SS: Waiting for you-end-part 10/epi page 28 26-09 - Page 7

Her father is just enjoying his life,, forgettin that he had a daughter before,, very cute how jai was mad at bani,, I feel so bad for bani,, her father is so mean

Hiya,

Jai switched sides in the bed. With his eyes still closed Jai reached out to the nightstand to grab his alarm clock and check the time. Jai stretched his arm but felt....a hairbrush? That wasn't supposed to be there. Feeling rather lethargic he slowly opened his eyes to see a white wall in front of him. Wasn't the wall of his bedroom grey and blue? Something felt heavy on his right arm. Suddenly it dawned upon Jai and he looked next to him in horror.
'Oh God!'

Jai turned his head and looked at the ceiling. He banged the back of his head on his pillow. Well actually Bani's pillow. Was there anything to save? Judging by the gust of wind on his skin.....no! He looked next to him again. She was sleeping so peacefully on his arm. At least he hoped so. Her tears and her state earlier that evening had scared him. She was looking so lost when he found her on the road. Somehow Jai helped Bani and her stuff in his car where she hurled up on the passengers seat and looked out of the window while soundlessly letting her tears flow. Jai gave her some time, he didn't want her to relive the moment that had hurt her so much. He brought her to the address that was written on a bill that fell out of her purse on the street. Jai figured out that it must be the address of her house as her name was written on it. Jai remembered stopping the car. She didn't step out. Bani was oblivious to her surroundings. The only thing she did at that time was cry. Jai got out of his seat and opened the door for her. She didn't even react to that. Jai bend over, put one hand under her knees and the other on her back after putting her keys and the small purse she carried in the pocket of his jacket. He let the rest of her belongings in his car. She could pick it up later. He carried her out of the car and looked for the door to her apartment in the rundown building. Jai had to be careful. The poorly lit hallway had several objects lying around and the not so charming smell coming from the staircase wasn't the best thing that ever reached his nose. Jai finally reached Bani's door and while holding Bani in his arms and struggling with the keys he finally managed to open the door and saw a space that did not match the personality of the woman he was holding in his arms. The walls were white. There were a few plastic chairs and an old TV. The old curtains covered windows that were taped together. Parts of the wood were worm-eaten. The open kitchen was clean as the living room but the old fridge and stove had seen more glorious years.

Jai looked around for a sofa and saw something that was a ghost of a sofa. He walked towards it and placed her carefully on it. Her eyes were blank and the tears didn't stop. Jai cupped her face and softly stroke her cheek with his thumb.

'Say something, please?'

Bani finally seemed to notice him. She looked in his eyes and said. 'They don't want me.'

Uttering that one sentence seemed to break her heart in thousands of pieces but this time she didn't break down although she didn't stop crying.
'Who doesn't want you?' He asked.

She whispered. My father, my mother. They don't want me.

Jai hugged her tightly. Let her cry as much as she wanted and then got up to get her a glass of water. He walked into the clean kitchen and filled a glass with water. Bani was still sitting in the same position. He held out the glass in front of her but she didn't react. Jai sat down next to her and brought the glass to her lips. She took a tiny sip of water. Jai repeated his action until the glass was half empty and Bani pushed it away. Jai placed the glass on the floor and brushed the droplets of water on her chin and lips away with his thumb. He never really noticed how beautiful her eyes truly were. A shade of brown that reminded him of the one chocolate souffl he actually ever ate and liked. In that brown was hint of gold or caramel, he couldn't make out what it exactly was. The next instance his thumb on her lips were replaced by his lips.

Jai watched the sleeping lady on his arm again.

He could make out her lips in the dark and placed his thumb on her lips like he had done earlier that evening.

'One thing led to another.' How many times did he hear this excuse from his friends even he didn't knew. And every time he didn't believe it. He used it a few times himself, but he hadn't believed it. Even tonight he didn't believe it. Every kiss after his lips replaced his thumbs on her lips was heartfelt. Every caress on her body was something he dreamt of doing for the past so many years, even when he was with someone else. He wanted her to feel loved. She had hugged him when he was kissing her, after a while she responded to his kisses. After a while their kisses, no matter how passionate they were, weren't enough. Bani slipped her hand under his coat. They undressed each other and Jai carried her to her bedroom.

'Shit, shit, shit!' Jai banged his head against his, well Bani's pillow again.

