FF: A Bounded Relation 2...Last Chapter PG 80 - Page 48

well we know u have it! now we jus have to wait jaani!

Originally posted by: allaboutears

Happy Diwali to you!!
I just finished reading your story last night after a whole week of dedicated effort (i wish i could study or work that devotedly!)
It was an absolute pleasure to read... i wish (like many others) the real KS had gone this way...

thank you so much for taking time out to write the story so far and future chapters, you are very talented and your imagination is superb!!!!


👏 👏 👏

Eagerly awaiting....
H

A month swiftly passes by, blossomed with passionate love that grows even stronger with each coming day. Jai and Bani were never out of each other's sight…always together and exploring the realms of romance. Jai Walia had become absolutely fida over his wife…buying her gifts, flowers, taking her to dinners, and making sweet love to her whenever he got the chance to. He was spoiling her rotten despite her protests and he loved it. He also knew that she was secretly enjoying all the love and attention he was showering on her even though she would never admit it.

Jai Walia had also done what no one thought could be possible…. He was starting to neglect his work. The lion everyone once knew was slowly starting to change….

The atmosphere in the Walia Mansion became very homely and filled with warmth. The Walias were growing quickly into a close-knit family… no hesitation or estrangement lingering around them anymore. Many changes were occurring in their family life and they accepted them gladly…. Every change except one, and that too, refused by Jai himself…

Keeping true to his word, Ranveer, after a lot of self-persuasion, ended up on the front doors of his boss's house. He mentally prepared himself to speak about his relationship with Rano. He was starting to agree that it was now best to make it open to everyone, including his hot-tempered Boss.

The ticking of the grandfather clock mixed with the thick silence in the room adds into the suspense and panicking tension building inside of Ranveer's chest. He watches carefully as his Boss stares at him with a look in his eye that he had never seen before.

"I'm sorry… but I don't think I heard you right. What were you saying," Jai asks him in a slow, calm voice. Ranveer feels the nerves in him tie up in his stomach all over, hating to have to tell him once again. Rano, who stands behind her brother-in-law on the other side of the couch, gives him a prodding nod, encouraging him to say it once more.

"Um… I'm here to discuss about Rano…. I've gotten to know her for quite awhile now… and we've both started to have feelings for each other… I—I… Well I just wanted to get your permission to permit me to date your sister-in-law…."

"My permission," Jai questions him with slight amusement, his voice now a little louder. Rano nervously bites down on her bottom lip and casts her sister, who sits beside Jai on the couch, a worried look. Her sister looks back at her, giving her a soft nod telling her not to worry.

"Yes…," Ranveer answers him. Jai moves up closer onto the couch, staring Ranveer down like a hawk.

"You say that you like her?" Ranveer shakes his head in agreement. "You wish to date her? … You want to date our Rano?" Again Ranveer affirms this. Jai stands up, alarming all three of them who stare at him pace a little back and forth, running his fingers through his hair. Then suddenly he stops and glances back at his employee.

"You b*stard, how dare you," Jai growls and immediately goes forward, ready to grab his hands on him. Bani and Rano both rush to him and hold him back.

Rano: Jiju please! (begs him)

Bani: Jai!

Ranveer jumps back, creating a safe distance between him and the man who is ready to tear him limb to limb.

Jai: She is just a child! Have some shame! ---I won't let her fall into your backward intentions.

Ranveer: Sir, I have no bad intentions. I simply just want to be with her. I love her.

Jai: Bullsh*t!... I don't want you anywhere near my sister-in-law. You hear me?

Rano: (butting in) But Jiju----

Jai: No Rano. You can do better than guys like him….. A lot better. But I don't want you getting involved with older guys at your age.

Ranveer and Bani look at one another at this, both understanding the indifference Jai holds against him.

Rano: (protesting) I am not a child. I am a young woman.

