ff -Justajoo updt chap 9 pg 15, 12/12 - Page 9

He was jolted out of this thoughts when the car came to a stop near his building. He immediately walked to his pentouse and keeping his bag on ths side entered the kitchen. He was going to make the parathas today.

Bani looked at her watch. It was 3:00 pm already, she was rushing towards the penthouse, she had promised Aman she would make him parathas. She also had to make more for Jai, he loved aloo parathas, they were his favorite. She blushed at her thoughts. She had felt awkward at first living with him, he was a stranger to her, but he had been nothing short of a gentleman. He was a wonderful sweet man, who's only real fault was that he overindulged Aman. She smiled to herself. He was very good looking, and she was sure that many girls would have fallen head over heels for him. But what really memerised her was his eyes. Those steely grey eyes, that seemed to contain the depth of the oceans in them, so sincere, so honest, such loving eyes. She looked forward to greeting him every morning, and waited impatiently for him to come home every night. She had slowly realised that she was falling for him, and even though she knew that she was heading for a heartbreak, because he looked upon her as a friend and nothing more, she could not control her heart. It always pulled her towards him, no matter how hard she tried. Now she had accepted ther fact, and though it pained her deeply to know it would never be reciprocated for it was afterall a compromise on his part, she was still hopeful, and was thankful of the time she had with him. It did seem pathetic to her own ears, but she could nor bear to look towards the future, to see anythig else other than what she felt now.

She turned the lock to the and walked to her room to freshen up. A few minutes later she walked into the kitchen only to find it turned upside down. She looked around in horror till she saw Jai standing in the middle practically covered with flour. He was trying to roll out chappatis it seemed, and hadn't noticed her come in. She bit her lip to stop herself from laughing out at the sight in front of her. She watched him make faces at the chapati he was rolling'.he did look so cute. It was only when he raised the chapatti off the table that he saw her leaning by the door, with a smile on her face. He smiled back, When did you get back? Bani replied, Just now. You are early today. Yes, half day at the office, thought I would help out to make the parathas for Aman, but it doesn't seem to be coming out the way I want it to, he said showing her a shapeless paratha. Bani couldn't help but giggle. Shall I do it, she asked. Jai nodded. She smiled and started walking towards him. Suddenly she slipped and fell onto him, and he instead of grabbing the table, missed and pulled the flour tin which fell over them. They looked at each other and started laughing. Bani brushed his hair trying to remove the flour. You need to take a shower now Mr Walia, she said lauging. You too, he said and reached out to wipe the flour off her nose. She giggled and he stood up , holding his hand out to her. She caught and stood up but slipped again, but this time he caught her, and her laughter stopped as soon as he held her close to steady her, his hand brushing against her soft creamy midriff . Bani felt her whole body tingle, and a rush of emotion flooded her, clouding her senses. She stood staring at him unable to move, her hands resting carelessly on his chest. His eyes met hers, and he stood slowly raised his hand to tuck her hair behind her ear, and she trembled in his arms. She closed her eyes and suddenly heard the bell ring. They both flew apart.

It was a while before Bani was able to make the aloo parathas and serve to Aman and Jai. She had become very concoius around Jai and had to take long breaths frequently to calm her neves. After Aman was tucked into bed at night, Jai stepped into his study. Bani knocked a little while later with his herbal tea. He stared at her as she nervously laid it on his table. He had never really taken the time to really notice her before. He did find her very attractive and alluring, but having her in hs arms felt so right. Her gentle feminine curves, and her beautiful sweet smelling hair were almost drugging. She turned to leave when she heard him call out her name. She stopped, afraid to look at him. She was horrified at how obvious her felings had been in front of him today and was afraid to talk to him, what if he were uncomfortable around her, would he avoid her now? He gently touched her shoulder, and she took a sharp intake of breath and slowly turned her around, unable to make eye contact, was he going to tell her that it was over?