Hey all, finally here with the next update.😆
Chapter 18
Rano walks out of the classroom with her good friend by her side, laughing at something that Nisha has said. Both stroll down the hall with their books protectively held against their chest, smiling and giggling.
Nisha: And that's not at all, so Raj Chacha, clearly drunk, goes up to her and-------
Rano: (bright red from laughter, tears in her eyes) Oh God Nisha, stop it already. My stomach is about to burst. You're going to kill me one day with these stories of your Raj Chacha.
Nisha: Arre sunno to, Rano, I haven't even gotten to the good part yet...
Rano: alright, shoooottt------
Rano lets out a short scream of surprise as she suddenly feels herself being yanked backwards. After straightening her glasses and checking to see that her books haven't slipped, she glances up and is infuriated to see Saahil smirking down at her, his hand wrapped around her wrist. She struggles to let herself go...
Rano: What is this, Saahil? Let me go. (obviously angry)
Saahil: And why would I do that?
Rano: Because I will break your legs. (threatens)
Nisha: Saahil, what is this childishness? Let Rano go.
Saahil: You don't understand Nisha, I have been trying to get this girl's attention for awhile now, but she never has time for me. She ignores me at college, avoids taking the car with me and Anu, --- doesn't even look at me back at home.... what other choice do I have?
Rano: To smartly let go of my hand otherwise you will face pretty nasty consequences.
Saahil: (fastening his grip) I'm ready to face anything for you....
Rano looks at him, purely disgusted. She rolls her free hand into a fist and punches him hard into his stomach. Saahil, not expecting this, instantly lets go of her wrist and lets out a moan. He wraps both arms across his stomach protectively.
Rano: I warned you... but silly me, I should have realized that a dimwit as yourself wouldn't give up. ... Come on Nisha.
Rano takes Nisha by her arm and drags her along. Saahil is left behind--- moaning in pain. Rano walks angrily and fast, whereas Nisha tries to catch up with her, despite her short stubby legs.
Rano: That moron.... idiot....stupid....jerk....dimwit....pig! How dare he touch me like that?!
Nisha: (panting, tired from keeping up with her) Well when do you ever give him a shot? What else do you expect the poor guy to do?
Rano stops immediately in her tracks and turns on her heels. She glares at her friend, who now realizes that she has made a mistake. She bites down on her tongue.
Rano: Don't you dare take that moron's side! (turning back around, walking again, mumbling to herself) Next thing you know he's assaulting me, and you'll say 'well what else do you expect the poor guy to do? You never give him a shot?'
Nisha: (sighs) That's not what I meant.
At that instant Rano's cell begins to ring. Alarmed, she looks down at her bag and searches through it for her phone. Nisha waits patiently off to the side.
Rano: (not recognizing the number) Hello?
"Aaahhh...eerr...Rano?", says a familiar man in a nervous tone. Rano lightly smiles on now recognizing the caller.
Rano: (her earlier frustration gone) Mr. Walia, aap?
Jai: (diffident) Hain, woh--- main.
Rano: Ji... khaiye Mr. Walia. Aapko koi kaam hai?(trans: Yes Mr. Walia...do you have any work that needs to be done?)
Jai: Nahi....I mean, yes... I do actually....
Running a hand through his thick hair, Jai swivels in his chair and sighs.
Jai: I'm just going to come out and say this, Rano....
Rano: (noting his tone, worried) What's wrong Mr. Walia? Has something happened?
Jai: No, every thing's alright... it's just that... I've been meaning to --- apologize to Bani... (embarrassed, sheepishly) I just don't know how.....
Rano: What do you mean? (puzzled)
Jai: I mean... with you I just seemed to be able to say it without any hesitation.... but just thinking about Bani... I can't even bring myself to face her.... how can I apologize to her?
Rano: Mr. Walia, you are worrying too much.... It will all be fine... You will just have to gather some courage and say it to her. The sooner you get it off of your chest, the better you and Bani Didi will feel. It's as simple as that..... and just remember that Bani Di is a very forgiving person.
Jai: ...... You're right.... (calming a little bit down) .... There's another problem though....
Rano: Yes?
Jai: .... I can't seem to get your Bani Di on her own.... She's always with someone from the family or is busy.... How do I get her alone?
Rano: (smiling) Mr. Walia--- aap bhi nah. You really have lost, haven't you?
Jai: Why?
Rano: Have you ever thought of taking Bani Di out for dinner? .... With that excuse, you can have plenty of time away from the family to talk to her alone.....
Jai: (realization striking him, feeling incredibly stupid) ... Of course.... Oh God, I can't believe I had to call a eighteen year old girl just to hear something I could have thought of myself....--- (quickly) No offense.
