Lucky charm a SS by DIvan for me....

Happy Birthday Perveen. Hope you had a fun filled day.

A little pressie for you seeing how much you like love stories:

Lucky Charm

Bani stared at the intercom as if it was some strange creature, "Pia..." the voice boomed.

"Sir..."

"Pia you forgot to bring those files for this morning's meeting. Bring them at once into the boardroom."

"Which boardroom sir..." Bani stuttered.

"We only have one. I will be waiting for those files Pia."

"But sir..." Bani never got to finish as she heard the click.

"Now what files...and where is the boardromm. Yeh Adi sir bhi na...he knows I have never stepped on this floor and don't even know what PA's do for their bosses." Bani stood up and looked around, no files to be seen. She dialled Adi's extention and wailed, "Adi uncle, i need help pleaseeeeeeeeeeee."

"OK Bani I am coming up."

In less than a minute Adi stood before Bani who was looking flustered. "Ok what's wrong."

"Where is the boardroom? And he wants files...I don't know where they are...he said something about Pia should have left some files for the meeting."

"Calm down Bani. And its Jai sir who Pia works for. Now the boardroom is at the end of this hallway and let me call Pia about the files."

Clutching the pile of files, Bani knocked on the door and entered. Jai Walia looked at the strange girl holding files. Already irritated, he barked, "Well don't just stand there hand them out. And where is Pia?"

"Pia...sir she is...sick." Bani mumbled as she started handing the files out.

A familiar voice called out, "Hey Lucky Charm...we meet again. Where have you been hiding?" Bani stumbled and in the process dropped the files. Her face red as a tomato she looked at Aparajit Deb, someone she hadn't seen in a long time. "Oh sir, how are you?" Bani wrapped her arms around him in a hug. "I am good sir. You know where we live. I should say where did you run off to sir."

"Ahem..." Jai tried to get Bani's attention. What the hell was she doing, hugging his client?

Embarassed Aparajit quickly moved Bani's arms and winked, "We will catch up later. Can I get one of the file?" Bani looked at the thunderous face of Jai and quickly picked up the files and handed them out before walking out.

An hour later the intercom buzzed again and Bani was ordered to bring in refreshments. Ten minutes later Bani pushed a trolley laden with tea, coffee and snacks. She knocked and pushed the trolley in. Her hands shook nervously as she poured out tea and coffee and handed them out, aware all the time of Jai Walia's eyes on her. She put trays of snacks in the middle and turned to leave the boardroom.

"Just one moment miss." Jai called out.

Bani turned and stared at him, her face looked pale, "Yes sir." She felt sick, what did she do wrong now.

"Can I get cup of coffee, black with no sugar."

Bani coloured, she had served everyone except for him. She quickly poured coffee out and hurridely put the cup in front of him, sloshing the coffee slightly on the table. "Oh sorry sir!" Bani quickly grabbed a napkin, but before she could wipe it, Jai Walia took it from her hand and dismissed her, "Just go please. I will manage."

Aparajit winked as he caught Bani's eyes, "Good coffee, Lucky charm."

Bani practically ran out of the room. Aparajit Deb was her dad's friend and he had always called her Lucky Charm, but now she found it embarassing.

It was well past lunch time. Bani sat at the desk not really doing anything much except for answering the phone. Her stomach was growling, she was hungry but Adi had told her not to go for lunch until meeting was over. Bani stared down the hallway praying for the meeting to be over. As if her prayer were finally answered, the boardroom door opened and Jai Walia came out, shaking hands with Aparajit. "Thanks Jai. I will call you when I have made a decision."

Aparajit walked over to Bani and sat down, "Well want to tell me how dad and mom are Lucky Charm?" Bani blushed as she spied Jai Walia still standing near the boardroom looking at them.

"They are fine sir. Why don't you come over and see them? Dad would love to catch up with you." Bani gushed, feeling prickles down her back as Jai Walia continued to stare at them.

"Hey, have you eaten yet? Why don't i buy you lunch? My treat." Aparajit asked, unaware of the dark looks cast in their direction by Jai Walia.

