I am dedicating this part for my friend, sughra2, for helping me with writing this part! Thanks a lot sughra for giving me ideas!
Part 7b:
Aarti was happy that her best friend is settling down also, but also very angry with her that she did not tell her the good news. "Why wouldn't bani tell me?," aarti questions herself. Aarti looks over to Bani, dancing with jai, on the dance floor. She will let her enjoy herself for now, but will give her a piece of her mind later.
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When the song finished, jai let go of bani's waist and held onto her hands. His touch sent shivers down her spine. "Thank you for the dance, bani," jai says gently to a flushed bani. Jai did a thing that kept bani stunned for moments, he kissed her on her cheek and left. She stood rooted to her spot, watching jai walk away. Bani touches her cheek and smiles happily to herself. She turns around and sees Aarti walking furiously towards her. "Aarti, what's-," bani doesn't finish her sentence, aarti pulls bani by her arm, taking her outside.
Aarti stares angrily at her best friend, who always told her everything, never hid one single secret from her. She then couldn't hold back her smile. "Bani! I'm so happy for you!," aarti says as she hugs puzzled bani.
Aarti: Congratulations!!!! (she shrieks in joy)
Bani pulls Aarti away from her, looking even more confused than before.
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Pia yawned with boredom as she looks at the time, 10:00. It was pretty late and pia was tired, she wants to go home. She looks around for Bani and Aarti, but doesn't see them in sight. Pia walks up to Rahul and Jai, who are in a deep conversation.
Pia: Have anyone of you seen di and Aarti? It's late, I'm tired, this party is becoming a bore, and I want to go home. (she whines)
Rahul: (looks around) no, I can't seem them anywhere. But those two are enjoying the party, I don't think they'd want to leave just yet. Why don't I drop you off?
Pia: (thankful) Oh would you?! Thanks!
Rahul: Hey, jai, do me a favor. Find Bani and Aarti and tell them that I'm taking pia home.
Jai: (smiles) sure thing. (eyeing the exit) I think I know where they might be.
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Bani: Congratulations for what?
Aarti: girl, please. Stop playing dumb with me. I know you're engaged to Raj Patel. I'm so happy that I finally know who this Raj Patel guy is. Bani, I am so happy for you! You're also getting married!
Aarti again hugs shocked bani, not knowing how to break the truth about Raj Patel to her cheerful best friend. Bani did not know why, but she began sobbing, making Aarti very confused.
Aarti: Bani, why are you crying? What's wrong? You should be happy! Your dreams and wishes are finally coming true!
Bani: (blurts out while crying) no, they're not, Aarti! Nothing that I ever dreamed of or wished of is coming true and they never will!
Aarti: (wiping away her tears) What are you saying, bani? I don't understand.
Bani: Aarti, unlike you, I am not happy with this marriage! I am being forced to marry Raj Patel, a 40 year old man with an 18 year old daughter!
Aarti; (surprised) what?! Why?
Bani blurts out everything to her supportive friend, while she comforts her. Aarti listened interestingly, feeling the pain that bani is going through. Tears begins to form into Aarti's eyes, listening to what bani has to go through with and what she has still yet to go through.
Aarti: This is horrible, Bani! How could your father do this to you? You don't deserve this!
Bani opens her mouth to agree with her friend, but is interrupted by a very familiar voice saying, "She's right, bani." Bani turns around and finds Jai standing behind her, looking very concerned. Bani quickly wipes away her tears, not wanting to look like a wreck in front of jai, as he walks towards her and Aarti. How long was Jai standing there? And how much had he heard?
Jai: Bani, you don't have to marry this man, if you don't want to. No one should force you into a relationship that you don't want.
Bani: But-but, Jai-
Jai: Bani, we're friends right?
Bani nods her head in agreement.
Jai: Then take this friend of yours advice, don't marry this man if you don't love him in anyway, but fear him. Plus, what do you know about this guy, just his name? How will you be able to spend the rest of your life with a man that you know nothing about and he knows nothing about you?
Bani didn't dare to protest, what jai had said was absolutely true.
Bani: Jai, I understand what you're saying, and you're right. But if I don't marry him, then he can ruin my life and my family's.
Jai: He has threatened you saying that if you don't marry him, then he'll ruin your life? Well, has he done anything so far that makes you believe that he will?
Bani: (silent)
Jai: no, right?
Aarti: Bani, whatever jai just said is the truth. Don't marry this man.
Bani looks from Aarti to Jai. They just made her realize that she is going to commit the biggest mistake in her life. She smiles weakly to them, thanking them to make her realize what she needs to do.
hope you guys liked this part! will continue tomorrow... 😉
Udne Ki Aasha
Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile
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