Another mushy update...don't complain if it is not good...I am not an expert on mushiness...now aggro...that's different.
Keep those comments coming if you want updates...no just kidding, I will not leave this one half way.
Meherbaan – Part 6
Jai whistled softly as he drove the car along the busy highway. Masi sitting at the back with her friend Biji, who also happened to be Jai's sister Jigyasa's mother-in-law. The two women were gossiping under whispered breath. Jai looked through his rear mirror at the two ladies, there head close together, smiling as they talked. He cast a quick look at Bani who was too engrossed in the passing countryside. She looked gorgeous he thought. In a pink and white sleeveless salwar, her hair tied back loosely and a bunch of matching bangles tinkling on her wrist everytime she moves her hand.
Masi had decided she wanted to go to their farmhouse for rest and had insisted Jai and Bani come along. She refused to go with anyone else and but Jai. Of course she had slyly arranged everything well ahead by telling Adi she didn't want him or Jigyasa tagging along, but was going to take his mother along. The trip was planned to get Jai and Bani to spend time together. If they stayed back home, then with everyone around, the two would never get close to each other. Adi the ever ready partner in crime with masi and his mom had readily agreed. Masi caught Jai looking at Bani and nudged Biji who immediately broke out into a filmi song much to Jai's embarassment.
Do Dill Mile Rahe Hain
Magar Chupke Chupke
Do Dil Mile Rahe Hain
Magar Chupke Chupke
Sabko Ho Rahi Hai
Haan Sabko Ho Rahi Hai
Khabar Chupke Chupke
Do Dil Mile Rahe Hain
Magar Chupke Chupke...
Masi burst out laughing..."Biji...tujhe yeh hi gana yaad agaya."
"Haan kya karu, jaab yeh Jai ki ankeh kuch zyaada kisi pe bas gayi hai. Oye Jai puttar raste peh dhyan de. Hume farmhouse dikhdak pounchana hai."
Bani's cheek went red as she spied masi and dadi giggling away. She looked at Jai, who was now staring straight ahead and noticed he looked embarassed at being caught staring at her.
For the rest of journey, Jai did not look at Bani again and Bani sat silently just answering masi or dadi when they asked her something. It was going to a long weekend Bani thought. She wished it had been only a day trip but masi had said she would get too tired traveling the distance in one day.
In couple of hours the car turned into a narrow land which led up to farmhouse. It was beautiful whitewashed bungalow set in amidst pretty gardens. Flower beds flowed at both side of the bungalow and a huge fruit orchard could be seen at the back. As the car came to stop, an elderly man came running out and opened the door for masi and dadi. "Namaste masi. Namaste dadi."
"Namaste Ramanji. Kaise ho aap."
Ramankaka pulling their bags out from the trunk, "mei theek hoon. Aaap jaye andar mei abhi aya."
Jai watched Bani follow masi and dadi in the house. He picked up couple of bags and followed Ramankaka into the house. The maid Malti brought glasses of cold water for them and enquired if she should make some tea and snacks. Dadi who loved tea answered, "Haan chai banade aur sun thode garam garam pakore banade."
"Biji...mujhe fried food khane ki mana hai..." masi whined, as the doctor had told her to watch her diet as her cholestrol level was high. Dadi laughed, "Toh nahi khana, mujhe toh doctor ne mana nahi ki hai."
Jai watched Bani standing uncertainly and he cleared his throat, "Masi mei Bani ko iska kamra bata doon."
Masi winking at dadi, "Haan ja aur Bani beta, fresh hoke jaldi ajana. Chai naste ke liye. Jai tu bhi."
Jai led Bani towards the side of the lounge and opened a door which led into a spacious room. It was beautifully decorated, the walls a pale peach and creamy silk curtains and matching duvet covered the large bed. The furniture and wood floor were of honey coloured wood and complimented the room. Jai set Bani's bag down and smiled, "Make yourself comfortable and if you need anything let Malti or Ramankaka know."