Jai: You are not even legal yet! You are only seventeen…

"Jesus Rano…," Ranveer breathes as he sits down, placing his head in his hands. Rano gives him a small sheepish look but covers it up with a hard tone.

Rano: Oh come on… Seventeen—Eighteen, it's the same thing. My birthday is next month anyways. I am not that young… nor am a child.

Jai takes Rano's arms in his grip and steers her to face him.

Jai: Look Rano… Agreed, you are not a child. In fact, you are much more mature than your actual age that it surprises me some times. And I don't mind you going out and finding someone you like for yourself… But this guy?... Is this really the only person you could find? I know you can do much better…. There are plenty of more guys out there that are right for you…

Rano: (slowly tearing up) But I want this one…. He means so much to me. I love him, Jiju… I thought you would be happy for me.

Jai's insides wrench up as he sees the tears building in his sister-in-law's eyes and feels like an a** for causing them.

Jai: (chokes up) Rano don't do that…

Rano: (starting to sob) I'm not doing anything…

Jai: Bani, tell her to stop… Tell her to stop crying. (pleading in a miserable tone)

Bani: Aap bhi naa… agar aap usko khush dekhna chaate ho… phir usko rohwaate kyon? (trans: You are too much… If you wish to see her happy then why do you make her cry?)

Bani nears her baby sister and engulfs her into her arms. Jai looks on, feeling even worse now.

Jai: You know I don't wish that… I want her happiness… but I also want the best for her.

Bani: And she finds that in Ranveer…

She places a subtle, calming touch on his shoulder…

Bani: (speaking softly so only he can hear) Ranveer is a nice boy… If you have any faith in me or Rano, you will trust him… He won't give us a chance to complain … I promise.

Jai looks down from his wife's eyes and onto the back of Rano's head that rests on Bani's shoulder. He hears her soft sniffling in between her silent tears. After a long time of struggling, he concedes to defeat…

Jai: Alright… I'll give the boy a chance… (he grumbles)

Instantly Rano springs up from Bani's arms and pecks her shocked Jiju on his cheek. She squeals in delight and hugs him.

Rano: (excitedly) Thank you so much Jiju! You're the best! I knew you wouldn't hold out for too long!

Jai: (startled)---Whhaa----Bani----

Bani merely giggles at the scene while Jai seems lost and terribly confused. Rano steps back and joins Ranveer, taking his hand in hers.

Rano: I won't let you regret your decision Jeej!

Jai: What---how---Bani!

His wife only laughs harder, finding his expression highly amusing.

Rano: Bye Di, Bye Jiju! I'll be back in some time.

Ranveer: (sincere) Thank you so much Sir… I won't let you down. Thanks Bani.

Bani smiles at him sweetly, silently accepting his gratitude.

Jai: (snapping out of his daze) Rano!

But Rano already runs off, dragging her accepted boyfriend behind her, and her giggling slowly turning into soft echoes. Seeing her vanish from sight, Jai immediately turns to his wife….and stares at her demandingly.

Jai: What in the world was that? One second she is crying and the next she is laughing like a little school girl….

Bani: (giggling) You my husband have just experienced a Rano Bluff…

Jai: A Rano Bluff?

Bani: Yes… ever since we were kids, me and Pia often got the Rano Bluff… she has always been a little prankster trying to get her ways….

Jai: Are you trying to tell me that that chit of a girl just fooled me?

Bani: Yes.

Jai: (raises a brow) And you knew?

Bani: Of course. I know all the little tactics she uses… I've grown immune to them.

Seeing Jai become upset by this, obviously feeling cheated---Bani drapes an arm around his shoulder and touches his cheek with her freehand, giving him comfort.

Bani: Now that doesn't mean that what she said wasn't true… It was just the tears that were fake… She added that in to make you give in faster.

Jai: But I feel cheated… and upset.

Bani: Hmm… I think I can make that go away…

She sweetly kisses his forehead, cheeks, the tip of his nose, and other areas on his face or around….slowly, taking her time. She draws back and stares at him, bringing her arms around the back of his neck…

Bani: (softly) Better?

