I am extremely sorry for the delay! Exam worries!! Ok now thanks for reading……..
Part33
A month later
Jay joined Bani and her mother on the roof of Bani's house where they were busy drying mangoes (yummy!) for pickles. On seeing him coming with his dashing smile, Bani decided to irritate him. She shifted to make space for him to sit. Kiran was happy to see Jay after a long time. She told him stories of how she and his mother fell into trouble while drying mangoes like that many many years ago. They shared a laugh as they discussed how helplessly the two ladies needed a scarecrow to safeguard the mangoes. Bani got the opportunity she was looking for.
Bani: "ma, hume ab koi chinta nahi hai. Chaliye main aur aap niche chalte hain. Kauwe kuch nahi kar payenge."
Kiran: "matlab?"
Bani: "arre ma ab Jay yahan hai to kauwo ki kya himmat ke apne dost par war kare."
Kiran: "tum bhi na Bani. Kyun pareshaan karti ho mere bete ko? Main niche jaa rahi hoon aur tum dono ab jhagda mat karna."
When Jay was sure that Bani's mother was gone, he stood up and tried to hold Bani's hand. But she knew that something like that would happen so she started running away from him. Jay was in no mood to leave her like that, so he also ran after her. After several rounds of such cat and mouse run Bani suddenly stopped and threw her arms around Jay's neck. Jay looked at her with a winning smile.
They stayed like that for a minute. Jay felt so happy and relieved. For the past one month he had been seriously dealing with his heart. Although he didn't want to accept but Nachiket's appearance in Bani's life bothered him.
Jay: "Bani what is love?"
Bani: "Love is a ripe mango which is as sweet as it is sour!" (think!!!!)
Jay: "what?" then he saw Bani comfortably enjoying eating a piece of ripe mango. He smiled.
Bani: "Jay tumhare saboon ka contract kab khatam hoga?"
Jay(confused): "matlab?"
Bani: "mujhe nahi lagta main 5 saal pehle jab tumse mili thi, uske baad tumne koi doosra saboon istemal bhi kiya hoga. Kabhi to change karo. Hamesha ye sadey huye ande ka smell achcha lagta hai kya?"
Jay: "kya kaha tumne? Sadey huye ande? Abhi batata hoon tumhe ye kitne sadey hai."
They ran all over the roof. Bani made a quick escape downstair. Jay couldn't leave as someone had to look at the mangoes. After a servant came to look after the mangoes, Jay hurried to reach downstairs. He had 2-3 stairs left to reach the floor when he saw Nachiket at the door. Bani was standing in front of him and both of them were smiling. Jay slowed down his pace but his eyes didn't divert from them.
Nachiket(pinched Bani): "new pinch!"
Bani: "thank you! Now come in."
Both of them seemed to be amused on the fact that Bani was wearing a new dress which Nachiket acknowledged at the first sight, which didn't impress Jay much. His eyes were fixed on Nachiket's hand which still held Bani's hand. He was not that kind of possessive man but Nachiket and Bani together used to threaten him since the last one month.
Nachiket: "hi Mr. Walia. Aap yahan kya kar rahe hain?"
Jay felt like giving a solid punch to his face. Who was he to question his presence at Bani's residence, his Bani's residence? Finally he controlled himself.
Jay: "nothing much. just sab se milne aaya tha. Tumhari tarah."
Nachiket: "na meri tarah nahi. Kyunki main to Bani ke saath abhi bahar ghumne janewala hoon. Kyu Bani?"
Bani: "hum ghumne nahi, kaam se jaa rahe hai."
Nachiket: "haan mera matlab hai dono hi ho jayenge ek saath."
He laughed and Jay noticed Bani also laughing at his statement. He felt uneasy. The purpose for which he visited Bani that day was not served. He wanted to talk about something which included Nachiket but in his presence that was not possible. After everyone finished their dinner, with Nachiket talking most of the time and impressing Bani's parents all the time, Jay took leave.
After he returned home, he locked himself in the study. In the evening, he finally called Bani, which he wanted to do since the past 7 hours but struggled between his two minds of yes and no. she didn't pick the phone for about 20 seconds! Then someone received the call. It was Nachiket. Jay was utterly shocked to have Nachiket attending Bani's call.
