PART 15
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!!
After a 9 hour flight they finally landed in Edinburgh. Bani had spent half the flight tightly clutching Jai's arm in fright every time the plane shook a little, and the other half asleep on his shoulder. He, however, spent half the flight enjoying the closeness of her touch, and the other half watching his angel sleep.
"Tujhe dekh dekh sona… tujhe dekh kar he jagna… maine yeh zindagani sang tere bitaani… tujme basi he meri jaan hai…jiya dhadak dhadak…jiya dhadak dhadak… jiya dhadak dhadak jaaye……"
Just watching her peaceful smile, sensing her rhythmic heartbeat, it bought him a peace he had never felt before…
They came out of the airport to find a car waiting to take them to their hotel. It seemed Jai had put a lot of thought into this trip!! Knowing well what British weather was like he had made sure to keep aside a shawl for her and lovingly wrapped it around her the minute they stepped out in to the chilly nighttime breeze.
Bani: Thanks Mr Walia
Jai, with a cheeky smile: It's quite ok Mrs Walia!
Driver: If you're ready sir..?
Jai: Er… yes… thank you. Chalo Bani.
They drive through the scenic hills and valleys towards the edge of Edinburgh and arrive outside their beautiful hotel set high on a hilltop. It was away from the bustle of the city with scenic views in every direction. "Just perfect" thought Jai, smiling to himself.
They enter the hotel and Bani gasps in pleasant surprise. It is such a beautifully decorated hotel, and so romantic and cosy – Jai had chosen well!!
Manager: Hello Sir, how may I help you?
Jai: Hello, we have a booking here in the name of Mr & Mrs Jai Walia.
Bani smiled warmly – a phrase so inconsequential to most made her heart sing a little!
He took the room keys and followed the bell-boy and their luggage into a lift. They stepped out into the softly lit hall, faced by a large wooden door.
Bell-boy: The Penthouse Suite sir.
He took everything in for them and then wishing them goodnight and closed the door behind them. Bani clapped her hands in delight as she looked around the suite. There was a large reception area with sofas, a bar and television. Another door led to a beautiful bedroom. In the centre was a large four-poster bed surrounded by soft silk drapes – the kind she had seen in films! Connected to the room was a large bathroom with all the usual amenities and a very attractive looking jacuzzi!!!
She opened the glass french doors on the right wall and stepped onto a balcony. The view took her breath away! Not far from the hotel was the edge of the cliff-top, descending into a deep valley. Well it wasn't so much a valley as the city of Edinburgh itself!!! Above – the stars, and below – the city lights, all twinkled especially for her and Jai!
Jai watched her as she skipped here to there looking more and more delighted every minute. He could have spent the rest of his life just watching her smile. He thought about everything their relationship had been through and thanked his lucky stars that things seemed to have turned out ok. Somewhere he must have done some good deed in his life which was returned to him in the form of his beautiful wife.
Bani sits down on the bed, looking very tired after their long journey. He realises how late it is and comes into the bedroom.
Jai: Kaisa laga Bani? Khush ho?
Bani: Aap ne mera birthday celebrate karne ke liye kitna khoobsurat jagah chuna hai – thank you so much Mr Walia, mein is tofah ko hamesha yaad rakhungi!
Jai: Arre Bani, ab tak birthday shuru kaha hua hai!! Tum so jao, bahut der ho chuki hai. Ek minute mein apni ghadi badal leta hoon… GMT time is…. 11.55pm.
Tum jaake kapde badal lo mein suitcase me se kapde rakh deta hoon.
Bani: Koi baat nahin mein kar loongi aap-
Jai: Bani tum bahut thaki hui ho, please jaake change karlo, or phir sojao!!
Bani gives in and goes into the bathroom to change. She closes the door and leans against it. Whenever she was with him her poor heart suffered such a rollercoaster of emotions it left her drained!!! She remembered being angry with him earlier in the day, then the surprise at his plans, and now the excitement and happiness at being alone with him for the next few days. It would be the perfect opporunity to really get to know the man she had been married to for some months now!!!
She changes into her nightsuit and opens the bathroom door, finding the room in darkness, apart from the little lamps surrounding the mirror!! She walked towards them calling for Jai and stopped suddenly as she felt herself hit the chair in front of the dressing table.
Bani: Mr Walia... Mr Walia kaha ho aap?! Itna andhera kyu hai, please kuch bolo na!!
There is silence. Bani is becoming more anxious with each passing second.
Bani: MR WALIA?!!
She jumps as she feels a strong hand over her shoulder. She looks up into the mirror to see her handsome husband crossing his arms over her neck and pulling her back into a tight hug. He whispers into her ear…
Jai: Kitni baar kahoon – Jai… sirf tumhara Jai.
Bani giggles and lets out a sigh of relief!
Jai: 12.01am!! Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Bani…. Happy Birthday to you….!
She smiles as he pulls something out of his pocket. He lightly brushes her back as he pushes her hair over her shoulder. He then places something around her neck and tears well up in her eyes as she realises what it is.
Jai: Kuch din pehele tum ne mujhse kaha tha ke iss par ussi ka haq hai jiske saath me apni puri zindagi khush reh saku. To ab yeh apni sahi jaga pe pohonch gaya Bani. Is mangalsutra pe tumhare siva kissi aur ka haq na tha, na he aur na kabhi hoga.
He finishes fixing the clasp and brushes her hair back into place. Placing his hands on her shoulders he turns her around to face him. The soft glow of the table lights enhances the sparkle of tears in her eyes.
Jai: Jo pal maine tumhaare bina bitaaye hai, woh meri zindagi ke sabse dardnakh pal the. Ek tumse judaai, aur doosri, tumhari aankhon mein aansun, yeh mein kabhi bardaasht nahin kar paoonga. Hamaari shaadi ko beshaq kuch hi mahine hue ho, aur isme se zyaadatar waqt maine tumse nafrat karne me gavaayi hai, lekin us nafrat se kayi badhkar mera pyaar hai. I love you Bani.
Bani laughs through her tears: Saari pichli baaton ko bhulaake mein sirf apne aanewale kal ko dekhna chahti hu – woh kal jo apke bina adhura hi hota. Jo hua so hua Jai. Ab hum saath hai, aur duniya ki koi bhi taaqat hame alag nahin karpaayegi. Aaj apne mujhe jo tohfa diya hai woh meri zindagi ka sabse khoobsurat tohfa hai – aur mujhe chahiye kya?! I love you too Jai… I love you too…
"Ye mulaqatein… yeh teri aadhi baatein… ek pal na main bhool pau…
kitni mohabbat… hai kitni chahat tumse… kaise bhala main bataoo…
Acha lage jo… tu samne muskuraaye… shayad yahi to pyaar hai…"
He pushes her hair back from her face and softly kisses her head. She wraps her arms around him never wanting to let go. He stares deeply into her eyes as he puts his hand around her waist and pulls her closer. He bends his head to kiss her trembling, soft pink lips and…
…TRING TRING…
The shrill sound of the telephone ringing makes them both jump apart. They stare at each other for what seems like an age and Jai thinks to himself that he should kill the person on the other end of the line!!! Bani smiles softly as she turns away and Jai goes to pick up the phone…
😆 Bechaare - always getting interrupted!!
Hope you enjoy the next part, really appreciate your comments!!