Jai nuzzles her nose against his and completes their embrace by possessing her waist into his hold.

Jai: Not at all…

Bani pounds a fist onto his chest gently and lightly pushes him away….

Bani: Yes you are… You are just behaving plain greedy now…

Jai: Can you really blame me for that?

Bani: (giggling) Yes….

Bani takes in a deep breath as she stares at herself through the mirror. She pushes back a strand of hair behind her ear and looks long and hard at her reflection. Slowly she raises a hand to her stomach and lets her imagination start reeling. She can feel nerves build in her stomach and her insides go chaotic with anticipation. Finally she takes a hold of the box beside her and takes a white stick from out of it…. After completing the instructions on the back of the box, Bani places it down onto the bathroom counter and gazes at it…. Ten minutes… She had to wait for just ten minutes.

Hearing the opening of a door from outside and her husband call out, "Bani, are you here," causes her to panic and hide the box as well as the stick. She places them behind a small flower pot…and quickly flees out from the bathroom. She watches her husband place his briefcase onto the bed and pull off his coat… She goes to him.

Bani: Aap aage? Itane jhaldi? (trans: You've come? So early?)

Jai smiles warmly at her and brings her into his arms. He kisses her on her lips.

Jai: Hmmm. Boy have I missed you….

Bani flushes at this while he chuckles as a response.

Jai: I decided I wanted to come eat lunch at home… I'll be going back to the office in about two hours after completing some work here from the Study… Is lunch ready?

Bani: Yes, it's downstairs already on the table. (stroking his hair on the sides affectionately) Go on and freshen up a little first.

He obliges after taking the same hand of hers that was playing with his hair and kissing it. Bani sees him disappear behind the bathroom door and the faucet run with water. She takes his briefcase and coat, setting them aside somewhere neatly and adjusting a few things in the room. A minute later she hears the bathroom door open and her husband's footsteps approaching her from behind and then suddenly stop….

Jai: Bani….

Bani: Ji?

Jai is silent for a long moment before proceeding on….

Jai: …..Are you pregnant?

Bani turns around fully from his words and stares at him with shock as he holds up the pregnancy test she had taken just a minute ago in his hand… She's speechless.

Jai: Tell me… are you?

She rushes towards him and takes the test from him, not meeting his eyes.

Bani: You weren't supposed to know about this…

Jai takes her chin into her fingers and makes her look directly at him.

Jai: Baby, tell me what's going on… Are you or are you not pregnant?

Not knowing why but tears begin to dwell in her eyes… Perhaps it was from the nervousness or excitement she was experiencing at once.

Bani: …. I'm not sure… I haven't been feeling well for awhile… I don't know if it's either that I'm catching something or if I'm----- I thought it was probably the latter and bought the test…. I just took it a minute ago…

She hears him swear under his breath and run his fingers through his thick hair. She looks at him worriedly…

Bani: Are you alright?

Jai: … Yeah, I'm fine. … I am just finding it hard to believe this…. How long before it tells us?

Bani: …. About nine more minutes.

Jai: Then I guess we're going to have to wait….

Bani: Jai… y-you don't have to… I can just go ahead and wai----

Jai: Absolutely not Bani… This has to do with both of us… I am a part of this just as much as you are… We'll wait together…

Together they sat around on the bed with their arms around each other, waiting restlessly for the test results. Bani rests against Jai's chest while he keeps his chin on the top of her head with his hands placed on her back… For a long time they don't say anything, both engulfed in their own spinning thoughts and apprehension. Nine minutes go by fast as they lose track of time… Jai is the one who startles Bani back into reality.

Jai: It's time…

Bani: (quickly) I don't want to look…

Jai: Well how are we going to find out then?

Bani: Aap dekhiye… mujhe nahi dekhna… I am scared. (trans: You look… I don't want to look…)

Jai: Of what?

