for Dhani, Ranjana, Kamy...and the readers who express their views on my ffs.
Passionata
Jai Walia attracted attention walking down the busy street. The Piazza Barberini.is one of busiest part of the Rome. Tourists wander around marvelling the architechture and the Bernini's famous fountain. He walked past the fountain and turned into Via Sistena. The young chic Italian women gazed lingeringly at him. At six foot three frame attired in an expensive Italian suit, jet-black hair, chiselled feature and the dark, almost coal-black eyes, Jai Walia made an arresting figure. He walked without acknowledging the women's presence.
Today was his last night in Rome and he needed to find something special as a gift for his sister. He knew his job would have been made easier if he had gone to Via Borgognona, the chic and fashionable shopping area of Rome. But tonight he felt like exploring the smaller shops that lined this street.
Halfway down the street, lined with small elegant shops, his eyes caught the name of one of the shop, Passionata. He crossed the road and stood in front of the glass window and scanned the display. On rich red silk fabrics, jewellery pieces and fine leather goods were displayed. He smiled remembering his sister penchant for ornate jewellery…yes, she would love one this beautiful and unusually designed sets.
Jai entered the store through the small elegantly carved wooden door. An elderly lady in a chic black dress and grey hair pulled back in a bun smiled at him, "Benvenuto! Bueno sera." She said in a soft voice.
Jai answered, "Bueno sera."
She gave an admiring look and asked, "Indian?"
"Si." Jai answered.
"Scusi!" she said and disappeared in the back of the shop.
A few minutes later she returned but not alone. Jai looked with curiosity at the young girl. She was wearing a bright blue sleeveless silk tunic over a flowing black skirt. Her face was free of makeup and framed by silky black hair. But it was her honey coloured eyes that caught his attention. He smiled at her thinking she could pass for an Indian woman.
"Namaste." The girl folded her hand and greeted him. Taken aback a little, Jai did the same.
"How can help you sir?" she asked in heavily accented English.
"I am interested in buying one of the jewellery set displayed in the window." Jai said while still admiring her.
She walked towards the window and turned and looked at him, "Which one sir?"
Jai walked up to the display and pointed out a set made of rubies and antique toned gold. She gently lifted the set out and placed it on the velvet mat that her assistant laid out for her. "Beautiful choice sir. All the jewellery sets are unique sir. One piece only designed by me. You will not find another like this any other shop." Her voice captured his mind, the lilt and sweetness soothing him.
"I will take it. I am sure my sister will love it." Jai said.
"You don't want to know the price sir?" she asked, surprise written on her face. Usually customers asked the price before deciding to buy, especially the females.
Jai shook his hand and took out his American Express card, "I am sure this will cover the charge."
She took the card and handed it to her assistant to put it through while she went into the back and returned with a red velvet box, embossed in gold with the word Passionata. Arranging the set in the box, she giftwrapped the box and put it in a small bag and handed it to him.
"Thank you." Jai smiled warmly at her. "May I ask you a question?"
She nodded.
"What is your name? Are you Italian?"
Bani smiled, her lighting up warmly. "Bani Dizit. And I am Indian sir, but I live in Rome."
Jai extended his hand, "Jai Walia. I live in Mumbai. Today is my last night in Rome. Would have dinner with me tonight?" he asked a shiver of anticipation running through him.
Bani looked at him for a few moments and then turned and said something in Italian to her assistant, who was standing at the side watching the interaction with delight. A soft smile spread on the elderly lady's face and she nodded vigorously.
Bani said looking at her watch, "Yes, but it will have to be at eight. I have a client coming in about fifteen minutes. There is small caf at the end of the street. We could meet there for eight say."
Jai felt a rush of joy at her answer and nodded, "Yes. Thank you."
Jai bowed slightly to the assistant and said softly, "Bueno sera!" and left the shop.
XXXXX
Caf Gino was busy little place. The tables scattered on the patio outside were full and it seemed the same inside. Jai waited at the side for Bani's arrival. In few minutes he saw her walking towards him. She was wearing a floral chiffon dress with a cream shawl around her. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting long." She said.
"No. I just came and didn't know whether to sit out or inside."
Bani shook her head, her black hair swinging around her, "We will have to wait a long time for a table outside. Let's just go in."
Luigi, the stout Italian owner grinned as he saw Bani. He walked up to her and kissed her both cheeks before taking her in a hug. "Bella…Ciao." He greeted her as he almost lifted her off her feet. His eyebrows wiggling, he said loudly, "Boyfriend?
Bani coloured and shook her head, "No Luigi…amico."
Luigi gripped Jai's hand and shook vigorously, "Benvenuto." He led them to a table in a corner and then shouted at one of the waiter to bring a bottle of chianti. Luigi generously filled the red wine into glasses for them and then winking at Bani left them.
