SS: Playing Cupid: completed

Hiya Guys! I'm here with a SS...Wrote a few pages months ago, but finished it today! Wasn't too happy with the end result, but I'm posting it anyways! 😳😆

Thanks to Henna for bearing with me on MSN while I wrote this, and a special mention to Mango Bhai! 😃 Just for being the funny you!👍🏼 You Rock!

This is dedicated to the AIA... Love you guys... and to everyone who reads it!

This is an early New Year's present for you all!😉

Playing Cupid

Bani swore under her breath when she caught sight of herself in the mirror. This could not be happening… Not today. She frantically searched for her hair straighteners. Her hair looked like a bird's nest. She knew she should have washed it last night and given it time to calm down. Once locating the object, she plugged it in, only to find that it was not working.

'Damn, damn, damn, damn…' she fell onto her bed in frustration. The day she had an important client, this HAD to happen. Glancing at her clock, she noticed that she was running late. Today was just not her day.

She tried to comb her hair out and then tie it in a pony tail. But her hair refused to look presentable. Growling in frustration she looked at the array of items on her dressing table: hair gel, hair spray, hair colour (What was that doing there??). she tried in vain to fix her hair with one of those. Failing, she left her hair in a pony tail, she just didn't care anymore. Quickly drinking the scalding coffee, she rushed out of her apartment forgetting to lock it!

Remembering she ran back and then after making sure it was locked she got into her car, and zoomed off.

********

Jai Walia sat in his cabin. The sole owner of Walia Industries, he had achieved what many at his age just dreamed to. And now, his Massi was adamant on getting him married.

'What are you going to do with all this money?' she had asked him many a times. 'You need a wife, a family, someone to look after, and I need a grandchild to keep me busy.'

All the parties she went to, all the religious festivals, she made a point to drag Jai along with, after emotionally blackmailing him and introducing him to thousands of girls. They were friendly, polite and Jai looked at him as sisters more than potential wife- material.

Much to Mausi's chagrin, two of the girls she had introduced, Rano and Meera, now came every Raksha Bandhan to wish Jai. They were both happily married to Jai's friends, Ranveer and Sahil.

Jai smiled remembering Mausi's expression when both the girls visited him on Raksha bandhan and tied a rakhi on his hand. She nearly fainted with shock at the sight.

Jai looked his Rolex watch, gleaming on his wrist. She was late and he hated latecomers. Though he did not have anything important planned for the rest of the day, he wanted the day to himself, and it looked like this girl was not going to let this happen.

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

Bani hit her head against the steering wheel in frustration. This traffic. There had to be an accident today, didn't it? Couldn't you find a better day to crash into another car??

She checked her appearance in the rear view mirror. It seemed as if her hair had grown even bigger in the last 15 minutes.

*********

Jai paced furiously in his luxurious cabin. Located at the top floor building there was a large black leather sofa with another one facing it and a coffee table in the middle at the far end of the room, his desk was placed in front of a large window, which overlooked Juhu beach.

His intercom rang and he was told that Miss. Dixit was finally here.

A knock and then Bani entered. Jai tried to stifle his laughter. The woman just looked like she had been dragged backwards though a bush. Her hair looked as if had a life of its own.

Biting the inside of his cheek, he led her towards the sofas, and gestured for her to sit down. He took his seat opposite her.

'Sorry, I'm so late, traffic and it just hasn't been a good day…' Bani said.

Jai nodded at her, 'we all have those kind of days!' He once again glanced at her hair!!

'So, Mrs Singhania called me a few days ago and she said she was looking for a bahu.'

Jai nodded. 'Yes, she wants me to get married…'

'Of course.' Bani smiled. She had met many men who were under pressure from their family to get married. 'Well this meeting was solely for the purpose of meeting you, for you to fill in a few forms, sign a contract and we're done!'

