Here's part 18.. I think it was rather long.. Even though some didn't.. Won't take any names.. *cough* Henna *cough*
Anyhow, hope it interesting to read as well, and not just long and boring..
Part 18
They went and had dinner at some other place.. A place where they [read: Bani] could be her mischievous self.. At an outdoor dhaba! They sat talking to each other about their marriage and life etc..
Suddenly it started to rain! The rain came pouring down from a clear sky.. [Uff! The same's happening here in Norway! π Bani remembered the collegedays, during the spring when it would rain all the time and how they all used to run out in the rain together! Maybe out of frustration cause of the non-stop raining or simply cause it was fun! She ran out in the rain holding her arms up at each side of her, letting her sari get completely wet! Jai saw the sari clambering to her wet body. He went out to her and they both enjoyed themselves to the fullest! Bani would splash water at Jai and him at her. When the rain stopped though, Bani was soaked as well as Jai.. Bani started shivering from the cold her wet clothes attracted..
Jai: Come on, I'll drive you home.. My dresscoat's still dry in the dhaba.. You wear that one.. ok?
Bani (stammering): y..yea.. yeah.. ok..
They drove around the place for a very long time.. Just to make Bani's sari and Jai's clothes dry again and make her warm so that she doesn't fall sick! [I can verify that you do get sick if you stay out in the rain! π] They stopped at a carpark.. Leaving the car on they talked while warming themselves..
Jai: So, what have you thought about our marriage?
Bani: I don't know.. I still haven't told mum or Veer about this! (showing her engagement ring)
Jai (scratching his head): Well, I haven't told anyone at home either.. What if we talk to them today or tomorrow?
Bani: I'll have to talk to Veer first.. He knows everything about me, even things I thought no one knew! [That's scary you know.. But true.. ππ] I need to know his opinion too.. What if you meet him tomorrow?
Jai: Me? You'll have to tell him that! What will I tell him? 'Hi, I'm your boss, and your soon to be sala!' [that's the right word? π€] It'll look weird Bani..
Bani: You're such a wimp! Mere bhai se darr gaye? Come on, you'll have to face him soon anyway.. I'll talk to him today and let you know about time and place.. Ok?
Jai: ok, but you tell him who I am to you first.. Don't want to tell him everything from scratch when I see him..
Bani: theek hai.. I'll talk to him when I get home and I'll call you..
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At home
Bani went quickly in her room to change her wet sari.. As she came out of the room, toweling her hair, she saw her brother standing in the doorway..
Veer: Bani, you're home? Muje pata hi nahi laga tum ghar a gayi..
Bani quickly pushed him into her room and closed the door after walking in herself..
Bani: Bhaiya, I have to tell you something..
She showed him the engagemnet ring on her finger..
Veer: What? You want to show me your broken ring? Kuch heera nikal gaye he.. Kal jewellery shop pe jake theek karva lena.. [π€£π€£]
Bani: You're so lame! Have you ever seen this ring before?
Veer: Muje kya pata? It's not like I keep record on your jewellery..
Bani: ok, before we get completely off track! It's a ring given to me by Jai..
Veer: Jai who?
Bani (whispering): Jai Walia..?
Veer: Jai Walia as in my boss Jai Walia?
Bani: Umm.. yes..
Veer: And why would he give my younger sister a ring?
Bani: Come on bhaiya! What do you think?
Veer: How dare he? Just cause he's my boss I won't let him so whatever he wants to! I'll tell it to him when I see him! Don't worry Bani.. [As if she is!]
Bani: You'll get the chance tomorrow..
Veer: What did you say?
Bani: Wait a minute.. Sit down (She gave him a chair to sit in and sat on the bed herself).
Veer: You know, hindi filmon yeh tab hi hota he when the lead actor, meaning me, gets to hear some shocking news! π
Bani: You got parts of it right.. It might be shocking news..!
Bani told him about Jai.. Things Veer didn't know about his boss.. π She didn't tell about Jai leaving etc as that would definitely put him in a bad spotlight! She told him about Jai and her knowing each other from college days, and how much they liked each other..
Bani (finishing): ..And that's why he wants to meet you tomorrow [wants to? π] To get some sort of approval from you and talk about the marriage..
