First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for leaving me such sweet comments!😳 They definitely made me feel good.😆 Anyways, here's the next part. Not so sure you will like this one. I certainly don't like how it came out, but i just don't know how to fix it. Hopefully it's alright.
Chapter 10:
Jai awoke by the sound of his alarm clock and to the sight of seeing the left side of the bed empty, where Bani had fallen asleep on last night. Without speaking another word to each other, both had gone to their own sides of the bed and silently laid down, making sure to build enough space between them. Except that hadn't worked all to great later on into the night when both had unknowingly gotten closer, only a couple of inches away from another. Bani's hair repeatedly falling onto or getting into Jai's face irritated him throughout the night and caused him to switch around plenty of times and also create space back in between.
He tiredly runs a hand through his hair, ruffling it up, and then slides his hand down to the back of his neck, rubbing it. Not bothering to wonder where his wife could possibly be, Jai throws the comforter off of him and gets up from bed. He tugs on his shirt, adjusting it. Sleeping with his shirt on, especially when it was so hot, was extremely uncomfortable for Jai, who had the habit of wearing no shirts for his nightwear and just having sweats or boxers on. He would definitely find it hard to adjust to this new change.
Jai walks on over towards the bathroom, wanting to quickly get ready and go off to the office, where he was sure a mountain of work was awaiting for him. Just as he approaches the bathroom, it's door flies open and he is momentarily taken aback by Bani's sudden appearance before him. She is wearing a dark blue saree with fine silver works and embroidery, her sindoor and mangulsutra in tact, and wearing only a pair of earrings and her wedding bangles. (sorry, I have no clue what you call them). She also bares a look of slight shock on seeing him in front of her.
Both, silently, move to the left, thinking of passing one another, but only end up getting in each other's way. On instinct, they both move automatically to the right, again blocking one another. They do this once more, moving to the left, both equally getting flustered and Jai a bit more annoyed. He stops her by raising a hand and then moving himself aside, giving her a passage way of getting through. Bani flashes him a thankful look and walks past him. Jai, ignoring her, goes into the bathroom and slams the door behind him. Bani shakes, a tad startled by the unexpected action of his.
Bani quickly mutters a prayer to herself, feeling frightened, for she did not know how she will be able to survive living with the very man who is set out to ruin her life….
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Bani, like usual, helps Tony set the table, and greets everyone at the table. Aditya smiles sweetly at her like he always does every morning. Dadi gives her blessings as does Mausi. Rano hugs her sister before sitting down in her seat. Saahil and Anu secretly smile at her when their mother isn't looking. Jigyasa gives her the regular glare she always flashes at her at Breakfast. Bani, as usual, ignores it. As Bani finally takes her seat, Mausi notices the head chair empty, which belongs to Jai.
Mausi: Arre, yeh Munna kahan hai? (trans: Where is Munna?)---Bani?
Bani: Ji, woh---- Mr. Walia---
Bani stops midway in her sentence as she sees Mausi give her a look. Realizing the meaning for it, she corrects herself hesitantly.
Bani: He must be still getting ready, Mausi. (quietly)
Mausi smiles as she sees Bani finally starting to avoid calling her Munna Mr. Walia.
Aditya: No, he had left quiet awhile ago. Just before Breakfast started.
Both Mausi and Bani look at Aditya across from the table, who chews his toast carelessly. Bani didn't see nor hear him leave for the office, and she was awake before him.
Mausi: How could he just leave without informing anyone?
Aditya: Something's come up so he had to go to the office early. Don't worry, he said he'll have something to eat.
That was what he always said, but Bani knew that he never did. He is always so busy and caught up with work that he always forgets to stop and just eat. She begins to worry.
Mausi: Aditya, make sure that he does, alright? I know that boy, he always forgets.
Aditya: (reassuring smile) I will, Mausi. …I should be going on myself. I will see you all in the evening.
Grabbing his bag and coat, Aditya gives his farewells and smiles an encouraging smile over to Bani, who smiles pleasantly back at him.
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Jai sits down in his chair, tiredly, and sighs outwardly to himself. He leans his elbow onto his desk and rests his forehead into the palm of his head. He hears his stomach growl and realizes how hungry he is. He should have grabbed something to eat on the way out to the office. Hearing his cabin door open, Jai looks up to see his P.A. walk towards him with a polite smile on her lips and holds a small tiffin in her hands.
