FF: MIRAGE part 41pg53Updated 20/04 - Page 29

MIRAGE

"Do you see what you've done?!" she screamed into the receiver, "Now I can't go anywhere without the feeling I'm being talked about!"

Jai leaned back in his chair, a big smile on his face. He was looking at the day's paper. The whole front page was of the both of them on the dance floor, snugly holding each other, and a reader could very well guess what the topic of conversation with the both of them in that position would be!

"Don't be so hyper Bani, it's just a picture," he said, trying to hide the laughter in his voice.

"Just a picture?! Just a picture?" she repeated incredulously, "In case you don't know, I live in the same house with my parents, and I already have to face my father here at work!"

"We weren't doing anything wrong."

"Weren't we?!" she said in a panicky tone, "You don't know what it was like walking through the halls this morning…"

"Bani, you'll get used to it," he said, enjoying himself, as she was the one who had called him this morning, and not the other way round as it always was.

"You think this is funny don't you?" her voice had taken on an edge, "This is exactly why I warn myself every time to stay away from you, but no, you won't leave well alone. Enjoy the fun at my expense Jai, have a blast. Just remember to leave me well alone."

"Ba…" the phone went dead.

He stared at it in his hands, knowing this had just put him back at square one with her. And this all had begun on a very positive note. He decided to call her back. He dialed the number back.

It rang and rang out.

He dialed again, knowing fully well that she knew he would call back and she would make it difficult for him to speak with her.

It rang out again.

He picked up the receiver of his office phone and dialed his secretary, "Get in here."

Seconds later the door opened and the secretary walked in, "You called Sir?"

"When is my earliest meeting today?" he asked while shucking himself into his jacket.

"It's at eleven Sir, the Elderman Committee from the States."

He paused, his mind working a mile a minute, "Good. I'll be back for half past ten. Keep an eye on things will you?"

"Ah…yes Sir," she looked at him strangely as he breezed past her on his way out.

On his way out the elevator he ran into Natchiket. His brother wore a disapproving glare on his face.

"Now what did I do?" he asked, exasperated without even hearing what Natchiket was frowning about.

"Oh I think you know," he said, "What on earth possessed you to do that to her? In public too!"

"Who are we talking about?" Jai feigned ignorance.

Natciket's eyes glittered.

"Okay okay, I get it," he said, tapping his feet testily, "Look, it wasn't my intention…"

"Is it ever Jai?" Natchiket cut him off, "You never intend to do these things but they just seem to always happen with you."

"Hey, you do not get to act like you can scold me alright?" he said, getting impatient, "Why on earth is everyone on my case anyways? The person I should be having this conversation with is Bani, and that I will not be able to do if you holding me up with this lecture. Now excuse me."

With that he was on his way out as Natchiket glared after him, having not finished with his quote unquote, lecture. So that's where he was in an all fire hurry to. He didn't lnow whether to be happy or just plain wrong his neck!

He turned to go back to his office. He had to speak to Purva. Heavens, after last night he just had to talk to her. He had his own fences to mend. He couldn't tell what had possessed him to be so rakish……….

FLASHBACK…

Sitting out in the garden as they had walked away from watching the spectacle Jai and Bani were creating on the dance floor, she looked exquisite as the glow of the moon bathed her in its silver light. The garden as they had decided would be dimly lit so as to have the full effect of the moon showing off its beauty. The greens, the reds, the yellows, the fusion of colors was spectacular tonight. Down right enchanting. Lets not forget the heavy scent that rose from the flowers that surrounded them, the soft evening breeze helping spread the fragrance far and wide.

"It's beautiful out here," Purva said, "Just as I thought it would be."

"I'm happy for you," he stood watching her, as she surveyed the finished product of all her hard work, and said finally, "You know, you are one intimidating woman."

"What?" she asked in mild surprise.

He came and sat next to her, shaking his head, "Seeing you on television and meeting you in person are two entirely different things."

She turned a guileless pair of grey eyes on him, "How do you mean?"

"I mean, that I saw you for the first time last week on television," he explained, "Looked easy enough, getting to meet you. But seeing you tonight," he gave her a slow once over, "Even I don't know what happened."

A pleased smile curved her lips and she dropped her gaze demurely, "So that's what that was."

"Pardon?"

"Bani Dixit," she said with a smile, "That's the reason she virtually pulled me all the way across the hall to meet you."

