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Thank you for the comments everyone. Its great to see your response. This was supposed to be one page but turned into three.
Home and Heart
Light mist floated outside the large window leaving trails of fine water globules on the glass pane. Bani pulled the shawl even tighter around her as she watched the grey scape outside. It felt damp and cold this morning without the sun. She looked at the grandfather clock ticking away in the corner, the gold face with large black numerals showing it was past eleven o'clock.
Mr Shah should be here soon to show the home to a potential buyer. Just the thought of having to part with her home made tears line the eyelashes. If her father had been alive she would not be doing this today. But her father had died suddenly, leaving a large debt but not funds to pay for it. "Why did you have to go papa and leave me? First mama and then you papa, why?" Bani cried silently. She had to abandoned her MBA course in London and rush back home to nurse her father who had been diagnosed with stomach cancer. It was too late to operate and the chemo theraphy had been unsuccessful and her father had passed away leaving her orphaned.
The knock on the door brought her out of her reverie and she moved gracefully across the wide expanse of the room to the foyer to open the door. Mr Shah beamed a smiled at her and stepped in, followed by his client. He patted her head and asked cheerfully, "How are you beta?"
Bani mustered up a smile and said softly, "I am fine uncle."
An uneasy silence fell as Bani stared at the man behind Mr Shah. He looked as if he had just stepped out of a page of Vogue. The silver grey designer suit, black shirt complete with a tie covered his six foot trim frame. His jet black eyes matched his jet black hair carefully gelled back.
Mr Shah cleared his throat, "Err...Bani this is Mr Jai Walia. He is from Mumbai. I will just show him around the house and if he has any questions than I will come and find you."
Bani just nodded and then turned back and walked into the room. She didn't want to go along with them. She couldn't bear the pain of seeing someone else looking and touching things which held so much memories for her. The gleaming black piano with ivory keys in the corner of the room caught her attention and she walked over to it and sat down, running her finger lightly over the keys. Her mind went back to her recollection of her father sitting at the piano and playing for her and her mother. Her father loved the piano and had tried to teach her, but Bani never mastered the piano as good as her father. A tune hummed in her head and she tried to play it, fumbling as she tried to remember the notes.
"May I?"
His soft voice startled her. She had not heard him walk into the room. Bani stood up and to let him sit down and then watched as his slender fingers moved smootly as he played All my Hearts by Johann Bach. She stood entraced as he played the whole piece without any hesitation. When he finished, he turned and asked, "Are you taking the piano with you Ms Dixit?"
Bani shook her head, a lone tear escaped. "No, the house comes with all the furniture and items. I will have no room for them when I move. If do not want anything please let me know, so I can find good homes for them."
"I want the house as is. The furniture is of very good quality, hard to find now days. And the piano is a bonus. It is a beautiful house Ms Dixit. Are you sure you want to sell?"
Bani nodded her head. Her voice barely audible, "I am sure Mr Shah told you the reason why I am selling Mr Walia. I will not be having second thoughts. I have no funds to maintian the house."
Mr Shah spoke up, "Bani beta don't worry, the house is going into good hands. And I am sure Mr Walia will allow to pay a visit if you so desire. Come Mr Walia, we will discuss details in my office."
The men took their leave and Bani collapsed on the floor crying, finally giving into the pain that had built up at the thought of losing of her home. The mist outside had given way to rain, which fell softly as if it also cried with the owner at the loss of the home.
XXXXX
Bani stumbled into one room apartment she shared with her colleague from work, Rano. She sighed as she picked up discarded shoes strewn carelessly on the floor. The small table still had unwashed dishes from breakfast this morning. Bani set her bag carefully at the side of the wall along with her and Rano's shoes and then picked up the dishes and soaked them in the water in the sink. She picked up the note taped on the fridge. Rano's handwriting scrawled out, "Going to see a movie with Andy. Don't wait up for me."
She made a cup of tea for her and took out some biscuits on a plate and took it over to the sofa and sat down. Picking up the remote, she turned on the TV and flicked the channels seeing what was being shown on the channels. Her fingers froze at the face on the screen. The words of the news reporter fused into a mindless din as she stared at him, Jai Walia, the man who now owned her home.
Bani had only seen him once more at the office of Mr Shah as they finalized the sale. He had been very courteous and had told her any time she wanted to come and see her home, she was welcome to. But Bani had never gone back...she did not want to relieve the pain buried somewhere deep in her heart again.
Now seeing his face, the image of her home flashed before her. Jai Walia sat at her father's piano and playing her father's favourite tune swam into her eyes. And the desire to see her home rose up...just once, may be just once if she saw it again, the pain would go away.
With her mind made up, Bani scribbled a not and left it where Rano would find it. She picked up her small bag and left the apartment for the railway station.
XXXXX
Bani stood outside her home, drenched to the skin by the rain. She had no umbrella with her and she had decided to walk to her home. She knocked on the door, hoping someone was in. The door opened and an elderly looking lady with a gentle smile stood looking at her.
Pulling Bani in she exclaimed, "Oh dear, you are wet. Come I will get you a towel and you can dry yourself up. And then a nice cup of hot tea."
In a few minutes Bani found herself sitting with the lady and telling her all about her father and mother and herself. The lady introduced herself as Jai Walia's masi and told Bani she came her couple of months to stay for few days. She loved getting away from Mumbai, getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Here she could enjoy the quiet pace, the gardens and visit the beautiful temples. Bani ended up staying for dinner as masi wouldn't take no for it.
In the evening the rain had gone and though still wet, she ended up accompanying masi to the small mandir nearby. They walked there and after partaking the evening arti returned back home. A black mercedes was parked in front of the house. Masi bubbled with excitement, "Oh munna is here." she told Bani.
"Munna?" Bani asked, wondering who was munna as masi had not mentioned him in their conversation.
"Oh Jai...I have always called him munna." Masi explained.
As they reached the door, it opened and there stood Jai Walia smiling at them. He hugged masi and threw a nod at Bani. The designer suit had been replaced by a polo shirt and jeans, yet he still looked as if he had stepped out of a page of magazine.
Masi grabbed Bani's hand, "See who came to today munna? Bani. I have had a great afternoon talking with her about the house. Now come, lets eat. You must be hungry."
Over the dinner, masi rambled away, unaware of the stares thrown by Bani and Jai at each other. They hardly talked and answered masi in with smiles or few words. After dinner Bani told masi she would leave as it was getting late.
Masi held her hand, "Why don't you stay a little bit longer. Jai will drop you. Jai why don't you play the piano." She turned to Bani, "Jai plays piano wonderfully. Come sit with me."
Jai's finger once again created the magic with her father's favourite tune. He played not once looking at them. When he finished he turned at stared directly into Bani's eyes, his jet black eyes were tense and Bani found she could not look away from them.
Masi gazed from Jai to Bani, not believing what she was seeing. Her munna was in love with the girl sitting next to her.
THE END
Channel V Dil Dosti Dance
Arjun
