This is again an Aam ka Achhar sequel...especially for Divs! Hope you all enjoy the read 😃
10/06/2008
Aam ka Achhar(3) Bani just ended the call. She asked, "Guess who is coming!" Jay wiped the oil of pickles he just had from his fingers. "It's Rosh!" Jay exclaimed, "Arre jab bhi tum achhar banati ho..ye a jaati hai!" Bani laughed at Jay's reaction..after all Roshni had a history with the pickles……
One year back
Main shayar to nahi
Main shayar to nahi
Magar aye haseen
Jab se dekha
Maine tujhko mujhko
Shayariiiii aa gayi Bani moved her eyes from the mirror to look at her husband. He seemed to be quite excited about the party. She got up from the stool in front of the dressing table, and walked up to Jay. Straightening his collars, with a glint of mischief she asked, "Aapko shayari aati hai ya yunhi gaa rahe hain!" Jay was busy checking out how he looked. Without looking at Bani he just made a sound, "Hmmm". The fun was half dead with Jay's tiniest involvement yet she continued, "Yeh aapki latest shayari hai?" She laughed at her own joke. Jay didn't laugh. He let another "Hmmm" and went on spraying the new perfume on his outfit. Bani got a bit offended first and then got all concerned.
She blocked his view on the mirror and asked, "Aaj koi bahut khaas aanewala hai party mein?" Jay looked at Bani for the first time with a thoughtful expression.
"Haan..someone very important!" Jay said in a serious tone.
"Kaun?" Bani asked after thinking for a while.
"Roshni" Leaving a breath Jay replied.
"Arre unhe to aana hi hoga….aakhir unki company hai" Bani said in an obvious manner.
After checking himself for the final time in the mirror, Jay gave his full concentration on Bani. He held her hands strongly and said excitedly and a bit nervously, "Bani you know main Roshni se bahut saalon baad miloonga…kabhi nahi socha tha ki ekdin meri hi classmate ke saath business deal karoonga!" Leaving her hands Jay turned his back to her and said with determination, "Okay main late nahi hona chahta….main neechey ja raha hoon..tum jaldi aana."
Bani already started feeling strange regarding the lady Roshni. Sometimes she has seen her husband to get excited like that when they (JB) went out together but never to meet a lady.
Better Roshni be married Bani thought. She went out of the room and directly to the caterers. As much she wanted to find her husband downstairs to know what he was doing so was her responsibility to check all the final touch to the preparations. It was a great occasion for the company and she didn't want to let down her husband. Unfortunately her in-laws were away for some close relative's wedding. She had only Jay's maternal aunt Masi with her. Since she didn't want Masi to tire herself out with the preparations hence Bani took all the major responsibilities. Even the smallest ones that Masi was supposed to look after, Bani tried to cover them too.
In all this busy business, there was one half of her heart and mind with her husband who had become most wanted at that time for her. Guests already filled the hall. Bani went downstairs to do raincheck on some thing and if possible her husband. The former was done but the latter…not. She had to go to upstairs again for some work but she kept on looking in the hall instead of the stairs. With every stair that she climbed her anxiety was growing…
Biwi se chhutkara mila nahi ke gayab! she angrily wondered. She didn't even realize that she had bumped into someone.
Someone whispered in her ears, "Itni besabri bhi achhi nahi". A startled Bani turned to face Masi. Masi gave her a knowing look that made Bani blush. She looked downwards and then after gaining some confidence she smilingly said, "Masi aisi koi baat nahi..". "Achha? Tumhari muskurahat se hi sab pata chal raha hai…..kya baat hai aur kya nahi!" Masi grinned while saying. Bani tried to become serious and unaffected. She said, "Chaliye Masi upar chalte hain….dekhte hain sab thikthak ho gaya hai ki nahi." Masi said in excitement, "Haan haan chalo." Hardly had they climbed a stair or two, Masi stopped. She whispered in Bani's ears, "Lekin jaane se pehle ek nazar dekh to lo jisko dhoond rahi thi." Bani looked at Masi who was looking in some direction in the hall. Bani turned to see in that direction but what? Nothing! She turned again to face Masi and anxiously asked, "Kidhar?" It then struck her….Masi was teasing her as she saw Masi trying to hide her grin with great effort. Bani climbed the stairs in hurry feeling shy.
