ss 'Naina' last part pg-4, 6/9/9 - Page 2

Part-2

It was Raashi's marriage and everyone was going back to India. Some unknown fear had gripped krishna, she was worried about Jai and Bani. She liked her daughter in law, a bubbly girl who found it difficult to adjust in an alien land like her. Krishna observed that she looked quite upset when she was going back to her parents nearly two months ago. Though she thought she might have gone for a few weeks but now weeks had turned into months. Most disturbing thing was that she did not call back anybody once she left home. She might have been in touch with Jai, thought Krishna as she never asked him thinking it to be his personal matter. But now Jai refusing to come along with them was really disturbing.

Jai on the other hand was really upset with the set of events. He was far from angry with Bani. How could he ever be angry with that little monster who has changed his life so much. He remember he had a little argument with Bani, a day before she left but then that was not unusual. They had their share of fights like any other normal couple but he could not think that Bani could blow something so much out of proportion. She had refused to take his calls, forget about calling herself. And here she was calling him every now and then whether he was busy or not. Sometimes she would irritate the hell out of him by calling him every ten minutes. Even he loved to listen to her banter. But sometimes he would get annoyed at her and give her a good telling off but at the end of the day he would be the one trying to cajole her. He knew his way to charm her and seduce her. He loved his life after marriage and more than that he loved his wife. She had changed into a wild cat, he could hardly believe that she was the same coy girl who was so naiive.....

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Though the parents on both sides were a bit reluctant for thier marriage but finally gave in to their children's demand. Uday could not pinpoint anything wrong with Bani, but he thought that Jai could have a got a better girl, a bit more mature, one from an affluent family like theirs. But he knew that he could not tie down a man like Jai against his will, a man who had his own ideologies, who follows his own mind. On the other side Nishikant was reluctant to marry Bani off so early and send her to a different continent altogether. He wanted her to pursue her studies further and have a career of her own. He believed in mental and financial independence for everyone. Here, his own daughter was going to marry without making a career of her own. But Kiran had other things to worry about. She knew a bit about the Walia family, how conservative they were, how filthy rich they were, no match to their middle class and top of that very much aware of their social status. The Walia ladies never leave a chance to show their riches and status. Kiran feared whether they will accept Bani easily or not. How was her innocent daughter going to adjust to their family? Her most dreaded thoughts were about Jai's mother Krishna, she seemed to be very proud, seldom joining the other ladies in their talks. She was always aloof, away from the gatherings, either reading something or trying something in the kitchen for the kids.

They got married after 4 months since the parents on both sides did not gave up that easily. Moroever Jai wanted to take Bani with him. It was easier to court her via net but it would have been very difficult to stay away from her after marriage till they went through all the formalities of her visa. So Jai played along with the elders but kept romancing Bani via net. He was sure his parents would not come in between his decision but he was a bit worried about Bani's parents. To convince them he had to make Bani realise that theirs was a match made in heaven, so if ever the time comes she would stand with him not with her parents. Their marriage ceremony was a small affair with all the extended Walia family. The Walia's wanted the marriage to be on a very large scale as it was the first wedding in this generation. Nishikant told Uday Walia in very clear terms that he could not afford the kind of marriage they want and he would also not allow them to spend on his behalf as suggested. Jai thought it to be another tactic of Nishikant for not marrying his daughter to him. Uday Walia though upset for not having a fancy wedding but was happy to find a self respecting and intellect man as his relative.

The very next day after the wedding Jai took Bani to Goa, leaving his parents to bear the raving and ranting relatives. They stayed an hour with her family, where Nishikant grumbled that he was expecting them to stay at his place instead of running off to Goa. Though visibly upset, Kiran tried to reason him that they were newlyweds and need some privacy for themselves. To which Nishikant spat "He had already stolen our daughter and taking her away from us, atleast he should let us spend the last few days with our daughter. He can also stay if he wants." For the first time in her life Bani realised how his father had let his emotions come to surface. She knew he loved her but hardly showed them. She felt tears clogged her throat when she saw Jai smirking at her father. "I hate you" she hissed and ran over to her father and cried, muttering something insensible. Jai was amused to see the whole family in tears and consoling each other. It was so melodramatic to him that he could hardly keep his smile. It reminded him of some Bollywood movie which he was forced to see with his mother when he was very young. He had never encountered such emotional scene in his home. In all he was amused, and agreed gracefully when Kiran asked him to spend one complete day with them before they leave.

