FF Before the storm ch40pg76.updtd 23rd aug - Page 13

Chapter 12

Bani in her wildest dream did not think he would know. She knew Aditya was close to him but this was…. Jai saw her pale face and nodded his head. 'Do you think hiding the truth from mamu will straighten Sahil?' you should..

She shook her head, 'I have done more harm than help Jai sir, because of me he is staying away from his wife and Sahil doesn't know what he is doing. He is ignorant.' She defended him and Jai liked that quality in her.

'you did not do anything, you are not the one who is keeping them apart and Sahil whether he is your brother or not he should know what he has done is wrong. You cannot hide….'

'he will come around. He is not that bad…'.

No wonder Aditya like this girl thought Jai. She has more sense and understanding and he admired the quality. He had seen her taking care of Anu and Aditya.

Jai dropped her at the house. She got down and thanked him.

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Sahil's rashes were horrible. He had many of them on his back. He couldn't lie down and the itching was unbearable. Aditya had repeatedly told him not to scratch it would do more harm than good. But it was unbearable. Sahil couldn't control and he did the worse thing. Few minutes later it stated burning. He couldn't sit or lie down. He paced up and down in his room.

Bani took his lunch and went upstairs. What she saw tore at her heart. He was standing before the mirror and trying to look at his back. Bani stared at his blood stained back she looked at him horrified. Sahil put on his shirt fast as he saw her.

'What have you done to your back Sahil?' she asked almost shouting at him. She ran down stairs. Boiled neem water took upstairs and asked him to wash. He gave her an out of your mind look.

'clean them sahil and the water will sooth your skin..'

'you please go..'

'Sahil please let us resume our differences later when you get better as of now do as I said..'

He was surprised at the way she spoke, she looked genuinely concerned. She took him by the hand and pushed towards the bathroom. Sahil tried to leave her hand but she pushed him ignoring his protests. He went to the bathroom and she waited for him outside.

Bani got the calamine ready. She had put on the surgical gloves Aditya got for her.

Sahil came out of the bathroom wearing pajama and covering his upper body with the towel.

'Leave it I'll apply he said wanting to dismiss her. Why was she helping him when all he did was trouble her. she cannot be that naive he thought but then thought against it. She looked very concerned.

'Take the towel out sahil.'

'please go..' he said looking at her. she ignored him took few steps towards him and took the towel away from him. she opened the calamine bottle and poured its contents on his reddish back. She took extreme care not to hurt him. she handed him a cotton shirt took his towel went to the bathroom took the rest of the cloths and went out of the room asking him to have his lunch. Sahil looked at her go. He went and had his lunch. By evening his condition worsened. His rashes burned making impossible to lie down. When she walked in with his tea she saw him sitting down on the bed in a mess. 'does it pain?'

He looked away. She walked towards him and asked again if he was feeling okay. He ignored her. his hand reached his back to itch she caught his hand in her's. 'I know it's very itchy.. but you cant scratch your rashes. It will not heal.'

He was surprised at her action. He looked at her with disbelief he did not imagine she would dare to hold his hand. He tired to shove her hand off. She clutched it lightly and said, 'don't do it…'

'what do you care?' he snapped.

'I do..' she looked him in the eyes and smiled softly. 'I care about all of you, you are like my brother.. I was brought without a family. When I came here I adopted a father and mother and siblings.'

Sahil looked away he couldn't hold his gaze with her's. she looked at him with affection and warmth. She left his hand and gave him his tea. 'I'll tell your father to call the doctor Sahil and please do not scratch your back..'

She left the room as he looked on.

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The doctor came home. He gave him an injection and prescribed medicine and told him not to itch.

Bani then took care of him. Sahil protested first then gave in. she would get up early in the morning. Do all the house work. Make tea for everyone get Anu ready for her school. Then she would tend to Aditya's needs remind him to take his medicines send him to office and then takes care of the two sick people. Pia and Sahil couldn't hold their hatred for her too long. She took good care of them tend to their needs. By the end of the day she would be exhausted.

Aditya was happy to see the changes happening in the house. Pia complained less and the anger in Sahil had left him. he was getting better.