"Not today sir. May be some other time." Bani declined sweetly, knowing there was no way she could leave her desk and go out for lunch.

Aparajit stood up and pinched her cheeek, "Fine...but next time no excuses." And then he leaned close to her, "Your boss...err he is bit of khadoos isn't he. If you were my PA, I would never speak to you like that." Bani didn't know what to do, she wanted to burst out laughing but the man Aparajit called her boss was still watching them. Aparajit looked behind, smiled and winked at Bani before waving at Jai and walking out.

"Miss you can go for lunch." Jai Walia called out as he walked into his office. He dialled Adi, "Into my office Adi right now." he barked. He needed to put Adi straight. He didn't need some office junior acting as his PA when he was dealing with an important client.

Adi looked at the hard face of Jai Walia, "Hi Jai," he called out breezily.

"What the hell is wrong with you? How could you ask some office junior to fill in for Pia?" Jai raised her hand as Adi opened his mouth to speak. "I am not done. Do you know how embarassing it was? She practically flung herself at AD in front of everyone. And then dropping files and spilling coffee. Where is Pia?"

"Pia is not well. She tried to arrange a temp but couldn't so she asked me find someone to fill in. As it is was last minute, only Bani was available. She is not bad Jai. She is a good worker. May be she was just nervous. It's her first time on the executive floor Jai...give her some slack." Adi tried pleading for on behalf of Bani. He really liked the girl, so simple and friendly.

"OK, don't need to sweeten me up. But tomorrow I want some one more capable." Jai said brusquely. As an after thought he asked, "Do you know how she knows AD?"

Adi shrugged, "Don't know. She had never mentioned it. Why don't you ask Bani."

Jai dismissed Adi and sat staring out of the window. Bani...he thought. Why was AD flirting with her? Why did he call her Lucky Charm? Suddenly Bani's smiling face flashed through his mind. She had looked so different when she had smiled at AD.

Jai watched Bani through open door as Bani sat keying away at the desk. She had returned quickly to her desk after her hurried lunch. He had come out and given her some files to make changes and she had just murmured a meek "yes," not looking at him. He watched her partially hidden face behind screen, catching her now and then pushing her long black hair back.

Two hours later, Bani knocked on the door and stood with the files. Jai looked up, "Come in," he said.

"Sir the changes you asked are done. Anything else that need doing?" Bani asked softly. Her eyes solemn as she looked at him.

"Yes, can I get some coffee as before. And then I need a presentation made up for an upcoming meeting. I will give you detail when you bring me coffee." Bani just nodded and left. Jai's scanned through the files and made sure she had completed what she had asked. Satisfied, he put the files aside.

Half an hour later, Jai came out and sat with her to explain what he needed for the presentation. Bani listened mesmerized at this deep voice as he spoke, he was really good looking man, except when he was mad she thought. Jai looked up and caught her staring at him, "Ahem Bani...did you get all that." he asked loudly.

Bani blushed, "Yes sir." Jai smiled as he stood up. "Let me have a look when you have a skeleton done."

Bani just nodded and set out doing the presentation. It was almost six when she put the final finishing touch to the presentation. She knocked on Jai Walia's cabin door once again. "Sir would like to take a final look before I leave." Jai looked up from the papers he was reading, "No. Just email me the presentation." He smiled at her, his face transforming causing Bani's heart to thud loudly. "Thanks Bani. Great work Lucky Charm." Bani couldn't help blushing at his remark and retreated quickly feeling happy.

Jai dialed Adi, "Adi forget about getting me a temp. If Pia doesn't come in tomorrow, just send Bani over."

Adi stared at the phone, now why did Jai Walia change his mind.

Pia did not come in for rest of the week and Bani filled in for her. Jai smiled whenever he saw her, she was really a good worker. She wasn't a pretty looking thing like his PA but not bad looking either, petite with long hair and gorgeous smile. It seemed smile never left Bani's face. To top it, AD had signed biggest contract with his company. May be she really was a lucky charm.

On Friday afternoon, jai walked up to Bani busy working away. "Bani, have you had lunch?" he asked. "No sir," Bani replied without looking up. "I will go to lunch after I finish this bit."

