FF: Incomplete Life - Ch 21B on PG 76 & Note PG 78 - Page 52

Dil

Dil seems to have forgotten her readers 😭 😭 and her FF's that she had written so painstakingly and beautifully.

She has forgotten us...That y no update in such a long time 😔 and the wait is killing us, especially after giving out such a wonderful preview.

Pls pls pls update, Dil. Incomplete Life, ChupkeSe...all ur FF's are so long overdue. Pretty pls...

Ramya / ILS

plz continue with this ff wana read more and ur other ff that u left plz plz😊

Hey! Pls update soon! Your stories are awesome and we want to read more! :)

looking forward to it...whenever you can.

hey dil...
looking forward for the update...

plzzz cont soon

Cute. Interesting. Only 1 word

Waiting to read this one for long now, update soon please.🤗

I finally have completed the next installment. I'm warning you, though, it may not be very good at all. I tried, but I just did not like the outcome of this chapter. Please forgive me if you're disappointed. Also, very sorry for the long wait. I am trying to update all my stories as soon as I can. I do have every intention of completing them, so please do hang in there. Hope you haven't given up on them.

Chapter 21 B:

The next few days went by in a hazy blur in which Bani was kept on her toes, running all around the mansion to assist in the preparations for the engagement alongside Krishna and Jigyasa who have assumed charge of the big event. She hardly got to spend any quality time with her parents as she was too caught up in the festivity of her sister's pending engagement. She just prayed for the occasion to go well so she can receive a peace of mind afterwards….

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"Bani, no," Jai huffs whilst rubbing a towel against his wet hair when his wife presents the cream colored sherwani with subtle, delicate golden designs embroidered into the fabric. She lowers the outfit in her hands, frowning at her husband.

"Why not? I specifically had this ordered for you," Bani informs sweetly, tenderly smoothing out the wrinkles of the kurta, and appreciating the handsome outfit she had chosen for her husband, whose face distorted into a look of disdain when his eyes fell onto it.

"I am not going to wear that," he states stubbornly. "I am just fine with any one of my suits," he justifies with a grimace.

"Jai, it is the engagement party…It will look nice if you wear something traditional," she insists with an encouraging smile, pushing the outfit into his direction. Jai brushes it aside, refusing to even touch it.

"I am not the damn groom, Bani… No one will care about what I am wearing… This is something that Ranveer should be wearing, not me," he persists haughtily. Bani gives a roll of her honey brown eyes by his difficult stubbornness.

"Jai, it will not kill you to wear it… Besides, you should look good… You are the groom's Mamaji, you are an important person as well," she points out, stating whatever reasons in order to have him cave into her demand. He does not listen to anything that she has to say. In the midst of their small bickering, they do not realize the arrival of Krishna at their open doorway. She peers in curiously and is surprised in seeing husband and wife tussling with one another.

"Arre, why are you two quarreling?" she inquires in confusion, never having seen either of them behave in this way before. The married couple direct their attention onto Krishna, Jai scowling and Bani sulking.

"Mummyji, please you tell him how good he will look when wearing this sherwani… I am tired of having to explain to him," Bani remarks, sending a glare in her husband's direction. "I have even gotten Yash the same matching outfit… They will look so cute together," she adds gleefully much to Jai's bewilderment.

"You got Yash a matching one?" he bellows disbelievingly, ensuing another argument with his wife right before Krishna, who steps in as a peacemaker, pushing husband and wife away from each other.

"Alright, let me see this sherwani…," Krishna commands and obediently her daughter-in-law shows the outfit in her possession. Her mother-in-law takes the kurta in her hands, feeling the creamy texture of it with her fingers, and admires it openly.

"Hai… this is so handsome… Jai beta, why will you not wear it?"

"That is what I am asking, Mummyji," Bani exclaims exasperatedly.

The next five minutes are spent with both his mother and wife fussing over him, eating his head, convincing him to wear the sherwani for the engagement tonight much to his utter irritation.

