This is my Edi for all those who are celebrating Eid.
Tera Pyar Hai Bas Meri Zindagi
Nazar ne nazar se mulaqat kar li,
rahe dono khamosh par baat karli...
Mohabbat ki fiza ko jab khush paya,
in aankhon ne roh roh ke barsaat kar li...
Prabhadevi looked and felt tired. She moved away from the window and called out, "Raunaq!"
A young woman appeared, hurrying towards her, "Ammi'"
"Go and check if Bani is ready. The guests will be arriving soon. And Raunaq'please tell her to behave herself. I won't put up with nautanki any more. Make her understand'I am only trying to do what is right for her."
"Ji ammi'" the young woman smiled, her face lighting up with understanding. Raunaq hurried up the stairs and made a beeline for the room. She opened the door and stepped in. It was empty. The sari and jewellery boxes lying untouched on the bed.
"Where has she disappeared to now?" she exclaimed loudly. Raunaq peeked into the empty bathroom and walked out onto the small balcony and looked over the garden. There was no sign of Bani'the granddaughter of Prabhadevi. Raunaq came and sat down and sighed. This girl is going to get them both into trouble if she doesn't make an appearance soon. The sound of cars driving up caused her to panic'God the guests have arrived and they will be called to make an appearance soon. She paced the room frantically, trying to think where Bani could be found. Just then she heard noise on the balcony and a moment later a girl ran in.
"Bani'where were you? You have to get ready soon'they are here. Ammi will kill us both if we don't get downstairs soon."
The girl pulled the band holding her hair in a pony tail and pulled her t-shirt off. "Chill didi'they can wait. It's not as if I want to meet them anyway'especially the guy who wants to inspect me like a cattle. I told dadi I don't want to get married'don't see why she is being stubborn and not listening to me. Raunaq pushed Bani towards the bathroom, "Ammi is not getting younger and she just wants to see you married into a good family."
Bani turned around, her long hair flying in Raunaq's face. "You should get married first didi'you are a lot older than me."
Raunaq pulled a face. "No one is going to marry me and I owe ammi a lot. So I will just take care of her."
Bani stripped rest of her clothes off and stepped into the shower. A few minutes later she came out with a towel around her. Raunaq motioned her to start putting clothes on. Ten minutes later Bani was standing with a sari wrapped around her. Sitting her down in front of the mirror, Raunaq quickly worked Bani's hair into a braid and wrapped fresh flower around it.
"Are you going to put a little makeup on?" Raunaq asked Bani who sat playing with the gold bangles on her wrist. Bani looked in the mirror, "Nah'I look ok'plus I don't want to look pretty for him. God knows he might just look like a monkey. The last one was so big and fat."
Raunaq slapped Bani's arm lightly, "No he wasn't'poor guy, you scared him silly with your trick." Raunaq face turned serious and she knelt in front of Bani. "Look Bani'please give this guy a chance. I hear they are a well to do family from Mumbai. The guy lost his parents when he was young and was raised by his aunt. Ammi says he is very good looking and has so far refused a lot of beautiful girls."
Bani pulled a face, "Well than he is not going to like a plain old me then'is he? May be he will fall for you didi'you are prettier than a lot of my friends."
Raunaq smiled but there was a tinge of sadness in her eyes. "No Bani'I am a Muslim'and that too an orphan'"
Bani hugged Raunaq, "So what'you are best didi in the world'I don't care who your parents were or that you are not a Hindu. You can love people for being good and kind and loving."
Raunaq kissed Bani on the cheek, "I am going to miss you when you are gone. Now lets go and see the dulha."
Bani pouted as she stood up, "I am going to tell dadi'I am going to take you with me when I get married. I am not going alone."
Raunaq laughed softly, her clear laughter sounded like gentle melody in the air.
Bani stayed half behind as they walked into the grand room where guests were entertained.
Prabhadevi smiled, "Ah'here they are'Bani dear, come and sit beside me," she commanded in firm voice.
