FF: MIRAGE part 41pg53Updated 20/04 - Page 30

amazing part

☺️That was soooooooooo ☺️

But I am glad Jai stopped because she would regret it for sure. I hope the next time they kiss, none of them will feel guilty.

I hope Nishikant wont be mad at her.

Thanks for the update!!
Ranjana

jai n nattu both are in love...

when are you updating this again.

hey where are you? I have logie 2o times since morning to read the update. Pls do it fast.

and so the wait begins................... still waiting........................ still waiting................

😍😍
😍

MIRAGE 25

"Come in Bani," her father's deep, calm voice called from within.

How he knew it was her, Bani would never know, but she sure was mighty nervous right now. Bani took a steadying breath before pushing open the door to her Father's office. She didn't know what to expect as this was all new to her…..being in the papers and all but well, she couldn't afford for him to come to her.

Her father's head was bowed over a document he was going through. He looked up briefly and with a small smile motioned her to the seat in front of him.

"Have a seat my dear," he said.

She hesitated a little, not sure how to begin to tell what it is that was on her mind. She knew her father wanted an explanation but he wasn't going to ask her.

"Tell me dear," he said, putting the papers down, "What's on your mind?"

She looked ready to bolt at the question, her face going pale, "Baba I… well…I wanted to talk to you…"

She looked down at the paper in her hand, unable to complete the sentence. She was positively mortified by the straight look her father was giving her.

"Bani, unless you tell me what is bothering you,I cannot help you," he said softly.

Her lower lip quivered and she bit it to steady the tremors. For some reason she was terrified of her father's reaction. She looked down shamefaced.

Taking a deep breath, her father rose from his seat and came and took the seat opposite her. He slowly took the paper from her and opened it to the front page where he knew the picture of his daughter and Jai Walia comfortable in each other's arms was on full display.

"Ahh, so herein lies the problem," he said with a poker faced expression.

"Baba I can explain," she said quickly.

"This I've got to hear," her father said, relaxing in the chair and watching his nerve wrecked daughter.

"I know pictures don't lie but they can be misleading," she said in a pleading tone, "We were just dancing and… well, you know how the press can be…"

"That I do," he agreed.

She gave him a wary look knew he wasn't buying her feeble attempt to mitigate the truth that was clearly obvious in the picture. Pictures could only lie so much.

"Dad…"

"Now we're talking," her father said, sitting straighter.

He knew Bani only called him Baba when she was trying to weasel her way out of something, and now she was ready to listen to the truth.

Bani continued, "Okay, I admit, but Dad it's not as bad as it looks."

"Isn't it?" he looked her in the eye.

She bit her lip and averted her gaze, "I got carried away."

"That much is obvious."

Her shoulders slumped in defeat, "Dad, I didn't want to embarrass you or shame you in any way…it's just….Oh I don't know…"

Her sentence trailed off as she got to her feet and began to pace.

"My child," he came and took her by the shoulders as she refused to look up at him, "I told you. I told you whatever course you decide to take, I'll be right there with you. I know what it's like to be young and in love…."

"Whoa, hold up!" Bani was flabbergasted, "Love?"

Nishikant smiled at his daughter's naivette. She actually thought that the only way a person could be said to be in love was if they made moon faces and lost track of time thinking about the one person that absolutely rocked their world.

"Bani my dear, if there is one thing I can tell you without a doubt, it's that what you feel for Jai Walia is beyond an attraction. And tell me, what else is beyond an attraction?"

She was gaping at her father.

"My dear, I am not angry with you," he said, tipping her chin upward, "I just want what is best for you. If this picture is anything to go by, that seems to be young Walia here."

She looked like she was about to start crying, "But Dad, I don't want…"

"Bani, this is your life, your choice. You do what you think is best for you…what you think makes you happy."

"And if what I think is good for me turns out to be the worst possible choice I could have made?' she looked at her father, as if willing him to tell her that he didn't want her to have anything to do with Jai…give her a reason to say no.

Nishikant sighed heavily, knowing this was the downside of her decision, "Then as they say, you made a choice and you have to live with the consequences."

She lowered her gaze again, unsure of how to proceed.

"Cheer up Bani," her father smiled, "It's not the end of the world."

"It will be if I'm wrong," she said.

"You've said that before you know," he reminded her.

"I know," she said a tad grumpily.

"Okay, enough of this pity party. There's a lot of work pending and you are not going home early unless you're through."

"What?" she was confused for a few second, "How did…"

"Tick tock," her father said, going back to his chair behind his table.

Bani stared at him a while and said, "Whatever happened to privileges of being the boss's daughter?"

