Thank you everyone...
I know everyone are eagerly waiting to read the present part... so i will rush up with the flashbacks... just want to fill all the gaps and holes before moving to proceed with the present.
Here goes the next part
Flashback 5
Krishna and Uday Walia
Krishna and Uday were the keen observers when relationship between Jai and Bani budded and developed. Initially, Jai was curious to meet Bani when she had occupied his mother's thoughts… his mother's thoughts…! The curiosity increased when Bani did not behave with him as she used to behave with the others in his family.
As they started moving with each other, started talking with each other, started caring for each other, they at time felt jealous when Krishna or Uday showed one of them their love more than the other. But their jealousy did not come out at any point. They were content with each other.
Krishna observed Jai with Bani. He went down to her age and behaved with her. He was not like that when he was with Anu. It was as if he was enjoying being a kid. It was as if his childishness never left him even after so many years. It was as if he did not live his childhood to the fullest. He complained like a kid, he behaved like a kid, he played like a kid, he spoke like a kid and he fought like a child. Bani, in short brought out the hidden child in Jai. This was observed by Krishna the first time when Jai came to her and complained about Bani. Where as, Bani on the other hand, she tried to become matured to equal Jai. She saw Jai as her equal and her as his equal. She did not ever see their age difference in their relationship (though she had to raise her head and tilt her neck to look at him). She brought out all the emotions inside Jai. They were at their own self when they were with each other. Above all, Bani was at her own self with Jai, forgetting everything around her. They were always lost in each other when they were with each other and Bani made sure his attention was on her! This was the major conclusion that Krishna came out of all her observation.
When Krishna realized Jai's unease after the bitter meeting with Kiran, she realized his true affection for Bani. Yet, she did not take it serious until she realized that Bani was still in his thoughts after so many years. When she saw his meaningless anger for Bani, she decided that until they come across each other, they both cannot understand their feelings. That was the main reason she brought the topic of marriage before her.
***
Uday on the other hand always wanted a girl like Bani for Jai – sometimes strict, sometimes lenient, sometimes demanding, many a times giving, being with Jai forever, always lovable. Yet, he did not fail to notice the shell around Bani when she was in his house. She might be roaming around the house, hearing to everyone, but her mind was always somewhere else. But, with Jai, she made sure her attention was onto her without any distraction and divertion. Like every parent, he did not want to initiate the topic because of their age difference, not even with Krishna.
He also noticed Bani going further into the shell when Jai left for Delhi. Her eyes always searching for a glimpse of Jai did not go unnoticed to Uday's eyes. Her silence spoke a lot. When Jai came back, the reaction of Bani was innocent. But, it was Jai's reaction which surprised him. If Jai had behaved with Bani as usual, he would not have taken it seriously, but Jai leaving Bani alone with her questions made Uday realize that their friendship no longer was pure white, but started graying, that many other emotions accompanied in that relationship.
Both Uday and Krishna waited for Jai to come up clean with his thoughts and feelings, but Jai did not. So Uday and Krishna confronted him when he had settled most part of the loan. They wanted to give Jai a chance. Neither did he want to grab it nor did he want to lose it. So, they took the decision on his behalf. And, they did not even regret for a moment for taking the decision.
They both knew very well, Jai needed a girl who should occupy his thoughts, demanding when not needed, lenient when needed. Anybody could understand Jai, but only few could bond well with Jai – an unbreakable bond…
The Unbelievable News
Jai was already facing lot of questions regarding his marriage. A question always occupied his mind – Was it a crime to stay unmarried in thirties? But, the society demanded an answer. He was least bothered. He already had lost his parents because of this topic of marriage.
The reason he agreed to go with Aparajit Deb was he wanted some peace of mind. He accompanied Aparajit who was taking his wife, Pallavi and her sister, Roshini along with him. It was a long time since he had taken his wife on an occasion. Roshini joined them as she had recently joined her father's business.
Jai stayed alone the whole time when Aparajit was busy with his family. He tried to concentrate on work as much as possible. He mailed all his experiences on a daily basis to Aditya.
One day, when he was mailing Aditya sitting at the restaurant sipping his cappuchino, he did not notice Roshini taking a seat in front of him in his table. It was after he closed the laptop did he notice Roshini. He frowned in surprise and kept his laptop away to pay attention to her.
"Hello!" He said keeping his laptop aside.
"Hi, Jai!" Roshini said. "Busy?"
"No, just mailing. Aap kab aayi?" He asked politely.
Roshini titled her head as she said, "Itna respect kyun de rahe ho, Jai. Just call me Roshini. Hum donon ek doosre ko jaante hai. Coming back to your question, I came a long time back. I did not want to disturb you; that's it."
