FF:Broken Dreams&... Note Page 104 3/9 - Page 41

hey gr8 part

Hey Abhi.... lovely update.... wonder how initial days of their marriage was.... looking forward to next part .... do cont soon....

wow had to read a few parts again to pick up the story :)

Abhilasha,

Hi all, hope you all had a nice christmas bash... 😃

I am posting the next part... Actually, the way you people raise question regarding the behaviour of the characters and the situation is helping a lot for me to write in a better way... thank you so much ppl... 🤗

Here goes the next part:

Flashback 6

Tension and Confusion

During lunch, Jai let the family members know that Bani had agreed for the marriage. There was mixed reactions from them. Jigyasa frowned. She looked from Bani to Jai to Aditya, but she noticed Aditya lowered head towards the plate. She decided to speak with him later. But, she wondered why Bani agreed to the marriage. Anu was genuinely happy. She said, "Toh aap meri mami bannewale hai? Congratulations!" Masi and Dadi was shocked and surprised with the sudden developments. They were happy that Jai was getting married. They were more happy that Jai was getting married to the same girl chosen by Krishna and Uday. But, after meeting Bani, they doubted whether she would agree to the marriage. So, now they were shocked.

Bani concentrated on her food, rather than noticing people.

Dadi made a comment, "Ek baat toh hai, Billo." Everyone looked at Dadi. Dadi said, "Bani badal gayi hai."

Bani frowned, "Kaise Dadi?"

"Haan, pehle toh humare ghar mein khane ka naam hi nahin lethi thi. Ab dekho lunch kar rahi hai." Dadi said innocently yet jovially.

Bani smiled and said, "Woh dadi, maa ko bilkul pasand nahin mera doosron ke ghar mein khana. Isliye…"

Jai looked at her curiously and asked, "Toh tum apne maa ki marzi ke bina kuch nahin karogi?"

It was a sort of serious statement that Bani went speechless. Everyone's attention went to Bani. She could very well have answered the question, but where would she start? She stared at Jai wondering what to say.

At that time, Anu said, "C'mon Mamu. Bani didi badi ho gayi hai. Unko decisions lena aata hai. Aur waise bhi, unke parents Delhi mein hai. Agar unhein har baat ke liye apni maa se poochna pade toh telephone bill ke liye paise kaun dega?" She chuckled.

The tension in the lunch air reduced with Anu's comment.

Dadi said, "Shabaash beta. Tu toh bilkul apni maa pe nahin gayi. Bahut khush hoon." That only earned a stare from Jigyasa.

But, that did not stop Jai waiting for an answer. He still waited for an answer. Bani lowered her head. What would she say? That she no longer asked for her parents' opinions or she had replied him without discussing with anyone or that it was nearly eight months that she had visited them. She sighed.

"Bani didi. Relax. Aap itna serious kyun ho rahi hai?" Anu asked.

Bani smiled at her and frowned slightly as she went back into her thoughts.

Jai said, " Masi, Bani pehle apna college complete karna chahti hai. Isliye shaadi ka tareeq uske baad nikalwa dena."

Masi said, "Lekin beta, Bani ke papa aur maa se baat karni hai na?"

Jai stiffened. "Uski fikar mat kijiye. Main kar loonga."

The way he said and the tone he said, made Bani raise her head and look at him. The tradition was that the elders should speak and decide the marriage. But… what was happening? She suddenly realized, she did not know him at all. A tint of fear entered her mind at that moment.

Masi said, "Kya keh rahe ho tum, Jai? Baat badon ko karna hai. Isliye hum baat karenge. Samjhe? Tum is beech mein mat padna…" She said strictly.

"Masi, shaadi hum donon ko karni hai. Unke maanne ya na maanne se yeh shaadi nahin rukegi. Humari shaadi hoke rahegi." Jai said carelessly.

Everyone was taken aback. Bani was shocked. Where was this discussion heading to?

Masi said, "Kya ho gaya tumhein? Tum baat kar rahe ho aise? Jai, tumhein pata hai---"

Bani interrupted her. "Masi…" Everyone turned at Bani. Bani said, "Masi, main unse baat karti hoon, pehle. Baad mein aap log aa jaayiye."

Masi looked from Bani to Jai, then she told Bani, "Teek hai, beta. Kab baat karnewale ho?"

