Flashback continued...

Ram came out from the doctor's cabin. Though he said confidently that he would find a girl by himself, somewhere he knew it was not that easy. He lost in deep thoughts praying to the god, that is when he saw a familiar face in the hospital.

"Priya!" he thought he was hallucinating at first but he made his way towards her to make sure that he had seen her only. Priya was in distress walking around with a pale face with medical prescriptions in her hand. She was at the medical store when Ram marched towards her.

Ram tapped on her shoulder to grab her attention. She turned around and passed him a blank stare.

"Whar are you doing here, Priya?" He asked narrowing his eyes.

Priya was not interested to talk to anyone at that moment.

"Why? Can't I be here?" Priya replied a little angrily. Ram noticed something was disturbing Priya.

"Why are you talking to me rudely? I mean to ask you, is everything alright with you?" Ram asked in a concerned voice and has no clue why she was rude to him.

Priya jolted from her trance and realized that she was rude to him without any reason. She inhaled deep breath composing her disturbed mind a bit.

"I am sorry, actually my father is unwell. Therefore, I brought him here for the checkup. I am just a little disturbed that's all." Priya answered with a pale face.

"Oh sorry to hear that. How is he right now? Is he alright?" Ram asked as he looked at worried Priya.

"Just a moment, let me take these medicines." Priya took the medicine from the counter and walked along with him through the corridor.

"Yes, he is okay now." Priya lied. Ram nodded in response.

After checking her wristwatch, she said, "I have to leave now, I am getting late. I need to give the medicine to my father." Priya replied with a faint smile but Ram can clearly read she was worried.

"Can I drop you home?" Ram offered help to Priya.

"No, Mr. Kapoor. I booked a cab and it must be reaching in 10 minutes. Thanks for offering the help". Priya politely denied his help.

"Hope your father gets well soon, bye take care". Ram said with a soft smile.

"Bye and you also take care," said Priya trying to smile but she could not. She turned away from Ram not willing to display her restlessness to him.

***********

Upon reaching home, Ram was a little upset that he could not finalize any person for his ultimate wish in his life. He desperately wanted to have his own child. For that, he visited the hospital almost every week for a year but only got dejected. His hope of having his own child was slowly sinking deep down to impossibility. He had to find a way to pull it back to the shore before it drifted away from his hand. He wanted someone who will call him 'daddy'. He wanted someone who he can proudly call his own child, his own flesh. This is not possible if he does not find a girl who could fulfil his wish. Ram gulped down a full glass of water to cool him down resting on his headrest.

"Bhai, I want to speak to you," Natasha said in a worried tone entering into his room in a hurry.

"No choti, not right now please". Ram said, rubbing his temple, as he was already disturbed.

"Bhai it's urgent, really urgent otherwise I would have not disturbed you." Natasha said, sitting opposite to Ram. "It is about Priya". Natasha finally told Ram.

Ram's eyes widened in surprise. He saw Priya just a few hours ago in the hospital.

"Priya? What happened to her?" Ram asked, alarmed by hearing Priya's name.

"Bhai Priya is in a big problem," Natasha said with her eyes almost teary.

'Yes I knew it, when I met her in the hospital, she looked worried and bothered. Though she said everything is fine, I knew she was lying and was just hiding it from me." Ram remembered how Priya was not meeting her gaze and was trying to go from there as soon as possible.

"Have you met Priya in hospital today?" Natasha asked in surprise.

"Yeah, she looked really disturbed when I-". Ram cut his words off by Natasha.

"Why did you go to the hospital? What happened to you bhai? Tell me it was not serious". Natasha asked restlessly. Ram understood Natasha was worried for Priya and she was getting alarmed at every small thing.

"Relax choti, I'm fine. I went to meet one of my friends who is admitted in that hospital." Ram did not want to disclose the real reason behind his visit to hospital. Natasha took a long breath composing herself.

"Oh okay." Natasha was relieved but remained quiet for a few seconds.

"Ok, Can you please tell me what happened to Priya?" Ram again raised Priya's topic.

