FF Before the storm ch40pg76.updtd 23rd aug - Page 12

Chapter11

Bani never felt this embarrassed in her life. She slowly slipped from the room. She stopped on her tracks as she heard him say, 'can I get a cup of tea?'

She walked quickly to the kitchen. Aditya turned his attention on Jai. 'Kya dekhne ayaein the?'

Jai grinned. He looked over Aditya and said, 'Anu how are you doing?'

'Fine bhai' kya apko chicken pox hue the?'

He shrugged his shoulders.

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Bani made two cups of tea and took to the living room. She placed the tray on the table and walked back Aditya stopped her. 'bring my medicine from upstairs Bani the one in red color..'

She nodded and left them. Bani returned with his medicine and handed him with water. Jai watched them. Aditya's face lit up every time he looked at her and Bani's smiled affectionately at him. Jai looked at his uncle was he pretending to be nice to her? But no' this was real. He liked the girl. Does she know that Aditya knows the truth? Jai saw her leave with Aditya's cup he handed her his and said, 'tea was good.' She did not look at him. She was embarrassed to be found in the room playing with Anu and Aditya with balloons.

As she left from the living room. Jai couldn't contain his curiosity. 'Mamu does she know that you know?'

Jai was not prepared for the answer he was stunned as his uncle nodded his head.

'I had to tell her Jai. She was all set to leave the house. I needed her here and she is not at fault. She and I have been cheated. She, her birth right and me.. well'' he took a long sigh.

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Aditya had a business dinner that day. He had told Bani he would be late. Bani made dinner for the three of them. She cleaned the dishes and did some cleaning in the kitchen the door bell rang. She wiped her hands and went and opened the door. As she saw Sahil she moved back to kitchen to finish her work. She did not see him follow her. Bani turned abruptly as she felt a hand grab her. a tremor ran through her at the look on his face. He looked at her with hatred. 'Sahil leave my hand.. she said concealing her fear. His hold tightened. 'what did you think little '. That you can wind papa around your little finger'. You are nothing better than a gold digger'. Ma was right why she should step in here when all her husband listens to is you''

Sahil please.. it is not what you think.. Aditya sir is like a father to me..'

'Shut up' shut up' now I know why you refused me all you wanted was old man. I know some girls fancy old men'. Sahil did not finish ''.. Bani gave him a tight slap with her free hand. Sahil held his burning cheek and glared at her.. 'You B****h how dare you?' he held both her hand in his tightly and shoved her near the wall. Bani struggled with all her might. 'Sahil leave me.. you don't know what you are doing'. I am like your sister..'

'Don't use that word .. you are nothing but'.' Bani pushed him with all her might. For a second he lost his balance. She freed herself and ran to the shelf and drew a knife she did not know what was supposed to be done. Anu was a sleep and if she get up and see this.. Bani gasped. 'Sahil leave the kitchen please'' she begged.

He did not, he took steps forward and grabbed her. In her struggle to free herself the knife slipped sideways from her hand and slit her wrist. The blood oozed from the cut, Sahil panicked he left her immediately and looked at her in horror. Bani held her hand trying to control the pain. Sahil ran away from the kitchen. He had no idea what to do she was bleeding profusely. He picked up the phone and dialed his father the phone was switched off. He looked again at the direction of the kitchen and finally dialled Jay.

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When Bani opened her eyes, she was lying in a hospital bed. She looked around and saw Jai. Her gaze moved from his face and found Aditya tears came running down her cheeks.

Aditya took her hand in his hand and said, 'you are fine' what happened Bani?'

Bani panicked. She cannot tell him the truth. Because of her he was living without his wife and if she told him about Sahil no'. she closed her eyes.

'beta what happened?' he asked caressing her hand.

'I don't know.. I don't remember exactly what happened..' she murmured.

Jai looked at her fragile face. He knew more or less what might have transpired. When Sahil called him to reach his home he felt from his voice something was wrong. When he reached he told him Bani had tried to commit suicide and they were lucky to find her before anything happened to her. He looked a sight and there were blood marks on his shirt. Jai did not ask him further questions he ran to the kitchen lifted unconscious Bani in his arms and asked him to take care of crying Anu. He drove to the hospital. He had to try repeatedly to get Aditya on the line. Aditya had millions of questions Jai told him in firm voice he had no idea what happened sahil had called him and he was there.

Bani's wrist was dressed the doctor gave her pain killer and antiseptic tablets.

The threesomes were quiet on the way home.

Jai dropped them and left to his house. He decided he will talk to Sahil about it.

Aditya send Bani to bed. Anu looked in on her Sahil did not come down from his room.