"Oh ho, what is going on in here, huh?" Aditya quips from the doorway, having been passing by but stopping on hearing the commotion.

"Aditya Jiju… you tell me, how does this sherwani look?"

"Errr… it is nice I guess…but who is it for?"

"It is for Jai beta… He will look very smart and handsome, no?" Krishna pipes in.

Staring wide-eyed at the overly traditional wear and over to a glowering Jai, who looks murderous, Aditya throws back his head and cackles on the image of his friend wearing such an outfit as he is only seen in the most trendiest professional suits and nothing even remotely traditional.

"Yes, yes! Very smart and handsome indeed! Please do make him wear it for tonight! I will make sure that there is plenty of film in my camera in the meanwhile!" Aditya howls through his rumbling laughter, walking immediately away when Jai snaps at him.

"Get lost, Aditya!" he growls, getting even more frustrated on hearing his friend's distant sniggering.

"So it is final, you will wear this tonight, Jai," his mother announces, placing a victorious smile onto her daughter-in-law's face. Jai looks back and forth from his mother and wife, hating the situation that he is in.

"This is so bloody embarrassing!" he grumbles just before stalking off, heading downstairs for breakfast. Bani is about to call after him, feeling bad for spoiling his mood, when her mother-in-law stops her.

"Arre Bahu, do not worry. Your husband is always throwing tantrums now and then… He will get over it by this evening. I am glad you are making him dress traditionally. I cannot remember the last time I got him to do so. He is always wearing one of those boring suits instead, wanting to appear modernized and not stick to our roots," Krishna appraises this task of her daughter-in-law's, making Bani smile meekly in return. She still felt bad, though, she knows that Krishna is right. Jai will get over it soon enough. She wistfully envisions how strikingly handsome he will appear in the ensemble she has chosen especially for him.

"You have good taste, Bani beta… Our Jai will be looking very dashing," Krishna comments , causing Bani to blush in pleasure.

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Towards the late afternoon, the women in the household began to fuss over Rano's appearance for her engagement, dissecting her chosen outfit, jewelry, shoes, makeup, hair, and more. Jigyasa stated her views here and there but was mostly preoccupied in helping her son get ready for the special occasion. Bani took sole charge of her sister's ensemble for one of the most important events in her life, wanting her to be beautiful on this day so her sister can look back to it fondly.

Kiran would intercede here and there with her own opinions, but mostly stood aside, allowing Bani to assume the role of Rano's older sister and make these decisions for her. It brought immense pleasure to her on seeing her daughters' interaction and Bani's focus invested toward her sister's happiness.

"Rano, do not wear glasses… At least not for tonight, please," Bani orders to her younger sister, fussing with what to do with her unmanageable hair that usually is kept in a tight ponytail.

"But Di, how am I supposed to see then?" Rano openly complains, not seeing sense in her sister's command.

"Don't you have contacts? Wear those instead so everyone can see my sister's lovely eyes that she always hides," Bani states sweetly, cupping her sister's cheek affectionately. Rano smiles at the comment, blushing.

"Yes, you are right Bani Mami. Rano is always wearing those atrocious things over her eyes," Anu chips in disdainfully with a crinkle of her nose. "She will look so pretty tonight without them on."

"Oye Anu Puttar, get into the habit of calling her Bhabhi…since tonight she will officially become into your sister-in-law, sunna?" Dadi remarks jovially, evoking a blush on Rano's cheeks and wide smiles from the women around.

"Loud and clear, Dadi," Anu cheekily replies. She nudges her friend, cum soon-to-be sister-in-law, teasingly and gives an intentional wink. "Kyon Bhabhi, do you mind?"

Flushing further, Rano shakes her head demurely, feeling extremely shy and embarrassed suddenly which is not the usual case for the headstrong girl.

"Oh ho Rano beta, if you will keep blushing now, I wonder what will be your state when it is your actual wedding, not engagement," Krishna teases lovingly, causing everyone to laugh at the bride-to-be's expense.