Bani: (softly) I'm not sure yet…. I don't want to see… I want you to tell me instead…

Jai: (rubbing her back soothingly) Whatever you want….

Jai takes the testing stick from the table beside them and slowly after taking in a few breaths into him, he flips it around… It seemed like an eternity before he spoke again.

Jai: Bani…

Bani: Yes…(whispers, obviously scared)

Jai: …. Sweetheart, -----we're not pregnant.

Bani raises her head from his chest and stares up at his slight weary face. She then looks at the test in his hand…. She takes it from him. She bores her eyes into the negative sign on the stick for what seems like forever before breaking into a fit of tears.

Jai: Shhh… (holding her tight) What's wrong? Why are you crying darling? ---Are you disappointed?

Bani: (mumbles admittingly) … I wanted to be pregnant… I wanted to give you a child…

Jai: Bani, did you only want to be pregnant for me? (slightly shocked, a taken back)

Bani: (looking at him with tearing eyes) I see the way you look at little kids and interact with them… You love them so much… and I know you've always wanted one of your own. I just wanted to complete that wish of yours… I wanted to make you happy…I'm so sorry.

Jai: Wait, hold on for a minute… Bani, you have nothing to be sorry for. This isn't your fault … And I don't want you to feel like you have to get pregnant to make me happy. I'm already happy with my life right now… I have you… and that's all I need. We don't need a child… Sure it'd be nice, but you've got to remember… We have all the time in the world to have a kid… It's not necessary that we start having one right now. … When it happens, it'll happen.

Bani: (her crying subsiding) Are you sure you're not upset? Aren't you disappointed?

Jai kisses her tenderly on her forehead and pulls her head back onto his chest, hugging her against him.

Jai: Of course not… In fact to be honest, I am sort of relieved.

Bani: But I thought you loved to have a chil---

Jai: Don't get me wrong… I do love children and I do want them one day. Just not right now… I mean, our marital life has just begun… We are still settling into new adjustments and getting to know one another. And call me greedy, but I don't think I'm willing to share you with one other person just yet… I want you only for myself.

Bani chuckles a little at this and smiles, pleased, as he cradles her lovingly in his arms.

Jai: It's not important that we have kids right away… But if you think we're ready and you want us to have one, then we can start trying….

Bani: (cuddling up to him) No… I am content with the way our life is just now… And like you said before… If it happens, it will happen… We will accept it as a blessing.

Jai: (smiles) Exactly…. But you know, on the other hand, it wouldn't hurt to practice… What do you say? (suddenly in a teasing mode)

Bani: (blushes) Kya?

Jai huskily murmurs into her ear….

Jai: How about we get a little practice in right now before we go on downstairs…

Bani gets up and looks at her husband, her face completely bright red. She moves him away and turns her eyes away, embarrassed.

Bani: You are too much….

Jai: (chuckling) I am a man who happens to be married to a very beautiful woman. (defending himself)

Bani: Well a man will have to be patient at times instead of always wanting… (blushes beetroot) I am still tired from last night… (admits softly)

Jai: Baaneee… (trying to pull her back to him)

Bani only pushes him away even more and gets off from the bed.

Bani: (wiping away a last tear) We have already wasted so much time… Everyone must be waiting. We should go downstairs…

Jai joins her by getting up from the bed as well and nearing her. He surprises her by lifting her up and placing her over his shoulders. She gasps loudly.

Bani: Mr. Walia….what are you doing? (demanding)

Jai: What am I doing? --- I am only taking you downstairs. That's where you want to go, isn't it?

Bani: Please… put me down. What will everyone think?

She says as he begins in walking out from their room…. Jai ignores her pleading.

Jai: Let everyone think whatever they'd like. I am only helping my wife out. She wanted to go downstairs, I am taking her downstairs.

Bani: (begging) Mr. Walia, please, put me down.

Jai: No can do Mrs. Walia….

