hey friends thanks for reading........
Part27
Saturday morning Jay was late for breakfast. When he came downstairs Bani had already left for college. Jay looked here and there for her when Masi gave him the information. Jay went to the office and events of last Saturday always invaded his thoughts whenever he was a bit free. He returned early from the office that evening. He went upstairs and found the door of Bani's room open. He peeped a bit and something struck him. He opened the door and saw the room neatly arranged, the way it used to be, only Bani's belongings were missing. He looked for few more minutes then enquired Masi about Bani.
Jay: "Masi, ye Bani kahan hai? aur uska saaman? Kya woh doosre kamre mein shift ho gayi hai?"
Masi: "nahi beta, Bani toh ghar chali gayi hai."
Jay(shocked): "what? Bani ghar chali gayi hai? magar kyun?"
Masi: "arre bhabhi ji aur bhaisahab aa gaye hain aaj subah. Isiliye woh chali gayi. Usne tujhe bataya nahi?"
Jay(disappointed): "nahi usne mujhe bataya nahi." He thought she should have informed him. How irresponsible of her! He picked up his phone and dialed her number. The ring went but then the call was disconnected. This happened for quite a few numbers of times. He finally left a voice mail for her saying, "what's wrong with you Bani? Just pick up the phone…….." in an agitated voice. He came downstairs and saw Masi talking to someone on phone. After some time he realized that it was Bani's mother then father and then Bani on line. Bani? He asked Masi to give him the receiver. As soon as Jay's voice was heard, Bani stopped midway and whatever Jay asked her she didn't reply to them. When Masi again took the receiver back then only Bani spoke. At about 10:30 Bani called Jay, who was then trying to throw away some disturbing thoughts with the blowing wind while standing in the balcony. He immediately received the call and waited for Bani to speak. After few moments of silence Bani spoke.
Bani: "Jay it's 10:40 now. 24 hrs are over."
Jay: "24 hrs?"
Bani(seriously): "yes you won the challenge and that's why I didn't speak to you for the past 24 hrs."
Jay: "Bani you thought it was serious?"
Bani: "that you decide. I've kept my words."
Jay: "what's the matter Bani? Why are you talking to me like that as if I am the last person in this world to whom you would like to talk?"
Bani: "no nothing like that. I guess we have nothing more to say. So wishing you good night and sweet dreams." She disconnected before he could reply to that. What was that? He couldn't speak to her well. Ouch that hurts. All of a sudden there was emptiness in the house moreover he couldn't speak to her, which mattered. Why on earth did he ask her not to talk to him for 24 hrs? Why? He needed to meet her personally and pacify her if she was offended. Not 'if', she was definitely offended.
Next day Jay woke up unusually late. It was already 10 o'clock. He rubbed his eyes and wondered what made him sleep till that time. Yes he recalled how he stood at the balcony for hours staring at the sky and always trying to call Bani and the next moment disconnecting it even before the ring went. He saw Tony and others unusually busy on a Sunday. After having his bath when he came downstairs he saw the same pace of activities going round the house. He called Masi.
Jay: "Masi yeh sab kya ho raha hai?"
Masi: "arey beta kuch nahin. Saahil ne plan banaya tha ke aaj hum sab, woh sab aur Dixit bhaisaab sab ikatthe lunch karenge. Tum to jaante ho na Saahil ke nakhre, isiliye sab ki pasand ka kuch na kuch banane mein bhi toh waqt lagta hai na."
Jay: "Bani bhi aa rahi hai?"
Masi: "haan bhai woh kyun nahi aayegi?"
Jay heaved a sigh of relief. Finally he will get to talk to her, that is in case she is interested.
All of them gathered before lunch hour and Nishikant and Kiran dixit, Dadi, Jigyaasa, Aditya, Saahil, Ranveer and Bani were sharing a good laugh. Masi was pretty busy and Kiran sent Bani to look for her. Bani went into the kitchen to call Masi and found that even Jay was there. As Jay looked in the other direction, Bani softly spoke to Masi. Masi was relieved to see Bani there for her rescue!!!!
Masi: "arey Bani beta, dekh na ye Munna bhi na. pata nahin kya hua hai isey? Pehle kaha ke aaj chicken woh banayega aur phir mujhe pareshaan kar ke rakha hai, 'Masi ye do', 'Masi woh do'. Tu zara iski madad kar de beta toh main zara baith sakoon."
Bani nodded in affirmative and saw Masi leaving. Jay who was still busy with his preparations asked for the knife when Bani handed it to him. The slight touch of her palms made Jay look at her. He was surprised to see her. He tried to talk to her but she carried on with her work. Finally when they were waiting for the cooking to be finished Bani tried to excuse herself when Jay grabbed her arm. Bani didn't look at him for once.
