FF: MIRAGE part 41pg53Updated 20/04 - Page 24

I feel bad for jai,, why is bani ,,tempting him ? poor guy he cant take it anymore

It was fun to read how pia got pissed off

MIRAGE 20:

Jai glared at the man standing in front of him. He couldn't understand how a person could be so inefficient! Was it not a simple task to deliver a file from one office to another? This was the limit, really!

"Go to Accounting. Pick up your last paycheck and be out of this office by noon," he ground out at last.

"What?' the man was taken aback.

"I said you're fired!" Jai roared.

"But Sir…"

"Out!" Jai bellowed.

The man hurriedly ran from the room, still too shocked to react any other way. It was way too confusing. People were getting fired left, right and centre for the silliest things. As the man made his way down the corridor, a perplexed expression on his face, he bumped into Kaveri.

"Sohail, what's the matter?" she asked, taking in the man's dumbstruck demeanor.

"I don't know, but…" he paused to look back towards Jai's office, "I think I've just been fired."

"What?!" Kaveri was shocked, "You're the fifth person in four days!"

"I don't know…" the man's voice trailed off.

"Come with me," Kaveri said, leading the way to Aditya Sir's office. Whatever was wrong with Jai Walia, he should not be taking it out on the staff. If he kept firing them this way, soon it would be her turn, and she was not about to let that happen.

She knocked silently on the door.

"Come in," called the voice from within.

She pushed open the door, "Good morning Sir."

"Morning Kaveri," Aditya was surprised to see the receptionist in his office and the worried looking man behind her whose name she couldn't remember right off the bat, "What can I do for you?"

"Well Sir, it's just that… well I don't know if you've noticed but it has been kind of tense for a few days here at the office."

"Oh?" Aditya invited her to say more.

"Well, it's Jai Sir," she continued.

"What about him?" Aditya frowned.

"He's been in such a bad mood all week and he has fired five people in four days. Sohail here inclusive."

"Why did he fire you?" he addressed the question to Sohail.

"I was supposed to bring him a file on the Laser Corp account by ten this morning. I was five minutes late…and he fired me," Sohail said, still looking confused.

Aditya sat up, "A file?"

"Yes," Sohail said.

"He fired you because of a file?" Aditya said incredulously.

"Yes sir."

Aditya looked from one to the other. He did not want to interfere with Jai's decision but if the man was right, Jai had no reason to fire him. He would have to talk to Jai.

"It's okay Sohail, why don't you let me talk to Jai first and see what can be done," he suggested.

"Really?" Sohail brightened, "Oh thank you Sir…"

"I cannot promise anything right now but… just let me talk to him."

"Yes Sir," Sohail was elated, "Anything you can do would be fine."

"Okay then," Aditya said, "Thanks for letting me know Kaveri."

"My pleasure Sir," she said as they rose to leave.

As soon as the office door shut, Aditya picked up his phone and dialed his wife.

"Hello Adi."

"Jigyasa, it seems your brother has decided to go on a firing spree."

"What?" she was confused, "Who's he shooting at?"

Aditya chuckled to himself, "Well I guess you could say the employees."

"What are you getting at?" she was totally confused now.

"He's fired five people in four days I hear. The most recent being because the man brought in a file five minutes late."

"That doesn't make sense," she said.

"I know," Aditya sighed, "Something tells me this has everything to do with the Gala Nite."

"How do you mean?"

"Come on Jigyasa, you were the one that told me what you saw. The man is frustrated."

"So what he just fires everyone?"

"He's a man Jigs, and one who's not used to no for an answer, especially from women."

She was quiet for a while, "So what does this mean?"

"It can only mean that maybe… just maybe, your brother might have met his match in Bani Dixit. Just maybe, she might be the one to give him his life back."

"No woman should have to work that hard for a man," Jigyasa disagreed.

"I know,but one as unbending as your brother, even you have to admit it's a woman's touch that will do the trick."

"She does not deserve to become another one of his conquests Adi."

"Or maybe, she has already conquered him, and that's what he finds so frustrating."

Again, Jigyasa was quiet.

"What do you suggest we do?" she asked finally.

"I don't know my dear, this matter is too delicate."

"Tell me about it," she sighed.

"Well for starters, I think I better talk to Daddy-ji so that we can at least give those people their jobs back."

"It's a start. We could figure out the rest when you get home."

"Will do. You take care now dear."

"You too. See you later."

