FF: MIRAGE part 41pg53Updated 20/04 - Page 33

MIRAGE 27:

Natchiket sat in the near darkness of his office thinking to himself about the things Jai had said earlier on that day. Hate it as he might, he had to admit that he hated the fact that Jai was indeed right. Forget him, he was a Walia and they were used to the Press, but he was being unfair to her, making her sneak around behind the backs of her in-laws. It was a horrible thing to do to her and she didn't deserve any more ugliness in her life. She had lived with enough. Fortunately she had married into an enlightened family who didn't have the backwardness that some sects in the society still prided themselves on.

She had confided in him with a lot of difficulty that her staying with her in-laws was not for lack of their asking her to remarry, but she thought of them now as her own parents. They had lost their only child and yes she had lost her husband, but she really didn't expect her father in-law to put on a suit and go back to the office now could she? She had had to step in and fill her husband's shoes, and if she stepped out of them, then who was going to take care of them in their old age? She couldn't leave them to fend for themselves…they had been too good to her before, during and after her marriage to their son. She just couldn't desert them now. Whether they said it or not, she knew that their hearts would bleed if she were to leave.

The biggest pain she had was that in all, she had been unable to at least give them a reminder of their son. There was no child, boy or girl to show that a woman had stepped into the house at all. He had tried to convince her that though fate had dealt her a heavy blow and all, she did not deserve to punish herself for it. Life and death were part of life and it was sad that it was in young age she had had to experience the pain of losing her husband. She had just refused to say anything. Now to make matters worse, Jai had come to know. It was almost all too much at once and he was getting more and more wound up with each passing moment.

The offices were closing and most people were leaving. He was going to shut his door when he saw Jai walk past. On a whim he called out to him.

"Jai."

He stopped in his tracks and turned to regard Natchiket with curious eyes. Natchiket beckoned him inside. Jai entered and shut the door behind him. Natchiket waved him to a chair and Jai sat, waiting expectantly.

Natchiket rubbed his eyes tiredly, "Look Jai…as much as I try to deny it, I know you were right. I will be putting Purva in a bad way to ask her to keep running around like this."

Jai didn't say anything. He just waited.

"Look, somewhere in the back of my head, I know you were probably just trying to help, but it doesn't take away from the fact that I don't like you meddling in my business," Natchiket said seriously.

Jai nodded, "I get it, I should have respected your privacy."

Natchiket leaned back in his seat and regarded Jai silently, "Where are you off to so early?"

A slow grin crept on to his brother's face as he replied, "I have got a date with a total hottie!"

"One and the same?"

"One and the same," he confirmed.

"At least someone gets it easy," he muttered, and when Jai shifted uncomfortably and glanced at his wrist watch Natchiket waved him off, "Go on, get out. I've got stuff to think about."

Jai jumped up and said sincerely, "I hope you figure something out soon. If you need any help…"

Natchiket gave him a dubious glance, "I think you've helped enough. Any more and I'll be courting death."

Jai chuckled as he left, "Later!"

Natchiket sat still in the shadows of his office. He needed to first talk to Purva before he did anything. He didn't want her in a difficult position.

Rano looked her sister over with an appreciative eye as she applied the final stroke of blush to Bani's cheeks, "You look amazing."

Bani smiled at her through the mirror, "Thank you dear."

Bani smoothed the skirt of her deep red gown in raw silk. It was simple enough at first sight but on getting closer the beadwork in glittering red polished stones along the bust line unmistakably caught the eye so it felt like lights were leaping off of her. She wore slinky black heels on her feet tht gave her a much needed few inches in height if she was to avoid being totally dwarfed by Jai.

She splashed on a generous amount of her favorite perfume and stood back to examine the overall effect.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Michael called this afternoon," Bani informed her.

Rano squealed in delight, "Really? Well what did he say?"

"He wanted us to kidnap Aparajeet and throw him in a steaming volcano," Bani laughed at her own exaggeration.

"What?" Rano was baffled, "Why?"

"He thinks he's Papa Bear and his little girl isn't ready to get married.

"He really likes that role doesn't he?"

"That he does," Bani sighed as she sat on the stool in front of her dresser, "He was so hitting on Asha."

"He doesn't know her," Rano stated.

"Not that ever stopped anyone least of all Michael," Bani said.

"True that," Rano nodded and just then the doorbell rang and she beamed at a suddenly nervous Bani, "Well Madam, your carriage has arrived."

"You're not helping," Bani began to pace and when she heard her mother call her name from downstairs, "Oh dear!"

"Don't chicken out now," Rano scolded and tugged on her arm, pulling her out of the room.

