FF - The Painting, Ch 26 pg 43, The End, Wkend Spl - Page 5

Uncle do you happen to have any idea who my father is?

Bani I….

Just then there was a brief knock on the door and it opened, Tony came in announcing Mr Bhatt is here to see you sir….

Come in Bhatt sahab, come in…..he called out cheerfully…Bani turned to see an elderly man entering behind Tony,

Tony get some more tea please….thank you Bhatt sahab for making it despite of your busy schedule….

Oh Mr Walia you are my biggest and oldest client, how can I not listen to your summons…

Uday Walia smiled then turning to Bani he said, Bani meet Narayan Bhatt, my lawyer and very old friend….

Bani did her Namaste and frowned a bit, it was very very faint but somehow the image seemed familiar ….

He smiled, we have met before….he replied….

Yes indeed, Bani replied….

Bani you can hide very little from your lawyers and doctors and Bhatt sahab knows my very many dark secrets, Uday Walia winked and smiled…..

Bani, today Narayan Bhatt has come as a witness to hear all the things I speak to you from a little while from now, no I am not drawing up any legal document but then he knows my health condition and also my son, incase whatever I say to you is not fulfilled or not to your liking, Mr Bhatt is here to sort everything out and take care of you after my death…….

Uncle, I

Bani sit….hear me out….

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Bani sat in the drawing room looking out at the garden through the glass window….Uday Walia very categorically said Bani, you owe me nothing, I did not do any favour by sponsoring you, your mother was a very good friend, she was my rock when I needed one, being her daughter I would request you to become one for Jai, win over him, gain his trust, so that I can die in peace….

Tony is growing old, he wants to retire, he is still here because of Jai, he loves the boy too much to leave him in a lurch but then I know he too is not being able to cope with Jai's lifestyle….you take over this house, run it, make this your house, bring some discipline and order in Jai's life….

But Uncle I …..I mean I am supposed to join my job on Monday, I want to have a career, Bani cried…

I am not stopping you from having a career but also take care of this house….

I have no idea of housekeeping, never kept one….

Oh don't worry, you are a woman housekeeping comes naturally to women…and Tony is still around to show you around….

I don't see how I can become a rock or discipline your son, he does not know me and I hardly know about him….

Don't worry, I will introduce you and you ensure he gets to know you, help him to keep his feet on the ground…..

I don't know how I will do that….firstly why would he listen to me and secondly I do not know the tactics, I am not a trained psychologist….

Bani you won the championship but recollect your feeling when the runners up went for the national camp and you could not…..

Bani looked at Uday Walia with still eyes, her hands and feet became cold, yes how can she forget, when she saw lesser talents doing what she wanted to do, oh how she cried through the night and how Didiji boosted her confidence, helped her back to regain her composure and carry on in her life….

Yes Bani, I know you will feel for Jai when he faces tough times and so I am choosing you as his guide and a rock, he is flying high, bring him down and teach him a few things about life, become his friend….you have seen life far more closely than he has inspite of being younger. Jai always has got indulgence from me or from his mother when she felt well….I want you to become what Kiran was to me….

Bani had sat back, no he is saying he wants no favour from her, she is no way obliged to him but the proposal itself speaks volumes, if he had not sponsored her would he have put the proposal to her….

Bani you can lead your own life, just like any daughter of the house, just bring some order and feminine touch, it is a time taking process I know but I would request you to do it for the sake of this old sick man……

Bani you never had a family, stay here, be with Mr Walia and make this your home, as Mr Walia says become the daughter of the house, bring some joy into the house as though Jai is doing well, we hardly get to see him…..Mr Bhatt added

For how long do I have to stay here…..Bani asked….

Mr Bhatt and Uday Walia exchanged quick glance….wellllll, Bani as long as you feel like should be the answer but to be frank before you leave I would like to see some order in Jai's life but incase you meet someone and want to get married before that I won't stop you…Uday Walia added quickly….

You said you were sick, Bani pointed out hesitantly….

Yes if I am not alive, Narayan Bhatt will see that everything is carried out smoothly, today he is here to witness the fact in my absence, Jai should not misbehave with you or deny any rights till you decide to get married and move out of the house….

And if I do not wish to get married….

This house is what I built, here you will stay as long as you wish, your leaving this house will be at your own will, nothing less….

Bani watched the garden, she came out saying she needs time to think, there is no compulsion but the known pull is there, staying in this beautiful house, getting a feeling of family for an orphan girl, an emotional sick old man, perfect setting for an emotional tearjerker .

The bell rang, the security announced the name in the security system, Tony opened the door to let a man enter, asking him to wait he went into the study, in a short while came out pushing Uday Walia, seeing Bani , Uday Walia smiled, you are sitting in my favourite place, injection time, you have the afternoon for yourself, we will meet during dinner….Bani nodded….watched him retire, followed by the visitor, after they closed the door, Bani turned to see Narayan Bhatt standing….

Bani one thing, as Mr Walia said no pressure but my dear I will ask you to give it a shot, you are a sportsperson, though this is not a championship to be won but if you play fairly you will turn out to be a gainer….Bani watched him, he nodded and took leave….Bani saw him at the door..

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