Bani gave a huge sigh of relief when Jai left the room. The butterflies that fluttered in the stomach quietened down. Jai practically dominated the room with his presence, it was like as if the room dwarfed when he stood in it. And then there was his cologne and body scent mixed into a sensual mixture which affected her, her pulse beat in a staccato rhythm. She found it very discerning that both of them were finding it hard to be normal in front of the two old ladies downstairs. Bani was sure the two were playing some sort of game with her and Jai.
When Bani eventually made her way back to the lounge, masi and dadi were both happily munching away at the pakoras and sipping tea. Masi patted seat beside her on the sofa, "idhar baith Bani. Aur le peyo chai nahi toh thandi hoyagi. Abh Jai kahaan gaya, office kaam lekar baith gaya hoga." Masi shouted at Ramankaka to call Jai. "Ooe..Ramanji, Jai ko bula do chai thandi par jayegi."
A few minutes later Jai arrived talking on his cell phone. He picked up a cup of tea and stepped out onto the patio. Masi rolled her eyes, "Yeh cell phone hi mujhe kithar chupa dena chahiye. Baas is ladko ko office ka kaam or phone sivayi kuch nahi dekhta."
Dadi sniggered, "Billo tu bhul gayi...usse koi aur bhi dikhta hai. Woh meri mazakse bechara sharma gaya."
Bani blushed which was immediately noticed by dadi, "Arre beta tu kyun sharmati hai. Tere jaise mei thi toh mei Adi ke pita keh saath...'' Masi slapped dadi lightly, "oye Biji sharam ani chahiye tujhe...aise baath Bani se bolne. Apne romance ki baite apni paas rakh. Bani ko sharmani ki koi zaroorat nahi."
Half and hour later masi and dadi retired to their room to have a nap. Bani sat alone in the lounge. Through the open door she could see Jai still standing talking on the phone. May be she could go for a walk in the gardens, take a look outside until masi and dadi were up again. She went out the front door and into the gardens walking around and admiring the flowers. Around the back she found Ramankaka busy picking out some vegetables from a small patch. Seeing Bani he smiled, his kindly old face creasing a little, "Kaisa laga hamara bagecha beti?" he asked.
"Bahut sundar hai chacha. Aur garden mei yeh sari sabzi, tazi sabzi khane toh aur mazaa." Bani stopped watching him pull some carrots out.
Ramankaka wiped off as much carrots as possible, "Haan beti, yahaan market aur kuch dukhan nahi hai. Itna sari zameen hai, toh chota vegetable garden or peeche phal ka bagecha hai. Aur yeh taze gajjar ka halwa bahut metha banega." Ramankaka picked up the basket. "Tum aaram se dekho, mei yeh andar yehi le chalu." Bani walked a bit further towards the trees. She wasn't sure what type of fruit trees they were, but there were some which had abundance of flowers on it. The air was filled with delicate fragrance given off by the white flowers. Bani looked at the small white flowers, very pretty against the dark green leaves. "These are orange trees." She heard Jai say from behind her. He came beside her and reached up and broke off one of the flowers and held it out to her. "Ramankaka told me you were in the garden. Sorry, I shouldn't have taken so long on the phone, but it was from a business collegue. Do you want to have walk through the trees? There are apple and mango trees at the back too. Ramankaka likes growing things. It keeps him busy as we only come here on weekends now and then."
Bani gazed up from the flower in her hand and smiled at him. "I saw kaka pick out fresh vegetables from the garden for cooking. I think it's great to get to eat sabzi that is very fresh. What do you do with the fruits when its ready to be picked?"
"Most of it is sold. I also arrange for some to be delivered to our house in Mumbai, especially the mangos. The mango trees were planted by my grandfather. He never lived to taste the fruits of his labour. Actually the farmhouse was only a two roomed house originally, but later when my father's business grew, he built the place so we could spend our holidays here. Most of our summer vacations were spent here, not just us but my cousins too."
"It is a lovely place Mr Walia, especially to escape the city during the summer months, all that congestion and pollution that hangs around the city."
