This is something that Mamta asked for along the lines of Abhimaan, so this is my attempt at something similar to the movie.
So please do thank Mamta for the idea and leave comments good and bad to let us know whether you like the story or not.
Part 2 page 6, part 3 on page 11, part 4 page 14, part page 16, part 6 page 19, part 7 page 24
Dilruba - Part 1
Tu Hi Bata Zindagi
Jo Bhi Hua Kyon Hua
Khoi Hai Kyon Har Khushi
Kiski Lagi Bad-Dua
Tu Hi Bata Zindagi
Jo Bhi Hua Kyon Hua
Khoi Hai Kyon Har Khushi
Kiski Lagi Bad-Dua
Kise Kise Jawab Do
Bhuja Bhuja Yeh Dil Hai Kyon
Kya Main Kahoon Bikhra Kyon Sapna Mera
Tu Hi Bata Zindagi
Jo Bhi Hua Kyon Hua
Khoi Hai Kyon Har Khushi
Kiski Lagi Bad-Dua(Armaan)
"Look Bani beta, listen to me. What Pia has done is terrible for both families. There is a hall full of people outside who respect both your father and Jai's father. How will your father survive when he has to walk up to Uday Walia and bow his head and ask for forgiveness for Pia's stupidity? Beta I will talk to Jai. He will not say no to the marriage, I just want you to say yes." Masi looked lovingly at the shy girl, dressed in a simple silk sari with her hair pulled back into a braid and just a small bindi on her forehead as decoration. She had always wanted Bani as a bahu for her sister Krishna's son. But Jai had fallen for the middle, more sophisticated daughter of Nishikant Walia and masi had to keep quiet and watch Jai become besotted with the Pia. Today Pia had run away without giving a second thought to Jai or her father.
Behind the tears there was fear in Bani's eyes. She was scared about taking Pia's place in the mandap. What if Jai hates her? She doesn't know much about him except that he was very good looking and had been very polite with their brief encounters. And what about her father…he would never survive this shock. Her mother was in the other room crying her eyes out. Bani looked at masi and then brushing her eyes, she stuttered, "Can I talk to Jai first?" Masi nodded, "Yes you can. Let me go and talk to him first and then I will bring him here."
Adi ushered Jai into the empty room where masi waited for him. "Masi what is wrong? Why is there a delay in the wedding?" Masi patted at the seat beside her, "Sit down Jai."
Jai sat down and looked at masi and then to Adi and back at masi.
Masi took Jai's hand in hers, "Munna, I want you to listen carefully to what I am going to say. Promise you won't get angry." Jai just nodded not realizing the masi was about to shatter his dreams.
"Munna Pia has run away."
Jai's face drained of colour and for a moment the world around him blacked out. His head reeled at masi's word…no it can't be true, last night Pia had said she couldn't wait for today…it must be a mistake.
"Nahin masi….this is not true. Don't play games with me."
Masi held out the letter for him to look at. The words blurred as Jai read, he couldn't finish reading and the letter dropped to the floor. Anger shook his body and his eyes blazed red.
Jai tried to pull his hand out of masi but found it held tight by masi. Jai roared, "Masi…"
But masi did not flinch from his look and calmly said, "No Jai, you will not leave this room until I finished talking and have my answer."
Jai stared hard at his masi's set face.
"I have asked Pia's sister Bani to marry you. I think she will not say no. She will do it for the same reason you will. For the sake of your parents and your family honour…I will not have my sister and her husband's name in ruins because of a shallow girl that my nephew fell in love with and who has abandoned him on the day of their wedding. Now Bani wants to talk to you first. So I advise you to go and see what she has to say. Today I will not take no for an answer. I always felt Bani would make you a better wife than Pia."
Jai shook his head, and his voice shook with anger, "No masi…you can't force me to marry Bani. I don't know want to…marry Bani. I don't even know her and I don't like her. Adi please…say something." Jai looked beseechingly at Adi.
Adi remained emotionless, "I am with masi today Jai. This is about two fathers out there, fathers who set out to build a relation because of you and Pia. Go and talk to Bani. I agree with masi. And there is one thing to keep in mind, both I and Jigyasa like Bani a lot."
