i got a chance to write somehting today. i have no idea how it has turned out bear with me.. any suggestions are welcome.. so here goes
Chapter 2
Uday Walia stared at his son not believing what he was witnessing before his eyes. Jai took long strides touched his foot and looked up into his eyes.
Shradha stared at the stranger and moved away from Uday Walia who had dropped her hand to hug his son. Uday and Jai hugged one another. Shradha took a step backward and ran inside the house calling for Bani. Jai saw the little girl run inside calling ma.. and his face tightened.
Jai acknowledged Tony giving him a pat on his shoulder. Tony asked the driver to carry Jai's suitcase , picked up the walking stick Shradha had left behind and handed it to Uday. Uday looked for the little one.
'She is gone inside' Tony provided him the information.
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Bani paced up and down in her room Shradha came rushing into her looking sad.
"What happened? Asked Bani. looking at the small face.
Shradha shook her head.
'Tell me sugar what happened?' Bani encouraged her taking her and seating her on her lap.
Shradha hugged Bani. The child felt hurt Dadaji left her hand seeing the stranger. She was upset with dadaji.
Bani knew something was amiss. "What happened Shadhu? Dadaji said something …'
Nahin…' Shradha raised her voice.
'Okay.. okay… don't tell me anything and don't come to me crying..' she said patting her back. Bani knew Shradha was upset seeing him and Dadaji's attention on the stranger
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Tony send Jai's things in his room and wondered why he bought a small suit case.. …was he going to go again…
Jai walked into his room spending little time with his father. The room looked exactly the same as he saw last time…He spoke to Tony about his father and got all the news out of him about his health. Jai was shocked to learn he had an attack. He did come here for 2-3 days. He had no idea how was he going to return in short notice.
Tony left Jai to freshen up and to take rest.
Bani was at the kitchen when Tony walked in. He studied the girl from far. She looked very normal. Did she not know Jai sir is back.. Tony cleared his throat. Bani and Kaveri mausi looked up. Kaveri mausi was in her fifties and she stayed at Walia mansion as a help to Tony.
'Kaveri Mausi.. Jai sir is back from London.' Said Tony eyeing Bani.
Kaveri looked up from her work and went back to do her chores. She knew Jai is chote saab and had left Walia mansion 3 years ago. She did not want to ask anything or get involved in big people's business.
Bani finished her chores, asked Kaveri to serve food in fifteen minutes, and left the kitchen ignoring Tony.
Tony looked at her go sadly. He prayed to God to keep all the people in Walia mansion happy.
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Tony served Dinner to Uday and Jai. Jai was dreading to come down for dinner for the fear of meeting Bani. He did not know how she would react and what he would do about it. To his surprise father and son was seated at the table.
'Tony.. Shadhu kahan hein?' asked Uday.
'She is with her mother..' said Tony looking at Jai from the corner of his eyes.
Jai picked on his food.
'Tony Kaveri did not make this palak right? Asked Uday tasting the curry.
'No sir… Bani Ma'am did.
Jai slightly pushed the palak curry bowl he was going to take.
Uday noticed him and said nothing.
The dinner went quietly, father enquiring about his stay and work in London.
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Shradha kept her distance from Jai. She did not like the sudden intruder who got all the attention from her dadaji.
As for Jai he did not make any effort to get to know the child.
It has been two days since his arrival neither Bani nor Jai made an effort to come before each other. She stayed away from the family affairs.
Shradha would run in and out of Uday Walia's room to Bani.
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Jai sat in the study room holding his head in his hand. He was feeling a kind of suffocation living in Walia Mansion. The house was quiet and at times shardha's laughter filled the hall. He never heard Bani. His father never mentioned Bani. Where was she hiding in the house? Not that he was keen to see her. He recalled Raj's teasing. How Bani would react seeing him. He had not met her to see her reaction. It would be better he left and left them all alone…
His thoughts were broken by the giggles of the girl and a quiet sound of a woman. Jai stood up pushing back the chair and walked to the window. He slightly pushed the curtains and looked below to the small play ground.
Shradha was tossing the ball with lots of enthusiasm. His eyes followed the ball. She was sitting on the concrete bench holding a news paper her face almost covered with the paper. The ball rolled and landed near her feet. She did not look up. Jai heard Shradha shriek.. 'maa…………… toss ball…'
Bani did not lift her face she searched the ball with her feet and kicked towards her.
