KS Autumn FF& Sigi Contest Last Day Vote

sangitadas thumbnail
19th Anniversary Thumbnail Rocker Thumbnail + 3
Posted: 17 years ago
#1

Welcome Dear Friends to the KS Autumn Sonata FF and Siggy Contest. 😊

We have received some lovely entries from our dear members and friends which are posted below.

Members are requested to select three of their favourite FFs and three of their fave siggies and vote for them in THIS Thread only. Voting through PMs will not be encouraged.

All the entries will have specific numbers assigned to them, so while voting please vote as per the specified numbers.

Participants please do not vote for your own entries. This holds for both the FF writers as well as the siggy makers.

Participants please do not canvass for your own entry (ies). Some worthy participant might just lose out due to this canvassing and/ or you may yourself lose due to this. šŸ˜•

Please don't create multiple IDs to vote for the entries. MIDs can be easily identified. Such votes will be disqualified immediately.

In case, there are any problems please PM any of the Development Team members –

*Reemz*, *Pachu~n~Abhi*, *Piku* and sangitadas

Voting starts NOW and continues till 10 January 2008.😃

A request to all readers : If you all can really come over here and read these wonderful FFs and see the lovely siggies, please do vote for them. This will only encourage the participants to be more creative and happy.

A Special Thanks to our lovely GM, Tumhari_Khushi for the wonderful banners for all FFs as well as the Contest Banner!!! šŸ‘šŸ‘šŸ‘

Happy Fanfic-ing and Siggy-ing and please do vote. šŸ˜›

Kasamh Se Development Team

Edited by sangitadas - 17 years ago

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sangitadas thumbnail
19th Anniversary Thumbnail Rocker Thumbnail + 3
Posted: 17 years ago
#2

Entry 1






He walks around in the empty house for hours, going back and forth, lifting up packaged boxes and moving them aside, setting things where they need to be. There are plenty of boxes to move which annoys him to no ends. Who knew that moving could take up so much energy?

The electricity in his new house occasionally goes out for a few moments because of the terrible weather brewing outside. During those moments, he would impatiently wait around for the lights to come back on so he could continue with settling himself in.

Lightening strikes in the dark stormy looking sky and he can hear the rumbling noise ring loudly in his ears. He momentarily looks up and stares out of his windows to see rain pouring hard and fast onto the ground. What a perfect time to move into a new city, he thinks bitterly to himself.

Needing a break, he falls down into his favorite big leather comfy chair, the very first thing he made sure to get out safely from the moving truck, and sighs tiredly. He runs his fingers through his thick black hair and makes himself comfortable in the chair. His back aches from the numerous times he had to bend down to pick up his outrageously heavy boxes. He was sure the pain was still going to be there the next morning….

Laying his head back onto the chair's head rest, he shuts his eyes and exhales softly. A minute later into his very short nap, he hears a ringing from his pocket. His eyelids fluttering open, he sits up and digs his hand into his pocket, reaching for the ringing object. Taking out his cell phone, he sees the reminder that he had set weeks ago flash before his eyes….

She's coming home….

His face turns into an expression that looks sort of like he had just received a mighty slap from someone. Quickly he clicks the end button, stopping the irritating ringing, and throws his phone angrily onto the floor. He watches it slide across the marble floor and stop just before the burning fireplace.

He throws his head back and covers his face with his hands. Old memories flood into his mind and overwhelms him….

"I promise I'll never forget you…I---…I love you, Jai… I love you"….her words echo loudly around him…..in his ears….and in his thoughts…

Another thunder crashes into the sky and causes him to shake terribly. His heart pounding hard and quick, Jai looks around hastily and doesn't see her glowing face smiling at him anywhere…anymore.

He calms down and untightens his hold on the armrests. Jai shakes his head, snapping himself out of the past…and back to the present….back to reality.

If he ever wants to move on, he has to learn to forget about the past…..about her….about everything. It's for the best, he keeps reminding himself….. It would be the best for both of them….but would it really? Jai didn't feel like this was the best for him. This new area….environment….isolating himself from everything relating to his past…. Was it really for the best?

He reaches deep into his pocket and runs his fingers over the small squared object laying in it, continuously, and then grips hard onto it…..

"What makes you think that I'll happily give away my daughter to you? I'd be insane if I even thought about giving her to a family full of self conceited bas*ards" ……

Jai painfully shuts his eyes and absorbs himself in those taunting words. Those words which had hit him hard…. affected him so much that he had to rethink about everything… and come here. He sits in the torturing silence for a long while, trying his best to clear his head… trying his best to get rid of the troubling memories… trying to forget about it all.

Hearing loud knocking on his front door, Jai becomes startled and stares at the door curiously. He didn't even give anyone his address yet because there was no time to. And even if he had, his friends are too busy with their own lives to come and visit him. He was told to expect them sometime next week…

It couldn't be any one of his neighbors because they wouldn't even think about giving him more welcoming treats during a storm like this. Actually…no one would even think about coming here in the middle of the storm. Then who is it at the door?

Again he hears the knocking, loud and strong, as he tries to come up with an idea of who it could possibly be. Slowly Jai gets up from the chair and walks down the hall, leading him towards the front door, where whoever was standing outside was knocking impatiently on. He switches the locks and turns the doorknob. Opening the door he looks in front of him and at the person standing on his front porch….

He blinks his eyes continuously, hoping that this troubling image would fade….that it would just stop taunting him…that it would go away and leave him in peace. Maybe he is hallucinating….dreaming of such nonsense stuff.

Jai opens his eyes, to seek proof that will assure his conclusion, but freezes as he realizes that it's not a dream…..it's very much real. His throat runs dry.

There standing before him in flesh and blood is the reason for his recent state, shivering as she is soaked from head to toe, dressed in a lacy pink blouse covered by a thin black sweater, paired with light faded jeans, her arms tucked in with each other, her black hair in wet curls, droplets falling from her eyelashes, and her quivering lips managing to form a shy smile… She stares at him with her magic like hazel eyes, which always and still causes his stomach to turn inside out.

"Jai", she says breathlessly……


************************************************************ *********************************************

Jai watches her sit in front of the fireplace, wrapped tightly in the thin blue blanket he handed her, and continue to shiver from the cold. He was having trouble trying to digest the fact that she was actually here…in his home. How ironic is it that he had just been thinking about her and now she is here in front of him? --- making things even more difficult on him. How is he going to handle her unexpected arrival?

She looks behind her shoulder and directly at him. His heart stops….

"Well…aren't you going to say anything?", she asks in her usual enchanting voice. He looks away and instead stares at the fire crackling against the burning wood.

"What are you doing here, Bani…", he says in a tone that barely sounds like himself. From the corner of his eye he sees the hurt reflect on her face.

Bani: What do you mean by that? -- Do you not want me here?

Jai looks back at her with the same hard expression. He digs his hands into his pockets.

Jai: You should be at home…with your father.

There is a silence for a long moment and Jai can see Bani taking his words in. She stands up, walks over to his side, and looks him straight in the eyes.

Bani: (light smile) I came to meet my friend…. But if he doesn't like me being here then I will go.

Jai clearly sees the pain he has inflicted on her by his remark in her sad smile. He mentally hits and curses himself for doing so. Bani makes an attempt to walk past him, but feels a haste grip on her wrist, stopping her in her tracks. She glances back at him.

Jai: Jesus Bani, you're still as sensitive as before…I meant that you just came back after two years of being in London and you came here to meet me instead of your family?

Bani smiles softly at him.

Bani: I wanted to see you …. Besides, you were closer from the airport.
Jai: (grouchily)….Your Dad's not going to be too happy that his daughter went to go meet someone else before her own family.
Bani: My Dad doesn't even know that I'm back in India….I wanted to give him, Rano, and Pia a surprise….and you're not just someone else, Jai….you're someone important in my life too.

Jai drops her wrist and brings his hand back to his side. He then moves on to a more important question.

Jai: How…how did you even know I live here? --- I never told you---

He watches as her smile vanishes and is replaced by a frown.

Bani: You're right…you didn't tell me. What is wrong with you? How could you not tell me? (pretense mad) --- I had to ask that silly old P.A. of yours, Rebbecca for your address.

Jai casts his gaze down to the ground.

Jai: (lamely)… I've been busy, so I haven't had time to do anything really…

Bani: Yes, I know how busy you've been…(sarcastically)

Jai finally looks up and decides on changing the topic.

Jai: So when did that arts school of yours end?

Bani, ever since she was little, had always had a passion for art. She loved to draw and paint. To pursue her dream she had gone to a well known art university in London, which is why she has been out of the country for the past two years, occasionally dropping by around holidays.

Bani: (calms down)… A few days ago.

He gently nods his head and remains silent. Bani examines him carefully and softly speaks.

Bani: Jai,…why am I getting the impression that you're not happy to see me?


Jai: (regains his voice, trying to sound convincing) I am. I'm just… surprised is all. I wasn't expecting you … at this time. Besides, I'm pretty tired from all the moving….I'm sorry if I don't look too excited, but believe me, I-I'm glad to see you here.

Bani, luckily accepts his excuse, and smiles cutely at him. She surprises Jai by suddenly wrapping her arms around him and resting her head against his chest. She hugs him tightly and relaxes against him. Jai, not knowing what to do, leaves his hands resting against his sides.

Bani: …..It's so great to see you again… it's been so long….six months feels like an eternity.

Having her right here next to him makes it difficult for him to push her away…He can't keep himself away from her any longer….not when she's right here in person. The idea of moving on has now become useless, because it is of no use anymore. He can't simply just kick Bani out of his life. Not when she's so dear to him. She's more than just the woman he loves, she's also his friend… his good friend of six years. How can he just forget about all those years he has known her?

To hell with her father who made it very clear that he isn't worthy for her….to hell with trying to do the right thing….to hell with everything. He wants Bani…he needs Bani…if not as a lover, then just as a friend. She is now right here in front of him…there is no way he is pushing her out of his life anymore. He was crazy to even think about doing so in the first place.

Putting his differences aside, Jai brings his arms around her and hugs her tight against him, enjoying the feel and touch of her next to him again…which he had missed a lot. He brings his face against her hair and smells the sweet smell of lavender….

Bani: I missed you so much, Jai….

"…..I missed you too", he breathes into her hair. They stay in each others arms for a long while, taking the other another in……

Jai: … How long do you plan on being here?


Bani: I wish I could stay for awhile, but I have to go back to Mumbai the day after tomorrow for Pia's birthday.

Bani shivers in his arms and Jai runs his hands up and down her back, giving her little warmth.

Jai: You're crazy for coming here in the middle of a storm…


Bani: So I am…


Jai: You should probably change your clothes otherwise you're going to get sick.-- You have your stuff with you, don't you?

Bani slowly pulls back and crosses her arms against her chest. He sees her face turn into an expression of annoyance. He becomes puzzled by this.

Jai: What's wrong?


Bani: (angrily) The stupid airline lost my luggage. I don't have anything on me except my handbag which only has my wallet, passport, and toothbrush. No clothes at all….

Jai stares at her for a long moment before chuckling at her expression. Bani, shocked by his lack of sympathy, hits him on his shoulder.

Bani: You jerk! I've lost all of my clothes and you're laughing?!


Jai: They were probably stupid European clothes that you've been brainwashed into liking.


Bani: I wasn't brainwashed and they aren't stupid--- they were the best and very expensive!


Jai: I for one am glad that the airline lost your bags.

He ignores her fuming state and takes her hand in his, entwining their fingers together. "Come on, I'll give you some of my clothes"….


************************************************************ ********************************************* *

After dropping Bani off to his room and giving her the choice of picking out what to wear, Jai went back downstairs to the living room and back to packing…. the sooner he moved in the better.

He gently smiles to himself and shakes his head…. It was great seeing her again and having her back in India. Jai always knew how beautiful Bani is but seeing her in person, ----she is a lot more than just that…. There are simply no words to even describe her.

Jai ignores the nagging thoughts and warnings coming from his conscience, telling him that what he's doing is wrong, that he has to send her away, that having her back here is going to ruin the very reason why he had even moved in the first place…

You moved to stay away from her….to settle the tension between her father….you can't ruin that all now by letting her here.

She's my best friend. --- Besides, I'm not doing anything wrong, I know my limits…having her here won't change anything….just because things couldn't work out between us romantically doesn't mean that we can't still be friends….and I'll be damned if her father as an objection with that also, he argues back with himself. It's not going to be easy on me to love her and not have her… but I definitely know that I cannot live without her…

"What are you doing?", he hears her voice from behind. Startled Jai turns around and sees her just coming off the last step of the stairs….he loses his breath on the sight of her in one of his white dress shirts which stopped to her thighs, the top few buttons of the shirt left unbuttoned, and her hair pushed to one side of her shoulder. She smiles daintily at him as she approaches him on the sofa. He is stunned by the exposition of her creamy fair legs… and how completely tempting she looks.

Jai: (blurts out) Are you---- are you even wearing---

She smiles wickedly at him and pulls the shirt a little up, revealing that she is wearing a pair of shorts underneath.

Bani: Don't have a heart attack….I'm wearing your shorts…you just can't see them because the shirt is too long.

Jai looks away and just curtly nods. He takes in a big breath, really needing it…. Bani smiles to herself on the effect she is causing on him. She sees him go through one of the boxes…

Bani: Are you unpacking?
Jai: Hmmm…
Bani: (sincerely) Can I help?
Jai: …..If you'd like to.

He sees her hand come across his and pull something out of the opened box in front of them. She looks through each and every one of his stuff. As she does this she casually asks, "Jai…why did you move here to Delhi?".

Jai stops going through the box and his body tenses. He mutely looks over to her and sees that she's still observing the book. He turns his gaze back over to the cardboard box.

Bani: Was Mumbai not good enough for you anymore?

Jai remains quiet…..he now feels her eyes on him. He goes back to taking the rest of his books out.

Jai: ……Over a month ago … my parents died from a car accident.

Bani lets out a tiny gasp, covering her mouth with her hand. She looks on at his turned back. Jai let's his words lingers for a while before continuing.

Jai: I couldn't live there anymore….I had to get away.--- There were too many memories attached to that place….

And a whole lot of problems, he mentally tells to himself.

Moments later, Jai feels Bani rest a comforting hand on his shoulder, squeezing it.

Bani: I'm so sorry for your loss, Jai…I had no idea. (barely audible)

Putting on a gentle smile, Jai turns and looks into her sympathetic looking face.

Jai: It's alright…you know that I was never close to them anyways. Especially my father. (a nonchalant type of tone)

Bani had never had the opportunity to meet the Walias, mostly because Jai tried his level best to keep her away from them. Same as her father who always warned her that the Walias were awful people and are completely insensitive human beings. Nishikant Dixit, her father, was never on good terms with Uday Walia and Krishna Walia, even when they went to high school together.

Knowing Jai for six years, she perfectly knew what kind of relationship he shared with his parents and that his only family was Jigyasa and his Mausi, who raised him and his sister when they were little.

Bani slowly nods her head in agreement and watches silently as Jai goes back to taking his belongings out. For long moments neither of them speak, Bani watching him take out his stuff and Jai not knowing what else to say.

Seeing something that catches her eye, Bani gets up from the couch and walks over to the large object facing upside down. She reaches for it and picks it up. Jai is oblivious to this until Bani asks him, "Jai… is this your family?". He looks up and sees Bani holding up an old portrait, presenting it to him. She holds it up by the golden frame…

After a hesitant moment, Jai nods his head. Bani, smiling nicely, walks back over to him and sits down besides him. She carefully places the family portrait on both of their laps.

Bani purposely ignores acknowledging Uday Walia, the stern looking man with no smile on his face. He stands tall and straight with his hands folded behind him. He is dressed stylishly yet professionally in a fancy business suit, his coat buttoned up properly, and a matching tie to go along. Instantly you can tell that he is an intimidating man. Besides him stands a snooty looking woman, Krishna Walia, dressed elegantly in jewels and expensive designer wear. She wears a firm smile on her lips. Jai notices that she avoids bringing up his parents, which he is grateful for.

Bani lowers her finger down to a small cute looking girl wearing a pretty white dress, her hair in loose curls, and a innocent smile adorning her lips. Jai's face softens on looking at her.

Bani: This must be Jigyasa… she looks adorable. -- How is she lately? (looks up at him)

Jigyasa…. Jai's sweet little sister. Junior to him by three years. The little girl who always hassled him for gifts and chocolates, yet nonetheless loved him with all her heart. His mood changes right side up on the mention of her.

Jai: She's happy. She got married five months ago.


Bani: (stunned) She got married?--- How come I didn't know?--- With who?


Jai: Aditya of course. --They're pregnant too.

Bani smiles happily on hearing this.

Bani: Really?-- That's great! Since when?
Jai: I got the news two weeks ago.
Bani: Wow… I'm so happy for them…You're happy too, aren't you? You're going to be an Uncle. (smiling warmly at him)
Jai: (grins) I am.

Bani looks back down at the old portrait and continues to look around at the picture. She giggles lightly and points over to the little boy sitting next to the girl, looking handsome in a tuxedo, his hair neatly combed, and wearing a cute grin on his face. His eyes the exact same color as now…. dark stormy gray.

Bani: That's you, isn't it?… What happened?
Jai: (defensively) What do you mean by 'what happened'?
Bani: You were such a cute boy, but now….
Jai: …But now? (demanding)

Bani looks up from the picture and at Jai, staring at his dangerously handsome face, which was now peering at her so close and intensely, causing her to heat up. She seems to lose her sudden teasing mood… too overwhelmed with gazing at him. But now you're simply unbelievable…..

A loud crash of lightning from outside cause both of them to slightly jump. Bani tries calming down her racing heart. At the exact moment her stomach grumbles. She holds in a forming smile. Jai raises an eyebrow at her.

Jai: Don't they feed you on the airplane?


Bani: Yes, but they gave me ridiculous food. I want some real food….I also had to go through a long drive at night-- so most places weren't even open…. I'm so hungry right now that I could eat a horse….

Jai slowly grins and with the nod of his head he says, "Come on…I'll find you something to eat in the kitchen".


************************************************************ *******************************************

Bani: (exclaims) Jai Walia, you pig, is this what you've been lasting on for the past----how many days?…..
Jai: (smiles) Two days.
Bani: (shakes her head with disappointment) two days--- for two days you have been eating brownies, apple pies, and--ouch--- hot cinnamon rolls?

She quickly removes her finger away after touching one of the cinnamon rolls. Mrs. Sharma, Jai's next door neighbor, had baked them over thirty minutes ago before the storm had started and had cheerfully handed them to him. She tended to drop by at odd hours….

Jai: Pretty much, yes….
Bani: Where'd you get all of these from anyway?
Jai: From my new neighbors….actually more like my neighbor…Mrs. Sharma… word on the block is that she has a small crush on me.
Bani: …isn't it kind of freaky that a married middle aged woman with three kids has a crush on you, Jai?
Jai:…How do you know that she has three kids?
Bani: (smiles foolishly at herself) I accidentally went to her house thinking that it was yours…
Jai: (shrugs) --I get free food out of it so I don't really mind…

She hits him on his chest and Jai laughs. Bani stares back at the food laying around neatly on the counter…

Jai: So…what will it be?-- Brownies, apple pie, or cinnamon rolls?…I even have lemon bread but I don't remember where I placed it…

Jai glances around the kitchen trying to find it. He walks over to his fridge and opens it, looking through it. He finds a container of spaghetti…

Jai: I have some left over spaghetti from yesterday--- what'd you think? Do you want some?
Bani: Mmm, sounds great …do you have anything to drink?
Jai: I have some cold filtered water in the fridge if you want.
Bani: No, I mean a drink--- like wine, champagne, --anything?

Jai stares at her with a quizzical look.

Jai: When have you started drinking?

Bani leans against the counter behind her and gives him a wicked grin.

Bani: I love to see that you're so surprised to hear that I do…

Taking the plastic container of spaghetti in his hands and closing the refrigerator, Jai looks back at her.

Jai: From what I remember you don't drink at all…One time I even had offered you some wine and you told me that you wouldn't drink anything that would harm your body. (smirks) What happened now?


Bani: Oh stop making me seem like a hypocrite and get us something to drink.

She tries to say angrily, but only ends up smiling at him. Jai grins back, lightly taps her head as he passes by her, and leaves the kitchen while saying, "I'll be right back…".


************************************************************ ***************************************


Jai looks through the collections of his finest champagnes and tries to decide which one would be appropriate to open for the occasion…. Bani was back….what better way to celebrate her homecoming than a glass of great champagne?

Unexpectedly, the lights go out and Jai is surrounded in pitch blackness… "Shit, the power had to go out now", he mutters to himself. Picking out a random bottle, Jai makes his way slowly around the room in search for the torch. He remembered he had placed it somewhere around in this room last time….

Successful in locating it by the screen TV, Jai flicks it on and walks out of the room, towards back to the kitchen, where he was sure Bani would be freaking out by the sudden loss of electricity.

"Bani?…..Bani?…", Jai calls out to her. On reaching the kitchen, he flashes the light around and sees Bani turn around from the cupboards and stare at him, apologetically. He sees blood dripping from her finger…

Jai: Bani, what happened to your finger?

Jai reaches over to her and takes her hand in his. Bani points down to the floor and Jai follows….. On the tiled floor is a broken champagne flute, it's glass scattered around. He stares back at Bani, who looks ready to cry.

Bani: I'm so sorry, Jai. I was trying to find the glasses--- and when I found them, the lights went out, so I got scared, and I dropped one….I'm really sor---

Not even listening to her fast explanation, Jai takes her finger and puts it in his mouth, sucking on her running blood. Bani's voice trails off and she looks at him, slightly taken aback. She watches him closely…. blinking slowly.

He takes her finger out and blows gently on it. His eyes connect with hers and he watches a blush flush onto her cheeks.

Jai: You should had waited for me to come back…I would have cleaned it up.
Bani: (softly) I felt bad that I broke it…so I thought it was only right that I clean it up.

Jai slowly lets go of her hand and extends the bottle of champagne over to her, shaking it lightly in front of her.

Jai: Here's what you requested…hang on to it. I'll get the plates and glasses….the microwave is over there on the far left, you warm up the food.


************************************************************ ******************************************* *


After much fooling around in the kitchen, Jai had told her to go on and wait in the living room for him and he would just bring out their food after setting them onto their plates. Bani sat on the floor nearby the small table off to the side of the room, looking around the house and a few of Jai's things, waiting patiently for Jai to come. He does so after a couple of minutes and places their plates of food on the table and grins at her as he flashes the two champagne flutes at her. She smiles back and takes one from him. Jai begins to fill her glass with the drink.

Bani: Thanks.
Jai: No problem at all.

Jai sits down across from her and fills his own glass with the champagne.

Bani; So how long do you suppose the lights are going to be out?

She asks him as she twirls her fork around, gathering the saucy spaghetti onto it, and then place it into her mouth. Jai watches intently as she sucks one of the noodles up and then lick her lips. He shakes his head and looks back down at his own food.

Jai: I don't know….it usually goes out for a minute or two. But this one has lasted longer than just that.
Bani: Has it been like this all day?
Jai: No, the storm just started an hour ago.
Bani: It's really horrible outside. I was a little frightened to even come here. (light smile)

Jai smiles back at her and begins to eat his food.

Bani: You sure you want to live here?
Jai: (after chewing) Why are you asking me that?
Bani: You may never know, this storm can be an omen…warning you that you shouldn't live here and move right away back to Mumbai. (cheeky smile)

Jai chuckles at this and shakes his head at her.

Jai: Nice try, Bani.
Bani: (shrugs) It was worth a shot…
Jai: And it was of no use because I am not moving out of here just because of a storm.
Bani: You don't get storms like this in Mumbai though.
Jai: Oh yeah? Well then that's great for you.
Bani: (sighs) You're not working with me here. I'm trying to make you change your mind about this whole moving idea.
Jai: (can't help but grin) I can see that…and I'm going to tell you again. I'm not moving from here.

Bani quiets down, feeling defeated, and continues to eat her food. Jai lightly smiles and takes a sip of the champagne from his glass and then sets it back down. A silence begins to build which he cannot tolerate, he clears his throat…

Jai: So how was London?

Bani stares up at him. She stops eating and her utensils stay still in her hands.

Jai: Learned anything from that art school you went to?
Bani: It was great…(throwing him a look) and yes I did learn from that art school, which was also really great.

Jai grins to himself and goes back to eating his food.

Bani: But it's wonderful being back in India. I missed it a lot. …..

She also goes back to eating her food.

Jai: Family?
Bani: That too, but just India in general…. It's nice to know that when I have a craving for pani puri, I can get it from anywhere. (smiling, laughing)

Jai joins in her laughter and agrees that she's absolutely right. Slowly silence elopes them once again….

Bani: Um, so what are you going to do about your family business?
Jai: … I'll take care of it from here in Delhi.
Bani: What about the company in Mumbai?
Jai: Aditya will take care of it. He's my partner and I have full faith in him.
Bani: Oh…

Jai looks at her and examines her for awhile before speaking again. She wears a sullen expression on her face. Even though he had told her he wasn't moving, it didn't quite seem to remove the hope that he wasn't actually going to stay here in Dehli. How could he and leave her in Mumbai? But hearing that now Aditya would be taking care of the Walia Group of Industries in Mumbai, definitely made the realization dawn on her…that Jai is actually serious.

Jai: Why? -- What's wrong?


Bani: (shaking her head) Nothing… what makes you think that something's wrong?


Jai: The way you said it… 'Oh'.. that wasn't too cheerful.


Bani: …. Well do you really expect me to be cheerful knowing that you're actually going to stay here in Delhi?


Jai: (dropping his utensils) What's wrong with Delhi?

She looks at him with disbelief. Bani stares back down at her food and begins cutting her food and feels the tears building in her eyes, which makes her angry that she's starting to cry in front of him.

Bani: Nothing's wrong with Delhi. Nothing at all. It's a great city.

She begins to angrily cut her food.

Bani: Beautiful. Wonderful. Everything is so nice. No problems with it at all…. --- except that it's oh, I don't know, _____ miles from Mumbai! (sniffs)

She continues to take her frustration out with her food. Jai watches her do this silently, yet clearly amused.

Jai: … The food didn't do anything to you, Bani.

On hearing him finally speak after a few long seconds, Bani drops the utensils, causing them to make a shattering sound as they hit the plate, and looks long into Jai's face.

Bani: (calming down, softly) Jai, aren't you worried as I am?--- We're both going to be in two completely different cities. -- We won't see each other as much--- you're going to be too wrapped up in the business--- and how are we supposed to….

Her voice trails off as she realizes what she was going to say. How are they supposed to be together when they're living apart?

Bani:… How can we be able to manage this distance?

Seeing her look directly into his eyes desperately, makes Jai stare in the other direction and then after a hesitant moment he speaks.

Jai: (low)… we can manage, Bani.

Bani's eyes well back up with tears and she stands up from the ground, looking down at Jai's sitting form.

Bani: (whispers) You can manage by being away from me?

Jai, worried by her sudden change of mood, also stands up. He now knows that he's screwed up big time.

Jai: … Bani that's not what I meant.
Bani: That's exactly what you meant.
Jai: No. It's not. Stop twisting my words.
Bani: I'm not twisting anything, I'm only saying what you mean to say.

He reaches for her hand.

Jai: What I meant to say is that the distance won't change our friendship, Bani.

Bani stares at him, stunned. She blinks away her tears. Friendship?… Friendship?…. Is that what he thinks we share?…just friendship?

Hurt by his words, Bani pushes his hand away and moves away from him. His words ring in her ears. Without even thinking, taken over by sudden anger and deep hurt, Bani walks over to the middle of the living room where all of his moving packages are stacked. Not caring about what she's doing, she opens them up and begins to throw his stuff out from the boxes. Jai, taken aback by this, goes over to her side, trying to stop her.

Jai: What the hell are you doing?-- Bani---Bani---Bani, stop it!

He grabs her by her arms and pulls her towards him. Bani huffs and stares up at him, her face only a few centimeters from his. She moves away a strand of hair and continues to pierce her eyes with his.

Jai: Are you mad?-- What do you think you're doing?
Bani: (spits, eyes sparkling with tears) I'm only trying to help you settle in, Jai. That's what you want, right? Try to move in here as soon as possible. Get yourself comfortable in your new home.

She forcefully pulls her arms out of his grip and goes back to taking his stuff out. After emptying out the first box, she hurriedly begins to open another. Jai helplessly watches her do so. He had forgotten one major thing about Bani…. that she has terrible mood swings.

Bani: (continuing on) And then you can go back to continuing to avoid me and ignore my phone calls! Stop emailing me, stop texting me---- you can go back to stop contacting me in any way!-- Because I don't mean anything to you anymore. (openly cries now)

Bani: I don't mean anything to you at-----……

After tearing the taping off and opening the package open, Bani stops immediately in the middle of her sentence… too astonished by what she sees. She bends down beside it and continues to gaze at the remainings in it. Swearing Jai runs a hand through his hair and turns the other way.

Inside of the box are many objects that Bani recognize…. that relate to her. She sees her favorite pink teddy bear smiling up at her…she had given it to him saying that she didn't want to take it to London and lose it. She also didn't want to keep it alone at home with the fear of Rano and Pia touching it, because she knew they had their eyes set out for it. He teased her for being so silly and said that he wouldn't hold onto it….

Bani: (breathes out) Jai….what is all this?

Jai who sat on the couch with his face buried in his hands, looks at her with a tired expression. There is no use of trying to cover it up….

Jai: See for yourself….

Bani's eyes continue to travel around… her missing anklet that she looked for everywhere….a few of her red glass bangles which always tended to slip off of her hands easily…a novel of hers that she had lent him a few years ago… the pop up birthday card she had given to him on his 26th birthday… a few pictures containing her scattered around…smiling or laughing…. An old torn paper clipping containing some samples of her art…during college she had submitted some of her works to the newspaper….

She feels tears prickle her eyes …. Finally seeing something that puzzles her, Bani reaches for it and pulls it out. She feels the cover of the thick brown book. Bani examines it closely, wondering whether she recognizes it or not. She sees a green stem sticking out from one of the pages. Curiously she opens the book to the page and becomes astounded….

Bani: (almost a whisper) Jai?
Jai:…Yeah?
Bani: Did I give you this?….at the airport before the first time I left for London?--- is this the same one?

Jai looks over to her overwhelmed looking face and sees what she holds in her fingers. A crushed, red colored rose….

"One last thing!", she says in a rush. He rolls his eyes at her, completely annoyed now. "What now, Bani? You're going to be late.". …..Tears form in her eyes and she looks at him close. His annoyance disappears and he stares at her with concern and curiosity. "Don't forget me, okay?", she manages to say in a shaky voice. She pulls out a red rose from her pocket and hands it to him. Bani kisses him softly on his cheek before walking away from him….

No flower lasts too long…so to preserve it, Jai had kept it as a bookmark in one of his books, which was now in Bani's hand.

He stares into her watering eyes and nods. She smiles delightfully at him…tears spill freely from her eyes.

Bani: You kept it…(whispers happily)
Jai:….I did.

How could he not? Jai saved pretty much everything relating to Bani, wanting to hang onto the memories forever….

Jai sees her place the rose carefully back into the book and close it shut. She places it back into the box… then looks back at him. Immediately confusion takes over her once again, and she becomes frustrated by it.

Bani: I--- I don't understand… you-you've kept everything of mine with you---- why?….. You suddenly stop talking to me--- why?….. You move from Mumbai to here- why? ….and it's not because of your parents' death--- because I know that something like that wouldn't push you away from a city you love, Jai…..especially when they weren't close to you and meant nothing to you.

Bani watches Jai get up from the couch and turn away from her. She walks over to him and stands in front.

Bani: Tell me--- what's going on with you, Jai? Why are you behaving so strange?--- What are you keeping away from me?--- Answer my questions. (exasperated)

Again Jai turns away from her.

Jai: (hastily) Nothing's wrong.

Bani walks around and stands back in front of him. She takes a fistful of his shirt and pulls on him. Jai avoids her gaze.

Bani: Yes there is! Otherwise you wouldn't distance yourself away from me!--- You wouldn't have moved to Delhi!--- You wouldn't say that what we share is just friendship after what I told you before going back to London last Christmas!

Jai, thrown off by her last sentence, stares down into her tearing face.

Jai: …. You didn't mean it though.


Bani: Yes, I did! I meant every word of it! (continuing to cling onto him)

He moves her aside, freeing himself from her tight hold. He starts to become confused and terribly angry. What she was saying wasn't making any sense at all… how can she so boldly tell him that what she had said was true when she has already accepted in getting…

Bani: (loud) Jai, I love you!--- I meant it then and I still mean it now!

Jai head spins back over to her direction. She stares at him desperately, tears rolling down her cheeks. His heart pounds hard and fast. Her words ring in his ears…..

He watches as she points to the box laying on the table… the very one where he placed all of Bani's things in.

Bani: (sniffling) And I know that you love me too, otherwise, you wouldn't have kept any of this stuff….

Jai shuts his eyes, hoping that this wasn't happening… hoping that she would take back everything that she said…. hoping that she hadn't even come here in the first place.

Bani: Why are you doing this to me, Jai?--- Why are you doing this to us?

He rolls his hands into fists, feeling the anger arising…..

Bani: We both know how much we love each other---- yet you want to ruin it?--- how come?!--- Jai, please answer me!


Jai: (blurts out in frustration) Stop it, Bani! Just stop it!

Bani stops crying and stares at Jai, frightened.

Jai: Why are you doing this to me?! Why are you purposely trying to hurt me?!
Bani: (overwhelmed, confused) Jai, (in between her tears) I'm not hurting---
Jai: Oh don't act innocent! Just stop it already Bani!…. I don't even know what it is that you want from me! Why can't you just put a end to it?!
Bani:…Jai?…
Jai: (mutters to himself) You're bloody getting married and telling me that you love me. What the hell are you trying to pull Bani?

Bani is stunned beyond words and doesn't know how to react.

Bani: …what?
Jai: Yes, I know, Bani. I got the lovely news from your father.
Bani: (stammers) My father?--- how---what does he have to do with any of this---
Jai: He has everything to do with this, Bani! Every damn thing! You want to know why I've been not taking your phone calls? Not replying back to your emails? --- It's because of that father of yours!

Bani shakes by his raised voice and stands trembling to herself. She holds in her sniffles. Neither of them speak….a terrible nagging silence fills in between them… Bani's mind races while Jai continues to look furious, annoyed, and upset. Only rain drops are heard hitting hard against the roof of the house….

Bani: Tell me…

Her voice echoes throughout the room… Jai looks over to her. She looks back at him with so much confusion and innocence, that Jai almost feels a bit sorry for her naivety.

Bani: Tell me everything…..please. What did Papa do?

Thunder erupts loudly around them and Jai begins to calm down a little. Deciding that now that they have reached on the topic, he might as well tell her the whole truth and not back away. Jai patiently waits for the noise to subside…he takes in a deep breath and momentarily closes his eyes.

Jai: …When you told me that you loved me right before you left…I was incredibly happy. -- but then I wasn't quite sure how you meant it…. as a friend… or as something more… that's why I always tried to avoid to the topic whenever I talked to you… because I was unsure of how to bring it up again… But Aditya reassured me and told me that it has to mean as something more than just a friend…

Jai: Whenever I talked to you I would get a few hints that what you felt was more than just friends… Finally gathering up some courage…I went to your father over a month ago… to ask your hand in marriage….

He doesn't look to see Bani's reaction, instead, he keeps his eyes focused to the window behind her… watching the rain drizzle down…. His mind drifts back to that day… that day when Nishikant Dixit had laughed at the idea of him wanting to marry his daughter…..


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"I love her and want to marry her. I want to give her all the happiness in the world. I promise to always keep her happy".

"Do you now?".

"Yes".

"I'm sorry young man, but I cannot give you what you wish for".

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is that I'm not going to make a foolish mistake and accept your proposal".

"But Mr. Dixi---"

"What makes you think that I'll happily give away my daughter to you? I'd be insane if I even thought about giving her to a family full of self conceited bas*ards like those parents of yours".

"Mr. Dixit, I promise I---"

"I won't allow for my daughter's life to be ruined by the hands of your family, Jai Walia. I simply won't allow it!".

"Those people are not apart of my family. And I can assure you that Bani will come to no harm".

"*laughs* You are assuring me? You? A Walia? Trying to assure me?-- Don't try to give me false hopes, Walia. I know your family really well. All of you are the same. Spoiled, snobby, self-centered, dishonest, and cunning…. You all are filth. Lower than filth even…. You aren't worthy of my daughter and never will be."

