KS Autumn FF& Sigi Contest Last Day Vote - Page 2

Entry No. 10

Chapter1

Kolkata , November1999

Two open jeeps screeched to a halt outside the Caf Coffee Day outlet on Ballygunge Circular Road. It was 11 at night and the shop staff were getting ready to down shutters. Seeing the gaggle of youngsters, the outlet manager gestured to his staff to delay the shutting. The disgruntled employees watched with tired eyes as the obviously affluent, rowdy group swaggered in and began placing their orders. There were three young men, and by their style of dressing and the flourishing of branded accessories it was obvious that these were the scions of families from the higher echelons of Kolkata society. The boys were accompanied by three pretty girls, all of whom looked too young to be out so late. But in the course of their work, the servers had seen it all, so they watched with exaggerated disinterest as the girls went from one lap to another. "Youngsters nowadays , I tell you!! Its all a case of too much too soon", the coffee maker muttered sotto voce to his assistant, waiting patiently behind with cups and saucers.

One of the boys seemed to be the ringleader of the group, with all the others deferring to him and laughing at all his jokes. He was devastatingly good looking, well built and had a careless confidence that sat well on his youthful shoulders. All the girls were fluttering their eyelashes at him, vying for his attention and he straddled his chair with a seemingly casual acceptance of their attention and his own charismatic appeal. As he laughed and flirted, one of the attendants asked the coffee shop manager who he was." Oh that's Jai Walia, son of the prominent Walia Industries owner, Uday Walia, the Man accredited with the Industrial Renaissance of Bengal, he's a regular here, but changes girlfriends more often than he changes his clothes, a real Casanova.".

The doorbell pinged announcing yet another arrival. A little podgy boy bounded in asking if it was too late for him to order a sizzling brownie with a double scoop of vanilla ice cream." Well as you can see we're still serving" said the resigned attendant.

"Yeah, lemme go get Dids" and he stuck his head out of the door and shouted " Come on in". Coming back he perched happily on a high barstool drumming his fingers on the table, licking his lips in anticipation. The door pinged again as a young woman walked in. Dressed simply in blue denim cut offs and a white tee, she immediately attracted attention. Long blue black hair was pulled back in a French braid, accentuating the graceful sweep of her neck. She was tall with the confident gait of a sportsperson, but it was her face which was arresting. No one feature was particularly special, yet the total effect of grey eyes, rosy lips framed by the profusion of tendrils escaping the confines of her braid, was breathtaking. Hers was not a conventional beauty, yet there was something that made it hard to tear oneself away from looking at her. She loped in with the grace of a gazelle and perched daintily on a stool opposite the little podgy boy.

For an instant there was a lull in the racket emanating from the other occupied table, which was broken by a shrill high pitched giggle from one of the girls. The little boy and his sister were soon quite engrossed in slurping up the rapidly melting dessert before them, interspersed by animated bursts of chatter from the little fellow. But one pair of eyes was looking at the"Dids" with a predatory gleam. His friends recognizing the familiar look began sniggering. It was obvious that the lady killer was going to make a move. With a swift practiced gesture, Jai pushed himself away from his previous indolent stance and moved towards the table where the twosome were sharing their dessert with unabashed glee. The young boy became aware of him at first and nudged his sister. She turned around and grey eyes met with coal black. For an infinitesimal moment it seemed to the two of them as though the world had shifted on its axis. A raucous laugh roused them both back to reality. Jai reached his long arm around her, just lightly brushing his muscled forearm against her back, picking up a few paper napkins from the dispenser on the table. With it he gently dabbed at her nose, wiping off her vanilla moustache. Looking into her wary eyes, he whispered " I'm jealous of the ice cream. By the way the name is Walia, Jai Walia". The girl looked bemused when a truculent voice piped up " We're not supposed to talk to strangers". Jai turned around to see a pint sized protector glowering at him. "But I'm no stranger, I just told you my name. Which means now you know me. In fact since I don't know your names you are the strangers".

" I'm Kunal and this is .."

" That's enough, we need to leave now", the girl spoke up in a voice that brooked no resistance.

Jai moved close enough for her to feel the heat emanating from him and drawled softly with a wicked grin " Chicken!!"

The girl's eyes flashed her ire but she chose to ignore his leading comment shunting her brother towards the door. Jai turned to go but saw something white flutter to the floor out of the corner of his eye. It was one of the napkins from the dispenser and on it was boldly written with red lipstick ' Catch Me If You Can'. Stunned he looked up to see her exiting the coffee bar and just as the door was swinging shut, she popped her head back in and gave him a barely perceptible wink. For a second Jai stood immobilized as his friends who did not witness this intriguing by play, roared with laughter at his loss of face, hooting " What happened, Walia losing your touch". But they were shocked into silence when Jai with a war whoop jumped over the chairs and raced out of the bar. They were left looking astounded as they looked out through the plate glass faade to see Jai reversing his four wheel drive and racing off. " Where did Jai go, I thought he was going to dance with me at Venom( a popular nightclub in Kolkata)", whined one of the girls. One of Jai's friends put his arm around her and said " Darling you'll have to make do with me for the time being".

Jai drove fast but with perfect control following the winking red taillights of the girl's car a little ahead of him He didn't know what game the girl was playing, but his hunting instincts were aroused and he was intrigued to see where it was going. " She drives really well." he thought . Like most men Jai's opinion of the driving skills of the female of the species was low and that was putting it politely. But the girl adroitly negotiated bends and turns and Jai was hard pressed keeping up with her. It was a long drive at night and Jai was finally thinking of giving up the chase when he saw the scrolled gates of the posh Alipore Residency open and the girl's car roar up the drive. He slowed his car to a halt and watched the gates close behind her car. " Godammit", he yelled and slammed his hand against the steering wheel in frustration.

Chapter 2

It was a beautiful afternoon at the manicured lawns of the Tollygunge Club. Built by the British, it was modelled on the lines of the typical British country club. Membership was for the privileged and the club prided itself on the exclusivity of its member list. Offering a full 18 hole golf gourse, a golf driving range, squash, tennis, horseriding and swimming along with a plethora of other facilities, being a member of Tollygunge Club meant you had arrived on the social circuit of Kolkata. At the riding ring a brown stallion was being taken through its paces over the double and triple bars by Jai, while a group of onlookers, mostly girls, oohed and aahed over every flawless jump and turn. Finishing his practice session, Jai cantered back to the stables, moving fluidly so much so that it seemed as though the man was one with the horse. Aware of the picture he presented to his awestruck audience, Jai slid off the horse and handed it over to the groom for its rub down, After a few words with the riding instructor about the upcoming equestrian inter club meet . Jai left the stables pausing only to remove his hard helmet and wiping the sweat that had collected on his forehead. Though it was slowly moving towards winter in Calcutta, the weather was still unnaturally warm during the day.

Thinking about a leisurely swim Jai strode towards the swimming pool where he knew the rest of his gang of friends would be waiting. Briefly he paused at the tennis courts to watch a girl in brief white tennis shorts smash an expert serve across the net to a hapless instructor. He screwed up his eyes against the sun which was shining into his eyes because something about her gait seemed a little familiar. He watched her lithe body dance about the court for a couple of seconds more before the trickle of sweat reminded him of the cool beer he'd intended to have as well as his swim.

After meeting with his friends, Raghav and Boney, Jai took a long swig of his beer holding the cool bottle to his sweaty forehead. Suddenly a pair of arms draped themselves around him and a breathless voice whispered in his ear " Is horse riding the only kind of riding you like?". Jai turned and pulled the girl behind him into his lap. " Hi Tina. Don't ever creep up on me like that." Bestowing a casual kiss on her pouting lips Jai whispered " I'm a fantastic riding coach and over this weekend I'll give you a demo". Pretending to be affronted Tina was struggling to climb off his lap when she heard Jai draw his breath in sharply. She turned to see Jai staring at a girl wearing tennis clothes entering the pool changing rooms. All but heaving Tina off his lap, Jai set his bottle of beer down and drawled ' Sorry guys, need to cool down" And left in the direction of the men's changing rooms.

"What on earth happened?? Jai is either blowing hot or cold" exclaimed Tina in a huff.

" Actually he's seen someone " said Raghav with a knowing wink. Tina's face turned hard as she realized what they were talking about.

In the Ladies Changing room, the girl Jai had pursued home unsuccessfully, was tucking her hair into a swimming cap. Clad in a simple black costume she looked the epitome of toned youth and classic good looks. 'Bani, beta, how is your Mother?" She turned to see one of her mother's golfing friends Tara Halwasiya, bearing down upon her. Forced to stand and make small talk, Bani was getting increasingly impatient after her lengthy tennis session to hit the waters of the pool. After a few minutes of desultory chatting, thankfully another of Tara Aunty's friends entered the changing room and Bani gratefully made her escape. Pushing the swing doors open Bani paused for a second on the edge of the pool before executing a graceful shallow dive into the refreshing blueness. Her arms moved expertly as she cut through the waters with the practiced ease of a confident swimmer. As she came to the wall under the diving board at the deep end of the pool which was relatively less crowded than the shallow side Bani stopped for a breather. Closing her eyes she leaned her head against the wall regulating her breathing when she felt a warm body and a pair of muscular smoothly tanned arms surround her. She gave a small squeak but the person had her pinned to the wall and Bani was unable to push him away. She was shocked into an electrifying awareness of a hair roughened chest touching her bare back for the first time and a tingle of a hitherto unnamed feeling jolted her into instant awareness.

" Caught you", whispered a strangely familiar voice and Bani pushed herself away with a strong shove only to find herself facing her assailant . It was the guy from the coffee shop and immediate recognition flared in her eyes. " You didn't tell me your name and made me chase you all across town the other day." Jai rasped into her ear enjoying the feel of her lush young curves pressed up against his masculine angularity. Wide grey eyes looked into his and for a few brief minutes all the sounds of the splashing youngsters in the pool faded away. It seemed as though the two of them were totally alone, feeling the warmth of each other's breath for the first time. "..ni", Jai heard a shy voice reply.

" What?? I didn't get that?" Jai looked perplexed..

" Bani" she said and this time Jai heard her name loud and clear. " Perfect…. like the chime of a bell", Jai said, surprised at his own sudden poetic streak." Well now that you've caught me, what do you plan to do?" asked Bani in a very soft voice. " There are so many possibilities…." and Jai's voice trailed off as he tugged her even closer. With just the barrier of their swimsuits covering them both Bani and Jai were achingly aware of their physical proximity and Bani was rendered immobile, in the grip of a fascination with this guy with lazy eyes that looked at her as though she were the only female on his planet. " JAIIII', yelled out a shrill feminine voice and broke the spell that had woven itself around the two of them.

Bani seemed to jerk herself out of her trance and was roughly brought back to the present by the loud shouting of the youngsters playing Marco Polo in the pool. With a hefty shove she pushed Jai away and swam briskly away from him, getting out at the changing room entrance. As she shrugged into a toweling robe she glanced back briefly at Jai and even through the distance their gazes connected and held for an instant. Then she pushed open the door and disappeared from sight.

" Bani, Bani, Bani…" mused Jai to himself. " I like the name" as he pulled himself out of the water and began rubbing at the droplets of water traversing their way across his chest. " Whose Bani, now?" asked a visibly irritated Tina, who'd been waiting impatiently for Jai. " Yaar, samjha kar, she's the flavour of the month" and Jai's friends began hooting with laughter.

" But Jai its New Year's next month and you promised that you would bring me to the club dance this year," said Tina.

" My dear Tina" said Boney, " New Year's is a month away and we are speaking of the Jai Walia who changes girls every week. So don't worry, it'll all be over by then. Isn't that so Jai?" and Boney turned Tina to face Jai winking suggestively at him.

Jai looked at his friends with a lazy smile and said "New Year's is too much time, how about till Christmas?"

" For what?' chorused the boys in tandem. Jai slung his towel over his shoulder and gulped down the rest of his half finished beer grimacing at its warmth. He walked two steps and looked back at their agog faces and said" You know what, do I need to spell it out!" and with a salute walked to the mens.

Tweaking his earring Boney said " Some guys have all the luck."

Raghav promptly opened a bottle of beer and handing it to Boney said " Chal chor na, yeh toh hamesha hota rehta hain. Lets begin our usual game of betting to see how fast the score is made, I bet 5000 bucks, that Jai will finish the job by Christmas Eve as he said."

" Nahi yaar, last timeI lost my 5000, giving him too much time. This is November right, chal will give him till 15^th December. After all Jai is a fast mover" said Boney.

" Done" and both the boys glugged down the rest of the bottle of beer to seal the deal.

" You guys are the pits , but sometimes I do feel sorry for Jai's conquests", sniggered Tina.

" Tina, you and sorry" and both the boys began laughing uproariously as Tina watched them with a speculative smirk on her face.

Chapter Three

The next few days passed in a flurry of activity for Jai and Bani. Once he homed in on the girl of his choice, Jai left no stone unturned to woo her and woo Bani he did in style. She was naturally reserved and had led a protected life and Jai was the first boy she had allowed past her guard. There was something about him that felt so right and whenever Bani was with him it was she felt so cherished and cosseted. Jai was mindful of her every whim making her feel like a princess and all this was quite heady for the young girl unschooled in the ways of men. To his surprise Jai unwittingly began to really enjoy Bani's company. Her wide eyed innocence, her naivete when it came to the man woman equation, her unabashed enjoyment of simple pleasures, all of this was like a breath of fresh air for the Jai Walia who was glutted with women throwing themselves at him. His jaded world view was washed clean by the simplicity and purity of Bani's vision of life.

After the encounter at the swimming pool Jai found out that Bani was a daily tennis player from the tennis court ballboys. A few tenners enabled him to find out her timings and thereafter whenever Bani came off court after her practice session, she found Jai lounging indolently against the wall waiting for her. The shared coffees soon stretched into long conversations and to his surprise Jai found out that Bani was an eclectic reader who was abreast of current events. Their conversations ranged from music to films, books to sports and once Jai even found himself explaining the workings of the share market to her. She was bright and beautiful, totally unimpressed by his wealth or social stature and Jai found her enchanting. Yet inspite of all the time spent together, Bani was very shy and did not allow Jai to go any further than a light peck on the cheek. And for once Jai did not get impatient. He was aware that Bani's father Rajaram Dixit was a renowned painter who not only had social standing but immense wealth as well and that Bani his only daughter was the protected apple of her father's eye. But Rajaram was known to be a possessive father and one with a violent temper as well, and Bani inspite of loving her father was afraid of him. Their meetings were clandestine and the secrecy added to their urgency to meet each other daily. It became so intense that a day without talking to Bani became the day when Jai was a grouch. They held hands, they talked endlessly and the days flew by.It seemed as though the two of them were encapsulated in a shining bubble which shut out the rest of the world.

" Hello" Bani spoke in a groggy voice. She turned around and scrunched up her face trying to read her watch dial in her semi darkened bedroom. It was 4:30 a.m. She looked back at her phone to see Jai's name flashing. She sat up with a start. It was an unearthly hour by his standards ' What's happened, Jai is everything okay, are you unwell, are your parents fine…"

" Whoa, hold on" Jai's baritone interrupted her barrage of questions." Nothing is wrong. Its just that I've been up all night unable to sleep"

" I knew it" burst out Bani," all that working out is not good for the system".

" It's not the workout. Its you" said Jai.

" Me?? What did I do? I did meet you yesterday, didn't I and today I'll see you after tennis as well" replied a perplexed Bani.

" Bani, tennis is in the afternoon and I haven't slept all night thinking of you. I need to see you right now"

" Now Jai, but its so early in the morning what will I tell them at home?"

" I don't care, tell them a friend has an emergency, tell them you've got an assignment on Kolkata at Dawn, tell them you have an uncontrollable urge to jog, tell them anything but I'm coming to pick you up in 15 minutes outside your house with a surprise gift, and if I don't see you I'm coming in."

" Jai, wait, Jai you can't.." the burr of the dialtone told Bani that her imperious boyfriend had hung up on her. Muttering under her breath Bani changed out of her nightdress into a well worn tracksuit. She popped her head out of her bedroom door to see the Dixit house shrouded in slumber. Leaving a hastily scribbled chit propped on the sideboard that said "Gone for a jog" Bani quietly let herself out of the door. It was still not quite light and the first pink streaks of dawn were just spreading across the sky. Even the sleepy watchman at the gate of the posh condominium complex was surprised to see the young girl up so early. Bani jogged down the drive and turned onto the main road. There was no sign of Jai. " God I don't believe he woke me up and didn't get here" she huffed ," Oh well since I'm up might as well jog a bit" With quick sprightly steps Bani began jogging enjoying the feel of the cool early morning breeze blowing on her face. Suddenly she heard the hum of a powerful engine behind her. Turning she saw Jai's black Pajero practically glued to her bottom. " Jai!!" She squeaked " When did you come, I didn't see you when I came out"

" You wouldn't have seen me coz I was behind you. Besides the view was so fascinating I couldn't tear my eyes away"

" View, what view…." Bani's voice trailed away and she ducked her face and blushed as Jai's meaning got through to her.

Jai laughed and gently put his hand under her chin raising her face to look into her eyes deeply. " Bani don't feel shy, you are so beautiful, I can spend hours just looking at you"

At that Bani blushed even more as Jai chuckled and engaged gears.

" Where are we going and where's my surprise?" asked Bani

" We're just driving around and your surprise is right here" and Jai pulled out a warm brown paper bag from beside him. A heavenly aroma wafted from it and Bani squealed in childish delight as she reached in " Hot cinnamon rolls, Jai you are an angel"

" Well I've been called many things before, but angel is not one of them" said Jai looking indulgently at Bani who was wolfing down her first roll. He reached out and gently brushed off a dab of powdered sugar smeared across her nose before carrying the finger to his mouth and sucking off the sugar. The merriment faded away from Bani's eyes to be replaced by a new and disturbing awareness. She lowered her lashes but was not quick enough to avoid Jai's discerning look which realized the moment Bani became aware of the fact that she was alone with him , cocooned in the luxury of his car with tinted glass windows keeping prying eyes out. In all their previous meetings, Jai and Bani had always been surrounded by lots of other people, this was the first time they were completely alone. Jai gently tucked the hair that had escaped her braid behind her ears. To fill in the lull in the conversation Bani held out the bag of rolls to Jai but Jai slowly shook his head. Wide eyed Bani watched Jai curve a hand behind her neck to bring her close to him. Like a doe caught wide eyed in the glare of headlights Bani looked at Jai with a curious blend of desire and bashfulness in her eyes as he gently lowered his lips on hers. It was her first kiss and strangely enough Jai felt as though it was the first time he had ever kissed a girl.

A veteran of many torrid smooches, Jai was nonetheless caught totally off guard by the feeling of bliss kissing Bani. Her eyes closed as she sighed and gently brought up trembling hands to cup his face. It was a long and leisurely exploration as Jai gently led the way showing an untutored Bani the pleasures of her first kiss. He nibbled at her lips outlining their rosy contours with his warm tongue and as Bani gasped at the strange feeling Jai began kissing her in earnest. Both of them were lost in a world of their own where no one existed but each other. Bani threaded her hands through his hair as Jai groaned with the effort to keep his unbridled passion in check. Again and again Jai slanted his lips against hers , pulling her tightly into his embrace. It seemed as though the two of them were melded into a single entity. A persistent buzzing rudely jolted both of them out of the sensual haze and Bani realized her mobile was ringing. Seeing 'Papa" flashing she pushed Jai frantically away, almost as though her father was physically present. " Yes Papa" Bani said " Well I was out jogging…. Okay I'm heading back"

" Jai I have to go back , Papa was upset to wake up and not see me" Bani said biting her lip.

" Bani I wish we didn't have to sneak around like thieves, why can't you tell your Papa about us?"

" Jai you don't know him… he goes ballistic with regard to me. Anyway lets go home now" Bano quickly straightened her clothes that had become twisted due to Jai's questing hands, patting her hair into place." Do I look alright?" She asked Jai with a worried look.

" Bani you always look great but we do have unfinished business" Jai said with a meaningful look at her.

" Jai about what happened…." Bani was shushed by Jai's finger on her lips.

" Bani it was meant to happen and I don't regret it one bit. Do you??" Jai asked..

" No of course not, but…."

" That's enough for now Bani, we'll meet later today".

Jai parked a little way away from her complex to keep the watchman from seeing Bani alight from his car. As she turned to leave, Jai reached out and dropped a quick kiss on her parted lips. Touching her fingers to her lips Bani asked him" What was that for??"

" You are mine Bani. I was just staking my claim, now go or I'll drive off with you"

At that Bani quickly hopped out of the car and waved her hand at him. As Jai drove off Bani looked with wondrous eyes at the world around her. It was the same familiar environs she'd seen a couple of hours back but now everything seemed imbued with brighter colours, defined by sharper outlines. A bubble of happiness seemed to well up in Bani and she was hard put not to keep grinning like a fool. Was this love, a hitherto alien feeling, but one that seemed so uplifting. Bani wanted to scream at the top of her voice, she wanted to dance like a whirling dervish, she wanted to sing , she wanted to hug total strangers, she wanted to weep at the profundity of the emotion. Jai occupied all her thoughts and she wanted to spend all her waking moments with him. Was it the kiss that had propelled her into womanhood, or was the kiss simply a catalyst rousing her to the truth of an emotion that she had kept buried within her. Bani didn't know and she simply didn't care. She hugged the newness of her discovery to herself as she walked in a bemused daze up her drive. Her phone buzzed again and Bani smiled to see 'Jai' flashing.

" Thinking of me?? Coz I'm thinking of you" Jai whispered in her ear.

" Jai you just left" Bani reminded him.

" I miss you already" Jai growled

" Jai I think.." Bani whispered

" What??" Jai asked with an air of expectancy.

" Jai I'm in love with you" and Bani quickly switched off her phone not giving him the chance to react.

In his car Jai dialed his friend Boney. " Kya yaar Jai itni subah subah" Boney grumbled

" Just to tell you guys keep the money ready I'm right on schedule" Jai said with a satisfied smile playing on his lips. " Next week Miss Bani Dixit will no longer be a virginal miss.".

