Unique Number 7
Ho rahega milan
Part 1
23.48 hours
21 December 2006
At the gates of Walia Mansion
It was 23.50 hours, on the night of the 21st of December 2006, when the elite Black Cat IF-KSian team moved into Walia Mansion in Uber-Stealth Mode.
We were already late – we had less than two days to set up operations. Our briefing had been thorough but the plan was complicated. Well, it's not like the elite force is called in when things are simple! DU UH.
Our mission, of course, was no secret. The Jai-Bani Milan was devoutly wished for through the length and breadth of the KSForum. Whatever their type, location, race or creed, if there was one thing that distinguished a KSian, it was sheer devotion to the JB Ship. Yes, on occasion, KSF has been split down the middle. If JaiWorshippers lashed out at Bani when their saw their God cry, BaniDefenders have always been ready to fight for their Queen and protect her if need be, even from her Lord-Protector. We have been torn asunder with debate and discussion, but one goal has always united us all – to see JB together.
Rising above differences, KSF came together. Repeated requests were put in for Kissology Sessions, and calls for a reprisal of June 19 have been growing increasingly strident. Unfortunately KS, though a highly informed, top-of-the-line assortment of professionals is at best advisory in nature. It is the role of KSF to react, chide, praise and guide, but we cannot instruct, we cannot dictate. Still, matters had come to such a pass that there was no choice left in the matter. We needed to act.
To take you back a little, the prevailing mood on KSF toward the end of September was despair. Anguish was rife. The baby Krishna Walia – the Beacon of the Future was declared dead. There seemed no road ahead, only road blocks. Frustration was common. KSians were reported to have thrown missiles at their televisions and discussions took on the hue of breast beating. Near-riots broke out, indeed tears flowed freely. And since then, we have waited in vain for new rays of sunlight to break through. They have not. Instead added complications in the form of PeaBrain twisted our hearts and added to our misery.
The only thing still keeping us reverting to the canon was the fact that Queen Bani was still officially in residence in Walia Mansion. Going by the adage that possession is 9/10ths of the law, we took heart. As long as she was there incumbent, there could be no upheaval so bad. Still, threatened by several upcoming bizarre track changes, KSF voted in favour of action: it was decided that we would take matters into our own hands.
Plans were drawn up and strategy chalked out. And on the night of December 21, a team of elite Black Cats circled Walia Mansion, and successfully gained entry from various strategic entrances. Black Cat (henceforth BC) Raaga Om was given charge of disarming Security Chief Tony Butler, which she accomplished successfully by vamping him (a long cherished dream) and later divesting him of weapons. One down, X to go.
The strategy was that the residents of Walia Mansion not discover the loss of their security or domestic staff - it was no part of our plan to be discovered… but more of that later.
To cut a long story short, the elite team managed to insidiously replace all internal staff by 06.00 hours, 23 December. Tony Butler, however was released after thorough briefing. Although his loyalties have never been proven to satisfaction, his cooperation was essential and BC Raaga was entrusted with keeping an eye on him. Indeed, we fear that several times, she had both eyes on him.
With a proven track record of unswerving loyalty to the King, Black Cat Piscean won the right to go in disguise and serve His Majesty morning tea. Although she near came to fainting at the sight of his bare throat, she revived enough to serve him tea, and we understand, grabbed some physical contact under pretext of picking up the tea tray. Later, BC Pi quite out-stepped her brief by burning His Majesty's existing dressing gowns. That was not our target at this time, and BC Piscean was indeed mildly reprimanded, but since no one disagreed that it needed to be done, there was no real problem there. BC Pi was seen grinning from ear to ear for a full 27 hours.
Once the members of the Walia clan left for the day, the team swung into action. The task was logistically complex and needed all our ingenuity and expertise. We needed to set up an intricate network of overhead tracks and pulleys throughout Walia Mansion. Made of finest invisible elf-wrought fiberglass, this network would not be discernable to the naked eye. The objective was simple: we would need to suspend a certain 'item' from the ceiling, but since we did not know in advance where such 'item' would be needed, we needed to plan for every contingency. And this is what the network accomplished – by our timing, within 2:14 minutes, the load could be brought from any given point in Walia Mansion to another through a series of rapid tracking movements and quick shifts in direction.
BC Aditee and BC Sangita were indispensable here – well-known for their organisational skills, they set to efficiently. BC Poo and BC Tisha took up the slack the next shift. A Byzantine overhead network was in place in 24 hours. It was tested and found to work well and smoothly. The load would be able to reach every single point in Walia Mansion.
The next part was tricky. It needed all our guile, for there was no alternative to this segment. We needed to convince BC Mistletoe.