Jay: "Bani what's the matter? Ok I am sorry for that reward. It just went out. I didn't mean it. Please believe me. I didn't know you would take it otherwise. For heaven's sake say something. Your silence is killing me. Only I know how much I've longed to talk to you yesterday, how many times I've cursed myself for asking for such a stupid thing!!!! Please Bani at least say what's bothering you."
Bani(looking at his eyes): "the chicken is ready" and she tried to leave. But Jay still held her arm strongly. None of them were in the mood to surrender. Bani looked away from Jay as he stood in front of her. He released her arm and held his ears. He started doing sit-ups and counted loudly 1,2,3….. Bani looked at him and a faint smile appeared on her face. As Jay was going to sit for the 9th time, Bani stopped him.
Bani: "what is this?"
Jay: "that is only my question!"
Bani: "forget it Jay. Now I am ok and for your information not angry with you."
Jay: "Bani tum itna baat bolti ho, that's why I just blurted out that."
Bani(sadly): "don't worry. Ab se main tumhe pareshaan nahin karoongi." She tried to leave but once again Jay stopped her holding her choti.
Jay: "Bani maine aisa toh nahin kaha. Actually i missed your chattering. Please I beg of you. Be the Bani you are, you sentimental fool."
Bani(smilingly): "yes Mr. chef the pleasure will be all mine if the chicken gets burnt!!!!" Jay turned off the gas. They were the same Jay and Bani after that as Bani continued to bug him and Jay had nowhere to go for his rescue.
Few days later
Jay paid a surprise visit to the Dixits. He chatted with Bani's parents for long then enquired for Bani. As he went to the terrace, he could figure out Bani standing near the railing. He started to talk to her on his own when suddenly he felt that she was just making her presence felt but actually her mind was somewhere else. Jay tried to recall if had done something wrong but when he couldn't find anything like that, he placed his hands on her shoulder with great concern.
Jay: "Bani kya hua? You look upset. Uncle-aunty se koi argument?"
Bani: "no nothing."
Jay: "Bani I won't force you to tell but at least cheer for me. I want to see that smile on your face."
Bani: "Jay I………"
Jay: "you want to tell?"
She kept silent for a minute.
Jay: "Bani ab bol bhi do. Main jaanta hoon tum sab se sab baat share nahin kar sakti. But you can share it with me and I know you want to."
Bani: "aaj class mein ek misunderstanding ho gayee. I was upset actually I am still upset for not getting the highest marks in my favourite subject and in disappointment kuch gadbad ho gayi. Maine kuch keh diya kisise aur usne kuch alag matlab nikala aur phir meri jo friend hai jise highest mila hai usey bata diya. And there started the confusion. Woh gussa ho gayi aur mujhe aakar kya kuch nahin kaha……" she was already in tears. 'oh these sentimental girls' Jay thought. He wiped off her tears and stood closer. Bani continued but her words were incoherent. Jay hugged Bani to comfort her as she continued to cry. Then she stopped after sometime but her head still rested on his shoulder. Jay suggested her to go for an ice-cream treat with him. After she made herself look okay in front of her parents, both Jay and Bani went out to have some ice-cream. Bani finished 3 ice-creams of different varieties while Jay struggled with his single one. At the end of the day Jay was able to bring that ever beautiful smile on her face.
When Jay returned home, he lied down on his bed but thoughts that rushed into his minds interfered with his sleep. He imagined how he would have felt if Bani wouldn't have spoken that day. Then his thoughts shifted to Bani, whose this 'sentimental' side was unknown to him. But why did she share her sentiments with him? Is he that close to her or she thinks him to be so. What if Bani likes him? Again the same thought. He didn't know how to confirm. She must not grow feelings for him, why he didn't know either. Oh she was so sentimental. He would be unable to console or control her if he rejects her feelings. But did she really feel something like that for him? Oh god, what to do. But he was sure of one thing and which was that he couldn't bear her feeling low, staying sad. Whoever she was he liked her and didn't want to lose her from his life at any cost. Bani Bani Bani…… her thoughts refused to leave.
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Part28
Few weeks later
Jay was as usual troubled with his thoughts. At times he felt of neglecting but he couldn't risk his feelings and Bani's sentiments as well as their relation at the cost of his doubt. But less did he know that he was growing protective and possesive about her. He monitored his actions, judged Bani's actions with the eye of a matured and responsible person who understood it all but never could see the actual cause beneath it. One fine day when Jay returned from office, he was in a playful mood. He found Bani and Dadi chatting in his mother's room. He overheard their discussion which was about the story, songs, scenes, etc. etc. of a newly released film. He entered the room and saw dvds of around 10-20 movies scattered on the bed and table.