Jai just shook his head disbelievingly, the two people who he loved a lot both today asking him to do something which he was finding repulsive to do. Jai stood up and marched to the door, opened it and looked out. He saw his father in a corner, laughing and joking with Nishikant Dixit, his father-in-law. He prepared to take a step towards his father but found himself instead of turning around and telling masi grimly, "Where is she, Bani?"
Masi hurried forward, "Come." Jai followed masi to the room where Bani was waiting. She opened the door and let Jai walk in and shut it.
Bani stood up and wiped her tears. She forced herself to look up at Jai. Her voice almost as quiet as a whisper, "Masi…did masi talk to you."
Jai gave a curt nod, "Yes. What do have to say?"
Bani swallowed hard, her stomach felt ready to throw up, "I just…I just wanted to know if you are happy with masi's wish."
Jai stared hard at her, looked at her as if looking at her for the first time, there was no resemblance of Pia in her. Was he happy with masi's request…no he wasn't but could he tell her that. Masi was probably waiting outside waiting for both their answer.
"Looks like neither of us have much choice to say no. I just want this to be over now. I can't say I am happy…I don't even know anything about you, except that you are Pia's sister."
Bani offered an apology, "I am sorry for what Pia has done to you."
"Why are you apologizing for her? You haven't done anything wrong."
The coldness in Jai's voice made Bani shudder, is this how he will talk to her?"
XXXXX
Nishikant Dixit stood in a corner, tears ready to fall. Kiran has cried non-stop quietly all through the wedding. The pain he felt today as he watched his eldest daughter dutifully taking the place of her younger sister to save his face. He couldn't even look Uday Walia in the eyes when masi announced the news to both of them. Uday had quietly given masi to go ahead with the wedding and had not uttered a single word to Nishikant.
The tears fell when Bani stood before him take his blessings. Nishikant could not stop himself from hugging his daughter and holding her as if for a last time. Kiran softly disengaged father and daughter and walked Bani to the car. Kiran wanted to say so much to her daughter but the words failed to rise to the lips. A mother always want to see her daughter married, to wish her life to be filled with happiness but at this moment all Kiran could do was pray to God to give Bani happiness that she deserved. Bani her eldest had always been the quiet, thoughtful one. She was happy with going to college and then hoping to work with her father in his small accounting company. They had not pushed Bani for marriage yet as she still had a year to go to get her degree. Nishikant had always wanted his daughter to be independent, be able to take care of themselves.
It was subdues atmosphere at the Walia house. Jigyasa did arti to welcome the bride and the groom in. Masi quickly got the rituals done with and most of the guests left. Uday had kept himself in his study, sitting quietly and wondering if the decision his wife's sister took today for Jai was correct. Yes his pride would have been hurt in front of all his family and friends but should his son have paid such a big price. He was jolted out of his thoughts by a knock on the study door. Jai walked into the study and came and sat next to Uday. Both of them did not say anything but sat in silence. After a while Uday cleared his throat. "Jai, what now?"
Jai leaned over and rested his head on Uday's shoulder, his voice quiet, "I don't know papa. Masi got us married, but how can I live with a woman I don't love. And after what Pia has done, I don't even know if I can love another."
"Jai do think Pia really loved you or you her? If you did you would not have readily agree to masi. You would not be sitting here talking to me, more likely you would have stormed out and sat in a bar drowning your anger." Uday patted Jai's back. "Sometime life plays game with us, and how we win is dependent on how we take the next step. Don't waste your time on thinking of what life would have been with Pia at your side. Think how to make life with Bani now. Don't hurt the girl, Jai whatever you do. She is not responsible for any of this."
"Pia will be sorry she did this to me papa. If I find her she will…"
Jai stayed quiet. At this moment he did not want anything to do with Bani. He didn't want his to lash out at her. He knew she was upstairs waiting in his roomas he had seen his sister Jigyasa take her up. Jai had escaped to the study before Adi or masi pushed him to go upstairs. Masi would not dare to come in the study at this time.