'She was vulnerable you moron.' He whispered to himself. 'Woh tumse nafrat karegi. She'll hate you.'
Jai was ready to sit up and get out of bed when he felt Bani turn on his right arm. He couldn't get away without waking her up. Bani was going to hate him. She wasn't emotionally in the right state to make a decision. He took advantage of her even if he didn't intend to do that. He had to make the right decision for the both of them but he failed. Jai was weighing his options. He could get up and leave or stay and see either her hatred or make her understand that he loved her ever since he saw her. Who was he kidding? Jai wasn't going to leave in the night. What ever would happen in the morning, he still had a few hours where he could see her, feel her and be next to her. Jai put his other hand around Bani's waist and eventually fell asleep.

***************

A few hours later something got slammed shut. Jai woke up with his heart beating in his throat. He looked around, still in Bani's apartment. He sat up and saw a cup of coffee next to him on the nightstand and a note next to it.

Good morning,
Ill be back in 15 minutes. I hope you like the coffee. If you would like to have a shower then there are towels and spare toothbrushes in the cabinet under the sink, in the bathroom.

Maya

The coffee was still too hot, so Jai decided to have a shower first. He wanted to stay and talk to her. They had to talk.

*******************

Maya was walking over to the bakery shop. She forgot to get some bread yesterday and well......she couldn't give the man in her apparent some fruit cereals like she usual ate.

Her mind drifted of to last night. It turned out to be the one of the strangest nights in her life. There were two men who had dominated not only last night, but one her whole life and the other the last six years. There was her father who had rejected her, not in so many words, but he did. Shouldn't he jump up with joy and hug her? It was nothing like she had imagined. The one dream she had didn't come true. In some ways her father couldn't help it, she figured out. He had moved on. A new family and a new life, new responsibilities. Mayas life stopped in the past. She grew up, her life changed but every day she was confronted with the lack of her parents. The loneliness, the bills, the house and all the things that came with it reminded her that she was alone and most probably will remain alone.

And then there was Jai Walia, her boss. He liked her and made her feel loved and wanted. Even if it was for just a moment. She felt attracted to him. Maya didn't have the strength to feel anything more then attraction because if she started to love him and he would leave, and he definitely will leave, then she would not be capable of picking herself up once again. It would not be fair towards him, dragging him in the mess that was her life.
Maya thought back to his kiss and smiled. The second time someone kissed her and she didn't loathe herself. His touch, the first time someone touched her and she didn't feel disgusted. Her first time.

*******

Jai heard the front door open. Bani stepped in the living room. Jai was sitting at the kitchen table, or what was supposed to be the kitchen table. He had taken a shower and came out with his coffee. After so many years she still remembered how he liked it. Bani walked over.
'Croissants? They are still warm.' She offered.
Jai simply nodded. Bani placed some on a plate and took some fruit and her regular cereals for herself.

Jai was munching on his croissants. He was sure that they must taste good but right now everything tasted like sawdust.

'We need to talk. He finally said. Bani nodded.

I love you. I want to be with you and.........mai tumse shaadi karna chaahta hoon. Jai managed get out of him.

No.
Jai dropped his food on his plate. He had expected her reluctant but a blunt NO after last night was not what he had expected to hear.

Why not?' He wanted to know.

'Kyunki aap mujhse pyaar nahin karte hai.

Her answer irritated him, angered him. Tum itne yakeen se kaise keh sakti ho?'

'You don't have to do this. I mean 'the right thing' you don't have to do that.'
'what are you talking about?!!!!'

Bani took a deep breath. 'Aap mujhse pyaar nahin karte. It's maybe an attraction or something but you dont love me. Aap mujhe jaante tak nahin.'

'Then let me get to know you. We wont get married, not yet at least. Let me convince you that I love you.'

'And what about me? Shouldn't I love you. I agree I am attracted to you but attraction doesn't last.'

Jai shoved his chair back. He stood up and walked aimlessly in the small kitchen wanting to get rid of his frustration. Why didn't she understand his feelings.

How can you say it was attraction? After last night...how can you say that?'
'Do you marry all the girls you sleep with?'
'No I don't but are you planning to use attraction as an excuse with all the guys you will be sleeping with!' Jai lashed out. As soon as the words left his mouth he regretted them. Jai rubbed his temple with his left hand.

'Look, I am sorry. Mujhe nahin kehna chaahiye tha.'