After she hung up, Jigyasa's face was the picture of worry. This was really too much! What was she to make of this whole thing? She didn't really know as her brother could change faces like a chameleon and that was not something she was willing to let a sweet girl like Bani find out first hand. But then again, she had seen them kissing, and the girl had not been complaining about her brother's advances. So what on earth was it with these two?

They were going to have to tread carefully, as this involved the life of an innocent girl and she would not want to be responsible for any heart ache in the future.

"I'm coming yaar!" Rano shouted on the phone to her office mate as she headed back to the office. She had resumed work only yesterday and was elated to find that work had not piled up. It had been done for her by her office mate, Sheetal.

"What's chasing you?" Sheetal asked as she entered the office.

"It's the people from Lonavla, the have some problem of sorts with their manager and the Big guy has to go in and sort it all out. What that has to do with me, I have no idea but I wish they would give me a break. I still have bandages on you know."

"Whatever," Sheetal said dismissively, "So…. Tell me about the Gala Nite."

"What's there to tell?" she asked, though an errant smile curved her lips.

"See?" Sheetal said, "I don't even have to push you. You're more than willing to talk! Come on, fill me in. I want the real story."

Rano pretended to be thinking, "Well there's not much to tell…"

"I hope you know I've seen the pictures," Sheetal said.

"They do not do the evening justice," Rano said, her expression downplaying the story the papers told, "It was really exciting.They went all out this year. It's going to be pretty hard to top what they did this year."

"And the people there?"

"Come on Sheetal, the crme de la crme of society was there."

"Mhmm, and if the pictures were anything to go by, you were there with someone," Sheetal said with a knowing smile.

Rano could not hide the blush that crept into her cheek, "Yeah, so?"

"So?!" Sheetal asked incredulously, obviously in awe, "You were there with Aparajeet Deb!! Aparajeet Deb for heaven's sake!"

"So?" Rano asked again, not able to hide the proud smile that shaped her lips as she pretended it was an everyday occurrence.

Sheetal stared at her a few seconds, "There's more to it isn't there?"

That took Rano unawares, "What?"

"Oh my goodness! You like him!!" Sheetal exclaimed.

"What?!" Rano gave a burst of disbelieving laughter, "No I don't… we were just… no, I don't."

"You only stutter when you're lying Rano, you like him!" Sheetal was getting more animated by the second.

"Will you stop saying that?" Rano jumped up to go shut the door to their office.

"Oh!" Sheetal's eyes widened in confirmation, "This is bigger than I thought! This is love!"

"Oh for crying out loud!" Rano was exasperated, "So what if I like him huh?"

Sheetal let out an excited squeal and jumped up, coming round to hug Rano, "I cannot believe it! I mean the pictures did suggest but… you weren't saying anything, not even while we visited…oh, I'm so happy for you!"

Sheetal was thinking a million things at once and practically unable to make a coherent sentence.

"Yeah yeah," Rano said, feigning disinterest.

"Oh my friend, that means there is hope for people like me," she said, still very much awed by the whole thing, then she got pensive, "I mean, maybe I should go out and get myself hit by some nice looking car. That could do the trick don't you think?"

Rano frowned at her friend, "What are you saying?"

"Oye, didn't getting hit cause you to meet the most handsome doctor this world has ever seen?"

"It was just my luck that he… are you crazy?!" she asked Sheetal who looked dead serious.

"Do I look like I'm kidding?" Sheetal was saying, and a distinct knock interrupted her.

Rano went to open the door and gasped, "You?!"

"Yes, me," the voice said.

"Who is it?" Sheetal asked, coming up behind her, and suddenly exclaimed, "Oh my God!"

"What are you doing here?" Rano grabbed his arm and pulled him into the office.

"What? You're not the only one who gets to drop by my office and hassle me. I can do it too," Aparajeet said, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

Rano gave a mock reprimanding loo, "You have seriously been around me way too long."

"Mhmm," he said unabashedly, "And loving every minute of it."

He was about to pull her into a hug when Sheetal noisily cleared her throat, alerting them to her presence.

"Oh I'm sorry," Rano said, blushing a little as she knew Sheetal's diagnosis of her feelings for Jeet had been more than confirmed in that few seconds exchange, "Aparajeet, this is my office mate Sheetal. Sheetal, this is Aparajeet Deb."

"Don't you mean Doctor?" Sheetal was obviously star struck.

"Yes, she means Doctor," Jeet answered, "Hello Sheetal. Nice to meet you."