Bani: Aap kya chaate ho? (trans: What do you want)

Jai immediately stops in his steps….

Jai: You are willing to give me something?

Bani: Anything… if you put me down.

He takes a moment to think about this and relieves his wife in placing her back down onto her two feet. She stares straight at him with reluctance.

Bani: Kya chaate ho aap? (trans: What do you wish for?)

Jai: (smiling) … I want to take you to dinner tonight. Just you and me, no one else.

Bani: Paar Jai, hum to hamesha bhaar kaate hai… (trans: But Jai, we always eat out.)

Jai: That's not true… We have only eaten out once in awhile.

Bani: We shouldn't go out by ourselves all the time… ghaar wale kya sochonge? (trans: What will everyone think at home?)

Jai: Bani, they won't mind. Besides, aaj khaas waajah hai… (trans: Today is an important reason why.)

Bani: (suddenly very keen and curious)Kya?

Jai: You will find out soon enough… Now tell me, will you go to dinner?

Seeing her grow reluctant to the idea, Jai brings his hands around her again.

Jai: If you say no I will only throw you over my shoulders again and carry you downstairs in front of everyone just like that…

Bani: (giving in immediately, pouting)… I can never win against you.

Jai lets himself into his bedroom and sees that the bathroom is occupied by his wife. He was hoping for a quick shower before changing into an appropriate attire for tonight's dinner. Knowing that he'd only be wasting time in waiting, he grabs his clothes and towel and makes do with one of the guest room bathrooms. He takes a hot shower, shaves after noting a shadow forming, dresses into a stylish black suit, and combs his hair before going on back to his room. Just as he enters, throwing his towel on a chair nearby, he feels his breathing cut short on the intoxicating sight of his young wife…

She has her back to him, standing in front of the dresser and sliding the last bit of bangles onto her wrists, completely oblivious to his presence… his eyes drinking her all in. It continues to amaze Jai that his wife can manage to dazzle him every time… you would think he'd stop reacting to her so strongly by now, but he only feels himself become attracted to her more and more. It's as if she gets more beautiful by each passing day, if that's even possible. But it does seem like it. She still succeeds in taking his breath away every time he sets his eyes on her. She will be the death of him one day, he is sure of it.

Bani looks absolutely lovely in a maroon and teal blue saree, sparkling with sequins and an embellished border, outlining her seductive feminine curves to his greedy eyes. She is so irresistibly appealing to him right now that he lets out a soft groan which instantly gives him away. She whirls around and looks at his direction, giving him that usual warm smile that he has become accustomed to whenever he came back home from work… that same one that always makes his heart skip a beat.

http://www.homeindia.com/Saree.aspx?PrdVarCode=SARAIR0802&Ctg2Id=1002&Ctg3Id=1003

Jai walks on over to her, joining her at the dresser, and plants a sweet lingering kiss on her forehead. Bani feels the light smell of her favorite cologne of his tease her nostrils, taking it in like a drug.

Jai: You ready?

Bani: Ji… but where are we going?

Jai takes her to an elegant restaurant with the scenery of the serene ocean behind it. Bani gazes it with awe as her husband takes her hand in his and gently tugs on her hand to make her follow. They check in and are led to their table by a waiter…. Jai pulls out her chair for her like a perfect gentleman. Bani feels a little relieved with her decision in dressing up… She would have felt out of place otherwise.

Bani takes a hold of Jai's hand that rests on the table and chirpily asks him, "What is the special occasion?" Jai places his menu down and restrains a smirk. He is finding his wife very cute at the moment, looking so cheery yet overall confused and anxious.

Jai: You are quite impatient yourself Mrs. Walia…

Bani: (blushes, remarks back) I wonder who I get it from…

Jai: (chuckling) I wonder as well…

Bani: (squeezing his hand) Batiye na… Main aab aur nahi saaesakti… I will die from not knowing. (trans: Please tell me… I can't take it anymore)

Jai: Aren't we getting a little overdramatic here?

