thanks to all for reading...
Part34
Jay was lost in his thoughts. He remembered a winter evening:
Two years back-
Jay went to pick his mother from Bani's house. He rang the bell and Bani opened the door. She knew he would be coming. Jay was all tired but what he saw made him laugh like mad. Bani was all full on winter garments and the best part was that her head was covered with a monkey cap. Her nose had become red. Jay had never ever imagined to see his Bani like those little kids. Her appearance just pushed him to laugh more and more. Bani made a face. On seeing that he finally stopped his laughter riot.
Jay: "Bani you look beautiful!"
Bani: "Jay mujhe pareshaan mat karo. Mujhe bahut thand lag rahi hai."
Jay(kissing her nose): "really sweety! I am sorry! But…. Let me take a picture…. of you. So that jab mujhe hasna hoga toh main yeh photo dekh loonga!"
Bani: "to mere saath tum bhi photo khichna, hasne ki wajah dugni ho jayegi."
Click….
Jay took out an album and there was it. his Bani, completely his, making a face and hanging Jay's muffler on his head. Jay couldn't laugh but a smile escaped involuntarily. He then remembered all the little things that Bani used to do. How she used to share his food without being noticed by others, how she used to bite his fingers everytime he tried to feed her. Why did she do all those things? Where did he stand in her life? Why did he fall in love at all? Jay fell asleep………………
Next day morning
Jay tried to act as normal as possible. On being enquired of his early departure from the auditorium, he gave some excuse of health, rest, etc. etc. whatever came to his mind. He then went to office and there he needed a file. He searched everywhere but couldn't find it. he then tried to recall yet it was of no help. Then again Bani's thoughts rushed in. Bani, where is she? What is she doing now? Oh the file was in Bani's house. He remembered he forgot it there last week and forgot to collect it even. he thought of calling Bani but on second thoughts he didn't want to talk to her. He then decided to go to her house because he knew it was office hours for her. He reached there and said Bani's mother that he needed the file.
Kiran: "beta tum Bani ko chodne nahi gaye?"
Jay(in a low voice): "kahan?"
Kiran: "airport! Aaj subah ki flight thi uski."
Jay: "flight? Kahan gayi hai woh?"
Kiran: "arrey! Ajeeb baat hai. Usne tumhe kal bataya nahi? Kal usey phone aaya tha ki Bangalore mein ek chess meet hai aur usey har baar ki tarah is baar bhi participate karna hai. Isiliye wo kal shaam ko office gayi aur apna project kal hi submit kar ke aayi kyunki aaj to usey jaana tha."
Jay: "Bangalore? Kitne din ke liye?"
Kiran: "2-3 din ki baat hai. Waise Nachiket ne kaha tha ke wo airport jayega par Bani ne usey mana kar diya. Uske papa phir gaye the chodne."
Jay: "Nachiket ko kaise pata?" he then thought why shouldn't he know? How foolish of him to ask such a question.
Kiran: "kal wo bhi Bani ke office gaya tha kuch business ke kaam se. tabhi Bani ne bataya hoga. Aur waise bhi dono ki kafi achchi jamti bhi hai, to usey nahi pata hoga to aur kise hoga?"
Jay(controlling his irritation): "main Bani ke room se file le leta hoon" and he climbed the stairs as fast as he could.
He saw the file peeping below a newspaper on a table. He pulled it with such a force that everything above and below it fell on the floor. Jay immediately picked them all and then his eyes went on a diary. He couldn't recognise it at first then he remembered that he had seen Bani sometimes with it. 'Bani', the word echoed in his mind. He knew she was not there but to have her belonging gave him some relief. He went on to put the diary on the table, but then something inside him said "open it". he didn't want to do that because it's bad manners yet he opened it. in the first page what he saw written were not words, they meant heaven to him. His heartbeat increased suddenly and hiding the diary behind his shirt he came out of the room. He bid Kiran goodbye and protested to stay as he excused to be in hurry. He drove as fast as possible to reach his office. He entered his cabin and then took out the diary. He thought why did she keep such a thing on table from where one can easily get access to it? he dismissed the thought and opened the first page again. It was written in italics and in the beautiful handwriting of Bani: 'Bani Jay Walia'. The diary was dated 5 years back.
He went on from page to page where Bani shared her secrets with the diary. All of them were regarding Jay. So many incidents were mentioned over there which even Jay forgot. What amazed him was the fact that Bani fell in love with him long before he admitted his love. Her wish to become Bani Jay Walia dated 5 years back but their relationship was 4 years old! Bani never ever told him. Every word, every sentence reflected her immense love for him. Jay felt guilty of even thinking of her with Nachiket. He wanted to punish himself harshly. He then reached the page till which Bani wrote in the diary. In the beginning it was all her excitement regarding Jay's MDship and at last there was the line 'I am angry with him' with a crying face drawn beside. Jay's heart ached. He couldn't hold it any longer. Few tears escaped his eyes as the view in front of him got blurred. He wiped his eyes then with determination after realising why the diary was left on the table. She must have written down that line and then she was too sad to put it in a safer place.
