Hi All,

Please nominate for all the categories mentioned on the previous note, if you haven't done yet.

Thanks a ton to all of you who took your valuable time to nominate for our entries. Means a lot!

Cheers,

Jo

**************

Dadi, Neha, Vikram and Sharma's family were eagerly waiting to know the reason behind the sudden gathering.

"Fatty, come on, say it why did you ask us to come urgently?" Neha asked desperately.

"Have patience darling. Sit and relax, we will tell you." Ram made Neha sit on the sofa where everyone sat looking curiously at Raya.

Ram and Priya stood opposite to others smiling at each other seeing the curious faces in front of them.

"Priya, what's the matter?" Shipra asked, looking at her daughter.

"Maa, it is just that we both wanted to share something with you." Priya blushed slightly.

"Say it." Ram said to her.

"You say it." Priya nudged him.

"Either of you say it. What is this suspense for?" Dadi asked.

"Dadi, there is good news for all of you. Junior Kapoor will arrive in a few months." Ram revealed.

"Priya is pregnant." Ram said side hugging Priya.

Priya blushed and her cheeks turned into pink shade hearing the loud cheering from the family members.

Vikram and Neha squealed in joy, Dadi and Shipra were overwhelmed and everyone congratulated them for the wonderful news. Their happiness has no bounds.

"Arey puttar, I am going to be a great grandmother soon. You don't know how happy I am." Dadi was excessively happy.

Ram and Priya felt super happy seeing the happy faces of their family and friends.

"Golu, it's now high time to announce your marriage." Dadi suggested.

Ram and Priya nodded in agreement.

"So happy to hear this. I know that my son-in-law would not disappoint me." Shipra said excitedly.

Priya gaped at her mother and Ram. Ram giggled.

"Which week is running?" Shipra asked, touching Priya's cheek gently.

"6 weeks, Maa." Priya replied.

"You should be very careful especially in the first trimester." Shipra told.

"Don't worry about that. I am there to take care of her all the time." Ram assured.

"I know that my daughter is in safe hands. Thanks Mr Ram." Shipra had happy tears in her eyes.

"Who is this Junior Kapoor, Maasi?" Kush asked innocently.

"Kush, your Maasi is pregnant and you will be a big brother to the baby who is currently inside her tummy." Ayesha made him understand.

"Wow, that's great. I always wanted a sister or brother to play. Thank you Maasi." Kush hugged Priya's knees.

Priya smiled at him and ruffled his hair.

"Congratulations Di & Jiju." Ayesha wished both of them hugged Priya.

"Thank you Ayesha." Priya hugged her back. Ram thanked and smiled at her.

"Looks like my tips really worked well and got the results soon." Neha elbowed Priya and whispered in her ears.

"Shh! Neha. Look at the surroundings. Maa and Dadi are here." Priya tried to silence Neha.

Ram overheard their talk and laughed at the two women. "Indeed Neha. You are a pro and love guru. But I am not giving you the total credit, okay." Ram laughed.

"Vikram, look at your wife and learn something from her. Did you ever give one valuable idea or suggestions to me in your entire life?" Ram scolded Vikram.

Vikram frowned at him before saying, "Oye Fatso, I have given hell a lot of suggestions to you. Looks like you forgot everything." Vikram sulked.

"I did not forget anything, Buddy. Whenever you give ideas, I end up in trouble very badly." Ram snapped at him.

"Exactly fatty, he is of no use. You owe me a big treat." Neha joined.

"Sure darling. I will give you whatever you ask for." Ram agreed.

Vikram sulked at Neha and Ram while Priya smiled at all of them.

They had a lot of fun before they dispersed after lunch.

*********

The next morning, Priya and Ram sat next to Dadi who was looking a bit low for some time.

"What happened Dadi? Is everything alright with your health?" Priya asked out of concern.

"Nothing happened to me Priya." Dadi answered calmly.

"Then why are you looking upset, Dadi? Are you not happy with the news we shared?" Ram asked, hearing their talk.

"Nothing as such, Golu." Dadi replied, fixing her gaze to the floor.

"Dadi, please tell us what is bothering you." Priya insisted.

"I am just thinking about Krishna. She would be elated to hear this wonderful news. Krishna would have taken very good care of you if she is here in this house." Dadi said.

Ram's blood boiled hearing his mother's name. "Daaadi. Don't bring her topic ever again." Ram shouted.

Priya and Dadi trembled seeing his aggression hearing his mother's name.

"Raam! Calm down. Why are you getting hyper?" Priya asked him.

"Priya, you don't know about her. Don't ever take that lady's name in front of me." Ram's eyes were red.

