Amidst the whirl of the dance floor, Priya's discomfort simmered beneath the surface as she whispered to Ram, her voice barely audible over the music. "You know, right? You should behave yourself. Everyone is around. Lisa is here."

In response, Ram's tone dripped with sarcasm as he retorted, "You've been enjoying with your new company, huh? I've seen."

Priya scoffed dismissively, her resolve unwavering. "Yeah, so what? He's a nice guy."

But Ram, ever persistent, seized upon the opportunity to needle her further. "Isn't he also younger than you?" he taunted, his words laced with thinly veiled mockery.

Priya's patience wore thin, her frustration mounting. "I am not getting married to him," she shot back defiantly, her voice tinged with irritation.

With a decisive motion, Priya released herself from Ram's grasp, her movements purposeful as she uttered, "You are suffocating me." And with that declaration, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving Ram to linger in the wake of her departure, the echoes of their tense exchange lingering in the air.

Ram surveyed the crowded dance floor, his gaze lingering on Lisa, who was completely engrossed in the moment, dancing with abandon. Seeing her lost in the festivities, he silently slipped away, his steps purposeful as he made his way through the throng of guests.

Spotting Priya from a distance, he quickened his pace, As she reached the elevator, he hastened his steps,

When priya made her way to the elevator, her thoughts swirling with the intensity of the exchange with Ram, she was startled by the sudden appearance of his hand, reaching out unexpectedly. Before she could react, the fabric of her dress was yanked from behind, torn abruptly by the force of his grasp.

Shock rippled through Priya as she turned to confront Ram, her eyes wide with disbelief. The unexpectedness of his actions left her momentarily speechless, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to comprehend the situation.

In that fleeting moment of urgency and intimacy, Ram sprang into action, his instincts guiding his movements. With a swift yet gentle touch, he covered Priya's exposed back, shielding her bare skin from the prying eyes of oncoming guests. Without hesitation, he ushered her inside the elevator, his movements fluid yet purposeful.

As the doors closed behind them, enveloping them in a cocoon of privacy, the atmosphere crackled with tension. Priya stood before Ram, her breaths shallow and rapid, her eyes wide with a mixture of surprise and apprehension.Ram's touch, though gentle, sent a shiver down Priya's spine as he steadied her, his presence offering both reassurance and uncertainty.

"Let me hold you," Ram's voice, soft yet commanding, pierced through the charged silence, his words carrying a quiet determination to shield Priya from harm.

Priya's breath caught in her throat, her protests dying on her lips as she succumbed to the warmth of Ram's embrace. "Shut up," she retorted, her tone laced with a mixture of frustration and affection, a familiar banter that danced between them.

As they stood in that suspended moment, the world outside faded into insignificance, leaving only the two of them locked in an embrace of shared vulnerability and unspoken longing. It was a moment of exquisite beauty, captured in the quiet intimacy of their shared gaze and the gentle rhythm of their entwined hearts.

As they entered Priya's room, she swiftly retrieved a shawl to wrap around herself, seeking to create a barrier between them. 

Ram's voice, tinged with regret, broke the silence. "I'm sorry," he offered softly, his words carrying the weight of genuine remorse. "I didn't mean to trouble you like this."

Priya's response was curt, her tone tinged with a hint of frustration. "You always find a way to cause trouble, don't you?" she countered, her words laden with the weight of past grievances.

Ram's expression softened, a flicker of remorse crossing his features. "I know," he conceded, his voice heavy with regret. "But I never meant to hurt you."

Priya's defenses remained firmly in place as she turned away, her movements stiff and guarded. "You never seem to follow through on your promises," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

A heavy silence descended upon them, punctuated only by the steady rhythm of their breathing. In that moment of quiet reflection, the weight of their shared history loomed large, casting a shadow over their fragile connection.

Ram let out a deep sigh, his frustration evident in his voice. "Why, Priya? Why do you have to overreact to everything?" he began, his tone pleading for understanding. "Can't you bear the thought that I'm moving on with someone else?"

