Abhi this one is for you....
In Pursuit of Dreams
Nishikant: "Bani you will do as I say. I am not going to let such a rishta walk away from me. Walia khandaan is respected family. I am sure if Jai will let you study and let you follow your dreams. I am sure Uday Walia and his wife will also be broad minded and not mind a bahu who studies and works outside the home."
Bani her face streaked with tears looked desperately at Kiran sat quietly in a chair. "Maa why don't you say something. You know I always wanted to go to study medicine. I always wanted to be a doctor. How can I be one when I have a husband and a family to look after?"
Kiran in a calm voice just said, "Beta your father knows the best."
Bani ran out of the room crying loudly. Once in her room, she locked the door and fell on the bed crying.
After a while a soft knock sounded on the door. "Di open the door. It's me Pia."
"Go away!" Bani shouted, her voice muffled by her face pressed into the pillow.
"Di you know I won't move. So just get off the bed and open the door."
Bani stopped crying and wiping her eyes with her tshirt , opened the door and let Rano in.
Bani sat on the bed, hugging her legs and staring at Rano.
Rano peered at her over her glasses, "Well are you going to say something or not? What happened? I heard you and dad shouting."
Bani glared at the wall past Rano, "I am going to run away, swear to the God, I will run away before I marry. I don't care how well known Walia Khandaan is. I don't want to marry Jai Walia."
"Di have you talked to Jai yet? Why don't you talk and then decide?" Rano asked.
Bani shook her head sharply, "Talk. Dad's already decided I am going to be married off to him so what's the point. You think he will change his mind if Jai Walia is looking for a stay at home wife."
Rano the smile still on her face, "I think you should talk with Jai at least. Tell dad you want to meet him first."
Bani shrugged, "I will ask. But I don't think it will change anything."
The two sisters fell asleep much later still talking about marriage.
In the morning Kiran knocked on the door and shook both her girls up, "Bani wake up! Rano come on getup or else you will be late for school."
Bani rubbed her eyes and squinted at her mother, standing at the side smiling down at her. "I am not going to school." Bani said stubbornly.
"How come? I thought you loved school." Kiran knew why Bani said what she said.
"What's the point of going if I am going to be married off." Bani snapped at her mother.
"Now beta, you know now days girls don't stay at home when they get married. They go to study, work and do lots of others stuff. They don't need to stay home and be housewife." Kiran said softly and caressed her daughter's head. She had a soft spot for Bani, who was stubborn and temper. Kiran despaired when she had to watch father and daughter argue. Both were stubborn and neither liked to concede to each other. Kiran did not want Bani to be forced to marry, she knew Bani had set her heart on going to university and becoming a doctor. This had been her daughter's dream since she was small. But she could do nothing for Bani, once her husband had made up her mind that was it.
Bani got out of bed and stomped to the bathroom. Kiran looked at Rano still sleeping. She pulled Rano's hair and Rano woke with a scream, "Maa. I am getting up."
Rano sat up and picked up her glasses and looked at Kiran. "maa can't Bani meet this Jai Walia and talk with him first. Find out if he will let her study after they get married."
Kiran sat down and gave a sad look, " I wish it was possible, but your father has already given Uday Walia his word. Uday is waiting for Jai to return from abroad and then they will do official engagement."
Rano looked exasperated at her mother. "I don't believe this. We are living in 21st century and dad still has this old fashioned ideas. What about love? What about compatibility? What happens if Bani hates the guy? She has to be stuck living with him for the rest of her life?"
"You girls thinks too much. I am sure Jai is a nice boy. I have met Uday and Krishna Walia and both are nice people."
Rano snapped, "That doesn't mean the son is nice."
Kiran stood up and sighed. "Ok I am going to make breakfast. Both of you come down when ready."
XXXXX
Jai Walia stared at the sulky looking girl sitting next to his mother. She had not once looked up. Dressed in a pink sari, her hair pulled back off her face, she kept playing with the pallu instead of taking interest in what was going around her. A few minutes later, Kiran nudged Bani, "Why don't you take Jai out into the gardens?"
Bani looked blankly at her mother as if she did not understand what her mother meant. Kiran smiled and said quietly, "Take Jai out into the gardens. You can both can talk and get to know each other."
Bani stood up reluctantly and forced her eyes on Jai. She said quietly, "Chaliye…" and walked out through the open door followed by Jai. Jai followed her around the garden, neither saying anything. Bani kept looking elsewhere but him. Jai couldn't help himself but look at her. She was a pretty looking thing. But what was wrong with her, why was she sulking. He thought his dad said she wanted to marry him.
