Next morning,

Ram came to Sharma house to pick up Priya to take her to the hospital for the procedure. Unaware of the things, Shipra was very happy to see Ram in Sharma house and welcomed him inside excitedly.

"Namaste Shipra Ji, how are you?" greeted Ram with a polite smile on his face. Just then, Sudhir came out of the room hearing Ram's voice. Seeing Ram sitting in the living area, Sudhir made his way towards him with a warm smile.

"Mr Ram, you here?" said Sudhir with a pleasant expression.

"Ha, actually I came to meet you Sudhir Ji" said Ram standing on his feet.

"Please have a seat." Sudhir sat on the couch beside Ram.

"You came to meet me, what could I ask for more? I am grateful and I do not know how to repay you. I am just really thankful." thanked Sudhir.

"What are you saying? You all are like family to me. Priya also thanked me many times. Now you do not need to thank me anymore. I'm glad that I could help you and your family." Said Ram politely. Priya was hearing the whole conversation from her room.

"What does he think of himself? I clearly told him to not come here yet he did it again. Why is he acting so nice in front of my family? I have never seen anyone who is this pathetic and fake." Priya said under her gritted teeth.

Ram was infuriating her.

"What do you prefer Tea or coffee?" offered Shipra.

"Nothing, I have to leave. Can I meet Priya once?" said Ram asking about Priya.

"Priya, Priya beta. Look who has come to meet you" called Shipra. Priya closed her eyes, clearly annoyed. She had no mood to deal with Ram but came out of her room when her mother kept banging on her door.

Priya looked at Ram with a serious expression.

"Hi Priya, can we go out and talk for a moment? It's regarding Natasha's studies." Lied Ram.

"Sure." Priya agreed unwillingly.

"Maa, I've to go and I also need to meet one of my friends so it might take time. You don't worry." Said Priya assuring Shipra.

"Ok beta" replied Shipra with a smile.

"Ram and Priya look so good together," said Shipra happily once Raya left the house.

"Shipra, are you crazy? We can't match Ram in anyway." said Sudhir thoughtfully.

"Oh, oh Sudhi you don't know anything. They look so good together." Said Shipra.

"I don't know Shipra but Priya is hiding something. She has been acting differently from the past few days. I could sense there is something troubling her." Said Sudhir sadly.

"You are overthinking Sudhi. There is nothing like that and if there is, she will share it with us. Why would she hide from us?" Shipra said with a frown.

"Shipra you never know. Maybe it is something serious that she does not want to share with us." said Sudhir worriedly.

"Sudhi, there is nothing like that. Let's talk to her once she is back to clear your doubts." Said Shipra calming Sudhir and gently caressing his hand.

*********

In the car,

"When I clearly told you to not come to my house then why did you come? You could have just called me Mr Kapoor." Said Priya frustrated.

"I came to see Sudhir Ji and I thought to take you to hospital as well so what is the big deal." replied Ram plainly.

She averted her gaze out of the window completely ignoring Ram. He was getting on her nerves so she chose to stay silent. Once they reached the hospital, nervousness and anxiety took over Priya making her unsettle. She was uncertain about what was going to happen but she had no choice.

Priya's legs were shivering while waiting for her turn to meet the doctor. Her heart skipped a beat when her turn came to step inside the doctor's cabin. Taking small steps hesitantly, Priya walked inside the cabin while Ram had to wait outside.

"Priya don't be scared. We are just going to do a body check-up before we start the procedure." Said the doctor assuring Priya.

The doctor started Priya's body check-up. She checks Priya's eyes, weight and other few check-ups. Then the doctor takes the things for BP check-up. The doctor sees how silent Priya was the entire time.

"Priya how you met Mr. Kapoor?" asked the doctor, trying to interact with her but Priya remained quiet. The doctor then did not say anything as she saw that Priya did not want to share anything.

"Priya your BP is very high." the Doctor said. Priya was breaking inside gradually.

"Priya are you OK?" asked the doctor in a concerned tone. Priya could not control anymore and let out a muffled cry covering her mouth.

"Priya why are you crying? What is going on? Tell me Priya." Asked the Doctor, keeping her hand on Priya's shoulder. Priya just nodded her head sideways while tears streamed down from her cheeks. Doctor waited for Priya to come back to normal.

"I'm sorry Doctor. I just could not..." Priya tried saying.

"Is Mr. Kapoor forcing you to do this?" asked the Doctor out of worry.

"My life is a mockery." Priya smirked looking at her. The doctor scrunched her brows.

"Surrogacy is a good technology as it helps parents to have their own child but some people are misusing it like Mr Kapoor. Without marriage if you have a child, it will be hard for the child to cope up with society and that child will have only one parent lifelong. At the same time if the child is born by surrogacy to a single parent, the child is treated as legitimate. Why can't people adopt a child from an orphanage if they really want to have a child and not get a willing surrogate mother? Why do people have to force someone into fulfilling their desires?" Priya said with an aching heart.

The doctor agreed with Priya and got a clear picture of what might happen with Priya.

"Do you want me to speak to Ram?" asked the Doctor.

