Chapter 17 Roshni noticed Jai visiting several web sites regarding pregnancy and child birth….suddenly Roshni felt left out from Jai's life…
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Jigyasa and Roshni watched the guests going upto Bani and wishing her all the best for her delivery, it was her godh bharai and Walia Mansion was looking like a bride, even when they got married, Roshni does not remember so much of decoration and splurge …Jai has got the best things available for Bani's 'godh bharai', including new designer outfit, jewelry, nursery attached to her bedroom, while Jai's approach towards Roshni was the same, she did not like it when he shifted a portion of his wardrobe in Bani's room, Bani showed utmost respect to her but seeing Jai and Bani sharing some special moments gave Roshni a nauseatic feeling, specially when she saw Jai putting an ear on Bani stomach to hear the baby's movement or they happen to touch each other casually in public
Jigyasa looked at her, tum ne theek se invite toh kiya, bola na aaj ane ke liye…
Ha di, theek se bola, iss din ke liye mai kai mahino se mehnat kar rahi hu, how can I just let it go….
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Bani held out her pallu to the next woman who came to wish her, she was looking like a bride with bluish green lehenga choli and matching set of diamond and sapphire. Bani smiled and accepted her best wishes when some of the ladies called out to Jai to come and wish the mother of his child…..seeing him approaching Bani blushed…all these months he has not only become her husband but also her best friend, he ensured that Bani pursued her dreams by allowing her to cook in his various restaurants attached to his hotels, learn from different chefs and arrange various types of food festivals, much to the annoyance of her buaji who wanted Bani to stay at home and take rest but he for the first time in his life defied his mother totally to allow Bani to do what she wanted during her pregnancy, encouraged her to meet her friends and establish some sort of contact with Pushkar….he doesn't hold or touch her like the way he does to Roshni but Bani doesn't mind, they understand each other…..Jai came forward, the ladies coaxed her to touch his feet for blessing, she leaned out, he caught her hands, pressed them, looked into her eyes and smiled, I saw your friend entering Bani and here he comes….
Bani was surprised to see Pushkar, this was mainly a ladies' function with few close friends of Jai invited, Jai must have invited him thought Bani as she greeted him…Pushkar handed over the flowers to her, all the best Bani he said…
Thanks Pushkar, glad you came…err make yourself comfortable…
Oh hi Pushkar, good to see you, greeted Roshni, Bani knew she had met Pushkar at Goa during her holiday with Jai, come with me I will get you a drink, Roshni whisked Pushkar away as Bani got busy with other guests…
Jigyasa waited for some time and then made her way towards Bani…..
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Keya baath hai di...
Jara suno toh idhar...Jigyasa took Bani to a room where she saw Pushkar talking to Roshni...
Areh Pushkar tum idhar ho, khana wana khaya ki nehi….
Pushkar looked a little flustered and gave her a foolish smile, yeah Bani I was actually waiting to have a word with you…
Keya baath hai Pushkar, Bani sounded concerned…
Bani, I understand, this marriage is some sort of understanding, I mean Mr Walia wants an heir…
Bani frowned, what was Pushkar saying she wondered, who could have told him these or he is just saying what the papers were writing about them….
Tum kehna keya chahate ho Pushkar…
Pushkar hesitated…cleared his voice and then said…Bani I am ready to accept you once you are through this thing…..
The words were not making much sense to Bani, what is wrong with Pushkar why is he talking in riddles….
I am not getting you Pushkar…
Pushkar gave a nervous glance towards Roshni…
Bani, it is like this, I came to know that you and Pushkar had a relationship and you were not very happy to marry Jai, family pressure keya kare, you did not have much option in the meanwhile I have realized that it will not be too bad in becoming a mother, if not a natural one an adopted one for the sake of Jai's happiness, I explained the situation to Pushkar, he understands what you are going through, he would like to have you back once you are through this birth….
Before Bani could reply Jigyasa started speaking, dekho Bani I understand your feelings, a young girl forced to bear children for her much older husband when she could have lived her life in her own terms, Jai made a mistake but I think time has come to undo the mistake…take your time but remember Pushkar is waiting for you and Jai & Roshni are made for each other….you have seen that with your own eyes haven't you over the past year….
Bani's head was spinning, the floor slipping just then she heard Jai's voice, Tum idhar keya kar rahe ho Bani, the guests are looking for you….
Bani turned around and threw her arms around his neck, Jai was taken aback, unlike Roshni, Bani did not display her feelings towards him in public
….just tell me once Mr Walia, you don't me out of your life, aap meri ho…sirf ekbar keh dijiye aap m ……her voice was chocked with emotions…
Jai Walia hugged her tight, she was shaking uncontrollably…..kaun tumhe kaha ki I don't want you, tum toh meri dharkan ho, koi tumhe mujhse alag nehi kar sakega, koi bhi nehi….tum niche jao Ma tumhari wait kar rahi hai, the ladies want to carry on with the rituals, I will just come….
He gave one last squeeze before releasing her….
After Bani left, Jai gave a fiery glance at the rest, what are you three upto, he asked….
What makes you think we are upto something Jai? Roshni replied…
Roshni, I know that look, you cannot fool me and Pushkar I wanted you to be Bani's friend, uske ageh nehi kiyuki uske ageh mai hu, Bani ka pati….he gave one last disgusted glance towards Jigyasa and followed Bani….
Damm Daam Damm cursed Roshni, Jai ko abhi ana tha…
Roshni maam shayad aap Mr Walia ko utna acchi tarah nehi jante jitna achchi tarah aap claim karte aur Bani ko toh aapne bilkul galat samjha…Pushkar sighed and walked out…
Di, I know my Jai, he has a heart gold, if Bani would have agreed to my proposal Jai would not have stopped her…
Yes Roshni, you are right but Pushkar is right also, we don't know Bani….
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Two months later, Bani was wheeled into the hospital middle of the night, her water bag broke and she was into her labours, she was screaming and shouting, the doctors wanted normal delivery, she is young and healthy Mr Walia, even though she is into labour, which might be a long one we will wait for normal delivery, the doctor informed a nervous looking Jai Walia…
Doctor, you know your job but I don't want to loose Bani, nothing should happen to her, just then Bani screamed once again….doctor do something to give her some relief, I cannot see her in pain …
Sign these papers Mr Walia, just incase we have to take some emergency decisions….you know….just mark whom you want to save in that case, the mother or the child…oh don't look like that, its just a formality…
It is the mother of course Doctor, I don't want my child at the cost of its mother….
Thanks Mr Walia for your signatures, relax, nothing will happen, infact prepare to welcome your child in this world, he patted Jai and went towards the labour room…
Roshni watched Jai sweating profusely, walking up and down, going towards the labour room to be with Bani, coming out after some time wiping his sweat…
Edited by tintiny - 17 years ago