Painful Solitude - Epilogue pg206 - 30/03 - Page 159

Originally posted by: freak2

fantastic!! wht more i can say im speechless 😛 😛
👏

it's a good thing you can write the comment then!! 😉 😆

loved the detailed description of krishu's new room

and the flawless scene btw Mr.Papa and "Ms. daughter"

thanks for the lovely story i hope v will get more from u

thank you dear, i'm really glad you liked it so much!! 😊

waitin for urs nxt....................

don't worry, i won't keep you waiting too long!! 😉

Originally posted by: minnie25

Hi Cordelia,
Thank you for such a wonderful story. I loved the way it ended. I hope you will write some more fan-fics and just make my day.. Looking forward to the next one.
Minnie

Originally posted by: m3ghna

Cordy,

You are so completely forgiven for making my munna cry in the beginning.

😆 thank god!! varna your belan were beginning to hurt!! 😛 😉

I think you have potrayed the relationship of Jai and Rano and Jai and Krishna so beautifully that I am in awe. They were so poignant and heartwrenching. Love love love your Krishna and Mr. Papa is the absolute best. Thanks for gifting us such a wonderful FF.

thanks again dear! i have written those relationships the way i would have liked to see them in the show! glad you liked them! 😊and thanks to for your continue interest!!

Meghna

Originally posted by: Neetusxm

cordy firstly congrats for the vd competition...

thanks neetu! 😃

secondly im so sad that this ff ended... 😭 it was soooooo addictive 😉

😆 toh achcha hua na! buri aadat chhuti!! 😉

i hope ur hands itch soon to write 😆

😆 i am sure they will soon enough!!

loved the ending...its was perfect reunion...poor jai ..bechare ko laat padi..hahaha...so funny...

rano kabhi nahin sudhregi... 😛 but thanks to her they are all togther...

krishna's only little, i'm sure it didnt hurt too much!! and rano's dixit-ness paid off this time!! 😉 😆

lovely ff..right from the beggining... loved the emotions portrayed... just excellent... 👏 👏
waiting for another ff real soon 😊

thanks again dear, dont worry, i'll be back!! 😕😆

neetu

Originally posted by: Dawn-Sunrise

I can't believe it is ended, I am so happy krishna got to meet her Mr.Papa/Mr.Dost..
I am so happy for Jai after 6 years of torture he finally got his family back..

thanks dear! 😊 they all deserved a sweet reunion dont you think! 😉

Overall this was a very good FF..
Don't stop writing, You are very good at it and keep writing.

thanks again! 😳 i will do! 😉

Originally posted by: nikita28

Hi Cordelia,

That was a beautiful ending 👏. Please tell me that you are going to write something new....can't wait 😃.

Thank you for a beautiful 'Painful Solitude'.

Nikita

Originally posted by: cute1228

Krishu was so happy, that was really great!!! Love how Jai can do anythin 4 them!!! Like the way J got somethin for Rano also!!! K sayin unfair, was sweet!!! Amazin part!!!Congrats on pg 200!!! Had to add that!!!

Originally posted by: inavars

awww...Cordy amazing ending!! BEYOND AWESOMETACULAR! 👏

thanks huni! 😃

I LOVED Krishu's reaction...of course she was happy. First I was scared she might react in a different way...but I'm glad she didn't. It was realistic how happy she was. shows how innocent she is 😛 I'm happy for her.!

absolutely!! and she loves her mr. dost anyway so of course she'd be happy! 😳

AND her parents of course 😳 aww...how sweet the way Bani redecorated everything...showing her entry into his room and his life back again 😳 and this time to stay forever 😛

EGGJACTLY!! a little makeover was needed na?! 😉

AWESOME AWESOME AWESOMETACULAR!! 👏 👏 👏 Do we get an epilogue?! 😳

you most certainly do!! 😃 will post it later today! 😉

Originally posted by: indian_godess

Omg, Cords! I can't believe you ended it!!! But waht a WONDERFUL and SWEET ending!!! 👏 Absolutely loved how it ended, very cute! Now they're a happy family! 😃 😳 So happy for them!

