FF:Broken Dreams&... Note Page 104 3/9 - Page 37

Bani is certainly improving, that is a good sign.......when there is Pia, there will be problem.....is she trying to create problem?

Originally posted by: abhilashasharma

Sorry... just busy with something....

Wanted to let you know that i will be continuing from next week... after completing the SS... which has been dragging for days... i am not able to concentrate on both... hope u ppl understand...

and thanks Hkaurk22 for bringing the topic to the front

Originally posted by: abhilashasharma

Sorry... just busy with something....

Wanted to let you know that i will be continuing from next week... after completing the SS... which has been dragging for days... i am not able to concentrate on both... hope u ppl understand...

and thanks Hkaurk22 for bringing the topic to the front

Part 28B

Bani sat in the study and arranged her things. She had come to the study to work as per Jai said. But, she did not fail to keep the door to balcony open. She liked to see outside, to the sky and hear the rustles of the air made on the trees. After sometime she had started working, she had a clarification about the background color, she immediately called Pushkar and clarified. Pushkar was surprised. Never before, Bani asked for more information than he gave her. It showed her interest towards the work she was doing.

She had lunch at the right time, but not before being reminded by Masi and Anu. Anu was busy unpacking her things and sorting out that she did not pay attention to what Bani was doing. Bani continued with her work without any distraction and disturbance. Jai had called Masi earlier and informed her to keep an eye on what Bani was doing and not to disturb her much.

Bani, by evening finished one of the designs. This time, she tried in doing texture painting. It did not come out the best of what she thought, but she was happy with the outcome. Yet, it did not count in the number of designs she was supposed to make. When she looked at the time, it had already crossed five. She remembered that she had to call Pia. She wondered whether to call then or later. After few minutes of thinking, she decided to have tea and then call. She placed her things as it was and went downstairs.

Masi was coming out of the kitchen. "Main tumhein bulane hi wali thi. Yahaan baito. Main tumhein nimbu ka chai leke aati hoon." And she went inside.

Bani sat in the living room waiting for tea. Dadi came from her room. "Arey Bani… soyi kya?" she asked and sat beside Bani.

"Nahin Dadi… Pushkar ne kuch kaam diya hai. Isliye kaam kar rahi thi." She replied.

"Achcha achcha… Lekin thodi der so liya hota, fresh lagti na?" Dadi said.

"Neend nahin aa rahi thi, Dadi…" Bani said.

Anu came out freshly. She sat beside Bani, "Hello Mami…" she said as she yawned.

Dadi said, "Arey itni der so rahi thi. Kaafi nahin thi kya?" Dadi asked.

"Dadi…" she yawned again. "Zyada so gayi shayad…"

Masi came out carrying Bani's tea. "Yeh lo, Bani…" she gave the tea to Bani. She turned to the other two. "Tum log ut gaye? Mujhe laga kal subah hi utoge…" Masi teased.

"Kya karoon Billo? Kal raat ko do picture toh dekhi maine. Neend toh aayega hi…" Dadi said.

"Beeji, aap din mein toh picture dekh sakte hai. raat ko kyun dekha rahe hai?" Masi said.

"Arey, tumhein kya pata? Raat ko picture dekhne ka maza hi kuch aur hai." She winked.

Bani smiled into her cup.

***

After having tea, she came back to the study. She took out her mobile and called her Pia. The call went unattended. She tried again. She waited patiently.

At last, Pia picked up. "Hello…"

"Hello di… main Bani. Aap busy toh nahin hai na?"

"Nahin… abhi abhi main jaake manager ko report deke aayi hoon. Batao kya baat hai?" Pia said.

"Aap hi ko batana hai. Subah phone kiya tha na?" Bani said.

"Mmmm… at last… batao, kaise ho?"

"Ji, teek hoon. Aap batao…"

"Main toh ek dum first class." Pia smiled. "Toh tum khana teek waqt par kha rahi ho na?" she asked.

"Haan, kha rahi hoon. Masi hai na. Agar mujhe kuch pasand nahin aaya toh masi aur dadi milkar mujhe kuch aur banake dete hai." Bani said.

"Wow… Toh tumhein Maa ki zaroorat hi nahin padegi…" Pia said in a teasing, yet sarcastic way.

Bani's face fell. Her voice lowered. "Aise kyun keh rahe ho, didi?" Bani asked slowly.

"Pehle bachche ke liye ladki maayka jo aati hai… bhool gayi kya?" Pia said.

Bani hesitated. She wondered whether she would also be going! She said, "Didi… Humne… humne ab tak… maa-papa se baat nahin ki…"

"Pata hai." Pia replied. There was silence. "Kehne ka irada hai ki nahin?" Pia asked.

Bani's eyes trickled with tears. "Kya karoon, di?"

