FF Before the storm ch40pg76.updtd 23rd aug - Page 9

Chapter 9

Aditya had hard time calming Bani. She was shattered beyond consolation. He had to pull her from the floor to stand up and face him and hear him out. Aditya took her by the shoulder and looked at her tear stained face. 'Bani… I am really sorry for causing this to you child I won't hide from you…… I felt the same cannot say same'. He took a deep breath. 'My world came falling down.. I trusted and loved my wife blindly Bani and what did I get at last… I can end your ordeal by declaring the truth..' he watched her eyes widen. 'but that would be the end of my stay with your mother. I won't be able to spend a day in the same house with her. I leave the choice to you if you want me to tell Jigyasa the truth I'll … but that would be the end of the day….'

'No'..She caught his hand frantically in her's and looked pleadingly at him. 'don't tell her… I don't want her to know at the cost of you leaving her. the children needs you sir…' she said wiping her eyes.

'You are sure?' he asked searching her eyes.

'Yes.' She was determined. She knew the way he felt. He had been taken a fool for many years by her mother and her family. He was a self-respecting man. he would not be able to take it. She understood. She wiped her eyes and said, 'this will not by any means slip from me sir. When you feel you are ready or the situation arise you ..'

'thank you Bani .. I don't know what to say.' He held her by the shoulder.

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Jigyasa stopped Bani from doing anything for her. she did not let her clean her room or make anything for her. she made it clear Bani not to touch anything. The cook had heard time managing Jigyasa's orders. Bani diverted her work to Aditya's diet and Anu's needs.

Aditya started going to office slowly. Sparks flew every time Aditya and Jigyasa met face to face. Bani quietly watched with helplessness. She prayed to god to right things in the house For Aditya to have a big heart and except her mother. She was ready to leave the house for their happiness.

It was on Sunday Aditya decided to take his children to watch a movie. He told Pia and Sahil and Anu to get dressed. The children were excited. They too wanted to get out of the tension that was brewing between their father and mother. To their disappointment Aditya called Bani and asked her to get dressed too. Pia's face fell Sahil stormed off. Anu was happy. she did not understand why her brother and sister hated Bani. Bani was a nice a didi for her.

Bani did not want to be a thorn between them. she told Aditya in no nonsense tone she won't come. Aditya refused to listen to her. Pia heard him tell Bani to get dressed and go with them. she voiced her disapproval.

'Why papa her? you know..'

Aditya did not let her finish. 'Why not Pia now you do not behave like your mother.'

'Then I am sorry Papa I am not coming…'

Bani heard their argument she walked to them and said, 'Aditya sir… please do not fight over this take your children with you sir I am not very interested in….'

'shut up Bani and go get dressed…' he ordered. Bani did not have the heart to refuse him again. She avoided Pia's stare. Bani managed to say, 'Adi sir I have so much work i….'

'Bani… there's still time finish your work and we all will go.. Pia go and get dressed if you refuse this outing with me.. you will never go anywhere without my permission…'

Aditya walked to his room. He knocked on Sahil's door and went in. Sahil was searching something in the drawer and in anger he threw the book on the floor.

'Sahil.. what's going on?' Aditya asked walking towards him.

Sahil turned to him trying to control his anger. 'why are you hell bent on taking her you know ma hates her and we too..' he spat.

'ma hates her for what? Your mother is blind and what about you sahil? What has she done to you?'

'She split my parents..' he panted looking at his father angrily.

'How may I ask? Was your mother …. Don't make me say things that I would regret later… if you are coming with us get dressed..'

'No..'

'Suit yourself then..' he walked out of the room.

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Aditya and Anu waited for them in the hall. Anu kept calling Pia. Aditya saw Bani look at them hesitantly..' go Bani and get dressed if no one is coming we will go I have decided…'

Jigyasa fumed and fretted from her room. Adi was getting on her nerves. He was deliberately doing things to spite her. Jigyasa heard him call Bani and she ground her teeth

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Anu yelled for Pia . Pia stormed in front of them and shouted. 'Anu why are you yelling I told you I am not coming..'

Aditya glared at her. He had sent Bani to get dressed. He sat on the settee waiting for her. when she took time to come he send Anu to look for her. Pia looked her sister go with a smirk.