As Masi and Bani crossed the corridor upstairs, the object of Bani's thoughts met them. Masi was about to say something to Jay regarding Bani but he was on his own tune. He just exclaimed on seeing them, "Arre aap log abhi bhi busy hain….neeche chaliye jaldi….idhar ka baki Tony sambhaal lega!" and with that Jay left them making his way downstairs. Masi noticed Bani's face which didn't have any expression for some moment. Masi tried to change the mood, "Khadoos hai na!" Bani glanced in his way and replied, "99.99%" They laughed at the thought.
When finally Bani got time to join others in the party, the first thing that came to her sight was her husband standing with a gorgeous lady. Immediately she knew that the lady has to be Roshni. She made a quick survey on her looks and with no vermilion on her head she got sure that the lady was unmarried still. Bani approached the duo. While talking to the lady Jay turned once and it was then that she saw a beaming smile on his face.
Kaise khush hoke musukara rahe hain uske saath….mujhse to subah se theek se baat bhi nahi ki! Bani angrily thought. She wanted to shun all these negative feelings but one look at her husband and the feelings resurfaced.
As soon as Jay saw Bani coming towards them he let out his arm to greet and by the time she went within his reach, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder possessively. Bani's heart started to race as in Olympics with the sudden loving gesture. She couldn't take her eyes off her husband. A blush, a smile and a look of satisfaction was printed on her face.
Ekdum se Mr. Confusing hai Bani wondered. Jay broke her chain of thoughts. "Bani this is Roshni and Roshni this is Bani my 'sweet little wife' you wanted to meet" Jay said smilingly as he introduced the two ladies.
"Wow..both of you look great together" Roshni exclaimed in awe.
"Thanks for the compliments" Bani said in a soft voice, her face beaming with happiness.
Jay gave her a side glance of pride and then that smile which always made her heartbeat go wild. He left her with Roshni to meet other guests. A few minutes with Roshni and Bani started to like her a lot. She was vibrant, full of energy and above all a very happy-go-lucky person.
As people hit the dance floor, Bani could see Jay looking at their direction so many times. She could feel that he was in two minds regarding something…may be for a dance! After a few minutes he came towards them and asked Roshni for dance. Roshni was okay with it; she had no problem with the thought of dancing with Jay, Jay seemed contented with something; he looked happy and Bani was left fuming! At first she was surprised that Jay asked Roshni for dance, she had no problem if he danced with all the women in the world…it was just that she hoped that at that moment he wanted to dance with her. She looked in the direction where Jay was dancing with Roshni. Roshni sometimes looked at Bani giving her a feeling that she (Roshni) was amazed how good Jay could dance. Jay even glanced at her at times with a happy smile! Bani thought
Apni biwi ko dikha dikhake naach rahe hain! Yeh biwi nazar nahi aati kya! Akeli khadi hai..khud naache jaa rahe hai!..jitna marji nacho..raat ko jab pair (legs) dukhega tab dekhti hoon kise bulate hain! Bani knew she was over reacting but her husband since morning never gave her a chance to think straight. The final nail to the coffin occurred soon during the dinner. Jay was as expected standing with Roshni, laughing at something after both of them signed the deal. Bani looked at him and sarcastically thought
Aaj kuch zyada hi hasi aa rahi hai! Masi met her after having a good chat with ladies of her own age. She observed Bani glancing in Jay's direction every now and then. "Kya hua Bani?" Masi asked casually. Bani resumed instructing the caterers shaking her head negatively. Masi continued, "Munna kitna khush hai na aaj." Bani left the place for some other work but not before commenting, "Aapke Munna ki toh main aaj band bajaaongi." Masi thought that she heard something wrong! She exclaimed, "Kya?" but Bani was already out of her sight.
