Chapter 2
Adi and Tarun drops Jai as they had to go for another meeting.
Jai,s office is on the top floor of the building. He has the whole floor for himself with conference room an entertainment area for small gatherings. Only the security and his secetary are the people other than him on that floor Its more like a penthouse. The private elevator from the car park opens directly onto the top floor. He generally avoids the lobby but today with so many things going on in his head he stepped on to the lobby. The ground level staffs were quite surprised as they started wishing him he looked as though he was lost. But quickly turns towards the elevator and punches the code for his floor.
Once in his office. He pages for his sectary. A Lady in her 40's Mrs. Brianna comes in with his usual cup of coffee and the appointments of the day.
Jai: Thank you Mrs. Brianna. Please cancel all by appointments for the day.
Mrs. Brianna: But Mr. Walia Mr. Kapoor (tarun's father) has been anxiously waiting for you as he has something really important to discuss with you.
Jai: Send him in.
Mr. Kapoor comes in
Kapoor: Hello Jai beta how are you?
Jai: I still have my temper in control and I haven't fired the legal team so that should be an achievement considering my track record.
Kapoor: Don't be hard on yourself son? Things will work out for the better. Your father would have been proud of you.
Jai: Yes we know how much he loved his family that's why he spent so much of time with us.
Kapoor: Now boy don't get sarcastic with me. Your father was a wonderful man.
Jai: Of course after all he was your best friend. Just tell me one thing what was our fault that he never wanted to be with us.
Kapoor: May be you never tried to understand him. The more I see of you it reminds me of him.
Jai: Hope not I don't want to be bitter like him and to be hated by my own blood. Forget all that. I believe he has left to mention something's to us regarding his business dealings also.
Kapoor: No, in fact when you first took over I did mention it to you. But you hadn't thought about it seriously as the girls were in school and you were their guardian as per the will.
Jai: Wait. What are you saying?
Kapoor: Yes. After your dad's death, you have inherited the guardian ship and also their business shares till they are at the age of 21 when they have their rights to be part of the board..
Jai: Hold on now how can they be board members they are not even Walia's.
Kapoor: Sorry to disappoint you but Nishikanth and your father were a sort of business partners then.
Jai: But I wasn't aware he had any partners. Also I have worked with my father. But never heard him mention about any Dixit's.
Kapoor: That is a long story.
Jai: I am all ears and I have got the whole day. I am getting to know more about my own father form somebody else isn't it strange.
Kapoor: I don't know Jai sometimes you have mean streak in you and you are not at all forgiving. Forget that about the dixits now
Nishikanth Dixit and Uday Walia were friends. The Dixits and the Walia's were doing business jointly in many ventures. They had an event management company and a line of restaurant which mainly ran in the Walia group of hotels. After the death of his wife to cancer Nishikanth dixit's interest in the business is lost and resorts to drinking with in no time he makes some wrong decisions which brought the company to a stage of bankruptcy .Then your father decided to take over the company and help the Dixit's buy taking over 50%of the company stake. Nishikanth was proud man to take money freely that is how your father came into possession of the 50%.But very soon Nishikanth Dixit passed away before he could see the company make any progress. Hence his three girls be came orphaned and your father took the Guardian ship of the three girls and sets up trust fund for their education and when the girls become the age of 21 they will inherit the 50 percent of the shares of which Bani has 30% and the rest is 20% is for Pia and Rano.The arrangements were made in my own presence about ten years back. None of you all were aware of the legal decisions about the company merger. At the time of Nishikant's death Bani the eldest was only 11, Pia 9 and Rano 7. The girls were sent to a boarding school. Your father did visit them occasionally and even took them for a vacation.
Jai: That statement caught Jai off guard. .What? My father took the girls for vacations. Are we talking about the same man here.
Kapoor: Now Jai why is it so hard to believe that your father was also a human being with normal feelings. Perhaps you should read this.
Jai: Now what is this?
Kapoor: Your father's dairy.
Jai: The old man kept a dairy. What did he have to write other than his business meetings and achievements and the never ending parties and women in his life?
Kapoor: Aren't we a little hypocritical here? Look at yourself before you point finger at him. Tell me when was the last time you made your father feel like that you needed his support or he could come to you for that matter of fact. So you both are even my son. Don't waste your life in bitterness it's not worth it your father was too late to understand that. So if you get time read the diary may be you could make peace with yourself.