"I was just wondering the same Krishna ji… My Rano hardly ever blushes, but now it seems she can never stop," Kiran states observingly, including herself into the lively conversation occurring around her.

"Ma…," Rano pleads, yet still pink in the face. She has been suffering many leg-pulling from her mother and father, who are still finding it hard to digest that their youngest is in such a rush to marry, hence, wanting to tease her endlessly about it as it is not like her to act in such a way.

"Okay, so it is settled… you will not wear your glasses for the engagement. I have made it easier on your groom to stare endlessly into your eyes without any barriers," Bani winks suggestively, giggling and joining in the combined decision of the womenfolk to harass the bride till she cries mercy.

"But Didi, Ranveer says he likes my glasses," Rano informs dually, unmindful of what unconsciously slips from her mouth till all pairs of eyes look at her at once. She becomes tongue-tied by the attention and blushes uncontrollably when hearing their sniggering and laughter.

"Haiii, Bhabhi, so concerned about Bhaiya's likes, aren't you?" Anu chimes in a sing-song tone, proceeding in nudging Rano, who wants to crawl into a hole and die at this point.

Krishna and Kiran share a smile, silently observing together how in love the poor, helpless girl is. Dadi joins in on Anu's bantering, pulling Rano's legs left and right. Bani tries to control her bubbling laughter on seeing her sister's embarrassed state. She enjoys seeing this new side to Rano that she did not think could exist. But she decides to end her misery, realizing that she has gone through enough teasing to last a lifetime.

"Accha, no more… My poor Rano has gone through enough. Now no one will tease her till she is safely engaged," Bani announces, indirectly reprimanding the women for ganging up on Rano in this manner.

"Only till my engagement Didi?" Rano questions sadly, not wanting to endure anymore in the future and officially put an end to it. Bani smiles mischievously at her.

"Arre after engagement is when the actual fun comes in teasing you," Bani comments good-humoredly. Rano becomes crestfallen on hearing this, not wanting to go through more, and her older sister mollycoddles her, wanting to uplift her dampened spirits. In the middle of her mollycoddling, the rest of the women discuss what they will wear enthusiastically. Soon enough, time quickly goes by and Krishna instructs everyone to get dressed themselves as the event is quickly approaching.

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After making sure that Rano was well prepared, Bani sets out to her bedroom to begin with her own preparations in getting ready. She opens the door and strides in noting that she thankfully has plenty of time to take a shower, get dressed, apply makeup, and do her hair just in time before the ceremony begins. She catches her husband's gallant figure in front of their dresser mirror, combing his hair in haste and dressed in a silk blue shirt paired with white dress pants. She stares at his back in confusion of his attire and of why he is dressed so early. He does not seem to have noticed that she is inside their room since he carries on with setting the comb down and hurriedly strapping on his new favorite watch gifted by Yash on his birthday.

"Jai, I placed your sherwani on the bed—why have you worn these clothes? Did you not see it?" she questions, drawing his attention onto her. He turns around to look at her with an inexplicable expression etched onto his face. She approaches the bed and takes a hold of the sherwani, presenting it to him.

"Here, there is still plenty of time—I had Tony iron it earlier—You can--..," she starts in saying only to be cut off by her husband's rumbling voice.

"Bani… I'm not dressed for the engagement, I've been called in to the hospital, they need me there now—they're short of a surgeon," he informs her with a grave look in her direction.

Bani becomes crestfallen on hearing this and lowers the sherwani in her hands in a defeated manner.

"But… I thought you said you took the day off for the engagement," she gently protests, not understanding why he has to go in so suddenly especially since the ceremony is approaching.

"I did. But it doesn't always work like that, Bani… You know that…," he attempts in explaining.

She does know this. But she hates it. And she will hate him for leaving off and not attending her own sister's engagement as well as his nephew's. It is a special day for the family; he needs to be here for it. She joins him by the dresser, watching him resume in gathering his last minute things—handkerchief, wallet, and keys. She looks to him hopefully.

