FF.Companion P 8/ Pg 10dt 27/06 - Page 4

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"Good morning Bani," he said,

She nodded. her eyes looking down at her plate. She picked up her fork and began to toy with her food.

"Is the food not to your satisfaction?" he asked her.

Bani put her fork down, and looked up. "Oh, no, Jai…"she said, pausing. "It's just…"

"This is about last night."

She nodded. "I am sorry if I-"

"No need to be," he interrupted, "it's forgotten."

The discussion was clearly over as far as Jai was concerned, so Bani took a sip of water and began to eat, silence falling between the pair. She remembered Geetha's comment that the marriage between Jai and Pia was one made in hell. She wanted to know about Pia…where she was now…what had happened between her and Jai. Had Pia turned Jai into this almost statute, frozen in place and time, unable to feel anything?

"I am going into Pune Bani." Jai said several minutes later. "I have some business to attend to."

She looked up and nodded in understanding. "When will you return?" she asked.

"Don't Know." He responded, standing up as he tossed his linen napkin on his plate. "You are free to walk the grounds Bani, but you must stay on the house understood?"

Bani's brown eyes flashed annoyance as she looked up at him. Who did he think he was, telling her what to do?

He chuckled softly with amusement. "Do you understand?" he repeated.

"I am not an idiot Jai," she retorted. "I am sure I can find something to amuse myself with…which is more than what you are doing."

Jai raised an eyebrow at her. "You expect me to amuse you?"

"Well, you are my husband are you not?" she replied.

Jai looked at Bani and laughed. "Indeed I am…although I did not realize it was a husband's task to keep his wife amused." he said. Then turning serious, he commented, "There are some things we need to clear up so we will sit down and talk when I return alright?"

She nodded, finding herself intrigued, against her better judgment by this man standing before her. She had never heard him laugh, and she realized she liked it. It was a strong laugh, masculine. She watched him as he left the room. There was no doubt about it, Jai was handsome; tall and lean, his piercing eyes accentuating his short hair.

Get over that! She thought to herself, shaking her head. He has no interest in you that way…and neither do you for him…this is a business arrangement…purely a business arrangement…But what happened between them in the morning what was that

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Bani, left on her own for the day made a plan. And that plan involved exactly two things. First, she would explore her new home; chances are it had secrets about Pia that she could unearth, for it was clear Jai never had any intention of talking about it. Secondly, she was then going over to Dixit house to see how her father was faring, shuffling about in that large house, all alone. He had not been on his own for some years now and she was concerned for him. Perhaps she would bring him over to Wallia house to stay for a few days; it would do him some good. Jai wouldn't like it, she knew that, but he would have to get over it.

Pleased with herself, she finished her breakfast tea, her thoughts going once again to Pia.

"Was everything to your satisfaction?" a voice asked.

Startled, Bani jumped in her chair as she looked up to find herself staring at an elderly man. It was the same one who had led her to the dining room last night. "Oh…"she said in surprise. "Everything was fine…uh…"

The elderly man began removing the plates, looking at her curiously. "My name isTony...I am the butler."

Bani smiled and nodded at the man. "Thank you…Tony."

He nodded in acknowledgment. "Is there anything else you would like mam?"

"Yes there is Tony," she replied, "You can just call me Bani …there is no need for such formality…"

Tony stared at her, his eyes wide in surprise. "Sir would not like that…"

"Jai takes things much too seriously Tony," she replied simply. "No wonder he is as cold as he is…he has no sense of humor."

Tony made a choking noise as he dropped the plates he had in his hand onto the floor. No one had ever spoken to him of Jai in that manner before!

"Oh Tony! Let me help you," Bani cried out as she ran to his side. "Is everything alright…you look like you have seen a ghost!"

Tony looked at Bani, hands shaking. It was clear that she had no idea her comment had rattled him so. What kind of woman had Sir gotten himself married to this time? He thought to himself as he watched Bani carefully pick up the pieces of the broken plates.

"Where should I put these Tony?" she asked, peering at him. Goodness the man is so pale, she thought as she waited for a response.

"Oh, please forgive me mam," the butler replied, "My mind was elsewhere…please follow me."