Jai closed the file open on her desk and leaned close, "Bani, you can finish that when we get back. Let's go for lunch. It's a celebration lunch, Aparajit signed biggest contract with my company. And I think I need to thank you for it."

Bani's eyes went wide as she looked at him, "Me sir...but I didn't do anything." Banis stammered.

Jai's eyebrows rose, "I think you are a lucky charm Bani as Aparajit calls you. After the meeting I didn't have much hope of getting this contract."

Bani blushed as she remembered the meeting, her face turned even more red, "Sir, I am sure it was your work and not me which helped you get the contract."

"It doesn't matter, let's go. I hope you like Chinese, I feel like Chinese food today."

Bani stood half-heartedly, she did not want to go out to lunch with Jai Walia. He already caused unknown sensation in her and she didn't want to sit and spend an hour sitting and conversing with him so closely.

Bani enjoyed lunch more than she thought she would. They talked about their family, work and things of interest. Outside of his office, Bani noticed her boss was more relaxed. Today instead of his usual suits, he was wearing causual pant and shirt. At one point when Jai noticed her gaze on him, he asked teasingly, "Bani why do you stare at me? Am I some kind of monster?"

Bani turned red and looked flustered, "No sir...no. It's just that you look more relaxed today away from the office."

Jai did a mock bow, "Why thank you Bani. Now tell me why does Aparajit call you Lucky Charm?" |Bani noted laughter in his voice as he asked.

"Nothing much sir. My father used to work for Aparajit sir when he was starting out. Some days my mother would be unwell and dad would take me into office with him. Few times when sir had clients in, I would get up to mischief and disturb their meeting. But in the end the meeting would end up successfully and so Aparajit sir started calling me lucky charm. It's very embarassing now."

Jai flung his head back and laughed loudly causing others in the restaurant to look at them.

"You know I agree with AD, you are lucky. See I did get his contract." Jai held her hand, "You know Bani, I am sorry next week Pia is going to be back and I won't be able to see you again. It has been great working with you this few days." The sincerity in his voice touched Bani. Not many people had paid her compliments regarding her work and for the boss of the company to say it, she felt her heart beat rapidly.

For next couple of week Jai missed Bani. He was tempted to go down to Adi's office just to see her but changed his mind. When ever he saw Pia chatting away on the phone or with one his employees, he got irritated. Pia never managed to get the work done at the end of the day and was not as thorough as Bani. He would end up dimissing the comparison, thinking Bani only worked for few days, who knew may be she would be the same if she had worked for him as long as Pia.

Jai walked out of the elevator when he collided with someone carrying a large box. "Oh sorry." he said as he held the box to prevent it slipping. A familiar voice called out, "Thank you sir." Jai looked down at Bani. She gave a shy smile. "Hi Bani." Jai smiled at her, feeling happy all of a sudden.

"What's in the box?" he asked.

"Just some marketing brochure sir. The printers just delivered them." Bani answered.

"Bani what are you doing tonight?" he asked out of the blue.

"Tonight sir...nothing. Just going home." Bani asked confused.

"Would you come out for dinner with me?" Jai found himself asking.

"Dinner sir...why?" Bani gave a blank stare at Jai.

Jai just shrugged his shoulders, "I just want to see you...talk with you. But if you can't come I will understand." Even though he said it, he wished she would say yes. He didn't know what made him ask her out but now that he had, he wanted her to say yes.

"Ok sir. What time would you like to meet?"

"I will see you down here at six. I have to go now." Jai gave a smile and left Bani staring at him. Her father was surprised when Bani called to say she was going out to dinner with the company's owner. Like any father he had reservation about rich man taking their daughter out. After all they were just normal middle class people.

Bani stared at the posh restaurant that Jai had brought her. She became nervous as they stepped in and noted, well dressed men and women sitting at tables. She followed behind Jai as they were shown their table, noting some people casting knowing glances at Jai and some of the women giving her curious looks.

Long silence fell between them as they sat waiting for their order. Jai seemed sense her nervousness and couldn't think of what to say to relax her. Bani sat running her finger on the base of her glass. She wished he would say something. Finally Jai reached out and held her finger, "Bani relax, there is nothing to be nervous. Tell me what have you been doing for last couple of weeks."

