Hey all, Sorry for updating late. No net connection to my laptop. Yet to arrange. Just stole some time in office. Hectic work. Not able to reply to your comments. Sorry for that. have read everyone's... thanks you so much... 😊
The part not edited. sorry if any mistakes.
Part 16
There were mixed reactions at home because of the previous day incidents. Aditya was shocked, but knowing about Bani and Jai, was sure that once Bani was found, she would be back in no time. Dadi and Masi were also thinking the same. They were expecting Bani's arrival. But they were angry with Bani that she decided to leave home. They wanted to slap her for her action. But hearing her pregnancy, they were elated. After a long time, a baby was going to arrive in their family. They couldn't wait for it. They were more than happy.
It was only Jigyasa who had opposite views. She couldn't tolerate Jai being unhappy with Bani. She was sure that Jai was not happy because of Bani. She also thought that Jai was tolerating Bani because of their mother. Otherwise, he would not have married Bani. During the early days of their marriage, she and Bani got along with each other well; that too in the presence of Anu. When Anu was sent to the boarding school, it was as if Bani too went along with her. Bani gradually distanced herself from others. This gradual distancing was not noticed until Bani stopped joining them at the dining table, until they stopped hearing Bani's voice at home. They brought the matter before Jai, but he could care less. They tried to speak to Bani, but Bani completely blocked herself from the rest of the family members. Now when Bani left the house, Jigyasa was more angry with her than others. She felt her brother was tortured by this girl. Now that Bani was found and she was being brought back to the house, she was worried for her brother.
***
Jai did not want Bani to stay hungry, that too when she was asking for some food. He felt that was the least he could do at that time. He immediately went to the hospital canteen. But his bad luck, he was able to get only sandwich at that time. He bought the sandwich and came back to the room. Bani was wide awake. Jai smiled as he entered the room. Bani looked at the door when Jai entered.
Jai came near her and gave the sandwich pack to her. "Sorry, sirf sandwich mila…" he said.
Bani looked at the pack. Before she could say anything, Jai said, "Ab yeh kha lena. Ghar jaake poore pet ke liye kha lenge… teek hai…?" Bani looked him. Jai said, "Saath mein kha lenge…"
Bani looked at him in disbelief. "Aap mere saath khayenge…?!"
Jai smiled in reply. Bani slightly smiled and asked for the sandwich. Jai gave her the pack and sat beside her on the bed after arranging a glass of water for her. He watched Bani unwrap the sandwich packet slowly. She looked at him before taking the first bite. Jai smiled encouragingly at her. Bani took the first bite. She chewed looking at him as if he would vanish away if she turned anywhere. Jai put his arms around her and comforted her as she ate.
As she finished eating half of the sandwich, she turned to Jai and asked, "Main Aligarh kab jaaongi?"
Jai stayed silent for few seconds, after which he said, "Jab tumhari tabiyat teek ho jaayegi, tab le jaaonga…"
"Lekin… main toh teek hoon. Mujhe kya hua hai…!" she asked.
"Tumhein kuch nahin hua hai… bas thodi kamzor ho…" he said as he rubbed her back.
Bani took another bite. Then she asked, "Main teek kab hoongi?"
"Bahut jaldi…" Jai said affectionately.
Bani looked at him and asked, "Uske baad aap mujhe Aligarh le jaayenge?"
Jai looked at her face filled with curiosity and expectation. He nodded his head as 'yes' and stroked her hair. Bani went back to her eating.
When she was about to finish her sandwich, she turned to him as if she remembered something. She hesitantly looked at him.
"Kya hua?" Jai asked.
Bani blinked her eyes.
"Kya baat hai Bani? Kuch chahiye?" Jai asked patiently.
Bani asked atlast. "Aap nahin khaye?"
Jai smiled in his mind. 'Thank lord, whatever her condition is, she has not forgotten me.' He thought. "Nahin.. Ghar jaake kha loonga. Tum khao." He said.