Jay was standing outside a house. He was going to ring the bell when a female voice shouted from inside 'Stop'. Jay withdrew his hands. After waiting for a minute he then knocked the door and it flew open as soon as he knocked. He was startled to see Pia at the door. Pia didn't see him and continued on her cell phone, "Pushkar stop giving excuses'. Jay came to know that the previous stop was not meant for him. Pia then saw him and called, "Bani dekho kaun aaya hai" and she left. Jay was still standing at the door. He could see Bani coming lazily towards the door. He gathered some strength to face her. When Bani reached the door, she saw Jay. Her eyes got filled with tears.
Bani: "yes aapko kisse milna hai?"
Jay got the message that she was too hurt. He kept silent as Bani didn't wait for him to answer and was walking inside.
Jay(clearing his throat): "mujhe Bani Jay Walia se milna hai."
Bani stopped. She turned back to find Jay staring at her. She didn't know what to say or do. She sat down on a chair. Jay pushed the door and entered the house. It was Pia and Pushkar's house. After they got married, Pushkar got a new job in Bangalore and he shifted there with Pia. Jay could sense that at that time no one else was there in the house except him and Bani. He closed the door and went towards Bani. He was holding a bouquet of flowers which he offered to Bani. But she didn't take it. even she avoided any kind of eye-contact with him fearing that she might break down. Jay placed the bouquet on a table and sat on his knees to have a look of Bani. After what seemed eternity for both Bani looked up and saw Jay holding his ears.
Jay: "Bani I know tum mujhe maaf nahi kar paogi. Galti meri hi thi. Maine hi tum par shaq…. Khair chodo.. waise bhi tumhe bahut takleef de chuka hoon… main bas yahan ye kehne aaya tha ke I was wrong. Please punish me for what I have done."
Bani(in a feeble voice): "what did you do?"
Jay: "Bani I hurt you. Mujhe nahin pata tha ki tum mere liye kaisa feel karti ho. I was all self-centered. Hamesha socha ke main kya chahta hoon, main kya sochta hoon, mujhe kya lagta hai.. kabhi nahi socha tumhare baare mein, tumhari feelings ke baare mein.."
Bani: "stop lying. You cared for me always."
Jay thought is she angry or not. Neither she was free with him as usual nor she let him blame himself.
Jay: "Bani I am sorry for whatever I did aur ek baat aur mujhe tumhari diary se pata chala ke tum mere liye…"
Bani stood up in anger and moved away from him. Jay followed her. He turned her to face him.
Bani(angrily): "tumhe meri diary padhni padi. Meri aankhein nahi padh paye?"
Jay(feeling her calm down): "kya karu buddha ho chala hoon, aankhon ka power badh gaya hai, dekh nahi paya sorry."
Bani sat on a sofa and scratched the cover to keep herself busy so that she can prevent herself from speaking. Jay thought she needed time so he decided to leave. He already reached the door when a newspaper was thrown at him. He picked it up from the floor in surprise. At the front page there was an advertisement which had a skull made on it and a warning written "beware it's 440 V". he knew she meant his anger that day, not less than 440V. He looked at her and found her crying. He couldn't stop himself this time. Last time he was like a stone but not this time. He pulled her in an embrace. He whispered ' I am sorry sweetheart' numerous times.
Bani(after she stopped crying): "Jay never do this to me again. Dekho ro ro ke aur nahi so ke meri aankh ke neeche kale kale dhabbe ho gaye hain. Meri beauty ka kya hoga aise?"
Jay started laughing and hugged her strongly. He thanked God silently to give him another chance with that Bani who can't even get angry over him for long even if it is his fault. They then sat on the sofa and Jay narrated how he arranged his sudden trip to Bangalore giving awkward excuses in the house. He then enquired when was her game and she said that she won it the last day but needs to stay for something, the next day. Jay knew he had to go back the very next day as he was a new MD and won't be able to manage being absent. So he decided that they will go out to have some fun. Bani agreed readily and they left for a fair, running in the city. Jay noticed that a fair was going on in the main city while going to meet Bani and then only he decided that if they patch up then he would definitely bring her there since she liked fairs.
They were in the car and some distance away from the fair when they had to stop. The lane was busy. Bani saw a boy selling groundnuts at the roadside. She didn't bring her purse so she asked Jay to buy it. as the boy was sitting on the side where Bani was, she asked Jay to give his wallet to her.
Bani: "Jay tumhara wallet de do mujhe, main usey paise de deti hoon."