"… You may think of me as however you want to, Mr. Dixit, but the truth is that I love Bani, and she loves me as well."

"And who gave you this misconception?…. "

"No misconception at all, Sir. Bani had told me herself."

"*laughs even harder* And you believed her? You fool. You are only a friend to her and will always remain as one. For God's sake she even tells her dog that she loves him, doesn't mean that she wants to marry him."

"……………"

"Look… I'm telling you nicely, Walia… listen carefully… forget about your dreams of marrying my Bani…. because it's impossible… she is already to marry Aparajit Deb"

"…. Aparajit Deb?"

"Yes, son of one of my good old friends. The rishta from their side came just last week and I have already accepted. My daughter is to marry their son and it has been finalized. The wedding will be in two months… Bani will be back home just in time for it…"

"….. has….has she accepted the proposal?"

"Well if the marriage is already finalized, don't you think she gave her consent?"

"…. I -I don't believe this"

"Would you like to see the wedding card?"

"She told me that she loved me… and I was so sure that she------…."

"Walia… don't make it hard for my daughter… she's happy… she really is… and why wouldn't she? She's getting married to a handsome nice boy like Aparajit. … So please…. Do her a favor… do us all a favor… stay away from her and let her live her life in peace… just go away"………

It was like a mighty slap for Jai …
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Jai: Hearing about your marriage to Aparajit broke my heart….I couldn't live with the fact that you were going to marry another man….and so I came here…to Delhi…. that's what I thought was for the best for me…and you…. and of course my parents died so it gave me an even greater excuse to move.

Finally Jai meets his gaze with Bani and sees her weeping in front of him, her hazel eyes staring up at him so intensely. She takes Jai's hands in hers and looks him directly in his eyes.

Bani: Jai… I---

Jai takes his hands out of her hold, surprising Bani a whole lot. He stares at her with a hard expression.

Jai: (cold) I went away, Bani… I listened to your father… I did exactly what he said to do… I stayed away and let you live your life. … Why the hell have you come here?
Bani: Because I lov----
Jai: Don't give me that crap, Bani! (angrily)

He stalks away, walking over to the other side of the room, far from her. Bani follows after him quickly.

Bani: Jai, it's not crap. I really do love you. (professes)

Jai spins around and faces her. He grabs her wrist in his hand and pulls her towards him.

Jai: (furious) If you loved me, you wouldn't have accepted that proposal! You wouldn't have agreed to marry that Aparajit Deb! You would had told your father of your feelings! You wouldn't have broken my heart the way you did!
Bani: (struggling to let of her hand, crying) Jai, you're hurting me…
Jai: This pain you're experiencing right now is nowhere close to the pain you had inflicted on me.
Bani: (looks straight into his eyes) Jai, I didn't do anything to hurt you.
Jai: (disbelief) How-how can you say that after---after all of this?-- after all that I've told you?!-- How can you say that you haven't hurt me?!
Bani: Because I didn't! Jai, I would never do anything to hurt you!

Jai lets go of her hand and again tries to walk away from her, but Bani holds onto his arm, preventing him to do so.

Bani: Jai, please listen to me!
Jai: I don't want to hear another damn word from your mouth. Just go away, Bani.
Bani: I didn't accept.

She says to him hastily as she takes the side of his face and brings it facing her once again. Bani stares at him long and hard, her eyes connecting with his… She watches Jai's expression soften and his face bare a look of astonishment. She nods her head gently at him. Bani caresses his cheek. Her eyes still twinkle from tears.

Jai: (startled).. You what?---
Bani: … I didn't accept the proposal, Jai.

Jai's eyes bore deep into hers with clear surprise. Now having his complete attention, she goes on.

Bani: Papa called me,… like how he usually does… and brought up the proposal from the Deb family….


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"Hi, Papa!"

"Hi, Beti. How are you? Are you fine? Have you eaten yet?"

"*giggles* Papa, when you fuss over me, you sound exactly like a worried mother."

"You can't blame your old man for caring about his daughter, now can you?"

"Absolutely not. Now to answer your questions, I'm great. I'm having a lot of fun and I feel fine. I just ate a few minutes ago, so you need not to worry."

"I won't anymore now that I know you're alright…"

"Alright, so tell me, why have you called me so suddenly?"

"Can't a father call to check up on his daughter?"

"He certainly can. But if that father has called twice in one day, it certainly is a little fishy which means that something is wrong or that he has something to tell his daughter."

"You are a bit too clever…"

"*laughs* Like father like daughter… So, what's wrong? Or what is it that you need to tell me?"

"…. I have been thinking a lot lately, Bani…"

"About?"

"….About that you have come of appropriate age and we should think of getting you married."

"…What? Married? Papa- what are you saying?"

" Listen to me at least…. A proposal for you has come…."

"………………….."

"Bani?---Bani are you there?"

"….f-from whom?"

"You remember my old friends, Anamika and Sharad Deb, don't you? They want your hand in marriage for their son, Aparajit."

"Papa---"

"Bani, he's a wonderful boy and I'm positive he is the right boy for you. He will keep you very happy.. He's the one, Bani, he's the one for you. I had accepted the proposal, because I knew my daughter would have. You will be coming home soon and then you can meet him and his family. I'm sure you will like him. He really is a great young man. And besides, you are my daughter, my likes are your likes…"

"…..No, I won't…"

"--- You won't what?"

"Papa, I don't want to marry him."

"Bani…, you haven't even met him yet. Just wait till you see him and then you can decide."

"Papa, I have decided now….and I don't want to marry him. I don't have to see him to have an answer… my answer is already no."

"Beti, I can understand that you are scared and think you are too young, but---"

"It's not because I am scared, it's because I don't wish to marry him."

"Why is it that you don't want to marry him?"

"………..It isn't necessary for me to tell you why…all you need to know is that I refuse to get married to him."

"Bani, you are being stubborn and are simply just afraid. Just meet the boy and you will change your mind."

"Nothing will change my mind! I don't want to get married to him!"

"Bani----"

"No matter what you say, whether I meet him and his family, nothing is going to change my decision, Papa."

"Listen to me---"

"Goodnight, Papa."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Bani: I was angry at him for accepting a proposal without even asking me first. For deciding my future without even telling me. And for not even thinking that maybe the reason why I didn't want to marry Aparajit was because I was in love with someone else….

Bani watches as Jai looks away from her, ponders to himself, and then stare right back at her.

Jai: But your father told me---
Bani: Isn't it obvious?- Jai, my father lied to you… I didn't even come to know about the proposal until two weeks ago.

Bani watches silently as Jai thinks to himself. He looks back at her after a short moment.

Jai: But why would he lie to me about something like that?-- why would he---- never mind, don't answer that. I already know the answer. He hates me.
Bani: (hesitant, comforting)… He doesn't--- exactly hate you…

Jai throws her an unbelieving look, which causes her to smile lightly at him.

Bani: Yes, he hates you a lot.

Jai looks at her miserably, feeling awful for bursting at her the way he did. He looks at her closely and peers at her with his gray eyes. Bani's heart skips a beat.

Jai: Bani,…I'm so sorry… I shouldn't-- I was just feeling---
Bani: It's okay… (soothingly) You don't have to explain anything to me… In fact, it should be me who should say sorry…for my Papa. I didn't have any idea that he would do something so awful like this…

Silence…….Bani casts her gaze down. Jai continues to stare at her, not letting his eyes off of her for even a second.

Jai: Say it again…

Bani glances back up at him, confused.

Bani: Say what again?
Jai: …You know.
Bani: Sorry?
Jai: No….
Bani: (puzzled) Then what?

He leans in closer to her face, making her heart race.

Jai: (whispers) I love you….

Bani's face turns crimson and she shyly looks down at his shirt.

Bani: I already did….
Jai: Say it again…

Nervously, she looks up at him and smiles lightly. Staring into his eyes with a lot of effort, Bani says those three magical words.

Bani: I love you….

She didn't know how good it felt to hear her say that. Jai lazily grins at her and then takes her hand in his, holding onto it gently. Bani looks down at her hand.

Jai: Can I ask you something?

Jai quietly reaches down into his pocket. Bani gazes back up at him and looks at him intently.

Bani: What?

Withdrawing a small black box and presenting it to her, Jai clasps it open, revealing a beautiful diamond ring laying on the velvet cushioning inside. Bani's breath is taken away on the sight of it…. Jai grins widely at her.

Jai: (murmurs) Will you marry me?

Bani feels tears rushing to her eyes all over again, except they were from the joy she was experiencing right this moment. Butterflies being to roam in her stomach and her heart rate quickens…what she had dreamed and wished for is finally coming true.

Overcome with happiness, she takes her other hand and rests it against his left cheek. She stands on her tip toes and kisses him sweetly on his lips. After she pulls back she sees Jai grin happily at her. He wraps his arms around her waist and brings her into his chest.

Jai: So was that a yes?

Smiling at his cute confused expression, Bani leans in forward and kisses him once more, but with a lot more enthusiasm and longer than the last one. She folds her hands around his neck and presses herself against him. Breaking apart, she rests her forehead against his and breathes out, "Yes… I will marry you". Jai, relieved, smiles at her and then kisses her eagerly. He slips the ring onto her finger and continues to kiss her with so much passion and love for her from inside of him.

Feeling that it's becoming too heated and out of control, Jai pulls away, not wanting to go beyond the limits and do something that Bani wasn't ready for.

Jai: (breathing rapidly) Bani… trust me, we should stop now, or else there's no turning back for me…

Bani hushes him by pressing her lips back onto his. She takes Jai's shirt buttons in her fingers and begin to unbutton them…. Jai takes her hands in his as she gets halfway into undressing him, stopping her from proceeding on.

Jai: You're crazy.
Bani: (breathes) I'm engaged! I don't want to have to wait till marriage.
Jai: First you drink and now you can't wait to have sex? London has really changed you.
Bani: Do you really want to wait till we get married when we have a perfectly good opportunity right now to make love?

Jai didn't need to think about it for even a second. He unbuttons the rest of his shirt off and throws it onto the floor. He takes Bani back into his arms and kisses her feverishly. Lifting her up in his arms, Jai carries her up the stairs and down the hall to his bedroom…….


************************************************************ ********************************************* *******

Bani wakes up to the sound of chirping birds and the feel of a warm pair of muscular arms tightly around her waist and her bare back close against a naked chest. She blushes as the memories from last night come flooding back into her mind. Jai had truly made her feel like a woman in every possible way. The way he was gentle with her…caressed her…touched her…loved her… it was all so amazing and beyond words to even describe. Their love making was beautiful and absolutely golden.

Bani turns around in Jai's arms and faces him, peering at his handsome sleeping face. She gazes at him with a shy smile and with so much love in her eyes. Taking her fingers, she brushes away a few strands of his hair from his forehead. She feels his arm, which lay over her stomach, suddenly pull her close, which startles her. His eyelids open and he stares at her intently with his mesmerizing eyes. Bani's heart literally skips a beat.

Jai: Good morning…

She smiles back shyly and mutters a soft ,"Good Morning", back. Jai begins to stroke her hair and doesn't take his eyes off of her.

Jai: How'd you sleep?
Bani: (blushing) Just fine…
Jai: Just fine?
Bani: (flushes) …Great. You?
Jai: (grins) Great.

They both stare into each other, smiling at one another, and entwine their fingers together.

Bani: … what do you have planned for today?
Jai: Nothing.

He buries his face in the crook of her neck and hugs her tight.

Jai: I'm not getting out of bed.
Bani: (red) Jai….

Jai starts planting sweet little kisses on her neck and around her collarbone. Bani can't help but giggle. She tries many times to stop and persuade him into getting up, but he is adamant and doesn't listen. In between their small love making, the ring of a cell phone interrupts them. Bani turns to the other side and sees her cell phone flashing on the nightstand.

Jai: Ignore it.
Bani: It could be something important.
Jai: Baneee..

He moves back and groans as she reaches for her phone and answers it. She casts Jai a short sorry smile before speaking.

Bani: Hello?

"Hello, Bani beti?", her father says.

Bani: (alarmed) Papa?

Jai, completely peeved now, swears under his breath and mutters a few insults. Bani ignores them.

Nishikant: Yes, Bani, it's me.
Bani: Um, Papa--- how come you're calling me so early in the morning?
Nishikant: I know, I'm sorry it's early, but I just wanted to know when your flight is arriving so I can come on time to pick you up from the airport. Aparajit and his family will also be with me to greet you there.
Bani: Oh, they will?
Nishikant: Yes. Rano and Pia however won't be there because they have decided on staying home to decorate for the small welcome back party they're holding for you.
Bani: (smiles, touched) Really?
Nishikant: Yes. Your sisters have really missed you, Bani.
Bani: I've missed them too.
Nishikant: So when are you coming?

Bani looks over at Jai and gives him a laughing smile. Jai watches her closely, listening on to the conversation.

Bani: …Papa, I'm actually already here.
Nishikant: What?-- what do you mean you're here?
Bani: I've been back in India ever since yesterday.
Nishikant: (shocked, slightly angry) You're back?!-- How come you didn't inform me earlier? I would have come to pick you up!
Bani: I wanted to give you, Rano, and Pia a surprise….
Nishikant: (demanding) Where are you? Where are you staying?
Bani: I'm in Delhi….with Jai.
Nishikant: (yells) You're what?! You mean that good for nothing Walia?!
Bani: Yes, the very one, who also now happens to be my fianc, Papa. (boldly)
Nishikant: Your fiance?! W-h-how did --- since when? Why in the world did you accept?! And why the hell are you over there in the first place?!
Bani: He proposed to me just yesterday and I accepted. I love him Papa and I know you have your differences with him now, but I'm sure you will grow to love him too.
Nishikant: Bani, beti, listen to me, you're making a grave mistake. These Walias--- they're not good people. Trust me, beti. Come home right away. You don't need that Walia boy when such a nice man like Aparajit is ready to----
Bani: We'll be coming tomorrow for Pia's birthday. Please tell Aparajit and his parents that I'm really sorry.
Nishikant: (mad) Bani!-- Bani listen to me!

Jai takes the phone away from her and places it again his ear.

Jai: Mr. Dixit, I promise you that I will keep Bani very happy and won't let a tear reach her eyes. I love her and always will for the rest of my life. You don't have to worry for her anymore, that's my responsibility now. She's in good hands.

Bani stares at him, touched and overwhelmed by the sincerity in his voice. Her love for him seems to grow even more.

Nishikant: Walia, when I get my hands on----

Nishikant begins to growl and shout, but Jai disconnects the call from hearing anymore of it. He tosses the phone back over to the nightstand and looks over at his fiance, who grins at him.

Jai: What?
Bani: Say it.
Jai: Say what?

She wraps her hands around the back of his neck and stares flirtatiously up at him.

Bani: Say those beautiful words that I've been dying to hear.
Jai: That your father is going to kill me once he sees me?
Bani: No. (hits him)
Jai: Ouch. (laughs) Then what?
Bani: What you just said to Papa.
Jai: (smiles, teasingly) That I promise to keep you very happy?
Bani: No.
Jai: That you're in good hands?
Bani: Nooo…
Jai: (enjoying seeing her get mad) That you're my responsibility now?
Bani: Jaaaiii…

Frusturated by him, Bani attempts to push him away, but Jai pulls her back down and pins her underneath him. Bani looks at him, feeling absolutely breathless by the way his eyes bore into hers so closely….almost as if they're looking into her soul.

Jai: …I love you.

He leans in forward and claims her lips in a passionate fierce kiss with Jai caressing her back with his hands and Bani, letting herself melt in his strong arms. After a few moments, drawing his lips away, he says gently in her ear, "Care to join me for a shower, Mrs. Walia?"

As she grins, her face seems to glow more than usual…. "I'd love to, Mr. Walia".

………

Edited by sangitadas - 17 years ago
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Posted: 17 years ago
#3

Entry No. 2






After making love to Bani, Jai moved away catching his breath. He glanced towards Bani again and saw her breathing heavily too, her lips red and swollen and face all flushed. She looked so beautiful, he thought, so peaceful, so content as she slowly fell into deep slumber. Jai took a deep sigh as he remembered the events that occurred early today during Nachiket and Purva's sangeet function. Arushi had really made him feel insecure today reminding him of his age and the significant age gap between him and Bani. The other day she had taunted Bani, in front of him that he was old and Bani couldn't have the kind of fun a young married women her age would want, like going on dinner dates, long drives, etc. Though he didn't want to admit it, but Arushi was right. Bani deserved the best, she was young and should to be out enjoying her life, having fun, instead of being stuck at home with a middle aged man who is a diabetic and constantly needed looking after.


Jai left the sangeet function abruptly and Bani had followed him home. He vented his frustration out on her and said some thing's he shouldn't have. He really hurt Bani today by saying their relationship was a compromise, he made her cry and cursed himself for feeling so insecure and frustrated. Bani explained to him how their relationship was anything but a compromise and the age gap meant nothing to her because she loved him with her mind body and soul and no one could ever change that. They were separated for 5 years yet their love for one another just grew, no one could come between then, not Pia not Aparajit, not anyone, so how could he let a "kal ke aye hue" Arushi get to him.

Jai snuggling closer to Bani brushed his thumb against her rosy, warm cheek. He apologized in his mind again for hurting her and promised never to say any hurtful things to her again. He continued to caress her face, which eventually brought a sweet smile on her face. She looked up at him sleepily, straight into his dark eyes.

Jai had a mischievous look in his eyes, which Bani noticed instantly, she frowned as Jai shifted closer and whispered something softly in her ears. He moved back with a wicked grin, to see her reaction, she shyly nodded her head.

Jai got out of bed and said "Bani I'll go change, you get changed too" and left for the bathroom. Bani, still lying, smiled widely.

****************

Half an hour later, Bani sat in the car and watched Jai pack a few things in the boot. He then took the drivers seat and drove off. Smiling to herself she thought back to what Jai whispered earlier in her ears

"Shall you and me go for a long drive? Have some fun."

"A long drive at night", with her husband "How exciting!" she thought. It had been a while since she went on a long drive with him so was really looking forward to it as it always turned into memorable moment. It was already turning out to be a night to remember the way Jai made love to her brought back memories of that night of Saahil and Raashi's engagement. She blushed and then moved close to Jai resting her head on his shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her and bought her closer. Not a word was spoken, but the beautiful silence said it all. Jai loved her immensely. She knew Arushi's words got to him, hence the idea of going out so late like this, but then she wasn't complaining. She barely got to spend time with her husband lately as she was always out either looking after Daksh or trying to solve the mystery surrounding her mother and the photo.

"Stop it Bani" she said to herself angrily "I have to stop thinking about that secret"

Jai continued to drive on at a steady speed, the highways were well deserted as it was late into the night. Bani looked up into the stormy sky, heavy clouds were looming and the occasional rumble of thunder suggested a storm was on its way. The temperature dropped a few degrees too, giving Bani a chill and she began rubbing her arms. Jai, noticed Bani was feeling cold so pulled the car over at the side of the road.

Bani looked curiously at Jai, as he got out of the car and opened the boot. Pulling something out he came back to his seat. "Here Bani, wrap this round you, will keep you warm for a while, once we reach our destination you will have me to keep you nice and warm" He winked slyly, making her turn red and look away shyly. Bani wrapped the black velvet shawl around her, touching the soft fabric against her cheek. Jai helped her with the shawl then tugged at it pulling her close. Kissing her passionately on the lips, he whispered huskily "Now you are surely nice and warm". Bani blushed but pecked his cheek lightly. Jai then reached over on the back seat and pulled out two glasses and a champagne bottle.

Handing the glasses over to her, she smiled at him sweetly. Jai unscrewed the cork and popped open bottle.

As he began to pour in the two glasses the loud rumble of thunder startled Bani and she dropped one of the glasses. Both looked at the broken champagne flute, then at each other. Bani felt bad and softly said

"I'm sorry"

Jai sighed and said very lovingly Accha hua toot gaya, ab ek glass mein peeyenge toh zyaada mazaa ayega, haina?" He poured into the glass, then put the bottle away and threw the pieces of broken glass out. The last thing he wanted was Bani hurting herself. Jai watched as Bani took a large sip and the liquid slowly went down her slender throat. Bani handed him the glass and he took a small sip from the same place as her. He winked then handed the glass back to her, she guzzled down the whole glass. Jai laughed and said

"Someone is rather thirsty!"

"Do you blame me…after the way you have been kissing me tonight" She bit her lip.

"Are you complaining?

"Maine aisa toh nahin kaha"

Jai nudged his head against hers and kissed her cheek softly. He then took the empty glass away from her and continued to drive on.

This drive was indeed turning out to be fun, Jai was constantly cracking jokes on Pia and Arushi making Bani laugh. He made a comment about that silly Arushi being Pia number two, out to separate them when nothing in the world could do that because they loved and trusted one another. Jai took digs at Arushi doubting whether her pregnancy was for real or not, she always seem to jump around from place to another like a monkey not a care in the world. Bani, was laughing uncontrollably when something passing by caught her attention.

"Mr. Walia…please stop the car…go back…go back" she yelled. Jai stopped the car and began reversing

"Bani what is it?" Jai asked curiously, looking all over the place.

Jai parked the car at the side of the road properly then looked up at a large building that Bani was staring at wide eyed. "Bani that's just an old building…itne dhyaan se kya dekh rahi ho?"

"Mr. Walia I have to go there. Oh my god! I can't believe it." Bani jumped out of the car and began walking towards the building. Jai alarmed with Bani suddenly getting out and walking off like that got out too and caught up with her, grabbing her hand.

"Bani, we were going upto the hilltop cottage, yahaan kya karna hai? It's a deserted looking building, come on lets go from here"

Bani continued to stare at the building. "Mr. Walia…this is exactly the same building in the photo. My mother had her photo taken in front of it. There was a haveli like this in Jaisalmer too, but I never knew there was one here. Iss haveli ka kuch raaz hai hai, meri Mama ke saath kuch juda hua hai, I have to find out" She said excitedly.

Jai groaned "Bani, this is not fair! Din bhar jasoosi karti ho, ab thoda time ek saath bitaane ka mila hai toh, you want to unfold another mystery again. Pichle jaman tum kamaal ki jasoos rahi hogi tabhi issi janam mein ek bhi mauka nahin chhodti Bond banne mein" laughing out loud.

Bani glared at him amusingly with her hands on her hips."Don't laugh, I want to get to the bottom of this. And now that we are here YOU are going to help me unravel this mystery whether you like it or not, now come on" Jai rolled his eyes and let Bani drag him upto the haveli.

As they walked up to it, Bani got a chill down her spine and held onto Jai tightly. It was dark and gloomy and the storm, which was brewing wasn't helping either. The howling strong wind and the rumble of thunder sure made this place a whole lot creepier. Whenever the lightening flashed they got a better view of the haveli. It was definitely the one in the photo, thought Bani.

It started to pour down with rain, Jai and Bani ran up to the door to get shelter. Bani, held Jai even more tightly on reaching the door, which made him get a little excited.

"Mmmmm, I guess coming here was not a bad idea at all…just hold me tight like this…I'm loving it"

Jai hugged her from behind and began nuzzling her neck. Bani was losing herself too in his arms too but this wasn't the time or the place to get romantic

"Mr. Walia, abhi nahin, come on help me will you, lets break this lock to begin with, I want to go inside." Jai pulled away

"Bani, you are asking me to break into someone's haveli?"

"Toh?" she questioned Jai with her hands on her hips again and continued "Well are you going to break it for me or do I have to do it?"

Jai rolled his eyes again, then went and found a large rock. He aimed it at the huge lock and hit it once and the locked opened "Madam Bani, darwaza khul gaya, aur koi kaam?" , combing his wet hair back.

Bani smiled and pecked him on the cheek "Bas issi tarah se baat sunte jaye aur inaam paate jaye!"

Jai raised his eyebrows,"Well if you put it like that, joh hukum mere aakah!" Bani chuckled then pushed the door open


It was pitch black inside but could vaguely make out the furniture around."Oh god, kitne andhera hai? Kuch bhi dikhay nahin der raha Mr. Walia" Bani said as she walked further in.

"Mr. Walia? Mr. Walia!" Bani's heart pounded, why wasn't he answering? Where had he gone? She couldn't feel him any where near her. "Mr. Walia…aap kahaan hai?"

"Boo!" Bani jumped as she heard Jai laugh out loudly over her shoulder then grab her tightly.

"Bahut kharaab hai aap, aise darate hai kisi ko? Itna andhera hai, kuch dikhay nahin de raha aur aapko mazaak sooj raha"


Jai roaming his hands all over her, sniggered "Andhere ka hi toh fayda utha raha hoon"

Bani pushed him away "Behave yourself will you, we have some investigating to do, now do something and get some light in here"

"Yes Madam"

Jai walked around the edge of the room and fumbled across a few things He opened a couple of drawers and came across a small book. It looked interesting from the cover as it shimmered in the dark. He flicked through it and something fell out onto the sideboard. When the lightening flashed outside he got a glimpse of a torn paper clipping and a crushed red colored rose on the sideboard. Jai picked it up quickly and shoved it back in the book. He slipped the book into his pocket when he heard Bani yelling at him to hurry up, he thought he'd take a look at the book later on. Jai found a candlestick then a box of matches nearby and lit it. Bani sighed with relief then took a hold of Jai's arm again. "That's better…ab haveli theek se dikh raha"

Bani and Jai both looked around the large haveli, which had very old furniture lying around, some loosely covered with white cloths, a few paintings here and there and large antique statues. It looked like the typical bhoot bangla, very dusty, cobwebs all over and very creepy looking. There was an odd smell too, which Jai noticed.

"Bani do you smell something?"

Bani sniffed "Kuch bhi toh nahin hai…its just the smoke from the candle" Jai was not convinced he was pretty sure the smell was not coming from the candle

"Bani I smell something else, in fact….in fact….. that smell….it reminds me of Tony!" Starts laughing out loudly. "And I don't mean that in a bad way" .

Bani couldn't help but laugh too. "Mr. Walia you are too funny, Tony ki yaad yahaan kaise aagayi?"

Jai moved to where the smell was coming from. "Bani, sach kahoon, the smell reminds of the hot cinnamon rolls Tony used to make and now its making me hungry". Bani burst out laughing now

"Aap bhi na Mr. Walia".

Both headed towards a door, which was partially open, peering through it they realized it was the kitchen, so pushed the door open fully.

Jai and Bani froze at the sight before them. It was Tony… that too hovering over the stove, meditating!

Jai unable to speak mumbled "To...To…Tony!!"

Tony's eyes flew open and jumped off the stove! "Sir…Maam aap? You finally found me!! Kya timing hai, abhi abhi hot cinnomen rolls banay hai, Sir aaphi ko yaad kar raha tha… aapke favourite joh hai and they are ready too. You come outside with me and sit at the table I will serve you immediately" Tony rushed towards Jai and Bani and walked straight through them!!!!

Jai gasped! Bani screamed and leapt onto Jai hugging him tightly!!!!! Jai's heart almost stopped with how Tony went through them like air. He spun around, holding Bani's trembling body tightly, to see Tony whizzing around setting the place right.

"Aye na Sir, Maam bahut dino baad aapki seva karne ka mauka mila hai mujhe."

Jai stuttering "To..To…Ton-ny….Your DEAD?"

Tony smiled then dusted a piece of fluff off from his shoulder "Aur nahin toh kya? And Oh my…is it fun being dead or what? I can sneak around all over the place. Abhi kuch din pehle hi Bhool Bhulaiya dekhna gaya tha…what a film!! Uss haveli mein kya kya garbar ho raha tha. I love being dead its just so easy to get around these days. Buying sabzi also has become so much easier, queue mein bhi khade rehna nahin parta! But you know what I really enjoy doing these days, scaring people. Pehle Tony se koi nahin darrta tha…lekin ab…bas ek baar peeche se laat maardoon toh log aise darr ke maare bhaag jaate hai "Bhoot Bhoot!" chilla kar… ke chehra dekhne layak hai!"

"But how did you die? I mean you just vanished from WM, what happened?" Jai asked.

Tony sighed "Khud khushi kar li thi maine. Bahut miss karta hoon WM ko, paagal khaana tha…lekin har waqt kuch na kuch hota rehta tha. Free mein entertainment mil jaata tha. I would have continued working but when I found out you were going to replace me with that new butler Peter, raha nahin gaya mujhse…seedhe jaakar speeding train ke aage lait gaya!"

Bani still hiding her face in Jai's chest. "Bani Maam, aap darriya nahin mujhse, I am still that old butler Tony, joh aapki kitchen mein badi seva karta tha, jis ki lemon tea apko bahut achhi lagti thi. I decided to live in this deserted haveli, socha akele akele baking shaking kiya karunga…but found out someone else had occupied it too. It was nice of her to let me stay on here."

Bani, still in Jai's arms twisted herself around then moved away from Jai. "Tony tum iss haveli ke baare mein kya jaante ho? Kaun rehta hai"

"Maam aap udhar toh dekhiye, just a minute, let me light a candle over there." Tony went over to a dark part of the living area and lighted at candle. An old portrait on the wall was illuminated.

"Mama?" Bani cried.

"Tumne mujhe yaad kiya Bani beta? Aakhir tum yahaan aa hi gayi, bachpan ki jasoosi wali aadat aaj tak nahin gayi kyun?"

Jai and Bani both shifted their gaze from the portrait up to the top of the staircase, where they heard the soft female voice. Both looked horrified. A pale figure stood there smiling and then floated down the stairs.

"Mama...aap!!"


This time Jai grabbed onto Bani and whispered "Bani, tumhaari Maa toh meri gaadi ke neeche aaye thi…then what is she doing here? She is going to kill me for sure." Bani was still in shock to see her mother here, she continued to stare at her with her mouth open.

Kiran glided up to Jai and Bani.

"Bani beta tum ne inse shaadi ki? Kiran looked at Jai "So Mr. Walia, we meet again? Ab bhi bahut tez gaadi chalate ho? Sorry for jumping in front of your car like that, iss se pehle meri bemaari meri jaan leti I just had to end my life." Jai looked on at her without blinking. If seeing one bhoot was scary, seeing another one was even worse especially that person who died because of him. His face lost colour and he clutched Bani tightly as he stared at Kiran, the scars of that fateful night still there on her face and head.

"Bani, my daughter, kaisi ho? Kitne badi hogayi ho…aur bahut sundar bhi"

Bani, stared at her mother unable to fathom her presence here.

"Beta muh toh bandh karo!"

"Mama…aap yahaan kaise?"

"Saalon se yaheen pe rehti hoon…mere liye kaafi important jagah hai..

"Mama, iss haveli ka raaz kya hai? Kaafi dino se mein iss haveli ka pata karne ki koshish kar rahi thi. Kya taaluk hai aapse? I saw a photo of you in front of it earlier. Aur jab mein Mount Abu gayi thi tab ek aadmi ne mujhe iss haveli ki photo di. Wahaan pe Dhanraj Uncle aur Shalini Aunty bhi mile…aur jis tarah se woh mujhe dekh rahe the…aisa hi laga ke woh mujhe jaante hai aur woh Daksh, unka ladka, he behaves all calm when he is around me. What's going on? Surely there is something I need to know."

Kiran sighed. "Bani beta you always delve into things so much… can't I have a picture taken in front of a haveli? Besides this was my home. I grew up here in fact. Tum bhi na Bani...tu aur teri jasoosi. Chhoti si baat ka kya matlab nikaal leti ho"

"Mama, what is it about this haveli I should know, I know there is something else"

"Kuch nahin hai beta…sach mein! Its just my old home." Kiran tried changing the topic, bombarding her with questions "Rano aur Pia kaise hai? Bahut badi hogaye honge. Unka theek se khayaal rakha na? Hamesha unka saath diya na? Unhe kisi baat ki kami toh nahin hue na, humaare jaane ke baad? Zyaada daanta nahin na? Dono ki shaadi kardi? Aur tum…

"Mama! Stop with your questions!! Aapke ke jaane ke baad bhi aapki baatein har waqt sataati hai mujhe aur ab aap yahaan bhi shuru hogayi. Mujhe uss raaz ko jaan na hai, naaki meri behnon ki parvarish kaise karni hai, ki hai , they are old enough now to look after themselves."

Kiran ignored Bani and continued. "Bani beta aisa nahin kehte apni behn ke baare mein…maine kya kaha tha…kuch bhi hojaye humesha saath rehna aur…"

Bani screamed at the top of her voice! "Urghhhhhh!!! Stop with your pravachans, I have had enough! Saare pravanchans mujhe sunaati gayi…yeh karna woh karna….kabhi kabhi uss Pia ko bhi sunaa deti toh accha hota. You don't know what she has done to me. Duniya hi ujaar di ussne meri… pehle mere patti ke saath… Bani looked at Jai, who looked guilty, so paused before continuing. "Phir mujhe jail bhejwaya, phir Mental Asylum, Kya kya nahin kiya mere saath. If u really love your Bani then go haunt that Pia for a change with some of your pravachans. I am sure she would love that right now. Abhi mere hi ghar pe bimaar hai, but I know she's faking it, bahut accha naatak karti hai. I just want her gone for good. I hate her! Urrghhhh…I hate to even talk about her.
Forget her…Mama! Just tell me what the raaz behind this haveli is godammit!!!"


"Bani, that's my line chuckled Jai! Bani gave him an angry stare and dug her elbow into his ribs, he stopped laughing.


"Mind your language Bani!" Kiran shouted "There is NO raaz, get it through your head girl!!"

Bani getting really irritated and adamant to know the truth, "No I won't mind my language, everyone hides things from, I want to know what the damn raaz is now!! And I mean NOW!"

Kiran gave a mighty slap to Bani.

Jai moved in front of Bani "How dare you hit my wife…I know she gets over excited in finding out secrets, there is no need to hit her!"

Kiran glared at Jai, pointed a finger at him "Tum toh chup hi raho toh accha hai…beech mein bole toh ulta taang doongi!" Jai choked as he turned to look at Bani, who was holding her cheek in disbelief.

"Kitni ziddi hogayi ho tum Bani…aur badon se aise baat karte hai! Haan maan ti hoon ke tumhe zyaada pravachans diye..lekin tum badi thi, hoshyaar aur samjdaar thi issiliye sunati gayi. Pia toh bachpan se hi bigdi hui thi and mind you… tumhaare hi laad pyaar se bidgi hai woh. Itna sar pe nahin bitha na tha usse!
As for the raaz of the haveli, well its all to do with my wonderful pravachans. Yes my sweet Bani…my pravachans, which you love oh so much! I wanted you to find your way to this haveli so you could meet me again and I could finish off giving you all my pravachans. I have come up with some new ones too, have a long list somewhere. Ab tum aagayi ho toh sab suna doongi


Bani yelled "Stop lieing! I want to know the raaz behind this haveli! Not listen to your pravachans!"

Kiran continued, ignoring Bani "Haan toh aakhri baar kaunsa pravachan diya tha maine? Urrrrrr…I think we're on Pravachan Number 5045…aur woh hai….."

"Nahinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn" Bani screamedddddddddd!

******************


Bani woke up screaming!!!! Jai sat up too and held her close. "Sshhh...Bani you were dreaming…darr gayi tum"

"Mr. Walia sapna nahin tha…aap mujhe woh drive par legayi the…woh haveli… Tony aur Mama.?"

"Sweetheart, hum kahin nahin gaye. I did want to take you for a long drive but when I went to get changed and came back, you were fast asleep. I didn't have the heart to wake you up so joined you in bed again." Bani looked very confused, frowned as tears streamed down her face.

"Lekin...lekin woh…haveli…hum gaye the…it was raining…look I am wet even" Jai held her to his chest…rubbing her back he tried to calm her down

"Bani…kaunsi haveli? Bani stared at him confused, then remembered he doesn't know about the haveli. Jai continued "Ek bura sapna tha…dekho kitna pasina aa raha hai, that's why your a little wet…bhool jao usse Bani…issilye kehta hoon yeh jasoosi wale kaam chhod do…I know you enjoy investigating things, but really now…in sab baaton se tumhara dimaag kharaab ho jayega Jai kissed her softly and stroked her hair soothingly. She calmed down and gradually drifted off to sleep again, believing she was indeed dreaming all this.

After a while Jai carefully moved Bani away and placed her head gently on the pillow kissing her forehead. He pulled the covers over her and sat up. He went over to window and thought about what transpired earlier…at the haveli!

****Flashback to Haveli****

"Nahinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn" Bani screamed and ran out of the haveli. She couldn't bear to hear another pravachan from her mother and stormed out.

