FF-The Reluctant Bride-Updt Ch.22 & Epilogue-11/19 - Page 30

smart move by Jigyasa, how I wish our hero and heroin are as smart as Jigs 😆 I hope Bani doesn't leave Jai......please continue.....

Thank you all for the wonderful comments and apologies for the late update…

­­­+++++++++

Haan teek hai…you know what it is getting late…so off to bed all of you….

Masi….all grumbled…we were having so much fun…..

Laughing Masi said ….haan phir accha bahana mil jayega kaal college na jane ka…bohot thak gaye hai…feeling sleepy…chalo bhago…sab log.

++++++++++

Chapter 20

She was so disturbed and so angry at him…why oh why does fate keep playing tricks on me she thought…just when things were starting to feel right, she has to find the real reason for him marrying her, she has to deal with heartache now…heartache she thought…why heartache…am I starting to love him…..no it could not be….she could not….no..no she would not let herself fall in love with him…especially not now…knowing that there was no future for them….just be together until she could make a decision ….but then again could she be pregnant?? Oh God no….she groaned….should she confront him about what she had heard??…should she ask him if this was the truth??…but then again why should she…the circumstances of the marriage pointed that Mr. Walia took advantage of the situation..nothing more nothing less…

Getting his night clothes out and putting them on the bed…she quickly went to the bathroom, intending to be asleep or atleast feigning to be fast asleep by the time he came up to bed….having no intention what so ever to talk to him or even ask him if what she heard was true…

++++++++++

Jai was finally feeling that their relationship was moving along…getting yelled at by your wife…was he supposed to feel good about it…yes he smiled it did feel right….besides Masi no one ever questioned him…no matter what he did…but now it seemed he would have to watch himself because nothing missed Bani's eyes…he knew he would get caught…

He laughed…thinking that he needs to finish looking at his emails quickly and finish studying up on the project file before the meeting tomorrow morning….but he so wanted to just drop what he was doing and go upstairs….

++++++++

Bani was gone from the bed even before he woke up…Tony had knocked on the door to bring up his tea…

Bani kahaa hai he asked…

Oh ma'am to aaj jaldi utt kar, mandir chali gayi aur unhone kaha hai ki woh wahi se office aah jayengi….to aap unka wait na kare…

Something is not right thought Jai…she even pushed him away last night…though she was fast asleep…

She had laid his clothes out…no nothing out of the ordinary there he thought…

Getting ready, Jai and Adi both headed to work….Jai called Bani's cell phone but the phone was off…she was not taking any messages…

As soon as he got in to work, he asked Maria to ask Bani to come and meet him…

A while later Maria called him back that though Bani is in she is in the accounting office downstairs working with the analyst there…and would probably end up working there for the rest of the day since she had no meeting scheduled until later in the afternoon…

Oh so we are playing the game of avoiding again…he thought….he was going to let things be…let her be the one to come to him this time he thought…he was going to play as if things were normal, no change…at all…

Bani avoided Jai for the next few days.....at work….at home….going up late to bed knowing that he would fall asleep…but Jai had his way too and made sure that he stayed up for her…

So Bani changed her ways…going to bed early instead….

+++++++

Jai sent a message via Maria, telling Bani that they had dinner with a client from Australia, and that they had to leave early as they were meeting the party at 8 PM for dinner …they had to leave early to go home and get ready…

Jai's phone rang…ahhh so she calls….trying to wiggle out of the dinner meeting that he had….Mr. Walia do I have to go with you. I have so much to do…

Haan Bani jaana jaruri hai….you cannot get out of it…cause the delegates are bringing their spouses…

To teek hai…kitne baje nikalna hai…

We should leave here at about five so that we have enough time to get home and get ready and leave…

So saying Jai hangs up…

Jai calls home and tells Masi to keep everything ready at home…

++++++++

Jai and Bani did not leave work until about 5.30 PM…knowing that they would now be rushed, Bani apologized since she could not get out of the meeting with the Finance department….

Upon reaching home Bani rushed home to find that her clothes were laid out….a beautiful magenta saree laid out with matching jewelry, bangles and other accessories laid out…

She stopped suddenly making Jai bang right in to her…he put his hands out to steady her, not giving up on the opportunity to take her into his arms…smiling seeing the surprised look on her face….

What's the matter??.....said Jai…

Who put this out for me??....asked Bani….

Oh I had called Masi to have it ready since we were running late…I had purchased that a week ago but never got a chance to give it to you since you have been so upset ....

