PART 33 to 39 A FLASHBACK X

THANKS A LOT SOWMYA FOR THE FOLLOWING!!! U are a genius!!! (Thank u rose467, I got it!)

1-15A

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/328218/fan-fiction-part-1-15a-updated-now

15B-27

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/350527/part-15-b-to-27-ff

28-32

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/370077/ff-part-28-thru-32

Enjoy!

A

PART 33 (enjoy ur weekend girls!!)

Bani hadnt spoken with JW in over a week,............... since he was gone. The last she had spoken was to deny any relationship between herself and tarun.........She didnt know if he was in Delhi or in Bhuvaneshwar. She had MET Tarun to get all the dirt on his quitting though. He didnt seem upset or angry at giving up his wonderful job so suddenly. He was very sure thats what he had wanted to do. He was quite pleased with himself on pulling that fast one on JW. Bani was not sure if she liked it or not. Tarun pretty much told her in clear terms that when JW got back he was going to talk to him about THEIR relationship. Btried her best to dissuade him. He was convinced that she was terrified of him and hence her inability to step out and break the marriage.

After encountering Tarun's steely resolve in going after her, she was not so sure about her anger for her husband anymore. Until she had met Tarun, she had been seething and boiling on the inside. had picked up her phone and dialled his number multiple times intending to tear him apart, but had decided that she wanted to do the "tearing up" physically as well, and hence calmed herself down and decided to wait..........
Her anger turned into fear. She dreaded the day husabnd was expected to return. Pay day came around and she realized that accounting had posted a note at the bottom of her pay stub, indicating

some payout. She called Anna and learnt, the loan payment to the auto dealership was made ON HER BEHALF for Pushkar's van. She almost dropped her paystub in

shock! Called Diya immediately and asked to speak with Dev, and he spilled the remaining beans, assuring her that JW was one of the nicest guys he had met in his life

and how he had just struck it off with him. And also how her loan file at his bank was closed now as no disbursement was made. Dev informed her about extending a dinner

invite at their place the coming month, and was quite pleased with the way JW had graciously accepted it and promised that she cud spend teh night with Diya if she

wanted to. Dev was impressed with JW's thoughtfulness and understanding of the Bani-Diya friendship.The next thing would be to check my bank balance she decides and

logs on to the website from work one afternoon, just when she had thought that she was immune to everything she discovers her account carries a balance of over Rs.15

lakhs!!!! He had paid off her credit card debt. The entry had happened exactly the day, they had fought in his office over her default.

Three months with hubby and so much had changed!!! She owed him for every minute of the unbelievable joy and passion she hadnt known known existed....... She also owed him over Rs. 30 lakhs now.
She starts sweating, hands numb, face pale, anchors her elbows on the desk and hides her face in her palms and just rests.
She didnt know where to go, from here. The future looked dangerous, she had not said in explicit terms to Tarun but had been as forceful as she could in communicating her decision of having reconcilied. She wondered for a moment if there was any truth in tarun's allegation if it was fear that was tying her to him. A chill of terror crawled up her spine visulaizing hubby's reaction when Tarun wud set up a meeting. He was not an easy man to cross, even though his blazing temper was shortlived, he did not suffer fools. What was his was HIS. At the thought that she was the prize the two women were planning to slug it out for, she bristled, she hated both at the same time. Its as if she did not exist.
Tarun insisted on meeting her regularly, and wanted to make it obvious to his friends and hers too. Infact he had shown up at Valley Resorts twice in the past week to ask

her out to lunch. The friendship/relationship that not made her anything but happy until THIS WEEK, started rankling her. She could not explain the resentment to herself.
It was almost as if the moment Tarun had crossed the line from a friend to a suitor, it had changed everything she ever felt about him. This was the man she had unhesitattingly considered for the suitor role not too long ago. She HAD felt that kinship for Tarun.

She suddenly did not feel ANYTHING for him now.

Her FRIEND HAD CHANGED. It was the man she feared the most AND................... loved to distraction. He occupied every breath she took, every thought that crossed her mind, every feeling she emoted, he was there, without being there physically, every minuted she lived. A man who was capable of meteing incredible cruelty and also take her mind, body and spirit soaring to dizzying heights with his love making. He had torn her heart to shreds countless times including the one that happened just before he left for Delhi...........
BUT...............
She didnt want JW TO LET HER GO!! When the thought crossed her mind, it made her more fearful than facing any more angry allegations. She wanted to stay connected. She wanted this life with him. She wanted to be wanted by him. She hadnt felt this close to anyone in her life. NOT EVEN to Pia and Rano!!!!
He was giving her no guarantees but she still wanted it ALL. He hadnt ever come out and said anything about what sanjana means to him. But she still wanted him anyway.................... She had to give up her apartment, her independence, her friendship with Tarun and more than anything accept to herself that he will be a part of her mind, body and soul...........................

People at work were good naturedly teasing her about taking more than couple of days off last week around 15th August and Janmashtami. Remarks like "Oh teh booss's wife, doesnt have to turn in her application" "Oh she just has to tell him in BED!" and such remarks, all in jest she hoped. She tried to laugh it off while making it clear that she was serious about having a career and keeping it.

Friday night

She needed a break, she calls Rano, informs her about, going away to her apartment for the nite. Rano is eager to join her. She declines and reassures her, that she is fine and rano shudnt worry. She picks up clothes and essentials for a couple of days. Picks up some veggies and food and movies on the way.
Unlocks lets herself in, dumps everything on the kitchen counter, turns on her kitchen radio, glad Monday is a holiday for Ganesh Chaturthi. Decides to go to Siddhivinayak that morning...............

Falls on the couch and doesnt realize dozing off, she wakes when its apst 10 PM.......... The house is all dark, even though she has lived here for over 6 months it feels cold and lonely. She wants to call Rano to see if she can come, but decides against it. Walks around, goe sto the balcony, everything seems strangely quite, but for the radio, playing (Chhaaya Geet;-), beautiful Lata Kishore song from Ghar "Aapki aankhon mein kuch mehake hue se raaz hain"
Impulsively she reaches for her cell phone and dials...............

B: (soft sleepy voice) Hello! (heart racing)
JW (hoarse) BANEEEEEEE?
B blsuhes....... Mmmmmmmm
JW: kya hua? (panic)
B:(surprised) Nahi? Kuch nahi.......
Silence stretches interminably................
B: Woh..............
JW: Hmmmmm? (gentle)
B:(trembling) I was scared
JW: (angry and impatient) Kahan ho? What the hell happened?
B: Ghar pe.........
B: Woh mere apartment mein hoon (guilty)
JW: What the hell are u doing THERE BANEEEE (yelling)
B: Main rakh rahi hoon (that tone managing to drive her fears faaaaaaaaaar away, to replace it with annoyance)
JW: Dont u dare.............
B (blushes again) Woh I just came here
JW: WHY? WHY?
B: I wanted to.
JW(hard steely tone) So u have moved OUT?
B: no (faintly)
JW: Is this ur hero's idea?(nasty)
B: NOOOOOOOOOO, U are horrid!!
JW: I have spent 9 FRI----- DAYS in permanenet state of frustration how do u think I FEEL?
B: Stop it!!
JW: Its the truth Baneeee
B: I wanted to talk............. matlab....... (she cant bring herself to say "I wnated to hear your voice")
JW (patient and coaxing) Hmm kaho.............
B: Kuch nahi........ I wanted to.................
JW: Baneeeee (he knows)
B: I ummm, uhhhh
JW: I am NOT helping Mrs Walia!! (husky)
B:Ummmm, I wanted to h.............
JW:(holding his breath, his heart thundering away like a monsoon storm) Hmmmmm? (barely audible, tearing it from his throat)
B: (moistens her lips, he closes his eyes tightly, sesnsing that) I wanted to hear ur voice (she says it in one breath............)
Exhales, in fact both do...............

Silence again

JW: U make it BLOODY hard for a guy to get done with his work and return to HIS WIFE, Mrs Walia
B: Do..........nt tease... (husky)
JW: I will do more than that when I get back, Baneeee, THAT is a promise!!!
************************************************************ ************************************

PART 34 A
B: (calm but serious) Mujhe aapse baat karni hai
JW: (serious a lil edgy) Hmm..... kaho
Before she can talk, interrupts her again, and says "First things first, Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho Baneee? (pleadingly)
B: Bus yoon hi aa gayi...........
JW: Did u bring all your things? (serious)
B: Nahi..... (matter of factly) kyon.......
Senses a thrill crawl up his spine, joy audibly bubbles up his throat " Baneee I dont want u staying alone"
Silence
JW: Baneeee?
B: Hmmmm.........
JW: Go home............
B: woh maine Yadav ko bhej diya ghar...........
JW: dont worry I can call Darshan, he can come pick u up...........
B (empathetically) No!! Plz aap unko soney deejiye
JW: Sahil ko call karoon?
B: Mr Walia!!! (sternly)
JW: Baneeeeeeee (runs his fingers thru his hair, exasperatedly)
B: Haan ek kaam ho sakta hai?
JW: Kya?
B: Ummmmm...... aap...... aa jaayiye?! (smiles)
JW swears...........
B: Shhhhhhhhhhhh.........Main mazak kar rahi thi..............
JW: How come u never think of these things when I am in front of you?
B: (spontaneously) Kyon ki jab aap saamne hote hain to main aapko miss nahi karti!!! simple
JW: (husky) do u miss me?
B: (lying) matlab, abhi nahi...... woh to bus yoon hi..........
JW: Mrs Walia, u are a bloody liar..........
Set Mr Walia!

B:Mere baare mein bahut baaten ho gayi... ab aap boliye (slowly walking back from the patio to the kitchen, unzips her tote, pulls out an old black Polo tee of his..... walks to her bedroom, does not switch on the lite, just lays down on her back......... pulls the pillow from the side lays it on her stomach, throws the tee on top of the pillow, it smells like Unforgiveable.........................
JW Smiles, she can hear him
JW: Poochho?
B: Aapne mujhe call kyon nahi kiya?
JW: I cud ask u the same
B: But I asked u NOW
JW:Clever!! I am rubbing off on you aren't I Mrs Walia (winks and exhales achingly/warmly into the phone, she colors all over almost as if she just got drenched with the breath)
B: Shut up!
JW laughs..............
JW: I thot we fought? .................
B lands on the earth with a huge thud............ Tarun and all that happned after husband left comes back to her mind!
B: Thats OK............(morose)
JW Ab kya hua?
B: Kuch nahi...........
JW: Baneeee DONT DO THIS!!! (bitingly) ek minute, u are flirting with me like there is no tomorrow doosre hi minute kya ho jaata hai tumhe?
B: Mujeh kuch nahi hua hai, u hurt me (sulking)
JW: I know.......... sweethrt....
B: Dont!!!
JW: Kya? I shud not know that I hurt you or shud not call u sweethrt?
B: Mujhe nahi maloom...............
JW smiles again.............
JW: Banee go call ur neighbor and ask her if she can sleep in ur apartment tonite, kya naam hai uska the Desai woman?
B: Achha woh? Woh nahi hai, Nagpur gayi hai for Ganpati................
JW: Baneeeee go home please..............
Her heart starts racing at the tenderness again.................... she realized he was being very patient and calm about the whole thing and that his anger cud erupt anysecond.
B: Aapko 10 din ho agye almost, aapne ek call bhi nahi kiya, why shud I go home? Kal main apna samaan yahan la rahi hoon (pushes him)
JW: (jaw clenches) I will act like u didnt say that. Why the hell cudnt YOU cal me?
B: I did, Sanjana ne uthaya. She said aap naha rahe hain (lies, bites her trembling lower lip)
JW: Baneee stop lying!! (lazily warning)
She laughs.......
JW: I check my incoming calls list multiple times each day........ the last time YOU called me was, on Tuesday TWO WEEKS AGO.......when I left the farmhouse to go get the replacement Cat 5 cable for my laptop....., tum chillaayi thi ki main lunch ke liye late ho raha hoon, aur tum saare chholey kha gayi thi. Do u need any more details of what happened afterwards Mrs Walia? (husky)
B: Noooooooooo!!!
She laughs again........
B: Well......... aap late ho gaye the, to kuch to miss karna tha na?
JW: I liked the forfeit better!! (rubbing his jaw reminiscently sending the raspy sound a 1000 miles away to her ear)
B Go shave!
JW: I wud agar tum yahan hoti.............

B wants to spend the whole nite talking, she wanted this banter. She was not hungry. She was not thirsty, not even sleepy. She just wanted this banter to continue all nite long..... she lay there on her bed, eyes closed, hugging her pillow to her thudding chest, gently tapping her (one over the other) feet, causing her anklets to chime....... her cheeks aflame, her voice soft, rolls over to the front, buries her head in the pillow....... inhaling all the scent of him in one go......... from his tee.......
B: I like Unforgiveable better than Acqua! (eyes closed, almost drunk.........)
JW: (startled) Sorry?
B: Nahi....... kuch nahi........
JW: Suddenly mer e cologne ki baat kahan se aayi?
She smiles.........
B: Woh bus yaad aa gayi (winks)
JW: Liar!
B: Woh....... main aapka black tee galti se lekar aa gayi..............
JW Galti se? Hmmmmm
B Haan
JW: Tumne khaana kha liya?
B: Nahi
JW: Kyon? (serious)
B: Main so gayi thi
JW: Are u going to cook NOW? Order pizza!
B: Nahi! (Strongly) Woh 404 mein last week kisi ne order kiya, aur delivery guy ghar ke andar ghus gaya....... (trembling in fear)
JW: Good God!!!! Get the hell out of that place right NOW Bani!
B: I will be fine
JW: U called me to torment me? If u wanted me to stay up all night, u shud have bloody said it Baneee! (ticked)
B: Maine aapko saari raat jagne ko kaha kya? (yelling back)
JW: No! U just told me that the house is unusually quiet and a pizza delivery guy could be a s---- predator!!! Goddamnit!
B: I am hanging up!
JW: U do that Baneee I am catching the next flight home and will wring ur neck!
B: phir mujhe kisi se darne ki zaroorat nahi na (laughs nervously)
JW: BAD JOKE!! It is not funny!
B: I miss you!
JW: Stop it!! How much worse do u want me to feel? (bitingly)
B: As much as I do! (softly but firmly)..................... may be more?

******************************************************

PART 34 B
JW :Baneee I am supposed to be working all nite, I am sharing a friend's office here. U are making it so fri----- impossible!!

B: sorry! (sincere/pleading)
JW: God!! Tum apologize bhi karti ho, why does it sound like......... something else? (throaty)
Silence!!
B: Main aapse ek baat karna chahti thi
JW: Bolo (typing away on his keyboard)
B: Valley mein sab bahut tease kar rahe hain........
JW: Main samjha nahi Baneee (confused but patient)
B: Aaapko kya, I have to work here, they are all saying things like, main bahut chutthi le rahi hoon, I dont care abt work, becoz I am the owner's wife................... and such
JW: Does it bother u that they tease u or does it bother you that u are the owner's wife? (taunting)
B: I am going to hang up!
JW, Banee, Banee, Banee, sorry I am sorry, plz yaar aaj tum bahut touchy ho............
B:Its NOT funny (hotly)
JW: OK serious! Do u want to quit and stay home?
B: Now I am really going to hang up
JW: Baneeee, I was just b----- asking?
B: Nahi I am thinking main chhod doon?
JW jaw clenching, speaks thru hsi teeth "Oh! so THATS what this has been all about?
B(confused) Kya matlab?
JW: Hero ne chhoda aur tum bhi chhodna chahti ho?
B:U are the limit Mr Walia. Mujhe aapko koi explanations dene ki zaroorat nahi hai. Main phone rakh rahi hoon.(angry devastated)
Click!!
Turns into her pillow and hot tears flow out.................... the relationship was back to the same uncomfortable, mutually suspicious unsteady level again............ the phone

rings once, twice, thrice, she doenst pick it up........ gets up makes dinner, watches an 80's Rekha movie on Sony and goes off to bed past midnite
************************************************************ ******************************
The cat and mouse game officially begins..............yet again
She starts loving her apartment again the next morning, she cleans, replaces the curtains, decides to go shopping to buy new throw cushions for the low settee/divaan on the corner. Her phone doesnt stop ringing, its hubby 's call every hour or so. she realizes this calling thing must be driving him over teh edge and the consequences of which may not be very pleasant but still decides to ignore it. Speaks with rano and Pia decides to meet them for lunch. Showers, readies herself, knock on the door, the biggest bouquet (second only to the Karwa Chauth one on hubby's hands) of ed roses await her, the delivery guy gives her a "Who ever it is seems to be might persistent look" on his face, takes her signature and leaves
She fears it may be Tarun, but laughs it off, coz she didnt tell him abt her weekend plan............. tears the envelope to read the message card, "Baneee pick up the PHONE!" Nervous, with shaky hands, she just crushes the note and throws it away

The word phone in caps said it all she thot, he was NOT sorry, just ticked that she had hung up on him, she goes over to the sink, fills water in her vase and arranges the flowers in it, in the process poking her index finger in her right hand nice and hard, sucks the blood off, puts some dettol on it as it seems quite deep, wraps a bandaid......bending down to smell flowers before setting it on the coffee table. The phone rings again. Its HIM! She rejects the call..........
Spends the day with sisters shopping eating and being silly. Rano wants to know how she hurt her hand, she tells her abt the roses, NOT who sent it but everything else, making it appear like she bought it.......Pia excuses herself after lunch wanting to go meet one of her college friends...... Rano wants to check out new mangal sootra designs for her first karwa chauth present, so Bani and her look at a few at TribhivanDas at Zaveri Bazaar, the store spanning five floors is any jewelry lover's paradise.
Rano's phone rings when Bani is stepping away to go look at the earrings.......
She hears her talk warmly, laughing and smiling talks for over 10 minutes, Bani is waiting for more designs, when she find Rano by her, turns around Rano hands her her phone, the store guy calls her with a questions and before she can say who it is, she walks away, Bani preoccupied herself, just places it on her ear and does a sweet looong "Hellooooo" romantic and teasing, peering down at more designs............
JW: Mrs Walia, that was a hell of a greeting there!
She blushes beetroot red......... she looks up at the sales girl in shock, seeing her observing her face curiously she gets up, smiles and excuses herself in gestures and walks over to the couch at the front end of the store.........
She doesnt want to hang up coz its Rano's phone and she doesnt want her to know abt whats going on.......
B(trembling and failing to manage a flat tone) Kya hai?
JW: Ouch!
B: I am in a hurry
JW: Haan Rano ne bola ki tum bore ho rah thi, so she decided to ask u to go jewelry shopping with her.......
Set Mr Walia!
B: Ummmm woh, mmmmm mera matlab Rano ko kuch lena tha.
JW: I thot tahts what I just said (taunting)
B: stop it!!
JW: tum phone kyon nahi utha rahi?
B: i dont want to see u or talk with u.mujhe aapse..... I dont want anything to do with u (sulking but watching her tone as she is in the store)
JW: tough luck Mrs Walia, but I have everything to do with YOU.
Set JW!