Bani followed her but slowed her at the top of the stairs, "At least let me go down with some level of grace."

"Suit yourself," Rano made a sweeping gesture, standing back for her to walk past.

Placing a hand on the banister to steady herself, she swallowed severally before she began her descent, concentrating on the stairs that seemed to go on for ever. She felt all eyes in the sitting room turn on her the moment she walked in and she stopped uncertainly.

"Doesn't my daughter look beautiful tonight?" Nishikant said, coming to give her a hug.

She smiled, knowing even he knew how nervous she was as this could be called her first official date since she got back to India and now it was with none other than Jai Walia.

Jai who had gotten to his feet when she entered now came to her, "You look absolutely gorgeous."

She smiled shyly, aware that they were being watched by everyone, "Thank you."

"Shall we?" he held out his hand to her.

She tentatively placed her hand in his and nodded her consent before turning to her parents, "We'll be off now."

"You have her home early," Nishikant said, trying to look stern.

"Dad!' Bani was embarrassed as Jai laughed.

"I shall try Sir," he said and guided Bani out of the house.

Kiran turned to Nishikant, "Have her home early?"

"Hey, I always wanted to say that," he said, raising his hands in a shrug.

"And you said nothing to Rano on her first date with Aparajeet," she reminded him.

"He saved her life."

Kiran was about to answer again but found she had nothing to say, and Nishikant began to laugh. She glared at him and walked off. Rano came and plopped down beside him.

"Don't you have a date to go on?" he asked her.

"Not today, he's on call," she started chewing on a box of honey loops.

"Shouldn't those be in milk?" he asked.

"Then it won't be so chewy," she said, taking the remote and changing the channel

"I was watching that," he said in protest.

"You snooze, you lose," she said with a grin.

He muttered, "I'm going to tell your mother on you."

"Be my guest," she said, laughing.

"I thought he was going to jump me," Jai laughed as they drove in the light traffic.

"Can you blame him?" she said with a smile.

"Not really," he shrugged, "Ah, here we are."

She gasped as they pulled up in front of one of the very many hotel chains the Walias had. What was going on?

"Why are we here?" she asked, unable to keep the suspicion from her face.

He turned to look at her, "Wow, I see your Dad isn't the only one who thinks I'm the green eyed monster. Relax Bani, I promise you will return to your father intact."

She didn't know if he intended it as a pun but she blushed furiously regardless of what he intended with the mention of the word intact. A valet appeared and opened the door for her and helped her out of the car. He took the keys from Jai and proceeded to park the car.

"Shall we?" he smiled down at her, extending his hand.

They entered the lavishly decorated hotel with gilded doors and ornate pieces with life sized potted plants in strategic places.

"Do give me the name of your interior decorator Jai," she said, looking around in awe at the tasteful insides of the hotel.

Looking at the naked appreciation on her face made his heart swell with pride. She actually appreciated something that he had helped create and for some reason that meant quite a whole lot to him. They rode the elevator to the top floor of the hotel which opened unto a penthouse. If he was impressed with her former reaction, he was completely bowled over now. She had a look of complete rapture on her face

He had ordered the room to be set for the most romantic mood possible. The lights had been turned down low and the lamps draped with cream fabrics to give them a softer glow, scented candles were placed in strategic places to give muted light to the dimly lit room. The air smelled wonderful with jasmine…..for some reason they reminded him of her. Out on the balcony the table for two was set. He had really gone all out for this night.

"It's beautiful," she whispered still in awe.

He smiled, proud, "It's all for you."

She smiled at him and took his outstretched hand as he led her to the balcony. The moment they stepped on, a string quartet began to play. This time she was too moved to even express herself. The combination of the cool evening breeze on her skin and the sweet vibrations of the instruments caused goose bumps to break out of her skin. Her throat clogged with the feel of it.

"I didn't want to overwhelm you," he said, taking her expression in.

"No…it's …perfect," she said, walking over to the balcony and looking out over the vast city lights.

He watched her go, not at all let down by what he had expected tonight to start out as. He was more than pleased. He went to the cooler and taking out the bottle of champagne and popped it. He poured them both a glass and took one to her.

"Would you like to toast?" he asked.

"How about you do the honors?" she said, accepting the tall glass.

"How about..." he pretended to think, "To new beginnings?'

"Ah, new beginning," she said with a nod, "I could drink to that."

And drink they did. He could feel….the ice was indeed broken. This was a new start, a new playing field all together.

"So tell me, without suspicion of me using it against you," he began, 'Who is Bani Dixit?"

She gave him a throaty laugh, "We could be here all night and all day tomorrow."

"I do own the hotel," he said with a grin.

She sliced him a reprimanding look, "I wouldn't know where to begin."

