Chapter -8
Dinner at the Walia House
Meanwhile they Jai leave Pia and Rano at the hostel as they wanted to get ready for dinner. Jai said he would send for his car at 7. Jai and Bani then went to see the place where his father was buried and in the same compound there was an old age home. They spent some time there.
The four some are sitting in the lawn ranveer comes and join them.
Hey guys what mischief you are all upto
Sahil We nothting
Ranveer don't give methat innocent look. Pushkar; Today we saw mamaji taking Bani for shopping
Ranveer: Are you out of your mind.
Pushkar Excuse me we all witnessed that.
That very moment they see Jai holding the shopping bags for Bani and coming in. They go in the opposite direction as Jai's wing is there.
Sahil; Now you believe us Bhai.
Ranveer: Thank god Mum din't see it. We could see another drama for dinner.
Nachiketh: Thank God my mum is out of town or she would have brought the house down.
Pushkar: Why is every one so hyper in this house. God it's only a dinner.
Anu: Incase you missed out its is a dinner and I believe two people from bani's side is coming that what I heard Tony saying any guesses who that would be.
Sahil: I never knew matter progressed this far.
Nachiketh: You fools she is an orphan she has got two sisters as far as I know.
All of them together What
Anu: How come she is so fashionable then and studying in Paris and all that. How did she meet mamaji.
Nachiketh: That's what I have been telling you all this seems to be one big puzzle. God knows What is going on in bhai's head. But I swear if he hurts her I can punch him out.
Jai: Coming from behind : Nachi why do you want to punch me.
Nachi: Tell me exactly what is going on with Bani.
Jai: Now suspicious What do you mean by that?
Nachi: God now you want pointers on that to bhai.
Pushkar: From behind its nothing Nachi is seeing her after a long time and she didn't have any time for him.
Jai: What are you saying.
Anu looking up: God help me why do I have to save them always from mamaji. Its nothing Nachi was upset that he didn't get to talk to Bani as she had been busy all day. Actually we all wanted to meet her and was troubling him to meet his friend.
Jai: That's all. you should have told me then.
By then Bani comes She had changed to a Pista green spaghetti strap dress with few layers of frills down. She was not wearing any jewellery and her hair was down.
She says good evening to all of them. She siles at Jai and says I have left the file on you table. And goes and sits next to Nachiketh
Bani: so Chikku tell me what have you been up to? Didd you win the rcar rally. Iam so sorry I could n't come for that as I had to attend Rano's play.
Pushkar: bythe way who is Chikku.
Bani: Nachiketh. He didn't tell you that's what I call him.
Everybody together calls him Chikku…Jai starts to feel really out of place and leaves slowly but he watches them from the upstair common study window.
Nachiketh: Feeling all embarrassed says I hope you have not come here to tease me Or I can say a lot of your stories. He time you saw a spider, When you hurt that ankle and had the team at your service when it was just an ordinary sprain.
Bani: come on now Chikku. I was trying to get back at you for putting me through that grueling exercise. More over you deserved it.
They talk and make fun of another they have a good time and Jai upstairs is feeling really jealous. Why can't I see her enjoying other's company. She is along with her age group and she is so carefree. While with me she seems to be very cautious rarely does she put her guard down Does she see me in my father's place.
Nachi: How did you meet Jai in Paris?
Bani He came to see me.
Nachi: What ? How come, you have met before?
Bani: What is this a drilling session?
(Actually Jai had asked Bani not to disclose her reason for coming to Bombay they had a huge disagreement over it but finally they met half way till her birthday the reason will not come out.)
Nachi: No it seems odd considering your age.
Bani: What are you implying here that I am a child.
Pushkar: Ohoh here we go
Nachi: Shut up Pushkar. Bani it is not that. It is just your different from his normal friends and associates.
Bani: Chikku now for your peace of mind let me tell you though I have not met him in person I have known him for a long time. (It was only half truth she had heard about jai thrugh Uday walia.)
Nachi: Well I never knew that.
Bani: My dearest friend there is a lot more to know about me. By the way today you get to meet my sisters.
Nachi: you have been promising me that for some time.
Bani today they are coming here for dinner. By the way my second sioster attends your college. Her name is Pia Dixit.
At that very moment Pia and Rano enter.
The foursome says Oh no.
Nachi; I knew we were heading for a disastrous evening.
Pia: God help me how did I get invited to have dinner with the jokers of the college.
Bani: Pia what is this where are your manners? Do you know whom you are talking to. Baba would be so displeased.