Bani wondered. She squeezed her brain to remember when her holidays were coming. But, there were not much holidays. She thought she should speak to Pushkar. She said, "Masi, main kal aapko batati hoon. Main phone pe baat nahin kar sakti. Ghar zaroor jaana hai. Main aapko kal batati hoon."

Masi smiled, "Teek hai, beta."

***

"Aditya, yeh kya ho raha hai?" Jigyasa asked Aditya once they were alone.

"Kiske baare mein pooch rahe ho?"

"Aditya, anjaan banne ki koshish mat karna."

Aditya stayed silent.

"Kal tak jab maa, papa zinda the, tab unhone is shaadi ke raazi nahin huye. Aur aaj woh keh rahe hai ki unhone Bani se pooch liya, aur Bani ne haan kar di. What's happening, Aditya?"

"Jigyasa, give them some time." He said. Jigyasa shook her head in disbelief. "Jai ke baare mein pata nahin. Lekin… lekin, Bani Jai se pyar nahin karti."

"What?"

"Haan, agar karti bhi hai, toh use pata nahin."

"Toh usne haan kyun kaha? Woh bhi uske parents se pooche bina?"

"Maine Bani se poocha. Bani ne sirf kaha ki woh humse door hona nahin chahti."

"That's ridiculous, Aditya. This is so immature."

"Ho sakta hai. Lekin, woh Jai ko bahut pasand karti hai. Bahut. Waise bhi, woh pehle se hi Jai ko bahut pasand karti hai. Tumhein toh pata hai…"

"Pata hai. Lekin Jai bhaiya?" She shook her head.

"Dekhte hai. Bani ke maa, baap kya kehte hai…" Aditya let out a deep breath.

Jigyasa was in thoughts.

"Kya soch rahi ho?"

"Agar Bani ne maa, baab shaadi ke liye raazi nahin huye, toh?" Aditya frowned at her. Jigyasa said, "Bani ne bhi us sawaal ka jawaab nahin diya…"

Aditya too thought about it. Then said, "Jo hoga dekha jaayega…"

***

Bani called Pushkar.

"Hi, Bani… What a surprise?" Pushkar exclaimed.

"Hi Pushkar. Woh actually…" Bani stretched.

"Batao Bani, kya baat hai?" Pushkar asked.

"Main shaadi kar rahi hoon…" Bani broke out the news.

"Kya?" Pushkar felt the sky had fell on him.

"Haan, I mean… shaadi ke liye haan kar di." Bani explained.

Pushkar was at loss of words. At last, he asked, "Kis se?"

"Jai se…"

"Jai?"

"Jai Walia…"

"Achanak?"

"Usne mujhse poocha. Main haan kar di…"

Pushkar paused. "Tumhare maa, papa se baat huyi?"

Bani hesitated. "Isliye toh tumhein phone kar rahi hoon…"

Pushkar was taken aback. "What the hell do you mean by that? Baat ki ya nahin?"

Bani, after a few seconds said, "Nahin…"

"Pooche bina haan kar di?"

"Haan…"

"What's wrong with you Bani?"

Bani said with her breaking voice, "Mujhe ghar wapas nahin jaana… Mujhe akela nahin rehna…"

Pushkar closed his eyes and wiped his face. He said softly, "Akela kahaan, Bani? Main hoon na?"

"Kab tak? Hamesha toh nahin reh sakte na?" Bani asked sadly.

"Bani, tum meri behen jaisi ho… Hamesha rahoonga tumhare saath… Aisi baatein kyun kar rahe ho?"

Bani sniffled. "Woh sab chodo. Ab batao. Kya karein?"

Pushkar sighed, "Mujhe nahin pata tha ki tum itna bada toofan leke aaoge, ek din… How could you, Bani? At least, ek baat mujhse pehle hi batate…"

"Pehle hi toh bata rahi hoon. Sab se pehle…"

"Very funny."

"Batao na… kya karein?"

"You know what, you are taking advantage of me… No, is baar tum khud baat karo. Tumhare peeche main khada rahoonga. Lekin, is baar aage nahin…"

"Mujhe tumhare saath chahiye…"

"Saath kaise Bani. Main toh unhein jaanta tak nahin hoon. Toh main kaise tumhari baat maan sakta hoon?" Pushkar reasoned.

