FF - The Painting, Ch 26 pg 43, The End, Wkend Spl - Page 2

Tin,pleasure to have you back.

Awesome start to your FF.

Can't wait for the daily updates, take care.

Chapter 2

My uncle? Bani frowned, who is my uncle?

Well since we have to write to the gentleman it is best we address him as something, so lets address him as your uncle……

Uncle my foot, Bani ran towards her hostel, not even turning to see if Didiji was following her or not….

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From then onwards Bani was forced to write a letter to her unseen uncle before Diwali, giving news of herself and wishing him 'Happy Diwali'….Bani hated writing but then didiji was very strict, initially Bani was a bit curious but then later, she gave a damn, kya pharak parta kaun hai, he does not care for me, why should I care for him, he does not reply to my letters even, except for a Diwali gift, with her name written in a scrawl, initially it was sporty gift but as she grew up, they turned into more feminine, perfumes, dresses with perfect fits and light jewelry, trendy and sleek….despite of her hate, she looked forward to the gifts, everytime they surprised her, though many of her school mates were curious about the identity of the unseen or anonymous uncle, who could it be? Her father, her mother's brother or just a simple well wisher wanting to do charity…no Bani was not curious anymore, he is anonymous and let him remain like one, what does she care…..

After she left school she shifted to a college, even though her uncle had a say in the stream she chose, Comparative Literature but then Bani started enjoying college, with a lot more freedom, carefree life and a lots of new friends, she no longer needed to write to the uncle, Bani was more or less out of Didiji's grasp to be forced into writing though she did get to hear from time to time that Uncle had called up the Ashram to find out about her development, yes Bani no longer stayed in the Ashram but her connection with it remained, after all the nuns and the teachers of that place were the family she never had….

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Bani hugged didiji, it felt like coming home, as they got up, Bani noticed Didiji led her to the private dining room, she frowned, it was meant for privileged guests, specially when important people came to see the ashram, to make donations, while most of them shared meals in the main dining room alongwith the boarders but during school hours when such guests came, here tea and snacks were served ………

A place for two were already laid, Bani kept darting glances at Didiji, what is so special about today, why is she being treated as a VIP but Didiji as usual looked her serene self asking one of the volunteer to get the food she cooked for Bani….

Aapne mere liye aaj khana banaye? Bani was surprised…..

Didiji smiled ha kyu nehi, after all I do know how to cook and do cook from time to time….

Yes I know but it is during special occasions and festivals….Bani reminded her when the nuns cooked….

I am having a feeling of a mother Bani, I feel now you are entering another stage of your life, I think like all mothers I am feeling very apprehensive, a bit happy but also somewhat afraid, you are entering the real world, no longer you are 'my chhoti Bani'….Bani blinked, Didiji rarely showed her emotions, she always looked serene and pleasant, very rarely getting angry or impatient, though she called them my dear or my love, this is something very unusual.

Didiji served her, they sat eating, when Bani said, I plan to move into my own house after I get permanent in my job, will get a housing allowance, I always lived in hostels or sharing rooms all my life, now I want to live by myself, of course you are most welcome, anytime…..

Bani I am still the head warden, mere pass time kaha ?

Not even for your chhoti Bani….

Didiji leaned and patted her cheeks….Bani noticed though she was smiling, there was certain sadness…

Kya baath hai didiji, Bani reached out for her hand…..

Didiji swallowed, sipped water, gave a nervous smile and reached out for her diary, taking out a sealed envelope…pushing it towards Bani, it had no name written on it…..

What is this? Bani asked….

Name and address of your uncle…..

Oh really, Bani quickly picked up the envelope…

Didiji caught her hand, one moment Bani….you will open it later….I have to tell you something more….

Yes Didiji, Bani waited for Didiji to speak….

Bani, I do not know the person, as I told you before, Mataji is very secretive about these matters and since we depend on charity, these we have to maintain it…anyway I have been asked to convey to you, this gentleman is expecting you at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning at his house. You are to go there with your luggage and belongings as you are going to stay in his house from now on…..