"Jai, can't you just get out of it this once? Is it really so important for you to go there? We have the engagement—you should be here," she tries to reason with him, hoping that he will listen this one time.

"Bani..," he breathes with a hint of exasperation. "I'm a doctor, I have no choice but to go…"

"Jai, please," she tries one last time, reaching out to him. He gazes back at her with an unyielding expression.

"You promised that you'd get off for today…," she adds in, reminding him of the fact.

"I didn't make any such promise… I just said that I'd try," he chides.

She is speechless when realizing that he is right, he didn't make any promise. She had just assumed that he'd stay for their family. She becomes disheartened by this and after withdrawing her hand stubbornly turns her face to the side, refusing to look at him. Jai seeing this withholds the urge to crack a smile at her childish behavior.

"What, now you won't even speak to me?" he inquires.

Hearing no response and only her stubborn silence, Jai receives his answer clearly. His tongue pokes through his cheek, thoroughly amused by her. He finds her incredibly adorable at the moment despite how furious she is with him… her cheeks flushed and fierce eyes sparkling.

"Bani… has anyone ever told you how cute you look when you're angry?"

This does the trick. She instantly looks at him, her warm honey brown eyes clashing with his dark gray ones. She flushes a darker shade of pink underneath his gaze and sheepishly moves away from him, trying to resume in her resolve of ignoring him. He follows behind her trail, taking a firm hold onto her elbow to keep her in place.

"Do not give me your silent treatment, I do not like it," he confesses to her. "You are always talking all the time now… I do not know how to deal with your silence."

She throws him a backward glance. "I do not talk all the time," she replies defensively, evoking a grin onto her husband's lips. Bani realizes her blunder. Giving a wriggle of her nose, showing her displeasure with him, she turns away again, walking to the wardrobe closet. He watches her hang the sherwani back into his wardrobe without so much of a glance in his way. She makes a movement to wander off till Jai grips onto her upper arm, holding her back, and turns her around to face him.

"Look, I will try to make it back on time for the ceremony, I promise… ," he says firmly, wanting to ease away her current anger.

She brushes off his hold on her and walks to their bedroom door. When opening it, she directs a final look to her husband, who looks on exasperatedly as she lifts her chin up and leaves.

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She realized much later when watching the festivity on the dance floor that she behaved rather childishly and felt somewhat ashamed of herself. However, it does not ease away her previous resentment. Her husband should be here and it upsets her deeply that he is absent like always. Though he has come around, she is afraid he still does not hold onto the value of family. She is aware that he is a doctor and had taken an oath when entering into the profession, but she just wished that work did not take up every aspect of his life, that he could learn to balance both work and family—giving them his equal time.

The guests had arrived and everyone was having a lovely time, except for herself. She did what was asked of her—assist the bride-to-be, complete any remaining preparations, and chat up their guests. She, however, sulked silently to herself throughout it all—wishing that Jai was around. When the ring-exchange takes place and the atmosphere becomes even more jovial, her spirits went further downhill. But she places a brave smile and applauds the new couple who beam at everyone around them.

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Jai removed his mask and ripped of his gloves when exiting the operation theater. He washes his hands vigorously under warm soapy water and from his peripheral vision sees his companion join him at the sinks.

"You're a god damn natural Walia… I've got another surgery scheduled in 30; you want to scrub in by any chance? It'll be worth your time, man was shot seven times—two to the head—.." Mahesh begins in saying with the intention of roping his good friend in. Jai, however, simply sends him an appreciative glance whilst drawing his hands, clearly intrigued by the case.

"If it were anytime but today, Mahesh… I'm headed home, won't be in till late tomorrow," he replies, taking off his scrub cap and running his hand through his thick mass of hair.

"I'm just lucky the procedure didn't take longer than I had expected…," he continues saying more to himself than to Mahesh, who grimaces slightly at him with disappointment.