Bani looked at him, then the sandwich again and again. Jai said, "Teek hai baba… yeh last piece main kha leta hoon…" Before even Bani say something, Jai picked the last piece by his mouth. Bani was left looking at her hand, from where the sandwich piece disappeared. She remembered the time when she had told him 'she doesn't like eating other's leftovers', then she remembered the time, when she had developed that habit during her college days in hostel. The incidents flashed in her mind and made her confused of which was true. She was not able to differentiate between both the incidents and come up with a point. Meanwhile, a small dangerous question popped in the corner of her mind – 'Who was she?'
Jai looked at her staring her fingers. "Bani…" he called her.
No response.
"Bani…" he shook her.
Bani came out of her thoughts and looked at him helplessly, her hand in the same position. With a single look, he could make up that something was bothering her. Jai asked her, "Bani… kya hua?"
As soon as Jai asked and his words reached her brain, the small question, which popped in her mind, vanished. Her mind went blank. She blinked at him.
"Bani…" Jai called her making her face turn in his direction. Her face turned as he turned, but her eyes reached his face, a few seconds later. And what worried him most was, her face was blank.
"Kya hua, Bani…" Jai asked holding her face.
Bani fumbled for her words. Her face twitched as if she was experiencing some sort of pain. Jai did not know what to do. "Bani… Bani… kya hua?" he asked. He made sure she was looking at him. Suddenly, Bani felt a stung of pain in her head and she held her head between her hands and closed her eyes. Jai panicked. "Bani… kya hua Bani… Bani…" he called her continuously.
When Bani opened her eyes, she could see Jai's grief-struck face before her. All of a sudden, her mind cleared. Suddenly, she asked, "Jai… kya hua? Tum itne pareshaan kyun ho rahe ho?"
Jai was left looking at her. The pressure with which he was holding her face lessened. He slowly asked her, "Tumhein kya hua, Bani?"
Bani was confused, "Mujhe… mujhe kya hua? Main toh teek hoon… Dekho… main teek hoon…" Jai kept looking at her. Bani asked, "Tumhein kya ho gaya? Tum kyun pareshaan ho rahe the?"
Jai asked her again, "Tum teek ho na, Bani?"
Bani answered unsure of herself. "Haan, main teek hoon…" and her eyes started to glisten by itself with tears. Jai looked at her as the first tear drop fell across her cheek and she made no effort to wipe it. She silently sobbed. Suddenly she said, "Main aapko bahut pareshaan kar rahi hoon na…!?" Jai looked at her without saying anything. "Main bahut buri hoon…" she cursed herself and started to cry badly.
Jai hugged her tightly to himself. Bani placed her arms around his arms to support her. Jai said, "Haan… bahut buri ho…" Bani's hands stopped moving. Jai continued, "Lekin thodi achchi ho… mere liye utna kaafi hai…" he said and placed a kiss on her hair near her ear. He could hear Bani giggle a little as she cried. Jai too smiled.
Suddenly, they heard a knock at the door. Jai looked at the door still hugging Bani. He looked back at her. Her face was tear stained, yet there was a slight smile across somewhere. He took his handkerchief from his pocket and wiped her face. Only then, did he say, "Come in."
Bani was still in the comfort of his arms.
This was how Rano saw Jai and Bani sitting on the bed… no… lying on the bed hugging each other.
"Hello didi…" Rano said.
Bani smiled in reply.
A tint of surprise came across her face. 'Is this the same Bani she saw yesterday?' she wondered in her mind.
"Kaisi hai aap?" she asked searching for a place to sit.
Jai noticed it and removed Bani from his hug. Bani's face alarmed. He kissed her forehead and said, "Main abhi aaya…" He smiled at her. He turned to Rano. "Achcha hua, tum ab aayi. Tum Bani ke saath raho. I will go and fetch the discharge papers."
Rano nodded and Jai left the room. Bani's eyes followed him till the door closed behind him.
"Kaisi hai aap?" Rano asked.