Getting a bit irritated, Jai reached out and pulled her to a stop. "Bani. That is you name right. Can we sit and talk? This walking around not talking is a waste of time."
Bani's eyes blazed, "It is a waste of time and it will be a waste of time to sit and talk when this marriage is going to go ahead anyway."
Jai whistled, "Wow you are angry! Care to tell me why?" He like how her face was all flushed and lively. She definitely wasn't a mild mannered simple girl his mother was thinking of.
"Well my father has promised your father I will marry you. But I don't to marry. I want to go to university and become a doctor. But no my father thinks too much of your family reputation rather than what his daughter wants."
Jai laughed, "Is that all? I can tell my dad no. How about it?"
Bani looked at him hopefully, "Really! Would you?"
Jai looked at her speculatively, "Yes, but I want something in return."
Bani's face dropped, "What? I don't have no money."
Jai's eyes danced with mischief, Bani felt uncomfortable with the look in his eyes. He walked close to her and put his hands on her shoulders, "Well are you willing to give what I want?" he asked.
Bani nodded her head. Jai bent down and slowly captured her lips in a kiss. Bani stiffened, this was not what she had expected, she resisted.
A couple of minutes later, Jai gently removed Bani's arms from around his neck, "Are you sure you still want to say no?" he asked teasingly.
Bani her face bright red, looked at the grass lawn and nodded.
Jai chuckled and left her standing staring at the lawn.
XXXXX
Bani clung at her mother and cried. Kiran who had been trying to keep her tears at bay couldn't help herself now. The whole week she wanted nothing but to hold her daughter and reassure her everything would be fine but she never got the chance. Now her daughter Bani was leaving her and their home, and Kiran felt as if half her life leaving with her daughter. With great effort Kiran eased Bani from her and looked at Rano to walk Bani to the car where Jai waited patiently.
Bani gave one last look at her parents and sat inside the car, the tears still streaming down her face. Even though Jai tried to engage her in a conversation, Bani sat away from him and did not say a word. Krishna smiled lovingly at Jai and Bani and did arti and welcomed her daughter-in-law into her home.
Close to midnight Bani paced the bedroom awaiting Jai. She was tired and had a migraine. All she wanted to do was tell Jai she wasn't sleeping with him and then lie down somewhere alone and go to sleep. After a while Bani curled up on sofa and fell asleep.
Jai looked at Bani curled up on the sofa, sleeping in an awkward position. He lifted her head and put a pillow under her head and covered her with a blanket. He deliberately delayed his coming hoping Bani would be asleep and he wouldn't have to face her. He was in no mood to talk to her at the moment.
In the morning Jai left his room while it was still dark. He slipped quietly out of the house and drove off to his office. Jai knew his mother would make a fuss if she caught him coming to work. This way it was better, he did not have to face Bani, his mother or rest of the family. At the office, Jai made himself some coffee and sat back in the sofa reflecting on his wedding. Despite his effort to call the wedding off, Jai had been unsuccessful. His father like Bani said once he had given his word, he was not going to break it. He said there was nothing wrong with Bani, in fact Bani will make a perfect bahu for their khandaan. Uday Walia told Jai in no uncertain terms, he wasn't going to let Jai turn up at home with one of his modern girlfriends that he dated announcing they were getting married. Yesterday Bani had taken his breath away, she had looked beautiful in the red wedding lengha and the family jewellery. In fact once or twice during the ceremony she had even smiled at him briefly and he had felt acute sensation of joy for a while.
Jai dozed off on the sofa and woke up only when his PA entered his office.
During the day his mother called telling him off for running off to the office, leaving Bani alone at home. In the evening his mother called again, asking him when he was going to come as they were all waiting for him. Reluctantly Jai packed up his work and left for home.
He found the family sitting and waiting for him in the living room. Bani sat next to Krisna, dressed in a heavy sari. She gave him a quick look before she went back to staring at the floor. After a while Jai left to change his clothes and Krishna took Bani to the dining room to get the dinner ready.
Dinner was slow affair as there were still a lot of Uday's family staying back. Bani helped the women serve the men before eating later with the ladies. The teasing by the ladies did not stop even now, Bani had been teased all day about her wedding night and the coming nights. Krishna tried to stop the teasing but failed miserably as the young ladies especially delighted in seeing Bani blush.
Once again Bani waited for Jai to come, she sat curled up on the sofa staring at her mehndi. Rano had written Jai's name in her left hand even though Bani had protested. She stared at the name and wondered why did destiny chose him for her. When the door opened and Jai walked in, Bani stared at him. He looked tired and then realized he had spent more than twelve hours at the office. Jai walked up to her and sat down beside her.
"I think we need to talk." Jai said.
