Candle In the Wind; Note Pg160;New Thread - Page 18

Sheena
just fabalous.very interesting meeting.loved how jai told Roshni off.hope he recoginzes bani soon.beautifully written.looking forward to the next part. 👏

1991


Jai stared after the girl and the horse. 'BD' and Bani were one and the same! It didn't make sense that he couldn't distinguish between a boy and a girl. Granted, she was small, wore loose fitting clothes, was always grubby and cursed in a very colorful language that put city slickers like him to shame. She had short hair that was never combed and kept under a riding cap that was gifted by an American tourist from Virginia. So it wasn't entirely obvious to everyone that she was really a girl.

He kept seeing the flashback of BD getting caught by the Guava farmer and how he had to come to his (He still saw her as a he) rescue by paying the farmer off.

He remembered how BD was mad with Bernali who was hanging around with Jai's dad and making Jai's life miserable. Without his knowing she pulled a prank on Bernali. She had shoveled some horse dung into a colorful wrapping and packaged it with the help of Sunny's son George; she put it in a gift bag and had left it outside Bernali's room. BD, George dragged Jai to see the drama. When Bernali came out and saw the bag, she was so thrilled to see the gift, she thought that it was a gift from Udai Walia – without waiting to go inside, she had picked up the bag and brought out the package. Much to the delight of the audience, she had squeezed it, prodded it to guess what was inside, leaving the two eight years olds into peals of laughter – and finally opened it eagerly, ripping the wrapping paper and dropping it in horror when she found out the contents inside. BD and George received a verbal tongue lashing from Jai's father and Sunny that made Jai sympathize with the kids.

Everything she did was tomboyish, climbing the trees, exploring the horse trails in Mt.Abu, reveling in listening to the horror stories told by the stable hands. No one referred to her as a girl; everybody called her BD and treated like she was one of them. Being an eighteen year old, he was not the most observant kid on the block. He was also silently brooding and preoccupied about his mother's health and his father's unfaithfulness to notice the minor details…

He was perplexed why Sunny didn't say anything to him about BD being a girl, all the time he was sending her the money for books, riding lessons, the travel money for the championship tours and the upkeep for her gray gelding.

Bani had reached the barn next to the sunflower farm and waited patiently for Jai to catch up. She loved this spot; the yellow sunflowers moved in the light breeze, the green stalks were almost drooping with the disappearance of the sun beyond the hills. The sky was streaked with various purple shades. The young male and the ebony stallion were making their way across the trail now – she blushed with confusion, he looked like a magical knight, his sinewy thighs squeezing the powerful muscles of the horse. As he came closer and stopped next to her, She didn't understand the feelings he invoked in her and for the first time wanted to escape the proximity.

Jai stared at her hard and long. He didn't know what to say to her. She dropped her eyes staring at the ground. All of a sudden, He felt gripped by a blinding rage. His belief that all women were untrustworthy strengthened. This chit of girl made a fool of him. He could not grapple with the fact that a mere 8 year old had fooled him so utterly.

As the silence stretched between them, he sighed and tried to calm down. May be there was an explanation - when he looked into her clear eyes, he only saw integrity, confidence and a deep understanding. He remembered her lying down in the barn, the dark lashes forming shadows on her sun freckled cheeks, her cheeks had a healthy glow of he mountain living. She looked so innocent and helpless.

"So when did you have the surgery?" his mouth curled contemptuously, she looked up in confusion. "Last I saw you, you were a boy" Jai continued caustically.

"I didn't mean to lie, but you thought I was a boy, and I let you think of me as a boy" Bani spoke quietly, still not looking up from the ground.

"And you felt it was OK to conceal it from me?" Sarcasm dripped as Jai flung the words at her.

"I was only eight years old, I wanted to take care of Jugnu and I knew you wouldn't let me - if you knew I was a girl!" As soon as the words left her mouth, she wanted to withdraw them, but it was too late.

For some reason, this hurt Jai like hell. "Oh! So you were going to get your wish one way or the other?" Jai was shaking with an inner rage.