B: I have to go
JW: Banee CALL me when u get home! (orders)
B:No! I will NOT
JW Theek hai main Rano ko call karke I will tell her what happened at panvel when I got late for lunch..........
Set Mr Walia!

B: Go to hell! I dont care
JW: Ok fine thanks........(calmly just stoking her anger)
Silence.........
B:Ummmm (She knows he will do it, but has too much pride to agree to call him)
JW: Banee Aurin called, I wanted to talk about that
B:Oh? (not sure if he is lying to prolong the conv.)
JW Did u get the roses?
B: Which roses? (flipaant)
Set Mrs Walia

JW: OK fine, may be u will later today...... oops OK....... Diaz also wants to set up a meeting abt Bosch....
B: Aaj Saturday hai mujhe koi kaam ki baat nahi karni. U are the boss, u have no life, u do it (snaps)
Laughs aloud
B: Main phone rakh rahi hoon
JW: Did u sleep well last nite? You sound tired........
B: Aapko us se kya?
JW: Well, u were all over MY dreams last nite, is liye mujhe laga tum thak gayi hogi............. (winks, trying to control the bubbling laughter)
B: Get los (before she can say any further, he interupts again)
JW: Oh BTW Baneee, if your finger hurts a lot, Doctor ke paas chali jao!
Match JW!
Click!

*****************************************************

PART 35

She went back home to her apartment that nite and the weekend just flew by, except for Diya's unexpected call about wanting to meet her, on Sunday,she agrees and does, Diya picks PD Chang's and they love the food there. She has an announcement to make, she says, her and Dev are expecting their FIRST BABY!
B's heart does a flip flop when the word baby is said, for some reason, she can feel warm color rise up her cheeks. Wonders what it would be like to be pregnant.Feels her right hand instinctively go to her belly, just places her palm there for a minute to savor what Diya must be at thsi time..........
Diya is almost three months along, not quite, has had a couple of pre-natal appointments she says................B is verry happy for her, they have a good time, B ends up being totally non-committal about JW's promise for a dinner date to Dev.

Weekend goes by in that, Monday goes back to work, not being able to quell the "baby dream".............. Tarun has left two voicemails for her, wonders why he didnt call her cell, scrolls her call log and finds he has indeed called her over 5 times, only B fearing it was hubby had not even bothered to look at it. He wanted to know if they can go out to dinner, she impulsively calls him and accepts. There are loads of e-mails and "integration" meetings with Mr Aggarwal first and then with the Darjeeling team. Her day is taken over just in responding to e-mails and attending those.

Friday comes by again............, she has spent the week nites at Walia Mansion, but for some reason wants to go to her apartment to spend the weekend ..................
She is not even able to grab lunch, late Fri aftrnoon, Mr Aggarwal taps on her cube wall and asks her if she has time for a two hour call on DJ, she attempst to refuse but he interjects saying, its JW nad "the team" from Delhi trying to work out the legal nitty-gritty. She reluctantly agrees and walks over to Mr A's cube with her laptop, still running on battery (she has forgotten the powercord at home), is trying to scramble and find one from the Hotel's IT deppt at Nariman point. No luck the guy who had gone to get it still stuck in traffic, the battery shows two rectangles, temptingly promising two hours worth............. in its winking flicker at the bottom right corner........

The meeting begins JW introduces, the Company affairs ministry babu team, the lawyers, auditors, the third party company folks, DJ team logged on from DJ, SANJANA!, and requests the rest of the crew to introduce themselves, ver professional, no-nonsense, the complete hard nosed biz man that he is Mr A does when its B's turn, she hesitantly starts with "Bani" first and as an afterthought adds "Walia": softly. The meeting begins well, around half way thru, her screen saver flickers and dies, she taps on the space bar, but the power has died, sending her into complete shock.
She reboots, just in time to present Q3 financials, she had been gone so long, she had it turned in on the 7th workday of the month, after reviewing it with the Chief Accountant at Darjeeling, unfortunately he was not on the call today and B was entrusted with the responsibility of explaining some stuff that JW had shared with the auditors. The ministry officials are done they hang up and leave, its now between the rest, she starts explaining performance, occupancy, infrastructure improvements, additional cost burdens etc etc etc, her PC crashes again. While she waits for it to boot, the auditors find some inconsistency with the way some expenses are being reported in DJ and ask her if she is aware of it, B had not seen the files they were sharing ever before. sanjana butts in and clues them in saying they were sent to B LAST Friday nite ( a week ago) and was asked to review and prepare for this meeting. JW needs answers she doesnt have any, he is not happy at all, he tells her point blank that such inefficiency would influence the confidence he has on her capabilities.............Sanjana promises to take charge and lead the process of correction and restatement at valley, much to Bani's chagrin symbolically her PC crashes again, not to reboot for the day. She doesnt expect a trite, blunt approval from JW for handing over the task to Sanjana but it comes anyway........

The disaster of a meeting ends soon. She rushes back to her cube, packs her stuff and leaves. Meets Tarun for dinner that does not go too well either, he is back being insecure and clingy and wants to capitalize on the "bad day at work" mood she is in and urges her to quit, and suggests they go to Delhi to meet his family. Weary, disappointed and tired she goes back to her apartment. She hasnt talked to him all week, he hasnt called either, effectively being gone for over 16 days now. Sat morning a courier package awaits her when a guy knocks on her door, she opens it. Its on official Walia Group staionery her blood boils when she reads it, it effectively states that starting Monday she has been transferred to the Corp office at located at the Hotel, in some senior consulting capacity in the Corp Communications/PR/Guest relations role. She tears up the letter and flings it across the room, the pieces float around for a while trying to taunt her, but eventually give up and land on the living room rug. She picks up her phone and dials his number, Sanjana picks it up sleepy and groggy "Hello"
B: Mr Walia kahan hai mujhe unse baat karni hai"
S Bani? Are u alright? (not answering the Q)
B: Mr Walia ko phone do (shouts)
S(sweeeet) Oh woh to shower mein hain!!!
B:What? (doesnt believe it)
S: I know its past 11, but kal raat ko hum bahut late ho gaye the, we slept late so we woke up late I guess (looooong winded explanation)
B is ready to burst up in flames now, she runs her fingers thru her damp tangled hair, wincing in pain when fingers get caught, bringing tears to her already "tear-ready" eyes
Totally dismayed she just hangs up, . Calls Aditya and asks him if he knows abt it, he declines any knowledge of it, she tells him she is looking for a break and hence will be quitting the company starting Monday. He is obviously shocked but she lies about another incoming call and hangs up asking him to pass on the news to JW.

spends the day moping, desolate and crestfallen.....................
Doesnt leave the apartment, cries her heart out, eats all the Lindt truffle (almost 10) she can, eats some icecream from the container for lunch, watches Tom and Jerry re-runs on network cable and goes off to sleep on the couch at 4, only to wake up past 8........and like a woman possessed, showers again....changes into blue denim cut off shorts and a short old white worn out Polo t-shirt ties her hair up wears a "This cook loves to play with fire" emblazoned apron and starts cleaning her kitchen cabinets. "if I have to move in next week I have to have the place all clean" she decides. Angrily wipes off her tears, with the back of her hand every time they threaten to spill out................

Doorbell rings! She tries to peek thru the hole, the neighbor's kid has colored it black with permanent marker so, its just a black spot!, in more ways than one......she opens the door bored, ready to drive away who ever it is
Its HIM! She tries to shut it on his face, he is too quick, places a navy blue suede shoed foot in and pushes his body in and shuts the door, He is wearing navy blue cotton trousers with draw strings at the waist teamed up with a Mocassin and lamp black stripe short sleeved cotton shirt, with shoulder straps, very elegant and sexy she realizes when he forces himself in to her apartment, his silver Rolex cold and gleaming when it encounters her fingers on teh door knob............her back against the door, her left hand around the door knob, clutching it for dear life........he crowds her, his distinctive male/musk mixed with Unforgiveable playing havoc with her senses, making her forget her grief and anger................ he.surveys her from head to toe, the swollen red eyes, the pink puffy cheeks, the hair, the writing on the apron! Looks up into her eyes, she avoids his gaze..................

JW: She sure does, doesnt she Mrs Walia?

****************************************************

FLASHBACK 1 (PART 36 A)

"She always does that when gets really nervous" JW mused looking at his sleeping wife, place her index finger sideways on her upper lip to mop off the sweat...... "wonder who is making her so nervous in her dreams" He wonders. She is laying across his chest breathing into his chest hairs, sending them into a flurry of action with the

exhaling, her right arm circling his ribs, her left tucked near his right shoulder. He wants to move her back to the pillow but he knows she might wake. So just lays

there......... looking at her, her mangal sootra locket has travelled to the back of her neck and is almost tangled in her hair, he slowly but gently untangles it and places the

piece of cold gold locket back on her shoulder. "If I cud get up I wud go turn the AC down, she is going to give me hell in the morning, if she gets cold" he fears his lips

twitching in a smile...... pulls the blanket to cover them both completely,, bends down kisses her sleeping head and slips back in time..............
********************************************

"I hate these bloody ties!! " swore Jai Walia, yanking the burnished copper silk knot on his neck with his left hand, his Rolex peeks out and hides back into his wrist, smattered with a fine coating of silky dark hairs. He was not very tall almost 5' 10" but not quite, broad shoulders, rather

heavy set but in good shape with hours logged at the gym............wheatish-dark complexion, not a conventionally handsome face but had a raw sexuality to it. In contrast

his hands have long fingers, elegantly tapering, well groomed nails, ..............is wearing an expensive black suit, indicated clearly he was wealthy. The way he carried

himself reeked of class and sophistication. His hair was neatly combed back, seemed a little damp at the back, a streak of grey running through the middle, indicating that

he had crossed the momentous 30!
The lady with him, who attempted to push his ahnd away and re-do the knot much to his chagrin............ seemed like she was his age as well, very immaculately dressed in

a pale blue skirt and jacket with a cream blouse, her hair and make up doing tehir best to bring her age down by a a decade........ but failing

Bani Dixit, the young girl standing at the other corner of the elevator was trying not to pay attention but was drawn to the man's loud swearing. She herself dressed in navy

blue pants and a sea blue shirt, that came 1/3 folded already, , wore navy leather pumps on her feet, with some but not a lot of make up.........looked like she was around 24

or so, medium height, fair complexion, a beautiful set of teeth adding to the already attractive features, hair tied in a chignon at the back trying to make herself seem older

than she was. She carried a leather laptop case in one hand and cup of chai in the other.

"What the hell do u think u are doing Roshni" The man's exasperated voice again distracts Bani, she looks up, at the couple in the corner, only to see the woman, pull the

guy's face down holding on to his tie knot...... giggling like a teenager "If u wear ties everyday mere liye achha hai, Jai (Bani cant catch the name she uses) I can use it to

bring ur lips down" saying so attempts to lock hers on his.............

B grunts rather loudly "Gawd! grown men and women are worse than teenagers, how disgusting" she thinks, giving them both a cold look.
"Who ever HE works for is surely going to be curious about those lipstick stains, GOOD!, u have some explaining to do gigolo!" she thinks smugly.........
The man who had been completely unaware of her until now, hears the grunt and looks up to see who the object of the reprimand is. His eyes encounter her disapproving

ones. His heart does a dull thud for some reason which he will wonder about later............... he sees a rather attractive young woman shooting daggers with her unusually

large expressive eyes. "If eyes could kill!"......... he thinks. Something about her was definitely intriguing............. she didnt have the sexiest body on a woman, "rather small

b-------" he thinks lingering on them for more than few seconds, "but the lips surely do make up for all that" he mentally gives them credit "and great legs!"

B can feel color crawl up her cheeks, her spine stiffening in anger "How dare HE? He acts like a teenager in the elevator and CHECKS ME OUT on the side?"

For some reason for the first time in her life her body and mind are NOT in sync!!!

Her skin suddenly feels too stretched....... "Why shud I feel embarrassed? I am not the one pawing in public" she tries to tell that to her heart but its too busy playing the welcome drumm roll for some stranger in a elevator

She prepares herself for a caustic retort when the lady, turns around "Kya hua?" (pouting) "Oh!" (like she just saw the female janitor of the building, tursn away)
JW docks his eyes on the girl across the elevator a slow smile spreads across his face, he gently puts some distance between him and Roshni, watching the girl's eyes

lose the disapproval................. "She looks like she must be barely out of college, wonder who employed HER?" he thinks "The booming Indian economy is bringing good

fortune to all and sundry" he curses in hsi mind..................

The elevator stops at the 15th floor, B steps out first, cant wait to flee from the delayed adolescent couple "Yuck how annoying were they? Glad I will never see him again".

JW follows her slowly but surely, Roshni's phone rings, so she stops to get it. He tucks his hands into his trouser pockets, flexing his already broad chest, accentuated by

the offwhite shirt stretching tightly across..... it. They both stop and wait outside the ballroom for her to finish her call, he does not notice BD walk in..........

The room is filled with over 100 people, all sitting around tables of four, B walks over to the front speaks with Mr Ranade, her supervisor. More people walk in and settle

down. B sets up her laptop, hooks it to the network, connects to the (HP '-) digital projector, and scrolls to bring the first slide on top........

Mr Ranade checks the microphone, taps it twice and starts speaking " Good morning everyone to the second day of the Hospitality Industry Convention 2004, if u look at the

program guide for today, (JW nad Roshni walk in)the first speaker this morning is Ms Bani Dixit , a junior consultant with Arthur Anderson. Do not let the word "junior" fool

you. A very bright young lady, who cleared her chartered accountancy exams in the first attempt and topped the country two years ago. Arthur is proud to have her work for

them in close association with SEBI (securities and Exchange Bd of India). She is here today to talk about Corporate Governance in publicly held companies in India.

Please welcome Ms Dixit

Thunderous applause.

JW still standing, in fact the only one standing in the dimly (Bani's PC only lit room) watches the girl from the elevator walk to the podium his mouth dries for a second (again unexplained phenomenon) his heart does a re-run of that familiar thump it did in the elevator......

B: good Morning everybody. Thank you Mr Ranade. But before I begin, can I please ask the genetleman in black in the far right corner to take his seat? There are poeple seated behind you SIR."

Their eyes lock again, across the ballroom!!!

************************************************************ *********

FLASHBACK II
PART 36 B

BD's presentation went fabulously well she thought. Lots of questions at the end and an engaging discussion midway on accounting irregularities wrt to Enron and its

implications on corporate India.
She was aware of the elevator guy's eyes on her all the time. He was taking notes and talking with his lady from time to time. Everytime he turned his head towards the

podium, and looked at the speaker, and Bani much to her distress finds him meeting her eyes unflinchingly each time. She hurriedly looks away, pressing her index finger

sideways above her upper lip to mop off the sweat beads, so as to not give the impression of noting what he was doing with his partner, but............... not before actually

giving him that impression ;-)

Break time she wonders where he works at, but doesnt bother to go to the group he is talking with. The second part of her presentation goes by quickly, she answers most

of the questions, more than two from the "elevator guy", the third and fourth particularly challenging and hard to address for her. She could see a challenge in those eyes, it

was clearly a bait, she had to try not to bite it, she maintains calm, promises a speedy response when she gets back to work the next day noting it all down in her laptop

promising to respond soon.

Most of the other participant questions are simple and have staright fd answers is thoroughly prepped so no sweat.

The second item on the day's agenda is about to begin, people are crowding around her table when she is packing up, many ask for her biz card, she hands it out, only to

realize her direct number had changed and her card did not reflect that, turns around with a big smile to ask for a pen, the "elevator guy" is right behind her, offering her his

pen, again looking directly at her eyes!. His cologne unsettles her, she bends down trying to hide the flush on her face, thanking him inaudibly, makes the correction on the

all the cards, without lifting her head.

People start to leave from around her, except him, "That was a great presentation "Ba...."? She quickly interrupts.........smiles totally sweetly "No! Actually that would be

"Ms Dixit, for you.... thank you"
B(affected) I am happy aapko achha laga.
JW: Quite unexpected (lazily looking at her facial features from under his lashes), ya but completely rewarding!
She is not sure if its about the presentation! so switches gear to attack mode.............
B: Ya I understand its really difficult for "some" men to comprehend that a woman can be smart (tapping her temple kinda derogatorily with her right index finger)..... dont

worry (She has this "I pity you!" look)
JW: "Some".......... (he repeats and pauses)....... I actually loved it...........(very satisfied to see here agitated over something he hadnt even articulated to her)
B: Mujhe laga aap bahut busy the, aapne concentrate bhi kiya? Thats great! (patronizing)
JW: U noticed? (unfazed)
B (looking away) Pray... ur boss didnt, u are going to have to explain that distraction! (sweet smile again)
For some reason she assumes he is an employee of some chain.
JW: I better,have one Huh? (rocking on the balls of his feet, hands in pocket)
B: If you have any questions or your manager does, please feel free to call me. So NICE to meet you! (doesnt give him her card, does not shake hands, does not ask his

name)
Picks up her laptop case and walks away.