As Bani asked Tony to set two plates of food, her mind drifted to something that happened few minutes ago…..much before Masi came to talk to her
Bani went to ask Roshni to have food when she heard Roshni and Jay talking. Roshni said, "Jay udhar us bachhe ko dekho kaise achhar khake apni shirt kharab kar raha hai!" All of them looked at the kid and it was rather a funny sight. Jay was laughing when Roshni continued, "Mujhe na achhar vachhar pasand nahi…..tumhe?" Due to the sudden throw of the question Jay didn't have the time to make a suitable reply. He said, "Mujhe bhi nahi!" That was enough for Bani to get furious!
So much to impress a woman? Jay Walia I will make you pay! Aam ka Achhar khane ke liye meri jaan nikaal dete hain..aur abhi ekdum se achhar khana pasand nahi? Abhi mazaa chakhati hoon Bani balanced the two plates in her hands and gave one to Roshni and one to Jay. Roshni said, "Arey Bani tumne takleef kyun uthayi….main le leti…sorry meri wajah se tumhe pareshaani hui." "No problem!" Bani said smilingly. After that Roshni asked, "Bani tum nahi khaogi?" "Haan khaoongi….ek kaam karo na..aap dono mere sang counter par aaiye…baat bhi hogi..aaplogon ko kuch aur lagega to wo bhi le lijiyega!" Bani said convincingly. All three of them moved to the food counters. The other two didn't take anything since their plates were already filled while Bani filled her plate.
Finding the correct situation she said casually to Roshni, "Roshni thoda sa achhar lijiyega! Aam ka hai!" Bani got to see what she wished. Jay was alarmed! He immediately looked at the tray of pickle which was empty. Roshni was about to say no when Bani sweetly said, "Ghar ka hai….taste karke dekho!" A spoonful was on Bani's plate too. Jay looked helplessly at the plates of the two people in front of him. Roshni looked at Jay staring at the pickle. She said, "Jay ko…..achhar….Oh usey to achhar pasand nahi" and went on tasting the pickles. Jay looked at Bani with fear but she appeared unmoved. Bani smirked as she saw Jay's face drooping with disappointment and confusion.
"Mmmmmm… Bani it's so tasty!" Roshni sounded overjoyed. Jay was facing a deep crisis. He wanted to eat the pickles..he wanted…just a bit…but he wanted. Jay's eyes got widened at the disheartening sight that both Roshni and Bani were enjoying the pickles. He went close to Bani and picked some food from her plate after dropping a cutlet in hers saying that he didn't want to eat that cutlet. His fingers itched to pick the pickles from her plate but he was feeling uneasy…..what if Roshni sees him picking the pickles? He was struggling inside when he saw Bani sweeping all the pickles at one go with her index finger and putting the same in her mouth. Jay opened his mouth in disbelief. He was about to scream,
Kya kar rahi ho Baniiiiiiiiiii. Realising soon his present surrounding Jay closed his mouth. He stared at Bani but no she wasn't looking at him. She was busy discussing about the achhar with Roshni. Somehow Jay managed to finish his food!
After the dinner when they were having desserts Roshni said, "Bani really mujhe agar pata hota ki achhar tastes so good, main to kab se khaati! Actually bachpan se jab bhi khaya bahut bekaar achhar khaya hai…ajeeb sa smell lagta tha..but this one was fab!" Bani hid her grin and looked at Jay who was fuming. He wondered
Bhagwaan tumhara kya jaata agar Roshni ko bachpan se hi achha achha achhar khilatey…kam se kam aaj mujhe aisey jhoot to nahi bolna padta! Everybody left the party as night drew. Jay went to his room after rummaging the kitchen. He was now angry with Bani.