"Why such a rush to get home? I'd have thought being a married man, father, and belonging to a joint family it'd be an incentive for you to stay here as much as you can… Not that your family isn't wonderful, that is," he adds on a last note, correcting himself. Jai simply laughs and walks out with Mahesh into the hallways of the hospital with the intention of changing in the locker room just before leaving.

"False… It's an incentive for me to leave here earlier when I can… Especially when you have a wife like mine," he jokes, causing realization to dawn onto Mahesh who grins knowingly back at him.

"You've got yourself a hell of a woman, Walia, don't complain," Mahesh warns good-humoredly.

"I'm not… I'll see ya Mahesh," Jai bids farewell when approaching his destination, giving a simple nod in his friend's direction.

"Later Walia…," he hears just before the locker room door closes behind him….

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Bani's mood turned even sourer when spotting Rohit and Alisha at the event, both dressed appropriately for the occasion and all smiles. They approached her with hugs and congratulatory wishes on behalf of her sister.

"It's bloody great—young love, it's wonderful I tell you, well—while it lasts," Rohit ends on a lower note. His wife nudges him, sending him a mean glare. "What is that supposed to mean? We got married young too, are you trying to imply something Rohit?" Alisha accuses, tickling Bani with some amusement as she witnesses Rohit's face twist in bewilderment when realizing his blunder.

"Darling, of course that's not what I meant!" he protests in exasperation. "We're one of the rare cases, you see—true love, sweetheart, true love," he emphasizes sweetly only leaving Alisha to grumble as a reaction.

"Bhaiya… I am so glad that you two could come… You did not have work then?" Bani asks feebly after a moment of hesitation. It bothers her that Rohit can manage to take off work to come but her own husband could not when he is especially needed.

"Ahh, me work when I have a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and drink? How absurd! Of course I'd come to this! Plus, I get to see how beautiful my Bhabhi is looking tonight," he flirts harmlessly with a wink making Bani smile a little despite how she has been feeling lately.

"Rohit, you are just lucky that Jai is never around for the most part when you are harassing poor Bani all the time," Alisha reprimands with a shake of her head.

"Harass?" Rohit echoes in defense. "I could never harass her! I don't harass you, do I Bhabhi? Why, all I ever do is admire you!"

Alisha and Bani both share a look at this and together they break into laughter, having getting used to Rohit's dramatic behaviors and still loving him despite it.

"Bani, where is your little guy? I have been dying to see him, really, you and Jai need to come over more often with Yash, I love the company!" Alisha gushes to her. Bani smiles endearingly at her.

"I would love to… but with Jai's schedule, I can never be sure…," Bani responds with a hint of dejection.

"Ah, speaking of which, where is that friend of mine?"

"At the hospital I'm assuming, judging by Bani's face… Oh you poor darling. I can relate. It really does suck being married to a doctor," Alisha chips in for Bani, who does not answer yet silently agrees to the statement.

"I don't see why you should complain… You women get all the benefits of our hard work," Rohit remarks unmindfully when taking a sip of his drink.

Alisha pinches him in his ribs, making him yelp from the pain of it. He sulks thereafter, putting his drink aside. "Kya yaar… I swear, I am the only man who is domestically abused by his wife." Bani manages to crack a smile and even laugh somewhat from both Rohit and Alisha's antics, but mainly Rohit's, which places her in a better mood than before.

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Jai entered the Mansion from the backdoors, not wanting to gather any attention on him as he was not dressed for the occasion. He went to his bedroom undetected by anyone and set to take a quick shower. He thanked his luck that he made it back for the engagement party at a reasonable time, even though close to two hours of it has passed by. At least he did not miss the entire event altogether. When getting out of the shower with a towel wrapped lazily around his waist, he remembers the image of his wife's crestfallen face that did not leave him in peace this entire time. Bani has managed to have that effect on him now… to get into his head and mess up his insides.

When peering into his wardrobe, he frowns as his eyes sweep over the sherwani she hung earlier that day. He releases an annoyed sigh when admitting to himself that Bani will always have her way, whether he liked it or not. He has gotten used to her having her say. He smiles on the thought despite his current irritation. He reaches out to the apparel, removing it from the hanger….

