Okay, I'm in a jolly good mood and am willing to update once again. This is due to a request from a certain person. *ahem ahem* i'm not going to say the name. that person knows. *ahem srk ahem* 😆😆😆 jaan, this is for you, since you've been waiting since forever. lol. but I'm warning you, it's not all that great, so don't get your hopes up. 😕
Part 12:
A couple of days went by with everyone worrying over Bani, with the exception of Jigyasa of course who thought that everyone was being ridiculous. Though the horrifying incident slowly faded away and everyone learned to forget it and move on. They were thankful that Bani was okay. Bani noted that Jai was quieter than usual lately and barely said a word unless spoken to. She had tried thanking him for saving her life, but he had only brushed her off.
Jai couldn't seem to understand what was happening to him all of a sudden. Why he was behaving the way he is. The incident still hadn't left him and he continued to shiver every time he thought about it. … Though he didn't understand why… What is it that he feels towards Bani? He had thought it was hate, but now lately… he is doubting his own thinking.
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Bani comes out of the bathroom, completely ready, and sees that Jai is still sound asleep on bed, the comforter barely on him, his back turned to her. She looks over at the clock and sees that it is past 8 o'clock, he is usually awake before then. Should she wake him up or let him awake on his own? No, she couldn't let him wake up on his own… who knows when he will and he'll become late for work.
Hesitantly Bani walks around the bed and to his side. She stalls for a couple of minutes, not having the courage to wake him up and experience his angry wrath. But she knew that it is important for her to wake him. Nervously she calls out to him….
Bani: Mr. Walia….
No response.
Bani: (clears her throat) … Mr. Walia?
Still no response.
Bani: (slightly louder) Mr. Walia?
Jai doesn't move at all and remains sleeping. Not knowing what else to do, Bani leans down by his side, meeting the same level, and then tries shaking him lightly on his shoulder.
Bani: Mr. Walia?… Mr. Walia, please wake up… It's 8:25... You will become late….
Jai stirs a little and it takes him awhile to fully wake up and open his eyes. As he does… he is greeted by the sight of his wife, peering at him with a nervous expression. Alerted by this, Jai quickly sits up in bed and tiredly runs a hand through his hair. Then looking back at Bani… he talks.
Jai: What do you want? (growls)
Bani: Ji… woh… you were still sleeping… and I thought I should….
Jai: (still grumpy) I'm awake. You can go.
Lowering her eyes down, Bani nods her head and stands up. Leaving him to get ready, Bani walks out of the room…..
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She wanders around the kitchen preparing food for breakfast with Tony by her side. In the middle of cooking, Dadi calls out for Tony. Tony gives Bani an apologetic look.
Bani: It's okay, Tony, you may go. I have everything under control.
Tony leaves Bani by herself in the kitchen, tending to the cooking food. Needing some sugar, Bani realizes that she is too short to reach for it. It was in one of the top cabinets. Tony would usually grab it for her since he was unbelievably tall. Knowing that she can't wait for him, Bani looks around the kitchen for a stool which she finds in a corner. She grabs it and pulls it in front of the cabinets. Stepping on to it, Bani reaches out for the cabinet and stands on her toes to give herself a boost. She struggles to reach for it, shifting the wobbly stool side to side. Just as she manages to grab the container of sugar, the stool falls beneath her feet, causing her to go with it. Frightened, Bani squints her eyes and grips hard onto the container in her hands and waits for her to meet contact with the hard floor, but is instead surprised to be caught in a pair of strong arms. Lifting one of her eyelids open, Bani sees Jai staring down at her with an expression of annoyance. She opens her other eye and flushes terribly underneath his gaze.
Jai had entered the kitchen, in search for Mausi, and had seen Bani reaching for the sugar, the stool shaking underneath her. Seeing the stool tilt and Bani slip, he quickly made it to her side and luckily caught her on time. Her carelessness annoys him... what is she, a magnet to trouble?
Jai: Do you have no common sense at all?--- Using a stool with an uneven leg?
Bani continues to blush with embarrassment. Jai places her down at her feet and Bani lowers her eyes, not able to meet his.
Bani: … I- I needed the sugar….
