FF:Broken Dreams&... Note Page 104 3/9 - Page 28

hey abhilasha

Hi all, I am back with another part. Surprised? Me too... 😆

Bani cried because 1. She remembered her vacation 2. She thought Anu forgot her.

I am not able to type anymore. I feel like coughing.

Here goes the next part:

Part 26B

The dinner was noisy. Anu whining, Jigyasa pampering her and everyone laughing… It was a scene to watch.

At one point, Anu said, "Maa, aapko meri itni pareshaani ho rahi hai toh aapko mujhe boarding bhejna hi nahin chahiye tha."

Aditya said, "You know what, Anu? I second your statement." Aditya said enthusiastically.

Jigyasa glared at Aditya, "Toh mujhe rokha kyun nahin us din?"

"Rokhe toh rukhe naa!" Aditya muttered under his breath.

Jigyasa narrowed her brows. "Kya ghus-phus kar rahe ho?"

Aditya smiled and said, "Kuch bhi toh nahin. Main toh kha raha hoon. Dekho?" and he started eating.

Everyone around the table stifled their laughter. Anu's face was deep buried into the plate. Jai sighed and shook his head. Masi and Dadi looked at each and rolled their eyes. Bani's eyes were fixed on the plate and food served. Earlier, Jai had told her to take her own time to eat so that she won't throw out the food later. She was trying to follow that.

Anu suddenly asked Bani, "Mami, aap kuch bolti kyun nahin?"

Bani was startled. 'About what?' That was the question in her mind. She asked her politely, "Kis baare mein?"

Anu was amused. "Kamaal hai? Hum donon ek saal ke baad mil rahe hai aur diwali ke baad baat bhi nahin kiya. Aur aap pooch rahi hai ki kis baare mein?"

Bani did not know whether she was just pointing out or complaining. But, she felt happy that she did not forget what they had shared for a short period. She looked around the table. They were waiting for her answer. She just said, "Pehle khana khate hai. Phir der saare baatein karte hai… Teek hai?"

"Done!" Anu said and went back to her food.

As she was finishing the food, Anu said, "Mami, aap kal sandwich banake khilayenge mujhe? Aap jaisa sandwich koi nahin bana sakta. It's the best sandwich, I tell you"

Bani was taken aback. She did not expect Anu to ask something like this all of a sudden. It was something they shared during the earlier days when they had met and during the earlier days of her marriage. Bani did not want to disappoint her, that too, at this time when she had come home for vacation from hostel. "Okay. Lekin, its not the best sandwich, just that you like it."

Anu seconded it. "That's exactly what I meant. It's the best sandwich I ever had."

Bani smiled at what she said. Somewhere in her mind, a voice said, 'Chalo, achcha hua. Kisi ko toh mera kuch toh achcha laga!'

Anu and Bani were so engrossed in their conversation that they did not notice the question and surprise dangling in other's faces.

Anu suddenly said, "Aise kyun dekh rahe hai, mamu? Aapko toh pata hoga!"

Jai looked at Bani. He had never seen her in the kitchen except during the early days of their marriage, when she used to help Masi, Dadi and Tony. He was getting to hear another side of Bani. Jai just answered, "Kuch nahin!" and went back to finish the food. He wondered in his mind, 'How come everyone noticed and knew some or other thing about her, except him?' His immediate answer was, 'If only he had given some attention to Bani!'

***

After the dinner was over, Anu landed in Jai and Bani's room. "Main aa sakti hoon, na?" She asked as she entered.

"Aaja, aaja." Jai said as he was was taking tablets for Bani.

Anu came and sat near Bani. She watched Jai giving tablets to Bani. She waited for Bani to finish having her medicines.

Bani gulped all her tablets and turned her attention to Anu. "Toh bata. Kaisa tha ek saal?"

Anu made herself comfortable on the bed. Anu's eyes followed Jai, keeping back all the medicines on the side table. Then she said, "Mami, chalo na… garden pe jaake baatein karte hai…" Bani looked at Jai. Anu nudged her, "Chalo naa…"

Jai turned back to them. He noticed Bani looking at him. He asked Anu little seriously, "Kya main bhi allowed hoon?"

Anu, who by then had stood up, said, "Nahin. Yeh girls' talk hai. Aapko pasand nahin aayega." She said little precautiously.

Jai wanted to say, 'Let me decide it!'. Then stopped himself. He looked at Bani and said, "Okay!"

Anu left the room with her arms around Bani. Jai looked at their retreating back till the door closed behind them. Then took a magazine from the table and tried to read it.

***

Anu took Bani to the garden before which she asked Tony to switch on the lights in the garden. Anu sat in the swing and left the other half for Bani to sit. Bani sat on the grass, taking Anu by surprise.

"Aap neeche kyun baite hai?" Anu asked.

"Kyun? Nahin bait sakti kya?" Bani asked.

"Aisi baat nahin hai…" Anu said getting up from the swing and sat beside Bani.

Bani turned a little to face Anu and asked, "Bata, kya baat hai?"

Anu did not reply, kept her head bent down.

Bani frowned. "Anu…" She called her. Then she raised her head by placing her fingers on her chin. "Kya baat hai?"

Anu hesitated. "Mami… I feel… I don't know why… but I feel… I should not have taken science…" Bani was startled. Anu continued, "Its not that I am feeling difficult… not that I don't feel difficult… but… par mujhse jo nahin raha hai… I mean… main apna dimaag tanda nahin rakh pa rahi hoon. Hamesha nervousness hota rehta hai. Kaash kahin score nahin kar paaon toh?"