Jay: "kitne paise huye mujhe batao main nikaal ke de deta hoon."
Bani: "mujhe apna wallet hi de dona."
Jay: "Bani ask him how much money. Main nikaal deta hoon na.."
Bani felt like protesting but the boy was already there with the pack. Jay took out the money and gave it to Bani to pay the boy after she asked the price angrily. Bani looked at Jay who was busy putting his wallet back in his pocket.
Bani(hesitantly yet angrily): "Jay tumne mujhe apna wallet kyun nahi diya?"
Jay(casually): "aise hi."
Bani: "Jay tum kabhi mujhe apna wallet nahi dete."
Jay: "little Bani ab ye kya issue hai?"
Bani: "kisi heroine ki photo hai kya, tumhare saath?"
Jay(feeling uneasy): "nahin."
Bani: "I bet koi apsara jaisi khoobsurat heroine ki photo hogi. Tum shayad uspe marte the.."
Jay(losing patience): "Bani kisi heroine ki photo nahin kisi aur ki photo hai.."
Bani: "that means photo hai. Hmmm… tumhare bachpan ki toh nahin?? Angootha choostey huye.." she tried to hide her smile.
Jay(all shy): "Bani stop your random thoughts. Main kyun apni….aisi photo rakhunga mere wallet mein?"
Bani noticed Jay's uneasiness so she dropped the issue.. but only for a few moments.
The car proceeded to the parking. As Jay was parking the car, Bani got down before and she stood on the foots opposite to the parking. Jay came out and saw Bani laughing with a man who seemed to be an unknown passer-by. Bani saw Jay coming so she moved in his direction.
Jay: "kaun tah woh?"
Bani: "kaun?"
Jay: "jisse tum abhi has has ke baatein kar rahi thi."
Bani: "oh woh!!! Pickpocket!"
Jay(stared at her unbelievably): "pickpocket??"
Bani: "haan! Main usey keh rahi thi ki woh tumhara wallet chura ke mujhe lakey dede."
Jay(shaking his head): "Bani tum bhi na! achcha to aapka ye nayab plan cancel kyun hua?"
Bani: "tumpe taras khake chod diya! Kahin tumhari bachpan ki woh photo…" she started laughing.
Jay took out his wallet and gave it to Bani. She took it but didn't open it. she tried to return it back to Jay but he refused to do so.
Bani(feeling guilty): "I am sorry Jay! He was just a passer-by. Mujhe dekha nahi tha unhone to hamari takkar hone wali thi par ain mouke par hum dono hat gaye. Isiliye mujhe hasi aa gayi. He was not any pickpocket!"
Jay: "Bani tumhe sharam nahi aati? Ek achche bhale insaan ko pocketmaar bana diya?"
Bani(in a low voice): "waise main kehti to shayad hi unhe koi aitraaz hota…"
Jay(angrily): "chalo…koi tumhare liye pocketmaar nahi banega mujhe chodke."
Bani(excited): "kya tum mere liye pocketmaari karoge? Wow how romantic!! mujhe aisa hi life partner chahiye tha jo mere liye pocketmaari kare."
Jay: "hey bhagwaan! Bani ab chalo…."
When they were buying the tickets, Jay took his wallet from Bani. Jay knew that she will never ever open it if he didn't like and that only happened. He thought may be someday after their marriage he will show her the photo he had in the wallet. The photo was of Krishna and Jagadish Walia sitting on a sofa with Jay and Bani standing in the back. His perfect family picture. oh! Marriage. He needed to talk about it to her. Not now, later on….
They roamed around in the stalls, buying things and eating stuffs…. Bani saw the people climbing to the merry-go-round. She made Jay look in that direction. He smiled.
Bani: "chalo na Jay! Hum bhi uspar chahadte hain."
Jay: "Bani are you sure?"
Bani(confidently): "haan haan"
Jay then took her to the merry-go-round. There were two boxes left. As Bani saton the chair of one of the boxes, Jay intentionally went ahead to sit in the other box.
Bani: "Jay tum wahan kahan baith rahe ho? Mere saath baitho."
Jay: "kyun tumhe to darr nahi lagta na! akele baitho! Aur mazaa ayega."
Bani: "dekho couples saath baithe to achcha lagta hai. Tum isme baitho."
Jay looked at the man operating the merry-go-round. He wished the man not to know hindi which is a chance being in Bangalore but to his dismay he knew it. Jay understood the fact after having a look on the face of the man who was grinning. Jay made a face and sat beside Bani. The other box was then also filled by others and then the giant merry-go-round started moving. Initially both Jay and Bani were excited but as their box moved to the top, Bani was losing all her courage. She grabbed Jay's arms and shifted a bit to his side. Jay found it amusing but didn't say anything. After all he liked the closeness. As luck would have it, when their box was at the topmost position, lights went off. Bani looked for once downwards and got more scared. Her grip on Jay's arm became tighter.