"Uh!" It took few seconds for Bani to get Rano's words registered. She then smiled, "Main teek hoon. Dekho na, discharge bhi ho rahi hoon."
"Agar aapko meri zaroorat pade toh mujhe bula lena. Ek shikayat hai aap se! Aap toh mujhe bhool hi gayi…"
Bani blinked. "Main tujhe kahaan bhool gayi?" she asked back.
Rano did not know what to say. She felt uncomfortable speaking to Bani in such a condition. She smiled to relieve the tension. "Main toh bhool gayi… Aapka purse mere paas reh gaya. Yeh lijiye." She gave back the purse to Bani.
Bani got it from Rano. Rano did not know what to speak when she was getting vague and questioning answers from Bani. There was silence in the room for sometime.
All of a sudden, Bani said, "Tum mujhe hospital le aayi…?"
Rano nodded her head. "Haan."
Bani smiled, "Thank you."
All of a sudden, Rano felt as if all the tensions were relieved. "It's okay di." She asked, "Aap meri shaadi pe aayenge?"
Bani was surprised. "Tumhari shaadi hai!!! Kab?"
"July mein. College results ke baad."
***
Aparajit observed Jai's actions throughout the night. He could see that Jai was worried for Bani a lot. Yet, he was not sorry that he had slapped him earlier. He still felt Jai deserved it. Aparajit was also angry with Bani for being so dumb. He wanted to have a chat with Bani before she was discharged. So he came to the hospital soon in the morning. He came across Jai when he was walking towards reception.
"Tum yahaan kya kar rahe ho?" Aparajit asked.
"Hi." Jai said. "Discharge papers collect kar raha hoon."
Aparajit waited for few seconds, then asked, "So, how is she?"
Jai stayed silent as if he did not hear what Aparajit said.
"Jai, I am asking you something." Aparajit said.
"Kya jawaab doon, jab mujhe khud jawaab pata nahin…" Jai said sadly.
Aparajit frowned. "Kya malab?"
Jai smiled sadly and waited for the discharge papers to arrive. Aparajit was puzzled. The answer should be a simple 'yes' or 'no' but why was it very difficult to come!
"Teek hai, main use dekhke aata hoon." He said and started to walk.
"Aparajit…" Jai called. Aparajit turned. Jai continued, "Bani ko pata nahin ki woh pregnant hai…"
"Kya?"
"Yes!" Jai answered.
At that time, the receptionist came with the discharge papers. "Yahaan pe sign kijiye…" the lady said.
Jai signed and gave the papers.
"Receipt dikhayiye" the lady said. Jai took the receipt from the pocket. The lady did the formalities and gave the discharge papers to Jai.
Jai took the papers and walked towards the room. Aparajit walked beside him.
Aparajit asked, "Kab batane ka irada hai?"
"Jab use yeh baat samajni ki samaj aa jaayegi, tab…" Jai answered.
"Aur… woh waqt kab aayega?" Aparajit asked again.
"Tum… tum itne sawaal kyun kar rahe ho, yaar?" Jai asked back.
"Taaki der na ho jaaye…"
Jai looked at him. "Nahin hogi… Is baar main waqt ko apne haath se phisalne nahin doonga."
Aparajit nodded his head. He said as they reached the room, "Tum jao, main abhi aaya…" and he walked away.
As Jai opened the door, he heard Bani and Rano speaking. Jai stopped at the door. Jai wanted to hear how Bani was speaking with Rano.
Rano asked, "Aapne bataya nahin ki aap shaadi karnewali thi…"
"Woh… woh bahut busy the… waise bhi bahut bada shaadi nahin tha. Bas chota sa ceremony tha. Woh dhoom dhaam se shaadi nahin karna chahte the… Aunty aur uncle nahin the na shaadi ke liye… isliye…" Bani explained.
Jai frowned. 'Was Bani wanting to have a grand wedding?'
"Toh aap pehle se hi Mr. Walia ko jaante hai?" Rano asked.
"Mr. Walia?!" Bani asked.