Why in the first place did she give the aam ka achhar that she made, to Roshni? Usey pata nahi tha kya ke sab mujhe khana tha! Aur usne mujhe kyun nahi diya? Jay felt that Bani was at her side of the bed. She was already sleeping with her back to his side. He also slept with his back facing hers. He turned a little some time to look at her but his anger didn't let him proceed further to have a talk. Even Bani turned sometimes to look at him but then despite the fun she had, the anger with him for neglecting her throughout the day prevented her from initiating a talk either. What happened finally was that both lay awake for long fidgeting with the thought to initiate a talk but being too full of themselves at that time….they didn't until they fell asleep.
Next day morning when Jay, Bani and Masi were at the breakfast table, everything seemed normal. They were having a quiet breakfast as usual with Masi sometimes enquiring about something to Bani. Jay said suddenly but a little louder than required, "Masi zara ek aur paratha dijiye." Masi looked at him and then asked Bani, "Arey Bani beta Munna ko zara paratha de do." Bani nodded her head and took a Paratha from the basket that was placed near her. While putting it down on Jay's plate, both of them had an eye contact. But that was it…..both averted their gaze when the other one found that they were staring at each other. After that Bani asked, "Masi aapko sabzi doon?" Masi again looked from her plate confused. She said, "Nahi beta Munna ko do..usey lagega!" As Bani saw that Jay didn't object she put the curry on his plate. This time Masi noticed that there was a kind of cold reaction going on between the two.
Masi sighed and said out of blue, "Kya jhagra hua hai?" Both Jay and Bani silently looked down at their plates. Masi needn't any more hints. She said, "Kis baat ko lekar kya main jaan sakti hoon?" Both played with their food looking down still. "Dekho beta….wo baat hai na 'Let Bygones Be Bygones', matlab raat gayi baat gayi waisa karne ki koshish karo. Tum log badey ho….mera beech mein padna theek nahi magar agar zaroorat hui to main beech mein padoongi bhi aur punishment bhi doongi. Ab pehle kaun batayega ke kya hua hai?" Masi looked at both of them. She then asked Bani to start seeing that nobody was ready to begin first.
Bani softly said, "Masi kal jab Roshni aanewali thi tab se inhe kisi baat ka hosh hi nahi. Mujhe to jaise bhool hi gaye the! Bataiye ye sahi hai kya?" Bani looked from the corner of her eyes at Jay who was a bit surprised and a bit embarrassed of the accusation. He turned to Masi after eyeing Bani for a while. He defended, "Masi…okay I admit ke main thoda sa conscious tha usko leke…but for that reason isey mujhe achhar nahi deke mere saamne achhar khane ki kya zaroorat thi…aur raat ko maine dekha achhar ka jar bhi khali ho gaya hai..ye to hadh hoti hai!" Masi wanted to say something but Bani requested her not to say anything, with her eyes.
Masi seemed confused and helpless. She needed to bring reconciliation between the couple. She turned to Bani and said, "Beta Munna ne galat to zaroor kiya hai…magar ho jaata hai aisa kabhi kabhi..aisi baat par zyada naraazgi theek nahi!" then she turned to Jay and said, "Munna ho sakta tumhari koi wajah ho ke tum Roshni ki khushi ke liye kuch zyada soch rahe the, lekin ye bhi galat hai ki tum apni biwi ko waise neglect karo..kya tumhe achha lagta agar wo tumhe neglect karti!" Jay defended himself again, "Masi maine neglect kahaan kiya…it's just that…that may be I took her for granted! Masi actually Roshni meri classmate thi jab main MBA kar raha tha. Mujhe hamesha se uski personality achhi lagti thi, sometimes I felt she was better than me….bas isiliye itne din baad jab humlog eksaath koi deal kar rahe the…I wanted to prove more to myself than her ke main uski tarah ya usse better hoon…..wo bug mere dimaag mein reh gaya tha, isiliye shayad main kuch zyada react kar gaya!" Jay looked down and after a brief silence said rather loudly, "Bas yehi reason tha!" he stared at Bani.
