FF: A Bounded Relation...IMP Note on 149 - Page 49

Jai runs his fingers through his thick hair and continues to step further onto the accelerator, increasing his speed as he lays his back firmly against the car seat, driving his vehicle absentmindedly, lost in a world of his own. All that seemed to linger on his mind is of her troubled looking face, making him feel nothing but guilt and shame for himself.

His mind wanders back to his marriage to his wife and all the unforgivably harsh actions he had committed towards her ….. such as throwing her out of his room like if she were trash, insulting and accusing her character, taunting her every chance he had gotten, deliberately refusing to divorce her-- taking an advantage of their marriage to his gain of revenge....viciously attacking her with his bile like words... threatening to rip her away from her childhood home...and his most unforgivable act--- inflicting so much pain on her.

"Please Mr. Walia, listen to me", Bani had pleaded and begged to him countless of times, cried openly in front of him every time, and took his hurtful inflicting actions like a punching bag….

"Mr. Walia, please...I beg of you....".

"Please, Mr. Walia!",

"Aap aise maat karo...".

"Nahi...",

"Please!"

"Please...aise nahi hai---"

"Mr. Walia, please!"

"Please, meri baut to sunno, Mr. Walia!"

Bani's cries overwhelm him instantly and Jai begins to feel sick to his stomach. He grips tightly onto the steering wheel and his jaw tightens. As he sees that he has arrived at his desired destination, Jai hastily steps on the brakes and parks the car on the temporarily abandoned area. Slamming his door shut, he leans against his car and looks over at the setting sun, hiding slowly into the gleaming blue water. Seagulls call out around him, flying up in the air, and swiftly passing by, but it's all just a faint echo to his ears and numbed self.

"I am sorry Mr. Walia....Humari dono pyaar humko mile nahi hai...Pia neh aapko chordke chaalege...Pushkar neh bhi mujhe chordke chaalagaye..." (trans: We didn't get both of our loves...Pia had left you...Pushkar also had left me and has gone...."

After a long while of absorbing himself in her words, a small sad smile twitches on his lips, and he lets out a sneer. Digging his hands deep into his pockets, Jai breathes out dejectedly. "You're right, Bani... we didn't get the people whom we desired for the most... we both have gone through the same feeling of rejection... the same feeling of deception... and the same feeling of hurt... I am just regretful that I hadn't recognized your innocence from before...If there is anyone who should be apologizing then it's me... I am sorry.... so sorry, Bani."
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Bani angrily brushes off her running tears and shuts her door behind her. She stares down at the neatly wrapped present in her hands and tears once again begin to well in her eyes. She had gotten Anu a special set of earrings--- earrings that she had heard Anu wish for a very long time. Spotting them at Goa as she went shopping for pass time, Bani had quickly boughten them with a smile, knowing that Anu would simply love them. She gave the present to Anu eagerly, wanting to see her reaction, except she never got to because her sister-in-law seemed to have come out of nowhere, knocking the present out of Anu's hands-- telling her daughter not to accept gifts from filthy low classed people. In a second Jigyasa Walia clearly stated that no sort of relationship exists between Anu and Bani, not even as sisters, like how Bani always thought of her as. With a warning look, she told her, "Stay away from my daughter you shameless woman". Tears began to well in Anu's eyes as she helplessly saw her (Bani) be bashed by her mother. Gripping tightly onto her daughter's wrist, Jigyasa Walia dragged her Anu along with her, taking her far away from Bani, leaving her by herself with tears streaming down her face.

Bani drops the present onto the desk nearby and lays gingerly down onto the mattress, silently weeping into her pillow, wounded deeply by the vicious woman's words and attack on her character. A couple minutes go by into her crying as she feels an unexpected sharp pain hit her in her lower abdomen. With quick instinct, she clutches onto her stomach tight........
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As soon as Jai arrived at the mansion in the late evening, he didn't see Bani's presence anywhere. She wasn't around the front of the mansion or in the kitchen like how she usually was every time he came back from work. Finding this odd, Jai walks further into the house and towards the dining room, where every Walia member, including Rano, sat at the table with plates filled of food in front of them. However, he notices an empty seat, Bani's usual chair.