Few seconds later Anu ran to her father and said, 'Bani di's dress…'

'what happened?' asked Aditya getting up from the seat. 'Someone has destroyed her dresses Papa all of them are cut into pieces…'

'Pieces? He frowned and followed Anu to Bani's room.

He saw Bani trying to control her tears. Her dresses were lying around most of them torn front and back making it unfit to wear.

Aditya knew by the look of things who had done it. he had seen Pia's face when Anu went to call Bani.

Bani wiped her eyes and looked away. 'I am sorry Bani… I underestimated my kids… is there any dress with you looking decent?' he asked trying to control the anger that was bubbling up inside him.

'I'll help her papa…' said Anu.

'Adi sir it's okay… 'let us drop the ..'

'No… we are going out.. wear anything that''s not destroyed and come to the porch I'll be waiting..'

Bani couldn't refuse… she nodded.

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Aditya Bani and Anu returned late in the night carrying shopping bags. Aditya ignored Bani';s protests while shopping. He brought few dresses to Bani's dismay and he bought for Anu too. They had dinner on the way. Aditya tried to make the outing fun but failed miserably. He felt bad for Bani and for his children. He needed to correct everything and he will do it he decided.

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Jigyasa hated everything about her husband. He was getting impossible as the days passed. She couldn't understand what was in the girl and she knew Aditya was doing all to spite her. Why was he rebelling her now and Bani.. she hated to think about her.

she had heard whispers in the corridor in the night. Anu's delighted laugh and Bani making her quiet. In the morning she learned from Pia, Aditya had lavished his money on Bani. Jigyasa'a blood boiled at the thought of it. Her foot touched the accelerator and the car took speed. Jigyasa was blinded by rage and hatred for them she did not see the road properly she did not hear the honk all she felt was black smoke cloud her vision and then everything went still…

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Aditya ran to the hospital. He called Jai and informed Sahil and asked him to take care of the girls. Krishna Walia and Jai joined him after half an hour. Standing outside the door of the operation theatre Aditya felt a tug at his heart.

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Bani was restless the whole day. She had seen Jigyasa's hatred look when she left the house. Bani had quickly moved out of her sight. It was in the afternoon the phone bell rang. Bani had picked it up and found the caller to be Aditya. It took him a moment to compose and tell her about the accident. The phone had slipped from her hand. She felt it was her fault. Tears welled in her eyes.

"Bani…. don't worry.. Nothing will……….' She heard him.

'Tell me sir, how is she? She almost choked on her words.

'Bani.. she has fractured both her legs.. I am sorry dear…'

'I want to see her ….. please..'

'Alright, I'll come and collect you…' he disconnected the call. She wiped her eyes and went to look for the rest of them. No one was at home and she knew they didn't feel the need to tell her about it. Why should they she thought sadly. She was after all a maid.

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The pain pierced through her body. Even in her unbearable pain Jigyasa felt a soft touch on her hand like a caress. A feather touch on her hand it moved up and down and reached her head. Stroked her aching head. She felt good with all her might she tried to open her eyes. she saw Bani's face loom over her…'you………. Out get out….'

Bani heard her in. she stopped and pulled her hand. She saw her mother's eyes drop. She looked at the bandaged figure before her…

Aditya touched her shoulder and lifted her up from the chair. 'Come on Bani we can't do anything about this. The doctors will take care.

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The doctors refused anyone from staying in the hospital. Aditya asked Sahil to call his mother's relatives and inform.

Everyone picked on their food during dinner. Pia blamed her mother's accident on Bani. she went on and on and Aditya had to raise his voice to shut her up. Sahil and Pia left the dinner table angrily. Anu looked at her father. Aditya pushed his plate and was up from his seat. He saw his little girl look at him with tearful eyes. he walked to her and sat down.

'come let us eat something…' he said holding her hand and pulling his plate close.

'Papa ma….'

'she will be fine beta…'

'Promise?'

'Promise'. He said holding her. Anu broke down and cried on his shoulder. Bani watched them from distance and wiped her tears.

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Jigyasa blamed her ill fate on Bani. She was bed ridden because of that girl. The more she thought about it the more she hated the girl. Her both the legs were fractured. She had severe pain on her back. There was no way she can manage on her own. She had to depend on someone. Tears of anger and frustration spilled on her cheeks.