After sometime Uday shook Jai lightly, "I think you better go now. I am going to bed too. It's been a long day." Uday gave a caress on Jai's face and left. Jai too stood up and left the study. No one except masi was around. She smiled at Jai and stood up. "I was wondering how long you were going to hide in the study. I asked Jigyasa to take Bani to the guest room next to yours. Go and sleep now, good night munna."
In his room Jai looked at the room where the candles stood unlit, the flowers, the silks draped on the bed and the flowers strewn on the bed. He turned on the lamp next to the bed and sat down, unbuttoning his sherwani. His eyes fell on a photo of Pia and him taken on his engagement. With disgust he picked up the frame and walked into the bathroom and dumped it in the bin.
XXXXX
Bani woke up in the morning feeling a little disoriented. The room looked strange. It was much bigger than the room she had shared with Pia. She stared at the expensive teak furniture and silks on the window. At night Jigyasa had shown her the room and then left. Bani had been too tired to take much notice and had quickly changed and fallen asleep, thankful that she did not have to share room with Jai.
She pushed her self to get up and get ready, she couldn't stay in her room all day, she had to face them and make a start somehow to this change in her life. Pulling out a sari from the open suitcase, she stepped into the bathroom. Half an hour later, Bani made her way downstairs hoping at least to see masi. She stood at the bottom of the stairs, not sure of where to go as no one seemed to be around.
"Bhabhi!" Jigyasa's voice broke through the silence as Jigyasa walked up to her. Taking Bani's arm, "Come let me show you around while it's still quiet." And took Bani to the kitchen and introduced her to the cook and the maid and also Tony the butler. A quick tour of the study and other rooms and finally Jigyasa brought her to the pooja room where masi was doing her prayers. Jigyasa asked Bani to sit down for pooja and arti as there was nothing to do as yet. Masi asked Bani to do the arti as the bahu of the house and both masi and Jigyasa where surprised at how good Bani's singing was. In fact even after Bani stopped singing, it seemed her voice lingered in the air. After giving arti to masi and Jigyasa, Bani bent down and touched masi's feet. Masi couldn't help but bless her a happy married life.
'Bhabhi you sing very well. Did you take lessons?" Jigyasa asked, trying to make Bani feel at ease. Jigyasa had never liked Pia much, found her too loud, pushy and hated her style of dressing and makeup. She had tolerated Pia for her brother's sake, hoping Jai was just infatuated with the silly girl and had been disappointed when Jai had announced his intention to get married. At the engagement, Jigyasa had met the shy elder sister Bani and had taken liking to the reserved but friendly girl. She and masi had lamented the naseeb of Jai, why hadn't Jai fallen for this naturally attaractive girl. Well destiny had played its hand and today Bani was the bahu of this home.
A small smile lit up Bani's face at Jigyasa's compliment, "Yes didi, I did couple of years of singing classes when we were in Mt Abu. My mother also sings very well and she wanted us all to learn."
"Well then when we have our next party, you must sing one song for us, right masi. Even papa will like it." Bani looked apprehensively at Jigyasa, "But didi, I only know how to sing bhajans. I don't sing movie songs." Jigyasa laughed, "Don't worry I will find someone who can teach you few songs. Here at home as is we have a lot of time on hand, right masi. Bani can take some lessons to pass time."
Masi beamed a smile, "Yes beta, keep yourself occupied otherwise you will get bored."
"But I was hoping to finish college and then work in an office." Bani said timidly.
Shocked by the thought of a Walia bahu working, Masi told her, "Work beta, there is no need for you to work. Jai has such a big business to run. You don't need to work."
"Par masi..."
Masi cut her off and said firmly, "No Bani, you can taking singing classes, cooking classes and anything else you want to do as hobby, but no working outside.
Jigyasa realized how upset Bani was at being told she couldn't work and to take her mind off she brightly said, "Come bhabhi, let set the dining table ready for breakfast, papa will be down shortly."
Next couple of hours, Jigyasa kept Bani busy with her, serving breakfast to Uday, Adi, masi, Jai and Ranveer, Sahil and Anu, Jigyasa's threee teenage children. Jigyasa felt happy as Anu, Ranveer and Sahil got Bani involved in their chatter. Jai just sat eating his breakfast away not saying much attention to Bani. Jigyasa noted she will have a talk with Jai in private about his behaviour.