Rano: No offense taken.
Jai: (laughing a little to himself) I'm becoming crazy... here I am, a successful businessman, owner of a billion dollar worth company...afraid and nervous of talking to my own wife.
Rano: (joining in with his light laughter)
Jai: ... Thank you Rano.
Rano: No problem at all. If you need anything else, I'm be more than glad to help out.
Jai: I think I can take care of the rest.... but please do one small favor...
Rano: Yes?
Jai: Make sure that Bani's schedule is cleared... I think I will go mad if I won't be able to talk to her again....
Rano: That I will surely make sure is done.... Good luck, Mr. Walia... and please be calm... don't fret too much... Bani didi is a really understanding....
Jai: (grins) I know.... and thank you once again. *cuts the call*
Rano, smiling, puts her phone back into her bag and turns around to find Nisha give her a questioning look.
Nisha: What did Mr. Walia say?
Rano: Nothing important... --- Alright, Nisha, I'll see you tomorrow. I need to get on home otherwise Bani Didi will worry.
Nisha: Sure thing. See ya.
After bidding Nisha bye, Rano continues to walk down the opposite side of the hallway, towards the front entrance of the university. As she opens the wooden door, the sun rays instantly blind her and she shields her eyes with her arm, which doesn't do much help. She runs down the long cement stairs quickly to reach the ground. Due to the glare from the sun, Rano doesn't note much of her surroundings, therefore she doesn't notice the tall young man dressed in a classy business suit, loiter around at the end of the stairs. She bumps directly into him and feels herself lose her balance. Frighteningly she awaits for her face to hit smack with the sidewalk, but instead feels a pair of strong arms hold her tight around her waist and support her.........
************************************************************ ******************************
Aditya walks into Jai's cabin with a few files in his hand and sees Jai talking seriously into his cell phone. He curiously watches him and sits down in the seat across his desk. Jai perks up on seeing him.
Jai: Aditya....
Aditya: (thinking he wants to know why he's here) Jai, I have a few files here which you're required to-----
Jai: (waving his hand) I'll deal with those later... first tell me... what kind of flowers do you think are suitable for an invitation to dinner? ... I don't want to overwhelm her....
Aditya: (very curious) Who?
Jai: ... Uh, yes, hang on.... (covering the phone piece with his hand) Bani... (answering Aditya)
Aditya: Bani? --- But why?
Jai: I'm taking her out to dinner tonight.... (talking back with the employee) Just hang on please, I have to think about this.... (to Aditya) So? what flowers?
Aditya: (shrugs) Red roses?
Jai: (shakes his head) Too overused... besides, I don't want to send her the wrong idea...
Aditya: (getting up and walking over to him, sitting on the corner of his desk) You're taking Bani out?
Jai: Hmmm... ( he answers shortly as he's thinking of different kinds of flowers)
Aditya: (leaning in closer) To apologize I suppose?
Jai: Hmm...
Aditya: How about white roses? Aren't they supposed to symbolize friendship?
Jai: (smiling) I think you're mixing those up with yellow roses Aditya.
Aditya: Well did I say that I have knowledge of flowers?
Jai: (ignoring his remark)..... Lilies...white lilies.... those will be perfect, won't they?
Aditya just shrugs and nods him on. Jai goes back to talking with the flower deliverer and orders a bouquet of white lilies. After finalizing that, he then calls up the finest restaurant in the city and makes reservations for eight o'clock.
Aditya: You're putting a great deal of effort into this dinner, Jai. (surprised)
Jai sets the office desk phone down onto its receiver and answers in a gloomy voice..."It's the least I can do for her".......
************************************************************ ***********
Slowly Rano peeps through her eyelids and is awed by what she sees, causing her to lift her eyelids all the way open. The tall, nicely tanned man flashes her a swooning smile and he bores into her light brown eyes with his dark brown ones. "Whoa there", he says in an incredibly deep sexy voice, causing Rano to flush pink and her heart to race. He gently helps her up and removes his hands away from her waist, disappointing Rano a little.
"You may want to watch where you're going", he advises her in a caring tone. Rano just continues to shamely blush before him and look at him with wonder. She sees him grin widely at her, scanning her quickly from head to toe. She burns warm under his checking eyes. The man glances down onto the ground and bends down. She follows his gaze and sees that he's gathering her fallen books. He politely extends them back to her.
"Your books." Rano shyly takes them away from him and panickly turns around, wanting to leave, feeling new to these strange feelings and to the stranger, but he stops her once again. "You're forgetting something." Confused Rano looks back to him, wondering what it is that she's forgotten, and sees her black thin rimmed reading glasses in his hand. He surprises her by coming close to her and slowly placing them onto her eyes. The handsome man continues to smile at her. "You really are a strange woman.... you bump into me and don't even apologize.... and just remaining mum." Rano, startled, looks him straight into his eyes.