Masi heaved a sigh of relief. She patted Jay's shoulder and said, "Theek hai beta, koi baat nahi. Lekin yaad rakhna koshish karna kabhi bhi aisi situation na ho ke tumhe apno ko neglect karna padey!" Jay nodded his head, "Masi main jaanta hoon!" He then shot his head up and accusingly said, "Masi magar jo Bani ne kiya usko kaun settle karega!" Before Masi could say anything, Bani got up and disappeared in the kitchen.
Itna Gussa? Jay wondered while looking in the direction she went. He narrowed his eyes on seeing something when she approached him and Masi at the dining table. Silently she pulled her chair, sat down and placed something on the table! Jay was already dumbstruck. In front of his eyes he saw the small container of pickle, almost the same amount as it was the day before. That means…that means Bani didn't finish the pickles by any means in anger last night.
Bani avoided looking at Jay…she straight looked at Masi and said calmly, "Masi kisiko na achhar khana pasand nahi…kal se. Ab bataiye ye jo baki hai iska kya kiya jaye?" A baffled Jay looked at Masi. Masi smilingly said, "Wahi main sochu achhar to ghar par hi tha….Bani ne bas jar badal diya tujhe pareshaan karne ke liye shayad." Jay rolled his eyes. Masi said, "Say sorry to her!" Jay mumbled, "Sorry" Bani made a face!
Aise bhi koi sorry bolta hai? Lagta hai jaise hafta vasooli kar rahe hai she thought. Masi wanted to laugh seeing Bani's face. Masi said, "Zara pyar se bolo sorry! Bani tum bhi." Burdened with guilt Jay said seeing Bani's face, "Masi kidhar se layi ho isko?" Before Bani could apologise Jay left his seat with heavy heart as he was really feeling bad for thinking wrong about Bani. He went behind Bani's chair and unannounced he wrapped his arms around her. He said in a soft voice, "Sorry."
He was about to kiss Bani's cheek but then suddenly realized that Masi was sitting in front. Masi immediately concentrated on her food, as she was the only one who hadn't finished till then. Jay proceeded to what he intended to do. Placing a feather-light kiss on Bani's cheek he went back to his seat. Then Masi lifted her face, trying to pretend as if nothing happened though there were traces that she wanted to grin openly. Bani felt shy. She was getting angry with Jay for kissing her in front of Masi. As Masi finished her food Jay said seriously, "Bani zara upar aana." Bani immediately replied, "Nahi mujhe neeche kaam hai! Masi ki help karni hai" never meeting his gaze. Masi insisted Bani to go upstairs with Jay.
Feeling shy, guilty, angry, hesitant she climbed the stairs as Jay followed her but not without taking out a spoonful of the pickles from the jar, his hands behind his back. As Bani entered their room, she didn't no where to stop, where to go, she just kept on walking. She heard Jay singing:
Deewana mujhsa nahin
Is ambar ke neeche
Aage hai kaatil mera
Aur main peechey peechey! Bani stopped and turned to face him. She softly said, "Sorry." Jay stood close to her and mischievously said, "Zara pyar se!" Bani stayed silent. He smiled and said, "I am Sorry Bani…maine tumhara dil dukhaya….par main kabhi aisa nahi chahta tha, jaanti ho na You are My Sonia!" "Wo bhi aapki koi classmate thi?" Bani cautiously asked. Jay had to laugh. He wrapped his arms cautiously around her so that the pickles didn't fall. Touching her forehead with his he said, "Ho sakta hai..thik se kuch yaad nahi!" He grinned, Bani couldn't help and she also started grinning. Seeing Bani back to her sweet form, Jay forced Bani to take the spoon in her hands. He opened his mouth and pointed her to put the spoon in his mouth. In any other situation Bani wouldn't have done that because they were already maintaining the keep Jay away from achhar mission…but today he deserved to have them a spoonful at a time. She put the spoon in his mouth lovingly. Just then Masi was passing by and as the door was open, Jay could see her. He took out the spoon from his mouth and pointed out to Masi, "Masi ab aap dekh lo, main achhar nahi khata…ye mujhe khilati hai…chyawanprash ki tarah!" Bani cheekily asked, "Masi kidhar se layi ho inko?"