Bani: (pouting) Tell me….

Jai: (not withholding his smirk any longer) What makes you think there is a special occasion?

Bani feigns shock at this as she hears those words come from his mouth. She stares at him, dumbfound.

Bani: But you had said----

Jai: (shrugs his shoulders) Perhaps I just said that to make you come… (a twinkle in his eyes)

Bani: You do not play fair Mr. Walia… You kept my hopes up all day---

Jai: (amused) Bani, I didn't say that there isn't a special occasion… nor have I agreed that there is…

Seeing his wife unaffected by what he has said, he strokes her hand with his thumb.

Jai: You don't worry your pretty little head about it… You will find out soon enough…

Bani: (cheering up a little) So there is something special? (curious)

Jai: (smiling) You will find out...

Bani: (simmering down all over again) That is what you keep telling me… I think you undermine my patience…

Jai merely continues to smile at her, determined not to let anything out… He tells her to instead of driving herself crazy over whether there is something special or not, she should enjoy their dinner together. Sighing, Bani obliges and takes her own menu to look at. Jai had to use every bit of strength in him to not laugh at his wife… She was quite funny whenever she acted a little childish.

They are given their meals and immerse themselves in conversation. Bani slowly forgets the motive of the whole dinner and enjoys her time thoroughly with her husband. They talk constantly about anything from A to Z, have little playful quarrels, and never miss a chance of romance in between. After paying the bill they walk out arm in arm to their car, feeling satisfied and content with their outing. Just as Bani is about to seat herself into the car, Jai stops her…

Bani: Kya hua?

Jai: I am going to have to blindfold you before you get in…

Bani: Blindfold me? But why?

Jai: Sweetheart, our night's still young… You honestly didn't think we'd have such a short dinner and go on home? I'd think you'd know me better than that…

Bani: (stunned, secretly excited) Where are we going?

Jai: You know, the whole concept of blindfolding is so that you don't know where it is you are going…

Bani blushes, feeling incredibly foolish at the moment, whereas her husband only grins sweetly at her. He orders for her to turn around so he can cover her eyes. He withdraws his handkerchief from his pocket and pulls them over her… Bani touches the cloth as he tightens it from the back of her head… She muses outloud….

Bani: What could the occasion be? Am I forgetting something? ---- Is it my birthday?

Jai: Careful…

He warns her as he helps in guiding her down a small path. Bani feels strange, seeing nothing but darkness and having only her husband's voice and hands as direction. She walks cautiously, unsure of her surroundings.

Jai: Now we're going up on a slight wedge here… Don't worry, I've got you…

She feels the elevation of the ground grow beneath her feet and uses her husband as support. Inside she is bubbling with excitement with every step she takes. What does he have planned for her?

A minute later they come to a slow halt in which her husband finally announces, "We're here." She feels him leave her side and instead hold her from behind. He whispers into her ear, "Now… I still want you to keep your eyes closed when I take the fold off… Don't open them until I tell you." "I won't," she answers him truthfully. In seconds the blindfold is whisked away from her eyes, but keeping true to her word, Bani keeps her eyes firmly closed.

Jai tightens his arms around his wife's waist and leans his head against hers just as he says, "Alright baby, you can open them." Her eyelids flutter open and she takes in her given surroundings. She gasps in astonishment as she marvels at his surprise. They are standing right flat in the center of a white, big boat decorated beautifully with lights and flowers, rocking gently by the soft tides of the water. Light music plays in the air in the meanwhile…. On deck there is a blanket lying neatly with a couple of pillows and a bucket of chilled champagne off to the side of it. The cool breeze and the subtle smell of the sea adds into the romantic effect. Bani turns around and stares at her smiling husband.

Bani: (breathless) I didn't know you own a boat.

Jai: I don't use it much at all anymore… I bought it a long time ago and when I was much younger. Aditya, Tarun, and I often went on it whenever we had the chance… But I guess I slowly grew out of it…

Bani: Oh Jai… It's all so beautiful… I don't even know what to say. I never knew you could be so romantic.