"Nice man." Jai said as he took a sip of the wine.
"Yes. I come here often so he knows me now. Plus he at least once a year visits my shop for a gift for his wife."
"So tell me how did you end up living and running a business here?" Jai asked as he sat back in the chair.
Bani looked into the her glass of red wine, "I was adopted by an Italian couple as a baby. My parents…they were wonderful." Her voice trembled a little, "They died a year ago…both of them one after the other of heart attacks." When she looked up, there were tears shimmering in her eyes, "I guess they must have loved each other too much."
Jai reached out and laid his hand gently on hers, "I am sorry."
Bani dabbed at her eyes with handkerchief. "Thank you. The shop was theirs. I was still studying in jewellery designing when I had to take it over…a little earlier than planned. But mamma wanted me to design jewellery just for their shop and I am now fulfilling her dream.'
The waiter came with their first course, ribollita (a thick bread and vegetable soup). They made general conversation as they ate the soup. Jai admitted that he usually stuck to known Italian dishes, hardly venturing to try something new. The soup was followed by,
vermicelli bucati all'amatriciana (thick, hollow spaghetti with a tomato, Roman bacon, and onion sauce), followed by delectable chocolate-hazelnut mousse.
Jai talked about his family and business in Mumbai as they sipped espresso coffee in the tiny cups. The caf was half empty when Bani looked at her watch. "I think we should leave. They will be closing in few minutes. Plus you have an early morning flight."
Luigi waved goodbye to them and told Jai in Italian to come back again, which Bani translated for him. He walked with her back to her shop as she lived in the tiny apartment above the shop. Bani opened the door and then turned and kissed Jai on the cheek, "Thank you for a lovely evening. I wish a safe trip home. May be one day you will come back to shop to buy another gift."
Jai dark eyes stared intensely at her, he reached out for her hand and raised it to his lips. "Thank you for your beautiful company." He reached into his pocket and pulled out his business card and gave it to her. "Please call me if ever you come to Mumbai. I would love to meet you again."
Bani smiled, " Buon viaggio!" she said softly before stepping inside the shop. Jai walked towards Piazza Barberini and then took a taxi back to his hotel.
XXXXX
Mumbai…a week before Christmas.
Jai Walia stared at the unknown number on his cell phone. Being in two minds, he answered it. "Hello Jai Walia," he said crisply.
A soft accented voice answered back, "Namaste Mr Walia. This is Bani Dixit."
Jai froze as he recognized her voice. He was listening to the voice of the girl who had invaded his heart just by one meeting so many months ago.
"Bani…" he said softly.
"You remember me?" she asked shyly.
"Yes, of course. Where are you calling from? Rome?" he asked.
"No…Mr Walia. I am in Mumbai. I came two days ago to meet with some jewellery manufacturer." She replied with laughter in her voice.
"Oh…where are you staying? Can we meet?" he asked rather quickly.
There was a pause, his heart sank. "Yes…of course. I am staying at the Sheraton."
Jai ran his hand through his hair, dishevelling it. "Tonight. I shall pick you up. You don't mind having dinner with my family do you?" He asked as an after thought ran through him that may be she might not be too comfortable meeting his family.
But her reply put him at ease, "Yes…that would be lovely. I would like to meet your family."
"Fine. I shall pick you up at six then."
He ended the call and then called up his home to let his massi know he was bringing a guest over.
Sharp at six, his Mercedes pulled up outside the Sheraton. He was surprised when he saw her. Bani was wearing a deep red silk sari with dark blue and gold border. Her black hairs plaited down her back. She looked amazing he thought…what a change from the fashionable dress he had last seen her wearing.
The driver opened the door and Bani took a seat beside Jai in the back. She reached over and kissed his cheek. "Bueno Sera."
"Bueno sera." Jai replied softly as his eyes drank in her vision.
She told him about her visit as the car drove through Mumbai traffic to his home. The dark blue Indian ocean followed them on one side.
The family was gathered in the family room, waiting for Jai and his guest. Masi smiled as she saw Jai walk in with Bani. Thank you bhagwan…at least this time he has brought a girl home. Bani folded her hand and greeted masi, Jai's sister Jigyasa, her husband Adi and their teenaged children Ranveer and Anu.
Jigyasa was surprised when Jai mentioned that the jewellery set he had gifted her was designed by Bani. Jigyasa smiled, "So you are the mysterious girl that my brother talked about meeting in Rome. I love the set. All my friends are envious of course."
Bani smiled shyly at the compliment. "Thank you." She reached out into her bag and pulled a small box out. "I hope you will like this too. It part of my new collection I just commissioned."
