To all of you who have been vocal about the story....thanks so much...it feel and inspires to know there are people who appreciates the story.
PRT 15
"Where are we going?" Bani asked, her eyes grazing the bronzed muscles of his arm and traveling down to his wrist, coming to rest on the palm gripping the steering wheel. She had always seen him in suits and it was new revelation to see him in not wearing it. When he did not answer, Bani swept her gaze up to his face, noting the arch of neck column.
Jai could sense her staring at him and smirked, "Are you done with stalking my body parts?" he asked with a tinge of amusement.
"You didn't answer my question Mr Walia." Bani replied, miffed by him not giving a reply.
"Oh'sorry'somewhere'it is kind of special to me'but I would like to take you there."
"But where?" Bani prodded, curious as to what kind of place he was taking her to.
Jai turned and flicked a quick glance at her, noting the slight flush on her face. He reached over and turned on the radio, "Why don't you listen to radio if you are bored." he suggested as he pressed couple of the button. "Do you have a favourite radio station?" he asked.
Bani shook her head, "No'I usually just listen to what Rano listens to'her latest craze is radiomirchi."
"Bani'you won't get angry if I say something'"
Bani gaze grew sharp as she stared at his profile again. She noticed the twitch on the corner of his mouth. "Are you saying I get angry easily?"
Jai smiled, "No'but it was funny to see you get annoyed back there'I thought if you could throw something at me'you would have."
Bani chortled, as it wasn't exactly true'she had been annoyed but not mad enough to physically hurt him. "You are wrong'I was mad but wasn't exactly thinking of murdering you in front of your masi."
"Sachi'but your eyes was throwing fire crackers at me."
"Stop it Mr Walia'nothing of the sort. Its just that I don't like fuss'and you just in'front of everybody'without even talking to me'what did you expect?"
"That you would jump into my arms with a yes'I know I sound selfish'but kya karu'" he finished with a deep sigh.
Bani couldn't help getting rankled by his words, "Selfish'I thought more like arrogant Mr Walia'I never thought you would assume that I would say yes'I have responsibility'my family is my responsibility. How can I say yes without considering what would happen to them?"
Jai moved his hand from the steering wheel and rested it on the back of her hand, his voice mellow, "I would never stop you from taking care of your family'"
Bani smiled, her eyes misting up a little. She could never doubt that he could be uncaring, he loved his family'his masi'Adi'nieces and nephew and his sister. Thinking of his family she asked, "You did not bring your sister with you'does she know?"
Jai gave a stilted laugh, "My didi'she is bit of'how shall put it'is difficult. We don't get along that well'come to think of it'she doesn't get along much with anyone. She and Adi are divorced you know'only I refused to let Adi leave because I did not want my nieces and nephews growing up without their father."
"That means she will not be happy with our marriage!" Bani stated bluntly.
Jai pursed his lips, his voice hard, "Yes'but she also knows where I stand with regards to who shall be my wife'I am not interested in anyone of her friends or friends daughters."
There was a long silence, Bani wanted to ask why he chose her and Jai did not want to answer any more questions'all he wanted to do was convince her that he wasn't making a mistake'she made him happy, she made people he loved happy and had all that he wanted.
Jai brought the car to stop, Bani looked out. She realized that she had not noticed that they had driven out of the city. The car had stopped in front of a small house. Jai stepped out of the car and came around and opened the car door for Bani. Bani stepped out and waited for him to say something.
"This house'it belongs to me'it was my mother's home." Jai gazed at the house, his eyes clouding with emotions. "My mother used to often come here'it was her hideout'she used to say." Jai lightly held her arm, "come'" Bani walked with him and waited while he opened the front door. Inside it was dull, the windows covered by heavy shade. Jai went and pulled one of the shades up and light flooded the room. The furniture was covered with sheets and there was dust visible on the floor. It was obvious the house had not been used recently.
"Come here Bani'" Jai walked up to one of the wall and pulled down a sheet to reveal a large framed photo, "My mother'this was taken before she fell sick." Bani gazed at the serene face of the woman in the photo. There was not much resemblance between the face in the photo and Jai.