Chapter 4

December 12^th, Tollygunge Club.

In a balmy warmth of the Kolkata winter sunshine, Jai waited impatiently for Bani to finish playing her game of tennis. Inspite of his impatience Jai was unable to keep his eyes away from her lithe figure dashing all over the court. As she finished and came towards him Bani was for the first time surprised to see Jai scowling at her.

" What's up, why're you looking so grumpy?" quizzed Bani.

Jai did not reply and merely grabbed her hand tightly steering her towards the car park." Jai let go, I can't keep up, Jai where are we going, I can't leave Kunal alone in the club, he's gone for golfing lessons.. Jai…" But Jai just kept going till he bundled Bani into his car and getting in, without any warning hauled her into his arms and began kissing her hungrily." Jai stop, please stop…" Bani kept pushing at him ineffectually but Jai was in the throes of an uncontrollable passion that made him deaf to her pleas. Finally Bani drew back her hand and gave him a mighty slap. Dazed Jai looked at her, trembling with the force of her feelings as he realized that not only had Bani not responded, she had rebuffed him.

" What happened Bani, today morning you were so responsive and you said that you love me. I love you too and I just wanted to show you how much. Its just that it seemed as if this moment was taking forever to come and…" Jai's voice trailed away as he felt Bani's small hand rise up and caress the reddened spot on his cheek she'd caused.

" I'm sorry Jai, but I was afraid, I'm not, I mean I've never .." as she fumbled for words Jai gently wrapped his arms about her and Bani rested against his chest listening to the thundering of his heartbeat. " Jai.."

" Sshh, Bani just listen to what you do to me.." and the two of them remained like that as the lengthy shadows of a winter dusk gradually shrouded the car park.

" Jai I need to go , Kunal will be looking for me" Bani said in a voice muffled by her face being pressed into his chest.

" Bani can I ask you something?"

" Of course Jai"

" That day at the coffee bar what made you drop the chit? I mean now that I know you, it seems such a contradiction."

" Jai , you seemed the typical overconfident alpha male and I had this irresistible urge to prick your bubble of confidence" Bani replied with a saucy twinkle in her eye.

" Bani you are a minx. Can I ask you something else?"

" Jai I really need to go. Okay last one." Bani said with a resigned smile.

" Bani will you do me the honour of being my date for the pre Christmas club ball? That is the day after tomorrow"

" But Jai, Papa has never allowed me. He says I'm too young"

" Does he now? But does he know you can drive your boyfriend wild by simply a glance, a touch. Then he won't think you are too young"

Bani burst out giggling " Jai you are the dizzy limit. How on earth do you expect my Papa to know all that!! Okay I'll try to get permission but will probably have to do some serious fibbing and will have to get home in a couple of hours. Is that fine with you?"

Jai traced the bluish veins at her temple causing Bani to shiver with delight and said " Don't worry honey a couple of hours will be enough for the celebration I had in mind."

" Celebration, what celebration?" A puzzled Bani asked.

" Bani we'll be celebrating falling in love with each other, we'll be celebrating our commitment to each other"

" What are you saying Jai, I'm not sure I understand"

" Bani I'll explain everything to you two days from now and it'll be a memory that you'll cherish forever. Now scoot before Kunal sees you emerging from a stranger's car"

As Bani left, Jai thought about the clockwork precision of his modus operandi yet somehow this time he did not feel the elation that normally preceded a successful seduction. Somehow Bani's untouched innocence had managed to pierce the armor Jai had erected around his heart and this feeling of vulnerability was a new one for him. This time he didn't really want to love her and leave her, he wanted to explore more of the feelings Bani excited in him. But the die was cast, the wheels had been set in motion and all his friends were awaiting his news. The reputation of the 'lady killer' was at stake and Jai was never one to back down from a challenge.

Chapter 5

December 16^th, The Tollygunge Club Pre Christmas Ball

A long line of cars were snaking into the premises of the most happening party of the Kolkata social circuit. It was a glittering evening, complete with social activists, business magnates, film fraternity and all those Page 3 and so-desperately-wannabe-page 3 crowd thronging the Tollygunge club lawns. At the entrance a mammoth Christmas Tree set the tone for the festivities, festooned with sparkling stars, downy fake snowflakes and crowned with a shining angel. Tiny fairy lights were strung up all over the trees , harried waiters in pristine white uniforms dashed about with trays serving liquor and canaps to the gathering, and a string quartet played Christmas ditties in one corner. The giant dance floor with its revolving lights was still empty but once the throbbing beats of the latest popular numbers began to pulsate, all the youngsters hit the dance floor eager to showcase all their moves. In no time at all the party was well under way.

" Where the hell is she, I've been waiting for the last 20 minutes" grumbled a visibly irritated Jai running a finger beneath his collar to ease the unfamiliar constricted feeling. Though it was not his preferred style of dressing, there was no denying the sheer debonair sex appeal of a Jai Walia in full formal regalia complete with a pleated dress shirt and a royal blue cummerbund cinching his trim waistline. The contrast with the black of his tux combined with the smoothly gelled back hair, rugged good looks and devilish stare made Jai the cynosure of many admiring female eyes as he stood by the bottom of the typically Colonial pillared entrance with his friends.

" Maybe her female intuition has finally kicked in" bitchily giggled Tina who looked hot in her stunning strapless black gown. She was already miffed that Jai had not complimented her on her appearance and all his attention seemed to be focused on this Bani madame.

" Shut up Tina. God the grapes are really sour tonight" drawled Jai sarcastically. " Why don't you girls know when to keep your mouths shut… ah there's her car" and with a barely disguised impatience Jai moved forward to help Bani down from her car. His broad shoulders blocked the view of his friends for a minute and when he moved aside all their jaws dropped in collective disbelief. This was not the casually dressed Bani they'd always seen hanging out with Jai. This was someone who moved with the grace of a Goddess, the assurance of a celebrity and the attitude of a princess. Dressed in a strapless short blue velvet dress Bani carried off the display of creamy shoulders and long tanned legs with lan. The blue of the dress seemed to give additional depth to her grey eyes. She wore no jewellery other than a slim gold bracelet with her favourite charms dangling from it, a gift from her father on her 15^th birthday. As Jai leaned forward to brush her cheeks with his lips in greeting he whispered " You look good enough to eat. God I think there should be a law against looking so good."

" You're looking pretty nifty yourself Mr Walia" Bani said with an impish gleam in her eye.

Jai's laugh rang out as he steered Bani through the crowd.

" Jai Walia, Mr. Jai Walia, just one moment please" a young reporter stopped him.

With barely concealed impatience Jai stretched his lips in the semblance of a smile as he turned to face the barrage of cameras flashing as his photo with Bani was clicked.

" Jai, I'm supposed to be here with friends, my papa doesn't know I'm here with you, please stop, tell them to stop, ohmigod what will happen now, Jai…." Bani clutched his arm in dismay as flashbulbs popped all around them.

" Don't worry Bani, none of these people will dare to print anything without my approval."

" But Jai.."

" I said don't worry Bani" and then Jai proceeded to answer the usual questions about handling the reins of his father's business and future expansion plans.

" Mr Walia, any plans of settling down. Who's the young lady? Is she yet another conquest or a marriage prospect?" piped up a loud voice from one of the enthusiastic reporters.

Suddenly Jai turned around and thrusting his face close to that of the young reporter spoke through gritted teeth and said " Just because I allow you to ask me questions doesn't mean you pry into my personal life. Get your face and your stupid questions out of here before I break it"

The reporters backtracked hastily but not before taking a few more pictures of the handsome couple.

Jai put his arm protectively around a visibly shaken Bani and drew her to one side.

" Bani as long as you are with me you're safe"

" Why did he ask such a question Jai?"

Mentally cursing the prying reporter Jai tried to assuage Bani's fear by turning her face to him." Bani look into my eyes. What do you see? Can't you see how much I love and care about you, how much you matter to me. You choose to listen to what a dumb reporter says but not what your Jai says to you.. Bani it's only you and always you. Now shut up and let's dance" so saying Jai expertly steered Bani onto the crowded dance floor and gently encircled her with his arms.

" Feeling better?" Jai asked holding Bani tightly to him.

" I guess. Why are all of them so hateful?? Why can't they just leave us alone?"

" So you want to be alone do you?"

" Of course Jai, you know how much I hate crowds. And anyway since I have to be back by 12 o'clock, I'd much rather spend time only with you, not being jostled by people and having my toes stepped on. And you did promise a celebration"

Unable to believe his good luck, Jai signaled to his friends that they were leaving, ignoring the sniggers and knowing glances coming their way.

"Jai, where are you taking me" said a blindfolded Bani. He'd taken a golf cart and they were now trundling along the deserted golf course. " I'm feeling a bit cold" Said Bani rubbing at the goosebumps on her exposed arms.

" Just another couple of minutes Bani, then you have my word that you'll find no cause for complaint."

The mechanized hum of the golf cart stopped to be replaced by the chirruping of cicadas and the night calls of birds. Bani opened her eyes to see a roaring fire crackling before her. Next to it was spread out a bright patchwork quilt, whose jewel bright colours glowed in the flickering light of the flames. A champagne bottle rested in a cooler and there was even a wicker hamper of goodies. A sheaf of red roses was placed next to the cooler and Jai wordlessly took out a single long stemmed bloom and held it out to Bani.

" Oh my God Jai who did…. I mean when did you…" Bani's voice trailed off as she realized that Jai had gone to considerable effort to please her.

" Come Bani, let's dance" and Jai held out his hand to her in invitation,and the music began from a portable player.Overwhelmed by the plethora of emotions flooding her Bani rushed into his arms and buried her face in his broad chest. The soft strains of a Kenny G saxophone tune began as Jai and Bani swayed to the romantic strains. No conversation was needed only the shared beating of heartbeats and a quickened breathing revealed how affected both of them were by each others proximity. After some time Jai realized that Bani was sniffling. Immediately concerned he raised her face to his to see tears glistening on her eyelashes. " What happened Bani, did I do something wrong?"

"No Jai everything is just perfect. Just perfect" and Bani snuggled close to the warmth emanating from him.

" Bani have I told you how dazzling you look tonight, I'm the envy of every male here"

" Jai you are…."

" No Bani I'm dead serious, Its hard to believe that someone as beautiful as you has chosen to be with me. No Bani let me speak. Bani its no secret that I've known many girls and have had many flings, but you are so special Bani. Just saying I love you seems so inadequate , I worship you , I adore you, you've brought new meaning to my life, and Bani though I know your father thinks you are 'too young', I want to make you mine in front of the whole world. I want us to only belong to each other, now and forever. Bani…I.. Bani will you marry me?" Saying this Jai broke away from her and slipped his hand into his jacket pocket brought out a small box with the name of a renowned Kolkata jeweler emblazoned across it. He opened the box to reveal a beautiful ruby and diamond ring. " Bani this ring belonged to my mother, who left me when I was a child. It would mean a lot to me if you wear it as a symbol of our commitment to each other. Bani….?"

A single teardrop slid down Bani's cheek. She was overwhelmed at Jai's passionate declaration of love and in that instant she knew that there would never be any other for her. She knew that every girl dreamt of being swept off her feet but hadn't ever thought that her dreams would come true. Wordlessly she stretched out her left hand and Jai slipped the ring on. It was a perfect fit and sparkled in the firelight.

" Time to pop the bubbly I think" and with an ease born of practice Jai twisted off the champagne cork and poured the sparkling liquid into two flutes.

" Jai I've never drunk alcohol before" Bani said looking dubiously at the warm amber of the champagne.

" Bani you goose, even kids can have champagne. Incidentally I hope you realize that it's a momentous occasion for the two of us, you did accept my proposal of marriage. I want this to be a memory even my children will remember. So drink up" and Jai gulped down his glass.

An accustomed warmth flooded Bani's cheeks at the mention of ' children'. Though she was well aware of the method of human procreation, the thought of sharing such intimacies with Jai brought a heated rush of blood to her cheeks. She took a big gulp to hide her shyness but Jai was too quick not to have noticed. " Bani did I embarrass you? I'm sorry but you have no idea how desirable you look and I'm having a hard time keeping my hands to myself" saying this Jai dug his hands deep into his pockets and turned away from her.

" Jai… I.."

" Bani lets go"

" What but we only just got here!! And what about the hamper"

" Damn the hamper Bani, being alone with you like this is driving me mad with wanting you, Bani lets just get back to the party, or else I won't be able to hold myself in check, you're driving me crazy"

With a totally new feeling of daring Bani went to Jai wrapping her arms tightly around him, her body flush against his, feeling his aroused contours for the first time." Jai what if I said its worth the risk, just to be with you"

" Bani , don't torture me, you don't know what you are saying!!"

" Jai I'm very sure and besides, if we are going to be married then …" Bani's voice trailed off

"Oh god Bani" he said his voice nearly cracking. He scooped her up cradling her to his chest, his lips drifting across hers in a soft sweet caress. Bani wrapped her arms about him craving more of this wondrous new excitement..

" Are you sure?" Jai asked as he pulled back to look at her his eyes hooded and unreadable in the flickering firelight.

She nodded as Jai lowered her to the quilt, her hands going to his bow tie. She tugged it loose her hands then worked her way down the many buttons of his finely pleated dress shirt, anxious to feel his skin beneath her palms, the sure strength of Jai against her own body. Jai kicked off his shoes.They landed with a clunk followed by the twin sound of her heels following.Electricity filled the air, charging the space between them. His mouth on hers was hungry yet tender, his hands warm and tight on her hips.He lowered himself beside her, their two bodies fitting together as easily as two puzzle pieces. She worked his shirt out of his waistband tugging it down and off his arms, allowing herself the pleasure of running her hands along his chest, marveling at the warm hardness beneath her palm. Their mouths met, a ravenous kiss that tasted lips, tongue, every inch of each other. Jai tugged her dress up and over her body then paused, his gaze awed as it swept over her nubile perfection." I've dreamt of you, but you leave my dream far behind"

" And how did the dream end?" Bani asked breathlessly.

" Let me show you" he said leaning down trailing kisses along her neck and below. He touched all the right places, stroked at just the right pace and sent every one of her nerve endings into another stratosphere.

She ran her hands along his bare back, urging him to quench a thirst that had suddenly become unbearable. He kissed her everywhere while her palms explored his firm amazing body. Their crescendo built quickly and before Bani knew it she was crying out Jai's name in concert with him. When the sensations finally ebbed Jai rolled to the side pulling Bani into the curve of his arm as he tucked the quilt around them Bani couldn't remember feeling warmer or more secure. They lay together silently gazing at the blanket of stars far above them who had borne mute witness to their tumultuous union.

The magical spell dissipated with the buzzing of Jai's phone. It was in his discarded jacket pocket and in trying to get it out Jai accidentally pressed the loudspeaker button.

Above the loud racket of the party Boney's voice came on" Kya yaar Jai, kitna time lagta hain tereko. Ladki pati kya?? Kaam khatam hua kya?? Is the virginal miss deflowered?? Shall we pop the bubbly?" the last was said to a loud burst of laughter from a host of listeners. Jai pressed the off button but it was too late. With a completely alien feeling of dread he turned to look at Bani.

White as a sheet Bani looked back at him and Jai could literally see the shards of her broken heart crumble before him. With a soft yet firm voice Bani asked " Was this all a game Jai?"

Jai for once at a loss of words fumbled " Bani its not what you think!! I did begin as a dare but now I've realized how much you mean to me, tonight was so special, Bani please hear me out, Bani…" he stopped as he realized that for the first time in his life he was being unable to meet the eyes of someone.

" I guess you answered my question." She slipped off the ring , held it in her palm for a second and then kept it next to him. Quickly she dressed, her trembling hands the only pointer to the feeling of betrayal ripping her apart. " Jai I just have one piece of advice, the next time you choose to break a girl's heart please choose someone as heartless as you"

" Bani please listen to me I beg of you, listen…. I do love you. I know after hearing the call its hard for you to believe but Bani this time I've really fallen in love and I don't want to let you go. Bani you have to believe me."

" Why?? So that you can hurt me again?? You've got what you wanted, the 'virginal miss deflowered', so now you can cut out the fake emoting. Its over Jai. Its time for your actual celebration. Thank you for showing me a side of love hitherto unknown to me. As for letting me go.. Jai what makes you think I want to stay. With You?? I'm feeling sick that I let you touch me, love me. I want to erase you, Jai from my heart, my memories , my body. And now if you'll excuse me I think you can find your way back to your eager friends" Bani jumped onto the golf cart knocking over the champagne bottle and the crystal flutes and sped away into the night. Only then did she let the tears fall, of betrayal, of humiliation, of a failed love, of a broken heart.

Jai stood watching her go, knowing that he'd lost the right to stop her. He realized that he'd lost the only relationship that had ever meant anything to him. He realized that Bani had wormed her way into his heart and that there never would be anyone like her. He realized that he'd discovered love only to lose it due to his colossal stupidity and conceit. He realized that he's turned his back on the purity and integrity of a genuine emotion only to condemn himself to a life bereft of emotions. As the enormity of his loss sank in Jai sank to his knees keening in pain. All that remained of his Bani's presence was the crushed red rose he had given her and the remnants of a broken champagne flute. The stars watched it all—a mute witness.

An echo fades into the night,
an eerie mournful sound.
A shooting star disappears from sight,
and I crumble to the ground.
There is no life within this garden;
my sobs are the only sound.
I have poisoned the honeyed fountain
where your love could be found.( Betrayal By Dan Macdonald)

Chapter 6

5 years later, Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace, Sreringapatnam, Karnataka.

It was a hot and muggy day and Bani was sweating buckets as she bent to put the last touches to an old portrait of the Lion of Mysore, Tipu Sultan, flanked by his father Haider Ali in full war regalia. As a restorer of paintings Bani's services had been commissioned by the Mysore Heritage Trust that had been working tirelessly to preserve all the Tipu Sultan memorabilia that had been handed down over generations. Centuries of dirt, neglect and sheer bureaucratic indifference had put layers of grime obscuring the jewel bright colours and three dimensional effects used by painters centuries earlier. As she wiped the sweat trickling down her forehead, Bani felt the deep satisfaction of a job well done. Not only could the innocence of the young Tipu be seen now, his Father's heavy set brows shone with indomitable grit and pride. It almost seemed as though they would step out of the confines of the canvas and lead a charge into battle.

As she wearily massaged the small of her back, Bani stood up from her small stool, stretching muscles that had become cramped from hours spent hunched over the portrait. Others who had seen Bani at work often wondered at the sheer grit that kept her going inspite of physical exhaustion. They little knew that the physical twinges were nothing compared to the dull ache that had encompassed Bani's existence since that fateful night at Tollygunge club. It was her constant companion. Though Bani had tried her utmost to forget and move on, that one night had left an indelible impression on her life.

Why do I love you
With all my heart?
Why did I fall for you
From the start?

Why do you cause me
So much pain?
Why do you stick to my heart
Like a stain?( Why by Andrew)

A familiar cry of " Maidam, Maidam" shook her out of her reverie. Bani turned to see the curator Mr. Ms Cariappa bearing down upon her his pendulous jowls quivering with excitement. Bani plastered a polite smile on her tired face, knowing that the next 15 minutes would be taken up with a discussion of his arthritic knees. But today that was not the case. He was bubbling over with excitement. "Maidam, I have just had a very important talk with Mr. Shibdas Bannerjee the curator of Victoria memorial in Kolkata" Lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper he said "Only because of my contacts Maidam, he's agreed to let you do the restoration job at the Victoria Memorial Regency collection of paintings. You understand he's very known to me ..so…" looking expectantly for an outburst of joy at landing a plum contract, Mr Cariappa was disappointed to see only a faint smile on Bani's face. " Not happiness, Maidam??"

" No, No Mr Cariappa, its so kind of you, but actually I was planning to go back to Sorbonne for the fall term and catch up with some refresher courses" Bani did not want to tell him how loath she was to go back to Kolkata. Because for her Kolkata represented the shattering of a dream, Kolkata was synonymous with her lost love, Kolkata was intrinsically linked to a sense of betrayal that had led her to steer clear of all man save the two males in her life who were a constant, her father and her brother, Kunal. As if on cue, her phone trilled and with a resigned smile she picked up " Yes, little man tell me, who's the latest hottie in office" With an apologetic grimace at the waiting Mr Cariappa.

" Dids guess what!! She's got legs that begin at her shoulders"

" Kunal are you never going to go beyond legs??" Bani said with an indulgent smile.

" Dids I never you you could be so naughty. And you give Pa the impression that you are so propah!!"

" How is Papa, Kunal, is his blood pressure in control?"

" Dids he doesn't listen to me, insists on his whisky shots every night and always tries to avoid his Yoga. He misses you and Mom terribly"

The previous year Bani had lost her mother to cancer, a galloping ovarian cancer that had not even allowed the family the chance to fight for her life. Rajaram Dixit had become a broken and shattered man in the aftermath of this grief. The only reason for his existence was to see Bani smile once more, the way she used to before the blight called Jai Walia has wilted the bloom forever.

" Dids won't you come to Kolkata, just once. Even when Mom died you could not bring yourself to come. Ever since you left for college at Sorbonne, in Paris, I've just heard my sister's voice on the phone and seen your pictures. Dids, I miss you and Papa does too." Kunal's sad voice rang in her ears and then suddenly Bani's gaze fell on the father son duo of Tipu Sultan and Haider Ali in the restored portrait. They symbolized grit, exemplary courage and the never say die spirit. And Bani realized that she'd wasted enough years of her life staying away from those who really mattered in her life. She needed to go back to Kolkata, to face her demons and exorcise them. It was the right thing to do. It was the only thing to do.

Hurriedly cutting off Kunal, she turned to Mr Cariappa who by now had turned purple with impatience at being kept waiting." Mr Cariappa, I accept. Will you please tell Mr Bannerji that I will be in Kolkata by next week to take up the assignment. All further details will be discussed then"

Mr Cariappa's eyes gleamed with happiness. Somehow the kindhearted pompous old man had realized that Bani was like a bird whose wings had somehow gotten clipped by life's adversities. He wanted her talent to come into the limelight, and her professional success to pave the way for her personal peace of mind.