"No" denied Priya. "It is not going to work. Talking to Mr. Kapoor and convincing him is next to impossible."

"If you want, I can say that you are not in a condition to do this and you can skip this," Doctor suggested Priya.

"What's the use? He is not that foolish. He will definitely take me to another hospital for a second opinion.," said Priya, giving up on the doctor's suggestion.

"I can understand your situation and how you are feeling right now," said the Doctor sympathetically.

"No Doctor you don't know how I am feeling right now. Only the girl who is experiencing this can understand how dreadful this is and how helpless." Said Priya with overflowing emotion. The doctor felt sorry for Priya and kept her hand on her shoulder.

"You don't worry about me and continue the procedure doctor," said Priya. The doctor felt bad for Priya but agreed according to Priya's wish. Doctor asked Nurse to take the blood samples from Priya for conducting a few tests.

Ram was impatiently waiting outside the doctor's cabin. After an hour, the doctor called Ram inside.

"Please take a seat Mr Kapoor." Doctor asked Ram to sit in front of her seat.

"Thanks Doctor. Are you done with your tests? Are we good to go ahead with the procedure?" Ram shot his questions at Doctor.

"Have some patience Mr Kapoor. We have done Priya's body check-up for now." Doctor intervened. Ram nodded his head in acknowledgement.

"Blood samples and some other tests are taken and the report will be ready by tomorrow. In addition, her productive pattern, hormonal status, body composition and BMI ratio need to be analyzed. Once we get all the details only, we can tell whether Priya is completely fit for this procedure or not. Please come tomorrow along with Priya to receive the reports and the rest of the procedure." Said the doctor.

"Okay Doctor" said Ram happily.

"Where is Priya?" asked Ram, not finding Priya around.

"She is in the changing room. You can wait for her outside." The doctor said.

After a while, Priya came and Ram dropped her at the home. Priya was silent the entire drive.

"Di has come" said Karthik and hugged Priya tightly as soon as she entered the house.

"Are, what happened?" asked Priya, shocked by Karthik's gesture. Just then, Shipra came and stuffed a full piece of sweet inside her mouth.

"Karthik has got a job offer letter from Kapoor industries." Squealed Shipra beaming with joy. Priya smiled at Karthik softly.

"Congratulations Karthik." said Priya.

"Di the whole credit go to you. Thank you di" said Karthik with happiness. Priya smiled but inside she was sad but then she looked at her family. They were very happy, unaware of the volcano running in her.

"Their happiness is all I need" said Priya to herself and looked at how happy they were.

"Maa, I'm going to my room. I'm very tired." said Priya and went to her room.

In the evening, Priya took classes for Natasha and left KM before Ram came back from office.

Next day in clinic,

"Priya I have checked your reports and you are fit for surrogacy." Said the doctor hesitantly looking at Priya.

Ram's happiness had no bound. His wish was finally going to come true.

Priya's heart is crying inside but she tried hard by not showing it out on her face. Tears welled up in her eyes and she gulped a lump down her throat.

"We'll continue the next procedure after her period gets over this month. Until then the other reports will also come. Then next we can start with Artificial insemination (AI) procedure. I will inform you about the remaining details later." Said the doctor. She was feeling sorry for Priya but she could not do anything as Priya agreed to go ahead with the procedure.

"Thank you, doctor.," said Ram happily.

After that, they left the hospital and on the way to Priya's home in the car. Ram was happy but Priya remained silent. Ram noticed how sad Priya was and stopped the car on the side of the road. Even after stopping the car, Priya did not say anything.

"Priya why are you not talking." asked Ram, while knitting his brows. Priya did not reply to his words.

"Priya I'm trying to be normal with you but you are not even talking to me. What is wrong with you? See Priya whatever happens I am not turning back at this point of time; I will do this at any cost." said Ram a little angrily.

Priya turned her face to the other side showing her disinterest towards him.

"Fine then," said Ram, drove the car angrily, and dropped Priya home.

Weeks passed, and Priya did not meet Ram. She stopped going to the institute but she took classes to Natasha and used to leave early in order to avoid meeting Ram.

One fine day, Ram came back home early from office while Priya was still teaching Natasha.

"What happened Priya? I have been noticing you for quite some time. You are looking disturbed. Is there something you want to share with me? You are not talking to me as you usually do. Did Bhai say anything to you?" asked Natasha in a concerned voice as she noticed how Priya has changed from the past couple of weeks.

Ram's name was enough to increase Priya's rage.

"What is this Natasha? Why does your talk land always on your Bhai? See Natasha from now on I do not want you talking about your Bhai in the class. If you do not want to study then tell me. I'll not come here tomorrow." Said Priya angrily. Natasha's eyes widened in shock seeing Priya's impulsive nature. She never saw Priya this angry.

"Sorry" said Natasha lowering her head.

"No, No. I am sorry Natasha. I should not have said those things. I just overreacted. I'm sorry I am not in a right mood," said Priya apologetically squeezing Natasha's hand.

"That's okay Priya." Natasha smiled in return.

