Okay, first of all, sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry SORRY! I know I made you all wait for so long. I feel really bad about that too. I had exams but that was done a week ago, and then I started having difficulties with my computer, so I couldn't come online, and then I was suffering from writer's block, and then after planning out what I wanted to write, I got caught up with school work and projects. It was absolutely horrible. But now I'm back. 😃 So your wait is over. And like I've promised, this update will be long. Actually, i'm giving you guys two updates. 😆 😃 so enjoy! I'm dedicating this to Sukh, who was so sweet and understanding about everything. and even told me not to worry and take all the time i needed. 😆 Thanks Sukh! you really were too sweet.
So were the rest of you, I really appreciate your wishes for me to do well on my exams, which I did! 😃 Thank you a whole bunch.
Sorry about not replying to comments, but they're so many of them! 😆 and i don't have the energy in me to reply to all of them, but I have read them all, and would like to thank you guys for being so nice and encouraging. 😃 I'm really glad you all are enjoying this FF and i hope you continue to. Anyways, enough of my blabbing, here are the updates. 😃
Chapter 16
Bani wasn't sure if it was a dream or real...She rather preferred it to be a dream because she found it hard to digest the fact that Jai Walia, her husband, had actually taken care of her last night. How could that be? It wasn't possible. Jai Walia hated the very look of her....how could he be able to stand her and look after her for so long? But he did....he held her safely in his strong warming arms... talking to her, soothing her in a very silky and comforting tone.... let her lean into him....hold onto him for dear life... he even let her quietly cry into his chest, drenching his linen shirt.
Rano re-accounted the events from last night, telling her of all the lovely things Mr. Walia had done for her... she had even fallen asleep on him much to Bani's embarrassment.
She had quickly gotten dressed and walked downstairs and over to the study, where she was sure Jai would be. Bani felt the need to thank him for last night. He had done so much for her... it was only the proper thing to do. She just hoped that the side of him that she saw last night was still there ...and not the seething Jai Walia from before.
Before stepping into the study, Bani inhales and opens the door after knocking and hearing a haste reply, "Come in ". She slowly steps into the study and watches Jai look up from his laptop and stare up at her. He smiles a warm smile.....which nerves her.
Jai: Bani...(pleasantly)
Bani:.....
Bani sees him stand from his chair, walk around from behind the desk, and come towards her side. She feels even more nervous with his close presence.
Jai:...How are you feeling?
Bani gazes at him, amazed by the concern in his voice and his gentle touch on her shoulder. She slowly looks down at his hand and then back up at him...staring into his unusually glad face. Bani finds herself speechless and overwhelmed by this side of him... maybe she hadn't quite woken up yet...yes, this was all a dream. She'll wake up and find that Jai Walia still very much loathes her and can't bare the sight of her.
As Bani's mind races with conclusions to his change of behavior, Jai peers into her stunned looking expression.
Jai: Bani...What's wrong? Are you alright?
She snaps out of it as he asks her this.
Bani: Ji.... hain---- woh---
She gently removes her arm from his grasp and steps back a little, wanting to create some space between them.
Bani:.....thank you.... kaal raat ke liye... (trans: for last night)
He notes how Bani is so edgy and jumpy before him and feel guilty for making her fear him so much.
Jai: (sincere) No problem at all... I am just glad that you're feeling fine now... You are, aren't you?
Bani: (barely audible, lowers her head) Ji...
Jai: (clearly relieved) Good...
A long moment of silence passes between them with Bani looking into his face, in a way expecting for a big blow from him. She even builds up her guard for it... preparing herself for the insults, bitterness, acerbic like words, and pain which he has made a routine to inflict upon her. But she is only instead alarmed and disturbed to see her husband continue to smile lightly at her.
Jai: Bani...
Bani: ....Ji? (frightened)
Was it going to happen now? Will he now start laughing in front of her face and hurt her emotions like he always does?
Jai: Is there anything else you want to say?
Bani: (stammers) N-no...not-thing else...
Jai: Then...if that's all you should...(clears his throat)..
He directs towards the door with his eyes and grins at her as she stares back at him after following his gaze to the door. Her cheeks lightly turn pink as she realizes how foolish she seems...
Bani: O-oh...of course...I'll just leave...