Jigyasa gasped at the silver and amber choker. "It's beautiful. Thank you."
Masi smiled at Bani, "You shouldn't have brought anything beta. We are just happy to meet you."
Bani gave masi a hug, "Thank you aunty. But it is always good to take a little gift when you visit friends."
Anu gave Jai a grin, "I love her accent mamaji. And she is so pretty. I thought she was Italian."
Jai smiled, "She is…she was adopted by an Italian couple when she was a baby."
Masi gave a loving smile at Bani. "You poor baby. But I can see your parents have given you lots of love."
A silence followed and then Jai said quietly, "Her parents are both dead masi. About a year ago."
Jigyasa decided to cheer up the mood by taking Bani's hand, "Come on Bani. Let me show you around our home. I don't know if Jaibhaiya told you or not, but we all live in this house with him."
Bani turned her head back and stared at Jai. "No he didn't."
The evening flew by for Bani. The tour, the traditional Indian dinner and then sitting outside in the garden chatting over cups of tea. She felt happy for the first time since the death of her parents…her loneliness filled with warmth again.
It was close to midnight when masi stood up. "It's late. Bani why don't you stay over the night? We have lots of room. I am we could find you some clothes to wear."
"Yes Bani aunty…please." Anu implored. Bani looked confused. "But I don't feel right. I mean..."
She looked at Jai, who was gazing at her with some undecipherable emotion. "You don't have to feel uncomfortable Bani. As masi said we have lots of room and we would love for you to stay over."
Bani nodded silently. Anu enthusiastically designated the room next to her for Bani. And then rushed inside to find some nightwear for Bani to wear.
When Anu returned back, Bani wished everybody goodnight and followed masi and Anu upstairs. Jigyasa looked thoughtful as Bani left. She turned at gave a brother a look, "She is lovely Jai…don't let her slip out of your hand. I think masi would be happy to have her as a Walia bride."
Adi who was yawning loudly now, laughed. "There you go Jai…you bring a girl home and they are already seeing her as the malkien of your house."
Jai smiled, "Well now you know why I never bring girls home Adi. I don't know how many headaches I have avoided so far."
Jigyasa stood up and hugged Jai, "Well I know you…and my eyes tell me that this girl is special to you. And therefore I would be happy to accept her in our family…right Adi?" she asked her husband.
Adi stifled a yawn. "Yes dear. Let's go to bed and leave your brother to brood over what you said. I am sure he will make you and masi happy in the end."
When they left, Jai walked into the garden towards the far end wall facing the ocean. In the dark, the waters gleamed dark in the pale moonlight. He sat on the wall watching the waves for sometime.
XXXXX
Bani was awakened by masi next morning. "Good morning beta." Masi said as she opened the curtains to let the sunlight in.
"I hope you slept well. I am afraid Jai has already left for office." Masi pointed to a pile of clothes, "Anu left those for you. Now get ready and then we will have breakfast with Jigyasa."
Bani showered and dressed in a t-shirt and a skirt that was a little loose around her waist. She folded up her sari and blouse and put it in a neat pile. Downstairs she found masi and Jigyasa waiting for her at the dining table.
"Good morning Bani. You look just like Anu in her clothes. I must say I envy you and Anu…both of you are so small."
"But you are not fat Jigyasaji. No one would think you have two grown up children."
Jigyasa grinned, "Thanks for the compliment. Now come and have something to eat. And then tell me what you have any plans for today."
Bani sampled some paratha with her coffee and told Jigyasa, she was thinking of just visiting some tourist spots…may be go over to see Elephant caves.
"Great, you don't mind if I come with you? We can be tourist together for a day."
Bani nodded happily. "That would be nice. I must thank you for your hospitality. You have been most kind."
Jigyasa took one of the car from their fleet and took Bani around Mumbai. They had a fun time…waiting in line for entrance to places like the regular tourist. They lunched at a restaurant in one of the hotel owned by Walia Group. Around seven Jigyasa dropped Bani at the hotel and returned home.
Masi was waiting for Jigyasa. "Did you drop her at the hotel Jigyasa?" she asked/
"Yes masi. She has a flight to catch tomorrow. I didn't seem right to bring her back here."
"Oh…see left her sari here. I will have a driver run over to the hotel and give to her." Masi said.
"Why don't wait till Jai comes home. May be he can go and drop it off." Jigyasa said with a smile.
"What are you up to Jigyasa.?" Masi asked with a twinkle in her eyes.
"Nothing masi. Just thought may be Jai bhaiya might want to see her again before she left."
At eight pm Jai found himself at Sheraton hotel, knocking on Bani's hotel room door. Bani opened the door, smiling at Jai as he stepped in. Jai handed her the bag with the sari. "Thank you. I forgot about it. Please sit down." She pointed at a sofa in the room.
