Your comments and criticisms are more than welcome and would be greatly appreciated ............ so keep them coming, the more the merrier, the merrier ......... I think and write better 😆 😆
AGAINST ALL ODDS
Can you solve for me a mystery, Of why things have to change
Why is life so complicated, why can't things stay the same
I understand that people grow, and often grow apart
But why did it have to be you, when I had given you my heart ......
============================================================ =========================
CHAPTER 1
Omigod. Not him again. Please God, don't do this to me, not now, not never!
Bani Dixit schooled her features into a neutral expression and pretended to look beyond the man that made her nerve endings scream. She acted as naturally as she could considering she was in her bikini in the pool at her gym and she was face to face with a man who looked exactly like her ex-boyfriend, Jai Walia.
Exactly. Not sort of. Not kind of. Exactly down to his hairy legs.
There was one big difference though. This man wore a small diamond stud in his left ear. Jai didn't have a pierced ear as far as she remembered. But it wouldn't be hard to get his ear pierced, would it???????????
This wasn't the first time she'd seen this drop dead gorgeous look alike around the gym and it wasn't the first time he'd nearly given her a heart failure.
She strode by him as if he were part of the building, without another glance, although she kept him in her sights with her peripheral vision until he was behind her.
Act cool, Bani Dixit. Don't blow it. Don't act gauche. Don't stare. Don't drool............ stop it Bani, close your mouth .................. walk straight, chest out .................... shake it baby ......... sway those hips ..............................
But it was hard not to stare and drool. She'd not seen such a hunk of a man in years, not since she and Jai had broken up.
"Time goes by, life goes on, and all I can think of is why you're gone."
The timing floored her. This guy showed up right after the release of her latest romance novel in which she'd based the hero on Jai Walia. Had she conjured him up? Or was she merely insane? Or was this the worst case of wishful thinking in history? Or a phenomenal coincidence that Jai's double would show up in this place at this time? Or was it really Jai?
If it was Jai, what was he doing in her gym? In her pool? Why was he here? How'd he get here? Why didn't he say something to her?
Whoever he was, why ever he was here, he was driving her nuts. He didn't stare at her straight out but she could swear he sneaked glances at her covertly just like she sneaked glances at him............. that is all she has been doing of late.
Slipping into the water, she struck out in a strong free style, trying to impress him. After two laps, she was too breathless to continue thus she flipped onto her back and did the elementary backstroke studying the ceiling.
She wanted to look for him, to let him know she was interested, but she didn't want to embarrass herself in case he had no interest in her. Thus, her emotions warred and she was afraid to look at him in case he read her longing to touch him and be with him.
When she reached the end of the pool, she paused, tipping her head back in the water to wash her hair away from her eyes. When she looked up, he was next to her, floating on two noodles, reading a book, in the lap lane next to hers.
Oh god. Again! He kept swimming or playing in the water near her. This must be the fourth or fifth time he'd been so close. But he never uttered a sound. Never even smiled at her.
Love knows no reasons, love knows no lies.
Love defies all reasons, love has no eyes.
But love is not blind, love sees but doesn't mind...........................
============================================================ =============================
CHAPTER 2
It seemed too coincidental that she swam next to this same man almost every time she came to the gym, however. Thousands of people belonged to this health club. Hundreds worked out daily. She rarely saw the same people twice - except for him.
Even if it were coincidental, even if his motives were pure, wasn't it still strange? Was fate yelling at her? Here was a gorgeous hunk of man with a well endowed body, great physique, muscular arms which any woman would wish were wrapped tightly around her, a striking harley davidson celtic tatoo on the right arm (TAZ this is dedicated to u dear, i hope it is what u wanted ............ i tried my best😊) a small diamond stud on his left ear, who loved to swim and read and hang out in the same place she did. Were they destined to be together?
Obviously not if they never spoke to each other. As she set off to the other end of the pool again, she wondered how to strike up a conversation. Of course she could just blurt out Do I know you? Are you Jai Walia?
And if he wasn't Jai, it'd sound like the oldest pick-up line in history.
Biting her lower lip, she shook her head. Chlorinated water washed into her mouth as another swimmer made waves next to her. Choking, she spurted it out as she tried to stay afloat.
Yuck! She loved the smell of chlorine but not the taste. Especially not when it invaded her nasal cavities like that.
So that line was out. She could just say, Hi, I'm Bani. What's your name? But she couldn't be so forward. She might as well say, Hi, I'm Bani. I'm deeply, madly in love with you and want to have your firstborn and go house shopping with you. 😆 😆
She scowled. Since when did she fantasize over a man like this? Not since Jai had taken the low road…
She caught sight of the man out of the corner of her eye. He read his book, a novel in a buttercup yellow and white psychedelic swirl cover as he floated on the orange and lime green noodles. Wire rimmed glasses hid his eyes as the harsh light glared off it.
She couldn't make out the book's title without peering closer at it but it wasn't one of her book covers. She'd kill her publisher if they gave her such a hideous cover. She breathed a sigh of relief. She'd loosely based her last hero on Jai, thinking he'd never read one of her books or know he was her forever hero.