Bani turns on her heels and treads toward the study door. She stops at the doorway in a heart beat as she hears him say, "Bani...". Bani looks back over to him. He's hesitant for a while before he says....
Jai: Actually wait... There's...There's something I've been meaning to say to--------
"Bahu!--- Bahu! Kahan ho tum?! (trans: where are you?!)", the both hear Mausi's voice call. Bani turns around on instinct. She looks back towards Jai whose voice has trailed off.
Bani: Mr. Walia... woh, mausi ko meri zaroort hai--- Main jaoon? (trans: Mr. Walia...Mausi needs me...can I go?)
Defeated, Jai sighs lightly and nods his head in affirmative. He watches her turn around and walk away from him, disappearing behind the door. Running his fingers through his hair, Jai reassures himself that he will let Bani know how sorry he is soon..... ****************************************************
Everyone sat seated at the dining table as Mausi, Bani, and Tony served them all. Jai focuses his gaze onto Bani, watching her interact with everyone- the way she teasingly ruffles Saahil's hair, earning herself a grin from him..... directing a sweet smile at Anu, who smiles back generously.... receiving blessings from Dadi... affectionately patting Rano's hair... placing two paranthas into Aditya's plate, and quarreling with him after he refuses, telling him how lovingly she had made it for him, and Aditya giving into her charm... and lastly getting approval looks and smiles from Mausi.
Jai had never realized how close she had gotten to his family, making a place into all of their hearts. And to think he had thought that she was a threat to him and his family. He happens to catch his sister cast a dirty look at Bani's direction at that exact moment.
Surely Bani has affected everyone in a way, but Jigyasa was an exception. It would take his sister longer to realize the honesty in his wife. It surely took him a while...........
Finishing his breakfast, Aditya wipes his napkin against his mouth and sets it back down onto his finished plate. Standing up from his seat, he looks over at his friend.
Aditya: Come on, Jai, we should get a move on. We don't want to run late.
Jai nods and also gets out of his seat after wiping his own mouth. Jigyasa stares over at Aditya with curiosity. She knew of Aditya's cold shoulder behavior with her brother for the last two weeks.
Jigyasa: Ek minute. --- Tum Jai bhaiya ke saath jaahre ho? (trans: One minute..You're going with Jai Bhaiya?)
Aditya: Of course. Kyon? (trans: Why?)
Jigyasa: But you have been taking your own car for the last two weeks. Why are you suddenly going with Bhai again?
Aditya grins and looks over to Jai. He wraps an arm around Jai's shoulder, bringing him close against him, almost bear hugging him.
Aditya: I have missed going to the office with my pal.
Jai can't help but smile himself at his friend's comment. Even he had missed his absence in the mornings. Aditya's pointless talks, he now realized, completed his day.
Aditya: Chale, Jai? (trans: shall we go, Jai?)
Jai: Hain, chalo. (trans: Yes, let's go.)
As soon as Jai and Aditya lift up their briefcases, they hear Bani call after them. "Ji, suniye!". Turning around, they see her catching up to them with a glass containing orange juice. (Every morning ever since Mausi had arrived, it became a routine that Bani would make Jai drink a glass of juice, which Mausi of course enforced.) She slowly halts in front of Jai and quietly extends the glass to him.
Bani: Aapka juice.... (softly) (trans: Your juice.)
Jai casts a quick side look over to Aditya, who gives him an encouraging nudge. He looks back over at a sincere looking Bani. Taking the glass from her, brushing his fingers against hers, Jai drinks the juice in front of her. Bringing it away from his lips, he casts his eyes back onto her and smiles gently.
Jai: Khush? (trans: Happy?)
Bani: (slightly flushed by his gaze on her) ...Ji.
He hands the empty glass back over to her and continues to wear a soft smile. Aditya clears his throat, bringing them both out of their lost daze. He grins and bids Bani a farewell. Bani bids him back and silently stares back over at Jai. She mutters softly, "Aapka kyaal rakhe". (trans: take care of yourself.) Jai Walia says something that catches his wife off guard--- "Tum bhi".........(trans: You too......) ************************************************************ *******************************
Bani seemed to carry out her day acting very lost. Mausi would find her plenty of times just silently standing by herself in a daze, looking as if she were in deep thoughts or something was troubling her. When Mausi would snap her out of it and ask her if anything was wrong, she would deny it quickly. Even Rano noticed that something was going on with her sister and also tried to enquire her about it, but to no success. She just kept denying that something was bothering her.