Bani whirled around, getting out of his arms, muttering to herself….he has been playing games with me since day one and now he is talking about me being upset….what do I say to him…

Bani thought….but....it is my birthday tomorrow…I will be 21 and will not be under the custodial agreement… I have some decisions to make…this thought bought a smile to her face…

Aur aap kya pehenenge….do you prefer anything specific?

Nahi Bani, something formal …something that will complement your saree…so saying Jai walked towards the bathroom…

+++++++

Both came down after getting ready…Bani had her hair open …she had started putting it up when she saw Jai walking out of the bathroom and just stood there looking at her….Sighing she let go of her hair so that it tumbled down her back…smiling Jai walked over to her, pushing her hair aside gave her a sloppy kiss on her neck which sent shivers down her back…hmmm…he said…thank you…

Bani you are looking beautiful….said Jai…catching her eye in the mirror…

Thank you Mr. Walia….

Jai tightened his arm around her waist bringing her back into his body… with a questioning look in his eyes…

Chodiye na, Mr. Walia…deri ho jayegi…

Teek hai par I will settle with you later….and you know for what???

Blushing Bani got out of his grasp…giving him a stern look…she said….and you are not even ready…abhi late nahi ho raha hai kya…jaeye jaldi se tayar ho jaeye…so saying she pushed him…..towards the bed where she had laid his clothes…He quickly turned, pulling her towards him, gave her a hard kiss saying thank you…what would I do without you…..he said grinning….

Bani shook her head….enjoying the little banter that they were having…until she remembered that she was mad at him, angry at him….but she felt that he never gave up on an opportunity to touch her…to hold her…

She turned around to finish putting her makeup and her jewelry…

+++++++

They met up with the delegates at a restaurant in Alibaug where one of the Walia hotels was located. By the time dinner was done it was close to midnight…Saying there final goodbyes…Bani started walking towards the entrance to leave when Jai pulled her back...saying…bohot late ho gaya hai…lets just stay here tonight…No Mr….I mean Jai…Masi will be waiting up for us...hume ghar jaana chahiye….

Bani Masi ko pata hai ki we might stay here if it gets too late…I had told her…

Par kapde…

I had already made arrangements and the private suite is ready for us… so chalo..we will go upstairs…so saying Jai extended his hand to Bani…

Hesitating, Bani put her hand into his and they started walking towards the lift…

The elevator took them to the top floor to the private suite where there were no guests…

As the elevator door opened, Jai quickly picked Bani in his arms

Arre re… Mr. Walia, Jai….yeh aap kya kar rahe hai…What are you doing?? Please put me down….

So saying Jai let go of Bani….

Keeping his arms around her, he turned her so that she faced the room, he said…..Happy Birthday, Bani…

Bani looked around to see the lights dimmed in the room and candles lit all over… a beautiful cake sitting on a table…the doors to the terrace open with the curtains billowing mildly in the wind…beautiful music playing in the background…

Chalo…you have to cut the cake too….so saying Jai pulled her towards the table where the cake was placed…he lit the candle and sang happy birthday for her…after she cut the cake…she turned to give him a piece when she saw him looking at her with eyes filled with love…she felt a frown come on…love???...did he really have feelings for her or was he just pretending she thought…just so that she could give him a heir…her thoughts getting confused….

He too offered her a piece….then handed her a box of chocolates...and opened up a bottle of champagne....

Hmmm….you surprised Bani???

Yes of course I am….aap ko pata tha ki kaal mera birthday hai….said Bani

Kaal nahi Bani…aaj…after all it is after 12 already…

Looking at her watch she turned around to look at him, he took her into his arms…she seemed to have a dazed look on her face…they danced...swaying slowly to the song that was on …with their arms around each other…

Aaye ho meri zindagi mein tum bahaar banke-3

Mere dil mein yun hi rehna

Haaye..

Mere dil mein yun hi rehna tum pyar pyar banke

Aaye ho meri zindagi mein tum bahaar banke

Aankho mein tum base ho sapne hazaar banke-2

Mere dil mein yun hi rehna

Haaye..

Mere dil mein yun hi rehna tum pyar pyar banke

Aaye ho meri zindagi mein tum bahaar banke

Ghunghat mein har kali thi rangon mein na dhali thi-2

Na shokh thi hawayein na khushboo manchali thi

Aaya hai ab ke mausam kaisa khumar banke-2

Mere dil mein yun hi rehna

Haaye

Mere dil mein yun hi rehna Tum pyar pyar banke

Aaye ho meri zindagi mein Tum bahaar banke

Mann ka nagar tha khaali Sookhi padi thi daali-2

Holi ke rang feeke Benoor thi diwali

Rimjhim baras pade ho Tum to fuhaar banke-2

Mere dil mein yun hi rehna

Haaye

Mere dil mein yun hi rehna Tum pyar pyar banke

Aaye ho meri zindagi mein Tum bahaar banke

Ankho mein tum base ho Sapne hazaar banke

Mere dil mein yun hi rehna

Haaye

Mere dil mein yun hi rehna Tum pyar pyar banke

Aaye ho meri zindagi mein Tum bahaar banke-4

Movie: Raja Hundustani

Singer: Udit Narayan (Courtesy: Khushboo)

Bani…???

