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Part32
Next day morning Ranveer brought a friend to Jay's office. He introduced his friend as Nachiket. Jay could not speak to him much due to his busy schedule so he invited Nachiket to the Walia Mansion for dinner. But by the time it drew to evening, Jay forgot about Nachiket. In general Jay was not so forgetful but a smile on Bani's face was sufficient to blur his memory. Long after Ranveer left with Nachiket, Bani called Jay. Their teasing and the doctor-patient banter continued for a while and then suddenly Jay asked her to join him at dinner. It was a usual thing for Jay or Bani to have sometimes their breakfast or dinner at the other one's house.
At dinner time
While Bani was busy arranging the table along with Jay's mother, Ranveer came along with Nachiket to Walia Mansion. At that time Jay remembered that he actually had a guest at dinner. He wondered how he was going to spend time with Bani rather than wondering how he was going to show his hospitality to his guest.
When everyone was gathered at the table, Ranveer introduced Nachiket to all of them. The dinner went on with all the discussions, gossips, etc. Bani found sometimes Jay stealing glances of her. On one such occassion their eyes met and Bani could read Jay's disappointment. To make him smile genuinely, she framed a plan. When Jay was busy chatting while eating, Bani either added some more rice to his plate or replaced his bowl of curry with an empty bowl or anything like that but cautiously. Jay was confused as 'what's happening?' but then he realised that it must be Bani's mischief. He looked at Bani only to find her eating away the salads from his plate. He caught hold of her hand on his plate when she was busy taking the cucumber slices. Bani mouthed him to leave his hand but Jay simply refused it. Least did he realise that there were family members present unaware of their relationship. Bani warned him through her eyes but Jay didn't care. So finally Bani screamed "aunty" which caught everyone's attention.. Jay was still holding her hand.
Bani: "aunty Jay ne aaj koi bhook zyada lagne ki dawai pi li hai kya? Dekhiye na apna plate to saaf kar liya, aur ab mera bhi karne ka irada hai."
Jay: "ma don't believe her. See woh mere plate se…….."
Bani: "main tumhare plate se kya?"
Jay(lowering his eyes): "kuch nahin."
Bani: "dekha aunty. Now jay leave my hand."
Jay left her hand and then kicked his leg beneath the table to hit Bani's feet. But someone else screamed out. It was Ranveer. He looked confused as he couldn't figure out what had happened. Jay's eyes got widened with Ranveer's scream as he missed his target. Bani grinned looking at Jay who showed his fist to Bani to warn that the game was not over.After everyone finished their meal, Ranveer asked Bani for a favour.
Ranveer: "Bani kya tum mere dost ki thodi help kardogi?"
Bani: "kaisi help?"
Nachiket: "sorry to interrupt Ranveer but let me explain it to missssssss Bani. Actually missssssss Bani I am looking for a relative of mine who works in the same organisation as yours. Our families have lost touch many years back but now there are certain reasons for which we are looking for them. By some source I came to know that my so called cousin works in your organisation but the problem is that I don't know even his name I mean I know only his pet name. So I will be grateful if you help me out to find him. I know I am giving troubles to you but as far as I have observed, the beautiful girl in you won't refuse."
Bani: "no no why should I refuse? It will be a pleasure to help you. So day after tomorrow we will meet at our office sharp at 9 o'clock."
Nachiket: "9 o'clock? That means I have to wake up early? Ok no probs. Afterall I will be having your company. Anyway can we meet for coffee tomorrow evening anywhere you prefer to go."
Bani lifted her eyes to seek Jay's opinion but he averted his gaze on her at that instant. Bani understood she was supposed to refuse.
Bani: "it would have been a pleasure but see tomorrow Masi is coming so I will spend my evening here only with Mmmm Masi."
Ranveer: "wow is she coming? After such a long time. Dadi bahut khush hogi. Well then Nachi tomorrow we will meet Masi here and you can have coffee with not only Bani but all of us."
Bani again looked at Jay who was about to leave. Another excuse time.
Bani: "ye kya baat hui Ranveer, kal Sunday hai, apne dost ko jara Mumbai city to dikhao. Kya pata baad mein time mile na mile."
Nachiket: "that's cool. So why don't you join us in the morning. Later on at evening we can meet Masi."
Ranveer: "good idea Bani and no excuses please. Tum humare saath chalogi. Full and final. It will be fun to spend time with you after such a long time. These 3 years in London were fun-filled definitely but I missed something here even."