Being alone in the living room, Bani silently sits down on one of the couches as she fiddles with her mangulsutra. She can't seem to figure out the sudden change in Jai. It was all so... strange and highly unbelievable. Where did all this kindness and concern come from? How come he was so generously smiling at her this morning and acting so polite? He had even wished Rano a good morning when he arrived at the breakfast table. Something was definitely fishy.... He couldn't have just woken up this morning and forget all about his hatred towards her and her sisters. So what is causing him to be so.....nice?
Hearing the shrilling of a phone brings her back to reality and shakes her up. She looks over at the glass table in the room and walks over to it, grabbing the phone.
Bani: Hello?
Raashi: Bani! --- I'm so glad that you picked up. I've been calling you for a couple of days now, but you weren't available and you haven't been picking up your cell phone. How come?
Bani: Oh, Raashi. I'm sorry. I guess I was just caught up with work at home.
Raashi: How's Mausi?
Bani: Mausi's great. She's recovered really well now.
Raashi: That's good to hear. So that must mean that you're coming back to the office, right?
Bani becomes mute on the topic of the office. She automatically remembers the project that JW started that will soon destroy her home. She wasn't planning on ever going back so she wouldn't have to deal with the reminder that she's losing her childhood home, she didn't have the strength in her to do so.
Raashi: (curiously) Bani?...Bani, are you still there?
Bani: (snapping out of it) Oh... Yes, I'm still here.
Raashi: So are you coming back?
Bani:..Um, I'm not so sure Raash. Not until awhile.
Raashi: But how com---
Bani: (quickly) How's the office?
Raashi: (slightly taken aback) Oh, it's nothing great really. Just the usual. I have a mountain of work to do like always. But it's kind of nice not to have to worry about the Mount Abu project anymore. That's one project off of my shoulders.
Bani: (immediately alarmed) What?--- Why don't you have to worry about that project anymore?
Raashi: Oh, because Sir called it off yesterday. He didn't sign the project papers. It had something to do about the location. But for whatever reasons, the project is no more.
Bani feels a sudden wave of relief wash over her and a thankful smile forms on her lips. Water begins to dwell in her eyes. Did she hear Raashi right? Did she just say what she thinks she said?
Bani: Raashi, are you sure? (hastily)
Raashi: Yup, positive. I even double checked with him this morning.
Bani: Oh Raashi, that's wonderful!
Raashi: (confused) Why are you so happy?
Bani: (regaining herself) ...I mean, it's wonderful for you. That's one project off our shoulders. Just like how you had said. Less work.
Raashi: Yeah. And I'm really grateful for it too.
Bani felt like exploding from all the happiness she was experiencing at the moment. He wasn't going to construct a casino over it. Her childhood home will still be there. Her only link with her ceased parents will continue to exist.
Bani: (almost choking on her own tears) Raashi, I'm sorry but I have to go. Mausi needs me. It was great talking to you.
Raashi: (upset) But Bani, I just called----
Bani: Bye, Raashi.
Bani places the phone back down onto its receiver and wipes away her falling tears with the back of her hand. Just as quickly as happiness approached her, confusion struck her.
Yeh kya horaya hai? Mr. Walia aise behave kyon khar rahe hai? Wajah kya hai? Achank se woh aaj subah itini polite mere saath bholreh the.... aur abh usne project ko call off kiya? Akar kyon? Iske peeche kya wajah hai? ....Kya Mr. Walia ---- Kya woh kuch aur khar neh wale hai? .... (trans: What is this? Why is Mr. Walia behaving like thsi? What is the reason? Suddenly he was speaking politely to me this morning...and now he has called off the project? How come? What is the reason behind this? Is Mr. Walia--- Is he up to something else?)
************************************************************ *********
Jai angrily remains seated in his seat, not heeding any attention towards his co-workers and the project being presented on the power point before him----furious by how he has been so bothered by business matters the whole day, not being able to have any alone time to himself at all to think. Thinking of what to do for Bani.... Instead of coming up with numerous of ways he can apologize, he has been preoccupied by work, being approached by his employees with various types of work to be done and being irritated by his PA constantly.