Jai wrapped one arm around Bani's shoulder and pushed her closer to the photo. His face leaned closer to her, and Bani felt the warm air as he exhaled breathes out. The intimacy of his closeness sent a tingle running down her back. With his voice choked with emotions Jai spoke, "Mom'look who is here? Meet Bani'she is the girl I wan to marry mom'remember what you used to say'that you would pick a girl for me'well you did not keep your promise and'" He stopped, he could not continue. Bani turned her head, her eyes converged on his, which were flooded with tears that he was trying hard to control. Her heart quivered at the sadness on his face and she found herself reaching up, her fingers gently brush across his eyelids.
The sudden touch of her fingers on his skin made him aware that she was with him. His lips twitched, trying to form a smile but failed. Instead he brought her gently into a hug, his head burying in the side of her neck. She hear him whisper, "Sorry'but mom always had these big plans for me'and she never lived to fulfill any of them."
She inhaled air to gain some composure from being held so close. Her hand slid in comfort across his back. "Mr Walia'" Jai moved his face up; his lips grazed her cheek as he moved to look at her face. Bani smiled gently. "Its ok'I understand, there are times in our lives when we want to share our happiness with our parents."
He moved back slightly, catching hold of her hand and looking at the photo. "She would have loved you'I know it. She always said she would find someone for me'who would make a house a home and take pride in taking care of family."
Silence fell, Bani somehow felt privileged that he had shared his innermost thoughts with her. She could somehow understand that he must feel alone at times even though he had family around them, but then not all the feelings or thoughts could be shared the same way as one does with a parent. When Jai gazed back at her, he found her watching him intensely; there was dark shimmer in her eyes. His eyes melted into the shimmer, and once again he inched closer. A silence fell as he continued staring at her, a moment that existed just between them, a moment when they could read each others through their eyes.
The moment was broken when he sighed deeply and said in a whisper, "Will you forgive me for today's blunder? I wanted to give you a surprise'I never thought that may be you were not ready to take that step yet."
Bani shook her head and looked amused, "Mr Walia'I never said I am not ready to take the step. Its is always there in back of my mind, but I have to think of my parents and my sisters. I can never think of doing without considering what would happen to them."
"I would never ask you to abandon your family Bani'of course I would like to share the responsibility'will you let me? I will never stop you from taking care of your parents and your sisters'if you want to do so by working'then that is what you will do?" Jai let out a long breath and touched her cheek lightly. "I am willing to wait'for you."
Bani took hold of his arm and moved him away, "come sit down'I want to know all about you and your family'" She carefully peeled away the sheet to reveal a worn out sofa. "Sit'"
Jai sat down and waited for her to sit. "Where do I start from?" he asked, rubbing his forehead lightly.
"Anywhere'" Bani listened as Jai spoke, her eyes watching him all the time, reading his emotions as he told her about his childhood, his parents, family moments and then lastly about his mother and father passing away.
Bani leaned up and kissed him on the cheek, taking him by surprise. His felt warm rush across the spot where her lips had been a moment ago. His brow arched as he gazed at her. She smiled and said demurely, "It's a thank you'I feel as if now I know a lot more about you'your family. Its important nah'to know some things."
Jai nodded, "Haan'today I met your mother and'your father and Rano. It was nice. And your mother made us feel so welcome."
Bani knew she would start crying if he said anymore'somehow whatever he said was making her emotional. They sat in silence for couple of minutes. Jai shifted slightly, his arm pressing against hers. Bani looked up at him.
"We should go'" he said.
Bani nodded, "But I want to say something'I feel as if I would be an idiot if I let you walk out without saying yes, especially'after everything you have told me."
There was look of confusion on his face. He stared at her and then whispered, "What did you just say?"
Bani giggled, her eyes danced across his face, "I think you heard what I said'"
"Well dammit'say it again so I can be sure I heard right!" he exclaimed loudly. Bani shook her head, instead went near to the photo of his mother. She touched the photo.