But now she wondered and chided herself for such foolishness. What if Jai read her book and saw himself in the hero? What if it made him mad? Would he be angry enough to seek her out?
Though it's been a while now, I still feel so much pain ............... like a knife that cuts you, the wound heals, but the scar ........... that scar remains
============================================================ ==================
CHAPTER 3
She snuck a veiled glance at the man and caught him sneaking a glance at her. At least she thought he was looking at her. He looked away so fast she might have imagined it. If that was Jai, if he was here to find out why she'd modeled her hero after him, why didn't he say something? Anything? The man was driving her nuts! Soon, the men in the lab coats would be carrying her away in a little white straight jacket!
Continuing to swim, she pondered other ways to break the ice and make a move on the man. What if she pretended to faint? Wouldn't he have to act the gentleman and catch her? That would open up conversation, wouldn't it? But then what if he let her drown? No. That wouldn't be good.
She could slip and fall into his arms? And look like a total klutz? Not her style. She wanted to attract him, not send him running for cover.
What if she bumped into him while she was swimming? Highly unlikely, with the thick rope and buoys dividing their lap lanes.
She could get out of the pool and call the front desk and page Jai Walia. If the man took the call, she'd know he was Jai. But if he wasn't Jai, that still didn't help her figure out how to meet him.
Why was this posing such a problem? Why did it matter so much to her?
Oh well, she was about to shrivel up if she stayed in the water any longer. Besides, she had an appointment thus she had to leave. Her time was up. Sliding one last glance at the man, she let it linger longer, hoping to catch his gaze. This was as brazen as she'd allowed herself to get. Maybe she should've stayed still longer, to allow him to catch her if he wanted to.
When his gaze clashed with hers, she caught her breath. Her heart stopped and her breathing came in short bursts. Electricity sizzled through her to such an extent she was amazed they both weren't electrocuted. But did he feel it, too? If he did, he showed no indication, surely he must be shock proof.
Oh well. Tonight was obviously not the night to meet this enigma and solve the mystery. She just hoped their night would come.
You can't hurry love, no, you'll just have to wait
Love don't come easy, but it's a game of give and take
You can't hurry love, no, you'll just have to wait
Just trust in a good time, no matter how long it takes
============================================================ ================================
CHAPTER 4
Jai Walia watched Bani Dixit leave the pool area, graceful, slick from the water, and sleeker than he remembered her. He'd intended to confront her about that book she'd written. He'd been intending to confront her but was rendered speechless every time he looked at her.
She'd been a cute teenager but she was an absolutely stunning adult, one that stole his breath and made his gr*** ache. He was thankful for loose swimming shorts that hid his happiness to see her.
It had never been his style to hide from people or situations, but Bani was different. She'd seen him several times, swam beside him several times, but didn't seem to recognize him. Had he changed so much in seven years? Or maybe she had nothing to say to him, although that theory didn't fit if her last hero was based on him.
He'd read every one of her books and was quite proud of her success. But this turn of events disturbed him so much he'd had to find out what was going on. He wasn't sure he liked being featured in a book, even if it was one of her books. Was she nursing some unhealthy crush on him?
But after seeing her again, he hoped she was still in love with him. He was more than half in love with her. So why not make a move? Why was he paralyzed?
Closing the book he'd barely read, he pulled himself out of the pool and sauntered back to the locker room. He had to make a plan. Things couldn't go on as they had. This inertia was about to end. The only problem was, he was clueless. He'd have to go home and brainstorm.
I know I could have saved our love that night, if I'd known what to say,
Instead of making love, we both went our seperate ways
Bani sighed and pushed her long hair back from her face. Taking a swig of her cola, she stared at her best friend, Ishika, as she plopped onto her couch. "This guy looks exactly like Jai. Right down to his hairy legs, but especially his eyes. Those eyes are so intense, I can never forget how I used to drown into them."
Ishika half smiled. "So ask him."
Aghast, mortified, Bani said, "I can't just go up to him and ask that. What if it's not him? Or if it is him and he doesn't remember me or doesn't want to talk to me?"
Ishika drew more squiggles on her artist's pad. She was a cartoonist and drew the wildly popular cartoon Tigress. She rarely went anywhere without her pad. They'd met when Ishika was commissioned by Bani's publisher to illustrate one of her children's books. "So don't ask him. Just fantasize about him for the rest of your life. We all need fantasies."
Bani wanted to shout ugh! "But I don't want to just fantasize about him. I want to meet him. I need to know if he's Jai or not."
"Never look back...Never regret...
Never remember the people you've met
Never begin..And never end...
Never say never …… when it comes to your ex-boyfriends!"
============================================================ =============================================
CHAPTER 5
Ishika looked up, her expression quizzical. "What if he really is Jai Walia? What then?"
Bani shrugged, confused. "I don't know. Whoever he is, my blood sizzles whenever I see him. I have to meet him. Frowning, she swirled the soda in her can, staring inside as if it held the key to the mystery.