Jai: Couldn't you wait for Tony instead of getting it yourself when you know you can't reach it?
Bani: (continuing to look down) …. Ji… woh….main…
Jai: Forget it, I don't want to hear it.
Bani looks up at his angered face. His anger confuses her, but makes her feel slightly happy… her carelessness must be the reason for his anger, which must mean that he does care for her. She holds in her forming smile.
Bani: … Ji, a-aph… kitchen mein? …
Jai: (demanding) Kyon? Am I not allowed to come into the kitchen?
Bani: (blushing ferociously) Ji, nahi. I didn't mean it like that… I was just--- D-do you need anything?
Jai: Is it necessary that I have to tell you everything?
Bani: (flustered) N..nahi to… main to bus----
Jai: (cuts her off, barks) Where's Mausi?
Bani: Woa aapne room mein hai… bus anwale hai…
Jai, without saying another word to her, leaves Bani alone in the kitchen once again, hugging the container of sugar against her, and looking on after him….
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9 o'clock approaches by and everyone arrives at the table, sitting in their regular seats, ready for Breakfast. Tony sets the table and Bani comes out, bringing the food. On seeing Mausi arrive and also sit down, relaxes Jai. He had been waiting impatiently for her, wanting to tell her something. After serving, Bani sits down in her seat, next to Jai, and with Rano on her other side.
Jai: Mausi, aph kahan the? (trans: Mausi, where were you?) I have been looking for you.
Mausi: Main to tumhari Dadi ke pass thi. Kyon? Kya hua? (trans: I was with your Dadi. Why? What happened?)
Jai: I just needed to inform you that---
Dadi: (excited) Arre, Billo, tell him what we were talking about doing.
Jai stops midway in his sentence from being cut off by Dadi and looks at her strangely, then at his Mausi.
Jai:… Wh-what were you two talking about?
Mausi: (smiling) Oh, well we were discussing how long it's been since we all have done something together as a family. Why don't we go to the Farmhouse tomorrow, Munna? It's been so long since we've last been there.
Jigyasa: Mausi, Farmhouse?
Mausi: Hain, kyon nahi? (trans: Yes, why not?) We'll have fun, just like the other times.
Jigyasa makes a face and just continues to eat her food. Aditya, Saahil, and Anu look down at their food, trying to avoid the topic. The last thing they wanted to do was go to the Farmhouse. Aditya just wasn't in the mood and his kids… his kids had plans of their own, and the Farmhouse would come in the way of them. Bani and Rano just wear blank expressions on their faces, which Mausi clearly sees.
Mausi: Arre, Bahu, don't tell me you don't know about the Farmhouse.
Bani throws Jai a startled look. Jai avoids her and Mausi's gaze and instead looks down at his plate.
Mausi: Munna, tum bhi nah! (trans: Munna, you are too much!) It's been a month since you've been married and you haven't even mentioned to her about the Farmhouse?
Jai: (mumbles) I didn't think it was important to mention, Mausi. Besides, tomorrow won't be possible for me.
Mausi: (puzzled) Kyon nahi?
Jai: I'm needed in Goa. I have to go and look at the site where they're building the other chain to our hotels.
Mausi: (disappointed) Oh… For how long will you be gone?
Jai: … Perhaps for a few days or for how long it takes. That's what I wanted to tell you.
Mausi is quiet for a little while and Jai can see that she's brought down by this.
Mausi: ... (depressed tone) I was looking forward to it…. All of us spending time with each other.
Dadi: Arre, koi baut nahi Billo. (trans: Oh, don't worry Billo.) When Jai comes back, then we all can go. Kyon, Jai? (trans: Right, Jai?)
Jai has no other choice but to oblige.
Jai: ... Of course.
Mausi: Kher… when do you have to go to Goa?
Jai: Tomorrow morning.
Suddenly an idea creeps into Mausi's eyes and a smile builds on her lips.
Mausi: (cheerfully) I have a wonderful idea. Why don't you take Bani with you?
Bani who had been sipping on her water throughout this whole conversation, literally chokes on it and starts coughing. Rano, worried, pats her sister's back. Jai looks over at Bani, whose face turns red.
Mausi: Arre, Bahu, careful. Don't drink too much.