She sighed, nodding as the pair left the dining room.

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Tony, once sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of tea made by Bani, much to his surprise, convinced her he would be just fine and suggested she go outside for a walk, it being such a lovely day.

Bani looked at him and grinned. "Are you trying to get rid of me?"

"Of course not mam," he said with disapproval. In reality, he was confused about this young lady standing before him and he needed some time alone to collect his thoughts.

"Alright then Tony," she said cheerfully, "I am going to explore this lovely house."

He nodded as he watched her dance out of the kitchen. Dancing, indeed…what kind of thing is that for a lady to do? He thought as he took a sip of tea. But then, she is very outspoken…

Tony shuddered as he recalled her comment regarding Jai, once again returning him to the question of what kind of woman Jai had managed to marry this time.

When Jai had told him he had wed again, he was to say the least surprised by the fact. After Pia's death, he had witnessed Jai retreating into himself as Rohan spread the word far and wide that Pia had been murdered. Close friends began to cancel engagements, make excuses as to why they could not come to Manson. He knew Jai was innocent, but the damage had been done. Pia's brother had tainted Jai's good name and he had become cold…unfeeling, refusing to leave his house.

Tony had never liked Pia. She was spoiled and expected everyone to cater to her every whim, including her husband. She hated house and hated the country, wanting Jai to spend time with her in London, to attend the latest society parties…to show him off to her friends. If her intent was flame jealousy amongst her still maiden friends, she had succeeded. Regardless of his blackened name, there was still many a woman who would wed Jai to become his wife. Yet, he had chosen Bani of Dixit estate; her father, a mere Viscount, with a known gambling problem, she not a part of high society. If Jai's intent was to find someone as different from Pia as possible he had certainly done that in Bani, at least by what he had witnessed this morning.

Tony sighed, finishing his cup of tea.

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Pune

Rohan was surprised to see Jai coming out of a Lawyer office. It had been several years since his sister Pia's murder and the man was still walking about town free as a bird. He hadn't given up on getting justice for his sister, but Rohan had to admit, that for now, things were at a standstill as far as an investigation was concerned. However, Rohan thought as he crossed the cobblestone street, there is no reason I cannot remind Jai of things…

"Jai, what a surprise!" Rohan exclaimed as he approached the red-head.

Jai looked at Rohan as if he were a new specimen of insect. "Rohan." He replied as he came to a stop.

"What are you doing in Pune?" Rohan asked, smirking.

"Not that it is your business," Jai replied rudely, "but I had some business to take care of with my lawyer."

"Not in any legal trouble I hope?"

"Not at all Rohan," he said, a smug smile coming to his face. "I recently remarried and had some things to settle with regards to my new wife."

Rohan's eyes widened, almost bulging out of his head. "You are married again?" he asked, his voice rising.

"I am indeed Rohan." He replied, enjoying watching the man's face turn red with rage, he beginning to sputter profanities. The man was having an apoplectic* fit. Jai was enjoying every minute of it.

"You have the nerve to wed again after what you did to my sister Pia?!" Rohan roared, "I will not let you get away with it again, do you hear me?!"

Jai laughed softly in victory. "You don't have a choice in the matter Rohan," he said. "I have wed again, and she is a lovely woman." He added as a final parting shot as he walked away, the implication clear, leaving Rohan standing on the sidewalk, unable to find words to counter the pointed remark against his late sister.

Bani, having left the rather disapproving Tony in the kitchen to finish his tea, headed back to the dining room and out the set of doors that led out onto a small terrace. She had no doubt he would inform 'Sir' of her rather uncouth behavior, and she laughed as she stood outside, closing her eyes, feeling the sun on her face and a gentle breeze blowing through her hair. She stood like that, on the terrace for several more minutes, enjoying the quiet of the country.

Finally, not wanting to waste the time alone she had, Bani moved away from the terrace and around to the back of the house. She observed a larger terrace, and noted it led into the drawing room. Such a shame there is no garden here, she thought. It would be perfect for afternoon.

She wondered if Pia liked to garden. If she did, there was no evidence of it. Would Jai have torn out a beautiful garden merely because of Pia…or to spite her? She asked herself.

