Christmas in NY
They hated the sight of each other during college days, she called him 'snob' 'bade baap ki bigre huwe bete' and he called her 'Miss touch me not', 'Madam attitude'....
He was the heart throb of the college girls, not conventionally handsome but with a charming smile and manly image made girls go weak in their knees, more than him it is his money they love, she said.....the boys were easily attracted to her, her cream and peach complexion, figure like Kareena Kapoor, eyes like Kajol, heads turned as she passed but then one look sent the boys off, her glaring eyes and sharp answers made them go weak.....nobody ever dared to make pass a comment let alone make a pass except for Jai, who once in a while made himself heard......
Huh I would like to see you without your money, I wonder how many girls would fall on you then.......
Madam yeh India hai India, mujhe toh ladki mil hi jayegi lekin aapko koi ladka milega zindagi bitane ke liye woh sochiye....pat came the reply back....
I have better things to do then get married.....
Madam President banengi, thik hai Madam aapka CV bhej dena Papa se bolkar I will get you a job......
Can you please ever think of being somebody beyond your father's son.....Bani asked Jai....
Nope, he curled his lips, why should I when I have one, keya baath hai Baniji don't you know your father's name, he asked innocently....or are you not sure if he is your father.....
That was the end of their interaction, till the final exams Bani didn't even look at him and Jai was too busy having fun for the last few days of their college life, too busy to think what was Bani upto...
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Bani shook the hand of the Chairman, it was wonderful Bani, you are really great, I was told it is you who can make the Maxis see the point and clinch the deal, since they have signed on the dotted lines I am sure they will not realise that they have not got the discount they were really looking for the time being atleast, but then it will be too late you have done the pricing very cleverly Bani, too good.....
Thank you Ben, thank you...I am glad you supported me....
Oh Bani, where did I get the scope to speak, you just took away the show from under my very nose....all I did was to sign and shake hands closing the deal......Congrats my dear, you are proving to be a very strong contender for my chair, I should be beware of you....
Bani laughed....
Nope being the owner it does not help, unless you perform, the shareholders do not want to see your face and with the likes of you around, I should be very careful....
Ben, I think now you are going too far....
No Bani, I think I know what I am speaking, my wife says I should slow down now, this telecom war will give me a heart attack so badly I will not have time to use the facility to call the ambulance...talking of wife that reminds me that I should rush now, today is 24th and I am yet to get the Christmas gifts for the family, I just cannot give them anymore due slips....
Ben picked up his coat....
You get gifts yourself, I mean you can easily order, what I want to say is I cannot imagine you going through the racks....
You are right but this is one time of the year I love picking things up....you know after all it is a family affair and Martha says I should atleast maintain some tradition, the next generation after all learns from us...when do you return Bani?
Tomorrow morning I take the flight back home.....
I am sorry Bani you will be travelling on a Christmas Day but then this deal had to be clinched before Christmas so that on the New Year we can make the announcements....
It is okay Ben, I have experiences working through Diwali and other festivals even....
I do not know if I am the right person to advice you but you must take it easy girl at times, I am sure we will understand and be reasonable after all the efforts you put in for the company.....
Bani smiled and wished Ben 'Happy Christmas'...
As she watched Ben's retreated back, she suddenly remembered Jai, Jai Walia....take it easy was something he was saying all the time... she put on her overcoat and gloves, picking up her Laptop she went towards the lift, it is over 10 years that she left college , after doing her MBA, she started her career, after one job to another, she was not liking anything, when telecom boom happened in India, Ben's company, Pelican Mobile was relatively new, Ben's father had started manufacturing telephone sets and then shifted to mobile sets but then Ben wanted to foray into the networking business, he was looking for young and ambitious people and Bani was one of the first recruits...Bani suddenly knew what she wanted to go and 8 years has passed since, Pelican Mobile is now one of the leading player in the telecom sector, Bani now head of India, was one of the most recognised personalities in the country...
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The cold wind hit Bani as she got out of the foyer of the office building, pulling up the hood of the coat, she walked out, Manhatten was at its best, all dressed up for the biggest event of the year, shops decorated with Christmas lights, star and wreath, Bani watched the last moment shoppers hurrying from one shop to the other, somewhere Ben also must be doing the same, she stood watching the scene for sometime, suddenly a thought struck her, was she in someway like those shoppers, running to get the best bargain.....Bani clenched her hand, 10 years has been very fulfilling, from a girl belonging from ordinary middle class family, she became somebody, in India is was one of the youngest business executive who appeared on TV shows to Magazine cover interviews....today she was standing in the foreign country watching others buying gifts....
Taking out the phone, she dialled hope, a sleepy voice answered filled with anxiety....sab theek haina Bani....her mother.....