Bani didn't have the heart to destroy their plan so she agreed. Jay showed as if he felt 'go on' but he was not liking Nachiket since he started to become so friendly with Bani from the first meeting itself. After Ranveer and Nachiket left, Bani went to the study. She was looking for a book but couldn't find it. Jay came from behind and held the book in front of her eyes. She exclaimed with joy and then took the book and without even speaking to Jay, sat on a chair to read it. Jay sat at the adjacent side of the table and to the right of Bani. He saw her engrossed in reading the book but a strand of hairs prevented him from watching her. He moved the hairs and saw a faint smile on Bani's face. But before the smile disappeared, the strand reappeared on her face. Again Jay moved them away and saw Bani blushing. He liked this view so he did it again and again everytime the strand returned to her face. He placed his arm on the table and rested his head on it to have a good view of Bani. She couldn't finish reading a single line and re-read the sme sentence again and again. Neither was she in a state to ask Jay to stop the teasing. At that moment Bani's mobile phone beeped. Jay took it from the table and saw that there was a message from Nachiket. So soon? He thought. He checked the message and it was all about love and friendship. Man this boy is too much. Then Jay checked that the inbox was filled with so many messages from Bani's colleagues, friends, Saahil, Rano, etc. etc. etc. means nearly everyone except him. He began to read the messages and most of them were heart-warming or funny. He then checked the outbox where he found her sending witty replies. There also his name was not there. He felt bad. He knew that he was not that sort of msg freak like today's youngsters but not to be in Bani's list in that group bothered him. At least she should send him some nice messages like that but then he realised that he was the one who had a big NO NO for them. Bani wondered what Jay was doing. She thought that it was good for her as he was not teasing but her thoughts even didn't let her read the book. So she took the book and left her seat. On seeing her leaving, Jay held her arm and stood up. Again the strand of hair prevented him from seeing her. He went close to her and gave her the mobile phone. Once again he was about to remove the strand when someone opened the door of the study. Jay turned on the other side and pretended to search somethimg on the table. As Jay's father moved towards them he was happy to see Bani with the book she asked for so many times. What he couldn't understand was Jay's behaviour.
Jagdish: "Jay what are you looking for?"
Jay(fumbling with words): "no…..thing dadd. I was looking for the…….. bookmark. Bani needed that. See I found it."
He gave the bookmark to Bani and gave a hesitant smile. Bani bid the father-son duo good night and while stepping out of the room, looked back at Jay and gave her killer smile for which Jay would die a thousand time.
Next day
Jay came to know that Ranveer, Bani and Nachiket were on a Mumbai city trip. Throughout the day his mind drifted from work to Bani and Nachiket. Sometimes he called Ranveer and sometimes Bani throughout the day. But he couldn't speak to them at a stretch anytime. One thing that was obvious by the noise and the tone of their voices was that they were having a blast, even his Bani without him. He couldn't concentrate on anything so he decided to create a message for Bani. From morning, it turned to afternoon and then to evening, he couldn't create one of Bani's kind and by that time even Masi reached Walia Mansion. So he spent the rest of the evening with Masi. He hoped Bani to come. She came a bit late. Jay was thankful to his stars for once in the day since Bani told that Nachiket and Ranveer were too tired to come there. While chatting with her beloved Masi, Bani noticed Jay bringing a packet.
Jay: "Masi dekhiye maine apne aquarium ke liye ye nayi fish kharidi hai. Sab kehte hai yeh bahut badmash hoti hai."
Masi: "hmmmm…. toh tu isey kyun laya?"
Jay: "bus yun hi, iski namesake se milane."
Masi: "namesake?"
Jay: "haan iska naam bhi B A N I hai."
Masi: "machli ka naam bhi kabhi Bani hota hai kya?"
Jay(winking and grinning): "aap khud hi dekhiye."
Meanwhile Bani made faces to show her anger.
Masi: "yeh kyun nahi kehta ke tujhe ye naam bahut pasand hai?"
Both Jay and Bani were shocked to hear that. They wondered whether Masi knew of their relationship or not. But their dilemma was soon gone on hearing the full story.
Masi: "tujhe yaad hai tune hi toh Bani ka naam rakha tha. Mera matlab hai iske namkaranwale din tune hi toh ye naam suggest kiya tha aur didi ko kaha tha ke tujhe ye naam bahut pasand hai?"
Bani: "Masi ye sach hai?"
Jay: "dekha Bani you owe me a lot but you are least bothered to repay even in installments. Tumhara naam toh….. chipkali(lizard) rakhna chahiye tha."
Bani: "Mr. Jay Walia, tab toh confusion ho jata."
Jay: "kaisa confusion?"
Bani: "mere college mein ek ladki thi jo hostel mein rehti thi aur jiske room mein ek ganda sa chipkali rehta tha. Toh maine usey ek naam suggest kiya tha us lizard ke liye. Batau kya? Jay naam rakha tha humne uska."
Masi broke into a fit of laughter. It took her few minutes to calm down. She hit Jay's head and then Bani's head saying that even children would fail in front of them when it comes to teasing each other. Later on Krishna joined them and after approving the namkaran fact she was also in all smiles on hearing the whole incident. Jay and Bani meanwhile had a session of staring with Bani's eyes saying 'Thanks for the name' and Jay's eyes answering back 'The pleasure is all mine.'
Fan Fictions
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