"Jai wouldn't be here, would he? He lives in Mumbai, I mean. This is Hong Kong. What would he be doing all the way here? He wouldn't come here just for me and if he did, why doesn't he speak to me?". She chewed her bottom lip till it bled.
"But if he's not Jai, isn't it so coincidental? The timing I mean. The man looks just like him and he shows up right after my book is published."
Ishika tossed her pad onto the coffee table in front of her. The charcoal pencil rolled off onto the carpeted floor. "Okay. I'm the artist, not the writer, but I have an idea. What if he's astroprojecting?"
"Astrowhating?" Bani's brows pinched together as her nose wrinkled. "What is that?"
"Astroprojecting," Ishika said concisely in her Indian accent. "It's when someone has an out of body experience and their spirit travels out of their body to another place. Maybe his spirit is here with you."
Bani looked at her friend as if she'd lost her mind. "For the sake of argument, if Jai is astroprojecting here, why only to my gym? Why not to my house?" She played with her hands in front of her. "Why not into your house while I'm here?"
"I dunno. I'm not the writer. You're the one with the mile-a-second mind. You figure it out." Ishika sat forward on her chair and peered at Bani closely. "You'd better figure this out before you drive me totally nuts."
She blew a kiss to her friend. "Thanks!" Setting her soda on the table, she kicked back on the couch and laid her arm over her forehead. "Sooooooooooo, Jai may have astroprojected here just to be near me. Not that I believe that for a millisecond. But it might just make a darned good book. I've been looking for a different plot."
"Glad I could help." Ishika stood and padded to her kitchen and started clanging pots and pans. She must be hungry again. She was perpetually hungry and yet stayed model thin. It wasn't fair.
"What now? Where do I go from here?" Sashaying over to Ishika's window, she looked out over Botanical Gardens (putturani this is dedicated to u, this is your hongkong i am talking about 😉). It was gorgeous at night with the moon shining on it. Yet it would be dangerous to actually venture into the park at this late hour.
Her friend stuck her head around the corner and smiled. "Want a grilled cheese sandwich? They fix all the woes of the world."
Melted American cheese and sizzling butter wafted over to her. Why not? She'd not had one in ages. "Make me two."
Women are like telephones;
They like to be held and talked to, but if you push the wrong buttons you might get disconnected !
============================================================ =======================CHAPTER 6
Bani couldn't stay away from the gym. She wanted to see him whoever he was. He was becoming an obsession, a fire in her gut. Thus she rearranged her schedule so she could swim. She willed for him to be there.
She didn't want this to be only a fantasy. She wanted more. Much more. She was tired of being lonely. She was tired of writing and dreaming about love but not experiencing the real thing. It was her turn, wasn't it? It seemed everyone she knew had a husband or a boyfriend. Even Ishika. She didn't want to go back to her lonely apartment night after night so that she could play make-believe with other people's love lives while she went to bed alone.
What was Jai doing now? Who was he with? Did he remember her? Did he still feel anything for her? Questions skipped through her mind, making her dizzy. Why had she ever let Jai go? Why had they lost contact?
Sucking in a deep breath before she opened the pool area door, she fortified herself. She hoped Astroboy would show up tonight, that he might already be in the pool or Jacuzzi. That's what Ishika started calling him. She hoped tonight would be the night they'd break the ice, that she'd find out once and for all if this man was her Jai Walia or not, if he was as attracted to her as she was to him.
Two women stared at her strangely as she paused by the door. Smiling at them, she followed them onto the pool deck, sucking her gut in just in case he was watching. Nonchalantly, she looked around the pool area. Her step faltered when she found him swimming in the lap lane. The other lap lanes were taken. Some even had two swimmers per lane. Of all the nights to be crowded.
What now?
Staring at the pool, she pondered her alternatives. She could start with a soak in the Jacuzzi. Or she could sit in the steam room or the sauna. Or she could play around in the other half of the pool. Perhaps float on a couple of noodles.
Disappointment ate at her.
A man slipped into the lane in front of her. Lifting his voice, he asked the current occupant, "May I share the lane with you?"
The middle-aged woman in a white swimming cap nodded and continued swimming. They scrunched into the lane together.
That gave her an idea. What better way to bump into the man than to share a lane with him? She hated to share lanes, normally, considering it rude to crowd someone. She usually moved out of a lane if someone moved in on her. But in this case… In this case she wanted to get close to the man, to have an excuse to talk to him.
"When the future hinges on the next words that are said,
don't let logic interfere .................. believe your heart instead."
============================================================ =======================
CHAPTER 7
Gathering her courage as she watched him cleanly cleft the water, she waited for him to reach her end. Clearing her throat, squatting by the edge of the pool, she looked square into his amazing dark brown eyes. "Do you mind if I share your lane?" Her toes curled and uncurled against the tile floor as she implored her voice to remain steady. But it still came out huskier, even sultrier, than she'd intended. Great!
The man's gaze met hers but it was inscrutable. Moving over to the side, he nodded. "Sure." Turning, he continued swimming in a nice, even breast stroke.