It was the turn of a few smooth-tongued, persuasive KSians to take command – BC Anushka, BC Vazz, BC Rupy were called in. Lest mere persuasion fail, we also commandeered several other KSians to add voice to our request. It was already 16.00 hours, 23 December and we had still not obtained BC MT's consent.
Black Cat MT's objections of course were rooted in the indignity of it all. She could not see why, she of all people, must subject to being harnessed, trussed up, hauled overhead with ropes and left suspended in Walia Mansion for two whole days – the 24th and 25th of December. It took some convincing. We explained that it was a long established tradition all over the world during Christmas Eve and Christmas for Mistletoe to be hung up in doorways and around the house. When couples find themselves suddenly together under Mistletoe, it is quite obligatory for them to kiss. Indeed, the leaf released pheromones quite essential and suited to kickstart this exercise. This long-honoured tradition has been responsible for increasing the love quotient across the world. We were quite certain it could not fail in Walia Mansion. Her cooperation therefore was crucial.
BC MT was unrelenting. The herb, she declared, must be imported and used instead. We could not agree – there could be no logic in putting up a leaf, when we had the real thing. It would look silly, she argued – which was why, we brought in BC SoapBubble who doubles up as witch on alternate days, to cast a little spell. Mistletoe would be camouflaged to look as natural as possible – in the end, it would be the spirit that counted. Finally, BC MT could see that with her permission or no, she was going to be suspended from the ceiling, wheeled this way and about, and she gave her reluctant consent.
Rehearsals were carried out, and the plan was working well. Stage-managed by BC SoapAddict through a series of well-placed phone calls, and the pulling of several strings, we managed to clear Walia Mansion of all its residents. Rano and Sahil were packed off with friends they didn't know they had. Aditya, Jigyasa and family, along with Dadi and Maasi were also dispatched on likely errands. For Christmas, Mr and Mrs Walia would be quite alone.
Christmas Eve dawned.
***
Part 2
It was a cold day in Mumbai. December had brought with it the promised chills and day was taking its time breaking. Bani woke up early, but pulled up the covers under her chin, reluctant to leave its warmth. She still slept on the right side of the bed, a habit she had not yet managed to break. That thought brought a memory with it: the warmth of a man ensconced beside her, his breath, his presence, his arm brushing hers… She resolutely pushed her razaai aside and got up.
Life had been in limbo these past few months. On the very verge of collapse, at the very tip of the cliff, her marriage had come to a standstill. The storm that had assailed their lives had eased, the winds had died. Her marriage stood perilously at the edge, like a fragile ball where a touch could send it rolling down the treacherous rocks, or rolled back from the edge. She had not dared touch it.
They had lost their baby. She had wanted, so badly she had wanted, to sob on his shoulder, feel the comfort of his arms around her, beg his forgiveness for having failed him – she had done much to cause him unhappiness, hoping he would hate her, but this was one blow she had never intended to deal him. Did he blame her for it? she asked herself as she had done so many times before; did he believe she had wanted that, for their child not to exist? Was that why he had hardly spoken to her since? Was that why he had turned so cold, so withdrawn, like a life placed in cold storage? She could not remember when she last saw him smile. It was a heavy burden to bear – to know that you had destroyed the man you love.
At least he had stopped drinking like he used to, she thought. After his return from Dubai, that was all he would do – retreat into his study with a decanter, a tub of ice and a glass, often sleeping there all night – meeting no one, needing no one.
She had watched him do it night after night, till last week – she could bear it no more. She had barged in and told him angrily: "Yeh jo aap roz roz aise akele pee rahen hai, Mr Walia, kabhi aapne socha hai, ke aapke sehat pe kya asar ho sakti hai?"
He'd been surprised and then quite sarcastic: "Aur isse aapko matlab, Mrs Bani Walia?"
"Mujhe isse matlab hai – lekin mai aapse behas nahin karna chahti," she had told him and called for Tony: "Tony, is tray ko le jao, aur bahar phenk do. Aaj ke baad ye yahaan is ghar mein nazar nahin aana chahiye."
Jai had slurred, "Is ghar mein orders dene waali tum kaun hoti ho?"
"Mai kaun hoti hun, yeh Tony achchi tarah samjhta hai." And with that she had left.
But her words had had effect – he had not retreated into his study this whole week.
Over the months, many differences had been cleared, many explanations had been given. Bani had apologised, told Jai exactly why she had had to behave the way she did – he had listened, with a glass of whiskey in hand, frowning deeply, but saying nothing. The baby's miscarriage was an accident, he knew that, but he still shut her out completely. She could tell no one of the weight in her heart and he would not put his down for a moment. It was as it he had cloaked himself in a thick cloud that she could not penetrate. He was angry – very angry, but the lava was topped with a film of ice.