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Bani hardly slept, the pain in her hand did not let her sleep. In spite of all that she got up in the morning did her morning chores. Anu came to help and Bani send her to rest. Anu was recovering. She looked healthy too. Bani wondered when her mother will be home. She knew if she did not leave the house she would not step in and Aditya did not let her leave the house. If she left by herself he would tell his wife the truth and that would be the end of their relationship. She had no idea what to be done?

Bani took tea to Aditya and Sahil. Aditya scolded her for starting her work early in the morning.

'What we will do papa? The cook will not come to help because of the chicken pox and Anu is small and sick''''

'Okay okay I'll not argue with you give me the cup I'll give it to Sahil..'

She handed him the cup and Aditya walked to his son's room.

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Sahil looked at his father startled as he entered his room. Aditya notice his expressions. He handed him the cup and sat down on the bed and looked at him.

'Sahil what happened last night?'

'Wh.. what papa?' he stammered not looking him in the eye.

'What happened to Bani?'

'What do I know? She might have tried to commit suicide''

Suicide? What for?' did you do something that she took an extreme step?' a fire burned in Aditya's eyes.

Sahil's cheeks reddened. 'papa I don't know what you are talking about.. ask Jai bhai. I called him when I found her in the kitchen''

'Okay if you say so..' Aditya got up and looked at him. 'If I learn it is something else Sahil you will pay for your action'' he warned and left the room. Sahil looked at the retreating figure in panic.

Sahil couldn't sit in his room for long. He had to go down and warn her if she opened her mouth the consequences would be worse. He took the tea cup and marched down. He stopped in his track. His father was talking to Bani. he walked away.

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Aditya looked at her pale face and asked again. 'how did this happen Bani?'

'wo' mein..I was cleaning the floor I slipped I don't know ..how it all happened there was a knife at the edge of the counter papa that snapped and patha nahin the hand was cut..'

Bani did not know how to cook up a story to save Sahil.

'Kahani achi hein lekin bahoth loopholes hein Bani.. if you do not want to say then it's fine. If I come to know the truth. Who ever done this to you will pay for''

Bani forced a smile. 'if you want to punish the culprit then its oil that was spilled accidently which caused this accident so I am to be blamed..'

'hm' okay then.. next time take care.. and Bani I'l bring food from outside give rest to your hand.'

She nodded.\

Aditya knew she was hiding the truth. But in his heart he did not want to hear the truth. He did not want to know Sahil was behind all this mess. And he did not want Bani to suffer because of his children.

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Sahil came home that day with fever. He went to bed early did not come down for dinner. Bani had to force Aditya to go and look on him. Aditya believed he was rebelling against Bani staying in the house. After much of persuasion Aditya went to his room. Sahil was lying down on his bed covered with quilt. He looked up as Adi stepped in and Switched on the light.

'What happened Sahil?'

Sahil did not respond. He was angry with everyone his mother his father and at himself.

Aditya went and touched his head. He was burning with fever. 'Sahil you are burning with fever..' he said.

'what do you care papa?' snapped Sahil

'Aditya felt bad. 'Who told you son, I do not care? Come get dressed we will go to the doctor.'

'No papa.. I am fine' you don't have to worry about me.'

'Son' I '' Aditya did not say much. If Sahil thought he did not care then Aditya has to be blamed. He would make it up to his children he would.

'Did you take any medicine?'

'No' I thought I'll take some later'' he said.

'not without food.. I'll bring some food..' he said and walked out of the room.

Aditya told Bani about Sahil's condition.

'Did you look at him properly papa? Do you think he is been infected too?'

Aditya forgot about that possibility . he looked at her and shook his head. 'Get me something for him something lighter''

'Yes,'

She made him soup with some vegetables and few slices of bread. Aditya carried tray to his room. Bani followed him but she stood outside his room.

Aditya checked his son on his chest and back and found small rashes.

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Krishna called Aditya in the morning and told him Pia is not feeling well. Aditya told her about Sahil. Krishna informed him Pia too was infected and she was making a huge hue and cry about it. When She asked About Jigyasa.. Adi told her Jigyasa do not plan to come home she is looking for some flat where she can stay till Bani is gone from the house.

'krishna felt awful. She decided to talk to Aditya in person.

Aditya went to Krishna's house to meet his daughter. Pia cried looking at him. she had rashes on her hands and face. Aditya felt awful he knew how much she took care of her skin.

Aditya took Pia home saying she should be home and he should be the one to take care of his children. Krishna had to give in to his wishes.

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BANi had handful full of work at home. Sahil refused entry to his room. Pia would stare at her.