Jai felt like a thunder had struck and in the lightning it had burnt everything in its way. And kept on looking at the diary.
Mr.Kapoor: Bye my son. sorry If iwas harsh on you but I don't regret what I said.
Jai called for his driver to bring his car out and told him to go home as he wants to drive the car himself.
The driver looked shocked and just kept staring at him. Jai never drove the car.
Jai What are you looking at me for? Just give the keys and I will inform you when I require your service till then stay at home
Chapter3: The diary of Uday Walia.
Today I went to see Nishikanth my friend from childhood to finalize about the buissness and the welfare of the girls. He was really loosing it. Sometimes I felt he is insane, but I guess that is what happens when you have lost something that was your reason for living. I use to envy him for his happy married life and his lovely children. But I guess all good things do have an end. Just to remind that nothing remains the same always and life is full of ups and downs. His wife died because of blood cancer and he send the girls to convent school as there was no one to take care of the girls. Well they had been attending that school for over a year from the time his wife Mathura was sick. I had seen his little girls and wondered if I could ever find that kind of bond between my children. It was such a joy to watch them play. I even remember the drawing my bani made the day I had come for one of her birthday as a thank you gift. I tell you one day she is going to be a hell of an artist. Bani knew how fill the emptiness in my life she had such a lovely smile which always made you think only about the bright things in life. While Pia made you think about trying to catch up with the stars and of course Rano inspite of being withdrawn and she could come up with a smart reply. I was zapped with the way she read the poetry of Blake's and Byron at such a young age. With them I never knew how time went by. As I said all good things have their end.
Someone came and knocked on Jai's car window and said. Sorry sir there has been a land slide hence you will have to go back. Jai put the dairy aside and drove back to the cabin.
But his mind was wandering to the details of the diary He kept thinking to himself It seems my father had another set of children and he had a good time with them while he turned his back to us,. He was getting frustrated about everything in his life.
He parked the car on the drive way of the cabin. While on the way he had thankfully stopped by and got some ready meals. He just had soup and breadsticks and went back to the diary. Turned a few pages.
My little girls lost their father too today and as I promised to Nishikanth I have taken the guardianship of the girls. I felt the life was really unfair to them to become orphan at such a young age. They somehow lost their smile. But still they seem to hold on though it seemed to be bleak as they never had any where to go when the school closed for vacations. And I could never take the girl's home as my present wife Barnali would never appreciate it. So I just visited them every month and the girls wrote to me regularly though I hardly replied to them. I loved their letters and treasured them. It is kept in my study in a chestnut box inlaid with carvings in my study. I would read them before I go to sleep.
Jai was feeling jealous that his father loved these girls so much when he had a family for himself how could he do this to us. He just shut the book and went to have some fresh air with a drink in his hand. But something compelled him to read the diary. He turned a few more pages.
Today is my "little ange"l Bani's birthday. I have a surprise for the girls we are going to Shimla for a weekend trip and a visit to the painting exhibition for upcoming artist. Actually that is my birthday gift for Bani. I liked one of her paintings and presented it at the exhibition today I got the note saying that it has won the first place and she is to be awarded on Sunday. I felt so proud when she went up to take the Prize I took a photo with her. The painting at the backdrop and the award in her hand. I still have that along with the letters. I can look at that photo and remember of some o f my lovely moments with my first wife. My son Jai's birth Jigyasa's first day at school, Jai's first play at school. That seemed to be a part of another life to me now Was it the painting or was the photo that did the trick I could never figure out. About the trip to Shimla it was cold and Bani would make lovely hot chocolate for the girls while I had to drink the soup but still I can never forget the way she would say uncle after I finish school I am taking you to my house and feed you everyday with soups so you live to ninety. Among the girls Bani was the mother hen she found goodness in everyone and had hopes that all things God does is a way to understand him better. The day we parted Bani gifted me the painting saying that hope it brings a smile on my face. I felt she understood me better than anyone it was like the daughter I never had. I hung the painting in my private study so that no one could see it. I was afraid that like every happy things that comes in my way this to would be lost. So I had it almost hidden it from every one.
Jai felt his eyes becoming moist and said to himself why dad you found happiness in the girls rather than in your own children where did we go wrong why you never tried to reach to us. You built such a big wall around yourself you are to be blamed for that not us he looked up and said I am sure you are happy now that you made me feel miserable and that I was not there for you when you needed me . I don't think I want to read that diary of yours anymore but I would like to meet the girls especially Bani whom you refer to as the light of your life or should I say your little angel. But don't even think for a moment that I am going to hand over the shares in a platter for her. I have worked very hard to make what Walia industries are today.
