chapter 4

Ram walked slowly along the path toward his farm.

The morning wind brushed past him, but his mind wasn't as calm as the fields around him.

Earlier... he had seen them.

Priya and Kritika playing near the water pump, laughing like the world had nothing wrong in it.

He had already decided to leave them alone.

To walk away.

But then-

Voices.

Harsh ones.

Disrespectful.

Ram stopped without realizing it.

His attention shifted back.

And in seconds, everything changed.

Priya's sharp slap echoed across the field.

"Good," he thought instinctively.

She could handle herself.

But then-

The moment the man raised his hand toward her...

Something inside Ram snapped.

He didn't think.

He just moved.

Fast. Sharp. Instinctive.

Like his body reacted before his mind could catch up.

And for a split second-

He wasn't calm Ram Kumar anymore.

He was someone dangerous.

But then...

He saw her face.

Priya.

Standing there.

Unshaken.

Alive.

And just like that...

The anger disappeared.

Not because it was weak.

But because she was safe.

Ram exhaled slowly, pulling himself back into control.

He looked at his own hand for a moment, slightly confused at his own reaction.

Ram (inner thought): "...What are you doing to me di ?"

A faint, almost helpless smile touched his lips.

He shook his head lightly and continued walking.

But this time...

His steps were slower.

He wasn't just thinking about the incident anymore.

He was thinking about her.

_______

Meanwhile...

Both girls finally reached home.

The moment they entered, Priya dramatically fell onto the wooden swing.

Priya:"Kritikaaaa... my love..."

Kritika didn't even turn around.

Kritika:"Tell me what you want."

Priya grinned shamelessly.

Priya:"Please bring me ice cream, sweetheart."

Kritika folded her hands.

Kritika:"You only remember I'm your 'love' when you need something."

Priya nodded proudly.

Priya:"Exactly. Now go."

Kritika rolled her eyes.

"I seriously chose the wrong best friend."

Still...

She went and returned a few minutes later with two cups of mango ice cream.

Priya's eyes sparkled.

Priya:"I knew true love existed."

Kritika:"It's ice cream. Stop making it emotional."

Both of them sat together, happily eating.

Just then...

Someone entered the house.

Ganga.

The moment Priya saw her...

She immediately stood up respectfully.

Ganga smiled warmly.

Ganga:"Aiyo, dear... why did you stand up? Sit... sit and enjoy your ice cream."

Priya smiled softly.

"Yes, aunty."

Ganga looked at Kritika.

Ganga:"Who is this beautiful girl?"

Kritika smiled proudly.

Kritika:"Aunt, this is my best friend... Priya."

Ganga turned toward Priya.

Her eyes softened immediately.

Ganga:"So you're Priya."

She smiled warmly.

Ganga:"You look so cute."

Priya smiled shyly.

Then suddenly held out her ice cream.

Priya:"Aunt... have some. It's mango flavor... your favorite."

Ganga blinked in surprise.

Ganga:"My favorite?"

She looked at Priya curiously.

Ganga:"How do you know mango is my favorite?"

Priya's smile froze.

"...I..."

For one second...

She almost answered with the truth.

"Because I was your daughter-in-law in my previous life."

Instead, she quickly smiled innocently.

Priya:"I-I mean... who doesn't like mango flavor? Everyone likes mango."

She laughed awkwardly.

Kritika narrowed her eyes.

"Hmm..."

Something about Priya's answer felt strange.

Very strange.

Ganga, however, didn't think much about it.

She accepted a spoonful of the ice cream and smiled.

Looking at Priya...

A strange warmth filled her heart.

An unexplained affection.

An urge to hug this sweet girl who had shown her such innocent care.

She didn't know why.

So she simply smiled.

Inside, her heart whispered...

"This girl feels... familiar."

Nearby...

Kritika silently watched the interaction.

She couldn't explain it.

But something between Priya and Ganga...

Felt different.

Like they had known each other long before today.

She frowned slightly.

Then shook the thought away.

"Maybe I'm just overthinking..."

Little did she know...

Her instinct wasn't wrong at all.

_______

Ganga smiled and took another spoonful of the mango ice cream.

Priya's face lit up instantly.

Priya:

"See, aunty! I told you it's the best flavor."

Ganga laughed softly.

"It really is."

Without realizing it, the two of them continued sharing the same cup of ice cream while chatting happily.

They talked about simple things.

Favorite foods.

