Chapter 19 and Epilogue
Jai did not want to step into his so called room, it had some wonderful memories but the person with whom he had them was no longer with him….though he was feeling very tired, he would not be able to sleep, the memories will keep him awake..
He inserted his hand inside the jacket pocket to take out his mobile, purse, etc, he dropped them on the bed, for few seconds he looked at the envelope a bit blankly wondering from where did it come from, on recollecting the same, he sighed, strangely Ma did not enquire about Bani, that means she knows, she did not even reprimand him for his deceit..is she so offended that she is avoiding the topic, most probably so, anyway I will return the bangle, he opened the cupboard to put it away for the meantime….as he closed the drawer he noticed a jacket hanging on the hanger…it looked very familiar….
It was the 'jacket' how did it come here, hadn't Bani taken it away with her….he pulled it out, yes it was the very same jacket, no doubt about the same…
Bani, good god where is she…he thought…as he ran out of the room to go down……..
He ran across the long corridor to stop at ma's room, Ma once again lowered her book…
Bani, he asked…
With her head she indicated towards the kitchen…
Jai ran towards it….
There she was with her back towards him, doing something…
He went and hugged her from behind….
Keya kar rahe hai aap, yeh sabzi jal jayega…
Aur jo mai jal raha hu itna din se…
Kab se
Jab se tum us Grand Hotel ki room se chali ayi tabh se…
Aapne roka kiyu nehi…
Agar mai rokhta toh rukh jati…
Puchke toh dekte…
Jai turned her around to face him, looked into her eyes and said…
Toh rukh jayo zindagi bhar ke liye, mere saath
Bani wrapped her arms around his neck and hid her face in his chest…
Jai took a deep breath of satisfaction…
Hmm uhhmmm uhhmmm, idhar keya ho raha hai…they broke apart hearing Shakuntala's stern voice…turned to see that Shakuntala and Ma were standing at the door…
Jai yeh keya ho raha hai, kam se kam baro ka toh lehaj karo, shaadi se pehlehi apni Ma ke samne iss tarah apne honewali biwi ko…
Jai scratches his head, lekin Shakuni tum kaha se….ma ne jo kaha…
Nehi gayi Kolkata mai…chhip kar baithi thi bagalwala kamre me, sun rahi thi sab….
Ar woh jayegi kiyu, woh jane se kaisa chalega, woh mera mukhya assistant hai…Ma said
Jai looked at Bani, she was trying to conceal her smile, her eyes were naughty….
Jai looked at the three ladies and then asked…idhar keya chal raha hai….koi mujhe batayga bhi….
Shakuntala pulled his hand and took him to Ma's room….
Shakuntala was upset with Bani for not contacting her after she left for Mumbai, apne naye pati ke saath itna kho gaye ki she doesn't remember me but after Dhurbo spoke to Jai, he guessed something was wrong somewhere, one fine day on getting the first opportunity Dhurbo left for Mumbai to speak to Jai….that very same day, Bani contacted Shakuntala, she wanted help, a new life, a place to stay far away from Jai Walia, whom she was unable to forget, can Shakuntala help as Bani had no relatives other then her parents, and with her parents she did not want to stay, under her father's constant scrutiny…
Before Dhurbo returned from Mumbai that evening, Bani came, Shakuntala received her at the airport, on Dhurbo's arrival, they got to know about Jai's state of mind…for all major decisions in his life, Dhurbo always spoke to his mother….they called her up, Ma was very upset with Jai and to know his deed, but also understood him, his fear for not wanting to get married, for not going into commitment, she told Dhurbo if something is achieved easily nobody values it, something should be done to make Jai grow desparate for Bani…the plan was hatched….to keep herself occupied Bani got admitted into Max Mueller Bhawan in Kolkata to learn German, she soon discovered her flair for languages. While Dhurbo kept constant tab on Jai, Ma and Shakuntala made further plans…they knew from Dhurbo that Jai had visited Mt Abu looking for Bani, had left a word with her parents to inform her, when she calls them, she should call him, checked with her parents regularly whether she called or not etc etc., Jai was desparate.. So Ma gave her final go ahead..While Bani called from the PCO at Jai's office's Board No. Shakuntala stood outside it and called him on his mobile…when he confirmed he is arriving, they left Kolkata for the village….
Good god, so I have been fooled by three women…
No by two and one man, Bani only did what she was asked to do, she loves you too much to fool you, but she is scared of Ma, you have fooled us and we have not taken it so kindly, we were pained hence made you suffer, said Shakuntala, both Jai and Bani hung their heads, after all they were guilty, weren't they….
Lekin abh enough is enough, Jai & Bani, said Ma you cannot stay in my house without getting married, mujhe paap lagega, pichle baar anjane se huwa lekin is baar nehi….Kesto, driverji ko bulao, commanded Ma…aur tum dono khare khare keya dekh rahe ho…chalo mere saath…
Kaha…asked Jai…
Shaadi karne, Bani ke saath shaadi nehi karna hai keya….
Ha karna toh hai lekin
koi lekin nehi….Dhurbo mata ki mandir me panditji ko leke wait kar raha hai, chalo mere saath….7.30 baje ka mahurat hai…time nikla ja raha hai…
+++
Epilogue
Jai came down to take his place at the head of table at the time of breakfast, it is now over a year he has been married and Bani has adjusted well into his household, he was willing to move out with her, but Bani wanted to try, kisi karan vash mera aur mera bhai ka koi mama/mami/chacha/chachi nehi hai, who mai apne bachcho ke liye nehi chahati hu…
As he pulled his chair and called out for Bani, his nephews, niece and sister joined him…
Bani came out from the kitchen, over seven months pregnant, she was fit with full of energy…
As the butler held the tray, she puts down the food items for everybody…
Today also no becon and egg, grumbled Jigyasa seeing the simple poha and hot idli, brown bread toast etc…
Nehi didi, it is not good for you, remember you have got high chlorestrol…
Ha lekin you did promise week me ekh din you will allow me, aaj Friday ho gaya, ek din bhi nehi khaya mera favourite….