Priya then looked at her wristwatch realizing that it was her time to leave.

"Natasha, I need to go now. Bye" said Priya while taking her things and left the room. Ram was overhearing their conversation from outside the room. Then Priya came out of the room and noticed Ram standing in the hallway. She paused and turned her head away from Ram to not look at him. Priya then informed KK and about to leave the house.

"Priya wait. I'll drop you home." said Ram loud enough for Priya to stop in her tracks outside the house. She closed her eyes in disbelief and turned around to see Ram.

"No thank you. I'll go by myself," said Priya bluntly.

"I told you I'll drop you. I am saying it not asking you," said Ram showing his anger.

"If I can come to your house by myself then I guess I can go back myself." Said Priya with a frown.

"That's enough. Now how dare you talk to my sister like that? You have no right to scold her or say anything to her," said Ram pointing his finger at Priya gritting his teeth. Priya's eyes widened in shock.

"So that is why you are here. Let me tell you one thing Mr. Kapoor I do not like when students talk off topic during classes. I know how to teach Natasha and I do not need to learn that from you. I was just doing my work and it should not matter to you Mr. Kapoor." Said Priya irritated and angrily.

She moved away from there and waited for the taxi. Ram, infuriated by her, pulled Priya holding her wrist firmly, making her sit in the car. He made her sit in the car and closed the door before taking the driving seat without caring about her struggle to get rid of him.

Natasha witnessed the scene from far and smiled at thinking something was cooking between Ram and Priya.

In the night,

Ram, Natasha and Krishna were having dinner together. KK wanted to say something but hesitated.

"Tomorrow, Mr. Chawla has invited us for dinner". Krishna initiated looking at Ram.

"Why? Is there a special occasion? You can go if you wish and take Natasha along with you." Said Ram uninterested to attend.

"Ram, Mr. Chawla wants to see you" Said Krishna hopefully.

Ram scrunched his eyes "Why?"

Krishna hesitated and said, "First you promise me that you will not get angry." Said Krishna and paused for a moment. "Actually, he wanted to take this friendship to the next level. He wished you to marry his daughter.

Ram stopped eating and clenched his teeth controlling his anger.

Krishna continued, "Even I too wish the same. I met and talked to her; I like her very much. She is a pretty and nice girl." Krishna said with a glint.

Ram was not able to control his anger any longer.

"Stop it maa, how many times have I told you that I don't want to get married, why don't you understand ". Shouted Ram. Krishna's eyes widened in shock.

To increase the fuel Natasha said "Maa, talk to Mr Sharma not Chawla uncle." Said Natasha enthusiastically.

"Who is that Mr Sharma?" Ram asked confusedly.

"What bhai, you don't know Mr. Sharma? Priya Sharma, Sudhir Sharma's daughter!" Natasha said teasingly. Natasha and Krishna forcing him to get married infuriated Ram.

"Enough Natasha! Stop it both of you". Ram shouted in rage looking at both of them. Krishna and Natasha looked shocked and a bit scared looking at Ram's aggression.

"Ram! Why are you so angry? Don't you want to settle in life? Don't you want to start your own family? Your own child?" Krishna asked angrily, raising her voice.

Ram laughed sarcastically.

"What did you just say? You and dad! Ohh come on mom, are you kidding me? Whenever I have seen you people, I either saw you fighting or arguing all the time. We pretended to be a good family for the outside world. In the Photo frame, we are a happy family but we know the reality. You were never happy in this relationship. You people never thought about us and never cared about what we were going through. I don't want to be in any sort of relationship." Ram spilled his anger. His eyes formed a teary moist layer.

Ram heaved a big sigh while KK and Natasha sat silently.

"Maa, I have decided to bring my flesh into this world". Ram finally said.

"What do you mean?" Krishna asked confused.

"I have decided to bring my child through surrogacy. I even got the donor who is ready to do this work for me. In return I will pay her money." Ram said proudly. KK and Natasha's eyes widened in shock.

"What?" Natasha asked. She got up and looked at Ram shockingly. Krishna was so surprised by the revelation. Ram kept the calm composure.

"Bhai are you gone mad". Natasha said, unable to digest the fact.

"Ram this is not a game. Do not do this. This is wrong". Krishna tried to make him understand.

"What is wrong maa? At least my child won't grow up seeing his parents fight." Said Ram shrugging off Natasha and KK's words.

"Ram don't punish yourselves for our mistake". Krishna cried.

"Bhai this is wrong. You will not only hurt yourself but the child too. The child needs a mother and father both. Don't punish the child for your mistake you are going to do now." said Natasha, raising her voice a little angrily.

"Why do you think every couple is the same? Ram, try to understand. Please, beta." said KK trying to convince Ram. Ram had had enough.

"Maa, Natasha my decision is final. Now, I will not back out from this at any cost. This topic is closed here. I don't want to discuss it anymore". Ram declared and left for his room.

"Now, I realized how our quarrel impacts our children". Krishna said, feeling guilty. She sat in the chair and put her hand on her head. Natasha sat beside KK trying to make her relaxed.