Bani ran a match making service. She had introduced many couples together and she loved the feeling of satisfaction and joy she got when someone she had introduced got married. Among all the hatred and violence in the world, she felt that everyone needed love in their lives and she was out to do just that!

Jai took the papers from Bani's hand. There was one, where he had to fill in what kind of woman he was looking for. He skimmed through it and placed it aside. Looking over the contract he saw that he had a fixed fee to pay regardless of whether in the end he found someone or not. No refunds if he decided to back out sooner that six months.

Mausi bhi na.. He signed it and gave the first form back empty.

'I don't know what kind of girl I'm looking for.. You should get Mausi to fill in this one.'

'But, Mr. Walia, you're the one that has to get married.'

'But Miss. Dixit, she is going to be spending more time with Mausi than with me…'

Bani nodded and then stood up. 'I'll look through the database and get back to you in a few days.'

Jai nodded and she left. As soon as she left, Jai burst into laughter, remembering her hair. This girl was going to match make for him? Introduce him to his future wife? This was going to be an experience, he thought amusedly. He was sure at the end of the six months, he would end up with parting with a large sum of money and still alone.

***

Bani was smiles as she sat in the car. If she found a match for Jai Walia, her match making business would reach new heights!

**********

A few days later, Jai received a call from Bani. She had found someone and wanted to arrange a date when Jai could meet her. Jai told her he was free, in two days time, on Friday, and that he would meet them in the restaurant.

Bani said that it was alright with Priya – his date .

Friday came and after his last meeting, Jai got in to his black BMW and sped off. He reached the restaurant at 7:30, half an earlier than the date. Bani wanted to meet him before the date began.

He spotted Bani sitting in quite a secluded area of the restaurant. He strode over to her and took his seat. Bani smiled at him. Jai noticed that today she looked much better than she had when he first saw her. Atleast her hair was under control!

'Ok, Her name is Priya Khanna, 26, interior designer, loves reading, she's clever. Don't be boring, don't talk too much about yourself, she..'

'Miss Dixit,' he interrupted her.

'You can call me Bani..'

'Ok. Bani, what will be the point of the date if you tell me everything about her now?'

'I'm just telling you a few basic points! You need to be able to start a conversation!'

'Um.. No I don't.. You are there for that!'

'In case you didn't realise Mr. Walia, but this is a date, you and Priya, not me you and Priya.'

'So you're going to leave.'

'Of course, what else did you expect?'

Jai sighed. A date? With potentially his future wife? He sighed. It had been a long day and he would rather have gone home, had a warm shower and slept than sit here.

'What if she's some psycho?'

'You doubt my credentials?? Do you really think I would introduce you to some psycho??' her voice rising.

'No.. No.. of course not.'

Bani looked at the entrance and stood up, and tugged on Jai's arm to get him to stand up as well. Priya was here. They greeted each other, Bani introduced them and she left.

Jai smiled and they both sat down.

'How are you?' Jai thought he would start off safely.

'Good. You?'

'Great!' there was an awkward silence. ' So I hear you love reading?'

Priya's face lit up. 'Absolutely love it…'

'That's good… what book are you reading now?' Jai could not believe he was having such a conversation.

'Oh.. It's a really great book, There is this guy called Jake, who has been murdered and they're trying to find out who it was. Though suddenly they think he's back from the dead… because people are seeing him everywhere. The characters are so well though through, and the writing… just amazing. But the story line, seriously the best I've read. Compare it to other books that I have read in the past, and this one has to go on my favourite list.

But Jake… I think he may have a twin. I'm not sure because it seems as if the author….'

Jai switched off. He was going to kill Bani first chance he got, The rest of Jai's Friday evening was spent listening to Priya talk about her current book and all the past books she had read. She gave a detailed analysis of 5 books in the span of two hours.

Jai tried to speak, but she would not let him get a word in. He wanted to commit suicide with the knife he was using.

At the end of the date he politely bid her good bye. Making sure she got to her safely, he rushed home. He wanted to get away as far as possible from Priya Khanna.