Bani looked stricken by his words. "No, it wasn't like that. I was going to tell you but George told me not to tell you!" Her eyes looked guilty and her lips quivered silently.

"Why?" Jai was confused. "Why would George ask you to keep it quiet?"

George D'Silva was about the same age as Bani and her partner in many of the pranks they pulled on other unsuspecting souls.

She finally looked into his accusing eyes, "When you wanted me to exercise Jugnu, it was also his opportunity to convince Mr.Singhania to let him ride on 'Black Thunder' Bani explained in a low voice. She elaborated that 'Black Thunder' was Mr. Singhania's Arabian that was being groomed to run in the 'India Cup' race.

Jai sighed deeply, so there was a reason after all. Some how her explanation calmed him considerably.

The horses were necking each other and were getting restless. Jai dismounted the horse swiftly and tied the reins to the fence and signaled Bani to do the same. Bani got down with a little hop on to the ground and followed his lead.

"I am sorry about your parents." Bani mumbled softly.

Jai nodded. "It was a long time ago, I have gotten over it" somehow his words didn't even ring true to his own ears. He yearned to see his mother's pride at his accomplishments. He wanted to show to his father that he was a man now who stood on his own two feet.

He changed the subject. "Are you still going to race?" Jai asked her curiously.

They both stood against the white picket fence. Bani stared at the sun- flowers closing their petals and retiring for the night. "I would like to…My mother is very ill, she probably doesn't have a lot of time" her eyes brimmed with tears. "My father took her to so many places, but she just wants him to leave her alone because she has no strength left" She flicked the tears away angrily.

Jai melted at this girl's plight. She looked so strong and serene outside, but he could see the helplessness and hurt that was hidden behind the closed demeanor.

He knew that she didn't want his sympathy. "What are you going to do?"

"It is unfulfilled dreams that keep one alive." Bani unconsciously said it aloud. She was quoting reverend Robert Schuller.

Jai stared at her, "You have been reading all the books I was sending" this girl was going to go places. "I am impressed"

"Someone once said to Reverend Schuller, I hope you live to see all your dreams fulfilled,' He replied, 'I hope not, because if I live and all my dreams are fulfilled, I'm dead' It's unfulfilled dreams that keep you alive."

She looked pleased. "Thank you for all first editions of the classics" the gratitude clearly was visible in her eyes as she looked at him. "And the books on horses."

He had sent books about horse racing to BD through a courier. He chose famous books about horses, Jockies, racing especially for the aspiring young lad. Amongst the books were Joe Drape's Black Maestro, Bill Heller's Saratoga Tales, Laura Hillenbrand's Seabiscuit: An American Legend, and Sandra Rice Newman's Silver Dreams etc. He wryly thought that he should stop thinking of her as a lad now.

"I loved the Seabiscuit" her eyes were dreamy. The book was about a horse that was bought at a bargain-basement price, and a jockey Red Pollard, a failed boxer who was blind in one eye, half-crippled, and prone to quoting passages from Ralph Waldo Emerson.

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us"

If Jai was impressed before, he was pleasantly shocked at the absorption power this girl had and her ability to remember and quote in context.

"And what lies within you?" Jai questioned her softly.

"Love for my parents and my sisters" the confidence with which she replied moved him.

He wanted to shout at her for being so calm. "I would like you to race, you have so much potential" Jai tried to keep his voice on an even keel.

"If my family needs me, I will be there for them" Bani's answer was unequivocal.

"Even if I give you an opportunity of a lifetime? To finance you for the next six years and provide you with a horse that is suitable for Breeder's cup?"

Bani's face fell for a moment, her eyes had a layer of moisture in them as she looked up into his sober face.

Bani squared her chin and tried to stop the lower lip from quivering, "My family comes first" the statement was final.

They rode back in silence.

+++++++++

That night, he decided to stay with Sunny D'Silva in his house because his car and the driver did not show up. Just when he was about to go with Sunny, he received a call from Roshni that she did not go back but that she was staying in the hotel and she could give him a ride back to Mumbai.

