Thanks to all of you for comments, let me know how this one is. Sorry had to write Roshni in the update.
At Seventeen – Pt 3
Gori Tera Gaon Bada Pyara
Maein To Gaya Maara, Aake Yahan Re
Us Par Roop Tera Saada
Chandrama Jyon Aadha, Aadha Jawaan Re
Gori Tera Gaon...(Chitchor)
Jai was humming to himself as he got ready for the engagement party. Masi had taken around dozens or so shops before giving her consent to his choice of men's sherwani. Jai looked at himself in the mirror, the red sherwani with green, gold and turquoise embroidery was little bit over the top and decided next time to take Bani along…masi would give in to her choice and he could at least sweet talk Bani into his choice.
There was a knock on the door and Jai called out, "come in."
The door opened and his neice Anu shrieked, "Wow mammu, you are looking hot and handsome." She came and gave a hug to Jai, disturbing his hair slightly. Kissing her cheek, Jai looked at her in a stunning a orange and blue choli suit, the choli being short and strappy, whistled and repeated, "Someone else is looking hot and sexy too. And who are we trying to impress."
Anu rolled her eyes, "Rohit of course! Just because I am married doesn't mean I have to dress like a nun. Got to keep my man hooked to me and hope you remember that when you are hitched."
Checking himself once more he left with Anu and went downstairs where some of the guests have arrived. Jai felt himself blush as masi, Jigyasa, Karuna and some of the women oohed and aahed at him. On the other hand Adi, Ranveer, Saahil, Tarun and AD pulled his leg mercilessly.
AD pulled Jai aside and looking at him seriously said, "I hope you are just marrying her, there is no way she is going to work for your company you know. I won't let her quit…you already have one of best protg and there is no way you are going to have the other."
Slapping his back, Jai laughed and said, "Relax AD, Bani already talked to me and told me she is going to continue working for you. And since we are going to be working together it works out just fine." Both of them walked towards the Adi and Tarun who were now making themselves comfortable at the bar.
XXXXX
Kiran helped Bani fix the gold and maroon tikka on her head. Kiran had given Bani her wedding jewellery to wear. She looked stunning in the silk maroon choli suit with elegant gold and bead embroidery. The colour highlighted her honey coloured skin. Bani had pulled her hair back and plaited it in a braid and pinned jasmine flowers all the way down. Giving herself a final look she gave her mum a hug before she made her way down the stairs.
Masi spotting her coming down, and rushed over to waited for the Bani to reach the bottom. Jigyasa eyed the girl that her brother had fallen madly in love with. Her heavy khol layered eyes scrutinized Bani from top to bottom…not bad looking and wondered what Roshni had been talking about. Obviously not as polished and confident as Roshni but then Roshni and Bani's were like poles apart.
Bani and masi waited as Pushkar carried Bani's mother downstairs and seated her in the wheelchair. It was then that Jigyasa realized Bani being the daughter of the woman who used to make mithai for her masi. It was this thought that made Jigyasa cringed, how could Jai, fall for someone who was so below their social standard. Plastering on a fake smile she made her way to masi. Seeing Jigyasa masi introduced her. Bani bent down to touch her feet but Jigyasa moved away, "Aree bhabhi what are you doing? There is no need for that."
Kiran spoke up, "Jigyasa, since you are older than Jai, it is good manners for Bani to show you respect."
Jigyasa smiled sweetly and waved her hand as if brushing off the comment, "Nahi Kiranji nowadays it is not necessary."
Uneasy silence fell around the group and it was Anu who came towards them with Jai chirping, "Dekho mammu, doesnn't mami looks beautiful."
The two pairs of eyes locked and for few moments everything else faded around them. Jai felt as if heart had stopped at the ethereal image in front of him, whilst Bani thought how any one can look more handsome than he is already. The red colour flattered his dark tones, she wondered why he had moaned and groaned about masi's choice of his suit. Anu pinched Jai on the arm and whispered in his ear, "Are you just going to ogle at her all night?
Tugging at Anu's pallu, Jai smiled sweetly and said rather loudly, "if I want to stare at my beautiful fiance all night than that's my business."
The red colour spread across her face as everyone else giggled at Jai's comment and masi took charge and said to Jai and Bani, "come on let's go and do the ring ceremony and cut cake."
Standing before elegantly decorated table, complete with a large tiered cake, champagne and flowers, Jai and Bani exchanged rings and cut the cake. Everyone took turn feeding the couple cake and Ranveer, Sahil and Anu pressured Jai into kissing Bani who had little bit of icing at the corner of her mouth. Jigyasa rolled her eyes as the youngster teased Jai and Adi who noticed this came up to Jigyasa and said, "Jigyasa you too have little bit of cake stuck on your lips, can I kiss it away?"