Ha Ma, everything is alright, infact we have just clinched the deal, Ben is very happy...Ma ...er I was thinking today must be Christmas, buy some toys for Sonu, Monu
Bani, Bani I think you should realise the Sonia and Mohonish have grown up now, they are well into their teens and they don't play with toys anymore, Diwali mein you have gifted your niece and nephew with expensive gifts, itna degi toh bigar jayenge....don't spoil them.....
Oh then send a cake over, you know Christmas cake....
Well if you say so, I will phone Bhabi and send the money over, my knees are killing me and ....
Bani disconnected the phone, the topic of knees will not finish quickly and this was international call...Bani nodded her head, what would have she done without her mother...she could not remember what gift she had gifted Sonu, Monu for Diwali, must be something expensive, her mother likes to show off her daughter is successful, Bani only gave the money, she did the rest....
Admiring the shops' decoration, Bani walked towards her hotel, a nice warm bath and some good music, she will go to bed early, the flight is in the early morning....suddenly Bani realised that she was in the Soho District, off Manhattan god I missed my hotel ....Bani kicked her shoe, god where my mind is, when she saw a vendor selling hot tomato soup, buying a cup, she stood sipping it, feeling much better, she sat down on the stool next to the vendor....
It seems we will have a white Christmas this year, the man selling the soup commented.....
In that case I hope my flight takes off in time.....
Travelling on a Christmas day? Where to? The man asked....
India....Yes, business finished so lets not waste company's money anymore.......
Christmas in New York is very nice, you can stay back you know, I am sure you will enjoy it, what a waste it is to spend it on travel.....
Well Joe, for Madam Dixit it is not right and proper.....so she goes back....the man who was sitting huddled in the stool opposite commented....he pushed back is cape and smiled.....
Ja...Jai Walia....Bani looked surprised....
You recognised me......
Err....I mean why shouldn't I and you did too....
Well I did because you have hardly given us the opportunity to forget you....kafi chhaye huwe ho charo taraf...Jai Walia commented....
Bani smiled, for some unknown reason she felt good to see him in this place after all these years....
Thanks for the compliment Jai, whats up, how have you been keeping....
As usual....bade baap ka bigre bete....nothing has changed Bani....
Still? Bani asked....
Yes, why not? He asked....
Everyone has changed , how come you are still the same....
Everyone? Jai raised his bows
I hope so, I think so, isn't it normal....
You think, do you know? Jai asked.....
Bani stopped, she paused.....well it is right, she did not know, she has lost track of most of her classmates, where they are, initially she used to get wedding invitations or phone calls informing her about their status but last 5 years have been so hectic she has lost track, just like she had forgotten that Sonu and Monu are now into their teens.....
I see Bani you have not changed, you are still the same....Jai Walia got up, since you are speaking to me, lets catch up with each other.....Jai it seemed was in touch with most of them still, he informed her, who got married, who divorced, who has children, who lost job....
Tell me something Jai, as far as I had heard you were the only child of your parents, I am sure your father must be now wanting you to take over....
Well he does....even threatens to disown me....
And?
And nothing Bani, I don't need money I need a home....
A home?
Yes a place where I want to go back ....
I thought you had a home
Yes I have a house but not a home....
I did not get you Jai...
My father is busy making money and my mother is busy spending it....
And you?
Jo bacha khucha hai, I somehow manage to survive ...Jai picked up Bani's laptop bag, Bani followed him....
By spending the Christmas in Manhatten...Bani commented
Yeah, Jai shrugged and new year in London or Paris, as the mood suits me....
And your wife ?
She is with your husband....he replied back....
I don't have a husband....She added hurriedly....
Yes, I know you are a celebrity remember, I don't have a wife.....
Why ?
I did not ask you why you don't have a husband but then I will confess Bani, you were right the girls were after my money...isiliye maine kisi se shaadi nehi kiya, which hotel? Jai asked
Hilton....Bani replied, suddenly upset to hear she was right, she did not know why, Jai Walia without girls made her feel sad....
You said you did not change Jai....
I have not changed Bani, I said I did not have a wife and that does not mean....
Oh of course, how silly of me....
As they stepped in a hotel, Jai looked at Bani, will you buy me a dinner Bani, I am famished....
Bani looked at Jai, now in proper light, his charming smile still prevalent and so is his built but he was looking tired and thin, he was not wearing any gloves, putting his hands in the coat pocket....Jai Walia wants her to buy a dinner in a 5 star hotel....why not Jai, come this way, tell me what will you like....Bani led the way....
He hogged his food , seeing him eating Bani wondered for how many days he has been hungry, why was he sitting on the wayside vendor in Soho, is his father's business doing well? Some rich people had this habit of not coming into terms with their fortune dwindling, they will beg and borrow to maintain their old lifestyle....no Bani will not mind treating Jai Walia one day....she both wanted to show off and cling on to him, in this foreign land suddenly he was making her feel home....