Although, he didn't care for Roshni's company he decided that he should take her up on that offer. He offered to drive because he didn't trust her driving anymore. It started drizzling at first and then it picked up pace as they drove out of Mt.Abu.

That's when he heard the thud – when he and Roshni got down, they saw a woman lying on the ground, seriously hurt. Jai took her to the hospital and tried to help her every which way he can – but it was of no use. The woman died the next morning. When the husband came to identify her body, Jai offered to give financial assistance to him, but the man refused to accept it. He blamed Jai for bad driving and cursed him with bad luck for an eternity. He went on to tell Jai that he would never receive love and that all his near and dear would desert him one time or the other.

Jai was devastated, Roshni for once supported him; even the police said that it was not his fault. He kept remembering how the woman fell in front of the car and the blood on the road mingled with the rainwater. He couldn't wipe the mourning face of her husband and the curses that were rained on him from the older man's mouth.

+++++++++++

Jigyasa, Ranveer, Sahil and Anu along with Maasi lived in the Walia mansion. Ranveer was five, Sahil three and Anu was just one. Aditya and Jigyasa were already living apart, the break in their marriage seemed to be more permanent than temporary. Aditya was traveling too much on his business and never seemed to be present. Maasi was worried about Jigyasa. The children needed a father figure in their lives. Jigyasa wanted Jai to be that figure. Jai was sure that Aditya was a good man and he loved Jigyasa. Jai also knew that Jigyasa was spending too much time in the clubs with the society ladies and neglecting her husband.

He told Maasi that Jigyasa should sort out the problems between herself and her husband and that he is not ready for settling down and he wanted to go back to the US for his masters. He already had admission from Cornell hotel management school, a premier institute in that particular field.

He left for US again, Roshni was only too eager to go back with him. He couldn't bring himself to marry Roshni after living with her for seven years and they parted with bitter animosity when he refused to succumb to her wishes.

He left to India when he heard that Jigyasa and Aditya had a divorce and Maasi was not feeling well. He was 29 years old and was already a business tycoon.



Hope you liked the part - I am almost asleep as I write this, sorry if it's not that good!!😭😭

i'm first...
wow u hav updated

Haila...u've updated!!! 😊
Will read and be back shortly with my long comments as usual!!! 😉

Ur pyaari Billi.....Taz!!! 😊

Originally posted by: Taz234

Haila...u've updated!!! 😊
Will read and be back shortly with my long comments as usual!!! 😉

Ur pyaari Billi.....Taz!!! 😊

Meri Pyari Billi - what time is it in England? It's about 3:15 am - just came back from a part at 1:15 and wrote this - According to my patidev, Mein bilkul pagal ho gayi!! 😆 He realized this after being married to me for so many years!! 😆

Pagal Thi, Pagal hoon, Pagal rahoongi!!

What say you??

Originally posted by: coolgurl_2005

Sheena
just fabalous.very interesting meeting.loved how jai told Roshni off.hope he recoginzes bani soon.beautifully written.looking forward to the next part. 👏

Thanks Coolgurl!! Hope you like the next part too!!

Great update Sheena!!

Finally he recognised her!!! such a duffer!! 😆

Love Bani's character! So sweet and innocent 😛

Hmmm the accident sounds like the one in KS, hope it doesnt turn out the way it did in KS 😭 😛

Waiting for the next part!! do continue!!!

Originally posted by: Sheena_Row

Meri Pyari Billi - what time is it in England? It's about 3:15 am - just came back from a part at 1:15 and wrote this - According to my patidev, Mein bilkul pagal ho gayi!! 😆 He realized this after being married to me for so many years!! 😆

Pagal Thi, Pagal hoon, Pagal rahoongi!!

What say you??