Jay(smiling): "Bani tumhe darr to nahi lag raha na?"
Bani(her voice choked): "n..a..h..i..n"
Jay: "dekho neeche kitna khoobsurat lag raha hai! Generators se neeche ki dukano mein already light aa gayi hai."
Bani(closing her eyes): "mujhe nahin dekhna"
Jay(acting innocent): "kyun?"
Bani opened her eyes and looked once more. She was scared more this time and immediately moved her head in Jay's direction. Jay felt that she was too scared and she needs to calm down. He lifted her head and stroked her dimple. She looked at him being startled. She found him staring at her. The stare had many things to say! It was one of its kind. Her heart drifted to his eyes only. She failed to notice that the machine has started running again and they have completed another loop. The movement of the machine and the look in his eyes took her to a new world. When they were about to reach the bottom, Jay looked away. Bani also got out of her world. She saw Jay stepping down and extending his hand to her to get down. She was confused but she got down. They walked silently towards the exit. Just before stepping out of the ground, Jay spoke.
Jay: "Bani aur kuch kharidna hai?"
She didn't reply. Jay smiled on his own. They reached the parking. Jay was somewhat ahead of Bani. When Bani reached there she hurriedly got into the car and pulled Jay inside the car. She locked the doors safely… and pulled the glass of the windows quickly. Jay couldn't understand what was she upto.
Bani: "Jay gaadi start karo."
Jay: "haan but ye sab kya tha?"
Bani: "tum gaadi to start karo phir batati hoon." He started the car.
Jay: "ab batao!"
Bani(slowly): "main kuch soch rahi thi aur chalte chalte dhyan nahi diya ke ek doggy leta hua hai zameen par. Maine uski poonch par pao rakh diya…"
Jay(laughed): "tum bhi na Bani! Too much. Par aisa kya soch rahi thi?"
Bani(shyly): "tumhari aankhon ke baare mein."
Jay(excited): "kya?"
Bani(disturbed): "kaha na tumhari ke baare mein."
Jay: "haan! Lekin kya?"
Bani: "kya kya?"
Jay: "uff! Meri aankhon ke baare mein kya?"
Bani(adamant): "tumhe kyun bataoon?"
Jay(adamant too): "batao na."
Bani(giving up): "tumhari aankhon mein kuch dekha hai.. maine"
Jay(happily): "kya?"
Bani(shyly): "jaane do na."
Jay(not giving up): "nahin pehle batao… batao.. batao.. batao.." stopping the car and his palms with his finger.
Bani: "kuch kachra chala gaya tha…"
Jay(disappointed): "what?"
Bani(acting innocent): "haan. tum kya soch rahe the?"
Jay(disappointed): "jaane do na"
Bani(utilising the chance): "nahin pehle batao… batao… batao… batao…" just like he did.
Jay stopped the car once again and drew her towards him.
Jay(whispered in her ears): "tumhare poochne se pehle main tumhe jawab de chuka hoon… wahan jab hum ek dusre ko dekh rahe the."
Bani moved away a little. Her heartbeat increased as she moved towards his face. She blew air on his eyes and went back to her sitting position.
Bani(looking away): "kachra chala gaya hai. Ab gaadi chalao. Bahut der ho gayi hai."
Jay smiled. Actually both of them smiled for the rest of the journey. When they reached, the door was still locked. Bani understood that finally Pia made Pushkar take her for dinner outside. She opened the door and asked Jay to come in.
They had dinner together. After dinner Jay sat on the sofa and closed his eyes. He felt so relaxed. Very much relaxed in years.
Jay(with closed eyes): "Bani let's get married. Its about time that we tie the knot!"
Bani(jokingly): "yes yes Jay. Let me arrange for two witnesses first. Give me five minutes for that"
Jay: "Bani I am serious! Look tum bhi ab 24 years ki ho gayi ho. Why wait any more? Hume boyfriend-girlfriend se husband-wife ban jana chahiye ab."
Bani: "let me think!"
She stood at the back side of the sofa and placed her chin on Jay's head. Her arms were around Jay's neck but from the back side. She oscillated her head like a pendulum pretending to think seriously. Suddenly she stopped.
Bani: "nahiinnnn…."
Jay(turning his face quickly): "kya hua Bani?" Bani's face was now in level with his.
Bani: "tumhare sar mein ek white baal hai. Oh no! isse pehle ki tumhare saare safed baal dikhne lage….. let's get married." She winked.
Jay(smiling): "Bani that's the weirdest reason to get married but anyway let's commemorate the approval."
Bani(raising her eyebrow): "kaise?"
Jay: "aise" and kissed her.
CID
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
