly, she is asking her to forget everything, how can she forgot that they literally played with her husband's life. She would have lost her husband due to their selfishness and they want her to forget that.
Ram: aunty we are really busy for few days. We will try to visit you guys before returning back to our home.

They reached food court and all got settled when Priya noticed their gang occupying a corner table and enjoying the feast. She smiled seeing their craziness. Priya signalled Ram to see who smiled on witnessing them.
Meera: Ram, beta atleast you ask her to forgive us. Why is she not talking to us properly?
Priya: ma I'm really fine. There is no need for you to be emotional.
Ram held Priya's hand seeing the change in her temper.
Ram: so how is your life guys?
Sara: sandy got married two years back.
Ram: wow
Priya: congratulations sandy.
Sandy slightly blushed and thanked them.
Sandy: I live in Delhi now. Just came here for small vacation.
Ram: that's good bacha. Are you working?
Sandy: yes jeeju
Priya: we are really proud of you sandy.
Sandy smiled in response.
Ram: how is akki?

Shivi: he is doing well bhai, his business is doing good. He started his business with the share you gave me Bhai.
Ram: that was all yours shivi. I never gave you anything.
Ram: aap Sara di?
Sara: bakery
Meera: she just works like machine.
Ram: you should give yourself another chance di.
Sara: I'm happy in this life Ram.
Ram: may be life can offer you a second chance. Live with an open mind di.
Sara: hmm.
Neeraj: now tell us about you guys?
Priya: well we are doing fine neeraj.
Neeraj: we should say that Priya. Not you.
Ram: hey cool man.
Before they can speak Arpita came there with Yash.
Yash: badi maaaa.
Yash launched himself on Priya making her to smile. Priya picked him up and made him comfortably sit in her lap.
Arpi: sorry bhabhi. Did we distrub you?
Ram: what are you talking arpi?
Priya: will you have French fries yashu.
Yash nodded his head with eagerness. Priya fed him a piece of fries while the little munchkin ate happily and fed her a piece in return making Priya to smile.
Priya: is everything okey?
Arpi: everything is fine Bhabhi. Will this take time Bhai?
Priya: just few minutes.
Yash: badi ma
Priya: haan jaan
Yash: ketchuppp
Priya: acha ketchupppppp chaiye meri bachu ko.
Priya tickled the baby boy making the toddler to hug her while giggling.
Priya then fed him the fries with ketchup.
Arpi: bhabhi you both owe us another day of shopping as you never joined us for shopping.
Ram: I'm so done with your shopping, jaan these three already made me pay for everything. They just want me to go bankrupt.
Priya: don't you dare to blame them Ram. It would have been your idea
Arpi laughed while Ram gave a sheepish smile.
Rishu: mama.
Priya: rishu
Bri: what are you guys doing here priya?
Sara: bri
Bri: Sara.
Sara and bri shared few words with eachother.
Bri:We are sorry to disturb you guys.
Priya: no bri we are almost done.
Adi who joined them with pihu talked to ram without noticing the others.
Adi: Ram shall we get back to the hotel. This is place is getting crowded. Kids are getting cranky.
Priya: rishu bacha don't eat that. That's paneer.
Rishu: ok mama.
Ram: drink this rishu.
Ram handed the juice to rishu who smiled and drank it.
Ram: let's get them back to hotel.
Ram: pihu do you want anything jaan.
Pihu: unicorn toy papa
Ram: papa will get it for you on the way to our hotel baby. Here they don't have the type you asked.
Pihu: pihu promise
Ram: haan meri jaan promise. Now Will you have some juice?
Rishu: you have this pihu. I'm full.
Pihu: okey rishu.
Ram and Priya smiled seeing the way rishu helping pihu to sip the juice.
Rishu: drink slowly pihu.
Rishu took a tissue and wiped pihu's chin where she spilled some juice.
Ram: he is your carbon copy Priya.
Priya: and she is yours.
Meera: Priya yeh dono.
Ram: this is rishav and pihu our first borns.
Neeraj: twins?
Priya: yeah.
Shivi: Bhai you have twins?
Meera: you have three children Priya.
Priya: yeah
Meera: you never once told us about them. Why Did you do this priya?
Priya: ma please. Adi take them all with you.
Adi: driver will be waiting. Give him a call once you are done with this.
Priya: yeah. Bri.
Bri: chalo rishu, pihu let's get yummy icecreams for you.
Rishu: really chachi?
Bri: really meri jaan.
Rishu: mama?
Priya: only one rishu.
Pihu: ok mama.
Priya: I never said you can have pihu.
Pihu: papa?
Ram: come on jaan, stop teasing my daughter.
Priya: just have one pihu and no more chocolates for you this week.
Pihu looked at her father who winked at her. Pihu gave toothy smile.
Pihu: ok mama.
With that all left them alone.
Meera: Priya we never deserved this. You know seeing your child was our biggest dream.
Priya: just now you saw them right?
Meera: Priya when did you became like this? You didn't even introduce them to us.
Before priya can answer, she got a call from her assistant who called Priya to inform about her rescheduled   meeting.
Priya: Ram
Ram: haan jaan
Priya: Neha(assistant) messed up with my calender again.
Ram: what did she do now?
Priya: she scheduled a meeting without asking me
Ram: I will ask Kunal to change your assistant jaan.
Priya: even I'm thinking the same, change her department. I just miss asha.
Ram: will do. I'm sure asha is enjoying her maternity leave
Priya: you are right. Shall we leave?
Ram: yeah sure.
Meera: Priya
Priya: ma I'm sorry right now I have an important work. Will see you guys later. Bye.
Shivi: bhai give me your number.
Ram gave shivi his number and both bid bye to everyone before rushing out.
Meera: Priya has changed so much.
Maitri: yeah ma.
Sara: she is still cold towards us.
All left for their home with troubled heart seeing the Ram and Priya behaved with them