Jai was about to follow her out when someone tapped his shoulder. He turned around to find Bani standing behind him, smiling. Jai stood completely zapped. He looked towards the door then behind him again, shaking his head "Bani, you just went out how did you get back in the haveli so quickly?

Kiran sighed "Mr. Walia…meet Anamika…Bani's twin sister, Daksh's late wife"

"Hi!" Anamika said in a sweet low voice.

Jai felt his head spinning…"Daksh's "Late" wife?" So she is dead too????"

Tony, came forward supported Jai as he stumbled. "Sir, sambhaaliye Anamika Maam is lovely…very sweet just like Bani Maam bahut madat karti hai meri kitchen mein…Gobi ke paranthe kya mazze ke bana ti hai…ke aadmi ungliyan chaat jaye!"

Jai composing himself turned to look at Anamika again "How can...I mean…she looks… Jai was unable to get the words out, he watched Anamika creep behind the door and peer out of the kitchen, she was shy just like his Bani. It began to make sense why Daksh went funny seeing Bani all the time. He saw his dead wife in her.

Kiran, looked at Jai's confused face and said "Bani ke ek judwaa behn thi…I gave her to Daksh's Aya Ma who helped me deliver the twins. I never wanted to give up my daughter but Aya Ma's words forced me to do so and then my friend Shalini promised to give her a good life and would get her son married to her. As for the Haveli, well when my father died he left this haveli in my name and I gave it to Shalini and told her to give it to Anamika, when she got married in future. Daksh and Anamika moved here soon after their wedding. Lekin shaadi ke kuch din baad ek haadse mein kitchen mein iski maut hogayi thi. Bechara Daksh…bilkul toot gaya tha. Bani ko kuch nahin pata ke uski ek judwaa behn hai…and to be honest I don't want her to find out"


"But Bani should know she had a twin sister, its her right to know and will understand why Daksh behaves all strangely around her"

"Agar bata diya khatre mein aa sakte ho, especially you Mr, Walia!"

"Huh? What do you mean by that?"

"Well Anamika here was a very sweet and innocent woman, just like our Bani and loved Daksh to bits. Seeing her Daksh would become so passionate ke kya bataoon. Iss haveli mein main kab se reh rahi hoon and when Daksh and Anamika got married and moved here…Daksh was all over her…everywhere in the house. Obsessed lover ki tarah…bilkul besharam I tell u…itna bhi nahin sochte the ke ghar mein koi ho sakta hai"

"Haan Sir…Anamika maam kitchen mein kaam karti thi aur Daksh Baba aate toh mujhe kitchen se bahaar nikal na parta tha…got very hot in there. Aakhir butler bhi kitna bardaasht kar sakta hai." Said Tony loosening his tie.

Anamika, blushed and giggled shyly behind the door.

"Bechari Anamika, she left the gas on one day and died. Daksh tabse bimaar hai. The reason why I am saying tumhari zindigi khatre mein aa sakti hai is if Bani sees Daksh constantly aur woh theek hogaya…Daksh will be all over her. Now you wouldn't that now would you? That's why I didn't want Bani to know the whole truth about the haveli. I know she likes to play good samaritan all the time and will go out of her way to help Daksh get better. Agar woh uski madat se theek hogaya…toh tum problem mein aa sakte ho, haina? Aur phir Bani bhi muskhil mein aa sakti hai, kyun? Daksh pyaar toh Anamika se karta tha…lekin kya guarantee ke woh Bani pe fida na hojaye!"

Kiran was right, Jai thought to himself. Bani is always ready and willing to help out others but in the process ends up ruining her own life. Kiran continued.

"The last thing you want Mr. Walia is a obsessed lover all over your wife!"

Jai cursed himself silently, what on earth was he thinking when he told Dhanraj that Bani would help, in whatever way she could, for Daksh to recover. "Duniya mein doctors mar gaye hai kya ke usska ilaaj na ho sake. Kuch bhi ho jaye I am not sending Bani round there again!" Jai said in his mind, then looked at Kiran

"Thanx for letting me know all this…Daksh se toh door hi rakhunga Bani ko, she's mine! Don't want anyone near her. Mind you I don't know what it is, Bani seems to attract a lot of weirdo's in her life"

"You included?" Kiran laughed out loudly.

"Heyyy!!! I am sane thank you very much, unlike the others that have fallen for her! Kitne kitno ko sambhaalunga mein, but thanks for telling me all this. I am glad I found out this raaz first. At least for once I can handle things my way. Bani would have surely got herself in a mess if she found out first, her track record is not very good. Anyways I better catch up with Bani, she must be very upset right now, pravachans ka naam lekar aapne darra diya bechari ko" Kiran laughed as Jai turned to leave then called out to him.

"Mr. Walia that diary you have in your pocket can I have it back, you know its bad manners to read someone's diary, especially your mother-in-laws" Kiran raised her eyebrow and gave a long hard stare. "Well?" She put her hand out.

"Oops, sorry Saasu Ma! I thought it might be interesting" As Jai slowly took the diary out of his pocket he fumbled a little and slipped something back inside. Jai handed the diary over to Kiran

"Thank you Jamai Raja, now if you don't mind can I have that torn paper clipping too! That's a private letter and I don't want your hands on it!"

"You have very sharp eyes Saasu Ma…bachke rehna parega!"

Jai, handed the paper clipping too and started making his way out, when he heard a soft voice call out to him.

"Bye Jiju…take care of Bani Didi and keep her away from my Daksh!" Jai turned around again and saw that face peering from behind the door. He turned back and walked out of the Haveli.

"Arre mere cinnamon rolls kaun khayega ab! Lagta hai aaj bhi mujhe hi khana hoga!" Tony groaned, rolled his eyes and meandered off into the kitchen!

Jai ran back to the car and found Bani sitting inside but had passed out. He drove back to WM and put her straight to bed after getting her out of her wet clothes.

****Flashback ends****


After standing by the window for quite sometime reflecting on what had happened that night, Jai heard Bani calling out to him, searching for him in bed. He quickly went and slept beside her again pulling her close.


"I am here Bani…no need to be afraid" Bani snuggled closer with a smile on her face.

Jai felt relieved, that for once, instead of Bani solving a mystery he got there first and would now he could handle things his way. Whenever Bani has handled secrets, something or the other always messed up their lives, but not this time. He knew why Daksh behaved strangely around her and it certainly could become a major problem in future. Anamika said herself to keep Daksh away from Bani so that was what he was going to do. He couldn't risk losing Bani again they had been through so much heartache time and time again, but not this time. He definitely didn't want another bemaar chasing his wife, Aparajit Deb and Tarun were bad enough.

Jai decided he would tell Bani first thing in the morning not to go over to the Randheria's and see Daksh. It might prove to be difficult, as it was Nachiket and Purva's wedding in a couple of days time, but Jai decided that throughout the wedding he would be stuck to Bani like glue not let her out of sight and anywhere near Daksh. His only concern right now was what he was going to tell Bani about her not helping Daksh. She would definitely question him, what would he say? He needed to think of something fast. Jai hugged Bani and she hugged him tightly in her sleep too. She started mumbling

"Mr. Walia…mein jasoosi kabhi nahin karungi…Daksh ki bhi madat nahin karna ab?

"Kyun? Jai was surprised she said this herself before he even mentioned it. Was she reading his mind or something.

"Uska ilaaj karte karte mein shayad khud hi paagal na hojao, their house is full of mysteries...wahaan kabhi nahin jaungi…darr lagta hai…bas aapke ke saath rehna hain…aap mere saath hi rehna …hamesha"

"Bani I am always with you …always. Tumhe toh mein kabhi bhi nahin chhodunga, I will let Randehria's know that you won't be going over there anymore and want to stay away from Daksh, I'll handle everything you don't worry. I'll arrange for Daksh to be taken to America ASAP for treatment, I'll pay for everything somehow"
Jai didn't have all his money back yet but he decided he would arrange for something as soon as he can. The sooner he parceled Daksh off away from Bani the better and he would tell Dhanraj clearly too that he does not want Bani helping them out anymore.

"You're the best. I love you Mr. Walia!"

"Love you too!" Bani, buried her head in his chest and dozed off. Jai wondered what made Bani change her mind about helping Daksh and quit her favourite pastime, jasoosi.

"Kiran and her pravachans. It had to be that!" Jai said out loud

Bani jolted out of her sleep hearing the word "Pravachan" again! "Pravachans? Nahin…No…Nahin…Pravach…Mama…No!"

"Ssshhhh Bani kuch nahin hai, it was dream remember? Koi nahin hai. Sau jao" Jai ran his fingers through her hair lovingly easing her back to sleep.

Though he shouldn't laugh, Jai could help it and sniggered silently thinking about how Bani ran out of the haveli. It was certainly very funny. In trying to solve a mystery, Bani never thought she would land up face to face with her mother again who was ready pounce on her with her pravachans. Bani sure had enough of them over the years, any more and she would certainly lose it. It freaked her out so much tonight that from now she won't even think about jasoosi in her entire life, which in a way was a good thing. Having a full time jasoos in the house always brought problems for them and now Bani finally realized this they could live their lives like a normal family. Pulling Bani closer to him, Jai drifted of to a peaceful sleep, with a faint smile playing on his lips.


The End.

Edited by sangitadas - 17 years ago
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19th Anniversary Thumbnail Rocker Thumbnail + 3
Posted: 17 years ago
#4

Entry No. 3



LOVE
by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

And in Life's noisiest hour,
There whispers still the ceaseless Love of Thee,
The heart's Self-solace and soliloquy.
You mould my Hopes, you fashion me within ;
And to the leading Love-throb in the Heart
Thro' all my Being, thro' my pulse's beat ;
You lie in all my many Thoughts, like Light,
Like the fair light of Dawn, or summer Eve
On rippling Stream, or cloud-reflecting Lake.
And looking to the Heaven, that bends above you,
How oft! I bless the Lot that made me love you.

Bani just came back from her work early and was fiddling with her house keys. The weather was getting worse by every minute, so she thought to come home early and have her favorite hot cinnamon rolls. The clouds were heavy; there was thunder in the air. Glancing at the stormy sky she sighed thinking that same was happening inside her too. She finally managed to open the wooden door of her small but elegant house. As she walked in she noticed a solitary letter lying on the floor. She thought the postman must have slipped it inside. She carelessly opened the letter which was addressed to her and surprisingly had no name of the sender on the envelope.

Dear Bani,

So many colors, pictures and poetry could describe my love; but now that I'm about to tell you how true, pure and great it is, I'm short for words, pictures and even for a little poetic knowledge.
I wouldn't know how to live away from someone as special as you anymore, someone that pushes me forward and shows me the beauty in things. I could never again find peace in my heart if you couldn't be there for me. Before that certainty, I have no option but to reaffirm, with all conviction, what I just said before: you represent, in the flesh, bone, blood and emotion, the great love that will accompany me till the end of my days.



I know that this will be the last piece of conversation between the two of us, and therefore, I wish to speak frankly and clearly.

When I met you in Mt.Abu, you struck me as something nice, and by the time we parted, I had fallen in love with you.

Okay. I know that it is stupid, and clichd and all, but the fact is, I love spending time with you, talking to you, and basically being with you.

I know that we are from a different social structure but believe me bani I give a damn.

I also know that this will very well be the end of all conversation between us, but hell. I had to say it.

I LOVE YOU. If I didn't tell this to you, I'd burst internally.

Now, what is the reason and objective behind this letter?

Nothing much, just that I wanted to put this on paper as I could NEVER EVER call and tell this to you and so that you know that you had, have and will always have a lover somewhere.

I will continue living thinking that you have read my letter, so that I can at least give a proper burial to this incessant madness, which has been killing Me.

Well I am leaving for Mumbai today and I promise I will never cross your path again.

Be well and I wish you the best of luck, in life and love.

And Bani you will remain my first, last and only love of my life.

And inside the envelope you will find a crushed, red colored rose, symbolic of my love and heart-break.

Jai

By the end of the letter Bani had tears in her eyes which shamelessly trickled down her rosy cheeks. She felt like someone just gave a mighty slap on her face.

She had been so wrong about jai. She thought he was this rich businessman for whom women were like tissue papers, just use and throw material. He had always been a true gentleman but it was her arrogance which prevented her from seeing his true feelings. What a fool she had been in misjudging jai and his love.

And far away from her house there in a huge guest house a man was standing in his darkened room. An old portrait hung on the wall as if sympathetically staring at the man standing below. On the wooden floor there lay an innocent broken champagne flute which has just faced the wrath of a heart-broken man. On his desk lay a torn paper clipping stating that somebody just tore a page from it. The man in black is standing at the huge glass window staring into the dark night.

Jai thought in a few hours he will be gone far away from the only love of his life. This depressing thought alone brought tears into his ocean deep blue eyes.

Sighing he left for the airport to catch his flight to Mumbai.

Reaching the airport he looks back for the last time to capture this wonderful place which taught him to love.

He seats himself as he had to wait since the flight is delayed for 2 hours due to weather problems. As he made himself comfortable in the sofa his mind could not help but revert back to his lady love. Her dove-shaped eyes, her slim figure, her long hair, her infectious smile, her intelligence and everything was so perfect about her, but if only she understood his feelings. Dismissing these futile thoughts he concentrated on the unopened magazine in front of him.

In such a stormy weather every taxi driver was reluctant for a long drive at night to the airport which was way too far away from her house. But somehow bani managed to convince one of the taxi drivers who was ready to take her to the airport but on the amount triple the actual fare.

"I have to stop him. Oh god! I wish his flight has not departed. I have been so foolish. I have really hurt him. Hope he forgives Me." cursing herself bani impatiently asks the driver to speed up the taxi.

After which seemed an eternity she finally reaches her destination. Bani is frantically searching for jai in the airport when suddenly she stops, there he was sitting on the sofa pretending to be immersed in the good for nothing magazine.

"JAI".

Listening his name he suddenly comes out of his revive, but smiling he nods his head in negative reassuring himself that he was just imagining.

"JAI".

This time he looks up to see his love standing in front of him gasping for breath. His melancholy face is now lit up.

He stands up to reach her but before that bani comes running towards him and throws her slender arms around his neck.

And the time stood still for them and they hugged each other with undefined passion and love very much oblivious to their surroundings.

"I am sorry jai, I am sorry, I have really hurt you. Please forgive me.I was scared that you will leave me. I love you jai; I love u and only u". Crying bani finally said those three magical words to jai.

"I love u too bani. I am really glad that you understood me and my love".

And the thunderous clapping and whistling of the people in the airport brought the two lovebirds back to reality. His sensuous lips curved into a wicked grin and bani hid her profusely blushing face in his broad chest.

Outside, the never ending rain caused the incessant noise and inside it were bani's high-pitched moans of pleasure that echoed in her bedroom. As jai kissed her velvet skin he felt as if he were caressing a goddess, yes an angle; his angle.

Today jai truly understood how it was to be in love and to desire a woman so deeply and purely. The night was magical as jai and bani submitted themselves to each other completely through mind, body and soul.

And from you and me they became us.

For them this was not the end………but the beginning of a new life…………

THE END

Edited by sangitadas - 17 years ago
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19th Anniversary Thumbnail Rocker Thumbnail + 3
Posted: 17 years ago
#5

Entry No. 4



"Rano, stop reading your stupid paper and help me." Bani said crossly as she grabbed the newspaper Rano was reading.


"Just because you are older than me doesn't give you the right to boss over me." Rano retorted back and tried to grab the newspaper back from her elder sister's hand. Bani held it tight and Rano pulled it, causing it to tear in the middle.

"Damn Didi!" Rano screamed, as she watched the torn piece on her hand. "You've successfully torn the news I was reading."


Bani looked at the piece on her hand and scowled, "Why do you want to read news about a painting, which looks rubbish?" she threw it on the floor.

"Do you know whose painting you are commenting at?" Rano said disbelievingly and picked up the piece. "It's drawn by…."


She stopped as she watched Bani already entering the bathroom with her towel.

Rano picked up the torn piece and muttering something under her breath sat on the reading table, trying to join those pieces with a cello tape.


…………………


Bani came out of the bathroom to find the room empty. That Rano! She thought.I told her to help me! Cursing Rano under her breath, Bani started to wipe her hair vigorously. Then she started to comb it equally forcibly, causing some of her long hair to break.


"Stupid, rubbish hair! Why can't I have short hair like my friends?" she kept mumbling and kept combing her hair in the same fashion.


"Relax Di," Rano said in a sing song voice as she re-entered the room and made Bani sit in the study chair. Then taking the comb from her hand she started to comb Bani's hair carefully.


"You are so much impatient Di, and too ungrateful. Thank God for giving you such nice hair." She told Bani sighing at her own short curly hair.


"Don't talk about things you don't know." Bani snapped and picked up the torn paper clipping from the table which Rano has carefully attached with cello tape and started to read it.


It was a report about Jai Walia, the renowned painter's latest painting. She read the article where the reporter has flawlessly described the painting with adjectives like exquisite, enchanting, divine, touched my soul, breathtaking, amazing etc. Bani felt that she would've written more if the editor would have given her more space. She chuckled at the thought.


"What's so funny?" Rano asked curiously.


"This thing is funny Rano. She sounds like the picture is a fantastic piece of artwork. Look at it, it's stupid." And she gave a hearty laugh.


Rano glared at her and mimicked Bani's tone, "don't talk about the things you don't know.' Seriously Di, its Jai Walia's painting and it's wonderful! Just see the theme, the colours…." Rano said dreamily.


Bani rolled her eyes, "It is stupid though, just watch it…"


They kept arguing until Bani's mother came and asked Bani to get ready at once. Bani groaned loudly and went to dress up.


…………………


"Rano, stop! I said stop! What are you doing? I don't need this." She said angrily trying to push Rano away from her as Rano was making a fashionable bun on her head.


"You are going to meet your would be husband stupid!" Rano scolded, "You should look presentable."


"I don't like him!" Bani shouted, "He's a beast, a jerk, a characterless, I hate him!"


"And that's the eighth wonder of world!" Rano said sarcastically, "Honestly Di, don't you hate everything and everyone?"


"No, I love Mom-Dad, and I love you and I love Puskar and I love my friends." Bani protested at all. "But you can't expect me to love that foggy headed Aparajeet Deb!"


"Di careful! He's going to be your husband in no time." Rano warned.


"When he'll torture me and I'll come back home with bruised arms and crushed head, then you'll know." Bani grumbled, "Or may be I'll come back as a dead body only, because he'll burn me alive."


"Don't be ridiculous," Rano snapped, "You watch too much movies."


"You don't know men, Rano!" Bani said crossly, "And don't snap at me. I'm elder than you!"


…………………


Bani Dixit was a lovely girl who has witnessed 25 springs in her life. She was the elder daughter of Nishikant & Kiran Dixit. Nishikant was a businessman and he has a partner called Aprajeet Deb. Both Nishikant and Kiran think that the calm, quiet, patient man is perfect for their impatient, rude, carefree daughter. So, they have asked, pestered and then forced Bani to agree in the marriage with AD.


It has been 3 months that they have been engaged and the wedding date was not far away. Today, the Dixits have asked AD to have dinner with them, much to Bani's annoyance.


…………………..


"You look pretty, my lovely lady." He said in an artificial tone. Bani tried her best to smile. But she was sure that even monkeys can smile better than this. The man seemed least bothered.


They were in the yard of the Dixit's. They had a "peaceful" dinner (in Bani's dictionary peaceful means boring). And to Bani's horror, AD asked Nishikant if he can take Bani out and her father agreed. Bani for the millionth time of her life wanted to kill her father.

"So how is my darling fiance doing these days?" He said in his honey-coated voice.

Bani gave a nod, who wants to talk with him? She thought mournfully and her mind gloomed thinking that she has to marry this man.


"Will pretty princess like to ride my Engine-horse?" he asked patting his Toyota Vista in an "I'm so hot and hunk" manner. Bani made a face at him. He opened the door for her and he himself got in.


"We're going for a long drive at night, isn't it fascinating princess?" He gave her a wicked grin and a wink.

Bani wanted to puke.


…………………….


Jai Walia, a man in his mid-thirties, looked out of the window. He kept staring at the stormy sky; the gray clouds gave it a mystic look. He watched the chilly wind sweeping away the road dust in a fierce rage. What a wonder, he thought, up in the wide sky the wind looks so generous and in the ground so vicious…


He kept looking at the sky, painting an imaginary moon, chirping birds, emerald leaves in the huge cloudy canvas with the colour of his heart. And when he has almost finished, the wind pushed away his imaginary colour strokes and turned it into the same gray pool of mist.


Sighing, he closed the window and returned back to the real life. He was standing in his warm and well lit study. The study was huge; it should be as he spends most of his time in this study. He looked around; the wall was full with various paintings, made by him. He turned his gaze into the corner where in the wall hung a large frame which reached almost the floor. But it was covered with a thick black velvet curtain hiding the painting from the view.


Hesitating a bit, he went toward that and slowly removed the curtain. Suddenly a bright flash of colour blinded him. He looked at it mesmerized as if unable to belief that it was a part of his life one day, how many eons ago? How many planets away?


The sudden rapping in the front Mahogany door took him back to the real world. He quickly drew the curtain back to hid the painting, as if trying to conceal his private life from the sudden intruder.

The rapping of the door continued. Wondering who could come this late at night, he went to answer the door. As far as he could remember, he doesn't have any close relatives or any friends who could come to pay a visit to him at his home, that too in such a weather.

After a minute or two, he opened the door to stare at the most astonishing scene in front of him. In the dim portico light, he saw a girl standing there, shivering slightly in the cold weather. Her dress was wet and clung to her body like a second skin. She was looking alarmed and insecure at the same time very vicious. What a deadly combination…he thought as he looked at her.


Bani looked up and blinked at the handsome man before her. He was looking familiar. But she was unable to find out where she's seen him. Noticing his questioning look, she started speaking, "I'm sorry to bother you at this moment, but- but it's the only house I found. Can I come in? Will your family mind? I- I was not planning to intrude but- but he's right there….he might come behind me......can I?"


Jai looked at her with curiosity and amusement. But as soon as she came forward and stepped into light, his jaws dropped. He was looking at a magnificent beautiful face, the almond shaped face, coal black eyes, the haunted look – he found himself unable to breathe looking at her. It couldn't be, it couldn't happen, it couldn't be her!



"I – I won't do any harm!" Bani stammered as she looked back to check if anyone is following her. Jai nodded and stepped aside, allowing her to enter.



Bani blinked several times to adjust her eyesight with the light inside. Then when she was able to see properly, her mouth hung open. It seemed like she was in an art gallery instead of a house. The medium sized friendly looking living room was decorated with wonderful paintings, valuable antiques and what not. However, the room was done with such a taste that it looked exotic, artistic, packed with rich stuffs as well as simple, beautiful and real.



"Am I in a museum?" she blurted out.


Jai smiled at her unique remark and said, "You can say it a museum if you like it, filled with stuffs that may be worthless to people, but priceless to the curator, me."


"Worthless?" Bani exclaimed as she eyed the 11th century porcelain vase with iron pigment over transparent colorless glaze. "There are million dollar worth antiques here."

He shrugged, "The dollars have never bothered me, and I was smart enough to have a rich father. You are shivering."


Bani for the first time after entering the house realized that she was wet and cold, her clothes clung to herself and she was trembling. She became self conscious.


"Where are others?" she asked.


"Who?" Jai looked up.


"Your family…" she said meekly, wishing that some warm faced lady will come out of one of the room and save her from the situation. But her heart sank as she heard him say, "There's none in the house except me, I'm a lonely old person."




Suddenly she felt aware of the situation, she ran away from a hungry beast but she's entered another one's den for shelter! Wonder if he's hungry too…she trembled.


"Now, it's time you change your wet clothes," Bani was taken aback by the warm and kind voice of her host, "I don't think if I've anything suitable for you to wear, but I've some towels and a working washing machine." He nodded at her and guided her to his bedroom and opened the door, "Help yourself."


Bani bolted and locked the door as fast as possible. Foolish, she thought, trying to hide from the owner of the house, he's got the Key I guess…


She looked around the room, it was not very big. From outside she thought that the house was enormous. She wondered what the space is used for, the living room is medium, and the master bed is small…..none of my business anyhow.


She started to take off her clothes and suddenly stopped. How could she undress here? This is a Man's room! A man lives here, how can I undress here...


She looked around the room, and pulled her cloth back. She headed toward the bathroom and stopped, even that was a Man's bathroom!



Cursing her thoughts she looked for some towels. She hesitated for a moment and then opened the closet. She grabbed a towel from the bottom and wrapping it carefully around her took off her clothes.



"Are you done?" came a voice from outside. Bani got startled and fell on the floor with a large thud.


"Hey! You alright?" His voice was concerned.


"I – I'll come out after getting my dress dry." Bani shouted, scared that he'd use his Key any moment and come to the room. "Don't use the key!" she shouted.


'What!?" he asked shocked.


"Don't use your Master Key to enter the room." She said meekly thinking whether it was foolish of her to remind him that he can actually use the keys.



She heard him chuckle and say, "I can use my Keys to Imagination if I want, don't need real ones. Join me for a cup of coffee in my study."


"I can't. There's nothing for me to wear." She said, her face flushed; partly because indirectly telling him that she's without cloth and partly because of his words.


"Okay." He muttered and then it was silence. Bani hurriedly went to the bathroom and proceeded to dry her clothes using the dryer.


Putting them in the dryer, she came out and gingerly sat on the edge of the bed. She thought about what happened earlier that night. She started to loose her temper as she remembered what that son of a bi*** wanted to do. She was right from the beginning. Aparajeet Deb is the most meanest character, the dirtiest piece of dirt in the earth.



.................


After 25 minutes, she came out of the room, wearing the same clothes, but now dried. She found him taking a tray of hot cinnamon rolls out of the oven. He smiled at her, "As you see, it's long past the dinner time; it's the only thing I can offer you – and hot coffee."


She sensed the mouth-watering aroma of the hot cinnamon rolls and felt that she was hungry. After all she was unable to have proper dinner, thanks to that 'shame on human kind' looser of a man.


She went forward to the table, picked up a piece and bit on it, "It's great!" she said, "You made this?"



He laughed, "Hell no! My butler Tony made these; I just did the warm up thing. I would've starved to death if I had to eat my cooking."


She laughed and said, "Then I'll make the coffee for you. I'm a bad cook, but better than you I guess."

He nodded and told her to bring the coffee to his study.


……………………..


Bani almost dropped the mugs of coffee when she entered the study. The living room was nothing compared to it, the study was huge. Framed paintings were hung on each side of the wall.


"Wow! You are a great collector." She said, putting a mug down in front of him and sat in front of him in a couch.


He smiled, "Is this a compliment?"


She shrugged and kept looking around. There were paintings of landscape, some intellectual, some virtual, but each an eye piece.



"Will you mind me telling why you are here at this time?" his sudden question startled her. "Huh?"


"Do you mind telling me why you are here in the middle of the night?" he asked again.


She hesitated for a moment then said, "I ran away from him..."


"From whom?"


"My fianc, my ex fianc." She replied.


"Share it with me…" he said warmly.


"I – I was out with my fianc and he tried to take advantage of me. I tried to stop him but he won't listen. So I gave him a mighty slap, kicked him where it hurts and ran and I came here." She looked up, "Hope I'm not bothering you."


"Not at all." He said, "I'm sorry that your fianc turned out to be such a jerk."


"I knew that he is! I never wanted to marry him, it's my parents – why didn't they marry him?" she said angrily.


"Good thinking," he chuckled. That made her more angry and she turned so that she didn't have to see his face. Her eyes fell to a particular painting. Her jaws dropped.


"Hey! I saw this painting in newspaper today." She stood up and walked to the painting.


The painting was drawn in a fade background, a broken champagne flute was rolling on the surface and a crushed red coloured rose was hanging from it, ready to fall.


She looked at it in wonder. It didn't look that good in the newspaper.

"Must've cost you a fortune." She muttered.

"Actually not," he said casually, "All I needed was a few hundreds, "he stopped and said, "and off course 36 working hours."



Bani looked at him shocked, "You don't buy such a painting with few hundreds; it's a famous painting by a famous artist!"


He chuckled, "who told you that I bought it? I drew it."



Bani looked at him astonished. "You are Jai Walia!"


He nodded, "As a matter of fact, I am."


"Oh My God!" she exclaimed. "Rano would've died to meet you, she's my younger sister and she's very fond of you."


"And may I know what Rano's elder sister's name is?" he questioned, a mischievous grin on his face.


Bani flushed realizing that she's not told him her name, "My name's Bani."

"That ends my life long query," he muttered.

"Excuse me?" Bani said, unable to hear his words.


"It's nothing." He replied quickly.



……………………


It was an incident of then, when Jai Walia was only 26 years old that made his life upside down. He was traveling by a bus, going to a picnic with his friends. Among his fellow travelers, there was a girl who caught his attention.


She was breath-taking beautiful. There was something special about her, about the way she looked, about the way she smiled, the way her eyes twinkled, the way she talked with her sister. – Too beautiful, too gorgeous, too pretty.


All through the journey, he kept looking at her, and memorized each details of her face. Her almond shaped face, her coal black eyes, and her fiery expression. He so wanted to talk to her, ask her what her name was, but he couldn't. How could he? Her parents were there.



Since then, he was unable to put her out of her mind. She was the only thing he wanted; she was the only one he loved. He searched for her everywhere, drew her portrait from his memory. He spent most of his time looking at the painting, dreaming about her, wondering what her name was, wondering whether he'd ever meet him again or not.


But he never met her again. Her picture in front of him made him go crazy. He couldn't bear to look at that, cause that would hurt him immensly, but at the same time he couldn't throw it away. That's why he kept it hidden beneath the thick black velvet, wishing someday, someway they'll meet again.


But they never met….until today.


……………….



"The painting is a reflection of my life. The champagne flute is the symbol of wealth, status and it's broken. That means, I've all the riches and wealth and everything, but I don't have the happiness. And the red rose is the symbol of love, but it's crushed, just like my love."


His words repeated in her mind as she lay in the bed quietly. Where have I seen him? Why does he look so familiar? Is it only because I've seen his photographs on newspaper? Why is he so unmindful, so sad, so depressed…why do I feel a connection?


…………………….



Jai lay awake as well, after so long he's seen her. She's come back to his life. For so long he's waited for her and today, she's right here, in his house. God can play this life-game in such a confusing way. He thought.


Now the question is that, what is he supposed to do? Tell her about his feelings? What a stupid idea! Going to a stranger and saying, "Hey! I've been in love with you for ages, what do you think of it?"


He chuckled at the thought and what her reaction will be hearing that. May be he should just let her go, may be he'll find a way to get her, may be……




He drifted of to a disturbed sleep after a long time.


………………


Jai felt a bit uneasy to witness the show down between parents and daughter in front of him. He's come to drop her home in the next morning. No, he's still not told her anything about his feelings. It's stupid thing to do, he's decided at last. At least now I know who she is and where she lives, I'll find out a way.


But right now, he wanted to escape from the heated argument at the same time he didn't want to be rude.


Just then he heard running footsteps, a young girl entered the room, "Di! You're back! I'm so gl……Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" She screamed as soon as her eyes fell on him.



She kept staring at him and then pinched herself, "Di! Di! It's Jai Walia Di, it's him! Oh my God, I'm so dead…I'm so lucky, I can't believe…"



Jai spent 2 hours with the Dixits, hearing Nishikant's rambling that true men always did business, Kiran's self praising words that how her custard is the best among them all, Rano's crazy words and observing Bani's "I hate everyone" attitude.


When he was going to get into his car, Rano came to him and asked nervously, "I know you are a busy man, but, but will you mind giving me a few lessons?"


Jai smiled at her and nodded, He knew that this is the keys to impress Bani, that this is the keys to his age old imagination!


Reaching home, he removed the black curtain from the painting of Bani.


…………………


Exactly after a year, Jai Walia removed the painting from the corner of his study to put a brand new painting of his wife, Bani in the wedding dress.


Well, the old painting was kept aside in the dining room; after all, it was an old portrait now!

….

Edited by sangitadas - 17 years ago
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19th Anniversary Thumbnail Rocker Thumbnail + 3
Posted: 17 years ago
#6
Entry No. 5

Jai is desperately waiting for her wife Bani to come home. He had just taken out freshly baked hot cinnamon rolls for his lovely Bani to eat. Jai had planned a romantic night between the two of them at Bani's old outhouse. He loved her so much that he could not afford losing her. Jai had gotten his wife a rose and he held it behind his back, thinking that Bani had come. His smile faded away when he saw that it was just a bird.

Where could she be? He thought. I told her to bet home early today. He looked up at the dark, stormy sky and decided that she must have been gotten caught in the rain. Anyways, he thought, this place is old. I'll do some cleaning to impress my sweetheart!

Bani was enjoying greatly at the party with her friend, Daksh. He was her childhood friend, and had insisted on her coming to the party with him. Bani couldn't say no to him, so she agreed to go. She had completely lost track of time.

Back at the outhouse, Jai was his heart out! The rusty old place was almost as near a perfect. He stepped forward to clean the remains of the closet. Jai was surprised to find out that it was locked. Now what did Bani do? He wondered to himself. What is in this closet that it had to be locked? Jai looked up at set of keys he found earlier in the bathtub.

These must be the keys to this closet! He opened the door, feeling quite uneasy. An old portrait of Bani was lying in front of him. Of course! He thought. This is Bani's outhouse, so why would her stuff be here? Jai chuckled at his foolishness. He went inside the closet to see more of his Bani. Something on the almost made him fall. "Yeh kya hain, god-dammit!" he shouted angrily. Looking down, he saw a torn paper clipping under a broken champagne flute.

Carefully, he slid the paper clipping out from under the broken flute. He tried to read it but could not make out the words. The only thing he could see was: Bani, what, after a long drive at night, love you so much, what can we do, and no. Seeing that, Jai got shocked. I've never written this letter to her, so who loves Bani so much? He asked himself. It must have been her dad!

At the party, Daksh and Bani were really dancing it off. They were having a great time when someone spilled wine on Bani's velvet dress. "Oh, no!" Bani cried. "It's very late! I was supposed to meet Jai at 8:30. Now look, it is 11:00. He must be getting worried!" Daksh got irritated hearing Jai's name. Daksh loved Bani, but they had to break up when Jai came into her life. He hated Jai so much. "Oh come on, Bani. We are having a good time na? Jai will understand!" Bani didn't want to stay, but Daksh insisted.

Poor Jai was still cleaning. He didn't even realize the time pass. He looked up and saw it was 1:00. "Oh shit! It's one o'clock, and Bani still isn't here?!" he threw his rose for Bani on the ground and shouted. He had a quick temper. Bani and Daksh finally came to the outhouse together. They were not in good condition.

Bani saw a wicked grin on Jai's face. "What happened?" she asked. Jai fumed. "What happened? Did you just ask me what happened? You kept me waiting for over six hours, and you still ask me what happened?" Daksh couldn't stand anyone talking to Bani in such voice. He gave Jai a mighty slap. Bani saw a crushed, red colored rose on the ground by Jai's feet and started crying. She got mad at Daksh and told him to get lost. "I'm so sorry, Jai. You cleaned up my place for me, and I was partying. I promise I won't go to any more parties. Our forgiving Jai once again forgave Bani's foolishness, and they lived happily ever after.

Bani and Jai and three lovely kids, two of them which were twins, and one was a girl. Krishna, Artahva, and Ganga. Another girl was on her was, and her name was going to be Payal.

End.

Edited by sangitadas - 17 years ago
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19th Anniversary Thumbnail Rocker Thumbnail + 3
Posted: 17 years ago
#7

Entry No. 6


Intro to Walia's

Jai Walia: 25 yrs old only son of Uday and Krishna Walia. So they brought him up with lots of laad pyaar. As he was born after 7 yrs of marriage.. that why his name was jai.. means victory.. .

Uday Walia- father and head of the Walia family and runs his own business or say it as an empire. Walia group of companies and he is a father who loves his son to ends. He is also caring and loving husband of Krishna Walia.

Krishna Walia- sweet mother of Jai Walia and loves her son a lot. She had not much studied as her parents forced her to marry and she was married to Uday who fell in love with her when he saw her in a wedding. She dint want to marry him but her parents forced her to marry him but he makes her fall in love with him with his friendly manner and he also helps her to complete her studies. She adores him a lot and loves hi more than anything and when he supported when she was not getting pregnant. He gave her the love of a perfect husband she believes he is her god and what he does or say is correct for her. So what ever he takes as a decision she says yes… if he is wrong also .she loves her son a lot. And she doesn't scold him at all but only give god advises if he does anything wrong also.