Their stay in Goa was very short for both of them, for Bani because she could not get to see the place that she had heard so much about, for Jai because he could not get enough of Bani. The first night when they reached their hotel it was already very late and both of them were very tired due to the long ceremonies. By the time Jai came out after his shower he found Bani sleeping on the couch in a sitting position. She hardly got few hours to sleep the previous night. He felt good that he let her shower first as she had slept in her wedding fineries the previous night. She had changed into a very traditional gown, though in satin but the design was no doubt very old fashioned and meant for older ladies. Jai chuckled at his thoughts of removing that gown at the earliest possible as he lifted her up to the bed. Jai got up a bit disoriented around 8 in the morning, he thought of ordering breakfast before going to freshen up. But all his thoughts went for a toss the moment he saw Bani sleeping all cuddled up to him. Bani woke up with a sensation that was completely new to her. She found Jai on top of her and nuzzling her neck. The moment he realise that she was awake, he kissed her passionately, trying to get rid of that damn thing called gown. Frustratingly he told her that he would never like to see her in his bed with a gown in such a design and colour. Bani could not help but laugh at his mock anger. But her laughter died and changed into moans of pleasure as Jai made love to her and took her to a level of ecstasy that never existed for her before.

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Raashi's ring ceremony was in the evening but the preparations were in full swing. Jai had to come down after the threats he got from his mother. He came out of his room wearing a black tuxedo. It was the one that Bani got him for diwali after exchanging it for the sherwani she had previously bought. He could not think himself wearing a sherwani which she had insisted to wear. He had to attend two meetings in a row on that day and was not even sure that he would make it to the puja. Even after the puja he had to catch a flight to Canada to solve some crisis that Vinay could not handle on his own. It took him a lot to convince Bani that sherwani was not convenient for his schedule. As he reached the living room, Rukmini bua patted the seat beside her to come and sit. She lived with them since when he could not recall. She was a widow and wanted to join the family business. Bade papa for some reason did not allow her. She went to Canada to his chacha's place with her son Vinay but could not adjust with her sister in law. But she was one hell of a motivated lady who came to their place for some business meeting and stayed back. Uday Walia appreciated her staying back as his sons were young and his wife had no interest in the family business. But Vinay stayed back with his chote mama and letting his mother go and stay with majhle mama.

"Oh Jai isn't it the same suit that Bani got for you." Rukmini bua narrated the whole incident. "She is so childish, so immature, always seeking his attention but he knows how to manipulate her." With so many people sitting around he felt ashamed as his mind registered the words, he never manipulated her, how could he when he loved her so much. Before he could say anything he found his ever quite mother defending him. "Whatever you say bhabhi but the fact remains that he make her do things like he wants and it is seldom that he does anything according to her wish. I am not demeaning your son, why are getting defensive. You should be proud that your son is not someone who dances on the whims of a young girl like Rajan bhaiya." She kept on speaking without ever realising that her youngest sister in law was sitting there. Jai felt suffocated, he had never been in such discussions all throughout his life. He wondered how could Rukmini bua demean chote chacha in front of his wife and other relatives. But was she not dissecting his personal life in front of everybody, what does she mean by saying that he manipulated Bani. Did he ever gave that impression, was that the reason for his differences with Bani.

"That reminds me, where is Bani Jai bhaiya? Haven't seen her yet." asked Jigyasa. Before he could reply, again his Bua take over to reply that she was at her parents place and that too since last two months. Everyone around was shocked as nobody knew she was in the city. There were whispers all around, though majority of the people in the living room were family as the guests had not started arriving yet. But what they failed to notice was the presence of Pia's mother, Bani's taiji.

She could not wait to go back to her home and share this news with her husband and Pia. Bani was in the city for last two months and they did not know a thing about it. She had always wanted Jai for her Pia, why not? Pia was beautiful and outgoing and deserved someone as rich as him. But Bani came in between and destroyed her long laid plans. She exaggerated the whole episode with her own inputs. Pia snapped at her mother for planning her future with Jai, "Ma, he is still married to Bani, have u forgotten that. I feel pity for Bani to have such a husband. I could never think of spending my life with a bossy and manipulating man whether he is rich or not." Tarun had been sitting controlling his anger for quite some time and Pia's outburst just opened the flood of his brotherly emotions for Bani.

Jai realised that since nobody knew Bani was here means that she had not contacted anyone. He wondered whether she was coming for the function. Invitations were definitely sent to his father in law. He was expecting her to come with her father. But he wanted to see her in person before that. He was getting more and more annoyed by her behaviour. He spent some time with his uncles and cousins, spotting Nattu, he asked him to arrange a car for him. He had made up his mind to go and see Bani before she come here. There was something definitely wrong and the feeling of that was unsettling him. He was waiting for Nattu to provide him a car when he saw Tarun coming upto him. When Krishna came down she found Tarun accusing Jai of destroying Bani's life. Jai was aghast as he could not understand what Tarun was talking about. Krishna somehow managed to convince Tarun that everything was alright between Jai and Bani. Only after she managed to send Tarun back she asked Jai to take her to Bani. Jai had a hard time convincing his mother that like her even he was not aware of what his bua and Tarun were talking about. He promised her that he will either bring Bani with him or else take her to his in laws place next day morning to clear whatever were her doubts.

PS: Could not wrap up everything in two parts, third/last part will be posted soon 😉.