"Di… Aapke pati!!" Rano wondered.
"Woh Jai… Maine kabhi usko Mr. Walia kehte nahin suna…" Bani said innocently.
Jai laughed at Bani's words. She did not know that people outside refer him as Mr. Walia. How surprising! That made him realize one thing – She did not accompany him anywhere to know all these. Neither did he suggest, nor did she ask…
"Di… It's a common sense…!" Rano said.
A silence prevailed.
"Woh sab chodiye… Aapne nahin bataya ki aap Jai Walia ko pehle se hi jaanti thi…?" Rano said.
Bani started enthusiastically after all, this was her favorite topic. "Haan, woh toh mera sabse achcha dost hai… woh log humare pados mein rehte the… Aligarh mein. Woh bahut achcha hai. uski ma usse bhi bahut achchi hai. Mujhe aunty bahut pasand hai… woh bahut pyari hai… hamesha hasti rehti hai. Woh mujhse bahut pyar karti hai. Aur uncle bahut hi sweet hai. Pata hai, unhone hi mera school ka admission karwaye the, jab mera admission nahin hua tha. Aunty toh mera favorite hai us ghar mein. Waise toh mujhe sab log pasand hai… Masi, dadi, Aditya jiju, Jigyasa didi… Sab log mera bahut khayal rakhte the." Bani started speaking dreamily as the past started flashing in her mind. "Aur aunty… kabhi mujhse gussa hi nahin karti… main jitni bhi shararat karoon… woh kabhi naraaz hi nahin hoti… Lekin Jai ko jhat mein gussa aa jaata hai. Lekin Aditya jiju kehte hai, uska gussa bahut jaldi chali jaati hai. Usne hi mujhe cycle chalana sikhaya. Lekin main bahut buri hoon. Usko bahut satati thi." Bani giggled absent-mindedly. Then her giggle stopped. A voice in her mind said, 'Shayad isliye woh mujhe chodke chala gaya…' and Bani went into her thoughts.
When the silence prevailed, Jai sensed something wrong and he entered the room immediately. Rano turned back immediately whereas Bani frowned at him.
"Thanks Rano." Jai said.
Rano smiled back.
Jai turned to Bani. "Ghar chalein?" he asked her. Bani looked back at him. Jai looked at her and realized she was wearing the hospital gown. Jai cursed himself for not bring an alternate dress for her. Now, if he had to go home and bring her dress, then it would take a long time.
"Kya hua, Mr. Walia?" Rano asked.
"Main kitna idiot hoon! Bani ke liye alternate dress laana bhool gaya." Jai said.
"Koi baat nahin. Kisiko lane ke liye bol dijiye." Rano suggested.
"Nahin…" Jai said. Then he turned to Rano, "Could you please come with me? Hum ek dress khareed lenge."
Rano agreed, but that means Bani would have to stay alone. "Haan… lekin…" She looked at him, then at Bani. Bani was looking at both of them. Jai looked at Bani. Luckily, Aparajit entered that time.
"Hello…" Aparajit entered.
Jai smiled. "Problem solved." He turned to Rano. "Chalein?"
Aparajit asked, "Kahaan?"
Jai said, "Bani ke liye ek casual le aana bhool gaya. Isliye, main aur Rano uske liye, ek casual lene ja rahe hai. Tum Bani ke paas rukho. Hum jaldi aate hai." Jai turned to Bani and smiled. "Abhi aaya… teek hai…" He turned to Rano, "Chalein?" Rano nodded and led the way. Jai turned to Aparajit, "Jaldi aa jaaonga…" Aparajit nodded. Jai left the room.
Aparajit turned to Bani. Bani was looking at him straightly.
Aparajit said, "Aisi kya dekh rahi ho mujhe? Bhool gayi ki main kaun hoon?"
Bani stared at him blankly. Then asked slowly, "Aap kab aaye?"