Jai nodded his head, "Yes it is a great place but we never seem to make much time to come here that often now. Di is always too busy with her socializing and masi too is half time gone to visit her relatives."
"Then you should thank masi for bringing you here. May be you should give up work some weekends and come here."
Jai arched his brow, "Come here on my own? Then I would end up bringing my office here too. What would I do by myself?"
"Well you could always bring a friend." Bani suggested.
Jai smirked at her, "I like the idea of that...so what are you doing next weekend Bani?"
Bani pursed her lips, "I am sure you have other friends beside me Mr Walia."
Jai crossed his arms and leaned against a tree, "Yeah, I have lots of friends but at the moment I like spending my time with a one particular one."
Bani felt herself turn red at his insinuation, "Mr Walia that's not fair."
Jai took two steps and stood in front of her, gazing at her, "Bani I hope you don't mind dadi's teasing. She has always been like that." He suddenly took her hand and brought it to his lips, "Did I tell you that you look amazing in this dress? I couldn't help myself in car, you were sitting close to me looking pretty and then dadi had to go and spoil it all."
Bani was still languising the feel of his lips on the skin of her hand. Minute rivulets of warmth spread out from where his thumb was caressing her skin. She gulped some air only to find his scent catching her throat. She wanted to pull away her hand, step away from the heady feeling she was now filling her. Bani looked up and realized it her mistake as she gazed at his lips curved in a sensual smile. She jerked her hand free as a thought of kissing his lips bolted through her.
"I think we better get back...to the house." Bani said and started to walk back. Jai watched thoughtfully for a moment. Felt disappointed at being denied the opportunity to kiss her. He was sure she felt the same when she had looked up. Jai followed her back to the house silently.
Masi and dadi spent most part of the day telling Bani about their early life in Chandigarh and how both them later ended up in Mumbai, masi to look after Jai and Jigyasa and dadi when Adi landed a job at Walia Group. Jai had sat on the terrace pretending to read paper, but half listening to the ladies chatter. Dinner was early and everyone enjoyed the freshly cooked sabzi and the gajjar halwa as dessert. Dadi decided they would watch one of the new movie she had brought along with her, Thoda pyar thodi masti "Mera favourite Rani ki movie kaise miss karu. Chal Jai tu bhi dekh lai, kuch sikhna to milega." She winked as she said this. Jai grinned, "Dadi mujhe 3 ghante baithe ke bore nahi hona. Aap dekhiye. I am going to bed."
XXXXX
Next morning Bani woke up with late. She stretched out in bed and listened to bird chorus. The sun streamed through the partially closed shutters. Bani got up and flung them open, letting in morning breeze. She saw Ramankaka watering the flowers. For a few minutes she just stood enjoying the view. Bani turned her head when she heard the scraping noise at the side. She saw Jai step out of his room onto the garden. He was only wearing his pyjama bottom, his hair tousled from the sleeping and a coffee cup in one hand. Bani's eyes transfixed on his perfectly scuplted upper body. He didn't seem to be bothered by the lack of shirt as she stood and sipped his coffee. Bani moved away from the window, scared of being caught staring at him. She took a deep breath, he definitely had a beautiful body and she felt the sudden urge to run her hand across his chest. Warm blood rushed to her face, how could she have such thought and too on glimpsing him half naked. She closed her eyes and rested her head against the wall.
A long time later, Bani showered and dressed came downstairs. Masi, dadi and Jai were waiting for her to have breakfast. Dadi smiled at her, "Chal beta. Bahut bhook lagi hai aur yeh billo tere bine khane nahi chahti." Bani came and sat next to dadi and opposite Jai. She slowly raised her eyes to find her eyes locking with his. His lips curved in a smile. Bani looked away quickly.
Masi serving them breakfast, "Aaj beach pe jayenge Jai. Ramanji picnic basket pack kardenge. Aaj hum picnic karenge beach pe. Theek haina."