yeah, they deserve it dont you think! 😃

Totally love Rano, Tony, and Saby!!!! 😃 Absolutely loved this FF!!!! 😳 Looked forward to it all the time! 😃 You're a wonderful writer, Cords! 😳

thank you so much huni, for all your sweet comments throughout!! they were my fave characters too!! 😉 😆

Krishu's so cute! I love her to death! What an adorable child! Loved how Jai decorated her room, what a wonderful father! 😳 😉 This FF was just awesome! Will truly miss it! Looking forward to the Epilogue!!! 😃

love her too!! 😃 thanks again huni! epilogue coming up soon! 😃

Love
Goddess

So here we go, the final, final part of PS!! 😃

As usual, I am behind on replies, but I will get back to them asap!! 😕😆

Thanks to all you guys for your encouragement, sweet compliments and support, I hope you enjoyed the ride as much as I did!! 😉

This part is for Pinks - thanks for all the valuable advice dear!! 🤗

EPILOGUE

"Ahem, Ahem."

Jai turned around, smiling to see his dear friend Sabrina holding mistletoe above his head!

Saby: You know what this is don't you?

Jai made a face: Oh no! Mistletoe?!

Saby punched his arm: Don't you dare look so horrified at the prospect of kissing me Walia!!

Jai laughed loudly: Not horrified at the prospect of kissing you, just terrified at the prospect of what your best friend will do to me if she catches us!!

Saby grinned mischieviously: Tsk tsk, Walia! Hen-pecked much?!

Jai narrowed his eyes, gripped her wrist, twisting it behind her back, causing her to bend over backwards, before placing a big, loud, but purely platonic kiss on her lips.

Saby pushed him away, blushing bright red. She had expected a peck on the cheek!!

Jai smirked: Never challenge a Walia my darling!!

Saby punched his arm once more, annoyed at losing composure first!!

Bani shook her head, laughing: Oh my God!! Tum dono phir se shuru hogaye?!!

Jai hugged his wife, pecking her on the cheek: Kya kare darling?! Your friend insists on testing me every time we meet!! She just never learns!

Saby threw a cushion at him: You are sooooo not getting your Christmas present Walia!! Now tell me where our daughters are, I'd much rather be kissed by Krishu thank you very much!!

Jai raised an eyebrow: OUR daughters?!! Now when did this happen Saby?! Something you're not telling me…?!

Sabrina glared – that had been too easy a shot!

"JAI UDAY WALIA, YOU-", she yelled irritated beyond compare.

Jai hid safely behind his wife: Okay okay! They're in Krishu's room playing!

He then blew her another kiss and winked, as Bani shook her head again and pointed upstairs.

He called to her retreating figure: Tell them to come down quickly, we'll open the presents now!

Four years had passed since Krishna and Bani had permanently moved back home to Mumbai. In that time, the once cold and lonely mansion had changed beyond recognition.

The first thing Bani had done on her return was to speak to Dadi in the USA, who had been elated at the news that her dear daughter-in-law was alive, and that too back home with Krishna. Within a matter of days, the entire troop – Ranveer, Raashi, their 3-yr old son Vishnu, Aditya, Anu, Rohit, Nihita – now an adorable 10-yr old Princess, much like her Krishna Massi – had descended on Walia Mansion to visit them.

They had brought with them two additional members –Jigyaasa and Sahil.

Not long after Jai had thrown them both out of the house they had gone to Aditya for help. Aditya, despite Jigyaasa's many flaws, had always loved her dearly, and when he spoke to his wife and wayward son he had seen in them a genuine remorse that had never been visible before. Bani's death, Jai's hatred and for Sahil, divorce from Rano, had taught them both what they had lost while trampling over their family to get to their family's wealth.