" Okay Maidam, you not to worry. I myself will personally talk to him"

Bani gathered up her belongings and walked towards the guesthouse. For better or for worse she would be in Kolkata next week. And after that, well que sera sera….

Chapter 7

Why do I sit
In my room all alone?
Why do I pray
You would call my phone?

Why cant I stop thinking of you,
Why can't I say goodbye
Why do I still get jealous
When I see you with another guy?

Why can't I forget about you
And put you in the past?
Why does a part of me still believe
That me and you were made to last? ( Why… by Andrew)

A gleaming car rolled to a halt in the plush portico of The Merlin Greens, a condominium complex for the rich and famous of Kolkata. A portly man got off and quickly strode to the bank of elevators saying "penthouse" to the liftman, who knew him and tipped his head in recognition. It was not an often heard request for the penthouse apartment belonged to the reclusive Jai Walia, a man known for his prowess in business, who had after his father Uday Walia's death diversified into shipping and warehousing raking in huge profitsfor his conglomerate. Yet he remained an enigma for most people associating only with a few chosen friends from his childhood days. Any intrusiveness into his privacy was dealt with ruthlessly by his efficient PR department.

Boney, now potbellied, balding and quite happily henpecked, stepped into the rarefied atmosphere of Jai's apartment. Like the man himself, the apartment was decorated in a starkly minimalistic style, only lavish paintings by Sunil Das, Dhiraj Chowdhury and Jamini Roy adding colour to the walls.

" Saab hain?" he asked Jai's butlerTony and received a nod in the affirmative.

" Apne kamre mein, aap jayiye andar, aapko toh mana hain nahi" Tony said with a smile.

Boney walked into a dimly lit room to see Jai sweating it out on a rowing machine. In the dim light Boney could see sleekly muscled shoulders gleaming with perspiration. Jai was exercising like a man possessed looking at a spotlit paper clipping that was framed and occupied pride of place on his bare walls. It was the clipping of Jai and Bani at the pre Christmas ball on that fateful night 5 years ago, the night that had changed Jai forever. Both of them looked dazzling and so perfect together.

It was a familiar scene for Boney who had seen his friend morph from being a lazy playboy to a focused successful businessman in the aftermath of that event. It was as though Jai had channelised his feeling of guilt and unrequited love into achieving his own stature and identity in the world. After that night Jai was not content to be known as the playboy son of Uday Walia. He had often told Boney ( who in his own goofy way somehow felt responsible) that it seemed as though Bani's soft voice trembling with betrayal rang in his ears and made him feel less of a man. So he drove himself, to constantly prove himself, but the one person who's approval and forgiveness he craved was lost to him. No longer was he a young man with a careless devil may care smile, swaggering around. This Jai had lines of pain carved in his face. The craggy rugged features had been tempered by his experiences. Though his physique was still muscular, it was not the pumped up muscularity of film stars, it was a rangy, lean look aquired from spending hours in the saddle. Riding was probably the only thing that Jai still did , which he had done in the past, somehow being on a horse reminded him of the lazy afternoons spent at the club with Bani watching him shyly. After Bani had left that evening Jai had come back to the clubhouse to be greeted by raucous cheers and backslapping. All of which simply compounded his felling of wretchedness and crushing guilt when Tina proclaimed that Bani had proved her status as being a notch on the legendary Jai Walia's belt as her hasty tearful departure had been witnessed by all of them. None of them were prepared for Jai lashing out at Tina with a backhand, leaving her gasping for breath. Pin drop silence ensued as Jai spoke between clenched teeth that he did not want any mention of this ever again. But it was not to be as the next day newspapers carried the Jai Bani pictures splashed with titillating gossip provided by an 'authentic source'.( No prizes for guessing who the source was.) Jai had rushed to Bani's house the next day, desperate to see her and somehow make her believe that he was terribly sorry, willing to rub his nose on her dainty feet if necessary, but the surly looking servant told him that the family had left for an extended vacation. Periodically Jai made trips to the apartment for any news about the Dixits. Not a week went by without him landing up and harassing the gateman who finally got exasperated and said that the flat had been sold and the family had gone abroad indefinitely. That day had been a crushing blow for Jai as he realized that he'd thrown away his one chance of being with his soulmate, and that he had no way of tracing her. Rajaram Dixit the painter and his family seemed to have disappeared off the face of the earth. In fact Jai's foray into art had begun as an attempt to find a link to Rajaram and his family. Sometimes vague rumours surfaced that they had been seen in Boston, Paris and once even Athens. Each time Jai's flagging spirits received a boost but every time the hope petered out.

Smiling a tired smile Jai greeted Boney, a friend who still tried to fix him up with various female cousins called ' Bunty', "Lovely', 'Sweety' and once even a "Brainy'. But it seemed as though Jai's heart was encased in a shell of his own making and no one could breach the defences.

" Jai I have some news for you." Boney said, looking hopeful yet worried at the same time." Last night I was at a party with some government officials and one of the gentlemen there was the curator of Victoria Memorial. He said that a Miss Bani Dixit is arriving next week to undertake the restoration of Regency paintings and they are looking for corporate sponsors. Maine tera naam bataa diya"

The glass of juice that Jai had been sipping, slipped out of nerveless fingers as Jai tried to absorb what Boney had just told him. Bani, his Bani , back here in Kolkata. Miss Bani Dixit, painting restorer.. it had to be her, it could be no one but her. Silently Jai willed it to be true as he sent up a heartfelt prayer of thanks for a conky friend like Boney who in his own bumbling fashion had been his rock.

Boney cleared his throat and said hesitantly " If its not her, then the following week my cousin Happy is coming from Jullunder, she's a damn good cook and kabaddi champion"

Jai gave a bark of laughter and looping his arm affectionately around Boney's shoulders Said something he had not said in 5 years " Chal yaar lets get drunk and celebrate"

Boney's eyes looked ready to pop. It was as though a ghost had spoken to him. But this was no ghost, it was a laughing Jai Walia, whose smiling face had become just a memory for his friends. Wordlessly he pulled Jai into a bear hug. " Good to see you back Bro"

And to Jai it seemed as though there was light at the end of the tunnel, faint but glowing nonetheless and this time Jai knew that he would make it a permanent part of his life.

Chapter 8

It had been two weeks since Bani had returned to a tearful reunion in Kolkata, to a grown up brother whose bear hug squeezed the very life out of her, to a father who's eyes dimmed by loss had lit up on seeing her and Bani had never felt more loved or missed. At their new bungalow ( actually new was a misnomer because Kunal and her father had been living there for the past two years, but it was new for Bani) on the tree shaded Avenue of Palm Avenue, it was always "Dids this" and " Dids that' or cries of "Baneee" that could he heard. It was as though light and laughter had returned to the house and after a long time the Dixits were together enjoying their closeness after years spent apart. Though Bani was revelling in the love and affection, Rajaram knew that a shadow of loss and grief lurked in his daughter's eyes in her unguarded moments. He alternated between damning Jai Walia to Hell and hoping that the man would come back to his daughter's life reaffirming her faith in love and belief in humanity.

Both he and Kunal respected Bani's privacy though and never even once questioned her about that night. Whatever they knew was based on the newspaper report and gleaned from the various versions from the onlookers at the club that night. When the shattered girl had faced her father and told him she wanted to leave the country, Rajaram had not had the heart to castigate her for her indiscretion. Instead he had wordlessly hugged her while she sobbed great wrenching sobs on his chest, letting out her pain and humiliation. When her grief was spent, Rajaram quietly sent her and the rest of his family to pack essentials and within 2 hours all arrangements were made. It had helped that Rajaram had connections with the higher ups from the bureaucracy courtesy his celebrity painter status. By dawn the Dixits were winging their way to England and Rajaram noticed that after her outburst Bani had not shed a tear or looked back even once. It was as though she had compartmentalized her pain into a small part of her memory and tucked it away.

She had opted for a career in Art and had gone on to the Sorbonne in Paris for further studies. Taking up the career of restoration of the works of the Grand Masters Bani had quickly risen through the ranks, by virtue of her hard work and meticulous attention to detail and now had the luxury of being able to choose assignments.

Coming back to Kolkata had pushed Bani into a cauldron of bubbling emotions, emotions that had been severely repressed for the past 5 years. Travelling through the familiar streets and by lanes of Kolkata brought back memories of a childhood spent in carefree indulgence, surrounded by the protection and love of her family. In contrast the last few years though full of professional success seemed dry and barren Bani realized that by cutting herself off from her loved environment and dear ones, she had needlessly deprived herself of happiness. Her one brief love affair had left such a bitter aftertaste that she had slipped into the habit of punishing herself. In doing so she had punished herself.

" Enough!!" thought Bani as she dabbed furiously at a canvas depicting a pitched battle between British and French soldiers. " I have frittered away 5 years of my life mourning the loss of something that never really should have been given so much importance in the first place. Today is the first day of the rest of my life and I will live it on my terms, no longer shamed and saddened" Saying the last out aloud to herself Bani felt a lightening of her inner unseen burdens, something cracked open in her and she did an impromptu little shimmy on her stool, humming to herself.

Suddenly realizing where she was she stopped and looking around at her deserted workspace she laughed. It was well after Museum hours at the Victoria Memorial and other than the spotlight under which she was working much of the echoing confines of the museum was in darkness. Yet a strange sense of being watched assailed Bani, a sensation that had happened several times in the last 2 weeks. Often she felt as though her every move was being watched yet whenever she looked around there was no one there. The back of her neck prickled and Bani peered into the murky shadows once again.Seeing no one she concentrated on packing away her equipment. It had been a long yet satisfying day and Bani was looking forward to a lingering hot shower before heading for a dinner with the sponsors of the restoration project. Mr Bannerjee, the curator of Victoria Memorial, had told her that the Chairman of the Angel group of Companies had expressed a desire to meet her and though Bani was not too keen on a boring corporate dinner she did realize the value of networking in her line of work. She stepped out of the museum to see lowering clouds and a stormy sky. The first few drops of rain spattered on her face as Bani rushed to her car, the sole one still in the car park. Struggling with her heavy bag and easel, Bani was trying to get her purse open and fish out her car keys. As a strong wind gusted a stray particle of dust blew into her eye and wincing at the sudden prickling discomfort, Bani dropped her stuff.

" Dammit, I can't see" as Bani tried to rub the offending eye.

" Let me" and a voice from Bani's past spoke up rendering her into total immobility. Her head whipped around to see a tall shape looming close to her. It couldn't be Him, it must'nt be Him… but to her feeling of impending doom, the shape materialized into a form that she had not allowed herself to even dream of for the past 5 years. It was him, it was Jai Walia and as the man Bani regarded as her nemesis reached out to her face Bani literally shrieked out " Don't touch me". Jai's hand dropped back to his side as the two of them stood staring at each other, hungrily drinking in the sight of each other, unable to look away while the storm whirled around them. But it seemed as though the two of them were caught in the calm eye of the storm, unaware of the flying dust and the rain pelting down. Drenched within minutes, it was Bani who was suddenly jolted back into the present shocked out of her trance like state by the jagged spear of lightning that streaked across the sky. She bent down to retrieve her belongings with nerveless fingers brushing aside the tears gushing from her prickling eye. As she straightened up she was shocked when Jai took her face in both his hands. She couldn't even push him away as her hands were laden with her equipment. Jai bent his head close to hers and gently blew the offending particle away. Bani froze as long buried feelings and long forgotten upheaval bubbled over to the surface.

" Take your hands off me" she bit out furious with him for daring to touch her and even more furious with herself for allowing him. " Don't you dare lay your fingers on me ever again" and with a mighty shove she pushed him aside getting into her car. Jai stumbled back stunned by the vicious force of her words. This seemed like somebody else in the body of his Bani, where was the warm, loving, feisty girl he had lost himself in, he had pined for?? This woman looked at him with an indifferent impassive glance and carried herself not with the easy grace of 5 years ago but with the standoffish attitude of a nun.As Jai caught the first glimpse of the indomitable defences he would have to breach to win back his love, after a very long time Jai felt his old hunting instinct kick in again. And as Bani's car reversed towards him Jai laughed out loud to see her bumper sticker which read 'Catch Me If You Can' and Jai was immediately transported back in time to their first meeting in the coffee shop. Contrary to his first impression, his Bani was still there, encased in the garb of poise and indifference but alive and kicking.

" I'm going to do my damndest to win you back, Bani. I will and I am the only man who can catch you, and catch you and keep you I will, coz you are only mine. We are meant for each other and even if it takes the rest of my life I'm going to convince you" so saying Jai walked back in the driving rain to his car.

Chapter 9

Bani walked into the foyer of Mezzo , (a happening joint according to the very social Kunal) a Mediterranean style food court that specialized in Lebanese and Algerian cuisine. Dressed in a simple beige chiffon with an embellished blouse that dipped a little too low for her liking Bani had no idea how stunning she looked. Walking up to the maitre'd she said " Miss Bani Dixit. I believe there's a booking…." Bani's voice trailed off as she realized that the maitre'd had literally metamorphosed from a snooty supercilious looking person into someone who smiled ingratiatingly at her, whispering importantly " The Private Dining Room , This way Miss". Bani liked the ambience of the restaurant, simple rough white walls, wicker furniture, oil lamps all centered round a lemon tree in the midst of a tiled courtyard. There was even a small splashing fountain. But she was led past the diners and ushered into a small terrace overlooking the courtyard, where the conversation of the other diners was reduced to a low hum and a small waterfall tinkled onto a pebbled base. It was dimly lit by a flickering lamp and Bani could only see the outline of the gentleman who stood up waiting for her.

" Your guest, Mr Walia" the maitre'd announced and bowed out.

" Mr Walia?? God why can't I get his name out of my head. Seeing him after so many years has addled my brains" thought Bani, angrily. Pasting her practiced professional smile on her face Bani moved forward into the circle of light shed by the flickering lamplight.

" Good to see you again Bani. You look like a vision" and Jai moved forward into the circle of light.

Bani reared back, confusion writ large on her face. Jai, here… but she was supposed to meet the sponsor…. With a click the pieces fell into place as Bani realized who her corporate sponsor was.

" Old habits die hard, I see Mr Walia. Once a deceiver always a deceiver." Bani said in a cold voice, furious at being tricked. Kicking herself for not having found out more about the project from Mr Bannerjee.

" I don't recall any deception Bani, you did read the contract for the restoration project being paid for by Angel industries."

" I didn't know you represented Angel Industries, I thought that you were associated with…."

"With Walia Industries? Bani, that was my father's company. I have set up my own group and have merged Walia group with the Angel group"

" Angel seems a liitle fey, whimsical almost for a man like you"

"Angel is a reminder of someone incredibly precious to me, someone who gave my life meaning and direction, someone who means the world to me"

A wave of jealousy swamped Bani, as she realized that the man who had brought her life to a standstill had moved on leaving behind the wreckage of her life,without a backward glance. Biting back recriminations she turned to leave but Jai was quicker than her. His arm shot out and his hand clasped her wrist like a manacle. " Don't you even want to know her name?" Jai asked softly.

" Frankly nothing about you or your life interests me"

" Liar. Bani you say one thing but your eyes say another"

" Jai I'm not remotely interested in this conversation and please let go of my hand."

" Angel was named for you Bani, coz you are my guiding angel, you touched my life and changed my existence.Stay for dinner Bani. Its dinner Bani, two chairs, a table and a meal. No hidden strings, no innuendo"

" Jai I don't think…:

" Please Bani" Was that a hint of desperation in his voice, or was Bani overreacting to his heady proximity .The knowledge that he'd named his company for her made her head spin. But she'd been led astray by his honeyed words once before. Was it true this time?? She didn't know Exhaustion had shaded the area below her eyes. No wonder, too, given the hyperspeed she worked at. Every day for the last two weeks from a hidden vantage point he'd been watching her at work, commiting to memory the sight of her absently brushing back her hair as she painted, the pursing of her rosy lips as she concentrated on a detail, the little hum she did when she got a colour just right, the stretching of her simple white tee across her lush curves as she reached across the canvas making him swallow with a wrenching need. Jai wanted to scoop her up, take her home and tuck her into his kingsized bed, letting her sleep until those shadows disappeared, and the smile on her face became brighter, more like the Bani he used to know.

" You need to eat"

" No, I need to get home"

" Bani stop. Hell just eat coz you're hungry and I'm offering you a great meal in relaxing environs"

" Jai this is ridiculous. This isn't going anywhere"

" You don't need to tell me that. I may not like it but I can understand what's obvious"

She took a step closer her gray eyes flashing fire." Can you?"

Hell no he couldn't but he wasn't going to say it. Instead he let his gaze sweep over her, reading a riot of emotions in her eyes. He moved closer to her coming within inches of her lips. Want curled around him, humming within him the familiar song of Bani, of how she would feel and taste. It had only been once but Jai treasured the memory of them together. " Can you?"

" Of course I can"

" Then prove it," Jai said, lowering his head, his breath whispering across her lips. " And kiss me"

When Jai kissed her , everything within Bani went from ice blue to red hot. It was if he'd never kissed her before, as if she'd waited for his touch for a lifetime. With a clarity that astounded her, Bani remembered every detail from that first electrifying touch from 5 years ago. Those memories washed over her, whispering against this new kiss. Desire arched within her, rumbling through a body that had been focused on career for far too long. His lips were tender against hers drifting over her mouth, an easy sweet taste of what was to come.Then when she didn't pull away, his kiss deepened taking her down a sensuous path so familiar, it nearly made her cry. Before she could stop herself her arms stole around his neck feeling the ends of his short hair tickle against her skin, making every inch of her want him with a fierceness that bordered on frenzy.

His tongue slipped between her lips and every resolve she'd had melted in the seductive waltz he played on her mouth.. She did the same to him, nerve endings tingling with awareness and memory, one fire stoking the other. He reached up and cupped her jaw, tenderly, the way he used to, back when their focus had been on each other and nothing else. Behind her closed eyes, a slideshow of memories flashed through Bani's mind, teasing at the edges of their kiss, urging her to forget the hurts. How she wanted to give in to that kiss, to do nothing more than love this man. Her sense of humiliation and cruel betrayal were swept away by his touch, and she wanted his touch to erase the words, the silences, the pain. But she had spent too much regretful time knowing that no kiss could do that.

Bani jerked back and broke away from Jai's arms encircling her, ignoring the pull of attraction." Jai we can't do this"

" Why not? I know neither of us are committed elsewhere and this kiss tells me that we still mean the world to each other"

Bani turned away tears spilling out. " Don't do this Jai. I can't…" Her voice trailed off because she knew that if he touched her again she'd dissolve.

" I love you Bani" he said his voice hoarse." I've always loved only you".

" No you don't ,you never did"

" He lifted her face to his, waiting for her to meet his gaze. " Bani I'd never be where I am today if it wasn't for you. You have always been the better half of my success. Of everything"

How she wanted to believe him. To think that it could be different, to trust Jai once again physically and emotionally. But if there was one thing Bani could not take was any more heartbreak. She shook her head then crossed the terrace to the door. " No Jai. I will not be fooled Not again" Then before she did something really stupid like kiss him again Bani turned and left, her stomach as disappointed as her heart.

Chapter 10

From that day onwards it seemed to Bani that whenever she turned around Jai was there, never passing up on a single opportunity to touch her. Exasperated she asked him about the dark fate of Angel Industries since the CEO was evidently just allowed to hang out where he was not needed. But Jai said he was hard at work, he was "protecting and overseeing his investment". She did notice him working on his laptop at times placed precariously on the car bonnet as video conferences took place, gesticulating and speaking on his Blackberry but he refused to leave her alone.

His seemingly casual touches as he pushed back an errant lock of hair, wiped off a stray smear of paint from her cheek, brushed his hand against hers as he solicitously helped her pack up night after night kept her nerves at a screaming fever pitch and her emotions were completely rattled. Not once did he kiss her or make any untoward advances but Bani was aware of his smouldering gaze on her every minute of her day. And at night instead of succumbing to sleep, Bani was plagued by thoughts of him. It was all driving her crazy, keeping her feeling as though she was teetering on the edge of a precipice and one evening she snapped.

It had been a quiet day with Jai for once preoccupied with his laptop and Bani working in a companionable silence adding the finishing touches to a portrait of Queen Victoria. As she put the last touches to the lacy ruff at the queen's throat, a stray gust of wind blew in knocking over a jar of blue paint on Bani's labours. Seeing all her precious work going to waste Bani tried to mop off the paint but ended up getting most of it on herself.

" What happened… Oh god Bani, what's happened to your face?" Jai spoke up as he looked up from his work to see Prussian Blue liberally streaked across Bani's face. Her expression of total disgust complete with the colourful visage was too much for Jai. She looked like a preschooler in her dungarees , caught being naughty during painting class. Jai could not control his laughter and a deep chuckle burst forth from him and he just couldn't stop. On and on he laughed till he realized that Bani was in tears. He inmmediately stopped and Bani turned away. Jai went and stood close behind her.

" Bani what's wrong?? Why are you crying? I'm sorry if.."

" No you are not sorry and you never will be. Your laughter reminded me of the day when everyone was laughing…" and her broken voice trailed off.

Jai closed his eyes with a clenching guilt as he realized how deep her wounds were. Unable to stop himself he turned Bani to face him and enfolded her close in his arms. It was as though a dam broke in Bani as she felt Jai's loving touch break open the barriers repressing her hurt. She cried and cried, her body shaking with the force of her sobs and all Jai could do was listen to her gut wrenching cries, hating himself for having done this to her, holding her as tight as he could as if he could absorb all her pain and grief. For the first time Bani felt Jai's touch, devoid of sexual hunger and it was that rather than any words, which was the most effective bridge to her broken heart. After the storm of her tears abated, Jai gently pressed a kiss to her forhead. Taking out the large square of his handkerchief Jai proceeded to wipe away the dual ravages of paint and tears from Bani's face.