"Well that went amazingly well," she mumbled under her breath. Not. At least he hadn't said no or moved away. Slipping over the edge of the pool, she trembled when the cool water enveloped her. Shivering, she wasn't pleased to note that her nipp*** puckered against her suit. Embarrassed, she bent her knees and dipped into the water to her neck. "Swim," she told herself. She couldn't bump into him right away. She needed to bide her time. Maybe after a few laps she'd accidentally on purpose run into him. Straight into his arms if her aim was any good.
Starting with a front crawl, she struck out, kicking her legs, turning her head to the side to breathe. Her lungs burned. Her back ached. She definitely needed to work out harder to get into better shape. After two laps of the front crawl, she was worn out. He'd passed by her four times as he was a lot faster swimmer than her.
Her lungs burning, her breath coming in gasps, she paused by the end of the pool, watching him with hungry eyes. The man was in excellent shape with well-honed muscles and unfailing energy. She envied him, his physical prowess. Leaning her head back, she let the water rinse the hair out of her eyes, and then realized how far forward she strained her breasts to the front.
His eyes darkened and she froze, her arm twisted behind her, her elbow pointing up. If she didn't do something soon, he'd leave and he might never show up again. She'd lose her chance. Maybe her only chance.
Smiling at him, she swam forward, keeping her head above water, leisurely cleaving her arms through the water. This time instead of navigating around him, she bumped into him. Not just a little, but a lot. …………… that felt so good, she thought.
His arms encircled her, steadying her when she swallowed a lungful of water and started coughing. "Are you okay?" His hand patted her back. His chest pressed against hers.
Standing but not moving out of his arms that felt more heavenly than she ever imagined, she gazed up at him. Water clung to the tips of her eyelashes, giving her vision a prism effect. The coughing died down to a splutter, and she nodded. "I'll be fine in a moment. I'm so sorry about bumping into you. I'm usually not so clumsy." She licked the chlorine from her lips, aware that his gaze followed the tip of her tongue. Her heart pounded erratically against her ribs. He must be able to feel it against his chest.
And think not you can direct the course of love,
For love, if it finds you worthy ………….. Directs your course.
============================================================ ======================================
CHAPTER 8
Forcing herself to step back a fraction, she held out her hand. "I'm Bani Dixit. I've seen you around here, haven't I?" She held her breath, willing him to reply in kind. It would be rude if he didn't.
The man took her hand, shooting tingles through her. Slowly, inexorably, he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it.
Her eyes widened and she almost melted against him. Did he realize just what he was doing to her? How he was teasing her? How he made her every cell come alive?
"Don't you recognize me, Bunny?" He gazed deeply into her eyes, his lips curving upward. "I know it's been seven years, but have I changed that much?"
Bunny? Only one person had ever called her Bunny. "Jai Walia?" She held her breath, almost ready to collapse.
His grin widened as his hands moved to her shoulders, rubbing up and down her upper arms. "You've become quite the writer." He glanced around the pool. "And the swimmer. I never knew you liked to do either. Guess I didn't know much about you then."
"I've always liked to write. And swim." She could do either the rest of her life and die happy. If only someone would make a waterproof computer so she could write in the water, she'd be in seventh heaven.
"Guess we were too busy kissing or fighting for me to really get to know you."
Unable to voice an opinion as her mouth went dry, she nodded. Her gaze clung to those lips she'd kissed a thousand times. Maybe even a million times. But not in an eternity. She wondered if they tasted the same or if they'd taste better than they used to.
"I've been doing a lot of reading lately."
"That's nice," she finally said, feeling like an idiot. She was so articulate for a writer. Why couldn't she think of something more brilliant to say? She should've written out a speech just in case they ever began talking. There were so many things she needed to tell him. And to ask him. "What have you been reading?"
"Your books. All your books." He drew her toward him, slowly, seductively. His thumbs caressed her arms making her shiver. "I think I know a lot more about you than I ever did."
"You do?" she said, it sounded like a frog lived in her throat. "What do you think you know about me? You know that I create characters that are totally opposite me, or that do things I'd never do? It's what I do."
"You have quite a fertile imagination. And a very erotic nature."
Her eyes opened so wide that they encompassed half her face. Had he really just said that? Thinking back over all the love scenes she'd written, ferocious heat engulfed her. She tried to look away, but he put his finger under her chin and forced her to gaze into his eyes.
"I've dreamed of doing the things to you that your characters do to each other."
"You have?" she said.
Bani could not take it any longer, all memories came back rushing, the constant fights, the insults, the accusations he hurled at her time and again …….. she had tried to get rid of all these painful memories ………….. tears began to well up in her eyes, she excused herself and hopped out of the pool, and before Jai could react or say anything, she had disappeared into the crowd and he was left wondering, what now……………..?
For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it.
For every truth there is an ear somewhere to hear it.
For every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it.
============================================================ ==========================================
CHAPTER 9
Bani sighed as she typed the final key on her manuscript and then leaned back in her chair. Her gaze was drawn to the wall above her where the shadowy hero of her romance novels stared down at her. Lean, tall, and rugged, her hero was swarthy and mysterious with most of his face in shadow. The cover artist had done a magnificent job of capturing the man's essence. She called him Aryan after the hero of her first published novel.