She walked past the terrace and continued past the main house, stopping in her tracks as she saw the driver. Jai hasso many cars? Bani loved cars, she having had one until some two years ago when her father had to sell it to pay some debts…

She patted the car, talking softly to her. "I am so sorry Chocolate," she said. "I don't want to sell you, but father…"

"It is time to let go now Bani," her father whispered as he put his arm around her shoulder. "I am so very sorry that we have to sell ."

She cried as she watched Chocolate being drive away by a young man.

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Bani approached the stone building rather hesitantly. She walked further into the shed, and as she looked around, she gasped at the sight of one particular car in one particular place. Chocolate…her car was here! Jai had bought her car?

"Is there something I can help you with Miss?" a male voice asked from behind Bani.

She turned to the voice and recognized the face. "It's you…"

"Excuse me…do I know you?" the young man asked. "My name is Ram and I work the driver for Jai."

"I…I am Bani," she said stuttering slightly. "I am Jai's wife."

Ram stared at her, disbelieving. "His…wife?"

She nodded, not understanding his rather odd reaction. "Yes, we married yesterday."

He stood staring at Bani, mouth wide open.

"Don't you believe me…Ram?" she asked; her question of how Chocolate got to be in Jai's driver momentarily forgotten.

"I…forgive me mam," he stammered, blushing from sheer embarrassment. "I b-believe you, it's just that…well…after Pia…"

"Goodness Ram," she replied kindly, "first of all, just call me Bani , there is no need to be so formal with me alright?"

The Driver nodded meekly.

"Good, now that we are friends," she said, peering at him, "we are friends now right Ram?"

He once again nodded, unable to speak.

"Please Ram," she said, her voice hushed. "Please tell me why Pia's name has people stuttering and shaking in their boots around here."

"Uh…I can't really say," he replied, clearly lying.

Bani looked at him, pouting. "I thought we were friends Ram…"

"Mam…I mean Bani," he stuttered, now almost completely incoherent, "Sir would not be pleased me talking of Pia…"

"Well I gathered that," she replied somewhat sarcastically. "The question is why?"

Ram sighed, beads of sweat beginning to form along his hairline, his eyes darting around the driver, trying in vain to find a focal point…looking anywhere but at the woman in front of him.

"You must excuse me mam…Bani," he said quickly, "I must tend to matters elsewhere."

Bani stared after Ram as he fled from the shed as if the devil himself were after him.

She turned to Chocolate and stroked. "Now if there is anything I hate, it is a mystery." She said to the mare.

After her rather odd run in with the Driver, Bani walked back towards the house, her mind whirling with questions regarding the mysterious Pia. Jai certainly had frightened the Driver into silence. Why? It made her all the more curious to find out about Pia. They were all hiding something, but what? Clearly something had happened and Jai was making sure no one would ever talk about it.

She entered the house by the way she had come and quickly left the dining room and headed upstairs to her room to find Geetha…she suddenly had the urge to change clothes…

Bani entered her bedroom and found Geetha tidying up. "Good afternoon Geetha," Bani greeted her. "I have been walking these beautiful grounds and exploring," she replied.

Geetha nodded as she helped Bani out of the dress. "They are something aren't they?"

"I am curious about something Geetha," she said quietly as she stepped into a new gown.

"What would that be mam?"

"The drawing room looks out onto a large and beautiful terrace, and it would be lovely to sit out there …"she said. "Why is there no garden…did Pia not like to garden?"

"No Bani," she replied simply, "Pia hated gardening."

Bani remained silent for a moment as Geetha buttoned her up. "Tell me about Pia." She said softly. "Did Pia make Jai the way he is?"

Geetha sighed softly as she finished the last button. "It is for your husband to tell you Bani," she said as she gently turned Bani to face her. "It is not my place…"

Bani looked into the older woman's eyes and nodded, sighing.

"I will say this Bani," she said kindly, "Jai is carrying a heavy burden as a result of his marriage to Pia…be patient with him."