So In total manner Jai is pampered in all mean ….

Another important character Jig who is the only sister of Uday Walia lives with them. With her husband Aditya Bali and her daughter Anu who is just 15 yrs old. Jigs never leaves any chance to do tamasha. She hates Roshni who Jai is in deeply love with, and wants to get rid of her. Jigaysa also has another son named Pushkar who is sweet 18 yrs old, and he is close to Jai. His Mama and Mami more than his mom. He can do anything for his Mama as he is the sweet person of all he thinks.

Dixit family

Bani Dixit: 19yrs old studying and is a sweet and caring. She is studying but by correspondence as she takes care of her family as her mother was mostly ill and more than it. She want a degree behind her name as she knows her father wants to make her get married as soon as possible and be out of the responsibility and she was also not interested in going and enjoy the world behind the house walls and was happy with her life..

Nishikant Dixit: father of Bani Pia and Rano and husband of Kiran Dixit. They were happily married and he wanted a son but got 3 daughters but he was mostly disappointed in the birth of Bani that she was not born as a son. But he thinks that he should get her married as soon as possible and get free form her responsibility but that doesn't mean he hates her but he loves her too but yet some thing was not good. He works in Walia Group of Industries and a loyal employ of the company and he is very loyal to his boss.

Pia and Rano Dixit- sisters of Bani and both are in their world and want to achieve something. Pia was always crazy for Pushkar and always want to marry a person like Pushkar. Rano was a book worm and both love their Di a lot, they were still in their high school Pia was 17 and Rano was 15 and friend of Anu.

Massi of Jai who belief Jai is only correct and can do anything for him. She also like Bani but when it come to choose in between them it was only Jai and he is totally pampered.

-----

Dixits and Walia lived next door where Walia's house was a huge mansion. With all sorts of luxuries while the Dixit house was a small of a hall kitchen and 3 bedrooms. One for mom and dad and another for Pia maharani alone and on other Bani and Rano stay. There was no wall between their houses only a small fence. And daily Bani comes to Walia mansion for helping Krishna in her morning works and also does Puja along with her, and she was very fond of Uday and Krishna but hated by Jigs and Jai. He also doesn't like Bani as he thinks she is sharing his love which he doesn't like it.

Morning 6:30 am the Puja was being done in the house front of Walia mansion month of autumn. Most of the people were sleeping. Bani was singing the Bajan of Gayathri mantra while doing the Pooja with Krishna Walia. Uday Walia comes down for his morning coffee after getting ready for his morning and hears the song of Bani and smiles thinking this the perfect morning with a god song. He comes down and soon the prayer get over of Tulsi Pooja and Bani smile to Krishna with her ghoonghat covered in her head and Krishna to smile and takes aarti from Bani's thali. Bani bends down and get Ashirwaad and she says jeethi raho mean live for long and they hug.

Bani says, Krishna Aunty, Uday Uncle koo aarthi doon? She was like "roz tumhi dethi hoo then why do you ask me?" Krishna says, "javoo go and give him the aarti, after all u r too his favorite friend be ho and she goes smiling and Krishna smile and says to herself that whoever house Bani goes they are very lucky to have Bani and sees her and soon goes towards the house. Bani enters with thali and sees Uday and smiles and gives aarti and takes Ashirwaad from him and she also gives Prasad to him and turns to see Krishna and says Aunty mein aapko Prasad dena bhool hi gyai and gives her. Bani says ab mein chaloon muje bahut saari kam hai.. kaan bhi bana hai and says aap sab koo aarthi dediji sorry aunty aaj mein breakfast anhi abna pavongi. Sorry and goes.

Uday and Krishna smiles on it, saying ye ladki bilkul sweet hai. They smiles and hug each other by shoulders. He kisses her saying muje ek coffee milega. She smiles saying yes and goes. She goes he pulls her by pallu and says if I don't see your smile my day becomes a bad day. She was like hmm flirting with your wife in the morning itself? He tell what to do when wife is soo beautiful coming and hugging her and about to kiss her when they hear oops sorry they see it was none other than Bani.

Bani was standing there with her hand over her eyes saying oh mein Prasad lene ayi thi bhool gyai thin a isliye, says haat hatha hoon?? She slowly peeps through her fingers and they were like Bani. She says saml ke agar if a press reporter see u both in this stage, will think aap aur aunty ka new baby ki preparation chal rahi hai and smiles and she runs away taking prasad making them get shocked with her words.

Uday say ye ek hi kafi hai.. and says she is not wrong don't you think so Krishna was like aap bhi na..

------

Ahhh some one was shouting it was none other than Roshni she was shouting when her boyfriend was making love to her in a hotel room a honeymoon suit. She was like be little slow. Jab bhi athe ho you come in a hurry and while doing also hurry and leaving also hurry. He says kya karron after all if my wife knows about my life too mein to gaya. Roshni smiles and comes over him and says but I have no problem you know my boyfriend Jai who is deeply in love with me. Soo he won't doubt me at least as if I have affair on his back also. After all I have made him soo drugged in my love and gives an evil smile. She continues saying my aim is to live happy which will be given by his surname and money bus, or dusri khushi keliye tum hona and smiles….

In Jai's room Jai was sleeping in the bed in his night suit and in the cross wise and nose over pillow and eyes out of the pillow and he was dreaming and smiling and saying Shona I love you.. Shona I love, soon he was jolted from his sleep by calling of his name saying jai beta utho… it is the morning. He was like oh morning hogaya? He was like why it always morning comes early?

He gets up and he was served chai by his mom and he soon sleeps in his mom's lap saying good morning mom and drinks hi chai reading the paper, while his mom caresses his hair and says tum bhi na jai kab chodokigi this habit of sleeping in my lap? He says never she was like Jai. Now u will tell like this but when u get married I am sure your habits will change. He was like mom and she caresses his hair. And tell get ready soon and she goes he calls his mom and tells mom can you please off the morning devotional radio which disturb my sleep she was like jai and goes.

Few min later he comes down and sits for breakfast and says good morning all of you and he eats, all smiling. Uday Walia say jai u wanted to speak something about your life, tell me are you in love with some one? He smile saying yes dad I am in love and I want u all to meet her today. He was like can I bring her today evening to our house.. Uday smiles do u need to ask for it brings her and smiles. He gets happy and kisses and hugs were given to his mom and dad .he goes all happy to meet his girlfriend and lover Roshni Chopra. All were happy in the home except jig as she knew whom jai loved and she didn't like her… …

In the evening jai parents were happen and as usual Bani comes and speaks to Krishna about the stuff and helps her with the food for the dinner. She asks whether it was a special day. Krishna tells her that Jai is going to bring his honewali biwi .

Bani is like oh and asked did Uday uncle said yes? Krishna tells haan. She was like par uncle was talking about your second child and soo he will postpone jai's wedding for 3 years.

Krishna was shocked and turns and ask kya ka tune and she says bus yuhiin mazaak kar athi thii and goes running when Krishna was about to chase her and soon she comes out running and without seeing hit jai and her hand was full of haldi and she places her two spread hand over jai's white shirt and holds him from falling down and he catches her.. (Bani has a long hair and put plats which are quite long and hangs)

Uday who was coming that way sees them like that and wishes what he is seeing should come true. His thoughts were interrupted by Jai leaving Bani and shouting at her for spoiling his shirt, his new white shirt.

Bani was almost in tears when Uday comes for her rescue and says beta jaane doo she must have not noticed but Jai says no dad she has been always like this. Jai says now she has spoiled my new white shirt, I wore it specially for today and this one and looks at Bani very angry and she goes all crying saying sorry.. I didn't mean to spoil it but you did it jai shouts.

Krishna soon comes out on hearing it she then sees jai and smiles asking beta.. ye kya? She smiles and sees Bani crying… she was like Bani why r u crying? Jai was like she did something wrong that why she is crying spoiled my new shirt. She says beta she must have done it unknowingly and tum bhi na and goes and consoles Bani saying don't cry beta and turns to see Jai, she is crying.

I know she didnt do it purposely but please Jai jaane do. Uday says haan beta jaane do and sees Bani and says beta. Next time be careful. She nodes yes and Jai goes away angrily.

Uday asks Bani, what happen why were you running so fast? She tells woh mein kehrathi ki, and sees Krishna and she was like Bani… and she ends up saying what they were doing in kitchen.

Uday was like Bani are you getting to my point and which Krishnan doesn't hear. Don't you think I need to take her to a honeymoon, she replies haan why not, aap kahe too honeymoon book kardooon? Krishna was like Bani ki bachi aa yahan mera paas I will tell you but before that Bani runs all smiling.

-----

In the evening, Jai enters all happily with Roshni who was wearing a jeans and kurthis. She smile and behaves all goody goody. Jig doesn't like it she has a wicked grin seeing the house and smiles thinking soon she will become the malkin of this house.

As she was Jai's pasand, no one showed any objection. Krishna also did like not Roshni, not knowing she was but Uday got impressed due to her business sense.

They all sit for dinner, Roshni was served hot cinnamon roll and she says hai too mera favorite hai, muje pata hai Jai koo hameshaa mera psand ka kyal hai . The time goes and jai says eh will drop Roshni and come…. And he goes. Jig was not happy in all this and waiting to do something but she doesn't know what to do.

-------

Jai was in car all smiling; Roshni was too smiling imagining the wealthy life she is going to lead. Jai kept on blabbering things. Roshni was not interested but pretend to be. He drops her out and Roshni sees her boyfriend was waiting; she somehow manages Jai and sends him away. After his goodbye, she soon enters her flat with her boyfriend and they were in much hurry and they close the door.

Jai was driving happily thinking of his married life with Roshni which will be in the future and was smiling. He was soo lost in his thoughts that meant with an accident. Uday Walia gets a call and Bani picks it up as she was there to get some thing and she says hello on hearing the news she gets worried and soon tears start to roll as bechari sensitive be haina and says Krishna aunty..

They all arrive at the hospital and Krishna asked where he was and they show them the direction and they all go. Police informs them about how he was met in accident although it was not his fault. They enquire the doctor he inform he was lucky to escape without any internal injury and everyone were thank god.

Doctor gives Uday permission to take Jai home the next day. Bani was comforting Krishna,

Uday was coming and Jig stops him and tells Bhaiya I want to speak to u about Jai's wedding.. I know u all think I am against the wedding but the truth is not that. I have the reason did you forget what pandit ji said on seeing the kundali?

Jig was the first one to know about Jai's love towards Roshni she was happy for him and soo went to enquire on her and finds about her life and get disgusted with her. So Jigs get her birthday to make her kundali and pay him and make the pandit say that Roshni's first husband will die. After Roshni left, they call pandit to fix the wedding date, that why I am telling u Bhaiya and it is clearly shown.

Roshni came only once to the house and now jai is in the hospital meeting an accident think what will happen in future if they get married? He was like jig I don't believe in such things… she says Bhaiya. I know but think Bhaiya, after jai is your only son. Don't forget what you both did to get a son. After soo many months and years you got one do u both want to? He was like stop it Jig, she says Bhaiya and turns and see through the glass how Bani as feeding Krishna some water. Says Bhaiya look there how Bani is taking care of Krishna Bhabi.

She is not related to our house but behave s as a person of this family, as family member. She respect u both, koi bhi insaan bani ke saath shadi kar sakthe for her good attitude but Roshni. Jigs started to make him get confused, jig continues saying Roshni should be here at this time but nope if u call also she wont come so on she filled his mind against Roshni more and more.

He comes in and sees Bani comforting Krishna. He remembers Jig words and keeps his hands on Bani's head and she turn s and tell don't worry Jai will be alright and soon they can take him home. She ask him to comfort aunty as she was not hearing her words, he says haan and ask does she needn't to go back as her parents waiting but she says no uncle I called them and said I will be here with aunty. Uncle you go to home I will take care of aunt, you don't worry.

Uday says yes and says thinks she was like thinks kis ke liye? She says for simply, she was aap bhi na, says mein abhi aathi hoon and goes out to get some coffee for them .

Uday was lost in Jig words; Jig was happy going back in the car remembering seeing Uday confused. She thinks she prefers a Bahu like Bani for Jai not like Roshni. She suddenly thinks why not Bani herself, why someone like Bani? Why not Bani? And smiles wickedly, as she had no objection for Bani. (jig is not negative but have grey shades)

-----

Next day

Jai open his eye and turn to other side and sees his mom was seeing him and he says mom and she was like Jai and holds his hand. Few minutes later he was discharged and taken back to home. Uday comes in the morning and sends Bani telling she need to go and get ready and also ask her to clean the mess in Jai's room. She hesitates little but he says don't worry Jai wont say anything and sends her.

Bani goes to her house and they ask her about jai and she replies saying he was fine and she need to go and clean his room. In a hurry she get ready and goes to Walia mansion, Jig on seeing her enquires where she was going and she informs she is going to Jai's room . Jig was like oh I see and says go bani and smiles and she feels her plan were started to work.

Bani enters Jai room and sees it was a total mess and she cleans t up and arranges everything and cleans the bed and changes the blanket and stuff. Makes the room look good, she feels satisfied and smile thinking now everything is perfect and turns to see Jg smiling and says Bani you have done a good job beta. The room look like new.

Bani says thanks aunty and says mein neeche chalthi hoon woo aarthi taiyar karni haina.. Jig says haan and she leaves. Jig smiles on it and sees the whole room and decides to make Bani often come there and she smile as she got an wicked plan.

Jai enters the WM, as soon Jig comes with thali given by Bani. She takes it and puts he tika over him and ask him to come in he does Bani was standing in the corner as she know Jai doesn't like her soo always be away from him

After that Jai's mom takes him to his room as Uday as busy with the call and asked Bani to bring the food and chai. On entering his room he was surprised on seeing the room it was neatly arranged and the bed color was changed and curtains too. He like mom ye, she says must be done by Bani as your father asked her to do, accha hii hai varna you have a mess up room kyun.

Jai was like mom and she makes him sit down and he was like mom and he sleeps on her lap. She says you will never change he says nope and she caress his hair and says after your bandaged is removed I will give a nice head bath see how your hair has become. He was like mom if you want to do I have no problem. As I love taking head baths if u gives, she was like mera munna.

Downstairs Bani takes the food and chai to Jai's room as Krishna as asked her to bring. Bani climbs the steps immediately Jig goes to Uday and says dekha Bhaiya how Bani cares for this house and roshni has not yet come ins spite, calling her for 5 times on her phone. This makes udya go into the thought and he excuses himself and goes out.

Jigs smile; Bani reach the door and see Jai sleeping in his mom's lap and feel like giggling on it but don't and says mein aandar aahoon? Krishna sees her and says Bani aa andar aa. Bani says woo kana and places it, so Jai doesn't get up but he hugs his mom more and sees Bani a look where she feels awkward and says mein chalthi hoon Krishna ask her to be there to drink at least the chai but she refuses and goes saying she has some work..

Krishna smiles and praises Bani. Jai was like what ever Bani comes down and has a little sad face . she feels bad, why she itself don't know as seeing Jai's face she knew that he dint like her presence. Jig was standing there and Bani's says aunty mein chalthi hoon koi kaam ho too bula lena and goes but stops and comes back. Bani says aunty woo unki dawaai kab aur kya kis waqt deni hain sab I have written in the paper and kept along with the medicine packet if they ask about it and says mein chalthi hoon.

Jigs stop her saying nahi beta you please go and hand it over to Krishna as she may forget and goes smilingly. Bani was like ji and takes the packet and transfer to a box and places all the medicines in the order and takes it up to Jai's room. She sees that Jai's mom was feeding him kichdi which she made and he was like mom I don't like this. Krishna says it is good for you in this condition and she was feeding him.

After she sees him sleeping back in his mom's lap and drinking he chai sipping it from the cup without using the hands. She smiles and Krishna turns and sees her and says arre beta, Bani says woo dawai and comes and handle over the box and says woo I just came to give this medicine and I have written what all medicine should be given in which time and says mein chalthi hoon and goes before Jai say something to her. As he gave a cold stare to her.

Jig enters and says kitni kyal hai bani ko hum sba ki, she always thinks of other first that why she left the house but came back to give this medicine.. kitni acchi hai bani and smile and Krishna says woo to say she is just a adorable kid. Jig say Roshni ne phone nahi ki? Actually I called her to inform but she never picked it and goes Uday was hearing it from other side while eh was coming.

-----

Roshini comes to wm very late Uday sees her coming. He remembers Jig's word. Roshni comes and she was crossing the room when she sees an old portrait and it was not liken by her so on purpose goes in such a way, she hits the table and it breaks and falls Uday notices it, as it falls and breaks down. She smiles on it.

The portrait was Uday's favorite he again remembers Jig words again and get lost in his thought. Roshni goes directly to Jai's room on entering she was like jai and sits next to him. Says sorry Jai I didn't know as my cell was off and when I turned it on, I saw the missed calls and called to wm and came to know u met with a accident so ran and came I am sorry jai and he was like it ok Roshni and hugs her and says u came that is fine for me.

Uday sees this also and doesn't like Roshni's behavior sitting next to Jai and doesn't look good and he gets more confused Jig comes there and adds more fuel. Saying today she broke your favorite portrait; when we will ask her she will say it was an accident but tomorrow. She may even do more than it and make Jai believe it was not her fault.

Roshni may even separate Jai from us and stuff Uday on hearing it gets worried thinking what if Roshni does it. He goes to study and sit with his hands over his head. Bani enters saying aapka coffee and he was like haan and takes it and soon sees it had medicine next to it she says aapka medicine time too and smiles, he smiles back thinking Jig was right Bani always thinks of others, I should get a Bahu like her.

He think and thinks, he one day comes and see Jai's Massi, sitting there along with Krishna (Massi came before a day)and pandit says (this was another pandit) after 2 days there is a good mahurat and they can do their engagement. After 3 days from the engagement there's another mahurat where they can have the wedding. After there is no other mahurat there. They were like all good, thanks pandit ji.

On seeing Uday Krishna says Uday the wedding and engagement day is fixed and feeds him laddu and says soon our Bahu will enters this house and says mein abhi ayi. He was still lost as he noticed in these days how Jai gives expensive gifts to Roshni and forgetting their culture she makes him drink in the party. He too started to feel Jig was righ but now it was late he thinks, as other were happy and he dint know what to say.

-----

It was the day of engagement, he was sitting in the study, thinking how to stop this wedding as he remembers how roshini was misbehaving with his office staffs and he was feeling bad and how she manipulated Jai as if it was not her fault. He didn't want his son's happiness to go, as he never said no to his wants.

Roshni even insulted Bani for her dress sense and said after she comes to this house she will donate her olds cloths so that she can wear it and learn fashion and made Bani cried which Uday didn't like as he considered Bani as a family member more than it she was a good person.. He considered her as his daughter and always praised Nixikant for having Bani as his daughter and said he was lucky.

When Bani was insulted Uday couldn't take it and went to Roshni and said she doesn't need her waste cloths and she better donate it to a orphanage and for Bani they were there and in cloths sensing he tell Bani dresses as her parents taught her to were and it is her sanskar that she doesn't wear any western cloths which shows the half of the body and Roshni was feeling insulted and thinks when I get married first I will send this budda to a ashram.

Roshni was more fuming when Jig came there and support Uday and consoles Bani, who was crying. Uday says don't cry beta and wipes her tears saying koi kuch bhi ache don't take their words, person are been judge by their sanskar and good attitude .nto with their dress. Uday decides to stop he wedding but how he didn't know Jig comes there…

She asks what you are thinking Bhaiya. He was like wo mein m she smiles saying how to stop the wedding? He was like haan lekin how? She says don't worry, agar aap kahein I have a plan, but you have to convince someone. He says plan too teek hai I will hear it but if we stop the wedding also, Jai will still say that he want to marry Roshni.

Jig says Bhaiya here my plan which by jai will never think of Roshni after it, if he gets married to another girl. He was like what and Jig explains her plan in mute. He was totally shocked on hearing it and says ye sab kaise hoga Jig in the lawn the engagement party is going on and she tells him have patients and tell just hear my words everything will be in place bus aab Bhabi ko convince kijiye, uske baad wahi hoga jo hum chathe hain (the thing will happen what we want) he was like ok but Jai.

Jigs says you just say as I said varna Roshni will become Bahu of this house and remember once she becomes jai's wife then everything will be destroyed, she is not fit for this Bhaiya. I have seen it my own eyes where she was with other person Bhaiya please don't let Roshini come in Jai's life. Uday was in dilemma but yet said I need time to think and he walks away.

The engagement party goes on, Bani was helping and organizing the things and Uday and Jig comes down, sees it. Jig says dekha Bhaiya this is called sanskaar and sees Jai and Roshni who was wearing a choli which was exposing her much and a slit was there which was showing her legs and it was a strapless blouse and duppatta was in her hands not over her body. Jig tells Uday as dress is ok Bhaiya due to present trend but atleast dupptta should be over her body wearing such dresses so that it doesn't look oddand see her aunty how she has dressed in this age. Oh we r also rich but still we didn't forget our culture and give respect to it lekin ye iliye Bhaiya. I was trying to make you understand the situation better taking quick decision. After wedding jai will be angry but when a kid come in-between sab teek ho jayega, she was influencing him although his mind was refusing it

The engagement goes on, Uday was not feeling good Bani was standing with her family and sees the party. Pia and Rano were standing next to her, her mother didn't come, as she was ill, Nixikant came and was standing with her daughters and imagines one of them getting married in such way which will not happen in reality. Pia was dreaming her engagement when she sees Pushkar. Rano beats her and bring her from dream and Bani and Rano laughs and says Pia.

In the night Jai was in his bed and was dreaming his marriage with Roshni and he was smiling and calls Roshni but she on seeing jai's number takes it and cuts the phone saying her battery is low and switched it off. She was enjoying with her boyfriend and says to him that she loves him. Not Jjai and invites him for her wedding and he smile of course darling will come along with wife

Uday was lost in the thought and Krishna comes and keeps saying about the engagement and stuff, he was lost in thought of jig words. Only 3 days were left.

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Next day

Uday was sitting in the lawn, lost in the thought when Bani comes with the aarti ki thali and says uncle aarti and he sees her who had plated her hair loosely and was having flower in her head and she was yellow wearing gagra choli and her bangles were making noise she was wearing her jhumkas which was dancing in her ears. She was like Uncle kay hogaya? Muje aise kyun dek rahe hain? He says woo tum aaj kuch alag si lag rahi ho? She says woo pooja haina aaj bhul gaye?

Uday was like haan, she says aarti and he takes and she gives him the Prasad and takes his ashirwaad and leaves saying she need to help aunty for preparation of Pooja. She leaves; Uday sees her and thinks she is perfect.

Uday remembered when years back he saw Krishna in the same way wearing such traditional dresses and he fell in love with her and got married. He remember Jig words saying Bani will be perfect but now he feels it is late and they cant do anything and dint want to spoil his son's happiness and he want his son to have happiness and decides to proceed with the wedding.

Pooja takes place and the aarti goes and Roshni was not present there saying she will be late as she was not feeling well asli mein she was not interested in the Pooja, as she was sleeping.

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Wedding Day

Times goes on and the wedding day comes. Wedding was arranged in the Walia group of hotel in one of their main hotel which had the biggest venue. The wedding was inside and other things were in the lawn .jai comes there and sits in the mandap…before he sits in the mandap notices that the light was not there but the hall was filled with candle light.. he ask what happen they say it is their special effect for wedding and soo he sit in the mandap thinking his dream is coming true he was happy at last the dulhan was brought and made to sit in the mandap. She was covered by ghoonghat and jai smiles and the wedding rituals start.

Jai was all grinning, he was asked to put the varmala and he puts it over the dulhan and she was too asked and she does it.(the sar wa mangalya song was played fast trough out the wedding)

The seats cover was made up of velvet. The light was dim, Jai decides to take advantage of it and slowly moves his hand and tickles her hand she moves it and son when he reaches for next time to pinch it reaches her waist and he pinches and whispers to her that her waist is like a rose soft petal and smiles.

He was ask to take the pheras soo Anu comes and ties the kat bandan and the dulhan was made to stand by Jig and she was asked to take pheras and she does as the rasam dulha should hold dulhan hand while going for pheras and she was forced and jig places her hand over jai and he holds her and feels something was good and different… she holds with a mixture of emotions..

Pheras start pheras one goes.. pheras 2,3,4,5,6,7. some one get down form taxi and comes running they were made to sit and then asked to exchange their seat. and they do. Then the pandit ask him to put the ms. He does it and puts his hand along with the mangalsutr inside her ghoonghat. Next the pandit ask to put the sinndoor and he takes the sinndoor and moves her ghoonghat slightly and moves her maang teeka and places the sinndoor (the light gets on)and someone come and stand there and says jai until then he has filled her maang and he turns to see Roshni.

Jai get shocked on seeing Roshni there and Uday bends down and say yahan koi tamsha mat karma press is there come up and we will talk about it and hold his shoulder tightly. He was like who is sitting as dulhan and notices she was crying and was shock to see Roshni.

Roshni was pulled by Jig on seeing her she comes there and drags her to the room .. jai gets up and soon the pandit sk them to take ashirwaad and he was forced to; soon he excuses himself but Uday stop him and takes them and dulhan to the room asking the guest to have their dinner but before Jai drags the girl along with him not noticed by others.

He takes her fastly to her to the room where he got dressed up and drags her to the room and takes her inside and makes her stand in front of him and she was shivering he comes near her she realizing it walks backand soon hit the wall. He moves his hand and opens her ghoonghat and was shocked. It was none other than Bani, Jai was like Bani tum?

She was all scared, he was shocked, never ever thought Bani will be in his life and be his wife like this. Both were staring each other he was shocked and she was crying heavily

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Bani was standing near Krishna.and he holds her saying how much money do u want to go away. I know you did all this for money tell me holds her by arm but she gets frightened. Uday was like Jai stop it, she sat in the mandap as we asked her to sitand it was our choice to Bani to get married to you..

Jai was like nahi papa I know you, she must have done surely something which she sat in the mandap.. she is behind our money dad. Krishna says stop it Jai, she is your wife now, meanwhile Roshni comes clapping wow what a emotional scene.

Jai was like Roshni, she says haan Jai, same Roshni who you were about to get married to. He ask her where she was and why she didn't come for wedding. She says she was been kidnapped by someone and it was none other than his own dad as while she was coming to the venue by car she was kidnapped and she managed to escaped and reach here but before she could reach the wedding was finished. This was all proofed plan by your family members and Bani was the one along with them and who influenced and encouraged them and she herself sat in the mandap and says some more stuff.

Uday sasy stop, don't blame Bani for anything. I made her to sit in the mandap and I wanted Bani to be Bahu of this house not you, a girl who doesn't have a good sanskaar.

Roshni and Jai was stunned by Uday's words, he continues saying beta; Roshni is not a good person and not fit for our house nor for you. Bani is prefect for you what ever we did is for your own good.

Roshni was like wow good for Jai separating his love from him and marrying him to a girl like Bani who has nothing compared to Jai? I am fit for jai in all mean and we love each other not Bani. Jig comes from back and says enough Roshni u have no rights to speak on our ghar's Bahu, what did you say that you love jai.? Then who is the person you are hugging in this pic? Jigs shows some pic and Jai sees it and says I don't believe this picture as it may also be tricked photography.

Jai says I don't believe this, I know Roshni I not such a girl; I love her more than anything and I don't accept the wedding which was just a cheat nothing more than it. I will marry Roshini, Uday say tum aise kuch nahi kar sakthe, if you don't hear my word and accept Bani the result will not be good.he says kya karreing aap? He says I will not give a penny for you and you will not live in wm and will straightly go out of the house and there will no place for you in the house.

Jai was like papa, how can you? He says I can as it is my property, who ever I want I can give, if you refuse to accept Bani and this wedding, Jai was shocked. Uday say and I can do it Jai. He comes near jai and says, beta. I never said no to u in my life but Roshini she is neither perfect nor fit for our family beta, she want to separate you from us; she is just for your money. Jai says no dad it is that kii aap logong koo meri shaadi apni pasand se karni thi. Isliye you went against my love. Uday says no beta, we never said no for the thing u wanted but this time your choice were wrong which made us to take such a step..

Krishna says beta, hear your dad's word he is always right he has seen the world and whatever decision eh takes is right beta in ur life also he has g8iven u the best.choosing your life partner he is correct hear him beta and accept this wedding Bani is a good person I am sure u will be happy with her try to understand beta he says mom u too.

Uday says beta if u don't hear our word and accept this wedding then I will do what I said, I will transfer all property over Bani and you wont get a penny and wont allowed inside the house, Bani was shocked, she was like ye saab? And was in trauma that it was happening her first shock was when Uday and Jig came to speak to her father about the wedding and when she refused they convinced her actually indirectly dhamkis were given by Jigs. Bani's permission was not asked and her father accepted when she refused to her father she just said if she don't accept she will face their family death and made her to wear dulhan dress which was forced on her.When Krishna came to her and took her to the marriage venue and get her inside the room and made her to wear the dulhan dresses and gave and made her wear jewels and she was a dulhan in few min, she was scared but Krishna comforted her saying everything will be alright. Bani even asked Krishna whether she was happy with this wedding. She just replied that she don't know but what ever her husband says it is correct for her as till now what ever he did never went wrong and asked her to keep faith and nothing will go wrong. She ask whether jai know about this wedding she said haan and no… an before she could speak they were called down she was back to .

The arguments goes on and Uday was still on his word and at last said if jai accept the wedding he ask him to go the room of abc in half an hour and if u don't then never ever to see their face and he will be kicked out of the house and goes taking Bani and along with Krishna and jig leaving Roshni and jai behind. Jai was broken down completely. Roshni come to him and say jai. I think u better hear ur mom and dad words for now btw get divorce from Bani as soon as possible and we will get married and once we get married nothing can happen. She says what she is saying for his good as if he doesn't hear his parents word more than not giving him the property but it will be get transferred to Bani's name which they should not let it happen and such words and he was like u r right Roshni and goes away.

Krishna leaves Bani in the room alone saying not to worry when he sees was informed jai was coming. Bani was refusing to leave Krishna's hand, saying she is very scared but Krishna says he wont do anything to her and comfort her saying he is not bad at his heart. Bani w as crying but Krishna wipes it and ask her to be bold and face the consequence and she was jai's wife now and ask her not to get scared but to win his heart but still as refusing and asking her to be with her. The room was a huge honeymoon suit fully decorated with flowers hanging an falling over the bed where Bani was made to sit and refusing to leave Krishna's hand.

Krishna says beta, I told u, don't worry nothing will happen he is your husband now with time moving everything will be alright and asked her not t o worry an d goes out worrying for Bani. She prays to god for her happiness, when she comes out she sees jai and he gives a angry stare and goes in without saying a word and locks the door.. bani was all in sadness and feels she was in a danger zone as she knows about jai's anger which have always made her to cry and now he was her husband.

This was the worst thing ever happened in her life. He enters and sees her and felt disgusted he comes to her she was shivering. He sit there near in the bed.and says kaise ho bani/ starts to hold her hand making her get scared more. Hiss touch was making her feel as if something was over her, she was crying ,he slowly come near her face ..he ask what happen bani my wife? Are you nervous/thinking of our first night and he starts to cares her hand and arms she was getting sadder.

He brings her close to him and says. Bani don't u think we should celebrate this day and turns and see the champagne bottle. He takes it and pulls the thing out and the champagne and he pours it in the gals and bring it to abni and ask her to drink to celebrate the wedding… he forces It over her and she refusing pushes it and both the bottle and the glasses and break down.. Along a broken champagne flute was laying there as she pushed it in such a way.. she was crying .. he gets angry on it and turns towards her and was biting his teeth hardly with each other an sees her.. She was scared and tries to move other side but he holds her.. she says muje chod diye… he was like not so soon my darling wife bani….. and pushes her back over the bed… she was getting scared. He comes over her and says Bani what happen? Are you afraid? You should not be Bani, when u was not afraid to marry me? Why u r afraid to be with me? After all we are husband and wife now… she was like muej chod diye, he was like chod doon?

Just because my parents wanted u to marry me.I couldn't get my love, aise kya jaddo kii. That they just blindly believed you are fit for me? She some how manages and escapes from him pushing him and running towards the living room. He was like bani and goes to her and steps on her duppatta which make her to and fall down. She was moving back in the living room he was moving forward, stepping on her duppatta. She was getting scared, suddenly there was end and she couldnt go back further and hits the sofa and soon he sit and holds her hands. She was like muje kuch math kijiye please leave me, I will do what you want me to do but please leave me. He was like will you do what I want you to do? She says in crying haan. He was like good.. I will get the divorce paper tomorrow u have to sign you will do it na? She nodes yes. He was like fine if u refuse to do then the result wont be good and don't try to double cross me… understand? And holds her arms tightly she nodes yes in crying. He moves away from there and goes in the bedroom and sees the bed and get angry and pushes the decoration over the bed and pulls away the flowers hanging and sleeps away. Seeing the roof, he throws away a crushed ,red colored rose which was inside the pillow in front Bani was crying heavily. and was like after tomorrow I want need to bear this tortures anymore and soon both fall sleep bani sitting in the ground and him in the bed.. few hours later early in the morning his eyes open and eh feel thirsty and feels drinking some water and sees that the water was not there he was like damn and goes out to get water in the dine place and goes there and drinks water and turn and sees Bani sleeping in the same position where he left her head in her hand with support and covering the dupptta over her body and was like Bani.

He felt a strange feeling on seeing her. He dint know what but felt something he didn't know why but felt like taking her in his arms and carrying her inside and wake her up and make love to her but he was shocked with his own feelings and was like I shouldnt think such thinks this marriage is a betrayal marriage which took place by cheating me.

I shouldn't think such things it is wrong it is just an attraction that it and goes in and he was uncomfortable in the sherwani so decided to change and opened the cupboard and saw his dress and took night pant and shirt and went to change. Few min later after taking a cold shower he came out changing.

He saw the room thinking if his wedding has taken place with Roshni now time they would be enjoying this night and feels bad and tears roll down for loosing his love like that and sits in the bed; remembering the dreams he saw for his wedding life and he was quite helpless now. Bani was seeing it standing near the door and feels bad. He wipes his tear and sees and notices Bani standing and immediately goes there and ask u must eb happy na seeing me in this state.and holds her arm …she was like nahii, too she tries to free from his grip he says kya hua? She says muje chodiye….

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He was like why feeling hurted? Then think of my feeling how much I feel hurted on seeing you must be really happy on seeing me in this state haina and pushes her back making her to fall and she cries heavily and soon faints away and falls. He was turning other side and he turn again to shout but she her ion that state he goes to immediately and calls her name but she doesn't gets up he soon bring some water and splashes it but nope he gets tensed, he then picks her up and takes her to the bedroom and makes her lie on the bed and calls his friend who was doctor.

He wanted to be it in a private as if is parents come to know he will no where.in few minute he comes and knock the door jai was changed… he open the door and says come in and takes him to the room and says she fainted and tells him the truth.. As he was his good friend and the things will be in confidential. He was like jai u shud have been little careful you should not have done it and continues to check her. Jai was totally tensed and worried, he checks her and give injection and write some medicines. The Doc goes to Jai and ask him to give to her. He warns Jai not to push her in such trauma as it clearly showing that she was in trauma and ask her to keep from such things.. and he says add this medicine and gives to him jai reads and was like ye kya? He says what? Haan love is the best medicine. He was like tum ye, he say Jai hear me.. merii shaadi bhi meri kilaf huyi u at least knew that you arr getting married to some one but for me. I went to my place and it was a sudden wedding woo bhii meri papa muje pakad kar bita diya. I was so nervous but shaadi huyi sba teek hogaya. Jai when it is first time it takes time but it becomes good with the time, see now I am happy with my wife with my 4 kids and one in the way is liye we are going to honeymoon even you go somewhere spend time with your wife everything will be fine…

Jai was like thanks for your advice but no thanks, he thinks. Uday smiles and puts his hands over Jai and says Jai akkar we think that what we do is right but faith decides something else for you and it is always for better and don't behave rudely to her and don't be harsh. If you don't like her that doesn't mean you can hurt her and I really feel sorry for her for getting a husband like you.