"Dekho Bani… jo bhi hua, use bhool jao. Unse baat karo. Unhein achcha lagega. Tum bhi miss kar rahi hogi na?" Pia said.

"Lekin, woh toh humse naaraaz hai…" Bani said.

"Kab tak naaraaz rahenge? Ek baar baat karo, unka gussa gaayab ho jaayega…" Pia made her understand.

Bani remembered what Jai said in the morning, Maine keh diya ki jab tak woh log humare rishtey ko nahin apnayenge, tab tak main baat nahin karoonga. She said, "Lekin unko pasand nahin hoga…"

"Bani, kisi ko toh pehla kadam lena hi padega na?" Pia said.

"Lekin, humne koi galti nahin ki, didi…" Bani argued.

"Lekin, bhaagke toh shaadi ki thi?" Pia asked back.

"Bhaagke kahaan? Pehle bata diya tha na maine… ki mujhe yeh shaadi manzoor hai…" Bani said.

"Lekin yeh shaadi tumhari manmaani hai…" Pia said. "Dekh Bani… Unhein laga hoga ki tum shaadi ke baad khush nahin rahogi. Shayad isliye mana kiya hoga…"

Bani's mind said, 'Teen mahine toh tha na… woh ek baar Jai se mil toh lete…' She felt the conversation was going no where. She said, "Main unse poochti hoon. Warna aap hi bata dena… Main phone rakhti hoon." And she ended the call abrubtly.

She wondered what to do. Jai had made clear that he would not call her parents. But Pia was also right. Someone had to take the first step. She decided and dialed the residence number of Delhi.

After few rings, Kiran attended. "Hello…"

Bani became stiff for a second, then she said, "Hello maa…" After a pause, she said, "Main Bani…"

After few seconds, she asked bluntly, "Kyun phone kiya?" Bani swallowed. She did not say anything. She had never spoken anything against her. "Yeh jaanne ke liye ki hum zinda hai ki nahin?" She asked rudely.

"Maa… woh main…" Bani started.

"Maa mat kehna… samjhi? Ab maa ki yaad aayi… Ab tak kahaan thi? Kyun chod diya kya usne?" Anger overflowing in Kiran's voice.

This time, Bani spoke firmly, "Woh mujhe kabhi nahin chodenge."

"Achcha? Itna vishwaas hai uspar?" Kiran asked sarcastically. "Isliye humara muh kaala karke bhaag gayi kya? Kabhi kabhi lagta hai ki tu meri beti hai ki nahin…"

"Main batake toh shaadi ki…" Bani said.

"Kya fark padta hai? Baat ek hi toh hai?" Kiran shouted.

"Woh bahut achcha hai, maa…" Bani said slowly stifling her sob.

"Haan, haan… woh achcha hi hoga. Tumhein toh humesha gairon achche hai, aur apne toh dushman hi hai na?" She let out an angry breath. "Ab phone kyun kiya? Abhi abhi tumhare papa isse baahar aa rahe hai, tumse dekhi nahin gayi kya? Chain toh loot liya. Kamse kam humein jee toh do?" Kiran yelled.

Bani immediately disconnected the call forgetting the reason for calling. She started to tremble with anger, confusion and memories. Tears started to flow from her eyes. She clenched and unclenched her hand continuously. Her stomach started to clench as she sobbed silently.

She did not know how long she was in that state. This was how Jai found her, when he entered the study smiling. But the smile vanished as soon as his gaze landed on Bani.

Flashback 6

Surprise Proposal

Jai arrived on Friday two weeks later. He was relieved to have returned back to the home country. He had arrived early morning, so he went straight to bed. He woke up at 8 AM. He yawned lazily and refreshed before going downstairs to join for late breakfast.

He joined the family members. "Kitne dinon ke baad ghar ka khana…" He took his seat.

Everybody smiled at him.

Aditya said, "Welcome home, Jai…"

"Thanks Aditya." Jai said and served him breakfast.

The whole breakfast time went with everyone enquiring about Jai's travel, stay and comfort abroad. Jai replied to them patiently. After finishing breakfast, Aditya and Jigyasa got up to leave for work.

Jai said, "Aditya, main late aata hoon."

Aditya smiled in reply and left with Jigyasa.

Jai finished his breakfast and went to his room. He got ready leisurely and left for work. He needed to look over the two months work before the coming Monday.

The whole day passed away in checking updates, reports and figures. Aditya waited for Jai to finish his work. While driving back home, Jai leaned his head back and closed his eyes as he sat in the back seat.

Aditya slowly started the topic which he did not speak for the past month. "Jai…"

"Hmmm…" Jai responded.

"Toh kya socha hai?" He asked.

Jai frowned. "Kis baare mein?" he asked still not opening his eyes.

Aditya paused. "Bani ke baare mein…" He said. Jai immediately opened his eyes and looked at him. He made a mistake by looking at Aditya. Aditya immediately understood. "Kab decide karnewale ho, Jai?" He asked.

