Dear All
This is my first attempt at writing also, this fanfic is slightly different in the sense that the places I describe will not be of India, even though the story is set in India, I will use my home town of Durban, work city JHB, holiday home in England and other holiday destinations in South Africa. I hope you can live with these, you see I have never visited India so it's difficult to add soul to any place I have not seen.
My fan-fic includes the all the principle characters with expections/inclusions of:
- Pia & Jigyasa – these two characters in my opinion are the epitome of shame and disgrace to sisterhood – with sisters as these, who needs enemies. Sahil is excluded as well.
- Inclusion of Bani's parents – Manoj & Madhvi Dixit & her Dadi
Part One:
Bani sat on the jhoola, her favourite spot on the roof top patio, as she stared blankly at the autumn sky, it was Poornima and usually their large country home was bustling nearby neighbors who would attend the evening puja and aarti. Her mother would be instructing the servants to drape the garlands over the entrances, her father getting ready to welcome the guests. Dadi, in her authoritive tone, supervising the cooks whilst she, Bani would be readying the puja items, with the help of Rano. The thought of Rano brings a faint smile to her lips, though 5 years younger, she was a very mature, level headed young lady and she loved her Banidi immensely. In-fact the sisters were inseparably, best friends and counted on each other for support.
The entire atmosphere was cool and serene, a soft gentle breeze was blowing, causing the jhoola to sway silently into the starry night. She shivered a little and as she reached out for her dupatta, her gaze fell on the colour…….
WHITE, her heart cried out, the raging pit in her tummy, threatened to consume her being………..what was once a colour she adored & wore at will, the same has now become live serpents stinging her tender body mercilessly……………….
Your comments/opinions, ideas are early awaited…………tell me what you think. I don't have a title yet..............can't think of any appropraite one.
Lots of love
Jaan
Part 2
Her dadi's harsh words still echoed in her ears………….."Bani ek vidwa hai………….uski doosri shaadi kabhi nahi ho sakti……….yeh hamri aakri faisla hai aur yeh oose nibhani hogi..............her bauji tried to intervene………..but he knew his mother……unlike his father, she was a determined proud woman, image in society was far important than her family and even if it meant sacrificing her children's happiness to honour society then so be it.
Until now Bani did not know herself, none of this was known to her, he parents expertly hid this life changing truth from her………..if only she knew………a widow............she turned her head away hoping that it was just misunderstanding. Bani was a child bride……..given in marriage when she was six years old. Her parents of course objected fiercely but the word was given by her dadi to a prosperous Rajastani family. Her husband….. Yash………."my God" she thought………….it sounds so strange, it is strange, was the youngest grandson of Shekhar and Lalita Singh and as fate would have it, they were very good friends with dadi's brother………the wealthy and sophisticated Dasrath Singh. Due to ill-health bade Dada (as Bani knew him), never married and when he passed on his entire estate was inherited by dadi, hence she always made her husband & son feel indebted to her for the wealth she brought. Being conceited she wanted nothing but grandeur for her grandchildren, hence when Bani was born and Shekar and Lalita were invited to her naming ceremony, it was decide that she will be given in marriage to Yash Singh.
Her dada was not happy and made his sentiments known……….but dadi was a strong headed woman…….and so on Bani's sixth birthday, she was dolled up like bridal finery and given in marriage. Yash was 10years old at the time. The family did visit on the rare occasion but as Yash was at boarding school, he never visited. Two years after the so-called marriage, Yash developed a severe bout of meningitis. He was attended to by the best, but it was a losing battle and so sadly enough, Yash passed on.
Then it struck her…………..like a bolt of ligtening……..she vaguely remembered the visitors that day and her dadi's grim face. Pieces of the puzzle were falling into place, they took off her gold bangles and red bindi (Bani was fond of using it, whenever she saw her mother applying the bindi……….she would insist on having one as well). They put on a white Punjabi. Her mother held her tight and sobbed uncontrollably whilst her father just stood there watching helplessly. The visitors did not stay long, they left and with that breaking off all ties with the Dixits. You see, no-one wanted a widow and Yash's parents certainly did not want to take her in after she matured, after-all why should she inherit their son's wealth.
Silent tears fell from her timid almond shaped eyes, the moon had risen high by now and as she looked up, the only face she could see was his, as if he was looking down at her smiling. His strong jaw line……masculine but soft, his hazel eyes that penetrated deep into her soul when he looked at her
Had she known her fate she could have steeled her herself from him, she certainly would have guarded her heart from loving him, what was this pain…………..was it the fact that she was a widow or ache of loving him so intensely………………..
A huge thanks to all those who encouraged me, thanks, it means sooooooooo much.😛
Let me know what you think and be honest………….constructive criticism is always good!!!
Veer Hanuman
Anupamaa