Jigyaasa and Sahil had moved to the USA with Aditya et al without Jai or Rano's knowledge, almost ten years ago. When Bani had seen them at Walia Mansion, she had been genuinely pleased to know that although apart from Jai, the family had stuck together, just as family should.

Sahil and Rano's first meeting had been a difficult one. But the fact remained that despite his flaws and her reservations, his wrongdoings and her bitterness, deep down there was still something between them. Something which many months later they realised was love. The two had matured in six years, and under the watchful eye of both Jai and Bani, they had begun at first a tenuous cordiality, then a friendship and soon a quiet re-marriage.

For the second time, Jai and Bani had performed the kanyadaan ceremony for Rano, but this time Jai performed the ceremony because of what he felt for Rano, not because of his connection to her through Bani. Welcoming her back into Walia Mansion, Jai had told her he was her brother first, and Sahil's uncle afterwards. A sentiment she never forgot.

Not long after Rano and Sahil's re-marriage, they had received a letter from Pia. At first, Jai had been confused as to how she had known that Bani was alive. Until Bani explained that she herself had spoken to Pia on her return from Mt. Abu.

Jai had initially been upset that Bani had resumed contact with Pia after her attempts to separate him from his wife. But Bani had soon explained herself as only she could.

Bani reasoned that she had always treated both Pia and Rano like her daughters. Regardless of what Pia had done to her, she couldn't throw her out of her heart completely, and still missed her to some extent.

That didn't mean that their relationship would ever return to normal, and Bani in no way expected Jai to resume any kind of rishtedaari with her either, but the fact remained that Bani did not have it in her to cut her little sister out of her life and ignore her existence.

And so, a fragile re-connection transpired between the estranged sisters. They spoke to each other once a month, they knew what went in each others' lives, and once a year they would meet in India or in London – where Pia had now settled and was running a very successful fashion boutique – but Pia never came to Walia Mansion, and Bani never asked her to do so.

She sent birthday cards and presents for the children, the same at Diwali and Christmas – and life went on this way, perhaps for the best.

Soon the Walia's saw the arrival of two new members to the family. Rano and Sahil's son Varun was born just one week before Jai and Bani's second child, a daughter they named Abhilasha (pyaar se Asha).

The two cousins were inseparable, much like the "troublesome threesome" – Krishna, Nihita and Ishika! Even though Asha and Varun were only three years old, their parents knew they would grow up to be the same! They played together, ate together, cried together and threw tantrums in sync – the cause of much amusement to everyone else in the family except their despairing mothers!

The entire house now echoed with the sounds of children's laughter. This only increased when Ishika came to visit!!

Since playing her part in Operation Reunion four years ago, Sabrina Khanna had become a regular guest at Walia Mansion, a part of the family! Whenever Ishika had school holidays, or whenever Saby's husband was in town, they all stayed in Mumbai, at Walia Mansion.

It wasn't long before Saby became as close a friend to Jai as she was to Bani. The two of them shared the same interests in books, music, and politics… the same dry wit and sarcastic humour… and the same adoration for one Bani Walia.

There were very few people who could spar with Jai Walia and survive to tell the tale and Saby almost made the top of that list! Their constant bantering and child-like needling of each other made every holiday a laugh riot!

As per tradition, this Christmas holiday too was being spent at Walia Mansion, and every family member was present, meaning that the house was busy and noisy – just as it should be!

Krishu, Ishika and Nihita came bounding down the stairs: Yay!! Presents time!!

Everyone gathered around the pile of presents in the room. It was tradition that Krishna be the one to hand everyone their present, a tradition she took very seriously.

Krishna, seating herself opposite the pile of gifts: Ok everyone! Get ready for presents!!

She picked up four small packages handing one each to her parents, Rano Massi, Nihita and Ranveer.

Krishna: These are for Asha, Varun, Nihita and Vishnu. From me!