Bani: (flushing) Ji.
Mausi: Anyways.. What was I saying? Oh yes- Take Bani along. That way I don't have to worry about you.
Jai: That isn't necessary, Mausi. I've gone to plenty Business trips by myself. I think I can handle this one also by myself.
Jai lifts up his own glass and drinks his orange juice. Dadi shakes her head at him.
Dadi: Arre budu, she is suggesting that you take Bani along and make a honeymoon out of it.
This time it is Jai's turn to choke on his drink. Bani's face grows an even darker shade of red. Anu and Saahil giggle at this, but Jai silences them with a look. Terrified, Bani holds onto her sister's hand, underneath the table, for some support. She hopes that Jai is successful in not taking her along. She knew she couldn't able to handle going with him to Goa for even a day. How can she manage a few?
Mausi: Arre, what is it with you both? Do you two not know how to drink?
Bani flushes more by her remark and surprisingly even Jai has the decency to look embarrassed.
Jai: (croaks) Honeymoon?
Mausi: Hain, Honeymoon. Beji had told me that you two haven't even been able to go on one since you two have gotten married. But now you two have the opportunity to.
Jai: (hastily) But Mausi, I will be stuck in meetings and will be wrapped up with work. We won't… we won't have time… for a honeymoon.
Mausi: Nonsense. You won't be stuck in meetings for all those days. And you said yourself that you are only going there to look at the site, meaning that there will be days that you'll have nothing to do.
Jai: (exasperated) Mausi….
Mausi: Munna, don't refuse.
She flashes him a pleading look, the same pleading look that she always uses with him. Jai groans to himself. The things he has to do to make his Mausi happy….
Jai: Teek hai, Mausi… whatever you want.
Mausi smiles brightly at him. Bani stares at him with shock. Jai, avoiding her gaze, stands up from his chair and tells them all that he is getting late. He makes his way out of the room.
Mausi: (cheerfully) Bani, after eating, go on upstairs to your room and start packing. And hain, start packing for Munna also, I'm sure he won't have time to after he comes back from the office.
Bani: …J-Ji..
She lowers her eyes down to her food.
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Bani spent the most of the day packing for herself and for Jai, using separate suitcases of course. She had done her packing quite easily, only taking a few sarees, night wears, and toiletries with her. But when it came to do her husband's share… she was lost. She scanned his whole wardrobe, wondering what he would want to wear, which was a difficult task. Bani was scared to decide for him… Finally she just chose the suits that she thought would look good on him. Black suits, a white suit, a blue, and then a gray. She then chose the undershirts: black, white, pink, blue, and red. She carefully packed all this into suitcase, made sure to pack in some of his shoes and night suits as well, and left his toiletries to do on his own.
Setting their suitcases aside, Bani went downstairs to help with the house chores and make dinner. Dinner went by swiftly and Bani was a little disappointed on not seeing Jai join them. He is probably stuck at work, she concluded.
Soon twelve o'clock strolled by, and Bani continued to pace back and forth, waiting for him, and occasionally looking out of the window for any sign of him. She wrings her hands together. She had been waiting for him for the past hour, worrying sick over him. Bani had tried going to sleep without him, but didn't feel right without him near. She couldn't go to sleep peacefully knowing that he hadn't come back home yet.
On hearing a honk, Bani quickly looks out of the window and sees his car waiting outside in front of the gate. A smile of relief appears on her lips. He honks again, gesturing for the guard to open the gate. Seeing Jai's car pull up on the driveway, Bani hastily makes her way over to his wardrobe and pulls out one of his night suits. She lays it down on his side of the bed and then lays down on her own side. She closes her eyes and pretends to be sleeping. Bani didn't want him to know that she had been waiting for him.
Minutes later she hears the bedroom door open. She stiffens when she hears his loud footsteps walk into the room and approach the bed.
Jai stares at Bani's back and then looks down at where she had laid his nightwear. He had told her a couple of times, warning her not to touch his stuff, but it seemed to not have an affect on her and he stopped trying. Instead he became accustomed to seeing his clothes laid out on the bed. Silently he takes it into his hand and walks over to the bathroom to change.
