FF: MIRAGE part 41pg53Updated 20/04 - Page 26

I am starting to feel bad for jai but still don't trust him,,, there wasn't much bani in this update,, kind of missed her,,, pls continue soon

Rano AD was sweet

Sardi, khaansi na malaria huwa, Jai gaya yaaron isko, loveria huwa! Jai is a gonner!! Nattu is making the most of it😆 Rano and Jeet are so cute!!

It felt good to be home after such a long spell away. Natchiket walked around his apartment. Maybe it was time to forget the past and move on. His brother seemed to be genuinely trying so why not him? To tell the truth he had cut himself off from all kinds of relationships, reasons best known to him. But look at it, he was only a few months older than Jai and the guy was ready to go ahead and take another risk with love, so why not him?

He turned on the television and began to absently flick through the channels. It was late on a weekend, and though he was to stop by the house later on that evening, he wanted to have some down time to himself. He was watching the MB1 station and the talk of the town was the opening of Virani Plaza. It had been in the works for quite some time now, having been bought over and renovated by the Viranis'. It looked spectacular from the outside and one would want to see what the inside was all about. The screen shifted to a woman standing on a podium, the imposing building behind her.

It was her smile that caught his attention…Pride. That was what the smile showed. Unconsciously, he sat up straighter, increasing the volume on the television.

"Well, they thought we couldn't do it, but here we are!" was the first thing she said, and a thunderous applause arose from those gathered in front of her.

In that moment, Natchiket felt like he was watching a Presidential rally as opposed to a publicity stunt for the opening night of the Plaza which was a week away by the insert on the television screen.

She was speaking again, "This project, which was and still is very dear to my heart, began almost two years ago. Now it was a fight from the start," she said, giving a sweeping knowing look to those standing before her, "I'm not going to bore you with the details, but I can tell you this is the party we planned and this is the company I wanted to celebrate with!"

Another applause went up and cameras flashed as she spoke. Natchiket smiled, this woman should be in politics! Butter them up and lead them by the nose. That was exactly what she was doing, and looked very sincere doing it. The name flashed underneath the screen…Purva Virani. Mhmm, he knew the name. They were not major league but, they were a strong firm with a good record in the Real Estate business.

The rest of her speech was cut off as the reporter informed those watching that the opening was slated for Saturday evening in the coming week and as many as are on the exclusive list were some of the most prestigious names in business.

She's got a pretty smile, he thought, and flicked to another channel.

The cotton soft clouds chase themselves around the unending expanse of baby blue skies, daring the sun in all its fierceness to scorch them if it could. It was bright and sunny outside and save for how high up in the building they were, the honking of the bustling city below would have served as a distraction for the absentminded woman that sat, clicking her pen. This had sort of become her past time in the few days that followed the visit of Jai Walia to her office.

He had seemed sincere enough this time when he had come to the office, but she couldn't help but warn herself about him. He didn't exactly inspire a lot of trust in anyone, let alone her.

She was rocking in her chair when there was a rap on her door, "Come in."

The door burst open with a flourish even before the word were out of her mouth and in walked Rosa, and she looked mad!

"Rosa!" she exclaimed, happy to see the woman.

"No, no Rosa," the woman harrumphed, "You really not a good person, no?"

"Rosa, it's not like that," her tone was pacifying as she tried to reach out and hug the woman who was trying her best to be upset with her.

"How is it like then?" she threw over her shoulder at Bani as she stood backing her.

Bani smiled at the woman's half hearted attempt to be angry and hugged her tight from behind, "Oh Rosa my dear, I knew you had gone to Mexico for a while and that's why I didn't come by the shop. I'm really truly sorry."

"Mhmm," Rosa shrugged, "'Tis okay."

"Thank you Rosa," Bani air kissed her cheek.

"Now, I go all the way to The Walia office and you not there any more. What happened?"

Bani took her to the couch on the far side of the office and they sat down, "What do I tell you Rosa. After that incident I just couldn't go back there, and it was not for lack of him asking me to come back."

"He asked you?" Rosa was taken aback.

Bani smiled, "Shocking isn't it? But he did."

"I see you turned him down," she indicated the office.

"I had to."

"Good for you," she said with a firm nod, "Now he knows what kind of stuff you made of. Not them fresca women he carries around."

"Rosa!" she laughed.

"'Tis true no?" the woman defended herself, then she looked closely at Bani, "You do not look too good."

Bani sighed, "I have been working myself to the bone," she said, "We have a contract to build a Spa for The Walia as you call him, and that is taking up a lot of my time."