Bani was playing with her food. Its okay.

Jai sat down at his seat and took her hand in his. I really mean it. I want to be with you. It's not attraction I know it.'
Bani turned herself towards him.

'And what if it is? Why do you want to have a relationship with me. Dehkiye, I like spending time with you. I like being around you to kyun humko ek rishte me bandhna hogaya? We can just be together without the extra baggage. I can never keep you happy the way any other girl will be able to.'

Jai dropped her hand out of his. He needed them to massage his head to get rid of the throbbing pain that was coming up.

'Tujhe pata hai ki tum kya keh rahi ho? Agar kisi ko pata chal gaya to? ' Jai sighed exhausted.

'Haan and I don't care but It will matter if you care about it. At one point of time aap mujhe chor ke chale jaayenge, don't ask me when and how but you will. My own parents couldn't put up with me so I dont expect anything from you. Why take so much trouble? Agar hum me se koi bhi apne raaste jaana chaahega to jaa sakta hai. no regrets, no emotions, nothing. The attraction goes away and we can still be friends after that.'
Jai said nothing after that.

'I know, shaayed aap ko ache na lage lekin mujhe ab koi bhi rishta nahin chaahiye. I have been the good girl all my life, did what was right, what people expected from me. I took care of a mother who was suffering from a broken heart more than the cancer in her body Meri Ma ne pyaar me bhi dhokha khaaya aur business me bhi. The man she loved never accepted her and took away all her money. She saw me as the reason she couldn't be with him and resented me for that. I did everything I could to make her say she loved me and never complained about me me lekin aisa nahin huwa, no matter how well I did, no matter how hard I worked. My father left my moher because she cheated on him. Apni tooti huwi shaadi ko bhoolne ke chakkar me woh shaayed mujhe bhi bhool gaye. Ab mujh me itni taaqat nahin hai ki mai ek aur rishta nibhaau. I just want to do what I feel right now. Agar aap ko manzoor nahin hai to aap ka faisla hai and I will respect that. lekin mai apna faisla nahin badlungi.
Jai stood up and walked towards the door.

'I need some time to think.'

Bani nodded in agreement and Jai walked out of the door.

******

'Jai!! where were you? Kal subah se ghar nahin aaye. Office me bhi nahin the raat ko, your phone was off. Pareshaan ho gaye the hum.' His elder sister had cornered him as soon as he stepped into the house and dragged him to his study. His brother-in-law followed soon.

'Please tell me you were alone or with a girl and not a guy. We are getting worried about you man.' His brother-in-law cracked on of his usual jokes and got a nudge in his ribs from his wife. Jai rolled his eyes and tried to hide it but both of the people in front of him knew him inside out and soon where all over him with questions.

'You were with a girl?' The excitement of his sister was visible in her eyes. His brother-in-law whistled and was shut up by his wife again.
'Kaise hai? Acchi hai? Naam kya hai? kahan rehti hai? Pyaar karta hai usse? Ghar kab la raha hai? when are you proposing to her? or did you propose? Shaadi kab kar raha hai?'
'Didi! Didi! Hold it!' Jai pressed his hand to her mouth to stop the firing of questions.

Jigyasa kept quiet until Jai removed his hand from her mouth.
'Bata na Jai, Ghar kab la raha hai, Naam kya hai?'
Jai quickly pressed his hand to her mouth again. 'Didi I am going to answer all of your questions lekin ek ek kar ke poochna okay? Ab mai haath hatau?'
She nodded and Jai removed his hand. His brother-in-law stood there, watching the brother and sister and grinning.

'Pyaar karta hai us larki se?' She asked the first question.

Jai nodded.

'Kaisi hai.'
'Bohot pyaari.'
'Naam?'
'Bani.'
'Kahan mila?'
'Office me kaam karti hai, your wedding planner. Bani is her real name'
'Shaadi karna chaahta hai?'
Jai nodded again.
'Did you propose?'
Jai nodded again.

'She said yes didnt she?'
Jai nodded again but in the opposite direction.
'She said no! and you know why? because she thinks I am only attracted to her. and you know why else? She thinks I will leave her eventually. She doesn't know when and how but she gave me the guarantee that I will leave her.' Jai repeated Bani's answers in frustration.
Aditya and Jigyasa looked at Jai with a puzzled expression. Jai wanted them to say something, anything.
' Yeh larki paagal hai kya?' Aditya eventually asked. Jai shook his head.Not that I know off.
'To?' Jigyasa wanted to know. 'You two…..I mean you obviously spend the night together, you propose and she says no to you because she thinks you don't love her. She says no even though she knows who 'YOU' are. She is one hell of a girl.'

