Part 106
**************************
Jai sipped his coffee, reading the financial paper in his office, early one morning. He was used to reading it early morning in his office now because breakfast time he had Neha with with him and feed her breakfast. Making airplane noises while feeding her had become his ritual, rather than reading the paper. He studied the various shares and market values, when he heard a knock on his cabin door.
"Come in…"
"Hi Jai…" Mohan peeped his head inside.
"Mohan! Come in, come in…"
"I brought someone with me, but Im sure its fine…" He smiled and Bani entered the room with him.
"Of course… she is your employee, after all…" He winked at his wife. She would have said something, but she didn't want to show how embarrassed he was at his little display of affection. He glanced at her, knowing despite her pokerface, that he would hear somewhat of an earful later. "What brings you here?"
"Actually some good news…" Mohan glanced at Bani with a proud smile. "The hotel in Goa… We feel we are ready to launch it."
"Really?" Jai asked rather surprised at the progress.
"Everything seems to be in place. In just a matter of months we will be able to open, but I think the hotel is ready for its official launch. I think next by next week, in fact."
Jai smiled. "I think that sounds great. Get it ready, I'll have Maria clear my schedule. Good work. I'm really impressed by how efficiently this project is being completed."
"It's a big thanks to Bani…" Mohan said proudly.
After working out some minor details, Mohan shook Jai's hand, and left the cabin with Bani following him behind, to completely some minor paperwork. Jai sat in his chair watching his wife, talk to Mohan, waiting. When he left Bani made her way back to his cabin, and let herself in.
She smiled cheerfully. "Im so happy the launch is next week. I cant believe that it came so quickly. Now I have to make sure all the packets are done correctly. I think if I finished them by the end of this week, they should be printed and ready by the launch. Oh! And I have to figure out something to wear. Nothing seems to fit correctly-"
"Bani wait." Jai said solemnly.
"What?"
He paused for a second. How could he say this? "I don't think you should go to the launch…." He said slowly, waiting for her reaction.
Bani didn't know what to say for a moment. Did she hear correctly? "I shouldn't go?" She was thoroughly surprised. "But…"
"Bani I don't know if it's a good idea for you to travel in this condition… You are pretty far along, but I don't want to take a risk with you flying and all that."
Bani took a minute to calm herself down inside. She could feel the tears stinging her eyes. "Jai… I worked so hard on this project. For months and months I have worked on the smallest of details. I started this project and I intend to finish it."
"I know, Bani… Trust me, I understand," Jai got up from his desk, kneeling in front of her. "But now, its not about just you. Its about the two of you…"
"But we are fine…" Bani sniffled. A tear trickled down her cheek, breaking Jai's heart the second he saw it.
"Bani, please don't argue with me…"
Feeling down, Bani stood up and walked out of his cabin, making sure to wipe her tears before she stepped out. Jai sighed, running his fingers through his hair, watching his wife sit at her desk, with her back facing towards him, engrossing herself in her work again.
Jai wanted to talk to her, but his phone rang, keeping him away from making it up to his wife.
By the end of the day, he still hadn't had a chance to talk to Bani, make her understand where she was coming from. He wanted to take her to lunch, but Rano suddenly showed up and the two girls had lunch together in a nearby caf. He knew it was about time Bani head home, because knowing her, she would be feeling hungry about now. He walked to her desk, and she silently packed her stuff, making sure to walk behind him as they headed towards the elevator. As they reached the car, Bani leaned back and shut her eyes, not even giving Jai a chance to explain himself further.
He eyed his wife through the drive, feeling bad for turning her down like that. Maybe after some thought, she would understand as well.
Bani walked into the house first, the smile wiped from her face. It only returned, when she greeted the family and of course Neha, who wrapped her arms around her Mama's legs and squealed excitedly.
"Bani…" Jai called out to her. Bani simply ignored him, going up to their room and closing te door.
"What happened, Jai?" Jigyasa asked curiously.
"Nothing, Di… Bani is upset with me…" He slumped on the couch, while Neha tried to climb onto his lap.
"Why?" Masi asked, bringing him a glass of water. Jai explained to them in brief, what had happened in the office. After he finished, neither Masi nor Jigyasa knew how to make it up to Bani. Jai sat there for a little bit, watching Neha hand her toys one by one to Raima, who was sitting up and looking at Neha with her big wonderous eyes.