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Bani stood by her parents and son to the side of the dance floor, watching her family and friends dance with merry and celebrate over a new union. She had been chiding Yash for managing to get his sherwani dirty when Ranveer and Saahil rushed over and scooped their cousin into their arms to have him join in on the festive atmosphere. She admonished the boys to be careful and not be too rough with Yash, who was being swung around and thrown up in the air.

"Bani, he will be fine… Look, he is enjoying himself…," Kiran tells her, placing a gentle touch on her daughter's arm. Bani looks in her mother's way and grows silent instead, caving to her words. Kiran sweetly runs her hand over her hair, gazing at her with her usual motherly love.

"Bani, you enjoy yourself too… Everyone is having fun dancing…," she advises, having silently observed her daughter all night and her sullen face that she tried her best to hide. Bani gives her a meek smile.

"No, I am okay Ma… I am having fun with you and Papa.."

"Beta, you are young… what are you doing here with us elder folks?" her father questions with affection, urging her as well to join the celebrations.

"Papa--.."

Before she can ease off her parents' suggestion, her mother-in-law joins their side, looking radiant like never before. She was clearly pleased with the engagement, having a reason to spread happiness in their home.

"Arre Kiran ji… Nishikant ji… why are you two standing here by yourselves? Please join us… We are having so much fun, please…," she refers to the dance floor where the rest of their family members are. She refuses to hear any of their denials and blackmails her parents to dance as well. Bani attempts to distance herself but to no chance as Krishna takes a hold onto her wrist preventing her from doing so.

"Bahu, where are you going? You come as well…," she urges.

"Mummyji, I am fine here… Please you all carry on," Bani desperately tries to get herself out of this. She is not in the mood to dance.

"Don't be silly, Bani," Krishna simply says before leading her to the dance stage among the crowd presiding over it. Bani joins the rest of her family awkwardly who all encourage her to dance with them. She has no choice but to comply. Saahil is the first to approach her, taking her by the hands and twirling her around, wanting her to have fun like the rest of them. She allows herself to laugh a little at his playfulness after some time and go along with his movements. That is, till he turns her unexpectedly sending her flying in the other direction. She finds herself bumping straight into another figure and just as she is about to apologize profusely, she feels steady hands hold her by the hips and she looks up into dark gray eyes.

"Saahil…," his low voice grumbles as his eyes sweep over her head, his hands still holding her.

"Oops! Sorry Mami! Sorry Mamaji!" Saahil apologizes with a goofy smile before carrying on with his dancing with his fellow companions.

When his eyes meet hers again, she finds her voice again in order to speak.

"… Aap?"

His one eyebrow cocks up at her.

"Yes, me… Why do you look so surprised," he says with a hint of amusement in his voice. She does not register that unconsciously she draws closer to him, nearly clinging onto him as everyone else continue to frolic around them—cheering and whistling along with the beats of the blaring music.

"… I thought you were still at the hospital," her voice sounds almost accusatory and she bites down on her lip when he catches her tone. He, however, simply becomes even more amused by her. He shrugs his shoulders casually before answering her. "I promised you that I'd come back."

Their eyes remain locked and Bani observes him for a moment, trying to process the fact that he actually returned.

"Papa!" they hear their son screech out in joy drawing both their attention onto Yash, who is held up in Rohit's arms. He extends out his arms and Jai takes it as his cue to carry him.

"Hey, you made it! Join us!" Rohit beckons after Jai takes Yash from him. He nods over to the other side of the stage where a collective group of men dance with drunk merry. From the smell of his friend's breath, he can tell that he has been drinking for some time.

"Papa! Dance!" Yash urges, caught up in the whirlwind of excitement and celebrations. Jai prevents himself from openly grimacing over the idea, perhaps if he had a few drinks himself he'd consider it. He is too sober to deal with the likes of drunkards at the moment.

