FF kaise kahoon last chp on pg 11 updated 17thsep - Page 7

Chapter 11

Three months later.

Bani had her days occupied with her neighbors children she taught them in her spare time. She went to teach computer in a nearby institute to girls. However she tried to be cheerful and happy in the village she missed the town and her Jai, dai ma mausi and Radhika. She tried to make her understand those were the people from last birth. She had nothing to do with them. at times she visited her chacha and his wife.

It was one of those days. She was sitting under a banyan tree with the children mausi walked to her and said, 'I heard jai walia has visited the factory. Raju told me he will be in the guest house.'

Bani's heart burned. How much she wished to see him one more time just once. 'Will he be visiting here Bani?'

'I don't know mausi…' she said dismissing the subject. She turned her attention on the child who was looking lost solving math. 'Kanta.. come here..' she called the girl.

The girl came to her immediately. Mausi left Bani to attend the child. Bani's mind wandered around him.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Mahesh I told you I was not needed here?' you could have taken care of the problem. Next time make sure you make no such mistakes.' Thundered Jai.

Mahesh looked meekly at jai. The idea of dragging Jai here was his Mausi's the woman has been after him to make some issue in the factory to get Jai to BAdegaon. Mahesh knew more or less the reason. He knew Jai's anger and he knew what Mausi was after. He stood quietly till Jai unleash his anger on him.

Jai had been out of town for two months he would come in between for a day or two and would go for business trips. Mausi had to move in with Jigyasa. He was back last week Masui had called Mahesh and asked him to get Jai to badegaon.

Jai took a shower to cool his head. When he returned from his bath, the food was served by the caretaker of the guest house. He tried his best to keep his thoughts away from Bani. The only reason he did not come to badegaon was he did not want to be anywhere near her. She had severed all ties with him. Not once she called him after leaving Mumbai. He deliberately went out of town to get her out of his system. His appetite died at the thought. He pushed the plate aside and went to take a nap.

Bani wished she could go and visit him in the guest house but how would she go and meet him? And what was wrong with her? she had lost her appetite. She pushed the plate aside and went to lie down.

Jai got ready in the evening to go back to Mumbai. He was just 15 minutes away from her. He can visit her on the way back. He thought about it and then thought against it. he decided to pick Mahesh on his way to Mumbai from the factory. He started off from the guest house to factory instead of going the easy was y he took the way through Bani's house.

His eyes wandered around to see a glimpse of her. there was no Bani and he was disappointed as he was about to speed his vehicle he saw her walk along the path lost in thoughts. She was wearing a cotton sari holding a small girl hand. He slowed down the vehicle.

Bani looked up as she heard the sound of the motor. She saw him behind the wheel. He slowed down and stopped before her. the little girl looked at the vehicle in fascination. She looked from his car to Bani.

'you run along ….. I'll see you soon…' Bani told the little girl. She nodded her head left Bani's hand and looked at the man who got out of the car.

The little one ran to her house. Bani saw her get into the cottage she turned her attention on him her heart in her mouth.

He stood before her and asked, 'how are you doing?'

'fine..'

He was lost for words. He couldn't believe he was standing before Bani and talking to her.

' you came to the factory?'

'yes, there was some unavoidable problem. What do you do Bani?'

'I work for an institute. Teach computer to girls..'

They were attracting passers by. Bani looked uncomfortable.

'Al right then Bani ..I'll make a move.'

She nodded feeling utterly miserable.

He got in behind the wheel looked at her nodded and drove off. Bani stood there for a moment. She then walked as fast as her feet could take her to her house.

What was he doing going away just like that? How can he just let her be away. He was miserable without her and after seeing her he would be more miserable. Why was it so difficult for him to talk to her. to know what's in her heart. If she had forgiven him…. how would he know if he did not ask and find out from her? he put the break on the car. The car stopped with a jolt.

Bani sat on the bed wiping the tears. That was it he just went away. She heard a faint knock on the door. 'God not now.' She muttered. 'Mausi I'll be in five minutes…' she called out. The knocking continued she went and opened the door. Bani stood stunned at the sight of him looking down at her.

'May I come in?'

She did not move from the door. She was shocked and she least expected him to take a U turn and walk in here.

He moved her aside and walked in. she stood at the door finding hard to believe.

'Can I get something to drink?' he asked snapping her out of her stupor.

'"yes, I'll be in a minute.' She walked hurriedly to the kitchen. Jai looked around the house. It was spic and span. He saw her father's picture on the wall. He went and stood by the picture. On the table he found notebooks . the name was written in scribble and he knew before opening it the book was of small child. He closed the book as he heard her footstep behind him. she handed him the cup and looked at him.

He sat on the chair near the table sipping his tea. Now what? He thought. how was he going to start a conversation. She was standing and watching him tongue tied.

'How's Mausi and dai ma?' she finally asked.