Aryan reminded her of Jai. She remembered how Jai would tell her that no real man could live up to the image she'd created in her head of the perfect soul mate. He was finding it hard to cope with his career, her long absence from home because she was completing her studies in Sydney, while he was trying to establish his career in Mumbai. He also couldn't cope with the other men in her life, even if they were imaginary (he did not think so) ………. something which she enjoyed talking about and jotting down every time they spoke to each other over the phone or when they met during the long holidays. He always felt threatened, suspicious and the distance between them, the pressures of life, and a budding and demanding career did not help much either. Not knowing exactly why, they just grew apart.
Just the thought of Jai drove another stake through her heart. He'd walked out on her seven years ago. She'd totally withdrawn into her fantasy world after that preferring it to the bleakness of lonely days and unbearable nights.
The phone rang, jarring her out of the self-destructive thoughts. She leaned forward and picked up the receiver without checking the Caller I.D. "Start talking at the sound of the beep and maybe I'll return your call." She waited three seconds and said, "Beep."
"Happy Diwali to you" her best friend Ishika said and then chuckled.
"Wish you the same" Bani grumbled. She hadn't bothered to decorate her apartment or even put up diyas. She could care less it was a holiday. No. Strike that. She hated the holiday sans the love of her life. They only emphasized how utterly alone she was. She did her best to forget them, but well-meaning friends made it impossible.
Ishika clucked her tongue. "Is this the Grinch or Scrooge? Whoever it is, please release Bani."
Ishika could practically see her friend shaking her head and rolling her eyes.
Looking down at herself, she scowled. "Well I am rather green that you reminded me of another lonely holiday…"
"You still miss Jai, don't you?" Compassion flavored her friend's voice, almost breaking her heart. She didn't want pity.
"Don't mention his name." It was bad enough she couldn't stop thinking of him. "Why should I think about that scoundrel? He didn't think about me all these years. I've been perfectly fine, downright terrific, without him. Leaving was the best thing he ever did" she said.
All her bravado earned her were tears stinging the backs of her eyes and indigestion bubbling in her throat. Angrily, she jumped to her feet and paced the floor in front of her computer.
"Liar." Ishika whispered the word, but it tore through Bani.
On a ragged note, she wailed into the phone, "Did you just call to torture me? Can't we just bury my ex-boyfriend and forget he ever existed?"
"I called to see if you're coming over for dinner tonight? In case you forgot this is Diwali we are talking about, new hope, new light, new beginnings."
Her clock chimed five as tears clogged her throat. She didn't think she could stand to see Ishika and her to–be-husband, Sam, together. They were too happy and obviously deeply in love. "I don't think so…"
"Are you going somewhere else?" Ishika asked.
"No. I need to edit my story and get it back to the publisher pronto, so I'm just going to stay here" she said.
Her friend muttered something, but it was muffled so she couldn't make out the words. Maybe she had her hand over the mouthpiece while she told Sam what was going on. "Sam's picking you up in 45 minutes. Wear something festive. That's an order" Ishika said.
"But…" The phone line went dead.
"Fine! I'll go, but I won't enjoy it." Bani slammed the phone onto its cradle and stomped to her room, pausing just long enough to plug in her electric curlers.
Each night I try to re-write the stars up in the sky
Hoping to unite the ones that decide your fate and mine
Knowing that no matter how much I try
It just would never work for you were never mine ……………….
============================================================ =====================
CHAPTER 10
She hadn't dressed festive for Diwali ever since Jai had left her. She wasn't sure she still owned anything that qualified as festive for Diwali. Ishika was just going to have to be satisfied with her black halter neck cocktail dress and a few baubles to brighten it up. Sequins and beads along the halter neckline lent it
After a quick shower, she slipped into it and curled her hair. She was just finishing up her make up when her doorbell peeled.
"Come in, Sam!" she called as she clipped a large zircon earring onto her ear and stepped into her black velvet high heels.
A glance in the mirror made her smile despite herself. Her hair gleamed against her dress and her complexion glowed. On impulse she grabbed a can of body glitter and sprayed it over her hair. She really looked more made up for a New Year's Eve party than Diwali, but it would have to do. If Ishika didn't like it, she could send her home.
The door opened and shut and then silence reined. Sam didn't say a word.
"Sam? Is that you?" She was getting worried but tried not to panic. Her hearing wasn't the best so maybe he'd just spoken too low to be heard. Whoever it was was 45 minutes on the dot, so it had to be him.
Regardless, her nerves started fraying when Sam still didn't answer. Cautiously, she tiptoed out to her living room and peered around the corner. She spied a tall, broad-shouldered man in a black polo shirt faced away from her. Her breath caught in her throat as she inventoried his hair, fine boned hands and shoulders too broad to be Sam's.
It couldn't be! She must be delusional. She blinked, but when she opened her eyes, Jai still stood in her living room.
