FF.Companion P 8/ Pg 10dt 27/06 - Page 3

Originally posted by: swatinarang

great story dear, do continue soon

can i kill ur jw

Bani stood by her bedroom window, staring out into the blue sky…a beautiful day, such a rarity in estate, as her Dad's words rang through her mind…

"Jai gave me a choice…" he said, pausing 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 loved her Dad dearly but what had possessed him to wager their home?

His gambling over the last couple of years had gotten worse, she knew that. He rarely won at cards, he unable to quite grasp the intricacies of the game, only winning on sheer luck. To pay off his debts, they had to sell whatever they owned…furniture, silverware. Because of his gambling, money had become even tighter then it had ever been, but never in her wildest imagination had she thought her Dad would wager their own home.

This is my home too, she thought sadly. It is the only home I know…

She had been born here, her Dad telling her the story of her birth and how that as soon as he heard her first cry he had made a vow that he would always take care of her and make sure she never shed a tear in sorrow…

He had failed her, her Dad…the man she always thought of as her hero, had failed her.

Tears fell gently from her cheeks at the thought of losing their home to him…Jai, of all people.

She had met him two years ago when he stopped by their home one evening, her Dad having informed her of his coming. She opened the door to find herself staring at a tall man with deep eyes.

"Good evening," she greeted the man.

Jai looked at Bani and nodded. "I am here to see Karan."

She nodded as she stepped back to allow him to enter. "My Dad is expecting you."

Jai entered the house and turned to Bani, his eyes appraising her. His eyes roamed over her body, slowly, stopping at her breasts for a moment before returning his look to her face. "You must be Bani...your Dad speaks of you often."

She nodded, blushing, feeling uncomfortable at the way he looked at her. "If you will come with me Jai," she said softly, "I will take you to my Dad."

From that moment on, each time he came to the house to visit, he would look at her with that same leering look, appraising her as if trying to determine her value like some breed mare. He never made any other advances towards her, in fact he barely spoke to her and when he did, he was cold towards her, often interrupting before she had a chance to finish her thoughts. His manner made it clear to her that he did not like her, although what reason he could have was beyond her comprehension for she had always been courteous and polite, offering him drink and food when he stopped by. However as far as she was concerned, Jai was just plain rude and she returned his dislike with her own, making it equally evident to the man her feelings. However, rather than taking offense to her manner, he appeared to find her dislike of him entertaining, which merely angered her more.

She was immediately suspicious of his friendship with her Dad, for the two men had absolutely nothing in common, not traveling in the same social circles or even having a mutual friend through which they could have met. She had attempted to question Jai regarding the particulars of how they had met and where, but he merely glanced at her with an amused look.

Karan stood there as he watched his daughter run from the room, tears streaming down her face, unable to move. He wanted to comfort her, to tell her they would somehow sort out this mess, but he couldn't. Bani he knew was too upset to listen to him; he would try later.

He thought back to the day she was born. Bani had been eager to make her entrance into the world, coming quickly and easily for Kiran and as he held his newborn daughter in his arms, he staring at their little miracle, her eyes staring back up at him as she tried to focus, he vowed to always take care of her, he making sure she never shed a tear in sorrow.

Well, he had failed her and badly. He was so sure he could win last night, to make sure she had an opportunity to go out like the other young women of standing, so she could hold her head high and making friends. He wanted a proper dowry for when her prince came along. Now however, there would be nothing. No dances, no friends and no prince.

There was only Jai of Wallia estate.

Karan sighed as he sat on the loveseat, staring out the window. He had told Bani of the choice he had to make, hand Dixit estate over to Jai, or her to become his wife.

Bani sighed as she moved away from the bedroom window. She walked over to her bed and sat down, hugging the white goose down comforter adorning her bed, along with several pillows. She looked around her room…the white walls, adorned with sketches she had drawn. Drawing, she had discovered early on in her life and quickly became her favorite hobby; it was also clear to anyone looking at the various nature scenes, animals and other sketches that she was quite good. She could sell them she knew, but they wouldn't fetch much in the way of money. Not the kind of money they needed now.

The rocking chair in the corner, her old dolls she had played with as a child sitting there, their eyes staring at her, as if asking, what is to become of us?

An old cedar hope chest hugging the foot of the bed, waiting for the day she would wed, her Dad having begun filling it in anticipation with her wedding dress, so that Bani would one day wear it, old baby clothes for when Bani began her family, a quilt and several blankets to help make the house she would share with her husband, a home.