Jay: "yeh sab kya hai? aap sab yahan baith kar itni saari movie dekh rahein hain?"
Dadi: "arey Jay puttar teri ma toh gayi thi world tour par. Ab jab lauti hai toh hum dono samdhan baith kar jara waqt kaat rahein the."
Jay: "agar aap do samdhan waqt kaat rahein the to ye miss Bani yahan kar rahi hai?"
Bani sprang up and stood in front of Jay.
Bani(in Big B style): "aaj mere paas Dadi hai, Krishna aunty hai, poori Walia family hai, poori Bali family hai, mere dost hain aur yeh Walia Mansion aur dvds hain, tumhare paas kya hai?"
Jay was too surprised to answer. At that moment Jay's mother started calling incessantly 'Munna' from downstairs. An idea struck Jay and he turned to face Bani again.
Jay(in Shashi Kapoor style): "mere pass nickname hai 'Munna'. You don't have one." A victorious smile adorned Jay's face. As he left Bani relentlessly paced the floor to give him a reply. She would never let him win. She met Krishna while going downstairs and then she stopped her.
Bani: "aunty ek pyaara sa nickname suggest kijiye."
Krishna: "kiske liye?"
Bani: "ek ladki ke liye."
Krishna: "kaun ladki?"
Bani: "ek sweet si, pyaari si, pretty si, bholi bhali ladki ke liye."
Krishna: "hmmmmmm…. Ok Munni."
Bani: "Munni. Yes Munni. Ab se aap mujhe Munni bulayengi, aap sab bulayenge."
As Bani happily went to give Jay the news, something struck her mind. Munni, that meant Jay - Munna and Bani – Munni? Oh what did she do? Now how could she go and ask for another name. aunty loved his son so much that the first name which struck her mind was Munni? No she decided that she won't say that to Jay but Jay already got the news.
Jay(stopping her on her track): "hi Munni. Ab tumne mera naam bhi le liya. Koi baat nahin. From today onwards we will call you Munni."
Bani: "no you won't call me Munni."
Jay: "kyun maine suna hai ke tumne kaha hai ki tumhe sab koi Munni bulayega."
Bani: "no no forget about that. main sabko mana kar doongi. I don't need any nickname. And please you don't call me Munni?"
Jay: "ok. Chunni?"
Bani(shouted): "no chunni no Munni. Call me Bani."
Jay(smilingly): "but why?"
Bani(still in anger): "because because I like…."
Jay: "I like…. What?"
Bani(in an inaudible voice): "I like the way you call me Bani. I love hearing that."
Jay couldn't listen to the words and asked her once more but who would play that game? Bani ran away before Jay could stop her. After she left Jay wondered what made her so shy? Was she in love with him? Oh no not again.
As things continued like that Bani's 3rd semester exams were over and then came her birthday. Keeping it a close family affair, Bani's birthday was celebrated. Saahil teased her for not being a teenager any more as she turned 20. He continued to irritate her by saying that she had grown old. For sometime Bani let him say whatever he was saying but then she also started to bug him regarding Rano. As their banter continued Nishikant stopped her to give her birthday gift. He handed over a key to her. She immediately realized that it was a car key. Everyone went outside to see the car. There at the lawns stood a swanky car. Everybody congratulated her for getting such a beautiful gift.
Few days later Jay got a phone call in his office. On hearing some unpleasant news he rushed out of his office. He reached a hospital. After some search he found Saahil standing outside a ward.
Jay: "how is she?"
Saahil(sighed): "now she is fine. I got scared. So I called you. maine socha aapko batana hi theek hoga."
Jay: "can I meet her now?"
Saahil: "yes doctor ne allow kar diya hai. main aapke liye wait kar raha tha. Ek kaam kijiye aap usey dekhkar aaiye tab tak main ek phone kar ke aata hoon."
Jay entered a ward and saw Bani resting on the bed. There were scratches here and there on her hands and a band-aid at the top-left corner of her forehead. She smiled on seeing Jay.
Jay: "Bani ye tumne kya kiya? Achchi khaasi cheez ko damage kar diya? Agar yeh accident serious hota toh kuch bhi nahi rehta."
Bani: "pata nahin kaise I couldn't put the brakes and the car hit the tree beside the main entrance of the college. Tum theek keh rahe ho agar accident serious hota toh mera kya hota. By the way car ki halat kya hui hai?"