Jai smiled as he understood her intention and rushed up to her. When he just stood without saying anything, Bani whispered, "Are you not going to say anything? At least ask maa for her blessing."
XXXXX
The Walia house was filled with guests three months later. Ladies dressed in heavy saris and dresses floated around the house. Men in sherwanis and suits lounged around the bar. The Walias were hosting engagement party for the one only Jai Walia. Jigyasa who had grudgingly given in to her brother's demand of accepting his choice of bride had been given the task of seeing the organization of the party'one thing that Jigyasa loved to do'as it was her opportunity to outdo other parties she had attended in her friend circle.
Wearing a designer sari in red and gold with heavy jewellery and her signature big bindi, Jigyasa ordered the staff around.
At precisely seven o'clock in the evening a car drew up outside the Walia mansion. Bani stepped out of the car, followed by her mother and sisters. Nervously she grasped both Rano and Pia's hand. Her sisters smiled at Bani and whispered, "Don't be scared di'we are with you'" Bani frowned, "I an scared of saying or doing something stupid in front of all those people he has invited'"
Pia who was bubling with excitement of the party, "Di'they are just people, so what if they wear designer clothes and look all high and mighty'they all make mistakes, behave stupid too, just like the rest of us in the world."
Kiran looked at Bani, "Chalo'Bani. They will be waiting. Look here comes masi'"
Masi and Jigyasa stood by the door and watched Bani and her family walk up. Jigyasa eyed Bani up and down, approving the deep pink sari with simple gold zariwork. Anu who had seen Bani arriving from her balcony, rushed past masi and Jigyasa. "Mami'you are finally here. Wow'you look so pretty in pink. Mamaji is going to be blown away when he sees you." Bani bent down and touched masi's feet and hugged Jigyasa. Jigyasa took hold of Bani's hand, "Welcome Bani. I hope you like the party arrangements."
Bani gave a nervous smile, "I am sure you will have done a great job didi'Mr Walia says'you love arranging parties."
Jigyasa arched her brow, "Why thank you Bani'shall we go in. Everyone is waiting for the party to start."
Masi lead the way inside, introducing Bani and her mother to the guests as they walked into the center of the hall. Bani gasped softly as she saw Jai standing with Adi. He looked amazing in ice blue sherwani with faintest of silver and blue embroidery around the collar.
"Wow'" Rano whispered out loud, "He looks like a something out of a dream'so handsome di. How can a man look so good such a simple sherwani?"
Bani found herself tongue tied'she was blown away by the way Jai looked. Jigyasa took hold of Jai's arm, "Come on bhaiya'lets do the ring ceremony first." Bani found Jigyasa pulling her to stand next to Jai. Anu giggled beside Jai, "Mamaji if you keep staring at her like that'than you will cast an evil spell on her."
Rano laughed, "Haan'jijaji'thodi sharam karo'we are all watching you'"
Jai smirked, "you can all watch me as much as you like'I only have eyes for Bani only."
Pia leaning her chin on Bani's shoulder, "Haye its just like the movies nah'the hero just wants to pick up his lady-love and run off. But jiju you don't have to do that'Bani is in your home already'where else can you two run off to?"
Jigyasa picked up a velvet box and opened it. Jai picked up the ring and then gently lifted Bani's hand and slipped the ring on. The solitaire sparkled on her slender finger under the lights of the room.
"Your turn Bani'" Jigyasa opened another box and held it towards Bani. Bani picked up the platinum band and gazed at Jai. Jai slowly raised his hand towards her and Bani nervously pushed the ring on his finger. A shower of flower petals fell on them as shouts of clapping and congratulations filled the room. Anu nudged Jai, "Mamaji'come on'today you can officially kiss mami'" Few whistles and shouts followed Anu's request. Bani took a step away from Jai, looking highly mortified. She shook her head.
Anu pushed Jai, "Come on mamaji'before she runs away'a kiss please'we want to see how much you love mami."
Edited by divan - 15 years ago
Suggestions / Comments
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