He chuckled at that, "Yeah, in her words, tough business man afraid to talk to a woman."

She looked him in the eye, "So I scare you?"

"A lot," he said easily, flashing a disarming smile.

"Mhmm, interesting," she took a sip from her glass and set it down beside her, "You know I…"

Not knowing what possessed him, he snaked his hand around her neck and pulled her to him, locking her lips with his in a soft kiss. Taken aback, she froze at first, her eyes widening with his bold move. He withdrew a little and looked at her face. Her smoky eyes had darkened and unless he was mistaken, she looked a little drunk. This time she took the initiative to taste him on her own, and he let her. There was a curiosity to her touch that made him pull her closer still, deepening the kiss.

He wasn't sure what it was, but something snapped, as he could feel it in the stiffening of her shoulders. Suddenly she was pushing him away and jumping to her feet, a horrified expression on her face.

"Purva… what is it?" he got to his feet, concern filling him.

She seemed confused at the moment, not knowing how to translate what she wanted to say, then she looked at him. And when she did, it was as though she was seeing a stranger. That cut him deeply as he looked at her.

"What have I done?" she whispered, dread filling her voice.

Yes, what had he done, he thought to himself, Lord, he had kissed the woman he'd barely spoken two words to, and that too without knowing the first thing about her!

She slowly backed away from him and before he could say a word, she hurried from the garden. He had tried to go after her but some people were coming in from the hall and he had to hide behind a shrub so as not to cause brows to be raised where Purva was concerned. He didn't want to cause her any troubles.

But what on earth had possessed him to do a foolhardy thing like that…..

He got up from his seat. It would be best he followed Jai's lead. Obviously Bani wasn't speaking to him and this was something that had to be dealt with personally, so he, like Jai, would go to her. She wouldn't refuse him then. He made his way to the Virani Plaza, as they had already moved their offices into the top floor of the Plaza to effectively manage all that went on in the building.

He just had to see her.

Purva on her part was absolutely horrified by her actions two nights ago. She had literally acted like a school girl and given in to her desires! But that wasn't so wrong was it? I mean the pull to him hadn't been immediate, but the cover of night and the smell of the flowers, throw in the full moon and you had a recipe for disaster! What was she going to do? If she had been caught, what explanation could she have given?

The flow of her troubled thoughts, were disturbed by her secretary buzzing her. She pushed the intercom button.

"What is it Tanya?"

"Sorry to disturb you ma'am, but there is a Mr. Walia here to see you."

She gasped audibly, her throat drying up instantly. She couldn't have heard right! He was here?! That can't be!

"Ma'am?" Tanya prompted.

She debated what to do, knowing fully well she couldn't turn him away because he knew she was in. But to meet him again… The decision was however made for her by the door opening and Natchiket entering her office, a mild but determined look on his face.

"Never mind Tanya," she managed finally.

She lifted her finger from the button and pushed herself to her feet, not sure how exactly she was to raise her eyes to him.

"You shouldn't have come here," was all she could manage.

"I knew you wouldn't take my calls so it was my best bet," he said, a sheepish smile playing on his lips before it vanished as he turned serious, "Listen, Purva…about that night…"

"It never happened," she cut him off, raising her eyes to his in silent determination, holding his gaze. She saw the surprise register there.

"I'm sorry Purva," he said, slowly shoving his hand into his pockets, "But I cannot pretend it didn't happen."

That floored her and she blinked in surprise, "Wha…why?"

He smiled, "I have no business telling you this, but I saw you once, just once on television and… for some reason, this woman just wouldn't leave my thoughts. I don't know how often you hear this but I have looked forward to meeting you every day since that day."

Purva was dumbstruck. Yes, she heard comments like that all the time, and hearing it from him now made no difference to her. It was more the fact that he couldn't meet her eyes as he spoke…why?

"Look, what I did that night was stupid, and I'm sorry," he said, coming closer but not standing so close that he would crowd her and make her feel more uncomfortable. He was smart enough to know that would put her on the defensive. "However, what happened was special for me. Don't belittle it by saying it didn't happen."

It was the sincerity in his voice that stopped her from arguing. Slowly, she lowered herself back into her chair, matting her fingers together, a pensive look forming her features.

"I'm not denying it Natchiket," she said finally, as a sad smile touched her lips, "Couldn't if I wanted to. But I know where this is going, and it's impossible."