"No…I think I should leave. You must be busy."
Bani shook her head, her hair falling across her face. As she reached to brush it back, she found Jai's fingers pushing the strands off her face. She looked up at his face and found his eyes, intensely dark gazing back at her. It seemed as if time stood still…She found herself hypnotized by his eyes.
Jai leaned over and placed a kiss on her lips. Bani closed her eyes and kissed him back. They stood like that for some time. Just close, their lips touching. When he pulled back, she whispered, "Ti amo…" her eyes still closed.
"What did you say?" Jai asked softly.
Bani opened her eyes, blush spreading on her cheeks, her eyes glimmered, "it means I love you."
Jai pulled her in a hug, "Don't go then…I love you too. Stay. We can get married."
Bani eased herself out of the hug. "But my home…my shop. I can't give it all up and move here."
"No…you don't have to give it up. We can work something out. You could spend some time there and we can open up a shop here as well. I don't have to be here all the time. Will you please think about it?" When she didn't say anything, Jai walked up to the door and gave her intense gaze once more, "I will wait for your answer."
XXXXX
Christmas Eve…
It had been a little bit of a busy day for Bani. The door chime sounding too often as last minute shoppers came in. In five minutes she could close the door and sit down to a well earned rest. She had sent off her assistant home early to allow her to prepare for the celebration tonight. For Bani, she would be just by herself. May be she might walk over to the church for midnight mass.
The door opened once again and Bani popped her head out. Her face drew in surprise. The next second she was running over and lunging herself at Jai, she had not expected him to come so soon. They kissed passionately. Bani wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, "Mi sei mancato molto!"
Jai lifted his head and laughed softly as he said, "Non capisco!"
Bani giggled, "I am going to have to teach some Italian. I forget you don't know. Ok Mi sei mancato molto means I missed you so much."
Jai tried saying it, "Mi sei...mancato...molto."
Bani nodded and sighed, "I have to shut the shop. Then we can go upstairs. Where is your luggage?" she asked.
Jai pointed at the small bag near the door. "Here..." he picked it up. "I kind of packed in a rush."
"Well it's holiday, so you won't be needing your business clothes for two days." Bani said as she led the way up to her apartment.
She opened the door that lead into a small sitting area. "Welcome home."
Jai's eyes travelled over the well worn sofas and furniture. His eyes rested on a large photo of a smiling couple, her parents.
"Si...mama and papa." Bani said little tearfully.
Jai pulled her sideways, "They look very happy."
Bani nodded before burying her face into his chest and giving way to tears. He let her cry, just holding her and comforting her.
After her while, Bani wiped her tears. "Sorry...it's just...it's Christmas and papa and mama would have been so busy tonight with their plans for the festivities."
"I understand. How about we make something to eat? I am hungry." Jai said, trying to cheer her up.
"Oh...I should have thought. Yes. What would you like to eat?" Bani asked going towards the kitchen. Jai followed, "Nothing too heavy. Something light."
Bani opened the fridge and took some vegetable out. "How about some grilled chicken and vegetables?'
Jai nodded. "Here let me help."
Bani laughed, the warm sound filling the small kitchen. She handed him the knife and choppping board. "Here you cut up the vegetables and I will look after the chicken.
An hour later, they were sitting down and eating their meal. Bani had opened a bottle Pinot Grigio to go with the meal. Afterwards they sat on the sofa holding each other. Close to midnight, Bani asked Jai if he would like to go to mass at a church closeby. They sat off downt he street, holding hands. The small church was full already and they found a seat at the back of the church. After the mass, Bani took his to display of the nativity scene. A beautiful backdrop set off the figurines of Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus in an intricately carved crib.
Bani told him how they have competition between churches to see who has the best display and how people spend the night going from one church to other to see them. They returned back to her apartment. The street was quiet, just an odd couple walking home.
Once inside she felt her rush of emotions. Her heart beat wildly. Suddenly she felt nervous, nervous of only two of them being in the same space. Jai came and hugged her from behind and whispered, "Nervous?"
Bani nodded.
"I am too. I have never spent a night with anyone, but I know I want to be with you more than anything in the world." His warm breath fanned her the side of her neck. She intertwined their fingers and led him towards her bedroom. A dark wood bed stood in the middle, covered with pristine white embriodered bedcovers.
She sat down on the bed and felt the bed sink as he sat beside her. For a moment they just sat and then slowly Jai turned her around and pressed a trail of kisses on her face. Bani's hand moved up to his shoulders as rush of desire drowned out the nvervouness. Jai slowly eased them down on the bed. Far away in the dark velvet night, the moon shimmered and its beams fell on the two people lost in a world of their own.
THE END
Kumkum Bhagya
