wondering where Bani was, they were supposed to leave the hotel for sight seeing at 9 AM, when
theyw oke up it was 9!
He obviously the faster of teh two, was ready before 10, had stepped down, airing the warning that
she better be there in half hr. She was still no where in sight at almost 11. It was HER idea to go
sightseeing, he just wanted to stay in the room, ....... He had visited Bk many times previously
and it didnt hold any particular charm for him
His thoughts slipped back to the previous day and particularly the the two nites that had recently
passed. The moment they both had been waiting for, the moment she said she had been
"avoiding" had come by and gone. A smile creases his lips, these were the best days he can ever
think of he had with his wife in all the time he had been married to her. She had been as
passionate and expressive as he had been, though she would never be able to see him eye to eye
if he ever said that to her. Their ship sailing thru turbulent waters may have spotted a lighthouse he
thought. That lighthouse was what they ahd shared the previous days nites.He had hurt her again
flinging an accusation about yet another starnger. His temper was still uncontrollable, especially
when it came to matters that related to her. More than temper what he had felt that night on seeing
her dressed like that sitting across from another man, had opened the floogates of anger, passion
and jealousy all mixed together.............
She was the only woman, only human being infact who had crossed him and had lived to talk
about it. He did not suffer fools. People stayed out of his path when the storm came, she despite
being calm and composed had braved it all each time. Even though he possessed her body her
mind was still out of reach, he still did not know what she felt about reconciling. He still did not
know what Tarun means to her. Was she really serious when she "promised" she wud date him?
And of course the reason that took her from his house in the first place. That needs to be sorted
out as well. In some ways he was more unsure about his relationship with her now than he was
before the love making happened. He was only sure of one thing, HE DID NOT WANT TO LOSE
HER. Whether he wanted to analyze his feelings before he analyzed hers was something he
needs to give thought to.
The guest relations manager walks by to talk with him about the quality of service and to inform
him that Bani's luggage should be delivered by the time they get back that nite...and interrupts the
flow of thoughts. JW dressed today in khakhi all cotton trousers and a crimson and green
checked shirt, and comfortable tan suedes on his feet. Checks time, for the 5th time in half
hour,the hands on his steel Rolex still wouldnt move despite his fierceest glare. .................
Looks up, sees her walk up to him, in white capris and a blue Polo sleeveles tee, comfy walking
shoes on her feet.
Bani gets off the elevator. Smiles to herself at the thot of their first morning argument
and how JW had warned her about being downstairs at the lobby in half hour. It was all HIS fault
anyway.......... The half hour was up when she got in the shower! She sees him pacing the lobby
like a panther, lost in thoughts. His shirt open enough to reveal what she had seen the night before
and then some........ his hair still a lil damp from the morning shower, curling around his
ears................
completely unaware of the admiring glances from passer by Thai women tourists/guests.
A couple of them say something to each other and smile admiringly at him, one even winked at
her friend indicating to Bani that they may have been thinking something flirtatious! Bani saw that!
How can he be so unaware of other women but ME? She realized his methods of calculated
persuasion but was powerless to do anything about it. Her small white purse carried the essentials
she would need for the day including the purse size Thai tour book and her unfinished novel. She
hadnt had a bite to eat and was hungry too.
She sees him walk up to her, sure confident, undoubtedly male and HERS! she thinks quickly
dismissing taht thought as pompous............ She smells Romance by RL on him,
JW (irritated) Where the hell were you?
B: (knows he is upset) I am hungry
JW: bani I wanted u downstairs at 10.15, abhi its 11 !
B: woh piya ka phone aa gaya tha.
J exasperated "Cant she wait until you get back?
B: Mr Walia aapko kya maloom, we have never been away from each other, yeh pehli baar hai,
what do u know (emotional outburst)
JW (hand on her elbow almost pushing her into the coffee shop) How come she doesnt miss Piya
and she misses only my wife. They are waiting to be seated at the coffee shop.........
B colors at the word wife "I am her sister first and then......(quickly checks herself and stops)
JW complete change in atitude, stops stands in front "Sister first and then? (softly)
B: I am hungry (looks away cant see his eyes)
JW smiles amused........................
hostess esats them...........
JW: Do u realize thsi si the first meal we are having together in 6 months?" Waitress appears
B bends down and doesnt respond looks at the menu..................
JW: I'll have some coffee (to the waitress) and an omlette.......... sunny side up....
B:Mujhe nahi maloom, kya khaoon main (looks at him innocently)
JW: Thats why I recommend becoming a non vegetarian like your husband. (looks at the menu
again)
That sends Bani's heart in a tizzy again looks out the window.
JW: How about some tea and some toast and pancakes?
B: Itna saara? No!
JW: You eat what u can, dont worry............
Food is served, he butters her toast, pours syrup on her pcs, and makes her tea. she pretends to
read her book.
JW: Piya ne kya kaha?
B: Kuch nahi usko yahan se kuch ssamaan chahiye tha, she wanted to know if I can buy.
JW: Oh1 is not interested at all, eats his omletee while wife is still stuck on her second pancake,
she loves her tea,
JW: Are you full?
B(lost) nahi.......
JW: Want a bite" profers the fork with a bite of omlette
B: NO! twitches her nose..........
JW: Its tastes great, just like me (winks)
Furious color rushes to her face at that implication............
B mutilates the reaminder of her pancake imagining its..................
JW picks up her book from the table, a slim paper back, she lunges.......... Mr walia give it back
JW: what do u read zara dekhoon..........
B: Please u are so rude
Moves the book from his face and gives her the most absolutely cute smile................
JW:Hoon na?
B: I wnat my book back......
JW Only on one condition
B Kya (sulkily)
JW: I want to taste the pancakes u are eating
B pushes her entire plate fwd clanking with his "U can eat it all" raeches for the book
JW hides the book on his lap, and holds her right hand with his left sending tingles all along B's
spine, makes her poke a piece, dunks it in some syrup and makes her feed him................. all the
while looking at her.............. wraps his lips around the piece and chews on it, later to only bring
his tongue out and collect the syrup from his lips............. she watches fork in mid air in her
hand..... drops it with a clunk and looks away when he knows that she watched it all...........
JW (hsukily pleads) Lets go back to the room...........
B: NO!! Hum do din se kamre se bahar nahi nikle (breathless and shaky)
JW Whose fault is that? (mock accusingly).
B bends down and is unable to answer.....
JW reaches out and holds her hands warmly with his............ "Bani I was teasing, please dont be
shy I promise u will see Bk today"
B: can I have my book back
JW: here........... Kim and his wife want to meet you, also hame apna resort dekhne bhi jaana hai.
Runs his hand thru his hair ruffling it, B watches giving it her undivided attention........
JW: You havent seen our resort yet. I have a month ago........ Vivian tumhe invite karna chahti
hai....... you have so much to do and u take two bl----- hours to get ready (angry again)
B: It was not MY fault (snaps)
JW signs the bill, gets up, "lets go Bani, I promise we can eat some place later" she gets up and
picks up her book and bag........
He holds her hand with his left in a firm grip, walk out and get in the Merc that he has rented for
the day........... lets her in and gets in. The driver sees them from far and starts walking toward his
car........
B: I know what I want to see first (all chirpy and child like) Wat Phra Kaeo, the Temple of the
emerald Buddha
J is amused, turns around slides his fingers thru her hair pulls her face down to his and covers her
lips with his with a graon "Mrs Walia....Tum mere liye kabhi itni excited ho jao na please" Little
shudders of excitement flickered over her flesh melting her protests as their mouths blended into a
perfect whole.......