Posted:
Hi! This is my first Jai-Bani story. I hope you guys like it. :-)
The Surrogate
As Bani was being wheeled into the delivery room, the past year of her life flashed before her eyes. Despite insurmountable pain, all she could think about what a mess her life had become and how she'd helped create it. Her one decision had upturned so many lives. Her one, well-intentioned decision has changed the course of so many relationships.
Thinking back, Bani wondered what possessed her to agree to such a bizarre proposal. It coould've been her sisters pleading eyes, the desperation in her voice. It could've been her brother-in-law's quiet reassurance, his pain hidden behind the silent comfort her offered his wife. It could've been her own parents' encouragement. Mostly though, it was Bani's need to find a purpose again. To believe that her life still meant something. That she could still make a difference in someone's life. That she still mattered. It was something she hadn't felt in a very long time.
It had been just over three years since her husband, Ranveer, had died when her older sister Pia first proposed the idea. Bani had finally moved on and begun putting her life back together. Just barely. Losing your best friend, childhood love and husband within a year of marriage would be hard on anyone, let alone Bali, for whom her husband was everything. Ranveer's untimely demise had all but brought Bani's life to a standstill. Shock gave way to a deep set depression, as Bani realized she did not have anything to live for: no children, no set career; her entire life had revolved around Ranveer.
Bani's in-laws and her parents agreed that she would be better off at her parents' house, under the tender care of her mother. She'd surprised everyone, however, by choosing to stay in her and Ranveer's house, and attempt to piece her life back together. Her job as a school teacher kept her holding onto the ounce of sanity she had left. Even then, being around the children all day stung; realizing that she and Ranveer would never have any of their own. That she would perhaps never be able to experience the joy of being a mother, that in a sense she would always remain incomplete. Despite her parents' begging her to move on, she could not, and would not bring herself to love another man.
Two years had gone by since Ranveer's death when Bani got news that her older sister and brother-in-law were relocating to India. Last time Bani had seen Pia was at Ranveer's funeral, and she was ecstatic at the prospect of having her older sister back in her life again. Over the years, especially after Pia and Bani's respective marriages, they'd grown somewhat apart, focusing primary energies on their married lives. She couldn't wait to reconnect with her sister again. When Pia arrived, however, the picture was less than rosy.
Perhaps Bani had been too caught up in her grief to notice it earlier, but something was definitely amiss. It wasn't something that a glaringly apparent, but Bani's instinct led her to believe that something wasn't quite right. Her formerly bubbly, chirpy sister was much more subdued. While most people would pass it off as Pia "finally growing up", Bani knew in her heart there was more to it than that. She'd sensed some tension between Pia and her brother-in-law, Jai. The couple once radiated warmth and affection, now seemed awkward and edgy in each other's company. When Bani tried asking Pia, on multiple occasions, what the matter was, all she received was an overly enthused denial, and a cheerful, but fake admonishment for thinking otherwise.
Eventually, Bani gave up, preferring to focus on rebuilding hers and Pia's relationship. Pia seemed all the more willing to spend quality time with her little sister. Shopping and lunch dates, movies, exploring the city had started becoming routine for the duo. On one such lazy Sunday afternoon, Pia's resolved finally broke. A cousin of theirs recently delivered a baby girl, and Bani was excitedly brainstorming possible names for the newest arrival.
"I really like 'Reya'. It means 'queen' in Spanish" Bani said concentrating on finishing up the last of her dessert. "Or even 'Rania'. Then she'd literally be a queen." Chuckling over her own punchline, she looked up to see Pia staring into the distance, misty-eyed.
"Pia? What's wrong?" Getting no response, Bani placed her hand over Pia's and gave it a gentle squeeze. Pia's lips quivered as tears began to flow.
"I want a child" she said she sniffled. And finally, Bani's roused suspicion was confirmed.
As Bani was being wheeled into the delivery room, the past year of her life flashed before her eyes. Despite insurmountable pain, all she could think about what a mess her life had become and how she'd helped create it. Her one decision had upturned so many lives. Her one, well-intentioned decision has changed the course of so many relationships.
Thinking back, Bani wondered what possessed her to agree to such a bizarre proposal. It coould've been her sisters pleading eyes, the desperation in her voice. It could've been her brother-in-law's quiet reassurance, his pain hidden behind the silent comfort her offered his wife. It could've been her own parents' encouragement. Mostly though, it was Bani's need to find a purpose again. To believe that her life still meant something. That she could still make a difference in someone's life. That she still mattered. It was something she hadn't felt in a very long time.
It had been just over three years since her husband, Ranveer, had died when her older sister Pia first proposed the idea. Bani had finally moved on and begun putting her life back together. Just barely. Losing your best friend, childhood love and husband within a year of marriage would be hard on anyone, let alone Bali, for whom her husband was everything. Ranveer's untimely demise had all but brought Bani's life to a standstill. Shock gave way to a deep set depression, as Bani realized she did not have anything to live for: no children, no set career; her entire life had revolved around Ranveer.
Bani's in-laws and her parents agreed that she would be better off at her parents' house, under the tender care of her mother. She'd surprised everyone, however, by choosing to stay in her and Ranveer's house, and attempt to piece her life back together. Her job as a school teacher kept her holding onto the ounce of sanity she had left. Even then, being around the children all day stung; realizing that she and Ranveer would never have any of their own. That she would perhaps never be able to experience the joy of being a mother, that in a sense she would always remain incomplete. Despite her parents' begging her to move on, she could not, and would not bring herself to love another man.
Two years had gone by since Ranveer's death when Bani got news that her older sister and brother-in-law were relocating to India. Last time Bani had seen Pia was at Ranveer's funeral, and she was ecstatic at the prospect of having her older sister back in her life again. Over the years, especially after Pia and Bani's respective marriages, they'd grown somewhat apart, focusing primary energies on their married lives. She couldn't wait to reconnect with her sister again. When Pia arrived, however, the picture was less than rosy.
Perhaps Bani had been too caught up in her grief to notice it earlier, but something was definitely amiss. It wasn't something that a glaringly apparent, but Bani's instinct led her to believe that something wasn't quite right. Her formerly bubbly, chirpy sister was much more subdued. While most people would pass it off as Pia "finally growing up", Bani knew in her heart there was more to it than that. She'd sensed some tension between Pia and her brother-in-law, Jai. The couple once radiated warmth and affection, now seemed awkward and edgy in each other's company. When Bani tried asking Pia, on multiple occasions, what the matter was, all she received was an overly enthused denial, and a cheerful, but fake admonishment for thinking otherwise.
Eventually, Bani gave up, preferring to focus on rebuilding hers and Pia's relationship. Pia seemed all the more willing to spend quality time with her little sister. Shopping and lunch dates, movies, exploring the city had started becoming routine for the duo. On one such lazy Sunday afternoon, Pia's resolved finally broke. A cousin of theirs recently delivered a baby girl, and Bani was excitedly brainstorming possible names for the newest arrival.
"I really like 'Reya'. It means 'queen' in Spanish" Bani said concentrating on finishing up the last of her dessert. "Or even 'Rania'. Then she'd literally be a queen." Chuckling over her own punchline, she looked up to see Pia staring into the distance, misty-eyed.
"Pia? What's wrong?" Getting no response, Bani placed her hand over Pia's and gave it a gentle squeeze. Pia's lips quivered as tears began to flow.
"I want a child" she said she sniffled. And finally, Bani's roused suspicion was confirmed.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