"The beginning would be nice," he prompted.

"The beginning," she said, a far away look entering her eyes, "In the beginning…life was beautiful."

"Was?"

"No, it still is," she said still looking ahead, "You must already know I grew up in the US?"

"That I do."

"It was a wild ride," she said, "My brother's still there. He's in the NBA."

"Bar Association?"

She laughed, "He wishes! Basketball is what I mean."

"Oh. Why haven't I ever met him?"

"Cos he's going to kill you when he does," she said.

He chuckled, "Another one after me."

"What can I say? I'm very loved."

"So, what is there to you?"

"Why make this about me?"

"Tonight is about you," he said.

She weighed her thoughts, "What would you like to know?"

"First of all, how come a beautiful, smart, intelligent woman like you was single?"

"Was?" she raised a brow.

"You're here aren't you?" he said confidently.

She looked away, her eyes sweeping downwards, "Being single was not so much for lack of trying to be single, it was more of…well, I guess you could say I intimidate people."

"That would be my guess," he said.

"I did have one really good one though."

"What happened?"

"Distance."

"Sad," he said, "For him."

She shook her head, "You are not a very nice person."

"Hey, his loss is my gain," he said with a shrug, "There's always something I haven't been able to figure out."

"What's that?"

"You and Rosa."

"What about me and Rosa?"

"You two get on like a house on fire, and that scares me."

She threw back and laughed, "Rosa's Mexican Jai, I'm quarter Mexican."

"You are?" he frowned, his expression telling her he thought she was playing.

"Not at all," she said, "My biological father was half Mexican. He had Mexican and African American parents."

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Jai asked, trying to wrap his head around her bizarre explanation.

She laughed again, "I know it can get confusing but if this was any other day, I'd really break it down for you."

"Well not today cos that's quite a mouth full," he said with a wary expression, "No wonder it's a little difficult to figure you out."

"And I'd like to keep it that way."

"Come, tonight, we dine," he said, leading her to the table where he pulled out her chair before taking his.

Natchiket glanced at the wall clock. It was now half past nine. In a few minutes he would be able to call her as the Viranis were one to retire early. He walked around his apartment, trying to figure out what exactly he was going to say….how he was going to broach the subject with her. She was really jumpy about what they had already, and this was really too much. I mean, the had only been playing police and thief for what, two weeks now? This would be a really huge step.

His asking her to let them make it open would make him wholly committed to whatever it was they had going. He would not be able to just put his foot in and pull back, he would have to be in for the long hull. She would have to be the full and final stop as far as he was concerned. His talking to her tonight hinged on the topic of if she was brave enough to step out with him. He found that funny enough, he wasn't daunted thinking of the rest of his life with her…he actually felt good about it.

He ran his hand through his hair. This was absolutely crazy! She was a woman he had spotted on television by chance, and he was thinking about the rest of his life…with her in it! Who did that?! Who picked a girl out of a magazine or the television and thought about marrying her? But here he was…about to make that call. He prayed she believed him about how serious he was where she was concerned…

He picked up the phone and was about to dial and the phone began to ring. Caller ID showed it was none other than Purva. He smiled.

"Someone's a little impatient," he said in a teasing voice.

"You were supposed to call ten minutes ago," she said in a slightly accusing tone.

"I'm sorry," he said, trying to pacify her, 'How was the rest of your day?"

"Busy," she said, and he heard her stretch.

"Where are you?"

"My room."

"The in-laws?"

"Asleep as usual," she said.

"Tired?"

"Bone tired."

He heard the small smile in her voice, "Purva, we need to talk."

There was a heavy silence that followed, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing…it's nothing," he said.

"You sound funny," she said, "Tense."

He exhaled, "I am. A little."

"Tell me."

"I…don't think it's something to discuss on the phone."

"That serious?"

"That delicate," he said softly.

"You're scaring me."

"Don't be," he tried to soothe her, "I don't want you to worry."

After a brief pause, "Okay."

"Good."

"How is your brother?"

"Nosy."

"What?"

"He had me followed," Natchiket informed her.

"What?" the panic was clear in her voice.

"No…no, calm down," he said quickly, "It's not all bad."

"What?! Do you know what that will do to me?"

"Yes, I do," he said.

"I cannot believe this is happening," she was truly flustered now.

"That's what I want to talk to you about," he said, "But you have to calm down."

"Is he going to make trouble?"

"Purva, I need you to calm down."

"Don't tell me to calm down," she was angry now.

"Purva, please," he said, "You need to calm down or you'll only lose sleep tonight."