But before he could finish, Priya interjected, her voice laced with irritation. "Are you out of your mind?" she snapped, her words cutting through the air like a knife. "Do you honestly think I still worry about you? Let me make it clear to you, Ram. You are my forgotten past, a chapter I never wanted to revisit."

Ram's expression hardened, his resolve firm. "It doesn't seem right, the way you're behaving," he retorted, his tone tinged with disappointment. "Fine, Priya. I won't bother you anymore."

With that, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room, leaving Priya to grapple with the weight of their unresolved tensions. In the quiet solitude that followed, Priya's heart churned with conflicting emotions, torn between the pain of the past and the uncertain future that lay ahead.

As the wedding preparations reached a crescendo, the air was thick with anticipation and excitement. Ram found himself swept up in the whirlwind of activity, throwing himself into every task with unwavering dedication. Whether it was arranging the floral decorations or coordinating the seating arrangements, he worked tirelessly alongside Lisa, his outward enthusiasm masking the turmoil within.

Meanwhile, Priya immersed herself in the company of Justin, her newfound companion. Together, they navigated through the wedding preparations, attending meetings and making decisions with apparent zeal. Yet, beneath the facade of busyness, Priya's thoughts often strayed to Ram, her mind haunted by memories of their shared past.

Despite their efforts to distract themselves, both Ram and Priya found their hearts weighed down by an unspoken longing. Each moment spent apart only served to amplify the emptiness they felt in each other's absence, a silent ache that lingered in the depths of their souls.

As the wedding day drew nearer, the gap between them seemed to widen, the space filled with unspoken words and unresolved emotions. And amidst the flurry of activity and celebration, Ram and Priya couldn't shake the feeling that a part of themselves remained incomplete, yearning for the connection they once shared.

In the midst of the bustling wedding preparations, Lisa's voice rang out in distress as she emerged from her changing room, clutching her broken neckpiece. Ram, seated on the bed, looked up from his phone, concern etched across his features as he watched her approach.

With tears welling in her eyes, Lisa rushed to him, her distress palpable. "Look at this, Ram," she exclaimed, her voice trembling. "It's broken!"

Ram's heart ached at the sight of her distress, and he immediately set aside his phone to comfort her. "Don't worry, Lisa," he reassured her, his voice soothing. "I'll fix it for you."

But Lisa's worry persisted, her brows furrowing with concern. "But we're leaving for the wedding venue today," she pointed out, her tone anxious. "How will you manage?"

With unwavering confidence, Ram met her gaze, his resolve firm. "I'll find a way," he promised, his voice filled with determination.

In a tender moment of shared vulnerability, they embraced each other tightly, seeking solace in the warmth of their embrace. And as they leaned in to exchange a gentle kiss, the air around them seemed to shimmer with the promise of love and support,

After ensuring Lisa had drifted off to sleep, Ram retreated to his room, seeking solace in a glass of whisky, the amber liquid glistening softly in the dim light. The clink of ice cubes echoed in the silence as he poured himself a drink, the coolness of the glass a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within him.

His heart and mind were locked in a fierce battle, each vying for dominance over his actions and emotions. His heart remained tethered to Priya, her memories and love haunting him despite his efforts to keep them at bay. Yet, his mind cautioned him against causing pain to Lisa, recognizing her innocence and vulnerability.

Caught in this web of conflicting emotions, Ram found himself drawn to the balcony, seeking the clarity that seemed to elude him indoors. As he stepped out into the cool night air, he spotted Priya, her silhouette framed against the backdrop of a sky ablaze with stars.

She seemed lost in her own thoughts, oblivious to his presence, her gaze fixed on the twinkling expanse above. The serenity of the moment, the stillness of the night, and the beauty of the starlit sky seemed to encapsulate the depth of their shared history and the complexity of their feelings.

Ram hesitated, torn between the desire to reach out to her and the fear of crossing boundaries. He watched her silently, the distance between them filled with unspoken words and unresolved emotions, as they both stood under the vast canopy of stars, two souls adrift in a sea of uncertainty, seeking solace in the quiet companionship of the night.