Sahil had very bad infection. His body was full of boils. The rashes burned him. Aditya felt very sad at the sight of him. the doctor was brought in to the house. He was given injection.

A day later Bani walked into his room. He looked tired and didn't have the energy to shout at her. she looked on him. He had more rashes than Pia. She bought neem water to the room.

'Sahil why don't you take a bath in the ''

Get out'' he sounded very feeble but glared at her.

Bani ignored him. 'Sahil please''

'I said out'.' He pointed to the door. She did not move. He got up from the bed to push her out a dizzy spell attacked him before he could fall on the ground she caught him in her hands. Bani couldn't hold his weight he was heavy for her but she managed to hold him. Sahil couldn't push her away. He needed her help. She helped to the bed slowly taking care of his rashes. Aditya had told her about his condition. She slowly put him on the bed. Her hand pained like hell. Her wound was raw. He watched her hold her wrist in pain as she helped to the bed.

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Bani managed the house and two sick people Anu was fine and energetic. She helped Bani. she felt awful for her. Pia and her brother did not appreciate her help. For heaven's name she did not understand why they hated her so much.

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Pia looked at her face in the mirror and cried. She looked awful. She hated her face she hated everything about her' she saw Bani walk in to the room she put the mirror away and looked woodenly at her. she had watched Bani slogging in the house without a complaint. She watched her bring herbal face wash for her. helped her to wear dresses with out breaking the rash. Applied for her calamine on her back. Pia hated to take help from Bani but there was no alternative. Bani was breaking the wall of hatred that was built in Pia's heart. Though she was indebted to Bani Pia gave her looks of utter annoyance and hatred. The act was getting too much these days for her. she looked forward to see her bring he soup and neem water for bathe. She suggested pia use oats on her skin while her showers. At first she refused to listen to Bani later she gave in. she had watched her father's interaction with Bani. they got on like house on fire. Anu was fine with Bani then why was she and Sahil against her from the beginning? What has Bani done to them? Pia felt her head would ache if she thought more about Bani. her thoughts were broken when Bani nosily placed the soup cup on the table.

'What is that?' asked Pia trying her best to snap.

'It's vegetable soup.' Bani answered looking hesitantly at her.

'I don't want those bland soups. I am sick and tired of this diet you are imposing up on us.. who do you think you are?'

'you cant have heavy foo..'

'Oh please stop that crap. Here after I don't want the soup and don't come before me with it''

'But Pia' this will help..'

'I said no bhashan' take the soup and go I don't want'..' Pia saw her take the soup cup through the corner of her eyes, she added, 'well leave it there now''

Bani put the cup back and smiled. Bani for a fraction of second felt her smile too. But that was impossible she knew but she was sure she felt her face soften.

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Bani had to go for shopping. Aditya was too busy in his office to get things for his children Bani wanted so many things that he had no clue of. Finally he gave her money and asked her to get them.

She went to a super market first and then to an ayurvedic shop. She bought medicines for her patients and was out she saw Jai who had pulled up seeing her. She did not know what to do? Should she go and meet him or just ignore and proceed home? Her thoughts were broken by the honk. She walked towards the car and looked at him. 'going home?' he asked.

She nodded.

'Then get in I am on my way I'll drop you..'

'Er no Jai sir.. I'll take a rickshaw.'

'Get in Bani' we are blocking people..'

Bani looked around and saw few vehicles. She nodded and got into the back seat.

She did not know what to do. She sat down silently clutching her bag.

Jai watched her from the rare view mirror. She looked much tensed. He had wanted to know the truth about that day he took her to the hospital. He did not get to corner Sahil. Sahil had fallen sick.

'Well Bani, how is your hand?' he asked looking at her. she looked at him and nodded.

'why did you lie to Mamu about the incident?'

Bani's mouth went dry. How did he know? Did sahil tell him' no that can't be possible. It was him who took her to the doctor but'.

Jai watched her face. She looked worried for a moment then she looked blankly at him.

'It was an accident Jai sir, thank you for taking me to the hospital.' She forced a smile.

Jai smiled, 'you would go to any length to save your good for nothing brother's a*s right?'

Bani looked at him astounded. Her breath stopped for a moment.

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HEY KAMY

I second wat Isa_de says.

Nice update, Sahil and Pia deserved to get chicken pox, and Sahil even deserved the boils and injections.

JB are starting to interact, though Bani still is awkward around him but that is understandable. I miss Jigs' mom. I think Krishna and Jai should offer to have Bani stay at their place so Adi is satisfied and jigs can come home. Waiting to see how everyone realises that Bani is not Adi's but jigs' daughter, esp jigs and Sahil (scum). Anu will def be happy.