"I HATE men like HIM", she thinks to herself, on the way home that nite. She shares an apartment in a high rise on the 10th floor in Bandra with Anjali Kapoor, her best friend

the past two years, since she has been in Mumbai working for AA. Her Dad still lives in Mt Abu, Rajasthan, with her youngest sister. The middle one Pia lives in a college

hostel in mumbai and Bani usually met with her during weekends.
Anjali works with Procter and Gamble in retail sales managing territories in North Maharashtra and southern Gujarat and travels quite a lot. They frequently exchanged notes

about men in general and their atitudes in particular. I have SO much ammunition for our next Sat morning chai-chat at the balcony Bani thinks to herself and smiles
The elevator guy wore expensive clothes but didnt look like he was even really interested in being there today. Maybe his boss had forced him to attend? Maybe he is from a

wealthy family who just leaves home nattily dressed each morning to make out with women in elevators? He probably has a wife and two kids tucked away at home and was

romancing his co-worker at an offsite meeting?
Thats why Iam NEVER going to get married she thinks. I am so glad I dont have a boyfriend.....Anjali was dating this really cute guy called Amit Sehgal and was gone for

long hours when ever she was in town, especially during weekend evenings. She was Bani's teacher for Romance 101.
Anjali blushingly talked about her first kiss, their first touch, her first......... and urged Bani to go out with her and Amit sometime, assuring her that there were hundreds of

cute hot eligible guys in the multinatl bank Amit worked in, guys who would "LOOOOVE" to date Bani
She was really surprised that Bani had lived to a "ripe" old age of 24 and did not know how to KISS, nor had she ever had a steady male friend leave alone a "boy friend"
Bani brushed her off usually saying " I have NO desire to marry ... ever......... agar Papa ne bahut force kiya to woh jisko bhi chunenge I will just marry the guy. Love is too

complicated and emotionally draining, its not for me".
She had seen Anjali have her lovers tiff often and seen her cry all nite in bed, not get up during weekends just sulking, Amit spending hours in her room trying to pacify her

and their kiss and make up sessions and stuff................. Bani didnt want ANY OF IT. Anjali teased her saying "U are still a small-town/Mt Abu girl at heart aren't you. I

have to some how make ur life exciting, You are so goodlooking, but I have to make u aware of urself I will not quit trying until u give in and agree to start dating one of Amit's

friends": she had vowed. "Nobody loves me or wants me, nor do I feel for any guy at this time so why waste myself worrying about it?, its never happening to me" she

decided, a remote back corner of her heart registered a tiny flicker of longing when that statement formed in her mind...........
Bani had been a brilliant student, always focussed on her studies, her college, the CA articleship, then the exams, that had left her no time for any romantic liaisons,

completely unaware of the admiring looks she got most of the times when she went shopping or visiting places.
Bani thinks its ridiculous that she is conducting a personal evaluation of her love life on the day she met SOME STRANGER in a elevator. I have seen so many, he is just

another one!! she tries to reassure herself, the nagging feeling does not go away.

Went to work the next day, was informed about being placed in team that would be taking on new clients that go public. With her SEBI and corp governance expertise Mr

Ranade felt she would add great value to the "new biz creation" team. This team was apparently all functional already and B had to read up and understand the processes and the clients they worked with. It was a totally new opportunity that would entail a lot of outside world interaction, she is all excited about it. Spends almost three weeks

trying to ramp up in her new role. No time to think about the elevator guy!! She had responded to all the questions at the seminar and had posted those at HIA (Hospitality Ind Assn) intranet, and sent an FYI abt it globally to all the attendees.

Mr Ranade had sent her an e-mail today about joining a team of consultant/auditors at a city's hotel today. She was expected to pitch in with her expertise for this company's first public issue, planned later that year. She takes a cab around 4 in the afternoon, instructs the cabbie, to go to the "Walia Hotel" at Nariman Point. Gets off, pays the cabbie, gets directions to get to the Corporate Offices from the front lobby, takes the elevator to the top floor. Its one of the best looking hotels she has been to in town, she was not a regular at these, for partying or for food, so her sample set was limited to visits with Anjali-Amit and occasionally a AA biz luncheon with clients. As she worked mostly with SEBI, all she got to work with were government officials and her offsite was limited to going to the Mumbai Stock Exchange located not too far from this hotel............ she thinks, standing in the elevator, her purse hung on her left shoulder, her laptop case is in one hand, and a paper glass of chai in the other,........ her evening cup of her addiction. She is wearing a sleeveless mustard tie-dye print cotton kurta teamed up with a white salwar and a white chiffon dupatta aka the Soha Ali Khan look from RDB, (Albeit that was in turqoise blue).
Her hair is tied again in a knot, not an elaborate one like the day of the seminar, a casual bunched up thing, with tendrils escaping on the sides. Gets off the elevator, a huge granite semi circle desk with a lady behind confront her. A brass name plate on the corner of the desk identifies her as Ms Singh.
She walks up to the desk, only to see the lady speaking on the phone, punching away at the keyboard, looks up to give her a warm smile. Looks like she is in her late forties early fifties, very spohiticated and elegant in a saree.

B clears her throat and confidently "Excuse me! My name is Bani Dixit I am here to join my audit team. I work for AA", she says, showing her badge.
The lady hangs up, smiles again "I am sorry, Welcome, u must be here to meet Mr. Walia then......" She gets up to escort her, her phone rings again, she apologizes picks

it up, and pleads with her eyes, and quickly points her towards a huge cherry double doors on to her right, B's left, , B thanks her in a whisper and heads there. It says

"Magnolia" on the brass name plate on one of the doors.
She knocks hears a bland "Come in"
Enters..............

Seated in the far left of a huge oval cheery desk, that could seat upto 18, dressed in blue jeans and a watered down pink RL Polo tee pounding on his laptop keys, doesnt bother to look up to see who it is!!

Its the elevator guy!!

***************************************************

PART 36 B
FLASHBACK 3
B sets her stuff on the table with a bang, surveys the room, the original artwork on the walls, the huge bay wondows, the expensive art pieces around...........he looks up, their eyes meet, she feels that "knowing look" for a fleeting second to be replaced with a lazy taunt "she was here again, in HIS office this time, all by herself looking like an angel, a rather agiatated angel, he thinks, watches her set her stryofoam tea cup on the table a pink smudge from her lipstick on its rim draws his eyes to where the lipstick originally belonged "her lips pouted when she was annoyed", "The Indian clothes accentuate her sexuality, she has NO idea how much" ................. she looks
away....."Who wears blue jeans to work? And he works at the corporate office!!!" "Maybe the lady with him at the seminar was the boss, or even worse........ the boss's wife??" B assumes much to her shock............."Cant even do the buttons on it? The tee didnt have 20 of them just three and ALL are undone!!!" unwittingly her gaze is drawn to the open V, she can see the curling chest hairs peeking thru the button hole. "diya would find him SEXY!" she thinks. "if I had to work with him on a daily basis I would ask him to stop wearing that cologne "it makes me sick" bolti main isko" she thinks.......
JW: Kaisa laga?
B has a "what" looks on her face
JW: The office....... of course! ("I know what u were looking at" look on his face)
B: I am not an interiors designer, main accountant hoon..... (bluntly knowing fully well what he meant)
JW: Bani? (acts doubtful!)
B: Haan Ms. Dixit! (fake smile)
No ack for the correction.... he just bends down and starts typing again
B: I am looking for my team.................
He continues working, not looking up.
B: EXCUSE ME!! Arthur A ka team kahan hai?
He still doesnt look up, she picks up her things ready to leave, he swiftly looks up...... his eyes conveying "happy now? u have my undivided attention"
JW: "your" team? (hands behind his head fingers linked, swivels in his chair, eyes crinkled in a smile)
"So he was paying attention!" she fumes.
B: Haan mera team......... (stands fidgeting in front, on the other side of the table)
His eyes, travel from her face to her neck, to her clothes, her hair, wonders how she would react if he were to pull all the pins out and let her hair fall on her shoulders........ he rolls his hands into fists and brings them to his thighs to actually stop himself from doing that..........the long slender arms bare........notices a mole on her right fore arm, the chunky silver bracelet .................he notices those long elegant pink stained finger nails impatiently drumming on the back of the chair................ meets her eyes again.
JW: They are gone!
B: Kya? (incredulous) dials a number furiously on her cell, its busy, hangs up, tries another one, wont go thru, bends down picks up her things again.
JW watching all this with a tad bit of amusement........... "Haan they were done for the day I think"
B has to switch on her laptop, to see who they were supp to meet at Walia Hotel, the CEO's name was on the e-mail but she hadnt paid any attention to it, hoping her
team would be around.
B: But we were supposed to me the CEO!! (angry) Was he even here today?
JW's face registers a quick surprise, and it quickly vanishes. "I dont think he was"
B(blurts) Thats why u are wearing jeans today I bet! No boss means casual clothes!
JW(looks at his tee and jeans and back at her) Ya he wont know will he? he is not in town.
B: I better leave, (she starts walking towards the door)
JW: Baneee. (her hrt does a dull thud again at that word from him)
B (does nt turn around) hmmm?
JW: Sab accounting mein hain on the 17th floor!! I was kidding earlier!!
She turns around gives him a super dirty look and walks away.
Tap on the door, Roshni walks in. They both almost bump into each other, Rosh gives her another dirty look "Hi!" (uncaring)
Bani doesnt even bother to say that, "Aapke "friend ke paas time bahut hai aur kaam kam hai, good u are here, u can amuse him"

Rosh is confused she looks at JW, he is watching B's back........... B turns around looks at him like "u wore jeans coz the boss is not around, why dont u go ahead and flirt with her at the office as well?"
He gets the message, but wont let her eyes go, she turns around a lil flustered and walks away.
Punches the elevator keys and goes off to the 17th meets her team until 8 PM. when she is done, she takes the elevator back to the Copr office to drop off the CD and some files with the day's progress notes at Ms Singh's desk. The team had mentioned a "Jai Walia" as the boss, they swore he was in town that day, she argued he wasnt.
Who ever it is doesnt run a tight ship she concludes.

She drops off the file at Mrs S's desk and waits for the elevator to return, she can hear husky laughter and soft voices, turns around, its the elevator guy and his consort.
She is dressed in a pink sequined saree with a revealing blouse, her hair around hers houlders, make up intact............. completely ignores B, tucks her right arm under his left and almost leans/walks on him. B's strong "disapproving" look is back, she shows him what she thinks of this "clandestine" liaison........

He meets her eyes, gets the messg but deletes it purposely.
The elevator stops, door opens, th attendant inside bows at JW, B thinks he bowed at Rosh "OMG!! She has to be Jai Walia's wife, how utterly CHEAP of this guy" "looks like he is old enough to be married with kids, he is doing THIS?"
Takes another far corner of the mirror walled elevator. Feels his eyes on her. Roshni is laughing redoing her hair, wiping lipstick off the corner of her lips, makes B concious of her own, she pays a fleeting look to her reflection, hers is almost all gone, she moistens it with her tongue, rubs them together, feels heat crawl up her cheek only to realize he is looking at what she is doing.
B quickly composes herself and looks away.
JW: Ms DIXIT!, Would you care to join us for dinner?
B freezes in shock as she doesnt expect that
R is suddenly all vicious..............
B(sweetly) Oh no! I have to go, I am sure you have a DATE! (looking pointedly at Rosh)
JW looks at R, blandly "Oh no! we didnt, if u stay we can talk about the public issue.
B thinks "who the hell is HE? Why shud I talk with HIM?" Such a shameless man!! He is having an affair with the boss's wife, and he invites ME to dinner
He is SICK!

JW :Roshni surely u dont mind do u?
Rosh has a "I hate thsi girl, who ever she is what ever she does for a living, I just want to eat" look
R: (shrugs nonchalantly) Ya what ever! Sure (corrects herself)
B thinks she is the boss's wife so feels pressured into going. Get off at the ground floor, JW waits for the ladies to step out, some employees waiting for the other elevator wish "them" B thinks its becoz Rosh is with him.
B is reluctant, she hates the guy, and the girl, she is tired she has no energy for another battle with him. But wearily follows them. they enter PD Chang's the Chinese one, the doorman greets them extra politely, no wiating directly taken to a private dining area. JW and Rosh on one side, B on the other.
She looks at the menu, doesnt care for chinese, so is waiting to lie about being full, tho she is starving, JW orders gin and tonic the lady bacardi .......... B asks for lemonade much to rosh's amusement, it arrives, she spends over five minutes tearing the paper cap off the straw's head all the while feeling his eyes on her fingers.
Rosh starts talking, wants to know what an "accountant" does. B is very polite, explains, ignoring the jabs.
JW is back to the hard-nosed biz man mode, drills her, wants to know about the progress of the meeting, what the enxt steps were, when they plan to meet etc.
B gives him a biased edited update of what happened during the day. He says "Bani" twice, both times bringing color to her face. She wants to reprimand him, she wants to correct him but decides she will do it in a more appropriate setting.

He insists B order something to eat, she does when his eyes wont leave hers. She chooses some veggie fried rice in peanut sauce with cashews, strictly isntructs the waiter not to add the cashews. B is not very happy at his food choice either. Cant hide it from her facial expressions!! He catches that and deliberately prolongs the decision making taking extraordinary amount of time in talking about the recipe and the prepping with the waiter, he brings the chef over and they have a fest at the table finally.......JW orders some lamb with cumin and kung pao shrimp between the two of them,

The food arrives,
Rosh is drowing herself in her third drink when B's first refill arrives. B's has cashews sprinkled over the top, she is devastated, she pokes with her fork, refusing to eat. JW is a charming host, pages the waiter again and asks him to redo it she feels he was really annoyed from the way the waiter paled. B doesnt wnat to waste it she grudgingly decides to go at it.
Pushes the cashews away on to the side, not many, just a few thankfully and nibbles, he enjoys his food a lot. Rosh excuses herself to go to the rest room.
JW: Tumhe cashews achhe nahi lagte? Kyon? (incredulous)
B: I dont!
JW: I LOVE THEM
B: Phir aap khaaiye. (rhetorically)
He proceeds to EAT THEM FROM HER PLATE!
She almost dies of shock
B:What are you doing?
JW: I thot u wanted me to eat them? (innocently)
B: NO!!!
B: I am hungry! I want to eat my food! (sulks)
J Eat mine (pushes his twrds her)
B: NO!! I dont eat MEAT! (disgusted)
JW: Baneee its still food
B:Mere liye nahi! (blunt)
JW smiles and finishes off her cashews and goes back to his plate
JW: What if ur boyfriend eats meat?
B colors, "None of ur biz,!
JW: Agar husband khaata ho to? (persistent)
B: I wont marry the guy agar woh non-veg khaata hoga to
JW(softly) Are u sure?
B is speechless, she knows there is more to the question than what she heard
Bends down and just plays with her food
JW: Banee eat!!
B: I dont like people who eat meat.
JW: Thanks for telling me. I was getting my hopes up for a while! (taunts)
Her eyes fly to his, only to see he was reeling her in!!
Silence!!
Continue eating.............

Rosh joins and they finsih the meal
Rosh looking over B's shoulder "JAI did u notice Mr. Chawla is here?"
B is at first not sure what she said, then it hits her. SO IS THIS JAI WALIA?
She looks up at him stupefied. He is looking at where she is pointing, does not notice the rage n B's eyes until after its fully blown
"You are such a DOG! SUCH A LIAR, U DELIBERATELY FOOLED ME!!" she boils wants to hit kick and claw him for that practical joke.
Rosh is confused at B's angry eyes
JW is calm, almost amused "Banee any dessert?"
No wonder the attendant bowed, no wonder we were seated so quickly no wonder he IS WEARING JEANS TODAY!!
B wants to kill him.
B: NO THANKS MR WALIAAA. I am FINE!!!! (Her eyes spitting fire)
B: I forgot my cell phone at Ms Singh's desk I think when I went to drop the papers, mujhe jaana hai (quickly picks up her stuff and gets up to leave)
JW: I will gow ith you
B: Nahi aap apni girlfriend ke saath dessert khaiye main le loongi (NASTY)
JW:Executive office ke elevators nite mein function nahi karte if the executive is not on it! (FYI tone)
JW gets up anyway the first private battle has begun

Roshni is just chewing cardboard.
He excuses himself and follows Bani
She walks in a huff, all ready to explode
The elevator is waiting. No attendant in it this time
JW punches the key
B: U are SUCH A LIAR!! (she explodes)
JW:Baneee I am sorry (verry amused at her temper tantrum)
B: U deliberately let me assume u WORKED Here
JW: I still do! (adding fuel)
B: U KNOW WHAT I MEANT(she almost screams)
JW Baneee I am sorry (soft, pleading, laughing)
He proceeds to close the distnace between them, but not before punching the stop key on the elevator.
She is afraid, very afraid
B: U tricked me! Aap ne agar us din nahi kaha to aaj to keh sakte the na? Why didnt you?
JW: Bani, tumne assume kar liya isme meri kya galti hai?
B: I HATE YOU! (slip)
Frames his hand on either side of her face, crowds her and speaks huskily into her face "the first moment you laid eyes on me, tumne soch liya u were going to hate me, u hated the way I looked at you, Iam sorry I misunderstood you I thought you worked in hosiptality (he means the receptionist) I didnt know you were a bloody accountant, u told me with those BIG moist eyes that u dont care for Roshni, u dont care for my association with her, u dont care for the way I dress to work, u dont care for my food choices"

B:Main aapko jaanti bhi nahi I really dont care about YOU (trembling)
JW: U do Baneee, if u didnt then why are you SO ANGRY?
B: You lied. You let me believe you are an employee.............
JW: No! let me tell you what u think, u think I bring the "boss's wife to work" everyday and make love to her. You think I am an immoral man, u think I have a wife and two kids at home and iam cheating on her!!

B(blushes furiously and bends down, closes her eyes) NO! Maine aapke,.............. mujhe aapke I DONT EVEN KNOW YOU WHY WUD I BOTHER?
JW:Thats not what your EYES tell me Baneee (looks at themtheir gazes lock)
B I......... Ummm...........I........... Mujhe........ (she cant just bring herself to lie)
JW:I did have an affair with Roshni, it eneded last year, I ahvent had s-- with her ever since! (firmly but huskily) I havent even touched her let alone kiss her......... and the woman I WANT TO KISS thinks I come to work everyday to have a bloody s----l o--y.(throaty angrily)

B is stunned at the use of such explicit words, she starts trembling
B: Maine kabhi nahi kaha ki aap office mein roz................ (voice tarils off)
JW: That means you do know its YOU I want to kiss?