Dadi: Oy puttar!! Bachchiya thode hi gifts diya karte hai!

Jigyaasa: Beta, hum toh aap ke liye gifts laaye hai aur aap ho ke-

Jai: Tum sab gifts toh kholo! Krishu has lovingly saved her pocket money to get these gifts for her sister and nieces and nephews!

The gifts were unwrapped to reveal a picture frame of Krishna holding each child in her arms, a beautiful smile on their faces, a wondrous twinkle in their eyes. Each frame was engraved with the caption "My Krishu Di Loves Me" for Abhilasha, "My Fufi Loves Me" for Vishnu and Varun, and a picture of the two smiling children hugging each other tightly for Nihita, engraved "My Krishu Massi Loves Me".

Sahil: Krishu, iss photo me tum aur Nihita kitne cute lag rahe ho!! Quite obviously Walia girls!!

Rano, indignantly: Ha! Beauty and brins came from the Dixits I think you'll find – yes, tantrums tendency and mischieviousness is definitely a Walia streak!

Jai: Shall I remind everyone of how mischievious you can be Rano?! Fake deaths being your speciality na?!!

Rano looked sheepish as the rest of the family burst out laughing.

Finally Krishna handed the same gift to Ishika – engraved "Krishu and Ishu, Friends Forever!"

She sat in her mother's lap and basked in the squeals of delight, hugs and kisses that poured in from her family – quite used to being the centre of attention and loving every minute.

More presents, more hugs, more kisses…

Saby has gifted everyone printed and bound copies of short stories she had written for them all, her creative streak present in every gift she ever presented!

Bani and Jai had given joint gifts of earrings to the women, watches to the men and toys to the children.

Aditya and Jigyaasa had after much arguing decided to gift vanity cases and perfume to all the women, bottles of whisky to the men and chocolates and toys for the children.

Aditya: The vanity cases and perfume were Jigyasa's choice… no surprises there!!

Jigyaasa, annoyed: Kya matlab hai aapka?! What-

Bani, ever the peace-maker: Thank you Jigyaasa aunty, aapki choice hamesha hi achchi hoti hai!

Bookstore vouchers from Rano and Sahil, Spa Treatment vouchers from Anu and Rohit and Pashmina Shawls from Raashi and Ranveer – it was quite obvious who had done the shopping in each case!!

Time flew by and soon Tony came to call everyone for dinner.

Krishna: Tony Uncle, wait!

Tony: Yes beta, what can I do for you?

Krishna, extracting one last present from the heap of discarded wrapping paper in the middle of the lounge: Yeh aap ke liye, from me only!

Tony's eyes moistened and he broke into a wide smile. On every occasion, whether religious, personal or otherwise, he always received some gift or money from Jai Sir, Rano Ma'am and Saby-ji, but he was deeply touched that little Krishna had thought of him and spent her pocket money on a gift for him.

Tony: Beta, iski kya zaroorat thi?! I can't take this from you-

Krishna adopted her trademark stance – hands on her hips, glasses half way down her nose, eyebrows raised. She might ave grown up a little, but her Walia stubbornness had not yet dissolved!

Jai: Lelo Tony, you should know better than to argue with Madam Krishna – aisi ghalati toh me bhi na karu!!

Everyone laughed as Tony smiled and thanked Krishna for the present.

Krishna: Kya yaar Tony Uncle?! Open it na!!

A bashful Tony unwrapped his gift – a bright red jumper bearing a picture of a winking pure white snowman on the front!

Krishna: It's cool na?!

Tony bent down and hugged her, smiling widely. Standing up again he held the jumper up in front of him beaming appreciatively like the rest of the family.

Krishna: What are you waiting for Tony Uncle?! Jaaiye, go and wear it!!

Tony's mouth fell open: Now?! But I can't wear it now, I-

Krishna determinedly: Yes you can! This black and white uniform is too boring. Go, put it on now!