'they are fine.' He said putting the cup on the table. 'Is it okay me being here? Your neighbors won' t mind?'

Bani did not know what to say? Who cared they minded. She got to see him and that was more than enough for her.

'My car is parked just in front of your house.'

'It's okay…. Aap yahan..' she asked hesitantly.

'Muje nahin patha…' he said getting up from the chair. Bani's heart pounded in her chest.

The silence filled the room. . the main door was opened he went and shut the door and turned to her. 'Have you forgiven me Bani? or you still…'

She looked at him confused. 'About your father.. I …'

'I am at peace with myself now. I do not blame anyone. It was just fate.. he is gone and …'

She saw pain flash in his eyes. 'I don't blame you not anymore.' He took her hand in his surprising her. "thank you Bani.'

She smiled. 'you are too good to keep any grudge.'

'I am forgiven?'

She nodded.

'then come home Bani.. the house looks…. It is not the same since you left..'

Bani's mouth fell opened. She did not know what to say. He brought her hand to his mouth and murmured against it. 'come home I am lost without you.'

Bani's heart swelled but how can she go with him? he was totally different from her. owner of big company and she was..

'I am … I mean you are.. well I that is us……………' god why can't she tell him she was not one of them.

'What about us? He asked holding her shoulder and looking into her eyes. 'you don't like me?'

'I…. it is not that. You are the owner of……..'

So?'

'we are not compatible.. I am from a village…….and your sister.. I mean…'

'You are trying to get rid of me is that it?'

'You don't understand do you?'

'NO. what I understand is I can't live without you. I tried to keep myself away I even tried to leave few minutes back..i came back Bani. today if I cross this room and go then I'll never comeback…'

No.. oh no she thought frantically. 'Don't go…'

'Excuse me?'

'Don't go.. don't leave me….' Her face paled and tear filled in her eyes.

She was instantly pulled in to his arms. Kissing her head he lifted her flushed face and planted a kiss on her taking her breath away. 'I have come here not to go without you Bani.'

Bani smiled shyly. They heard a knock on the door. She sprang aside looking at him.

'what happened? Who could that be?'

'Could be Mausi… I told her I'll help her with some chores..' she was on her way to open the door. He stopped her. 'what?'

'ek minute..' he drew her near him wiped her tears. Adjusted her tika and hair and looked at her. Bani blushed furiously at his scrutiny. 'go and open the door another minute you stay here you won't be opening the door.'

Bani blushed again. He went and sat on the chair looking at her go. He heard her speaking to Mausi. A second later the lady walked in and smiled at him.

'I am sorry.. I did not know Bani had a guest.. how are you ?'

'I am fine and how are you doing?'

She nodded. Mausi tunred to leave he called her.

'Mausi I have come here to propose to Bani. since she consider you as her own I want your blessings on this regard.

Mausi looked at Bani shocked then she smiled. 'Bani is lucky to have someone like you.. she has a chacha..i can come with you to talk about rishta..'

'Yes, why not.'

*********************************************************************

Epilogue

BAni wanted to see India first she refused to go abroad. He took her for honey moon to Kodai canal .

She loved the hilly station. She would drag him in the morning for a walk. They would go for cycling and comeback to the hotel for breakfast and go out again for site seeing. At the end of the day she would be sleep walking to the room. She would shrug off from any advances from him and sleep like dead. He would stare at the ceiling till the sleep took the control of him. it was on the 4^th day. he refused to get up from the bed . 'Come on.. it's the last day let's go..' she tried to pull him from the bed.

'Nahin.. muje nahin jana… thum jao …'

How do you think I'll go alone? Come on let's go…' she tugged at his arm.

'I am bored of this site seeing Bani hum kuch aur kartheinhein?'

'Kya?'

'come to bed.' He grinned.

Bani blushed. 'har wakth yahi.. aur koyi kam nahin hien? She instantly got up and moved away from the bed.

'Har wakth?' he sat up on the bed. 'KAunsa wakth thum zara muje bathao…….' He challenged. Bani blushed scarlet.

'thum tho adhi mari hui athi ho poora site seeing ke badh…'

'Bas' she shut her ears.

'thum hein sunna tho padega… ao idhar thum?' he called her who had gone and stood far from the bed.

She shook her head.

'you want to come here? Or do you want me to pick you up?' he threatened.

She hesitantly walked towards him and stood before the bed.

'Sit down.'

She sat down.

'come closer…'

She looked at him with puppy eyes.

He looked closely at her controlling not to laugh. 'why such sad face?'

She shrugged.

'look at me.'

She obeyed.

'come closer.'

She moved closer. He pulled her to him and she fell on his chest. Pulling her face to him. he drew the quilt above them with a free hand. 'Isse ahca kounsa site hein thum bathao abhi..' he chuckled locking her in his arms...
-------------------------------the end-----------------------------------------------------------------