Not even the truth about Park Road had moved him – he had seemed relieved that he had not been responsible for her mother's death, but she had the feeling it didn't matter now. He didn't bellow for her these days, or treat her to tirades like he used to and there was no sign that he had forgiven her. Perhaps he never would, thought Bani desolately, perhaps I succeeded in killing his love for me, perhaps I have killed his capacity to love, crushed his spirit for ever. Tears welled up and rolled down her cheeks – they weren't the first, or the last. Perhaps we are never meant to be happy together.
She went downstairs and found the large house rather empty. There was only Tony supervising two men lugging something into the hallway. "Tony, ye kya ho raha hai?" she asked him.
T: Madam, kal Christmas hai, toh maine socha ki ek Christmas Tree arrange karun, aur ghar bhar mein decorations kar dun – Mr Walia likes it – unka kehna hai ke sab tyohaar kushi baantne ka bahaana hote hain.
Bani (smiling): That's a great idea, Tony. Thank you. Phir tum yeh sab dekho – mai Mr Walia ke liye breakfast banati hun.
She prepared it with particular care today and took up a tray with morning coffee. She opened the door and hesitated. His room was dark, with the curtains pulled shut. Bani put down the tray on a small table and pulled the curtains apart. Jai was still asleep, the covers pulled up over his shoulder. Bani stood by his bed, looking down at him – he looked softer in sleep – the jaw unclenched, the frown smoothened. She drank him in greedily, looking on a face she no longer had permission to stare at.
He must have sensed her gaze because he woke up suddenly, brown eyes staring directly into hers.
"Bani?"
She said nothing for a long moment, and then, "Mai coffee layi hun. Aap tayyar ho jaayiye – breakfast ready hai." And went quickly out of the room.
Jai stared after his wife with a thoughtful frown. It was the first time she had stepped into their… his room in these past three months. It had been torture to have her in the house, but ask her to leave, he would not, he could not. The breakdown of their marriage had taken much from him, but it had equally left Bani ravaged. She was proud – and if she felt able to stay in his house, under his roof, under his protection, he was honoured. He had once feared she felt nothing for him but hate, loathing and fear. That, at least, was not true. Bani would never have stayed in Walia Mansion in those circumstances, Jai thought, towelling his hair.
She had not asked to be married to him, and she did not want to be. Nevertheless, it had brought her into a relationship she had not planned for, a baby she had not wanted. Jai would have swallowed his pride and asked, even now, if she would settle for marriage with him – but how was he to do that knowing? Knowing about Pushkar, knowing that Bani had a chance to go back to what she had before Pia's utter selfishness had forced them together. She did not hate him, but she did not love him either.
*
Part 3
At Breakfast.
T: Good Morning, Sir!
J: Good morning, Tony.
T: Sir, with your permission, har saal ki tarah Xmas ke kuch decorations karva raha hun.
J (with a shrug): Tony, go ahead, lekin is baar ghar mein koi nahin hoga yeh sab enjoy karne ke liye – Anu aur Sahil ko khaas maza aata lekin woh sab New Year par hi lautenge.
T: Yes sir, lekin ghar pe to celebrations honi chahiye. Aur phir Bani Madam aur aap to hain. Sir, Walia Mansion cheerful lagega.
Jai (smiling indulgently, sat down to breakfast): Done. Jo chahe karo.
Bani comes out with the dishes and starts to serve him.
Jai (looking up at her): Bani, tum rehne do – Tony serve karega.
B: Mr Walia, Tony busy hai. Ghar bhar mein ghaas poos tanga raha hai (smiling at Tony)
J: (questioningly at Tony, who had his hands full of tinsel) Ghaas poos?
T (smiling, very chatty): Yes sir, Mistletoe. Kehte hain ke yeh agar darwazon par aur saare ghar mein lakta diya jaaye.. toh…
J (smiling wryly): Haan mai jaanta hun – theek hai tum jao.
He started to eat.
Bani was to his right, also eating. She was not yet done when he was through, but she got up, saying "Coffee laati hun."
She came back with the coffee and placed it in front of him. He gulped it down quickly, pushed back his chair, and walked to the door.
J (loudly): Tony, Bhaskar se kehna ke gaadi saamne laaye.
He was almost at the door. Bani followed him.
B: Mr Walia…
Jai stopped and turned.
B: Kya aap aaj office se jaldi aa sakte hain? (Jai looked questioningly) Xmas ke liye Tony aur baaki staff ko dene ke liye gifts laane honge – mera ghar mein bohut kaam baaki hai – kya aap aate hue kuch le aayenge?
J (rubbing a hand across his eyes): oh damn – uske bare mein bhool hi gaya. Theek hai, I'll organise that. Aur kuch?