Village life.

Summer mangoes.

It didn't feel like two people who had just met.

It felt...

Like a mother and daughter catching up after a long time.

Kritika stood there with her hands on her hips.

Then dramatically cleared her throat.

Kritika:

"Ahem!"

Neither of them looked at her.

Kritika:

"AHEM!"

Priya and Ganga turned together.

Priya:

"What happened?"

Kritika placed a hand on her chest dramatically.

Kritika:

"Ganga aunty... aren't you going to see me?"

Ganga blinked.

"Aiyo!"

She immediately walked over and hugged Kritika.

Ganga:

"Congratulations, ma! May you always be happy."

Kritika smiled brightly.

"Thank you, aunty."

Seeing them hug...

Priya's cheeks puffed into a dramatic pout.

Priya:

"Excuse me..."

Both of them turned.

Before either could react...

Priya walked straight between them and wrapped both of them in a hug.

Ganga on one side.

Kritika on the other.

Priya:

"No partiality allowed."

"This is now a group hug."

Kritika burst into laughter.

Kritika:

"Look at her!"

Ganga chuckled warmly.

"Aiyo... she's just like a little child."

Priya refused to let go.

Priya:

"If hugs are being distributed, I also deserve one."

Kritika teased her.

"You just wanted free affection."

Priya nodded proudly.

"Exactly."

"I never reject free love."

Both Ganga and Kritika laughed so hard that tears formed in their eyes.

Watching Priya pout like a little kid was simply impossible not to laugh at.

Ganga gently patted Priya's head.

Ganga:

"You're such a sweet girl."

Priya smiled happily.

Inside her heart...

She silently whispered,

"I missed this... Amma."

Her eyes became slightly moist.

But before anyone noticed...

She quickly hid it behind another playful smile.

___________

Just then...

Ram came looking for his mother.

He stopped at the entrance.

Inside the hall...

Ganga was laughing wholeheartedly.

Kritika was smiling.

And right in the middle...

Priya was hugging both of them, pouting dramatically like an overgrown child demanding equal love.

Priya:

"No cheating! If she gets a hug, I also want one."

Ganga laughed.

"Aiyo... what a cute girl!"

Ram stood there quietly.

Without realizing it...

A small smile appeared on his face.

His eyes never left Priya.

The way she smiled without holding back...

The way she teased everyone...

The way she made his usually calm mother laugh so freely...

It warmed his heart.

For a brief moment...

He wanted to walk inside.

Sit with them.

Talk to her.

Maybe even tease her back.

But...

He stopped himself.

Instead, he simply called out,

Ram:

"Amma..."

Ganga turned.

"Oh Ram! I'm coming."

Ram nodded once.

His eyes unconsciously found Priya one last time.

She was still laughing.

Still smiling.

He quietly turned around and walked back toward his house.

---

Just then...

Kayal entered the house.

She noticed Ram leaving.

A bright smile immediately spread across her face.

Kayal:

"Ram mama!"

Ram stopped politely.

Kayal hurried toward him.

Kayal:

"Why are you leaving? Come inside for a while."

Ram glanced toward the house.

Then calmly replied,

Ram:

"No... Amma is here. I'll see her at home."

Without waiting further, he walked away.

Kayal stood there disappointed.

---

Inside...

Priya had heard every single word.

Especially...

"Ram mama."

Her smile faded for a second.

An unknown irritation settled inside her.

Priya (thinking):

"Why does she keep calling him 'mama' like that..."

She immediately shook her head.

"What am I even getting jealous for?"

Trying to distract herself, she picked up the empty ice cream bowls.

She also grabbed Kritika's cup.

Noticing there was still some ice cream left, Priya frowned.

Priya:

"No more ice cream for you."

Kritika blinked.

"But I didn't finish it!"

Priya walked away dramatically.

Priya:

"Finished. Your ice cream rights have been cancelled."

Kritika shouted from behind,

"Priyaaa!"

Priya ignored her completely and disappeared into the kitchen with both bowls.

But as she washed them...

Her hands moved automatically.

Her thoughts didn't.

They stayed on one thing.

Kayal calling him...

"Ram mama."

For some reason...

It bothered her much more than it should have.

Priya sighed softly.

Then muttered under her breath,

"My husband..."

She quickly covered her own mouth.

"...What am I even saying?"

The water kept running.

But it couldn't wash away the tiny seed of jealousy that had quietly settled in her heart.

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