Part 1 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=791841
Part 2 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=791841&TPN=3
Part 3 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=791841&TPN=6
For Chander992, she wants me to include visits to the Chandigarh rock gardens, lake etc…
Red Sari Under the Mistletoe – Christmas Gardens
[i Bumbro bumbro, shyam rang bumbro
Bumbro bumbro, shyam rang bumbro
Aaye ho kis bagiya se, oh oh tum
Bumbro bumbro, shyam rang bumbro
Bumbro bumbro, shyam rang bumbro
Aaye ho kis bagiya se, oh oh tum
Bhanwre o shyam bhanwre, khushiyon ko saath laaye
Mehndi ki raat mein tum, leke saugat aaye
Ho, kaajal ka rang laaye, nazrein utaarne ko
Baaghon se phool laaye, raste sanwaarne ko
Haan, kaajal ka rang laaye, nazrein utaarne ko
Baaghon se phool laaye, raste sanwaarne ko
Haan mehndi ki chhaon mein geet sunayein bumbro
Jhoome nachein saaz gaayein, jashn manayein bumbro
Bumbro bumbro, shyam rang bumbro
Bumbro bumbro, shyam rang bumbro
Aaye ho kis bagiya se, oh oh tum
(mission kashmir)
Self-conscious Bani sat picking at her dinner. Ever since Jai gave her rose pendant and the way he had looked at her in the mirror, her heart was cruising on a non-stop roller coaster. The intimate atmosphere in the restaurant did not help, the low lights, the soft music and mostly couples sat around enjoying the evening.
After watching her play around with her food, Jai spoke up, "Anything wrong with the food?"
Bani dropped the fork and lifted her gaze up only to lower them again as she met two dark brown eyes twinkling back with mirth. She picked up the fork again and said softly, "No the food is fine. I guess I am not hungry."
Jai grasped the fork from her and picked up some rice and held it to her mouth, "here try the rice, it's very good."
After a few moments of hesitation Bani opened her mouth took the mouthful and then tried to get the fork back, only to be find her fingers touching his sending a tingling sensation inside her. Jai did not let go of the fork, instead he took another forkful of rice and proceeded to feed her. After a few more bites, he took her hand and put the fork back in it. The touch of his hand on hers definitely sent her mind into a spiral…his nearness was creating havoc within her. She didn't know what to think, what to feel and sheen of tears coated her eyes. Finally she looked up at him and gazed at him through the hazy film. "Please Jai let go of my hand."
The tremor in her voice made him release her hand and sigh softly, "Do you want to eat more, otherwise let's get out of here."
Bani put her fork down and stood up. Jai took her hand and they went out to jeep and told the driver to take them to Terraced gardens. He looked at her, "You don't mind, but it's illuminated in the evening and we can just take a gentle walk."
When they reached the park it was full of people, all there to enjoy the musical fountain and the beauty of fragrance filled flowers. They watched the fountain rise and fall to the tune of:
Bole Choodhiyan, Bole Kangna
Haye Maein Ho Gayi, Teri Saajna
Tere Bin Jiya, Naiyo Lag Da, Maein Te Margaiyaan
Le Jaa Le Jaa, Soniye Le Jaa Le Jaa
Dil Le Jaa Le Jaa, Ho...
and the lights colour change to the beats of the tune. Bani was thrilled by the whole effect and she slid close to Jai as he wrapped one arm around her shoulder. She felt herself relax, her heart no longer beating like crazy and instead of nervousness she felt a warm glow course through her. They stood like that for several minutes and then Jai whispered, "Do you want to stay here or we can go to Sukhna lake for a walk?"
Bani came out of her trance and asked "How many places are we planning on seeing tonight?"
Jai laughed, "Only the lake if you want to, it will be less crowded and we can go for a sail if you like."
The idea of sailing in the night appealed to Bani and she said, "Let's go to the lake."
Within a short drive they reached the lake. Just as Jai had said, it was less crowded. They walked up to small jetty where several boats lay waiting for customers. The small sail boats were lit with lights and the men called out to people to go for a ride. Jai and Bani stepped up to one of the boat and with help climbed into the boat. They were shown to seats to sit down before the boat eased out on to the lake. The cool breeze on the lake moved the sail at a gentle pace. It was serenely quiet on the lake, the only sound was lapping of water at the side of the boat.
After sitting quietly for few minutes, Jai asked Bani, "Bani how do you feel about me?"
Shocked at his question, she looked at him puzzled, "Why do you ask?"
"Well, I have made it obvious I like you…in fact I like you a lot. Ever since that night after kissing you under the mistletoe, I don't think of anyone but you. So I want to know if you feel the same or would I just be wasting my time pursuing you." Jai pressed a kiss on the inside of her palm.
Tears misted Bani's eyes again as she looked at him, the same feeling she had felt in the restaurant came back, "Jai, I like being with you but if you are looking for something more than that I have to be honest and say, I don't know what else I feel for you. Couldn't we date a few times and then see. I mean today has been truly wonderful. You brought me to such a wonderful place."
Jai felt a lump rise to his throat as he gazed at her eyes shimmering with tears, he pulled her close and pressed a kiss on her face and whispered, "I am not looking for anything else, just the fact that you like being with me is enough. And I promise you we will go on lots of dates to get to know each other."
Next morning Bani woke to sunrays peeping through the folds of the gauze curtains. The room was filled with pale glow. She lay in bed for a while musing on the outing last night and the talk she and Jai had on the boat. The warm tingly feeling just thinking about him made her giggle. After a while she headed to the bathroom to get ready for one more trip to the rock garden before heading home. Now she wished she hadn't made Jai promise to take her back home so soon…she didn't want to go back to her chores at all.
After a quick breakfast they drove off to the Rock Gardens. The credit for laying its foundation goes to Nek Chand, who was the then Road Inspector in the Engineering Department of Chandigarh Capital Project. It is an unique collection of exquisite artwork made from discarded industrial and urban manmade material. Each piece sculpture is exhibited in open air among the rock gardens with tumbling waterfalls, trailing vines and riotous colours of flowers. Even this early in the morning, the garden had a number of visitors strolling through it. Once again Jai was clicking away with his camera, only this time Bani seemed to be aware of where his camera was pointing and so he couldn't take the carefree pictures of her as he had in the rose garden. Jai got someone to take pictures of them together near one of the waterfall exhibition. The older gentleman who took the picture remarked to Jai about them making a lovely couple which caused Jai's cheeks to tinge slightly with colour. When Bani asked him what the man was saying Jai replied he said she was beautiful. Somehow Bani did not believe it, why would that make him blush?
They had lunch outside on a patio at the local restaurant which served traditional dishes like dal makhni, chole, baigan bhurta, paneer and hot nan and parathas. The food was tasted like home cooked…fragrant and spicy. A quick stop at a handicraft shop where Bani brought couple of scarfs, with phulkari embroidery, and some silverware items as gifts for her friends. Jai wanted to pay for the item but Bani refused saying the items were for friends not for her personal use. While Bani was paying for her items, the shopkeeper badgered Jai into buying red silk cloth embroidered with traditional yellow silk thread…the patterns consisting of small flowers.
It was around four in the afternoon when they landed in Mumbai. Jai dropped Bani off at her apartment, promising to call her. Tired Bani from morning of walking around she fell asleep on the sofa long before the evening dusk fell.
To be continued… JB next date what will it be?
Anupamaa