Jay(smilingly): "Bani main tumhare car ki hi baat kar raha tha, tumhari nahin."
Bani couldn't get anything to hit him so she took out her bracelet and threw it at Jay.
Jay: "Bani tum mera diya hua gift kyun lauta rahi ho?"
Bani: "isi ki wajah se accident hua hai isliye."
Jay: "woh kaise?"
Bani: "tumne isey achche mann se nahin diya tha isiliye isey pehen kar maine pehli baar jab gaadi chalaya toh accident ho gaya."
Jay: "Bani tell me one thing, tumhare paas hamesha answer ready hota hai kya?" he safely kept the bracelet in his pocket and helped Bani to get down of the bed, who was laughing at her one more victory over Jay.
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Part29
Tarun and Sonali were getting married. Out of all the invitees, Jay and Bani were the special ones as Jay was the only good friend whom Tarun knew in India and Sonali was way too fond of Bani. Although Bani missed some of the premieres of Sonali's movies, Sonali never failed to invite her. Bani knew Tarun also very well and he used to treat her as his little sister. It was decided that the ladies will be with Sonali since morning and the men would arrive with the baraat at the evening.
After the baraat arrived, a commotion was created as everybody got busy in greeting each other and asking each other's well being. Jay somehow managed to come out of the crowd. He was looking for someone. May be his mother who was helping Sonali's mother since morning. No he was looking for Bani, he needed to ask her if she was fine all day. Yes he assured himself that it was the reason although it was not. When Bani came out of one of the rooms, Jay just stared at her. Bani saw him and waved her hands in front of Jay's eyes but he didn't respond. Finally she shook him that brought him back to this world.
Bani: "Jay yun aankhen phaad phaad ke kya dekh rahe the?"
Jay: "tumhe"
Bani: "what? Mujhe?"
Jay: "you look stunning."
Bani: "Jay tum mujh pe line toh nahi maar rahe?"
Jay: "what Bani? Main toh bus tumhe compliment de raha tha."
Bani: "mujhe pata hai. Lekin maine baat isliye clear ki ke kahin mera compliment sun ke tum aisa na socho."
Jay: "and what's your compliment?"
Bani: "keh doon?"
Jay: "say na"
Bani: "what's up Jay? The great Jay Walia is interested in getting compliments?"
Jay: "Bani tum kahogi ya nahi?"
Bani: "agar nahin kaha toh kya karoge?"
Jay: "you want to see?"
Bani(acting as frightened): "I am afraid!!! Yet I want to see."
Jay: "I can ruin your make-up."
Bani: "and how will you do that?"
Jay(whispering): "I know many ways. It depends on you, which one will affect you the most."
Bani: "ok ok I am telling. Actually………..Tarun is looking like a rajabhoj and you look like a ganguteli."
Jay waited for a few seconds to register what she said and finally when he realized, he was shocked. What a return for a good compliment? Jay disappointedly turned away from her when a voice in his ears brought a wide smile on his face. The voice was Bani's.
Bani: "you look like prince charming." She vanished within the crowd after saying that.
While the rituals were going on with only Tarun at the mandap then, he called Jay and requested him to take care of his shoes. Jay took Tarun's shoes and met Bani upstairs. Bani was holding a plate full of jalebis!!!! She offered Jay one, but his hands were preoccupied with Tarun's shoes. So he refused the offer showing Bani the shoes. Bani took one jalebi in her hand and placed it near Jay's mouth. Jay smiled at her willingness to make him eat the jalebi. But as soon as he bent forward to take a bite, Bani pulled it back. He again tried and the same thing happened. He wondered, when in life Bani would act seriously with him. But even he was determined to win this time. He moved towards Bani who then drew backwards. Finally she stood at the edge of the staircase and there was no way to escape. Jay finally managed to grab the piece in his mouth. He managed to flash a winning smile while he still tried to put the jalebi completely in his mouth. But who could defeat Bani? She immediately took 2 jalebis and forcefully inserted them in his mouth. As he stood perplexed, Bani went away. Bani returned back after a minute when Jay was breathing heavily after completely eating those jalebis. Bani offered him a glass of water but again his hands were still occupied. Jay looked away from her but Bani didn't care for that. She took his face in one of her hands and made him drink the water. While drinking the water both of them stared and only stared at each other.
Jay: "Bani what was that? pehle to tum mujhe problem mein daalti ho aur phir usse bahar bhi nikaalti ho."
Bani: "arey tumhe ye joote haath mein pakde huye dekhkar mujhse raha nahi gaya. Waise yeh joote tum lekar ghoom kyun rahe ho."