11.30 in the morning here...and ur still up over there!!! Don't u sleeep? hahaha😆
As for being paagal..yeah mein bhi tumhari hi tarah completely paagal hoon...aur shayad paagal hi rahoongi!!! 🤣 And i blame jai for my paagalpan!!! i was normal until he came along!!! 😆 😳 😍

Ok I'm back with my long comments...ab toh uth gayi hogayi hogayi...did make that cucumber sandwich for u...but phir bahut bhook lagi toh kha gayi....sorrryyyyy!!! 😆 Will make plenty more next time!!! 😆

Oh wow sheena…this story is getting goooood!! Jai finally grasped BD is a she and not a he!!! 😆 Loved the prank they had played on Barnali as kids…horse dung!!! 🤣

She had shoveled some horse dung into a colorful wrapping and packaged it with the help of Sunny's son George; she put it in a gift bag and had left it outside Bernali's room. BD, George dragged Jai to see the drama. When Bernali came out and saw the bag, she was so thrilled to see the gift, she thought that it was a gift from Udai Walia – without waiting to go inside, she had picked up the bag and brought out the package. Much to the delight of the audience, she had squeezed it, prodded it to guess what was inside, leaving the two eight years olds into peals of laughter – and finally opened it eagerly, ripping the wrapping paper and dropping it in horror when she found out the contents inside.

Such a cool prank!!!! 🤣 She thought it was a gift from Udai…hahaha….the fact she was squeezing it before she opened the package…🤣 yewwwww…

Bani had reached the barn next to the sunflower farm and waited patiently for Jai to finish. She loved this spot; the yellow sunflowers moved in the light breeze, the green stalks were almost drooping with the disappearance of the sun beyond the hills. The sky was streaked with various purple shades. The young male and the ebony stallion were making their way across the trail now – she blushed with confusion, he looked like a magical knight, his sinewy thighs squeezing the powerful muscles of the horse. As he came closer and stopped next to her, She didn't understand the feelings he invoked in her and for the first time wanted to escape the proximity.

Wow this paragrahph was so dreamy…Bani waiting for Jai at the barn..the yellow sunflowers…light breeze..ufff!!! And then jai emerging on the ebony stallion…ufff..haiii..ufff!!! He looked like a magical knight!!! Haiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii…jaadoo toh mujhe pe already chal gaya!!! 😳 😍 Bechari Bani at that age was losing it…ajeebse feelings paida ho rahe the…aur yahaan hum badon ka bhi haal kuch aisa hi hai??? 😳

Bani talking about her mother and family was really sweet…poor thing has to go through all that at such an early age…wants to race but mothers health is her main concern. Loved Jai being sympathetic towards her and understanding her plight…awwww…

"It is unfulfilled dreams that keep one alive." Bani unconsciously said it aloud. She was quoting reverend Robert Schuller. Awwww…great line! 👏 Jai sending all those books for her…such a darling…tabhi itni smart ho gayi hai Bani rani!!!

That's when he heard the thud – when he and Roshni got down, they saw a woman lying on the ground, seriously hurt. Jai took her to the hospital and tried to help her every which way he can – but it was of no use. The woman died the next morning. When the husband came to identify her body, Jai offered to give financial assistance to him, but the man refused to accept it. He blamed Jai for bad driving and cursed him with bad luck for an eternity. He went on to tell Jai that he would never receive love and that all his near and dear would desert him one time or the other. OMG!!! That must have been Bani mother!!! 😲…but jai it was an accident hun…don't blame urself!!! Bani's dad cursing Jai…nahinnnnn…accident tha!!! 😔 Plz don't curse the poor guy!!! Mujhse bardaast nahin hoga!!!

He left for US again, Roshni was too eager to go back with him. He couldn't bring himself to marry Roshni after living with her for seven years and they parted with bitter animosity when he refused to succumb to her wishes.

Thank god he didn't bring himself to marry that Roshni…so he went back to the US and she stayed on in India…just can't wait for him to come back now…I'm sure its soon…he didn't meet Bani after that race I guess…but I'm sure plenty more races in future….god I love all these leaps that are coming in the story…tooo good!!! 👏
Keep it up Sheena…this ff is getting better and better!!

Taz!

jai killed bani's mother...im sure its her!!

will bani ever find out??? so jai is 29 and a business tycoon??
when wil he meet bani next??? and bani's so little but she already has feeling for him awwww...

loved the reading the update...wasn't boring at all!