Dear Friends,
This story is for Davia and Megs, while Davia PMs me immediately after every ff almost as when I am starting my new one, she sends emoticons of different moods, asking how much I have written when I am starting etc etc., Megs wanted a TDH, Mills and Boons type. Now is this not a perfect Mills and Boons, at least the portions I have written till now but I plan to make it one, lets see of course depending upon the comments I receive. This story I dedicate to a woman who is no longer amongst us, Roop Kanwar, her news created waves and shocks amongst fellow courntrymen if not the world. I was at a very vulnerable age then, could not imagine this thing could happen in today?s world.
My another on going FF is Kasamh Se https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/929115/ff-kasamh-se-ch-51-end-pg-116-updtd-on-25-9
Previous FFs...
Chhoti si mulakat : https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=999441
A New Dawn : https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=974981
The Phone Call : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/910155/ff-the-phone-call-epilogue-pg-52 Dil Ki Suno : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/874713/ff-dil-ki-suno-epilogue-pg-53 Eternal Soulmates: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/869198/ff-eternal-soulmates-ch-5-pg-7-end The Flowers of Spring, https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=853938&T PN=1
Ek Kashish: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/830952/ff-ek-kashish-ch-20-and-epilogue-pg-58 The Crushed Innocence :https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=800150& TPN=1#13464286
The Destiny: https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=779329&T P
Ankho hi Ankho me: https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=738121&T PN
Woh Raat : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/731347/ff-woh-raat-chapter-6-pg-10-last-ch
Anokha Rista (https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/712391/anokha-rishta-chapter-18-and-epilog-pg42).
Chhoti si aasha https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/672677/ff-chhoti-si-aasha-ch29-and-epi-pg-76:
Kuch Achhe Kuch Bure (https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/641995/kuch-achhe-kuch-bure-ch-24-and-epilog-pg71); Thori si bewafai (https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=615869) Kuch Rahen Anjaani Si (https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/573991/ff-kuch-rahein-anjaani-si-ch-36-pg111): Contract Heir: https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=536274&T PN. Return of Bani Walia, https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/515481/return-of-bani-walia-note-on-pg-31: :Business Tycoon Jai Walia marries a Mt Abu Girl(https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/486636/business-tycoonjw-marriesfinal-prt-pg64). Mai Apke bina nehi reh sakti hu (https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/457994/mai-apke-bina-nehi-reh-updt-pg-11-pt-ix)& Finding Bani (https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/469208/finding-bani-ff-part-viii-page-8).
The Captured Heart
Bani sat at her desk and looked out, the rain was falling, the force was steady, she got up and stood in front of the window, the park beyond was looking green, watched the crows sitting quietly on the branch patiently, getting wet once the rain stops they will begin their activities in full force, collecting building material for their nest, repairing it and of course food, if it rains the whole day, most likely they will go hungry?..Bani?s stomach made noises, she went back to her desk, her mother will be waiting, it is time to go home?.she looked around her class, it was looking bright and colourful with the paintings the children had done, she picked up the chart she had just prepared and pinned it on the soft board, gave a satisfied look, picked up her bag and left the class?.
++++
By the time she reached her house, she was half wet, her mother opened the door?.
Keya bus milne me der ho gayi?.
Aur keya ma, do boond barish gira nehi, raste se bus gayeb, she replied, jaldi khana paroso bahut bhuk laga hai?.
Arey beta, roti banane me kitna der lagega, tu dress toh change kar?.
Bani looked at her churidar, short kurti, it was not only wet but muddy too, she made a face, uuuffff, yeh bhi gayi, she looked at the string at one side of the room, her half dried clothes hanging, due to continuous rain for last few days, the clothes were not drying properly though her mother made best of efforts to dry them under the fan?.
Bani quickly changed into a kaftan, tied up her straight shoulder length hair with a clip and sat down for her meal?
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Bani picked up the bolster gave it a pump, while admiring the sari on which her mother was working on?..half embroidery, half fabric painted, she adjusted her black frame specs and picked up the brush, the outlines were drawn, she started filling in the colours with deft strokes?.
Maine aaj phone kiya tha?..her mother said picking up the other end of the sari, fixing the same in the round frame and passing the needle through it?
Bani stopped for a second and then asked?.toh?.
Aajkaal tabiyet thora kharab rehta hai?..
Hmmmmmm
Bol rahi thi agar tu ja sakti hai toh?.
Mai?? She looked up?..
Ha tu?
Aap ne theek se suna?
Do bar kaha, toh ticket karwa du?.
