Dear Santa:
Please I don't want any toys or sweets or dolls. Could I just meet my dad please. I have been a good girl, please Santa...I just want my dad.
Love Ganga
The Christmas Elf
Jai Walia stormed into the office of Sablok & Sablok and barged into Tarun Sablok's office, ignoring the client, he threw the papers at Tarun and barked, "What is the meaning of this?"
Tarun looked apologetically at the client and pushing Jai aside, "I am sorry do you mind waiting while i deal with this." He gave a steely look at Jai Walia, "Do mind stepping out please, we will discuss this in private."
He led the way out and into an empty office. Putting the papers on the desk he stood with folded arms and gave JaI a jab, "So you don't like Bani's summons?"
Jai Walia ground his teeth, "What the hell is she playing at? She thinks she can blackmail into giving her money. The b****** is not my kid. If she thinks she can pass of Daksh and her love child as mine she is utterly mad."
Tarun still standing with folded arm, "Mr Walia, my client came to you and requested you for a DNA test. But you refused and she had no choice left but to get a court order to force you to do. There is still time , either you do it voluntarily or we have media hounding you when we go to the court and get you to do it."
Jai Walia brushed his hand through his hair and sneered at Tarun, "I just told you, there is no way I am going to fall for this...the child is not mine. "
Tarun gave him a smirk, "Then prove it, why are you so scared to get the test done...are you afraid Bani is innocent and you did injustice to her. Typical of you Jai, everytime that woman tries to protect you and your family you end up hurting her. The ones right in front of your eyes, who are plundering you in front of your eyes, who pretend they love you...who do anything to make you and Bani separate are the ones who never get hurt."
Jai raised his hand, "Baas Tarun. I will not have you malign my family. After all they have stood by me.'
Tarun's eyes glinted, "What do you mean stood by you? I believe it was Bani's money that supported your business during the crunch time. It was she who did everything to make sure the Randeerias don't walk away from a business deal. What did Jigyasa do? What did Nachiket do? What did Ranveer do?"
Jai locked eyes with him, "If you think you can get me into a corner than you are mistaken Mr Sablok. Tell me what did she do for you that you always come to her aid? You, Daksh and all other guys who seemed to fall for that b****."
Grabbing Jai by the collar, Tarun in a deliberately halting voice said, "Watch what you say about my client and the allegation you throw at me." Dropping his hand he walked towards the door and told Jai, "This meeting is over Mr Walia. We will see you in court."
Jai left the building in a foul temper, his driver and everyone at the office were subjected to the most atrocious behaviour by him. When he reached home, he locked himself in the study with a bottle of whisky. No one dared to approach him. Late in the night, Nachiket still seeing Jai's study light on, opened the door gingerly to find Jai drunk on the floor. He walked over and hauled him up on the sofa. Jai grabbing Nachiket's arm slurred, "Nachiket mei itna bura hoon. Aap log mujhe pyaar nahi karte. Bol mei kyun Bani ki baat saach manu? Woh bachi ko mei kyun meri manu?"
Nachiket sat down, "Bhaiya aap ko hum bahut pyaar karte hai aur aap itne bure nahi hai. Paar bhaiya yeh baath math bhulo ke bhabhi ne kabhi jooth nahi bola. Itne salo tak akele usne woh bachi ko paala. Aaj yeh musibaat appe nahi ati, apne usko barb aad na kiya hota. Har ek ma apne bache ke liye unki jaan dene taiyaar hai. Bhaiya meri baith mano aur DNA test karado. Press ko iss baith ko pata nahi hona chahiye nahi toh apki zindigai haraam kar denge."
Nachiket tried lifting him up, "Chalo bhaiya meh apko kamre tak chod doon."
Jai pushing him, "Nahi muhje yahaan rehne de." With that Jai slumped back and fell asleep.
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Bani opened the door to find Jai Walia stood there. A look of fear crossed her face. She stepped aside to let him in. A young girl in school uniform waited inside and looked curiously at him then looked at Bani, "Mumma yeh kaun?"
Bani flustered and looked helplessly at Jai. Jai held his hand out and said, "My name is Jai Walia. I am just a friend. You may call me uncle."
Jai looked blankly at Bani and said, "I will get the DNA test done. I will set up an appointment and let you know."
Bani just nodded her head and watched him walk out.
Two days later Bani and Ganga walked into the clinic where Jai had booked the DNA test. Ganga her face in tears looked at the nurse holing the needle, "Mumma dard toh nahi hoga?"
Bani held her hand and said soothingly, "Baby just a little prick and then you will feel nothing.'
The nurse got the sample from Bani and Ganga and then looked at Jai Walia, "Mr Walia your turn now."
Jai's face went pale and the nurse laughed, "Now Mr Walia don't tell me you are scared of the needle?"
Bani answered automatically, "Not the needle but blood." She gave a weak smile at Jai while he stared at her. All this years and she hasn't forgotten that I can't stand the sight of blood.
He sat down and looked at Bani while the nurse did her job. Once done they stepped out. Jai gave a curt nod and said we will go and see the doctor together when the result comes through.
Ganga licking a lollipop nurse had given her earlier, looked at Jai and beamed him a smile, "Bye uncle."
Jai felt disturbed by the ease with which Ganga engaged him. He felt his heart lurch when the little girl smiled at him...reminded him of Bani's smile. Shaking his head he headed out. At the reception he found a girl dressed as a Christmas elf clutching her stomach. She had tears rolling down as the mother tried to fill out the form. Jai looked at the reception and barked, "Why don't you get someone to look after the girl while the mother fills out the forms. She looks in bad shape. Get her seen to right away and make sure you don't bill this lady but send the bill to Walia Group."
He turned to the lady and said, "I am on the board of this hospital mam. Don't worry about the money, the hospital will foot the bill."
Jai left the hospital feeling light hearted. For once he did not brood as he made his way back to the office.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXx
Dr Sharma looked at Jai and Bani sitting in her office. She looked at Jai and said, "Mr Walia the result came back positive. The child Ganga is yours and Mrs Walia's sorry."
Without looking at Bani Jai said softly, "There is nothing to be sorry about Doctor. Thankyou."
He looked at Bani and said, "Chaliye."
Outside the hospital he stood looking at Bani, his face a gaunt, "So what happens now Bani. Do I get the custody of the child? Is that what you want?"
Bani looked at him tearfully, "Aap Ganga ko mujhe se nahi cheen sakte. Mujhe kuch nahi chaiye sirf itna ke aap mujhe meri zindagi jeene do."
Jai gave a half smile, "Aur meri zindagi ka kya? Itne saal beet gayi par tu mujhe nahi choodti. Mere din aur meri raat sab mujhe kanti hai. Tujhe kay laagta ke mei aaram se jeer aha hoon?"
Bani looked at him open mouthed, his confession that she was still in his heart...that without her he too was suffering...
She tried to smile but her lips just froze, "Mr Walia mujhe saamaj mei nahi aiya aap kya kehna chahte ho?"
Jai moved forward and stopped in front of her. Taking hold of her hand, his voice emotional, "Bani come home...come back home with Ganga. I don't want your forgiveness...I am not worthy of your forgiveness...just come back home and let's begin our life with our daughter Ganga. I promise no one will ever hurt you again."
Tears rolled down Bani's cheek. All this years she had waited to hear this, waited for him to say Ganga as his and her daughter, she just let him guide her to the waiting car and sat back as Jai told the driver to drive them to Bani's flat. He wanted to be the one to tell Ganga that he was her father...she his daughter.
THE END
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Veer Hanuman
Kumkum Bhagya