Priya got startled seeing a very angry Ram. He was very ecstatic a while ago but suddenly just a mere mention of his mother brought the different side of Ram.

"Golu, please calm down." Dadi tried to calm down Ram.

"No Dadi, I am telling you for the very last time. I do not want to hear that traitor's name again in this house. We are good without her." Ram said strongly and left without waiting for a reply.

"He is very angry to even hear Krishna's name." Dadi had tears in her eyes.

"Please Dadi, don't mind his behavior. I will try to talk to him on this." Priya told Dadi.

"No Priya. Do not talk to him on this matter. He will be angry with you too. I should not have pulled out Krishna's topic when he is around. I am sorry for spoiling your happy moments." Dadi said in a low voice, taking Priya's hand in her.

"Dadi, it's okay, don't be sorry." Priya squeezed Dadi's hand gently.

Priya could see a different Ram altogether, whenever he heard about his mother.

After talking to Dadi for a few minutes, Priya walked inside the bedroom. She then moved out to the balcony finding Ram standing with his back facing her. Slightly leaning forward, he fisted the balcony railings tightly in his hand while his gaze fixed at particularly nowhere.

"Raam!" Priya put her hand over his shoulder.

He did not respond to her. "Why do you get so angry whenever you hear about your Mom?" Priya asked resting her back on the railings.

"Priya, please, I don't want to talk about that woman." Ram said irritated without even looking at her.

Priya took his hand and moved in front of him but he turned his face to the other side.

"Look at me." Priya demanded.

"Why don't you speak to me about this topic? You can share anything with me, you know right?" Priya turned his face holding his chin.

"I don't want to. Just leave this matter, Priya." Ram said sternly.

"Ram, try to understand." Priya was about to say something when Ram cut her off saying, "If you are very adamant to speak on this matter again then I don't know what I will do." Ram had a very serious face.

Priya understood that it is not the right time to talk to him on this matter.

"Okay, okay fine. I am sorry." Priya held her ears to lighten the moment.

"This serious face doesn't suit you. Please flash your ever so charming smile." Priya pulled his cheeks.

Ram could not help but faintly smile at her cute face.

"Haa, that's like my husband." Priya pecked on his lips.

He engulfed her in his tight embrace. "I am sorry but don't ever bring her topic again." Ram said apologetically.

Priya thought, "I know you are hiding your pain under your anger. I will definitely try my best to take you out of this."

"Aren't we getting late to the office?" Priya asked, coming out of his embrace.

"We will go after an hour." Ram said.

"You are the owner so you can come anytime but I am still a normal employee for everyone. You come after an hour, I am going now." Priya turned to go.

Ram held her wrist pulling her towards him. "No, we will go together. Don't even think of going alone." Ram smirked at her.

"Then just let's go quickly. We are running late already." Priya hurried him.

*********

They both reached office vicinity and their car entered into the private parking space.

Little did they know a pair of eyes were watching them smiling and laughing with each other while their car entered the office surroundings.

Before they step out of the car, Ram said, "Don't stress yourself too much with the work."

"I have to do work but I will not stress too much, okay." Priya assured.

"No, delegate the work to the other team members, you just simply monitor if you want to." Ram told her.

"I should rather sit at home than sitting idle in the office." Priya sneered.

"I very well know that you don't sit idle in the office not even when you finish your work. Your talent came out recently. Remember, the doodles." Ram giggled.

Priya had a hearty laugh remembering his expressions that day.

"That was funny. Try to make them often. Probably there would be one more artist coming on the way." Ram said pointing at her belly.

"You take me to the office to make doodles? I better do them at home." Priya gaped at him.

"I just do not want to leave you at home, because I know you will not eat properly. I can take better care of you and our junior if you are around me." Ram said caressing on her tummy.

Priya kept her hand on top of his and smiled at him.

"Are we spending the rest of the day in the car itself or shall we enter the office?" Priya jokes.

Ram chuckled and said, "Let's go."

Ram stepped out of the car and quickly moved towards Priya's side.

"Careful." Ram held her hand as she stepped out of the car.

"Chill Ram! I am not in my last trimester of the pregnancy that you are being very careful." Priya said.

"Doesn't matter in which trimester you are in. Until now, I was being your husband only but I am going to be the father of your children. So get used to the double dose of pamperings and scoldings too, if you don't obey me or try to be over smart." Ram warned her in a playful way as they stepped inside the elevator.

"Oh my god! You are already scaring me." Priya said, keeping a hand on her heart.

"Good, keep that in your mind." Ram chuckled.

*********

Romila, Shiela, Harsha, and a couple of employees were keenly observing the way Ram and Priya entered their cabins respectively.