" I must look like a mess"

" Bani you've never looked more lovely and I will always remember this moment. I know Sorry doesn't even begin to encompass either the pain I've given you or the depth of regret in my heart. But I want you to know that never for a moment in the last 5 years have I ever stopped castigating myself for what I did to you. Its only when you left did I realize that in my egoistic immaturity I had lost the one person who meant the world to me. Bani you taught me to laugh, to love , to live. I want to live again Bani. I want to laugh and Love again. But only with you. Because its always been you. No one but you. At the same time I know that what I did to you was unforgiveable. And I will understand if you never want to see me again." Jai waited with bated breath for her answer but Bani remained silent, her face lowered. Realizing that it was a lost battle Jai loosened his arms from around her and turned to go, his shoulders drooping with the burden of a life ahead without meaning.

" Jai" a soft voice spoke.

Hope renewed in his eyes as Jai turned to see a blue faced Bani smiling at him through her tears. "I've dreamt of us like this" she said with a shy smile.

Not daring to breathe in case the dream shattered Jai rasped " How did the dream end?"

" Let me show you" and Bani launched herself into his arms. Pummeling him with her small fists Bani cried out " How dare you hurt me, how could you , you stupid oaf, you insufferable idiot with the football field sized ego, you mutt…."

" Ow, ow, Bani.. stop, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm an idiot, a mutt, an oaf ,but Bani" and Jai looked deep into her eyes, " this idiot, this oaf, this stupid egoistic ass loves you with every atom of his being, loves you with every shred of emotion he's capable of, loves you till the end of Time and beyond" As he said these words Jai was unable to stop the hot rush of tears to his eyes. He looked up to see tears in Bani's eyes as well as she placed her fingers on his lips and shushed him.

" Doesn't the mutt know when the lady wants a kiss??" Bani asked him with a saucy twinkle in her eye.

" I'm afraid the mutt is too scared of another round of boxing, and besides I've heard of blue films, but looking at you, blue seems anything but a sexual turn on…..ouch" as another hail of punches landed on his stomach." Bani ,you pack a mean punch, little lady" as he gathered her up in his arms and finally kissed her.

It was not just a kiss, it was a reaffirmation of bonds that had been forged 5 years ago, it was a promise of the life filled with love and laughter that was to come, it was a healing balm washing away the pain of broken hearts. The two halves that were Jai and Bani enmeshed together to become a single entity. Both of them were encapsulated in their own world where no one and nothing else existed other than each other. As always the stars looked on in mute witness but this time it seemed as though the starts too were shining in joy, happy to be witness to this glorious reunion..Finally Jai had managed to catch his own twinkling stardust in his hands, never to let it go again.

I can see Tomorrow for she comes for me each dawn;
She takes my hand and leads me in a dance.
Then before we leave the room, she whispers in my ear,
"Today's the day I give you one more chance...

One more chance to listen to the music that is You;
One more chance to take in Nature's sights.
One more chance to make up for the sins of yesterday;
One more chance to turn wrongs into rights.

One more chance to reaffirm the love you have inside
For friends and lovers...even strangers too.
One more chance to step a little closer to your dreams;
One more chance to make them all come true.

The End

Entry No. 11

It was romance week in the reading club, like every third week on the month. While it was exciting for all the others, it made bani sick. It was always the perfect story, the boy is engaged, meets the gal, they fall in love, then the boy back out the marriage in the last minute justifying his love and then they lived happily ever after. nobody ever thinks about the gal who was left at the mandap in the pretext of love wins at the end. What happens to her family? Is she always the vamp?

Sukeshna: Oh bani di why do you always ask such questions?

Shoba : haan bani, story us ladki kay baaray mein nahi hai ( its not about the gal), its about the love and how eternal love wins
Bani was taken aback now everybody was : nothing these love stories bore me to no end, so I was looking for something different while Sherine, Shoba and Sukeshna bought the story, Richa was not really convinced, does not really press it.

Finally the discussion was over, bani comes back home, put her books back in the shelf. Placing the cup of water into the microwave, bani stood beside the fridge waiting the thinking about the flash back.

Few years back

It was the first time she had seen him, all her friends had been telling her that she was so lucky to get such a good looking guy. At 18, unlike her other friends who knew what they wanted in life, bani did not have much thought about her future, each one of her friends use to tease her when she said that she wanted to be a house wife. But thats what she wanted to be, she wanted to be house wife take care of her family have couple of children. She was the perfect daughter, when her father had asked her about marriage all she had told him was that she trusted his judgment and would marry anybody he choose for her. It was in the engagement she had seen him. Being shy she could not look at him but then every time he was around( which was exactly 3 times before the marriage date ). Her mother had forced them to go out, she was so quiet did not know what to talk, he was quiet for sometime but then he indulged into normal conversation, then as they were called back he had turned, her dupatta was stuck in his coat, the force of his movement had got her straight up against him, that was the first time she had stared deep into his eyes. It was after he had freed himself from her, she realized that she was sweating real bad, and was breathing from her mouth. Every time she was around him her bracelet or dupatta got stuck to him, embarrassing her and him in public.

On the day of their marriage, he come there to tell them to call off their marriage as he was in love with somebody else and finally she had said yes. And all this was a big mistake.


Having said that he turned and left.

Jigyasa Jai sister : Mujhe to patha tha pehle say hi yeah honay wala hai, papa you look at these ppl, they are nothing compared to the walias. And bani is just a gold digger, what kind of gal who is 18 wont have any ambition in life, only gold diggers who want to live on other ppls money. Papa aur maa to andhe hain lekin mere bhai esanahi, usne to dekhthe is pahachan liyatha

Pia on the other hand was into modeling, so she choose not to marry now as her market will go down if she married. Since Bani was the only one who had nothing to do, nishkant wanted her to be married off. This was interpreted in the wrong way

***
Back to the present,

Microwave beeping had brought back bani to earth. Taking her steaming hot cup, brewing her herbal tea, she gave herself a cynical laugh, who would have thought that gal who wanted to be a house wife forever, is now a woman who runs her own company. She owned a consultancy firm which came with solutions for entertainment and remodeling for hotels

**** Jai had married meera the same day he walked out on bani.Jai had been thrown out of Walia house, and Uday had broken all ties with him much to jigyasa's anger on why her brother should be punished. But since he loved uday a lot he respected his fathers wishes and left. Krishna when parting sends Billo aka her sister along with jai as she had always been his mother more than her. 2 Years later Meera had given birth to ganga (Jai daughter ) and passed away due to some complication during child birth

* Present*
It was Saturday the dya when jai took ganga along with him for jog.

****

Massi was already liking this gal, seem to think the gal seem to be perfect for her munna

Entry No. 12

Part 1

Raat Kali Ek Khwaab Mein Aayi
Aur Gale Ka Haar Hui
Subah Ko Jab Hum Neend Se Jaage
Aankh Tumhise Chaar Hui

Chahe Kaho Ise Meri Mohabbat
Chahe Hasi Mein Uda Do
Yeh Kya Hua Mujhe Mujhko Khabar Nahin
Ho Sake Tum Hi Bata Do
Tumne Kadam Jo Rakha Zameen Par
Seene Mein Kyun Jhankar Hui
Raat Kali Ek...
(Buddha Mil Gaya)

Jai Walia was an 33 year old one of the famous business tycoon of India, who was an heart rob of many girls not because of his money and him being rich or famous. Half was also because of his sweet and sour, George Clooney look. He was well built figure around 6ft 2 inch, with broad shoulders, and killer eyes of dark chocolaty brown, it was deep as an ocean. .

When he walked wearing his tailored trademark black or gray Armaani suit with his scarves, or without his scarves, it looked like as the world around him would stop, the time would stop the wind will just make their way for him to work on their path. When angry his eyes portrayed a look that no one would dare to cross his path, and if looks could kill, his enemies would have been gone. His right hand wrist had one of Rolexes, silver or gold, depending on which he preferred, he always wore gold chain given which was given to him by his deceased parents for one of his accomplishments. His dad had died of a heart attack, and his mom couldn't bear the death of her husband, six months later she died in her sleep.

One of his hobbies were to collect name brand cars, some of his collection ranged from Jaguar, Mercedes, Lincoln, Mustang, BMW, Ferrari, the colors ranged from black, to sliver to red to black. There was a special double story car garage made for his cars. He also had Toyota Camry and Nissan Sentra, this cars were used for when his family members came to visit him.

After his parents death eight years ago when he was 25, the mother-in-law of his one and only elder sister Jigaysa Bali, Bhavana Bali came and stayed with Jai, and gave him the love of the mother. Also his maternal aunt Shobbna Kapoor started to live with Jai, has her son and daughter in law were settled in Bangalore and her daughter Karuna was married and settled in New Zealand.

****

It was the second week of November that he his flight had arrived from Delhi at Jubberhatti, airport, which is 26 kilometers away from Shimla. The chauffer from The Cecil Oberoi Resort had picked Jai up. The journey to Shimla, was a smooth drive, the roads were not that slippery.

The trip to Shimla, will be a journey, Jai knew he wouldn't forget, not in this lifetime. When he closed his eyes, he imagined his wife's caramel round eyes staring back into his dark chocolaty eyes.

His wife, he heard himself saying, what would she look like? How would she react when she finds out that she is married to a complete stranger? Maybe she would be happy, when she finds out that she is married to one of the richest business tycoon Jai Walia of Walia Group of Industries. Jai thought on the positive side, not wanting to think about the negative reaction of his wife.

He was brought back into the reality, when the car came back to a complete halt. "Driver why did the car stop?" he asked

"Sir, there is no gas in the car; I forgot to fill the car with the gas." The driver, said, slowly.

"Jesus," he swore under his breath, as he ran his fingers into his thick black hair.
"What a fool you are? What are you staring at, go and get some help?" He snapped at his driver.

"Yes sir, I will find some help, and come back," he quickly mutters as he disappeared from the site.

"Just my luck, I am stranded in the middle of no where." He muttered under his breath, as he got out of the car.

"Maybe I can find some help", he said to himself, as he remembered passing a dhaba on the way back.

******

Jai wrapped his scarf around his neck, as the night was chilly, and he didn't want to catch cold. After walking for few minutes on his journey, he heard some sound of approaching footsteps, in the woods.

"Whose there?" He called out as he turned around and saw nothing, and he continued to walk.

He looked up and saw the sky, as the darkness invaded, and the moon light reflected below, making the shadows of the tree reflect on the grounds.

He heard another set of noises, as he sensed someone was near.

"Whose there? Come out?" He called, his eyes searched for a weapon to defend himself from the person.

"Maybe it's not a person" he said to himself, as he picked a stick lying on the ground, and continued walking

"Don't move", said a firm male voice that was coming from behind of him.

On his back, Jai felt something sharp poking him.

"Put your hand up in the air, so I can see you, and drop the stick" his capturer commanded.

"And turn around slowly, don't make any move." The capturer said, as he let go of the sharp object to give Jai space to turn around and face him.

Jai dropped the stick on the ground, and slowly turned around and met his capturer. His capturer was a dark male, his face was covered with a mask and he was wearing a leather jacket.

"Take your wallet, your money, anything valuable, so put them on the ground. Hurry up!" As he demanded, waving the knife in front of Jai's face.

Jai removed his watch, and took out the bills and put them on the ground. "That's all I have"

"What about the necklace?" The thief took a step forward and pointed at the gold chain around his neck.

"You can't take that! That's a very valuable gift from someone."

"Give it to me." He ordered.

"No I won't." Jai said through his gritted teeth.

Jai put his fingers on his chain, and pretended to take it out, but he quickly hit the thief, which made him loose the knife. Jai and the thief got into a brawl, on the pavement, both where reaching for the knife.

The thief's hand got hold of the knife, and it was pointing to Jai's face. Jai prevents the thief from aiming at his face. Somehow he managed to aim the arm.

The approaching lights of an oncoming vehicle distracted the thief, with his fist he aimed it at Jai giving him a punch, and slashing is arm.

Satisfied with the pain he caused his opponent, the thief fled picking up the watch and the money from ground, as he disappeared into the woods.

After a minute, Jai got up, as he held his injured left arm in pain, as blood dropped from his arm, staining his coat, and leaving a trail of blood. Slowly he got to the road, as someone paint help him, as he approached the oncoming vehicle for help, he didn't notice the rock and he tripped on the ground, loosing all his conscious, as he waited for someone to rescue him.

*****

Part 2

Ek ajanabee haseenaa se, yuu mulaakaat ho gayee
Phir kyaa huaa, ye naa poochho, kuchh ayesee baat ho gayee
vo achaanak aa gaii, yuun nazar ke saamane
jaise nikal aayaa ghataa se chaand
chehare pe zulfen, bikharii huii thiin
din mein raat ho gaii
jaan-e-man jaan-e-jigar, hotaa main shaayar agar
kahataa gazal terii adaaon par
main ne ye kahaa to, mujhase kafaa vo
jaan-e-hayaat ho gaii
ek ajanabii ... (Old Ajnabee)


Two days later, Jai slowly opened his eyes, as they adjusted to the setting of the room.

This room didn't look like a hotel room or a hospital room. It was small but very comfortable; the wood wall panels were painted in cream color with a light brown border.

He looked at his right side, and saw there was vase of fresh flowers on the table. There was a bell, attached with a note. Ring me, if you wake up.

Picking up the small bell, he felt the pain in his arms; he winced in pain, as he dropped the bell making it shatter on the floor, as it rolled down.

He looked at his left arm, and saw it was bandaged, and he remembered the incident that happened on the road, and he closed his eyes, and rested his head on the headboard.

"Are you alright?" asked a soft approaching voice which belong to a fair maiden.

He opened his eyes, and saw a pair of round Carmel eyes reflected into his chocolaty dark brown eyes. Those eyes, reminded him of the picture, he had seen in Mt. Abu of Bani.

Her eyes were covered with a dupatta, only her forehead and her round caramel eyes were seen that was outlined by kohl, making her eyes big and attracting to the person. In the picture there was an small caption saying "Parde Mein Rehne Do Parda Na Uthao Parda Jo Uth Gaya To Bhedh Khul Jayega."

Jai wondered how would she look and how would she be in appearance, has he had heard great comments about her from his sister in law Roshni and his Shobbhna Massi. He knew his wife was at 24 years old, making her 9 years younger to him.

Snapping out of his thoughts, he surveyed his host from top to bottom.

One look at her big round eyes, he knew he was goner. Her eyes were outlined by kohl, making it look big and more round and attracting.

He notices she is tall with a figure of 5ft 7in, with a slender neck like a swan, and her lips perfectly curved, she had small round breasts, a slim waist. He couldn't miss the uneasiness with which she averted her face as if trying to conceal something. As she moved her he saw there a scar probably which looked like obtained from a major burn accident, a closer scrutiny confirmed that it was an ugly scar marring her almost perfect beauty, her high cheek bones were rosy and glowing, a sign of healthy living. Her eyes were full of hope, life and hidden sadness which only few could see. If they tried the scar, poised mercilessly on her left cheek barely missing her nose and covering almost all of her cheek and going down to side of her neck stood out demanding attention.

"Excuse me are you alright", her voice called out to him, making me get out of his observation of her.

"Yes I am," he said slowly, as he watch her come near him, and take the thermometer out.

"Open your mouth please, Mr. Walia, I have to check you temperature." She told him firmly.

After taking out the thermometer from his mouth, "Your fever is little high, by 2 degrees of the normal temperature which is 98.6."

"How did you know my name? We are not properly acquainted?" He asked while giving her and curious look.

"You are the famous Mr. Jai. Walia, the owner of Walia Group of Industries and one of the leading hotelier of India that any one could recognize you from magazine, newspaper, or seeing you on television." She gave him an smile.

"How did you find me?"

"My car, almost ran over you." she honestly admitted.

How ironic Jai thought, the person that she could have almost ran over was her husband that she didn't have any clue about.

"What you ran over me." He looked surprised and shocked.

"Almost, I almost ran over me, if I didn't hit the brakes of the car hard. When the doctors examined you, you were running of fever of with 104 degrees." She looked at his face.

She didn't feel the uneasiness while talking to a complete stranger, which he thought she had felt, to her it seemed that her scar was invisible or like it didn't appeared at all.

"Mr. Walia, you are great businessman, but it seems to me you don't care about your health."

"You are here by my side, why should I care." Jai heard himself saying.

"Excuse me did you say something? "

"No, did you hear anything?"

"No, I didn't. As she got up to exist the room.

"Excuse Miss..."

"Miss Dixit, you make call me Bani."

"Nice to meet you Miss. Bani, thanks for taking care of me."

"Mr. Walia, I took care of you in the name of humanity, and after all one day we do have to face the Big Man up there." She pointed with her fingers, referring to God.

"Aren't you scared of an complete stranger, what if I am not decent business man, and I have an some other intentions," his voice was deep.


"What intension can injured man, have?" She asked him, folding her arms cross her chest. "I only see one, intension that is for you to get better, and be on your feet."

"Do you take a complete stranger into your home? What would you husband say?"

"My husband…" she repeated to herself, "I am not married, so you don't have to worry about my husband."

"Dam, she is complete unaware of the fact she is married, to the person sitting opposite her. This is going to be hard"

"One more thing, I don't take complete strangers in my house, and I took you in my house because I almost ran over you with my car and killed you, and I wanted to stay away from going to the police station." She said with an smile playing on her lips.

"I should consider my self lucky."

"I don't care what ever you think Mr. Walia."

"Call me, Jai, Mr. Walia sound so informal."

"Even thought I take strangers in too my house, and even though they are famous, I don't call them by their first name."

"How modest."

"Before heading out, Mr. Walia, Tarun Kaka would come and help you assist to the bathroom that down the hall. I will be in the kitchen making some lunch for us."

"Who's Tarun Kaka?"

"He is the caretaker that takes care of this place, when no one lives it. He can also give you a sponge bath." She said before existing and leaving Jai alone.

*****

Tarun Kaka was a man in his late fifty's or early sixties, who had a gray hair, but an well built man.

Bani, brought him, lunch in bed, as the doctor had told her that he needs complete rest, until his arm heal and he can move it without feeling the pain.

Bani placed the tray on his lap, he looked at it was vegetable soup, and he made a face. He picked up the soup with his right hand, and felt it shake, as he wasn't used to using his right hand.

"Mr. Walia let me feed you, or else you would drop all of the soup."

"Bani, I can handle eating to by myself."

"No you stop being stubborn, you are on empty stomach, having only medicines and liquids given to you in your semi conscious state. As she took the spoon from his hand their fingers brushed, and both of their eyes meant.

Breaking the contact, Bani started to feed Jai the soup, like mother would feed their children.

Bani may I use your phone; I need to call the hotel and ask them regarding my stuff.

"Mr. Walia you may use the phone at time. By the way your stuff is in the closet?"

He gave her a puzzled look.

From his coat pocket, Bani found the address of the hotel where he was staying, and she asked the hotel to send their car with Jai's stuff.

*****

Part 3

"You may stay here as long as you like until you get better." She said. "The hotel where you were staying at, need your room as they were fully booked."

"Bani I can pay you for what you did for me?"

She smiled at him. "Mr. Walia I don't need your money, not everything is done for money."

But Bani, let me chip in with something.

She thought for a moment, "how about you may help me with the house work chores'

"House chores?"

"I know you probably have servants at your house doing stuff but here it's me all by myself."

"I can try but what will I do?"

"For starters, you can just dust around the house, since your hand is not healed properly."

"Fair enough."

"Then I would like you to help me in the kitchen, washing the dishes, helping me chop vegetables, we can go shopping for the stuff etc."

"Sounds good to me" At the pretense of his chores he will be close to Bani, he thought to himself.

Bani's house was a Victorian style cabin with modernization features. It was a double story with wood floor done with wood furniture inside the house. There were five bedrooms in total. One master bedroom belong to her parents, the smaller three bedrooms belong to Bani and her two sisters Rano and Pia. The bedroom that Jai was staying was a guestroom, and the one next too him was her Nanima's room/study room.

With Bani's help Jai recovered, hand healed quickly. They went for morning and evening walks. As his hand got better Jai helped Bani in the kitchen, cooking, washing the dishes, the small stuff normal the servants did at his house.

With Bani's help Jai had learned how to make aloo paratha's but his parathas were not in the perfect circle. "You will learn with practice" Bani told him.

****

Part 4

The relationship of Jai and Bani developed from strangers to being friends. Their normal routine was wishing each other Good Morning, eating breakfast together, sometime he would help her prepare breakfast just to be close by her. They would go to morning walks, jogs, or running around the hill paths of Shimla, and enjoy the view. Jai had find out for Bani, took care of her health, she was activate in her exercise, whether she would do sit ups, jumping jacks, or shoot basketballs, or jump rope. She and Jai got into a competition like middle school children would do, with jump ropes, who can be the first one reaching a center distance while jumping. Bani went to her friends house, to see the new baby she would have, and Jai would sometime company her and play with the chubby baby.

In the evenings, after having their dinner Bani and Jai would, sit in front of the fireplace, while she would read books or do knitting that her Nanima taught her. He would read or work on his projects, be on his laptop. Sometimes they would rent movies, Jai specially liked to watch scary movies, not because of the storyline or the actors, because he get to comfort and hug Bani, if she got scared, and she would grab his arms tight and he would wrap it around her making sure she was safe and secure. To Bani they were friends, to Jai they were a married couple which his wife didn't know about their relationship.

One evening Bani and Jai were both sitting down in front of the fireplace, Bani was knitting while Jai was doing some work on his laptop.

"Bani, may I ask you something?"

Sure Mr. Walia, go ahead.

"How did you get the scar?"

Bani eyes grew hard as she looked at him, as she stopped doing her knitting.

"Its ok if you don't want to talk about it."

He watched her leave the living room and come back few minutes later.

She had him a torn paper clipping, which belonged to a newspaper. There was an old portrait of child, around the age of eight or nine years old child, her face resembled was similar to of Bani, but a younger version. He started to read the article and realized the young child in the picture was Bani and how her scar happened during on of the festives seasons of Diwali.

"Mr. Walia, I got this scar from a burn. That happened to me when fifteen years ago when I was nine years old."