Just then an idea popped into Jai;s head and he smiled to himself. "Neha.. do you want to help Papa?"
"Papa!" She shrieked and bounced. Jai smiled at his little girl and scooped her into his arms, taking her to the study.
***
Bani was sitting on the bed with her book open, but not at all reading it. Jai had not come up at all to try to talk to her. Bani felt like sulking. Finally the door, seemed to be opening, and she picked up her book pretending to read it. But to her surprise, Neha walked in holding something in her hand.
"Mama ere!" Neha said handing a note that she was holding in her hand. After she gave it to Bani, Neha ran off to the other room, and Bani unfolded the paper.
'I'.
That was all it said. Bani sighed and put the note down, picking up her book again. A few minutes later, Neha walked in again with the same grin as she walked to Bani.
"Mama!" Neha held the note up high for Bani to take it. After Bani got the note, Neha waddled her way out of the room. She opened the note.
'Am'.
Bani sighed, and just then Neha walked in with a third note and excitingly handed it to Bani.
'Sorry'.
Bani smiled to herself, knowing Jai was the one that planned all this. Neha didn't leave the room this time, instead finding herself entertained with one of her toys that she found there.
Just then Bani heard a whisper from the door. "Neha… Neha where are you?"
It was obviously Jai calling Neha out, but Neha was too busy to notice. Bani smiled to herself, and got herself off of the bed and walked to the door, opening to be face to face with her shamefaced husband with a straight and serious face. He didn't know what to do, except to hand her the last note.
She opened and read it to herself.
'I love you…'
Taking a deep breath, Bani finally smiled to him, making him feel better. "I love you too… But Im still not happy about what happened.." She turned around and sat on the bed, while he sat beside her.
"Bani, you have to see where I am coming from…"
"Jai, don't you think I know if I am ok? If I don't feel up to it, have I pushed myself? No, right?"
Jai couldn't answer because he knew she was right. She was always right, wasn't she, he mused to himself with a small smile.
"Why are you smiling?" She asked, sounding a little pouty.
"Nothing…" He said softly shaking his head. "Ok.. How about this… If the doctors gives a green signal, you can go. Only if you are perfectly fine to go. BUT if the doctor says otherwise, even one small thing… you have to stay home…"
Bani nodded her head, understanding every bit of it. She smiled broadly, starting to feel excited for the project again. "Jai…"
"Yes?" He asked cautiously.
"Im hungry. Can we eat?"
He laughed heartily, and helped to take her downstairs, along with Neha, in his arms.
***
Bani and Jai walked into their house the a few afternoons later. Bani had a satisfied look on her face, while Jai, felt mixed. The doctor had given Bani a thorough check-up and much to Jai's, a clear signal for Bani to go ahead for this trip, although it would be a short and final trip for a long time. He was happy she was able to go, but still the protective father in him wanted to make sure everything was ok. Masi noted her triumphant smile, and laughed at Jai, who had pouted just as Bani had done previously.
Up in their room, Bani rummaged through her closet, trying to find just what to wear, or better yet, what would fit, for this trip. She thought for a moment, and her mind crossed something, making her feel even more excited for this trip. How had she completely forgotten? Her thoughts began to form and she continued to search for clothes.
Jai walked into the room, seeing Bani happily going through her closet, picking out her clothes diligently. He came behind her and hugged her. "I take it you are excited?"
Bani turned around, her eyes were twinkling. "Very!"
"Good.. but before you get into all this work, you just got home. You should not overwork yourself right away. Besides, a little birdie told me that Masi has made some very yummy snacks that a particular person has been craving."
"Pakoras?" She asked hopefully.
"I think so…" He smiled, knowing it was exactly what she had been wanting. He had asked Masi to specially make them for her when they returned.
"Thanks! You are the best husband ever!" She kissed his cheek excitedly.
***
It was the night before their trip. Jai and Bani had come home early, for some last minute preparations. Bani had to make sure everything was packed, while Jai stayed in his study for a bit making sure all the paperwork and details were in order.
"Jai!" Bani called out. "Can you come here for a moment?"
"Yes dear…" She heard him respond. Within a few minutes, he came into the room, finding his Neha sitting on a chair with haathi and teddy and flipping through her storybook, looking at the pictures. She was sipping her bottle of juice happily, and she looked at Jai when he walked into the room.
"Can you get that suitcase?" She pointed atop the cupboard. He smiled at her, and easily pulled it down for her, sitting it on the bed.