Bani took Sahil's food and walked upstairs and knocked on the door and went in. he was trying to comb his hair. he had boils on his scalp too. He was touching his hair after a week. She saw his face twitch as he combed his tangled hair. with a smile she put the tray on the table and took the comb wordlessly from his hand held his face in her's and combed his hair slowly with utmost care. It was difficult at first to pull the comb through his hair.

'I think you have to shave off your hair Sahil.. your hair is in a mess'. She said looking at his hair.

Sahil looked at her with shock. Bani looked at his shocked face and nodded seriously and then smiled. A slow smile broke on his face. She looked at him with affection. 'got scared right?' she laughed softly.

He shook his head in affirmative and smiled. She moved her hand in his hair and he felt her touch very soothing. She untangled his hair with her fingers slowly putting the comb aside. Sahil watched her as she went on with her chores. His gaze fell on her wrist and he felt guilty. She had removed her bandage. There a thin red line on her wrist. He took her hand from his head and touched the line. Bani watched him as he left her hand and looked at her. 'I am sorry…'

Bani's eyes filled. She nodded her head and smiled between her tears. Sahil was overcome with emotion his eyes filled and he looked away blinking his tears. Bani touched his hand with affection and said, 'Abh rona dona bandh and have food… I could untangle your hair I don't know what I'll do with Pia's.. kyon na mein use kat hi doon?' she asked with twinkle in her eyes.

Sahil looked at her and nodded laughing.

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With Pia the task was difficult like Bani had said. She had hard time untangling her hair. Pia screamed with pain when Bani tried to untangle few lock's of her hair. she looked at Bani and said, 'what are you doing? You are taking revenge?' Pia bit her lips after saying it. looking at Bani's face that was cruel to do she knew but the damage was done. Bani immediately understood her she joked, 'han, I was thinking cutting off your hair would be better.. shall I do it?'

'Khabardar…' said Pia.

Anu who was watching her Bani di looked at her sister and said, 'I'll get her a scissor..'

'Anu ki Bachi…' Pia went to grab her. Anu laughed and ran away and hid behind Bani holding her tightly around her waist. Pia pulled her from her behind all the more she did Anu's hand tightened around Bani's waste.

'Bas karo… thum dono tho muje mardaloge…' shouted Bani.

Anu left her hand and Pia looked at Bani and Anu. Then the three of them laughed brining the house down.

Aditya who had walked in from the office with his nephew were welcomed by their laughter. Aditya's heart filled with pleasure. This was a house. His children are coming around and its all thanks to the angel whom God had sent to him.

Their laughter stopped as Aditya and Jai walked in. 'what's happening here?' asked Aditya looking at the three of them.

'wo Bani di wanted to cut Pia di's hair papa..'

'Acha? He looked at Bani whose face was lit up but She looked little ill at ease with Jai's presence.

'thum meri beti ki bhal kyon kat na chahthein ho Bani?'

'Wo Aditya sir…'

'Aditya sir?' asked Pia trying to sound serious. We call him Papa why don't you call him that?'

Aditya and Bani looked at her with surprise. Jai watched them.

Pia's face reddened at their look trying to compose herself she moved back to her room acknowledging Jai with a nod.

Aditya fluttered his brows looking at Bani. Bani smiled and winked at him.

The moment caught Jai's attention. His gaze swept Bani and an unknown emotion fluttered in his heart.

Bani felt Jai's gaze up on her. She looked at him and Said, 'I'll bring tea..' Bani quickly moved from their gaze.

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Aditya stopped Bani from running up and down the stairs with the food for his children. He told her they were getting better and everyone can have the dinner together.

To his surprise and relief no one protested. Bani served them dinner at the dining table and Aditya causally asked her to sit down with them to have food. Bani declined the offer stating who would serve them if she also sat down.

Aditya watched his children they spoke about the college and everything under the sun. Bani stood aside and heard them patiently and asked, 'why no one is talking about your mother?'

The silence took over the place. Aditya looked at her. Sahil and Pia exchanged glances and kept quiet.

Bani waited for them to speak when no one spoke she said, 'your mother is alone out there. Why don't you children call her up and ask her to come home?'