All I remember was falling down, tripping on my over coat, and hot ghee or oil spilling on me and burning my face.

"I am so sorry Bani", as Jai got up and touched her hand, in a sympathizing manner.

It was chilly night two days before Diwali, my mom and Nani were just finished making sweets. My Nani ma had put the hot oil on small table to cool down so she could put in the bottle and reuse it again. I was wearing an large over coat, that was big for my petite size, and I didn't notice an object lying on the ground, which made me trip and my face landed and burned my face. Back then my parents didn't have enough money to get me an plastic surgery done, and my dad didn't wanted to use my Nanima's money. The doctor told my parents if I got a plastic surgery done at my young age, it wouldn't be good for my skin, as children have very soft skin and there are less chances of survival. "

Jai just gave her a comfort hug.

My younger sisters were uncomfortable, especially Pia who is two years younger then me, but with time she got used to me and my new face. Rano and Pia stick up to the bullies in school or whoever made fun at me. As we grew older our love for one another grew." She said proudly

"Mr. Walia, I know some women or young girls are not that fortunate with their family members or society."

"But with your family love and support you grew to be a strong independent young lady." He completed the sentence for her.

"Yes I am fortunate to have my family has my support, my Nani Ma she taught me how to become an independent person and how to like my face with the scar."

"So why don't you have a surgery now? When you are financially stable?"

"Mr. Walia, my scar makes me the person who I am, and it part of my face, just like an makeup is part of any woman's face."

"What about your life partner or marriage?" He asked while looking into her eyes.

"Mr. Walia, I want a guy who would accept me for the person I am with my face not for the person they want me too see it as. I told my family members when I find a guy who accepts me for who I am, and I will marry him even if its Arranged Marriage. "

"Maybe there is someone who has accepted you for the person you are." Jai said to her.

"Really, I don't see the person."

"Maybe you are not looking hard enough."

There was a moment of silence.

"Good night Mr. Walia" She said, as she placed affection kiss on his cheek, Jai raised his eyebrows.

"What was that for?"

"Thanks for listening to my story, and just like that, I felt like giving you a good night kiss." She said with a shrug.

"Bani, then I should also return you a good night kiss on your cheek", Jai said with a wicket grin.

"No I am alright, tomorrow I have to go my best friend Sonali and Mohan's house to baby sit Rajan. Good night Mr. Walia", she said as she left upstairs.

"Good night Bani," he called out to her.

****

Part 5

After Jai's business conference was finished, he felt relaxed and at ease, as he wanted to spend time with Bani and know her better before breaking the news.

"Mr. Walia, I have some work to do tomorrow", trying to avoid going out with him.

"Bani come on be a sport and let go adventures".

"But Mr. Walia..." her sentence faded, as he put his hand in the mid way

"Ms. Dixit, you are going to be my touring buddy. I am not going to let you sit alone in this cabin and waste your vacation." Jai said firmly, as he helped her wash the dishes.

"Yes sir", she said.

*****

Before dawn, Jai and Bani made their way towards Kotgarh.

The drive, to Kotgarh, seemed, short as both Jai and Bani chatted about life in general.
As Jai drove into the valley of Kotgarh, Bani got mesmerized by the sheer beauty of seeing rows and rows of apple trees. Never in her entire life had she been surrounded by seas of apple trees.

Jai and Bani strolled near the valley, as they came at the spot of the Valley, where it made a shape of an U. As they looked down, they saw some 1,800meter below the waters of the Sutlej rivers flows.

Sunrise came as the sun reflected rays on the valley, making the river glow, with more beauty. Jai and Bani ate; at a small restaurant that over looked the valley.

*****

Part 6

On their way back Bani and Jai stopped at the mall. Christmas was approaching; the mall became crowded with shoppers, looking for their gifts for their friends and family members.

The first store they went to was a Men's department store, where Bani a wallet and shawl for her dad, and a shirt for Pushkar her best friend and the finance of her middle sister Pia.

As she was browsing the shirt section, she came across a white Calvin Klein Jeans Tonal Embroidery Shirt which was a cool snap front shirt feature an intricate, tonal embroidery pattern on the front for a bold look that easy to wear.

Hmm, I wonder how Mr. Walia will look in this she thought. As she ran her hands to on the shirt, and felt the soft fabric, and from the corner of the eyes she saw that he was looking at some belts, and decided to purchase this.

"Mr. Walia", Bani called out to him as she approached him with two pair clothing.

"Yes Bani"

"Mr. Walia, can you try this on for me. I think you will look handsome in this and you can wear this for your meetings." She gave it to him and smiled.

With that smile of her, how he could refuse her, he thought. But Bani I don't wear vests.

"Mr. Walia if you don't try new things, and stick to the old styles it will be boring na. So go and try this in the fitting room", as she pushed him into the fitting. After five minutes Jai came wearing an Embroidered Black Vest under a white shirt.

"How do I look?"

"Hmm, not bad, you look handsome." She inspected him as she walked around him..

"You can wear your blazer on top of this, since its black it can go with any thing", she suggested the idea.

"Bani you have great taste, may I go change. " He complimented while asking her for permission.

She nodded her head in an agreement. "I should let you shop for me." She heard him say as she got thoughtful.

When Jai stepped out he saw, Bani had several hangs in her hands. He raised an eyebrow at her.

She just shrugs her shoulder with a smile, and gave him a you asked for it look. "Bani you have great taste, I should let you shop for me." She mimicked him, her eyes was full of an evil glint. In the Men department store, Bani and her Mr. Walia spent almost one hour just shopping for his clothes.

Bani made Jai purchase the following items:
• An light brown Cubavera long sleeve Engineered Stripe Shirt that had a stylish embroidery on the front and on the cuffs.
• Black Vintage red Stretch Shaw Stripe with pleated tux fronts.
• Medieval Blue long sleeved v-neck polo
• An charcoal color turtleneck

For Jai shopping with Bani for his clothes was a experience, he found her very picky, and she examined every small details, from the threads to the buttons. If a thread was out, she wouldn't let him purchase that. The choices of her clothes and taste were different from his tailored Armani suits that his personal tailor made. He did have some causal clothes besides from suits, but Bani gave him a sad look that he couldn't say no to.

"Bani you should come with a sign." Jai said as they were heading towards the exit of the store carrying the shopping bags.

"A sign?" she looked confusedly at him.

"Warning, a shopaholic, hide your wallets." He chuckled as he said that, and she gave him an angry glare.

"Very funny, (she said while making a face,) "I love shopping."

"That's why you and your sisters own a boutique."

"Of course, its Teen Pari Boutique, since we are three sisters, Pia is the fashion designer, Rano being a bookworm, does the accounting and stuff. I organize and manage the store, while our Nanima financed us with her money."

As they were coming out of the store, Bani saw something that she liked and quickly went to get.

"Just two minutes", she told him. He gave her a questioning look.

"I want to buy something for a friend, I will be right back."

"Alright, Bani why don't you meet me in ten minutes at the food court, while I go to the car and put all this stuff in the trunk. "

"Aww so sweet of you, you are a darling." She went back inside the department store.

*****

"The shopping made has me all tired what you would like to have she asked Jai, as he took a seat opposite her."

"How about an ice cream?", she suggested the idea.

"Ice cream, in this chilly weather", he asked while raising his eyebrows at her.

"Why not, eating ice cream in cold weather is something else, especially when it's really cold."

"Bani, has anyone told you, that you under you innocent face, you are one crazy woman."

"I am crazy, but the ice cream is a treat from my side. What would you like to have?"

"I will have one scoop of Vanilla ice cream." She made a face at him, saying how boring.

Two minutes later, Bani came back with holding two ice creams.

Here is your one scoop of plain vanilla ice cream with no toppings or nothing. As she handed Jai his ice cream cone.

"What's your ice cream flavor?" He asked looking at her. "Chocolate I presume."

"Nope its Coffee top with chocolate chips, and walnuts, she said as she licked her ice cream. Hmm it's delicious", she said as she closed her mouth, and enjoying the flavor.

Jai just looked at her, unknown to her she could drive any man crazy with her childish innocence, her talk, as he watched her enjoy. It was to control his feelings, as he wanted to just take her chocolate oops coffee coated luscious lips and just ravish it, but he has to keep his control and get used to the cold and shower, until he reveals the reality of their relationship.

Bani noticed Jai staring at her. "Jai what are you looking at? "

"Just you, and how are you enjoying your ice cream. I have never seen a young lady eat their dessert or enjoy their food."

"It simple, chote chote baaton mein hi toh maaza hota hai. If we don't enjoy the small happiness, that life brings to us, and then what fun will we have." He just nodded his head in an agreement.

"Mr. Walia sometime you should try the coffee flavor ice cream."

"Tomorrow morning I will just have coffee, and I will imagine I have eaten an coffee flavor ice cream."

"That's not the same thing."

"Yes it is".

"Not its not, let me prove it." Jai was taken back by her sudden action, as she brought her ice cream cone to his mouth, when he looked at her; she waited for him to take a bite.

"Now you tell me if it's the same thing or not?" Bani said as she moved back.

"Hmm, it's definitely not the same thing, as it has the flavor of your lips along with the flavor of coffee to make it more delicious." He winked at her with a mischievous smile.

Bani just lowered her gaze away from him, and tried to concentrate eating the reminder of her ice cream, but she felt like she just lost her appetite.

"Kitni sharamati hai meri biwi". Jai thought to himself, as he saw the deep blush appearing on her face, when he winked at her.

"Wow, kitna adorable couple hai." They heard a comment from an elderly lady that was sitting with her hubby, across Jai and Bani's table.

"Bhawgan ki kripa se tumhari aur tumhari biwi par bane rehe, or tum dono ka pyar humesha aisa hi bana rehe." Bani eyes grew wide with shock and her mouth fell open at the comment that the elderly men made.

Seeing her reaction, Jai just covered his mouth with his hand, and tried to suppress his laughter.

"Excuse me uncle and aunty ji," Bani said but her voice was cut of by the comment of his wife.

"Beti, tumhara aur tumahara pyar aur badhega." (Daughter, your and yours husband love will grow.)

Bani and Jai just looked puzzled at the elderly women.

"Beta, jab pati aur patni ek dusre ka jhuta khate hai, uss ek dusre ka pyar aur badhta raheta hai." (Child, when husband and wife, share their food, their love for one another will grow more.)

Jai and Bani just looked at each other and the elderly couple left.

Before leaving, the elderly couple gave Bani and Jai the blessing of a long marriage, and having 100 sons, Bani just went beetroot red, and she wished that the earth would open and swallow her.

Jai imagined how Bani would look like, with her growing belly, when she would be expecting their first child, maybe a son first and a daughter second, he thought, when he heard the blessing of the 100sons.

Next time, I would be careful not to share a food with Jai in public she thought to herself. Wait why am I thinking about next time, Bani wondered to herself.

*****

After finishing their ice cream Bani and Jai went to a small boutique that had Indian Wear for women that had everything from casual wear to formal wear.

"Bani are you going to buy something for yourself?"

"Oh no Mr. Walia, I have everything I need."

As Bani, was looking around, her eyes fell on a white and maroon sari.

"Ma'am do you want to look at this", the sales girl asked from behind the counter.

"Oh, no, I am fine, but the sales associate", didn't listen and pulled the sari.

Bani ran her hands on the soft crepe material. Looking at the price, Bani's face fell and she put the sari way.

"Bani, can you try this out", ah walked over to where she was standing and he handed her several racks of salwar kameez.

"But Mr. Walia"

"No buts, back in the men's department store, you picked out not one but several shirts for me and here I am just asking you to try one of this salwar kamez."


"No buts, if you don't I will put them on you. "

"Ji", Bani eyes grew wide, as he looked at him. With a flushed face, she hurried inside the fitting room.

After Bani had gone into the fitting room, Jai went to the counter, and purchased the white sari with maroon border with a matching pair of everything.


"Your wife is really lucky to have a husband like you sir." The sales associate said.

Jai just nodded his head, and signed the receipt. He turned around as he heard the door of the fitting room, click.

Bani looked stunning wearing a Sea Blue color georgette top, elegantly embellished with stones, sequins and cutdana beads work! Centre part of the top is designed in grey color layer worked with sequins and cutdana beads work. The pant is a chudidar in sea blue color with stones, beads and sequins work in floral designs. The dupatta was wrapped around her neck, covering the burn mark.

Seeing Jai, staring at her, without saying a word, Bani felt uncomfortable, she wasn't used to wearing sleeveless salwaar kameez

"Jai," Bani snapped her finger at him.

"Sorry Bani, you look beautiful, blue suits you very well. "

"Really, you think so?"

"See it yourself."

Bani stared at her reflection in the mirror; everything was perfect except the scar on her left side that travels down to her neck, as her hands reached for them.

Jai came from behind, and put a gentle hand on her shoulder. Bani you look beautiful, don't worry about your scar, he reassured her.

Their eyes met in the reflection.

"You guys make a wonderful couple", the second sales girl said.

The comment of the sales girl, made Jai and Bani break their eye contact.

"We are not a couple", she said softly as she hurried back inside the fitting room to change her clothes back.

*****

Part7

Rag Rag Mein Is Tarah Tu Samaane Laga
Jaise Mujhiko Mujhse Churaane Laga
Ho, Dil Mera Le Gaya Loot Ke
Chori Chori Chupke Chupke ...

Rag Rag Mein Is Tarah Tu Samaane Lagi
Jaise Mujhiko Mujhse Churaane Lagi
Dil Mera Le Gayi Loot Ke
Chori Chori Chupke Chupke ...

Toone Dil Ko Dhadakna Sikhaaya Sanam
Pyaar Kya Hai Mujhe Yeh Bataaya Sanam
Saari Rasmon Ko Kasmon Ko Maein Todh Doon
Tu Kahe To Yeh Duniya Bhi Maein Chhodh Doon
Ho, Ab Na Jaana Kabhi Rooth Ke
Chori Chori Chupke Chupke ...

Maine Sab Kuch Tere Pyar Ko De Diya
Tujhpe Rab Se Bhi Zyada Bharosa Kiya
Tujhko Palkon Mein Apni Sajake Rakhoon
Tere Sapnon Ka Moti Chhupake Rakhoon
Maein Karoongi Wafa Toot Ke
Chori Chori Chupke Chupke


Bani couldn't concentrate on reading her book that night. When ever she closed her eyes, all she could think about was Mr. Walia. She had only known him for three weeks, but it felt like that she had known him for eternity.

Mr. Walia had made a special place in her heart that no one had ever made not even her ex boyfriend, who she dumped because she found him cheating on her with another girl, and the rumor had it he was an playboy, that used women to get into his bed, and then he would throw them way like garbage like throw on paper. When she witnessed this with her sister, she slapped him in public and reported him to police and got an restraining order. She was glad that she got over him. She had also learned which made her puke from disgusted with the fact that her ex boyfriend would pretend to be interested in marriage with her and be her fianc so he could have her in bed. But his plans were ruined, as he was caught red handed, and she was still pure and safe for her future husband.

After her broken relationship, Bani did have one or two dates, but she wasn't interested in them, because when they were with her, they would gaze with some other girl but when Mr. Walia was with her, he would only gaze and chat with her forgetting the world around them, making her feel special has she was n heaven or floating on the clouds.

Jai was different; he was gentlemen, and caring person. Someone who would make her smile his chocolate brown eyes were deep as an ocean that you could just drown into them.

He was sweet but also khadoos and roaring lion, when it came to business. She had attended few contests with him, and had seen how he gave his speech with his deep masculine voice, and how he answered all the questions.

Jai was a Casanova but not everybody is a saint, hundreds of girls can fall at his feet. She had noticed at the mall and the places they went the girls were all eyeing him and giving her the eyes.

He must have his share of dates, she thought, as she felt jealous of the girls he had date.

But today she felt so happy being in his appearance, when she was with him she forget all the world around her and she felt happy that he didn't care about her scar or how one side of her face looked.

Maybe I found my Mr. Right. Wait my Mr. Right, her Mr. Walia.

She snapped out of his thoughts. Why am I having his thought? Instead of concentrating on her novel, she thought to think of Mr. Walia, her paying guest sleeping downstairs.

She wondered to herself as she placed the books on the side table, and turned of the lamps.

****

Part 8

In the past one month Jai and Bani had gotten closer from acquaintance to something more then friendship. Jai didn't have the chance to reveal to Bani, that he is her husband and she is his wife. Jai and Bani would watch old movies on the sofa, he taught her how to self defend her self, they both played checkers, tic toe, he also taught her how to play poker and cards.

Unknown to Bani, her so called friend/ husband was chatting via MSN and email to her two younger sisters, who weren't revealing any of her likings.

Both Pia and Rano, told Jai no hanky panky or no foolish business till he tells the truth of his relationship to Bani, they didn't wanted to hurt her feelings at any how.

****

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in" she said

"Mr. Walia, do you need any thing?" She asked, as she placed her reading book down on her side.

"Bani there is something I want to ask you?"

"Go ahead and ask away"

"Tomorrow there is a charity ball, I was wondering if you could accompany me to the charity ball tomorrow."

"Mr. Walia, tomorrow but… " she hesitates

"But what Bani"

"Mr. Walia, I am not your type, to be your date for the charity ball, I mean what will the people thing when they see you and me together."

"What will they think? I don't care what they think?" He felt his anger building inside him. More then you know it you are my type, I don't go for glamour dolls or models that don't have any brains. "

"I don't want anyone to tarnish our relationship name." She simply said.

"Bani no one will tarnish the name of our relationship, I assure you" He said while taking her hand in his.

"But tomorrow, if our friendship means any thing to you or if I mean anything to you, you will come to the party not caring about your look or what people will think. "

"If come to the party, I was hoping you could wear this." Has he hand her the rectangular box and placed in her lap.

"Mr. Walia what's this?" She asked curiously.

"It an small gift of thank you from one friend to another, now Bani you can't say you can't take this because this is from one friend to another."

"Thank you Mr. Walia" She gave him an smile.

"You are welcome" He said as he turned around to exist.

"Mr. Walia" she called out.

"Yes Bani", he turned around. He watched get up, and take gift rectangular box wrapped in golden Christmas gift wrapper and she worked towards him.

"This is for you Mr. Walia, from one friend to another." He gave her an question look. None of the female women he knew, besides his family members, bought him a gift or anything.

"Don't open till tomorrow" She told him.

"Thank you Bani, "as he leaned forward a placed a kiss on her right side.

"Good night Mr. Walia and sweet dreams."

*****

Part 10

Jai kept glancing at the entrance of the ball.

She will come, she will not come, she will come. His mind was saying.

When he got ready, Bani was in her pajamas, and he knew the decision that she made which and he respected that decision.

Why was his heart, saying that she will come.

When Jai glanced up from his conservation, he felt his heart skip a beat.

There was his angel dress in white with maroon border saree. The saree was made out of crepe, crafted with sequins, stones, zardosi, and beads work. Border has maroon patch embellished with sequins, stones, zardosi and beads work on it.

Mere rang mein rangne waali
Pari ho ya ho pariyon ki rani
Ya ho meri prem kahaani
Mere savaalon ka jawaab do
Do na

She had left her long silky black hair that went down to her waist, was curled at the end, She had put her hair won her left side hiding her scar making it almost invisible. And to finish the style she had an red colored with an rose inserted in her hair. Her arms were filled with maroon and red glass bangles, and in the middle she had gold kangans on each hand. Her forehead was adored with an small maroon bindi.

"Wow, she look amazing" He heard someone say, his hands were balled in an fist.

"Excuse me gentlemen" he said to the group of men he was chatting with.

"You look mind-blowing Bani." Jai said as he approached her and placed a kiss on her cheek, making some of the men move their eyes away, has she was taken. And he simply put his hands around her waist, Bani was taken by his reaction but some where inside her heart she was happy.

"Thank you, you don't look bad yourself" Her hands automatically reach to fix his collar and the tie. Much better she said. While Bani was fixing his collar, Jai gave a glare to the men in the ball, saying she is mine and back off.

Jai introduce Bani to his friends, and acquaintance.

"Bani, may I have the pleasure of this dance", he asked. She nodded.

They went to the dance floor and they dance to

Mere rang mein rangne waali
Pari ho ya ho pariyon ki rani
Ya ho meri prem kahaani
Mere savaalon ka jawaab do
Do na

Jai placed his on her waist, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. One of her hand was placed at on his shoulder, as he gently held her other hand. She was leaning against his broad shoulder, while Jai inhaled the jasmine smell of her hair.

Bolo na kyon ye chaand sitaare
Takte hain yoon mukhde ko tumhaare
Bolo na kyon ye chaand sitaare
Takte hain yoon mukhde ko tumhaare
Chhooke badan ko hava kyon mehki
Raat bhi hai behki behki
Mere savaalon ka jawaab do
Do na

As they were dancing, the white fog surrounded them, and both of them looked into each other eyes, nothing was being said but everything was said through their eyes. Everyone who watched them dance there were awed, in their dance their was a chemistry and spark, that could be seen.

Kyon hon tum sharmaayi hui si
Lagti ho kuchh ghabraayi hui si
O Kyon hon tum sharmaayi hui si
Lagti ho kuchh ghabraayi hui si
Dhalka hua sa aanchal kyon hai
Ye mere dil mein hulchul kyon hai
Mere savaalon ka jawaab do
Do na

Everyone clapped, making Jai and Bani break their eye lock. Bani felt the spotlight on them. "Mr. Walia and his beautiful dance partner Ms. Bani Dixit are caught are the couple of the ball room, as they are under the mistletoe." Announced RJ Sam.

Both Bani and Jai looked up and saw that they were under the mistletoe.

Jai leaned forward, and kissed both of her cheeks.

"Oh no Mr. Walia, you have to kiss your beautiful dancing partner on the lips." Bani's eyes grew big, as Jai bent his head and captured her lips. The crowd cheered and some applauded.

After breaking part, Bani felt her face was burning with his kiss from head to toes, as she excused herself, as she went to the restroom.

One person in the ballroom, didn't like how Jai and Bani were sharing the closes with each other, and he didn't like how he kissed her on the lips. That was his Bani, his he heard himself say, he gulped down his vodka.