Slowly he turned and caught her staring at him. "Happy Diwali, Bunny," he said, holding out a brightly wrapped present to her. Tilting his head at the picture of Aryan, he said, "Still dreaming of the perfect man, I see." It wasn't a question.
"You haven't changed at all, Bunny." he said, and smiled. It was him, it was Jai.
She knew that smile, and she knew this effect Jai always had on her. Her heart beats fast, and she get nervous, and she could feel butterflies all over her stomach. She gasped, covering her hand with her mouth, tongue tied, shocked, she just stared at the apparition, marveling how handsome he looked.
"Bunny? Aren't you even going to speak to me. You left me stranded in the pool the other day, just left without even saying good-bye or a promise to meet again. We need to talk Bunny?"
She opened her mouth to speak, wondering if she was dreaming, debating if she should be furious, frightened, or ecstatic? Frogs croaked when she spoke, mortifying her. "Where's Sam? What are you doing here?"
Great! She, who could write eloquent dialogue and create beautiful love scenes, couldn't string a compelling sentence together when it really mattered. Why hadn't she locked her door?
"I told him not to bother, that I needed to speak to you anyway." He stepped closer and extended the box again. "Take it."
Alarmed, she stiffened. "Ishika agreed to this?" She'd get Ishika-the-traitor for this. She'd die a gruesome death in her next novel.
He nodded slightly as shadows flickered across his eyes. "She told me how miserable you've been. How lonely."
Her mouth gaped open. Slow torture wouldn't be good enough for the Ishika's character in her next novel. Her mind worked furiously for a plausible rebuttal. Waiving her hand in the air nonchalantly, she laughed brittley. "You know Ishika. Always melodramatic. Always the romantic." Her voice rang false to her own ears, but she prayed he wouldn't pick up on it.
He leaned against the door jam, towering over her, eclipsing the light behind him. When he spoke, his breath tickled her neck. "Is she just exaggerating? Is there no truth to what she says?"
Her throat went dry, as her palms grew clammy. She couldn't give him an honest answer, not without knowing why he wanted to know. "Does it matter? Why do you want to know?" she asked him.
An enigmatic expression crossed his face and he held up his hand. Light twinkled off a wedding band on the finger he wriggled before her eyes.
"Oh!" Pain strangled her, constricting her throat and she had to turn away. He was married and obviously warning her to stop pining for him and writing about him. "Don't worry. I won't cause problems for you and your wife." Something in her heart died. The last ray of hope? Embers of love for this man? She wouldn't, couldn't examine her heart too closely for fear she'd break down and cry in front of him.
Reaching out to hold on to the traces of you I find
The rose petals withering that I had held in my hand
As I open my eyes the stinging tears die on the lips
That quiver with the burden of unspoken bliss
Oh if love could be measured with depth and time
I would have brought down the heavens just to see you smile
I curse the time that I had met you for the very first time
And yet I wish I had met you before we were destined
============================================================ ======================
CHAPTER 11
Bani took a deep breath and turned towards Jai trying hard to smile and pretend that she was fine with what he wanted . As she stared at the ring once again, she patted his hand consolingly. "I know it's over, Jai. I'll give up gracefully and let's part as friends."
Jai rose to his feet, his heart ready to burst from pain. "Why Bani?" His voice cracked in rhythm with his heart. Blood pounded in his ears and his palms grew clammy. "Why are you doing this to us?"
Despair flickered across her eyes. Her lips trembled ever so slightly. "Because you have a wife and I can't and won't share you ... and you have a constantly expanding business that requires your attention too, in between both these responsibilities, what kind of time would you possibly have for me Jai" She turned away from him, her shoulders shaking.
Warm, strong hands fell onto her shoulders, he moved his hands to her arms and gently turned her around to face him. "Why do you feel this way Bunny. There's nobody else," he promised. "You claim my heart goddamit. Only you."
He held up the hand with the ring again and she looked away. "Look closer," he demanded. When she didn't move, he said with a note of pathos, "Please look Bunny."
Biting her lower lip, she forced herself to stare at the band of gold. It looked familiar now and she blinked, her breath lodging in her throat. Suspicion clouded her thoughts. His intense gaze drew hers and compelled, she looked up. "Can you take it off so I can have a better look?" She needed to see if it contained the inscription she'd had engraved on it a long time ago.
He shook his head and spanned her waist with his hands, drawing her inexorably to him. "Never. This ring has never come off and it never will."
She gasped, gazing even more deeply into his eyes, trying to see into the depths of his soul. "Why not?" She couldn't have stopped the question from leaving her lips even if it meant her death.
He dipped his head and nuzzled her neck just beneath her ear, sending thrills shivering through her. Against her heated flesh he murmured, "Because I love you. Still do and only you."
He seemed to want to come back, to make up. But it wasn't so simple. Still she arched her neck for more of his caresses when she should have pulled away. A slight frown puckered her brows as she told him "This is all very flattering and very sweet, but I don't think so. Why'd you leave then? Why wait seven years to come back?"
