Sharan XXX
O Re Piya part 2
RECAP
Bani and her sister are to go their separate ways, for a family that has worked, played and eat together will this separation be the making of the sister or the breaking of their rishta, read on to find out.
Bani let go of the curtain suddenly and walked in to the kitchen keeping her head down, her palm was sore from holding the fabric so tight and everyone in the dining hall didn't fail to notice the tears she tired to hide so desperately.
"Hello Masi, it's me Aditya, the plan is working, no one has any idea here yet, how are things in Mumbai, and does Jai have any clue yet?" Aditya whispered in to his phone, while covering his mouth with his other hand, this mission was top secret and after many months of careful planning had, the Walia's had reached this stage.
The Walia khandan included him his two children Ranveer and Anu, plus Nishket Jai's younger brother. Nishiket was married to Purva, Ranveer married to Rashi and Anu to Rohit who, came from a rich family in Delhi, and where she is happily settled, and last but not the least, his Mother, who everyone affectionately called Dadi and Jai's Masi, who was the matriarch of the family.
Only Jigyasa his ex wife and Karuna, Masi's daughter, were not involved, they had no time outside their kitty parties and luncheon club's, to pay much attention to the family, which didn't affect the rest of the family that much.
The Walia's were like any other Punjabi family, noisy, boisterous, energetic and fun loving, the family had a few set rules, all family must eat together, work together and holiday together, all except Dadi and Masi. They took regular pilgrims and on one such visit to a temple, they spotted, or rather heard the famous Bani Dixit. After they both wiped their tears of joy, on hearing her voice, they both moved in for a closer look, at her in the unusually busy mandhir. Missing a look at her by moments, they saw her run down the steps and head towards the building directly in front.
Asking a passing local, they both quickly hot footed it to the guesthouse and booked them selves in for the entire week. Much to Mr Mishra's happiness as he took an instant liking to Dadi and started flirting from the word go. Dadi not answering in her usual manner choose to ignore him, which amused Masi, who laughed silently to her self? The whole day was spent exploring the local area, Mr Mishra become the un official guide and took Dadi and Masi on a tour of the quaint village, exhausted and full to the brim with shopping bags the two ladies went back to the guest house. Masi and Dadi were getting extremely excited at last they were to meet Bani at dinner time in the dining room with the other guest's, resting for a short time and phoning home to speak with their family, if only to re-assure them that all was well. Masi and Dadi made their way early to the dining hall and all their hopes were dashed o entering, one look at the mini skirt clad, noodle strap wearing girl and Masi and Dadi were scandalized, which priest let a girl like her sing arti in a mandhir.
"Pia, have you finished setting up the tables", rang out a voice from the kitchen.
"Haan, I'm on my way", said the skirt girl and Masi and Dadi's collective mini-stroke decreased rapidly.
Pia made her way over to the kitchen and Masi and Dadi hid themselves behind a pillar, waiting for Pia to walk past, they inched there way forward and were again disappointed at the sight they saw in the kitchen. A young girl wearing shorts, a tank top, and a ponytail with stylish black glassed, she was string a pot of dhal and adding more salt.
"Pia, I hate adding more salt to the dhal, it's so unhealthy, why does Di always make us put in more".
"Because my little Rano, bani can't bear to displease Nanaji, who always complains about not having enough salt in his dhal".
Dadi poked Masi on the shoulder and raised her shoulders and whispered,
"Well, if the skirt is Pia and the shorts Rano, where's Bani".
Masi was just about to open her mouth and answer when Pia let out a big sigh.
"Rano, don't you think Bani is so lucky being invited to the zameendar's family wedding, why couldn't we go"?
"Shut up Pia, you know Bani Di had only gone to sing their, we need the extra money to renovate the guest house, that's why Di goes to all these kind of functions to sing".
"But even then Rano I would like to go, even just as an excuse to dress up , did you see that horrible print Di wore, YUCK, I wish she would make more of an effort, if she were to bump into her future husband by mistake they would run way seeing her sense of style".
"Shut up Pia, Di has the biggest heart and that makes her the most beautiful person I know", Rano then threw some floor at Pia, just to annoy her and soon the whole kitchen was a mess, with flour flung far and wide. Pia let out a blood-curdling scream, when Rano threw flour, then a glass of tap water in Pia's hair. The result was a cake like mess, hardening Pia's hair.
"Rano, I'm going to kill you", and Pia picked up a ladle and ran around the kitchen trying to hit Rano with it. Rano was far too athletic and quick for Pia. Pia soon grew tired and threw the ladle away, and collapsed on to the floor. Rano sat down and leaned against Pia, the two girls smiled, then giggled and lastly howled with laughter. They grabbed some cloths and quickly and expertly cleaned the mess and got ready for dinner.
"Pia",
"Yes Rano",
"Do you sometimes wish we had real parents"?
"No",
"Why not",
Turning to face Rano, Pia sat her down and tucked a piece of loose hair behind her ear, loving stroking her face she continued.
"Because our Bani Di is our Mum and Dad, she has brought us up like a Mother and Father. Scolding us, encouraging us, comforting us both, and even scarifying for us. She has given us morals and values beyond anyone else I know, above all else, she trusts us, and so hence, I could never break her trust. No Rano we don't need real parents Bani Di is all we need",
"I feel the same way to Pia, I wish there was some thing I could do to make her happy, and make up for all she has done for us".
"I think there is", said Masi stepping out from behind the pillar with Dadi, they has been listening to the whole conversation and had witnessed the flour fight. Unhappy at not being able to see Bani, they were both impressed with Pia and Rano and ashamed at their prejudice, they had learnt the hard way never to judge a book by its cover, Pia and Rano were nothing like they imagined, they were fun loving, responsible girls, who loved their Di,
"I'm Masi and this is Dadi, please don't be alarmed but can we ask you a few questions and we actually have a plan of sorts if you both agree that is, then we both will get what we want, call it a mutual understanding".
Pia and Rano looked scared and apprehensive, but Bani had always said to be kind and courteous to the guests. So they both listened to Masi and Dadi and then the plan, both were delighted and clapping their hands with glee. They agreed immediately. Dadi, Masi, Pia and Rano all put their right hands together and made a solemn vow, that come what my Bani was leaving for Mumbai on the earliest train.
TO BE CONTINUED…