PART 44
FLASHBACK 19
A week after KC, the entire media was aware of one of Mumbai's most eligible good-looking bachelors, planning to tie the knot soon there was a general atmosphere of
mourning in the cocktail circuit "another one bites the dust" they said, JW unfazed by all the negative publicity at his decision went about his daily biz meetings and getting
work accomplished.
Walia Mansion had already taken on the look of a house where a wedding was slated to happen, people had started visiting, the phone was ringing off the hook, Jigs had cut
short her "poker party"on KC nite to return home on Maasi's insistence only to find what the cat had dragged home..........Bhaiya announcing that he was planning to marry
"trailer trash". Hugely disappointing for her! She had already spoken with multitude of her poker friends, all wives, sisters of noted industrialists in town, offering their
daughters nieces and in some cases even themselves if Jigs would allow it. All those plans had come to a grinding halt. She could either look forward to a edding or start
plotting for a divorce, but now is not the time, her teenage daughter Anu was obviously overjoyed, her son Sahil nowhere to be seen, the ex-hubby Aditya was acting like he
hadnt heard of such good news all his life.
The overdose of sweetness gave her a migraine and she "retired hurt" early, not before noticing Maasi giving meaningful looks to her would be bahu. "I'll deal with YOU later"
she thot, disgustedly looking at that 20 something girl, her brother for some reason was acting strange, was not taking his eyes off her, "Is this my Jai Bhaiyya?" What in
the world has happened to HIM?" she wondered.................. The girl? The hug was all she could take in that nite from her she reeked of some middle class perfume, surely
some Indian brand ! ............., "where do I even begin with Bhayya? his choice, the girl's lack of fashion sense, she must have been too busy trying to ace her what ever
exams......... where were her glasses?, all those books all those lectures, didnt reward her with a pair? Maybe its in her knockoff purse?"..............
she pondered............. for now she was going to disappear.............. rest would have to wait until "Bina" was a permanent fixture in this house, may be I cud turn her into a
fixture?...................
B had not called him neither had he, after dropping her off on KC nite past midnite,
B had talked Rano into speaking to her college about taking a transfer to Mumbai after the first semseter was over. Her credits were transferable acc to her college Prof. She
was working toward a biz degree just like Bani had, Bani got a feeling that rano admired her skills and natural intelligence.......... Ranow as visiting for the weekend, Bani
had gone to get her from teh train station, she was very excited to visit Mumbai for the first time. Their Papa had not accompanied, he sounded hurried and excited on the
phone all the time these days, it was as if he had suddenly stumbled upon a fortune and didnt have a clue what to do about it. Bani kept her convos with him to the
minimum. she didnt want to hear about or know of any "plans" Papa had made that involved JW. She didnt particularly care for his sister, the fact that it was making JW
more protective towards her was making Bani hate Jigs more. "Why does he think I need protection?" "He needs to mind his own biz".....................
Rano and her were on a shopping trip cum "check out Max Meuller Bhawan (MMB)" trip, to review the courses in German (Thanks Sow). they got off at the Churchgate
station and walked by the teeming footpath filled with hawkers selling every imaginable book on the planet, most looked like they were pirated, the nes that were not were
used :-) Streling Book house across the street from Kala Ghoda was too expensive for B and Rano, she let Rano buy some of her fave ones, while B checked out some US
GAAP publications....... and some paperback novels.......... Janet Dailey was her favorite, "I have to save enuf money to go live in a ranch in the US mid west sometime in
life, may be I will find a rancher like she describes in her books?" A smile escaped B's lips, Rano became all curious, wanted to know if it was Mr Walia she was thinking abt, the book slipped out of her hand when she heard that name 😳 ........... color rushing, she shut her eyes for a second shaking her head from side to side" Mmmm... mmm" she said.
Rano wanted to know what the famous Jehangir Art Gallery was all about, B loved being the "Mumbai expert" albeit her limited experience of two plus yrs in the city, they
went in, enjoyed the air conditioning to the fullest............ B's white cotton capris and purple sleeveless blouse that had almost soaked, drying up again............ her hair tied
thankfully, wisps escaping on the side................ no make up........... her first pair of Nikes on her feet, "The shoes make me look rich" she thot... smiled again.........
Walked over to MMB next, to check out the courses............. Rano looked like she was going to die of happiness and shock at actually being inside where she had only dreamed of a few months ago..........
the classes were usually held on the 2nd floor. On the grnd floor there was a gallery were they had exhibitions etc. they rented it out for such events. first floor had a library which used to be converted into an audi for movie screenings etc.