"That went out the window a long time ago," he said,motioning for her to leave.

Bani turned towards the door muttering to herself,but paused on her way out, "Dad?"

"Mhmm?" he looked up.

She smiled gently, "Thank you."

He smiled, "Any time Pumpkin."

Bani left the office, a little relieved. She had not known what to expect from her father. I mean, he had always given her a free hand but that didn't mean he should abuse it by making a spectacle of herself in the papers. Well, at least she had that out of the way and she could concentrate on work….hopefully.

"Do you see what I see?" Krishna gushed to Kiran that afternoon as they had tea.

"Indeed I do," Kiran said, "I couldn't be happier."

"He is like a totally different person these days," she informed Kiran, "He comes home early these days, stays with the family, is actually interested in what is going on in the lives of everyone at home…he's even having actual conversations with his brother!"

"Was it that bad?' Kiran asked.

"You needed to see those two when they really got into it," Krishna said sadly with a shake of her head, "They were like to rival lions!"

"You don't say," Kiran was appalled, thinking what it must be like to have children who couldn't stand themselves.

She thought of her family and all the different mixes in it, yet, they flowed as one body of water, following each other wherever and in no way being jealous of another's success…it was truly amazing how their history brought them all together and an outsider would never know the difference!

"That must have been more painful than you were letting on," Kiran covered her friends hand in sympathy.

"It was Kiran, it was," she said with a sad smile, but immediately perked up, "But ever since your daughter came into Jai's life, he has become a different person. I couldn't believe it for a long time but even Uday has himself seen it. The other day he said he knew what we had been up to all this while."

Kiran almost choked on her tea, "He what?!"

Krishna laughed, "Yes, he knew. Same way I am sure Nishikant is well aware of our scheme."

Kiran gave an embarrassed smile, "I told you he has, but what did your husband say?'

"He was so happy, in fact he said he was waiting for the day his daughter-in law would step into the house."

"I hope we get this over and done with soon. It is giving me the ulcers thinking about it."

"Me and you both," Krishna rolled her eyes, "That knuckle head son of mine sure knows how to take his time."

"At least progress is being made," Kiran said in an assuaging tone.

"It is being made isn't it?" she smiled, "And what about Rano?I hear she and that Deb boy are inseparable these days."

"Krishna dear, I cannot tell you what a joy it is to see my daughter happy and in love," she beamed, "I mean, it's almost as if I should be thankful she was in that accident. It really turned out to be the best thing that has happened to her in a while!"

"Funny how life turns out sometimes," Krishna said.

"Really is," Kiran said, taking a sip of her coffee.

MEANWHILE………………..

"You are so bad!" Rano admonished Aparajeet, "How could you trick me into coming here like this?"

"Come on, I had to see you somehow," he defended himself, "The last few days you have been busy, busy, busy. No time for me at all."

He was sulking now, and the sight of him made her torn between placating a fully grown man who was acting like a sulky child, and smacking him over the head with a file. This truly was the limit! He had had one of the nurses call her up and tell her he had fallen down the stairs and they weren't sure what was broken. In her panic, she had not realized that the nurse's halting explanation was because she was trying not to laugh.

She turned and was about to leave but he grabbed her arm and held on tight, "Come on, you can't be that mad at me?"

"Can't I?" she said incensed, "I have deadlines to meet, people to direct and you drag me here under false pretenses, scaring me half to death and I'm supposed to play nice?!"

He looked sufficiently apologetic, "Come on Cuddles, I'm sorry."

She glared at him and crossed her hands across herself, refusing to give into him that easy. She hated how he knew her so well.

"Please," he said, with a beseeching smile, "I promise, it's the next time I cry wolf."

She didn't look like she was buying it one bit! He really was at a loss as he knew every time he turned on the schoolboy charm, she immediately forgot her anger, but this time, she was really mad. He sighed heavily, unsure of what to do now.

She took pity on him and decided to throw him a rope, "I suppose I could let it slide this time…it's not like you killed somebody or something."

She thought he would brighten up but he was still sulking, refusing to look at her as he sat on the edge of his table, still sulky.

"Well what are you still sulking about? I've given you an out," she said, hating the way he was staying silent.

"Jeet? I said it's okay," she said, inching towards him, more worried now that maybe she had overreacted, "Jeet, come on."

He moved his head from one place to another but still said nothing, as if trying to understand why she was so mad at him when all he wanted was to see her.

"Come on, don't feel bad," she said, breaking down totally, the roles suddenly being switched, " Look, all I was trying to say is you really scared me…and… and… I don't…Jeet! Stop it!"