He sighs. It seems as if the whole world is against him today. Jai glances down at his watch and scowls. It's getting late and dinner would start in thirty minutes back at the Mansion. Agitatedly he looks back up and glares at the presenter, his co-worker, who was holding him up......
************************************************************ *
Everyone sit seated in their respectful seats at the dining table ready for Dinner as their food is served onto their plates. Bani's eyes fall onto the head chair of the table, where Jai always sits, which is empty. She begins to worry about his absence, but also at the same time is thankful that he isn't around. She was already a mess as it is, suspecting his decision of not carrying on the Mount Abu project and anxiously thinking of what he is up to. His presence would only nerve her more.
Mausi catches Bani staring sadly at Jai's empty seat and smiles gently. It's always nice to see how much her daughter-in-law cares for her Munna.
Mausi: (teasing smile) Bahu, kya hua? Tumhari dhyaan kahan hai? (trans: Bahu, what happened? where is your attention?)
Bani, caught off guard, is alarmed and looks up directly at Mausi, whose eyes were full of mischief and tease. She can feel her whole face begin to turn a dark shade of red and becomes nervous by everyone's sudden attention on her.
Bani: Ji…woh-- kaheen nahi, Mausi… (trans: No where Mausi)
Mausi: Are you sure? Because I have been noticing that you keep looking over at Munna's seat.
Bani turns even more red by this. Dadi smiles fondly at this and Aditya can't help but grin himself. Jigyasa, disgusted, carries on with eating her food. Rano, Saahil, and Anu watch on curiously, yet amused.
Bani: Nahi toh… (trans: not at all)
Mausi: Accha…so you are starting to lie to me now.
Bani: (hastily) No, of course not Mausi.
Mausi: So you were looking at Munna's seat…
Bani lowers her eyes. Mausi smiles at this.
Mausi: Tum fikar maat karo, tumhari paati haanwala hai… tora inteezar khar…(teasingly) (trans: don't you worry, your husband is coming...just wait for a little more.)
Everyone smirks at this, except Jigyasa of course, who becomes infuriated by the "nonsense". Dadi chuckles.
Dadi: Billo, rehendo nah. Bechari ki chera dekho… bilkul laal hogaye. (trans: Billo, stop it already. Look at the poor girl's face...it's become absolutely red.
Mausi: (giggling also) Saach, I love to see my Bahu so concerned for my Munna.
Bani doesn't know how much more red she can get and begins to feel like she can just die from embarrassment right now. She sees Aditya give her a teasing wink, which only makes her feel worse.
Right at that second, they all hear the doorbell ring loudly, alerting them all. Tony scuttles off towards the front doors. Mausi smiles widely.
Mausi: Loh… agaye tumhari paati…. (trans: look...here comes your husband)
Bani sinks down in her chair, feeling absolutely embarrassed and shy by everyone's attention and knowledge of her staring at his empty chair, most likely thinking that she's missing his presence.
"Thanks Tony," a familiar deep voice speaks not so far away. Bani's heart begins to pace. She keeps her gaze down onto the table. In less than a minute, Mausi says enthusiastically, "Aao Munna." (trans: Come munna)
Jai seats himself down at the head of the chair and smiles apologetically in Mausi's direction.
Jai: I'm sorry Mausi that I'm late….. I got held up at the office.
Mausi: Koi baat nahin, Munna…(trans: no worries, munna) you're here… that's all that matters….and Bahu is now happy, I suppose. Haina, Bahu?
If Bani had the ability to, she would had disappeared from the table right that second rather than see amusement clearly shown on Jai's face and have him gaze at her like how he is right now.
Jai: (still looking at Bani) Woh kaise Mausi? (trans: why is that mausi?)
Mausi: Because now you are here… Bechari kept on staring at your chair, wishing you were here.
Everyone becomes silent, realizing that Mausi is crossing a dangerous line. They all know too well how much Jai despises Bani, and that hearing of how Bani was waiting for him- is probably something he doesn't want to know. All but Aditya-- who smiles on. Jigyasa smirks herself, thinking that her bhaiya will most likely become annoyed and angry by this and push Bani further away from him. She happily eats on.