Bani began to shake her head and then looked hesitant.
J: Bani, what is it?
Bani (smiling a little): Kuch nahin, aap bas jaldi mein tayyar hue hain (She indicated his coat buttons done wrongly) Main theek kardun?
She moved to stand in front of him and slowly began to undo all the buttons on the coat. Bani was breathing rather rapidly and Jai had stopped breathing altogether. She started to match them to the correct eyelet, and began to do them up again. She reached a hand to his collar and folded it down, smoothing it. A finger accidentally flicked his hair. He looked down at her intently, trying to read her. They were standing close, their faces inches from each other.
J: Bani… mai…
"Sir!"
Tony! Jai moved away quickly and Bani blushed. Caught canoodling in the doorway by the butler. Bani could've killed him!
"Sir," Tony now realised he had interrupted a 'moment', "I'm sorry but aapka laptop dining room mein reh gaya tha."
J: Thanks Tony – aaj mai jaldi aane ki koshish karunga.
And he strode off to the car.
*
Lunch time. Jai was in his car heading back home. He didn't know why he was doing this, but the compulsion was strong. There was no one but the servants in the house today, and he didn't like to think of her alone in the large house. He would check on her and rush back to his afternoon appointments. He checked his watch impatiently as they swung into the gates of Walia Mansion. He strode into the house and yelled for Tony.
T: Good Afternoon, Sir.
Jai: Tony, Bani kahaan hai? Usne lunch kar liya?
T: Sir, maine breakfast ke baad Bani maam ko nahin dekha.
Jai (scowling): Kya woh bahar gayin hain?
T: Nahi Sir, mere khayal se oopar hi hain.
J (distracted): Achcha?
He bounded up the stairs and walked into Bani's room. It was tidy as usual but held no sign of her. He crossed over to Rano's room but found it locked.
Muttering "Kahaan ho sakti hai?" he walked down another corridor. His footsteps rang in the silent house. Suddenly the silence seemed eerie and the curtains flapped in the gusty wind. Jai knew a sense of foreboding. Suddenly he knew where Bani was. He walked on till he came to the nursery… Krishna's nursery – and flung open the door. It was a silent room – a room that should have been filled with a child's laughter now just held ghosts.
There she was sitting on the baby cot, in a simple ochre saree, with her back to him, lost to the world. Clutching a teddy bear to her stomach and letting the misery flow. Jai went over and stood next to her. "Bani" She looked up with a jerk, and hastily wiped her tears, and then rose and walked to the window. She might cry, but she didn't like to people to see her that way, particularly her husband. The teddy bear had fallen to the floor, looking sad. He picked it up and propped it against the corner of the cot and waited. Slowly he turned to look at her. She was hunched over, her body racked with unbearable grief. He didn't even realise he had moved, but he was next to her, a hand protectively around her.
"Bani, please…"
With an cry that was almost animal, she turned and caved in. His arms went tightly around her, feeling the shudders that racked her, absorbing them now as he should have three months ago. Tears streaming down his own face, he bent to hide them in her hair.
"Mr Walia…I'm sorry… itna dukh… mai jaanti hun…I'm sorry."
He raised her face and framed it in his hands, thumbing the tears away. She looked up at him and nearly didn't recognise him – he was looking down at her with a tenderness she had never seen in his eyes. It was unbearable: she closed her eyes. And his lips came down on hers. Soft, barely touching, seeking. His hands slid to her waist, pulling her into him and her arms curled around his neck. Nipping at her lips, he took her in, till their pain transmuted into a flare of passion, seeming to consume them as they stood entwined in that darkened corner of an abandoned nursery.
Several moments later, he sat on the cot she had sat on earlier, clutching his head. She came to stand in front of him: "Mr Walia, pichle in maheeno mein maine kayi baar koshish ki… ki aapse baat karun, aapka dukh baantun, shayad kam karun… lekin aapne mujhe mauka hi nahi diya."
J sat with his head bowed, his palms over his eyes: Bani, kuch zakhm aise hote hai, ke unpar malham bhi lagaane ke liye haath rakho, toh rooh kaamp uthti hai.
B looked down at him piteously, and put a tentative hand on his shoulder: "Mr Walia, mujhse behtar ye baat kaun samajh sakta hai? Krishna se zyada aapne aur maine zindagi se kuch nahin maanga. Lekin kismat ko kuch aur hi manzoor tha – filhaal Krishna hamaare naseeb mein nahin hai."