Didi week khatam nohe me do din abhi baki hai…
Jai and the children are amused…nothing new every day, Jigyasa grumbles and everyday Bani pacifies her, with some excuse or the other…
Bani tum abh baith jayo, tumhara khana thanda ho raha hai, Jai waits for Bani to take her place, he doesn't mind Bani mothering his elder sister…their mother failed to be one and though Jigyasa herself had three children she at times wanted to be a daughter to someone, Bani was of the age of her own children but she had become her mother, taking care of her, keeping her away from her drinks and making her aware about her children's need….Jigyasa grumbled each morning but she loved doing so…
As Bani sat down, she asked Ranveer to change his tie, it was not going with the shirt, wear the red and blue stripe, contrast me achha lagega….
Sahil asked if she liked the colour of his new T shirt that he was wearing…ha achha toh hai lekin Sharon ko toh green pasand nehi hai, so you will not go out with her today, keya baath hai, aaj Friday ke din….
Mami, called Anu….aaj Friday hai, remember you have to inform about the weekend's programme…
Oh yes, mai tu bhul hi gayi thi…Mr Walia, she turned to Jai….
Jai lifted her glass of juice, pehle yeh piyo tabh sununga….She took the glass from him, drank the juice in one long sip and put it down…
Mai keya bol rahi thi….ha, Mr Walia, Didi aur bachcho ghar jaldi a jana, aaj sham ko hum kahi ja rahe hai, by four we have to leave the house…
Lekin humlog ja kaha rahe hai Bani…Jai asked…
That is a surprise, the flight leaves at 6, so be here….
Flight se kaha aur I have to ask the doctor, if you can travel by air at this stage…
Maine puch liya Mr Walia, it is o.k with her also and me to
Areh Bani, tum mujh se toh puchti, Aditya was taking me for dinner tomorrow…
If you want aap Aditya Bhai ko hamara saath le ja sakte ho, Bani informed, Jigyasa looked at her brother…
It is o.k. with me Jigyasa, after all you are still legally married said Jai….both he and Bani were making an effort to reconcile Jigyasa and Aditya..
They finish their breakfast amidst of chatter and guesses where possibly they are off to this weekend but Bani was not disclosing and Anu was her partner in this crime…
Jai got up, he was through, Bani followed him, the other members gave their all knowing looks but Jai and Bani ignored…
As Jai stood near the main door, Bani checked his jacket to see if his mobile, handkerchief, purse were in place, Jai waited patiently, there was no reason of getting missed out as she lays them out each morning before coming down to get the breakfast ready…
Tum ne plan bana liya mujhse bina puchhe hi, pata nehi aaj kaun kaunsa meeting ko cancel karna parega…
Koi bhi meeting cancel nehi karna parega, informed Bani as she straightened his tie, maine Ruby se baath karke hi planning ki hai…
Jai smiled, he loved to see her hands pulling and straightening the imaginary creases of his shirt…wearing Ma's iron bangle, Shakuntala had offered to get a more fashionable one but both Jai and Bani felt nothing can be better than this one….
Aaj tumhara keya schedule hai, no classes today…
Ha hai na, lekin 3 baje ghar chali ayungi….
Bhabiji aapka phone, informed Tony, Shakuntala maam ka….
O.k. bye Mr Walia, take care, didi ka phone study me transfer karo Tony, she called out…
Bye Bani, take care, he patted her head before turning towards the main door to leave…
Nowadays Jai doesn't get to speak to Shakuntala, it is Bani who is always speaking and he gets to know from her…to find out where Bani is taking them for the weekend will not take a minute, he just has to know the destination his plane is booked for, but he will not do that, it is Bani's surprise and he will let it remain that way….Shakuntala long time he has not spoken with her…Jai turns gets in and goes towards the study where Bani is chatting with her, it will be quite sometime before she puts the phone down…
Ha didi, kisi ko nehi bataya maine...only Anu knows of course, aap sirf mere ma aur pitaji ko Howrah station me receive kar lena aur humlog ajeyenge…Ma ne mere godh bharai ka rasam rakha hai, ana toh parega hi, thanks to you and ma with your suggestions I am being able to give Mr Walia's family a feeling of family and togetherness, aagar aap na hote this would not have been possible, mai bhi toh ekh tote parivaar se hi hu…
So they are going to the village for Bani's 'Godh Bharai' Jai felt happy, this will be the first occasion in so many years that his sister alongwith his nephews and niece will visit the village, the family with whom he feels a part of…Jai tiptoed out to leave for office…
++the end++
Dear Friends,
When Preet pmed me to adapt Pretty Woman, I did not know how to proceed, it is such a perfect movie I would not like to change the original a bit but then I thought what would have happened if both went on their own way, how would they have been facing life, will the incident leave any mark on the concerned individuals, Indians being a bit more emotional than Americans would be thinking of everything, too much self respect might prevent them for calling each other and then Jai will certainly think about his social standing before all conquering love overtake their feelings….
Thanks preet for the idea, I do not know whether I did justice to the story but can say definitely that it did not turn out to be true adaptation of Pretty Woman incase you have been expecting one….Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year…I will be out of station till 26th Dec'07…enjoy the season with your family and friends….love Tin
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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