Her quick observation was a relief to him as it saved him the bother of trying to convince her that he wanted to be with her, but impossible?

"Why would it be impossible?" he asked, a frown playing on his forehead.

She looked at him incredulously, "Are you kidding me?"

At his blank expression, she realized her really didn't know.

"You don't know do you?" she asked.

"Know what?" he was more confused now.

She took a steadying breath, swinging her chair around so that she faced him where he stood, "I'm not Miss Virani. I'm Mrs. Virani. I married into the family Natchiket."

He paled as the words began to ring in his ears. His chest tightened involuntarily and he leaned forward to place a steadying hand on the table inches in front of him. Blast it all! It had never occurred to him that a woman as beautiful and appealing as she would be married! What had he gone and done? A married woman!

She jumped to her feet worriedly, taking in his ashen face, "Are you alright?"

He stared at her as she tried to support him, thinking he couldn't believe it. Thinking his dreams couldn't crash and burn even before they had had a chance to come alive.

"Maybe you should sit," she made to lead him to the chair opposite her table.

"I'm fine," he said, holding up his hand to stop her, "Your husband is a lucky man."

If it wasn't for the irony of the situation she would have laughed at the question. He stood rigid now, something seemingly forever changed in him.

She sighed, a pained smile replacing the sad one, or did it fuse together? The expression on her face was alien even to her.

"I guess you could say that."

"Why wasn't he with you at the Opening?" Natchiket frowned darkly, "It was obviously an important night for you and he…."

He broke off when he saw the stricken look on her face, then a wave of anguish racked her so terribly that she fell backwards into the blessedly waiting chair behind her, her own face now pale, eyes huge with…fright? He was by her in a flash.

"What's the problem? What is it?" he asked, his own panic starting to rise as he gripped her shoulders, "Tell me dear, what is it?"

Her huge staring eyes seemed to focus and return from wherever she had gone off to in her mind. She stared at him a few moments and before it had time to register, her huge grey eyes filled with tears and they burst forth as water out of a dam. She buried her head in her hands as she began to sob.

"Good God darling what is it?" he was almost beside himself, going over the statement he had made to see if he cold possibly have said anything that could bring on this kind of reaction, "Please Purva, what is it? What did I say?"

She just went on sobbing, unable to get the words out around the heaving and sniffing. He gathered her in his arms, willing her to calm down. After what seemed an eternity, she stopped, sniffing only, and finally disentangling herself from him.

"I'm sorry," she sniffed, accepting the hanky he pulled from his pocket, "I didn't mean…didn't mean to do that…or ruin your suit…"

"Leave all that," he said gently, "Are you alright now?"

She nodded, "Fine."

He gave her a moment to compose herself before speaking again, "What did I say that was so wrong?"

She sighed deeply, that odd expression flitting across her face again, but she kept her head down as she spoke, "Maybe I phrased that wrongly. I was married Natchiket, but my husband is late."

He tried to hide his relief but it was too great to disguise. His rigidity seeped out the same way it had flowed in as his shoulders slumped in relaxation, his breath rushing out in a deep gush as his head dropped. He took several steadying breaths before he looked up again, his expression still pained.

"I'm so sorry," he said.

She shook her head, a stoic look masking her face as she subconsciously squared her shoulders, "Don't be. It was four years ago, I've come to terms with it."

"No you haven't," he said softly, but firmly, "At least now it all makes sense."

She looked up at him, seeing his face grim and set. She wasn't exactly sure what to feel with his reaction. I mean, that was always the deal breaker with most men as their families would not allow marriage to a widow or if they persisted, it was because her in- laws wealth would be ample compensation for the fact that she was a widow.

"What are you saying?" she asked in consternation, "Didn't you hear what I just said? I'm…"

"I heard you," he came and took her by the shoulders, an understanding but sad smile playing on his lips, "Loud and clear, I heard you."

'Look, I don't…"

He began to shake his head, "I understand what you're trying to say Purva, and I know a lot of things are swimming around in your head but we don't need to talk about all of this right now. It's enough that I know the reason why you bailed like that that night. I'm truly sorry for the embarrassment."

When he paused, she just stared at him wide eyed and totally speechless. What could she say to that anyway?

He was running his hands slowly up and down her arm now, more in a comforting than suggestive manner, "Listen, I know you need time Purva, and I'll give it to you," then he looked her in the eye, "Bit I'm not going anywhere."