Mausi: Munna, you're here. Come. Have Dinner.
Jai: (curiously) ....Mausi, where is Bani?
Mausi: (sadly smiles) Bechari...woh tumare kaamre mein hai...(trans: She is in your room...) Rano was saying that she isn't feeling so well nor doesn't feel like eating.

Jai casts his gaze over to Rano who silently looks down at her plate with a solemn look, picking around her food, not having eaten any of it so far. He feels someone tug on his briefcase and looks over to his left to find Tony smile politely at him. Jai releases his hand off of it, letting his butler take it along with his coat away.

Jai: Mausi...I will go on and check on her.
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As he walks closer and closer towards their bedroom, Jai feels the guilt inside of him increase more and more with each step he takes. Guilt for everything he had done towards Bani. Possibly now when he sees her, he can ask her for forgiveness for being an incredible blind fool and cruel man. If necessary, he is even willing to beg her on bended knees-- anything to achieve her pardon.

Opening the door quietly, Jai pokes his head through the small crack and looks around the room in search for Bani. He sees her laying on the bed, her back resting against the headboard, her arms clutching tight around her stomach, eyes closed, and her lips shaking. Curiously he opens the door all the way open and makes his way over to her without a second hesitation, wondering what is wrong with her.

Feeling the left side of the bed sink down, Bani opens her eyes quickly and her heart skips a beat as she sees her husband staring at her so closely. The tears fall out from her eyes and she wipes them away with the back of her hand. Nervously she looks away from him, avoiding his gaze--- not wishing for him to see the tears in her eyes.

Bani: Mr-Mr. Walia, aph yahan kya khar rahi ho? (trans: Mr-Mr. Walia, what are you doing here?)

Jai continues to look into Bani's tear filled eyes and pale face---feeling something inside of him sink down. How many times has he seen Bani cry?....Shamely, too many...yet today, he finally understands her tears.... her agony....her suffering... and it is all because of him. He brought tears to her eyes numerous of times-- and to think it brought him joy once. As Aditya had said before... he truly is a sick b*st*rd.

Jai: You are not downstairs for dinner...Why?

Bani switches her gaze at the bedsheets. .

Bani: Ji...woh--- mujhe bhook nahi laagari...(stealthily wipes another tear)
Jai: (calmly, gently) You can't starve yourself just because you don't feel like eating...

Bani looks back over to Jai confused. She doesn't understand what's happening. What is wrong with Mr. Walia? Why is he here? Why is he behaving so....civil? She doesn't ponder about this too much because her recent pain distracts her.....She clutches harder onto her stomach and squints her eyes. Jai sees this and places a hand on her shoulder.

Jai: (worry in his tone) Bani, what's wrong?
Bani: (her voice watery) Ji, kuch nahi.....
Jai: (clearly sensing her pain) You're lying....something is wrong. Tell me. Are you in pain?

Bani opens her eyes and looks back into his eyes. What she sees in them surprises her but relieves her nonetheless. Concern....worry....care...that is what's in his eyes. Not anger....hate...and revenge like they usually held. Her eyes water and she tries her best to hold back the tears by biting tightly onto her lip.

Jai: Bani...what is it? Tell me.
Bani: (breathes out) Mr. Walia....

Her cheeks flush as he asks her impatiently, "Bani, just tell me what's wrong-- please". How can she tell him? Tell him about what kind of pain she's experiencing... a pain that most women go through each month... It would be so embarrassing. ...Out of all the days of the month this had to happen today.......

Bani: I can't....(cries, cheeks turning pink)
Jai: (impatient, still very worried) Why the bloody not?
Bani: Mr. Walia, please.....(begs)

Jai shuts his mouth. He needs to be patient with Bani...it's the least he can do for her. But it is worrying him that she is in some type of physical pain which she isn't telling him about. How come?

Bani: You don't have to worry....I'll be fine....Just please send Rano....