Pia pushed her plate aside and looked angrily at her, 'why should we Bani? we all fell sick did she once call us and find out how we are doing?'

Bani knew that was right. But if she pointed out her mother's mistake it would only worsen the situation.

Aditya looked at Pia and said, call her deedi or Bani di, she is older than you. And Sahil you too call her the same she is older than you too…'

'She is…' Sahil looked at her in surprise. She doesn't look older than him he thought. he swallowed rest of the words he was still awkward to speak to her in front of his family.

'she is..' said Aditya.

'Oh please.. leave my age, my age is not the issue here.. what about your mother?'

'What about her Bani?' asked Aditya.

'Aditya sir…'

'Papa..' chorused Anu and Pia in annoyance.

Sahil looked at them.

'Okay,' Bani rolled her eyes. 'Papa, what is happening around here? Their mother is staying away from her family..'

'Nobody stopped her to come here..' he snapped.

She nodded. 'but you know how she is. She is little stubborn its only the matter of time…'

'Bani, if you're asking me to go and beg her to come here than sorry I stopped that job long ago. I gave into her whims all the time because I did not want any clashes in this house especially when my children were growing up…' he stopped and looked at his children, who were studying him from their respective seats. 'now its too much.. its high time she respects others choices…. I have no issues if her children go to her and beg her to come home.. its upto them……..'

Bani looked lost. She had been rehearsing about this topic while doing her chores. It was not getting anywhere. She looked at Sahil and Pia. They concentrated on their dinner. No one spoke after that they had their dinner quietly.

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It has been over a month she has visited the anath ashram. She finished her work informed Pia and Sahil and went to the anath ashram. She bought them again bread and sweets. She collected Anu's unused cloths and took them with her. Last night Aditya had walked to her room. She saw him stand hesitantly at the door.

'Ji papa…'

'Wo mein.. Bani…'

'Han..' she saw him again little awkward she asked, 'what happened you know you can tell me anything…'

Aditya flashed her smile. He took an envelope from his pocket and placed it in her hand. She looked at him in confusion.

'Bani before I did not know who you were. You received a pay check from me.. now it has changed I am giving you pocket money. Keep this with you…'

'No papa… I don't want anything the love and shelter I get here is..'

Bani, no….. you are one of us.. I insist you keep this with you… you must have needs…'

Bani did not protest again. when he left. she opened the envelope and found 5000 rs. That was too much she knew but she did not want to go after him and argue with him. in the morning the idea clicked. She could use that money for good deed. She got off from the house went to a small readymade shop and got few dresses for the children. By the time she finished her purchase the amount that was left in her hand was 500rs.

Shardha was happy to see Bani. the children shouted with joy as she distributed the sweets. She spend some time with them and left the Ashram. She took a walk aiming ot the bus station. A car cam eand halted in front of her. she looked at the man as he rolled down the windows. Jai looked at her from. She was wearing a cotton churidar with white and yellow floral print. She looked very pretty. She had left her hair loose .

'come..'

She looked at his hesitantly. 'wo mein…'

'get in.. mamu will not like if I left you on the road..'

Bani went and sat down in the car. 'where are you coming from?' he asked adjusting the mirror enough to see her.

'mein anath Ashram gayi thi…' she said in her small voice.

'Oh… do you visit the place often?'

'no, I don't get to visit them often…'

'it is'nt that far you can go and visit them.' he stated simply just to talk to her.

'I don't like to go there empty handed.. children look forward when someone visit them..'

He nodded understandingly. 'what did you get them this time?' he asked recalling the time he saw her there.

' I ..er.. some sweets and few things…'

He wanted to speak to her but getting her to talk to him was getting too difficult. She seemed to weigh all the words before it came out of her mouth.

'thum tho bahoth kanjoos ho Bani..' he said smiling.

Bani looked him through the mirror not understanding what he meant. He watched as her eyes widened. 'thum bath karne mein bahoth kanjoos ho….' He watched as her face broke into a smile.

The silence fell between them. he had no idea how to get her to talk to him.

Jai stopped the car near the house. Bani got out. 'thank you jai sir…'

'sirf Jai kafi hein..'

She did not reply she walked inside the house as he looked on.

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love

kamy