"Thank Lord, main yaad toh hoon… Great…" Bani looked at him hesitantly. Aparajit continued, "Aise mat dekho mujhe. Main Jai nahin hoon, jo tum aisi dekhogi toh pigal jaaye…"
Bani asked hesitantly, "Aap naaraaz hai---"
Bani was not even left to complete her question, Aparajit cut in between. "Nahin, bahut khush hoon. Dekho mujhe… Jab se tumhari ghar chodne ka khabar suna hoon, tab se bahut… bahut khush hoon. Teek hai…" he smiled as he spoke sarcastically.
"Sorry…" Bani said slowly.
"Sorry kis baat ke liye? Yehi chahti thi na ki hum pareshaan ho… hai naa… toh ismein sorry kyun pooch rahi ho?"
Bani blinked at him.
Aparajit sighed. "Koi pareshaani ho toh mujhse bata sakti thi na? Ghar chodkar jaane ki kya zaroorat thi…?"
Bani said slowly lowering her head. "Mujhe nahin pata tha ki aap log pareshaan honge…"
Aparajit frowned as if asking 'What?'
Bani continued. "Mujhe laga ki aap log khush honge agar main nahin hoon toh… Main apni Jai ko koi bhi pareshaani nahin dena chahti…"
Aparajit sat on the chair beside the bed and sighed as he said, "Apna Jai kehti ho, aur chodke chali gayi…?" Bani looked at him. Aparajit said, "Tumhara Jai hai Bani woh…" Bani continued to look at him. Aparajit said, "Bani tumhari shaadi huyi hai Jai ke saath… tumhara hai woh…"
A voice in her brain said, 'Yeh hote kaun jo Jai ke baare mein mujhse baat kar rahe hai?' She felt as if Aparajit was entering her private zone. She frowned as she thought and turned to the other side as she lied down to sleep and closed her eyes.
Aparajit was stunned and confused. Aparajit thought, 'What is wrong with this girl?' and he became restless. 'Pata nahin… how Jai is dealing with her!!!'
***
Meanwhile, Jai and Rano entered a small shop near the hospital. Jai asked Rano to choose the lingerie items for Bani and then chose a simple printed cotton salwar himself.
After leaving the store, while walking towards the hospital, Rano asked slowly. "Ek baat poochon Mr. Walia?"
"At last…" Jai said. "Poocho?"
"Aap sach mein di ko chahte hai kya?"
Jai looked at her and asked, "Kyun? Kya matlab?"
"Toh phir di ghar kyun chodna ja rahi thi…?"
"Kyunki woh soch rahi hai ki woh mere liye ek pareshani hai… aur woh mujhe 'khush' dekhna chahti hai…" Jai said. 'Dammit!' he cursed in his mind.
"Aisi kyun soch rahi hai woh?" Rano asked.
Jai stopped. He looked at Rano and said, "Dekho Rano. Tum Bani ki dost ho. Uski bahut madad ki hai tumne, jiske liye main bahut shukrguzaar hoon. Lekin iska yeh matlab nahin ki main tumhari sari sawaal ka jawaab doon. Waise bhi, I don't prefer discussing my personal matter with anybody. Umeed karta hoon ki tum Bani se yeh sawaal na karo… Kyunki use achchi nahin lagegi. I hope you understand." Rano's face fell. Jai felt bad. He then said, "Sorry Rano. I don't want to sound rude. But… Okay… let me tell you something for your satisfaction. Bani… Bani ko chodne ki baat main sapne mein bhi nahin soch sakta… Kyunki woh… woh mere liye bahut pyari hai…" and he started to walk.
Rano cursed Jai behind him soundly. "Yeh baat pehle hi bata dete… Itni badi lecture dene ki kya zaroorat thi!!!" and followed him.
Jai smiled to himself. He knew Rano was asking a valid question. But at this point, he did not want anyone to discuss about his and Bani's relationship. He knew he made some mistakes. It did not imply everything was his mistake. He would make sure everything would be fine. He would give everything that Bani needed. Somewhere he knew what Bani exactly needed. She had told herself. He would make sure she would get that… His company and his love…
***
When Jai reached the hospital with completely pissed Rano, he was welcomed by moody Aparajit and a silently lying Bani.