Bani nodded and tried to smile as she looked at him. Jai looked at the mehndi on her hand and spotting his name asked, "Why did you write my name on your hand?"
"I didn't. Rano did even though I told her no." Bani said softly.
Looking at her face he asked, "Is my name so hateful to you?"
Tears sprang in the corner of her eyes ready to fall. She shook her head and said, "No."
"Do you still want to go to university?" he asked.
"You know I do. But how can I go now. I will be expected to look you and your home now."
"Who said you had to do that? I don't expect anything from you. I tried to stop this marriage. And since it happened against your will I won't stop you from pursuing what you really want to do Bani. I don't unwilling wife in my life. I want someone who likes me and wants to be my wife." Jai finished off regretfully.
After a long silence Jai got up, "I will talk to my father and mother about your going to college. Do you know which university you want to go to?" Jai asked as an afterthought.
"I did apply to two of the colleges in Mumbai, but still waiting for acceptance."
"You can sleep on the bed. I will sleep in the study." Jai picked up his clothes and left the room.
XXXXX
If Krishna suspected anything was wrong between her son and his wife, she kept quiet. Jai had told her Bani wasn't happy about the marriage and had been disappointed too when Uday had refused to listen to Jai. She did not object when Jai told her about Bani carrying on with her studies, though Uday had let his objection known. They had a successful business why did Bani have to think about studying and working. She could always work in their business. Jai had firmly told his dad, he did not want Bani working in their office that is not what she wanted to do.
Jai and Bani fell into a routine, Bani going off to college while Jai concentrated on his business. He worked long hours going early to office and coming home late. Invariably when he came home he would find Bani pouring over books late into the night. Politely he would inquire if things were ok and Bani in turn would reciprocate with a similar question. If there was a need for them to attend functions then Jai would give her ample notice so she was prepared for it. Outside the office no one suspected their relationship to be anything other than that of a husband and wife. Even Krishna became comfortable around them. With time she found Bani willingly joining her in helping her around the house. Even though they had servants, Krishna still liked to do some things herself. She discovered Bani could make some dishes better than her and would occasionally ask her to cook those. On religious occasion Bani never said no to going to mandir with Krishna.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law drifted into a companionable relationship.
Five years later Bani graduated and took up internship in the Medical College's hospital. Jai and Krishna attended her graduation, Krishna gifted her medical bag and Jai a top of the line stethoscope personally engraved with her name. For the first time since their marriage Bani made an attempt at physical contact with Jai. She couldn't help after taking Krishna's blessing, hugging Jai and thanking him. Krishna had tears in her eyes as she watched Jai's face, a brief look of surprise replaced by a smile.
With Bani working long hours and odd shifts, Jai hardly saw her. If he did then he would find her fast asleep on the bed or rushing out through the door. On her first weekend off Bani was at loss of what to do. Krishna suggested to her to go take a small holiday, get away somewhere and take her son too as he had not taken a holiday for a long time. Bani felt guilty when Krishna mentioned Jai not having taken any holidays. She spent restless night thinking about the last five years, she had spent the years studying away not once giving thought to Jai, and how he had put his life on hold for her. She finally fell asleep wondering how to ask Jai if they could go away together for a weekend.
In the morning Jai was surprised to find Bani still asleep. When he came out of the shower he hesitated whether he should wake her up or not. Thinking she may be late for work, he bent and shook her. "Bani. Are you not going to work today?"
Bani opened her eyes surprised to see Jai, she pushed the sheet down and sat up. "What's wrong Jai? I don't have to go to work."
Jai stepped away, "Sorry, I thought you might be late."
Bani pushed her hair back and stared at him, already dressed. "Are you going to the office today?"
"No. I will be working in the study."
"Jai..." Bani paused not sure whether she wanted to ask him about going away.
Jai looked at her confusion on her face, "Is there something you wanted Bani?"
Bani's cheek flushed, "I have the weekend off and ma said to ask you if we could go away for a break." She rushed the words out and looked at him shyly.
If he was surprised Jai did not show it. Instead he arched his brow, "Do you want to go away with me?"
"Yes. Maa said you haven't taken any holiday. And I know its because of me. I was too self absorbed in me to notice what I did also affected someone else too." A look guilt came over her face but she watched him carefully.
Jai came and sat down, "Do you have an idea where you want to go?"
Bani shook her head, her loose hair falling all over her face. Instinctively Jai reached out and pushed it back. Bani held her breath for a moment and then to cover her nervousness, "Why don't you decide? I have never been out of Mumbai, except for a school trips."
Jai stood up, "Fine, let me find out and then I will let you know. You are ok with flying."