The rooms are named after German cities: Hamburg, Berlin(the biggest room), Dresden (one of the smaller ones).
there is a small sitting area for students to interact during breaks-but only in german .
The offices of the director and the secretary were also on the same floor.
A counter next to the sitting area served as the registration /information desk.
Every course if taken intensive (3hr each day, 5 days a week) took abt 3 mths for completion. Courses could be completed in around 9 months................only weekend
classes were also being offered, Bani steered Rano twrds those, she didnt want Rano travelling all by herself, she had told Mr Walia she wud be spending herw eekends at
her apartment so she could take Rano then................. Mr Walia had looked amused when she she had demanded that, but Bani was sure she didnt want to spend a
minute more than necessary with the man in their marriage.........................
Rano picked the........Zentrale Mittelstufe Prfung(ZMP):-Central test/exam for middle level.
after M3. intermediate level following the ZD. Quite a toughie she said but she wanted to go for that............ Forms filled payments made with her credit card, ID would be
made the day classes started.................
Both were hungry when they left MMB, headed towards what looked like a sandwich place, across the street at the corner, adjacent to Fabindia, there was even a
sugarcane vendor by the sandwich guy.............. B had a couple and Rano had no room for the second, B was still thirsty for their favorite "family drink" ganna juice, she
didnt have change all the money sh had in loose change spent on sandwiches and the train fare, she had a Rs.100, the ganna waala ready to send the bill thru the
crusher.........
B: Ek minute bhayya, abhi change lekar aati hoon, Aap isko pilao......... (pointing to Rano)
R: Didi aap kahan ja rahi hain?
B: Abhi ruk jao Rano, change lekar aati hoon sandwich waale se........
Walks humming a happy tune, "Its all going to be OK, the three of us are going to be in Mumbai now, living together" her thots come to a screeching halt when she hears
her mind say "live together"......... "I dont care for him, I am going to make every effort to spend every spare minute with my sisters"
Walks right into someone on the overcrowded sidewalk
B: Dekhkar chaliye na? (annoyed)
JW: Thats what I was doing Baneee!! (holding on to her waist)
B: Aaap? Aaap? Yahan kya, how did YOU get here? (shuts her eyes opens a couple of times)
JW: Its not a dream !! Did u wish for me in ur dreams?
B: Let me go!! (squirms out of his hold, he lets her go, dressed in blue jeans and white Polo tee, unbuttoned, a lil sweaty, she can see the sweat beads on his sideburns)
JW: its hot!! (smiles)
B: Go away! Rano ke juice ke liye change lene ja rahi hoon (waves the bill angrily at him, trying to walk past him, he just starts sprinting after her)
JW: mujhse le lo, kitne doon?
B: I dont want your money!!
The sandwich guy refuses to give her any, she walks back dejected, he follows closely, Rano almost spits out her juice on seeing him, he smiles warmly,
B: Bhayya main kahin aur pata karke aati hoon
JW: kitne hue ? (curt, authoritative)
Juicewalla: Rs.15
JW gives him a 20 rupee bill
JW: Change rehne do!
B: Mujhe peena hai
JW gives her a disgusted look
JW: not here Bani!! Lets go!
Rano is looking at their exchange totally stupefied
B: Mujhe peena hai
JW: Not HERE!!
B: rano ne piya then why cant I?
JW: Coz u are a a fool, kaun peeta hai (hisses thru his teeth so as to not let the juice wala hear) YAHAN?
B: aap jaayiye
JW: Bani Darshan is here chalo!
B: No!
She sulks!
He smiles at rano, she is nervous, he opens the door for her, traffic is backing up honking................
JW: Banee lets go! (softly, in her ear almost kissing it)
B: NO! (whispers in rage)
JW: Baneee! Dekho traffic....... I promise, we'll turn around and come back for it
Pushes her gently towards the car, onlookers are amused, want to know why a rich guy is wooing a middle class type into his Merc
He gives the passers by a dirty look and gets in..... slams the door.
Rano looking away too embarrassed to even look atwhat Dee and Jeeja are talking abt.....
JW: We need to make rules about fighting! We cant do this after we are married! I will get the most traffic tkts at this rate! (in her ear...... softly making her cringe first and
blush next)
Edited by aditee - 18 years ago
Anupamaa
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