Jai was like tum, he says Jai, remember my words be good towards her and change you attitude and wish him good luck and goes. Uday says jai next time don't call me as I will be busy with my family and will be in tour, as we were supposed to go yesterday but due to youur wedding we postponed it today and goes smiling saying all the best, shaking his hands with jai and goes all smiling, Jai was annoyed on it.. …

Few, mins later Bani gets up and sees her and gets scared and turns to see Jai was sitting in the opposite chair with his hand over head. On seeing her he says get ready we need to head home. She nodes her head and he goes away. Few min later she comes out. wearing a red chudidar as saree will make her late, soo she took the new red chudidar which Krishna brought her on saying she can wear it for Jai's wedding which later turned out to be her wedding too.

Jai says chalo and say haan if you open u mouth what happen here to yaad rakna. and says haan don't forget your promised to sign paper and gives a daring look she was scared. Then he takes her, asking the bell boy to put the luggage in the car and they go. He was sitting back as he didn't want his parent to know anything. The whole driving was silent, they reach WM.

They get down and ring the door bell and open it to see them all happy. Krishna does the aarti and asks Bani to kick the bowl of rice and she does. Bani was still in scared look but tries to look happy and then next the red water she does it. Then they were taken to pooja room for the other rituals and they do it they do the arti together.

Then they were made to sit for breakfast. Bani was totally feeling awkward as she never sat like that that too next to Jai as Jig forced her to sit and she was not able to eat. He slightly bends down and says eat properly varna yaad rakna. That room will turn to be our first night room and you know about me which makes her get scared and she eats and swallows big pieces and starts to chokes and Adi ask Jai to feed the water to her and he does it unwillingly.

Krishna things what ever Uday takes as decision result to good and feels good thinking everything will be fine. Jai gives a cold stare and she sees him with sadness like a scad jerry caught in tom's hand .few min later. Bani was taken to jai's room and she was like mein kahan agayi? Ye kamre mein I am, she was in dilemma..

Then Jai comes in, opening the door she gets scad and stands up.. he hands over and says sign it. She says ok and soon Jai was called by someone so he goes out asking her to sign. He leaves someone comes to the room and stops her and it was none other than Jig and she says to her something and stops her from signing.

Jigs warn Bani not to sign and results won't be good. Few min later Jai comes and ask did she signs she refuses to sign, saying she need to ask Uday uncle. He was like Bani tum and gets angry but soon Uday comes to him and say Jai I said it before if you try to and don't you dare think of divorce, I will surely kick you out. Uday takes the divorce paper and tares it away, and say Bani beta tum javo Krishna bularahi hai and she goes. Jai was warned by Uday very badly asking not to get divorce..

Later that day Uday called Jai and gives him honeymoon ticket he w as like dad and he refuse it but Uday blackmails him. Jai comes frustrated to his room and shouts at Bani who sits down on the bed crying.

Jai says his life is spoiled and before she entered his life was full of joy and now only sadness Bani feels bad and goes to Uday and Krishna room and request them to postpone the honeymoon and folds the hands in front of them so that they will get time and Uday couldn't refuse Bani's request and nodes yes.

Jig later tell he did it corrected as there was a chance of Roshni going there. Jai was like very happy na, after all they said no because of her. He goes to Roshni's place and she was seducing him in all way and say they should do something that it wont affect them in any way and get married.. thye consult a lawyer who was Roshni's affair wala and says he can get married to Roshni if Bani sign a paper saying she has no objection on their wedding, Roshni ask him to do it.

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Two week were passed after the wedding Roshni even tried to sleep with jai but he said he wanted to wait till the wedding.

One night Jai comes home for dinner as per Uday's wish, and he still has cold wave with Bani. She was sleeping down on the floor they lived as a ajnabee but he pretended to be good in front of their parents but they knew the truth why jai was doing that. One day all were gone out to some wedding function.

Bani was waiting for Jai, as Uday and Krishna asked to come as there was no use yet she aid she will wait and they praise their Bahu.

Jai comes bringing the divorce paper, Bani was waiting and sees him and says woo sab nikalgaye, sirf hum dondn ko jana hai, mein aapki kapde nikaloon. He says ek minute he says Bani sign this paper. She was like kya hai ismein? He tells not a divorce paper but which has that kii you have no objection on my wedding to Roshni which will happen tomorrow.

Bani say mein ye sign nahi akroongi. He says u have to bani.. I am nto divorcing u… and also cant forget roshni soo u have too. She say nahii I cant do it, I need to ask the parents he says u r my wife soo sigh it she refuses. He tries more but she refuses; he gets very angry.

At last he shouts whether she was going to sign or not? She says no she wont and tares the paper on which he gets angry and shout Bani. Jai gets really angry, he then goes and closes the door she gets very scared, he comes near her and says too u wont hear me haina she says haan I won't share my rights with anyone. We just married for less than 3 weeks and you say you want you're right now I will show u what a real right means.

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Outside was a stormy sky, Walia family was in the function and was about to go when because of the weather they were stopped there as the venue was away from city.

Jai comes near her, she was all scared, and tries to go but nope he pulls her and and says I will teach you what a husband rights mean as you said u have wifely rights; he then pushes her in bed and holds her. The lightening hits and the rain starts with thunder.

Jigs says aaj mausam kitna karab haina. Roshni was sitting with the drink with her boyfriend and says at last after today we will be happy and dekna soon I will get sign the paper of the Walia property then my life will be only filled with joy of course with you darling. And smile and saying jia must eb coming with the sign ed paper and sees the rain and says ye barrish bhi na disturbing our happiness and drinks the drink.

Bani was begging to let him go of her but nope; he forces himself on her becoming an animal… she loses the battle he wins the battle over her.. .tears falls from her eyes…

Few minutes later she was sitting covered with the blanket, in the corner of the room near the cupboard hiding herself. He comes out wiping his face with towel and turns and sees her sitting in the corner all scared and crying, she was holding the blanket very close not leaving it. He goes to wears the robe and sits in front of her, smiles and tries to hold her face she turns and hides herself he says it ok Bani. I just thought u of the husbandly right as u told me a wifely rights.. I sad u before don't you dare but still you never listened to me and manages to catch her face and move her hairand says chuuhhhchhc r u crying baby?

Don't cry, it is waste, how can u refuse me Bani? Did you forget the things happen in the childhood.. Did u forget once even your hands were fractured because of my mischief, which I did it purposely? You forgot and it resulted to your fracture and then.

Remember when you were ere just 5 yrs old and much more incidents are there but still my parents didn't say anything as they love me more than anything in this world is liye.

What do you think if you say them the truth they will support you, don't you dare think that they will support you but will say it a husbandly rights and it is not wrong. Bani look at me; after all I am your husband. I want to see your lovely face after we have become husband and wife in real manner to dekho voo na and she cries and hides more.

He smiles, itnin daar lekin sign keliye inkaar? Lekin I hope now you wontand haan I will get the papers tomorrow u will sign it na dargling wife????? And no objection hogi na and goes away she cries more…

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Walia family calls house and also to Jai's cell thinking due to bad weather they couldn't reach but their cell was not reaching and when they rang home. Tony informed them that Jai and Bani were left as he didn't see them and he was in his half sleep. Tony thought they left… they were like hope Jai and Bani are fine.

In the home in Jai's room he changes himself and she was hiding her self behind the covers, he gets dressed up and sees the room which was quite messy. He then cleans some and comes to bed and pulls away the covers, and throws it away and goes to her and says ab rone se koi faida nahi. He said, come on get up and change yourself, if they see you in this state they will feel bad for you then. And soon they will tell it is ok, as it is husbandly right. Jai continues, you know meri massi na., she loves me lot than anyone, hmm. and she moves back. He tell Bani there is no need to be scared now as you know.

Says ok, mein tumein kuch nahi karoonga. Just say yes for the sign I will leave you.. and send back to your family which my father has hided from me where they are. Soo you know what I mean, so now move form here and freshen up yourself and change and come to dinner as a good girl have it. Come back with me and as a good wife for today sleep in your bed, although no need but still who sma rahi ho na?????

Bani sees him, while managing she gets her hand out and gives a mighty slap with her full force. He gets angry and sees her and give a wicked grin saying Bani I have hurted you in such a way that this slap is nothing compared to it. As I hate you and pulls her and gives a harsh kiss as her punishment for her slap.

Bani manages and pushes him and runs into the bathroom and locks herself. He says come out Bani from the outside and kicks the door and she was crying inside. Jai goes out frustrated, and on hearing is out going she immediately comes out and runs to the main door and locks it… few min alter she was standing under the hot shower and crying over faith.

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Next morning

Uday and Krishna comes down thinking why Bani has not come down for Aarti as usually she comes down and they gets worried. Hence they decide to check one her and was about to knock on the door, she sees the door get open, Krishna sees Bani wearing a full sleeve chuddar and her duppata covering properly and her hair was still wet and over her face. Her sinndoor was there her ms was also there but inside.

Krishna was like beta kya hua aaj itni der tak ?.... bani syas wooo uthne mein deri hogayi sorry.. Little stammering and Krishna feels something was wrong but they go down. Bani before entering Pooja room she faints, soo immediately was taken to the next room which was Anu's and doctor the was called. He comes and checks her saying she must be have been in the water for long time and that why she is having temperature and he has given injection and she needs sleep and ask them to make her eat when she gets up and give her the medicine and goes.

Few hrs later…

Jai was in Roshni 's place saying Bani refused and tore the paper and says but today she will sign it as I have threaten her. He doesn't say more than it. and asked the lawyer to prepare new papers. The lawyers were like ok. Jai was in real angry.

3 days later

Bani w as in a car and was going somewhere. She asked the driver to go far away from the place and take her to the Kali Mandhir which is at the near the end of the city and he does, she goes and soon the driver realizes the break was failed and soon the car falls from the hilly place and explodes…..

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The very next day while mourning for Bani is taken place. Police comes and say Mr. Jai Walia you are under arrest for the murder of Bani Walia. It was a shock to all. He was taken to police station. On enquiry it came out that Bani's car break wire was wanted repaired and the breaks were failed. During investigation Jai 'a name came out it turned to be a shock for Walia family.

Krishna says to Uday that for the first time he went wrong by making bani marry jai otherwise she would have been alive today with them and break downs. Uday was hurted by her words as this time she was right and feels guiltier.

Uday was sitting in the study, when Jigs comes saying Bhaiya and he blast and blame her for the present situation as because of her now Bani was not alive. If he dint have heard her words and made Bani to sit in the mandap today shy would have been alive. They would have done something else to stop the wedding but now they were destroyed and soon will loose their son too. Although he was innocent as Jai couldn't steep soo low to get rid of Bani and he feels guilty more and more….

The court case begins, most of the things were against Jai. Jai was sitting in the jail and remembers everything with Bani. What he did, with guiltiness he cries as because of him somewhere she was not with them and he knows that he dint kill her but…. ….

Soon sleep came into his eyes and he fell asleep. In his dreams he sees his friend Shona who come in his dream to talk to him. Of whom he has not seen face up to now. As usual he talk with her and weeps saying what happen in life and he is sorry for it and he never thought Bani would be gone like this. Soon he sees Shona's face. He is shocked to see none other Bani.

He says Bani you are Shona? She says haan mein hii shona hoon aur bani bhi. He was shocked, she says jai aise kya dek rahe ho? You are thinking na why I didn't show my face to up to now? Because you didn't recognize me in the form of Bani and now the time has come because you need to know that truth.

Jai was like what truth? She replies, the truth of love, which happened between us before our rebirth. He was like what? She tells him in our last birth also we were Jai and Bani and you used to call me Shona saying I am like that as I was a Bengali too and you were a Bihari.

We both fell in the love in the Ganga River, as you saved me. After lots of struggle we were about to get married running away from the houses but we were killed right after our wedding. So our aatma went to go and we fought with god questioning them of taking our life before we could live. As in our hand Rekha it was written we will live long. Soo Baghwan hearing and being God gave us vardan of our rebirth and we asked to get married with our parent's permission.

So Baghwan said us that we will be married with our parent's permission and until the time comes we won't know about it. Jai was like haan I am remembering it. I called you as Shona. That's why; when I saw you in the red dress sleeping near the sofa like that I felt something strange haina, she replies haan and now you need to find Bani, Jai says but hsona Bani ki too.. I mean, Shona says nahii Jai.

She is not death. She is alive and she can't die because of the promise made to u in the last birth. More than, she loves you a lot, he was like but how can it be possible?

Shona replies, Jai don't u remember you always confessed your deed to me in my dream? And I always talked to you? He sys haan, like that she also had some dreams in which you were with her. She fell in love with you but never confessed as she was scared. More than it u have hurted now very badly, soo when u find her and see her live you will have a new turn, tab tak keliye you need to wait and she gets up and goes saying call her Shona when she meets you, which will make her remember her past as know who you are.

Remembering jai say but Roshni, Shona just smile and goes saying time will tell u and give your answers and he calls Shona Shona and gets up from his sleep and sweats and sees he was in jail

Within a week he got bailed and comes out, and the case further proceeds. First the case was against Jai but soon the truth comes out that Jai was innocent and the person was paid to say such things. The car drive comes alive and says that the car which they drove was not Bani's and she was not supposed to be traveled and Uday was supposed to be travel that time. This changes the case and jai was proven innocent.

Jai come out and get lost with the dream and was not in this world. Roshni tries to get closer to him in this process but he starts to feel her appearance awkward and avoids her.

As days goes by the case was not been solved, and it was closed down.

------

4 months later

Times goes away it was now totally 4 months and the business was not going good although they won contracts yet they were facing many losses ..

Due to a Bangalore project Jai goes there as Krishna was unwell and Uday couldn't go. (After the one month of court case Kai maintained distance from other and doesn't speak much to family. His cousins Anu and Pushkar also tried to cheer up but nope he was lost and distanced himself from all and was totally immersed in business. When he closed his eyes tries see Shona but she dint come) as it was important he comes there and suddenly he feels he will see his Shona there he didn't know why?

Jai was in his room and he was having a headache so he called the room service and ordered a black coffee. Few minutes later there was a knock on the door and he sees the door was locked by him so goes and open it and is shocked to see Bani, who comes inside with her head bended down saying sir aapka black coffee.

When she looks up she see Jai was standing there she was shocked. Her hand starts to tremble, and soon she faints and he holds hers. He manages to carry her to bed putting the tray in the table, as she was there in the waitress dress. He called for the doctor, soon the doctor comes and checks her and says she is pregnant. Jai was like what?

Doc tells she is pregnant and Jai gets happy and he thanks doctor by hugging him. Doctor was like ok and gives her some mediences and gave him some instruction and he goes. Jai was feeling top of the world; he counts the day and finds out that she is 3 month pregnant.

Bani soon get sup and sees Jai and gets frighten and say meri saath, don't do that please and she cries. He was like nahi Bani you are thinking wrong, I won't hurt you. She just pushes his hand and feels scared.

Jai says I am sorry Bani, I wont hurt you trust me please. She cries, he tell Bani mein bahut khuhs hoon seeing you alive, you don't know where I have searched for you. Bani was still crying, he says Bani pleaes don't cry as it is not good for you in this stage.

She sees him with a shock, he tell her I know you arr pregnant, she asks how come you know I am 3 months pregnant? He smiles and says you said with your own mouth as I called doctor to check when u fainted and u said now ur 3 moths pregnant. She was like oh mein he says it ok and ask her to relax.

He commons her down and then ask her whether she knew that there was a court case going on she says haan I came there as I saw a torn paper clipping of it but I was stopped when Roshni jii saw me and she blackmailed me not to enter your life. When I said I came to tell the truth , she refused to let me and said if I come there she will kill all the people of Walia house and she also said if I come there you will be punished and other stuffs.

So I left there without any choice, as she said she was behind the break failing and if the truth comes out she will kill u and no one will believe me. So she tried to kidnap me but I escaped from there and came to Bangalore..

Jai ask her what happen after the accident and where she went? She tells him after the accident took place she opened her eyes and found herself in a ashram away from Mumbai. They said they founded me before 2 days in a jungle in a hurted state, so they took me here and they enquired about me.

I told them my name as Bani Dixit and I dint say anything more than it and I felt it was better I don't come there . She see him with that fears he feels guilty and he was like its o.k. Bani. But how come you are here? She tells him for my education I only got this job as my friend was here I am staying with her and now now I am here he was like oh but he couldn't believe roshini do this and was in thought she says mein chaloon?

Jai ask kahan? Bani says for my job, he tell her no need, she was like too how will get salary? he tell to be quit for sometimes as he is thinking about Roshni and whether she can go soo low. Bani says I knew you won't believe me that why. He says not that Bani, I need time to think about it. He then calls for the room service and order for some food and juice and a fresh coffee. She says she need to go as if some one see her there it won't be good. He was like no need to be scared as he will be taking her along with him now. She says nope and he tell she will but in a different form to find out the truth.

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Back in Mumbai

In Mumbai the plane lands both step out, Uday has come there to pick him up as Jai called him and asked him to come. He was shocked when he saw Jai coming out along with Bani. He was more shocked, more than it he was not able to believe that Bani was alive and he breathe relief and happy.

Bani was having her arms around Jai's holding a teddy bear and a lollipop chewing in her mouth. Jai comes there with luggage and say papa Bani is alive. Uday was like woo to dik raha hain and smile and was about to speak to Bani when Jai says but she has lost her memory and has become a small kid. Uday turns towards him and he tell yes dad I found her in Bangalore' highways when she was running and escaping from a mental asylum and I brought her along with me.

It shocks Uday, Bani ask Jai Shona who is this? He tell he is daddy, immediately Bani says daddy and gives her hand holding the lollipop in it and smiles like a kid saying hi daddy. Uday gives his hand with a shocked looks at Jai says dad can we go home it will be better they come to the home

Krishna was waiting for her son's arrival and the door was opened and she sees Uday and asks where jai was? And he moves, shocking her, Jai was there and soon Bani comes there holding a teddy bear in her hand eating a Cadbury chocolate and Krishna was over joy on seeing Bani and runs to her Bani she says.

Bani were holding Jai' hand tightly Krishna comes to her and hugs her affectionately. She says hugs her back and pats her and on seeing Krishna's tears ask tum ro kyun rahi ho? Chocolate chahiye, she gets shocked on her question and turns towards jai and ask what is all this? He tell mamma woo I will tell u but not in front of her please

Krishna nodes yes and ask him to wait and call for aarti as her Bahu was alive and she does it. Bani innocently ask ye kya akr rahi ho? She say aarti and then they take her in and she was dropped in Jai's room and he ask her to play her and he will come in few min and goes to Uday and Krishna's room who were waiting for him to come in.

Out of the room he informs them that he founds Bani in a Bangalore and she has become a child now due to that accident and she is also pregnant now with his child. They were shocked he then makes a big story of it. They were happy that Bani was alive that was the main one and vows to cure her.

All were shocked on learning it, Bani play with the doll and does all sorts of things like a kid. In the night Krishna feeds her and puts her to sleep and feeds her but Bani refuses to leave Jai' hand ask him to be with her as she is scared.

Then Uday makes Krishna to stay there with her as she was pregnant too, she still holds Jai's hand but jai comforts her and Krishna too tell her she will tell story and stuff and she accepts..

Roshni comes to WM and get shocked on seeing Bani. She was scared too; meanwhile Jai hired a private detective to find the truth. Roshni was shocked when she learnt that Bani was pregnant with Jai's child so she goes to him and questions him on it. He tells her that he knows that it is his kid and Roshni asks whether he and Bani had such relationship.

Jai replied haan Roshni was shocked an asked him why he didn't tell to her that? He said it was a personal matter and not to interfere in it. Roshni fumes and decides to kill Bani as it was only thing, thinking she is playing game and her truth may come out if Bani wins Jai heart Roshni thinks and calls a person and goes and gives him money to kill Bani. Jai was getting information on it, he still couldn't believe it on… one day he goes to Roshni's place. He was about to enter when the door was slightly open and he hears Roshni and that lawyer speaking.

Roshni confess all the truth and says she was the one who failed the break of Uday's car as she wanted to kill him but unfortunately Bani went it and she met with an accident but she escaped from it and came back alive when the court case was going on. She stopped Bani and sends her back by blackmailing her and giving the damkis and she laugh's more saying Jai was soo stupid in believing her.

As his parent were correct, she wanted Jai for his property and he doesn't even knew about her affairs and smile and drinks the drink hugging the lawyer. She says she made jai fall in love trap. After all he was the only son of Walia's but the only thing as a thorn in her plan was Bani which whom he got married. She refused to signs the papers too and after her dead they thought of marry her with Jai and get all his property and kick his family out but unfortunately Jai started to avoid her. Now Bani as come back being pregnant she continues saying but now she wont live longer as I have arranged a person to kill her and everyone will thing that she accidentally died in her mental state and in this way she will get into jai's heart and smiles..

Jai boils with anger, he fold his fist and wanted to blast at her but hears roshini saying that in few minutes Bani 's life will be finished as today is her death day and they need to celebrate it and she laughs. Jai runs away back to make sure Bani was well and hurry up not wasting his time. He drives fast and gets to home and ask about Bani.

In-between he calls police and informs on it as police was helping on it and Uday's special friend was helping on he reaches home and sees Bani sleeping there due to pregnancy and was relieved but was like then why Roshni said something like that and turns and sees Bani, she was sleeping peacefully and he just smile didn't know why?

Jai goes and informs police about hearing of Roshni's and he said they need more proof to arrest her so they make a plan. Jai refuses saying he cant take risk of sending Bani.but they convince him and he was not willing but yet.

Bani comes there and says she is ready to do it and in few min Roshni comes (Uday know by now that Bani is not mental) and smiles and goes directly to Bani's room whom now was playing with a doll and singing a song.

Roshni sits near her and says Bani ice cream kavogi? Bani nodes haan aur chocolate bhji says like a kid and Roshni continues saying I will get u toy also but u have to come with me. She nodes haan, Roshni says tum sab se chupkar meri car mein bait javoo I will take u out but don't say to anyone. She ask kyun, Roshini says they wont allow u if they come to know she says ok and Roshni goes out and Krishna sees her and ask what she was doing here?

Roshni replies bus came to meet Jai and he was not theree, soo going back and she leaves. Krishna gets tensed and enters 's Jai's room and ask Bani what happen she gives a paper chip and says mein garden mein tony ke saath kelne javoon? As Roshni was standing outside and was hearing her.

Krishna read the paper and sasy haan beta javo and Bani goes out with Roshni comes down all smiling and reaches her car. Bani comes and sits back and says jkaldi chaloo we need to go vanra woo muje pakdlegi..

Roshni haan chalo, inside Krishna calls Jai and Uday and informs on it and they call the police and informs, they all go taking their car feeling scared that Roshni may hurt Bani.

In the car Roshni was like Bani haan u sit her itself and I will get you chocolate and parks her car and shows they were outside the city where only less number of shop was there. It was an accidental zone the car was rented, so she goes out and Bani was sitting in the car. She goes to the shop and show her thumbs up so the lorry starts and it starts to come towards Roshni's car and no other vehicle was present there as that time many of the people were busy and the place was in such area that only few number people comes there and today no car came.

Roshni smile to Bani who was showing some dance with her doll and she acts as if buying chocolate and turn the other side. The lorry was coming near, near and near Bani was unaware of it but was scared inside and her only hope was Jai will come there to rescue.

The lorry comes near and was about to hit the car suddenly the car door opens and bane was pulled out form it and the lorry hit the car. Roshni turns and feels happy as the car was jammed totally in and get blasted. Roshni act as if she was scared and comes little front and acts and shouts as if she was worried, does a road drama. and sits there crying soon the police arrives and enquires what happen and she tells how it happen and the lorry hit the car. She was turned top [as the money and it happen soo quickly and she couldn't save her.. they declared Bani as dead.

Roshni was enjoying her apartment and talking to that lawyer and say they got succeed in their plan and no one doubted them. They didn't know it was been recorded by a camera set by the police.

Jai calls Roshni and ask her to come to Bani's chauda to WM. and she comes there all showing and pretending to be sad. She enters the wm and the light goes off. She was like Jai koi hai?? Suddenly a white ray fall and Bani comes saying kyun Roshni main hoona.I am here to welcome you.

Bani comes near and Roshni runs and she ask why u r running? She says tum zinda ho? She syas no as she killed her and such dialogues goes on Roshni says haan haan I only killed u because you came between my plan and other tuff and soon the lights comes on when Roshni takes the knife and tires to kill Bani but she was shot by the police and stopped and she was arrested.

Bani faints after the incident and Jai hold her from falling and take her to the hospital. Jai gets tears when he sees Bani lying there like that and feels bad as because of him she was now in this state and feels bad s and guilty as he has hurted her in all possible way for the first time he feels like asking sorry to her for his deed and feels like asking forgiveness to her for treating her so badly like that.

Jai prays to god that make her good and out of danger and she will make sure that she doesn't hurt her once again and give her all the love she deserve and more and more and gets teary .. his tears were seen by his parents from outside. His tear drops make her move when she feels it over her hand

She open her eyes he ask her how she was feeling she nodes yes and says sorry for putting her in this trouble she was like it ok. He help her to sit up and he takes care of her and helps her to move around from hospital to house.

After that day, the court case proceeds. Roshni was found guilty and the proofs were given and she was charged for attempt to murder .she was sent to jail for her life time… sab teek hojata hai lekin… jai aur bani ka kya?????

In WM Bani was lost in the thoughts and decides to take a decision.. .she knew in theses few days she has fallen for Jai. And she knows it is not good as she thinks he was doing it for as he was guilty. She feels it was wrong for to fall in love, he decides something; she was now in her 4th month.

In the early morning jai gets up and drinks water he sees Bani was not there he gets worried and searches her but doesn't get and then sees the paper and takes it was a divorce paper and she had signed it .he was then worried.. Then he calls upon Uday and Krishna and gets worried. Jai heads out for searching he was going searching her crazy, he even calls to Bangalore but nope, he searches all around… and was lost in the battle and cries. They also inform police but nope …

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Three months goes away one day

Jai was crossing Uday's room and hears Jig talk to Uday. She was saying Bhaiya again we lost the contract because of Jai and u know why… as he is not properly concentrating on the work because of what happen in his life and it is better r they get Jai remarried and she has brought a rista for him and when they ties up with their family business they can recover all the loses and their shares values will be once again high..

Jigs mein manthi hooon what ever happen was bad but that doesn't mean they shd be losing things.. .. she feels sorry for bani but she left the house with her own wish and she even says kya apta it may be nto jai;s kid uday was like jig says ok Bhaiya I understand but thinks life cant go liked his and she has also sign the divorce paper and there will be no complication of Jai's second wedding.

Iif he get married again everything will be fine.. Uday say bus Jig enough. First I listened to your words and made Bani to sit for the wedding is he had done such thing today Bani will be happy and hurt free but because of your stupid idea and because of it she destroyed Jai and Bani's life.

Jigs say fine Bhaiya I accept it. But now I want it to get corrected. So she … Uday says bus.. the only truth is Bani is this ghar's Bahu and more than it she is like his daughter and he considers her as his daughter and cant see get hurt once again by this and he wont go with Jigs idea this time and more than it.. Jai wont accept this wedding if he does also he wont and goes away Jai was relief and thinks his dad in his mind for not hearing Jigs words and feels bad for Bani as she was too forced to sit in the mandap…

He was in his room drinking lost in thoughts all worried and sorrowful. When Krishna comes and sits next to him he just starts to weep and hugs her And sleep in her lap's there was no words between them but she understood her hurtfulness and feels bad for her son and for Bani she was more worried as she was not found and fell that where she is and in this stage. They searched her lot and still searching but couldn't find her. Jai cried out his heart to her saying he is not a good person..

Krishna comforted him, as his drunken state eh even says out he forced himself on Bani and hurted her really bad. Jai blurts out he loves her and she was his Shona. Krishna was shocked on it and feels more bad for Bani and she was like couldn't know how to react as his son as done a blunder. Bani didn't even utter word on it. She leaves Jai who cries more. Krishna was in tears as for the first time Uday decision has spoiled life of Bani and Jai too.

Uday ask her what happen she blames him for the present situation and because of him jai and Bani are suffering and goes away. He was hurted as Krishna belief was been broken, he felt hurt and the house lost its life.

One day jai was soo lost and didn't know where he was driving and goes for a long drive at the night. He drove and drove and went somewhere .he dint know where he was going and why? Suddenly he stopped at as his petrol was over, he hits the car with his leg and goes walking and he walks. Unknowingly he sit in the bench with his leg pain he cried as he was soo helpless.

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Suddenly says Shona I want u because I love u Shona and cries, he suddenly hears a god song been sung and pata nahi. His heart dragged him to the Mandhir which was several feet away he went there and prayed to god to give his Bani his Shona and ask forgiveness for treating Bani liked that and breakdown and now his mother is not even talking to him and this was the worst life he thought and he keep on asking forgiveness with tears.

Jai tells Bani once she said to Anu that human are the children of god and when they ask something form their heart god wills surely give them. Says I am asking u form my heart please give my Bani back his shona back for which he had realized his feeling after she left him and he want the same happiness abck in his family with shona…. And cries and after the arrthi pandiit give him prasad and blesses him and he sits there in facing the god and asking him to give his bani.

Suddenly he hears a payal he thinks it is just a brahm and keep seeing god and was crying. Suddenly he hears the voice saying muje maaf kardiye panditji aaj kaam ka pehla din ta too isliye I got late and couldn't come for the aarti and he immediately recognize it and gets up and sees it was none other than Bani.

Jai just say Bani she turns he smiles wider and says shona and holds her and kisses her pandit ji was shocked. Bani was also shocked and he hugs her carefully seeing she was pregnant for 7 months. He cries like a kid she was shocked and seeing him crying she was more shocked. She feels him hot as he was boiling with fever as his touch showed it immediately, she sasy app yhan aur aapki tabiyat but nope while crying itself he faints as he dint eat for the day. She manages to hold him and but he was heavy soo pandit ji helps her.

Few minutes later he comes in his sense and open his eyes and sees he was in a small hut house and sees around to see Bani and he gets up. She helps him out and he was like Bani I am sorry and starts to cry. She too gets emotional on seeing his tearsas she never seen him cry like that; he was like I am sorry Bani, meri waje you suffered a lot please give me a chance please and fold his hand in front of her.

Bani hold his hands, saying ye aap kya kar rahe hein?and syas pls don't it you are making me feel awkward, I have forgiven you long back Jai and wipes away his tears and he does it same and both hug. He ask her can she give him and this marriage a chance for the sake of him, their unborn child and family? She nodes yes, he takes this opportunity and kisses her on her lips and hugs her. She comforts him, caressing his back saying he was unwell and need to rest; he tell I will be alright now as she was inhis life now and asks sorry. She tells him no more sorry.

He then lets go of realizing the hug and she understood goes by his knees and proposes asking Bani will u marry me? Because Shona I Love You and Only you, she was like Shona he tell haan you are my girlfriend Shona and explains what happen and they were in their rebirth she was like ye sab? He says will u marry me or not? She tell haan but Shona and that re birth and sees him having sign on the ground with his legs and smile and says haan shaadi karoongi now you get up must be having pain in your legs and he was like oh mein and gets up and says too shall we marry now? She w as like now? He tell haan Shona now in this Mandhir where we met. She says but you arer having fever, he tell her don't mind it and says will you and she nodes yes. .

They were doing their phers in the Mandhir after doing the exchange of varmalas and then he puts the sinndoor and ms on her they were smiling. Jai tell after praying and taking ashirwaad of god I love you and I don't know whether you love me or not but I am sure about one thing. You will too love me sometime later and turns to go but she holds him and he sees her she tell I love too Jai.

Jai then asks her why did you leave a divorce paper with your sign. She says for your happiness, he cries, she was like tum roh kyun rahe ho. He says nahii woo mein emotional goaya hoon, I mean you should have at least once before going asked me as my happiness was with you. She was like I am sorry he says no I should be one and both cries.

They see pundit too crying .they ask why he was crying he tell he was crying because they were crying and he is rembering his wife now a if he doent close the door of mandir and go to home in few min she will kick him out of the house.. thye smile and syas we r going now and he carries her from there all smiling.. .. he carries her and packaing her bags they get a taxi and go back to wm.

In WM Jigs brings Meera and Mohan to their house inviting for dinner and makes Meera meet Jai. Uday and Krishna were very awkward as they were not prepared and Jigs asks them to be pretend good and Jigs praises Jai in front of them and tells them he got divorced because Bani left him because she was not fit for him and stuff.

Krishna and Uday didn't like it and indicating Jig to stop..Mohan ask where was Jai she tells he must be coming and turns and gets shocked.

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All were shocked. Jai was there with Bani opps carrying Bani along wearing the varmalas around their neck and Bani was sleeping in his arms. Pushkar comes form back holding the bag saying Bhaiya and sees the whole family were shocked.. Adi breaks into smile saying jig even I carried u when ewe got married for first time.

Krishna and Uday break into smile and were very happy to see them like that. Anu says Bani Bhabi in Jai Bhaiya arm wow I should click a pic and goes running to take camera.

Meera gets up saying Aunty aap keh rahithi kii she left him then what is all this. Are you trying to cheat us… and says chalein bhiaya. I don't want to stay here any min and they go away.. Jig tries to stop them but they go away. Krishna comes and ask what is all this? Jai sees Bani who was still sleeping holding him and he says ooo mom…

Uday says are Krishna get them in first, bechra is having his wife and child in his arms like I used to and he smiles and gets hit by Krishna asking him to be quite. Soon Bani says Jai hum kab ghar paunchchenge?

Making Krishna smile saying beta, ghar too tum log poaunchuke ho. She was like Krishna mamma ki awaz kahn se arahe hein jai? He says Shona woo were in the house and she gets up and see him and says what? And turns to see Krishna. and see Jai and realizes where she was and closes her eyes tightly and hides her face in his chest feeling embarrassed and says woo mummy. I am sorry woo mein.

Krishna was smiling and ask ye Shona koun hai Jai? She tells woo Bani hii Shona hai… Pushkar says Bhaiya ka dream girlfriend. What? Soon Anu comes and starts to click pic calling Bani Bhabi and she turns and then photos went on…

Few days later, Bani was blessed with a sweet little baby boy name Jatin who was Xerox copy of Jai became the apple of all eyes…

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Epilogue

Three years later, one morning Jai gets up and directly sleep over the lap still closing his eyes and says I love Shona and drinks his chai sleeping in the lap as usual and says what about we go to honeymoon as we never went. As now Pushkar and Pia are going to get married and we will also go along with them or alone. For an first honeymoon, what you says.

Krishna smiles saying see my words became true as I said before after your wedding you will change see. He was like mom and gets up and sees Krishna sitting there and feels embarrassed and she smiles jaantih hoon mien..After all I your mummy jo hoon and says teek hai tiayar hojana. He ask mom where is Bani?

She tell in her maika as forgotten today is Pia and Pushkar's wedding soo she is with Pia… and haan now going to wake your sweet son who also same as u sleep in mom's lap and drink his milk… bilkul like you.. He too will say mamma now… just like you uand says tiayar hojavo.. And come down for breakfast …

Bani was preparing the things for the Pooja, suddenly she feels someone hitting her with flower and turns around and sees near the window Jai was standing there all hiding and indicating her to come out. She nodes no and again she was hit with flower and he asks her to come out she nodes no third time she turn to see Jai trying to climb the window and she stops him and tell she will come out. And excuses herself and goes out. She asks him what he was doing here. He tells he was missing her and kisses her and she says jai. He tells Shona.

Bani hear one more Shona and look down to see her little naughty son Jatin. Who was smiling she was like ye bhi and picks him and they hug together and he kisses her saying we were missing you both father and son together. She smile and says sirf aaj ke liye after the wedding take place she will be back with them.. She kisses both and asks them to go back, they together bhook laig hai… she sasy aap dono bhi na… Jatin says papa keh diya aab chocolate a… she was like what? Jatin tell yahi ki hamein bhook lagi hail. Bani says Jai tum kabhi nahi sudorogi.. javoo and send them… not before him kissing her.

Later the wedding took place in the same hotel. Jai was having his hand around Bani, she was like chodiye na. When the bharat arrived also you kissed me on entering.. What all will think? He tells that love, waise what about our honeymoon? she tell did you forgotten we have a 3 yrs old son? He tell no prolemb wahan dekhoo and see Jatin in Krishna and Uday was taking him along with them, and playing with flower, she was like aap bhi na.

The wedding takes place and they were taken by the dulha dulhan of course went to their honeymoon suit was in the other hotel and they wanted the grah pravesh to happen today soo .on entering Uday ask for Bani.. Krishna says they will come and have slight patients. He was like ok and Jatin was with him and was sleeping in Uday's arms.

