As Ranveer had told Bani, they stopped off at his friend's house to pick up Jai Walia: son of the business tycoon Uday Walia, and his wife Krishna Walia. He was the same age as Ranveer, 28. Four years older than Rano and 6 years older than Bani.
Jai put his suitcase in the boot and then climbed in to back seat. Rano had gotten off and offered the passenger seat but he declined, saying he did not want to be a kabab main haddi for the lovebirds.
'Jai Wali' he introduced himself to Bani.
'Bani Dixit.' She gave the smallest of smiles and then went back to looking out of the window, resting her head against the cool glass. She had never done anything so reckless in her life before. She could not believe she had run away from her own wedding. If Jigyasa bua ever tracked her down, she would be skinned alive. Bani prayed for her well-being.
Ranveer drove towards Central London and parked his car at his house. From there they took the nearest tube station and made their way to King's Cross St. Pancreas, where they would board the Eurostar. Bani checked her watch and saw it had been one hour since she had run away. She could only imagine the chaos and curses that were surrounding the wedding. The bride running away. Jigyasa Bua probably had fainted out of shock, she thought wryly.
She looked around and saw that Jai was busy talking to Ranveer while Rano was on the verge of sleep. What would she have done without Rano? If it wasn't for her, she would be taking her saath pheres with that brute of a man. She thanked God silently for sending her an angel in from of a friend. Bani had known Rano from when she was little, she was her mother's best friends daughter. They had grown up together and were best of friends, not friends, like sisters.
'So Bani… would do you do?' Jai decided to break the ice between them. It did not seem as if she would be talking anytime soon so he had decided to start the conversation. He had noticed her sitting very quietly, not joining in the conversation and she intrigued him. Brown luminous eyes, caught his attention. She looked like she had been crying but still had that sparkle in her eye.
'Nothing, I just finished my degree…' she replied not interested in talking to him
'That's great! What have you got planned for the future? A job?'
'Yes… Will start looking after this trip..'
Jai loved her voice. A soft sweet spoken girl with a hint of an English accent creeping in at times. He knew that with Rano and Ranveer busy with themselves, he would get to spend time with her!
***
They boarded the train without any hassle and got four seats facing each other. Somehow, Bani and Ranveer ended up sitting next to each other, and Rano and Jai sat facing them. Bani was still cautious of Jai. She did not want to be too friendly with him. He seemed like one of those flirt types, a kind that she avoided as much as possible.
The girls were asleep in no time, while the boys sat and talked about the latest football scores and their plan for the rest of the holiday.
'Jai..?'
'Yea..?' Jai looked at Ranveer.
'Um.. You mind swapping places with me?' he asked sheepishly.
Jai looked at Bani who slept peacefully, 'Not at all!' he grinned and at once stood up, gesturing to Ranveer to take his seat. Ranveer thanked him and then sat beside Rano, where at once put his head on hers and they fell asleep.
Bani also became comfortable with Jai besides her, holding on to his arm with her hand, she laid her head on his shoulder. Jai felt a warm feeling go through him. She was angel... his pari. He studied her face. It looked so young and vulnerable, all defences gone, sleeping like an innocent child.
He wondered what she had gone through. She looked a bit distressed when he saw her. Well he had loads of time, he intended to find out!
****
'Bani… Bani..' he shook her softly, waking her up.
'Hmmm…' she protested and snuggled deeper, her head on his chest.
'Bani … come on…' he shook her a bit harder his time and Bani reluctantly opened her eyes. Disorientated for a minute. Where was she?? Then last night came rushing back to her. She had run away. Oh God, There is probably a search party looking for me right now.
'Uh… Bani?' Jai tried again. Bani looked up, only to meet with a pair of hazel eyes, with flecks of gold in them. Realising that she was half- lying on Jai, she at once stood up and started to straighten out her clothes.
'Sorry… I..'
'The pleasure was all mine..' he winked at her. He held out his hand. 'come on… let's go..' he said with a cheeky smile on her face. Bani looked at him in shock. He didn't even know her, and he had already started? 'If you don't want to hold my hand, maybe link arms?' he asked She looked at him, and walked past him in a huff. He laughed and then followed Ranveer off the train. She got annoyed very easily, especially by him, he would enjoy teasing her he thought wickedly.
He remembered the look that she'd given him when he offered his hand, 'lagta hai impression achha nahin hain mera…' he chuckled. He would enjoy this very much!
Bani was walking with Rano. She still hadn't realised that she was in Frane. She was fuming over what Jai had said. Samajhta kya hai aapne aap ko? Flirting with me?
' Bani?' Rano clicked her fingers in front of Bani's face. 'You ok?'
Bani snapped out if it and looked around in shock. 'Are you serious??' she asked Rano.
'Yep..' she replied with a massive grin on her face. 'Miss Bani Dixi… Welcome to Disneyland Paris!'
'You're 24 years old…' Bani replied back.
'You are never too old to be a princess alright? This is our time for fun. I am going to make sure by the end of the holiday you will have forgotten about Granddad Aparjit and found a nice sexy maybe Italian man.'
Bani's face dropped as again she remembered how she had run away from the wedding. Rano, realising her mistake put an arm around Bani's shoulder and hugged her lightly. 'OK.. fine not European ok? We'll find someone else? Whoever you want…'
Bani smiled. 'Bani… this is the time for fun. It's not everyday that you get to go on holiday with your best friend and two handsome guys! Well one, coz the other one's mine..' Rano grinned.
Bani punched her lightly and they followed the boys to their hotel. Bani did not expect 5 star luxury with their budget and she was not disappointed. It was quite a small room with four single beds and a bathroom.
'Well what did you expect?' sighed Rano.
'actually, something even worse than this…' chuckled Ranveer. 'This is a pleasant surprise.'
'Come on guys, who cares, we're here to have fun… we're only going to come here to sleep… and the beds look comfy enough' Jai said, jumping up and down a few times, testing the bed!
'The man has a point…'
'Of course I do..' he replied back to Ranveer.
And so after dumping their bags and washing their faces, they all went to bed, exhausted after all the travelling, all excited about tomorrow. Even Bani!
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Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