"I knew this was going to happen…they're going to be so mad…disappointed…how am I ever going to face them…" she was going on and on, and when she realized he wasn't saying anything, "Natchiket?"

"Are you done getting hyper?" he asked.

"You call this…"

"Purva, what he did only made something very clear to me, which is what I want to talk to you about. Now ill you calm down already?"

She took a deep breath, "He isn't going to cause trouble is he?"

"No, he isn't."

"Okay," she took several breaths to calm herself.

"I'll remember not to ever upset you," he chuckled, "You could go on for hours!"

"I am not talkative," she said defensively.

"I know, but you are when you get angry…or frustrated."

"So you think you know me?" she asked, a clear challenge in her voice.

"No, I've got a long way to go before I can even begin to dream of saying that."

"Good," she quipped, then yawned.

"You should get to sleep. One more day before the weekend."

"You'll be alright?"

"I'll be alright."

"Good night then," she said softly.

"Sleep tight."

"You are impossible!" Bani laughed, "Who does that?"

"Obviously me alone," he said, enjoying the sound of her laughter, "But I did honor my word. I took her out to dinner that night."

"That's so sweet," she said, "I didn't picture you for a guy who did anything to inconvenience himself for the sake of anyone else."

"I didn't used to be," he said truthfully, "And haven't been for a long time."

She looked him in the eye for a few seconds, "What happened?"

"Like the story of your different bloodlines, it's a long and confusing story. Not one for tonight."

"Mhmm," she said, chewing on a grape fruit.

They were leaning against the railing again, the plate of cool grapes between them as they looked out over the city.

He glanced at his wrist watch, "I think I should be getting Daddy's little girl home."

"Really?" she asked, not quick enough to hide the disappointment that crossed her face.

"However, no date Madam, is complete without a dance," he said, coming to stand behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, "May I have this dance?"

"Of course," she smiled, relaxing her head against the flat of hid chest as he gently began to sway her to the soft music.

The quartet started another soulful number and once again, Bani shivered involuntarily as his thumb stoked the flatness of her tummy in mindless circles, holding her in his warm embrace.

"You know, I was right about tonight," he said, as he swayed her to the gentle music playing in the background.

"How so?" she asked, looking into the now soft grey of his eyes.

"You would be sensational. Nothing would be in vain."

"Glad to see I didn't disappoint you."

"You couldn't if you tried," he said softly.

The music began to swell and his hand dropped to her lower back, causing her to draw closer to him, the air between them beginning to sizzle. He turned her around to face him now, wanting to see her in the glow of the soft lights that surrounded them. His hold on her tightened ever so slightly and right before her eyes, the prior to clear grey eyes literally began to smolder. She was transfixed by the sight before her. Her skin began to tingle as the scent of his cologne filled her nostrils, not for the first time that evening.

The music floated higher again and he literally crushed her to him and a soft gasp escaped her at being this close to him. Without giving her much choice and though he knew she didn't mind a single bit, he caught her lower lip in a taster. He watched her eyes go a shade darker with passion and the naked want in her eyes pushed farther past the edge of sanity.

He took her lips then in a deep, deep kiss. He tasted, teased and pulled on the lips that had tormented him all evening. She tasted of the grape she had been chewing on and he just couldn't get enough. The music seemed to expand again and it was almost as if he wanted to meld her into him as it felt like they had to be one, right here, right now.

But they broke apart…panting nonetheless. He looked into her eyes, as she clung to him, a fist full of his jacket in both her hands.

"Any more and we could start a fire," he joked between breaths.

She was too transfixed to get it. He took a silken tress of her hair in his hand and pushed it backwards. He cupped her face and showered it with gentle, delicate kisses. When he had his fill he just held her in his embrace, running his hand up and down her back. Her head was laid against his chest and she heard his slightly irregular heart beat.

"Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?"

"Mhmm."

He was quiet for a while, "We need to get you home."

She said nothing.

"Bani?"

"Few more minutes," she said, snuggling up to him.

He chuckled deep in his throat, the vibrations rolling off her skin, "This from someone who thought I was going to drag her up here and have my wicked way with her."

A short laugh escaped her, "That's what hotels are for."

"Naughty you."

A few minutes later, they did disengage and he led her back out the balcony and into the room. This time, they were arm in arm and it was more than obvious something was different about them now.

Very different…..

END!!!!

THIS WAS A DIFFICULT PART TO WRITE…..KEH, WHAT TO DO YAAR? HOPE YOU ENJOY IT!!

jb falling in luv! fantastic part

Very cute update,, pls continue soon

Never knew Jai could ne quite a gentleman. Yeh isko kya huwa? Is he sick or something? Or he knows he cant mess with Bani. there are too many man standing in line to kill him.😆