"Bani, you come as well! Come come, all three of you!" Rohit professes in his drunken state. Bani looks alarmed by this and crouches closer to Jai's side, shaking her head as an answer.

"Please Bhaiya, you go and enjoy… I am fine," she replies.

"We're good Rohit, I'll see you later at the bar I suppose," Jai remarks with a knowing look.

"You're damn right you'll see me there!" Rohit hoots before disappearing into the mass of the crowd.

Yash latches himself onto his father and pleads with him to dance with him till the upbeat, fast-paced music transitions into a slow rhythmic song. Bani stands idly by watching the duo and observes Jai pull their son closer and whisper something into his ear moments before dropping him to his feet after giving a fleeting kiss on his head. Yash scurries off the dance floor and joins a group of children around his age whereas the rest of the people on the dance floor break into pairs of two to sway along with the slow song. Before Bani can even ask what just occurred in front of her, her husband distracts her.

"Do you want to dance with me or will you continue staring at me like this for the rest of the night?" his gruff voice breaks into her thoughts. She blushes underneath his penetrating gaze, caught off guard by his request, and shyly looks around them, realizing that they look odd just standing there. Staring back at him, she sheepishly nods her head, finding herself incredibly shy and awkward in his presence all of a sudden.

She stands still, not knowing what to do with herself until Jai comes closer, placing both hands firmly on her waist and drawing her in. Hesitantly, she brings out her own hands and rests them gently against his chest, her torso close enough to brush against his. She feels intimidated by his built structure towering over her and becomes fully aware of their height difference. Her eyes lift upward. He looks down at her, an indescribable look on his face. Lately, she has been having a hard time in deciphering her husband. She used to be able to pinpoint his expressions and emotions with a simple look, but nowadays that has been changing. Something has been changing with him and she can't figure it out.

She felt she knew what was occurring. That night did something to the both of them. Bani felt that Jai had finally developed feelings for her. But as of late, she is not quite so sure anymore. She is perplexed and unsure of everything. She cannot get in his head no matter how hard she tries. What is this that's going on? Does it even have a name? What does Jai truly feel for her?

"… You're not still giving me the silent treatment, are you?" he speaks softly into her ear, guiding her with his movements to the music in ease. She follows in sync to his steps, allowing him to sway her along, and shakes away these muddled thoughts. She instead looks down at his chest, wanting herself to stop questioning everything and allow things to unfold by itself. Her gaze fixates onto his sherwani and she brushes the material gently with her fingers.

"… You told me you weren't going to wear this…," she says quietly to him.

"I changed my mind….," he breezily states.

"… Why?" she bursts out asking, not knowing why she wants to pursue this unimportant topic. He seems to think the same since he frowns slightly.

"I remember someone being really upset with me when I left… I thought the least I could do was make her happy and wear what she chose for me," he answers rather genuinely. She has the decency to appear shame-faced by his words and Jai realizes he has struck a nerve somewhere in her.

"… I am sorry about earlier… I was behaving childishly… I understand that you have to work," she fesses up after a silent moment passes by.

"So that's what's been eating you up… I was wondering what the matter was with you… I was thinking maybe I offended you by wearing the stole to this damn thing wrong… ," he says good-humoredly. Bani gives a weak smile, knowing that he is trying to poke fun at her and make her laugh like usual.

"… No… it is fine… You are handsome," she adds on a last note and later bites her tongue, regretting the slip up. She blushes, hoping that he doesn't take the compliment in a different way. The brief grin on his lips fades and the silence prevails over them once more. His eyes stare quietly at her in the meantime.

"You look beautiful tonight, Bani…," he murmurs in appreciation seconds later. And she does. She makes a bowling vision, dressed elegantly in a fitting teal saree that outlines her slim figure. Her hair is done in curls, her wide eyes traced with kohl, and the perfect amount of accessories paired with her outfit. In his biased opinion, she is the prettiest woman in the room—more beautiful even than the bride-to-be. The redness in her cheeks builds by his comment and she averts her gaze elsewhere.