'What went wrong over here?' Jai wondered.
"Arey aise kyun baite ho?" he asked Aparajit slapping his back.
Aparajit sighed and sat in the chair properly. "Apni biwi se pooch…" He muttered.
Jai shook his head and went around the bed to reach the other side. He looked at Bani, she was awake. "Bani…" Bani looked at him. He gave the cover to her. "Lo, pehen lo… Humein ghar jaana hai na?"
Bani got up and sat on the bed. "Mere liye?" She got it from his hand and looked into the cover. "Naye kapde laaye ho?"
"Haan" Jai said. "Jaldi jaldi pehen lo… humein ghar jaana hai na?"
Bani nodded her head. Sh tried to get up. But her feet were not supporting her weight. Jai held her standing for few seconds. Then Jai asked, "Tum teek ho na?"
Bani nodded.
"Tum khud change kar loge ya madad chahiye?" Jai asked her.
Rano's eyes widened. Aparajit was curious.
"Nahin… main kar loongi…" Bani said normally.
Jai accompanied her to the attached rest room. "Chahiye toh bulaana. Yahin hai sab…" he said before she locked the room.
Jai turned back to face the curious faces. "Kya hua?" Jai asked casually.
Rano shook her head quickly.
Aparajit was serious. "Yeh tum donon ke beech kya chakkar chal raha hai…"
"Kyun kya hua?" Jai asked.
"Arey bhai… hum toh tum donon ke madad karne aaye the… lekin… lekin yeh tumhari biwi mujhse aise behave kar rahi hai jaise ki… jaise ki hum tum donon ke beech aa rahe hai…!" Aparajit wondered.
Jai laughed slightly. "Kyun? Usne kuch kaha?"
Aparajit's eyes widened. "Kaha? Main toh use samjha raha tha ki 'dekho… tumne teek nahin kiya ghar chodkar… Jai tumhara apna hi toh hai…' lekin woh toh…" Aparajit shook his head and stopped.
Jai became curious. "Toh… kya kaha usne?"
Aparajit looked at him. "Kaha? Main bolta ja raha tha aur woh toh dossri taraf mudke let gayi jaise ki main use nahin balki deewar se baath kar raha tha…" Aparajit shook his head in disbelief as he recalled the incident again.
Jai laughed aloud. Aparajit was offended. "Kya… tum has rahe ho?"
Jai controlled his laugh. "Toh kya karoon…?"
"Aap bhi kam nahin hai, Mr. Walia!" Rano gave back.
"Kyun isne kya kiya?" Aparajit asked.
"Inhone toh mere ko itna bada lecture diya ki…" Rano gritted her teeth.
"Lecture? Kisliye?" Aparajit asked.
"Maine sirf itna poocha ki di ghar chodke kyun chali… lekin yeh toh aise behave kar rahe the jaise main toh inke zindagi ke sabse badi raaz ke bare mein pooch rahi thi…" Rano glared at Jai.
Jai laughed again. Then he said in low voice, "Bani ke baare mein ek baat kahoon toh… mere saath aise kayi baar ho chuka hai…" Then he raised his tone. "Ab toh thoda sudhar chuka hoon…" He went to collect the medicine into a bag.
"Sudharna? Kya baath kar rahe ho? Jahaan tak mujhe pata hai… tum donon toh baath hi nahin karte… toh sudharne ki baath kahaan se aa gayi…" Aparajit teased.
Jai's smile died slowly. He said, "Tum teek keh rahe ho… Ismein meri hi galti hai…" He paused and then said, "Bani ko jaanne ke bawajoot maine…." He shook his head and stopped.
Aparajit slapped his back. "Jai… ab bhi kuch khatam nahin hua…!"
"Jaanta hoon." Jai smiled slightly.
Pushkar entered the room. "Hello Sir!"