Rano: (quickly, shyly) Sorry... I didn't see you... the sun----
"Bhaiya!---- Bhaiya!!!", Rano hears a familiar voice shout from a distance. Both Rano and the man look behind them and see Nisha standing at the top of the stairs, waving eagerly down at them. She runs down towards them. As she approaches she hugs the stranger. Rano watches this, confused.
Nisha: Bhaiya, I've been waiting for you about five whole minutes. You know how I don't like to wait... and what are you doing here in the front of the university? You were supposed to pick me up from the back.... I had to walk so far to come here...
"Sorry, I was a little confused...", the man answers her with an apologetic look. Nisha turns to Rano and then looks back to her brother.
Nisha: I'm guessing you two have met?
Rano blushes as Nisha's brother smiles. He nods his head in an affirmative. "We certainly have met... yet are in need of a proper introduction."
Nisha: (cheerfully) Bhaiya, this is Rano, my very good friend. Remember I mentioned her to you a couple of times? ----- (turning to Rano) And Rano, this is my brother, Ranveer... I also have told you about him once in awhile....
Both Rano and Ranver acknowledge this fact and go back to staring at one another. Rano, suddenly confused, looks over to Nisha.
Rano: Nisha...you drive home with your own car, don't you?... Then why has your...(her eyes traveling back over to Ranveer, and becoming instantly quiet)
Ranveer grins at her shy-like behavior.
Nisha: I told you, didn't I? I got my license suspended so Bhai has to pick me up from the university for awhile... and Ma wont let me take the rickshaw because she finds it filthy.
Rano remembers this and nods her head, showing her this. Nisha looks back over to Ranveer, who still has his eyes on his little sister's friend.
Nisha: Shall we go Bhaiya?
Ranveer: (snapping out of it, unwillingly taking his eyes off of Rano) Yes, let's go.
Nisha: I'll see you tomorrow Rano.
Rano smiles and watches both brother and sister walk towards the parking lot and to their parked car. She blushes a bright red as she sees Nisha's brother look back and wink.......
****************** ************************************************************ ***********
Bani smiles along with Mausi as she talks fondly of her home in Chandigarh. She brushes away a strand of hair with the back of her hand as her palms are covered with flour and goes back to kneading the dough before her. She continues to listen on respectively.
Mausi: Saach Bahu, ek din main tumhe wahan laakhe jaaongi... (trans: Really Bahu, one day I will take you there.)
Bani: Ji, Mausi....
The both hear the front door bell ring and turn their heads at the same time. Bani pats her hand and makes a movement to go, but Mausi stops her by holding onto her arm lightly.
Mausi: Arre Bahu, tum kahan jhare ho? Tony hai.... woh dhekloonga. ...Tony (motioning Tony). (trans: Where are you going? Tony is here... he will see...)
Tony obliges and leaves the kitchen. He walks towards the front doors and opens them. He stares curiously at the stranger before him, wearing a polite smile and a business hat on his bald head.
Moments later, Mausi and Bani hear Tony calling out for his Bani Ma'am. Bani, surprised, looks over to Mausi who nods her on. She leaves the kitchen without wasting another second, curious as to why Tony is calling her. Mausi follows on behind her, a little curious herself. Bani joins Tony at the doors.
Bani: Kya hua, Tony? You were calling me?
Tony: Ji, woh... Bani ma'am, he needs your signature.
Bani looks over to her left and stares at the man, who holds a beautiful bouquet of white lilies in his hands, an elegant looking card neatly tucked inside of it. The man smiles friendly and extends over a clipboard over to her where her signature is required. Bani, confused, signs on the straight line and gives it back to him. The man then hands over the bouquet to her and tips the rim of his hat at her and bids her a good day.
Bani stares at the flowers dazedly and runs her fingers over them gently. Her fingers come across the small card and she is about to open it until she is startled by Mausi's sudden voice.
Mausi: Arre wah, yeh phool kahan se aaye? (trans: where have these flowers come from?)
Bani stares over at her direction and lightly shrugs, showing confusion on her face.
Bani: Pata nahi, Mausi.... (trans: I don't know Mausi...) (turning to Tony) Yeh phool kiske liye hai, Tony? (trans: Who are these flowers for Tony?)
Tony: Ma'am, woh aadmi kaha tha ke aapke liye hai. (trans: ma'am, that man was saying that they are for you.)
Bani: (surprised, repeats) Mere liye? (trans: For me?)
Tony nods his head in an affirmative. Mausi bears a wide smile on her lips. She looks at Bani excitedly.