**********************************

PART 37 A
FLASHBACK IV
First spray painting..................
His scalding breath leaving a trail of red stain on her neck, face and ears........ NO touching, just carressing .................
B: NO!!!! (shuts her eyes, hoping this is not happening)
JW:(whispers) I did tell you I was sorry........... (pleads)
THIS has never happened with Bani before.............
B: I dont want to have an affair with you, I dont want to marry you,
JW: Dont u think u shud wait until asked first? (throws his head back and laughs out loud)

B: Aap mujhe bhi apni aur female freinds ki tarah sochte hongey
JW bends down all curious "kaisi hain meri aur "female" freinds? according to you..........
B: Its NOT working Mr Walia! Start the lift, mujhe ghar jaana hai..........
JW: u did not answer me
B: U think I am a giddy teenager, I AM NOT.I am too old for this flirting business............
He laughs out loud again........ "How old are you?"
B: NONE of your business!!
JW: I am thinking 35? 36?....... (mischief)
B: YOU are 35!! and married too probably ( payback for making her out to be that old........... and............the last doubt needs to be cleared away)
Flashes her sparkling eyes at him..........
JW: I am 32, Baneee NO I am not married............(grinning with obvious enjoyment at her denial of being "old")
B feels a sudden light headedness when he says that, its all most like relief washed over her, her body feeling like a balloon whose air has just been let out..... she shuts her eyes not wanting to share the exhilaration

B: I have a life, great career, I have too lofty professional goals (physically shaky but with a firm voice, eyes closed)
JW: Did I say u didnt? (Spray painting continues, she brings her hands to the side of her face, the backs of her hands touch the cold mirror she is leaning on)
B: Main aapko jaanti bhi nahi........ Sirf ek baar mili hoon (sounds like a complaint when it comes out)
JW: Milna chahti ho aur? (testing the waters)
B: Nahi..........
JW: I want to (there! he said it)
B: I want to go home...........
JW: I will call Darshan ......... my driver, woh tumhe chhod dega
B: NO thank you, main taxi le loongi. I LIVE in this city (haughty)
JW: This is my office, I AM your dinner host, so we will do it MY WAY!! Bani (eyes like chips of ice)
B: Its obviously your office warna I cannot imagine any employee conducting himself so unprofessionally aapki tarah........... main kal se apna project change kar rahi hoon......

JW: U cant do that Banee, I told AA I personally requested for you to be on the team
B: what? (looks at him like "are you crazy?")
JW: U are brilliant, I want the best. (blunt, and unemotional, shocking her just when she thinks he did that to get to her)
B: U have to find some one smarter now. I am leaving (calm and confident.........bristling at the domination)
JW: Bends down "Good!! I will do that!!"......"Do I get that kiss before we part ways?"
B: NO! (her hands balled into fists, nails digging into her palms)
Her eyes are shut, she can feel his body press against hers JUST for a fleeting second,her hands instinctively come out to block his appraoch, palms end up splaying on his

chest....... his moist, warm lips open and close at the corner of her mouth, tasting......... the sandpaper like jaw creating an audible rasp on her chin.......... the gunshot for her heart to start its first of many Olympic 100 meter dashes...................and its GONE!

Her eyes fly open, (breathing harshly not really sure why it ended so abruptly),.......... finds his a look similar to the one a hubby gives his wife when she gets off a late nite bus............ he bends down and looks at her hands on his chest, looks back at her face, she quickly lets them drop to her side, mortified.... they look at each other......
His eyes calculating, concluding, assimilating....... hers terrified

He is breathing hard as well, she can FEEL the chest move........
They stay in that position interminably.
He is the first to let go of her eyes, turns around, runs his fingers thru his hair, punches the keys, the elevator moves with a jolt, she picks up her laptop case and waits,

they step off he find her cell phone hands it to her, lets her step into the elevator first, again, not a word spoken, they get off, he is right behind her carving a path thru the crowded lobby, speaking on his cell phone. The doorman with the huge comical red head gear does the "salaam" thing, he nods and smiles, Darshan is already there. JW hangs up the phone he does too

JW:Yeh Ms Dixit hain, inko aap ghar chhod deejiye
Turns around and looks at her like "Where to?"
She hesitates with her eyes
JW waves his hand at D he steps back and goes and starts the car
JW: Baneee he has worked for me for 15 yrs now.
B: Main taxi le loongi
JW: Dont you trust me? (softly, bending down)
B has a "that was joke right? U are INSANE!! Trust YOU?" look on her face
JW laughs out loud.......... "He is better than ME! Ab khush?"(asking for approval)
B smiles
B: Bandra bandstand jaana hai (slowly)
JW: Thanks (confidently)
Walks over to D, gives him instructions, comes back to her, Call me when you get home
She gives him a "NO I wont" look
JW pulls her phone out of her hand, quickly punches his number in
She grabs it back, but not before its done ;-)
Turns around and starts to go twrds the car, he is close by, to open the door for her, "Baneee, the next time I kiss you I want your hair down!"
Whispers in her ear, gently pushes her inside the car, shuts the door and watches her leave, hands in pocket.......

***************************************

PART 37 B FLASHBACK V

BD sat in the car stunned, she was extremely ashamed of her behavior back there at the hotel. SHE HARDLY KNEW THE GUY!!! She was claiming her rights on him, demanding that he share information truthfully with her. How could she have been so ridiculously naive? What motivated her to act like that she didnt know. She was never impulsive or careless, in fact her sisters and friends often teased her about being so much in control of her faculties all the time. Not anymore!!
The only person she ever expressed her anger to honestly was her Mom, from the time she had passed away, though her closeness with her papa had grown itw ud never be what she shared with her Mom. Even with pia and Rano she had never "demanded" anything like thsi before, she ack shamefully.What is he going to think fo her!!! She had conducted herself quite unprofessionally to say the least. he was a client afterall, there should not have been anything other than a working relationship. Not only had she crossed that limit, she had invited herself to be KISSED!!!
Why did it bother me so, what he ate and what he wore, he was in no way connected to her.

He right hand instinctively travels to the left corner of her mouth. Warm color floods her face, her fingers tremble as they trail over her chin and jaw, it was not sore, but it didnt feel anything like it did before his jaw rubbed there, ascent wafts to her nose, she places her palm on it, its his cologne, she didnt know what it was. But she would never be able to forget THAT scent all her life.

Closes her eyes, rests her head back, her hair clip pokes her neck, she removes it and places it at the side........ lays there like that for a while, opens her eyes when the car stops at a stoplight, observes the interior all plush grey leather, the back seat has 3 AC vents!!! its bigger than a full size car she thinks, the driver Darshan has the GPS on in the front , listening to the Radio Mirchi evening news..... The backside of the passenger seat's headrest has a TV screen, must be a DVD player she thinks the car must ahve cost more than her Papa's whole entire net worth
................the day's Economic Times with the Brand Equity supplement (it was a Wed;-), lay there along with the latest edition of Business India, are strewn on the seat by her with..... who else but JW on the COVER! with a caption "Hospitality Baron gets hungry"!! , she flips to page 36, it talks about the upcoming plans for public issue among other things, there is an interview, running three pages long, she cant read it in the flickering raod lights, but the in picture he looks even better ! Charcoal grey suit, offwhite shirt and a dark red tie, with a big grin, various poses in the three pages........,

The most shameful thing of this whole entire episode was her not being able to identify who he was. She liked to be well read and well informed, she was genuinely interested in the happenings of the world and didnt fake it to sound "knowledgable" at parties she places the mag, on her chest, page open, looks out the window....................

Everything seems the same!! Its the same city, the same roads, the hawkers, the beggars, the traffic, the noise, the works. Iam not the same. Never will be, may be ?. Can anyone tell from my face? she wonders. What if Anjali is able to sense it (Diya is her post-separation freind, so we changed the pre-marriage one to Anjali). Hope not!! What would I say "This guy was bothering me, he lied to me I lashed out at him verbally and he kissed me?" "and Oh one small note Anjali, the guy happens to be Jai Walia of Walia Hotels & Resorts"

She covers her face with her hands. I am never going to be able to live this down, it is so unlike ME! Hope he doesnt remember it, I am sure he wont, he is a very busy man, I am sure women are falling all over him to please him and wanting to be his significant other, so there is scant chance that he will even give me a second thought. He is rich powerful goodlooking, young and sexy, not many around like THAT! Do I really think he is SEXY? she asks herself. He had told her about his sex life with roshni, may be there were more? There WOULD have been more, way more................

Darshan interrupts her train of thot, asking for directions to her apartment complex, she tells him, he drops her off , offers to carry her lap top case to her appt she declines the offer politely and he leaves. Goes to her apartment, lets herself in, finds a note from Anjali on teh frig, she is off to Surat and Bharuch she has said in it........her cell phone rings its Papa, they exchange pleasanteries, he wants to know how her day has been for some reason her voice trembles when she tells him it "was OK". He apologizes for calling her so late as its past 10, she says she just got back from "work" ;-)
He is all upset, asks her to return to Mt Abu saying she would be able to find a decent job there anytime.
She refuses, he goes on "bete Atulya Mishra yaad hai tumhe?"
B: Haan Papa
Dad: Beta woh US se 10 din ke kaam se India aaya hai
B: Hmmm (She thinks "So?")
D: Woh wahan Fila kya bolte hain usko?
B: Philadelphia?
D: Haan wohi wohi wahan hai, koi telephone ki ompany hai woh wahan achhi job par hai
B: To kya Papa (genuinely irritated she thinks he must work for AT&T)
D: Banee beta, naraaz kyon hoti ho, tumse 2 saal hi to bada hai yaad hai tumhe school lekar jaata tha, jab tak Rano Piya school jaane ki umar ki nahi hui?
B: haan Papa...............
D: Uski company Pune mein koi phone center laga rahi hai, kya kehte hain usko........
B: Call center?
D: Haan wohi
B: To?
D: Woh Mumbai hotey hue jaayega parson, maine usko tumhara pata aur phone number de diya hai, mil lega, Saturday ko shaayad..........
B:KYAAAAAAAAA? Kyon PAPA? Main bahut busy hoon main chutthi nahi kar sakti.............
D is stunned "beta kya hua?"
B suddenly realizes she just expressed anger, she calms herself down "Achha theek hai main mil loongi" (she knows what its gonna be about,)
D: Thank you beta, uske papa bhi tumhe bahut pasand karte hain,(D works at some engineering company that AM's Dad owns)
B: Jee
D: Ab tum so jao beta, good nite
B: Jee papa aapko bhi
Click!!
Wearily sets the phone down on the couch and lays there

Saturday arrives. NO CALLS from JW, or from her to him. Atulya calls, he has a faint accent she thinks, 6 yrs there so understandably........ may be
He suggests they meet somewhere, he is very pleased to talk with her. His enthusiasm is infectious and gets to her when they start talking abt their school and their neighborhood....... she is looking fwd to meeting him, a pretty pink salwar suit, sleeveless, with quite a plunging neckline in the back and front, hair loose down to her shoulders in damp waves, wears matching pink sandals and walks out at 6 PM.
She had worked all day at her office, no necessity arose for her to go the hotel again, she was thankful about it, she was slowly trying to forget what happened that nite, it was working too. She decides if she likes this guy she will please her Papa and say that word :-) YES!

He wants to meet at the Taj Mahal hotel overlooking the gateway of India, he offers to pick her up she refuses, as she knows Mumbai better than him she tells him.
The plan to meet at The Raj Pavilion (not real) resturant. She arrives and is taken to where he is, he is very charming, very skinny and just about her height, dressed casually in jeans and a tee, curling hair, affable and friendly. they talk about school, life in Mumbai, life in USA, food, travels.................
They ordeers food she excuses herself to go to the restroom, walks out her cell phone rings she is bent down trying to unzip her bag, bumps into someone
B: I am sorry (sing song voice)
JW: dont be, I loved it!!
B's eyes fly to his in shock, it HIM again..........This time in dark blue dockers and a cream and blue checked madras half sleeve shirt and navy suede on his feet, an expesnive steel watch (rolex) on his wrist)
B: Hi! (cool)
JW: Hi! Baneeee!
B: excuse me I was leaving, tries to push past him.........
JW escorts her "Where to, Banee?"
B: Aapko kya?
JW grins
B quickly walks over to the rest host and asks her question before he can join, she is shown, she starts sprinting he keeps the pace and is with her quickly
JW: Why are u in such a hurry
B: Main kisi ke saath hoon aur unko wait nahi karwana chahti (sweeeetly)
JW: Kaun hai?
B: My high school friend from Mt Abu, HIS name is Atulya, he lives in the US (smug)
He chuckles "Great Banee!"
B: Aaap jaayiye na?
JW U are not being very nice, tumne thank you bhi nahi bola us din ke liye
B is paralyzed she thinks he wanst a thank you for the KISS,
JW notes that "Not for the kiss Bani that was for MY pleasure, for the ride home"
B: Go away!
JW: Send him away and have dinner with me!
B: U are crazy. NOOOOO
JW: Then I wil join you, I can be your "boss" or even better, how about LOVER?
B: Go to hell! (She starts stomping away, they reach a empty/quiet lounge like area with sofas with rest rooms on both sides, his and hers
She slows down so that he can leave and she can enter, turns around to face him
JW: I have been thinking about you Banee
B: Main nahi
JW:Ouch!
JW: Meet me tomorrow, kal Sunday hai?
B: Nahi main Atulya ko Mumbai ghumaane lekar ja rai hoon
JW: He can take a BUS!
B:NO!!
B: He is my friend, a very dear freind.
JW: I can be one too, steps closer, she steps back and hits a cold marble pillar
B: I am sorry for that nite, mujhe aise aapse poochna nahi chahiye tha, please forget I did that (pleads)
JW (intense) No I cannot Banee, I will not
B: Are you going to report it? (terrified)
JW: I might
B: OMG!!! I said I was sorry(angry)
JW I might not (bends down on her face)
B: NOT HERE (blurts!!!)
JW: So you WANT it too? (grins)
B:Mera matlab NO!
JW: Kal mujhse milo........... pleeeeeeeez (bends down to nuzzle her neck, his hand goes to her head)
Lifts his head up sees her hair down "U let ur hair down for HIM?(accusing), laces his fingers thru it and lifts her face.........
B: Haan! Shaadi jo karne waali hoon us............ (taunts to anger him so thats he can step away)
He just claims her lips, fully this time........before she can finish, its the same cologne, the same jaw the same rasp......... only his lips touch her, this time hers are half open coz she was talking, but he doesnt take any advantage of that, the gentleman that he is

She can hear him groan in his throat.........her eyes are closed again
Its again over quickly.......
JW raises his head, brings his left index finger to her lips and softly wipes off the "smudge-free" lipstick ;-)
JW: I told you u wud get kissed when ur hair was down (smug)
B: I didnt do it (looks at him but the expression warns her to stop, she shuts her eyes back again)
JW: Main kal aa raha hoon tumhe lene, lose the guy!!
B: NO! (eyes closed trembling all over)
JW: OK then I will go tell him now that we are engaged!

****************************************************

PART 38 A
FLASHBACK VI

Sun morning, Bani has just gotten out of the shower. wearing her exquisitely soft.....melt on her body kinds pistacchio green chiffon saree, it had tiny silver sequins on it. she had had a really rough nite, in fact she couldnt recollect if she had slept at all. Anjali had returned after midnite from Surat and so they had spent a few hours talking, she had not told her anything about what had happened with her the past week. Its not important!!
She was not planning to meet Atulya today, she had told him last nite "I might be busy" He understood and hoped that when he came back again in October on a three week vacation he would definitely spend more time with her. He was thrilled that she could atleast meet him for dinner last nite. He had not noticed a thing about her after her "visit to the ladies room" thankfully.
She had gotten rid of JW before using the restroom, and he hadnt bothered to encounter her afterwards, making her wonder if it was indeed a dream? But her lips and jaw were staunch protestors. she hadnt agreed to meet him today, she could call.................. but she will not. She was going to go to Mahalakshmi Temple first and then to go meet Pia.
Maybe I should go to the Walia Hotel and get some work done, her team was not going to be there, but she could work, atleast read up on the legal dox. Her lap top............
No may be not, plus its a sunday he is prolly at home enjoying with his family............ I need to get him out fo my thoughts. He means nothing to me, I am just acting like a giddy teenager, the very thing I told him I wasnt......................
Pia wanted to talk about something VERY important she had said. she had been acting strange lately, very strange, cancelling their lunch dates frequently not showing up to B's apartment once a month as promised to stay a weekend.............. always busy on her cell phone. May be she is in love "too". Quickly flushes and checks that thought. I AM NOT IN LOVE. I dont even know the guy, he just bothered me because he saw me there yest. Its not like he was waiting for me.

Her hands tremble and heart races while she wears her lipstick, she notices their shape and size for the first time in recent times. Shuts her eyes briefly as the image of him claiming them came to mind........................ So this is what Anjali called a "kiss"? It just turned my world upside down Anju" she thinks. What was a level-headed reasonable intelligent dull middle class girl kissing a biz tycoon in the lounge of a 5 star hotel? I dont fit any of the attributes for the kind of girls he dates. she cudnt actually ever remember seeing him or reading about his escapades with the opp sex. Anjali kept tabs on them all, she would know. Maybe he was telling teh truth about Roshni?
Why do I CARE? HE CAN GO TO HELL................ Wears a tiny silver bindi between her shapely eyebrows and some kajal in her eyes.................. looks at her reflection....