Bani stepped away from Raunaq and made her way to the sofa where her grandmother was sitting. She sat down looking at the floor. Prabhadevi took Bani's hand gently in hers, "Bani is my only grandchild Shobaji'she is very precious to me having lost my son so early in life."
Bani peeked through her lashes and gazed at the people sitting around. An elderly lady was sitting next to woman who was dressed as if she was going to the party, the heavily embroidered sari and chunky jewellery seemed too much for a visit. Next to her was a middle aged man, nice looking with a smile plastered on his face and then her eyes rested on the man sitting alone in a chair. Dressed in a black suit with white shirt and bright red tie, his eyes were fixed on her.
Warm colour suffused her cheeks at the way he was staring at her. His almost jet black eyes were clear and bright. The face was chiseled into well defined features. Her breath caught in her throat'it wasn't a young man sitting in front of her but a much older man than the ones that had been brought here before.
Shoba got up and came towards Bani. She gently lifted Bani's chin up, "Such pretty girl Prabhadevi. And a beautiful name too. Do you go to school Bani?" she asked.
Bani nodded, "College'I just started this year. I want to study psychology."
Shoba sat down next to her, "Yes'you must finish your education. It is important to have some knowledge of the world. My Jai did not get a chance to finish his education as he had to start running the family business, but he has taught himself all that he needs to know run the business successfully. Prabhadevi'I am looking for a girl who will look after my nephew and his home. I will be frank and say that I don't want a girl who is not interested in staying with a joint family'as you know my niece Jigyasa also stays with us."
Prabhadevi nodded, "Shobaji'I am sure Bani will have no problem. Of course you will have to help her as she has not had a lot of responsibility being young."
"You don't have to worry about that. There will be myself and Jigyasa to guide her. I am sure she will learn'we were all the same when we were young." Shoba said with genuine understanding in her voice.
"Jai beta'" Shoba looked at her nephew, "Do you have anything to ask?"
"No masi'but if Bani has anything to say."
"Bani, why don't you take Jai into the gardens'you two can talk. Raunaq, please take a tea tray into the garden for them."
Raunaq nodded and left to carry out the order. Prabhadevi patted Bani's arm, "Go on'"
Bani stood up and walked slowly towards the French doors that led into the garden. She did not stop to see if Jai followed her. Raunaq stepped out on to lawn where tables and chair had been laid out and set the tray down. She looked at Bani standing staring into the garden. Raunaq went near her and tugged at Bani's arm and whispered quickly, "Bani...look at him, talk to him'don't say you never got a chance."
Bani heard a soft cough behind her, but did not bother to turn around.
"How old are you exactly?" she heard his sonorous voice ask her.
Bani turned around and with a poker face spat, "Bit too young for you."
He threw back his head and laughed out loud and then said, "But your grandmother think does not think so. She is ready to make you my bride."
Bani coloured, "Dadi just wants to get rid of me." She saw him move towards her and stop in front of her.
"So tell me what will you do with a psychology degree?"
Her lips curved into mischievous smile, "Find out what why you would want to marry a schoolgirl. What goes on in that brain of yours?"
Jai reached out and held her chin and titled her face up so that his eyes were searching hers with amusement, "But if you don't marry me than how will you be able find out what makes me tick?" There was allusion to intimacy in his remark which made Bani turn red. She jerked her face out of his hold. "I don't want to marry'I will tell dadi no."
"Will you still say no if I got down on my knees and asked you to marry me?" he asked with an indelible softness in his voice.
Bani turned around, her cheeks still tinged with redness, "But people do that when they love one and another!" she exclaimed juvenilely.
Jai Walia dropped down on his knees and held out his hand. Bani felt herself drawn hypnotically towards him, her hand reaching out for his. He held it for a second, "Bani'will you marry me? I am falling in love with you. You are an enigma Bani. You have set my heart into pandemonium with your candidness. Will you?"
Bani felt her heart do multiple somersaults, her nerve endings tingled at his bold declaration and proposal. She felt her lips move and utter a hushed "yes'"
Snatching her hand out of his Bani ran off inside leaving Jai Walia kneeling on the grass with a smile on his lips.
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