Ok guys, wont keep the suspense up any longer - here you go, enjoy!!
PART 14
Bani doesn't wait to hear anymore. What she had just heard she could only interpret in one way, but doing so caused her unimaginable pain. She felt worse than she had before she had left Walia House a few days ago – at least then she hadn't been under any illusion that her husband loved her as much as she loved him….
She struggles to stop the tears from falling and continues to clear the table away.
Dadi: Bani.. kya hua? Achanak se tumhaara chehra kyun utargaya??
Bani: Kuch nahin Dadi… woh mere sar mein dard ho raha hai. Thodi der mein theek ho jayega.
Jai rejoins them at the table: My god, already gyaarah baj chuke hai!! Bani me ab jaa raha hu, yaad rakhna theek paanch baje pohach jaana airport par – der nahin honi chahiye!!
Bani nods at him and goes upstairs to her bedroom, closing the door behind her. Tears start to fall again before she can stop them and she sees herself in the mirror.
She shakes her head and tries to cast out these thoughts from her mind – however that niggling feeling of doubt just wouldn't go away…..
Later that day….
Jai paced back and forth in front of the check-in desk. "Paanch bajne wale hai, kaha hai Bani, maine usse kaha to tha voh suitcase leke pohochjaaye…..agar yeh flight miss ho gayi to mera saara planning bekar jayega!!"
He suddenly sees her walking towards him and waves to catch her attention.
Jai: Kya hua Bani, paanch baj chuke hai maine kaha tha na time pe aane ko!!
Bani: Sorry Mr Walia, voh traffic mein phas gayi thi…
Jai: Ab chalo, check-in karna hai, kahin der na hojaye!
He goes towards the desk and pulls two passports out of his pocket. Bani's heart sinks lower. Two passports? Who was he going to Germany with?! She turns away fighting hard to control her emotions.
Jai: Chalo Bani, bags sab check in ho gaye, gate ki taraf chalte hai.
They walk through the airport, Bani does not even notice where she is walking, she is lost in her own thoughts. She was so angry at herself for giving in to Jai, but what could she do she loved him. And in return all he ever did was let her down.
Jai: Bani gate aagaya! Kahaan kho gayi tum?!
Bani: Voh… nahin kuch nahin me bas… koi baat nahin.
She hesitates awkwardly, wanting to question him but not having the nerve to do so.
Bani: Achcha to J… Mr Walia…. Apna khayal rakhna. Have a safe journey, aur Dadi ne kaha he ke waha pohochte hi phone kijiyega.
Jai is looking at her with that little smirk playing around his lips again. He watches her look up at him so sullenly and then look down again.
Jai: Bani… kya hua… bahut upset lag rahi ho..?
Bani, forcing a smile: Nahin.. aisi koi baat nahin… bas… have a nice time in Germany… and .. er… have a safe flight…
She cannot pretend any longer and turns to leave.
Suddenly Jai bursts out laughing and grabs hold of her wrist. She turns back and looks at him in annoyance. What is so funny?!!!
He pulls her closer to him and wipes a tear from her cheeks, still laughing quietly.
Jai: Oh Bani… there's no-one quite like you is there?!!
Bani: Mein…. Mein samjhi nahin…
Jai: Kitni bholi ho tum sweetheart!!! Dekho tumhaari aakhon mein aansu bhi aagaye!!! Oh Bani, kya lagta hai tumhe, itna sab kuch hone ke baad me tumhe aur dukh dene ke liye ghar wapas laaya hu?!!!
He pulls the two tickets out of his pocket and places them in her hands. She opens them to find….
Bani: Lekin… yeh.. yeh ticket to Scotland ke liye hai!! Aap to Germany jaane wale the na??
Jai: Uff meri jaan, ab bhi samajh me nahin aaya?!! Mein 3 dino ke liye Germany nahin, balke mein or meri pyaari si biwi 3 dino ke liye Scotland jaa rahe hai!!!!!
Bani: WHAT?! Lekin ye sab aapne… mujhe to laga tha ke….
Jai, with mock indignation: Haan tumhaare chehre se saaf pata chal raha hai ke tumne kya kya sochliya tha apne overactive dhimaagh mein!!! Ek hi jhatke mein mujhe Jai se wapas Mr Walia bana diya!! Itna hi bharosa hai mujhpe?!!
Bani: Voh.. phone pe… aur phir aap ka kuch dino se yu door door, pareshaan rehna…
Jai: Haan mein pareshaan to tha!! Maine sab planning kar rakhi thi hamaari is choti si holiday ke liye. Pia ko maine kaha tha ke voh savere aake tumhaare bags pack karde jab Dadi ne aap ko kisi bahaane se bahar bhejdiya ho. Tickets bhi vohi travel agent se le aane wali thi taake tumhe kuch pata na chale. Lekin savere uska phone aaya ke voh nahin aapayegi kyun ke Pushkar ki tabeeyat ab tak kharaab hai. To phir Dadi ne hi tumhe bahar bhejke apne aap hi packing karli, aur mujhe kaam ka bahaana kar ke khud hi tickets le aane pade!
Bani: Aap ne itna kuch… is ki kya zaroorat thi? Aur yu akele jaana achcha thodi lagta hai, sab gharwale saath me chalte na?!!
Jai shakes his head at her in incredulity – honestly, the girl had no idea when it came to romance!!! But that wouldn't be a problem… he could teach her!
Jai: Ab Bani madam, hamaraa flight che baje ko yaha se take-off ho raha hai, agar aap ke sab sawaal khatam ho gaye ho to hum chale?!! Ya phir apna birthday airport mein hi manaana hain?!!
Her trademark sunny smile surfaced again as he mentioned the birthday she thought he had forgotten all about!! She took hold of her husbands hand and as they walked towards the gate she knew this was going to be the best birthday of her whole life!!
😃 So there you go - most of you guessed what was going to happen! Hope I didn't disappoint!! As always, feedback is much appreciated! 😊
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