He raised his eyes then to her slim form standing in front on him, put out his hand and drew her close. Her saree fluttered gently as his breath stirred it – he raised his left hand, gently pushed the cloth aside, baring her navel to his gaze. Her delicate curves were creamy white, just a little rounded and bearing no evidence of the violence she had suffered. He cupped her waist, drew her in between his legs… and bent to press his lips to her womb. Bani drew in a sharp breath, closed her eyes and bit off a moan. One hand clutched his shoulder for support even as the other cradled his head, holding him to her. It was a soul-sucking caress, as if all of her being gathered and quivered at the one point where his lips touched her. A homage to their loss.
He looked up then and met her eyes. She wrapped her arms securely around him, cradling his head against her as she gently rocked him. Jai held her tighter still, giving and taking strength – two people who were briefly parents.
*
Part 4
It was a late lunch that Xmas eve and a protracted one. The kitchen radio crooned Jiya dhadak dhadak. Jai and Bani ate very little but the meal was conducted in near-perfect silence. Tony, rather mystified and intrigued, served them as discreetly as possible. They had not fought – that he could tell… for the Boss kept shooting smouldering looks at his wife and she stared at him as if she would rather have him for lunch, a little smile playing on her lips.
For three months, each had mooned around the house barely talking to the other, and just one day had brought this about! Tony looked up at the mistletoe with new-found respect.
It didn't last very long, though. Bani's phone rang.
B: Hello? Haan bolo Pushkar!
Tony turned apprehensively to glance at his boss. His fist had clenched over the napkin, his eyes had narrowed and his teeth were set. Poor Bani maam! Tony hurried into the kitchen.
The storm broke out behind him. Jai pushed back his chair violently, knocking it over, flung his napkin into the middle of the table and thundered upstairs. Bani looked at him in shock and alarm.
Quickly she said into the phone, "Pushkar mai tumse baad mein baat karti hun," and hung up.
Bani followed Jai upstairs. He was in his room, standing by the window, one arm thrown across, clenching the curtain. He was in a red haze and she couldn't imagine why.
B: Mr Walia…
He turned around, snarling: Yes, Mrs Walia! Kahiye? Or is that Ms Dixit now – sorry mai abhi clear nahi hun – thoda confusion hai. Could you clear that up for me? What is happening?
B: Mai samjhi nahi, aap kya kehna chahte …
J (sarcastic): Nai? Aapka yaar abhi bhi aapko phone karte rehta hai, lekin aap phir bhi apne ex-husband ke ghar pe kya rahin hai? Oh (pretending to be enlightened) we haven't signed the papers! But how does that make a difference, Mrs Walia? Surely aapke boyfriend to bechaini hoti hogi ke kab aap mukt ho jaaye aur aap donon hamesha hamesha le liye ek ho jaaye? What's stopping you?
Bani (stunned): yaar? Boyfriend?
J (sneering): Oh, are we pretending? Pushkar Shukla, Bani! Ring a bell? Yaad aaya? Woh shaks jisse tum pehle se pyar karti thi – aur jisse tum shaadi karti… agar Pia tum donon ke beech na aati to (stabbing a finger). Woh Pushkar Shukla, jo abhi bhi tumhara intezaar kar raha hai, jise loyalty award milni chahiye.
Bani (shocked, horrified): Ye aapse kisne kaha?
J: Did you think I didn't know? Bani, I have known since before I went to Dubai. Aur yeh tumhara raaz itna bhi chupa nahin hai. Mujhe Jigyasa ne bataya aur Pia ne bhi confirm kiya.
(He turned away, straightened up and continued in a more reasonable tone)
Agar tum mere feelings ka khayal karke hichkicha rahi ho toh koi zaroorat nahin hai. Ye sadma mere bardasht ke baahar nahin hai. Tum kabhi bhi jaa sakti ho.
Bani (in a strangled voice): Jigyasa ne aapse kaha aur aapne yakeen kar liya?
Jai turned towards her quickly, with narrowed eyes: Kya matlab?
Bani was agitated now, and furious: Aur Pia ne kaha aur aapne maan liya? Mr Walia, Pia jhoot to nahi kehti par kya aap itna nahin samajhte ke Pia ke sach mein aur asli sach mein farq ho sakta hai? Aapne kabhi mujhse poocha munasib nahi samjha – ke kya mai Pushkar se pyar karti hun?
Jai (shouting): What the hell was I supposed to do? Ankhon mein ankhen daalke jhoot kehne waalon se mai kya poochoon? Kyon poochoon mai?
Bani (continuing): Aapne kya samjha hai mujhe, Mr Walia – ke pyar kisise karun, shaadi nibhaun kisi aur ke saath? Ki apne zaroorat ke hisaab se kabhi ek ke saath to kabhi doosre ke saath rahun? Shayad aap confuse ho rahen hai – mera naam Bani hai, Pia nahin.