Bani had her head on his shoulder…hmmm..she said moving her head slightly so that her lips were on his neck where the shirt has opened up…

Happy???...he asked….

Hmmm…she replied….non-committedly…

++++++++

Next morning, Jai woke Bani up saying aaj ghar nahi jana hai kya…office se to tumhare boss ne chutti de di par..ghar to jaana hi padega…hmmm…it could be later though….chalo utho…lets have breakfast and go to the beach…

While returning home, Bani fell asleep having had hardly any sleep the night before…

Reaching home, she saw that it looked like there was a party, the house was decorated and the lights were done… she got out of the car confused, looking at Jai, who shrugged and started walking into the house…

As soon as they walked into the house, Masi grabbed Bani and told her to go upstairs to freshen up and change….chal beta…jaldi kar…aaj tumhara janam din hai na…thode time mei panditji aah hi jayenge… jao tum dono jaldi se taayar ho jao and then later there is a party…bus only some family friends not a big one beta…

Pia told Bani that the tailor had delivered the outfit for her and that she should wear that, since it was Rano's and her gift to their Di.

Bani got ready in a peach colored outfit that had enough dori's that Jai had to help….looking gorgeous..said Jai…

After the pooja, everyone gathered in the family room so that Bani could cut her cake….while cutting the cake Bani looked at Jai, thinking of the night that they had spent together….Bani blushed reading Jai's thoughts…

While eating dinner, Bani did not feel like eating saying her stomach seemed upset and that she was not feeling well…she was feeling light headed too though she knew everyone would fuss over her so she decided not to tell anyone.

Everyone retired and Bani went upstairs to sleep immediately….Jai thinking that it had been a long day did not think much of it…but Bani woke up not feeling well either, her head spinning and feeling nauseous. She turned around to see that Mr. Walia was deep in his sleep, so she decided to lay down for a while more hoping to feel better..

She was able to get ready to go to work without letting anyone know that she was not feeling well…asked Tony for some lemon water thinking that would make her feel better….

She kept feeling queasy at work…unable to eat…she kept thinking…kya kha liya meine….

In the evening, Jai came to get her so that they could leave for home…chalo Bani saath bajne ko hai…ghar chale…

She looked up and started getting up…when she started feeling light headed when Jai came to her and caught her before she fell…

Kya hua Bani…

I don't know, have not being feeling too well since this morning, pata nahi maine kya kha liya…maybe food poisoning….

Jai wanted to take her to the doctor's immediately….

Nahi Mr. Walia… I think I should go home and rest….maybe I will fell better….

Upon reaching home Jai had a tray of food sent up so that he could stay with her…Bani barely managed to drink a bowl of soup before she fell asleep…

Masi worried about her….Jai said Masi if she does not feel better by tomorrow, I will take her to the doctor…she is sleeping right now…

Rano and Pia wanted to take care of her to which Jai replied….main hoon na….don't you trust me?? You think I will not take care of your Di?

+++++++

Bani had a peaceful night but was still feeling sick the next morning…after seeing her pale face, Jai insisted that he take her to the doctor…

Par if I rest today I should be ok, I don't think I need to go to the doctor, said Bani…

Bani…I don't think you have any say in this matter…you are going with me… no if's, but's and and's…

Jai took Bani to Dr. Neeta Sanghvi, who was a classmate of Jai…

Oh my God I can't believe I have you in my office…how long has it been since I have seen you…

Neeta, this is my wife, Bani…and Bani this is Neeta, she and I graduated from the same college…

Neeta, Bani has not been feeling well for the past few days…

Haan, haan don't worry Jai, she is in good hands you know…

So saying….she had the nurse take Bani to the visiting room…

Soon Neeta came out too and sat chatting with Jai waiting for Bani to come out…

I will be able to give you more details once all the results come back…said Neeta…in the mean time Bani I think that you are extremely weak and so I am going to tell you that you need to rest up…I think I will have the results back by this evening…I can have them sent home or you can pick them up….

No don't send them home…I will come pick them up said Jai…

+++++++++

Please comment….