She looked over at the mirror hanging on the wall, directly across from her bed, and stared back at her reflection. Her eyes, red and swollen from crying, she nonetheless understood what she had to do. Her Dad may have failed her, and he certainly had disappointed her in his wagering of their home, but when he told her he had done it for her, she believed him. He had taken care of her and made her life and her mother's happy. If saving the house meant marrying Jai, she would do it.

It had been over two hours since Karan had told Bani and he decided it was time to talk to her again. They did not have much time left in the house and they had a lot of decisions to make in a very short time. He stood up and shuffled out of the drawing room, stopping at the bottom of the spiral staircase. He placed his hand on the banister and sighed as he slowly ascended.

"Dad!" he heard his daughter call out as she came down the stairs to meet him. "I was just coming down to talk to you."

He nodded as he looked at her. He could see she had been crying, her eyes still swollen, and her voice nasal as a result of her nose being congested. "Bani…"he began, blinking hard to drive the tears away.

"Hush now Dad," she said kindly as she linked her arm to his. "Come downstairs and have tea…I have something to say."

Y-yes, my dear…" he replied as the pair slowly went downstairs.

Thirty minutes later Dad and daughter sat in the drawing room, she watched as her Dad's hands were shaking so badly that he was not able to hold his cup and saucer. Her heart broke for him. The time had come to tell him of her decision. "Dad," she said softly, pausing briefly as she waited for him to return her look. "I have decided to marry Jai."

"Bani," her father began, "I cannot possibly let you marry that man." He said in protest. "He is a hard man…and selfish, only interested in getting what he wants and if he can't come by it honestly, he will just take…"

"Dad," she interrupted as she moved from her seat to kneel by Karan. "We don't have any choice here…there is no way we can find another place to live in such a short time," she explained, "and besides…we don't have the money."

Karan looked at his daughter through watery eyes; she had that look of fierce determination…that same look she had had since she was a child when she insisted on doing things her own way. He also knew from experience that once she had made up her mind nothing he could say would alter the course she had chosen for herself. "Bani…my dearest daughter," he said softly as he took her hand into his, "I am so sorry."

Banil looked at her father and squeezed his hand in reassurance. "It will be fine Dad," she said confidently, "I will come visit you, and you can come and see me whenever you wish, it is not like I am going to be far away, and now you will be safe in estate…"

Karan smiled at his daughter. "I love you so much Bani," he said, "I am blessed to have you."

Bani kissed her father's hand before releasing it and standing up. She walked over to the window. "I suppose Jaiwill be stopping by for a decision?"

"That he will Bani," he answered, "sometime this evening I suspect."

As they still had several hours before Jai would arrive, Bani kissed her father on the cheek and informed him she needed some air and it was a beautiful day for a walk. She inquired as to whether he wanted to come along, but he negated the idea, saying he was tired and would sit out on the terrace with his tea.

"Alright Dad," she acknowledged, "I will join you on my return."

Karan watched as his daughter left the drawing room, wincing slightly as she slammed the front door on her way out.

He sighed as he picked up his cup and saucer, heading out to the terrace.

Bani left the house and ran down the steps, turning left and heading towards the rear of the house. She walked quickly, her mind racing. She needed air, some time alone with her thoughts at the events that had transpired over the last several hours. She took several deep breaths as she walked, feeling the warmth of the sun against her face. Finally, after fifteen minutes, she came to a stop, having reached the edge of the lake. She sat down in the green grass and stared out at the lake, which looked like a sheet of glass, not a ripple could be seen. She brushed some loose tendrils away from her face, sighing deeply. She had always assumed she would meet a man, fall in love and get married, moving out of estate and eventually starting a family of her own. However, she did not love Jai; she despised him for preying on her father and exploiting his weakness. He, she knew with certainty, did not love her either and she wondered why he even wanted her to marry him in the first place. This was some kind of game to Jai, but with what purpose?

He has a reason for doing this, she thought, and it has nothing to do with estate.

She plucked at the green grass, tossing it aside as she thought. Jai ever does anything on a whim, always planning and scheming for what he wanted…but what did he want? She sighed, her head beginning to throb as her mind raced with endless possibilities.

Bani stood up and brushed off her dress as anger coursed through her body. Whatever you are up to Jai, I will find out…you can be sure of that!

She slowly began her walk back to the house, the mid- afternoon sun at her back; the time had drawn near to inform Jaiof their decision.

"Are you sure you want to do this Bani?" her father asked, yet again. "I am sure we can figure something out…"

Bani curled up on the loveseat smiled as she watched her father pacing the drawing room floor. "Dad, please sit down," she said kindly, "It is my decision to marry him, so would you please stop pacing the floor before you wear a hole in it?"

