FF.Companion P 8/ Pg 10dt 27/06 - Page 2

Karan jaw dropped as he stared at Jai. Had he heard correctly…his choice was his home or his daughter?

"If you choose your home, you and Bani will be homeless," Jai explained, "and penniless…"

"But…take the house Jai…"Karan stammered, "let us live there as renters…as you offered before…"

Jai laughed softly, "That offer I made two years ago Karan and it is now off the table."

"Please…"Karan begged, "reconsider…another game…"

"Karan," Jai interrupted the elderly man, "you have twenty-four hours to decide and come to me."

Karan could only stare at Jai. The man was cold…unfeeling…Bani deserved someone to love her…

"Twenty-four hours Karan," Jai repeated, his voice as cold as ice. "I suggest you go home and do some thinking…the property or Bani."

Karan walked home slowly, the darkness of night wrapping around him like a blanket, giving him some comfort as his mind raced, searching desperately for a possible way out of his dilemma. My dear Bani, he thought, please forgive me…I thought I could win…I wanted you to be secure…

He sighed as he continued his slow walk home, his shoulders hunched with hands in pockets. Had Jai known of his gambling vice and taken advantage of it? How had he gotten into such a mess?

Karan knew of course how he had gotten into this mess…he was weak…a weak man and always had been, easily influenced by the opinions of others, wanting some sense of recognition? No, not that as much as wanting to be noticed perhaps. He always had a feeling of being invisible, floating like an apparition through his life watching those around him go on with their daily tasks, always feeling as if he was out of step with the rest of the world.

Then he met his wife Kiran.

Kiran was beautiful, her long curly brown hair cascading down her back, tendrils framing her oval-shaped face, hazel eyes looking at him with affection. He loved the way she looked at him, the way she listened to his every word, once in awhile asking a question or making an intelligent comment. Their courtship was short, a mere few weeks as they picnicked by the lake, walked arm in arm along the river as they discussed their future plans…neither saw any reason to have a long engagement so they wed quietly and simply. He was happy, no longer invisiible.

Then when Kiran died, he once again became that ghost.

Karan stopped as he approached the winding driveway to Dixit estate . Looking up, the manor was dark, the only light that of the full moon above; Bani having retired early he knew, as was her custom. The estate had been in his family for generations, what would happen to it now? What could Jai need two estates for? Why on earth would Jai even offer him a choice of his home or his daughter's hand in marriage? Had their so called accidental meeting two years ago been planned all along by Jai?

These questions swirled in Karan' brain as he walked up the driveway, finally entering the house. He closed the door quietly, locking it and climbed up the marble stairs, utterly exhausted and devastated.

Karan stared at the ceiling to his bedroom as twilight outside began to make way for a sunny day. Not retiring until almost two in the morning, he had spent the remainder of the night tossing and turning, Jai's words echoing in his mind…

"Twenty-four hours Karan," Jai repeated, his voice as cold as ice. "I suggest you go home and do some thinking…the estate or Bani."

He had until tonight to decide and inform Bani of what had happened last night. He sighed as he sat up in bed, staring out the window.

If I give him the house, he thought, Bani and I are homeless…and penniless, with no place to go…if Bani marries him, I get to keep Dixit Estate…she can then end the marriage…he reasoned.

Once again, Karan felt hope returning. Jai wanted her hand in marriage, but he didn't say for how long…if he planned it right, Bani would never even have to consummate the union and the house would once again be theirs! Karan smiled as he got out of bed and looked outside. Mumbai was experiencing a sunny day, a rarity, and his confidence grew as the sun slowly rose higher in the sky.

He knew of course, that he had to still talk to Bani, and that she would be very angry with him. He expected that and was fully prepared for that and with a good plan this whole sordid incident would be over within a few days at most. He just hoped she would do this one thing for him…to save their home…

"I will never gamble again," he vowed, the quiet determination of his voice echoing in his empty room. Knowing time was short, he bathed and dressed quickly, heading out of his bedroom to head downstairs to find Bani; he had to speak with her, before his bravado completely evaporated.

Karan slowly descended the staircase, a thoughtful look on his face as he pondered the best way to approach his daughter. He walked into the dining room with a slight hope that perhaps Bani had gone out for a spell while he came up with the perfect speech, but no such luck.

"Dad!" she exclaimed as she looked up from her breakfast, "good morning to you…"

He smiled affectionately at her as he took his seat. "How is my dear daughter this morning?"

Bani smiled as she stood up and walked over to her Dad, bending over slightly to kiss him on the cheek. "I am fine Dad," she replied, "what would you like for breakfast?"

"Just some coffee my dear," he said, his voice hushed, yet exuding an intensity that had not gone unnoticed by Bani, "and then I must discuss something with you."

His daughter looked down at her Dad, "It sounds serious."

He nodded, "It is."

Thirty minutes later and brimming with curiosity, Bani entered the drawing room and took her place on the loveseat. Her Dad stood looking out the window, his hands clasped behind his back.

"Alright Dad," she said, "what is it?"

At first she did not think he had heard her for he made no movement, no turn of the head to return her look. She was about to ask again, when he spoke. "Bani, I am so very sorry."

Confused, she stood up to come stand next to her Dad. "I don't understand…"

He finally turned away from the window and looked at his daughter. Bani gasped in surprise. In the half hour since breakfast, her Dad appeared to have aged at least ten years, his eyes, watery. "Dad, you are frightening me…"she said, her voice beginning to quiver.

"Oh dear Bani," he said, taking her by the arm, "come sit and I shall explain it…"

He could avoid it no longer.

He took his daughter's hand and began to explain. "Bani, I was over at Seven Hills last night…"

The appearance of a small frown became vBanible on her features, "You played cards again…"

"Bani…I had to…I knew I could win this time…"he said, beginning to stutter. Having to tell his daughter while looking at her in the eyes was turning out much more difficult than he had anticipated.

She sighed. "You lost again."

Karan nodded. "I did…but I was so close…"

"Dad, how much did you lose this time?" Bani asked as she turned to stare out the window. She had a bad feeling about this…that this time he had lost a great deal…money that they didn't have…

"I wagered Estate…"he said in a whisper.

Bani stood up and looked down at her Dad. "You wagered our home away?!"

He nodded, "I am so very sorry Bani…"

"Oh Dad!" she cried, moving to the front window. "How could you?!"

"Dearest, please understand," he pleaded, "I was so sure I could win and then you would be taken care of for the rest of your life…after I am gone

Bani was furious with her Dad, so incredibly furious with him. Where would we live now? She thought. "Dad this is the worst thing you could have done…"

"Bani…there is more to this…"he began, pausing as she turned towards him. He could feel the anger emanating from her body.

"More Dad?" she asked tears beginning to sting her eyes. "How could there possibly be more?"

" Jai gave me a choice…" he said, pausing to briefly, "a way to keep the manor…"

Bani crossed her arms across her chest. "What choice would that be?" she asked her voice as cold as ice.

"He…he said that I had twenty-four hours to make my choice…the house," he said, pausing, "or…you…he wants you to be his wife."

Bani was speechless as she stared at her Dad. Jai either gets the house or her as his wife…

She felt physically sick to her stomach as she ran from the room.