*********

Mausi hurried downstairs when she heard Jai coming in.

'Pasand aaye beta..' she asked excitedly.

'Nahi Mausi… aise ladki se shaadi kabhi nahin…'

Mausi face fell a little… 'Chalo koi baath nahin… abhi toh che mahine hain… bahut time hai… chinta mat kar tu, muhje Bani per poora vishwas hai. Pata hai, bahut logon ki recommendation ke baad Bani se baath ki. Tu chinta mat kar.

'Mujhe koi chinta nahin hai. It's you who wants the bahu!

*********

'she was the most boring person on earth!! I wanted to stab myself with the fork so I didn't have to listen to her anymore.'

Bani's face paled for a moment, but then she smiled again. This was only the first person she had introduced him to. It would be alright. She had high success rates in the past. There was nothing stopping her to find the perfect match for Jai Walia. So what if he was a business tycoon. At the end of the day he was still human.

'look Mr. walia, I can't help you if you don't tell me what kind of girl you are looking for.'

Jai looked at her wearily, you're not going to leave me till I give you a list are you?'

Bani shook her head.

'Oh.. Alright then, Fun, has her feet firmly on the ground no matter how much wealth she has, someone who respects my family, is charming…' Jai went on.

'You're looking for a miracle, you're standards are too high Mr Walia.

You're going to have to face reality and realise that there is no perfect woman.'

'She doesn't have to the perfect woman, Miss Dixit, just perfect for me..'

Bani nodded, 'I'll see what I can do..' she said picking up her bag and walking towards the door.

'Have a good day Mr Walia..'

Jai just nodded in return and Bani left closing the door behind her. She had a huge task on her hands. What in the world was she thinking when she said yes to match make for Jai Walia??

***

A few days later Jai Walia sat in the same restaurant, this time waiting for another date. He looked though his blackberry, replying to a few important one, forwarding all the party invitations to his PA whose job it was to politely refuse them. No wonder Jai Walia never found his dream girl, he hardly went outside his house or work to socialise.

Bani came rushing in and Jai pointedly looked at his watch. 'Sorry I'm late.. I couldn't find a taxi…'

Jai nodded while Bani sat down. 'Not a man of many words are you Mr. Walia?' Jai laughed in response.

'I rest my case…' Bani grinned. 'Ok.. Trusha Shangius should be here in about 30 mins… I spoke to her on the phone, she seems like a very nice girl.'

'So did Priya… and what kind of name does she have??'

'Well, her actual surname is Thangevalu, but for obvious reasons (obvious to her) she's had it changed to something cooler.'

'Shangs is cooler? Sounds Japanese.'

'Does the name matter? Once she marries, it's going to be Walia anyways..'

'Assuming she marries me..'

'Of course..'

Bani caught sight of Trusha, and immediately stood. Jai remained seated, looking very bored. Bani pulled him up.

'Careful, this is a very expensive suit..'

'You are not being co-operatative Mr Walia..'

Trusha came and greeted them both. She shook Bani's hand and then held out her hand to Jai, offering him to kiss it. Jai looked at her and then Bani, and settled on shaking it.

'Well, have fun!' Bani smiled at them and left. She heard Jai calling her, turning around she saw him standing right in front of her. 'Yea..?'

'Sit in my car.. I'll drop you home once I'm done..'

Bani protested, but Jai wouldn't hear a word of it. 'SIT IN THE CAR, This shouldn't take long.' Bani took the keys and went outside. This was not good. Jai was rejecting them. Shouldn't take long? How can he decide with one look? Bani rested her head against the headrest.

~*~*~*

'And, I said to mum this is Gucci..' Trusha laughed loudly while Jai stared at her.