Come Jai, lets go upto my room
Are you making a pass at me Bani
No Jai, I am not, I want pack for tomorrow's flight back home at the same time catch up with you, we will have coffee in my room...
Wow a presidential suite, old Ben must be in love with you letting you stay in such an expensive room...Jai commented on reaching Bani's room
Well I have earned it...
But of course, how can I ever doubt Miss Prim and Proper Miss Dixit....
Bani laughed hearing one of her old names given by him....
As they sipped coffee Bani realised all these years Jai truly did not do anything particular, on and off jobs, business, it seemed he was successful in nothing, now he was travelling looking for fresh ideas....
With age my father is becoming a miser, he cannot control his wife so he is controlling me...now I have to be in budget he grumbled....
So you have changed Jai...
Not me my father yes...he replied...
Bani laughed, she excused herself and started packing, Jai sat watching her and asking her about her life....
Still no man in your life Bani...
Where is the time Jai...
Are you happy with your career, Bani
Very....
What do you do on reaching home....
Eat / sleep...as most of the days I am rarely directly going home....
One meeting after another, one talk show after another...Jai asked
Yes and truly I have a great mother, though she cribs about her knees but she is a great woman, she takes care of everything from my clothes to running of the house...
Yes till she is alive and kicking.....
What do you mean...
Nothing, Jai nodded his head
Well I don't know why you are commenting at all because you are no better...
Depends...He replied...
On what....
Your mother does it for you, I do for myself....
Bani went to the bathroom for a wash, when she came out, he was sprawled on the sofa sleeping...Bani stood watching him for sometime, is this the same Jai Walia she studied with, whom she could not withstand, she picked up blanket and put it on him....
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The ring woke her, Bani quickly latched out for her mobile, as she answered it, the voice said, Madam sorry to bother you, but due to heavy snow last night the fight will be delayed, the visibility is also poor but we will keep you informed.....
Thanks Bani muttered and snuggled back when she remembered Jai Walia, she jumped up...its morning already....he was not there on the sofa....the blanket was neatly folded....
Was it a dream, of course she was not drunk she thought as she recalled as night, and without manners too, not a note of thanks after the expensive dinner atleast...Bani fumed, what can you expect from a man like him.....
Bani switched on the TV and sat on the bed with her coffee....various channels were showing Christmas was being celebrated, the weather bad due to heavy snow, in other parts of the world what was happening, some car bomb in some city killing people, Bani turned the channel as usual all crap....
The channel was showing last moment shopping people doing last day before Christmas, different people have different way of celebrating Christmas, noted photographer Jai Walia recently exhibited some of his works in the New York, the money raised from sale of these will towards making of the home he is building for street children of India....on the pavement next to Joe's Soup Shop he was standing in front of his works and saying his plans, you see when my parents died in road accident suddenly after I left college, I realised they had left me wealthy and secure but many are not so privileged so I wanted to do something in their memory, I plan to build one such home in all the corners of India, I will consider myself lucky even if I have contributed a drop in the ocean, my works are in front of you, I am saving money by not hiring a hall, all the money from this sale will go towards the charity, ...I need your help, you buy so many gifts during this time, buy one of my photographs, they are not that bad ....the reporter said for the last three days he has been standing here braving the cold selling his photos to Christmas buyers, which covers lives of India, scenery, wild life etc., but Jai tell me something this photograph I am seeing you are not selling, not for sale you say, who is this beautiful woman....
This photograph was taken when she was in college, without her knowledge of course,...She is my inspiration, this is a girl I knew in college after college I am yet to meet her but I know she is doing very well in life, she was always very focused, I am trying to be like her but I guess I am not that dedicated, though I always tell my children to be like her...and the best part is I am sure she has not changed....
Your children
Yeah for the one's whom I am building home....
As the reporter shifted to some other shop, Bani thought so that what he has been doing all this while....what a liar, his parents are dead...and he...just then the door of her room opened....
Jingling bells he wished Good morning and Merry Christmas, he entered pushing a suitcase and a handbag….
What are you doing here.....
I spent the last night here, remember...He said....
You, I just saw a programme, you...I mean I heard your parents are dead
So?
Yesterday you told me....I saw you in the TV
He went and pushed back the curtains of the room, bright sunshine flooded the room....
Come Bani, see it is white Christmas, I had to bribe the girl downstairs to make the call but I am glad you believed her, it did snow last night but now it is all clear....
You...Jai ...I mean goodness gracious me, when will you change Jai.....
Never atleast I don't want to change in your eyes, I am sure if you would have seen me changed last night, you would not have liked it after so many years, no Bani, Jai came up and held her face between his palms, I will not change for you but then Bani lets spend this Christmas together, lets catch up with each other and do what we always wanted to do but never did..... to start with this ..he lowered his face and kissed her on the lips, Bani was taken by surprise but then raised her arms and hugged him...the end………..
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Channel V Dil Dosti Dance