Jai did not know what to speak next. She had answered his next question too. Hence, there was no room for the next question. Nowadays, constantly he was facing this situation – he had nothing to speak. He could not help but think, Bani would have made sure he had more to speak. He was never tongue-tied with Bani.
Roshini brought him out of his thoughts by reading his mind, "Kuch baatein karein?"
Jai took a deep breath and leaned comfortable on the chair and asked, "Kya baat karein?"
"Kamaal hai, kya hum donon ko baat karne ke liye kuch bhi nahin?" Roshini chuckled.
After sometime, Jai asked, "Aparajit kahaan hai?"
"Tumhein kya laga, jiju conference ke liye aaye hai. C'mon Jai, he had just come to another vacation. Conference ke liye toh tum aaye ho." She teased his sincerity.
Jai could not hold back. "Mmm… Main conference ke liye aaya hoon. What about you?"
"Europe tour ke liye kyun aate hai… obviously vacation…" Roshini said carelessly.
Jai nodded his head with his lips zipped. Jai got up from the seat. "I take a leave." He said and picked his laptop.
Roshini stopped him. "Jai, I have something to talk to you."
Jai looked at her intently and sat down back on the chair as if indicating to continue.
Roshini asked a direct question, "Tum mujhse shaadi kyun nahin karna chahte the?"
Jai was surprised. "What?"
"Yes, Jai. Why did you refuse?" Roshini asked again.
Jai cleared his throat. Then said, "Humari shaadi ki baat… what are you speaking? Aisi baat kab uti thi?" Jai asked genuinely surprised.
"Why are you putting up an act, Jai? Answer the question." Roshini demanded.
"Jab mujhe pata bhi nahin ki aisi baat huyi thi, toh kya jawaab doon?" Jai said.
"What? Tumhein nahin pata?" Roshini asked.
"Of course, nahin pata. It's news to me." Jai said.
"Aise kaise ho sakta hai? Mama papa ne tumhare parents se baat kit hi, didi ke shaadi ke waqt." Roshini said as if trying to make him remember.
"Kya? Maa-papa ne kya kaha?" Jai asked.
"They rejected the proposal right away." Roshini said.
Jai was amused. Such a thing happened, but he was not aware of it… Surprising…
Roshini said, "Now answer my question."
Jai said, "Roshini, it was my parents who rejected the proposal. Not me. So I cannot comment on this." Jai said in a no-non-sense tone.
"But, why did they do so?" Roshini asked.
Jai was amused, "Why are you so desperate, Roshini?"
"I am desperate for the answer. Yes. How could someone reject me, without even looking at me once?" Roshini said.
Jai thought for a while. It had happened three years back. He thought, 'Kya ma aur papa tab hi Bani ko decide kar liya tha?'
Roshini said impatiently, "Jai, I am waiting for an answer."
Jai looked at her and said, "Shayad unhone mere liye ek ladki chun liya hoga?" He then got up from the chair and said, "See you later, Roshini." He picked his laptop and left the place immediately without waiting for Roshini.
On his way to his room, he received a call from Aditya. He smiled and attended the call, "Aditya, kaise ho? Abhi-abhi main tumhein mail karke aa raha hoon."
"Hum sab teek hai, Jai. Ab tak maine mail nahin dekhi. Tum kaise ho?" Aditya asked.
"Main… teek hoon…" Jai answered.
"Jai, tumse ek baat kehna hai…" Aditya said.
"Kya baat hai, Aditya?" Jai asked.
"Bani…" Aditya said. Jai stopped in his tracks. Aditya continued, "Bani aayi thi humare hotel mein…" He waited for Jai to speak something. When he did not, Aditya continued, "Ab bhi waise hi hai… bahut pyari… chulbhuli… Bahut royi thi maa-papa ke bare mein sunkar. Maine use ghar invite kiya hai, is Sunday ko. Zaroor aayegi…" Aditya said. When Aditya did not hear Jai speaking, he called him, "Jai…"
Jai came out of the shock and continued walking. "Haan, Aditya sun raha hoon."
"Tumhare baare mein poochi thi…" Aditya paused and then continued, "Maine kaha ki tum agle mahine hi aaoge…"
Jai kept silent.
Aditya said, "Waise hi hai, jaise humein chodke gayi thi… bilkul waise hi…"
"Kehna kya chahte ho, Aditya?" Jai said.
"Tumhein pata hai ki main kya kehna chahta hoon." Aditya said.
"Aditya, meri zindagi mein shaadi nahin likhi hai…." Jai said.
"Ek baar use poochkar toh dekh…" Aditya said.
Jai closed his eyes. Then said, "Baad mein baat karta hoon."
"Teek hai. Lekin sochna zaroor… Take care, Jai." Aditya said.
"Tum bhi…" Jai ended the call.
'Now… this is a delicate situation…' his mind said as he entered the room.
Thanks for reading 😳
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