The look of horror was priceless as Jigyasa threw Adi a murderous glance and stormed off. Anu got the dj to start playing music to get the dancing going. The lights dimmed and Anu pushed Jai and Bani onto the floor as the strains of (what else but Jai's favourite number)
Ho ek ladki ko dekha to aisa laga
Ek ladki ko dekha to aisa laga
Jaise khilta gulaab
Jaise shaayar ka khwaab
Jaise ujli kiran
Jaise van mein hiran
Jaise chaandni raat
Jaise naghme ki baat
Jaise mandir mein ho ek jalta diya
Ho ek ladki ko dekha to aisa laga
Standing cheek to cheek, Jai moved with ease and Bani hesitantly followed his lead. Feeling all the eyes on her as they danced, Bani stumbled, couple of times but both times Jai just pulled her closer to prevent her from falling. Jai's hand slipped down to rest on the silky skin of her midriff. The intoxicating heat diffusing from his hand spread slowly across her skin and as his fingers drew tiny circles on the skin, Bani whispered, "Jai everyone is looking…could you move your hand up."
Instead of ceasing he whispered back, "Relax Bani no one is watching." As the song ended Bani stepped out of his arms to walk away but Jai got hold of her hand, "Not so fast Bani, we haven't finished dancing yet." Reluctantly Bani turned back not wanting to make a scene but not before she threw him angry look. Jai gave her one of his killer smile and said softly, "If you keep looking at me like that than I won't be responsible for my actions." The remark earned Jai another black look from his beautiful dancing partner.
Jai finally let Bani walk away from the dance floor. Instead of following her he went and joined Adi and Tarun at the bar.
Bani, Anu and Sahil were sitting next to Kiran and masi just chatting when Roshni and Jigyasa walked up. Roshni had arrived late. Immaculately made up and wearing designer sari in black, she made heads turn as she sailed into the hall. Scanning the hall looking for Jai, Jigyasa had intercepted her before she walked in the direction of Jai. The two had disappeared into a corner where Jigyasa berated Roshni for letting Jai slip out of her hand. Roshni angrily told Jigyasa that her brother was stubborn as****** who preferred lower class woman instead of someone equal to his status. Jigyasa taunted her saying how easily Roshni gives up, she can't believe that Roshni is scared of a chit of girl, if she used her brains she could crush Bani to dust. Having incited Roshni, Jigyasa gloated inwardly as they moved to where Bani was sitting.
Bani paled slightly as she saw Roshni looking at her. She understood the look in her eyes very well…she always had the same look in her eyes as when they first met. Roshni in turn knew she made Bani uneasy. Despite having made such a stride in the business world, inwardly Bani was still vulnerable to people like her. Standing within earshot of masi, Kiran and Bani, Roshni remarked insolently "Jigyasa, maa beti ki jodi badi chalaak. Maa ne masi ko phasaya or beti ne malik ko. Ek mithai bechnewali aaj iss shandaar ghar ke bahu hogi."
Masi looked thunderously at Roshni but before she could react, Jai who caught the last sentence swung his hand and a slap (KS style, got to have some of them) stung Roshni's cheek. Jai who never lost his control in public for the first time lost whatever little feelings he had for her and loathed her immensely. His voice shook as he thundered, "Roshni get out right now and don't you dare step in this house again. You have broken the friendship we had. If you can't be happy for me fine but you have no right to insult Bani and her mother in my house."
The chilling silence spread around the hall as guests stared at Jai and Roshni.
Tears stinging her eyes Roshni hissed at Jai, "You'll pay for this Jai…I will make sure you pay for this insult." Roshni ran out of the hall with Jigyasa following her.
When Jai turned around and looked towards Kiran and masi, not seeing Bani around he asked masi quietly, "masi where did Bani go?"
Jai apologized to Kiran at what Roshni had said and Kiran bravely smiled at him and told him not to worry about it but to go and find Bani. It was Anu who came and told Jai she had taken Bani into the study where she was crying copiously.
Opening the door of his study, he saw Bani huddled on the floor, crying with her head buried in her hands. Sitting down beside her he gathered her in his arms and just held her until she the crying subsided. He gently lifted her face up and rubbed tears away with his thumb. Jai looked at her tear stricken face, his eyes looked into her sad dark pools and said, "Bani I promise I will make sure Roshni never hurt you again. I am so sorry I invited her to the party."
Next sangeet , mehndi and wedding,
The JB Girls are going to perform a dance "Mere Haathon Main Nau Nau Chudiyaa Hai"
Jigna(jigna_07), Bunny(bugs_bunny), Harv(HKaurk22) and five more persons will make up the group, so first five to apply for the opening get to take part.
Taz_234 is going to be ghodi wali as she wants Jai on a ghoda.
Hindi TV Shows
Advocate Anjali Awasthi
Noyontara