Jai and Bani were in the same honeymoon suit. He carries her in and puts her in the bed locking the door and smiles she was like app bhi na. He asks to kaise laga surprise? She says teek hai.. He was like ek aur surprise doon she was like haan and he takes a packet and hands it over to her she was like ye kya hain? The room was neatly decorated as same as last time for the suhaag raaat. And today jai took the time to celebrate his little small honeymoon as it was the same hotel.

Jai ask her to open and sees she open it and it was a pink lehnga and she was like ye? He asks can you wear for me Shona. She was like nope. He ask why? You dint like the dress? She tell not like that. But we can do it today as I want to go back to home our son need me. He tells but I asked mom to take care of him. She turns soo it was preplanned? Hmm? He scratches his head and says haan. Soochaa today I will take advantage waise be dint have a honeymoon and u know.. She says fine but one condition… leaning over him. For our honeymoon we will take our son too as I cant be away from him.He was like fine and he ask her to change before he takes over her she does it. After she changes and comes. He carries her to the bed and comes over her and removes her dupptta. The scene shifts to moon.

Next day they enter and see the house was still in peace although it was 10 am. Na djia ask Shona how come the house is soo quite. She tell may be and says pata nahi suddenly all shout happy anniversary. They were shocked. And Jatin comes and pulls Bani's saree and she carries him and he kisses his parents and hugs them both. Anu clicks the picture and they celebrate it, that day was full of fun. Next day they left for honeymoon to Switzerland. They return with their kid whom they took along with them.

Few weeks later Bani announce her pregnancy, all were overjoyed and soon after few months she was blessed with twin a boy and girl and they name them as Atharva and Krishna. The family was overjoyed. Uday ask Krishna whether he was wrong making and taking decision of Bani marrying Jai. Krishna says nope. He was always right and kisses him and he teases her saying they should still think of their second kids. she was like what?

Time goes, few years late, Bani again come back home with a sweet little boy in her hand and 3 kids holding along with jai. A family photo was clicked all sitting in the sofa with the new born whom the named Sohan. Jai kisses when no one was seeing them and Sohan unknowingly click the picture when jai kisses and says Shona I love you.

They lived happily after it.

The end.


Edited by *Piku* - 17 years ago
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Posted: 17 years ago
#8

Entry No. 7



Leaning his head on the back of the chair when he closed his eyes, the first name that came to his mind was Bani. His eyes flew open with that thought. He again closed his eyes. Bani, the name reappeared in his mind. Blushing on his own craziness, he couldn't meet himself. What was happening to him was something beautifully unusual. He never missed her like that……never. Then why today? He asked himself.


The calendar that hung on the adjacent wall drew his attention. Indirectly it was again linked to Bani. He shook his head blushing again. Circling his finger on the date of a day to which 2 days were left, he let out a hearty but shy laugh which he couldn't stop anymore.


Walking to the balcony he rested his hands on the railing and looked at the empty street. Shops closed. No cycle or rickshaw or any vehicle were on the road. He tried to call at home once more. But the same woman's voice he had to hear as reply which was disappointedly, "The number you are trying to call is presently unreachable. Please dial after sometime."

************************************************************ ***************************

What luck! He thought. He was late when he returned to his hotel room last night. When he woke up in the morning, he came to know that a political party had declared a 12-hour strike that day. As his bags were already packed, he decided to leave early for the airport. Informing Mr. Singh of his plan, he packed the remaining things. When he reached the reception Mr. Singh was already waiting for him.


Getting inside the car they then headed towards the airport. "Mr. Singh, I hope we won't have to face any violence on our way" he wanted no more troubles. But he had no idea what troubles awaited him. Mr. Singh replied, "Sir I guess this early morning there will be no problems." Then they were indulged in discussing about the company affairs. On reaching the airport, Mr. Singh accompanied him there. He had two hours for the flight but to avoid the problems he could have faced due to the strike he made it early. Just when he was wondering what he should do for the next two hours, an announcement was made that his flight has got cancelled. On enquiring he was told that the next available flight was at the evening. He knew he had no other option than waiting for many hours at that airport. He was getting angry due to the circumstances but knew that it won't solve his problem. Angry or not he was bound to wait.


Mr. Singh suggested, "Sir why don't you come to my house, what will you do here?" He refused, "No Mr. Singh I can wait." Mr. Singh protested, "Sir please come to my house, it won't be a problem for me and my family. Rather than tiring yourself here you can take some rest in my house." Finding Mr. Singh's reason to be logical, he went with Mr. Singh to his house.


It was a small house, sufficiently well maintained and also bearing traces of the presence of small kids in the house. Mr. Singh showed him a room and said, "Sir you can stay here. If you need anything then please ask for it." Patting on Mr. Singh's back he said, "Yes I will Mr. Singh. You have helped me out a lot, be it in the business matter or this stupid problem in which I was." He laughed and his eyes reflected how truly he was grateful to Mr. Singh.


"Would you like to have some water?" a lady holding a glass of water standing by the door questioned him. Both of them turned to face the woman. Mr. Singh asked the woman to enter. He introduced her saying, "Sir this is my wife Usha." He joined his hands and said, "I am….." only to be interrupted by the woman as she said, "I know…. Jay Walia. I have heard a lot about you from my husband."


Three of them sat together and chatted for a long time. The husband-wife pair was quite amiable. Jay liked their company and the friendly chat they had. The couple also liked Jay's down-to-earth nature and his friendliness. The noise made by kids interrupted their talk. Two girls, one 7 year old and the other one 11 year old entered the room. Mr. Singh need not call them inside; they themselves were excited due to the presence of a guest. Standing beside the two sides of the chair on which Jay was sitting they started their enquiry.


The older one began, "Hi! My name is Urmila and presently I am in the 6th standard. What is your name?"


The younger one shouted, "No….No….don't tell your name now. Let me finish too." She made a face to her sister. "My name is Upasana and I am in the 2nd standard and my pet name is Dinky." She felt proud of the fact that she didn't miss to tell her pet name which her elder sister did much to her happiness.


Urmila narrowed her eyes and had a silent talk with Upasana that "Don't try to be smart." She quickly said, "My pet name is Pinky." Jay laughed at their antics along with Mr. Singh and his wife. Mr. Singh said, "Sir these are my daughters. As you can see they are so naughty, they always compete against each other yet they are each other's best friend."


Jay looked at both of them and ushered them to come in front of him. "My name is Jay" he said. "What's your good name?" Dinky asked. "Why is it a bad name?" Jay was surprised. Hitting her forehead with her palms Dinky said, "Oh….I mean Jay has to be your pet name. So what is your goooooooood name?" Jay laughed at her answer. "But Dinky that is only my good name." Jay cleared the fact to her. "How can it be? It's so short!" she argued. Pinky said, "I knew it his good name that is why I didn't ask him." She showed that she was more intelligent than Dinky. Both started to have an argument as the three adults watched their silly fight with amusement.


Time drew to noon and Mrs. Singh decided that they should have lunch so that Jay will get some time to rest before he leaves at the evening. Jay was impressed by the home-made food and commented on each and every food item he had. It was not because of gratitude but he believed one must appreciate things one liked and should express it at times, it feels good. Mr. and Mrs. Singh became too fond of Jay. He was the son of the owner of the company for which Mr. Singh worked at the Jamshedpur branch yet he was so friendly. Behaving like one of them although being rich was not also that the couple liked in him, as a person he was as good to form an example. As Mr. Singh had noticed in the past days in the office after Jay came for some work, he knew his limits, when and where to use his powers, how to shut someone's mouth, how to maintain discipline, how to behave with people; small or big and how to balance the weight of his surname.


The two girls were quite silent during lunch. Jay noticed it and doubted that either they had a huge fight or their mother scolded them. But he was proved wrong as soon as all of them finished their lunch. The kids brought their drawing books and showed Jay filling in all the history behind each drawing. Jay never had the chance of spending so much time with kids so their each action surprised him a lot. Mrs. Singh came to the room later on and asked the kids to leave the room to let him rest. She said, "I hope they didn't trouble you much." Jay smiled and replied, "No not at all. In fact I am enjoying every moment with them and Dinky just showed me a drawing that reminded me of Bani. She loved to draw ghosts." Jay smiled remembering something.


"If you don't mind, can I ask who is Bani?" Mrs. Singh was curious because the smile that Jay gave taking her name had hidden meanings. "Hmmm……she is my childhood friend and (after a pause) she is my would-be wife too" said Jay feeling happy with every word said. Mrs. Singh was excited like any other girl and thought how lucky the girl would be who will get to marry him. Naturally she gave in to her curiosity and started questioning him. "So how long it has been since your engagement?" she began. Jay laughed. He said, "Our engagement will be held few days later and you all have to come. I've already told Mr. Singh, not to miss the event."


Before Mrs. Singh could ask another question, the two kids returned back in the room. Dinky asked, "What's the meaning of engagement?" Jay wanted to have some fun with the kids so he made a face and asked, "You don't know?" He made such a face that made her think that she should have known. Remembering some work to do, Mrs. Singh left the room after Jay assured her with his eyes that he would like to spend the time with the kids. Seeing that Dinky had a confused expression Jay turned to Pinky, "You must know what engagement is." Pinky was waiting for the moment. She straightened herself as students do when teachers question them and answered like a memorized lesson, "Engagement is when a boy makes a girl wear a ring and when the girl makes the boy wear a ring." Dinky remembered that she has seen such things happening in TV serials and movies. "I remember now" she said and jumped to make Jay understand that she was not nave.


Jay said, "Good. Remember you people have to come to my engagement ceremony." Dinky was lost in a thought. She suddenly questioned, "But you need a girl too for the engagement." Jay took out his mobile phone and showed them a picture of a girl. "This is the girl whom I am going to marry" Jay said. Both the girls came up with different questions but at the same instant. Pinky excitedly asked, "What's her name?" and Dinky innocently asked, "But who is the girl with whom you will have engagement?"


Mrs. Singh again came inside the room to call the kids as their tutor who was a next door lady had arrived early. Disappointed with the interruption both the girls requested their mother to grant one day off. But finding it hard to convince their mother for that, they requested her to ask their tutor to come at the scheduled time. Mrs. Singh told them that some important work has come up that's why she was early. After the kids left Mrs. Singh said, "If it would have been some other day then these two naughty girls would have gladly accepted the shift in tuition hours as they will then get to play more in the evening but today they have found you so look at them." She added, "I hope now you can take some rest, I heard a bit of their questions they will surely drive someone mad." Jay joined in her laughter.


Leaning his head on the back of the chair when he closed his eyes, the first name that came to his mind was Bani. His eyes flew open with that thought. He again closed his eyes. Bani, the name reappeared in his mind. Blushing on his own craziness, he couldn't meet himself. What was happening to him was something beautifully unusual. He never missed her like that……never. Then why today? He asked himself.


The calendar that hung on the adjacent wall drew his attention. Indirectly it was again linked to Bani. He shook his head blushing again. Circling his finger on the date of a day to which 2 days were left, he let out a hearty but shy laugh which he couldn't stop anymore.


Walking to the balcony he rested his hands on the railing and looked at the empty street. Shops closed. No cycle or rickshaw or any vehicle were on the road. He tried to call at home once more. But the same woman's voice he had to hear as reply which was disappointedly, "The number you are trying to call is presently unreachable. Please dial after sometime."


In his chatting with the Singhs and their kids, Jay forgot to inform his family that his flight was cancelled. Without realizing the situation it might create, he didn't give it much importance to inform them anyhow. Later on when he remembered, the call couldn't be made. He thought that they will understand the reason of his delay. Lying down on the bed he thought how luck brought him and Bani together.


Bani. Jay always treated her as a good friend. Since childhood they knew each other. Their families had great relationship as if one will die for the other if situation demands. He always enjoyed this relationship where he had the facility of having two homes. Of course he and Bani had their own group of friends; they studied at different places and had different subjects, they didn't have much time to visit each other's house frequently but near or far the Dixits were the closest to the Walias. When he and Bani used to meet, they shared talks, thoughts, sorrow, happiness….just like two good friends who were definitely not keen to mark each other as best friends yet treated the other as one. Even when they grew up and reached an age where there closeness could have generated a soft corner for each other, he couldn't remember feeling as such. Neither did he ever get that sort of hint from Bani. Whatever was between them and their families, they took it as something natural, about which none should have the slightest of doubt. As if they were one big family.


That is why when one fine day his parents expressed their wish to have Bani as their daughter-in-law Jay had no second thoughts accepting it. It was not that he wanted to keep his parents wish, not that he was trying to overcome any serious past relationship which fortunately for him he never had or for any other reason that could be thought of. His first thought on hearing his parents' wish was "Finally." Somewhere deep down in his heart he knew it was bound to happen like the flow of a river and more than accepting the fact it was something like that was in sync with what he wanted from life.


He couldn't remember seeing Bani as his future wife, a girlfriend at any point of his life. It came naturally to him that she has to be his life partner. The only fact was that he didn't realize it earlier. He remembered he had smirked when his parents were discussing after his approval that whether Bani has agreed or not. He wondered why on earth she will reject. No fear, no anxiety could engulf his heart, he knew she will agree because it was what appeared natural to him.


Finally when the families met at the Dixits to decide the date of their engagement, he had the chance to meet Bani. They caught up like old pals discussing how the families are going mad over the arrangements they want. A matter as serious as marriage, they need not discuss about their future together. To him it again appeared that the understanding was natural. He heard that Bani's cousin Rano got furious when she heard that he and Bani were having a video game competition upstairs while their families were fixing their engagement and marriage date downstairs.


But today having all his worries away for a while he could think of nothing but Bani. Her each and every thing that he liked or disliked. Seeing Dinky's drawing book lying on the bedside table, he picked it up. The drawing that was open had ghosts drawn in various shapes, sizes and colors. He remembered once Bani was sitting in front of an old portrait in Jay's house and tried to draw it. But the outcome was nothing but something similar to ghost. She was too small then to draw correctly. She cried the whole day when Jay teased her. As he was a bit older than her, he could at least draw a moderate drawing and that was his matter of pride. After his parents insisted him he said Sorry to her but teasingly laughed when he said that. That was what led to Bani joining a Drawing School. Jay used to be busy with his guitar classes so he couldn't join it. What happened ultimately that Bani became a good painter and shockingly she learnt guitar from Jay too whereas Jay couldn't do the same. Till date she teases him for that.


Keeping the drawing book again on the table he turned on the other side of the bed. He smilingly remembered the story A broken champagne flute which Bani told him. It was one of his mid-semester holidays when he was at home. Bani dropped in at his house one afternoon. He had nothing to do so he asked Bani to tell a story. She was confused as no good story came to her mind, what came were meant for nursery kids. She refused to say one but Jay pleaded her to think of one then she remembered that she read an article which was actually a story titled 'A broken champagne flute'.


The story was like that there was a boy who had many flutes in his house but his favorite one had gone missing. He rummaged the house but couldn't find it. He asked his mother but she hardly knew which one he was looking for. Wherever she found a flute in the house she showed him and he denied. After about 10-20 failures, his mother asked him to give her the details of the flute. He said that the flute was a long one, it was champagne colored and it was broken. His mother was annoyed. She shouted on him saying that what purpose would a broken flute provide? But he was adamant. He had to find it. All his books, toys everything was on floor. His mother shouted at him throughout the day but he didn't budge. He even did not go to school or to play. By the evening when the flute could not be found, the boy had fallen sick and his mother pitied on him. She wondered what can be the reason of so much of love for a broken thing. At night when the boy's father came from his shop then he asked his wife why the boy didn't meet him in the evening at his shop. The mother had no idea about the plan. His father then told her that they were supposed to go to a garment shop to buy a shirt piece for the boy.


Bani stopped there. Jay opened his eyes and said making a face, "Is that a story?" Bani said that where she read the story that was a torn paper clipping so she had no idea what was written next. Jay could sense that she was lying. She had this amazing way of showing that she was angry or hurt. He knew that since he was not making any movement and also closed his eyes she thought that he was not interested. He had to narrate the whole story till the point she told to convince her that he heard it all. Then after much coaxing she completed the story…….. the boy was supposed to go with his father to the garment shop in the evening and as he knew his father's nature so he knew that he had to pick one shirt piece and if not then he won't take him to shops again and again. The biggest of all problems was that he desired to have a shirt of a color that the broken flute had. So when he couldn't find it to make the shopkeeper understand what he wanted, he dropped the idea of going to the shop totally……at least he was left with some hope.


At the end Jay asked, "So what's the moral of the story?" Bani replied, "You and that kid both are alike - stubborn. I came here to talk to you but you had to hear a story and made me do so."


Coming back to present Jay laughed thinking of the faces she made that day and what not did she say to him. But that was her specialty. She would do anything for anyone if asked to, even if it is against her wishes but after finishing the task she pretended to be very angry although she never used to be. Tossing and turning on the bed it struck to him that he should have bought some gifts for her. Knowing that it was impossible to buy a gift then due to the strike, he remained as it is on the bed. He made a mental note that after returning to Mumbai he must buy a gift for her.


Thinking of what kind of a gift he should buy for her, memories again rushed in. His best ever gift was given by Bani months back. It was a celebration party of the success of the project that Jay was handling then. He was lately so much involved in the work that he used to have very little time for himself thus he stopped shaving. Friends and others also encouraged him with his new look, so he didn't give the growing bush a second thought. It was Bani's present that shocked him. Wrapped carefully in a velvet cover was a shaving kit. There was a little note attached to it that said 'you need them immediately'. She had her own way of saying that she disliked his new look. And even he didn't dare not to comply.


Someone shook Jay. He rubbed his eyes and saw that it was already 5:30 in the evening. Finally dreaming and thinking of Bani he had fallen asleep. Mr. Singh said, "Sir your flight is scheduled at 7 so I thought that I should wake you up." Wishing him thanks Jay got up. Within half an hour he was ready and after having tea and some hot cinnamon rolls that were Mrs. Singh's specialty, he left for airport promising the Singhs to pay a visit soon. Pinky and Dinky were too sad on seeing him leaving and that made Jay feel sad too. After he reached the airport he was all alone as Mr. Singh had some urgent work to finish. The flight was delayed by half an hour.


Jay was just feeling bubbles inside his heart. That afternoon he had a new feeling. He knew what meant Bani to him. Taking things for granted didn't leave him with the option of enjoying all the troubles people who fall in love face. Love? Yes he loved Bani. Not only as a friend but more than that and this feeling of his had nothing to do with the announcement of their marriage. The only fact is that he never realized it. He was a bit angry with his parents. If only the relation between his and Bani's family would have been not like that then he could have spent hours dreaming for her, craving for her, proposing her and obvious things like that rather than realizing his feelings just before their engagement. But on the other hand he was happy that before he wished, his wish was granted. Laughing at the riot in his own heart, he wondered what Bani feels for him. He couldn't wait anymore to say what he was feeling. It felt like being on the top of the world. He nervously moved his fingers like playing drum on the seat. God it was hard for him. He thanked God for making his life simpler; at least he didn't go through the fear of rejection. By the end he was sure……that he is a gone case.


Just then he remembered to inform at home. He again tried to call with his mobile and this time the call could be made. Relieved he waited for someone to receive the call. It was Aditya, his brother-in-law on the other side.

"Hello" Aditya was tensed.

"Hey Adi, what are you doing at home right now?"

"Jay??????"

"What happened? You sound so tensed."

"Jay are you okay? Where are you?"
"Aditya my flight will leave few minutes later and why shouldn't I be okay?"

"Where were you throughout the day? Your phone was also coming unreachable!"

"That's a long story man. I was at Mr. Singh's residence. My morning flight was cancelled so…"

"And you didn't care to inform us?"

"Adi what's the matter?"

"We were afraid that you were in some trouble due to the strike there. I guess the one who gave us the information didn't know about your whereabouts either. Okay you come then we will talk."


Jay couldn't understand why a practical man as Aditya was so much of afraid because of the strike and Jay being in the city. Four hours later when he reached Mumbai, Aditya was there to receive him. As Aditya drove the car, Jay told him what led to his not contacting is family. Aditya became furious. On asking he said that they also came to know that Jay's morning flight was cancelled so they knew he would inform them and come by the next available flight. But when he didn't call them, Jay's father tried his number which was coming unreachable so he called at the hotel in which he was staying. The receptionist informed him that he didn't return to the hotel. A little worried his father called at the office and someone told that he was not their either but his car was spotted in that zone where a serious fight between the protesters broke out. Since then they tried to get his information from everywhere but of no avail. The news of the fight that was shown in the news channel worsened the matter. Reportedly many were seriously injured. Thus the families were tensed and although somewhere they knew that he was safe, a single proof could have been encouraging.


Realizing what his family had to go through while he was all safe and without any worries, Jay felt guilty. Reaching home the way everyone greeted him made him emotional. How much they cared for him, how much they loved him. Some light scolding also he had to receive but at the end everyone was more than happy to see him perfectly alright. Hardly had he had a seat his mother said, "Jay go and meet Bani. The Dixits were also tensed. After you called, then we breathed in relief." Jay complied and went to meet the Dixits. As he went inside the house, everyone greeted him and the picture was same as that was in his own family. They gave a little scolding to him; they assured themselves that he had no trouble at all. He looked for Bani when her mother told him that she was in her room. Hesitantly he stepped inside her room. She was lying on the bed, her back facing him.

For the first time in his life he was feeling a little scared of what might be going in her mind as her appearance was not helping much. He called out, "Bani." She turned a little and looked at him. She looked little pale. He felt guilty for worrying her. Jay kissed at the top of her head and sat beside her. Rano entered the room and giving Jay a glass of water said that although Bani was showing that she was not so worried because she believed that he was safe. When he called at home and Aditya informed the Dixits too after that she relaxed but then immediately gave in to the weakness and worry of the whole day. Bani glared at Rano for providing all the information to Jay as she didn't want to appear weak to him. Rano thought that she must leave two of them to have some privacy and left the room. Jay looked at Bani angrily. "Won't you say something?" Bani asked as the silence was bothering her too much. Her voice was unsteady Jay noticed that. He said, "Silly emotions" and left the room giving a last unfamiliar look to her. His voice was mixed with anger, surprise, guilt and care. But how dare he say that?


Next day evening

Jay was trying to call Bani with his mobile but she didn't receive his call. He tried 5 times at the interval of 2 minutes but she didn't answer. Assuming that she might be busy in her work, he decided to call her later. Having his work finished he was planning to have a cup of coffee with her. May be he thought he will be able to express his feelings to her. He felt restless and impatient. Once you realize that you are in love, it's pretty hard to contain the fact in your heart only. Since last night he was troubling himself. He blamed Bani for that because he couldn't sleep that night. He kept staring outside the window at the moon, planning how to say what he wanted to immediately. He felt bad for treating Bani like that in her house but somewhere his uneasiness prevented him to act as he should have. Even he couldn't act as the friend he was. Seeing Bani like that for which he was responsible, he wished he could clear everything and have a heart to heart talk to her but he was tongue-tied. All this led to making him angry on himself which he vents out at her. Where he should have used words of compassion, he ended up being rude. He needed to make up.


It was too late. He called her again..this time it was unreachable. Again…busy. Again…unreachable. Again….switched off. Again….didn't receive the call. He was frustrated. He called at her office and a girl replied that Bani has left the office in the evening. He then called Rano. She said that Bani was not at home. Jay tried Bani's cell again but she didn't pick. It was already 7 in the evening yet she was no where to be found. He called some of her colleagues, her friends, her gym instructor, then at his home, at Aditya's…every possible place where she could be found. Tension mounted in him. He called Rano again and again but that was also of no help. Not letting the slightest of hint that Bani had gone missing, he had made those calls to families and friends. He finally went out of his office and drove to all the restaurants or places she used to visit…shopping malls, art gallery……he left so many voice messages for her, text messages for her to ring back whenever possible. He was tired and it was nearing to 8. He again called Rano who was a bit angry due to his incessant phone calls. She had already told her that if Bani returns to home she will inform him but he was so impatient. He believed that Bani was okay but you never know what happens in this city. He went to meet Rano.


Waves hitting the rocks create enough noise. They shout, they scream but have its own gentleness if only one takes the care to feel that. Jay's heart was beating like that. Coming down from his car, walking towards the rock he faced the back of Bani. Wearing an aqua colored sari she faced the ocean. Jay was plain angry at her. He neared towards her and his heartbeat speeded up. He knew she was okay yet he needed to see that to believe. Facing her side face, he kept standing while she was sitting on the rocks. Making a fist he said in a loud voice to make his voice heard, "I think I should call off our engagement and if our families ask me for a reason then I will say that because Bani has become unavailable, unreachable, switched off, busy and missing." He looked away when Bani lifted her face and looked at his raging figure. Finding her smiling, he bent down and snatched her mobile phone from her hand. Checking his 30 missed calls and the received messages sent by him, he felt weak. He had no power to shout at her any more or be angry with her any more. His heart still beat rapidly. He said, "Do you know what I was feeling when I couldn't get any information of your whereabouts? My heart is still beating so fast. I doubted that Rano was lying to me and then I confronted her. Even when she told me that you were here, even when I looked at you from the back…it was not enough for me. I was so worried for you. Didn't you even care about what I was going through?"


"Silly emotions" Bani looked at the ocean hiding her grin. Surprised by her careless attitude towards him, Jay said, "What? You think these are silly…." He stopped midway. He realized that these were the same words he used last night for her. Sitting beside her he said, "So ma'am was taking revenge. Isn't it?" Bani nodded her head like a stubborn kid whose fault is caught yet she doesn't accept it as her fault. Taking her hands in his Jay begged her to look at him. When she turned, her eyes twinkled and her sweet smile adorned her face. Jay kept looking at her. No she was not the girl who was her friend, she was not the girl with whom he was going to be engaged the next day……she was someone he wanted to have forever close to his heart, his Bani. Bani tried to free her hand but he didn't. "Forgive me Bani. I deserve a mighty slap for being rude yesterday" he requested her. "You are long forgiven" she smiled.


"Is it so?"

In reply Bani only nodded her head.

"Then say….(pausing) I love you to me."

"No way" she freed her hands.

"Why not?"

"Why should I?"

"Because you do love me."

"Who said that to you?"

"Your eyes, your smile, your hands, your weakness yesterday and your intention of teaching me a lesson today."

"Sorry to say they are misleading you" she laughed out loudly.


"Bani now I know what we mean to each other. Our marriage is nothing but an excuse to bring us together. We were always together Bani. Only we never knew it."

"It was only you who never knew it Mister."

"What?"

"What 'what'? Today you know how it feels to love somebody who has no idea about your feelings?"

"You mean you…….."

"Hello…don't get so excited. Not really I had something for you in my heart but when our marriage proposal was kept in front of me, I thought about it a lot. I realized that you were the one for me still I couldn't feel that difference between you as a friend and you as a husband. I thought to give myself some time. And then when you said that you were leaving for Jamshedpur, I…..I didn't want you to go. Remember I called you so many times after that to meet or to talk and you were still acting as dumb. How long does it take to understand what a woman feels for you?"

"Okay ma'am I admit I am a fool. So just tell me that you forgave me."

"I already said that I forgave you."

"Not like this!!!!!"

"Then?????"

"Say I love you"

"Not so easy Mister. I challenge you Jay Walia. Make me say" she had a wicked grin on her face.

"Never challenge Jay Walia, Bani…you know that."

"I am waiting…….."

He started singing:

Khoya khoya chand rehta hai
Aasman ke paar
Khoye khoye hum bhi rehte hai
Us jahaan ke paar
Khoya khoya kyun rehta hai
Aajkal ye dil
Tum to meri jaan samjhti ho
Kya meri mushkil
Saari saari raat jaagoo main
Chandni ke saath
Bas mein nahin hai aajkal
Ye mere jasbaat
Keh do na
Keh do na
Keh do na
Pyar hai……….

He leaned on the rock looking at her expectantly. As she tried to get up, he caught her hand and started singing:

Chodo na mujhe
Yoon bekarar sa
Kar bhi do ishaar
Tum apne pyar ka
Tumhare dil ki hai jo manzil
Mera deewana dil
Bolo tum bolo

Jo kar doge inkaar
To jee na payenge
Jo kar doge ikraar
To mar hi jayenge
Tumhare dil ki hai jo manzil
Mera deewana dil
Bolo tum bolo


A policeman was surveying the area. He said, "What are you people doing here at this time?" Jay lifted his head to see the cause of interruption and making a quick apology he ran with Bani towards his car.

"See what you made of me? I have to run from policemen and that too without committing an offence? Seriously I am doing so much for you and you won't say anything?"

"Let's go"

"Baniiiiiiiiiiiii"

He drove the car making thousands of excuse to make her say. Neither for a challenge nor for his pride, did he want to hear it from her. Suddenly he was feeling like those teenagers whose life and death depends on having said or heard those words. He knew beyond doubt by that time that Bani loved him. Yet he was adamant. Bani was equally stubborn. She teased him a lot, blushed sometimes on his madness but she didn't want to surrender rather she enjoyed Jay's madness. She wondered how she missed all these things since both of them were too late to realize their feelings. The car stopped in front of Bani's house. Before getting down Bani said, "So you lost. Right?" Showing a thumbs down to him as she tried to open the lock, Jay started the car again. "Not so soon dear!" h e smiled from ear to ear. His eyes set on her with determination. "Until and unless you admit I won't leave you." The car speeded up and headed towards some place situated at the outskirts of the city.

"Jay it's getting late."

"So what? I have kidnapped you for few hours."


Reaching a hilly place, Jay stopped the car and asked Bani to get down. Bani had visited the place many a times but never at night. Looking at the surrounding it felt different, a nice feeling. Seemed like under the stars in such loneliness how lovely it will be with that someone special, enjoying the silence. Well that moment could be brought Bani thought as everything was there except the stars. The sky was covered with clouds and although it wasn't a stormy sky but none can trust the weather. She said, "Jay let's go!" but when he didn't reply she turned to find that Jay was nowhere. Tensed and afraid for being alone at such a secluded place she called out his name loudly. Her voice echoed that frightened her more. Jay came running.

"What happened?"

"Where were you?"

"I was at the other side of the car. Why?"

"I was scared" she had to admit.

"And you scared me……." He laughed.

Resting against the car both of them stood there for half an hour in pin drop silence. Both enjoyed their time together.

Jay broke the silence by saying, "Bani can I ask you something?"

"Hmmmm…"

"What happened to you last night?"

"Frankly speaking I don't know myself. Since in the afternoon when Daddy informed me about the situation, I felt afraid. I know I was being childish and impractical but there was something that I couldn't control in myself."

"And what is that?"

"The fear of losing you. Jay I have never been so weak in my life but I simply couldn't help feeling breathless worrying about you. You have no idea what I went through."

"And that's why I wanted you to understand how it feels when after suffering so much someone says you that those are silly emotions." She laughed.

Jay turned towards her and hugging her said, "Bani I never knew it but now I know that I love you."

Bani rested her head on his chest and said, "I love you too."

"Let's go" Jay said and both of them were back again in the car. While they were returning none realized that Jay had won the challenge. When he stopped the car in front of Bani's house, it was already 11.

Resting his face on his hand on the door of Bani's side he asked, "So you liked a long drive at night?"

"Why not? After all my kidnaper was so sweet!"

It was time to say goodbye but none wanted to leave each other. Jay followed her to the door. She was about to ring the doorbell when Jay pulled her hand. "Be with me for some more time" he requested. Both of them sat down on the doorsteps. Hours flew by and they either talked or remained silent but didn't move to leave first.


Bani's father was worried, standing beside the window he was going to make a call to Bani. Seeing some shadows near the door he bent down to see that Jay and Bani were sitting there, most probably hands in hands. He called Bani's mother and made her see what he saw. She asked him not to disturb them but it was getting too late. At about 1 o'clock her father went downstairs and opened the main door. Jay was nearly going to kiss Bani when her father's appearance startled them. Feeling uneasy due to the situation her father cleared his voice and said, "I think it's quite late you people should have some sleep. Today evening is your engagement."


Jay held Bani's hands firmly and said, "It's not actually the exchange of rings that will get us engaged. We love each other and our hearts are already engaged." Her father nodded and left but not before saying, "Come soon Bani."

Holding her against the door Jay bid her goodbye and kissed her forehead after saying, "See you soon and remember engagement or no engagement, we are engaged."

She could see his retreating back as his voice trailed. Running towards him she threw her arms around her neck and kissed him.

A surprised Jay mischievously asked, "What for?"

"Your reward for winning the challenge" Bani lowered her eyes while saying.

He smiled and left.


Bani woke up in the evening. Beside her was lying a crushed red colored rose. She took it in her hands and crushed it more. It was her engagement day, by that time she was supposed to get dressed for the event, waiting for Jay impatiently. She was indeed waiting for him but not since today…for the past two days in fact. For the past two days he was missing, Mr. Singh informed the families. Every time she went unconscious, she dreamt of the same thing…..the real facts that Jay filled in when he called her once from Jamshedpur, what he used to do, what she wanted him to do and rest were her wild imaginations. She looked at the wall clock. It was the time for their engagement. As her cell phone alerted of a missed call by Jay, she went unconscious again……engagement or no engagement, she and Jay were ENGAGED……..forever.

Edited by sangitadas - 17 years ago
sangitadas thumbnail
19th Anniversary Thumbnail Rocker Thumbnail + 3
Posted: 17 years ago
#9

Entry No. 8

He hated ties; ties made him feel like a prick, a stiff upper lipped, brown skinned prick that still followed the English ways even after they left the country sixty odd years ago. He felt the newly hand tailored Armani suit was ill fitting on his body; he had lost a few pounds recently. He adjusted his tie for the nth time in the elevator mirror, he hated that color tie in particular – it reminded him of the last time he wore a similar tie, it was at his wedding reception. She had picked it for him, he had told her that he didn't wear ties, and she had smiled, a sweet, gentle smile with a suggestion of a request. And he had succumbed to the smile like hot melted butter, helpless like putty.


Right now, he felt grouchy, wanted to shout at some one, not just shout, but shred some one to pieces. He didn't really need any reason. He will make up the reason if he had to. May be at the janitor, who messed up the papers on his desk, may be at his Admin who forgot to brew fresh coffee, if not them, he will yell at the first man or woman who encountered him on his way to his office. He was aware of his reputation at work, a cruel son of a b***h, who had no life other than work. They whispered behind his back that he cared neither for his family nor for his friends. What family? What friends? Where were they? The good for nothings who used the space in the Walia mansion did not count as family; there were just his dependents, people who are slaves to the wealth and material objects he provided them.

She had betrayed him, with a man who was not even fully functional. The only quality he possessed was youth. No! May be he is wrong about that, Daksh also had wealth. He had both things that Jai had not possessed at the time. His mouth twisted bitterly. He remembered all the women who threw themselves at him, lied to him with saccharin sweetness, that he was in his prime, he was hot and he was happening when he was wealthy. What did she see in the wimpy boy who lost his marbles? Was it her nurturing trait that wanted to make the man wholesome again and get accolades? Why did she lie to her husband, disregard his wishes and kept seeing a nobody?

Why did she have to leave her adorable kids with the chauffeur and go to nurse the Randheria heir? They were his kids; he raised them single handedly while she was being manipulated by Aparajit Dev into taking revenge on him. He had been their mother, their father, and their everything. He was the one who got up in the night to cajole them back to sleep after a colicky night. He was the one who warmed up the formula and juggled them single handedly, mastering on feeding both of them at the same time. He had dropped them at school and picked them up religiously, put the tweety bandages when they scraped their knees, attended all their school functions, without missing even one. Now, they are gone, gone forever from his life, leaving it empty and meaningless.

He regretted the fact that he had let her hold the lifeless Krishna in her arms, wrapped in a white sheet. His daughter had loved the vivid primary colors, making him wait patiently every day while she made a big drama of picking clothes for school. On the other hand Atharva did not care what he wore, as long as his father packed a peanut butter jelly sandwich for him every day of the week. He was told by Dadi once, that Atharv had a sunny disposition that's not seen in many kids, and he had proudly told her that Atharva took after his mother.

He hated Aparajit, he hated Pia, he hated Daksh, but most of all, he hated Bani, his erstwhile wife that he chucked out of his life. Heck, he even hated his life and finally himself for wondering about her and still thinking about her.

To damnation with the Canadian delegation and to damnation with his tie. He loosened the tie and wrenched it out of his neck, threw it carelessly on the floor, took immense satisfaction while stepping on it.

The first person he encountered was Nachiketh, as he opened his mouth to give him a vitriolic spew; he noticed the fear in Nachiketh's eyes. Was it the same guy who used to tease him fearlessly when Bani was around, both of them silently exchanging smiles, as they made comments about his sweet tooth? About his weight gain? Did he put that look of fear in his younger brother's eyes? He flinched inwardly and walked without saying anything. On his way, he saw several bent heads and averted eyes; he realized it gave him sadistic pleasure to make them feel this way. It achieved the purpose of avoiding company; no one wanted to be near him, quaking in their boots, just like he wanted them to be.

