Chapter I
Three days later, Bani stood infront of her boss who was looking visibly upset….
Bani how could you, you know for 2 years we have been trying to get this client and you did not turn up for the presentation…..
Rahul it was a last moment….
Bani I was depending on your presentation skills, if you would have been there we would have the consent by now, but 3 days have past nothing happened, they are not taking our calls even, couldn't you spare 3 hours even and be just present for the presentation….
Rahul it was an emergency….
Emergency? What kind of emergency?
I had a baby to……
Baby? Rahul's eyes went round, his eyes darted towards her tummy….Bani could see he was visibly horrified….frowning he asked, I didn't realize you were pregnant, I mean how can that be, I mean….
Rahul, I was not pregnant. It is my sister's baby….my sister has asked me to take care of it for a certain period…..
You have a sister….I thought you had no family…
Well my sister and I are not best of friends but then she is my sister and she is in trouble…I was helping her out…..she had to leave suddenly for a job so she wants me to take care of the baby for a certain period of time since it happened quite suddenly I took couple of days to settle down, get hold of a good crche which will take care of the baby when I am here plus getting used to her way of life….
Rahul sat back…..tapped his pen on his desk….OK Bani I will not shout at you specially since this is the first time you broke your commitment, last 3 years you have not given me any scope of complain….
Thank you Rahul for your understanding, I will try and seek an appointment with the CEO and see what can be done….Bani turned to leave….
Hey Bani, Rahul called from behind….mujhe kiyu lagh rahe hai you are being used, I mean are you sure your sister is not using you….
Bani looked at Rahul and smiled….
No Rahul she is herself in a deep soup hence not using me, but I am giving her a shoulder to lean upon during her hard times….
Rahul shook his head and pulled the papers needing his signature….
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Bani and Pia Dixit were twin daughters of Nishikant and Kiran Dixit. Both identical twins they had a wonderful childhood. While Bani was an all round good student, doing well in studies and sports, Pia excelled in sports, she was a superb athlete who represented the school in various meets.
After completion of their high school some girls from the school left for a trekking trip. Maybe their last trip together as many of their friends had already got admissions in various colleges, they went to the Himalayas under the guidance of a professional tour guide, a young man running his own agency…the girls were having a good time inspite of Pia flirting outrageously with the man, some of their friends showed concern but Bani knew Pia will not go beyond certain point, the last part of their trek lasted for 2 days, they were virtually cut off from civilization, on returning after two days they got a message on their mobile, the girls left for home immediately.
Nishikant and Kiran were returning home from a wedding and their car had a head on collision with a truck….
Relatives and friends, helped the girls to go through the last rites of their parents, showered sympathies, offered advice and then left one by one. Who will like to take responsibilities of two girls, Bani and Pia were now alone in the world except for each other. Bani took a couple of days to come into terms of the reality, she then realized they just cannot survive by mourning only, Bani then opened the cupboard which contained all the papers belonging to her parent's bank related papers.
Nishikant and Kiran worked as freelance interior designers, they did quite well, living in a big city was expensive and with two growing daughter hence the savings was there but nothing outstanding. Bani realized she has to do something fast…..she spoke to Pia …Pia was upset…keya buss itnahi….matlab why did mummy have to buy such expensive saris, instead she should have saved some money….those useless junk jewelries…..
Well in this kind of profession clothes do matter, you cannot go to meet a client wearing shabby clothes…..
Pia turned her face away….
Dekho Pia we have nice bungalow type house, a rarity in a city like this, we can sell this house but then this house is something both our parents loved, mummy loved this house as it is something she was given by her parents…our parents decorated it showcasing their skills and projected this as advertisement of their capabilities…..I think we should not sell it off in a hurry, instead put it on rent, which will ensure good money, regular income and both of us should move into the studio above the garage…..
That studio, it is so cramped…..
Bigger than many one bedroom flat in this city….
And both of us in that one room….
Many families stay in that size of room….
Pia got up and left…..
Bani sighed. She looked around the house. It was beautiful, each article picked up by their parents or by the two sisters during their various trips to different parts of the country. Some inexpensive, some expensive, their parents have decorated them lovingly, giving each article their own importance and identity….She put an insertion in the papers and slowly started sorting their personal things, things needed by them and redecorating the studio consulting various drawings and reference from their parents work, with the help of the carpenters and painters who worked with their parents…amidst of these things, Pia suddenly decided to go back to the mountains…I was speaking to Pradip the other day, he says he is in need of a guide and since I have been on that route I thought of helping out, he will pay me….