Bani nodded at Geetha, feelings of guilt tearing at her heart. She realized she should tell the older woman the truth, that Jai didn't love her and that the marriage meant nothing; that it was just a way to save her father's home. But the words wouldn't, or couldn't come.

"Bani," the older woman smiled. "Don't look so glum…Jai will be back soon now."

"Of course he shall, dear Geetha," she replied smiling. "Until then, I shall see my father for a short visit."

"Bani," Geetha warned, "I am not sure that is such a good idea, with your husband gone…"

"He said I was welcome to go to father," she replied, feeling guilty for lying to Geetha.

"mam…"

"It's ok, really…I shall be home long before Jai returns," Bani interrupted. "What Jai does not know won't hurt him now will it?"

Before Geetha had a chance to respond, Bani was gone.

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Disappointed in not getting any information from Geetha, Bani ran down the spiral staircase and out the front door, slamming it shut. No doubt Jai had ordered her not to speak she thought, walking quickly down the driveway and turning right onto the main road.

If he thinks I am going to drop the mystery of Pia…she thought, I hate mysteries and I will solve it, even if it kills me!

Her thoughts then went back to Ram, the Driver. He seemed to be the only one who was willing to talk of Pia…she just had to figure out how to corner him first, and also, to make sure Jai didn't find out about it. She also wanted to know why Chocolate, her car, was in his drive. These thoughts ran through her mind until she reached the entrance to Dixit estate. She walked up the private road and entered the house.

"Dad!" she shouted from the foyer. "Dad, where are you?!"

"Bani?" he called out, peeking around the corner of the drawing room. "Bani, is everything alright?"

She ran to her father and embraced him, kissing him on the cheek. "I am fine father, really."

He looked unconvinced.

"Jai is in pune on some kind of business and I thought to stop and spent some time with you." She explained. "There is something I need your help on." She added.

"Well my dear," he replied, smiling, "Come sit down and let's have a talk."

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It was early evening, just before seven when Jai finally arrived back at mason, tired and eager to meet his wife. It had been a long day, spending some time with his lawyer, making sure all legal documents were in order, the man asking question after question regarding Bani. His mind had still been churning over the details when Rohan surprised him. He hadn't thought of Rohan in quite some time, not since Pia's death and Rohan's insane attempts to prove him guilty of her murder several years ago.

Rohan may have failed at having me charged with murder, he thought as he went in search of Tony, but he certainly succeeded at having me looked upon as a monster.

Jai found Tony in the kitchen, sitting at the table drinking tea, his wife Geetha sitting with him.

"Sir, you have returned." Tony said, standing up.

Jai nodded, turning to look at Geetha. "Where is Bani?"

She swallowed nervously and looked to Tony who could only shrug. "She isn't in the drawing room Sir?"

Jai glowered at Geetha. "If she was I wouldn't be asking now would I?"

Geetha sighed. "She isn't here Sir."

Jai ran his hand through his hair, a sure sign his impatience was rapidly turning to anger. "I know that much, now where is she?"

"She mentioned earlier that she was going to visit her father for a short time." Geetha confessed. "I expect she just let the time get away from her…"

"You know she was not supposed to leave the house!" he shouted at Geetha. "How could you let her go?!"

"I am sorry Sir," Geetha said softly, fear frozen on her face. "Bani told me you had said it was alright…"

Jai looked at Geetha, not saying a word. Pure rage coursed through his body, his eyes darkening, like clouds signaling the arrival of a storm. "Oh she did, did she?"

Geetha felt badly for she had no desire to get young Bani into trouble with her husband, but there was no way around it now for Bani had lied about Jai allowing her off the house, and secondly, she had said not to worry for she would be back at Wallia house long before Jai. Geetha could still hear her voice, playful as she said, What Jai does not know won't hurt him now will it Geetha?

Jai stormed out of the kitchen leaving Geetha looking fearfully at her husband. "This is not your fault my dear," he assured her. "That girl is not a lady."

"Tony!" his wife hissed. "She is young and perhaps a little excitable, but I like her."

"I don't know what possessed Sir to marry her." He said, completely ignoring his wife. "She is going to bring us nothing but trouble Geetha…nothing but trouble."

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