The JB Jodi
Chapter 12:
Bani stood, feeling quite awkward, next to Jai. She knew perfectly well how these dances went, where the guy put his hands around the girls waist and she put her hands around his neck, but for some reason, some nagging reason, she couldn't do that with Jai. He himself ignored his racing heart beat, and hyper active pulse, and placed his hands firmly, yet gently on Bani's lower back, indicating that she should put her arms around his neck. Without looking into his eyes, she hesitantly extended her hands around his neck, careful not to get to close to him (for fear of losing all control over herself, and melting to the floor).
"Mrs. Dixi—"
"Call me Bani!"
"Bani, actually, what I wanted to talk to you about—"
"Getting the business position right? You think that because we know each other, you could take advantage of that and try to get me to pick you right?"
"NO WAY! God Bani! What kinda of man do you think I am?!"
"Oh!" (very sheepishly for her uncontrolled outburst)
"Let it be, actually, it was something else, but now it's very hard to say it. Let me just say though, your looking rather exquisite tonight…You have earned yourself a few good men who would try to get hold of you after tonight" Jai informed Bani, looking down a bit, to her shalwar kameez.
Bani instantly grew self conscious of her deep cut Shalwar, and also, she nervously watched down to see how much was visible right at this moment, from where Jai stood. She burned with humiliation, realizing it was a tad bit too low (not really revealing, but you know these Indian girls!). She moved a hand away from Jai's neck, and tried to pull up the shalwar a bit, but was stopped by Jai.
"Actually Bani, if you don't mind me saying, leave it like that! I know this is probably very uncomfortable, and may come off as being rude or disrespectful, but you look gorgeous just like this! Don't do a thing to it!" Jai mumbled, before he could stop himself. Bani's eyes grew wide, and a bit of anger seeped thru her veins, but she rid it in a second, when she realised he was trying to be polite and not rude. She decided to let that one fly by. Jai smiled when she dropped her hand and then returned it around his neck.
"Mr. Walia?" Bani asked. He voice was cracking under her internal pressure of being this close to Jai, and she tried hard to compose herself.
"Haan Bani?" he asked curiously. She always sparked curiosity in him.
"You know now, we are business rivals, despite your friendly reputation with mummy papa. I think I should leave now, before people start talking" she said in a fake hard tone, Jai appeared to be shocked for a minute, as that bit of info sank in, then he nodded and allowed her to pull free of him. He too, was becoming highly intoxicated just standing that close to Bani. He knew he truly loved her for some reason, deep down, even though they didn't really know each other. He felt that it was more than a physical attraction, but he was too much of and egoist at the moment to realize this, and hence he kept pushing the fact the he had accidentally said what was in his heart to Anjali and Roshni.
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Tarun was having a good time torturing Roshni on the dance floor. He had noticed her loathing stares at Jai and Bani as they danced, and had put two and two together. Every time she tried to go over to them, he would pull her into a dip or swing or some other crazy dance move, pretending to be filled with passion for her. He really enjoyed seeing those ridiculous expressions of hers.
When she was really fed up of it, and had seen Bani walk off on Jai, she too pushed Tarun away, and flew over to Jai,
Tarun laughed deeply, and walked over to Bani, who stood huddled in a corner by herself. (Pavi and Tanisha were now dancing with some cute men)
Tarun: "Kyaa huwa Bani? You look like you've been drained of all your bodily power!"
Bani: "What are you talking about? Mein… Mein teekh hoon!" Bani stammered.
Tarun: "Teekh hai, if you say so…"
Bani nodded, and Tarun, sensing she wanted to be alone for some time, left to go find some other cutie to dance with.
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"Jai…What did she tell you? What did you all talk about? Why were you looking at her like that, and holding her so close?! Tell me Jai!" snarled Roshni, as she came up to Jai. Jai, who, till now, was staring at Bani, who was sitting in the corner, jumped, and faced Roshni.
"What are you talking about Roshni? Can't you just leave me ALONE…plz?!" Jai asked gruffly, knowing Roshni's answer would definitely be negative.
"Oh whatever Jai! Is this that Bani girl you were oh so in love with?" Roshni probed. Jai's facial expression at the mention of the name, and memory, sold him out. Nodding, Roshni walked off, telling Jai that he should make a move now, that Bani was alone, and after all, she knew Bani would just be another name on his list.
Jai had grinded his teeth at her comments, but took one bit of her advice, he proceeded over to Bani.
He was very nervous going over to her, he was remembering when he first saw her, when he was cleaning her bruises, when they ran in at the caf… He remembered it all, and he had a strong gut feeling she did too, after all, her bodily reactions just now gave it away.
"Are you ok Bani? You look stressed?" he asked in a deep, concerned voice. He had found a set directly opposite Bani, and was sitting there, gazing at her beauty, innocence.
Startled, Bani jumped a bit, and looked around wildly. She had dozed off with her eyes open, a trick she had mastered during her school days! Jai had known this trick only too well, as he still used it during lame board meetings and what not, and spotted it instantly.
Bani, blushed when she saw Jai. "Mein teekh hoon!" she quipped in a high pitched voice. Poor thing, the party was so lame, and she was so exhausted. She couldn't wait to deliver her thanks speech and get out of there!
"Well, you don't look fine! You look like you need some rest! Why don't you go up to your suite for a while? I'll cover for you for an hour or so!" Jai suggested, trying to be friendly.
Bani was a bit taken aback, but agreed to it. She got up and was about to walk off, when she fell back down in her seat. She had gotten a massive headache from no where, and her stomach was hurting. She hadn't eaten properly for the past 3 days, and she knew this was the reason.
Jai stood up, as soon as he saw what had happened to Bani. He grew immensely worried, and went to her side. Taking her hands firmly in his (for support), he held her and led her up to her room, after asking her where exactly it was located. Only 6 people saw him taking her upstairs, Priya, Tara, Riya, Pavi, Tanisha and Roshni. All were in their respective corners, eyeing Jai and Bani the entire night, for their own individual reasons.