Part IV
Karva Chauth
He had instructed the hotel before he left…they never had a 'suhag raat' in true sense..he had thrown her out of his room then….mad with anger…for Pia having ditched him at the alter. He now wants to make amends…
He wants to celebrate the 'karva chauth' with her…he does not want any sort of unhappiness in the atmosphere today…he has asked Tarun to take necessary actions to refute Ranveer's claim and asked him to make papers that from today for all his properties he & bani will be co-owners…he or she cannot sale anything without each / others consent…and masi being one of the witness to the proceedings…he must thank raashi when he returns…the poor girl could not take anymore of Bani's suffering and blurted everthing to masi the day before…then masi got hold of tarun to take care…tarun finally got hold of him yesterday afternoon, after he had switched on his mobile on completion of the meeting with owners of the hotel he wishes to take on lease…..if must have been masi who convinced Bani to come to him…
Bani: Mr Walia …humlok kaha ja rahe hai….
Jai: Tumhare liye kuch kharidne..
Bani: Lekin mai to sare chije lai hoon jo jarorat hai karwa chauth ke liye aur mai apke saath kuch baathe karna chahati hu…
Jai: Ha Bani, baate bhi karange..lekin aaj mai tumhare liye woh sab kharidna chahati hu jo pahenke tum aaj karva chauth ka brath torogi..mai tumhe apne dhang se sajana chahata hu….
Bani is elated..she goes with him from shop to shop…sometimes protests seeing the price tag but he does not listen …his way…he reminds her…she gives up and shops along…she buys for him…she wants him to wear today….it is well into the evening when they return to the hotel…thank god Pia was not around…he had made appointment with the hotel spa for Bani and he drops her there to freshup and get dressed…2&1/2 hours he was told by the time they make her ready….anything…today he will wait for her the whole night if need be…it will be their night…
On learning about Bani's arrival he changed his room to a suite. He goes up …into the spare bedroom…the luggages are kept there…he opens Bani suitcase and takes out the Karva chauth packet as instructed by her… puts everything in the thali….then goes into the bathroom to take a bath and wear what Bani has brought for him…2& hours too long…oh god..his cell phone is ringing…pia calling…disconnets it and switches the mobile off…thank god…the spa girls had handed over him bani's mobile…no disturbance they had said…he takes it out and switches it off too…instruct the reception not to disturb him and no one except for his wife who is at the spa at the moment to be allowed up without his permission…since the suit entails an exclusive lift…things will be taken care off he is sure…..
After about three hours of waiting, Jai is informed that his wife is coming up to meet him…he goes to stand in front of the lift door to receive her…
The door opens…she dazzles him…he had choosen red lehenga with zardosi work…he wanted her to look like a bride today…he wants to start all over again…the 'suhag raat' they never had….with antique gold kundan jewellary with rubies & diamonds…the choli is not a choli but a bustier tied by doris and no shoulders & sleeves..her neck is filled by heavy neckless and her hand by red glass bangles with matching kundan bangles…her head covered half by pallu with a maang having a tear drop ruby….she gives her hand…he takes it…he is wearing a cream and gold sherwani…looking handsome to make a girl's heart stop beating…he pulls her towards him and into the suit…he gives her the thaali which he had kept on the table next to the door…
In hand in hand they walk towards the main bedroom of the suit….Jai opens the door ajar for bani to go in first…Bani is dazed by the beauty of the room which is lit by all sizes of shapes of candles and decorated by orchid…she could see huge french windows overlooking the sea…being on the 20th floor, she felt as if she was standing in the air…the mild perfume of the flowers were already tickling her senses…she looks towards the four poster bed which is covered by red rose petals…is she dreaming she wonders…she goes and stands in front of the windows and looks up….Jai who was waiting to see Bani's reaction….goes and puts his hand over her shoulders from behind…Bani quietly takes the sieve from the thali and look towards the moon then turns it towards Jai,,,through the sieve they keep on staring and each others as if the time has stopped for them..suddenly Bani regains her composer and hands over the sindoor to Jai who takes a pinch and puts in her maang, then he takes the mangalsutra from the thali and puts in around her neck, takes the water tumbler to her lips for her to take a sip… mujhe nehi pilaogi Bani…mai bhi to aaj brath rakha…Bani is overwhelmed ..with tears in her eyes she takes the tumbler to Jai's lips…after which Jai takes the thali and puts in down on the centre table and kisses Bani's forehead…Mr Walia…I am sorry…kis baath ke liye Bani…mai apka bachcha kho diya…bani says in a tearful voice…he keeps a finger on her lips….nehi Bani…aaj hum dukh ki baath nehi karenge..pechche mur kar nehi dekhenge..sirf aage ki sochenge..hum ek dosre me kho jayenge….Bani swallows hard …and gives Jai a smile through her tearful eyes…Mr Walia mai aapko kuch dena chahati hu aaj….kya Bani…Bani bends down to pickup a small jewelry box from the thali….she takes out a gold chain with the names 'Jai & Bani' entwined to make small pendent…Jai was not a jewelry man…but he likes the chain….very cleverly designed and not too flashy…he smiles…thank god Bani, tumne Jai likha…Mr Walia nehi…Bani laughs…and puts chain round his neck….Jai makes bani sit on the sofa…kneels down on his knees he takes out a small box from his pocket..…kuch surprises mere paas bhi hai Bani….aur surprises Mr Walia….he takes out a solitaire ..1.5 carat mounted on a flat gold band with their names engraved inside the band…he puts in on her ring finger..perfect fit…yeh aap kab liye..mere samne to nehi…yeh to maine Dubai atehi liya…Bani mai chahata hu ki tum hamesha yeh ring pehne raho..raat ki andhere mai bhi iski chamak tumko mujhe yaad dilayga…mai apko kabhi bhulti nehi…pata nehi Bani (in a teasing tone) ghar me tum sabke bich itna kho jate ho to mujhe lagta ki mera patta kat gaya…Bani punches him..and promises to wear it always.. Jai pulls the food cart…some snacks are kept with variety of sweets and fruits…they feed each other….in between Jai starts kissing Bani…and taking out her jewelry….khulna hi tha to mujhe pahena hi kyo..Bani teases him…he looks into her eyes…mera kaam to hai hi kholna, Bani…bani blushes and looks down…he is amazed…after so many months of marriage Bani still blushes…he tugs the doris open….lifts Bani up in his arms and lays her on the bed….Bani is surprised to see him taking protection…he never did it in the past …though their consummation was not planned but he never took protection even after that night…it was understood he wants to become father at the earliest…kya baath hai Mr Walia…Bani whispers…Doctor ne bola ek/do mahina aur rukhne ko..tum tab tak puri tarha thik ho jaogi….Bani is too moved to speak…she hugged Jai with all her might…could she ever think that his man once a upon time made her life a living hell?