'that she is.' Jai smiled and his mind wandered off to…..well, to Bani.
she does love you right?' Aditya asked.
'Yes she does. Bas kehti nahin hai.'
Jigyasa shook her head. 'Why? Darti hai kya?'
'Yes. She has been though a lot didi. She just met her father after 21 years. Her mother died and she is all alone. Woh samajhti hai ki sab usko chor ke chale jaayege and this time she doesn't want any 'emotional baggage' as she calls it. ' Jai told them about Bani, their first meeting, how they met again and what she told Jai in the morning.

'Poor girl. Jigyasa whispered after Jai finished talking.
Poor girl? That poor girl is diving me crazy Di! Ab mai kya karu. I want to be with her but not like this.'
'why not like this?' Jigyasa asked. 'You want to be with her so why not like this.
Aditya looked at his wife like she was going crazy too. 'Log kya kahenge? This will be a huge scandal when someone gets to know it.'
Jigyasa's eyes were blazing with fire while looking at her husband 'So what? Since when do you care about log kya kahenge? You men are so typical. You want everything the easy way. No fighting, nothing. Aur jab kamzori chupaane ki baat aati hai then you use the same old dialogue 'Log kya kahenge'. Isko Bani se shaadi karni hai ya duniya bhar ke logon se??'
Aditya was looking at the floor by the time his wife ended her speech. One wrong word more from him and Aditya knew he would have to spend the night in one of the empty guestrooms, if they were empty at all, otherwise it would be the outhouse or the garage.

Jai saw the delicate situation between the spouses. Who would help him if they started fighting?
'Didi...please tell me. Mai kya karu?'

Jigyasa directed her angry face towards her brother.
'Tujhe kya lagta hai Jai? cant you judge for yourself? Doodhpeete bacche ho kya?'
It was Jai's turn to look at the floor.
'Jai listen to me. Why do you think we turned out the way we are? Why do you think Aditya and mine wedding turned out successful? Why do you think you are still unmarried? Because we are lucky and more then that because of our parents. Mama-papa ne humko kabhi bhi dukh dekhne nahin diya. Mama-papa gave us the best life there is. Unka vishwaas, unka pyaar humaare saath hai, even though they are no more. Tumne abhi tak shaadhi nahin ki because you want a marriage like our parents had. True love. Agar hum me se kissi ke bhi saath woh huwa hota jo us larki ne saha hai to hum shayad pagal ho jaate. I am amazed that she is still trying to live, trying to breath. Did you ever ask what happened? Why she ran away so many years ago? What she did after that?'
Jai shook his head and looked at the floor again. 'Yes, but she didn't tell me.'

'decide Jai. Agar tum uska saath chaahte ho then you have to be prepared. Her past isn't pretty.' Jigyasa looked at her brother, his dejected face stirred her heart. She placed her hand on his cheek. 'she is trying to protect herself. If you decide to be with her to usko dhokha mat dena like her parents. Woh toot jaayegi aur shayed ab nahin jee paayegi. She is just trying to protect herself.'

Jai looked at his sister. He took her hand in his hands and pressed it to his lips.

If I say yes to her and if we had a relationship, to ghar par to koi garbar nahin hoga na? I mean Anu ki shaadi, the gossips aur Mausi ko kya kahenge?'

'Jo hoga dekha jaayega. We will take care of it, together like we always did, as a family. Mausi ko mai bata dungi aur tumhaare aur Bani ke baare me dhindhora peetne ki kya zaroorat hai? Dheere dheere sab ko pata chal jaayega aur tab sab ko shock bhi nahin lagega. But you have to be sure. Not for us, but for her. soch samajhkar faisla lena.' Jigyasa advised him.

Aditya and Jigyasa left Jai alone. He had to make a decision. Bani's way, or no Bani at all.

After a while Jai left his study. He met Jigyasa on the way to his bedroom. She gave him a reassuring nod when she saw him. Jai considered that sign as the support of his family and called Bani.

It took some time but after a while every one knew about Jai and Bani. The family supported them and who really did care about the office staff and the rest of the world?