Karan stopped and looked at his daughter. He laughed softly but did as she requested, coming to sit across from her. "Have I told you lately how much I love you?" he said.

She nodded as tears came to her eyes. "Every day, Dad."

They stared at each other for a moment, Bani nodding to her father, a nod that appeared to say, trust me, it will be fine.

It was then that they heard a knocking on the door.

Bani told her father to bring the drinks; she would fetch Jai and bring him to the drawing room. He nodded as he watched his daughter walk towards the front door, back straight and head held high.

Jai is going to be in for a hard time if he tries to tell her what to do, he thought, chuckling as he headed off towards the kitchen.

Ten minutes later, Jai sat, drink in hand, an uncomfortable silence surrounding them. Bani was the first to break it. "Jai," she acknowledged, "I have no doubt that you want to know our decision regarding our home."

He glanced at Banil and gave a slight nod of his head. "Presumably you and your father have reached some sort of decision?" he inquired.

Bani reached for her father's hand and squeezed it gently. "We have."

"Do tell Bani." He replied, his tone mocking.

"I have decided to marry you," she explained, "on the condition that you leave my father and estate alone…it remains his."

She stared at Jai intently trying to gauge his reaction at her news. If he was surprised that she had agreed to marry him, he was hiding it well. That man has no feeling whatsoever, she thought. Dead to feeling…I wonder if he was always like that…

Jai raised an eyebrow as he stared at Bani, noticing her flushed cheeks and determined look. He chuckled softly to himself, "You have my word Bani."

Bani looked unconvinced. "How do I know you won't go back on your word?" She asked, "After all, you seem to enjoy playing games with people."

His eyes darkened in anger as he glared at Bani for several minutes. "I gave you my word, take it or leave it

Bani watched as the her dad away back to Dixit estate. She sighed as she turned around and headed up the stone steps towards Jai who stood waiting for her at the top.

"Come Bani," he said impatiently, "I will show you to your room so you can get settled."

"Jai…my dad…"she replied argumentatively. "He-"

"We will discuss your dad later Bani." Jai interrupted as the pair entered the front door and stepped inside the palatial front hall.

"Come with me," he demanded, heading up the spiral marble staircase.Bani sighed, but followed, looking at the numerous portraits hanging on the wall as she ascended, wondering who they all were, these men and women. Presumably family, she thought.

"Bani, hurry up." Jai called from the landing, "I don't have all day."

She glared at him, refusing to go any faster than she had been. Let him wait, she thought smugly, that man needs to learn some manners, beginning with patience.

Once up the stairs, Jai grabbed Bani by the elbow and led her down a long hallway, closed doors at equal intervals. They walked to the end and he came to a stop, releasing her arm. He opened the door and stepped back to allow her to enter.

The bedroom was large and beautifully decorated and Bani let out a small gasp in spite of herself as she looked around. The walls were painted white, with several paintings hung. A large fireplace and mantle was to her left and French doors leading out to a large balcony at the farthest end of the room, directly ahead of her. The bed, clearly meant for two people, had a luxurious multi-colored quilt covering it with numerous pillows. She blushed at the thought of sharing a bed with the man standing just behind her, imagining he taking control and purely interested in his own pleasure.

"Is it your satisfaction Bani?" Jai whispered, startling her out of her thoughts.

"Y-yes…"she stammered, her blush deepening.

He laughed softly, as if reading her thoughts. "Geetha will be in shortly," he explained. "I expect you to dress for dinner and she will help you."

"I know how to dress for dinner," she replied,.

"You will do as I say Bani." He demanded, his voice hard as steel. "Dinner is at seven."

Bani sighed as she heard her bedroom door slam shut. I wonder how Dad is doing, she thought, deciding to put Jai out of her mind, as she walked over to the French doors, opening them and stepping out onto the balcony.

She hoped he was alright, that he would be alright for he had not been alone since he had married so many years ago. The house must seem empty…vast now, she thought as she ran her hand along the smooth balcony rail. Anger began to course through her as she recalled how unceremoniously Jai had gotten rid of her dad…she could see no reason he could not have stayed…even for tea.

Bani sighed as she looked at the countryside blanketed by the darkening sky. It was hard to believe she had already been wed for several hours, and not once had her new husband come to see her, inquire after her.

Well why should he? She asked herself, this is not a real marriage, not in the true sense of the word…they didn't love each other; it was a business arrangement, pure and simple.

Bani wondered why that fact bothered her as much as it did.

"Ma'am?" a female voice called out from inside the bedroom. "Ma'am?"

Bani, lost in thought, turned around to come face to face with a middle aged woman, her graying hair tied back in a bun, grey eyes staring at her questioningly as she stood, hands at her side.