Jai: (smiling gently) Now I am finally here… your wait is over.
Surprised Bani quickly glances up and their eyes connect. She stares at him dazedly…. Jai stares back at her with his dark electrifying gray eyes as he continues to give her a small warm smile. Jigyasa, Anu, Saahil, Rano, and Dadi also look at Jai, equally shocked by his genuine like reply. Mausi smiles approvingly.
Aditya watches their eye lock session with amusement and clears his throat loudly, bringing them both out of it. He grins as he sees them both look away from each other nervously. Jai clears his own throat and quickly says, "So what's for Dinner?"…..
******************* ************************************************************ *********
Jai sighs as he approaches his bedroom. This whole day he didn't have a chance to speak to Bani alone. At the office there was so much work to complete and too many interruptions. And at the mansion, everyone was always everywhere. Not once had he seen Bani without either Anu, Saahil, Rano, Dadi, or Mausi by her side. After Dinner he was hoping that he would get a chance to talk to her, but Anu took her off towards her room, wanting to know what outfit she should wear to her University the next day, and after that he got a phone call from Mr. Kapoor who involved him into a very long conversation.
He slowly twists the doorknob and opens the door quietly. Peeping his head into the room, he sees that all of the lights are off and catches an outline of a figure laying on the far off side of the bed. She's asleep… he thinks disappointedly. Jai walks into the room and closes the door behind him. He approaches their bed and sees his nightgown neatly laid on top of it. Bringing it into his hands, Jai glances up and rests his eyes on his sleeping wife.
There's always tomorrow…. he reassures himself……
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Chapter 17
Hearing the annoying shrilling of an alarm, Jai wakes up alertly and presses down onto the snooze button on his alarm clock. Running his fingers through his hair and yawning, Jai looks over to the left side of the bed and sees that its empty, like usual. He searches around the room to see any sign of her, even checks to see if the bathroom door is closed and the light is on, but is surprised to see that she is no where in the room. Odd…she's always in here in the mornings….Perhaps she woke up early….
Throwing the comforter off of him, Jai makes his way towards the bathroom to get ready for the day…….
*************** ************************************************************ *********
After setting the last dish down onto the table, Bani sits down, ready to eat herself. She notes that mostly everyone is at the table, except for Aditya who isn't feeling well and is resting. However, she catches a glimpse of another empty chair, in between Mausi and Anu. That seat usually belongs to Rano… Bani finally realizes that there's no sign of her little sister, who is always prompt and early. Worriedly she searches around.
Saahil: Alright Mom, me and Anu are gonna go, otherwise we're gonna be late for our classes.
Saahil tells his mother, after getting out of his chair and pushing it back in. Jigyasa smiles affectionately at his son and daughter.
Jigyasa: Drive safely, beta.
Every morning Saahil and Anu take a car to their University. Rano refuses to go with them because she doesn't want to deal with Saahil's misbehaving comments, nor does she wish to be caught into trouble with Jigyasa for being around her kids, because she supposedly is a "bad" influence on them.
Bidding farewells and after kissing her father goodbye, Anu follows after her twin brother, grabbing her backpack and books along.
Jai, who is eating his toast, catches Bani looking around the Mansion tensely. He follows her gaze around, wondering what she's searching for, and then looks back at her.
Jai: Bani…
Bani stares over at Jai's direction.
Jai: What are you looking at?
Bani: ……..
Mausi: (also curious) Bahu, kya hua?
Bani: Ji, Mausi… Rano…she's not here.
Everyone else also realize her missing presence. She usually is always quiet, therefore, no one really noticed that she wasn't here.
Mausi: Hain, yeh baut to saahi hai…Rano kahan hai? (trans: Yes, where is Rano?)
"I'm right here, Mausi!", they all hear someone shout hurriedly. Rano paces towards the dining table, with her bag dangling on her shoulder and books piled sloppily in her arm.
Bani: (slightly angry) Rano, what is this? How come you were not here for Breakfast?
Rano: (hastily) I'm sorry Bani Didi, I overslept. I was studying till late last night.
Bani: Rano, you really shouldn't be studying up till so late.
Rano: (annoyed) Didi, please lecture me later, I have to go to the University right now, otherwise I will be very late!