Bani smiled, "I have never flown before."
Krishna hid her happiness when Jai informed her two hour later that he and Bani would be flying down to Kerala for two nights. Krishna rushed up to the room to find Bani tossing clothes into a suitcase. "Do you want help Bani?" Krishna asked. Bani shrugged and then said, "I don't know what clothes to take. Jai said just to pack enough for two days." Krishna emptied the clothes from the bag and helped Bani pick out some few casual tops, skirts and pants and told her take a sari or salwaar to wear if they went out for dinner. When she was done, Krishna asked, "What about Jai's clothes?" Bani pointed to a bag lying in the corner, "Already done." Krishna hugged Bani, "Enjoy yourself, relax. You work too hard, just like Jai." Bani smiled and hugged Krishna back. "Thanks for everything ma."
Few hours later, Jai and Bani arrived at The Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom. The cottage Jai had rented was simply decorated and over looked the lagoon. The deep blue still water of the lagoon felt tranquil and there was no sounds of city, the cars, the trucks, the people. Tired from the journey, Jai ordered for a simple meal to be delivered to the cottage and they sat outside in the garden and enjoyed it under falling dusk. Jai told her about the facilities available at the resort and asked her to think about what she would like to do next day. Bani soon found herself nodding off and she excused herself and went to sleep. Much later when Jai passed her room she was fast asleep, he gently closed the door and went to his room.
The next day dawned bright and sunny. After a good night's sleep Bani woke up feeling rested after a long time. When she stepped outside her room, she found Jai already ready and waiting to have breakfast. A tray with tea and coffee and food waited on the table. Bani sat down and wished him good morning. Eyeing the teapot and asked, "Tea or coffee?"
"Coffee, black." Jai replied.
After passing him the coffee, Bani poured tea out for herself and then served them breakfast. Bani told Jai she would like to go out to the bird sanctuary in the houseboat and then later on if they go into the village.
The long ride in the houseboat was enjoyable. The main attractions of the sanctuary were local birds like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron, cormorant, moorhen, darter, Brahminy kite and the duck, as well as the migratory Siberian crane. Parrot, teal, lark, flycatcher, and other birds migrated here from outside the region. When they returned it was late afternoon. After an hour of rest Jai arranged for them to be driven to the Janardhana temple and then to the village. They browsed the small village shops and Bani bought couple of intricate wood carvings. By the time they returned to the resort it was dark.
After freshening up they walked to the restaurant to have dinner. Bani looked around and saw mostly young couples having dinner. She realized this was the first time she and Jai were actually having dinner at a restaurant. Suddenly she felt compelled to ask, "Jai all these years didn't you ever want to go out to dinners or parties or even holidays?"
Jai sat back and smiled, "Why do you ask? You were too busy with your school. Too busy to have time to think about me or what I wanted out of life Bani?"
Bani coloured, guilt pangs rearing up, "I am sorry if I hurt you Jai by being selfish. I realize now how ignorant I have been towards you. Taking you for granted, never once paying attention to you."
Jai took hold of her hand and looked at her long fingers, "It's a bit too late Bani to harp on the past. I don't hold a grudge against you. I just want to know if you are happy now. Are we going to be able to make a new start to our life? I don't think I want to go on living like we have been for the last five years."
Bani felt a knot tighten inside her as she realized what he was asking for. He was giving her a second chance to start afresh, a chance to make their marriage real. Was she ready to take that step. She remembered how she had fought with her father about the marriage. How Jai had tried his best to get out marriage. How upset she had been with the marriage. But not once did Jai try to take advantage of her or their relationship. She owed him big for being so supportive. She had achieved what she wanted to do. Should she now also try and put the same effort to make her marriage work to.
Bani looked down at his hand holding hers, "Could I ask you for something?" She asked softly.
"Yes," intrigued by her request. Red colour spread over her cheeks and she looked away as she remembered her first kiss, the only kiss, "Do you remember in the garden at my house when we first talked, you asked for something you wanted and took something from me that day."
Without saying anything Jai stood up and pulled her gently outside with him. He walked swiflty towards their cottage. Once inside he pulled her close to him, "Repeat what you said few moments ago." Bani buried her burning face into his chest and blurted out, "I asked you to kiss me again." She felt and heard laughter reverberate inside his chest and a second later felt herself pushed back. Jai was still laughing as he looked at her confused face. The laughter died down and his face turned serious. She gazed into his eyes, unable to understand the way he was looking at her now. His voice was reduced to husky whisper as he lowered his lips onto hers and whispered, "Are you sure you want to be kissed?" "Yes," escaped her lips before his lips captured hers.
THE END
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