"Bhai Priya's father is not keeping well these days. He had to go for a heart surgery immediately and it will cost around 40 to 50 lakhs. It is not possible for Priya to arrange this huge amount in a less span of time." Natasha stopped looking at Ram with a dull face.

"So you want me to help her with this amount, right?" Ram completed her sentence, which Natasha is hesitating to finish. Natasha looked at him still facing down. She nodded in agreement.

"Right bhai, actually she did not ask for any help or expected any favor from us but I really want to help her in this situation. Please help her Bhai, she needs money right now." Natasha asked with genuine concern for Priya. Ram raised his brows thinking deeply about what Natasha asked.

"If she did not ask for any help then what is the need to poke your nose in her personal matter? Choti, it is good you want to help her but it is not necessary to help everyone you know. We should always maintain that distance with the outsiders. Priya is your tutor so just keep that relation aside and do not let your emotions hover in your mind for everyone. Let us not bring her personal problem here, okay." Ram said sharply as he was not happy to see her becoming very kind, showing too much generosity.

"Not okay, bhai. She is not only my tutor but also my best friend and I do not understand your philosophy. All I know now is we should help her in her critical times". Natasha replied firmly.

"See choti, you are getting emotionally connected to the people which have no place in my life. Even If I help her, what is the guarantee that she will return the money afterwards and moreover I will have no profit by doing so?" Ram said, shocking Natasha with his merciless words.

"I don't believe this bhai. This is not a business deal, which you deal every day. Have some sympathy for the people around you. For heaven's sake, stop looking at profit and loss in every matter like a heartless fellow. What will you do with these many billions when you cannot help someone who is in need, your wealth is meaningless. Helping does not carry any profit, just try to be compassionate towards people who are in need. You are being selfish right now, I know Priya much better than you and she will return your money at any cost." Natasha pissed off at her brother and gave him earfuls.

He flinched his face not interested in her talk.

"Natasha I am a businessman, I always think this way and I can't change very easily." replied Ram angrily.

"Yes Bhai, can't you look at the things in a different direction at least for once in your life. I don't think every businessman thinks like you do." retorted back Natasha.

"choti, I'm Ram Kapoor and I'm like no other businessman. That is why I am here, rich and successful in my field. I cannot help anybody just like that. I am paying Priya well for taking sessions for you. So I am sorry choti, I cannot lend money to her without any security." Ram denied helping Priya.

"No, actually I am sorry that I asked you to help her. A businessperson like you with so much money can only think about 'profit and loss' but don't worry I will help Priya in any way." Natasha said, angry with her Bhai. She left from there clearly disappointed with his behavior.

Natasha's words started ringing in Ram's mind in a loop. He took a deep breath and remembered Vikram's lecture on marriage and then meeting with the Doctor and on top of that Natasha asking him to help Priya. These thoughts made it difficult to even close his eyes and try to recollect about something good that happened today.

To his utter dismay, nothing good happened today with him. His thoughts always find a way to Natasha and her fight over him to help her.

Ram was getting irritated with Priya. He closed his eyes to overcome his mixed emotions. Sleep seemed to be the last thing on the list as his mind hovered with the conversations he had with Vikram, Doctor, Priya and Natasha today. He tossed and turned in his bed trying to sleep discarding the ongoing thoughts in his mind.

Finally, after some time, his mind stopped at one person, 'Priya'. He remembers every meeting with Priya. His first meet when he dropped her home, then on Natasha's birthday and finally today in the hospital. He jerked up from his lying position when an interesting thought popped in his brain. He has an evil smirk on his face as soon as he convinces himself with the thought.

'Yes, Priya. Yes, she can help me with what I am looking for. She is exactly the kind of a girl I am looking for, Priya is the perfect choice for this. She looks beautiful, smart, intelligent, and decent enough and she is healthy. I do not think she would be having any sort of health issues." Ram thought with a ray of hope engulfing his heart.

Stepping out of his room, Ram searched for Natasha just when he bumped with his mother. Ram tried to keep his excitement aside, maintaining a casual expression on his face but could not hold his over bound happiness. KK noticed that in her son's face. Before Kk could ask anything Ram, ask her about Nuts.