Jay: "isiliye to aaya tha tumhare paas. Ye joote lo aur inhe sambhal ke rakhna. Kahin ladkiwalon ne dekh liya to woh in jooton ke badle Tarun se paise lengi."
Bani: "don't worry. Mere paas yeh bilkul safe rahenge."
After Bani took the shoes from his hands, a mischievious smile played on her lips. Jay knew it meant something but what?
Bani: "Jay what do you think? Main ladkon walon ki taraf se hoon ya ladkiwalon ke taraf se. mujhe to Sonali ke saath rehna hai. by the way thanks for the shoes. Main inhe bahut sambhal ke rakhoongi."
Jay realized that he had committed great mistake by giving the shoes to Bani. Definitely she was among the Sister in law group. Oh god Tarun would kill him if he knows what Jay did. Jay pleaded to Bani but who would listen? He decided to look for the shoes sometime later. At one point of time Jay went to the room, in front of which all of that happened. He was sure that Bani had kept the shoes there only because there was no other such place nearby. He entered the room and looked below the bed, in between the items kept here and there. Someone came from behind and covered his eyes. He struggled to get released but the hand didn't make the slightest move. Then suddenly, the hands uncovered his eyes and as Jay had doubted it was Bani.
Bani: "caught you red handed."
Jay: "what red handed?"
Bani: "tum yahaan joote dhoondne aaye ho na?"
Jay: "what are you saying? Main toh main toh….."
Bani: "I am waiting Jay. Complete the sentence."
Jay: "main toh……" suddenly his eyes went to the top of the almirah where the shoes were kept. Bani followed his eyes but before she could do anything, Jay jumped to get the shoes. As Jay tip-toed to get the shoes down, Bani tried to pull him back. Unable to find any other way Bani started tickling Jay here and there. That was one thing which made Jay weak. He tried to stop Bani but she didn't until he was far from the almirah. Jay took some deep breaths while Bani got tired of laughing at him and rested her hands on his shoulders. After she finished laughing, Bani tried to move out but something held her back. One of her bangles got stuck to Jay's dress. When she was engrossed with taking out the thread from her bangle safely so that it doesn't ruin Jay's dress, Jay stared at her. She could feel it and hesitantly looked at him for once. She saw his eyes set on her. They were expressionless yet she could read something behind that. Hurriedly she went out of the room and showed her tongue to Jay to mark his defeat.
When the marriage ceremony began, Jay joined Bani outside the mandap. Both were enjoying the marriage. Smiles lit up their faces.
Jay: "they look good together. Isn't it?"
Bani: "yes they do."
Jay: "I wish Roshni hoti yahaan par. Toh uski galat fehmi door hoti ke mere aur Sonali ke beech mein kuch hai. ye dono toh ek doosre ko kayee saalon se jaante the but kuch bhi well defined nahin tha usme. Who to jab Tarun India aaya, uske baad sab theek theek hua inke beech. If I would have known then Roshni……"
Bani(sadly): "you miss Roshni na?"
Jay: "no nothing like that but she left me for wrong reasons. Otherwise we would have got married by now."
Bani(looking away from him): "then why don't you call her back? Now she knows that Sonali is getting married. Her road is clear. What are you waiting for?" she left for washroom without letting him answer. Jay could sense that something hurt her so he followed her and waited at a distance outside the washroom. Bani came out wiping off her tears when Jay caught her hand.
Jay: "what happened Bani? Were you crying?"
Bani: "no"
Jay: "Bani tell me."
Bani: "Jay please! Let's go. We can't miss the moments that YOUR Roshni is missing."
Jay(to himself): "so it's with Roshni. But what? This girl won't tell me I know."
After the marriage ceremony was over, Tarun called Jay to give his shoes. Before Jay could make some excuse, a gang surrounded Tarun and demanded money on behalf of his shoes which they had. Tarun looked at Jay as if saying 'what did I tell you to do?" Jay raised his hands indicating that he couldn't help it. But he looked for Bani who was not in the gang. He went to the garden where Bani stood alone looking at the stars.
Jay: "maine Roshni ko…….."
Bani turned back and looked at him. He continued.
Jay: "maine Roshni ko nahi bulane ka decision liya hai. Is that ok with you?"
Bani: "why ask me?"
Jay: "because someone says that you are not happy with the prospect of Roshni coming back."
Bani: "who says that?"
Jay: "your face. Believe me I am not going to call her. Tumhare chehre ki Roshnike liye hazaar Roshni kurbaan."
Bani blushed and then smiled and finally gave Jay a warm hug.
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Veer Hanuman
Kumkum Bhagya