Jai: (grins, pleased in surprising his wife about him) I didn't know really much either… until you happened.

On cloud nine just about now, Bani stands on her tiptoes and kisses him right on his mouth, savoring the feel of his lips against hers. She knows that she has completely stunned him by this gesture because it takes him a moment to respond back… She is never the one to initiate a kiss. As she pulls back and gazes at him lovingly, her husband expresses his bewilderment…

Jai: (clearly amazed) … If I had known your reaction before, I would have done this much earlier…

Bani smiles while softly giggling and brings her arms around him, snuggling close on him. He plays with her hair for a few moments, running his fingers through her silky tresses, before momentarily leaving her and letting the boat go from the rope tied to the dock….

Jai walks on back over to her and takes her hand into his. He then takes his other and places it comfortingly on her lower back. He requests for a dance which Bani cannot find in herself to refuse to, even if she wanted to. They dance to the enchanting delicate music under the glistening stars in the sky and the bright full moon cast above them. Bani keeps her eyes dreamingly on her husband's handsome face and finds herself asking suddenly….

Bani: Why do you do so much for me? (her voice barely audible)

There is a silence for a moment as she can tell her husband is trying to come up with a reply…

Jai: … I love the way your eyes shine….how your whole face brightens… the way you smile radiantly at me with those perfect teeth of yours… how your cheeks become pink with delight… and how you look at me with those beautiful eyes of yours… It makes me very happy. …. I guess you can say I do it more for myself. (sliding his hands up and down her arms affectionately)

She is deeply moved by his honest response and begins to feel warm inside…a good warm. Not able to restrain herself, she professes in a honey coated voice…

Bani: I love you ….

Jai: I love you too Bani…

He hugs her tight and buries his face into her silky hair… They sway like this for a few minutes until Jai draws back, breaking their transfixed spell… He turns her around, keeping her in front of him, and sets his hands onto either sides of her arms…

Jai: There's something I want to show you…. Look on over there…

He directs with a point of his finger. Bani watches anxiously in where he indicates to, only seeing the dark starry sky. Just as she opens her mouth to say she doesn't see anything, her lips stay parted as a spark of color appears unexpectedly in the darkness…. It transitions into more sparks and soon enough she is seeing a show of fireworks gleaming in her view… Her eyes still glued onto the beautiful crackers, she places a hand over Jai's on her arm and exclaims, "Oh Jai…."

"Keep watching sweetheart," he murmurs into her ear, not wanting her to miss a minute of it. Bani listens obediently and becomes dazzled by the numerous of colors sparking at her all at once. A pool of tears swarm in her eyes and she takes in a sharp breath just as she sees something that makes her weak in the knees… almost causes her to faint. Slowly bright gold letters emerge as the fireworks calmly come to a slow pace…

Will you marry me? ….

Her mind whirling and her heart throbbing hard against her chest, Bani turns to look at Jai, seeking confirmation of what she has just seen, and is further shocked by seeing him leaning down on the ground before her on one knee… Her hands go flying to her mouth as he reaches into his coat pocket and withdraws a small velvet box…

Jai: Bani… I know that our marriage had begun from a rough start… and that finally we have overcome misunderstandings and differences in order to transform a compromise into something so much more…a love commitment… but I still want to make it official… I want to make it forever… I want you to have that ideal wedding that every woman wishes for... I want you to experience that beginning of a marital bliss where couples discover one another… I want to give you that happily ever after…. But most of all, I want you beside me for the rest of my life as my wife and the woman I love… Will you make me the happiest man on earth and marry me all over again?

The box clasps open and Bani feels her heart skip a beat at the most overwhelmingly beautiful sight of her engagement ring gleaming brilliantly at her… Tears stream down her face and she doesn't waste time in exclaiming with excitement," Yes, yes!"