With masi and Jigyasa's help Bani adjsuted to living in the Walia home. Jigyasa even found someone to give Bani singing lessons. The guy had agreed to come to their home to do. Half-heartedly Bani started taking lessons from a talented young man named Pushkar who gave private classes in his spare time. At first Bani was very nervous but slowly her fear gave way as she found herself enjoying learning new songs. Pushkar was amazed by her voice and praised her often to encourage her. Jai who had found out about Bani's singing classes had been annoyed at Jigyasa but when one day he came home during the day and heard her singing forgot about his displeasure.
Jai still did not make much move to talk to Bani, answered her only when required and even though Jigyasa and masi pushed him to spend more time with her, he ignored them. Masi and Jigyasa deliberately did not do anything that Jai asked them to do, but steered him toward Bani and told him to ask her. Jai started relying on Bani now for fixing his meals, taking care of his clothes and his room. In the morning Bani would bring his coffee and paper up and leave it in the room after waking him up. Later on she would come and lay out his clothes for work. When he came home at night, his found his room tidied up and a change of clothes laid out on the bed. He had no idea when Bani came and put away his suits and his other clothes in wash because at night time there would be no sign of his discarded clothes.
Jai's birthday was coming up and Jigyasa along with masi decided it was perfect opportunity to have a party since Jai had refused to have one after his wedding. They involved Bani in planning the party and decided they would surprise him with it. Every one in the house knew about the party except Jai. Even Uday was enthusiatic about it. It would give him an opportunity to socialize with his friends once again. Uday who had heard Bani sing the arti in the morning and often practicing her songs in front of masi and Jigyasa had requested her to sing one of his favourite song at the party. Bani couldn't refuse Uday's request as she had started to adore the older man just like her father. Infact Bani was looking forward to the party, her parents would be coming and she wanted to see the look on her mother's face when she sang.
Jigyasa took Bani shopping with her and made her buy some designer saris and suits to wear. For the party, she forced Bani to buy a black chiffon sari, delicately embroidered in silver. Bani did not like the revealing short blouse but Jigyasa told her even she wore blouses like that and there was nothing to it. When they came home Jigysasa also gave Bani couple of jewellery sets that had belonged to her mother. They were Bani's now. Bani looked at the heavy kundan and diamond sets and refused to take them but Jigyasa would not budge.
On the day of the party Adi was asked to keep Jai late at the office and only to bring him home after seven. Jigyasa helped Bani dress, today she wanted to make sure her brother took notice of his beautiful wife. Bani looked like a Walia bahu when she came downstairs, Uday, masi and even Anu and the boys commented on how lovely she looked. Anu in fact told Bani, the next party she went to she was going to borrow her mami's sexy black sari.
Everything was ready when Jai arrived at seven-thirty. The house was decorated and filled with people. He stood shocked as Jigyasa and pulled Bani along with her to wish Jai happy birthday. Jai gazed at Bani wishing him shyly happy birthday and then telling him there were clothes laid out for him to change for the party. Adi had to nudge Jai to make him move.
Upstairs in his room Jai stared at the black sherwani lying on the bed. He had forgotten it was his birthday, no one had said anything to him in the morning, usually Jigyasa was the first one to wish him happy birthday. As he dressed Jai's thoughts kept going back to Bani, she looked amazing in the sari and his mother's diamond set. Jigyasa must have had a hand in picking the sari because as far as Jai could remember, Bani preferred to wear simple sari and had never dared wear such a revealing blouse either.
An hour later with cake cut and the guests enjoying the buffet dinner, Jigyasa took the mike and requested everyone to be quiet as they has a surprise for the evening. Jigyasa called Bani on the stage. Couple of minutes later, Bani stood gripping the mike, her stomach in jitters and her cheeks pale as all eyes were riveted to her. As Pushkar started to play the keyboard Bani gave a nervous glance at Jigyasa, her mother Kiran and then Jai. In a quiet voice she told the audience the song she was going to sing had been requested by Uday Walia.
Bani closed her eyes and took a deep breath and then her voice filled the silent hall.