*****

Part 11

Bani came out of the restroom, and a waiter came and told her that someone she had phone call, and it was in room number 420. Bani frowned, who this could be she thought to herself.

"Can you tell Mr. Walia, that I am in room 420."

"Yes ma'am the waiter said."

Bani went to the room #420, and as she entered there was an darkness in the room with an eerie silence. She picked up the receiver but she heard an ring tone and the voice of the operator.

She heard the door being shut, as she turned around she saw her ex boyfriend standing in front of her.

"Daksh, " the receiver from her hand dropped.

"Hello Bani, its good to see that you still remember me. " He said with an evil smile, that she felt like wiping out of his face. His voice was cold, his eyes were warning her that he was there to take revenge and he had a score to settle with her, which made her very alert.

"Who can forget an horrible monster, like you, who uses girls like an door mat, when you have your fun, you throw them away like a tissue paper." She said with disgusted, and her eyes were filled with hatred.

"Ouch Bani that hurts" He said, as he place his hand on his heart.

"Move out of my way. Mr. Walia will be waiting for me." As she passed him but he grabbed her arm.

"Oh not so fast, sweet heart", as he placed his hand on her face she moved it way with disgusted. "Not until you kiss me, like you and your lover boy kissed in public."

"Not in your dreams, never" Bani said through her gritted teeth.

"Bani you should know that Daksh Gupta doesn't take no for an answer, so please me for a night, like you warm the bed of Mr. Walia"

"DAKSH", Bani screamed, and there was an loud echo sound of a mighty slap, that was across his face, that stung like a bee. "Mr. Walia and I are just friends and nothing else, you better get that clear." She warned as went passed him.

"Oh no darling, no one gets away with slapping Daksh, not even you he grabbed her hair. Bani took the heel of her sandal and pressed it hard on top of his shoe.

"Don't come near, me, or else.." Bani pointed her finger at Daksh, as she began to back away.

"Or else what Bani are you going to scream like a little girl. No one is going to hear you."

He had good point, Bani noted as she looked around for a sharp object something to harm with. Her eyes fell on a pair of champagne flute, taking one of the glass champagne in her hand.

"Daksh I am warning you don't take another step or I will harm you."

"Oh please are you going to harm with that glass object" He gave her an evil laughter.

"No but I am going to harm you with this" as she smashed the glass, against the coffee table, until there was a broken champagne flute in her hands. Daksh if you take one more step closer, I will stab myself with this.

The champagne glass from Bani hand shattered onto the floor into many pieces, as she slipped from the floor and landed on the bed, as Daksh had pulled the small rug from underneath her feet making her land on the bed.

"You are one feisty little women, when I get done with you, I will make sure you remember this night." Daksh said, as he pinned one of her hands with his, he threw his coat jacket on the floor, started to remove his shirt button. With her free hand Bani got, the hold of the metal bed side lamp, and hit it on his head, making him let go of her other hand.

Has he winced in pain, and swore loudly, as he went after her but stood rooted to the spot as he saw Bani crying and hugging an tall handsome man, her lover boy that she kissed.

Flashback

After thirty minutes when Bani, didn't return from the restroom Jai grew worried, and he asked a lady who pointed to the direction, that led to rooms. Jai heart raced fast, has he speed walked and jogged towards the room.

He bumped into an waiter.

"Sorry" Jai said quickly.

"Mr. Walia, the lady you were with went to room #420", the waiter said as he disappeared.

Before the waiter disappeared Jai gave him $1000 and told him to get police and security guard because he was sure they would need them, once he is done and make sure they used the back exit, as he didn't want the name of Bani or his on the newspaper tabloids.

When Jai speed ran to room #420 banged against the door with his shoulder, and then kicked it opened, just in time, as he saw an crying Bani run into his arm.
"Oh Mr. Walia" Bani cried, as she snubbed against his tailored suit.

Their was pieces of an broken champagne flute on the floor, and their was an crushed red coloured rose lying on the ground, he knew that it had fallen from Bani's hair. He had spoted that the person had taken his coat off, and the shirt was on. He was glad that Bani had use her self defense that he had taught her.

The person, he assumed was her boyfriend Daksh that Bani had told him about and her sisters, and Rano had emailed him the picture, and warned Jai that he may harm her.

No harm was done to Bani yet, all the pallu of her had gone of her shoulder, and she had red and purple brusies on her arm, which he made sure Daksh or whoever he was, pay for the price. For thinking about touching her.

Flashback ends

Jai let go of Bani, and gave Daksh an angry glare, his chocolaty brown eyes were full of anger, he felt the muscle of his jaw clenched, as he moved took an step forward towards Jai.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" With a fierce look in his eyes, he barked at Daksh, and grabbed him by his shirt collar.

"Why does the mighty rich Walia care for his mistress that warms his bed" Daksh said with an crooked smile. With all his might Jai grabbed him and pushed him on the floor.

"She is not my mistress, she is my God damit wife." Bani eyes grew big.

"Oh come on Mr. Walia, she can't be your wife, she is an ugly duckling with her scar. "

"To see Bani beauty you need eyes, but all you have is lust for women" As Jai punched him on the face with his left hand, making sure that Daksh had a broken jaw. When Daksh tried to get up, Jai kicked him on the stomach and basically beat the crap out of him.

"Mr. Walia, leave him alone", Bani said, the way Jai was handling Daksh, she swore that he could be die in any minute.

"Leave me Bani, I will kill him b*****d, how dare he tried to lay his hands on the wife of Jai Walia, and lay his evil eyes on her" Jai was in an ragging mode, charging like a bull, that wanted the color red.

"But Mr. Walia, I am not your wife." She said.

"Bani you are my legal married wife, and we have been married for 8 months" Jai admitted to her, and the look that he had in his eyes, she knew that he wasn't playing and he was saying the truth. Bani let go of his arm, with the shock.

"The stranger that she had rescued and she had been living with for a month or so, was her husband." She heard herself saying, as she remained numbed.

It took few security guards to come and break Jai and Daksh up, that the waiter had called, hearing the commotions inside the room.

Daksh was arrested for attempt of rape, and for threatening Mr. & Mrs. Walia about their life.

****

Part 12

The drive back to their cabin was silence, with no one saying an word. Bani just walked in a dazed inside house.

"Bani," Jai called out, after he had closed the door. He found her sitting on the floor of the living room, her legs cradled and just staring at emptiness.

No response came from her.

"Bani," he called to her again, as he kneeled down.

"How can I be married to you, I have never been meant you in my life time." She asked him.

"Bani, we had a blind marriage."

"A blind marriage", she repeated to herself. She looked into his eyes for an explanation. "To a complete stranger" she said in a low voice

"To a complete stranger" he repeated

Jai explained to Bani, that this had all started, when his Massi and her daughter in law Roshni meant Bani at a department store in Mt. Abu, when they were shopping. Bani heard Massi, say to Roshni, what should I get my Munna for his birthday? Bani was passing bye, and she handed Massi, a baby rattle, saying your Munna would love this, as she assumed the Munna to be a small infant or toddler.

Bani did remember meeting a women name Roshni Kapoor in February who was from Mumbai. Even though Mrs. Roshni Kapoor was classy business women with style, she had a heart of gold, and for some reason Bani and her had hit it of well. Roshni wasn't a person who would go with the looks, she would also went to how the person behaved and how they acted. She and Mrs. Kapoor had spent few times in one of cafes having hot cinnamon rolls with coffee or tea, as they chatted.

"On my birthday my dearest Roshni Bhabji who is married to my Shobbhna Massi only son Aprajeet Kapoor. Massi and her Bahu gave me a box square boxed wrapped with a velvet blue ribbon. And then Roshni narrated the department store incident, which I was very amused to hear about."

Massi and Roshni along with my sister Jigaysa, persuade me to and meet you, and they did tell me about your scar, but Roshni suggested could have plastic surgery. When my family members and I went to see you, your father told us that you went to Shimla, because your best friend Sonali had a baby boy.

The only picture, that I saw of you in the living room was where your pink duppata was covering your face, only your eyes was shown saying parede mein rehendo. The next thing I knew was your eyes were pulling me towards you, like you were a magnet.

And I had agreed to marry you, after I got the approval of your parents, then your Nani Ma, then your sister Rano and Pia. I wasn't prepared to have an interview taken by them.

After that, we went back to Mumbai with your horoscope, when the family priest matched the horoscope, it said that we had to get married in the next month or so because our stars didn't match, or we couldn't get married for two years. As both of our stars were heavy. Massi told this to your parents.


Bani did remember Pia and Rano calling her telling that Nani Ma was sick, and she wanted to see Bani, and she had rushed an flight back home.

"Do you remember signing any papers?" He asked her.

Nodded her head in a positive way, yes she did remember Pia and Rano were making an fuss, and distracting her, saying it was an new shipment and you should sign it fast, as the agent is in a hurry. After signing the contract her Nanima, Rano and Pia were grinning like fools.

Because unknown to her, she had signed her marriage paper, as she slapped her hand on her face.

"After you signed the paper, the same day it was faxed to Mumbai, and I signed it. We got married on March 23rd 2006. We couldn't meet because you and I were both busy. I had six month projects in Dubai that needed care, and you were running back and forth from Shimla to Mt. Abu, as you were remolding this house."

"Was our meeting planned?" She asked

"Partially it was planned, but I didn't hire the goons to rob me. I thanked my luckily stars that it was you my wife that rescued me."

"What do you have to say about this Bani? If you want we can have a divorce?" Jai said with a heavy heart, how he can divorce a person that he has grown to love and can't live with her for a second. The thought of separation killed him.

"This may sound crazy Jai but I am not mad, at you or my crazy sisters or my crazy Nanima or your Roshni Bhabi, but I am mad that I didn't have no clue that I am married to you."

"You are not", he had million dollar smile on face with an sign of relief. As she shook her head. He took her in tight embrace.

"What would have happened, if I had fallen in love and someone proposed to me"

"Then that person would have died, and I wouldn't had signed the divorce paper."

"You wouldn't"

"Nope, I wouldn't, not in this life time not for seven life times. Tomorrow I will make sure you have an mangalsutra tied around your neck and sindoor so you can tell the world you are min and only mine"

Jai reached in his pocket and took out an small red colored velvet box that he had bought from Mumbai, and he opened the box in front of her, there was 14kt White Gold 1ct Marquise Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring, IGI Graded.


As he took her right hand and held in hiss. "Ms. Bani Dixt, oops I mean Mrs. Bani Jai Walia, will you do the honor and marry me. For better or for worse, for eternity. In this past month, I haven gotten to know you, and I can't imagine spending my rest of my life with out you." He said, with an teary eye, that showed the love he had in his eyes for her. "After my parents death, I had become only, but when I meant you you showed me the way to live, to may me smile, and you are the only woman in my life that made my heart beat. You will be the only woman till death do us apart." Bani's eyes were tears, with love and affection.

"Yes Mr. Walia I would love to marry you again." She smiled with an teary eye. He took her hands and placed a ring on his finger.

Her eyes were shinning with the love she had, and it was reflecting in his eyes also, they didn't need to say the three magic words, I love you, as they knew by looking into each others eyes, what they had in it was love for one another and nothing else. He took her in his embrace, and hugged her forever, this was not a friendship hug but it promised something else, this was their first official hug as husband an wife.

"Bani, at least you can call me Jai."

"I prefer calling, you Mr. Walia, I like calling you this."

"I think, I have a way." He said with an mischief voice.

"You do?"

"I do."

He said with an evil glint in eyes. And he did show her what was his idea, making them two bodies one soul, two hearts but one heart beat, and they were joined today together by body, heart, soul and mind, as they became soul mates. It was a morning of Christmas Eve 12am exact that they had become one soul. As the fire cracked both of them became one, and she only moaned his name Jai, Jai and only Jai, making them both go into their own heaven forgetting everything.

You have become mine forever.
Yes, we have become partners.
I have become yours.
Hereafter, I cannot live without you.
Do not live without me.
Let us share the joys.
We are word and meaning, unite.
You are thought and I am sound.

May the nights be honey-sweet for us.
May the mornings be honey-sweet for us.
May the plants be honey-sweet for us.
May the earth be honey-sweet for us.

***

Part 13

So many changes had happened in the past three years; as Bani touched her left side of the face, and trailed her fingers down to her neck where once her scars from her childhood had been. The scars were goner, place with a smooth soft skin. In neck she wore black and gold bead mangalsutra and her maang was adored in sindoor both representing the name of her husband Jai Walia.

After New Years, Jai had taken Bani to Mumbai with the blessing of Bani's parents and her Nanima. Jai's family had accepted Bani for the person she was not because of her scar or what she looked like. Even in the social circles they enjoyed her because of her brains not because of her beauty.

In March, two weeks before their one year anniversary; while she was snuggled in her husbands embrace she asked could go get and plastic surgery on her face, which he was happy but surprised.

"Jai one day, you told me that when I am ready I would want to have a plastic surgery and remove my scars."

"Bani are you sure?"

"I am sure", she said as she looked into the eyes of her husband. "I am ready to have the surgery."

"Sweetheart you don't need to have the surgery. I love you the way you are no matter what." As he traced his finger on her scar, and then trailed it down to her bare shoulder.

"I know but I want to. I am happy to have husband and family that love me no matter how I look. "

"Even though we had Blind Marriage setup by my darling Nanima and my crazy sisters, and your crazy friend Roshni, I have found a husband who loves me for who I am, and love him too". She honestly said as she meant his eyes.

Bani and Jai went to New York and got her plastic surgery done. For couple of months it was hard for Bani to get use to not seeing the scar on her face, as the scar was a part of her life and something she had gotten used to.

*****

Roshni and Bani shared a sister bonded, and Bani and Jai both adored Vikash Kapoor, Roshni and Aprajeet son. Massi was blessed with visiting both her son, she spent six-month living with Aprajeet and Roshni in Bangalore six moths living with Jai and Bani in Mumbai.

Pia gotten married to her childhood sweetheart Pushkar Shukla and they moved to Delhi and expanded the Teen Pari Boutique with new styles and fashion.


In the three years the bookworm Rano had found her Mr. Right, who was Ranveer Bali, the son of Jai's elder sister Jigaysa Bali who lived in London with her mother in law and husband along with her two other children Sahil and Anuradha. Ranveer and Rano met at the Walia Mansion during one of their visits. Even though Ranveer grew up in London, after their marriage he and Rano would live in India. So she could continue her law and help the Indian Women, who had been through domestic violence or had been ostracized from the society for various reasons

Bani became a therapist to help the Indian Women who weren't as beautiful as the others around them, to help them see their inner beauty. Every four months the Teen Pari Boutique in association with Walia Group of Industry had a lottery drawn out to send some of the women aboard for plastic surgery.

Jai and Bani with the help of their family members ran an academy called Jeevan for women who had suffered domestic violence or been outcaste from the society for various reasons. Jeevan is house academy that is located in Mumbai, where women are trained with the talents they have. After their training is finished, the staff of Jeevan academy helps women find a job that with their trade, after three months of having a job they send help they find a house or apartment of their own to live. Jeevan also helps the women who are widows. The sponsorship came from the social circle of Jai Walia and his contacts not just from India but from also from London where his sister and her family lived.

****

The approaching footsteps and the smell of her husband cologne brought Bani back into her present as she felt her husband arms encircle her waist.

"Good evening sweetheart", Jai said as he kissed the side of her face.

"Good evening", she replied back as she turned around in the arms of her husband. Her eyes were filled with love and respect for her husband and she could also see the same love for her in his eyes.

As they stared into each others eyes for several minutes, Bani broke their contact.

"Mr. Walia, lets go to our Juhu Beach House."

"Right now," he looked at her in surprise.

"Why not, what's wrong with tonight?" as her arm travel around his neck, and he kissed her.

"Just imagine you and me, having an perfect getaway weekend for two days, no one to disturbance us, no phones calls or nothing." She said softly and seductively, as her fingers were massaging the back of his neck.

"Hmm not a bad idea." As he began to enjoy the small massage by his wife.

"Come-on Mr. Walia, today we can go for a long drive at night to our Juhu Beach house just you and me, nothing else". As she moved closer and blew hot air into his ears, knowing that this will drive him insane.

"So can we go right now." As she let go of him.

"What do I get in return?"

"What do you want?"

Hmm, there was a moment of silence. He gave her a wicked grin, before bending down and capturing her lips with his, as his hands moved around her waist, crushing her into his chest, as her fingers traveled into his thick black hair, his warm tongue outlining her lips and then dipping inside. After a few minutes both of them a parted, trying to catch their breath, his eyes show reflection of hunger and passion. While her face was flushed, and her lips were swollen, her entire body was burning with heat.

"Mr. Walia"

"Bani get ready, or else will be stuck in heavy traffic." Jai said as he placed a kiss on her forehead, and left to get ready.

*****

Jai looked at his watched for the tenth time, his darling wife ten minutes were up twenty minutes ago. He was pacing back and forth down the living room, waiting for his wife.

"I wonder why married woman take time to dress up?" He spoke out aloud, as he ran his hands into his thick hair.

"So we can make sure our husbands don't run away, I only dress to impress my husband," said the approaching voice of Bani.

"Bani, what took you….sooo", Jai turned around as his sentence was fade when he saw his wife coming down the stairs.

Bani was coming down the stairs wearing a beautiful black faux georgette saree with cut work design pallu with an halter neck blouse. The saree is embellished with black color beads and silver color sequins work on it.

Her forehead was adored with small bindi, her maang filled with sindoor, and her mangalsutra on top of her saree, her hands were adorned with a diamond bracelet and her left wrist had her watch and her wedding finger was adored with the engagement ring.

Each step she took was killing Jai, as she was swaying her hips very seductively and on purpose to drive him in crazy. Jai knew darn well, that his darling life was doing this to get her revenge from the unaccepted kiss, that had left her mouth a little swollen, which she tried to cover with her cherry lipstick.

In the past three years, Jai's love had also turned a innocent Bani into an seductress tigress Bani who could drive her husband wild and crazy.

"Toh Chale", as Bani came to stop in front of her husband.

He just nodded his head.

" Mr. Walia", Bani said as she licked her lips, "close your mouth or else you will get flies in them."

"What?"

She burst out laughing seeing the reaction on his face, as she towards the front door.

When Jai saw the back of her blouse he was knocked out. It was only a very thin trap holding the top and inch thick trap at the bottom making an round shape.

Jai swore under his breath, as he ran after her, luckily there were not going to any parties or any function. He would make sure that Bani was handcuffed to him at all times, and no one asked her to dance or else there could have been some broken nose, hand and legs if they came near his wife.

When Jai reached his black Mercedes, Bani was properly seated wearing a her seat belt waiting for him to come.

The drive to their Juhu Beach House was quiet and Bani had fallen asleep much to hers and Jai's dismay.

"Bani sweetheart, we are here," Jai said, as he parked the car.

There was no response. Jai went to the other side, and opened the passenger door and picked her up.

He carried her inside to their bedroom, which was glowing in soft luminous effect of the candles. Red and white candles ranging from large to small were surrounded in the room.

Seeing the room set in a romantic setting Jai tried to remember their special dates, and he couldn't think of any. Today was June 29th, he couldn't remember any important event that took place this day which was special to him or Bani, as he gently placed her on the bed.

Jai went and sat down on the sofa, so he wouldn't disturb her sleep. A small brown basket that was filled with lots of rose petals caught his eye. On top of mixed roses there was an note that said to my husband.

For a minute Jai tried to figure out why Bani would give him a basket full of light colored rose petals that ranged from light pink, white and yellow, his mind grew blank as he couldn't figure out why.

He picked up the note that says "buried inside the basket lies and object that was an unusual birthday present for you."

Jai smiled at Bani's childish, as he hand searched for the object, and he felt something and he dug up to see the rattle.

It was the same rattle that Bani had given to Jai indirectly on his birthday to Jai, as she thought he was an small toddler, because Massi called him Munna.

His lips formed into an smile, as he brought the rattle to his face and shook it, as he looked at the side of the table, he noticed an yellow enveloped.

He opened the envelope, and picked up the card a crushed, red colored rose dropped.

Dearest Husband

You are my soul mate, and I am an lucky woman to have you in my life for the rest of my life, till the last breath that I have in me. I don't know how to say this Jai, I am expecting. Yesterday when I went to my gynecologist and this morning I got the lab report, saying that I am expecting our first child.

Love yours
Bani

Jai's face broke into an million dollar smile, as he read the letter; at least ten times to make sure his eyes was not misleading him.

"I am going to be a father" he said to himself, he felt like going on top of the roof top and screaming, but the mother of his child was sleeping peacefully like an angel.

For the past year Jai and Bani were trying too have a baby, he kept reassuring her when the time is right god will bless them with their own bundle of joy.

Jai smiled to himself, he recalled it was an stormy night on June 19th , that both he and Bani had spent that night exploring themselves and making love inside their cabin door on small island of Fiji. That one week on Fiji was an get way from their busy scheduled where both of them wanted to spend some quality time alone without no disturbance.

He did notice after trip to Fiji, Bani was getting tired and throwing up a lot especially during the mornings. Oh shoot, that was morning sickness.

***

The baby rattle sound, placed by Bani's ear, had woken her up. When she woke up, she realized that she was already inside their Juhu Beach house.

The candles were dimming.

Oh no, I had fallen asleep. She said to herself, as she sat on the bed.

Its ok, said the deep husky voice of her husband. She turned to her left side, her eyes locked with her husband.

"I am sorry Mr. Walia", she said

"It's ok Mommy relax." He said with an smile playing on his lip, there was a new set of emotions in his eyes.

"No its, not ok, Jai", she said as she shook her head in a disproval, I wanted us to celebrate.

"Why did you want to celebrate?" He asked her firmly." I don't recall any thing special Mommy," he said

"Mr. Walia, I wanted to celebrate because …, wait did you just call me Mommy." Bani said as she looked at him, the surprise was replaced my tears of happiness, that she just hugged her husband.

Jai broke the embrace, and kissed her forehead and then place his hand on her flat stomach.