Jai wakes up with as first rays on the sun filters into the room…carefully he moves out of Bani's arms…she is still sleeping deeply….he pushes her hair back…god she will be mad at him…her lips are swollen and her neck and shoulders are covered with bite marks…he gets up..pulls the curtains…goes back into the bed and starts tickling bani awake…
It is about 7.30 hrs when Jai gets up…Bani looks exhausted and is sleeping on her stomach…he picks up the clothes lying on the floor puts them on the sofa…picks up Bani's Jewelry and puts it on the centre table….puts on the bathing robe provided by the hotel…fishes out his mobile and goes into the sitting room…switches on….some sms from pia deletes them without even reading them…calls up Mr Mathur who has accompanied him on this tour .discusses him about the next course of action …calls up his financier to find out if everything this ready as per his requirement ….next half an hour Jai makes tea for himself, goes through his mail & newspaper, orders for breakfast to be brought up at 10.00 O'clock. Goes to the bathroom, runs the bath…..puts bathing salts and aromatic oil in it….wakes up Bani…Bani is grumpy & wants to sleep some more…pulls her to the bathroom and pushes her into the bath and gets into it.
After about 45 minutes Bani & Jai come out of the bathroom giggling like children wearing identical bathrobes provided by the hotel…Bani takes out clothes for Jai and while he is changing, she herself goes to the next bedroom to change.
The bell rings…breakfast thinks Jai …goes & opens the door, breakfast all right alongwith Pia too…the steward gives an apologetic smile…Jai nods his head to say its alright…he knows Pia very well and he has managed to keep her at bay all this time was a big achievement…Pia goes straight into the main bedroom looking for Bani…she sees the bed…the sofa – dresses lying on it….the centre table with Bani's jewelry scattered …the candles, flower & flower petals…
What is all this about Mr Walia...Pia says in a hissing tone…are you trying to bribe Di…make amends…for what happened the other night…Jai's temper rises but before he could say anything…Bani appears, dressed in lilac churidar with lucknowi chikon work and diamond earings …aare Pia comes and hugs Pia…tum kab ayi…Pia hugs her back…Di…yeh kya baat hai…kal se mai aapko phone karne koushish kar rahi hu…aap hai ki mobile switch off karke rakti hai…
Woh mujhe Mr Walia ke saath bahut sare baathe karne thi…aur dekho na Mr Walia ne mujhe kitna achcha surprise diya….
Bani mujhe bahut bhuk laga hai…tum kya khana parose ge...Jai calls out….aao Pia breakfast kar lete…Bani invites her…Pushkar kaha hai..
Di mujhe …apse shikayat hai..apne kyon Pushkar to laye…mujhe uske saath nehi rehna hai…aakar mere kamre me ghus giya…
Bani serves Jai and looks into his eyes…could feel his discomfort…Dekho Pia…tumhe usse baate karna chahiye….Pushkar ek samajdar ladka hai…aur tumne pyar karke shaadi ki…
Ha di, lekin woh Mr Walia jaise to bilkul nehi hai…aur Mr Walia…ke saath…aare di..kitna bara solitaire…kisne diya…
Bani embarrassed… gives a glance at Jai…aur kaun de sakta mujhe Pia..(changes the topic) chalo shopping karte…Mr Walia ka thoda kaam hai subah …unke saath me shaam ko niklongi..sight seeing karne…chalo..tum aur me ghar ke sabhi ke liye presents kharidte…Kya mai Pia to ley ja sakti hu Mr Walia…after all woh apka employee hai…permission to lenahi parega….she flirts…
Ek minute Bani…Jai goes inside the bed room, woh Mr Walia …mera mangal sutra jara le aiye na…bistaar pe kahi para hoga…Bani calls out…
Jai comes out with the mangal sutra…puts it over Bani's head…opens his purse…takes out his dollar cards…gives them to her..some cash…then pats her head….'happy shopping'….3 baje tak chale ana….leads her towards the lift….
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Vasudha