Veer: Bani, I'll go and meet him if you can tell me that this is something you really want.. Are you ready to spend the rest of your life with him, and most important, are you sure he loves you just as much as you do?
Bani: Yes, yes and .. yes!
Veer: ok Bani.. I'll do this for you.. But ma ko manana tumhara kaam he! No way I'm talking to mum about you and my boss!
Bani: Ma ko mein mana loon gi.. Ap bas kal unse miliye!
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Later in the evening she sent a message to Jai telling him about where and when they were to meet.. She had asked Raj to accompany both of them to, just in case.. π
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Jai and Raj sat at the coffee shop going through the events of the passing day! Veer walked in..
Veer (not sure how to greet JW): Umm.. Hi boss.. I mean JW..
Raj (laughing): Veer, it's rather you who'll be his boss today! π It's your day to take revenge from the khadoos boss!
Veer laughed at watching how nervous Jai looked, but still confidant.. He knew JW was a great humanbeing, but when it came to her sister, who wouldn't be overprotective?
They ordered coffee and talked. Even though Raj was the one who took care of the talking! But after a short time Veer was ready to grill JW! [Ab teri khair nahi.. π]
Veer: Why do you want to marry my sister?
Jai: We've both known each other for a very long time, and whenever she's around, she lightens the sky!
Raj (thinking): Perfect answer! Abhi se hi flattering shuru ho gayi? π²π
Veer: Just to see if your choice is similar.. If you were supposed to take my sister out to eat, where would you go?
Jai: I would cook food at home.. She loves homemade food.. Right..?
Veer: Right! ..And do you watch cricket?
Jai: No, it's a total waste of time! Can't believe why so many people here in India are obsessed of it!
Raj (thinking): Ab to yeh gaya! Veer's a huge cricket fan!
Raj tried to interrupt and lead JW onto the right path, but who's been able to stop JW..?
Jai: The country's having so many other problems, but still we spend so many money on cricket and cricketplayers! Others sports don't even get half of the attention cricket do!
Veer: Raj, tumne inko mere ane se pehle kuch nahi bataya?
Raj: I wish I had.. Jai, Veer's the greatest cricketfan ever! That's what I tried to tell you before but you kept talking!
Veer: I'm glad you didn't! Proves how sincere and honest he is.. Just the type of guy Bani would want.. Someone she can trust 100 % on..
Raj: You're a lucky guy Jai! You've passed..
Jai (under his breath): I've never been happier to pass a test before!
They talked for a bit longer [How many times do you get the chance to be bossy with your boss? ππ] before Jai went to his home and Raj and Veer to Veer's place.. They arranged for Jai to come the next day woth his Maasi to speak to their mum.. Now Jai was really looking forward to speaking to hi Maasi about Bani! [Irony!]
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Back at home Bani was very inpatient about how their 'meeting' would have gone.. Whether Veer would approve of her choice or not?
The door opened and both Veer and Raj walked in looking a bit more angry then she had hoped for! Veer went straight into his room and closed the door.. Bani went to Raj to ask him what had happened?
Raj: You better ask him Bani..
Bani did as told.. She went and knocked lightly on Veer's door..
Veer: Come in..
Bani opened the door as slowly as she could and stepped in..
Bani: You didn't tell me how it went?
Veer: Well Bani.. I thought your choice would be better.. What did you see in him? He's a great businessman, but I don't think he's Mr. Perfect for you..
Bani: You don't?
Veer: No Bani! I don't! I know it might be hard for you, but.. Will you listen to your brother's advice?
Bani looked like she was about to cry any minute.. She bent her head down and was about to leave the room when Raj came in..
Raj: Won't you ask him why he didn't like Jai?
Bani: No.. It doesn't matter does it?
Veer: I never thought you would like a man like him Bani! I mean, he doesn't even like cricket! How bad isn't that? How will you manage to spend the rest of your life with him?
Both Veer and Raj burst out laughing! Bani looked from one to the other.. She understood they were just messing around with her, and she was embarrassed at not discovering it sooner!
Bani: I hate you both!
Veer and Raj: But we love you Bani!
They went and gave her a hug.. [Aww.. Family moment! π³]
Veer: But promise me, you'll make him watch cricket!
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