He sat down as she packed for a few minutes, and Neha got up and set her book on the chair where she had been sitting and ran to her room.
"Can you look over this itinerary?" She handed him a paper while she continued to pack. They didn't notice Neha come into the room and leave again. She did a few more times, but Bani was trying to sort out her clothes and Jai's as well.
After a few minutes, Bani looked at her suitcase and found a lone shoe resting there. But it wasn't just any shoe, it was Neha's shoe.
"How did this get there?" She wondered aloud.
Jai looked up at the shoe, and just smiled. "Maybe it got lost in our cupboard somehow…"
She smiled and nodded, and continued to set her suitcase correctly, when she found Neha's pink elephant there as well. "How did the haathi get there?"
Jai looked up again. "No clue.. maybe you accidently dropped it in there?"
Still thinking it was odd, she continued to pack until she found Neha's juice bottle in her suitcase on the verge of spilling on her clothes. "Ok.. Now explain this…" Bani said holding up the bottle.
Jai was about to remark against it, when Neha entered the room holding a storybook and putting it on the suitcase, much to their amazement.
"Towee go!" She said happily.
"Story goes where? Neha did you do this? Did you put your haathi and juice in the suitcase?"
Neha looked at her Mama and smiled, giving her a big nod. "Nea go!"
Jai sat up looking at the little girl curiously.
"Where is Neha going?" He asked.
"Mama go! Papa go!" She said happily as she hopped out of the room. Within moments she returned with a blanket and put it next to the suitcase. "Bankie go!"
"One second you little monkey…" Jai said chasing her down. She giggled and squealed as her Papa held her high in the air.
He sat down on the bed with Neha on his knee. "Where is Neha going?"
"Papa!"
"Oh I see… You are going with Papa?" Bani asked, realizing what Neha was trying to get at.
"Esh!"
"Oh baby, Mama cant take you with us this time…" She patted Neha's cheek. Neha looked sad and began to pout. Before she knew it, Neha was crying and hugging Jai.
"Nea go! Nea go Mama!" Bani felt the tears in her eyes starting to fall. She normally didn't cry when Neha did, but she felt bad for leaving her little girl. But she knew it was for business, otherwise she would have been more than willing to take Neha with them.
"Im sorry…" She whispered. Jai looked at Bani and nodded to reassure her.
"Hmmm… wait… Who is Papa's helper? Is that you, Neha?"
Neha nodded but still sniffled. "Esh…"
"Oh I see! Hmmm.. Doesn't Papa's helper take care of Raima and make her laugh?"
"Esh.. Bee appy!"
"And who takes care of Masi and makes sure Masi isn't being naughty and doing shararati? Who will tell Papa?" he poked her tummy making her finally smile.
"Nea!" She squealed.
"Then if Neha goes, who will be Papa's helper?"
"Nea!" She said excitedly.
"Then Neha will be Papa's helper and Papa will make sure Mama is being a good girl, ok?"
"Tay!" Neha said grabbing her juice bottle and took her storybook looking at the animals again.
Bani smiled at him, thanking him with her eyes. He got up, kissing her cheek before heading off to the study for some last minute preparations.
***
Bani hugged her little girl as they stood at the doorway bidding the family goodbye. "Mama loves you, baby. Mama love you so much! I will talk to you everyday ok?"
"Mama tay! Peez!" Neha said sadly.
Bani felt her heart break, but Jai nudged her to go out and he would take care of Neha.
"Where is Papa's helper? I cant find her!" he said acting lost.
"Ere!" She said pointing to herself.
"Oh good! Ok Neha, you go watch Masi.. Make sure Masi is being good ok?"
Neha excitedly ran off and Jai slipped out knowing that Neha would be fine once they left. He slipped into the car, with Bani, whose eye were a little misty.
"She's fine… playing with Masi now." He turned her face towards him and kissed her softly. "You sure you're ok right? You're feeling fine?" He rested his hand on her tummy.
"Yes.. perfectly fine." She smiled as she rested his hand on top of his. Her mind wandered as to how this trip would be memorable. She smiled to herself, knowing she wanted to make it as special as she could. She would miss her little Neha, but she knew she would cherish this time together. She knew that once their little baby was born, they would be too busy running after their children. With that thought, she rested her head on his shoulder, comforted in his arms, excitedly awaiting this trip.
*********************
Real Estate
Book Talk
Shiv Shakti
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