WHAT? I mean why?

Bani I do not know the same so I cannot comment…..

I am supposed to join my job, a job which I am looking forward to, a life which I want to have…..

Didiji looked sad, Bani crushed the envelope….

Beta, though I do not know him but Mataji tells me he is a good man, reasonable man and though he has provided for you, he did bail us out in other occasions too, infact when the stock market crashed, many business houses reduced or did not pay their promised amount to us, I believe he is the gentleman who pitched in…..

Bani curled a fingers into a fist, yes he is a very kind man, of course I should know, after all I have grown in his charity, sacrificed my sports career, the fun I would have now do I sacrifice my professional career too?

Didiji gave her a reassuring smile, hope for the best, Mataji speaks highly of him….unlike others, he has always shown interest in his ward…..

Do you think he is my father? Bani whispered fiercely….You know I can be a bas***d…..

Well I know what you mean, here many are but frankly I do not know….except for the belongings of your mother, we have never heard about your father, Mataji even said he was a well wisher, not a relative, so I really do not know so my dear you have to find out …come now Bani, I have to go on my rounds, the dhobi will be coming….

They came out, hugged each other, Didiji wished her all the best and went on their way….Bani walked slowly towards the badminton court, it was empty, classes were going on, she sat on the benches, less talented players from this institution played the Nationals but she could not go, stuck to playing inter school etc., now she was looking forward to a new life, a good job, an apartment, things she always wanted to do, after all at 21, she is an adult….she can defy him, she will not be depended on his charity any longer with her job and even if the money he gives for the month through Mataji will not be needed as many of her friend will be willing to help her, why should she dance in the whims of an unknown man? She is now in a position to defy him, when the displeased face of Didiji and Mataji floated in front of her, this is what we taught you? They will surely be very distressed. Bani slowly opened her fist and took out the closed envelope, straightening it she tore it open….

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Bani stood in front of a huge gate next morning, it was a one of the few bungalows remaining in this posh locality of Mumbai, looked aged, but was maintained well, not very big but the design was nice, aesthetic, well not bad, Bani gave her name to the security, who seemed to be expecting her, pushed the calling bell and announced her name at the security system attached to the door, within minutes a uniformed butler opened the door, bidding her to come follow her, she was taken to once again a beautifully decorated drawing room, asking her to wait saying Sir will be here within few minutes…..Bani nodded and admired the room as the butler left, the walls adorned famous paintings or so thought Bani, she did not know much about it but it seemed so…..

So we meet at last, announced a cheerful voice from behind…..

Bani turned to see as expected an elderly looking gentleman sitting on a wheelchair…..

Mr Walia?

Yes My dear, I am indeed Mr Uday Walia but then you can call me uncleji, the way you addressed me in the letters.

Bani smiled slightly but did not reply, he invited her to join for breakfast, Bani declined, she already had her share but joined him nevertheless.

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Bani was shown a room by the butler Tony….like the other part of the house it was tastefully done, mixed matched with modern and traditional furniture, perfect wall colour mounted with original painting & other artifacts, just enough to give the room a perfect look, Bani admired it….well where is the lady of the house, she thought, maybe a working woman, though Uday Walia was confined to a wheel chair he did not look very old, may be in his early 60s…

You like your room? He pushed his wheel chair after a brief knock…

Yes perfect…Bani replied, she was already liking him, an interesting man who could speak on various topics.

Yes Mr, I mean uncle uncleji, Bani stammered…

Hmmmm, the car is ready to take you back to your place to get your luggage…I guess you did not want to bring it before seeing what the place is like, I understand it, now you like the room you will get your luggage he told her smilingly but firmly.

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Bani sat in the car looking out of the window, like the house, the car too showed evidences of great taste, Bani was furious though, this is the way he must have got Mataji to agree to many things, indulge a little and then make them do what you want , shrewd old man….

