Chapter 3
Jai sat at his mahogany desk reviewing the data that Sunil Dixit presented. But instead of questioning the man on the accuracy of his figures, Jai was pondering on how to broach the topic of Bani!
It was a week since the party at his house and Jai was consumed with a need to get to know Bani better. There was no doubt, Bani had captured his imagination from the moment he saw her, and thoughts of her troubled him more that any one else ever did. Bani captures a lot of things beautifully mused Jai, including his sleepless nights and restless heart. š³
That same evening Jai walked into his house to be pleasantly surprised. It seemed that the entire Dixit family came visiting.
He greeted the elders, and the over enthusiastic Pia. He noticed that Bani, Rano and the boys kept their heads down. Instinctively Jai knew that something was not right. The familiar tension filled the air again.
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Jai watched Rano and Bani rise when Mrs Dixit cleared her throat.
Jai was about to tease Rano when he saw the stricken faces of the girls before him.
This time it was Bani that spoke up.
Mr Walia, about the day at the party our behaviour was unacceptable we are sorry about what happened. It won't happen again. Rano and I were spoken to and please forgive us, Bani could barely say the words, her throat constricting with fury and anger.
Jai was thrown back.
why are you sorry chuckled Jai, and what do you mean you were spoken to, and by whom?failing to sense the seriousness of the situation
By me, came the rapid retort.
Jai turned to see that it was Mrs Dixit that spoke.
She glared at the sisters behind him, and continued. If Pia did not mention to me, what these 2 had put you through and how they insulted you and your parents, I wouldn't have known about the scene these 2 created. Their behaviour was despicable. It just shows how narrow minded and unmindful these girls have became. They have no regard for people's status, always treating others as their equals.
Despite all the love and attention that we shower on them, they still cannot respect their uncle who has done so much for them. And so she went on and on, admonishing the sisters and criticising their personalities.
Jai despised the tone that the woman used. It was just a joke and certainly it had caused no harm to anybody certainly not to him or his family.
Mrs Dixit, it's not like that really, Jai explained
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No it is she continued. It is enough that they have to live with us, and then insult the very same people that makes it possible for them to eat and stay in the house that the Walia's provide. If Mr Dixit lost his job because of these girls where would we be, on the streetsā¦ā¦..
Rama please cried CP.
Jai sir, I apologise on behalf of my nieces. I am sorry. They are young and they had no idea who you were. Rano can be fiercely protective of Bani and Bani of Rano. I hope you accept this as their foolishness and forgive them, pleaded Sunil Dixit.
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Jai was shocked at the outcome of the conversation. What in hell's name was going on. He stood speechless. He was aghast. Words failed him.
Uday and Krishna Walia approached their son, standing beside him, equally unsure of what to say and do. God this was all going so wrong. And why was it necessary for Bani and Rano to apologise?
The silence in the room was eerie. It seemed everyone was looking at Jai expectantly.
Jai looked at the girls for a long while. Their heads were still bowed down, in expectation waiting for the master to forgive an errant servant.
It's alright, he choked the words barely audible. He felt terrible. Furious, at Mrs Dixit for reducing a simple misunderstanding to this inexplicable and embarrassing situation. His heart broke seeing feisty Rano so utterly forlorn and subdued, and Bani, she barely acknowledged him. She just stood rigidly in defeat, her pride broken, clutching Rano's hand for support.
Rano and Bani took their leave, but not before the hurt and sadness he saw in Rano's eyes and the utter hatred and despise in Bani's.
Bani was furious. She held onto sobbing Rano while she tried to stifle her own heartache. She hated her aunt, she hated living here, but most of all she hated Jai Walia. If he had not behaved so brazenly then Rano would not have challenged him, and all that drama would not have unfolded.
Bani tucked the now sleeping Rano into bed and finally broke down crying. She was so angry. She was angry with her parents for leaving them so young, angry with Rano for being so militant and protective all the time, she was angry at her CP for loving them so much. Most of all she was angry with her self for being so helpless. She needed to speak to her CP. She was now 22, and old enough to work and move out. She would find a job and an affordable flat where she and Rano could stay. She will move away from CM and her hatred and far, far away from the Walias!
She wanted nothing to do with them. She knew that as long as CP worked for the Walia's then indirectly it will be the Walia's money that she and Rano would be supported by. No she couldn't have that!
Her CP was not impressed by Bani's stubborn stance, and the twins were furious with their mom for her behaviour. It was only CM and Pia that saw no harm in the girls wanting their own space. Bani begged CP to understand their circumstances. She loved him too much to see his family fall apart because of her and Rano, and if he loved them so much he should let them go with his blessings
Jai Walia on the other hand, became a raging bull. Bani had repeatedly refused his calls, and for the first time in 32 years Uday and Krishna Walia saw a side to Jai that broke their heart. He was angry and annoyed all the time. He snapped at Anu for no apparent reason, only to spoil her later.
But Ranveer was stubborn. When he learnt that the girl he had a crush on was non other than Rano Dixit., Ranveer stopped talking to Jai.
While CP continued to work at WGI he became a different man. There was no longer the friendly banter and familiarity that he treated the Walias with. He reduced his status to a mere employee, and insisted on addressing Uday, Jai and Aditya as "Sir" much to the consternation of them but he wouldn't budge.
For deep in his heart he blamed Jai for losing his beloved nieces. Life at home for CP was no longer the same. He barely acknowledged CM and spoke only if he had to with Pia - that was if she was ever around. It was only with the now sullen boys that he would spend time with, for he knew that they too pined and missed Bani and Rano.
It is so sad and unfortunate how a simple misunderstanding had caused so much grief and pain. A misunderstanding that left broken personalities and crying hearts.
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Shiv Shakti
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