"Romila, did you ever notice that these two enter and leave the office at the same time?" Shiela asked Romila who was squinting her eyes upstairs where Ram and Priya's cabin were.

"Not only that, Priya gets the special benefits and even a separate cabin just next to Ram sir's cabin. Isn't it surprising?" Harsha said.

"Yes, exactly. How could a random employee who is new to the company get so many leverages?" Shiela added.

"She took a lot of unplanned/emergency leaves and even took long sabbatical leaves but still in the good books of Ram sir." Harsha pulled out his views.

Shiela nodded at him whereas Romila's heart sank and extremely worried about Ram and Priya's closeness.

"Romila, very sad to see that your hopes are crashing very badly." Shiela provoked Romila.

"Shut up, Shiela. Jaanu is mine only." Romila defended trying to keep her insecurities away.

"You know what, I have even noticed Ram sir and Priya coming in the same car smiling and laughing with each other like they have an affair for a long time." Shiela continued.

"What are you talking about?" Romila was shocked hearing this.

"That's true, Romila. I have seen with my own eyes otherwise why I would lie to you." Shiela told.

"In that case, they both really are having an affair for sure." Harsha stated.

"My Jaanu is not like that. Just shut up both of you." Romila defended.

"Your Jaanu is not yours anymore. Somebody has him already. Open your eyes, Romila." Shiela provoked Romila to the next level.

Romila covered her mouth with her palm not able to digest the fact.

*********

After some time, Priya walked towards the staff cubicles and stood next to Sheila's desk.

"Hi Sheila, Good morning." Priya wished with a soft smile.

"Hi Priya, good morning." Sheila replied with a not so welcoming look.

"I asked you to send me the project report yesterday. Is it ready? Can you please send it to me today?" Priya asked in a gentle tone.

"Actually it's not ready yet." Sheila replied casually.

"Are you facing any challenges finishing it? Please let me know if I could help you in any way." Priya genuinely offered help.

"No thanks. I can finish on my own and I know I do not have privileges like you. You can offer your services to the boss so that you could get more benefits." Sheila smirked at Priya. Sheila was rude to Priya.

Priya looked at her blankly for a moment. She looked around but luckily, Ram was not there to hear their talk otherwise he would have reacted in a outrageous way.

"You better have a control on your tongue, Sheila. It might cost you a lot if you use it recklessly." Priya gave a soft warning and left from there without indulging into any sort of catfight.

**********

Peon knocked on Priya's cabin door. He entered with the tray in his hand once he got permission from Priya.

"Hello Madam, Good Morning. Here is the juice for you." Peon kept the glass on her desk.

"Hello Shyam, Good Morning! I did not ask for any juice. Why did you bring it?" Priya asked with a confused face.

"Ma'am, Ram sir especially told me to give you juice and fruits on a regular interval." Shyam replied with a gentle smile.

Priya immediately cocked her head to the side where Ram was smiling back seeing her through the glass.

Employees already started tittle-tattle (gossiping) about them and on top of it, Ram leaves no stone unturned to create a few more speculations on them.

Priya glared at him before turning to the peon.

"Okay, thank you, Shyam." Priya said and the peon left from there.

Priya then looked at Ram angrily. He laughed and signaled her to drink the juice.

Priya shook her head sideways mimicking 'No' and logged into the laptop before engrossed in checking her emails.

Ram exhaled deeply and stood up from his place before walking into her cabin.

"Why are you not drinking this?" Ram hurried to her side.

"Like seriously? You stuffed me enough at the breakfast just a while ago and you want me to finish this as well." Priya frowned at him.

"Yes, no compromise on this. Have it." Ram did not pay any heed to her words and handed her the glass of juice.

"This is too much, Raam. It's overeating, I say." Priya whined.

"Hello, don't try to fool me, okay. I know very well that you skipped drinking juice on the breakfast table so finish it off right now. Otherwise I know how to make you drink this." Ram warned her.

Without having any option left, Priya took the glass with a sulking face.

She kept the glass back on the desk after taking a few sips. "I am done."

"No way. Drink it completely." Ram took the glass in his hand and made her drink.

"Jaaaanu....Di...diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!" Ram and Priya turned their faces in the direction of the voice.

Priya's jaws dropped seeing Romila at the entrance of her cabin.

Romila entered the cabin letting the door closed behind her.

Ram kept the glass on the desk and scratched his temple seeing Romila. Priya rose up from her seat instantly out of shock.

Romila's head started spinning seeing Ram and Priya together like this. Romila collapsed on the floor the next second, not able to digest that the rumours and gossip were actually true.