Tony tried to reason with her: Krishu beta, please-

Krishna: Mujhe kuch nahi sun'na! Didn't you hear what Papa said?! Ab jaaiye! No-one is eating dinner until you go and change!

Aditya: Jao jao Tony, varna tumhaare vajah se sab bhooke rehjayenge!!

After a few minutes Tony returned – and the transformation sent everyne present into fits of laughter!!

His smart shoes and tailored trousers remained in place, but the formal jacket, shirt, and bowtie had been replaced by Krishna's bright red jumper, complete with winking snowman!!

Had Tony removed his white gloves and perhaps re-combed his hair then the outfit would not have looked quite so comical!!

Jai, tears of laughter in his eyes: Tony!! You could at least have taken the gloves off!!

Tony looked nonplusssed: Lekin Jai Sir, then how will I serve the food?

This answer only caused everyone to laugh harder. Krishna, noticing Tony's face fall a little, stood up and stamped her foot.

Krishna loudly: Everyone stop it!!

The laughter died down, and Bani asked her daughter what the problem was.

Krishna pouted: Aap sab log mere gift pe hass rahe ho?!! Tony ignore them!! I think you look great, and the gloves are matching na?! It looks cool!!

Tony looked down at his hands and burst out laughing himself. At first, everyone was startled – none of them could remember a time when they had heard this man of few words actually laugh out loud!!

Krishna and Ishika ran up to him to take a hand each and lead him to the dinner table where they were soon joined by the rest family.

After a delicious dinner the party separated into two halves – the men and their alcohol, the women and their gossip!!

It was close to midnight when Jai came looking for Bani, only to find her in the kitchen pouring glasses of fruit punch for everyone.

Tiptoeing up behind her he placed his arms around her waist and kissed her neck.

Bani, startled: Jai!! What are you doing?! Koi dekhlega toh?!

Jai, huskily: Toh dekhne do na?! I'm not doing anything wrong am I?!

Bani giggled as he kissed her again: Jaiiiiiiii!!! Chhodo na! Let me take this fruit punch out!

Jai snuggled deeper into the crook of her neck, each of his kisses sent little tiny shivers of excitement down Bani's spine.

Jai: No-one's dying of thirst! You know, I haven't had you to myself all day!! Kabhi mere baare me bhi toh soch liya karo!!

Bani squirmed free of his grasp, causing him to sigh longingly and lean against the fridge, satisfying himself with just staring at her instead.

Bani: Move please, I need some ice!

Jai grinned wickedly: Toll charge applies, sorry!

Bani, exasperated: Jai!! Stop it baba! Please, let me get some ice.

Jai, his stubborn streak still intact: Toll charge applies, sorry!

Bani shook her head: Kaun kahega you are the father of two children?! You're so childish!!

Jai reached out suddenly, pulling her towards him in his iron grip: No child can do what I can do to you darling!

Bani blushed deep red and laughed, the familiar adrenaline rush coursing through her veins, the reaction she always had whenever he looked at her this way with those deep brown eyes.

Tucking a wayward strand of hair behind her ear, he circled his other arm tightly around her waist too, before bending down to kiss her smiling lips.

Bani sighed blissfully: After so many years, do you know that your kisses still make me go weak in the knees?

Jai smirked: Thanks! Now I know I haven't lost my touch!

Resting her head on his chest she smiled as she felt the comforting weight of his chin above her.

For the last four years, every single day she had thanked God for giving her her family and home back. The family and home that she had lost all hope of ever attaining again.

Now she was complete, her life was complete, and she did not feel the need to wish for anything more ever again.

Jai smiled, thinking exactly the same thoughts as the woman in his arms.

Everyday the same prayer crossed his lips – that his family would remain safe, happy and by his side for the rest of his life.

Everyday the same thought made him smile – so what if they had lost six years of companionship?

They still had the next sixty to come.

____________________________________