Jai gritted his teeth and raised an imperative finger: Bani, I'm warning you – don't go there. Mai tumse pehle bhi keh chuka hun, ke Pia aur mere beech KUCH NAHI hua tha. I wouldn't touch her with a barge pole and you KNOW that. Pia ne jhoot kaha tha tumse!
(laughing bitterly, he spat out the words) Main paagal zaroor hun lekin ITNA bhi bewakoof nahin jo ek DIXIT ko dubara apni zindagi mein aane dun. Mujhe barbaad karne ke liye tumhare parivaar ka har member apni apni koshish kar chuka hai.
Bani turned away in disgust: "Agar aap itne clear hain to ham kya discuss kar rahen hain? Aapke paas to har sawaal ka jawab hai."
Jai, now pissed, came around to stand in front of her and taking hold of her shoulders: "Theek hai – mai tumse ab pooch leta hun. Bani – do you love Pushkar? (slowly, enunciating every word) Kya tum Pushkar se pyar karti ho? (shaking her) Tell me, dammit!
Bani (wrenching herself away from his hold, now crying): NAHIN! Nahin karti mai pyar Pushkar se. Bas?
The silence was deathly.
He was stunned. Had she said No? She had. What did that mean? Had he been right after all? Jai had never been able to believe that he didn't have Bani's love – of her he had been surer than he had ever been of anything. But Jigyasa had said otherwise, and so had Pia; he had been forced to admit everything pointed to Pushkar.
Hope died hard but even he could see how Pushkar dogged Bani's every step. She never stepped out without calling him, or telling him where she was. If Bani needed to be found, the man you had to ask was Pushkar Shukla, not Jai Walia. She told him her secrets, turned to him for every help. It had broken his heart to convince himself that it all added up. Had that been a mistake? Hope swelled again, bubbling up to the surface.
J (turning): Bani…
But she was gone.
*
Part 5
Jai rushed down the stairs, shouting for Bani. Tony emerged instead.
T: Sir, Bani madam chali gayin hai. Unhone apna purse liya aur chali gayin.
J (running a hand through his hair): Gaadi lekar gayin hain?
T (apologetically): No sir, unhone taxi liya.
Jai was ticked off now. "Bloody taxis! now I'll have to just buy the entire fr-king fleet in Mumbai."
Jai tried Bani's cell first. Switched off. "Damn, damn!" he muttered. Why the hell did he have to say so much? He had an unruly, undisciplined tongue and the cutting things he said always came back to haunt him. And with Bani, his emotions ran so high he ended up saying the worst possible things. Why the hell did I have to make that Dixit crack? he thought savagely.
Reluctantly, but knowing he had no choice, he called Pushkar to ask if he knew where Bani was. Pushkar was surprised to hear from Jai, but Bani had not called him since earlier in the day. Where could she have gone?
Three hours later, Jai was cruising the streets, with a lookout for a slender figure in a deep yellow saree. It was getting dark, and rapidly chilly. A cold wave had held sway all this week. His phone rang. Hallelujah… his wife!
B (in a small voice): Hello?
J: (pulling over to one side of the road) Bani where the HELL are you? Phone kyun nahin utha rahi tum? Pata hai kab se dhoondh raha hun tumhe?
Bani (with a tremor in her voice): Mai.. kya aap mujhe lene aa sakte hain?
J (softening at once): Haan, of course. Kahan ho tum?
B: Mai Grant Road pe hun… agar aap aa rahen hain to mai aapko bus stop pe milungi.
J: Right. Mai abhi aa raha hun. Bani, I'll be there in ten.
Seven minutes later, Jai was pulling up at the Grant Road bus stop. He got out and felt the chill nip at him. This was a fairly deserted place this time of evening. A couple of roughnecks lounged on the benches – why had Bani come here? He frowned, looking around for her. She was standing by a pole a yard away, her pallu wrapped around her, protectively clutching a big cavernous jute bag.
"Bani.."
She jumped a little, and then managed a small smile. One of the chaps on the bench let out a whistle. One look from Jai took care of that, but Bani had obviously got a scare.
J: Bani, let's get out of here. Chalo…
He shut the car door after her, moved into the driver's seat and glided out of there. She was shivering. Talk could wait, he decided, turning the AC vents in her direction, and turning up the heat. He eased out of his jacket and offered it to her. She took it wordlessly, wrapping it around her, and snuggled in with a sniff.
They walked into Walia Mansion together. Jai turned to Bani and raised a commanding finger, "Now I want you to listen to me – please upar jaao, have a hot shower – varna tumhe sardi ho jaayegi."
Bani nodded and went upstairs, leaving her husband to stare after her in bemusement. If only he had this docility from Bani on the really important things! He shook his head with a smile.