Jai had obviously missed the joke. 'And then I told papa that I just had to meet Salman Khan! You know, then papa pulled a few strings and the next thing you know I'm dining with Salman Khan. All my friends were so jealous. And then the next day it was my birthday and my parents bought me a new car, and an apartment in Dubai…'

Jai stifled a yawn. Was Mausi sure that Bani was good at her job. Second rejection in a row. Both of them bored him out of his mind. Bani btter find someone for him before the six months were up, otherwise he was going to use her, he decided.

'Jai..' Trusha nudged him.

'Yea..' he smiled at her.

'I was asking what you wanted to drink? I'm thinking the champagne, I mean you can afford it. That reminds me the other day, one of my friends wore this hideous dress, from some local shop. I mean I wouldn't be caught dead wearing that… I only shop from Armani, Versace, big brands like that..'

Jai discreetly went on to tone settings on his phone, and played his ringtone out loud. 'Oh.. call.. Excuse me..' Jai got up and moved away, pretending to talk to someone.

He came back within minutes. 'Sorry, I have to go…emergency.. my friend's in hospital.'

'That's alright..' Trusha got up, and after Jai paid for the little food that they had had, they left.

'Do you have a car, or..'

'No.. No, I have a car, I have a chauffeur aswell, but you know he was ill, and plus I like to drive my new car by myself..'

'That's great..' Jai said interrupting her. He walked her to her car, and after dropping a reluctant kiss on her cheeks, he hurried to his own car.

Opening the door, he saw Bani on the phone.. 'Really? That's great.. I'm so happy for you! I'll surely try and make it' she hung up with a big grin on her face.

Jai looked at her questioningly. 'Bristy? One of my clients, is getting married..'

'With someone she found?'

'No actually, someone I introduced her to..!' she replied, angry at him for doubting her competence.

'Alright… No need to get so worked up about it.' He started the car.

On the way to Bani's house, he gave a full analysis on what he disliked about Trusha AND Priya and what kind of people NOT to set him up with. They couldn't be vain, couldn't be boring, their world should not revolve around money but family.

'Thanks Mr. Walia…and I'll keep all that in mind!' Bani said as she stepped out of the car.

'Not going to invite me for a coffee??' Jai asked cheekily.

'Oh.. Of course… Coffee Mr. Walia.?' Bani asked out of politeness.

'Gladly, let me just park the car.'

Bani stood at the steps a bit shocked. She had only asked him because he had said so, not expecting him to accept. Now I have to make him coffee?? Bani sighed. She wanted to sleep. Jai joined her on the stairs.

'So.. are we going to just stand here?'

Bani smiled and led him inside the apartment block, noticing the lift was o the 15^th floor, she decided to take the stairs. She swiftly made her way up them, with Jai grumbling behind. 'We could've waited for the lift, the coffee nor your home is running anywhere!'

Bani grinned, 'A bit of exercise never hurt anyone Mr. Walia..'

'I better get used to it… I'm going to be coming here often..'

Bani looked back at him. 'Why??'

'You know, I was thinking Bani..'

'Hmm' Bani indicated she was listening while she looked for the keys in her bag.

'I think you would be perfect for me..' Bani dropped her bag from her hands and everything fell out.

'I was just joking, Wow, can't even take a joke huh?' he bent down and picked up the things on the floor, and handed them to her, as they made their way inside the house.

After a coffee, over which they talked about Jai's life, and a bit about Bani, only what she wanted him to know, Jai left saying they would meet again soon, and to contact him of anything came up!

~*~*~*~

The next two months flew by, Bani presented him with a new girl almost every week and Jai rejected them. She was finding it harder and harder to find more single women. Up till now she had not met anyone who had rejected so many matches, she was starting to lose her temper with him! And when she had told him this, his reply was, 'You can't blame me, you're not showing me anyone that I see as a potential wife for myself.'

Jai increasingly found himself thinking about Bani. That cute way she scrunched her nose when she was confused, the shade of red her cheeks took when she was angry at him. They way she shouted at him, when he was late. He could definitely imagine himself spending the rest of his life with her, but he just did not know how to tell her.