"Oh no," she held his outstretched hand, more like gripped it, "The pleasure is all mine!"

"O……kay," Rano came forward and disengaged their hands, "She gets like this all the time."

"Only when I meet famous people," Sheetal said, a goofy smile on her face.

"I would hardly call me famous," Jeet said modestly while Rano harrumphed.

"Oh you're definitely famous," Sheetal insisted.

"Moving on now!" Rano cut in, "You're here because?"

"I wanted to see where you worked," he said.

"Shouldn't you be cutting someone open somewhere?" she asked.

He smiled openly at her, his amusement more than obvious, "I came to take you to lunch but if you would rather I leave…"

"Oh oh, take me instead," Sheetal said, "I'm really very hungry."

"Not on your life," Rano said, grabbing her bag off the table.

"Hey you were gonna pass!" Sheetal said indignantly.

"Tough!" Rano called as she grabbed Jeet's hand, "Be back at two."

"I'm gonna tell on you," Sheetal threatened in mock jealousy.

"Bye darling!" Rano called over her shoulder, pulling her date behind her.

"Nice to meet you…"

The rest of his sentence was lost as Rano tugged hard with her good arm and he disappeared from sight.

"I hope you're enjoying yourself," Rano said to him in mock anger.

"In your words, immensely!" he chuckled softly.

*********

Bani was flipping through a recent accounting file on a hotel they were renovating, adding up the numbers and looking for abnormalities as sheets of plywood that had been supplied to the site had gone missing. Now unless you were a magician, you couldn't make five rows of plywood disappear.

"Any progress?" her father asked, poking his head around the door.

"Well, it's either the theft occurred there on the sight or the stock was never delivered. I have double checked the account books and it all adds up," she said, stretching to relieve the cramps in her neck.

"You've been pushing pretty hard these days," he said lightly.

"It just feels good to work again," she said, smiling tiredly.

"Your Grandfather wanted us to come over for dinner tonight," he informed her.

"Really?" her eyes filled with excitement, "It's been a while since I last saw them. Uh, Choti Ma is going to kill me!"

"I'm sure it will be fine," he said, "At least go to lunch now."

"I will Papa, just let me finish up here."

"Oh, and least I forget, Jai Walia will be coming over at two this afternoon."

He watched her. Her expression other than the erratic pulse in her neck gave nothing away.

"Thanks for letting me know," she said finally.

"Anytime," he smiled and exited her office.

Oh my child, he thought as he stood in the hallway, the question 'what if is a terrible thing. But in this case was 'what now' any better. It was clear to him his daughter had feelings for the Walia boy and clear enough was the fact that the boy felt….well, something for her. But if she never found out, theirs was the kind of attraction that could haunt a subsequent marriage to anyone else. That was what he feared. Worse still, what if they got together and this was only a passing fancy they should have taken time to work out? Thinking about all this wore him out, and he had already decided to go along with whatever she thought best. He could only advise her as best he could as a parent.

Bani in her office, was not sure what to feel. Her father was right, she had been pushing herself. She was trying her best to focus on work to keep him out. The 'this-is-the-last-time syndrome had gotten to her and she had willingly kissed him again. Only this time, the memory of it was no longer only in her head, she could see it happening in her mind's eye, such that the look she had on her face at times could tell a passer-by exactly what she was thinking. Rano had caught her twice and she just couldn't risk anyone else catching on.

She would make herself scarce, that was a given. She knew her father had told her to give her the option of what she wanted to do. Stay, or leave. Well she couldn't face him. No way. She would go to 'lunch'!

She had driven to a random restaurant and remembered something about it being newly opened. Well that should mean the food would be top notch as they would obviously want to attract customers. She parked and went in.

"Good day ma'am," the maitre' d said.

"I'd like a table for one please," she said.

"Of course madam, right this way," the woman led the way.

She was half way through the hall when she heard her name.

"Bani?"

She turned and a smile broke out on her face, "Oh my goodness, Tushar!"

She dispensed with formalities and hugged him.

"Wow, I should have known you a long time ago. Don't get too many hugs this time of the year."

"Quit playing," she poked him playfully, "You come here often?"

"First time," he said.

"Well me too."

"How about you join me?" he indicated his table, "I was going to eat alone but since you're here…"

"But of course!" she exclaimed and turned to the lady, "I'll be joining him."

"Certainly madam," the woman said and indicated to some guy to set a second place on Tushar's table.

"So, how's work?" she asked.

"Hectic as usual. It's not easy being the only one to run an empire."