"And the Walia himself?" she asked.

Bani gave a tired smile, "Well, he seems to take up all my energy too."

"Aye mami, I'm afraid it is going to take a lot more than wishing a man like him away from you," Rosa said sadly, "She knows it, but she won't listen."

The last statement had Rosa pointing from Bani's head to her heart. And how true it was… curiosity at what it would be like for her to be with him always ate at her. Night and day she thought about it. She worked until she fell asleep to stop herself from thinking about him and it really was wearing on her.

"Oh my poor child," Rosa said, cupping her chin, then in the same breath, "Come, I put some meat on your bones."

"What?" Bani was confused now.

"We go to eat, no?" Rosa picked up her bag, "You are the boss and the boss get to go to early lunch. Come!"

And just like that, she led Bani who only managed to grab her back off the table and hurry after the woman who seemed to be larger than life right now.

Kiran was on the phone to Tarun whom she hadn't spoken to in a while.

"Are you going to come over here or do I have to get you suspended?" Kiran asked.

"Come on Ma, you know I would be there in a heartbeat if I could," he said in exasperation.

This was the same song and dance they did every time she called him or spoke to him but she never gave up. This was a particularly long season as he knew he was missing out on a lot that was going on in his sisters' lives.

"And how are those sisters of mine?" he asked to change the direction of the conversation.

"They are as well as can be expected," Kiran said with a sigh, "That Bani will work herself to the hospital one day."

"Since when does she work thathard?" Tarun was surprised.

"I don't know what drives her. It's not like she needs the money or anything," Kiran frowned as she spoke, "She comes home late and just falls asleep on everyone."

Tarun was silent for a while, "She told me about this Jai Walia character."

Kiran inhaled sharply and instantly Tarun knew his mother knew more than she was letting on.

"Ma, what's going on?" he asked cautiously.

"Nothing…well I think it's nothing…"

"Ma, come on. Di says she is one of your closest friends and the both of you have to be up to something, I just know it."

"I hate it when you do that," she said, knowing that Tarun would push until he got answers, and if she didn't tell him, well he knew who else could, "Yes, we had something to do with it, but not much."

"What do you mean, not much."

"Well…I got her to go work atWalia Group in the hope that she would be able to change Krishna's son for the better and they could be together."

"But from what she's told me…"

"I know beta, but people change," Kiran knew exactly where her son was going, "Krishna swears he has become a better person since she came into the picture. He's more humane now."

"I don't trust it," Tarun said.

"But…"

"Ma," Tarun dragged the word for emphasis, "I'm a man. I know what it is to be humiliated in front of people, and someone like this guy does not let go without a fight. He may be doing all this for show."

"For whose benefit Tarun?" Kiran asked softly, "It's not like they're dating."

"Yet," he said.

"And what difference would it make to her if he changed? There is as of now, nothing between them."

"Ma, for my sister's sake I hope all this is not a sherade. If he hurts my sister there will be hell to pay."

"Don't talk like that," Kiran was alarmed at the deadly tone in her son's voice.

"Who are you talking to?" Kiran turned to see Rano in the doorway, and simultaneously glanced at the clock to see it was past six.

"Is that Rano?" Tarun asked.

"Yes, it's your pagli sister," Kiran said.

"Ooooh, give it here!" Rano ran and grabbed the phone from Kiran, "Hello bhaiya!"

"How is my princess?" he asked as though she were way younger than he was.

"This princess is doing marvelously well thank you," she quipped, "And how is the superstar?"

"Tired, he wants to come home!"

"To kar lo," Rano said.

"Oh that it were that easy," he sighed, "So, I hear you are getting married soon."

"Where did you hear that?!" she exclaimed.

"Oh the walls have ears," he said, and she could imagine the knowing look on his face, "So I take it this is serious?"

"I guess you could say so," Rano said, a shy smile playing on her lips.

"You love him?" he asked. The outlet of her breath made him laugh, "That serious huh?"

"Bhaiya!" she protested.

"Okay baba," he said, "But just so you know, I am happy for you. I wish you get all your hearts desires."

"Thank you bhaiya," she said softly, "I wish you same."

"And one more thing," he said, "Take care of Bani for me. I know I cannot be there for her right now, but you are."

"I try bhaiya, but I think this is something she needs to figure out for herself."

"I do too," he said worriedly.

She decided to change the subject, "How is Michael?"

"He's wonderful, fit as a fiddle and giving me all the hell in this world," he said in a tone that depicted suffering.

Rano laughed, "Glad to see someone's having fun."