Anjali knocks on her door, B is drying her hair............ cant hear over the drone of the dryer....... A says "........ to see you. VERRY CUTE OMG OMG bahar aao jaldi se....... I have to go to the tailor hun kapde lene, main ja rahi hoon abhi, I leave tuesday nite na for Baraoda and Ahemdabad See ya. Gosh Bani HE IS SEXXXXY." bangs on the door.............. and leaves

B's laptop has been acting up and she called the service center because it was under warranty. So it must be that guy "Anjali needs to grow up, a computer repair guy is going to start dating me now?" she smiles, clips her hair with the claw,.............. steps into the living room. There is a man standing with his back facing her, he is wearing blue jeans and a pale pistacchio Lacoste tee untucked, hands in his pocket. She doesnt bother to look at him closely just heads for the laptop sitting on the coffee table
where it sat now after her CPR on it last nite failed, walks to the guy, stands behind him "yeh raha mera PC"

JW turns around she almost drops her laptop on the floor, her heart races off like a dog yanking off its leash to race behind an icecream truck.............the room suddenly is devoid of any oxygen and so she gasps............ he quickly grabs it from her lifeless fingers and sets it on the table by the wall with the pictures and vases. "AAP?"
B (annoyed) AAP yahan kya kar rahe hain? PC repairman kahan hai?"
JW: I could fix your PC if you like. Tho I am not qualified to do it. (drawls)
B: NO THANK YOU!!
JW: Good morning Baneee (doesnt move, still in the same spot) She hears that and instinctively moves far away to the other corner of the room twrds the dining area. Her appt suddenly seems too small, and it smells like him............
JW looks at her saree her hair and her over and over again, making her feel like a fire torch was being swept over her.......... registering in his mind that they both wore the same color today............
B: NO!! Hum dono ka taste same nahi hai!!!
JW: I agree yours is headier Banee!!, you definitely taste better (husky)
Set JW!
B: I meant......... (she starts but stops......... and angrily changes her Q)
B:Aapko andar kisne aane diya?
JW: Your freind? (Smiles)
B: (thinks "Oh God!! Its HIM, no wonder she thot he was....... SE.......)Main jaldi mein hoon kya kaam tha?
JW: Main bhi Banee, lets go.........
B: NOOOO
JW: Banee I told you main tumhe lene aaoonga. I kept my word (clear precise)
B: I am going to see Atulya
JW: Call him and say you cant
B: I dont even KNOW YOU. Main kyon jaaoon aapke saath?
JW: Thats why I am here so that we can get to know each other!
Set JW!
B: U could be a terrorist or a......... (stops, she wants to say rapist)
JW: I dont have to Baneee, I am not desparate (bitingly)
She flushes
She starts making herself her morning cuppa of chai, turns on the radio with an angry action, its playing commercials......... she re-heats the leftover poha from yest morning..............
He joins her in the kitchen
B: Take off your shoes!! Hum log kitchen mein shoes nahi pehante............
JW: That means main rukoon?
Set JW!!
She thinks "get lost!!"
She noisly clanks the pots and pans in response, bends down into the cabinets to pull a pan really faaaaaaar away, to kill time.suddenly realizing she must be giving him views of her exposed midriff, quickly straightens herself and looks at him , he is not even looking at her he is looking at the pix on the frig

The radio starts playing................ B thinks OH GOD!! Not THIS song............... not NOW............... in dismay.............
Gharonda (1977) () (Girls its a FABULOUS song, its in my all time faves. its toooooo cute, listen to it while u read) Verry apt for Bani. She is lives in denial all the time nahi?
Tumhe ho na ho mujhko ko to itna yakeen hai, mujhe pyaar tumse nahi hai nahi hai
Mujeh pyaar tumse nahi hai nahi hai

Tumhe ho na ho mujhko ko to itna yakeen hai, mujhe pyaar tumse nahi hai nahi hai
Mujeh pyaar tumse nahi hai nahi hai
Tumhe ho na ho mujhko ko to itna yakeen hai,

B: Aap chai peeyenge?
JW: Sure............. but make sure you dont add arsenic
B: Khatam ho gaya, If I had known u were comin then I wud have bought some
Set BD!
He laughs husky aloud........
Silence!!
She busies herself in dividing the poha into two portions angrily......... and strains the chai, slams one plate and cup down on the counter for him

Mujhe pyaar tumse nahi hai nahi hai, magar maine yeh raaz ab tak na jaana
Mujhe pyaar tumse nahi hai nahi hai, magar maine yeh raaz ab tak na jaana
Ki kyon.......... pyaari lagti hai baaten tumhaari, main kyon tumse milne ka dhoondoon bahana
Kabhi maine chaha tume chhooke dekhoon, kabhi maine chaha tumhe paas lana
Magar phir bhi
Magar phir bhi is baat ka to yakeen hai mujhe pyaar tumse nahi hai nahi hai
mujhe pyaar tumse nahi hai nahi hai
Tumhe ho na ho mujhko ko to itna yakeen hai,

B:Aap cheeni kitni lenge?
JW: I dont need any if you........ (softly)
B slams her shakkar dabba on the counter........ :"here apne aap daal leejiye"
JW: I thought u already added while it was boiling Bani so I was going to say "I dont need anymore if u did"
Set JW!
B flushes, at jumping to conclusions again........
B:Woh...........
JW: U are very jumpy today kyon?
B: I have to go............ aap kab ja rahe hain?
JW: Jab bhi tum ready ho
B:I am not going with you
JW: fine, then we can spend the day here in ur apartment (looks around the apartment). U can cook for me (all MCPish)
B:In ur dreams Mr Walia......
JW: So u do remember my name
B: Plz go, jab aap kha le

Phir bhi jo tum door Rehte ho mujhse, to rehte hain dil pe udaasi ke saaye
Phir bhi jo tum door Rehte ho mujhse, to rehte hain dil pe udaasi ke saaye
Koi ........khwaab oonche makaano se jhaanke koi khwaab baitha rahe sar jhukaaye

Kabhi dil ki raahon mein phaile andhera kabhi door tak roshni muskuraaye
Magar phir bhi
Magar phir bhi is baat ka to yakeen hai mujhe pyaar tumse nahi hai nahi hai
mujhe pyaar tumse nahi hai nahi hai
Mujeh pyaar tumse nahi hai nahi hai
Tumhe ho na ho mujhko ko to itna yakeen hai,

Tumhe ho na ho mujhko ko to itna yakeen hai, mujhe pyaar tumse nahi hai nahi hai
Mujeh pyaar tumse nahi hai nahi hai

Tumhe ho na ho mujhko ko to itna yakeen hai,

JW: U are a great cook, I love the poha, but I miss my cashews (sad)
B:Apne ghar mein cashews ke saath banakar khaiye, not HERE
JW: Will you make this for me in my house (flirts)
B: Sorry no! I cook only for MY pleasure aur meri family ke liye...........
JW: I can become your "family"
B:Is janam mein to nahi
He gives her an intense look his phone rings, he excuses himself and walks to the balcony, she is not hungry or thirsty anymore!!
She closes her plate with another one just gulps down her chai, quickly runs to her room, grabs her bag and cell phone and wears her sandals and is all ready to step out, just then he hangs up too.... walks back in
JW: That was quick......... Chalen?
B: Main aapke saath nahi ja rahi
JW: U are Baneee.
B: Mujhe mandir jaana hai (irritated)
Realizes she just told him that its not Atulya she is off to see
B:Uske baad Atulya se milne.............
He already is behind her, not touching but just herding her twrds the door
JW: Achha ab ghar se to niklo
She reluctantly does, locks up, hits the elevator button sees a note sticking on it abt some transformer burning down last nite and FYI abt power being gone all day today, grimaces and waits for the elevator
It arrives............
He lets her step in, they travel in silence............
They get off D is waiting
B: Bus mandir uske baad ghar..... (orders sulkily)
His heart stops until eternity, he has to suck his breath nice and hard in order to stay alive, causing blood to rush to his face.................... joy bubbles inside of him.
That stirring happens yet again deep down inside at her acquiescence................
He wanted to stay alive for her, his heart listens to that appeal and starts the ignition and roars.............
JW:What ever you say Baneee!! (smugly, softly)
Helps her into the car.............
*******************************************************

PART 38 B
FLASHBACK PART VI

She doesnt say a word to him in the car, almost remorseful may be for her sudden change of mind. He is busy checking e-mails on his Treo, doesnt pay much attention to

her, looks for a tablet to write on find a yellow striped one in the pocket behing the driver seat, lifts the arm rest between the two of them and takes the pen out of the cavity

there, writes some notes dwon, she tries not to be curious, wonders when her laptop can be fixed, decides to call her IT support when she gets home. Relaizes she hasnt

left any note for Anjali, wonders if she will be curious upon her return from the tailor "must look at her new suit designs, and may be borrow some patterns B decides.
Doesnt realize JW is done " Is this yours?"
Turns around to find the old black and white clip in the shape of an 8 with a stick tthru it in JW's hand (her Mom's 80's style clip, one of her faves, she hadnt realized she had

left it in his car that nite on her ride back home from the dinner/elevator/kiss fiasco nite) (blushes) Hmm! thanks! (extends her hand out)
He moves his hand away "not so fast Bani"
B:Kya matlab?
JW: I can give this back to you on one condition! (smiles)
B thinks he is insane
B:U are crazy! (hers eyes tell him)
JW:Nahi Banee main woh nahi soch raha jo tum soch rahi ho (winks) tho that wud be good tho, but no............
B:Plz mujhe mera clip deejiye, meri mummy ka tha, mera fave hai.
JW(his expression changes) I am sorry, u said tha? Iska matlab?.......................
B:Haan.........
JW i am sorry Baneee
B:Dont worry (sadly)
JW: Its ur fave hmm? (trying to cheer her up)
B:Haan (smiles)
JW:So how about you take off the one u are wearing right now, phir maine tumhe yeh de doonga?
B (smiles) koi baat nahi aap hi rakhiye clip
JW: Baneeeee
She tries to lunge at him to get it, he is too quick he tucks it in the map ledge on the door, she has to touch him to reach it, so she stops, gives him a dirty look and looks

away.........
Silence
B sneakily reaches for her hair and take soff her clip, much to his amused satisfaction, her face flaming, but hidden behind the curtain of hair, remembers to put this one in

her purse.
He smiles openly reaches for ther fave BW one and hands it back, she takes it without looking at him, he holds on not letting go, she looks up at him,he makes sure she

sees that intense look in hsi eyes before he hands it.
They reach Mahalakshmi, D parks the car, she leaves her purse in her car, just taking some change in her hand for flowers etc.....they get off.its windy she holdss her hair

with both hands trying to keep it behind her ears.
JW walks close to her, whispers in her ear "I thot u will wear ur clip as soon as u got ur fave one back"
Set JW!
******************
Not being a very religious man he basically follows her, seeing her confidence in weaving thru the Sunday crowd, buying her prashaad and flowers and other things for

offering, he pays before she can annoying her
JW:I hardly come here Banee is baar mujhe dene do plz
B:Aap baad mein apne aap aayiye na (sulks)
JW:I swear next time it will be ur turn, main wallet ghar par rakhkar aaoonga OK?
Her hrt skips a beat............ with him? again? here? When? will it ever happen?
Pro'lly not!!, he is just saying that!
B:Aap kyon nahi aate yahan? (both walk towards the winding pathways leading to the temple
JW:Koi saath chalne waala nahi hai, or shud I say chalne waali nahi hai (winks)
B:Mandir hai stop joking
JW: OK sorry, what ever u say
Silence
He is basically being led by her, he is holding her stiuff, the winds were making it impossible for her to clutch her money and hold her hair back she hands it to him, loses

him in the crowds once, turns around finds him lost, looking for her, taps on his shoulder, they smile, he, without asking reaches for and holds her hand, she feels like she

just dipped it into a pot of boiling water, it singes her fingers to her bones, paralyzed she lets him drag her.............his fingers long and tapering, not at all rough, but not soft

either............

Get the darshan, get their prashad, walk back to the car, He watches her with amusement as she hands some prashad out to Darshan who places his left hand on his head

before taking it............
He drives them home.......................
JW reads the day's newspaper, she rests her head back on the seat and without knowing just dozes off, wakes up to realize they are in front of a huge white house, with

carefully landscaped lawns and a long winding drive way leading up to a house that sat on a 15 feet elevation........... overlooking......... the OCEAN!!
She is dazed and confused......... "yeh kya hai?"
JW:Ghar!(blandly)
B(bristling) Thanks, I thot it was a yacht...........
Set BW!
JW laughs aloud, "Oh well, woh bhi............actually I am trying to buy a yacht, ek Mauritian of Indian origin se............ (casually)
B: I refuse to get down, yeh kahan le aaye aap mujhe?
JW:Baneeee dont panic this is MY house
B:NOOOOOOOOO (colors again)
JW: Plz, just ek chai? I know u love chai............
B: Mujhe mere ghar jaana hai
JW: Sure wahan bhi .............. lekin abhi tum pehle utro
B: I dont even know you, main aapke ghar nahi ja sakti
JW: Baneeeeee I am not Count Dracula
B:Uske ghar main chali jaati, I know he will kill me BUT u......... (stops!)
JW: Main kya? (taunts, realizes she was getting to his fave part)
B: No! ("Iam not finishing the rest of my sentence")
JW: If I promise NOT to ravish you in my house phir chalogi?
Her heart crash lands on an open field, her entire body bursting into flames on impact, she shuts her eyes and shakes her head...........
JW:If u wont then I will have to ravish you HERE
Her eyes fly open........... to find his laughing
She grabs her purse and lets herself out, slaaams the door and just starts walking towards the entrance.
JW: Pehle gaadi se nahi utar rahi thi, abhi mujhse pehle mere ghar ke andar jaana chahti ho? (teasing)
B: Mujhe aapse koi baat nahi karni
He rings the door bell A guy in a black butler suit and white gloves ;-) opens the door
Guy:Morning Sir, (quickly checks his watch) Oh sorry afternoon sir, afternoon maam
B has a Wow, so he is beheaded if he got the greeting time wrong?" look when she meets JW's eyes
JW: No Banee we dont behead we just use the lethal injection! Beheading is inhumane!(serious)
Set JW!
For a second her face pales, he cant seem to hide his laughter, her face has a furious expression on it,
JW: Tony ghar pe koi nahi hai
T: No Sir Jigyasa Maam Poona gayi hai.........
JW nods ( Tony steps back and disappears! into thin air!)
B is still annoyed............
B: U are the most creepy guy I ever met! (between her teeth)
JW(in her ears) U are the most beautiful woman I have ever met!
Set JW!
B: Just tea! (firmly)
JW:Sure............ absolutely!!
Its a HUGE living room with 5 sets of sofas placed strategically all around, silk woven leather upholstered, comfy, hard as rock on ur b--- kinds....... original artwork on the

walls, exquisite woven rugs and carpets on the floor, crystal chandelairs the works..........
B thinks "hes pro'lly never reported all of his income, God! he is an epitome of conspicuous consumption"
JW: U cud look at my returns Baneeee!
B: I dont want to (guilty)
JW: My sister decorates the house, I hardly live here.........
B realizes he said he was "not married" "then why doesnt he live here?" "maybe he still lives with roshni hoping to rekindle the flames?"
JW: I TRAVEL a lot Baneee, nahi Roshni Mumbai mein nahi rehti .................. ab woh London mein rehti hai (sad?)
B:I dont care!
JW: Ya I am sure u dont (taunt)
A lady in her 50's walks in, when he is just getting her all comfy on the plush red silk and gold couch, a lil heavy wearing an expensive cotton threadwork saree, with

original pearls around her neck and in her ears, with a sandalwood paste oval on her forehead................
JW: Arey Maasi, aap ghar pe hain?
M:Kyon Munna tum chahte the ki main ghar pe na miloon? (winks mischievously glancing at B)
B just about falls on the floor in shock on heraing the word MUNNA pop out of the lady's mouth. She looks at him with "Was that YOU?"
JW: (smiles fondly) haan Bani Thats my name, another one......... actually.
B concludes that its a family of insane people and she wont delve too much into why his nick name is what it is, she does NOT wnat to know
M is all curious, in a cute "who has my son brought home for the first time today in almost a year?"
B catches JW almost blushing a lil embarrassed may be?, she cant believe what her eyes just saw........ " It cant be?" " He just brought me home, why shud HE BE SHY?"
M: Kya naam hai beta tumhara?
B:Jee, Bani Dixit.
M thinks....... hmm so u are a brahmin?
M: Kahan ki ho?
JW:Maasi plz
M:Main kuch bhi poochti hoon isko lagta hai, mujhe nahi poochna chahiye...........
B:Jee koi baat nahi, main Mt Abu ki hoon
M:Ghar pe kaun hai beta?
JW:Maaaaaaaasi
M shushes him and pries.........
JW's phone rings he excuses himself, Maasi conducts her interrogation in peace
He returns in a few minutes, Tony has in the meanwhile set tons of snacks on the coffee table, namkeen sweets, cookies and pastries and ofcourse the lowly chai!
B reaches for a chocolate chip cookie (the gourmet kind, moist chewy and HUGE) I love chocolate chip...... ( alil embarrassed when she sees Maasi smilin)
JW:Tony sab le jao
M: Arey beta kyon, abhi lunch baad mein kar lena na, abhi baitho (taps the seat on the other side of Banee, on he other corner...... B dreads he is gonna sit by her.... and

he does, his legs almost brushing her saree clad ones but not quite, she feels the heat anyway................
JW: Maasi sirf chai honi chahiye (looks at B's eyes challengingly, trying to reach for her cookie)
She moves her hand away flushed face, pleading with her eyes for him to stop teasing her. Her stress level was increasing multifold with every passing second, Maasi was

being a sweetheart, her questions were very honest and Bani didnt mind at all responding to them. It was JW who was being annoying, persistent and just a plain pest.
M:Ghar pe kaun kaun hai beta?
B:Jee Papa, aur sabse chhoti sister, beech waali yaha Mumbai mein final year kar rahi hai.
M: shaadi ho gayi?
B blushes beetroot red!
JW: Maasi, main isko is liye nahi laaya ki aap iska interview le................
M: Munna maine to bus poocha............
JW: (turns to her) Iam sorry Bani (whispers)
B:Its OK........ (doesnt look at him but he notices the high color on her cheekbones)
Maasi is still waitin for her answer............
B: Abhi nahi.... Maa.... Aunty
M: Mujeh tum bhi Maasi kaho beta
B: Achha Thank you
She is aware of hsi eyes on her face , but just chews on her cookie, loves it, drinks more than one cup of chai.......she wishes he wud get up and they could go home.
Just when she is wishing that, a very charming man walks in a pale grey suit, he has one of the most dazzling smiles B has ever seen, seems like he may be a few years

older than JW................