"I feel your pain," she said with playful sarcasm.

He chuckled at that, "And you? How's work?"

"I had to get out," she said, "It was either me or the paper work."

"It's good to get out," he said as the waiter handed them the menu, "Looks impressive."

"I'll say, suddenly I'm very hungry," she said, "I'll have the chicken soup with French bread rolls."

"Sounds delicious. I'll have that too," he said to the waiter, putting the menu aside, "So, what's new in the world?"

She was about to answer when she looked up to see who had just entered. The word died on her lips. She just stared, a sense of dread taking over her. The last people she expected to see.

"Apparently not much," she said finally and averted her gaze.

Tushar frowned at her, then turned and spotted Jai Walia and Pia Joshi being ushered into the restaurant. The smile Pia Joshi was wearing was victorious as she spotted Bani and Tushar watching them.

They were turning to go when Jai who hadn't seen Bani initially, spotted her. He froze, then an unreadable expression crossed his face. He nodded a stiff acknowledgement at them and placing his hand on the small of Pia's back, guided her to where their table was set in the far corner of the room, almost hidden from view.

"That was pleasant," Tushar tried to joke it off.

"Yes, pleasant," she said.

"You want to leave?" he asked, concerned at her wooden expression.

"No!" she said quickly, "No, not at all. It's just…"

She let the sentence trail off as she wondered exactly what she was going to tell Tushar.

"You know, I do have a good listening ear," he said gently, "Come on, it's clear something is going on here, and while you can tell be to bugger off, it's okay if you need to talk about it."

She smiled gratefully at him, "There is nothing to talk about Tushar."

"Isn't there?" he raised a brow, "The woman with Jai Walia… Pia is it? She clearly had it in for you."

"I know," Bani smiled with a quick glance towards them, "But there really is nothing there. We understand each other."

He smiled knowingly and said nothing. She looked at his amused expression and knew he knew exactly what was up but was too much of a gentleman to say anything.

"There's no fooling you is there?" she said after a while.

He chuckled softly, "No, I'm afraid not."

She sighed deeply and the waiter took that particular moment to show up. He served them their appetizers and left.

"Well, it smells good," Tushar inhaled deeply.

"Well don't get full on the aroma, tuck in," Bani encouraged as she lifted her spoon to her lips.

She tasted the rich creamy liquid and closed her eyes as it slid down her throat to her stomach, "Oh, this is good!"

Tushar was watching her with his spoon halfway to his mouth, and said finally, "No wonder he has his panties in a bunch."

It took Bani a while to understand what he had said and a faint blush crept over her cheeks, "You embarrass me."

"But it's true," Tushar said, taking a taste of his own, "Mhmm, it does taste heavenly."

She smiled at him. He was good company, and she was glad she had met him here. It made eating more bearable with those two in the background. The look on Pia's face was easier to bear with him here.

"So, tell me," he continued, "What else is new?"

At the question, they both started chuckling. They knew what happened the last time he asked that.

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

Lunch was wonderful. They had exchanged numbers and had left the restaurant before Jai and Pia. Lord knew she couldn't bare to be in the same place as them after a while. She was back at the office, smiling in remembrance of an off beat joke Tushar had cracked. He really was a gem1 It was quite sad how he was still unmarried or without luck when it came to finding a good woman. She didn't even know anyone she could introduce to him. It was crazy. A knock on her door brought her out of her reverie.

She glanced at the clock. Quarter to four. "Come in."

Her door opened and her father walked in with her worst nightmare. She got to her feet. "Bani beta, Mr. Walia here asked to see you before he left. I thought you might not be back so I wanted to check."

She said nothing and was wondering why her father would bring him here, knowing fully well she had gone to 'lunch' to avoid meeting him at all.

"I'll leave you two to it," Nishikant said, heading back to the door, then turned again, "Don't forget, we have dinner at your grandparents place tonight."

"Yes Papa," was all she could manage.

And then he was gone, and it was just the both of them left in the office. Through all the talk from her father, Jai had not once taken his eyes off her. Now she looked back at him as there was nowhere else to look.

"Bani," he began, "I need to explain."

That threw her! She had expected a tirade of some sort like the one she got during the Gala Nite. I mean, this was coming in through the back door.

"I know it looks bad but it was just business," he began, his expression willing her to let him explain or at least clear the air, "Before all this madness we had a contract together…"

"Mr. Walia," she began when she finally found her voice, "There's no need for you to explain yourself…"

"But there is Bani," he insisted, "What you saw at the restaurant… that's not how it is."