*
Part 6
Jai showered and picked out a dark blue kurta and a white chudidaar. They needed to talk, he thought grimly as he combed his hair. He had let things slide, too afraid to ask questions for which he didn't like the answers, but they were going to talk today.
Downstairs, he got Tony to organise a few things – foremost a fire. Walia Mansion had a lovely fireplace that wasn't too much used; they were in Bombay, after all, but tonight both the weather and his mood dictated it.
It was a lovely room, in fact the very room that Tony had decided to place the Christmas Tree in. The hearth was an old ornate one, and the fireside was adorned with a plush, thick cream carpet that was a luxury to sink into. Low three sided seating faced the fire – broad, comfy settees with soft off-white throws. Orange, yellow and lime pillows in varying sizes carelessly lined the settees and caught the firelight beautifully. With the flames crackling, the room looked cozy tonight. Tony arranged everything, pulled the curtains together, and withdrew.
The door opened. Jai looked up from his contemplation of the fire. Bani framed in the doorway, in a flowy sleeveless salwar kameez in hues of blue and green. Her hair was damp from her shower and her face scrubbed clean – kohl and gloss was all she had used. He scanned her so slowly from the feet up, she was actually nervous when his eyes finally rested on her face. Male admiration, there was… but something else as well… she mused… he looked determined.
He moved away from the mantelpiece to the drinks by the side of the room. She came into the room and shut the door, her eyes following him in trepidation. The ice clinked and he turned around with a glass in hand.
J: Aao baitho. I've fixed you a gin and tonic – that'll take care of the chills.
B: (relieved, came forward and took it) Oh, mere liye?
J (amused): Tumhe kya laga – mai piyakkad ho raha hun?
Bani (with a laugh, settling on the couch): Nahin, lekin kabhi kabhi aap zyada peete hain.
J: Drink up – maybe I'll join you later just to be companionable.
He went to the fire to stoke it and place another log. She set down her glass on the side table with a thud. Jai turned around.
J: Bani, have you downed that drink in one go? Sweetheart, that was gin, not lassi!
He called her sweetheart! He hadn't in months! Her heart thudded so violently she was afraid he would hear it.
Bani: Hmm – just felt like… can I have another one?
J (amused): if you insist.
He made her another drink, handed it to her and came back to the settee and settled down, facing her, one arm along the back.
J: Bani, aaj ghar chodkar kahan gayi thi tum?
She stiffened, looked away and took a sip.
J: Bani, we need to talk. Maina aaj bohut kuch keh diya – I'm sorry. Shayad yeh hame pehle hi kar lena chahiye tha, but...
Bani put down the glass and turned to him with painful eyes.
B: Mr Walia, mai Pushkar se pyar nahin karti hun – he's a friend, a very good friend.
J (softly): "Bani, I understand that now. Mujhe Jigyasa aur Pia par yakeen karne se pehle tumse poochna chahiye tha.
Lekin ab sawaal yeh hai ke tum pyar kisse karti ho?"
He was looking at her unwaveringly. She looked into his eyes with some distress.
B: Kya aapko ye sawaal poochna padega? Aap nahin jaante, mere man mein kya hai?
J: Bani! (exasperated, pushing his hands through his hair) Haan, mujhe poochna padega… kyunki ye rishta itna ulajh chuka hai ke mai jaan'na chahta hun – saaf saaf jaan'na chahta hun ke tumhare man mein kya hai? Hamne divorce ke liye apply kiya hai – tum aage kya chahti ho?
B (standing up and staring into the fire): Aur jo main chahti hun, mujhe milega?
Jai looked at her slender back as she walked away from him. He stood up, looked at her for a minute and said decisively: "Haan tumhe jo kuch bhi chahiye, milega."
Bani turned to him, looking oddly defenceless: "Aap, aapke saath zindagi aur Krishna."
He had frozen.
Bani (very softly): Kya mujhe yeh mil sakta hai?
He moved slowly to stand in front of her, with a curious glint in his eyes. "Haan, aapko ye mil sakta hai."
The next moment they were in each other's arms, locked as if they would never let go. He moved back a fraction and tipped up her face and met with a smile so luminous, it took his breath away. Her arms curved around his neck, and holding his head in place, she kissed him. Sheer delight held him immobile for second, but he wrested the initiative from her, plunging deeply. Heated murmurings and endearments punctuated the next ten minutes, but it was a most satisfactory conversation…
B: Mujhe laga, aap ab mujhse pyar nahi karte. Ki yeh shaadi aapke liye ek samjhauta hai.