Are you mad Ma, in the middle of the session, the children have just started to settle down, abhi mai kaise jayu, sawal hi nehi uth ta?.Bani dropped the brush on the palate?.her mood to help her mother suddenly diminished?.picked up the bolster and flung herself on the bed?.
Dekh abhi nehi jayegi toh kuch ulta seedha ho jane se. tujhe kharab lagega kiyu nehi gaye?the mother continued?.Bani removed her specs and closed her eyes?
Tu sun rahi hai na, mai keya keh rahi hu?.
Kiyu kharab lagega? Bani asked roughly, jo huwa usme mera keya dosh hai?
Dosh to graho ka hai beta?..her mother?s voice softened?.
Bani clenched her jaws and turned pulling over the cover?..
++++
Bani finished painting the Indian flag on the cheek of the kid, she held her mirror for him to see, the child gave a smile, Bani kissed his forehead, he turned and ran back to his seat, Bani gestured to the little girl to come forward, as the girl chose the motive she wanted to have on her cheek, Bani picked up the required colours?.
She waved the children as they left, a long weekend was coming with independence day holiday, the children waved at her till they went out of sight beyond the school gate dragged by their guardians, they were excited to have their face painted with national flag, flower, bird etc., some wanted the national anthem on their small faces, Bani had obliged writing the first two lines in hindi, they peered at their reflection on every glass door of the school they passed by?as the last fellow left, Bani wished her fellow teachers goodbye, some happy journey as they were leaving for the weekend?.she picked up her bag and stepped out of the school, today there was no rain, cool breeze was blowing, she decided to walk down, it is only 25 minutes and some exercise is always good, after leaving her school lane, Bani looked around, no students around, she went and stood in front of the man selling bhelpuri and indicated to make one for her, while she kept a sharp eye no students sees her, after teaching them not to have food from the roadside vendor, this will be the last thing she wanted to get caught in?.Bani adjusted her earphone in one ear, switched on her favourite FM channel, munched her bhel and walked towards her house?the footpaths were filled with hawkers, trying to do the last minute business before the people left the city over the weekend?.
Bani turned from the corner towards the road leading to her house, screeching of tyres and brakes, Bani?s remaining bhel fell from her hand as she tried to prevent herself falling flat on the road?
Dekhai nehi deta keya andhe ho?.Bani lashed out
Sunai nehi deta keya behre ho??the dark window slid down and the driver lashed out at her?.
Bare batameez admi ho, bara gari chalane se yeh rasta nehi tumhara ho jayega?.
Bara gari hai isiliye tum bach gaya, break achha kam karta iska nehi toh abhi ram nam satya hai ho jata, aur rasta tumhara bhi nehi hai, raste me chalte waqt kan ka baja khol ke chalo, kisi ne nehi sikhaya tumhe?.
Bara batameez admi ho, abhi dikha ti hu maza, Bani lifted her leg to take out her slippers?when a voice said from inside
Raghu kitne baar kaha raste me chalte huwe logo ka muh math laga karo because the fault will always be ours even if they break the rules as they are jealous of people like us, abh chalo before the crowd assembles, mera der ho rahe hai?..he directed his driver in a calm voice?.
Ji Sir?..next time pura pis ke rakh dunga?were Raghu?s parting words as he zoomed past her?..
Bani dusted her herself muttering curses under breath, she inspected to see if there were any scratches?.bal bal bach gaya she said to herself?.when she noticed her hands were shaking vigorously, somehow she limped and sat down at the nearby caf?ordered ice tea and tried to calm herself?her mother will be very disturbed to see her in this condition, but Bani cannot simply help, such little incidents disturb her, she has seen the doctor many a times but with no avail, the doctor asked her to meditate and think about happy things but in her life of 24 years, Bani did not have many happy things to think about?.one incident changed her entire life?.a mistake committed by others but being suffered by her?.
Though it happened long long ago but she can still see it vividly, like a film it is still played before her eyes?.
++++
Bani Dixit was the daughter of Nishikant Dixit from a village between Jaipur to Fatehpur
Her father was a trader of local handloom and other handicraft items which were a big craze with the foreign tourist?Bani was about 7 when her younger uncle got married to the daughter of another trader of course much bigger than themselves. The alliance was possible because the girl was the sister-in-law of her mother?s childhood friend?.her family members were happy, dahej was good she got to hear the elders speaking, Bani alongwith her two elder brothers and cousins left with the family to get her uncle married, they traveled by a big bus while her uncle alongwith his friends went in a trailer attached to a tractor?.she doesn?t remember how long they traveled but around evening they reached a village, they were shown a house, where in they were served with refreshment and asked to freshen up?.her mother took her to a room, she sponged Bani quickly, applied powder, put a bindi on her forehead and took out the most beautiful lehenga choli Bani had ever seen?.