It was something similar with Bani as well, she looked forward to the meetings with Jai. And secretly she was hoping Jai would not like any of the women she introduced him to. It was maybe her sub- conscience who was introducing Jai to the completely wrong kind of women. And though she hated herself for that, she was secretly hoping that something would happen between them.

Bani's phone rang and she picked it up, one of the latest girls, Pia Chopra was available and she had t set up a date for her and Jai Walia. After exchanging pleasantries and confirming the date, she then went on to call Jai up. He seemed a bit distant and without even hearing the name, just told her to book any date, he would arrange his schedule according to that.

~*~*~

Jai rushed in to the restaurant, Bani beside him. After Jai had picked up Bani from her office, he made for the restaurant, but they had been stuck in a traffic jam. Bani was panicking, worrying about what Pia would think. Jai just brushed it off, saying he didn't really care what anyone thought of him, except you.. But he conveniently forgot to add that part!

Jai stopped in his tracks when he saw the next victim to be paired against Jai Walia. He held Bani's hand and then turned around and walked out of the restaurant with a confused, protesting Bani behind him, trying to free her hand from his grasp.

'Mr. Walia, your date is inside the restaurant and not outside..'

'Changed my mind last minute.. sorry, no date…' Jai dragged Bani to his car, forced her inside, and then got in himself. He started the car and zoomed off. 'Put your seatbelt on..' he said to a perplexed Bani.

Soon anger overtook her. 'What the hell do you think of yourself, and where are you taking me?? That was a prefcetly good woman I set you up with…'

'Quiet..' It was something in his voice which shut her up immediately.

Jai stopped the car in front of his house, he got out of the car and instructed Bani to do the same. Bani obliged and after telling someone to park the car, he led Bani inside. Bani was still looking for answer, but she did not know how to ask him.

'Why…'

'Chup..' Bani shut up once again. This was not working out the way she wanted to.

Entering the study, he gestured Bani to take a seat on one of his sofas. Bani refused. 'I am NOT sitting down until you answer me.

'Look, I am in no mood to re- live the horrid memory called Pia Chopra, but I'll give the cliff notes version. Dated, cheated on me, pleaded, I forgave her, we dated again, was going to get engaged, found her in bed with another man, so I left her..'

'Oh..' Bani's hand flew to her mouth. 'I'm sorry, If I had known I wouldn't have arranged the meeting.'

'It's alright… you always have a blast from the past once in your life..' Jai chuckled.

'But you could have told me in the car, why drag me all the way here?'

Jai looked at her, and after registering her words, 'Mausi wanted to meet you, and there wasn't a better time…Come on..'

Jai held her hand and then led her back downstairs. Mausi saw them and smiled brightly. 'So yeh hai Bani??'

'Ji Mausi..' Jai smiled back at her. Bani stood nervously. It was merely business she tried to tell herself, but there was a part of her screaming 'This is Jai's mausi! Careful of the impression you make!!'

'Aao beti, baitho..' she patted the seat beside her. Bani sat down.

'Toh batao… shaadi hui?' Bani's cheeks coloured, and she shook her head in the negative.

'Aur ghar main kaun kaun hai..?'

'Sirf main, mummy papa, mere bachpan main guzur gaye the..' she replied softly.

Mausi went on to question Bani about her business, her life, her friends, what she had planned for the future. And Bani tried to reply as best as she could under the piercing gaze of Jai. Jai was enjoying himself. Mausi seemed to love Bani, and this just re- affirmed that Bani was the right choice. After Mausi was done her questioning, Jai offered to drop Bani home. Bani stood up and her way to the door while Mausi talked to Jai.

'Mujhe pasand hai… Tu un sab ladikiyon ko chood, aur Bani se shaadi karle..'

The colour on Bani's cheeks didn't leave even when she was home. He's your client… an inner voice nagged her.