"I have been working hard Bunny, trying to build a life for me, make all my dreams come true …….. our dreams bunny. My ego was hurt when we broke up, I was trying to move on, but I was a fool to think I could".
She shook her head, disbelief in her eyes. "You love your business more than me. Your job always came first." She veiled her eyes from him, her eyelashes reminded him of lacy black fans on her high cheek bones.
He couldn't let her shut him out. "I love you, Bunny." He pulled her into his arms and kissed her until she melted against him and he almost lost his mind. Against her lips, he said in a ragged whisper, "Give me a second chance. Give us a second chance, please."
She tried to pull away but he wouldn't let her. She felt heavenly in his arms, so warm, so soft, completely intoxicating.
"You'll forget me again, you'll walk out on me again, I couldn't bear that..." Her voice slid like silk down his spine.
Lifting her chin with his forefinger, he forced her gaze to meet his. "You're my business, my life, and my heart. I'll quit running the company, hand it over to Aditya my brother-in-law and we'll travel if you want to." Sincerity rang in his words. He plucked a rose from a bouquet lying on her side table and tucked it behind her ear.
She gasped, her eyes widening. "You can't mean that! You love your career, you live for it."
He nestled her against his shoulder and dropped a feather light kiss on the top of her head. "I mean every word, Bunny. I love you and I want to spend every minute with you. I swear to you, I won't miss our Golden Anniversary."
His hands kneaded her waist as he kissed her neck, driving her out of her mind. "The truth is that I wanted you to come after me, to tell me that I was more important to you than your damn fantasies, your studies, than…"
"Aryan," she finished for him. "Don't you know that Aryan was you? In fact all my heroes are you."
He pulled back, looking at her quizzically, crooking a brow. "Why didn't you tell me that when I was walking out on you?"
"You never gave me a chance, you always doubted me, you had no time to listen to my explanations, all we did was fight. You should have known. You're my hero, forever and always."
A perplexed expression twisted his mouth and he shook his head. "Some of your heroes are blonde." He held up his hand and ticked off names. "Ryan in Forever My Love. Adrian in Cowboy Ecstasy." Putting his hands on his hips, he leaned over her. "Explain them."
Bani chuckled, lighthearted for the first time in years. He'd actually read her books! She was amazed. "That's called editing. I make all my heroes you, then after I'm done, I change their hair and eye color. Some readers prefer blondes, even if I don't." She allowed herself the pleasure of raking her fingers through his sleek hair, dark as midnight that filled all her dreams. "That's just part of the business."
He held up his hand palm flat out. "Swear?"
She held up her hand, too. "Hope to die."
He gathered her into his arms and spun her around. "You'd better not die on me now. Not on Diwali."
"Bunny, do you remember what I told you in the pool the other day ……….. that I've dreamed of doing the things to you that your characters do to each other" whispered Jai in her ears.
"You really have?" said Bani.
"Uhm hmm." He lowered his head so that his lips were a fraction away from hers. His breath fanned her neck and her lips. "I've missed you. Do you remember why we broke up?"
Shaking her head, she murmured, "No, you broke up with me. You tell me, why did we break up? She lifted her lips towards his. She moved closer to him, longing to press against him. "I don't remember why either and I don't care anymore" she said, to make him feel less guilty.
"It was the worst thing I ever did" he said. I just know that I want you to give me another chance."
Bani had so many questions before, but none of that mattered now that they we're back together!
I know what I want, I know what I need
But there's just one thing I must believe
Deep in the night, by a dying flame
You will be there when I call out your name ..........
============================================================ ==================
CONCLUDING CHAPTER Poo, Cordelia & Putturani .......... this last part is dedicated to you my dearest friends. thanks so much for all your love and support, it was a pleasure writing for you Yet she could not but help herself. "Is that why you're here? Did you come to find me? Or is this just an amazing coincidence?" She looked at him coyly from beneath her veiled lashes. "Or are you astroprojecting yourself here?" asked Bani. "Happiness is not found at the end of the road, it is experienced along the way. So take not for granted each moment of your life and you will find a reason to be happy each day." His hands roamed over her figure. They felt slick over the smooth dress she was wearing and she quivered when he pulled her closer. "You feel very real, very wonderful. What do you say we try out some of your book scenes, see if some of those moves really work?" Her heart stopped. "Okay." Again, she wondered why she could be so articulate on paper, verbose even, and so inarticulate in the vernacular? "I'm dying to." Licking her lips again, she admitted, "I wrote those love scenes with you in mind." He put her on her feet and grabbed the gift box he had got for her and said. "Open it." Dizzy, she leaned against him, thrilling to his touch, heady from his musky scent. Curiosity got the better of her and she ripped it open, letting the red tissue paper and silver curling ribbon fall to the floor. A beautiful Cartier princess cut diamond solitaire ring winked at her when she opened the box. She froze, stunned. "Marry me." He took the box from her trembling hands and extracted the diamond engagement ring, poising it over her fourth finger. Unable to speak, she nodded, smiling tremulously. It felt