"Pushkar…" Jai turned to him. "Hum toh ghar aane hi wale the."
"Pata hai Sir. Main wait kar raha tha. Lekin mujhe jaana hai. Jaane se pehle Bani ko ek baar dekhna chahta tha. Mujhe usse kuch baat karni hai." He turned to bed as he spoke. "Kahaan hai woh?" he asked when he found her missing from the bed.
"Woh change kar rahi hai…" Jai said.
At that time, the rest room door opened and Bani came out adjusting her dupatta.
"Main tayyar hoon." She said looking at Jai. When she saw Pushkar, she smiled and said, "Pushkar?! Tum kab aaye?"
Pushkar glared at her.
Bani asked, "Kya hua?"
Pushkar said, "Don't you dare ask me 'Kya hua?' Tumhara dimaag kharab ho gaya kya? Ghar chodkar kahaan jaana chahti thi? Eh? Batao?" He blasted her.
Jai turned to the other side. Aparajit went curious. He felt happy that at last someone was blasting Bani. He smiled to himself in his mind. Rano looked from Pushkar to Bani… then at the other two men present in the room.
Bani looked at him silently as if she was caught during a theft.
Pushkar walked towards her and continued, "Maine tumse kaha tha na… ki agar tumhein kuch bhi chahiye toh mujhe batana… tumne promise bhi ki thi kit um mujhse poochoge… ab kya hua…?"
Bani, nervously said slowly, "So… Sorry…"
"Tumhari sorry jaaye baad mein…!" He said. "Kabhi socha ki kya guzregi hum sab pe…" He paused, then continued, "Teek hai agar jaana hi chahte toh… batakar jaana… atleast mujhe bhaagkar yahaan aana toh nahin padta na?!"
"Sorry, Pushkar…" Bani said again.
"Agli baar tumne aisi harqat ki toh mujhse yeh ummeed mat rakhna ki main tumhein dhoondne ke liye nikhal padoonga… I am serious Bani…" Pushkar said in a warning tone.
Bani looked at Pushkar and said, "Sorry… dubara aise nahin karoongi…"
"Sochna bhi mat…" Pushkar pointed his forefinger to her head as he said. Bani nodded her head.
Aparajit sighed. 'Atlast my message is conveyed through a different medium. Kya fark padta hai? Jaisi bhi hai… kaam toh ho gaya…'
Pushkar sighed, then smiled at Bani. "Bahut ghabra gaya tha…" Bani made a sorry face. Pushkar continued, "Teek hai, main ab nikhal raha hoon. Teek hai…"
"Ab?" Bani asked.
"Haan, meri taxi waiting par hai." He held her hands and said, "Apna khayal rakhna… teek hai? Baad mein phone kartha hoon…"
Bani smiled and nodded. Pushkar smiled and turned to the door. He looked at Aparajit and said a silent 'bye'. He said a soft 'thanks' to Rano. He came to Jai and said, "Bye Sir. Apna khayal rakhna."
Jai nodded and said, "Thanks Pushkar. Thanks for coming and thanks for everything."
"Mujhe bahut pehle hi karna chahiye tha… Koi baat nahin… Better late than never… Bye Sir…"
Jai nodded. Pushkar left the room not before telling a 'bye' to Bani again.
It took few seconds for everybody in the room to come to normal.
"Toh chalein?" Aparajit said.
Jai nodded. "Chalein Bani?" he asked Bani. Bani nodded.
"Tum log aao. Main pehle nikhalta hoon" Aparajit said and left the room, thanking Rano silently.
"Chalo." Jai carried the things and went to Bani to help her. He helped her to walk steadily. He turned to Rano, "Chalo Rano, raaste mein drop kar deta hoon tumhein…"
"Nahin… Mujhe Ranveer ko milne jaana hai. Aap log jaayiye. I will go by myself." Rano said.
"Are you sure?" Jai asked.
"Yes… Aap log nikhliye." She said.