She looks around them, watching couples all around them dance in serene silence to the soft music. Ranveer and Rano appear content in each other's arms, not looking away from one another for a second. Aditya and Jigyasa dance not too far from them. Rohit and Alisha are close by as well. It is when she sees her parents dancing sweetly together that she smiles to herself. Her attention retracts back to her husband when hearing his deep voice.

"Bani listen…"

She can tell that he has become serious by how he stares intently at her with his eyes darkening; however, there is a certain softness present there.

"… My line of work… it can be infuriating at times… There are times when I am called in on my days off and there isn't anything I can do about it… I've got a responsibility to always respond regardless… I'm trying here… to balance both work and our family…. It's just not as easy as it seems…," he tells her in confidence.

Something inside of her stirs by his words and warmth seeps in. And strangely enough, hearing that brief explanation is enough to make her feel much better. The fact that he cares enough to even explain himself is plenty for her.

"It's quite a lot to put up with… I've realized that," he adds while tucking a loose curl carefully behind her ear.

Her sister also had to deal with Jai's absence, didn't she? Ananya too complained and whined to her how Jai would always be called into the hospital at the most inopportune times. How she rarely got her time with him….

"No, it's not… a lot to put up with, I mean," she clarifies when his fingers linger in her hair before fully retracting.

But at least Bani gets those times with him, no matter how short. No matter the fact that she has to share him with his work. The fact that she does get her time with the man she loves is worth cherishing.

Jai smiles faintly at her, appreciating that she has let go of her initial anger and choosing to understand. They slip into a comforting silence than earlier and resume in dancing to the softs beat on the dance floor with everyone else. Bani lifts her hands higher, letting them rest on his shoulders, easing into his hold around her.

".. What did you tell Yash?" she brings up, curious about the exchange between father and son. Yash was insistent on dancing with Jai. Her husband gives her a smile, the regular smile that appears whenever Yash is mentioned.

"I told him that I wanted to dance with his Momma first…and then later it would be his turn."

"And he listened to you just like that?" she questions skeptically, trying not to blush so much over the fact that Jai wanted to dance with her.

"He placed the condition that I had to take him to McDonalds afterwards…"

Bani laughs fully on hearing this while Jai simply shakes his head in wonder over his own son.

"That sounds more like your son…," she comments giggly.

"He's too smart for his own good Bani…."

"Well that's good… We should rejoice… We aren't raising an idiot…," she quips jokingly.

They engage into one of their routinely conversations about their son and his antics, talking fervently and laughing in between it all. Bani proceeds in swaying in his arms, treasuring the feeling of his hold around her. She continues to smile and cannot seem to stop. It seems to be the same case with Jai, whose dark eyes shine at her with a particular gleam. The two are interrupted, however, when someone taps gently onto Jai's shoulder, causing him to look over it.

"Jai, you wouldn't mind if I had a dance with your lovely wife, would you?" Aditya questions with a kind smile aimed in Bani's way. Jai flashes Bani a look and sees her give an innocent shrug that he takes to understand that she does not mind and that it is up to him. He releases her and gives Aditya a simple nod.

"She's all yours. I will go meet the newly engaged couple in the meanwhile," he says before leaving his wife with his best friend and walking in the direction of the stage, where Ranveer and Rano now sit after having danced for some time. Bani watches him leave until Aditya steps into her view with his jocular smile. Whilst dancing with her brother-in-law she looks past his shoulder and quietly observes her husband with Rano and Ranveer, talking with them briefly before the couple reaches down to take his blessings. He stops them both and instead draws them into a hug. He says something more to them, ruffles Ranveer's hair fondly (evoking a grin from his nephew), and kisses Rano sweetly on her cheek who blushes sweetly as an aftermath of it.

"He seems to be finally coming around, doesn't he?..." she hears Aditya murmur to her, following her gaze over to her husband.

She meets his eyes and beams with pleasure when replying contently, "Yes…. He does."

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