Bani just looked at her as she spoke. When Anu looked for her answer, she said, "Toh kya panda chahti ho?"

Anu immediately said, "Kuch bhi Mami… koi bhi lively subject… I should feel alive."

Bani thought for a minute. Her mind went back to past and came back. She spoke slowly, "Dekho Anu… Main yeh decide nahin kar sakti ki tum yeh pado ya woh pado. Either tumhein decide karna hai ya phir tumhare parents ko." When Anu started to protest, she continued, "Par main ek baat bata sakti hoon. Tum socho… apne aap se pooch ki tum kya chahti ho… Phir samjho ki tum kya karna chahti ho… Phir decide karo ki yahi karna chahti. Uske baad jaake apne parents se baat karoge toh woh tumhare marzi ke khilaaf nahin ja sakte. I can assure that. Lekin, decide tumhein karna hai…" She noticed Anu thinking. She continued, "Ab toh group change nahin kar sakte. Ek saal aur mehnat karo. Do mahine mein decide karo ki tum kya karna chahti ho. Phir jab college ke admission karane ke waqt, hum decide karenge…"

Anu made a face. Then said, "Mami… aap toh bahut achche advice de rahe hai…" She said in a teasing tone.

Bani flared at her and caught her ears. "Badmash ladki… Bahut bolne lagi ho…"

Anu said, "Kya karoon? Poore ek saal ki baat karni hai na!"

Bani smiled slightly little sadly. "Aisi baatein kyun kar rahi ho?"

Anu just shrugged her shoulders and kept her head on Bani's lap. Bani caressed her curly hair affectionately.

Suddenly, Bani realized something. She replayed what she spoke to Anu few minutes back. She was shocked for a minute. They say 'Practice before you preach'. But she did not do so. She wasn't like that. Then how come suddenly? She replayed all that happened in the last one and half years of her life. Her zestful life with Anu… Her marriage with Jai… Her coming back to Walia Mansion… Jai behaving strangely… Her confusion… Anu going to hostel… Her being alone… Her resuming her sketching… Her leading a separate life in the house… Jai making love to her… The truth behind her marriage… Her running away… Jai taking care of her… Her coming to know about her pregnancy… Bani shook her head from her thoughts. She married Jai because she wanted to be with him and his family. That was her decision. So what she trusted Jai and he broke it? She had taken a decision; but why did she go back? Why was she having second thoughts about her decision? Now that Jai is behaving with her normally, why could she not accept him? Why could not she accept the truth? He had told several times that he loved her. Why couldn't she accept it and believe him? Why is she holding back? Why she was backing off? Suddenly, she felt she was wrong…! All her perceptions lacked logic. She had surrendered herself to her fear that she was not able to think straight. What was she going to do now? What exactly was she afraid of and about?

She felt Anu getting up. She looked at her. Anu said, "Chalo Mami… mujhe neend aa rahi hai. Andar chalte hai…" Saying Anu got up.

Bani nodded and got up. She walked into the house lost in her thoughts.

Anu bid her 'Good Night' and walked towards her room. Bani slowly climbed the stairs deep in thoughts. When she entered the room, she found Jai reading a book… no, in fact a magazine.

He looked at her and said, "Aa gayi? Main tumhein bulanewala tha…" Jai felt there was something wrong looking at her face. He got up and walked to her. "Kya baat hai, Bani?"

Bani looked at him. She remembered him saying 'I love you, Bani' in the evening. What about her?

"Bani…" Jai held her shoulders.

Bani came out from her thoughts, "Uh!"

Jai looked with a question in his face.

Bani smiled and shook her head. She walked to her cupboard and took a night dress. She went to bathroom to change leaving a completely baffled Jai behind.

Jai watched Bani entering the bathroom. He wondered what was wrong. He remembered the smile which she gave him – For a change, it was not forced. He walked to the bed and sat down confused.

Bani came out of the bathroom and noticed Jai deep in thoughts. She took the magazine from the bed and placed it on the table. Then, she came and sat beside him. Jai looked at her. Next second, she placed her head on his shoulder hugging his arm. Jai was completely taken aback. He heard her asking, "Aapko neend nahin aa rahi hai?"

Jai looked at her for a second and responded. "Chalo…" and got up. He went and lied on his side. By then, Bani had lied down on her side. When Jai switched off the bedside lamp and turned to face her, he was completely taken away by surprise. Bani placed her head on his chest and snuggled close to him. Jai stopped responding for few seconds. Then, he slowly put his arms around her and brought her closer to him.

"Good Night!" Bani whispered.

Jai smiled and said, "Good Night!" and went to sleep.

Thanks for reading 😳

hey abhi

OMG that was amazing! Bani realizing that this whole time there is something there, unbeknownst to her that is holding her back... and the fact that she is realizing that this whole time JW does love her! Amazing two parts! Loved both of them. Your story and portrayal of Bani in turmoil is superb! Cant wait for the next update!

wow!!

omg you fixed it well

Abhilasha,

such a sweet part thanks

Good to see bani thinking about her behavior, aloofness from the family especailly Jai. She now knows that Jai does care about her & she is trying to change herself . Jai will love to see the new Bani.

I thoughht Bani has regressed in her mental age . But the way she responded & adviced Bani shows that she has enclosed herself in a shell & will slowly come out of it on her own.😊