"Thank you for the wonderful gift, Bani that no money in the world can purchase this." He said with a teary eye as he looked into his wife eyes. "I promise you to be very responsible, caring and loving father." As he placed a kiss on her forehead.

Oh Jai, Bani felt her eyes getting moist, he wiped her tears away. After that Bani and Jai had an celebration of their own, which just involved the privacy of their bedroom, wrapped in embrace of each other arm.

*****

During Bani's pregnancy Jai made sure he didn't have any business trips at all, not even in India. He came from work at 6pm sharp. He made should sure that he match every demand of Bani needs, and cravings, and she was treated and pampered rotten by all of their family members from both of their sides.

On March 15th 2011, Atharva and Krishna Walia were born one week before their parents 5th wedding anniversary. One year later, Ganga Walia was born; both Jai and Bani felt their family was complete. Who knew that a Blind Marriage planned by her sisters, her crazy Nanima, and her Jai's whacko Roshni Bhabi would work.



The End

Entry No. 13

Jaane woh kaise log the jinke pyar ko pyar mila,

Hum ne toh jab kaliya maangi, kato ka har mila

(Film Payasa, singer Hemant Kumar)

+++

Bani sat watching Ganga playing with the children in the park, she was the youngest amongst the lot but was the smartest, if Bani might say so...fighting for her turn, kicking the ball hard and running so fast that even the boys were having difficulty catching up with her...Bani smiled she could see the same determined jaws as her father and when Ganga frowned there was little doubt that she was not her father's daughter.

There was hardly any day when Bani did not think about her father, her husband, she did all the time and their children too, Atharva and Krishna, the names she always scribbled absentmindedly, the children snatched away from them so brutally, Bani would have lost faith in God if it had not been for Ganga, whom she thought was a miracle to have happened in her life, with two children already, Jai, her husband did not want anymore, Bani did bring up the topic once ...Jai caressed her velvet skin and whispered ...waise hi tumhe mere liye waqt nehi milta aur ek a jayega toh mera toh chhutti ho jayega...

Waqt...yeh complain toh Atharva bhi aajkaal karne laga hai...he is always saying Papa office se laut tehi aap unke pass chale jate ho...

Yeh ladka toh mera sabse bara dushmaan hai...pura din toh rehta hai apne Ma ke pass phirbhi itni bari complain...

Bani laughed...

+++

Dusk was about to set in the small town of Meerut...Bani called out for Ganga, now they should be leaving...it is about time Bani starts preparing for evening dinner, her clients will start coming early with the festival season round the corner, many of them came with family as hers was a reasonably priced place with home like food.

+++

Bani and Masi helped and supervised their helpers with firm hand while they served the clients, with deft hands Bani rolled out chapattis and parathas with one eye on Ganga, who was playing at a corner, Bani never let her out of her sight, she has been taught a very hard lesson and she simply could not afford to lose her treasure all over again...

It was well passed 12 in the night, when Bani went to bed, Ganga already sleeping, Bani took a wet towel, wiped her legs and hands of any dirt, examined her for any scratch, satisfied she put the cover over, kissed her...Masi smiled...this was the everyday nightly ritual but Masi loved to see the emotions playing in Bani's face...in such a young life she has gone through which normally one did not undergo in a lifetime....she was like a crushed red rose, beautiful but scarred...

Bani lay down next to Ganga, the area had gone quiet, the highway was not very far and she could hear the noise of the trucks and vehicles plying in the silence of the night, the noise of the horns fading away...Bani remembered the nightly long drives her husband took her on, to have some time for themselves away from joint family, they sat cosily inside the car, holding hands, Jai loved it when Bani snuggled upto his shoulder, biting his ears and nuzzling his neck...he then stopped the car on a secluded place...

Later when the children came, it became their weekend ritual, Arthava loved cars and insisted they go on drives, the faster Jai drove, the children enjoyed it more, laughed aloud...and their father became their instant hero, worshipping the ground on which he walked...Bani's eyes closed remembering the happy faces of her late children.....

+++

Jai's car was on the highway, driving towards its destination, Jai was immersed in the laptop, the scenery outside did not interest him, he was watching the ups and downs of the share market, speaking to his broker on the stocks to hold and which to release....suddenly the car jerked, Jai frowned, he has hired a high end car hence expected no hiccups, the car steadies, Jai's frown clears, he carries on his discussion....after covering some distance the car starts creating problem, the driver tries his best to control it without success, he then turns around to Jai.....Sahab lagta hai koi problem hai...mai jara check kar lu...Jai's patience was running low but then he decided to remain calm, he just made enough money on the stock market so takeover of another company can wait for sometime, he wanted to savour his success, he had taken a huge risk, so huge that even his broker got frightened and that made him feel good, his living on the edge instinct is working fine, he wished he was carrying some champagne so he could have a drink by himself, yes by himself, he hardly shares his life with anybody nowadays, human beings have ceased to be meaningful in his morbid life...its money, defeating others in deals and being on the top are the reasons of his living, the newspapers call him maverick businessman, his employees, mad man and his relatives, they shed their silent tears, he does not care, he lives for himself and himself alone, it his success and failures now...suddenly he remembered something, he got out opened the back door, in the chiller box there was a champagne bottle, good old Aditya, did not forget anything, he knew Jai liked to celebrate his success after every deal so the car was fully equipped, Jai opened another box, champagne flutes were kept, Jai took out one, opened the bottle, poured sparkling wine and drank in one long sip and threw the glass on the road, the flute broke, seeing the broken flute, Jai's thought went back to long long time ago when Bani had become his wife and was scared as a little mouse of everything in his house, accidently she had broken a similar flute due to her nervousness after tasting her first champagne, she was on verge of tears that she had spoilt the set and it had taken Jai considerable time to pacify her that he can buy such 100 sets and she should not get upset with such petty things...

Sahab, Sahab....

Keya hai, he asked a little too roughly...

Sahab, problem jara mushkil hai, garage me jana parega...

Oh no, itna kimti gari tumlog maintenance nehi karte ho keya....

Ji karte toh hai, lekin machine hai keya kare sahab bigar jata hai kabhi kabhi, waise maine pechhe wala gari ko phone kar diya woh log 5/10 minute me pahuchte hi honge, aap us gari se ja sakte hai...

Jai cursed, he liked to travel alone and the next car behind carried his employees required for the deal, Jai inserted his hands in his pockets, walked about the car, the breath of fresh air after long time as now he seldom steps outside for fresh air, he is always travelling from one place to the another, in cars with windows rolled up immersed in his laptop….

The second car comes to a stop, his officers jump out, Sir, you take this car and proceed, we have ordered another car from the agency in Delhi and will follow you …

What rubbish, the car will be coming from Delhi and it will take a long time…

Yes we know that, in the meanwhile we will get this car repaired too, the other car will just be a backup just in case…

A wicked thought crossed Jai's mind, what am I paying these people for, he thought, most of the time I am negotiating, they just sit and give me the backup papers, for a change why can't they do the deal….

He cleared his voice, well you go ahead while I stay back, you start the negotiation and I will join you eventually….

They looked taken aback but covered their surprise quickly, one thing they have learnt from their experience of working under Jai Walia, never show your emotions, never show your weaknesses, if you do, he will tear you apart…

They agree and leave for their destination…

+++

Jai stands with his hands on his hips, keya kare he thinks for a while, should he wait for the car or should he take this car to the garage, the driver was speaking to his owner over phone…Jai taps on his shoulder…

+++

Keshav Bhai was removing the grease from his hand when he saw a car, huffing and muffing making its way to his garage…seeing the type of the car, his eyes gleamed, it is not always he gets to lay his hand on such cars, being on the highway he is mainly repairing trucks and other common vehicles, these car is meant for sophisticated garages, other than an occasional minor repairs that too far in between he seldom gets to lay his hands on such vehicles…

Though excited, he takes leisurely steps towards the car and look at it casually…

Jai Walia gets down, gives a disdain glance at the garage and is also not too impressed with its owner, theek ho sakega, he enquires a bit sarcastically…

Kiyu nehi, sahab, yeh Keshav Bhai ka hath hai, jadu hai inme said Ravi, Keshav's assistant..

Dekhte hai, Keshav Bhai replied half heartedly…

The bonnet was promptly opened, Ravi got into the driver's seat, started and stopped the car as per Keshav's instruction, while he examined the problem, Jai stood next to the car, observed the activities at last Keshav was satisfied with his inspection, looked up…

Sahab trouble ka toh patah laga liye maine, lekin time lagega, intezaar karna parega…

Kitna time…

Do ghante,

Itna…

Uske kam me koshish karunga lekin itna lag hi jayega, jaida bhi lag sakte hai..

Jai understood Keshav has read him well, he is playing safe…he turned and inspected the charpai, it looked clean enough not to spoil his clothes…

Keshav smiled, he instructed his boys to get the best takia from the office so that sahab can rest properly…

Kuch piyenge sahab he asked …

Jai automatically replied 'Coffee'…then realised maybe in this part of the world, it will be a rare thing to obtain, all they got here in north India very milky masala chai…

Before he could instruct Keshav otherwise, keshav was calling out to Ravi…areh Ravi, ja toh Ganga ki ma ke pass, bol sahab ke liye coffee aur kuch bhejne, jaldi ana, kaam para hai…

+++

Bani was making fresh bread rolls, her Bombay pau bhaji was very famous and in the evening students and young people will drop by for the same when Ravi came in a ordered coffee, didi kaide se bhejna, bahut bara sahab hai aur saath me kuch khane bhi, Bani smiled, whenever Keshav wanted to please his clients, he sent for food from her dhaba, though he did not know her past, he liked the way she presented her food, jaise bare hotelo me dete hai…

Bani went inside her room where a bottle coffee is kept, her once in a while indulgence, sometimes Ganga's too when she refuses to drink her milk otherwise, she picks up the bottle and reaches out for the sugar cubes, bought yesterday, as she took out the packet from the newspaper wrapping, the name Jai Walia caught her eyes….the clipping was from a local news paper 2 days old reporting that Jai Walia, the famous industrialist from Mumbai is interested to buy the 'Krishna Industries' situated about 80 k.m. from Meerut which is running in a loss, he will be coming one of these days for inspection and negotiation, Bani sighed, no matter how much she tried to stay away from his news, she got them anyway…

Bani poured the coffee in the small flask, put the sugar cubes in the sugar pot, buttered the freshly baked roll and sprinkled a bit of cinnamon powder as her version of cinnamon roll, wrapping them with paper napkin, called out for Ganga for her inspection...Ganga knew her mother's tendency of missing out small things, inspected the items kept neatly on the tray covered with lace tray cloth…

..Coffee Mug, she asked…

Aha…wahi mai sooch rahi thi, keya missing hai…Bani quickly puts her best coffee mug…theek hai…

Ji, kaha leke jana hai…

Keshav Bhai ke garage tak….Bani puts the tray on her small but steady hands, wait math karna beta raaste ke taraf math jana, ha beta, yaad rahega na…

Ha ma, Ganga nodded…

It was not very far, but Bani was afraid, she did not like to send Ganga alone, but what to do, Masi was having her afternoon siesta, she is getting old and she works in the dhaba very hard too, the other helpers have gone out for their rest, they will be back sometime later, with 2^nd lot of bread rolls in oven, Bani could not go, had to send Ganga, Bani watches her daughter as long as she could be seen…

+++

Jai had fallen into a brief nap after he spread himself out on the charpai, the winter was setting in the afternoon pleasant, the noise of montonous car repairing activities, Jai closed his eyes….

Aye Ganga, sahab sow gaye…coffee chhorkar chali ja, uthenge jab pi lenge…

Na, rolls thanda ho jayega…bekar lagega. Sahab ko utha do…

Areh dekh nehi rahi keya, sow rahe hai sahab, bhag idhar se abhi, nehi toh didi ajaygi, Ravi instructed Ganga while holding out tools to Keshav Bhai…

Ganga doesn't pay any heed, she is used to Ravi's behaviour, keeps the tray on the stool next, and pats Jai on his shoulder…sahab…sahab utho, coffee piyo….

Jai opened his eyes and got a start, the pair of eyes looking at him were the same pair which haunted him in his dreams, over all these years he is yet to get over them, he remembers the pain in them, when he gave her one mighty slap on learning that she had been with Daksh leaving the children with the driver, when they were kidnapped, inspite of my instruction how dare you go and meet him, he was too mad to hear any reasoning…..

Sahab coffee, the small hand held out a mug full of steaming coffee,

Jai's heart jumped, such a small and delicate hand holding a big mug full of hot coffee, the father in him took over…

Tum chhoro beta, mai le leta hu, he said softly…

Koi baath nehi, Ganga replied like a thorough professional, the attitude and way of speech were so known, thought Jai…

Jai helped himself with sugar and when Ganga held out the rolls, Jai refused….

Nehi lena hai mujhe…

Le lijiye sahab meri ma ka haath ka hai, bahut achha rolls banati hai woh, meri favourite….

Jai smiled, he could no longer refuse the child…

He took a bite, mmmmmmhhhh good, very good, soft and buttery with freshly sprinkled cinnamon, suddenly he stopped chewing, the rolls reminded of the incident on a Sunday afternoon when the storm was about to set in, he wanted to have coffee and cinnamon rolls, he went to Bani who was having her siesta with the children….Bani utho, chalo mere saath…

Kaha Mr Walia she asked sleepily….Coffee aur cinnamon rolls khane….

Is weather me, she opened her eyes…

Ha bahut mann kar raha hai…

Bani got up, the children were sleeping….kaise jayu, bachche uthenge toh naraz ho jayenge…

Lekin mera mann kar rahe hai, he had insisted….

Theek hai aap study me jayiye, mai lati hu…

Tum kaise layogi…

Jadu se was her reply, 15 minutes later, Bani walked in with two cups of hot steaming coffee and cinnamon rolls, which she had made heating the dinner rolls available in the fridge, that afternoon they had sat on the sofa with Bani leaning on his chest, having coffee and rolls watching the stormy sky with rain lashing on the window panes…no words were exchanged, only togetherness was shared…

Achche nehi hai keya asked Ganga breaking the silence…

Nehi bahut achche hai, replied Jai trying to sound as emotionless as possible…

Meri Ma bahut achha khana banati hai, encouraged by Jai's response, Ganga sat on the Charpai swinging her legs watching Jai enjoying the food…

Phirse tu gappe larane baith gayi, Didi atehi hogi, warned Ravi….

Yeh tray kaun wapis leke jayega, tumhara yaad kaha rehta hai, mujhe hi toh ana parega phirse use achha me ekbar hi mai leke jau…Ganga conveniently forgetting her mother's instruction as she was enjoying her chat with Jai

Jai was amused the girl spoke non-stop somewhat like his Krishna while her speech was still babyish, this girl spoke like a grown up…

Tumhara naam keya hai beta…Jai asked

'G'….she replied…

'Ji'….asked Jai…

Ha 'G' for Ganga, my name is Ganga lekin pyar se mujhe 'G' bulaya jata hai….

So G how much do I have to pay you for the coffee and the rolls…

How much…I don't know…ma se puchna bhul gayi…ma bhi na…saab bhul jati hai…rukhiye mai puch kar ati hu…

Jai took out a 500 rupee note and gave it to Ganga..

5- 0 -0 Ganga read out…500? She asked…

Yes….replied Jai…

Itna toh nehi ho sakta…she said…

Jitna huwa utna tumhari Ma ka aar baki tumhara…

Kisliye…

For your services….

Ma gussa kare toh…

Bulna maine diya hai…

Aap…matlab aapka naam…

Jai smiled, after many many years somebody is asking his name, Jai Walia…bulna Jai Walia ne mujhe diya hai…

Ganga face broke into a smile, aap bhi Walia hai…

Ha kiyu…

Yeh Ganga tu idhar baithi hai, didi tujhe bula rahi hai, said a passerby…

Oh mujhe abhi jana parega, Ganga jumped down, ma mujhe miss kar rahi hai, her expression reminded him again about the same person….

Bani, Bani he called out…

Keya hai, Bani answered who was running around getting the kids ready for school, him for office…

Jara suno toh….he asked her to come to their room….

Bani asked Krishna to wear her dress, mai akar button lagati hu…

Bani had hurriedly walked into their room, keya hai jaldi bataye…

Idhar toh ayu…Jai had called out trying to look very busy

When Bani came near him, he just hugged her and kissed her hard…

What was that for, she asked trying to get her breath back..

He gave her a wicked grin, thanks for the wonderful night, he replied teasingly…

Colour crept on her face, she pushed him back…badmash kahi ka, do do bachche ka baap phirbhi koi sharam nehi, she started walking away…

Kaise sharam Bani, aur sharmaunga toh pyar kaise karunga….but Bani was already out of the room to get the children ready…

Jai watched Ganga placing all the items on the tray and then picking it up to leave, with the money in one hand, she was trying to adjust the tray according to her convenience…

Jai got up, took the tray from her, chalo mai tumhara saath chalta hu…tumhari ma ko thank you bolna hai…

Aap chalenge mere saath..

Kiyu nehi…

Ganga was thrilled, she wanted to show off her new found friend, literally dancing she led the way to their shop, informing him about place and introducing him to the people around….

+++

Daksh was sipping hot milk shake when G's voice reached him, he glanced at Bani working in the Dhaba, here she comes…

Bani looked relieved, smiled….

Hi G, Daksh called out….

Daksh Mama kab aye aap, she ran and threw herself on him…

Jai stopped on his track, Oh no not him, he thought as he stooped to keep the tray on the nearest table…

As Daksh and Jai watched each other for sometime, hatred crept into Jai's eyes,

Tum? Idhar?….he minced his question….

Daksh shivered under his hatred, ha mai kabhi kabhi ata hu, business you know, he replied lamely….before Jai could say anything else, his mobile rang…

Sahab kaha ho, gari theek ho gayi hai….his driver informed

Ata hu mai, Jai replied, gave one last smouldering glance at Daksh, turned and left…

Bani who was hiding behind the pillar, came out and stood watching his retreating back…

Masi who had been watching the proceedings from the window, sighed, aur kitna pariksha lena hai bhagwan, she asked silently as Bani ran past her to check her tears…

++

Bani quietly took out the photo frame she kept under the clothes at the back of her cupboard…It was a copy of an old portrait of Jai, it had come out about 5 years ago in a national paper, shortly after Bani and Masi had shifted to Meerut, announcing Jai biggest overseas deal…Bani had carefully cut it out and put it in a frame…maybe when Ganga grew up, will be wanting to know about her father, she had thought….Bani checked her tears, put the picture back…he did not know about Ganga, that night they had been careless and he had promised to take care later if anything happened….well she was no longer with him, when she had found out that she was going to be a mother again…

+++

Seeing Daksh the old wound started bleeding, he could not still believe that his loving wife Bani left for that spite of a boy, keya kami tha hamara rishta me, o.k. I was elder to her by 17 years but we had a healthy sexual life, infact at times she wanted to know his real age, she joked about it in private moments and when Arushi commented on their age gap, I wish I could invite her to our bedroom, she had said quite hauntingly , uske mard se jaida mard hai mera mard, uske tarah pregnant banakar chhor nehi diya, Jai had laughed at her disgust, keya ata jata hai Bani, we know what we have nah…

Jigyasa, his sister was hinting to him for quite sometime, trying to convince him hard, he did not believe her, infact shoved her away till the kids were kidnapped and then the hell broke loose specially those photographs of hers and Daksh's wedding and when she accepted she was with Daksh leaving the children with the driver…

Daksh Randheria, I have to settle my scores with you, as your father Dhanraj wanted a price for his help to get me back into business, well I paid the price with more than any man could ever pay, with wife and children, yes all these years I have been busy building my business back, now in a position where settling my vendetta with your family will be of very little harm to me, a few crores of loss here and there will hardly dent my business…

Needless to say Jai was no longer interested in Krishna Industries, except for the name, the business was not very appealing to him anyway, the owners were more interested in selling it, Jai's officers were convinced that it was a good buy, Jai for a change agreed to their verdict…as it was already late he decided to stay back in the guesthouse attached to the factory…he has a long wakeful night ahead.

+++

Puchhoo na kaise maine raine bitayee

Puchhoo na kaise maine raine bitayee

Ek pal jaise ek jug bita, jug bite muhe need na ayi

Puchhoo na kaise maine raine bitaye

Khud jale deepak ek mann mera phirbi na jaye mere ghar ka andhera…

(Film:Meri surat teri ankhe..Singer Manna Dey)

Jai was going back to Delhi, papers signed deal sealed, he was tired with a sleepless night he suddenly felt old and haggard….he wished he had someone who could massage his head, talk to him sweetly and take his pain away…suddenly he remember Ganga, well he was supposed to thank her mother, seeing Daksh…

Driver mujhe woh garage me leke jana he instructed…

+++

With the afternoon rush was over, the dhaba cleaned, Masi was counting the money accumulated over the afternoon when a voice asked from behind…

Keya mai Ganga se mil sakta hu….

Masi froze, it was a voice she will recognise in her death bed even…

When the question was repeated, Masi slowly turned, needless to say Jai's face turned into disbelieve…

Aap…..he asked, trying to believe what he was seeing

Kiyu hume jinda dekh kar tujhe hairani ho rahi hai….Masi asked sarcastically…

Ganga? Mera matlab Ganga idhar hi rehti hai na…

Jab woh meri poti hai, idhar hi toh rahegi, jayegi kaha…

Aap ki poti, Jai questioned, now he wanted to get into the bottom of the matter

Ha waise toh mere bhanje ka beti lekin mai bolti hu meri beti ki beti…

Jai smiled sarcastically, no wonder Daksh was here…he said, us daayin ne kaha aur aap ne mann liya..

Mai jaroor bura ho chuki hu, lekin andhi nehi, aur mere na manne se keya, sach toh sach hi hai na…aur medical science ne bahut tarakki kar liya hai, lekin beta dill ki ankho se dekhne se sach patah hi chal jata hai, tabh koi medical science ka jaroorat nehi hota hai…

At that moment Ganga came running to him, she had been to her play school….areh sahab aap…mere ma se milne aye hai….woh dekhiye meri ma, Jai looked up to see Bani carrying Ganga's school bag standing at a distance, next to her was Daksh…

Aur woh mere Mama hai, Mumbai me rehta hai, bahut bara saher hai Mumbai…Ganga went on with the introduction….