"Maa, do you know where Natasha is? I'm looking for her." Ram asked. Kk narrowed her eyes and looked at Ram in a serious expression.

"First tell me, did you say anything to Natasha. She is upset and locked herself in her room." KK asked with a serious face, as she knew Ram had said something to Nuts. Ram had to get to Natasha quickly but Kk is not going to let him until he answers.

"Do one thing maa, I'm very hungry. Tell Bansi Kaka to set the table. I will call Natasha for dinner". Ram walked away hurriedly to Natasha's room keeping KK puzzled. Kk jerked her head confusedly, looking at Ram go to Natasha in a hurry.

'What is going on between brother and sister? I have never seen Ram this happy for a very long time.' KK thinks and prays to god that his entire wish comes true.

Ram knocked the door but Natasha did not open the door. He knocked again but still she is adamant to open the door.

"Chotti, please open the door" Ram finally spoke. Even after Ram requested for a few more times, she remained unmoved and silent. Ram was now getting impatient by each second.

"Choti please I am so sorry dear. Please open the door now. I want to speak about Priya. Please Nuts open the door." Ram tried again but this time he heard footsteps nearing the door and the next minute she opened the door. She had a gloomy face; she sat on the bed letting Ram inside the room. Ram seated beside her.

"Natasha, I am so sorry" Ram said, keeping his hand on her shoulder. Natasha turned her face to the opposite direction.

"You are still angry with me, right?" Ram asked. Hearing this Natasha turned towards Ram with a deep frown expression.

"No bhai why should I be angry. Your money, your decision". Natasha taunted, smirking at her brother. Ram took a deep breath taking her hands in his hold.

"I did not expect that you are really very much connected to Priya. I thought for a while and decided if my chotti wanted to help her friend wholeheartedly then who am I to stop her from helping her friend?'' Ram said, raising his eyebrows, surprising Natasha.

Hearing this Natasha beamed with joy. Her lips curved into a big smile. She made a small giggle and hugged Ram tightly, shaking him slightly. Ram also smiled seeing her happy just when an unwanted thought came to him. He was a little bothered that his plan might fail and Nuts could hate him forever but he cannot let this wonderful opportunity go from his hands.

Natasha releases him from her embracing hug. Natasha could not stop her small giggles of happiness.

"I knew it bhai you will not disappoint me. You are the best Bhai anybody could ask for. Thank you bhai, thank you so much". She pulled both the cheeks of Ram irking him. He backed off holding his cheeks.

"Ok. Ok. I understand you are happy but I still don't like anybody pulling my cheeks". Ram said, rubbing his palms on his cheeks looking a little irritated by her actions.

"Some things never change," said Natasha softly so Ram could not hear.

"Did you say something, choti?" asked Ram tilting his head toward her.

"No" she said innocently.

"Ok. Then tell your friend to meet me in the office tomorrow". Ram declared.

"Sure bhai. I call Priya right now". Natasha said and took her phone from the table and called Priya.

'I am waiting for Priya more than anything else. If everything falls in place correctly then the day is not far when I have my own child'. Ram grins evilly. Natasha was too busy to notice Ram's grin.

Next day,

In Kapoor Industries.

After taking permission, Priya entered Ram's cabin. Seeing her, Ram's heart started to flutter. He has been desperately waiting for her since the morning. Previous night he hardly slept, as he was waiting to hear a yes from Priya restlessly.

"This is the day Ram. Don't mess it up." He thought to himself.

"Please have a seat Ms Sharma." Ram said. He then called in the intercom in the reception and strictly told that nobody will disturb him at any cost for the next half an hour.

He then looked at Priya with a cunning expression. The way Ram is gazing at her made her uncomfortable. She was feeling awkward and waited for Ram to speak up first.

"So Miss Sharma, why didn't you tell me yesterday that you needed money for your father's treatment?" Ram asked, making Priya more uncomfortable. She said nothing.

Ram continued understanding Priya was not going to say anything "Natasha is very fond of you and I cannot say 'no' to my little sister, you know?"