Next day Jay was taking rest on the bed while Bani was busy arranging the little things that were scattered here and there. Jay started singing:
Main shayar to nahi
Main shayar to nahi
Magar aye haseen
Jab se dekha
Maine tujhko mujhko
Shayariiiii aa gayi Bani cleared her throat and said, "Ye gaana koi mere liye to nahi gaata!" Jay bit his tongue. In order to make a romantic mood he ended up singing the song which was not suitable as it had its own history…credits to himself. But what could he do..that was the one song he had in mind lately. He needed to correct quickly! He lay on his stomach at near the edge of the bed and happened to catch Bani's wrists as she was passing by. He started again:
Dard-e-dil
Dard-e-jigar
Dil mein jagaya aapne
Dard-e-dil
Dard-e-jigar
Dil mein jagaya aapne
Pehle to main shayar tha
Pehle to main shayar tha
Aashiq banaya aapne Bani looked away from him to hide the colour of her cheeks which bore the evidence how much she blushed.
Ah! The mood became romantic Few days later in the office, Jay looked up as Tony set the plates for his and Bani's lunch. Since the day Bani had joined the office they tried to have lunch together. It was Tony's duty to bring the lunch hot and serve them. Jay went out of the cabin and Roshni entered. Seeing Tony arranging the food she requested him to set a plate for her too, she brought her own food. Tony left seeing that Roshni was there to look after the served food while Jay and Bani came. Jay was talking about some thing to Bani when they both entered the cabin to find Roshni inside. Roshni chirpily said, "Hi! I thought aaj tumlogo ke saath hi lunch kar loon." They were happy to get Roshni's company so went ahead with her plan gladly. As Jay took his plate, Roshni interrupted. "Jay if you don't mind…tum to achhar khatey nahi ho..to phir tumharai plate se main wo achhar le loon…tumhare butler ko maloom hona chahiye na..ke tum achhar napasand karte ho!" Bani was drinking water, she choked. She just looked at Jay's face. Poor thing..he dug his own grave! While everyone had their food, Bani could see Jay's grumpy looks. How much her heart wanted to give her share of pickles to him but that would make him appear as liar to Roshni….so Bani was helpless. As Roshni finished her food, she kept her plate and went to wash her hands. This was the opportunity Jay was looking for. Without seeing anything he grabbed Bani's hand and put her index finger smeared with pickles in his mouth. At that moment only Roshni reappeared and witnessed it.
Roshni cleared her throat to gain attention. With a cheeky smile she sat on the opposite seat. Acting like a cow she asked, "Jay can I know….meri friend ke saath tum abhi kya kar rahe the?" intending to pull his leg. Jay smirked and looked at Bani who was just looking everywhere but Roshni! He smiled and replied, "Actually kya hai na ki biwi itne pyar se achhar banaye to main bhi kahaan ruk paata hoon!" Bani shocked at Jay's PDA (Public Display of Affection) glared at him. Roshni excitedly said, "Wow Bani tumne to Jay ko romantic shomantic bana diya…hats off to you!" Just the Roshni's cell phone buzzed.she exclaimed, "Uff!" and went out of the cabin excusing herself. Bani was now fuming! In recent days there were two occasions when Jay just embarrassed her in front of Masi and Roshni either by his loving gesture or his open declaration of fondness for her. Jay shifted closer to Bani and saw her lost in may be an inner fight. He whispered: "Bani do you know….
Tumsa koi pyara
Koi masoom nahi hai
Tum jaan ho meri
Tumhe maloom nahi hai!"
Oh! Bani could take it no more….after all there is a limit to blush in a day, to feel embarrassed in a day, to be on top of the world in a day….she had only one way…to stuff his mouth with…may be the pickles. She looked at her plate to get them but where were they. She immediately turned to see Jay enjoying the pickles. Before she could say anything he whispered again, "Maine kaha tha na tumsa koi masoom nahi hai!" and grinned like a fool.
Edited by ree_views - 17 years ago
Real Estate