"I am sorry,"Bani apologized, "you must be…Geetha."

"Indeed I am Ma'am," she replied. Bani nodded and went inside, closing the French doors behind her, as she wished her dad a quiet and restful night.

"Hush now Ma'am," the maid admonished gently, "I know you can, but Jai is very particular and I must follow his wishes."

"Of course, Geetha ,"Bani agreed, "I don't want you to get in trouble."

An hour later, having bathed and dressed, Geetha was finishing brushing Bani's hair when she commented, "I never thought I would see the day Jai would wed and bring a woman into this house again…not after Pia."

Bani, sitting at her mirror, looked at Geetha. "Pia?"

The maid nodded, "Pia was his first wife," she explained, "and if there ever was a marriage that was made in hell, well, needless to say Ma'am, most of us did not take to Pia."

Bani nodded at Geetha in the mirror. Jai had a wife named Pia…

"You are quite the opposite Ma'am, and if I may say, quite down to earth," Geetha continued to talk, "I have known you just on an hour now, and I like you quite abit."

Bani smiled at Geetha. "Thank you," she replied, "and I insist you call me Bani or Bani, there is no need for such formality."

Geetha smiled. Yes, I like this one, she thought as she finished with Bani's hair. Maybe she can help Jai come back to life.

"Now go on with you Bani," Geetha said kindly, "It is almost seven now and no doubt Jai is impatient to see his new bride."

Bani laughed as she stood up and looked at Geetha. I like her, she thought. It was clear she was not aware of the type of marriage she and Jai were in and for now she would not mention it. She wanted to know more about Pia…

Bani descended the staircase and stopped when she reached the bottom, suddenly stopping, and the enormity of the situation finally hitting her. She was married to a stranger, a man, it appeared, with secrets. She was in a strange house, her status, uncertain…guest? She certainly didn't feel like a wife.

"Miss, is everything alright?" a male voice called out to her. "Miss?"

Bani turned to see an elderly man standing in front of her. "Yes…fine," she assured the man, who was peering at her with watery eyes. "I just got lost in thought."

He nodded, " Jai is waiting in the dining room and getting impatient…"

"Of course," she acknowledged, "and you are…?"

"Follow me Miss," he said, ignoring her query, "I will take you to the dining room."

She sighed as she followed the old man.

"Here she is sir," the old man said from the entrance to the dining room. "She was not certain as to where the dining room was."

Jai nodded and waved his hand to the old man, dismissing him.

"Well, come sit down Bani," Jai said in a tone that suggested he was talking to a child.

Bani sat down, across from Jai and looked around the room. Like the bedroom it was beautifully decorated, the walls an off white color. A sideboard hugged the far right wall with large windows behind her, the drapes a deep green in color, shutting out the night. The table was set for two, glasses of water and wine for each of them, "Is bedroom to your liking?" Jai asked her, toying with the stem of his wine glass.

"It is indeed," she replied politely, "like this room, it is beautifully decorated."

He nodded his head to her compliment.

Curiosity getting the better of her, Bani asked, "Did Pia decorate?"

Angrily, he hit his fist on the table, water and wine spilling. "How do you know about Pia?" he shouted, "what do you know of it…who told you?!" he questioned her, his green eyes darkened with rage as he stared at her.

Bani, frightened by the sheer intensity of his anger, sat back in her high-backed chair, adrenalin beginning to course through her system, the fight or flight response on high alert. "I…I…"she stammered, "I didn't mean to…"

Bani fled from the room.

Bani fled in utter fear, running up the stairs, tripping over her lengha and stumbling on the staircase. She could hear him shouting her name, but she kept running, down the hall and into her bedroom, shutting the door behind her, leaning against it, her eyes closed, trying to calm her rapid breathing. She turned her head and listened, waiting for him to pound on the door, or try to open it. But after a few minutes she realized he had not followed her. She sighed with relief and walked into the bedroom, first changing into her nightgown and robe that Geetha had laid out for her on the bed.

She then walked towards the French doors and headed out on the balcony, the cool night air brushing against her face, taking in some breathes as her body began to calm down.

His reaction to her mentioning Pia was something she had never expected and recalling Geetha's comment that their marriage had been one made in hell, she wondered exactly what went on between Jai and his first wife. What had happened to Pia? Did Pia leave, realizing her marriage to Jai was a mistake as he did?

Bani wondered exactly what kind of woman Pia had been, for no doubt Jai's lack of feeling, of any sort of sensitivity to the emotions of others around him had somehow come about from his marriage to Pia. And since it was clear that she would receive no answers from Jai, she would have to find them elsewhere, and tomorrow she would start…with Geetha.