"Don't worry," he said, "I'll be there soon enough to give you yours."

"Yeah yeah, I'll believe it when I see you," she said.

"Alright princess, gotta run now. Got a hot date to catch."

"Noooooo wait!" she squealed, "Who is it?"

"Like you would know," he laughed, "Gotta go!"

"No fair," she whined.

"I know dear, take care," Tarun said, blew her a kiss and hung up.

She looked at the receiver in her hand, "Pagal."

Bani had gone back to Rosa's flower shop with her after their catch up lunch and had ended up at the dance club again. Alejandro was with them this time, but Bani declined dancing as she was still in her office clothes and it would be silly of her to try to dance in them.

"I really have missed this," she said, looking around at the carefree people around her. She nursed her cold drink.

"This is how one should live," Rosa said emphatically, "Good friends, a good job and a man to keep you warm at night."

Bani's face flamed, "Rosa!"

"Aye my girl, you blush too easily," she reprimanded Bani.

"Well you are scandalous!" she exclaimed.

"Ha, it's nothing you don't think about," she said flippantly. Bani colored again, and Rosa smiled knowingly, "See?"

Bani shook her head at the brazenness of this woman, but then again she had seen more of life than her so she guessed it all came with the age. She glanced at her wristwatch.

"Oh shoot!" she exclaimed, "It's almost eleven!"

"So? You are a grown woman you know," Rosa commented.

"I know, but I have today's work tomorrow and to add to that, tomorrow's work. I will need all the rest I can get."

"That I understand," Rosa said, rising to hug the younger woman, "You sure you can drive home alone?"

"Of course. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine."

"Take care my child."

"I will," she smiled at Rosa, then waved goodbye to Alejandro and left the club. She was on her way out when she bumped into someone, "Oh! I'm so sorry I…"

Her sentence however broke off when she saw who it was she had bumped into. None other than Pia Joshi.

"Well well well, who do we have her?" Pia had her signature sarcastic smile in place.

Bani just shook her head and tried to walk away.

"Nott so fast my dear," Pia said, causing Bani to stop in her tracks, "A word of advice amateur, slumming never helped anyone. If you're going to play in the big leagues, do it well."

Bani frowned at her in a silent question of what she meant. Pia laughed.

"Oh yes, you wouldn't know. Tushar Pandey is not the kind of guy you want to be seen around with if you want to get a man like Jai jealous. Aim higher, that'll get his attention. But then again, it is you we are talking about."

Bani gave an amused laugh and then her face became pensive, "You know what I can never figure out? In spite of my yes or no, kissing or not kissing him, and…" she let the sentence trail off with a shrug, as if to invite Pia to fill in the blank spaces, as the wicked glint shone in her eyes, "He keeps coming back to me. Over and over again,"

Pia's eyes head widened at her insinuation, then her face contorted in anger.

Bani laughed again, "My thoughts exactly. Have never been able to figure out why he keeps coming back. But then again, it is me we're talking about. Right?"

So saying, she turned and walked away, leaving she was sure, a very angry Pia behind. She didn't know what had possessed her to insinuate that she and Jai had slept together but she just wanted to give the woman something to think about that would surely mess up her night! What was it with that woman anyway? If the man wanted to be left alone, have some pride and do same already! But then again, some women went missing the day pride was handed out by God.

She got into her car and began her drive home, knowing that the roadways would be clear, seeing how late it was.

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

Jai sat in his study, nursing a glass of brandy after most of the house had gone to bed. It was well past eleven now and he had come down to do some work he had been unable to finish at the office. Problem was, he was too busy thinking to even work. He had spaced out severally in the course of supposedly working and that had irritated him no end. This was really the height of paranoia. He was staring at a picture of him and Bani at the first assignment he had thrown at her when she first came to WGI after their rather insane meeting. She was looking…no no, gazing at him with a huge smile on her face as if to say thank you for…for what? He had actually tried to trip her up but she had pulled through! Surprised him how much of a go getter she was, he thought, smiling to himself.

Just then, his mobile rang. Wondering who could be calling by this time, he glanced at the screen. Pia. He tossed the phone aside and resumed drinking. The ringing stopped. However seconds later, it began to ring again. He sighed. He had enough problems with work and Bani Dixit, and he did not need this woman showing up at work tomorrow to cause a scene. He leaned over and picked the phone.

"Hello?" he said tiredly.

"You slept with her?!"

The sound of the screech had him holding the phone away from his ear for a second. He gently put it to his ear again.

"Answer me!" was the next thing he heard.

"Pia, what are you on about?" he asked calmly.