Her mouth dropped open in shock at the definite tone in his voice but still, no words would form in her head, try as she might to arrange her thoughts. Had she really met this man barely seventy two hours ago for the first time?

" I'll speak with you later," he said, glancing at her table that had work papers strewn all over it, "I think we both have work to do so I'll let you get to it."

She nodded almost imperceptibly, and he dropped a kiss to her forehead, lingering for a while as he inhaled the fragrance of her hair. He cupped her cheek and gave her a loving smile before tearing himself away from her and walking to the door. She sat rooted to the spot as he finally exited after a final warm gaze at her.

Still very confused by what had just happened in her office, she stared unseeingly at the wall to the right side of her office where a garlanded picture of her late husband hung. Natchiket had not seen it.

Jai was accustomed to being stared at and whispered about and he gave it little thought, but today he was being stared at for a totally different reason and he found it a tad uncomfortable. Lord he could imagine how Bani had felt walking down this particular corridor this morning. He got to her door and knocked formally. He heard her distracted 'come in'. He pushed open the door and walked in, registering her gasp as she saw who it was that entered her office.

"You have some nerve showing up here," she hissed, jumping to her feet.

"Now now, it's not nice for you to get so mad this early in the morning," he said, an indulgent smile curving his lips.

"I don't believe you!" she shrieked.

"Shhh! Keep your voice down," he came towards her, "Walls have ears remember?"

"You need to get out of my office or I'll call security," she threatened, her expression truly upset.

"Come on my dear, you seriously cannot take these things to heart…"

"Can't I?" she jumped out of her seat as he advanced on her and fled to the other end of the table, "It was one thing for the picture to be in the paper but a totally different thing to have your family dragged into it! A Walia- Dixit connection?! Who thought that up, you?"

He couldn't help smiling at how cute she looked, her eyes flashing as she waved her fists to emphasize her point.

"I wouldn't stoop so low," he said casually.

"Wouldn't you?" she bit back, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

"Okay, maybe I would ordinarily, but come on, even you have to admit this is pushing it," he said reasonably, "It's not like I want to court death with Mr. Dixit's shot gun. I hear he's quite s shot."

His wary expression when he said that caught her off guard and in spite of her anger, she dissolved into laughter to his surprise, then a rakish grin followed.

"He is that. I really should have you shot," she said finally, "But it's not like it's your fault alone. I did let myself go."

"You did?" he asked, a bit confused as to where she was going.

"Jai, I don't know that I like being talked about in the media this way," she said, "Anything to do with you and that's what is going to happen. I like my privacy just fine and I really can't be seen with you in public."

His grin increased suggestively as he approached her.

"Not privately either!" she snapped, going a little pink.

"I'm sorry I got you in the papers," he said, playing with a strand of her thick hair which she wore down her back today, "But you have to admit, it was a darned good picture!"

He quickly side stepped as she swung her hand to hit him, his laughter mocking her gently.

"I'm calling security," she snapped and grabbed the receiver to dial.

He snatched it from her hand and held it away from her, high up above her head, and though he leaned against the table, being much taller than she was, it was an easy feat.

"Give that back!" she hissed.

"Say please."

"What?!" she was incensed, "How dare you?!"

"Say please, and I'll give it back," he said with that annoying smile in place.

"You give it back right this minute," she jumped to get it but he held it higher still, "Give it…"

And she made the complete error of going too close and then she was leaning against him, trying desperately to get the receiver from him. It was when his arm snaked around her waist she realized her error. Then it became a struggle to get away from him.

"Let me go you pervert!" she hissed.

"Now why would I want to do that?" he asked, his voice seductively low as his smile taunted her.

"May I remind you that this is an office," she ground out, trying to extricate herself from his grip.

"Didn't stop us the last time," he whispered in her ear, and loved the gasp that followed.

"Jai, please…"

"Ah," he said, pulling her closer still, "The magic word."

"Jai…"

He dropped a kiss to her ear and she shivered violently, freezing in his arms, her pulse galloping away with her.

"I love it when you do that," he said huskily into her ear, "So beautiful."

He nipped at her ear lobe, knowing how sensitive a spot that was for her. This time he was rewarded with a deep moan. Unable to hold back, he crushed her lips in a searing kiss, realizing that it had been ages since he last held her like this, kissed her, felt her softness against his muscled body. In a bid to slowly pull her towards him, he had really missed having her like this… well not that she made it easy for him to get close.