Two days later, all got ready to attend a small success party thrown by Arpita's father. Everyone reached the venue and got a great welcome. The party started in a full swing. Ram was talking with one of his business associate when
Mr. Mehra who was his old business partner came to him finally recognising Ram.
Mr. Mehra: Mr. Kapoor it's good to see you back. Finally we got to see you again.
Ram: Mr. Mehra, nice meeting you.
Mr. Mehra: so Mr. Kapoor,
Ram: just call me Ram, sir.
Mr. Mehra: it's been long time since we met. How is your life Ram? You just got vanished one day without any clue.
Ram just smiled in response,
Ram: just thought to take a break from the regular routine.
Mr. Mehra: years break?
Ram: you can say that

In all these, Ram didn't notice nandhini and shubu standing listening to him in a distance. He was busy talking to everyone while nandini and shubu was shocked to see ram back. He looked more classy than before. They were busy looking at Ram when Priya joined Ram.
Ram: Mr. Mehra this is my wife.
Mr. Mehra: hello Mrs. Kapoor.
Mr. Mehra gave his hand for a shake. Priya shaked hands with him.
Priya: it's Priya Ram sir.
Nandini noticed the way both refused to use Kapoor name. Nandhini noticed the close bond between Ram and Priya. She decided to speak to Ram to know why he is back. Infact she will be happy if Ram started taking care of their business as they find it very difficult to manage the business without him. Now they nearly lost 70% of the property that Ram handed them. Just from last one year, shubu and his wife somehow started managing the business.

Priya excused herself and went inside. Mr. Mehra too went after a while. Ram looked around to find his family and that's when he noticed Nandhini and shubu walking towards him. Shubu hugged ram while Ram slightly patted his back.
Shubu: Ram bhai, how are you?
Ram took a moment to compose himself, before starting to speak.
Ram: I'm fine shubu. How are you?
Shubu: fine Bhai.
Nandini: Ram, where were you all these years? Do you know how much we tried to find you?
Ram just stayed silent as he knew they never really searched for them.
Nandini: why would you go leaving all of us like this?
Ram stayed silent not knowing what to respond.
Shubu: you shouldn't have left like that Bhai.
Ram: I want you to step up and take your position as everything was yours.
Nandini: but still Ram he can't manage it like how you did.
Ram: he can do more than me. After all he is a Kapoor.
Nandini: leave that? How are you?
Ram: I'm fine.
Vedika: Ram is that you?
Ram mentally groaned listening to her voice. But kept a straight face.
Ram: hello Vedika.
Vedika: it's good to see you back finally.
Ram just nodded his head with a curt smile.
Nandini: where have you been settled Ram? What are you doing for earning?
Ram: just business.
Nandini: you should atleast now consider coming back ram. We all miss you.
Ram just gave a small smile in reply still remembering her words on that day in the back of his mind. Ram just hoped someone would help him from escaping this.

As if in cue, adi came towards Ram with Khushi walking beside him holding his finger.
Adi: Ram
Nandini: adi you are still in contact with Ram and you didn't find it important to inform us.
Adi looked at nandini and shubu in shock.
Khushi: papaaaa
Ram smiled and bend down to pick his daughter in his arms.
Ram: what does my doll want now?
Khushi: papa chocoooo
Ram: mama is going to scold you jaan. You have already ate so many Chocolates in the last few days.
Khushi: papa please pleaseee
Khushi cutely pouted and acted crying making Ram to shake his head in disbelief.
Ram: drama queen. Always get me into a trouble.
Ram took out the chocolate bar from his jacket and gave her.
Khushi: thank you papa. Love you.
Khushi placed a wet kiss on Ram's cheek making him