Everyone watch both sister interacting with one another, Bani scolding Rano, and Rano trying to get away from a lecture. It puts a smile onto everyone's faces, including Jai's. This was Jai's first time ever seeing Bani scolding someone before.
Bani: Arre, Rano! Rukho! At least eat something!
Rano: Can't Di! I'm already late as it is!
Bani: See, this is exactly what happens when you study till late! --- Rano, I'm not letting you leave here without at least eating or drinking something.
Rano lets out a frustrated groan and then reaches out for a glass of orange juice resting on the table. She quickly downs it down and shows her sister the empty glass.
Rano: Look, I drank something. Can I go now?
Jai looks at his empty glass of orange juice in Rano's hand. Mausi giggles at the sisterly banter.
Bani: Okay, baba, go!
Dadi: Arre Rano puttar, take one of the Walia cars, you are going to waste time finding a rickshaw.
Bani and Rano look at Dadi and then at everyone else. During their little fight, they had seemed to forget that everyone was around. Bani instantly becomes quiet.
Mausi: I have an idea. --- Munna.
Jai: (looking up) Ji Mausi?
Mausi: Why don't you take Rano to her university? You pass by there don't you? While you're going to the office?
Rano: Mausi, that's not necessary. --- Mr. Walia, you don't have to, I don't want to waste your time.
Jai: (sincerely) I don't mind dropping you off Rano. Besides, it would be best if you come along with me. Dadi saahi kehte hai.(trans: Dadi is right.) There's no guarantee that you will find a rickshaw.
Rano: Lekin-----
Mausi: Arre jao nah Rano. (trans: Go on Rano.)You were saying that you're running late. You are only wasting time dear.
Rano glances over at her sister who looks at her husband suspiciously.
Mausi: Bahu, tum kaho nah. Tumhari behen ko samjado. (trans: Bahu, you tell her. Make your sister understand.)
Looking away from Jai and over at Mausi, Bani nods hesitantly.
Bani: Rano… tum Mr. Walia ke saath jao. (trans: Rano... go with Mr. Walia.) He will take you to the University on time…
******************* ************************************************************ *********
Jai: Rano, why are you sitting in the back?
Jai questions her as she opens the back car door. Rano, alarmed, looks over at him innocently. He smiles nicely.
Jai: Come on and sit in the front.
Rano, without a word, obliges and obediently sits in the front. Jai sits in the driver's seat and puts the key into the ignition, starting the car. He pulls out of the driveway.
It had been less than a minute since the both had gotten into the car, and already an awkward silence formed. Rano pretended to be looking through her books to avoid making conversation, and Jai uncomfortably continued to drive.
Throughout the drive he would occasionally look at his sister-in-law and feel the guilt inside of him rise. Jai had not only committed injustice towards Bani, but also to Rano. He had been rude towards her and caused her to suffer along with Bani. Seeing her older sister miserable must of course had upset Rano. …If he was going to apologize to Bani, then he certainly also has to apologize to Rano.
Stepping onto the brake pedal and bringing the car into a slow halt before the university, Jai takes in a deep breath and urges himself to go ahead with it. This will probably be the only chance he gets with Rano alone.
Jai: Rano…..
Rano takes her eyes off of the pages in her book and stares at him curiously. She watches him keep his eyes focused on the windshield before him and his hands tighten around the steering wheel.
Jai: (feeling her eyes on him) ….there's a big burden on my heart that continues to kill me inside…and I would like your help to remove it…
Rano shuts her book closed and keeps her eyes on him, her attention now completely on him. She doesn't speak and waits patiently for him to proceed on.
Jai: I have committed a grave mistake…I terrible mistake…. For the first time in my life, I feel ashamed of myself.
Rano remains speechless, not knowing what to say nor unable to understand why Jai Walia is choosing to tell her all of this. Her, one of the Dixit sisters, who he despises.
Jai: I have… I have failed to recognize an honest person… --- I have failed to recognize honest people. (correcting himself) … I was so blinded with anger and revenge that I could not see the innocence in them. … I mistreated them both harshly…and blamed them for everything even though they had done nothing wrong. I blamed them for one person's mistake……
Jai knows that Rano will catch on. She's an intelligent girl, he is sure of it. And he is proven right when he sees realization strike onto her face from the corner of his eye.