Pia: Sorry but can't help it? This is pushkar whom I was talking about.
Bani: The one you slapped for trying to make pass at you. Goes near him and says if you want to get close to her come to me I can give pointers.
Pia: Are you my sister or not.
Bani: the way you behaved you deserved it.
Rano she enjoys their company but stays a little aloof.
At the dinner table Jigyasa comes in so now we have dinner with Bhai's so called woman friends. Jai gets mad at this comment.
Jai: Jigyasa you will apologize to Bani now. Before you open your mouth make sure that you find out the truth about the relationship or you can have the dinner in your room.
Jigyasa: How I can never bring home any one for dinner. While you and Barnali enjoys all the privileges.
Jai: Jigyasa you better leave or I will not be responsible for my actions.
Jigs gets up and leaves ranveer excuses himself from the table I will just go and see if she is ok
Jai: thank you ranveer please tell her I would like to see her in the morning. Tony I think we will all have the dessert in the hall. (To lighten the tesion. He looks upto Rano and says your sister told me you play the piano perhaps you could play for us )
Bani mean while seeing all this is really scared. And thinks What have I entered into.
Jai: seeing her expression holds her hand and brings it onto his lap and says its O.k. don't worry. Dadi, massi Nachi and Adi didn't miss the gesture passed between.
Rano plays the piano beautifully. While Jai comes behind Bani and asks are you feeling o.k. and I m sorry about that
Bani its ok.
Nachiketh seeing this is now really thinking I must find out what is really going on there is something more than what the eyes can see. First time I am feeling like if mother was here I could use her help.
Later everyone retires to their rooms the three sisters are in the room. Jai pokes his head through the interconnecting door and says I would like to show you something. The three of them go behind Jai to the private study. He takes out the bunch of letters the girls had written to his father and shows Bani's painting in the corner of the study hidden between the bookshelves. Adi notices light in the study and walks up to Jai's study to see the two girls sitting on the carpeted floor in their pajamas while Bani is wearing her night slip and her wrap around coat, sitting next to Jai and reading out the letter. In the excitement they failed to notice that they both were sitting quite close and bani's head was resting on jai's shoulder while partly one of her leg was almost on to Jai's lap exposing her legs. While Rano Put her head on her didi's lap and bani was massaging her head. Jai's hand was on bani's shoulder and he was holding on to bani's hand to hold the letter properly so that he could say what his father thought while reading the letter. Adi was surprised at scene in front of him. He closed the door quietly to see massi behind him.
Massi: Finally my munna has found someone to overcome his bitterness. I don't know if I should thank God or my brother.
Adi looked surprisingly at Massi.
Massi: do you all take me for a fool. I will not allow anyone to spend the night in my house. Though at first I hadn't recognized her I can never forget the girls that brought joy into by brother's life.
Adi: You knew about them.
Massi: Not exactly but I knew my brother had gone to visit the girls and he received letters from them and he read them daily before going to bed. They were the only good things my brother had towards the end of his life. I hope she can bring happiness into this family.
Both say good night and leave. After a while the girls retired tot their room and kissed Jai Good night. Slowly Bani crept out of her bed and went to the balcony there she saw Jai looking at the stars
Bani: couldn't sleep because of tomorrow' meeting.
Jai: no I never loose sleep over business deals.
Bani: that confident Eh I just want to say thank you really made up for not keeping in touch and you are forgiven She tiptoes and goes to kiss his cheeks. Jai holds her closely and pulls her nose and straightens her hair.
Jai: you keep this up. I will not send you back to Paris. I m getting addicted to you.
Bani: Oh ya we will see about that. Jai Walia can never refuse his angel. Am I right?
Nachiketh sees this from down and goes in with an anguished face to his room.
Chapter - 9
Next two days in the office it's a whirl wind of activities. They sign up the deal with the foreign collaborators. Bani was now officially the 60% share holder of the Dixit group which was a part of the Walia group. Jai Walia had his hands in lot of Business establishments and he was the chair person for various trusts also. On Wednesday they planned a business lunch with all the associated group of industries which were a part of the group. In the evening there was a press conference with the latest development. And once she completes 21 years she gets major percentage in the Walia industries Jai had not mentioned that to Bani when she had signed the paper that Jai could take decisions in her Absence.
Thursday morning Jai walks into Bani's room with her regular coffee it had become his habit to wake her up. She was not much of a morning person. Jai had to drag her out of bed everyday.