Nachiket: "yes Mr. Walia, me Nachiket. anything important?"
Jay(in a disgusted tone): "where is Bani?"
Nachiket: "arrey who kya hai ke hum dono aaj movie dekhne bahar aaye the. Abhi hum ek ice cream parlour mein hain aur wo zid kar rahi thi ke counter se wo ice-cream layegi to wahi gayi hai."
Jay disconnected the call. Nachiket looked at the screen with surprise and then kept the phone on the table.
Jay was waiting for Bani to call throughout the evening but she didn't call. He lied down on his bed and remembered how most of their meetings were cancelled due to Nachiket's search of his relative. He accompanied her always, most of the time unneccessarily. Even when Jay used to call Bani, she used to share her day's incidents with Nachiket whom she referred 'nachu'. Jay didn't like the way Bani was paying attention to her 'nachu' all the time. He once checked her inbox which were mostly filled by Nachiket's messages. The missed calls, incoming calls and outgoing calls had more 'Nachiket' than 'Jay'. Jay was disturbed by thinking why she didn't inform him of her plans to go out and why she didn't call back. At about dinner time, Jay's cell phone rang. He left the dinner table and rushed to his room.
Jay(with irritation in his voice): "so finally tumhe time mil gaya mujhe phone karne ka?"
Bani: "what? Maine abhi dekha. Tum baad mein bhi to phone kar sakte the?"
Jay: "kyun tumhare 'nachu' ne bataya nahi ke maine call kiya tha?"
Bani: "oh bhool gaya hoga. Spare him! Now tell me kyun call kiya tha?"
Jay: "rahne do. Waise batao, din kaisa gujra tumhara? Nachiket ke saath?'
Bani: "good. Tum subah chale kyon gaye? Hum saath mein movie dekhne jaate."
Jay: "nahi mujhe koi interest nahi hai tumhare aur…….."
Bani: "Jay is something wrong?"
Jay(feeling guilty): "nothing. Kuch kaam ki pareshaani hai."
Bani: "ok toh main tumhare sapne mein aa jati hoon. Ok."
Jay(whispered): "par akeli aana wahan."
Bani: "you said something?"
Jay: "no. good night sweetheart!"
He disconnected the call and went to have dinner. Jay couldn't sleep that night.
Two days later
It was an important day for Jay. His father was going to announce him as the new MD of the company. There was a big gathering at the auditorium. Everyone who were close to the Walias were present over there. His father was busy talking to some of his business associates like others who were also busy talking. Jay looked at his watch many times and thought 'where is Bani?' he was happy but with her absence on such an important day of his life, everything would appear meaningless. He enquired Nishikant too, who said that she had to go somewhere urgently but she said that she will reach within time. In between some short discussions regarding something with family and friends Jay's eyes only searched Bani. His father then asked him to accompany him on the stage. Jay made a quick excuse and called Bani.
Bani: "yes Jay! I am on my way."
Jay: "why are you so late?"
Bani: "actually Nachiket came and…. Ok I will tell you after I reach."
Jay: "come soon"
His mood was not happy anymore. Again Nachiket! He checked his appearance and then moved on to the stage. His father gave a speech and then declared that Jay will be the next MD of the company. Everybody clapped. Jay gave a speech and highlighted some of the changes he wish to bring. The session was over and it was time to have food. As Jay stepped down, each and everybody greeted him. He felt glad but he missed something, someone, Bani. He couldn't find her yet in the crowd. He thought that she must have reached but then it didn't seem to him anything like that. Ranveer came from the opposite side and congratulated him.
Ranveer: "congrats mama. Double congrats!"
Jay(surprised): "double kyun?"
Ranveer: "first toh apki MD banne ki khushi mein aur second aap ki dost ki shaadi tay hone ki khushi mein."
Jay(confused): "kaun dost? Kiski shaadi?"
Ranveer: "nahi actually shaadi tay nahi hui hai par lagta hai ho hi jayegi. Hamare Nachiket aur Bani ki."
The glass which Jay was holding slipped from his hands.