Aditya :Wow!! What a surprise! THE Jai Walia not at the office on a Sunday? I see WHY? (grins and looks at B)
B is embarrassed tries to inch as far away from JW ,on the couch, as possible.
A: And who could this lovely lady be? (extends his hand out)
B: Bani Dixit (smiles and reaches for it)
A: Oh!(taps his index finger on his forehead and tries to recall) Oh! The young lady, I shud say GIRL, from AA, junior Associate? (smiles eagerly and waits for her approval)
B: (pleased) Haan. You got! Thats right Thats me!
A: WELCOME!
A: Oh Sorry Mera naam Aditya (whats his last name on the show?). I am his best friend and also his ex-brother in-law
B: (looks at JW curiously)
JW nods and smiles in ack... amused at Aditya's attempt to impress B.
A: He has NEVER brought a girl as beautiful as you home! Infact Jai kabhi kisi ladki ko ghar nahi laya! Its is indeed a pleasant surprise
B is stunned just opens and closes her mouth like a fish for a minute, Jai meanwhile reaches for his wallet and takes out a wad of bills, and hands it to a confused Aditya
A:Yeh kis liye Jai?
JW: For what you just said Aditya (tauntingly)
B imm understands what he means, wants to kill JW for implying that B wud assume that he paid Aditya to say what he did!
HOW DARE HE! She fumes!
JW: (grinning) Banee thinks ki main office is liye jaata hoon ki.(Bani interrupts...........)
B (shrilly) Mr Aditya, aap bhi Mr Walia ke biz mein hain (artificial curiosity)
A:(senses the first zap from the undercurrent, looks at her flushed face and his friend's smug one) Haan Ms Dixit
B: Plz aap mujhe Banee keh sakte hain!
JW: She only wants ME to address her as Ms Dixit!
Snap!
B: I hardly know him! (spontaneous) mera matlab KNEW,................(Does she know him or doesnt she? shud she be here or not? does she know Aditya more than JW or vice versa?😕)

JW: Ya but she will gladly accept an invite to visit my house.............
B has a I DID NOT! look, JW is thoroughly enjoying himself............
A: Jai, stop tormenting her!
B likes him already
JW looks at her questioningly, "Am I" she responds back with her eyes "I will definitely cause more pain when I kill you"
A: (turns to JW) What are u doing at home today?
B starts talking with Maasi not wnating to hear the exchange between the two
M aasi asks her how long she has been in Mumbai etc, tells her JW LIVES at the office or is away on biz trips and is rarely home and thanks B for being able to see HIM at

home on a Sunday. B is totally embarrassed, tries to be evasive and not accept the compliment, but Aditya has overheard the convo and he interrupts........
A: Maasi, hame Bani ko Thank karna chahiye, warna aisa kabhi nahi hua ki Jai ne Sunday ghar pe bitaya ho.
JW: Thats enough Aditya (cheerfully) I am hungry
B: I am not!
Its hard for Maasi and Aditya to ignore the undercurrents again, they try to be as polite as possible but have to literally excuse themselves to let those two fight in private
M: (half happy half cusrious) achha main dekh ke aati hoon Tony ne lunch mein kya banaya hai (starts to leave)
A: Maasi, aapko to Ahuja's ke yahan jaana tha na lunch ke baad? (Follows her)

The couple cant wait they go for it
B: I am not hungry mujhe ghar jaana hai
JW: Hum ghar par hi hai Bani, u ate two cookies tumhe kyon lagegi bhook?
B: (angry and ashamed) Mr Walia how rude! U saw how many I ate?
JW( calm, again amused at seeing her agitated) Not only how many Baneee, but i also saw how you ate them!
She is confused for a second, and then suddenly dusts her lips and cheeks frantically with her hand, he watches her do it and quietly extends his left hand out and picks off

a tiny speck of a crumb from the edge of her saree, near the collar bone and pops it into his mouth.
She watches in horror, doesnt speak for a minute
B:I want to go home, TO MY apartment (shaky)
JW: lets eat first! (as if she is talking in Persian!)
B: NO!
Silence! He lets her sulk for a while.................. his phone rings he answers and talks for a few minutes, she fidgets with her saree first and then her purse, checks her

instant msgs tos ee if there are any from Rano or Pia, there are none.............. he hangs up and taps his Treo on his knee, rotates it there, holding the center, she is

watching all of it surreptiously...............
B: Maasi ko prashaad nahi diya...........
(she gets up to go)
He casually places a hand on her knee to stop her, she can feel the heat of his touch thru her saree, recoils as if someone punched her
JW: I am sorry! (takes his hand away) Banee dont go! Koi lekar aa jaayega.................... (leans his head back exposing the strong column of his throat, B can see the

adam's apple move thru the corner of her left eye)" Baneee tumhe ghar dikhaoon?
B: No! (husky)
JW: You want to sit here jab tak khaana nahi lag jaata?(curious)
B: Hmmm........
JW: I cud show you the study atleast.........(childlike eagerness)
B: I shudnt even be here, I dont know you! (phir shuru ho gayi)
JW: Baneeeeeeee!!! Not AGAIN!(shuts his eyes, and moves his head from side to side, opens it finds her sitting straight, towards the front, back all stiff ready to get up)
Pulls her by her elbow, gently back on the couch, she falls back with a thud, her hair flying all over, some strands on his face, she quickly laces her fingers thru them and

shoves it behind her neck) Stop it!!
JW: Baneeee RELAX! ( throws his head back again, right leg on his left knee, taps the cell phone on his right ankle rythmically..............she CANNOT!, her forearm rubbing

his tee clad one, she could almost see sparks when they rub off like that)
B:Lets go see the house!
JW: Not now! Khaana khaakar
B: Mujhe abhi dekhna hai!
JW: No Baneee! Tell me tum free time mein kya karti ho?
B: Kabhi Switzerland jaati hoon kabhi Spain! (caustic)
JW: Bus do jagah?
Howzzat!
B: Not every body is Jai Walia u see! (turns to him and smiles)
He just looks at her laughing eyes the teeth the face................ ends up just staring, shuts his eyes)
JW: Jai Walia's life is boring Baneee
B: I am sureee (ya right! tone)
JW: U dont have a very high opinion of me do u?
B: I dont have an opinion AT ALL
JW: Liar! (Softly, looks at her, she looks at him)
JW: U shud spend a day at the office with me, phir tum mujhe sympathize karogi! (eyes on her lips)
B feels bad suddenly but doesnt want to apologize!
B: Even I have a brutal schedule, have u heard how over worked and underpaid accountants are ;-)?
JW:I am sure you do! (sincerely)
B: Atleast u make the BIG bucks!
JW: Baneee why do u WANT to hate me?
B: I dont (huskily)
JW: Thanks! (he takes it as "I dont hate you")
B:(she means to say "I already KNOW that I hate you, I dont want to hate you") I said....... I dont want..........(he interrupts)
JW: If u dont shut up I am going to stop u the only way we both know works! (husky warning)
***********************************************

PART 38 C
FLASHBACK VIII

Maasi walks in breaking that eye contact, JW starts scrolling thru his cell phone messages. B looks away for a minute, trying to calm her thundering heart.
M: Munna chalo beta khaana khaate hain
JW(calm) Jee maasi!
JW: Bani lets go eat (no sign on his face of what happened a few minutes ago between them)
B: Hmmm Both get u and walk over to the dining area, JW sits at the head of the table on one side, Maasi asks her to sit in the first chair to the left and she herself sits in the one on JW's right. Aditya walks in and sits by Maasi. There are more than five covered serving bowls. B wonders who eats such a heavy lunch.
Tony walks by, does a bow/nod again at JW, who seems really happy for some reason.
M: Bete tumhe kya khaana sabse zyaada pasand hai
B: Jee Dal chawal (shy)
M: Woh to mujhe bhi bahut pasand hai beta, lekin Munna ko chicken
B rolls her eyes, when M ad A are talking abt what will be doscovered next in the bowls......
JW catches that
JW: Maasi Bani vegetarian hai! Woh kehti hai agar koi non-veg khaata hoga to woh us se shaadi nahi karegi. Kyon Bani, that still holds true right? (challenge)
B(sweeeeet smile) Haan Mr Walia, I WONT! (a lil dollop extra of vehemence for him)
M: Bani, mera Munna chicken khaata hai par bahut seedha hai, is se nek ladka aaj kal maine to nahi dekha (proud, beaming)
B has a "what ever" look, "Seedha?" and HIM? "LADKA?"
Maasi needs her eyes tested

JW: leans forward poiting to the sabzi on her plate "Dontw orry she wears contacts"
B blushes and starts eating
She loves the paneer and rotis and ofcourse the dal tadka too she takes an extra helping of rice.
She is happy it doesnt contain any cashews
M: Tony, aapne aaj kaju nahi daale chawal mein bhool gaye kya?
T(sheepish) Sorry Maasiji
JW: Good Tony Thanks, Bani ko kaju pasand nahi hai Maasi
M (smiles at A conspiratorily) Are wah mere munna ko abhi se itna khayaal hai Bani ka?
B almost spits her food in shock!
OMG! Maasi thinks "we are dating"!
OMG!
She suddenly loses intrest in the food, bends down in an attempt to hide her face.
A: Bani khaana kaisa laga?
B: Excellent Mr Aditya.
A: Sharmao nahi, please eat well.
B: Jee (she can feel his eyes on her, bends down again, thru the corner of her eyes she can see him eat ravenously. He ate poha at my house almost all of it why is HE so hungry?, she wonders)
M: Munna tumne aaj nashta nahi kiya, Tony ne kaha, kyon beta?
JW: Bhook nahi thi Maasi,tab se kuch nahi khaaya na is liye I am really hungry now
M: Munna breakfast bahut zaroori hota hai beta! (scolds him lovingly)
JW: Jee maasi, aage se dhyaan rakhoonga (looks at B when he responds)
B has a blood sugar count of 400 just listening to that exchange!! Gosh! What a family! The guy is lying thru his teeth and his aunt cant figure out?
She's got to be blind!
A: U shud tie the knot soon my friend!
B chokes on her food, drinks some water
JW: Aditya come off it! I skipped breakfast for one day so I need to be married?
A: Well, u need to be married anyway!
M: Haan Munna main Mrs Ahuja ke yahan ja rahi hoon aaj unke bete ka roka hai. Woh tumse 4 saal chhota hai. Main keh kehke thak gayi hoon tum sunte hi nahi Bani tum hi isko samjhao na beta

B has a "What the hell is happening here?" look on her face. JW unperturbed just continues to eat, serving himself more of what ever his fave non-veg Tony has made
She can see the twitch on the corner of his mouth, she wants to score her fork over it!
B: Maasi? Ab main kya keh sakti hoon? (shocked, blushing, paling all at the same time)
M: Dekho isne hamari baat to suni nahi, shaayad tumhari sun le?
B is like "Is it MY problem?" but her upringing doesnt allow her to be impolite
She is really furious at JW for not stopping his Aunt.
B: Maasi shaayad yeh bachelor rehna chahte hongey? (taunts and coaxes him to respond)

JW: Vinay Ahuja ki shaadi hai?
M: HaanMunna tum bhool gaye?
JW: I guess. They are all gettin married, except me! (mock-sad face)
M: Tum to isko jaanti ho ab, tum hi batao, yeh kisi ko chahta hai kya?
B Aap inse poochiye na. Main to sirf inke saath kaam karti hoon (she almost wants to say her fave line "Main to jaanti bhi nahi bus do din pehle mili, aur aapke "MUNNA" ne mujhe do baar kiss kar diya!!!!!" but checks herself, what if Maasi asks "if u dont know him what are u doing here today?")

B slowly turns towards JW "Aapko Maasi ji ka dil rakhne ke liye shaadi kar leni chahiye (taunts)
JW: Kis se karoon? (back at her)
B has a "I give up! Go to HELL!" look
Starts eating again

A: Bani how do u like your job?
B: I LOVE it Mr Aditya
A: I hear you will be on a team that will help us with the public issue. Is that correct?
B: Jee!
JW and him start talking abt work, Maasi just heaps and heaps and heaps more food on her plate. She tries to gobble it all up but gives up towards the end
Maasi requests T to get dessert, he wheels a CART in! It has cold desserts in the bottom tray and hot ones on top.
B wonders if today was some festival she missed. she knew she wasnt being very good about keeping track of them since she came to Mumbai.
Or may be there was a wedding in the family? She wonders
She wants to ask but does not.
She excuses herself, to go wash up. JW follows her. She refuses to talk with him again!
JW: Khaana kaisa laga?
B: It was great! Thank you (short)
JW: Ab kya hua? (walking close by, almost rubbing her shoulder with his arm)
B: Kuch nahi. I am late mujhe ghar jaana hai!
They wash up and walk back to the couch.
JW: Baneeee I was just teasing you!
B is quiet.
M aasi is following them close by, so they dont get a chance to fight again.
JW: Bani what is ur fave dessert?
B: Iam sooooo full. Main nahi khaoongi
M: Munna isko ghar nahi dikhaya? (hint hint kinda tone)
JW: Jee Maasi abhi
JW: Bani? (she almost gonna sit down, when he calls her, she follows him)
M and A sit down and watch them climb the curvy winding stairs

JW: Where do you want to start first?
B: How about Ancient History? (a tinge of sarcasm, equating it to a Museum sightseeing trip)
JW: Ouch! (smiles)
B: I am so full, mujhe neend aa rahi hai
JW: Kitna so-ogi Baneee? Car mein bhi so gayi thi
B: I am tired! (irritated) If ud idnt sleep all nite phir aap ko bhi neend aayegi (bites her lip as soon as that slips out)
JW: Kyon nahi soi? (curious, flirty)
B: Mujhe..... Main aur Anjali movie dekh rahe the............
JW: Kaun si
B: Yaad nahi!
JW: Sach mein neend nahi aayi hogi tabhi naam bhi bhool gayi, kyon
B: Get lost!

He is heading twrds his study. She is taken aback by the masculinity of it all, the huge desk, with the latest high-tech conferencing equipment, flat screen monitor, multiple lap tops, a rolled up projector screen hanging from a wall, sorround sound, leather sofas with shiny steel studs on the trim, an entire wall lined with books tapes, CDs, DVDs and a few family pix on the wall among original art
It was stately and aristocratic but NOT comfy and cozy she realizes
B gravitates towards pix. she LOVES looking at pix, in fact first thing she does when she visit people's homes is look on their walls for family pix ;-)
There is one..... what seems like him with his sister? may be or ex-wife?
B wants to ask brings her hand out but stops
JW: Meri girlfriend ya ex-wife nahi hai, its my sister Aditya's wife, ex-wife I shud say, Jigyasa
B: I never said she was YOUR wife.
JW: Baneee u dont have to! Ur eyes do half your talking......
B: NO!
She turns away, a few more, may be with their parents, one with a very young Maasi and him,
B: Maasi aur "munna" (taunting)
JW: U really hate it that she loves me dont you? (amused)
B: NO!
(shrugs) "Aapki Maasi hai, aapko kuch bhi kahe, Munna kahe sweetu kahe!" (nonchalantly)
JW: No Baneee only Munna. I will let u call me sweetheart! (winks, flirtatiously)
B: U are NOT sweet!
JW: Are u sure? (husky)
Turns away abruptly and walks to the DVDs.............
B:Aap yahan movies dekhte hain
JW: Kabhi kabhi Banee, I really dont get too much time
B: Throw pillows blankets kuch bhi nahi hai.............. I like to lay on the rug when I am watching a movie....... (thoughtful)
JW: We could get some..... (husky)

He is behind her leaning on the edge of the book case by the wall, hands in his pockets, feet crossed at the ankles, wtaching her touch, feel and admire stuff, read titles of books with eyes crinkled.........
B realizes a warm flush cover her entire body at that statement
She tries to ignore it............. but he is persistent "Want to watch a movie?"
B: Mmmm.... mmmmm
JW: U cud always come by later?
B: I dont know..............
He creeps up on her just when she is trying to pry a leather bound encyclopedia on math ;-) out with her index finger............
JW whats eems to her like effortlessly, pulls it out and hands it to her, she doesnt look at him, stares at the cover...........
He pulls at the book, she doesnt let go, shuts her eyes, she knows whats coming!He has his back against the oak shelves she is afoot or two away


JW: I said I wont ravish you in my house but I didnt say I wont kiss you (softly.......continues pulling on the book, drawing her closer in the process)
*********************************

PART 38D
FLASHBACK IX

Knock on the door........ B almost jumps out of her skin, JW lets go of the book, his expression changes vividly to irritation. She turns away facing the huge windows

noticing the strong storm brewing far away.The skies have turned almost black despite it being just after 3 in the afternoon He goes to get it.......... Its Tony
JW: Haan? (snaps)
T: Sir Maasi aapse baat karna chahti hai?
JW: Hmm kaho main abhi 5 min mein aata hoon
B starts browsing the book shelves again............... this time paper backs. No romance novels here she thinks, lips twitching into a smile. Espionage, wars, political

thrillers, none remotely touching the romance arena, She opens a few to read teh first few pages notice, each one has "his" signature and a date and an airport name on it

scrawled characteristically. Its the first time she has seen his writing, its as masculine as he is she thinks..........
He is behind her again.......... "Baneeee will u be OK, main abhi aata hoon?"
B: Hmmm (not turning to face him)
JW: Iam sorry!!!!
B she turns around NOW......... with a "For what?" look
JW: I still owe you the kiss (smiles and walks away)
B looks outside towards the window again "I have to go Mr Walia, baarish honey waali hai, meri room mate mujhe dhoondti hogi"
JW: Baneee plz give me five minutes. I will take you hone
B: I dont want to go with you
JW: Baneeee! (runs his hand thru his hair)
B: U go see what Maasi wants, Iam sorry.... (guilty)
JW: thanks
****************************
Back in a few mins, she is checking the movies out now...........
JW: Baneee bad news
B: Kya hua?
JW: Maasi ka driver beemar hai he is not here. Aditya left after lunch for work. Maine Darshan ko bhej diya Maasi ek saath to the Ahujas......... so u will have ot wait now
B is NOT happy. She thinks for a minute if it is some scheme of his to act dirty. She is terrified as that thot crosses her mind. She actually doesnt know him! She has met

him 4 days ago, here she is at his house spending the day, having lunch, all are gone from his house, leaving him and her. How is she to know what kind of a guy he is?
Her face pales "main taxi le loongi" she picks up her bag from the desk and starts walking........
JW: Baneeee (he is blocking her exit, laening against teh shut door)It will just be AN HOUR
B: Mujhe jaana hai
JW Why dont u watch a movie?
B: No!
JW: I said bus ek ghante ki baat hai!
B: I am scared (trembling voice)
JW Good God!! (swears under his breath) OMG! U think I planned THIS?
B: I dont do this Mr Walia......... this...... friendship, dating........ this meeting a man............. this I dont do..........maine......... pehle ........ I am scared (it all comes hurtling out in bits and pieces)
JW: Shut up Baneee!
B: (furious) Why shud I. U invited me to ur house, now u want me to stay. Main taxi le loongi
JW: I dont care for rape Baneee (jaw tight, eyes like steel)
B feels like someone flung her into a blast furnace hearing the word............
B: I am sorry! (a lil calm but still fidgeting with her purse handle)
JW: Thanks (warningly)I will leave the room, if u like, I will play ur movie and go. Khush?
B turns around and walks back to the DVDs, picks one she had always been wanting to see, called Serendipity (John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale) and hands it to him quietly He picks up the intercom and spits a few instructions into it. Within minutes Tony is at the door with a boatload of throw pillow and blankets.............
It has started to pour outside, noisy and heavy the droplets pelt the window.
He punches a few buttons and the projection screen slides down, he shoves the DVD, into the player on the console by the bookshelf, punches a few more keys, sorround

spound speakers drop down from the ceiling all around the room, she tries not to stare,the previews start playing, she picks two comfy pillows nad a nice soft peach colored blanket........ "it smells like him" she thinks................ she wants the AC turned down coz its freezing, in her aptt only the living room has an AC that too an old beat up one, Anjali and her sleep on the living room rug on muggy summer nites.
This house is too quiet for her, she can only hear the rain and the movie......... she doenst want to be in the room alone, at the same time she fears he wud accuse her of mistrusting his servants.............
B: Thanks............ Ummmm.........