Bani stared at him like an idiot, her mind completely blank now. What had she been doing last two weeks? Finally she shrugged and blurted out, "Nothing much sir."

His soft laugh made her laugh too, "Nothing...you mean Adi did not have any work for you?" he asked softly.

"No sir...I didn't mean that. I have lots of work to do. I wasn't sure what you meant sir." Bani replied, pushing her hair back nervously.

"And stop calling me sir. We are not in the office now. You can call me Jai."

Bani eyes gawked at him, "I can't sir...I mean you are my bosss."

Jai chuckled at her, "Boss...hmmm. Well this boss gives you permission to call him by his name."

Red colour seeped over her cheeks, glad the waiter came to serve them food.

Time flew by afterwards, Bani forget her nervousness as they chatted easily. Jai dropped Bani home around ten at night. Nishikant gave a sigh of relief as Bani stepped out of the car. He peered in the dark, trying to see what Jai looked like.

It became a regular habit for Jai to walk down to Adi's office and ask Bani out for lunches or dinner. Adi's brow would knit each time wondering what Jai was up to with Bani. It wasn't like Jai to take interest in girls who worked in the office.

One day he finally when he finally caught Jai alone, he asked, "Jai, you and Bani what's going on. I mean why are you taking her out for lunches and even dinners?"

"I like her Adi. She interest me. I didn't think I needed your permissiont to take her out." Jai drawled. His eyes glinting at Adi. "I didn't mean that Jai." Adi looked serious, "She is just a great girl. You know people are taking about you too. I don't want her to get hurt."

Jai exploded, "Good God Adi. I am not taking advantage of her. We just eat and chat."

Adi folded his arm, unaffected by Jai's outburst. "I am suggesting anything Jai. But if you are contemplating anything serious with her than you should stop seeing her."

Jai stood up and came upto Adi and stared in his eyes, "And what if I am serious about her...what if I want to marry her?"

A smile spread on Adi's face. "Why didn't you say so? If you want I can go and talk to her father."

"Go ahead then, if it will make you happy." Jai said irritatedly. He couldn't understand what was so wrong with him and Bani going out. Why couldn't they be just friends?

Next day, Nishikant Dixit stood in front of Jai in his office, surprising Jai. Jai asked him to take a seat politely.

Nishikant looked around the office and then clearing his throat he said, "Adi told me you want to marry Bani. Can I ask you why? I mean you are the owner of such a big company. Our social status are different Mr Walia."

Jai was flabbergasted by the directness of Bani's father. He coloured, he cursed Adi under his breath for putting him in this situation. "Err sir, I like Bani. She is very nice girl. She works very hard for the company."

Nishikant smiled, "So you want to marry her because she is a good worker?"

"Oh no sir..." Jai ran his hand through his hair.

"Well then why Mr Walia?" Nishikant asked quietly.

"Well sir I really do like your daughter. She is great to talk to." Jai tried again.

Nishikant drummed his fingers on the desk, "Have you talked with Bani about marriage?"

Jai gulped, his throat felt dry, "No sir...how can without your permission."

Nishikant beamed a smiled, "Do you have family Mr Walia?"

"yes, my masi and my older sister. My parents are dead."

"Well then I shall expect you to bring them this Saturday at my house for lunch. I will talk with the elder of your family first."

Jai felt drained when Nishikant left. What did he say to Bani's father?

Saturday dawned bright and sunny. Bani got a shock of her life when Nishikant announced Jai Walia was coming for lunch with his family. He smiled at Bani, "I invited him Bani. I want to get to know him." Bani coloured and stared at her mother who was smiling at her. A hectic morning of cooking and cleaning followed, giving little time to wonder what her father was upto and wondered why Jai never told her about it.