Bani: Please I want to sleep today.
Jai: I think you have forgotten your promise to the foursome trouble makers in my house. If you don't want them barging in better wake up.
Bani: Very funny as though they ever come to this wing. This is supposed to be a dungeon
Jai: What How dare you call my house a dungeon and playfully tries to pull her out of the Bed along with the duvet as Jai is aware she only sleeps with her night slip on.
Bani: Stop it. It is not my version, your own family that gave name for the wing.
(in their playful mood the duvet had shifted and now Jai was covering Bani
And pinning her on to the bed. Bani was trying to get out of his hold in the process her night slip straps had come off shoulder exposing too much of skin. Jai kept looking into her eyes and said stop wriggling. Bani looked into his eyes and were getting drowned in those eyes. He gently caressed her checks downwards and Bani was feeling as though she is going to light up suddenly She felt his mouth nibble softly at her lips and kissing softly her hands gently moved around his neck and she was pulling him really close and arched her neck to give him better access while his fingers slid up and down her bare arms sending tingling sensation over her skin. While he used
His lips along her check then back to her ear, her jaw line building her up with need.
suddenly the ring of the phone makes them spring apart. Bani's was having hard time breathing. Jai looks at her then at the phone slowly he picks the receiver and gives it to Bani and just covers her with the duvet and left
For his room.)
Jai: Oh God what was I doing there why do I loose my cool in front of her
it.. Why do I feel so good when I am with her. He felt the warmth of being loved and he could be at peace with her.
Later during the day at the beach. They are having a volleyball game on the beach pia and rano are also present.
While Bani anseres the phone and she says she will be down in 15 minutes
Nachi: Why so much of secrecy over your business stakes in our group.
Bani: It was not a secret . It is just that it was not my place to tell. I hope you understand. I came to know about all this only when Jai came to see me in Paris.
Nachi: But you said you knew him for a long time.
Bani: that is through your dad. He was a regular fixture in our lives from the time mum got sick.
Nachi: are you saying my father brought you up.
Bani: Why do I sense resentment there? Why were you all not happy with your father?
Nachi: I don't want to say anything about a dead person. My brother has done enough damage when he was alive.
Bani: I never can understand your relationship with such a loving and caring man.
Nachi: you don't know half the story my dear. But I happy that he was there for you. I wouldn't like anyone to hurt you in any way. Be a little cautious with my brother because I know him better than you do. Don't make decisions in haste that's all I have to say.
Bani was puzzled by her friends comment.
Finally the day of the party arrived. Jai had arranged for a hair stylist and beautician for her. She wore the lovely pink net Saree with beads and sequin work. It was a backless blouse with doris that held it together. Her hair was pulled up with curls flowing down to shoulder length. When Jai saw her he was mesmerized by her beauty. Though she had hardly any makeup she looked radiant
Bani : how do I look.
Jai: Beautiful my angel. Though your birthday is another 10 days. Happy birthday my angel and presents her with a matching jewellery set. This belonged to my mother. She would have loved to give it to you.
Bani: Thank you. Slightly tears were forming in her eyes. Jai wiped it off.
Jai: Hey I want to see you smiling and don't spoil the makeup I have spent a fortune to make you look like a star.
Bani: I don't want to be a star. That has never been the aim.
Jai: I know you are the angel in my life.
Bani: You better figure out you want the angle or the star. And marches off.
Jai. Holds her hand and says Sorry my angel.
Massi: Ahem ahem Guests are waiting down.
Jai: So ready for the show.
Bani closes her eyes say a silent thank you prayer and leaves holding Jai's hand she comes down the steps.
We have the press clicking photos. The cake cutting happens and everyone feeds Bani the cake and she feeds them. Only Jigyasa stays away. Everyone is on the dance floor. Jai is feeling jealous as every one in the party has danced with Bani except for him. Finally He comes up to Bani and says Ibelieve this dance is for me. A slow music is playing. He holds her so close that she can feel his breath on her Skin. Jai whispers just look into my eyes and today you have made me the happiest man. I promise you that I will grant all your wishes that is in my power. As today I have found myself in your eyes. And slowly closes his eyes, the music fade away and the dances come to an end. Suddenly Bani is jolted out of her revive. She is unable to come out of the Web of spell that Jai is creating around her. Bani what is happening to me. Why is it that he can bring about this effect which no one has brought in me?
Massi calls Bani and she just follows her.
Next
gift for Jai from Bani.
CID