JW: lifts his head up from the remote he is trying to program to adjust clarity..... Haan Baneee (all the anger is GONE, he is back to being the charmer)
B: Kuch nahi ......... Thanks
JW: i thot u said that! Mujhe laga tum kuch aur kehne waali thi
B: Ummm....... mm Mujhe akele is kamre mein dar la(stops)
His hand stops tormenting he remote, he has his back to her, his eyes are shut, he is holding his breath ...................silence!!!!
B: I am sorry I can ....... (she thinks "bolt the door" maybe?)
JW is done he brings the remote to where she is leaning on the huge couch facing the screen, curled up pillow on her lap, pillow by her sides and back............. drops it on her lap pillow...........

She doesnt look up, she knows he is waiting and watching her, she tries to figure out the remote
JW: Baneeee?
B:Thanks.................
B: Aap shoes pehankar khade hai blanket par? (incredulous) Cant u take your shoes off? (what are u? George Bush? tone)
JW laughs aloud "I am sorry" sits down takes it off......... back to where she is"Baneeee?"
B: thanks for the movie, jab gaadi aa jaayegi to main ghar jaaoongi.
JW: I thot that was the plan? (mock-confused)
The movie begins, he gets up to go.............his phone rings, he answers and after quick talk hangs up.........
B: ............. main akele, mujhe akele...........
JW comes back sits down on the rug beside her stretching his legs straight...........ignoring her studious attempt to get away so that his shoulders dont touch hers, he does anyway, annoyed leans on her a lil........... "U have to bloody ask me!! (husky)
B: U are SWEARING!
JW:Thanks! I know
B:I ummm.......I
JW: Say it!
B: Iam scared aapka ghar bahut khaali hai, main kabhi akele nahi rahi.................Main Mumbai mein rahi hoon akele but not in a house like this I am not scared of anything but mujhe dar lag raha hai (round and round she goes touches and misses the point)
JW: Maine doosre kamre mein hoon..........
B: OK (sad)
JW: U still wont say it Huh?
B: Agar maasi hoti to main unke saath baithke dekh leti..........
JW:Anyone but ME?
Silence!

JW:And I thought accountants are not supposed to lie!
B spontaneoulsy just deals a punch on his waist on hearing that!
JW:Ouch!
B:I am sorry I am sorry! (totally embarrassed, never before had she done that with a guy..... she was ashamed)
JW: Atleast u touched me!
B:I want to watch my movie........ Aapne dekh liya? (offering the DVD jacket, with the back cover up)
JW: No.......... (taking it from her to reading it on the way)
B starts concentrating,
JW:Baneee its a LOVE story
B: I know (smug)
JW: Lets watch Star Wars........
B: I hate Star Wars
JW:I hate love stories
B: Phir aap jaayiye (sulks)
Knock on the door, its Tony again with popcorn and candy and soda................. he wheels the cart in and leaves
JW: Tumne dessert bhi nahi khaaya,........ after lunch
B: I want chocolate cake (not taking her eyes off the movie)
JW: Too bad isme sirf popcorn aur candy hai
B: Phir mujhe nahi chahiye (makes a face)
JW rolls his eyes, gets up again this time from the couch and punches a number in the intercom and asks for chocolate cake...........

JW: Woh dessert cart mein white cake tha with chocolate icing, will that do? (call on hold, receiver on his shoulder)
B: Mmmmm mmmm (makes a face again,) chocolate nahi hai to chalega. I dont want any
JW:(into the receiver) Tony, kisi ko bhejkar chocolate cake mangwa lo....... (thinks for a second) OK forget it. Main hotel call karke pastry shop se deliver karwa loonga
B is drooling over John C doesnt care a real flesh and blood guy is arranging for saffron from Mt Everest ;-) in the middle of a raging thunderstorm
Hangs up, sits on his desk, swinging his legs, dials his cell phone, talks hangs up........ jumps off the desk with a flourish............... Nope!! she still wont bless him with a glance............is still drooling over JC. His phone rings he answers, talks and hangs up............
She has leaned over not taking her eyes off the guy to grab the popcorn bowl, ends up being a candy bowl, lindt truffles, picks up and almost shoves it in her mouth only to realize its not popcorn
B:Popcorn kahan hai? (irritated)
JW totally amused to see this childish side of her
JW: Look at the cart Bani, John Cusack can wait. He is not even handsome........... do u really like HIM?
B: YOU are not handsome........ I love John Cusack.......... (furious, actually looks at him)
He locks hers with his, his smile disappears............ he walks towards her...............
B: No! (she knows what he is thinking)
She forgets she is watching a movie, and forgets she is supp to be drooling over John C, her heart starts its 100 meter dashes, and she quickly bends down starts counting the truffles in the bowl on her lap.................
He sits down by her........... takes the bowl away from her, she still wont look at him............
She reaches for the popcorn bowl, and starts nibbling, trying to watch the movie, he takes that away as well despite her deathly grip on it............
B: No! (hoping thats all she will need to chase him away)
JW: Baneeee (he is just looking at her)
She is staring at the screen but thinkig abt him)
B: Mujhe movie dekhna hai pleeeeeeez
JW: So watch........ what did I do?
B: Stop looking at me. (she points her left hand index finger towrds the screen, nervously wiping off sweat from above her upper lip with her right hand)
JW iam watching mine..............
B: Fineeeeeee
She quickly reaches over him and grans her popcorn back in a flash and hold tight, he doesnt fight, she starts munching and reaches for orange soda drinks............
She oooohs and aaaaahs over the lines and the scenes........ he just stares at her................
She leans back some and rests her head on the couch and brings her blanket up
B: Mujhe thand lag rahi hai..............(whiny)
JW: I am not getting up......... (he points to the rectangular console on the wall that controls the central AC) tum jaakar turn off karo..........
B: main movie dekh rahi hoon
JW: U are cold, not me!
B: Theek hai........ main ek aur blanket le loongi..........(yanks one from under him)
JW: OK fine....... (smug, chuckles under his breath, he really wants to distract her, he doesnt care for the attention John C is gettin)
B: plz Mr Walia can u turn off the AC?
JW: No Baneee I will not (blandly, arms behind his head, stretching out, eyes closed)
B: Main phir aapke ghar kabhi movie dekhne nahi aaongi, u dont let me watch in comfort..........
JW: What abt ME?
B: iam the guest............
JW: No!! (short and sweet)
She reluctantly pauses the movie, and tries to get up not before plonking the popcorn bowl on his lap with a thud, causing some of it to spill on the strewn blankets...... he

opens his eyes startled "Kya kar rahi ho?"
B punches the keys randomly to turn it off coz he never told her how
JW: Usme fire alarm bhi hai, hope u didnt set it.....(JW is laughing at her now.)
B:KYA?............... Achha hai let it go off (angry)
JW: Tumhari movie ruin ho jaayegi. (shrugs)
B walks back to the couch to her adda, picks up a cushion and slams it on his shoulder " this is for not getting up to turn it off" another one "Yeh fire alarm ke baare mein bolkar mujhe daraane ke liye".
He grasps her wrist and pulls her down almost on him.........
B:No!!!! (realizes that she is interacting with him as she wud with Pia or Anjali! That shocks the wits out of her, the sudden realization that all this is slowly turning into an attraction? )

JW: U drive me INSANE, do u know that? (in all seriousness)
B:I dont!
He has his knees drawn up she is between his knees and his chest, holding herself off with her hands on his chest his left hand still around her right wrist....................
JW: If I get my kiss I can let u watch in peace........ mujhe kaam karna hai Baneeee
B: Wait until he movie is over (FLIRTS!!!)
JW: I'll have a second helping then...........
B: No!!
He bends down and she moves her face and he ends up kissing her jaw/neck by her ear sensual, moist, heady, arousing............... both use every ounce of control they each have, him trying his best not to crush the life out of her, her trying hard not to melt like the truffles lying next to them in the bowl........... his right arm around her waist, careful not to touch her bare back.......... his coarse jeans causing enuf havoc anyway on her, so he cudnt have done too much more, but "gentlemanly behavior" thy name

is JW, ............
Both love the first physical contact at such close confines, she is completely swept away by his masculinity.............. her eyes are closed she is breathing hard, she is sure

she is going to smell like him for the rest of her life................AND WANTS TO!!!
A slow bubble of joy erupts from inisde her, unreasonably, untimely, unexpectedly, "A man as handsome/wealthy/stylish as JW wants HER!!!!"Like a silly teenager she feels feminine and all thrilled abt it................
JW: thanks (softly, lets go.......)
She leans back a lil shaky at first against the couch, fumbles with the remote and he gallantly re-starts the movie, she has lost intrest....... she just stares at the screen, her face on fire..........
*******************************************************
"I saw her and my eyes grew wide. Never would I let her leave my side"

"I am out of my fr------ MIND! She must be barely 20, I turn 33 in a few weeks what the hell is wrong with ME? I am old enuf to be............ to be............... to be

WHAT?" he swears in his mind castigating himself, cant bring himself to say any word that will turn his harmones OFF, runs his fingers thru his hair, in frustration...... here

she is, leaning against his shoulder, her arms encircling his right arm holding on to it....... tight............Her teeka from Mahalakshmi had smudged off on his shoulder.........
"He had NEVER felt like this all his life. He was NOT the proverbial rich playboy, all the affairs he'd had could be counted on the fingers of ONE hand, unlike his

buddies......... NEVER was he ever drawn to someone who did not know the scores. Never before had he been drawn to someone who was so totally out of his league like

Bani Dixit. There was something different about her. He wanted to borrow her favorite line "I hardly know you". He knew a few of her favorities, her fave dessert was chocolate cake, her favorite word was NO!, her favorite Hollywood actor was John Cusack! her favorite spot to watch movies was to curl on the rug"...................

"All that doesnt wipe away the huge age difference", the demon lounging in the corner of his heart raised its devilish head. "She is possessive, she demands attention, she

sulks, she pitches a fit when she doesnt get her way, she's very emotional, she acuqiesces when he least expects" ....... "Though he knew her for barely a week now

something told him that her interaction with him was genuine, a side of her so private even her family was probably not aware of"..... That made him special! Doesnt that

count? he counter argued............
Maasi and Aditya were right, he cudnt recall a time when he had taken a whole Sunday off. He had been so wrapped up in his work the past 12 or so years of his life since

his Dad had died it had left very little time for him to date. Sure he visited bars and hung out with his buddies occasionally, fielded glances and overtures from many eligible, socialite types, but never was he drawn to any of them. Conversations over a drink were not the most cerebral or appealing to him anyway........It had ended in a drink or in a

ride home........ NOW.......He genuinely didnt feel any urge to attend to business, like a child, he felt, every moment spent doing home work was time away from the TV................. homework had been his passion, it gave him a high that nothing else had in his adult life.......... until that morning in the elevator and the chance meeting with this woman.......... a woman wrapped around his arm now............... It was not a slow burning fire it was a raging volcano!
He wanted to know everything about her, he wanted to see when she laughed, smiled or cried, he wanted to know her fave sleep positions, he wanted to know how long she took in the shower............ her fave color, her fave expressions, her fave book, when she favored her left hand over her right"................ a warm intoxicated feeling spread thru him when the realization hit, his heart responded with a clamouring, crashing, raucous affirmative, just like it did every time he saw her.

"Maasi would be elated to hear that I have finally decided to "settle down" in life!!" Its HER then? Yes, it is............ He had'nt in his wildest dreams ever imagined meeting

someone in the elevator, breathtakingly beautiful, hard nosed, brilliant accountant much younger than him, who held her own, totally unperturbed by his wealth and its trappings, fiesty, knowledgable, confident and someone who could put him in his place every time and think of tying the knot but here he was......... for the first time in life thinking of taking a plunge into holy matrimony. What ever it takes! I want marriage! I want my kids to look like her. I want them to be as brilliant as she is,,sharp-witted, articulate and charming...........................

"She seems like some one who guards her privacy ferociously, do u think she must be thinking very highly of you of the way youve been pursuing her?' the devil asked......."she accepted my invitation to spend the day with me, I didnt force her to, she wanted it too,she seems to be having a good time, in fact an awfully good time in my opinion, taking a nap curled up against me like this...... (lifting his head to look down at her) and Oh she said "NOT HERE!" at the hotel when I went to kiss her, so she was just worried about the setting not the kiss!"
Demons inside are much harder to kill.......... " Its all PHYSICAL my friend" it said........"No it is not!" he argued, eyes open, lifting his head from the resting position, jolted out of his day dreaming. "OK........... a lot of it is"......... he confessed....something stirred inside yet again........ "I agree I do WANT HER. I want her like I have not wanted any woman before" There! are you satisfied now?" he asked the demon.
"I want her so much that its a bloody ache inside" " I also dont want to scare her off completely, so Iam willing to take self-control lessons, I shall be in my best behavior all the time......... well....... ok most of the time................ I want to woo her with roses and chocolates, I want to show up at her door and whisk her away on a romantic date. I

want to stand in her tiny kitchen and watch her cook, I want to watch her tune her radio with just her thumb, in between dicing and mixing.................I want to see her bite

her lower lip to stop the trembling when I near her........... I am not denying that the ultimate goal of it is to get her in bed with me, I wont corece her, I will make her want me as much as I want her.......... and then OK........... may be........... make love to her all night every night the rest of my life" he admitted wryly "her hair fanned out on my pillow......... hear her moans, hear her whispers............... all for him, only for him.........., while he wud tease torment and torture her in sensual abandon...................... and so its not ONLY all physical so will U SHUT UP?"........... " he closed his eyes again and rested his head back on the sofa.
**********************************************************

Her warm lethargic body shook a little in sleep, she tried to turn her head holding on to his arm, when she cudnt she muttered something in sleep and slowly opened her eyes, there was a flickering light on the right bottom corner of the projection screen, reflecting on the walls floating all over the room when the screen swayed...... the windows were open, it smelled like it had rained somewhere, the dull trickle of the left over storm created a noise like a leaky faucet left open all nite, a distant honk from a

car, crickets........
Did she fall asleep in the theatre? Why is she on the floor? where are the seats? the screen is swaying? Am I sick? It smells like cologne................ not my perfume, who

ever sat in this seat before me must have worn a lot of it.................. where is my other arm?
Pins and needles......... stiff neck, tangled hair, frozen toes.......... OMG!
She had taken a nap leaning on THE JW! He slept too?
OMG! A guilty flush spreads all over her. I better get up and leave before he wakes up. I dont wnat him to know I used him as a pillow. What was the ending of the movie? I

wish I cud borrow the DVD, may be not...... She slowly but gently extricates her left arm, her fingers are linked into his, hers small and slender, his dark and thicker,

blushes when he doesnt let go for a second, she uses her right hand to pry it apart, the pins and needles spread all over to the tip of her fingers, she flexes them, checks

time, its past 8 PM!!!!
Her saree is all crushed and folded all around her...................... her hair is a mess she is sure.... she slowly gets up places a cushion where she was, lest he falls off, and goes over to the rest room.

Her eyes look sleepy there is a warm glow on her face, she goes to slap water on her face when she bends down she notices the red teeka from the temple has smudged and spread into her hair parting, her cupped hands holding the water paralyze......... she stares at her reflection water overflowing from her palms, unblinkingly...............she lets the water escape from between her fingers and with a trembling hand goes to wipe it off her parting............