All these years has had its effect on Bani, he noted…the fresh young look which she had was no longer there, she was still beautiful but sad, the vibrancy was not there, their eyes met, he could see the accusation and the anger clouding her eyes filling it with tears which she quickly blinked away, bowed her head, walked past him to go inside…

Daksh came forward, Jai's hands curled into fist….

Mr Walia, after all these years can I have 5 minutes of your time to explain the things, kuch sachaiya apko bhi janna jaroori hai aur mai ganga ka kasam khata hu ki mai jhoot nehi bolunga…

+++

While Daksh gave the reason for his illness and why he always reacted to Bani the way he did in the past, Jai stood with his head bowed listening intently wondering how much truth does Jigyasa know or like him is she also ignorant and chose to believe what she saw, if no, how can a sister be so cruel to snatch away her own brother's happiness?

+++

Bani was leaning against the cupboard, shivering and crying, the past memories came rushing back, she was thinking what will she now say to Ganga who has obviously heard everything, as it is Bani had difficulty in answering to her inquisitiveness but now, Bani closed her eyes to control herself, trying to think of all possible excuses she can give her daughter as the truth is too harsh for her daughter at this tender age…

Bani….

Bani stiffened…..it was his special tone, the tone in which he called when he wanted to make love…Bani stifled her cry…Jai came in and stood in front of her….itna bara saach chhupa ke rakha tumne mujhse, he accused softly imprisoning her by putting his hands on either side of the cupboard…

Keya mai itna nasamaj tha ki tumne yeh batana uchit nehi samjha ki Daksh ki biwi Anamika tumhari judwa bahen thi, keya tum mujshe itna darte the, yah mai business ke waje se parishan tha ki tum yeh saj se hume parishan nehi karna chahate the…

Mujhse galati ho gayi, Mr Walia, Bani cried, catching the lapel of his jacket, maine kabhi socha hi nehi tha, ek jhoot hume itna bara saza dega…Bani cried incoherently…

Jai hugged her tightly to himself, rubbing his chin against her head, tears which he thought had dried came pouring down, both cried unashamedly for the loss they had to bear all these years, the loneliness, the guilt and the misunderstandings…..they cried for their children, they cried for their lost time and they cried for getting back together at last, leaving behind unpleasant things…at last Jai lifted Bani's head from his chest, wiped her tears with his thumb….

Mera Krishna toh mujhe wapis mil gaya, keya mujhe mera Arthava milega phirse, Bani nodded her assent somehow and hid her head in his chest, bringing fresh tears of joy…

……THE END….

Entry No. 14

All heads turned in the direction of the resounding crash in the far corner of the dance floor, the coming to a stop. The broken crystal champagne flute lay in millions of fragments, scattered in all directions. A shocked, tear stained damsel escaped from the middle of the Masquerade Ball, glad that she was wearing the beautiful gold and cream mask on her face to hide her identity. As the tresses of her cream and gold gown whipped around the corner, instant hushed whispers erupted throughout the room. Curiosity sprung up like wildfire, with different questions being tossed about in the fray. What exactly had just happened? Who was the petite that had picked up her dress and fled from the Ball? Where was her prince Charming and why wasn't anyone chasing after her?

Only two persons held the answer to these questions. One was standing right next to where Cinderella had escaped, a wicked grin on her face, shrugging and approaching the next eligible male on the dance floor and the other was staying rather quiet until the party restarted, before making his escape. He was just as grateful for his black velvet mask and costume which he wore. No one knew who anyone was, as the rule of the party was to come fully masked and costumed and at the stroke of midnight, everyone would reveal themselves in the party. The Walia's were famous for throwing these types of Halloween parties at their most infamous club in Juhu, Mumbai.

Slowly the murmurs died down and the jesters, zombies, fairies and vampires started to dance to the music which was just turned on once more. Taking this is his cue to exit; Casanova suavely came out from behind the marble roman column and made a quick exit into the dark night. She tried calling after Casanova…but he was already out chasing Cinderella.

Walking out into the large garden, he scanned for any sign of the escaped damsel. Nearing the marble gazebo, in the depth of darkness of the exotic garden, he heard a gasp and then some stifled sobs. That was her, he'd know that voice, and those sobs anywhere.
Rounding the corner, careful not to squash the stacks of carved pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns, or to get tangled in the fake spider web, he entered the gazebo. He saw her body still in the moonlight; she had sensed him.

"Bani…" he breathed. He saw and heard her sharp intake of breath as he called her by her name. How did he know it was her?

"Bani…what you saw…it was your misunderstanding. Please, I didn't---" but his pleads were cut off by her sharp tone as she sprung up from her seat on the carved stone bench, spinning to face him halfway. He saw the mask lying to the side of her, giving perfect view to her hazel eyes, which were expressing utter pain and heartbreak, betraying her outer faade.

"No. Why should you care how I feel? Why should I care about what I saw? You mean nothing to me and likewise, I hold no value to you" she said in a deadly, razor sharp whisper, her last words sounding distorted to her own ears, piercing her heart to convince herself of these truths.

"Bani…"

"Here…take this…I'm sorry I ever wasted my time on you. How could I have been so foolish…what would you want with someone like me? I mean, not when you can have Mata Hari at your side…" she spat, the sickening image of the woman in the Mata Hari costume floating through her mind, enraging her as she flung a torn paper clipping towards him.

Glancing down at the jagged edge paper, he struggled to hide his surprise at the image and article before him. So she had known. Not just from what she saw tonight, but according to the date printed under the article, she had known for months now, but she hadn't said a word. No one in his family had either. He felt his throat constricting. Maybe this was why his Massi had kept a distance from him, though pretending that everything was fine. Maybe this was why his best friend and brother-in-law, Aditya, had stopped his and his family's frequent visits to Walia Mansion, though putting the blame on business and work.

Everyone had known…he felt ashamed and disgusted with himself. HE, the great Jai Walia, never imagined his fall from grace would come so soon. He had no clue where this came from, or how the press even got wind of that meeting, but skimming through the article, none of the information written was true. Yes he had gotten married to Bani in hasty circumstances. Yes he had hated the sight of her and her very existence on this planet after marriage, and yes, he had never respected her or treated her like a wife. But cheat on her? That was one thing he would never do. He was raised with morals and values. His father had never treated his mother or any other woman in any degrading manner, and Jai intended to follow in the same way. This was one value he would never compromise with.

Roshni, being an ex lover and then good friend, had come to his rescue after marriage and they had began spending a lot of time together. They did things he considered normal friends would do, not really giving too much thought as to how it would be viewed in the public eye. This was a picture of them having a causal lunch on the boardwalk about 2 months ago. However, they were leaning towards each other, seemingly very intimate by the looks of it and it definitely did not look as casual as it was. They were, in fact, discussing some new joint business venture they were planning to take on together and were huddled close so as to keep it confidential. The caption for the picture instead stated that "Business Billionaire Jai Walia and beautiful partner Roshni Chopra, wining and dining at the Hilton Resort. Is the flame re-igniting? This pair has been spotted at various hot spots for quite some time now and have been known by the public to share one of the hottest chemistries since Dev Khanna and Jiya Mathur"

Jai was utterly disgusted. He didn't want Bani thinking of him to be some dog, but he was sure that impression was 100% convinced after tonight.

She had walked into the Masquerade Ball around 10 pm, dressed in a gorgeous gown, similar to those worn by old English royalty, as reflected in old portraits. The corset top was a cream-gold, covered with stonework in an Indian style, complete with the puffy skirt train to finish the medieval look. She looked amazing; her usually dead straight hair was clipped into a bun, with curled tendrils falling from it, framing her beautiful oval shaped face. He could not see her face except for her eyes and lips, as everything else was hidden behind a beautifully decorated mask. He had never paid this much attention to his wife before, but she had grown on him enough so that he could sense her without having to see her.

He had seen the pair of hazel eyes blinking back tears and dropping the champagne flute just offered to her, as she spotted him, too close for comfort, with Roshni. To make matters worse, Roshni was scantily clad in an Arabian outfit to impersonate Mata Hari and Jai's hands were planted on her bare hips and they were bent close as they were chatting but with the blasting music, they had to lean in to hear each other. By the time he had noticed her, she was gone and now here they were, swords drawn and ready to duel. This was why Bani had to the party tonight…to see for herself if these allegations did indeed have some base.

"Bani…at least let me explain this" he said, waving the article in his hand. She sniffed, but folded her arms and turned away. Part of her wanted to give him a mighty slap across his arrogant face, but the other half was pining to hear his justification and denial of an extra-marital affair.

"Can we go from here? I think we need some private time to talk…as husband and wife" he said tenderly, looking directly at her to gauge her reaction to his words. It was exactly as he expected. She stiffened once more, dabbed furiously at her silent tears and then picking up her mask, she marched nonchalantly out of the gazebo, waiting for him to follow.

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

A long drive at night was genuinely the best thing he could think of, to talk to her and clear the air. Sitting in his expensive, Citroen c-metisse sports car, they both remained quiet. Looking up at the sky, it appeared as if a storm was approaching. Smoky grey clouds floated around the luminescent full moon, casting shadows on everything, adding an extra spook to the Halloween atmosphere. The stormy sky did nothing to improve Jai's condition, as he badly wanted to get out of this costume now and talk to his wife without having to look like the playboy she believed him to be.

Everybody seemed to be going to and from places and the streets was lined with kids trick-or-treating and pulling pranks on each other. Seeing the traffic ahead, Jai pulled into the parking lot of a bakery. Signaling to Bani to stay put, he disappeared into the bakery, returning a couple of minutes later with a box of hot cinnamon rolls and fresh French vanilla coffee- her favourite.

"Thanks" she mumbled, still unable to look him in the eye, for fear of bursting out into tears once more. Finally, they came up to a beach. Taking the things, he requested her to accompany him to a walk on the beach. Seeing as she had no other option, and really wanted to hear what he had to say, she obliged.

Finding a secluded spot in the shadow of a large rock, he plopped down on the sand, Bani following suit. They gazed into the ocean, sipping their coffees, until Jai finally decided to break the silence.

"Bani…I know …let's be frank. We are both grown adults and the circumstances under which our marriage took place was not how I dreamt of and I am sure it was not the fairy tale you probably dreamed of yourself," he paused, waiting for a response. None came so he continued, "After you sister left, I was in a mad rage, as you could tell, and I took out my pain on you. It was evil of me to do so, seeing that you too were as shocked and hurt as me by your sister's actions as well. Then Roshni came back, soon after our wedding. She returned to my life under the pretense of a friend and business partner, and in my misery, I blindly followed her. I ignored you and your needs, feelings, wants, but I swear on my life Bani, I have never cheated on you. I am guilty of ignoring you and mistreating you and possibly emotionally neglecting you, but I am not guilty of cheating on you."

She looked up at him, willing herself to believe him, but from what she saw, him holding on to Roshni the way he was, then the in the papers and magazines with them together, shopping, dining, traveling to different destinations for "business", she found that she still had many doubts.

"Then explain the pictures Mr. Walia…and the reason why you were latched on to her hips" she sniffled, trying her best to hide her jealousy.

"Bhagwan ke liye Bani…I'm your husband! Call me Jai" he fumed. Yes the initial "Mr. Walia" was cute, but now it made him feel like some uncle, and he did not want to feel like her uncle, especially not when his mind had already started formulating better ways to get the message through her head. He wasn't sure when he had started to care, but he had a strong feeling it was last September, during his surprise birthday party, when Massi requested her to sing a for Jai. Blushing, she politely refused, but upon the insistence of everyone present, except for Roshni of course, she sang, rather beautifully, a song which had unknowingly become the song on his lips during spare minutes; "Churaliya Hai Tumne".

He knew she had a passion for the music of the older times, he had come across some of her CDs and he appreciated her taste. It was not what he expected from a 22 year old, but he was mightily impressed by this chit of a girl.

In response to his outburst, she simply made a strangled noise in her throat, but said nothing. Sighing exasperatedly, he answered her question. "Firstly, those pictures with Roshni were just us doing random things friends would do and then this particular picture was a private luncheon with WGI staff only at the Hilton Resort and Roshni and I were discussing business. But since a lot of other reputed business men were around, we were huddled close to talk in confidentiality and nothing more. Secondly, I was "latched on to her hips" cause we were dancing to salsa music right before you entered and then the outfit Roshni was wearing did not exactly cover her midriff did it, so I was bound to be touching her skin," he justified.

Looking directly at him now, she felt an immense weight removed from her mind and the tight knot in her chest, whose existence she had no clue of till now, was relinquished. She wanted so much to fall into his arms and apologize for doubting him and for being immature, but their had not quite developed into one of that just yet.

"I'm sorry" she said in a soft, delicate voice. She was unable to look him in the eyes.

"It's not your fault" he replied instantly. She merely fluttered her eyelashes and looked at the sand, letting it run through her fingers.

"Bani…can I be honest with you, about one last thing?" he asked in a rather boyish voice after a couple of minutes of silence.

"Hmm" was her response.

"I think…I'm falling…I'm falling head over heels with you, not just right now…but I've been falling for over a month now…and I just want to land…in your arms" he finished, gazing at her with an anxious, teenage lover's expression. She looked up in sheer shock and surprise. What the hell did he just say?! Did he really just say that?! When did this happen?!

"Wha-i-uh-waa?!" was all the garbage she could mutter. He burst out laughing at her expression, simply enjoying the novelty of her innocence. It was refreshing.

"I'm serious Bani," he said, getting serious once more, taking her small, delicate hands into his large, masculine ones, feeling her pulse quicken.

"I dunno when or how…but for all the wrongs I have done you, you retaliated with all the rights. You managed to pervade every corner of our house, win the hearts of my family members, even my sister Jigyasa…which is not an easy task let me tell you, and mostly, you have earned the love and respect of my Massi, and you have no idea how much that means to me."

Tears were streaming down her eyes now. She couldn't believe this was really happening. He said "our house" to boot! Was this too good to be true?

God was finally answering her prayers. As she closed her eyes to thank God for blessing her, she felt his presence closer to her, she felt his breaths right on her very neck.

Opening her eyes slightly, she saw straight into his intoxicating chocolate brown ones.

Without thinking twice, he placed a scorching kiss at the juncture of her neck, coming to her side, she leaned her head on his arm as he took his time to reach her lips, finally capturing them in his own, delving into the depth of untouched sweetness of his wife.
Jai questioned himself mentally if he was doing the right thing…was he moving too fast?

The answer was no. He could tell by her reactions tonight, and all the caring she had done for him since their marriage, she had begun to love him, just as much as he had begun to love her. This was simply a natural progression in their marriage.

After a good ten minutes of intense kissology, teaching his innocent bride the many of the tongue, he pulled out a now crushed red rose from his pocket.

"Sorry" he blushed as he handed it over. With lowered eyelids, and a blush as red as a traffic signal, she accepted the rose and placed an impromptu peck on his cheek. This made him laugh a deep, happy laugh.

"Let's go home Bani." He said, getting up and extending his hand for her. As she got up, it started raining. Jai had foreseen the rain…but he had not expected all of this …or did he? The light shower soon grew heavier, drenching them both. Jai's Casanova ensemble now stuck to him like second skin, and Bani's elegant gown was following the same fate. They did their best to not stare in utmost interest at each other. Running to the car, they avoided complete drenching and headed home.

"Home," thought Bani. The idea of what had just transpired between her and her husband was intoxicating by itself, now she couldn't help but think of what would happen once they got home.

Jai himself was nervous and excited for some inexplicable reason. Just the mere thought of going home with his Bani…His Bani? He liked the sound of that.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sexual charge in the atmosphere of the car was obvious. They both wanted each other, simple as that. It was only the most natural step in their marriage and about damn time too, according to Jai. He was tired of admiring from a distance as she shyly applied her sindoor dutifully on a daily basis, giving him small side smiles when the family gathered in the living room, clinging to his arm unknowingly in the middle of the night in her deep sleep, but leaving him with x-rated thoughts and desires.

He had managed to take her hand and rest it atop of his hand, which happened to be resting on his thigh, making her heart work double time at 11:30 in the night. Her breathing was beyond normal and her mind was literally buried in the gutters now.

"We're here…finally" he muttered as they drove through the gates of the Mansion. Bani pretended not to here the last bit, but the tips of her ears did get red.

Pulling up to the front door, he came out, handed the keys to the driver and then opened Bani's door for her. Putting his arms around her shoulders, he escorted her inside.

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

Jai was surprised to see Aditya and Jigyasa were snuggled on the lush carpet watching some when he and Bani entered the house. Looking up, slightly startled, Adi and Jigs took in Jai's armed draped around Bani's waist, fixing her to his side. Nodding curtly at Jai, Adi broke out in a grin, meeting his friend's shy eyes. Turning to Jigyasa, he whispered, "Someone's gonna get lucky tonight" which made Jigyasa nearly choke, elbow Adi in his ribs, and flash a bright smile to her brother.

"Bhaiya you're home early. Kyaa hua? The party was lame huh?" Jigyasa asked, smiling pleasantly at her sister-in-law, who looked rather red in the face.

"Yes, not very much my style, nor Bani's. We figured we could just come home and work on that Bhatia presentation coming up. We'll be off then. See you two tomorrow" Jai said, rather anxious to get upstairs. Taking Bani's hand, he pretty much raced her up their stairs, while she just stared in horror at Adi and Jigyasa's knowing expressions.

Giggling, Adi and Jigs snuggled closer and returned their attention to the television.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kicking the door shut with his foot, Jai spun Bani into his arms, catching her off guard. Pinning her between the door and himself, he traced her face, dropping one hand to her waist. He took in her cream face with the added innocence of a pink blush on her cheeks, her full, sensuous lips and those angelic eyes. Was he ever more turned on in his life?

Leaning in close, enough so that his mint breath was all she could breathe, he brought his lips down and hovered over hers. He watched as her eyes close and lips part, and that was all the invite he needed. Taking her lips into his, what started of as sensation quickly turned to unleashed passion. He felt exhilarated as she took it upon herself to bring her hands up to his shirt and unbutton it, pulling it off and flinging it to the floor as she explored his broad chest with her delicate hands. She felt his hands reach up her back and rest on the zipper, before pulling it down, he stopped and looked directly into her eyes. Both were dark and dilated with passion, holding their gaze for a mere minute, she gave full consent to make her a woman in the fullest.

Pulling the zipper down, he gently pulled it off her shoulders, allowing it to slip down to her feet. She stood, semi naked in cream lace, delicate and ever so feminine. Drawing her back, crushing her to his bare chest, he experienced his first skin to skin contact with his wife. And it only inspired him to feel more. Taking her lips and tongue to mate with own, he did not expect when she groaned in his ear, "No fair Mr Walia…u get me in my bra…and I get you in pirate pants?"

"Shall I take them off?" he muttered back, nibbling on her ear lobe.

"Let me" she muttered, finding the hooks of his pants and robbing him of the flimsy cloth.

Suddenly, amidst all the boldness and bravery, he felt her go still and pull away.

Confused, but concerned, he turned her face towards him. In the moonlight, all that he could see was her eyes open wide- large and innocent, and her cheeks and ears were burning. He let out a deep, throaty laughter and pulled her back to him.

"Happy now jaan?"

"Hmm" was all she mumbled, hiding her face in his chest.

"Bani…are you sure you want to .." but he was shut up by her mouth clasping over his, and he felt her hands taking his and bringing them to rest on her waist.

Things had quickly heated up again, and soon merely kissing was not going to suffice. Spinning her once more, she had no idea when or how she had landed on the fluffy mattress, with Jai on top of her.

Taking his time to kiss everything, from her face to her neck, all the way down the cleavage of her br*asts and her flat expanse of stomach, he made sure she had the best first experience ever. Finally, when she could no longer wait, her fingers groped his hair, and pulled him back up to her, her eyes pleading with him.

"Please…" was all she could whimper as he quickly did away with both of their remaining vestiges of clothing. Stunned for a millisecond at the sheer beauty and innocence of the woman before him, he was propelled towards her lips, dropping a sweet, gentle kiss their and whispering in her ear.

Just as he had warned, she felt a sharp pain as her muscles expanded to make him comfortable. The large grandfather clock in the corner of their majestic bedroom chimed twelve and the first word to escape Bani's mouth in a loud groan was, "Jai", before he could capture her moans and tears with his lips. Exploring and indulging in the skin to skin contact, Jai led Bani to passionate heights of ecstasy which she never perceived to have ever existed.

Reaching their ultimate, they crashed gently together, melting as one in the satin bed sheets. Lying together, with Jai's arms draped protectively over her naked body, he teased that he would be damned if she ever called him Mr. Walia ever again fro this day forth. Winking and whispering that she had learnt his name by heart tonight, they went in for seconds. As the first rays of sun peeped in through the edges of the drapes, Bani stared at the old portrait of her and her husband hanging on the wall, taken right after their saat phere, smiling peacefully at the thought of all which had occurred into the wee hours of the morning and gratefully acknowledging her place as Mrs Bani Jai Walia, finally falling asleep in the arms of her husband.

Okay Friends here are the entries.

All you have to do is read and vote for 3 of them - 3 from amongst FFs and 3 from siggies.

Thats all you have to do. 😃

Please don't chat here or spam this thread. Only vote here and discuss the entries here. In case of any enquiries, please PM any of the Development Team Members. 😊

Please note the correct entry numbers (same for both FFs and siggies) as mentioned in the beginning of every entry.

So what are you waiting for! Read, admire and VOTE!!! 😳

Everyone did a wonderful job👏👏👏 Hats of to all the writers👏👏👏
FFs: 2, 4, 11,
Siggys 6, 7, 14

Had a quick glance; looks like I'm in for a treat!😛

Siggies: 8, 9, 12

FF's: 2, 8, 10

ff: 11, 12, 9

siggy: 2, 8, 13

Siggy: 5, 11, 12.
Ff: 1, 8, 12.