His phone is ringing. But Jai is in his own world
Chapter 4
His phone was ringing. It was Adi
Jai: Yes Adi what is it?
Adi: Where the hell are you we have been tying to reach you and it is like as though you just disappeared from this world.
Jai: Now Adi relax. I never knew that people missed me so much.
Adi: Cut the crap out. And stop being cynical. We were supposed to meet to night. Also you took off with the car and told your driver to go home what is happening? Jai you are loosing it man.
Jai: Stop it Adi. Listen there has been a landslide that is why I can't make it and the charge of my mobile is low so try to get in touch either and once the roads are clear I will be in Bombay. When I am back I want to see Bani. Good night and just cuts the phone
Adi: just stared at the phone;
Massi: where is Jai When will he come?
Adi: He is out of Bombay. He should be back in two days time some things has come up.
Massi: you and your business when you will learn that there is more to life than that.
Adi: are you telling about us or about Jai.
Massi: What use nobody listens to this old lady anymore.
Adi and tarun: Now Massi don't become so emotional tell us what you want and we will help you.
Massi: Really. I want my Jai to get married with in this year.
Adi and tarun: Just looked at her shocked but thought what harm in a little indulgence.
Massi: What happened you both? You all only said anything and that is what I want so what say boys shall we start Operation Jai's marriage.
Adi and tarun Some what in a fix and shaken say yes………Massi.
Barnali hears this and is upset Everyone is worried about Jai. It is what Jai has to do or what Jai wants. God is there no end to this. Goes Calling out Nachiketh.
Now Sahil, Anu, Pushkar and Nachiketh were playing cards and sneaking up and having drinks out in the balcony hearing barnalis voice they all get up to their room and to do their jobs saying that nobody in this house allows us to enjoy.
Barnali: What are you doing beta
Nachiketh: Nothing much do you want something?
Barnali: Yes be responsible on life.
Nachiketh: Not again ma. You know I have no interest in buisnees and Bahi does a good job of it I never want to compete with him.
Baranali: Why are you afraid of him or scared that you will fail?
Nachiketh: Let me ask you something why does he brother you so much Is it because it reminds you about dad.
Barnali: It is not that what is wrong in expecting my son to be responsible. like any other person for once in his life instead of trying new daring tricks and risking his life for trivial things
Nachiketh: I could say the same thing. Why can't you understand your own son. I am sure if dad was there he would understand.
Barnali: That did it. The mention of his father and barnali started shouting at him saying why is it that you care for the dead more than the person alive he was never there I was always there for you but I never measured up to him or to your bhai isn't it.
Nachiketh: Its not that mum and you know it Why bring this on to yourself always
Every one hearing the raised voice came to their room.
Massi: Barnali what is happening here?
Barnali: Forget it in this house nobody is worried about any one cut the act out massi and you only cared for your Jai.
Nachiketh: Stop it mum. And sorry massi for all this. All retire to their rooms
But once Barnali is back in her room they group again on the balcony.
Nachiketh drinking says why everyone is after my life. Sahil and Anu comes out and says out and says same goes for us too I think it runs in the family.
Nachiketh: hope not. I don't want to be like that for sure. By the way why is it only when Bhai is not around can we get to the bar then my mum and Didi are after us to make life miserable.
Sahil: At Least you have your escapes. What about us we are tied down here. Then somebody comes from behind the bushes
Pushkar good night guys and hope you all have fun till Jai bhai is back. I heard he is already in town.
Together: Don't say it we know.
Pushkar: Sahil and Anu see you in college. What are your plans for tomorrow Nachiketh.
Nachiketh: Why Want to come with me for rock climbing.
Pushkar What? No, Get myself scrapped all over my modeling career would come to an end.
Anu: Hey think about it if you are in the hospital may be you could get a sympathy glance or visit from Pia.
Pushkar: Shut up don't rub it in.
Sahil: Did that slap hurt you.
Nachiketh: What Our hero got slapped by a girl Wow that's new. Who didn't fall for the pushkar charm I should meet this girl. Tomorrow I am coming to the college.
Together the tri say wow so done tomorrow at 9 in college to operation Pia
I know its a bit drag but the next part is were Jai goes to meet Bani
Edited by kuttu - 18 years ago