JW:Werent you taught to conserve natural resources? Baneeee (amused taunt)
She hurriedly brings her wet hand down, turns toward the inside of the bathroom, so that he cant see her face...........spraying her face with a few droplets in the

process........ prays he shudnt notice her predicament............
Bends down and just splashes cold water on her flaming face, praying the oily teeka wud get washed away.
JW: Iam sending u the bill from the dry cleaners, agar yeh nahi gaya to.......
She turns around to see him leaning against the door jamb, pointing to the dark green crocodile on his right sleeve now all a mixture of red and green turned almost black....
Oh God!!! so he knows!
B: Hmmmmm
JW:Did u get a good nap?
B:Hmmmm
Turns around, picks a huge white towel, with navy border, hides her face.
JW: Baneee I am going to go see if my car is here.
B: Hmmmm (into the towel)
JW: Wont you talk?
B: I was trying to conserve my resources! (husky sleep drugged voice)
Set BD!
Laughs........ "U are never lost for answers! Are you?"
B: No!
Laughs again....... she doesnt know why..........
He starts walking towards the door, turns the knob, as an afterthot stops turns around "Ur chocolate cake came, tum so rahi thi......... do u want to take it home?"
B:Iska matlab main ghar ja sakti hoon?
JW: U dont have to unless u want to Baneeee (serious, soft)
B:I want to.......
JW: Stay or go? (challenging)
B: Mujhe chai chahiye (evasive)
Silence!
Turns around again and lets himself out
She wipes off some of the smudged red stain from her forehead with trembling fingers..............
Touches up her lipstick.... walks down the stairs, Maasi has returned she is chatting tith JW, sees her step down, in fact both do........... pausing their conversation for a

while......... B feels embarrassed.............
M: Movie kaisi lagi beta?
B: Jee achhi Maasi (her voice is still a little deep)
M is curious but doesnt ask anything
JW:Baneee chai
B: Hmmmm (again! but this time inadvertently)
Both realize it, look at each other eyes lock........ she looks away hurriedly before Maasi becomes suspicious
M:Tumhe bahut ayad kar rahe the, Mr Ahuja
JW: I will see, mere paas time hoga to jaaoonga shaadi mein
M:Abhi to kahin nahi jaana tumhe?
B drinks her tea quietly, trying not to listen too deeply to their convo
JW: Haan........ (he hesitates)
M Kahan.......
JW pauses.......(looks at B, she thinks he is saying "excuse me can u plz give me a moment here with my Maasi?")
B realizes they may not want to have that convo when she is listening, she gets up with a verbal "excuse me" cup in hand, walks towards the huge glass covered curio display cabinet..............
She can hear JW swear under his breath his eyes follow her
Looks back at Maasi again and goes"Agle hafte Hong Kong ja raha hoon Maasi"
M: Jigyasa Aditya bhi jaayenge?
JW: May be Aditya, not Jigyasa, (transalates sheepishly for jumping to English) Jigyasa nahi jaayegi Maasi
His eyes still following her around the room............
Their convo is faint almost inaudible to her now "I better leave soon" she thinks a lil hurt........ "why shud some middle class girl know about abt a biz tycoon's weekly intl

trips?"
She has no place in this setting"

She turns around and bumps into him, Maasi is gone......
JW: Why did u get up so suddenly? (accusing, steadying her without touching)
B: Bus yeh sab dekhne........(lies and waves her hand at the curios)
JW: Maasi gets upset that I travel a lot (conciliatory)
BW(sad) Dont worry. Mujeh ab tak chaley jaana chahiye tha.......... aapke personal baaten I shud nt be listening...
JW: Baneeee I didnt.........I meant........ I wanted to tell you......... (runs his fingers thru his hair, noting a change in expression on her face, as it has almost taken on a

devasatated look)
B: Oh!.............. Oh! ??(hiding her disappointment)
JW: What....... no sarcastic rejoinders? ( curious)
B: Ummmmmm........ abhi....... ummmm No!(bends down, rubs her temple with the fingers of her right hand, mops sweat off her upper lip area..)
JW: Give up? (intrigued, not sure what had upset her so suddenly)
B I want to go home!!!
JW: Thats more like it! (husky) run away when it gets too hot to handle"
Silence!!!
JW: U wont miss me right? so why did I bother abt telling you abt my trip when we were alone?............ (challenging taunting)
B: No! (barely escapes from her throat)
JW: Good! Main do hafte nahi rahoonga.............(silken, emotionless)
B's eyes fly to his............. "DO HAFTE?", bites her lower lip and bends down, taps her cup on her left hand ring finger.....("This is all so wrong! is he misleading me becoz he thinks I am misleading him?" she worries)
JW: I thot u didnt care? (not letting go of her eyes)
B: Ummmm Mr Ranade wanted a meeting........ We were getting ready to present the prelim....... Mr Ranade ko maloom hai?........ I am sure he knows (rambles on pointlessly)
"He thinks I am not good enough for him, which I am obviously not... why worry abt what I feel?" she thinks bitterly
Silence!
JW: Let me know Baneee when u want to stop running away............(grimly)
She senses that he knows that she is fighting the intense attraction she feels for him............... cannot bring herself to say anything to counter argue to clarify his

misunderstanding
JW We are just wasting our time. I shud take you home..............(cold)
M:Bani beta yeh tumhare liye (Maasi sneaks up on them)
Both are jolted out of their trance..............
M is standing there now with a box in her hand..........
B: Maasi mere liye? Maasi main yeh nahi le sakti. I dont....... I mean I cant (she looks up at him while she speaks with Maasi)
He has a "dont even try to decline the gift" look, our fight is offline now" Dont u dare"
M: Le lo beta pehli baar ghar aayi ho. Maine tumhe saree ya jewelry to dee nahi, aajkal ki ladkiyan un sab cheezo ka bura maan jaati hain.............
B: Ummmm No! (looks at him again)
JW's turns and looks away rearranging one of the crystal curios on the glass shelf
She nervously accepts it... wants to know whats in it, is holding her tea cup in her left hand.........
He offers to hold her cup in another one of those unspoked ESP thing......
she blushes, hands it to him, Maasi is watching both........
B opens the box and find a beautifully carved silver Ganesha in it, around 6 or 7 inches tall, solid silver........
B: Its too expensive I cant aceept (at him again)
M: Bete Bhagwan ji ki keemat thodi dekhte hain, le lo
JW: Baneeeee
B:(softly) Thanks!
B: We.. I have to go!
M: Munna chhodkar aao isko
JW: Jee Maasi (not giving her one glance)
He walks away with her cup in hand..........
She walks toward the door with Maasi, pauses at the door for him to join, he does
M: Apna khayaal rakhna aur aati rehna beta.
B: Jeee zaroor. (folds her hands in a namaste, despite the box hindering that attempt)
M: Beta namaste nahi...... tumhe dobaara aana hai...........Agle Sunday ko aaogi? (Maasi wants a date and time!!)
B: Jee, main call karoon?
M: Koi baat nahi tum bus aa jao.......main ghar par hee hoon, mujhe kahin nahi jaana agle hafte, tumhaare saath baithoongi main
B looks at JW........ he has a bland almost expressionless look on his face.........
B thinks "He prolly doesnt want me socializing with his family too much! Why wud he? I am way out of his league!"
B:(confidently) Maasi mujhe kayi baar Sunday ko kaam karna hota hai, I will try
M: Mere munna ke liye apni jaisi sundar ladki mile to fatafat phone karna.(cheerful, gives B a hug)
B is stupefied in shock....... manages a "Ummmm jeee"
JW: Maasi mujhe office jaana hai ab chalen? (business like..............doesnt touch B but almost shoves her out the door)
M: Munna dukhi ho jaata hai agar main emotional hoti hoon to (her voice quivers)
JW: Maasi main late ho raha hoon, Bani ko ghar chhodna hai pehle (exasperated)
B: Bye!

B allows herself to be led, turns around looks at Maasi one last time........ she wants to reach out again and hug the lady......... doesnt want JW to think she is "impressing

his Maasi to get closer to HIM!" Thats what he thinks, the lunch the convo. was all farcical, it didnt mean a thing
************************
In the car on the way to her aptt, almost there, both havent said a word to the other.............. all thru the ride. He is suddenly very cool and aloof almost uncaring
B: Mujhe Maasi bahut achhi lagi
JW (sulking) Oh? Great!!!...........
B: I am not saying that to impress YOU. I really like her.
JW: Shut up Baneee (trying to keep it low and out of Darshan's earshot, angry, hissing)
B has no idea abt his temper, never heard of it...... hasnt seen it, so is a lil nonchalant abt it at first........
B: Itna naraaz honey ki zaroorat nahi hai aapko.
She was getting a hint of how angry he was on hearing his indrawn breath, the tautness of his not so lean cheeks and the raspy voice......
JW:Bani hold it, just dont say anything till we get home".
For some reason she follows the orders. They get off, he ignores her protest coldly, follows her to the elevator, get off at her floor, unlocks her apartment, enters flips the light

switch, still dark..... thinks its the fuse then realizes reading the note in the morning by the elevator abt a burnt transformer........ gets some candles, forgetting that he had

followed her in and was leaning against the shut door, watching her trying to fight the breeze from the open balcony door to light the candle, he goes and shuts it comes

back cups his hand around the flame while she lights....... she has to hold it longer for the wick to warm up....... singes her hand throws it with a "Ouch"!

He reaches for her hand, she is angry, sad, upset her first what wud be called as a "date" was afterall a sham....... hides her hand behind her back... and lashes out..

decides to throw a lit match on the oil well next to the glacier........ "Thanks Mr Walia. for a lovely day...............Also dont worry I wont inconvenience you, aapke ghar ab kabhi nahi aaoongi"
JW: (roars) is it too heavy Bani?
B: (confused just stares)
JW: That bloody inferiority complex that you carry around with you, its it too heavy?
B: I dont have an inferiority complex Mr Walia. Why should I? (a lil guilty but trying not to show it)
In the candle lit room he seems really menacing approaching her like a panther....... she backs off, until she hits the door....
JW:I havent said a thing abt Maasi inviting you. Mujhe kyon keh rahi ho?. What the hell is wrong? (shouts)
B: Chillayie mat, yeh mera ghar hai. Aur apna cheap psycho analysis kahin aur jaakar keejiye (snaps)
JW: Who the hell are you taunting Baneee? (roars)
B: I had no desire na aapke ghar jaana chahti thi na khaana khaana chahti thi. I am happy where I am in doing what i do.
JW: Shut up (index finger on hsi lips, eyes molten orange, accentuated by the glow from the candle light)
She is terrified!!
B: I dont care Mr Walia if you live in Hong Kong. i dont want to know. I am sorry I went to your house. (trying to put a brave face)
JW: Are you? (clipped, looks like he cud almost shake the life out of her)
B: this was a bad idea. Atleast ab aapko pata chal gaya hum dono bilkul hi alag duniya ko belong karte hain................ NOW u can leave me alone
JW: What the hell.............
JW: I told Maasi I am going to Hkg tum itni upset kyon ho?
B: Aaap nahi chahte mere saamne baat karna, aap chahte the ki main wahan se chali jaaon (lump in her throat disrupts speech). I dont belong to your world, so its OK.
Knock on the door, he dares her to open it. she reaches calmly and does open it, he is ready to explode but the old guy at the other end totally clueless just barges in. Its

the building secretary wnating to talk abt the power situation.............
JW wont leave. He just stands there and lets the guy talk doesnt say a word.......
B listens and nods he wants signatures. on some petition thing to the utility company, she signs it in the almost pitch black apartment.......... with JW blocking what ever lil

light there is............
The Secy goes on and on abt the problem but phone rings he gets the call, JW gives her a nasty look walks up to her "We are not over yet Ms Dixit!" realizes its not a good

time to fight
Walks out SLAMMING the door, almost blowing the candle out

****************************

PART 39 A

FLASHBACK X

She heard a lot of commotion in the hall way. She was in a meeting with Aditya in the west wing of the executive offices. Aditya has stepped out for a minute. She wonders

what it could be. She knew JW was back from Hong Kong over a week ago. The cold war between them had intensified, she had not made any attempt to thaw it, neither

had he. She hadnt even met him once since he had slammed the door shut on the Sunday three weeks ago.
She starts doodling on her yellow tablet and drifts into her thots............She had tried not to think about it much. Hadnt revealed a word to Pia or to Anjali about her "first

date" fiasco. She knew she was a quiet and strong person, but didnt realize she would clash so much with a man...... she had never argued with her Dad, just chosen to

keep quiet when ever she disagreed. There was something abt JW that wouldnt allow her to take things lying down, that constantly urged her to jump to conclusions and

egged her on to express her POV. She had found her match the first time this personality trait was revealing itself. She was vocal in expressing her opinion on work related

issues, but was not the most extroverted in a group for sure. She preferred to be reserved and not expansive or gregarious. She didnt automatically reach for the phone to

chat or set up a shopping or lunch date with Pia or her work friends when Anjali was away on biz trips during the weekends. Even when Anjali was in town she didnt hang

out with her every minute. Anjali's love life grabbing all her energies there was hardly any left for Bani anyway.She just curled up on the couch with a book, or watched

Sienfeld/Caroline in the City/Suddenly Susan (thats what they showed ALL the time when I was in India for 6 mos last yr ) re-runs on cable.

He was arrogant and, opinionated,short tempered, disciplined, uncompromising. He had the uncanny knack of being able to get into her mind and read it accurately each

time, She felt stranegly vulnerable around him. It was as if there was no running away, he had occupied her thots and her life completely.
Aditya had insisted that she step out as well andsing Happy B day for the "boss" but she had declined. Aditya had also wanted to know why she hadnt visted again and that

she must vist the following weekend on Sunday to have JW's Bday lunch with them, Aditya had three kids he said, two boys and a girl. He was excited abt having Bani's

youngest sister meet Anu sometime.

Back to doodling................. a part of her did feel terribly guilty for the way she had fought with him that nite. He had been a perfect host, hadnt left her side one minute the

entire day. Made sure she ate well, enjoyed herself and was being well taken care of.. May be I shud call and apologize? Maybe he wont pick up my call, he will reject it?

May be I shud show up at his house on his Bday on Sunday and apologize? He has to forgive her then............... him not talking to her was bothering her more that she had

ever imagined it would. Even her male friends from her CA articleship times were not so special. Her Papa was very conservative and didnt appreciate any "male friendships"

So she kept such acquaintances to herself. JW was much older, she didnt know what she was doing "being friendly" with him. There was no future in that, different

economic backgrounds, diff life styles, different outlook towards life. He did have a loving family, she saw that, much like hers and he was a completely "normal" guy. Not at

all snobbish abt the wealth he had or the positions he held ar such a young age.

Maybe he is not even angry, maybe he has forgotten me and I have assumed yet again that its a "war". Why wud he care abt me? One day spent with a junior audit

associate is probably not something that will go down as a memorable event f his lifetime, she thot wryly.

Aditya walks back in with a piece of cake, just then, he tells her that her other associates are looking for her and wondering why she didnt join the party. She smiles and

continues working...........................
********************************************************
Sunday afternoon, Bani has finally made up her mind for the 137th time....... she is done making dal makhani and paneer she decides she will make jeera rice and raita later

in the evening, kneads dough for pooris, her mind just focussed on the task at hand, trying her best not to get distracted, as it was making her nervous and jumpy and

sweaty to even think of her "plan" She knew the outcome cud be totally lame as well, but she had to go for it, curiosity kills the cat, this cat might get killed too.......... she

didnt like impasses.......................... he was not her lover or her husband or her boyfriend but she wanted to know what he was........ maybe nothing? She will find

out............
Its past 6, decides to shower and change into a black and marroon floral A-line skirt with a slit on the side running up to just above her knee, a little selfconcious abt it but

ignores that warning sign by thinking "what if he doesnt show up? coz he wont, so its ok" teams it with a marroon spaghetti strap tank top with marroon sequins shining on

the edge........... hair tied in a marroon claw clip, matching earrings and jewelry.................
The kids in the bldg were being really out of control that evening, randomly getting of at some floor and ringing the bell and running away easpecially a 7 yr old chubby lil

thing was being a pest and hiding in the stairwell when she opened, he had already done it three times that evening.
Her phone had slipped out of her hand twice and she had actually wiped the sweat off her upper lip area 4 times during the call, she had called him and left a message

saying "I would like to meet with you abt the documents submitted with the registrar on the name and the title etc and other trust related issues we are having"
Some of JW's hotels were part of some "Walia Trust" and bringing those into the fold of the public issue was not proving easy. Her role in AA had been very advisory so far,

she hadnt had any client interactions at all, she was worried if JW was going to get all curious and call Mr Ranade to validate her claims. She wud be in trouble!

She had totally forgotten to buy a cake, she tried rushing to her neighbor's appt to see if her servant wud go buy it but they were all gone, she returned disappointed, and

starts making kheer, her favorite, praying he wud atleast it like it.
Standing in the kitchen stirring the kheer was making her sweaty again, it was past 7 and she had cjecked her watch almost 8 times in the past half hr......... The radio was

playing her fave FM channel................
She walks over from the open kitchen to the living room window and turns the AC on, it groans and roars and sputters and whines and blasts off full throttle finally.......... she

shuts her eyes and stands in front for a few minutes soaking in the chilled air................ wants to make lemonade, goes to the kitchen checks her watch again, makes a jug

full, its almost 8....................
Door bell rings ....... its the annoying kid again, she gives him a piece of her mind.............. almost taking out all her frustration on him...........
So he wont come afterall (walking back to the living room where a huge mirror hung on a wall, looking at her reflection)........... ofcourse he wont........... its his Bday he has

better things to do than hang out with an auditor.......... I am not just an auditor........ Iam good looking.......... may be not sexy like Roshni or Anjali.................. mousy? No

definitely not mousy................I shud wear lipstick more often? or may be short skirts?
Naaaaah? Why shud I care anymore he stood me up, so..........................it is Atulya then? Wonder when his vacation starts........... Papa had said she shud come over to

Mt Abu so that they could finalize everything during Atulya's vacation.............
Doorbell rings.......... its the kid but...... has disapperaed before she cud yell...... she yells anyway......... returns to the kitchen stirs the kheeron elast time, turns off the gas

................. take a cupfull for herself and goes off to the couch and sets it on the coffee table to let it cool...................

Walked over to her room and checked the wrapped box that lay on the bed.... chcked her cell phone to see if she had missed any incoming calls........back to the gift

box...... checked more than once........ it was wrapped in blue and white striped papaer, she had spent 18 minutes doing a perfect job of it.................
He wud have hated it anyway......... so its OK...................or taken it home and handed it to his butler may be?

Goes back to her kheer, starts eating loves it sinks into the couch the door bell rings.......This is IT! she thinks...... storming towards the door........
"Ek baar aur bell bajaya to tumhe mere ghar pe baandhkar rakh doongi phir kabhi apne ghar nahi ja sakte tum"

JW "Do you PROMISE Ms Dixit?' (husky)
Her kheer spoon falls to the floor from her lifeless hands with a shrill clutter................................

Thanks Aditee....

Excellent part 35!! I am boiling at the thought of Sanjana picking up that phone call! How could Jai Walia let her be like his 2nd wife??😡

Keep it up yaar!

👏

yaay!!! another part, just what i was waiting for to make my day!!! 👏 Great Job!!!

Part 33 was soooooo awesome!!! I totally loved it!!! Please continue soon with Part 34 asap!!! I really loved the way Bani was trying so hard not to tell him that she missed him!!!

WOW!! didi..... that was very enticing!!

plz do continue~!!

👏

Didi...... i loved the part 34 B!

great job!i LOVED part 33! Please continue soon! 😃

I am so happy to read part 33 after a week of wait but let me tell you it was worth the wait. 😳

WOW.. part 33 was amazingggg as alwayz.. 👏

Aditee that was awesome! can't wait to read more.

update soon!

love,
anam

👏 👏 thanks aditee... 👏 amazing part as usual..
here is the link 4 ur other parts..(28-32)
http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=370077