He suddenly burst out laughing and grabbed her to him, enveloping her in a bear hug as she slapped his back in protest.

"You are worse than the worst of them all!" she said angry that he had fooled her again.

"And yet she loves me all the same," he said with a cheeky grin, wiggling his brows at her suggestively.

"What am I going to do with you?" she shook her head in wonder, a slow smile curving her lips.

"I could think of several things," he said, his grin becoming more outrageous.

Going several shades brighter in the face, she smacked his hand, "Behave yourself!"

"Not when you're around," he said stubbornly, "I had this orderly, quiet, workaholic life until you came in and messed everything up, no apologies! And now when I'm spoiled rotten, you want me to behave. Not a chance Cuddles!"

"Lord help me!" she gasped in mock horror, "I've created a monster!"

"A very sexy, suave monster," he corrected, and captured her lips in a light kiss.

Her arms were wrapped around his neck now, "Yes you are."

She returned his gentle kiss, savoring the taste of him. Truly she had missed him a lot and phone calls were not doing it for her either but she did have responsibilities. Work as he did, he was the boss and he got to order people around, while she got ordered around. Big difference!

"Want to go out this weekend?" he dropped a light kiss on her lips.

"Where are we going?"

"Nowhere…everywhere," he was more interested in her earlobe right now.

She gave a throaty laugh, "Your mother may have me ex-ed."

He pulled back, "What does that mean?"

"I have you away from her when you actually used to spend full days you prior to used to spend with her."

"Believe me, she's quite happy with the way things are turning out," he assured her with a cute smile.

"Still, maybe we should forgo this weekend so you can stay with her…"

"I just got a talking down for lying to get you here and you try to wriggle out of spending time with me? What kind of girlfriend are you?"

"Don't be like that," she said, pacifying him, "I just don't want her to fell alone."

"I'm there all the time," he said indignantly, returning to kissing her in between words, "Besides, there is a simple solution to everything."

"Mhmm, what is that?" she asked, a little lightheaded from his ministrations.

"Shaadi," he said and knowing fully well how she going to react, deepened the kiss, not allowing her to pull back and react as she wanted to, though he knew for a fact her eyes had widened in shock.

When he pulled back, they were both breathing heavy and she was still very shocked at his statement.

"You… are…crazy," she panted.

"About you?" Absolutely!" he grinned.

"You don't just….say something like that and….grin like you just won the lottery!" she exclaimed in short breaths.

"But you do know we're heading down that path right?" he asked, a little seriously.

Rano was sufficiently sober, as it was one thing that she had dreamed of the possibility but to hear him say it was out of this world. She really didn't know how to react as it had come out of the blue.

"Jeet…" she began, a little uncertain how to continue.

"Hey, look at me," he held her chin, "I was serious earlier on. I didn't realize how drab and boring my life was until you came into it. I have missed out on quite a lot in my life and every time I tried to have some fun, I got burned."

"I'm sorry," she said softly, running her finger along his clean shaven jaw line.

"Don't be," he smiled softly, "Think what would have happened if I was engaged to someone else and had met you later on. It would have been a total mess."

She smiled shyly, uncomfortable with his earnest honesty. It wasn't the first time, but this was the first time they were talking about anything this serious.

"It's only a matter of time Rano, but I'm not taking chances with what I think is one of the best things to happen to me in a long time," he held her gaze then.

There was total silence. Rano, ever the chatter box couldn't think what to say to that. She just took him in her arms and held him tight, savoring the feel of the moment, unable to believe how lucky she was to have found the perfect man for her hair brained nature. He was truly a gem.

There was a sharp knock on the door and it burst open before either one of them could react. This time however, Rano was in no position to feel guilty. She pulled back a little from his embrace to look at who had opened the door. It was that distasteful Nurse whose name she could never remember. She made a disgusted face and returned to her position of comfort in her lover's arms.

"What is it?" he asked over Rano's head.

"I brought you your lunch from the canteen," she said, indicating the try in her hands with an open look of hatred in her eyes towards Rano.

"Really?" Jeet was surprised.

The Nurse smiled in his direction, completely ignoring Rano.

"That was rather nice of you Nurse er…" Rano began, but finding she didn't know the woman's name, shrugged and continued, "But we're going out."

"We are?" Jeet asked in reflex,and almost bit his tongue at the look she gave him.

"Yes we are," she repeated, "At least that's why I thought I was here."

He gave her a charming smile, "Of course it is honey."

The Nurse gave her a murderous glance but Rano smiled sweetly at her, "I'm so glad you take good care of him for me. At least I won't have to bother about his health when I'm not watching."