They were settled on the plush carpet, resting their backs against the sofas. Bani's head rested on Jai's shoulder, her hand occupied in desultory strokes. Occasionally her fingers slipped into the opening of his kurta, curling the thick mat of hair on his chest, revelling in being able to touch him at last.
J: Nahin, Bani… this has always been my dream. This is what I've wanted – all I've ever wanted.
She pressed a small kiss into his neck and his arm tightened on her midriff. He said, hoarsely, "And we came so close to losing it all Bani! Thank God we had the house to ourselves today – I couldn't have taken many more months like this."
He bent to nuzzle her neck, and murmured, "Waise aaj tum gayin kahan? What on earth were you doing on Grant Road?"
Bani looked up with a smile, "Oh, mere paas aapke liye gift hai."
He raised an eyebrow. "More gifts? Yeh to Diwali bhi aa gayi hai Christmas ke saath."
She got up and went to her bag and fished out a huge ribbon wrapped gift and came to him, holding it out in front of her. He took it quizzically and said: "May I?"
"Of course," she smiled, a little imp of mischief in her eyes.
Settling back on the carpet, he ripped open the wrappings, uncovered the box and revealed a copy of the book Maximum City – he loved Mumbai so much, he'd been wanted to get his hands on that one. "Oh wow! Bani, thank you!" He lifted it out to find another gift wrapped box below it, and looked up at her. "Another one? A red herring gift, huh?"
She nodded. He opened the second box, to find a white Tarun Tahiliani kurta. He looked up at his wife questioningly. She laughed back at him: "Maine Tony ke liye doosra shirt le liya hai. Yeh sirf aapke liye hai." He flung his head back with a groan and covered his eyes, "Oh god, mujhe yaad mat dilao please – I'm so sorry." It had been so long ago – when she'd picked out a shirt for him in Goa and he'd been perverse enough to give that away to Tony.
But Bani was laughing: "Tab se mai chahti thi ke aapko apni pasand ki cheez pehnaake rahun."
There was more. "Aur kitne hai?" he asked lifting out the third box. "Bas do," she answered, "lekin dono hi mai aapko de rahi hun, par hai actually mere liye."
"Okaaay," he said, opening it. A pair of lovely bangles winked up at him. Jai drew in his breath and looked up at Bani: "Tumhare kangan!" These had his first gift to her, and she had actually given them away in a fit of pique and anger. No, theirs had NOT been a smooth ride.
J: "Bani, yeh tumhare paas waapas kaise aaye?"
B: Seema Bhabhi Grant Road pe rehti hai. Actually maine unse agle din hi keh diya tha ki jab woh design copy karwalen, toh mai kangan waapas le lungi. Phir itna kuch ho gaya ke kabhi jaake le nahi paayi.
Jai lifted them out gently. "Pehna dun?"
Bani held out her hands and Jai eased them on. She stared at his bent head. It felt so good to have his hands on her, taking such infinite care not to pinch her tender skin, smoothing the bangles on.
"Last one?" he asked. "Haan, bilkul," she said and waited for his reaction to the last box. She got it: he was looking at her with eyes blazing in their intensity. "Bani," he said quietly. In the small jewellery case nestled her mangalsootra. "Ise bhi pehna dijiye, please," she said huskily.
He lifted it tenderly out of the box, and raised it. She sat closer, lifting her hair out of the way and he placed it around her neck, fastening it, his breath stirring her hair. He leaned back and arranged it to his satisfaction.
His eyes burned like coal as his hands left her. "Kya hai?" she asked.
He said, "Bani, chalo phir se shaadi karte hain. This time, we go into it with our eyes open. We mean every single thing we say, every oath we take. We'll marry for love."
She teared up but her smile was 100-carat brilliant, "But I'm warning you: dobara bandh gaye, to aapko apni zindagi se jaane nahin doongi." And she went into his arms…
Sometime in the middle of the night, Jai pulled the razaari to cover his sleeping wife. She clung to his right hand in sleep… an old habit, he thought with the hint of a smile. One way or the other, it had been on helluva day. And there was the whole of Christmas left, before the rest of the family came back.
Jai rested against the pillow in satisfaction.
***
On the night of 25 December the Elite Black Cat team brought down BC Special Agent Mistletoe and pulled down its equipment. Withdrawal was smooth and debriefing was conducted soon after. Operation JB Milan succeeded just as we had hoped. The effects of the intervention, we are happy to report, proved lasting.
Walia Mansion will soon have the patter of tiny feet in its long hallways and that, as far as we are concerned, is as good as it gets.
Finis
Disclaimer: I've taken the liberty of casting a few KSians in this story – all in the interest of a joke. I'm hoping no one minds: I mean no offence at all.
Edited by sangitadas - 18 years ago
Itti Si Khushi Sab TV
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