Mausi: Arre Bani, dekho nah... card ko pharo.... (trans: Arre, look at it... read the card...)
Bani hesitantly grabs the card as Mausi encourages her. She flips it open and reads the neatly black pen written handwriting on the inside of the white empty space. Her heart lurches....
White lilies for a beautiful woman as yourself.....
--- Be ready by seven-thirty sharp. We will be having dinner at the Watermoon Restaurant. I have made reservations for the both of us at eight o'clock. I am tied up with work at the office so I will meet you directly there.
- JW
p.s. Hope you enjoy the flowers.
Bani quickly scans through the words once more, not quite believing her eyes. She swallows down hard. Jai Walia, her husband, wants to have dinner with her?....Tonight? Panic quickly approaches her.
Mausi: What does it say?
Bani hastily shuts the card closed.
Bani: Kuch nahi, Mausi.... woh baas... (trans: Nothing, Mausi.. it's just...)
Mausi: Arre? What do you mean by nothing? --- Lao... mujhe dhekao...(trans: show it to me.)
Bani reluctantly hands over the card to Mausi, who reads through it quickly and smiles.
Mausi: Here Munna has asked you out to dinner and you are saying that it's nothing. ... Pagali... arre, tum to khush hone chaaye (trans: you should be happy)... Your husband wants to spend some quality time with you.
Bani opens her mouth to speak, but is cut off by someone's unexpected presence. "Ooooohhh! Flowers!", they hear Rano speak out of no where in an interested tone. She stands by them and looks at the flowers approvingly.
Rano: (running her hands through them) These are so beautiful.... who are they for?
Mausi: Tumhari Bani Di ke liye...(trans: They are for your sister)
Rano: Really?
Rano looks over to her sister's worried looking face and smiles teasingly at her.
Rano: Wah... Di, whoever has sent you these flowers must have known that white lilies are your favorite....
Mausi: (proudly) Jai has sent them and has also made dinner plans for the both of them tonight.
Rano: (faking disbelief) Really? When?
Mausi: Well she has to be ready by 7:30 since dinner starts at 8:00.... (realizing something) Arre, right now it's 6:00... (turning to Bani) Arre Bahu, go on and get ready.... you don't want to get late.
Bani: (hastily, making an excuse) Paar Mausi--- main kaaise jaaon? --- Aapko maadat kaun kaarong----(trans: but Mausi, who can i go? Who will help you---)
Mausi: (cutting her off) Arre, tum mujhe phul jao. Tum baas tumhari paati ko ...aur tumhare dinner ke baare soch. (trans: Arre, forget about me. Just think about your husband and your dinner.)
Mausi takes the flowers from out of Bani's floured hands and gives her a light push in the direction towards the stairs.
Mausi: Go on and wash up... and then together we will find the perfect saree for you to wear. Kyon, Rano?
Rano: (smiling) Absolutely Mausi.
Bani wears an expression of disappointment and casts a desperate look over to her sister, seeking for some kind of support, instead she also receives a prodding look from her. Sighing, Bani nervously walks up the stairs to her bedroom to take a quick shower and be refreshed.......
********** ************************************************************ ******************************
Just as Bani steps out of the bathroom she is greeted by Mausi and Rano who sit patiently waiting on the bed for her. She fixes her saree carefully on her shoulder and stands before them.
Bani: ...Mausi...Rano....aap dono mere kamre mein..... (trans: Mausi...Rano... you two in my room...)
Mausi: Maine kaha tha naa Bani--- Hum dono tumhare liye ek sundaar sa saare doondlonge... (trans: I had told you Bani- us both will find a beautiful saree for you.)
Bani: Mausi...aap taaqleef kyon uthaare?-- main khud hi chulonge----- (trans: Mausi, why do you bother? I will myself choose---)
But Mausi hears none of it and proceeds onto Bani's closet and looks through her best sarees. Rano and Mausi both scan through all of them, trying to find the best for the occasion. Bani helplessly watches them from behind, feeling frustrated from their excitement when she is worried for her life..... after all what is the reason for this dinner between her and Mr. Walia? Just thinking about being alone with him away from the family nerves her. --- Goa was different.... he was barely around and she was always usually asleep when he came back to their hotel room. But now they were both going to be conscious and perfectly alone..... What would they talk of during the whole time they're at the restaurant? What will he say to her?
Rano: Mausi, how is this?
Mausi: (awed) Baut sundaar hai, Rano...
Rano: Should Didi wear this?
Mausi: Yes, I think she should. It's very beautiful and it will look nicely on her.......
************************************************************ *******************************
Sorry but this was all I could write for now. Please excuse my mistakes and if it's a boring or lame, it's all that I could come up with.
Edited by Indian_Goddess - 17 years ago
CID