Yeh mere liye bana rahi thi aap, she shrieked?
Aur nehi toh keya, ek hi toh beti hai meri?her mother Kiran smiled?
Bani quickly wore the dress, her mother plaited her hair, a put a traditional maang on her parting?jhumkas in her ear, Bani looked into the mirror, she could not recognize herself?
Yeh mai hu? She asked her mother?
Her mother laughed, aur nehi toh kaun, din bhar tu apna bhaiyo ke saath khelte firta hai, dekh kitna sundar lag rahi hai?.Bani ran out to show herself to others?
++++
The barat came and stood in front of a huge house, Bani thought it was a palace, beautifully decorated it was something out of the fairytale, after the rituals they where ushered in with a lot of respect, Bani saw her father standing proud and straight next to her grandfather?
Areh wah kitna sundar ladki hai, areh gudia kiski beti ho
Apne ma and babuji ki Bani ran away to see what is happening next?she was the most beautiful bride Bani had ever seen, decked in gold and other glittering jewelry Bani could hardly see her face under the ghunghat but Bani knew she had to be beautiful?.
Barabar ka ghar nehi mila, somebody whispered from behind?..Sasural me kuch khas paisa nehi hai?.
Hmmmmm keya kiya jaiga, ladki manglik hai aur manglik ladka kaha milta hai, ek dhang ka mila bahut mushkil se ?.barabar ka ghar nehi hai, lekin khate pite hai, aur sone me mur ke ja rahi hai, hamari Radha, aur keya chahiye?.
Manglik keya hai Babuji? Bani asked her father?
Woh tu nehi samjhegi, jake khel ?.her father was too busy after all he was the elder brother of the groom?
Arrrreeeeeh yeh ladki kaun hai, an old lady caught hold of Bani?.
Maaji yeh Bani hai, meri saheli Kiran ki beti?.
Areh wah kitna sundar ladki?.the old lady remarked, Bani?s eyes twinkled, before this she seldom got the chance to dress up and called beautiful?
++++
Itna der keya kar rahi thi, Kiran opened the door?
Woh ek kaam tha aur paidal ayee
Phone bhi nehi uthati, Kiran went into the kitchen ?
Oohh sorry, silence mode me hai?
Der hogi toh bol diya kar beta, chinta lagi rehti hai?
I am sorry ma, galati ho gayi, please kha liya karo kitne der mere liye bhuki baithi rehogi?.
Pehle kabhi khaya jo abh khaungi?.jaldi se haath dho le, bahut bhukh lagi hai?
As they finish their lunch, her mother said, beta laghta hai tujhe jana parega?
Aap phirse shuru ho gaye?.
Keya karu, kuch der pehle ek driver aya tha, yeh ticket dekar gaya?.
Ticket bhejwa diya kiyu, I mean how dare they...aur kaun driver, kaisa driver?.
Makan bej rahe hai, tera signature chahiye, mujhe Durga aaj phone karke boli ticket bhejwa rahi hu, ane bolna?.
Makan kiyu bej rahe hai?
Pata nehi lekin Utna bara makan, aajkaal maintain karna thora mushkil hai?
Mere signature chahiye, signature ke badle me keya milega mujhe? Bani asked
Hume kuch nehi chahiye. Kiran replied firmly, lekin ek ehsaan unhono kiya tha mere upar, yeh mauka hai woh chukana, yeh ticket le, ja aur sign karke ajana?..
Aap kise ehsaan kehe rahe hai, mummy?
Yeh jo zindagi tujhe mila, ise, nehi toh tu jaanti hai na keya hota?.
Bani remembered the incident a little while ago, her nervous state, her inability to walk away from the incident?.
Theek hai ma, me jayungi aur ehsaan chuka ke ayungi, aisa ehsaan chukaiungi unhe yaad rahega mera yeh ehsaan?Bani said the last portion to herself?.Kiran was too busy to hear her?
+++
Around 8 in the morning the flight landed at Jaipur Airport, Bani got down in her slim fit jeans, white top, blow dried hair, with freshly done manicure and pedicure, Bani looked more like a corporate executive than a kindergarten teacher, as she had only one hand luggage she quickly came out to the car park to look for the car, she looked around, there were various names stuck on them but not hers, she frowned, yes in front of her Kiran had confirmed her arrival, she did say that a transport is required and they had confirmed the same?.as Bani turned to go towards the Taxi stand, she saw a car, ?Bani Shekhawat? it read?.Bani went and stood before it?
+++
Anupamaa