Aditya and his sister visited her in the evening. She looked away from him fixing her gaze on Krishna.

'How are you feeling Jigyasa?' asked Krishna.

Jigyasa smirked. 'your brother is the sole reason for my condition didi.' She complained.

Aditya smiled sarcastically. 'Jigyasa for once admit your mistake. Your reckless driving caused you this…'

'You caused me this Aditya you and …' she gritted her teeth.

'Please guys…' Krishna scolded both of them. 'this is a hospital behave your selves.'

'What did the doctor say.'

'Three damn months.. didi. I am bound to ….' A tear rolled and fell.

Krishan touched her hand. 'thank god you are alive Jigyasa….. have patience…'

Aditya smiled, 'that's what she doesn't have di… tell her something else..'

'Adi please leave the room…' Krishan admonished him. Jigyasa looked angrily at him.

Aditya left the room. Krishna spent few minutes with her.

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A week had passed since she was in the hospital. Jigyasa's brother's and mother came to visit her in the hospital. She told them in no nonsense tone she would not return home unless the girl is gone. She will not step into the house. Rajeshwar and Maheshwar did not have a choice but talk to Aditya.

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The men had been sitting in the living room for quite some time. Jigyasa's brother's did not know how to start the topic. Aditya secretly enjoyed their dilemma. He knew why they were there. He was not going to help them with the topic. Finally Maheshwar broke the silence.

'Aditya, what's happening with you guys?'

'What's happening? He asked. Not making one bit easy for them.

'Jigyasa is upset with the girl why don't you dismiss her?'

Aditya looked at them and said, "Your sister is blind to my needs. What has the girl done to her. she takes good care of the house. Looks after all of us well..'

'Even your children do not like her Aditya? Stated Rajeshwar.

'They are fools they don't know. You guys know I have just had an attack . she takes care of my diet. Does your sister have time? She is busy with her lecture work and gatherings and my children….. they have no clue what to do. Bani takes good care I refuse to let her go and look for someone else I have no patience or time for that.'

Maheshwar nodded cursing Jigyasa for putting them in tight spot. Since Aditya learned About Jigyasa's past he was a changed man.

'But Aditya.. if she is upset with the maid then you should …… don't you think you are being unreasonably stubborn? 'if a wife says…'

'Please, if this is the topic you want to talk I am not interested. I want my wife to have little more understanding to these kind of issues..' said Aditya raising from his seat.

'Aditya you are being very unreasonable. Why do I feel she is more than a maid to you?' said Rajeshwar little irritated.

Aditya did not like the tone. He glared at him and said softly. 'she is.. any problem?'

'Yes damn it.. it's a problem..' Rajeshwar got up from his seat and glared. He ignored Maheshwar who tried to make him calm.

'We are talking about our sister's life her happiness.. you cannot bring some girl and ….'

'Raju please.. calm down….' Maheshwar tried to pull his brother from further argument.

'Stop it bhai… we have been talking calmly. If he doesn't understand politeness then sorry I have to..'

'what will you do? Rajeshwar Randheria what will you do?' Asked Aditya turning to him.

Rajeshwar was stunned at his attitude. This was not the Aditya he had know this was someone else.. but he was behaving unreasonable. This is not done his sister's marriage is at stake here.

'Aditya.. do not forget you are fighting for a mere maid..'

'She is not a maid.' Said Aditya calmly. He saw two brothers look at each other confused they turned to him questioningly . 'who is she Aditya?' asked Maheshwar with alarming calmness.

'She is my daughter…'

Maheshwar looked at rajeshwar as if he heard wrong.

'Yes she is my child…'

'No Aditya you are lying and you know it…' Maheshwar said almost in a whisper.

'No I am not..' he said with the same tone.

Rajeshwar's face grew red… he shoved his brother's hand from him and caught Aditya by his collar. 'How dare you? How dare you cheat my sister?'

Aditya did not remove his hands from his collar he looked directly at him and asked, 'Did she not do the same brother?' tell me Rajeshwar bhai 'aren't we equal partners in crime? Did we not bring a child to the world hiding from each other?' Aditya's gaze pierced his eyes. Rajeshwar's hand slipped from his collar. He looked at his brother in horror.