Jai swallowed. "Ab tak toh mila bhi nahin hoon…" he said to drop the topic.

"Sunday ko aayegi…" Aditya said as a statement.

Jai closed his eyes in confusion. It took a lot of control to stop the ongoing thoughts. He sighed.

***

Bani came to Walia house as usual like the previous Sundays, a little later than breakfast. She entered the house as usual. She was not informed about the return of Jai. She dropped her bag on the table and went to kitchen as usual to grab herself a glass of water. Tony smiled at her. He had gotten used to her, who came only on Sundays. She smiled back and went back to the living room. When she found no one, she walked towards Anu's room and knocked it. When she got no reply, she opened the door hesitantly and looked inside. The room was empty. She closed the door behind her.

She saw a servant approaching. She stopped him and asked, "Anu kahaan hai?"

"Ji, sab log garden pe baite hai." He said and left.

Bani walked towards the garden. She let out a smile of relief when she saw the family sitting in the garden. She slowly approached them.

"Arey Bani… kab aayi?" Dadi asked.

"Abhi aayi." She sat beside her and asked, "Yahaan kyun baite hai sab log?"

Aditya said, "Socha ki yahin breakfast kar le."

Bani smiled and nodded. "Breakfast ho gaya?"

"Haan… abhi abhi hua…" Masi replied.

Aditya and Jigyasa exchanged glances, their glances passed to Masi and Dadi. Atlast, Aditya said, "Bani… tum Jai se mile?"

Bani frowned in surprise. "Woh wapas aa gaya kya?"

"Haan. Study mein hoga shayad." Aditya said.

Bani gave a big smile, which caused her eyes to shrink and cheeks to deepen resulting in small dimple.

Aditya observed her expressions carefully. "Miloge nahin?" He asked cautiously.

"Abhi?" Bani asked with her eyes widened.

"Haan, abhi…" Jigyasa said.

"Chalo didi, main leke jaati hoon." Anu got up.

"Anu tu bait. Tujhse kuch kaam hai. Bani, tum jao." Jigyasa said.

Bani got up immediately and walked towards the house. She knew study was in first floor. She climbed the stairs fast. She was breathing fast. She did not whether it was excitement or due to climbing the stairs fast. She reached the door to the study and stopped. How was he going to be? How was she going to behave with him? So many years passed. She stopped in her thoughts. Still, she would be happy to just see him, after all, he was her only friend in her childhood. She smiled and knocked the door.

A powerful voice emerged from inside. "Come in."

Bani's internals shook in the voice. She opened the door and entered the room. She saw him sitting behind the desk working on his laptop on his side and a file in front of him. She found that he had put on weight too. Earlier, he was too thin. Even, his few strands of white hair on the front showed his age. He had become a powerful man possessing a powerful personality. At that moment, she wondered whether he would recognize her. She stood rooted to the spot starin at him as she drank his appearance and got lost in her thoughts.

Jai, who did not look at the door to find who had entered, waited for the person to speak up. After a few seconds of silence, he frowned and looked at the door. When he recognized the person standing at the door, he was completely stunned. He was completely shoked to see Bani at this time. He was caught off-guard. He looked at her soft face, big eyes staring at him, hair loosely held by a clip at the back, her simple salwar kameez on her lean body. She had really grown into a fine woman. He could read her anxiety and doubt in her face. She was yet to speak, but he completely agreed with what Aditya told him that she was still the same. He doubted they would share the same relation they shared in the past. He found her nostrils flaring as she tried to control her tears. By then, her doubts had transformed into disappointment and hurt. He swallowed. Here the girl whom his parents had decided to be his life-partner was standing in front of him and he was just staring at her various vulnerable emotions. He remembered his mother saying that she needed him. But why would she need him? She was grown-up good looking girl. Everybody would like her. Then why would she need him? But he needed her more than she needed him – that was what his mother told him. Was it true? He could see the same hurt in her face which he had seen before 8 years, when he had left her crying.

They kept staring at each other for a long time. Atlast, it was Jai who broke the gaze by closing his eyes. Tears threatened to fall from her eyes at the thought that Jai did not recognize her. She turned back to leave the room. As she turned the knob, she heard him calling her, "Bani…" She stopped breathing for few seconds. Slowly, tears of happiness mingled with her smile on her face. Yet, she did not turn back. But, she heard him approaching her. After few seconds, she felt his hand on her shoulder. He turned her to see her so that she could see him. He found her crying as she smiled. This time, she did not hug him like she did the previous time. Jai held her shoulders and brought her little closer to him. This time, they stared at each other in recognition.

That moment, he made the decision. But what he did not know was, what they thought about each other. Yet, he did not want to delay further.

He asked, "Mujhse shaadi karogi, Bani?"