Masi and Jigyasa entered the small Dixit residence eagerly, masi wanting to see what the girl who her nephew seemed to have settled on. Jigyasa just crazy that her brother had finally seen light and had come to his senses. Bani stood nervously as they filed into the small room. Dressed in one of her mother's sari, she clutched the pleats as they sat down and glanced her way. Jai was surprised to see her in a sari, she did looked cute he thought, the colour a dark blue silk. Masi patted seat beside her and asked Bani to come and sit down. Bani looked petrified at the mother who just smiled and nodded. What followed was an hour of questions by masi, asking her everything from her schooling, to what she liked doing to cooking food. With each passing questions, Bani's throat felt dry, her voice squeaky as she tried to answer. It was Jigyasa who finally put an end, by saying that she was rather hungry and may be they should eat.

Bani gave a bleak look at Jai as she escaped to the kitchen. Bani and her mother served food as the guests ate with her father. Masi praised the food, surprised Bani could cook so well. Kiran Dixit told masi about how she had to teach Bani to cook from an early age as she had been sick a lot.

Afterwards Nishikant asked Bani to take Jai up to the terrace roof so they could talk. Jigyasa winking at her brother and Bani as they left the room. Jai blew a deep breath out and stood looking out from the roof. Bani stood quiet a way from him.

Finally Jai turned around and gave her an awkward look, "Well what do you think? I told your father I wanted to marry you."

"Why didn't you tell me? I mean you...we never discussed anything. I am all confused. I thought we were friends." Bani just said what came in her mind.

Jai scratched the back of his neck, "Well we are friends, but I guess people think different. I mean...Bani I do really like you. And masi well she has been after me to get married."

Bani glared at him, "And so you think I should fulfill masi's wish."

Jai felt tonguetied, he fumbled with words, "No...no. Honestly Bani...it wouldn't be so bad. We get along great. I think you are beautiful and we find each other a great company."

"But marriage...par maine kabhi socha nahi shadi ke bare..." Bani screeched.

Jai walked up close to her and took her hand in his, "really don't like the idea of marriage. I will say no then."

"No...I mean..."

"You mean what Bani?"

"If you say no, then he will ask why you told him you wanted to marry me...I know papa. He will try and find someone else now. And I don't want to get married to someone I don't know."

Jai's heart did a flip flop, "Are you sure?"

Bani gave a mournful stare, "Yes. But I still want time to be sure, just in case I change my mind."

"Ok...take as long as you want. Shall we go down and tell them?"

Plates of mithai were brought out by an ectastic Kiran. Nishikant beamed like a proud father. Jigyasa started planning the wedding while Bani seemed to feel as if she was sat in a theatre watching a movie.

Next few weeks were a whirl. Masi, Jigyasa and Kiran took over the preparation of engagement and wedding. Bani and Jai found themselves engaged in a lavish ceremony. The wedding followed soon. The wedding took place in one of the poshest venue in Mumbai in a lavish ceremony. It seemed like the whole business and the upper class society desceneded. Jai and Bani never got a chance to breath for a few moments as guests came up to congratulate them.

Aparajit held out a small gift box and winked at Bani. His face grinning, "Well my Lucky Charm is not mine any more." Bani's cheeks tinged with pink colour as Jai burst out laughing, "You are right Aparajit, she is not your lucky charm any more. I am afraid she is permanently my lucky charm." Jai eyes danced with laughter as he gazed at Bani. He squeezed Bani's hand and then shook Aparajit's hand, "You know I have to thank you for introducing me to my lucky charm. If you were not in that meeting that day, I would never have found her."

When Aparajit had left, Bani turned to Jai and asked in a whisper, "Is that true what you just told Aparajit sir? You would not have noticed me in your office?"

Jai smirked, "You would never have flung yourself at me the way you did your Aparajit sir...would you?"

Bani nudged him with her elbow, "That is not so fair. I have known him for such a long time."

Jai rubbed his side and then grabbing Bani he pulled her close and locked eyes with her, "You know even now you don't wrap your arms around me and hug me like you did him. I am very jealous you know." Bani tried getting out of his arms, "Jai...everybody is watching."

Jai didn't loosen his arms and instead kissed her cheek and he whispered in her ear, "So let them watch. We are married now. I think I want to leave now. I can't wait to begin my honeymoon with my lucky charm."

THE END