Rasik Balmaa...dil kyun lagaayaa
Those dil kyun lagaayaa
Jaise ro dil lagaayaa -Rasik
Jab yaad aayi thihaarii
Surath woh pyaarii pyaarii
Nehaa lagaa ke haarii
Thadpun mein gham kii maarii - Rasik
Dhoonde hai paagal naina
Paayee na ik pal chainaa
Dasthii hai ujlii rainaa
Kaa se kahun mein behna (Chori Chori - 1956 )
By the time the song ended, Bain's eyes were locked with Jai. A silent pause and then the hall rang out with clapping and shouts to sing some more. Jigyasa came on the stage and took the mike from Bani's hand announced one more song and that was her dedication to Jai. She handed the mike back to Bani and whispered, "You were great. Just sing it for my bhai from me."
fir bhee jaane naa, jaane naa, jaane naa
kaliyan kee musakaan haay
kabhee ud jaaye, kabhee mandalaaye
bhed jiyaa ke khole naa
saamane aaye, nainaa milaaye
mukh dekhe kuchh bole naa
aakhiyon mein rach ke, chale bach bach ke
jaise ho koee begaanaa
rahe sang dil ke, mile naheen mil ke
ban ke rahe wo anajaanaa
koee jab roke, koee jab toke
gunagun karataa bhaage re
naa kuchh poochhe, naa kuchh booze
kaisaa anaadee laage re(sahib bwi aur ghulam)
Once again the Bani got tremendous response from the crowd. Bani saw her mother wiping her eyes with a big smile on her face and Uday and her father both looking proud. Jigyasa came and handed Bani a large bouquet of flowers and then dragged her off the stage to where Jai was. "Well are you going to say something or not?" Jigyasa demanded. Bani felt colour rise to her cheeks, "Didi its ok." Jigyasa glared at Jai, "No it's not ok. Today I want to hear him say something good to you."
Jai felt a little awkward, he wanted to tell Bani he liked her singing, that she had a beautiful voice and she looked gorgeous but the words seemed to be stuck in his thoughts. Just to appease Jigyasa, Jai took Bani's hand and held it as he said, "Thanks."
Jigyasa rolled her eyes, "Oh brother. Fine if you can't say anything to Bani, but at least you can dance with her." She pushed Jai and Bani on to the dance floor. Adi came and took Jigyasa on to the dance floor, hissing at Jai, "Come on. It's your party. One dance won't kill you."
Bani made a move to walk away when Jai reached out and held her arm. He slid his other arm around her shoulder and started to move on to the floor. Her nerves got better of her and Bani blurted out, "I can't dance. I am sorry." Jai lips curved as he pulled her close and whispered, "Don't worry, I will teach you." Bani stumbled as she tried to match steps, only to find Jai's arms reaching around her waist steadying her. Being so close to him and feeling his eyes on her made Bani's shiver, she felt warmth from his touch flow across her skin. She felt her heart lurch as he brought his face near her ear and whispered, "You are looking very beautiful tonight, must say I could see quite a few envious eyes on you. And you sing like an angel. I must thank Jigyasa for tonight."
Bani felt his hot breath on her cheek and then a light brush of his lips which left a trail of sweet tremors on her cheek. She dared to look up and found his eyes boring into hers. How long they danced Bani did not know or care. Today she found she wanted to hear his voice whisper in her ears, she wanted him to like her and she wanted him close to her.
Very late after all the guests had gone and Bani helped Jigyasa supervise the cleaning and then both of them made their way up to the bedrooms. Jigyasa wished Bani good night and went into her room. Bani made her way towards her room. Just as she passed Jai's room, his door opened and he stopped her. Jai pulled her inside his room. It was dark and Bani found herself staring into his eyes as he took her face in his hands. Fear crossed Bani's eyes and Jai saw it. "Are you afraid of me?" he asked hukily. Bani nodded her head, her heart was booming loudly in her ears.
"Where is my birthday gift?" he whispered in her ears.
Bani realized in all the rush to organize the party, she never once gave a thought at buying a gift for him…but then what could she have brought for him since he had everything that money could buy. "I had no idea what to buy," she lied.
"Well then I think I am entitled to take my gift…something that I want…" Bani's eyes grew wide as Jai's face closed in on her, she closed her eyes and held her breath.
TBC....
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