Satisfied with her plan,Bani went back inside, closing the French doors behind her. She walked towards the bed and crawled in, her last thought before going to sleep being of her new husband…her mysterious new husband and what other secrets besides Pia he carried within his heart.

It never occurred to Bani that it would be her he would carry in his heart.

Karan sighed as he turned from his side and onto his back, staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep. He was worried about Bani. How was Jai treating her? How was she dealing with the fact that she was now married to a literal stranger? He should never have allowed Bani to marry Jai; she shouldn't have had to pay for a mistake he made, he should have argued more with her, although he knew that once Bani made up her mind, no one could ever change it.

He was puzzled by Jai's strange behavior, not allowing him to remain at Wallia Mansion with Bani for a brief . It is not like the marriage was a real one; it was a business arrangement, plain and simple. The fact that Jai was a controlling man was clearly evident, even to him, and Karan began to wonder if Jai would now try to keep him and his daughter apart. Jai had promised to allow dad and daughter to see each other, but promises clearly did not mean a great deal to the man.

Karan never believed Jai to be a dangerous man, but it was clear that he was a man of many secrets. It was those secrets that Karan worried about…they could be dangerous to his Bani. Secrets had a way of coming to light, and often in the most tragic of circumstances. He needed to protect his daughter as best he could. The fact Jai demanded the marriage to occur so soon…

It is time for me to find out more about Jai, Karan thought, I need to know for certain what type of man he is…maybe then, if I find something, I can get my Bani out of that so called marriage.

Feeling somewhat relieved now that he had a task he could actually focus on, Karan was finally able to sleep.

The thought that Jai and Bani would find love together never even occurred to Karan.

Jai stood outside the terrace of the drawing room, staring out into the dark night, the only sound that of an owl hooting, the rustle of its wings as it took off from its perch high atop a tree, grabbing its prey in his claws, the final cry of the caught animal echoing in the night.

He was angry with himself for allowing his temper to get the better of him at dinner, but Bani had caught him off guard, asking about Pia and whether she had decorated Wallia Mansion. In all likelihood she was merely curious, trying to make conversation by asking a completely innocuous question, but he had lost his composure and frightened her. It had been several years since their disastrous marriage had ended in her death and he cursed to himself that he still could get so angry whenever the subject of his late wife came up.

Jai was restless, unable to sleep.Bani now knew of Pia, and he had no doubt made her suspicious by his behavior. Once she calmed down she would begin to question the reaction, for he knewBani was not a fool; she was stubborn and intelligent, and worst of all, she was curious. He was willing to bet she was quite a handful as a child, and no doubt she would prove herself to be a handful as a woman.

She is not just any woman however; he thought as he closed his eyes, she is my wife now.

"Sir?" a male voice called out from the drawing room entrance. "Is there anything you need before you retire for the night?"

Jai nodded. "Tony, I need to speak to your wife Geetha immediately," he said, "bring her to me and then I won't need you two until morning."

"Yes, Sir." He acknowledged before shuffling off to look for his wife.

The Next Morning

"Good Morning Bani," Geetha said cheerfully as she drew open the drapes, allowing sunshine to stream into the bedroom. "Did you sleep well?"

Bani, sat up and nodded, "Good Morning, Geetha," she replied, "I slept well indeed."

" Jai is expecting you to join him for breakfast in a hour." she explained, as she prepared Bani's morning bath.

Bani sighed as she pushed away the covers and sat on the edge of the bed, her face frowning as she went over last night's dinner disaster in her mind.

In the early morning Bani wake up due to disturbed sleep and see her husband eyes on her. The raw passion was visible to him. Dinner he was furious with me and now he is making love with her what a man?

"Is there something worrying you Bani?" the maid asked as she came to stand at the foot of the bed.

Bani shook her head and smiled as she stood up and headed to take her bath. "It is nothing Geetha."

"Geetha," she said softly as she lay her silver brush down on the small table, "whose dresses are these?"

Geetha sighed as she looked at Bani's reflection in the mirror. " Jai explained to me you had no dresses to wear," the maid said, and noting Bani's questioning look, she paused.

"Geetha, answer the question."

"Miss Bani, these are such pretty dress," Geetha said in an attempt to change the subject, "it does not really matter where they came from now does it?"

"They were Pia's weren't they?"Bani prodded.

Knowing that Bani would not stop until she received an answer, Geetha admitted that indeed they did belong to Pia.

"I thought so Geetha,"Bani replied, smiling. "That wasn't so hard now was it?"

" Jai is waiting for you," Geetha reminded her; "you best head downstairs now and let me get on with things."