Priya looked at Ram blankly not knowing what to say. Ram knew that she was nervous. Priya was unsure what to respond and somewhere her inner voice was telling her this is a bad idea but she shrugged off her thoughts because right now she needed money. She cannot see her family suffering anymore, she just wants to see her Papa happy and healthy.

"I would not have come here for help if the situation is not serious sir. I spoke in the institute I work for but the amount is huge so I could not get much help from there. Even I spoke with the bank for a loan but then all the procedure will take 2-3 months while the doctor recommended urgent surgery. I would be grateful if you could lend me the money. I will repay you once I arrange the money." Priya looked at him helplessly. She clasped her hands together and fiddled to control her emotions.

Priya is not the person who asks for any kind of favors from anyone in her life but this situation is entirely different.

Ram got up from his place and walked slowly near her. Priya swallowed a lump in her throat and gazed at his moves. He stood behind her chair. She does not have the confidence to look back so she just fixed her gaze at the floor.

"Well Miss Sharma, as a businessman, it is my tendency to look for profit and loss in everything I do. 50 lakhs is a very small amount for me but for you it's huge and a life saving money but still I never do any business which is a loss even if it is a small amount for me." Ram said, startling her.

"I understand sir, I will repay you with interest, don't worry about that." she replied to Ram. Ram smirked at her leaving her uneasy. He bent down keeping his both hands on the table on either side of her.

Moving his face towards her ears, he said, "I am ready to give you the money for your father's treatment but I want you to do some work for me in return," He said, softly in a hoarse voice pressing the word 'work' more deeply. Priya took a deep breath not sure of what he was asking for.

Ram looked quite intimidating to her.

"What work, sir?" asked Priya confused. Ram removed his hands and stood near her leaning on the table folding his hands. Priya felt relieved when he stood little away facing her.

"Priya, I will come straight to the point, the thing is I want my own child and I want you to carry my child." said Ram smirking. Priya's eyes popped out hearing his senseless words.

"What?" she shouted, getting up from the chair. Priya was angry and disgusted with his return favor.

"Relax Priya. First, listen to me, I am not telling you to be in a physical relation with me. I want to borrow your womb. I want you to become a surrogate mother to my child." Said Ram patiently.

Priya could not believe what she just heard.

"Is he gone mad or what? How dare he ask her this?" She gritted her teeth.

"Do you know what you are talking about Mr. Kapoor? You are talking nonsense right now! Are you out of your mind?" Priya yelled at him, throwing her hands in the air. She was feeling blood boiling through her veins.

"Priya, trust me I perfectly know what I am talking about. I have always wanted my own child and you are going to help me with that," said Ram, softly. His voice is very plain and it fueled her anger more.

"You know Mr Kapoor, you are sick. I am neither going to take any help from you nor going to fulfil your ridiculous wish. You are wasting my time here right now" Priya said, venting out her anger.

"Let's talk about this patiently and go through this one more time," said Ram, not giving up.

"There is nothing to discuss about Mr. Kapoor. I know you are a stubborn and ruthless business person but now I think you are much worse than what I heard about you before. You are disgusting Mr. Kapoor. You are playing with people's weaknesses. Life is just not a monopoly every time, you should think about others around you like Natasha." said Priya, with moist filled eyes.

"I think about choti more than anyone in my life. Don't try to preach me, okay? I am not in a situation to take lectures from you." said Ram angrily.

"I have not seen a creepy person like you before. You cannot get everything with your so-called money and power. Bye Mr. Kapoor and I really hope that we never cross our paths again.," said Priya, grabbing her bag before leaving the cabin without letting him speak further.

Ram stamped his feet in anger getting a no from Priya. He is not the one who can take a no for anything he wishes to have.

"It is not over yet Miss Sharma. I will make sure you will come back to me." Said Ram to himself looking at her retreating figure. "You cannot just walk out like this. Wait and watch." He laughed evilly thinking about his next set of plans. Ram did not want to give up on this idea, as he finally liked someone to be a mother of his child. Ram decided to turn his plan into reality very soon by hook or crook.