FF - A Little Space, Epilogue page 44 - Page 9

I do want understand Ms Dixit why are you trying to behave like a good Indian girl suddenly, you had no qualms about becoming a single mother, wanting to do anything for your child's rights and now that I am offering you, you are in two minds….are your afraid of your image and your chances in the future marriage market……

Not exactly, I mean I was not thinking about my image in the marriage market, not at all Bani said hurriedly and living together is no longer a crime nowadays, ok I accept that maybe it is yet to become as widely acceptable as in the west ……all I want to say if Ranveer was alive things would have been easier, for me as a person to stay in that house would have had a meaning…..

You are mother of Ranveer's child, isn't that good enough….

Bani bit her lips, she did not have much reasoning to offer, silently she cursed Pia, when Bani kept Riya she had no clue that she had to face Jai Walia, how has Jai Walia found about this place, for last 4 – 5 years Pia was hardly in this house…..

Mr Walia if you were in my position, you would have understood what I mean to say, Bani said feebly …..

He kept quiet looking at her in silence, Bani fidgeted, patting Riya un-necessarily as she was asleep already…..

Ok done he got up….

Pia Dixit will you accept the hand of Jai Walia in solemn matrimony, he asked abruptly…

WHAT ?

He sat down again, well I never thought I will make my first ever proposal of marriage in such dramatic way and under such conditions but Miss Dixit, I have no male members in the house to offer your hand so it has to be me…..married to me you can stay in my house….

I will do no such thing, Bani got up, yes I do want a recognition for Riya but not at a price of

Ms Dixit in this world everything has a price, you want a recognition for your daughter, I am ready to give that, I have realized that to get your daughter I have to secure you….and what better security it can be other than matrimony….

You are forgetting something Mr Walia, Bani went and opened her door, Riya's paternity test is positive, you are not in a position disown it…..

Says who Ms Dixit, Jai reached out and removed Bani's hand from the knob to close the door once again, he had no intention of leaving…..

Bani was horrified…..you will change the report and disown your nephew's blood…..

With his forefinger he lifted Bani's chin, Ms Dixit my name is Jai Walia and I am not known for my kindness, if you agree, you and I will get married, that is the best option, as then you will have a reason to stay in my house and I will have some control over you….

I would rather stay in your house with Riya without marrying you……Bani made desperate attempt to get out of the situation…..

So that you can walk out when you feel like with Riya…..no way Ms Dixit…

I thought you had the means to make things turn into your favour…..

Yes of course I do have but in this country the law favours the mother mostly, though I can turn it around but that means a bit of mud slinging and free party to press, with Ranveer's death I do not want anymore emotional turmoil in the house immediately….

But you are ready to change the result?

I will just tell Di once again her son failed to sow his seed, hard luck …..

You are such a heartless man…..

Thank you Ms Dixit, you are not the first person to tell me this, so tomorrow at 4.p.m. I will come and get you to the registry office, you get your identification papers and we will make a short wedding without any publicity, the family is mourning and we need some healing time…..

Bani became speechless, she looked at him, his face was devoid of any emotion, his handsome features looked calm, Pia was right, this man can turn the table as per his desire and she is supposed to marry such cold blooded man…..

Where are you lost Ms Dixit, imaging yourself in my bed already, let me tell you not so fast, I have offered you marriage but nothing more, to start with it will be a marriage of convenience and after that we will see….

Bani blushed, she did not know whether she was angry or shy….I was not thinking of any such thing….

Weren't you, well that is what most females think when they set their eyes on me, this is not me who is saying this, many girls have confessed the same to me in their moment of pleasure….

Bani's jaws fell open…..

Muh bandh kar lijiye makhi ghus jayegi…..ok ji see you tomorrow at 4.00 p.m. sharp…he opened the door and left…..

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After he left, Bani sat on the sofa motionless, then she fished out her mobile, tried the private no. from which Pia had called up but incoming calls were barred…..Bani felt frustrated.. then she sat up, how did Jai Walia trace her to this house, he must have been hunting Pia, must have employed a professional agency to do it and if he has traced her to this house, he must be knowing that Pia has a twin, this house belongs to the Dixits, even if Bani had to remove her parents' nameplate and had to put Prayag Patil's at the gate but the neighbours are aware about it, they have grown up in this area…..