Jai: (going on, feeling better after every sentence he speaks) I have hurt you and Bani a lot… especially your sister.
He finally faces her.
Jai: I always insulted her, never left a chance to hurt her emotions, and was always harsh on her. I punished her for Pia's mistake. I misunderstood her… I thought that she was a part of Pia's plan to elope….and it angered me, thinking that she had helped Pia and Pushkar with stabbing me in the back. …. But it was only a couple of days ago that I realized that she was innocent the whole time… She was just as clueless as me.
Rano couldn't seem to fathom any of this. This was all so sudden and unexpected. She remains mute and in a trance of bewilderment.
Jai: …I have now realized that there are many similarities between me and your sister…. We were both unaware of what we were going to get into…. We both lost a sibling…. And we both were betrayed by the one we love…..
Rano's eyes widen with shock.
Rano: Aapka matlab hai ke….keh aapko maloom----
Jai: Yes…. I know your sister loved Pushkar at the time…. Still does I suppose.
Rano opens her mouth to intervene, but Jai cuts her off.
Jai: I know that I have hurt you too. I detested you also because you were Pia's sister…. and I know it must have been difficult for you to see me behave with Bani the way I did. --- Rano, I don't deserve any forgiveness at all… for the way I have acted. For what I did. …. But still, I am pleading to you…. forgive me. ….I have recognized my fault. I want to apologize to you for everything that I have done to you and Bani. ….I don't think I'll ever go on with life the same knowing that you and your sister haven't forgiven me.
Rano blinks away her forming tears and quickly speaks.
Rano: Mr. Walia, you aren't at any fault at all! In fact, if there's anyone who should be apologizing then it should be me and Bani Di. Because of our sister you had to face so much humiliation and hurt. She even has created a rift between you and Pushkar. Our sister is the one who has made all of this mess. It is because of her that you acted this way… so if there is anyone at fault, then it is me and my sisters. Me and Bani Di should have known what Pia was up to…….
Jai: It's not your fault nor Bani's for what Pia did. Just because she is your sister doesn't hold you two responsible for her actions, I have realized this. ….and you can't say that I was at no fault here… I shouldn't have assumed that Bani was apart of it… I should had seen the honesty in her….
Rano: Mr. Walia… it isn't necessary for you to ask for forgiveness from either of us… because I had forgiven you way before. The day you saved my Bani Did's life, I forgave you completely and understood that you were acting on a misunderstanding…. You didn't know….and you were betrayed by two people, so it is understandable that you didn't want to believe anyone else. …. As for Bani Di, she has never held you responsible for anything…. Nor holds any grudge against you even today…. She understood the state that you were going through….
Jai leans back into his car seat and runs his hand over his hair, frustrated.
Jai: Which is why I want to make it up to her… I wish I can take away all the hurt I have inflicted upon her, but I know that isn't possible…. Even if she has forgiven me, I still feel the need to apologize… I have been a horrible person to her….
Rano: (lightly smiles) You may think so Mr. Walia, but to my Bani Di… you are a wonderful person.
Jai looks over to her, beyond confused.
Jai: How?
Rano's smile becomes wider.
Rano: Because you have given her a new life…. and that's something she can never forget. If it weren't for you Mr. Walia… if you hadn't taken us orphans in, we wouldn't have the comfortable stable life we are living right now. You gave Bani Didi a chance to give her sister's happiness and various opportunities in life. … and that's what she always had wanted.
"Hey Rano!," they both hear a cry. Rano looks out of her open window and sees her friend wave at her, signaling for her to come along. She looks back over to Jai, who is digesting all that she had said.
Rano: That's my friend Nisha… we always go to our first class together….I should get going. Thank you for driving me, Mr. Walia.
Jai just nods his head and watches Rano gather her stuff and get out of the car. She closes the car door and leans in through the open window.
Rano: And to me…. you will still be the same person I always looked up to….
Jai watches Rano smile cheerily and walk away from him in bewilderment……
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This was all I could write for now. It's back to work for me.😆 I hope it's alright. I think i'm beginning to lose my touch.
Edited by Indian_Goddess - 17 years ago
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah
Tum Se Tum Tak
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
