Chapter 5
Chapter 4
"Divorce is out of the question Bani", it was more of a statement than a request. Jai was not mincing his words. He thought Bani was being hard headed and stubborn. He had a reason to get cocky with her. She had walked out on him, based on an unfortunate mistake that he made, or so he thought.
Later long after she had left, the truth was finally revealed to him. Pia had trapped him. Planned the whole scenario in an attempt to get back to him. She was jealous of Bani's happiness. The love she witnessed between Bani and Jai was what her twisted mind told her was hers. Bani, was a compromise. Pia was his real love.
As soon as the truth surfaced, he had searched high and low for her. For a while he waited for her to contact him or any one from the family, but she hadn't.
He did look in Mt Abu, but he discovered that she had not gone back to her old house.
As weeks went by, and there was still no news from her, he became anxious.
It was Rano's behaviour, that lay the doubts in his mind. He knew that she loved Bani with all her heart, so why then was she not showing as much concern and distress at her leaving?
He watched her closely, always making sure she was in close proximity to him. As luck would have it, he overheard her speaking to Bani, and Mt Abu was mentioned. He didn't ask Rano for help. Rano had given it to him unknowingly.
Jai had decided that he made a lot of errors with his relationship with Bani. He was prepared to take a lot of failures and losses in life, IF he was at fault. But this was not a fault of his, and despite what everyone thought, he loved Bani with all his heart. She had crept into his thoughts, and soul like the way a sweet scent permeates everything it touches.
But today he faced a different adversary. He wanted to hold her and explain to her that all her anger and fear was misplaced and unnecessary.
But he also couldn't escape the fact that his silence about what was "supposed" to have happened, was the catalyst for her reactions. Jai was fuzzy about that too. Why did he doubt himself about Pia's accusations?
Bani moved away from him, when she caught him in such deep thoughts. Well let him think about his actions, she could care less. All she knew was that even if Jai had not shared a bed with her sister, it was his own confusion of whether it happened or not that drove a spear in her heart. A man who was not guilty of such a deceit would have created a storm, even confronting the guilty party , who in this case was Pia to prove his innocence. But it was his silence, his confusion that had destroyed the last thread of hope that she looked for.
Jai looked into the ink black sky and thought of the same questions that plagued Bani's mind too.
A cold shiver ran though him as he realised what Bani had seen. He thought he could come here and sort things with Bani, and that they would live together as they should, as husband and wife. As lovers.
But all his visit did was open up new questions, new wounds, and new misgivings. Because as much as he wanted Bani back, it had become painfully obvious to him that he was not sure of himself!
The realisation shook his core. Pia would never be a part of his life ever again, that was done and sealed. But was Jai's love for Bani genuine? Yes she was a compromise for Pia, and had fulfilled all the duties of a perfect daughter in law and wife. But it was more than that. Jai had never thought of her as an individual, as a woman, an attractive, sexy woman. The fundamentals of what every woman would want to be for her husband.
She had filled a void in his life that needed to be filled. And with great distress he realised that he loved Bani yes, but was he really IN LOVE with her. If he wasn't then he was more the fool for it.
He found her standing in the balcony. Her shawl protecting her from the cold wind that blew. The leaves were rustling in the trees, they seemed restless.
She turned to him. Her eyes shining with unshed tears. He tried to speak but she stopped him.
"Go Mr Walia" , it is the best for us. Perhaps this was never meant to be, she replied.
He came forth and took her in his arms. She did not protest. They stood like that for what seemed like ages. Two individuals whose mind said one thing and their heartbeats another.
Amongst their tears they laughed. Their fate had been decided.
She saw Jai off at the station. Laughing as she slipped a garland around his neck, she knew he hated such tings, but he indulged her. he liked to see her laugh. No he needed to see her laugh, her generous sparkling smile, that he would imprint into his soul. Her laugh would be his song, and her touch his food.
They walked hand in had to the platform. There he stopped and slipped a chain around her neck, the temptation to kiss her was over powering. Bani sensed and needed him too. It may have been a departing for now, but it just may be the arrival of something new and beautiful too.
"what are we going to do Bani? he choked. I can't imagine my life without you. You know that don't you?, shaking her gently.
Bani's heart was breaking. Her life too would be empty and sad. Loneliness was a feeling she was not used to. However for their future, both she and Jai needed to do this. Perhaps being apart would be the remedy for their failing marriage. Besides "absence makes the heart grow fonder" doesn't it.
"we take a day at a time, Mr Walia', she answered back. It was now impossible to fight back the tears anymore.
The whistle of the train signalled to them that it was time to go.
He grabbed onto to her, looking deeply into her eyes.
"remember Bani, things change. I will change. You will change too. I know that Today matters most.
But there are tomorrows, and more. When I came back it will be your love that I will embrace, your body that I would crave and your mind that I would read. There will be no confusions, no diversions. Will you wait for me"?, he pleaded.
"well….she dragged on lets see. Mt Abu has so many tourists, movie stars, and so many handsome young men……, well I cannot promise again……she knew she was teasing him. And he was not buying the bait. He was getting angry.
Have a safe trip Jai, and give lots of love to the family.
"what about my love, Bani ?he shouted back trying to be heard amongst the noise and bustle.
"it's right here Mr Walia., she screamed back, pointing to her heart. "come and get it whenever you are ready.
The last thing they both saw was smiles, and hope in their hearts. 💔
The end.
hope you guys enjoyed.
love khatija 😉
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