He becomes frustrated by this. Jai, her husband, is right here for her, willing to be with her, wanting to know what's wrong with her, and she wants her sister rather than him?

Jai: (without even thinking, blurts out)Bani, I am your damn husband-- not Rano. I am here for you. Tell me what is wrong.
Bani: ....It's....(flushes) It's normal...I just need Rano. She'll know what to do.
Jai: Being in pain is normal for you? (disbelief) Bani--- why don't you just tell me exactly what's wron-----

His voice trails off as it finally hits him. ....Bani was going through cramps from her menstrual cycle. Of course. He should had known. Jai had seen Jigyasa go through it many times. He hides a smile and his laughter. She was too embarrassed to tell him a simple thing like cramps?

Jai: Bani, ...are you on your period?

Jai watches her cheeks turn dark red and he lightly chuckles, but stops as he sees Bani begin to burst into tears once again.

Jai: Shit... I didn't mean to laugh. Bani, I know you're in a lot of pain right now.. You wait here, I'll just get Tony and have him-----

Jai feels Bani grab onto his arm and pull quickly on it. She shakes her head at him.

Bani: Nahi....please...Tony ko maat---- I don't want to draw attention....
Jai: ....Alright....then I will go myself and get you some medicine that I think can help....

Jai gets up from the bed, ready to leave, but on hearing Bani whimper from pain, he sits back down by her side and takes her hand in his.

Jai: Bani---
Bani: Mr. Walia, it hurts....(admitting)

Bani continues to cry. Jai is momentarily stunned when he feels Bani's head rest against his shoulder. She cries into him and drenches his shirt, but Jai doesn't seem to care. On instinct, Jai enlopes her into a secure embrace and rubs her back soothingly.

Jai: It-it'll be okay, Bani.... it won't last long.
Bani: (sniffs) It hurts too much though.....

Jai squeezes her closer against him, surprisingly liking the way she fits so perfectly against him and in his arms. But most importantly, wanting to comfort her as much as he can.

Jai: It'll be fine...You'll be fine... -I'll take care of you....(gently adds)

Bani closes her eyes and mutely remains in his arms, only letting out small cries and sniffling. The fact that she's tightly clinging onto Jai doesn't seem to cross her mind, as she's too preoccupied with her painful cramps. A minute later both Jai and Bani hear the bedroom door open and look up to see Tony standing at the doorway.

Tony: Oh---- Jai sir, aph yahan hai....(trans: Oh, Sir you are here.)

Bani blinks and then stares back over at Jai, finally realizing their unbelievable close proximity, and feeling completely embarrassed. She makes an attempt to break away from Jai's hold, but Jai's secure wrapped arms refuse to release her.

Jai: Hain, kaho Tony. Kya hai?
Tony: Sir, there is a call for you, I was ju-----
Jai: Let the caller know that I am currently busy. Bani isn't feeling well....I want you to bring me any medication we have- Advil, Tylenol... and a glass of water quickly. A heating pad would be great and later on bring some tea.

Jai knew Tony would understand. He also went through Jigyasa's cramps many times. He watches him nod his head and scatter off from the room in a rush. Trying to forget her discomfort and embarrassment, she asks innocently, "Mr. Walia...why have you sent Tony to bring tea and a heating pad ?". He smiles sweetly at her.

Jai: Trust me.....
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Rano peeps into the room to check up on her sister and sees something that startles her....Jai Walia laying on the bed, his back against the headboard, and with Bani laying nearly on top of him, her head resting on his chest....sleeping peacefully with his arms around her. She watches Jai remove a strand of hair away from Bani's face and tuck it carefully behind her ear.....she also notes the care in his eyes as he does this....

Rano smiles faintly at him. She couldn't thank him enough for looking after her Bani Didi with so much care. Rano had loathed Jai Walia the past month and half due to his horrible wicked behavior with her sister....but seeing him today with her...and after he had saved her from that breaking chandlier... she couldn't possibly hate him anymore.

Smiling silently to herself, Rano steps away from the room and walks away......
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