Lekin Pia abhi, idhar I mean I need your help, we have to organize things before we start college….
Pia sulked….Bani felt sorry, she has been through a lot, she too has lost her parents and is taking it hard, unable to accept and settle down….Bani agreed after a day, earning a hug from Pia. Bani saw Pia off in the station and on her return home she looked around. She felt really alone in the world for the first time since the death of their parents…
Pia failed to keep in regular contact with Bani inspite of saying she will keep in regular touch. Bani called instead. Pia grumbled signals are not easy to get. Bani understood. At times when she did not get Pia she called Pradeep instead. Pia is enjoying herself, Pradip assured her, Bani felt at peace. She scanned the names of the interested people and with a help of an acquaintance she got the rental agreement drafted. An international bank showed interest for one of its top executive, Bani insisting in meeting the man in person, you see I have too many memories in the house, for the moment I am giving it more or less as it is, maybe I am being a bit unreasonable but I hope you understand my sentiments. On hearing the same the concerned executive Mr Prayag Patil invited Bani to meet his family, instantly Bani liked his aged parents and his wife. Not getting Pia on the line, Bani tried Pradeep's no. which was also out of range to inform him that he should send Pia asap, being the co-owner of the house she should sign the deal alongwith Bani…as she got ready for bed, the bell of her newly shifted quarters over the garage rang, Bani opened the door to see Pia standing.
Just in time, did you get my message? Bani asked excitedly
Matlab? Pia looked puzzled…..
Maine toh dupahar ko tumhe message bheji thi aur tum agay….
Message mujhe koi message nehi mili, I came because I got bored…..
Thank God, Bani thanked the lord silently thinking that is good, atleast Pia is now filled with her mountain trip and will not run off again leaving her alone…..
Wow Bani, what a transformation, keya tha aur tumne keya bana diya…..
Well you should thank our parents, I just scanned through their designs….
Bani served Pia with food, told her about the deal….Pia atleast for next 3 years we will have a regular monthly income. Our day to day expenses will be met and after three years surely with a degree if either of us get a job, we will take a call then….
Don't you think selling of the house would have been a better proposal, I mean I will get reminded all the time about Mummy Papa staying here……
Well Pia, it may have been but I thought we agreed to keep the house as long as possible, patah nehi with things getting so expensive, if we can maintain it for long….
Pia looked absentminded and Bani changed the topic, asking her how the trek was….shuru me achcha tha then I got bored, I was not getting on too well with the trekkers, some of them were too lazy refusing to cover the day's schedule….
Bani nodded with an understanding, patience was not one of Pia's virtue….
After a couple of days Bani while finishing her bath was getting ready for college, when she heard Pia speaking on the phone…..
Pradeep you said I will get 50% of the profit from the trip. The money you gave me is peanuts and you want me to believe that that is all you make from one such trip? After a pause she said, well yes I do not care you having a wife, I was not thinking of getting married to you, infact I am too young for that but that does not mean that your wife will humiliate me in public….o.k….ok she is not wrong but she is your problem not mine, why should I face her wrath?
What was the real reason of Pia coming back….was she having an affair with Pradip? Bani's could feel her ears becoming red, hey bhagwan mai keya karu…Bani silently went out of the room and stood in the small garden….
Kya beti kya soch rahi hai, old Mr Patil father of Prayag Patil greeted her…..
Kuch nehi uncle buss …..
Mr Patil was supervising the workers who were helping the family to settle down with their goods in the house…..
Beta, I am an old man with some wisdom and experience of life, kuch hoga toh I will be too happy to help you out….your secret will be my secret….
Bani looked at him, she saw a kind pair of eyes….
I do not know uncle sometimes I feel Pia is drifting away, I mean I may be wrong but I do feel….
Beta with your recent loss maybe Pia is having some problems to settle down, this is natural, you have shown tremendous maturity and level headedness…maybe Pia is taking a bit more of time, just keep her engaged, a bit busy and she will be ok with a passage of time….
Bani smiled, well yes college have started and soon she will be busy with project work etc…
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Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