~*~*~*~

The next few days, Bani didn't talk to Jai. He seemed to be busy in meetings and preparing for future projects. Bani's mind was too occupied to be worried about this. For the past few days, she had been getting deliveries of flower, chocolates and teddy bears. Regularly. All of them signed,

Your secret admirer

Bani racked her brains hard, to think of anyone who could send her these. Part boyfriends, men she had met recently. But none of them seemed like the people who would send such beautiful gifts for her. On the fifth day the phone finally rang, 'Did you like them..?' a husky voice asked.

Bani dropped her mobile in shock. 'JAI??'

'The one and only… So, I had to guess your choice of flower, but I figured you were the kind of person who liked dark chocolate..'

'You figured right… It's my favourite..' she replied.

'So, won't you say it's time for a gift in return?' he asked, a smile playing on his lips

'What would you like..?'

'A dinner..'

'Done!'

'Great.. I'm waiting for you downstairs..'

'WHAT?' Bani ran to her window, and sure enough there was Jai standing there, leaning against his car. Bani quickly grabbed her stuff and rushed downstairs.

'And if I had said no..?' she asked him in the car.

'You wouldn't have…' he said convinced.

'Uh.. Jai… where are you taking me..?' Bani asked a few minutes later. Looking out of the window she saw they were heading outside Mumbai.

'I'm kidnapping you…' a cheeky smile playing on his lips, he winked at her.

Half an hour later, he pulled by in a secluded area. There seemed to be nothing but trees. Seeing the worried expression on Bani's face, Jai chuckled.

'Don't worry, I'll keep you safe..'

Bani smiled at him, 'I'm sure you will..' she winked, and Jai was taken aback for a second before bursting into laughter.

'Looks like I've rubbed off on you..'

Jai took Bani through the trees, and after a trips and stumbles they finally reached the spot. Bani had a feeling why they were here, but she didn't want to raise her hopes up. Jai had somehow arranged for a table and some food, in the middle of the forest. Where there was a clearing.

'Jai… what are we doing here?'

'You tell me, what do you think we're doing here..' Jai moved Bani closer to him.

'I… You… We..?' Bani finished lamely, she seemed to a lost for words.

Jai brought her closer to him, and bent his head. 'This is wrong..' said Bani softly..

'Hmm..' Jai took no heed of her protests as he kissed her.

'You're my client..' Bani protested

'Miss Dixit you're fired..' Jai said before he kissed her again.

After a nice romantic dinner, with just the candle and the moon giving them light, Jai asked Bani for a dance. The soft tunes of Sun Zara echoed throughout.

sun zara, soniye sun zara - 4

aaj khamoshiyon se

aa rahi hai sadaa

dhadkane hai deewani

dil bhi kuch kahe raha hai

sun zara, soniye sun zara

sun zara soniye sun zara

'Bani..?'

'Hmmm' Bani asked.. still swaying in his arms.

'Bani… will you marry me..'

Bani looked up at him. 'I'm serious Bani, I don't know when, but I think I've fallen for you…The way you blush, the way you look at me when you're angry, your simplicity.. I love it all. I want to spend my life with you… have hundreds of kids..'

'Hundreds?'

'Ok.. Ok.. ten..'

'Three…'

'Five..'

'THREE..'

'Say yes, and we'll negotiate that number later..'

'Yes!'

Jai slipped a ring on to her finger and picked her up and spun around in excitement. 'You have made me the happiest man on earth today! And Mausi will be delighted.'

Bani stilled.

'No... Bani, It was my decision completely..' he said, before kissing her.

'I told you Mr. Walia..' Bani said 'A match before the 6 months are up… and I still have one month left..'

'So, if I don't like this one, I can still ask for another match, before the six months are up???' Jai asked

'Jai!!' Bani shouted, punching his chest, before Jai kissed her senseless.

~*~*~*

Right, if you read till the end, leave a comment!😉 Let me know if you liked it!😳 Good or Bad! I tried.. 😳