"Mr. Walia, you really don't have to do this…" she tried to be formal so he would just go away.This was not at all what she had expected.

"Bani please, don't be like this," he looked like he was having a rough day and didn't need her to complicate things further. He came to stand directly in front of her table, "I don't want you thinking I can kiss you one moment and jump at the next woman that comes along…"

"Jai, you need to stop this," she wasn't going to listen to this, "I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"Not until you say you understand that I have nothing with Pia," he was practically begging now. He came round the table to where she was standing, "I can't have you thinking the worst of me…"

Bani was rooted to the spot but she managed to say, "It doesn't matter what I think."

He took her hand in his, his eyes tired, his voice low, "But it does Bani. It does. It's bad enough you think I'm the worst thing since nuclear bombs… I just need you to understand that… I just need you to understand."

She was just staring at him. She couldn't look away. The scent of his cologne tickle her nose and her senses. The way he was looking at her, her pulse was racing and her breathing had become uneven. It was as though the air was slowly being sucked out of the room. She couldn't move even if she wanted to.

"Bani, Bani, Bani," he said, a faint smile touching his lips finally, "For once in my life I wish I didn't have a history. For once I wish things could just be simple."

She wanted to speak, but his thumb was stroking her the back of her palm and she couldn't quite focus. She looked at her small hand encased in his much larger ones and then back up at him. Oh he had the loveliest grey eyes. Right in this moment they seemed clear…open. Something she had never seen even when she worked at WGI.

"Jai…" she croaked.

He placed a finger across her lips to silence her, shaking his head, "I'm not all bad Bani. I have my flaws…" he chuckled. A deep velvety sound, "Very pronounced flaws, but I'm not all bad."

"And just like that…just like that," she questioned him, "I'm supposed to believe you?"

"I'm not asking you to believe in miracles Bani, especially not with me," he said more seriously, "Just… I need you to not see me as the worst person there is out there."

"Maybe not the worst," she sighed, lowering her head, "But you have to admit, if God weren't so merciful even he would raise a brow at your request."

He gave her a wider smile, "You're not angry?"

"Jai, it's not my place to be angry," she said truthfully, "There is after all, nothing between us."

His smile faded and he let go off her hand, "How can you say that?"

Bani was surprised at the sudden change in him, "But there is…"

He took a step backwards, "We need to tell ourselves the truth Bani. This," he indicated both of them, "This is going nowhere. Whatever is between us has to be resolved Bani. We are both here because we need to figure this out. Don't you see?"

"But why are you doing this?" she felt her resolve weakening, "Why won't you leave me alone?"

He came forward again, his gaze intent, questioning, "Is that what you want? What you really want?"

Oh the way he was looking at her, she couldn't think. Finally she turned away, "I don't know anymore!"

With her back turned to him, he held her by the shoulders, not wanting to turn her around, "This isn't easy for me either Bani. All I know is I cannot leave you alone. Call me selfish, but this thing with you and me is driving me crazy," he gave a confused laugh, "I won't pressure you. Far be it from me to do so. Take your time Bani, but please, don't push me away. I'll have no choice but to pursue you."

She turned around at that. He was dead serious about the last statement and it was clear for her to see. He meant every word. He kissed his forefinger and touched it to her lips, a whimsical smile on his lips.

He withdrew from her then. She watched him slowly back away towards the door. He opened it to leave but turned again, "Never say there is nothing between us."

He shut the door quietly behind him. He was gone. Slowly, she sank into her chair and stared. Now what had he gone and done? This was truly hitting a person up from behind. He had left her with nothing this time.No armor, no shield. It was becoming more and more difficult to remind herself he was not at all the best thing to happen to any right thinking woman. Her head told her to be logical and reason it out, but her heart was already soaring on angel's wings!

What was she going to do now? It's not like she was having an easy time of it before, now this? This really wasn't fair. It just wasn't.

THAT'S IT GUYS. HAVE TO GO DO SOMETHING REALLY SERIOUS NOW.PLEASE DON'T HATE ME TILL THE NEXT UPDATE. TILL THEN, CIAO!!!

Jigs is a really sweet person in this. JB moments are great, as usual.

Hey Ezther,

I am commenting for the first time for this FF. Loved it. I just chanced upon it like the other FF of your's. Well for tyhe story line some comments are btter left censored and I mean in a good way. I am waiting for next update.