Bani patiently waits for him and closes her eyes once again when she hears the bathroom door open.
Jai casts his gaze over at Bani again and looks at her sleeping face for a moment before he walks over to his side of the bed. He switches his lamp off and realizes that the lamp on Bani's side is also on. Not knowing what else to do but turn it off himself, Jai is careful with not waking her up, and leans over next to her, reaching for the lamp. His chest brushes up against her back. Bani's heart races by this contact and she grips tightly onto her pillow. A click is heard once the light is switched off.
She feels Jai slowly move away from her. Jai lays down on his side, places a hand behind his head, and stares up at the ceiling, lost in his own thoughts. Neither of them knew that they were both awake till late into the night…. thinking of one another.
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Jai tried his level best in convincing Mausi to stay home and that it wasn't necessary to come drop him and Bani off to the Airport, but she was adamant. Along with Mausi, Rano and Aditya volunteered to come along. Jai, feeling annoyed, agreed. They all drove in the same car and got Jai and Bani checked in. Their luggage was transported into the plane and now all they had to do was wait for their flight to be called so they could board onto to the plane.
Bani fiddles with the pallu of her teal saree and creates tinkling sounds with her bangles. Jai, who was seated down in one of the black benches in the airport, yapping on the phone with one of his business associates, informing him of his arrival, was intently watching Bani looking nervous. He watches as Rano tries calming her down and placing her hands onto of Bani's nervous moving ones. Bani drops her pallu.
Rano: Di, don't worry, you'll be fine.
Bani: I'm scared, Rano. I've never been on a plane before.
Rano: Di, it's just a plane… which is going to transport you from here over to Goa. Please, relax. You'll be fine. Nothing will happen. Besides, Mr. Walia will be with you.
Bani: Still…
"First class passengers of fight 118 to Goa, please begin to Board the plane immediately. I repeat, first class passengers of flight 118, please begin to board the plane", the woman over the intercom announces, her voice echoing through the large airport, and creating a rush of fear to swarm inside of Bani. Jai takes this as his cue to get off of the phone. He quickly says his farewell to his associate and stands up, standing just nearby Bani, who seemed to have frozen in her spot.
Mausi, smiling encouragingly, walks over to Bani and Jai.
Mausi: Now you two.. Have a good trip.
Aditya: Bani, call me once you arrive there.
Bani: (still feeling frightened) J--Ji Bhaiya.
Aditya: (noticing this) Kya hua? Why do you look scared?
Rano: Bhaiya, she's scared. She's never been on an airplane before.
Mausi: Arre, Bani, there's no need to be scared. Munna hai tumhari paas. (trans: Munna is with you.) You won't be alone. … Munna, take care of her.
Jai: Ji, Mausi… We should go now. ….Come, Bani.
He gestures her to follow after him. Jai begins to walk towards the gate, but seeing that Bani isn't beside him or behind him, he stops in his steps and turns around. He sees her still standing besides Rano, Aditya, and Mausi, her face pale.
Mausi: (encouraging) Bahu… don't worry. You'll be fine.
Bani doesn't budge. Slightly peeved by this, Jai walks back over to her and stands before her. Bani slowly lifts her eyes up at him and stares at him scared. Without a word to her, Jai takes her hand and puts it in his. Bani quickly looks down at their joined hands and glances back up at him, who looks at her with no expression and just tugs on her hand, signaling her to follow him. She looks over at Mausi, who only encourages her with a smile, and then over to Rano and Aditya, who surprisingly also smile lightly at her, and gesture her to go on. Bani lets herself be lead towards the gate, and on reaching there, Jai drops her hand and gives their tickets to the woman standing by the gateway.
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Because of her lack of sleep, Bani fell asleep in the middle of the flight, her head resting on Jai's shoulder. Jai tried a few times to move her off of him and keep her head straight up, but it always ended up tilting back onto his shoulder. Giving up, he let her lean on him and rest on his shoulder. Even he was tired from not sleeping well from last night and unknowingly also fell asleep, resting his head against Bani's. ……………
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hopefully this was long enough?😕 and i know, boring. i tried you guys.
Edited by Indian_Goddess - 17 years ago
Cricket
Bindi