Jay(angry): "what rubbish?"
Ranveer(scared): "sorry mamaji. Shayad apko bura laga kyunki ye baat apko Bani ne nahi batayi. But abhi abhi Nishikant nanu se meri baat ho rahi thi aur unhone kaha ke Nachiket ne unse aur nani se is bare mein kal baat ki thi. Nana nani ko bhi ye rishta bahut pasand hai aur unke khayal se Bani bhi Nachiket ko pasand karti hai. Dono peechle ek mahine me bahut achche dost ban gaye hai. Saath ghumna firna, hamesha ek dusre ki baatein karna….."
Jay raised his hands to stop Ranveer.
Jay(angrily): "Bani ne kya kaha?"
Ranveer: "nani keh rahi thi ki Bani kuch reserved rehti apne feelings ko lekar isliye usne kuch kaha nahi. But Nachiket ke saath uske behaviour kuch alag lagta hai unlogon ko. So……"
Jay didn't listen anymore. He stormed out of the auditorium. He met his mother on his way whom he convinced that he needs to go to home. He then met Bani at the entrance who was walking fast. Behind her he could see Nachiket running to catch up with her. Jay stopped for a moment. He looked at Bani with anger in his eyes.
Jay: "Bani ghar chalo abhi."
Bani didn't ask anything because she knew that Jay was unhappy due to her absence. She accompanied him. Nachiket looked at her like 'may I join you' but after much trouble Bani was able to convince him to stay out of the matter.
After they reached home, Jay went to his room straight. Bani followed him. On realising Bani's presence in the room, Jay turned and held her arms tightly.
Jay(controlling his anger): "Bani congratulations!"
Bani(confused): "Jay!"
Jay(raising his voice gradually): "I am quite happy that my girlfriend has finally decided to settle down."
Bani: "Jay what are you saying? I am sorry, main time par nahin pahuch payi. Wo Nachiket…"
Jay(sarcastically): "wo Nachiket kya Bani? fir koi film ya fir koi dinner date thi?"
Bani: "Jay please relax"
Jay: "yes I should relax on knowing that finally you have found your soulmate! Four years with me. Four years! Bahut zyada ho gaya na! ab achchi tarah ehsaas ho gaya hai tumhe, ke tum kya chahti ho. Kaisa jeevan saathi chahti ho. Bani mera dil rakhne ke liye tumne mera pyar apnaya zarur tha lekin ab faisle ki ghadi hai. Main tumhe rokunga nahi. Kyunki jo pyar mera tha hi nahi, usey main kyun roku?"
Bani: "Jay agar tum Nachiket ko mean kar rahe to…"
Jay(shouting): "agar nahi Bani. Main usey hi mean kar raha hoon. Tumhe pasand hai na wo? To jao uske paas! Ek mahine se dekh raha hoon. Wo tumhe lattu ki tarah ghuma raha hai aur tum ghum rahi ho! Ye relative to uska kab ka mil gaya tha, phir bhi itni der hamesha saath saath ghumna firna! Pasand karti ho usey. Par mera dil rakhne ke liye, ye baat bhi chupayi? Jao Bani jao."
Bani started crying. She hugged Jay with all her possible strength. Jay didn't do the same although somewhere still in his heart he wanted to do so. Bani cried and cried keeping her face on Jay's chest. His shirt got wet. Jay was hurt more because of seeing Bani crying like that but his anger took over his love. After all he was hurt too….
Bani(still crying): "Jay may be you will never know what I feel for you. Char saal to kya char janmo mein main tumhe samjha nahi paoongi. Main jaanti hoon tumhe meri baat ka yakin nahi hoga isliye main jaa rahi hoon. Ho sake to kabhi phir se soch lena ke tum mere liye kya ho….." she ran away as if stealing all happiness from Jay's heart.
Jay dropped himself on the couch and rested his head on the backside. He didn't want to change his clothes before going to sleep. He had Bani's tears on his shirt as if he had her or instead he had his pains there lying all wet and drying on him only……..
p.s Sorry for the crying part but I was in something like that mood thinking of JB one year ago and at present…….. heard JDD umpteenth time……
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