cool and smooth sliding on, yet his fingers blazed a trail of fire wherever they touched. Dipping his head again, he captured her lips sending her into another galaxy. His hand cupped her chin and he gazed deeply into her eyes. "I adore you. I've been a fool to stay away. We could have had two point five kids and a dog by now." Am I in Heaven?" Bani glanced around the house, awestruck that everything suddenly glowed brighter than the sun, even her swimming partner. She'd missed being in the presence of such a glorious being and she was sure she must be hallucinating. Besides the being, she paled into insignificance. A gentle smile fluttered on her bowed lips. "You're in between Heaven and the world you call Earth aren't you" he said, reading her mind. She clung to him, kissing him and almost swooned when he scooped her into his arms and carried her towards the bed. Against her lips, he murmured, "Let's try the love scene from Cowboy Ecstacy." Her eyes were once more fixed on his, and there was a deep fire that burned within them. "Tonight's the night..." she thought to herself. Bold with the power of love, she smiled at him seductively and purred, "I have something better in mind" and proceeded to show him. She pushed him toward the bedroom chuckling. "The sooner I change out of this unworthy dress, the sooner we can start our new lives together." The mention of children lit a fire in her belly. How many nights had she dreamed of having miniature Jai's running underfoot, calling her Mommy ……… Mommy? A few hours later the phone rang again. Groggy with ecstasy, she answered, "Mr. & Mrs. Jai Walia are unavailable to take your call. Please leave a message after the beep. Happy Diwali." She only waited a second, eager to return to Jai's warm arms. "Beep" she said. Ishika's voice rang out, giddy and bubbly. "See you two for dinner tomorrow night at eight ... that's if you can pull yourselves out of bed. Happy Diwali to you too!" What would Ishika say about all this thought Bani? She couldn't wait to tell her that she'd be the godmother to her soon to be born children. Bani's dreams that enchanted night gave her the opportunity to be someone else, anyone else... but herself. In her dreams she celebrated with renewed wonder ………. Jai and she would be dancing under the stars forever and he'd be holding her tight, never wanting to let her go, and she would be married to him. She wouldn't care where they lived, as long as they were together, and of course, they lived happily ever after. She sighed softly, snuggling closer against Jai, lifting her lips for him to seal his solemn promise. "Take me home, Jai. You've some promises to keep." She tiptoed, pressing her lips against his and they lost themselves in heaven. After an eternity, he finally released her lips and gazed into her eyes. "We've wasted a lifetime Bunny." He smiled that devil-may-care smile that had first won her heart and asked, "How about we try out the Jacuzzi with a glass of champagne on ice? There's a full moon tonight, my Angel..." Bani stared at the man of her dreams ……….. her past, her present and her future. His gaze engulfed her. She knew now that he would never let her drown. She was where she belonged, where she always longed to be……………… in her Aryan's arms. A chance encounter of the best kind Exploring has uncovered YES I WILL ………………….
He threw his head back and roared with laughter, then stared at her. "Am I what?"
"My friend Ishika says you might be astroprojecting your spirit here to see me, that you're not really here at all…"
"So, you've been talking about me to your friends?" inquired Jai.
"Only one." She smiled up at him.
"You know what I think?" He pulled her against him, his warmth seeping into her despite the coolness of the winter breeze blowing around them.
Leaning her head further back, straining her neck, she gazed into his incredible eyes. "What do you think?"
"I think that you are entirely too fanciful. And…" He bent his head and nibbled her lips, sucking her lower lip into his mouth.
Groaning, she pressed herself against him, arching her back. His lips tasted more delicious than ever. "You don't like my imagination?" asked Bani.
"I didn't say that. I love your imagination. Just as I've always loved you." He captured her lips under his, his tongue mating with hers.
After a long, simmering kiss, she murmured against his lips. "I love you, too. I can't believe you're really here. Are you sure I'm not dreaming? Or maybe I'm astroprojecting?" Carefree laughter filled her voice.
He kissed her quick and hard and he rested his hand on her back possessively. "I'm glad to know it wasn't with somebody else in mind. Or worse, that you'd practiced them with somebody else. We'd better hurry, don't you think? We've wasted too much time, already."
"Way too much time." Tip toeing, she pressed her lips to his, and moved them seductively over his. "You'll tell me later how you found me?"
"Later, after we take care of more important business, such as getting a marriage license."
She stumbled. Her mouth dropped open. "Wh-what?"
"Don't even think about escaping. You're never getting away from me again." He chuckled, his deep voice and smoldering gaze almost bringing her to her knees. "If you run, I'll astrotransport to wherever you are."
Giddiness flooded her and a grin stole over her face. "I'll never run away from you again. And that's astroproject." she said.
A meeting arranged by fate
Two souls have come together
Two hearts can now relate.
A tender love sublime
Whose roots are strong and deep,
To withstand the test of time.
This much, I know within my heart
That you are meant for me
To share with me the joys of life
Throughout eternity.
So now, I ask with an open heart
Barring my soul to thee
Will you, dear Bani, my soulmate
Take a chance and spend the rest of your life with me
THE END
Sampoorna
Current Affairs
CID
Hindi TV Shows