Now he entered his office, barking at his administrative assistant – telling her to let him know when the Canadian delegation arrives and fetch him some coffee.

He sat in his tufted burgundy leather chair, and played absently with the paperweight in his hands. As he threw it up in the air, he realized it was the same paperweight that had been given to him by Bani on his birthday, before she married him. He had given her a meager job and gave her a roof on her head. She had shyly offered it as a present on his birthday, saying that she didn't have much money and this is all she could afford. He had put it on his desk, smiling as he noticed her eyes light up.

After he booted her out, he had told his assistant to remove all the traces of Bani from his room. He especially didn't want the old portrait of her, a very expensive rendering of a famous artist and the photographs of his children, smiling happily at their parents. He didn't want to feel weak looking at their smiles. But what was the paperweight doing on his desk again? He was furious. He threw the object at the window with full force, the windowpane shattering into smithereens. The offending object fell on the floor, just spinning slowly, as if it was laughing at his inability to throw it out. He wanted to badly go the cemetery where Atharva and Krishna were laid, to put his head on the headstone and weep his heart out. He opened the drawer to look at a crushed red colored rose that was given by Krishna on his birthday, and a torn paper clipping in Atharva's handwriting with 'happy birthday' scrawled in colored crayons. It was obvious that it was ripped out from the notebook hastily. Those were the only memories he couldn't get rid of.

After a discrete knock on the door, a scared looking assistant came in, inquiring if he was OK – she had fresh brewed coffee and hot cinnamon rolls in a tray. He lost his appetite…they were Atharva's favorite. The admin meekly told him that the guests he was expecting arrived.

+++++++++++++++++

The stormy sky was brewing trouble. The dark clouds were moving frantically, he wondered if his little children were riding on them. There were pale pink carnations and baby blue velvet fox dragons on Krishna and Atharva's graves. Jai looked taken aback. Those were the kids' favorite flowers. It was a joke in the family how every one liked a different flower, his favorite were white tube lilies, Bani's were champagne roses and Krishna said she liked baby pink carnations because it was her dad's favorite color on mom. And Atharva piped in saying blue was his favorite because that was his mom's favorite color on his dad. Jai didn't correct him, knowing full well, that Bani's favorite color on him was black.

Who put those flowers on the graves? He stared at them in shock.

"Hey you! You better wait up!" the chirpy voice called a tall man who had his back turned to Jai. He looked familiar to Jai.

"Mama always said that Bhaiyya loved blue and Di loved pink. What do you like?" She clutched the hand that extended toward her.

"Ummm, I don't know Ganga, I like sunshine yellow orchids that grow in Mt. Abu, they are rare and beautiful – they remind me of my wife." The man turned slightly with a smile, his profile visible now to Jai.

Jai blanched. It was Daksh – Daksh and Bani had a child, her name was Ganga – he felt his heart squeeze with pain. It was almost like he was having a minor heart attack. How could she do this to him? How could she marry him, without even taking a divorce from him? His eyes blazed with fire. He reeled like he received a mighty slap on his cheek.

"Why didn't mummy come with us? She is always talking about them, sometimes, I think she loves them more than she loves me!" Ganga sounded sad.

"Your mamma loves you a lot, honey! I can promise you that! There are only two people on earth that mean the world to her, and you are one of them." Daksh replied. "Your mother will come back in the morning, she is performing a pooja for Atharv and Krishna today at the temple."

Jai turned around silently. He needed to get away from them before he made a fool of himself. He placed the candies he bought for Krishna and Atharv on their graves. With a last look at the man and the little girl, he left. Bani had no right to perform the pooja for the kids, she had no right to be happy, to have a family while he had none, while he suffered every single minute for the last five years.

So she was married. Why was he surprised? Wasn't it the reason for which he threw her out? He had looked for Daksh Randheria everywhere in the last five years, if only to take revenge on him. But he was told that Daksh broke off all contact with his family and disappeared off the face of the earth.


He took a long drive at night, unable to still his restive mind. His sleek Jaguar ate miles on the long and windy road silently. Memories flashed of how he fell headlong in love with Bani, how he was smitten with every thing she did, how he trusted her with all his heart, how he stopped looking at other women ever since she came into his life. Sadness finally gave way to anger and rage. The need for vendetta hit him with full force.

Finally he broke into a wicked grin, she may have escaped scot-free before, but the just rewards awaited her. He hatched a plan to take his revenge on her. His hands clutched the wheel with all his might until his knuckles showed whitely. It gave him a sadistic pleasure imagining Bani's agony as she lost everything she loved.

++++++++++++++

He leaned carelessly against the lone birch watching her as she swept the graves of the fallen leaves with tender loving care and placed the fresh flowers on them. He couldn't see her face, but her hunched shoulders and downward bent head spoke volumes. The soft wind blew her hair to cover her profile, and she made no effort to tuck it in. Why did he feel a deep urge to pull her into his arms and give into the grief? Was it his imagination, or were her shoulders shaking violently because she was weeping.

"Some times, I think she loves them more than she loves me!"

The words spoken by the little girl came unbidden into his thoughts.

Did she really? She may have made a secret rendezvous with her lover but she probably didn't mean to bring danger to her kids. She couldn't have been such a con artist, because every one believed that she was a devoted mother. He shrugged the thoughts with a barely controlled violence; she didn't deserve his forgiveness or pity.

"What did you pray to the God Bani? That he forgives you for leaving your kids alone when you went to meet your lover? Or that he forgives you for meeting another man on Karva chauth when you were supposed to be praying for the well being of your husband?" His voice broke into the silence, dripping with sarcasm.

There was an absolute silence, except for an occasional flutter on the ground from a fallen leaf, all sounds froze. She turned slowly in the direction of his drawling voice.
The black sari she wore enhanced her paleness and frailty. She looked like a lost waif, her eyes seemed impossibly large in her oval face. She stared at him, as if he was an alien.

"Mr. Wwwalia!" the stammer in her voice was the only thing that gave away her nervousness.

"Yes, Bani, tumhari Mr. Walia is in front of you" his mouth twisted cynically. He brushed an imaginary speck of dust from his black shirt.

She looked at him greedily, taking in the overgrown length of his hair that curled slightly at the nape, the black cotton shirt folded back at the wrists, showing the dark sprinkling of hair, the low hung dark trousers that rested loosely on his hips and the shoes shone darkly, matching his trousers. He looked leaner than she remembered. Dark lashes curled at the end of his hooded eyelids, lashes that should have been on a girl. Just like the ones on his son, Atharva. She jerked back to reality. His earlier words seeped into her senses and she flinched belatedly. Her eyes stung with tears. She blinked them away rapidly and turned her back to him, facing the graves once again.

"They would have been eleven last month!" she ignored his earlier words as if he never spoke. It was his turn to flinch.

"Looks like you have been busy, it took you this long to come and visit your children." His accusation hung heavily between them.

"One day, you will regret all the things you said to me, Mr. Walia! That day will be too late!" she averted her head from him.

"I will regret them when hell freezes over" his nostrils flared.

"It might just do that, Mr. Walia!" With a last look at her beloved children she started walking. She hoped that their bed under the moist earth that was drenched in the rain last night was comfortable.

He followed her, keeping with her pace easily. "You replaced them with another child pretty soon, she must be five? Atharva and Krishna's grave were still fresh, when you married him and had his child in your womb, didn't you? Were you pregnant before or after they died, Bani?" the bitter words slipped past his clenched teeth.

She stopped in mid stride. "Before. Mr. Walia, before they died." She looked like the old Bani, with fire in her eyes, her gaze direct and flinty.

"Why, Bani? Was I that bad in bed? that you had to take in another lover?" he grabbed her hand, twisted it behind her and brought her close, flush against him.

He was hurting her terribly, but she suppressed the cry that rose to her throat, biting her lip hard. She tasted blood on her tongue. He noted the heaving breasts; they seemed fuller than he remembered. He let her go in disgust. She took a step back, trying to get away form him. He was ashamed at the direction his thoughts were going. His face masked quickly behind a stony exterior.

"I have a proposition for you, Bani!" he smiled, his eyes like flints, devoid of any softness. She waited patiently for him to finish.

"Since I am not dead and I did not divorce you legally, I find the fact that you have married extremely interesting. Bigamy in India is illegal and I have found from reliable sources that it is a punishable crime." He paused, searching her face carefully. To his frustration, she looked surprised at first and then aloof. "I can send you to the prison if I choose, but I am thinking that can come later. First, I want you to suffer a little." His laugh was raucous, even to his own ears. "I would like you to leave your husband or lover and have an affair with me. You will spend thirty days of glorious pleasure in my bed, just enough to have a baby with me. You see, Bani, I need a child legally born, of course, to carry my name without hassling myself with another marriage!" She lost whatever color was on her face.

She interrupted him swiftly. "It is not possible, Mr. Walia, you see, I don't think I can have anymore babies, there were complications during Ganga's birth, the doctors said there was a very remote chance of me having another child." It was rendered without emotion.

He sneered at her, "I guess God considers you not worthy of being a mother anymore, Bani! You daughter claims that you don't love her much!" She looked shaken to the core at his words; he knew how to twist the dagger into an open wound.

He took pleasure in her hurt, "I will take my chances Bani; you might just have to stay until you get pregnant, don't you?" he watched with immense satisfaction at her terror stricken face. His lips thinned in an ill-concealed sneer.

"You were always blind, Mr. Walia, you were blind back then and you are blind now!" she flung the words at him, her body started shaking like a leaf with the anger building with a vortex.

"Yes, Bani, I was blind back then, I was blind in my love for you, blind to your adultery, blind to everything you did behind my back. But I am no longer the gullible person I once was, you made me what I am today, a rock; without emotions, without tenderness." He reached her in one single stride and caught her by her upper arms, bruising them with barely leashed violence.

She stared at him, wanting to smooth away the bitterness, embrace him and wipe his hurt; wash away the pain in a storm of tears.

"I too have a proposition for you, Mr. Walia!" her brown eyes clashed with his ebony ones. "If you want me to spend the month with me, I would like you to spend one evening with me, with my daughter and Maasi, at my house." She delivered softly.
His eyebrow went up. She started walking again, without looking back at him.

They reached her car, a small, modest looking one. She opened the door and paused before sitting in the driver's seat. He reached quickly to the side and held the door open, leaning so that his face was on par with hers.

"Mrs. Randheria!" He made a sweeping bow, mocking her.

She closed her eyes, as if to shut his image out.

"It is my daughter's birthday tomorrow, I would like you to come to a small party I am throwing for her. There is no need to get a present!" Bani reached out to push his hand away and close the car door. Before he had time to respond, she pushed a card in his hands and drove away.

He stared at the card with a puzzled expression. There was a floral logo with "Ganga Floral Designs" written artistically on it. It had an address and a phone number on it.

He played with the card with a thoughtful expression, bending it and flicking it. She did it again, threw him off, doing the unexpected. But he would turn the table on her, take Daksh to the cleaners, send her to prison and make her suffer by separating her child from her.

He walked slowly to his Jaguar, absently taking in the chauffeur opening the door, he slid into the backseat, still holding her card and staring at it. He smiled, a self satisfied smile that spread slowly until it became an evil grin.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

He took care in his clothing; wearing a black cashmere turtleneck and a tailored dark trousers; donning his designer Italian leather shoes. He needed a scarf to finish his attire, a cream colored lamb's wool scarf that materialized in his wardrobe very soon after his second Dubai trip with Bani.

He remembered that night in Dubai almost twelve years ago, like it was yesterday! It was probably the night they conceived their children. He had wooed her, with a song, a ring and an unforgettable night with candlelights, champagne, rose petals and sweet passion that lasted forever. She had protested when he poured her a glass of champagne, finally sipping a little and wrinkling her nose as the bubbles tickled her. His passions ran so high that night, he undressed her with shaking hands, accidentally spilling the champagne on her body and licking it pleasurably, circling her navel, sucking on the curve of her waist, nipping the underside of her b***t, taking the n***le into the warm cavern of her mouth and suckling it until she lost total control. He had ravished her, greedily satisfying his urges; avarice, tenderness mingling with a tiny bit of violence. The sweet savagery of the night were visible the next morning, swollen rosy lips, tiny bruises on private areas where his mouth captured her flesh roughly, scratches on his back, where her nails scoured until he screamed in delight, a broken champagne flute next to the bed, rumpled sheets, tousled hair…He felt giddy and steadied himself against the closet, dropping down to the floor and nestling his head to his knees.

Oh God! How hated her!! She will pay for every single second of the last five years, for the five years he had stayed faithful to her when she was with Aparajit Dev, a total sum of ten years.

The car stopped in front of a seventeen story building in Andheri, a very middle class neighborhood, he noted with satisfaction. Young Daksh didn't really mollycoddle his wife, did he? Her apartment was the sixth floor. He wrinkled his nose with distaste at the smell in the basement. To his consternation, the elevator was out of service. He took a deep breath and started climbing six floors on foot. By the time, he reached the apartment, he was breathing hard.

The door opened before he even touched the doorbell. He panted slightly while the little girl stared at him anxiously.

"You are not the balloon guy!" she peered behind him looking disappointed.

"No! I am not." He agreed solemnly. The girl looked tall for her age, she wasn't very girly like Krishna, and he didn't understand why she wore the hair so short. She was not that pretty either, like Krishna, but there was a keen intelligence in her sharp eyes. She talked like an adult, almost too mature; he continued assessing the girl in front of him clinically.

"My mom says, staring is not polite" she looked annoyed.

"And your mom happens to be right, this once" he looked over her head to see if Bani was inside. He could see balloons, and a cake in the shape of a house with a picket fence in the front. Five candles stood in the icing. He gripped the doorframe tightly, this was probably not a good idea, and he didn't want to be here.

"She is always right! My mom is the best mom in the whole world." She smiled, that was probably the most attractive part of her, he decided.

She looked curiously at him, noting the gift box in his hands. She licked her lips with nervous excitement, "Is that for me? Are you my mom's guest?"

He smiled at the eagerness in her voice, it reminded me of Atharva and Krishna. For once, he didn't feel the hollow emptiness when he thought of them. He dropped it into the girl's hands carelessly and watched as she opened it with enthusiasm.

It revealed a music box, with a dancer on the top, he had asked Rano to pick something for him. He smiled as she wounded it and listened to the music, exclaiming and squealing in delight.

"Is your mom there?" he tried to keep himself aloof and intruded into the little girl's pleasure.

She shook her head, "She went downstairs to get some milk for the cake".

"Leaving you all alone, what kind of a mother is she?" his anger raised a few notches.

"A mother, who raised her daughter single handedly when her father abandoned her, a woman who broke in half, when her husband called her a vaishya, when he didn't give a chance to explain what she was doing that night" a calm voice answered him.

He looked up at the old woman standing in the doorway between the foyer and the dining room. She had aged, the gray in her hair was not dyed anymore - there were wrinkles on her forehead and around her eyes. She looked haggard and leaned heavily on her crutches.

"Maasi!" Jai shivered as if he was caught in a storm.

"Jai Walia, the blood of my sister! Ek lautha Vaaras of Walia khandaan!" Maasi laughed, her laughter was slightly hysterical.

"You are ill!" he stepped in, unable to control the concern in her voice.

She nodded. "I guess I am! Otherwise, she wouldn't have called you home!" the reference to the missing woman didn't go unnoticed.

"What's wrong with you?" fear clamped his chest.

Ignoring him, she turned to the Ganga, gesturing her to come forward, "Aao, beta! I have got a present for you!"

Ganga ran to her grandmother, "Maasi, see what he got for me!! It's the bestest present I have got so far. Did you get me the art book I wanted?" her eyes shone with eagerness.

"I have got something better than that, beta!" she smiled tenderly at the child, smoothing the hair that fell on her forehead. Jai remembered how she used to do the same with him. She handed a square looking object, wrapped in gift paper to Ganga, who tore through it with enthusiasm. Her eyes fell on the photograph, framed in antique gold, he could see the picture of him in a black sherwani with Bani, in a green sari with an orange border, the one he gifted to her on the day she told him; she was pregnant with Atharva and Krishna.

"Maasi, but this picture is of him with mommy?" Ganga looked baffled, "why is he in the picture with mommy, Maasi?" She asked again.

"Ask your father that question, munni" Maasi touched the child's cheek with affection.

"But I don't have a daddy" tears welled in the child's eyes. His stomach clenched with pain – Daksh did not marry Bani? What kind of a father does that to a child?

Jai stared helplessly at both of them. What in damnation was going on?

"Yes, you do, darling, he is in this room…I heard you asking the falling star, you wanted to meet your father, here he is..." Maasi turned the child gently to face her dad.

"Stop it, Maasi, you should know better than raising a child's hopes" Jai's muffled voice pleaded with Maasi.

"Jai, I was told that I have a few months to live, I know I cursed you twice before, but this time, I will withdraw my curse…accept your daughter and your wife! She is pure, she did what she had to five years ago, to save your wealth, your fortunes. She was misguided but she was never an adulterer. She never even looked at anyone ever since she got married to you, you will always be her first love and last." Maasi's uninterrupted talk causing her to wheeze.

"Maasi, I know you love her more than you love me, for you, I will take her back, I will take her child! Maasi, please come back to me, let me take care of you!" Jai sobbed brokenly. He was weak man; he just couldn't see his aunt suffering like this.

She held her chest tightly, collapsing in the chair in front of her. Jai rushed to her side, holding her, massaging her back. When the bout of coughing subsided, he sat next to her, his head on her lap. "Maasi, Please ayiye mere saath! Your place is with me." The tears rolled from his cheek and seeped on to her cotton sari.

She smoothed his hair, like she used to when he was a kid.

"Munna, I am telling you the truth. Bani never had an affair with Daksh. She was used as a pawn by Daksh's father to treat his madness. The photograph you saw was Anamika's, Bani's twin sister. Jigyasa lied to you; she always lied to you about Bani. She never cared about causing heartache to her brother!" Maasi smiled wanly as he looked up and stared at her face.

"Bani was pregnant with your child when you threw her out. Ganga is your child. Bani started this business by selling the jewelry that was on her body. She refused to take help from Daksh. We survived on our own, she called you for me, she couldn't let me die without seeing you!" she rubbed the wetness from her eyes.

"Munni, idhar aa beta, tumhare papa ko nahi miloge?" Maasi beckoned the scared child to come closer.

Ganga walked hesitantly toward her grandmother, not knowing how to react to this news.
Jai touched her cheek wondrously, now he could see her resemblances to Atharva, a little bit to Rano and a little bit to himself. The confident manner with which she opened the door disappeared behind a diffidence that seemed alien to her nature. She slinked further behind her grandmother as he ogled at her.

"I am your father!" he wanted to shout at the top of his lungs, but refrained.

"Are we going to go and live with him?" Ganga whispered loudly in Maasi's ears. The tears welled up in her innocent eyes, and without a word he reached for her, hugging her and comforting her, her slight body encompassed safely and securely in his arms.

"If you want to!" A quiet voice answered her question. "You and Maasi can go with your father. I will come and visit you!" Jai turned to see Bani, she was a vision in a lavender sari, and her hair was blowing in the breeze. He ached with a need to hold her in his arms and weep like a baby. He wanted to bawl his eyes and grovel in front of her, but he stopped at the frozen look on her face.

"Mamma, I can't sleep without you, you know that! You have to come and live with us" Ganga widened her eyes, as if she was scolding Bani. She ran to her mother hugging her tightly.

"Nahin, Ganga! I can't do that, see Sita Mayya never went back to Rama after he sent her away – you see he didn't trust her enough. He didn't love her enough to stay by her side no matter what people said about her."

Her voice held no emotion, but it broke him into tiny pieces. "I have to live independently, on my own – the only thing that is left for me is my self-preservation. My pride won't let me go back!" Pushing Ganga toward Jai, she walked stiffly and disappeared into the bedroom next to the hall.

Jai looked at the confused child in front of him, hugging her again impulsively as large tears rolled on to her smooth cheeks. Then as quickly, he dropped his arms and stood up.

"Maasi, your place is with Bani, so is Ganga's. I will come and visit you both – I don't deserve to be forgiven. I am a bad man, Maasi. But before I go, I would like to say something. I am not the only one who was deceitful, who was untrustworthy. She didn't trust me enough, to tell me the whole story, she should have. I would have given up all my wealth; I would still have been rich. You see, Maasi, she was my everything. She still is…" He walked out of the apartment; out of her life...The harvest he reaped was bitter.

"Maasi, but I want them both, you promised I will get what I want on my birthday, sab khatam ho gaya" Ganga started crying.

"Agar sukhanth nahi hoga, tho uss ko madhyantar kehte hai, beta!"

This story is not complete yet. If it doesn't end well, then it is only an interval.

++++++++++++++++

Three months later,

Bani kept her promise to Maasi; she let Jai see Ganga everyday, he picked her up from school and took her to the park. Saturday was Ganga's sleep over at the Walia mansion.


Ganga thawed the wintry ice from his heart. He looked forward to spending time with her every single day. When he dropped her off, she insisted that he come upstairs to have coffee while she had a snack. He declined softly, knowing full well that Bani would be uncomfortable around him. Then Ganga scraped her knee running in the park. He offered to carry her upstairs and she agreed with alacrity.

When Bani opened the door, she was concerned to see Ganga in Jai's arms. She invited him in reluctantly, as Ganga fussed over her knee, Bani offered coffee to Jai and like an experienced mother she cleaned the wound and put antiseptic on it. When Ganga complained about ache in her ankle, Bani noticed that it was swollen slightly. Jai and Bani together fussed over Ganga and iced her ankle. For the next one week, Jai carried Ganga upstairs to the apartment and stayed over for the coffee. He sat at the dining table and watched Bani give a snack to Ganga, help her with her breakfast and then do her floral designs.

He knew she felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny, but it was as if he couldn't help himself. Her sarees and salwar kurtas reminded him of the old Bani, the hardworking Bani, the straightforward Bani, the Simple Bani, and the nurturing Bani, who he fell in love with.

Ganga watched her dad stare at her mother with barely concealed pleasure. It was Friday and no school tomorrow.

"Pappa, hum picture dekh ne jayenge? Magar ek condition…I want mamma to come with us!" Ganga looked at her father mischievously. She stared at Maasi's garlanded picture and winked at her. The plan is underway to construct a bridge, lay a trap, and mend two broken hearts.

Two sets of eyes met over her head.

"Nahin, I am going to stay home, you guys go!" Bani immediately refused.

It was like a tap opened; the tears fell fast and furious from Ganga's cheek, When that didn't work, her chin set obdurately, she threw a tantrum, refusing the food and locking herself in the room.

Bani looked helplessly at Jai. He was of no help; he just stared at her as if it was her fault for refusing to go the movies with him. In the end, she succumbed.

Ganga refused to sit in the middle saying that she needs to sit in the corner seat because she needs to get candy and popcorn during the interval. Bani sat uncomfortably next to Jai, trying hard to not touch him in any way or manner. When their fingers touched while helping themselves to the popcorn, both of them withdrew their hands hastily. Bani shrank into her chair like a scalded cat. Jai apologized, his voice somber.

Ganga noted their exchanges with a smile. Her plan was working like a charm. From that day forward she made a point that they went to the movies like a family on Friday. They amicably argued over which movies to see, Bani always opting for romances, while Jai leaned toward thrillers. Ganga wanted to watch animated movies, so they settled that each week, one would get to pick the movie.

They rarely went to the Walia mansion, finding the apartment cozy and comfortable. They played cards and board games, with Ganga cheating some times with Jai and sometimes with Bani. They had mock quarrels over who cheated and laughed heartily afterward. It was in one of those moments, Jai impulsively put his arm over both Ganga and Bani and hugged them. They both moved away self-consciously when they realized it.

Jai had to go overseas on a business trip and both Bani and Ganga missed him dreadfully. When Jai came back, he came straight to Ganga's school from the airport, picking her up and brought her to the apartment. When Bani came back to with his coffee, he had fallen asleep on the couch, one arm flung over his eyes, his shoes discarded in a haphazard fashion. Ganga went to the neighbor's house to play with her friend and called a little while later, saying she was going to sleep over. Bani watched her husband sprawled over on the couch with all the love in her eyes. Without volition, she sat next to him, smoothing over the lock of hair that fell on to his forehead. He removed the arm on his eyes, and smiled drowsily.

"I am so tired Bani! I haven't slept in ages." He mumbled thickly. She covered him with a throw after putting his legs on the sofa. Just when she was about to leave, his hand snaked to pull her on top of him. Before she escaped, he folded her in arms, setting her head on his chest and went back to sleep immediately. She lay there, without moving a muscle. His solid heartbeat under her cheek eventually lulled her to sleep. He woke up with a sore arm, when he tried to get up, he couldn't move. He could see the top of her head and he stopped moving. He felt the softness of her cheek on his rough Egyptian cotton shirt and the rhythm of his breathing changed, becoming constricted. The fresh Jessamine smell of shampoo on her hair assaulted his senses. His body was reacting like it never did for the last five and a half years.

His discomfort transferred to her and she moved, lifting up her head and staring disoriented into his eyes. He didn't know whether he lifted his head or she bent her head, the end result was that their lips locked, hers soft, his warm…they explored the texture, the shape as if it was their first kiss. His lips opened warmly over hers; angling her head, tunneling his fingers through the thick, black hair. Her hands clutched his shirt as if her life depended on him.


He brushed his lips over and over against hers, gentle first, hardening and lengthening the kiss later until their lungs were almost bursting with lack of air. They were frantic to rip their clothes from each other, Jai scrambled from the sofa, with her in his lap, pulling over her kurta over her head, revealing her upper body to his hungry gaze. His eyes bore through the flimsy covering, and he slowly bent to touch his mouth to her stomach, his open mouth dragging on the curve of her waist, circling her navel, nipping her lower stomach until she screamed in delight. His arms reached up and unhooked her bra, spilling her perfectly rounded b***sts to his passion filled eyes. He touched them with awe, kissing each of them reverently, circling the dusky nubs with his thumb pads. She squirmed restlessly, her fingers slipping under his shirt, in her carelessness, ripping the buttons in a frantic effort to feel his naked flesh under her fingers. When he shrugged off his shirt and their torsos met, flesh against flesh they sighed involuntarily. She didn't care about his belt buckle digging into her stomach, but as if he was aware, he pushed her away to unbuckle the belt and pulled it away with impatience. Even that was not enough for them, he pushed her from his lap, getting up from the sofa and carrying her in the direction of the bedroom. He placed her gently on the bed, looking around and admiring the simplicity. She looked utterly beautiful, ethereal, her translucent skin glowing in the soft light.

"Are you sure about this Bani?" his question threw her off. She blinked her tears rapidly, and tried to get up from the bed.

"Bani, I love you, with all my heart, with every ounce of my being, but I hurt you terribly. I distrusted you, I made you sad, I left you all alone to raise our child and most of all I tried to take revenge on you. But I can't live one more night away from you. You see, I want to lie down next to you, wake up to feel your warm breath on me, to feel the your soft hair brush against my cheek, to kiss you senseless with passion." A single tear slipped down his cheek and fell on her chest, traveling down.

"I have never claimed to be Ram, I may have sent you away like he did sita mayi, but I don't have his qualities. If you want me to shout at the top of lungs, that I wronged you, I will…I will grovel in front of you, please don't send me away, Bani…mujhe aur bardasht nahi hogi!" he knelt on the floor next to the bed, his face contorted in agony.

"Shhhhh!" she scrambled from the bed to kneel in front of him. She pushed him back so he sat down against the bed, and flicked the tears away from his cheeks. Then she leaned and kissed him softly, first on his forehead, then on his right cheek, then on his left cheek. He remembered the first night when he had done that, his lips quivered as he closed his eyes, his breath coming in spurts. She kissed his eyelids, one eye at a time and then she finally reached his lips, kissing them softly, tracing his mouth her tongue and left it to nuzzle his neck, and licked the hardened nubs on his chest. He stiffened, clutching her head against him and holding tightly.

"If you are not Ram, then I am not Sita either, right? May be you can convince me to forget my vow." She whispered in his ear.

"Hhhhow?" He stammered.

"The Jai Walia I used to know would never have asked that question." She smiled at him, her eyes shining like stars.

"But I am not the old Jai Walia, he was a jacka*s, he couldn't take care of his wife, he let pride rule his head, he listened to his conniving sister, he was deceived by his own relatives. I don't want to be that Jai Walia anymore" He looked like his identity was lost.

"Mr Walia, You are not the old Jai Walia, I am not the old Bani Walia. Lot of things happened in the last five years. We have grown, learnt some hard lessons." She remembered the children they lost. Then remembered the child they have now.

"It's time to write a happy ending to this novel, Mr. Walia." She pulled him by his hand and pushed him on to the bed.

"Where is Ganga?" He remembered belatedly.

"She thought her parents needed privacy, and went for a sleepover with a friend" she smiled mischievously.

He pretended to be scared, "She left me all alone with you?"

"Prepare to be ravished, Mr. Walia" She pushed him back on to the bed, joining him as his arm pulled her atop of him.

"Gladly, Mrs. Walia!"

In the morning, when Ganga came into the house with her key, she crept to her mother's room and noting her parents fast asleep under the blankets, she crept out again, giving a thumbs up sign to Maasi's picture on the wall.

+++++++++ Sukhanth ++++++++++++

Edited by *Piku* - 17 years ago
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19th Anniversary Thumbnail Rocker Thumbnail + 3
Posted: 17 years ago
#10

Entry No. 9



A slightly slurred voice crooned, "Zaara se jhoom loo me" and then she turned and looked at her companion, stumbling slightly and pouted, "You are supposed to be Shah Rukh and sing "arre na re baba na…"

Her companion held her steady and growled, "Ms Dixit, I have no desire to mimic Shah Rukh. Now pull yourself together before you make a complete idiot of yourself."

The young women pulled herself out of his grasp and teetered slightly threw him a glare and mouthed, "I don't need your help Sir, I can manage fine."

The man smirked and held up a champagne flute with the base missing, a broken champagne flute and said, "Do you know how many of these you gulped down Ms Dixit?"

"I lost count after my fourth one. And what's it to you how many I had Sir." She almost stumbled as she turned away from him, but a quick grasp of her waist by him saved her from falling to the floor.

Trying to push his hands away, she muttered, "I can manage, now let me go."

The man not letting go, "You are drunk Ms Dixit and I am going to make sure you get to your room safely."

"I know I am drunk and I threw myself at you in front of all those people, but as you kindly pointed out you don't mix business with pleasure, I think you should leave me alone."

The man held her and dragged her forward and drawled, "Ms Dixit once we reach your room, I will be most happy to dump you there and go away."

Pushing strands of hair off her face, Ms Dixit screeched, "Stop calling me Ms Dixit, it's irritating!"

"Then stop calling me Sir, the name is Jai."

"What happened to not mixing business and pleasure Sir? I am your PA, I can't call you Jai. What would the other employee think?"

Jai Walia held Bani with one hand whilst he opened the room door with the key. As soon as the door opened he pushed her inside and slammed the door shut.

He didn't bother putting the light on and peered in the darkness and pushed her towards what looked the bed. A crackling noise under his feet made him stall and he looked down. Unable to see clearly he strode towards the bed and turned on the bedside lamp.

A loud wail from Bani added to the aggravation he already felt. She was pointing at a crushed carton on the floor, "This was going to be my breakfast tomorrow. Pusky especially brought them for me, cinnamon rolls. Now you gone and put your foot in it…" Another loud wail and she started, "you completely ruined my Hot Cinnamon Rolls."

Jai Walia picked up the crushed box and threw it in the trash and then turned to her. "Get in that bed right now Bani! I have reached my limitation in dealing with you…your key is at the side and I am leaving to get back to my party."

Kicking her heels off and flinging her bag on the floor, she tottered towards the bed and turning her back to him, she said in a petulant voice, "Do you mind unzipping my dress? I can't reach."

He coughed and said in cold voice, "Bani I don't think you want me to do that."

Bani turned around and gazed at him with wide eyes. Her hand clutched her crushed Velvet dress and asked, "Why don't you want to unzip my dress?"

Jai smirked and said casually, "Because I am sure you don't want me see to you naked Bani."

"Mr Walia if office rumour mill is true than you have seen plenty of bare backs and one more will not hurt."

"Ok if you say so, "he turned her around and pulled the zipper down in one swoop and turned her around. "Now may I go?"

Clutching front of her dress, she nodded. Jai Walia walked away leaving Bani standing there with her hands clutching the front of her dress.

xxxxx

Bani stood outside staring at Walia towers through her dark sunglasses. Summoning up courage she walked through the door not daring to look at anyone. By now her performance at the annual company party had probably made round. Even thinking about it made her cheeks turn bright red.

Pushkar's incessant banging on the door had woken her up next morning. Her head was throbbing and to top it all she had climbed into bed without a stitch on. She groaned as she remembered how she had got to the room. She looked around to find something to put on and seeing only her dress on the floor, she picked it up and slipped it on and then pulled the sheet out and threw it around the shoulder to cover her bed. She opened the door to see Pushkar with a wicked grin on his face.

"How is the party girl this morning?" Pushkar came in and slammed the door. "By the way black coffee is on its way up. Thought you might need a few cups this morning."

Pushkar settled himself on her bed. Bani groaned and climbed back in bed. "Don't talk so loud Pushkar. I feel as someone is playing dhol in my head."
Pushkar laughed, "Dhol hi hai na…koi bhangra toh nahi karte na."

Bani swung her arm at him but Pushkar caught in mid air, "Bani meh mazak kar raha hoon. After last night's performance you are going to be the star of the Walia Company's gossipmongers."

Bani flinched at Pushkar' comments, "Was I really bad. All I remember is having couple of glasses of champagne and then one the girls dared me to go up to Jai and flirt with him."

Pushkar pulled out a crumpled Torn Paper Clipping from his pocket and handed it to her, "Look at this!"

Bani looked at the clipping and saw a picture of her and Jai, she had both her hands around Jai's neck and was kissing him on the cheek.

"It's a cute photo Bani. You two do make a handsome couple." The words made Bani sick, how could she have done this with the CEO of the company, her boss. Wanting to know everything, Bani asked in quivering voice, "What else happened? I want to know everything that happened, don't leave anything out."

Over cups of black coffee Pushkar recited every single detail from how she had walked up to Jai and dragged him on to dance floor…dancing seductively with him, with her hands wandering all over his back. Couple of more glasses of champagne and she had completely freaked out and had kissed Jai and that's when Jai had dragged her out of the party. What happened after that only she and Jai knew.

Now as she entered the office she felt eyes on her and quiet snickering. She quickly walked to the elevator and got in. She jabbed at floor number where her office was located. Removing her glasses she composed herself, thankful that on the executive floor there was minimum staff and mostly senior executives and of course her boss Jai Walia's office.

As elevator door opened Bani gave a furtive glance and then stepped quickly towards her office. She kept her head down as she walked and walked right into a hard muscular body, who gripped her to prevent her falling backwards. Bani looked up and seeing the one face she had hoped to avoid staring at her with amusement. "Ms Dixit, looks like the champagne is still flowing in your blood."

Red colour flooded her face and she stammered, "Sir…sir..I am sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going."
She took a peek at him and then said softly, "Sir, that night at the party…I am sorry I behaved so unprofessionally. I guess I should avoid champagne."

Jai trying hard to suppress laughter, "That's ok Ms Dixit. Looking back now it was a very interesting night. I think it's after a long time I enjoyed the annual company party."

Bani looking a little peeved, "Sir…please, could we just forget about."

Jai looking serious, "Yes Ms Dixit. There will be no more talk about the party."

When gave him a weak smile and hurried towards her office. The door to her office was open and on the desk was huge vase filled with soft peachy orange lilies. A card lay propped against the vase. She picked it up and opened it. The card simply said, "For my favourite PA." Bani picked up a lily and inhaled the exotic scent of the flower. How did Sir know that liles were here favourites? She looked at the card again and smiled, and then putting the card back in the envelope she tucked it in her desk drawer.

Bani sat down at her desk and gazed at the lilies. It was Pushkar barging in her office with "Hey Bani!" that brought her out from her trance.
"Wow! Flowers and that too your favourite. So who is the secret admirer."

The dimple on her cheeks appeared and she winked at Pushkar and said, "Keep guessing who my secret admirer is?"