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Bani woke with a start hearing noise of blowing of horn, the voices that followed, somebody cursing, Bani crept out of her bed, in the middle of the night, the house suddenly became alive, she peeped out through the slight opening of her door, could not see anybody, but the voice was very near and slurred…..Tony, the guard was sleeping, get rid of him, I was made to wait at the gate….

Yes Baba I will……

The footsteps became louder alongwith his voice cursing the security when Bani saw a tall figure in dark clothes passing her room, swaying a bit, tall and well built, Bani could not see his face properly….the old man said his wife was dead and he had a son, is this his son?

Bani sat on the bed, the house did not look that it did not have a mistress, of course it had hordes of servants, the walls were adorned with lovely paintings but not a single photograph of the late mistress of this house or the son whom the old man mentioned. Of course she has not been inside the rooms of the old man or other bedrooms but still, the drawing room, the dining room, not a sign of personal moment or feeling of family…

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Next day Bani observed the family, it was Tony who was the 'Mistress' of the house, directing the servants, ordering provisions over phone, welcoming the doctor who came to check Uncleji, deciding the menu….it was his voice which rang through the house, the servants worked in silence like a well oiled machine, the doctor left and finally Uncleji came out for breakfast. Bani noticed the place was for two persons, Tony helped her to be seated, Bani glanced towards the stairs….the upstairs was still very quiet.

It was around afternoon, Bani saw the activity suddenly increased, servants running, phone ringing, Tony going up, visitors coming, Tony offering them tea, taking them upstairs, answering calls with utmost courtesy etc etc, trays carrying food going up as well as various clothes in hangers…Bani sat in a corner holding a magazine in front of her eyes and watched the activities, uncleji had retired to his room, the house was under the control of servants ……about two hours later, a man wearing designer clothes came down, sunglasses, expensive clothes oozed making a statement, walking in firm steps, flanked by two men he went out hearing them, into the waiting car with dark glasses raised, the car rolled out, Bani moved away from the window…

Who is this man? She wondered, she only got a glimpse of the side face, it seemed familiar…she looked around, this is his house but then there are no photographs of him or the family, pieces of art all right but no photograph, though having been brought up in an orphanage Bani did visit house of friends in college, okay most of them were not designer houses like this but somehow the feeling she got in those were more warm, more welcoming, the dcor gave a feeling of closeness and liveliness unlike these once, arty and cold….

I thought he was going outdoors….

Well he was supposed to but then the schedule has changed a bit, certain crises has cropped up and schedule had to be changed….

Bani stood in front of a painting trying to admire it while hearing uncleji speaking to Tony, her ears alert, hearing them, strange she thought, the father is taking report from the servant about his son….is this normal?

Tell him before he goes outdoor, I would like him to join me for breakfast, my time as dinner is too much to expect him home in time…..

Yes sir, I will do so….

Bani stood waiting from them to disperse, she did not want them to feel she was prying, instead she heard uncleji calling out to her, come Bani, lets sit in the study and Tony get us some tea and things to nibble, Bani and I are going to have a long chat……

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Hey Tin,

Wonderful update dear.... ! Just can't wait for tomorrow....!!

Tin, must say awesome update.

Can't wait to find out how Bani,old man Walia and The Man in Black

are all connected to each other.

Until next update, take care.

"Dance mare dance mare, dil ye dance mare
very very happy in my heart, dil dance mare re"
Hehehehehe, how was it ?
I am double happy, first for your coming back with a new story and second for stealing some time to read both the parts.
I am loving the story so far, suspense elements 1) reality about Bani's parents. 2) Her relation with Uday Walia 3) Man in black.
I am most interested in knowing them in reverse order and before going on to 2nd I would like to know how the son is going to react to her presence in his house.
cheers
Shweta

hey jayati dear

Hi

Bani has been broght up by Mr walia.Sr to get married to his SOn..

hey tin,

uday walia is bani 's uncle...hmmm, now jai is gonna hate his huse guest????