They pulled apart, out of breath and he was just as flushed as she was. He pushed her hair back and took in every line, curve and hollow of her face. She kissed the heel of his palm which had come to rest next to her cheek. With what sounded to her like a growl, he crushed her to him, hugging her tight as he muttered in some language she really didn't understand. It was definitely not Hindi. He seemed to be praying for something as she could feel the tenseness in his shoulders and his fierce grip on her. He pulled away and set her a little from before getting to his feet and looking at her.

He saw the questions but he knew he couldn't answer. He didn't have any to give even to himself.

"Dear, dear Bani," he said finally, "I want you Bani, badly. But…I think I better go before I do something we'll both regret later."

She looked at him, her eyes whirlpools of the passion he had just ignited in her. He came to her and after a slow, gentle kiss, strode out of her office, his own gait unable to disguise the tension that he now carried.

It was the ringing of the phone that snapped her out of it, causing her to jump violently. Taking deep calming breaths, she picked up the receiver…the same receiver that had just messed up her entire day.

"Hello?"

"Well well well, if it isn't Banirella."

"I am so not in the mood," she collapsed into her chair with a sigh.

"And why is that?" Rano asked, "Looks like you had the time of your life on Saturday. What did you think the papers wouldn't tell me since you obviously refused to?"

"Come on Rano, there isn't much to tell," Bani said tiredly.

"Isn't there?" she asked and Bani could see her raised brow, "Let me read this caption for you…"

"Don't!" Bani snapped, "I already read it a thousand times and I cannot believe these people!"

"So what's the deal with you two now?"

"Five minutes earlier and maybe you could have asked him," Bani said offhandedly.

"He was in your office?!" Rano got all hyper again.

"What?" Bani was confused. Had she spoken out loud?

"So he was in your office," Rano confirmed, knowing each time Bani asked a stunned 'what', it meant she had been caught out. "So, what did he say?"

"Rano…"

"Spill!" Rano semi-shouted, a little irritated as Bani always hid things until she landed in soup.

"Nothing…the usual," she sighed, "But he wouldn't force me to do anything I didn't want to was new."

"Well, I think you should see for yourself," Rano said.

"What?" Bani was taken aback.

"Test the waters," Rano repeated, "Look obviously the both of you are going round in circles and I think it's rather tiring. Take a peek Di, and if you don't like it then walk away."

"It's not always that easy," Bani protested.

"Look, nothing cures an infatuation like reality," Rano said, "If he turns out to be the beast we have all known him to be, it will be no skin off your nose. If it turns out he has changed, then you're home free."

"Rano, this is Jai Walia we're talking about, not Aparajeet, bless his heart," she said fondly, then she got serious again, "He lets you walk when he says so."

"There's always a first time isn't there?" Rano said, "You are a strong independent woman, you can make the right choices for yourself, and no one, not even Jai can stop you. Besides, he's so in love with you he can't see straight."

"What was that?" Bani was positively blown away.

"Jeet agrees with me," Rano went on as if she had just made the most normal sentence in the world, "He just doesn't know it yet, He's too used to being in control and that's his problem. Problem is, he cannot control this one. It's a wild, wild horse."

"You and the tendency to be dramatic," Bani smiled, but her heart was racing.

If Jeet thought so, and she did trust his judgment, then maybe it would not be so bad to take Rano's advice. For truth be told, she was also tired of playing cloaks and daggers with Jai. Pursuing and getting the girl should be fun, not bogged down by what ifs.

"You there?" Rano asked.

"Yes, just thinking," she mumbled.

"Good then, I'll see you at home," Rano said, "No wait!"

"What?"

"How did Dad take it?"

"He hasn't said a word yet," Bani sighed, "I'm almost afraid to go into his office."

"I think you better," Rano said, "You really don't expect him to come to you do you?"

"No, you're right. I'll go see him."

"Okay then, bye."

With that, she was gone. Bani flipped the paper and looked at the picture of her and Jai. She had to admit, it was a darned good picture! She rose and exited the office, steeling her nerves to face her father. Determinedly, she knocked on the door. She heard the sober 'come in'. Taking another steadying breath, she pushed open the door…..

Jai is really head over heels, it seems I still have my suspicions ,, u don't know when he will turn at u ,, does he trust bani enough? Bani is going to test the waters.,, well I wish her good luck ,, and a congrats to u on ur big move being over finally and getting all settled in