Jai: Raashi, what's this?
Raashi: Sir, this is for you. It's brunch since you skipped breakfast.
Jai: (eyeing it) Where did it come from?
Raashi: Your Mausi had sent it, Sir.
Jai, feeling pleased and grateful towards his Mausi, smiles a light smile and indicates for her to place it on his desk.
Jai: Thanks. Now go on and get me the shares for the Goa project.
Raashi: Yes, Sir.
She leaves and shuts the door behind her. Jai, not wasting another second, opens the tiffin and digs into the delicious food. Repeatedly he thanks Mausi as he eats….
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Bani: Have you given it to him?
She speaks quietly into the phone and looks around the living room, making sure if anyone is around. "Yes, Ma'am, I have", Raashi replies back. Bani sighs and holds the phone closer to her.
Bani: Raashi, please don't call me Ma'am. I was your friend before I got married to Mr. Walia and I still am.
Raashi:… You're right. I'm sorry Bani, for being so formal. It's just that you're Mr. Walia's wife now…so….
Bani: Yeah, I can understand. …How's the office?
Raashi: The office is busy and hectic like always……and terribly boring without you. I wish you could come back.
Bani: You know Mausi isn't feeling well….I can't come back.
And the with the new project of building the new Casino on top of her home was a huge factor from preventing Bani ever coming back to the office again. But of course Bani wasn't going to tell her that. Raashi's a nice woman and friend, but definitely not a person who Bani can tell her problems to.
Bani:… Um, did you tell Mr. Walia that Mausi had made the food?
Raashi: Yes, I did….which I don't quite understand why. ..How come you are giving Mausi the credit for something you made?
Bani: No reason.
Raashi: Surely there has to be, otherwise you wouldn't tell me to say it was Mausi who cooked the food.
Bani:…Raashi, I-I have to go, Mausi has called for me. I'll just leave you to go back to your work. It was nice talking to you again.
Raashi: Bani--
Bani: Bye.
Raashi shakes her head as she hears the line disconnect and places her desk phone back onto it's receiver. She pulls a red file from out of the cabinet file and gets out of her seat, going back over to her boss's cabin….
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After awhile, hearing raised voices, curiously Bani and Rano come out of the guest room and walk out towards the living room where the commotion is occurring. Usually whenever they have time, the two sisters go into the guest room and try to spend time with one another.
They see each and everyone, minus Aditya who stands away from everyone with his arms crossed, hug and congratulate Jai, who smiles broadly at everyone. Finally Mausi takes his face into her palms and she kisses him affectionately on his forehead.
Mausi: May your success continue on, Munna….
Jai: Thank you, Mausi.
Jigyasa, the only one who notices Bani and Rano's presence, smirks and says in a teasing voice, "Oh, Bhabhi! Rano! Wouldn't you two like to hear the good news that Bhaiya has to share?" Jai turns around on this and stares at Bani with mischief looking eyes. Bani sees a small box containing sweets in his hands. She and Rano stare at everyone, confused.
Bani: (innocently) What news?
Jigyasa: The project that involves----
Jai: (intervenes) Jigyasa, if you don't mind, I would personally like to tell my wife.
Jigyasa hushes up, but continues to smirk to herself. Jai walks towards both Rano and Bani, wearing a devilish smile on his lips and his eyes gleaming dangerously at them. Bani becomes to grow apprehensive by this and looks past him over at Aditya, who wears a sympathetic look on his face. As Jai approaches he looks at her intensely. Bani stares at him, worried, confused, and slightly frightened. Her and Rano both exchange quick looks.
Jai: …You will be happy to know that I have managed to buy the land in Mount Abu and will soon construct a Casino there, which I am sure will be very profitable towards the company.
Everything inside of Bani seems to freeze and not function anymore. The color from Bani's face drains away and she stares at him with awe. Tears begin to sparkle in her eyes. Rano throws her sister a puzzled look. But Bani keeps her eyes focused on her husband who continues to smirk down at her. He opens the box of sweets and pulls out a ladoo. Bringing the sweet towards her mouth, Jai says in a biting tone, "Have a sweet for the joyous occasion, Darling."
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A bit short I agree, but then again you all got to enjoy a very lengthy one last time.😆 Comments are always more than welcomed! Please, silent members, it'd really mean a lot if you'd take the time to drop a comment here and there at times.
Edited by Indian_Goddess - 17 years ago