"Funny, my mother says that too," he said as he shrugged into his jacket.

"That must point to something," she said with a wink at the Nurse, "Shall we?"

"Yes," he said, taking her by the arm, and paused as they exited to talk to the Nurse, "Thank you so much for thinking of me."

She gave him a forced plastic smile as he went behind Rano.

When they were out of ear shot, "Why were you doing that?'

"Doing what?" Rano asked innocently.

"You were provoking her intentionally, admit it!"

"So?" Rano said defensively as they got on the elevator, "She needs to find her own man and stop ogling mine!"

"Ah, jealous I see," Jeet smiled happily at his fuming girlfriend, "I have never seen this side of you."

"You better not let it come out, cos it is just plain nasty," she warned.

"The elevator doors slid open, "Now you've got me worried."

She elbowed him and he laughed gaily as they exited the building.

Jai was on cloud nine. He had sorted out the problem with Bani and well, that was all in a day's work. Brilliant actually. He was almost past Natchiket's office when he saw him standing by the window looking out with a tiny smile playing on his lips. He walked in and peered at his brother who didn't seem to know that Jai had entered his office.

"What are you so happy about?" he asked with a frown.

Natchiket who was startled jumped, "Holy….! What the hell are you doing sneaking up on me like that?"

The irritation on his brother's face didn't deter him, "So, what's that smile for?'

"It's none of your business," Natchiket said, going to his seat and pretending to work.

"

"Ah, the plot thickens," Jai said good naturedly, taking a seat, "So, what's the smile for?'

"Jai, go back to work," Natchiket hissed.

"What's the smile for?" Jai asked again.

"Oh boy,' Natchiket groaned. This was a game they used to play way back when. Jai was going to repeat that question until Natchiket was so irritated he would have to answer him just to get him to stop. "You are seriously not doing this."

"What's the smile for?" Jai continued, relaxing in the seat as though he was ready to stay there a long time, "What's the smile for?'

"Jai, please," Natchiket was becoming more and more exasperated.

"What is the smile for?" Jai began singing in a highly irritating voice.

"Jai!"

"Just tell me and I'll go away," Jai said, "What is the…"

"Since when did we become best of friends that I have to share everything in my life with you?" Natchiket was getting madder.

"Since you decided it was your business to defend Bani against…." He paused dramatically and said slowly, "Wait a minute…..where were you the night of the opening of Virani Plaza? I never saw you but Ranveer said you were around. Where were you?"

"What's your problem?" Natchiket looked guilty as he looked away from Jai, unable to hide the guilt under irritation.

Jai stared long and hard at Natchiket who was shifting nervously under the intense gaze of his younger brother, "There's a woman!"

"What? Where?" Natchiket looked past Jai.

"Oh my God. There is a woman!" Jai jumped to his feet in excitement.

"What are you on about?"

"Come on Nattu, some things never change," Jai said with a 'you can't fool me look', "I know that look and you like somebody!"

"Stop saying that!" Natchiket rushed to close his office door.

"Woohoo! So it is true then," Jai rubbed his hands together in glee, "So, who is she? Anyone I know?'

"Get out!"

"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me who she is," Jai insisted.

"You get out of this office right now or else I'm calling Bani and filling her in on all the reasons why she should not be dating you."

Jai's smile vanished, "Now why do you have to go there?"

"All is fair in love and war," Natchiket grinned victoriously.

"So it's love is it?" Jai grinned mischievously, "That is definitely exciting…and good to know."

"Jai, out!"

"Oh I'm going, but be rest assured this is not the end," Jai said getting up to leave and flashed a smile that held a promise of more digging by Jai.

Natchiket groaned as Jai left the office. His brother really was a blood hound when he smelled a good story and he would not let up! He made a mental note to himself to be more careful, not for his sake, but for Purva's sake. He didn't want her running for the hills because of his incompetence.

In spite of the gravity of Jai being brought into the equation, Natchiket smiled to himself as he thought of her…the woman who had stolen his heart the moment she opened her mouth that fateful day on the silver screen…..

She was quite a woman…..

END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE……HOPE IT IS MANAGABLE AS I TYPED LONG AND HARD TO GET IT DONE.

THANKS!!!

Hmmm... the plot thickens. Wonder what is Jai's next step now.

J and Nach banter was hilarious... Jai actuallyy behaving like a pest of a younger brother - quite normal, instead of their old strained relationship. So Bani survived the meeting with her dad - now will take a serious bout of jealousy for Jai to wake up and propose??? What is the guy waiting for - jeeze...

lovely update. I really enjoyed the banter between the brothers.