"haan masi jo aap chahiye." Jai mumbled.
:Oye billo, mujhe abhi batati hai. Aage pata hota toh mei meri swimsuit lati." dadi pretended to grumble.
"Biji tune kabh swimsuit liya...phele toh kabhi nahi dikha swimsuit pheneke."
"Toh kaya zindagi mei ek baar sab kuch try karna, right Jai."
Jai smothering his chuckle, "Yes dadi."
Masi, "chalo jaldi se nasta karlo. Phir Bani beta ready hoja."
An hour later they set off in the car. It was an hour's drive to the beach. A picnic basket, an umbrella for shade, chairs and blankets were stowed in the trunk too. Jai had changed into shorts and tshirt.
The blue sea glimmered with sun rays. Jai parked the car and then carried everything to the spot masi chose. Fixing the umbrella and chairs for masi, he set the picnic basket close to them. Kicking off his sandals, he put on his sun shades and started walking away. Masi nudged Bani, "Jai, Bani ko bhi leja."
"Masi abhi nahi. Jaane do Mr Walia ko." Bani protested.
Masi pushing her, "Jaa, mazaa ayega pani mei. Hum bhi ayegena biji."
Dadi who was snoring lightly, "huh..huh." and went back to napping again. "Lei raat ko film dekhi aur abh sowye." masi said disgustingly.
Jai waited for Bani to join him. Because of his dark shades Bani could not see his eyes. Masi eyed Bani who reluctantly walked up to Jai.
Walking to the edge of the water, Jai looked down at her feet, "Are you going to roll up your salwar, it will get wet?" he asked.
Bani shook her head, "It will get dry," and stepped into the water, which was felt warm and cool at the same time. She stood clutching her dress as waves rolled in. Jai pulled his tshirt off and dropped on the sand and waded in further and started swimming away. She watched his strong arms cutting swiftly through water and soon he was just a dark blob in a distance. Bani decided to walk along the edge of the water. It was too hot to just stand. She looked back and saw, masi's head was nodding too and giggled.
Bani had walked several metres away when she got splashed. The sensation of the cold water on her face made her shiver and she turned to see Jai standing behind her. Recovering her breath, "Mr Walia!" she called out scrunching her face against the sun. Water dripped from his hair and ran down his face and chest. Again she blushed and looked away as her thoughts of the morning came back to her...he looked even more gorgeous up close. Jai came up behind her and snaked his arm around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder, "hmm...why won't you look at me?"
Bani went stiff, she could hear her heart thumping away and his arm around her waist was doing crazy things to her inside. She could feel the hard muscle of his chest through the thin cotton fabric of her salwaar which was soaked now. The warmth emanating from him burnt her skin making her even more nervous now. "Mr Walia, let go of me. You are making me all wet."
Jai laughed softly, "hmmm...you should wear bikini on the beach than you don't have to worry about clothes getting wet. Remember I have seen you in one before, so no need to be embarassed."
Bani pushed at his hand with futile attempt. "That was different. I don't wear such stuff in public."
Jai loosened his hold but did not release her. He ran his finger along her shoulder. "There is hardly anyone here and trust me masi and dadi would not mind. Anu and Jigyasa wear swimwear all the time."
Bani turned around and realized her mistake as her hand ended up resting on his chest. She could feel his heart beats. Looking up she saw he still had his sun glasses on. She carefully removed them and looked into his eyes and said, "I don't like talking when I can't see your eyes."
"Why?"
"It's just not fair. You can see mine and you hide yours behind the shades. I can't tell what you are thinking."
"So tell me what I am thinking now?" He said locking his dark eyes with hers glinting brown from the light of the sun.
Bani did not say anything but looked mesmerizingly at his eyes. She saw his face inch closer and heard his whisper, "I am going to kiss you Bani." And then she felt his lips press down softly on hers. The kiss was brief and neither made an attempt to deepen it. Bani pressed her head onto his chest as she felt her heart beats recocheting wildly.
TBC...
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