Pushkar trust a carton containing her favourite cinnamon roll in it, "Can I woo for your attention with these? I know it's a paltry offering but I promise one day I will remedy it?"

Bani sniffed at the spicy smell, her stomach rumbling just at the thought of her lips licking the gooey cinnamony filling, plastered a huge smile and took the box. "Thanks Pushkar, you know how to win my heart. Just feed me these everyday."

Bani opened the box and tore a piece and shoved it in her mouth and then savoured it slowly. "Heavenly!" Pushkar leaned over and kissed her cheek, "Enjoy Bani. Now I better get a …" A clearing of throat interrupted Pushkar and he looked over to see Jai Walia standing with a bunch of files and a disapproving look on his face.

Pushkar jumped to his feet and with a rushed, "Good Morning sir," exited the room.

Jai set the files on the desk. Bani looked at him, blushed and said softly, "Thank you for the flowers."

Jai in turn looked a little embarrassed, "Its ok Bani. Figured after you got over the night you must have been felt stupid. I know I said that I wouldn't mention the party again, but Bani you did liven the party up. Usually for me it's such a mundane affair…and it was good see my PA let her hair down."

Automatically Bani's hand went to her hair and smoothed it down. Jai gave a soft laugh, pointed at he files and said, "If you can start working on this please, Ms Dixit."

She could her him chuckling as he walked away and felt a warm glow spread over her. All these years she had been working with him, she had never seen as light hearted as today.

Rest of the day flew by. No one came and bothered her or made snickering remarks. Adi the CFO had popped in as usual at lunchtime with their favourite Chinese lunch and the two of them had shared it at her desk talking none stop about everything from weather to business.

She had popped into Jai's office couple of times when he had summoned her to carry out some assignments. It was almost six when Bani closed the file she was working on. For the first time in the day she felt tired. Tidying up her desk, she picked up her purse and stood up. Just then the door opened and Tarun Sablok the Corporate lawyer walked in. He had a leery look on his face. Bani had never liked him as couple of times he had made lewd suggestions to her. He always looked at her as if standing there bare-naked.

"What do you want Mr Sablok?" Bani asked with cold voice.

"I was wondering if you could repeat your performance at the company party with me. I would mind feeling those dainty hands of yours on me Baneeeee."

Panic set in as Bani looked at his eyes, eyes crawling on her skin, tongue moving suggestively over his lips as he moved towards her.

Forcing herself to steel, Bani almost shouted, "Get out of my office Tarun before I call security."

Grabbing her arm and pulling her, Tarun sneered, "I don't think so Bani. Today there is no escaping you sl**. It's ok when the boss has his hands on you or that Pusky fellow. Well I always wanted to see your lily like skin without clothes and I am going to fulfill my little fantasy today."

Bani screamed as Tarun clutched at her kameez and yanked at it. She heard a tear and grabbed the front of her kameez with tears and terror in her eyes. As Tarun raised his arm again, a strong pull separated him from Bani and a Mighty Slap toppled him over. Pulling his cell out, Jai dialled security and told them to hurry up to his floor. He took hold of Tarun by his collar and dragged him out of the office. "You despicable piece of s***. How dare you lay your hands on my staff. You know the company policy regarding conduct towards female employees. I want to personally kick your head in. You no longer work for me and I am going to make sure no one in Mumbai will let you set foot in their offices." He shoved him at the couple of security guards and told them to hold him downstairs and call the police.

Jai returned back to Bani's office to find her huddled on the floor crying. He picked her up from the floor and sat her on the chair, tried wiping her tears and said, "Bani I have to go downstairs for a while but I will be back. Don't go anywhere from here."

Jai closed the door and called his friend Rano, who worked as a doctor. He was glad to hear her pick her phone up. He explained the situation to her and asked if she would come down and take a look at Bani.

It was had gone dark outside by the time police had arrived and taken Tarun away. Rano had also come and was upstairs with Bani. Jai looked outside the large glass windows that ran on one side of the building, the Stormy Sky gave a hint of on coming rains. He hurried to the office and found Rano comforting Bani,who had quietened down. Rano beamed a smile at him, she always had this ability to calm his fears with that smile of hers. "She is ok Jai. He didn't get to hurt her physically but she is emotionally traumatized. She shouldn't be left alone."

Jai looked thoughtful. "I can't take her back to Walia mansion as masi, dadi and Jigyasa have gone to Pune. No one's home."

Rano , "Pity masi is not here, she needs someone like masi in her state at the moment."

Jai perked up slightly, "You know what I will drive her to Pune. It shouldn't be too bad as the traffic will have died down. She can stay there for few days with masi."

Ran, "Are your sure want to do the Long Drive at Night?"

XXXXX

It took Jai less than two hours to reach their bungalow on the outskirts of Pune. The lights were still on and he expected that with dadi around, they would still be up. He had thought whilst driving whether to call masi and let her know, but had decided against it. Rano had given Bani an injection to sedate her and so she had slept all the way. He looked at her curled up on the back seat, sleeping peacefully and was filled with anger at what Tarun had done to her. Tarun had always been a womanizer and he knew it, but no one in the company had ever complained about him and Jai had always had great regards for his skills. He was one of the best lawyers in town.

Jai went and knocked on the door and masi was surprised to see Jai standing out in the darkness of the night.

"Jai beta, what a surprise! Why didn't you phone to say were coming?" Masi hugged him as he came in.

"If I had phoned to let you than it wouldn't have been a surprise now would it masi. But there is another reason why I am here."

He quickly explained the situation to masi and then went outside and gently carried Bani into the spare room. Masi tucked Bani in and then dimming the lights, she turned to Jai, "You must be tired and hungry. I will ask dadi to stay here for a while, just in case she wakes up. Come there is plenty of food left from our early dinner."

Couple of hours later, after making necessary phone calls to Adi and Pushkar, briefing them on the assault on Bani. He gave explicit instruction to Adi, to make sure nothing leaked out to the staff even though he had warned the security personnel he wanted Adi to make double sure. When he returned back to Mumbai he would issue a memo to the staff. When Jai walked into the bedroom, Bani was still asleep and masi dozing off. Jai sent masi off to bed insisting he would stay with her just to reassure her if she woke up.

It was early morning when Bani stirred in the bed. The bed felt strange and the room did not look familiar. It was when she saw Jai fast asleep in the chair, his head positioned awkwardly that she remembered what had happened at the office. She remembered getting in the car and Rano assuring her she was being taken to Pune to stay with Jai's aunt to rest. Once the car had started she had curled up and gone to sleep. But what had been blocked by sedative drug came fresh back into her mind. She lay there with fresh tears in her eyes thinking of what would have happened if Jai had not arrived when he did. The tears rolled down her cheeks and she did not bother wiping them.

The opening of the bedroom door made her go stiff. She knew Jai's aunt was here but who else lived in the house. The door creaked and masi walked up to her bed. Seeing her fearful eyes and wet cheeks, masi sat down and wiped her tears away and smiled at her and whispered. "Beta, I am Jai's masi. How are feeling?"

The gentle voice and the kind voice made Bani give her a small smile, "I am feeling fine. But Mr Walia…." And she pointed towards Jai sleeping uncomfortably. Masi understood what she was trying to say. "It's ok Bani. I will wake him up and tell him to go and sleep properly in the bed. Would like some tea? You can use the bathroom to freshen while I go and make a pot."

Bani got out of bed and walked towards the adjoining bathroom. Masi gave her towel and some fresh clothes belonging to Jigyasa. She woke Jai up and told him to go and sleep in the other room saying she will take of Bani while he got proper rest.

Over cups of hot tea and some toast Bani and masi talked quietly in the room. Masi had insisted Bani get back in bed and rest. After a long time in her life Bani felt the pangs of her mother not being alive. Her mother had passed away when she had been ten, leaving her and sister Pia to be raised by her dad. Pia was married and happily settled in USA. Her father had died about 2 years ago from heart attack leaving her alone. She missed not having a family to share birthdays, holidays and just little things that family did together. Today a perfect stranger had made her feel as if she was her daughter and shown so much care. Eventually Bani felt drowsy and masi told her to go to sleep.

Jai woke up around ten in the morning and left saying he needed to get back to sort some things out. Masi told him not to worry about Bani, she would be well taken care of by the three of them. Jigyasa had already gone shopping with dadi to buy few clothes for Bani and if they needed the doctor one of their family friend's son had a clinic about ten minutes away.

Jai reached Mumbai after lunch and quick meeting with Adi and then with senior executives before a memo went around the office regarding Tarun's dismissal. Bani's name was not mentioned in the memo and Jai made sure with his legal advisors about protecting Bani's identity should the case go to prosecution. Pushkar was worried about Bani and asked Jai when she would come back to Mumbai. At least he would like to see her and make sure she was ok. Jai told Pushkar he can accompany him when he returned to Pune at weekend.

Rest of the week flew by and Jai made his way back to Pune. Pushkar couldn't make it as his mother insisted on him accompanying with her to a wedding. Jai had teased him may be his mother had found a girl for him and wanted him to look her over. Pushkar had blushed and said he was waiting for Jai to get married before he did.

On his drive he had pondered over Pushkar's words about Jai being married first and he could not come up with a single reason why he had avoided being married already except the responsibility of running a Walia Group. The years had revolved out too fast as he worked hard to make Walia Group what it was today…one of the leading company in hospitality management.

Jigyasa and Bani were sitting on the traditional jula fixed on the front porch of the house. Jai watched transfixed as he saw Bani laughing with abandon at something that Jigyasa had said. Her pink sari pallu fluttered as the jula swayed gently. At work she always wore simple salwar kameez or pants and shirts, he had never seen her in a sari before. He was glad she looked happy.

Jigyasa sprang from the jula and ran down the steps and hugged him as he stepped out of the car. "Bhaiya I was wondering when you were going to come back. Doesn't Bani look wonderful, I had fun teaching her how to wear sari, experimenting with recipes and going for long walks."
Bani smiled shyly at Jai as she stood by the door waiting for them to come up.

There was something in his eyes that Bani did not understand as he gazed at her. "How are you Bani?" he asked gently.
"I am fine. Thank you for letting me stay here and for being away from work."

"There is no need for you to thank me. It was the least I could do. I am happy to see that you are feeling better."
Bani replied softly, "Yes, masi, dadi and Jigyasa didi have been wonderful, spoiling me rotten."

Masi and dadi were sitting watching TV as they walked in together. Masi fussed at Jai's arrival, ordering Jigyasa to go and make tea for him while he freshened up.

After a late dinner they all sat outside, enjoying the cool night air. The garden around the bungalow was nothing in comparison to the gardens back in Mumbai, but there were lots of flowers borders and planters with cascading flowers bloom and in a corner a miniature pond with water lilies.

Masi and Jigyasa loved coming here to escape the pace of Mumbai. The constant social engagements, keeping Walia house running smoothly and the constant heat made them return back to Pune often. The cottage had been in the family for more than 100 years. It was originally built by Jai' great grandfather and was built in a typical English style prevalent at that time.

After a while, Bani and Jigyasa who were both sitting on jula, there favourite spot felt drowsy and curled up on the jula and eventually fell asleep.
It was dadi who noticed the two young women had fallen asleep. "Lets go inside, the girls have fallen asleep already. Jigyasa..."

"Shhh…dadi. You go inside I will wake them up." Jai said as he got up and walked to the jula. He gently shook Jigyasa up and told her to go inside as masi and dadi had already retired to bed. As Jigyasa stood up, she tilted the jula slightly and Bani would have ended up on the floor if it had not been for Jai's quick reaction in holding Bani down before she could slide to the floor.

The pressure from Jai's hand woke Bani up and she opened her eyes up startled to see Jai's face so peering down at her. "Awake sleeping beauty…just get up slowly otherwise you will end up on the floor."

Bani sat up slowly and then looked around. Not seeing anyone around, she stood up, "I guess I should go inside too."
"You can stay if you want. I am staying put for a while."

Jai settled down again on one of the chair and pointed at the empty chair next to his. Bani sat down. They sat silently for a while and then Jai said quietly, "Bani about Tarun…"

He instinctively felt her shudder. Turning he looked at Bani's pale face, he took her hand in his and laced his fingers with hers, he squeezed his hand lightly as if trying to give her some comfort, "I have to ask you something, but it can wait till tomorrow."


Touched by his concern and the gentle feel of his hand she shook her head negatively, "No Jai, you can ask whatever you need to."

His voice was filled with concern, "It's about laying charges, the police can't hold Tarun indefinitely. So you have to decide whether you want to press charges or not."


"What do you think." she asked.

"Well this Shreela Jatin from our legal department was honest and said as Tarun did not actually physically harm you, he will probably get away with a fine for trying to rough you up. If you press charges and go to court, it can get ugly for you. We can only protect you so much. The defending lawyer will drum up all things to smear your character. Do you think you could handle that?"

The warmth in his voice was genuine and Bani experienced an odd feeling inside her. "Would you think worse of me if I don't press charges? I mean you prevented him from doing anything further."


Pushing aside strands of hair falling across her cheeks, Jai gazed at her tenderly, "Bani I can never think anything but good of you. You are beautiful, smart and a very kind person I know."

Pink colour suffused her cheeks and she tried to look away but could not. For the first time she noticed his eyes were a golden brown colour and as if her image was locked somewhere in that golden pool.

She had never thought of Jai as anything but her boss. They worked well together. He could sometimes be pushy but she handle that. Suddenly she gasped as she realized what she had said to him in the hotel room on the night of the party...she had actually accused him of bedding every single girls that he dated.

"What now Bani? Did I say something wrong." He sounded a bit disappointed.

"No! it's just that I remembered all the awful things I said to you when I was drunk."

Feeling relived Jai just dismissed the remark, "Oh I have forgotten whatever you may have said. Actually you were very cute that evening in that velvet dress and heels. It was a surprise to see you in evening dress."

Now she really felt her blood pounding through her and her heart palpitating. In an attempt to get away she stood up quickly knocking her leg into the chair leg and stumbled. She felt his arms on curl around her to stop her from falling. For a second she neither moved or said anything, Then she looked up at his face and not wanting to analyze the look he was giving her she whispered "Thank you. Good night." And rushed inside the house.

How long stood and looked at the empty spot she had left he didn't know, but something had stirred inside him..something that he had yet to find a word for.

One day in spring, a woman came
In my lonely woods,
In the lovely form of the Beloved.
Came, to give to my songs, melodies,
To give to my dreams, sweetness.(Tagore)

He dreamt that night of being lost in a surreal forest of silver trees and moonless night, chasing the sound of sweet voice singing somewhere, the voice beckoning him to find her...he did not feel scared...he did not feel cold...he felt as if he belonged in this enchanted place. When he woke Jai did not remeber the dream but he felt happy. The sunlight flooded his room and outside he could hear myriad of birds chorusing outside. The great neem tree leaves flittered in the morning breeze, the sunlight painting its hue on the tree.

Flinging on an old track pants and a t-shirt Jai set off on a long walk. Since there was no office here to run to he might as well enjoy an early morning walk. No one in the house was up yet. Masi did not get up as early here as she did when back in Mumbai. There was no one running off to work here in the morning so a leisurely morning routine was followed.

By the Jai came back from his walk, masi was doing pooja, Jigyasa and Bani were busy in the kitchen cooking, whateve they were making there was a lot of noise going on and the smell wafting out made Jai's stomach rumble. He peeked into the kitchen shouted a quick good morning and then went upstairs to shower.

They were waiting for him at the dining table when they came down. Cups of coffee and food disappeared as Jai's appetite led him to help himself to several helpings of the items. Masi suggested they go and visit The Sarasbaug temple, it would give Bani a chance to visit one of Pune's old mandir devoted to Shree Sidhivinayak. Secretly masi wanted to visit the temple and make a specail wish.

Jigyasa hadn't planned anything so she happy to go along with whatever masi wanted to do. Masi asked Jai if he was coming with them. Jai agreed saying he did not bring any work to do so he was free to join in the excursion.

Half an hour later they set off towards centre of Pune, Jai driving himself something he preferred doing. Parking the car near swargate, they alighted and walked to the mandir. It was a busy place as a lot of people visited the temple everyday to pray for good luck. Masi pulled Jigyasa with her leaving Jai to walk with Bani. At first Jigyasa did not understand why masi did what she did but then looking back and seeing Jai with Bani she realized what masi was upto.

Bani conscious of being left behind with Jai just walked along quietly listening to Jai making comments. Since last night she suddenly seemed to be aware of his mere presence causing havoc with her composure. She did not feel at all confident like her usual self. Somehow seeing the personal side of Jai had thrown he off balance.

When they reached small temple masi handed out flowers from he thali to them and they all followed her up to idol and put the flowers at the feet of the beautiful idol and prayed. Jai who did not go regularly to temple was a little lost at what to pray for, he had everything one could want in life. He silently said the first thought that came into his mind for Bani to get over the incident with Tarun.

After they completed the walk around the gardens, masi suggested they go to Laxmi Road and do some shopping and have something to eat too. Shops lines the sides of Laxmi road and it was busy with shoppers,masi liked looking at saris and they ended up following her inside one of the shops so see could browse at saris. Jigyasa too after a while started looking at some and soon both of them had the shop assistand busy pulling out and modelling saris. Couple that they liked they put them aside to decide later on. Jai looked at Bani standing patiently next to masi and said, "Don't you like looking at saris Bani?"

Bani shrugged her shoulders, "I don't wear them much and so don't need to buy any."

Masi who heard this, pulled her on a chair next to her and said to her, "I want you find one that you like, I am buying it for you and I won't take no for an answer so don't say no."

Bani protested but Jigyasa laughed and told Bani once masi makes up her mind to do something there was no way of getting out of it. Bani looked at Jai who just shrugged his shoulders. After some more prodding from masi Bani selected a light yellow sari with pink and gold border. It was soft and light, and the colour reminded Bani of soft rays of the early morning sun. Of course masi had to further embarass her by asking her to hold it against her and then asked Jai what he thought.

Jai by now getting a little suspicious of masi disinterestedly said yes to get Bani out of the situation. Figure masi to become a matchmaker now. He was going to have to watch her around him and Bani. Jai felt a mild headache developing by the time they reached home.

It started raining in the evening so they ended up cooped up inside. A light dinner was the order of Jai after they had eaten a late lunch in Pune before returning home. Jigyasa sent Bani to the small study to get Jai. Bani knocked softly on the door before entering. She found Jai engrossed in reading a book and so had to cough to get his attention. Jai shut the book and smiled at her. There were few portaits hanging on the wall and one caught Bani's eyes. The lady in the gold coloured sari sitting on the jula, it looked like the same jula outside.

Bani pointed at the old portrait and asked, "Who is that lady? It looks like the same jula as outside."

Jai looked at the portrait and said, "That's my great grandmother Savitri Uday Walia, she originally had this cottage built. And yes its the same jula, I believe she used to spend hours sitting on it."

"Jigyasa asked me tell you dinner is ready."

"Thanks." Jai followed her out the door. At dinner the talk turned to Jai's great grandmother and masi had them laughing when she related what she remembered fondly of the old lady. It was Jigyasa who said, "Jai Bhaiya you must show Bani the old love letter." She turned to Bani and said dreamily, "Its so romantic. Who would have thought that great grandpa was so romantic."

For some reason Bani blushed, the pink colour warming up her cheek,

Later at night when they had finished cleaning up and were sitting idly, Jai called out to Bani to come to the study. In the study Jai was standing near the table. He had taken the portrait down and had taken out a panel on the back. As Bani came near she saw a folded note, the paper yellowed with age, lying there. Jai lifted the paper and opened it and gently took out a crushed, red coloured rose, the rose had been carefully preserved. He handed the note to Bani to read. The elegant cursive hand writing in black ink was clear, the words a poem by Tagore.


He it is, the innermost one,
who awakens my being with his deep hidden touches.

He it is who puts his enchantment upon these eyes
and joyfully plays on the chords of my heart
in varied cadence of pleasure and pain.

He it is who weaves the web of this maya
in evanescent hues of gold and silver, blue and green,
and lets peep out through the folds his feet,
at whose touch I forget myself.

Days come and ages pass,
and it is ever he who moves my heart in many a name,
in many a guise, in many a rapture of joy and of sorrow.(Innermost One by Tagore)


Once finished reading, Bani eyes glistened with moisture. She handed the note back to Jai."Its beautiful."

Jai too seemed sentimental, "She wrote the note to my great grandfather when he was leaving to go to England to study. He in turn gave her the rose. She kept both of them carefully in a silver box by her bedside."

"They were both lucky to love each other so much. Thank you for letting me see the note." Bani turned to leave when Jai held her back, "Do you like music? I have a collection here if you want to look. I can put it on for you."

Jai pointed towards the unit holding a large collection of CDs. Bani browsed, ususally at home she always had either radio or cd player on all the time. It provided kind of companionship...the apartment didn't seem empty with the soft sound in the background. She picked up a 'Yaara'by Pankaj Udhas and noted the music was by ustad Amjad Ali Khan. She did not have this at home and so she handed it to Jai, who popped it in the player. Jai asked her sit on the couch and he picked up the book he was reading previously and sat on the chair by the desk. Bani watched Jai leaned over engrossed in the book. She did not realize how long she had been staring at him until he looked up and gave her an amused look."I didn't realize I was such a fascinating object for such a deep study."

Flustered Bani shifted her eyes down at her hand. Jai laughed softly and went back to reading his book. Bani wished she could slink out of the room but sat like statue not wishing to attract any more comments from him. After half an hour Bani felt her eyelids closing, the visit to the temple and the shopping had tired her out. She let the music lull her into gentle sleep. When the music stopped, Jai looked up to see Bani fast asleep. Jai did not want to wake her up, but had no choice as he didn't want her sleeping in the study all night.

He closed his book and gently shook Bani up and helped her up and out of the study. Bani wished him good night and went to her bedroom.

XXXXX

Sunday flew by for Jai. It was as if the day had just begun before it was night again. They didn't do anything special. Masi was tired from her trip the day before so was not in the mood to do anything but rest. Jai, Bani and Jigyasa had gone for walk after lunch. Bani asked Jai in the evening if she could return back to the office and Jai told her it was upto her. If she could handle coming back to work then she could go back with him in the morning. Masi tried to get her to stay another week, but Bani was adamant saying she needed to get back as work would pile up in her abscence. Bani was dreading returning to work but she knew she had to make an effort to face her fear. She wanted to be busy...being busy meant she did not relieve the horrible episode over and over again.

On Monday Bani walked in with Jai and was relieved to see that no one was staring at her. They took the elevator and as she went to walk towards her office, Jai stopped her, "Bani I have moved your office. The new office is next to mine. Come this way, have a look at it and tell me if you like it."

Bani gasped as she walked into the new office. The office was large and bright and the window gave the panaromic view of the Indian ocean. The walls were painted in warm chestnut colour and complimented the light teak furniture. A large vase of colourful bouquet stood on the desk. Her eyes sparkling she turned to Jai and said effervescently, "Its beautiful. Everything is just perfect." Then blushing slightly she said softly, "Thanks for the flowers too."

Jai gave a soft laugh and then turned to go, "Make yourself comfortable and I am next door if you need anything."

Pushkar flew into her office around lunch time in his usual hyper manner. Today he seemed even more exicited. He hugged Bani, asked her how she was and then blurted out, "Guess what Bani, I got engaged at weekend. You have to come and meet Laxmi...I had to cancel my plans to come and see you as mom insisted on taking me this wedding.That's where I saw her and she is bowled me over. You will like her. So when do you want to come?"

Bani kissed him on the cheek and Jai watched her hug Pushkar. The closeness that Bani shared with Pushkar kindled a feeling of jealousy in him. How could Pushkar get her to be so open with him. He realized Bani was only happy at his engagement, knowin Pushkar he knew he would want to share with her too. He had called him up late yesterday to say he had got engaged. Jai coughed to get Pushkar's attention. Holding out his hand he said, "I think congratulations are in order." Pushkar shaking his hand, "Thanks sir, you must come with Bani and meet Laxmi. How about tomorrow night?"

Jai looked at Bani, "Is that ok with you Bani? I don't have any plans."

Bani nodded, "Tomorrow will be fine. What time Phuskar and where?"

Phuskar taking his cell out, "Let me talk to Laxmi and then let you know where and when." Pushkar walked away talking to Laxmi. Jai looked at Bani, "Are going to have some lunch? I am going to order something. Would like a sandwich or anything else?"

Bani picked up a container from the side and said, "Masi packed lunch for me, so I am ok. But thank you for asking."

Pushkar confirmed dinner next day for 7PM. He told Bani if she needs a ride to late him know, he will come and pick her up. Jai also offered to pick her up next evening, saying it would be nice to go together.

Next evening Bani decided to wear the yellow sari gifted by masi. She liked how the colour suited her skin and its was nice and light. Adding matching bangles and jewellery completed the outfit. She looked at herself in the mirror and for the first time wondered if Jai would like her in this sari. In the shop he didn't pay much attection when masi asked his opinion about the sari.

Jai was thought Bani looked like a ray of sunshine in the yellow sari but did not have the guts to compliment her. Pushkar on the other hand, twirled her around and said she looked a fresh daffodil in the yellow sari. Laxmi was a nice young lady, a little bit shy but very pretty. She kind of complimented Pushkar...he being an extrovert and she the introvert. Laxmi did not seem to mind Pushkar's behaviour with Bani, but Jai definitely felt like punching Pushkar when he hugged Bani and didn't let go of her straight away.

The entire evening Pushkar and Jai talked while the ladies listened. Bani liked Laxmi, she was just what Pushkar needed to bring his exuberance down. Pushkar moaned the wedding was going to be in six months time as the pandit said there was no auspicious dates for their kundlis before that time. Jai laughed and asked him why the rush and Pushkar retorted, "Wait till you find a girl to marry and then you will know what I am talking about?"

Jai looked at Bani as he said, "I am sure when that happens, the pandit will find no reason to hinder an early wedding."

Pushkar become excited, "Come on Jai lets bet who gets married first, me or you? A thousand rupees."

Jai arched his brows, "I am not looking to get married yet, so what's the point of betting."

Pushkar laughed, "So you are chickening out...you are saying you can't find a girl to marry in the next six months."

Jai, "I don't think you understood. I can find someone to marry me tomorrow. But I am not on the market to get hitched yet."

"No you are just trying to get out of taking the bet on. You don't even want to try and beat me."

Jai now really irked said irritably, "Fine then, a thousand rupees to see who gets married first."

Bani and Laxmi looked embarassed as Jai and Pushkar shook hands. Jai and Bani left soon afterwards and in the car Jai turned to Bani and said, "I think I am in a fix now."

Bani looked puzzled until it dawned on her that he was talking about the bet, "Yes you are Jai. You will have to tell masi and Jigyasa to start showing you eligible girls soon."

Jai suddenly turned serious, "What about you? Are you available?"

Bani fumbled for words, she looked at him helplessly. Jai, "Come on Bani, you must have some thoughts on marrying."

Bani said quietly, "I haven't really given it much thought. I guess may be one day I would like to get married."

"Would you consider an offer of marriage from me. We have known each other since you started working for me. You know some of my family now. And I am considered to be a good catch. I like you and I think you like me."

"But you don't love me." Bani finished off.
Jai stopped the car at the side of the road, "Do you really believe you have to love someone to get married. My grandmothermother, grandmother and mother all had arranged marriages and they worked out fine."

Bani smiled and said, "Yes and love must have played a great part in their relationship. The note from your greatgrandmother is a proof that love was important to them too."

Jai gazed at her intensely, "Will you think about my offer?"

If it was light Jai would have noticed Bani's face had turned bright red and so in the cover of the night Bani ended the topic by simply saying, "I will think about it. Can we go now?"

Sleep did not come easily to Jai or Bani. Jai wondering what on earth possed him to ask Bani to marry him and Bani tossed around restlessly trying to figure outwhat Jai had said about arranged marriages, him liking her and his faith in his ancestors marriages.

It was awkward at work next day, Bani was so concious of Jai in the office next to hers. Beside a light good morning Jai behaved as if nothing had occurred. The nervousness made her make mistakes in her work, ignore the ringing of phones and at times couple of her colleagues had to shake her to get her attention.

Jai had dicreetly watched getting frustrated with work, day dreaming and sometimes just plain adorable way she shrugged at herself whilst working.

Pushkar walked into Bani's office to find her staring at the back of Jai Walia as he talked on the cell phone. She did not even notice him entering and sitting down opposite her. "So what is so interesting about Jai sir's back Bani?" His loud chuckle brought her out of the day dream. She blushed as Pushkar arched his brows. "Since when have you taken up ogling at the boss? I thought you were immune to his charms."

Bani threw him a glare, "Pushkar stop it. I wasn't ogling at him. Just thinking about work that's all."

"From here it definitely was an ogle session at the boss. Interested in him? You heard him yesterday, he is looking to get married."

Bani smacked his hand with the file, "Stop it! Don't have anything else to do beside coming here and bothering me."

"Fine I am leaving but watch yourself." Pushkar left quickly before she had a chance to retort back.
At five o'clock Jai popped his head in, "Be ready in half an hour, we will go and have dinner."

"Dinner! Isn't it too early and why are we going out to dinner?"

"By the time we get to the restaurant it will be six and that is not too early to eat. And as for why, well I have a mission to accomplish."

Now getting suspecious, "A mission!"

Jai smirked, "Yes, I have a serious deadline to meet."

"And what has meeting a deadline got to do with me. Shouldn't you be taking your manager out to dinner instead of your PA."

"Well this is not my usual line of work, so I need your help. I"ll see you in half an hour." Jai left not bothering to hear her remark.


Seated in a secluded corner in a small but ritzy restaurant, Bani peeked at Jai over the menu. He caught her and said, "What is so fascinating me or the menu?"

Bani dropped her head down and mumbled, "I can't decide what to have. Usually I like to eat daal and rice and salad."

Jai put his menu down and said, "Then that's what we will have. The chef here will cook up anything you want."

Bani closed her menu down, "You are having the same as me."

Arching his brows, "Yes, if we are to get married than I have to learn to eat the food that you like. Right?"

Eyes glinting with irk, "No. I don't non-veg and I will not learn to eat it for you. Plus I haven't agreed to the marriage yet."

With a smug look on his face, "Aha...the word yet. It implies you are thinking about it though."

Bani was at her wits end wondering how to get out the endless dinners with Jai,in reality it was only five days but she did not want to go out with him, instead she wanted to retire into her kitchen and cook her food. Next day before she went into her office, she stopped at Jai's office and told him firmly she was not available for dinner or anything that evening.

Two hours later Jai walked in and asked what she was doing in the evening to cancel the dinner. Bani replied sarcastically, she was not doing anything special, she just wanted some home cooking and time to relax in her own home. "Well in that case than make extra because I am inviting myself."

Bani spluttered, "You what...I don't want...you can't." She looked at him exasperated. Jai just grinned, "Thanks for the invite Bani." And strode off whistling, whilst Bani glared at his receding back.

Bani left for home a little early. She did not bother to tell Jai, she was still mad at him for inviting himself to dinner. A quick stop at the market to get vegetables and sundry items and then home. Once home she made herself tea and started on the task of making dinner. Once she was cooking the stress and anger left as she chopped and stirred. After several days of not touching the stove, she enjoyed making vegetable pulao, kofta curry and salad. She had bought a tub of icecream just in case. Couple of hours later,table set and kitchen clean, she went and had shower and put on a long skirt and loose top.

Seven o'clock the doorbell rang. Bani opened the door to find Jai standing holding a bunch of red roses. He gave walked in and then pulled her in before closing the door. He kissed her cheek and held the roses out to her. Bani took the flowers and walked into the kitchen with Jai following. Sniffing the air he said appreciatively, "Smells good, I can't wait to eat. The aroma is making hungry now."

"Well if you are that hungry then sit down at the table I'll just put flowers in the vase and join you."

Jai was lifting the lids of the dishes and looking when Bani walked in. She couldn't help but smile and took her sit and took the lids off and served him the food.

The evening she had dreaded in fact turned out pretty relaxing. After dinner she cleared up and made coffee for them and they watched TV, talked and drank coffee. Jai left when he saw Bani yawning realizing it was quiet late. Bani curled up on the sofa after Jai left and fell into sleep thinking about the evening and Jai.

Jai did not ask Bani out to dinner again. He found himself instead jotting down on a piece of paper...he liked the quiet homecooked meal with Bani...he like how they had sat together watched TV, talked and joked. He liked how she laughed...how she would arch her brow at some comment he made...the unexplainable feeling he felt just seeing her. Next few days neither made any attempts to spend much time together but both of them spent a great deal of time sneaking looks at each other. Jai in particular found it difficult to be in the office next door to her and worked from home couple of days. He didn't know how long he could keep himself in control when all he wanted to do was walk into her office, grab her and kiss her senseless.

Bani spent her day staring at the empty chair in Jai's office. He had sent her a note to say he was going to be in office for two days and would be working from home. The temptation to pick up the phone and call him nagged at her while she was at the office. At home she took out her frustration by going into a frenzy of scrubbing and cleaning her small home even though the floors sparkled and cupboards gleamed.


Saturday Jai could not stand being away from her and drove to her place. He rang the bell and waited for Bani to open the door. A flushed Bani opend the door and looked surprised to see him. Jai stepped past her and waited her for her to close the door. Bani had been cleaning and was wearing cotton salwar kameez and even though her hair was tied back, some of it had escaped and framed her face. Before she could say anything Jai pulled her in his arms and kissed her, he lifted his face slightly and whispered, "I think you've cast a spell on me Bani. Do you know how much I wanted to kiss you?"

Bani shook her head and found Jai instead of moving away kissed her again. She her self found kissing him back as if it was the most natural thing to do. When he finally stopped he picked her up in his arms and sat down with her on the sofa. "Marry me Bani. Say yes before I go crazy."

Bani eyes gazed at him mischiviously , "Are you trying to win the bet you made with Pushkar?"

"No! No I don't care about the bet. You know I didn't want to bet. I just didn't know what I was getting myself into. I think I am in love with you Bani."

"You think?" Bani asked.

Jai sighed, gazed at her with adulation and said, "No! I mean I have fallen in love with you."

Bani wrapped her arms around his neck and giggled, "So when do we get married?"

"Right now, we can drive down to Pune and get masi to take us to mandir and get us married."

Bani pushed away, "No way, I want a traditional wedding, with haldi,sangeet and mehndi followed by the wedding."

Jai pushed her up, "Fine, we will talk with masi and let her sort it out. Now get ready we are driving down to Pune."

Masi and Jigyasa were elated and soon launched themselves into a whirlwind of activity to plan this weddinga at the earliest possbile date. As Jigyasa said, she was not going to leave any chance in Jai changing his mind. Finally she was going to get a bhabhi for herself and a mami for her children. Pushkar whooped and danced when they broke the news to him, teasing both of them mercilessly, especially Jai asking him why he couldn't wait now to get married.

XXXXX

Jai and Bani sat in the back seat of the car, finally able to relax after an exhausting week and even more exhausting day. They just sat quietly holding each others hand as the car the sped on the highway to Pune. Instead of going elsewhere for their honeymoon, Bani wanted to stay at the cottage in Pune. Jigyasa had secretly arranged to have the place decorated for when they arrived at night. As Jai carried her over the threshold, both of them gazed at the room, burning candles filled the room with dim glow, fresh flowers arrangements stood in places and the scent filled the air. Even the cd player was on and some romantic melody drifted in the air.

Jai set Bani down and looked at her with laugher in his eyes, "I guess this is Jigyasa's doing. Very romantic!"

All of a sudden Bani became tongue tied and she felt her stomach crawling with nerves. Jai gaze turned soft...she was looking at him with trepidation in her eyes. He took her hand and gently walked her over to the sofa and sat her down and then taking a folded note, he knelt in front of her and said, "I wrote this for you. I can't find words for all that I want to tell you but I hope what I feel for you will be said by these words."


dekha dil ke aaina mei
ek ajnabee chehra
milne ke tanhai mei
chal gaye din aur rate
par na mila woh ajnabee chehra
kyunki woh ajnabee thi mera samne
par meine khoja raha useko
kissi aur jagah pe kissi aur disha pe
ek din woh takkarahi mere dil se
tab mil gayi mujhe ajnabee meri


When he finishe reading he stared at her, her eyes glistened with tears and a cute smile formed on her lips..she looked adorable. Bani took the note from him and gazed at it and then she turned and picked out a single red rose from the flower arrangement, leaned over and brushed her lips gently to his and gave him the rose whispering, "I love you Mr Walia."

THE END

Edited by sangitadas - 17 years ago

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