"Okay… thanks Rano. Nice meeting you." Jai said.
Rano smiled. She went to Bani and said, "Di, take care of yourself. Aur… please zyada mat sochiye…"
Bani smiled and nodded.
Jai led Bani along the way. Rano followed them behind.
***
Aparajit, when he reached outside, he saw Pushkar getting into a taxi.
"Pushkar!" He gave a call.
Pushkar turned back and spotted Aparajit. He walked towards Aparajit.
"Yes Sir." Pushkar asked.
"Thanks Pushkar." Aparajit said.
"Kis baat ke liye?" Pushkar asked.
"Bani ko left aur right dene ke liye…" Aparajit said.
"Ji!?" Pushkar asked.
"Sach mein… Main toh use daantne ke liye yahaan pe tha. Lekin nahin kar paaya… Lekin tumne mera kaam kar diya. Thanks for that." Aparajit said.
"Sir, Bani ko bhi samajna hai…"
"Teek kehte ho… Main bhi yahin soch raha tha. Jai toh use daantnewala nahin…"
"Teek hai Sir. Achcha laga aapse milkar. Main nikhaltha hoon. Der ho rahi hai." Aparajit nodded. Pushkar got into the taxi and left.
Aparajit walked towards his parked car and started driving towards Walia House.
***
When they reached outside, Rano bid goodbye and left to catch a taxi.
When Jai and Bani reached the car, Jai's mobile rung. Jai made Bani sit on the passenger seat and then attended the call. It was Aditya.
"Jai… Kahaan ho?" Aditya asked.
"Aditya hum bas aa rahe hai." Jai said.
"Arey itni der! Tumne toh mujhe aane se mana kar diya, lekin itne der? Bani teek hai na?" Aditya said.
"Aditya, hum nikhal gaye hai. Tum fikar mat karo. Bani bilkul teek hai. Hum aa rahe hai." Jai said.
"Arey tum logon ne Pushkar se mile?" Aditya asked.
"Haan, woh abhi nikhla." Jai said as he remembered the scene that happened a few minutes ago.
"Teek hai… Jaldi aana." Aditya said.
"Aditya…" Jai said hurrily.
"Haan, Jai bolo" Aditya said.
"Maine ab tak Bani ko nahin bataya…" Jai trailed off.
"Kya nahin bataya?" Aditya asked.
"Pregnancy ki baath…" Jai said hesitantly.
"Kyun?" Aditya asked.
"Mauka hi nahin mila…" Jai said.
"Lekin Jai…" Aditya said.
"Main use bata doonga. Jald hi. Bas uski tabiyat thoda sudhar jaaye, main bata doonga." Jai sighed.
"Teek hai… tumhare marzi…" Aditya said.
"Tm log zara dhyaan se baat karna Bani se… please…" Jai said.
"Okay Jai. Tum fikar mat karo. Aur jaldi ghar aana." Aditya said and ended the call.
Jai place his mobile back in his pocket and turned to see Bani. She was busy exploring the car and its parts. She was busy looking at the CD case, then she touched the steering wheel, then she stretched herself and saw the brake and accelerator. She opened one of the cabinets to see what was present in it. Jai smiled and shook his head. He went and sat on the driver's seat. Bani stopped what she was doing and looked at him.
"Chalein?" Jai asked.
Bani nodded her head blindly. Jai smiled and started the car. As he drove, he felt Bani's eyes on him frequently.
"Kya baath hai, Bani?" Jai asked.
"Aap… aap gaadi chalathe hai…?" Bani asked hesitantly.
"Haan… kyun?"
"Kuch nahin… bas yun hi…" Bani turned towards the window.
Jai waited for Bani to say something. But she did not. So Jai spoke, "Tum jaldi teek ho jao. Ek din tumhein sikhata hoon."
Bani's face turned in surprise. "Sach?" she asked.
"Sach…" Jai smiled.
Bani smiled a little. Jai watched her smile. And they both drove towards Walia House.
Thanks for reading 😳
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