Shradha did not like this kind of game. She screamed again. "ma… throw paper.. play…'
Bani put the paper on bench and stared at her daughter. "What Shadhu? Did I not tell you I'll only give you company.. no playing….. go call Tony…'
'No……………….. Shadhu no like Tony.. she screamed again.
Bani chuckled.
'Bani… bad..' she complained picking up the ball and throwing away.
'Acha bachu….. Bani bad eh?… Shradha very bad..' she taunted.
'No.. bad Bani…' she went on shouting at Bani. Bani walked up to her and lifted her up and looking up asked the child.
' Bani is bad?'
'Hmmm..'
"Okay since Bani is Bad Bani is going to throw Shradha…' Bani mocked whirling her around.
'Ma… chod.. chod…' Shradha struggled in her hand.
Bani stopped and looked at her." now tell me.. Shadhu Bani is bad or Ma is nice..'
Shradha looked at her for a moment and wrapped her arms around Bani.
Bani gave her a sound kiss and put her down.
'Ma… play..'
"okay .. just two minutes.. I have some work okay?'
'Okay..'
Jai stood there for a moment and turned back to his seat.
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Bani dressed Shradha like a fairy. She was going to take her for a birthday party to the Sharma's. Shrama was Uday Walia's Neighbor. They had invited every one for the party. Uday had excused him from the function due to his health conditions. Arthi Sharma invited Bani and Shradha for her daughter's Party.
At 6pm Bani took Shradha to the sharma's. Bani was dressed in pink sari. A very simple sari, she looked simple and elegant.
The sharma's welcomed mother and daughter. Shradha joined her friends leaving Bani to the group of ladies. Most of them knew Jai Walia was in town. The son of Uday who left to London on the eve of the wedding. They wanted to ask Bani about him but then thought against it. Bani did hear murmurs around her from the ladies section. It would stop the moment she looked at them. She knew the topic was her and Jai Walia. She had been to this part of life for past three years though she tried to keep away from such parties at times she had no choice.
Arthi Sharma later took them all to the stand where the birthday cake was placed.
Bani looked at Shradha's excited face and her face broke into a smile.
To Bani's horror, she saw Jai Walia walk in with Mr. Shrama his head held high. She looked around her to find people whispering around her.
Jai did not want to come to the party. Ramesh Sharma caught him off guard near the gate where he got down from one of his friend's car. He was dragged into the party.
He plastered a smile and walked in to the party hall.
He looked at the small fairy group and saw Shradha. Jai studied the small girl whose eyes brimmed with excitement. A soft smile spread over his face. He felt a sudden urge to pat her cheek and take her in his arms. Jai was amazed at the feeling. His eyes then screened the room.
Bani took a step back. Covering her comfortably behind Hema, Ramesh's sister.
Little Shreya cut the cake. The little ones clapped their hands with enthusiasm.
Bani looked at Shradha and her eyes followed Jai. He was looking at the little girl with a smile on his face.
Bani moved away and joined the ladies circle chatting with them. In another ten minutes Shradha walked up to her with the cake in her hand.
'Ma… godhi…'
Bani lifted her up and sat her on her lap.
Jai's eyes followed Shradha. He saw her walking up to Bani. He looked at the woman not taking his eyes of her. She was the simplest dressed woman and the elegant one in the room. How could he have not seen her or noticed her? How could he have ignored someone like her? Jai looked stumped.
In another second he kicked him for such a thought.
Bani bid the sharma's good night and walked to the porch. The party was still in full swing. She wanted to get out before Jai noticed her. She did not want to be put in an uncomfortable situation with him.
She saw him talk to one of the guest caught shradha's hand and walked to the Walia Mansion.
She stood before the door fumbling with the key she heard slow footsteps behind her. Shradha saw him walk towards the door. She moved closer to Bani.
The key fell from Bani's hand. Bani picked up the key and opened the door not bothering to acknowledge him; she walked inside holding Shradha's hand.
Jai followed her in. he walked briskly to his room.
Uday Walia closed his door looking at them go in different directions.
love
kamy 😃
will be waiting for the feed backs guys 😃