FF:Broken Dreams&... Note Page 104 3/9 - Page 29

wow I get 2 read updates in a day.....something unexpected from Abhilasha .😆.........Anu's presence is helping Bani........hope Bani keeps suprising Jai 😆....they both deserve some happiness........nice part.......please continue......

yay!!...

Part 27A

Jai woke up the next morning alone in the bed. He turned his head to look at the clock. It showed 7:25 AM. He sighed and wiped his face with his hand. After a second, his mind raced, 'Where is Bani?' He immediately got up from the bed to search Bani only to be delayed by the nature's call. He went into the bathroom and emerged few minutes later. 'Kahaan chali gayi?' he wondered and went in search of her. As he stepped down the stairs, he sighed. He found her sitting in the living room and reading newspaper.

He went and sat beside her. "Good Morning!" he said and picked up main newspaper.

Bani replied back her "Good Morning" not lifting her eyes from the newspaper for the next two seconds. When she looked at him, he was reading newspaper.

"Main chai laaon?" she asked.

"Hmm…" Jai replied reading the front page seriously.

Bani placed the paper down and walked to kitchen. She prepared tea in seconds as the cook had already boiled tea and kept. She only had to mix milk and sugar to that. She prepared and took to Jai. Jai absentmindedly got it from her hand busy reading the news. Bani took the supplementary and continued where she had left before. After reading the front page, Jai sipped his tea and turned to Bani; frowned when he found her reading something seriously. He peeped and looked at what she was reading. It was regarding 'Health Tips'. He smiled and whispered into her ears, "Kya pad rahi ho?"

Bani said, "Hmm?" and finished the paragraph she was reading. Then turned to him and showed him the article she was reading.

Jai read the heading of the article and smiled at her. He asked, "Kab uti?"

"Ek ghante pehle." Bani said. "Aapka chai tanda ho raha hai."

"Hmm." He said and drank his tea.

"Reports kab aa rahi hai?" Bani asked slowly.

It had in fact slipped out of Jai's mind. "Dopehar ko aa jaayega. Main jaake le aaonga." Jai said and finished his tea. "Tumhein kuch chahiye?"

Bani smiled and shook her head. "Nahin. Actually main soch rahi thi ki main jaake le aaon. Aapka time bhi save ho jaayega."

Jai noticed her usage of words. It was not 'waste', but it was 'save'. He smiled and said, "It's okay." He placed his palm on her cheek and said, "Main collect kar loonga."

Bani wanted to argue, but gave up. "Teek hai."

Jai picked up the paper to start reading. Bani stopped him. "Arey, waise bhi paune aat baj gaye hai. Agar aap panda shuru kar denge toh khatam nahin karenge. Utiye. Kaam ke liye tayyar hona hai." Bani collected his tea cup and got up. Jai was happily shocked. Bani nudged him. "Aap nikliye. Main jaake ye cup rake aati hoon." And left for kitchen.

Jai looked at Bani till she disappeared into the kitchen, then got up and climbed the stairs.

***

Jai was choosing his shirt, when Bani entered the room. "Aap jaayiye. Main kapde nikaalke rakthi hoon." Jai looked at her for a second, then picked up the towel and entered the bathroom. After the door closed behind Jai, Bani chose black suit and offwhite shirt for him. She looked into the drawer and took a matching scarf. Then, decided against it and placed it back. She closed the closet and came to the night stand. She picked up his watch, wallet and his pen and kept it on the table beside his office bag. She thought for a second whether she had forgotten anything. Then, she went to the side table and collected her sketch. She sharpened the pencil and started shading. She stopped for a moment and brought the image to her mind, then continued with her shading.

The bathroom door opened after a few minutes. Bani raised her head in habit, immediately bent her head and closed her eyes in embarrassment and kicked her brain mentally. Jai did not notice it. He looked at the dress kept on the end of the bed. He smiled, but the next second, he frowned. "Bani!" he called her.

He heard a muffled "Ji!"

Jai looked from the suit in his hand to Bani. He found her head bent down. He was amused. He asked, "Bani, mera scarf kahaan hai?"

Bani stammered, "Woh…"

"Kya hua, Bani?" Jai asked.

Bani got up, and said, "Ji, scarf ki kya zaroorat? Aise hi teek hai." She completed the sentence difficultly looking at the floor as if searching something.

Jai narrowed his brows. "Woh teek hai, lekin… lekin tum zameen pe kya dhoond rahi ho?"

"Kuch nahin!" came her immediate reply.

Jai placed the suit on the bed and walked to her. Bani felt uncomfortable. "Bani…" he called her. She did not look at him. Jai said, "Bani, mujhe dekho."

Bani slowly raised her head. When her eyes fell on his naked chest, she shut tight. When her head had rose to certain angle, she opened her eyes.

"Kya hua?" Jai asked softly.

She hesitated, then poked his chest with the tip of her forefinger and said, "Mujhe aadat nahin hai na…"

Jai looked down at her finger, then understood. He said, "Aadat ho jaayegi." And smiled widely. All of a sudden, he brought his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him.

Bani gasped in shock and said, "Kya kar rahe hai?"

"Kuch nahin!" Jai said casually.

When she landed on his half-wet chest, she pushed him. "Aap gheele hai…" and turned back.

Jai smiled and shook his head. He then took his dress and entered the bathroom. Bani took a deep breath and calmed herself. Jai came outside after dressing and adjusted his collar and shirt. By then, Bani had composed herself. Jai looked her on the mirror. He turned and went back to her. Bani smiled at him. He pulled her close to him like before and placed a kiss on her forehead. Bani closed her eyes and cherished the moment.

"Suno…" Jai said. Bani opened her eyes. "Kal raat phir se ulti toh nahin ki na?"

"Nahin…" Bani said.

"Good!" Jai said and hugged her.

The phone rang. Jai released Bani and attended the call.

Before he could say "Hello!" the voice came from the other end, "Mami, mera sandwich!" Jai shook his head and gave the receiver to Bani.

Bani said, "Hello!"

"Mami, mera sandwich!" Anu spoke at the other end.

"Anu…! Hum aa rahe hai…" and she placed the receiver back.

"Chalein?" Jai asked.

Bani nodded and followed him.

***

Everyone had assembled for the breakfast when Jai and Bani reached. Bani smiled at everyone; a little unsure at Jigyasa. She looked at Anu, who had not still taken bath. She sighed and took a seat.

"Mami… mera sandwich…!" Anu asked.

Bani said, "Ab toast kha lo. Shaam ko sandwich khate hai. Subah masala khayenge toh pet ke liye utna achcha nahin hai."

"But you promised." Anu frowned.

"I promised today, not specifically, morning…" Bani pointed out.

Everyone stayed out of their conversation. Jigyasa did not sound happy at their conversation. But she could see some changes in Bani. She was not able to point out.

Breakfast was a brief affair. Jai and Aditya finished quickly. Jai gave a glance at Bani and got up, followed up Aditya. They took leave from everyone and left the room.

When Jai reached the door, Bani's voice stopped him, "Suniye!"

Jai turned back. Bani handed him his handkerchief saying, "Good Day…"

Jai smiled thankfully and took it from her. After looking at her for few seconds, he said, "I love you, Bani…"

Bani's face stiffened for a second, then she gave a hesitant smile. Jai patted her cheek and turned back to walk out of the house.

Aditya was waiting in the car. When he saw Bani standing at the door, he smiled at her. Bani gave him a smile saying, "Good day, ahead, Jiju…" Aditya waved her a 'Bye'.

Bani went back into the house once the car left the gates.

***