"This is so like you," she continued, "How dare you?! And you have the nerve to act like…what the hell was I even thinking? After the display you two put on at the Gala nite I should have known."

"Pia, what the hell are you talking about?" he was actually confused.

"Don't play dumb with me!" she snapped, "I tell you Jai, this means war! I will not be made a fool of!"

"Pia, if you don't tell me what…" he got no further as the line went dead.

He stared at the phone in his hand. What the hell was that crazy woman up to now? And what on earth was she talking about? Who had he slept with? The Gala Nite? What…wait a minute…the Gala Nite? That was the night he and Bani had kissed on the balcony outside! So did that mean…woah, that means both Bani and Pia must have had a run in somewhere. But where did sleeping together come in? Had Bani said that to her?

A slow smile curved his lips. Picking his mobile again, he dialed her number. On the fifth ring she picked up and said a very cautious hello.

"I take it you know who's calling?" he asked softly.

She paused, "What do you want?"

"I hear we slept together," he said as though it was the perfect topic starter. The sharp intake of her breath made him smile on the other end.

"Woh… er…it's…" she stammered.

"It's okay, good news travels fast too," he said, enjoying himself, "Imagine my surprise to hear that rather than me doing the telling, you beat me to it."

"It's not like that and you know it," Bani said, finding her voice.

"Then how was it Bani?" he asked, "From what I hear I'm pretty good…"

"Jai!"

She sounded mortified and this time he laughed, "Alright, I'll let it go. But whatever possessed you to say a thing like that?"

"I didn't!" she defended herself, "Well…not in so many words…look, she was irritating me. Okay?"

"And you settle your beef on my head?" he asked.

"You can handle it," she said simply.

"And you can't?"

"You would really like us to go at it huh?"

"Well, it can be flattering to a man to have two women fighting over him."

There was a pause, and he knew he shouldn't have reminded her of the delicacy of what was between them. As it was, they seemed to be able to talk just fine on the phone.

"I'm not fighting over you Jai," she said slowly.

He decided to return to the original conversation, "But you're sleeping with me."

"Will you stop that?!" she screamed, her voice rife with frustration, "Okay, I take it back. I will call your stalker and tell her I was just kidding."

"Like you would do that," he said, glad that he had managed to dislodge her from where she was planning to sink her feet in and end the conversation.

"I should kick myself for going too far," she muttered.

"I wouldn't advice that," he said amusement dancing in his voice.

"You are having a ball aren't you?"

He could just imagine her eyes narrowed as she asked the question, "Come on Bani.I was here all on my own, thinking of how best to get you to believe in me and then I hear the doubting Thomas herself and I have already had a night to remember. What am I supposed to do with that?"

She muttered something.

"What was that?"

"Like I would tell you," she snapped.

"You have the loveliest voice," he said softly, "You know that?"

She paused again, wondering how to handle him now, "Jai, don't do this."

"It's a simple compliment Bani," he said, "Not everything I say or do has an ulterior motive."

After another long pause, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he said, a satisfied note entering his voice, "Now tell me, where did you meet my stalker ex?"

"I don't think this is an appropriate conversation to be having with me of all people," she said bluntly.

"Humor me."

"At a dance club," she said tiredly.

"Dance club? And you?" he was actually surprised, "I never thought."

"What I don't look the part?" she challenged him.

"No, not that you don't look the part," he said slowly, turning the picture of her dancing over and over in his mind, "I just… never thought."

"Mhmm," was all she said.

He heard the ever so subtle sound of her trying to stifle a yawn, "I should let you get to sleep. We both have work in the morning."

"I agree."

"Good night Bani," he said softly, "Sleep well."

Something about the way he said sleep caused her to break out, but on her end of the line, if he was baiting, she refused to bite.

"Good night Jai," was all she said.

He hung up and smiled at the mobile like it had just done him the hugest favor in the world. This was indeed progress. He had no intention of this being the last call he would make to her.

Sleep with her, did he, he smiled again in amusement, well now, that did give a man cause to persevere now didn't it?

He sipped more contentedly on his brandy. Things were looking up for him all of a sudden, and he was more at peace.

AAAANNNNNDDDDDD END FOR THE TIME BEING. LISTEN GUYS, I WOULD HAVE HAD ANOTHER POST FOR YOU BY SATURDAY BUT AS I TOLD BKTR, I'M MOVING HOUSE SO I MAY NOT POST UNTIL NEXT WEEK. HOPE THIS CAN TIDE YOU OVER TILL THEN. BYE Y'ALL!!!!!!!!!!