"Ek baar aake mil lo…"

"Bani… why are so stubborn? This time, tum baat karoge. Samjhe? Main tumhare peeche kada rahoonga. Kyunki yeh tumhare zindagi ka eham faisla hai."

Bani stayed silent. After sometime she said, "Teek hai. Lekin tum ek baar mil toh lo…"

Pushkar thought for a second. Then said, "Jab Mumbai aaoonga, tab sochenge. Teek hai?"

"Okay."

"Ek baat batao. Tumne haan kaise keh di? Tumne soch liya na?"

"Haan, Pushkar. Ismein na kehnewali baat nahin hai."

"Aise kyun keh rahi ho?"

"Mujhe Jai waise hi pasand hai. Bas, yehi kaafi hai mere liye."

"Isse poori zindagi nahin chalti, Bani…"

"Main uske saath rahoongi toh teek hi hoongi…"

Pushkar sighed. "Jaise tumhari marzi. Teek hai, ab batao, kab aa rahi ho?"

"Tum batao."

"Bani, tumhein baat karni hai…"

Bani paused, "Main college calendar dekhke phone karti hoon."

"Teek hai. Kal batana."

"Hmmm…"

"Ab chalo, so jao… Good night…"

"Good night, Pushkar." Bani ended the call.

Bani looked into the calendar. There were not many holidays. Then, there was also College Day coming. May be, she could go at that time.

***

The next Sunday, when she went to Walia house, she informed Masi and Dadi that she would be going to meet her parents the next month and that she would speak to them then.

Meanwhile, Jai did not move with her a lot. He always maintained a distance.

One day, she confronted him. She wanted to refer him 'tum' but his aloofness and the distance did not allow her to take that right. She asked him, "Aap mujhse baat kyun nahin kar rahe hai?"

Jai looked at her. He felt odd being referred as 'aap'. He asked, "Kyun? Kya hua?"

"Wohi main pooch rahi hoon."

Jai stayed silent for a moment. Then said, "Dekho Bani. Waqt badal gaye hai. Haalad badal gaye hai. Mere upar bahut responsibilities hai."

"Iska matlab yeh nahin ki insaan khud badal jaaye…!"

Jai looked at her and said, "Main bhi badal gaya hoon, Bani. Apna business hai, apna company hai…"

"Pehle bhi tha. Ek hotel. Jismein sab log kaam karte the?"

"Ab main jo bhi hoon kayi guna zyada hoon…"

"Aap khud ka mol laga rahe hai?"

Jai was taken aback. "Nahin, apne baare mein bata raha hoon."

"Yeh sab mujhe nahin jaanna…"

Jai laughed dryly. "Really!"

"Jaanke kya karoongi?"

He wanted to say 'Apni maa se poocho' then stopped himself. He left the place.

Bani was left confused. Now she seriously doubted the reason why he wanted to marry her.

***

Jai informed Aparajit a week later that he was going to marry.

"At last!" Aparajit was surprise a lot. "Kaun hai bhai woh ladki?" he asked curiously.

After a silence, Jai said, "Bani…"

Aparajit frowned in thoughts. "Bani?"

"Haan, Bani…"

Aparajit thought for few seconds. "Naam kahin suna hua lag raha hai."

"Tumhein pata hai…"

"Mujhe pata hai? Kaise?"

"Maine bataya hai…"

"Kab?"

"Wohi ladki jisse mere maa, papa shaadi karwana chahte the."

Aparajit was shocked in surprise. "Kahaan mili? Kaise?"

Jai sighed. "Woh humein dhoondke nikhaal hi liya…"

"So… kaisi lag rahi hai?" Aparajit asked slowly.

Jai thought for a second. "Achchi hai. Aditya keh raha hai ki woh bilkul waisi hi hai…" He said.

Aparachit frowned. "Kyun? Tumhein aise nahin lag raha hai?"

Jai took a deep breath.

"Batao, Jai. Tumhein kaise lagi?"

Jai did not say anything.

"Jai, tumse kuch pooch raha hoon…"

Jai could remember the happiness of recognition on her face.

"Achchi hai. Maa ki pasand kabhi galat nahin ho sakti."

"So, kab milwa rahe ho?"

"Jald hi. Tum kab aa rahe ho yahaan?"

"Kaam toh nahin hai… Dekhte hai…" He sighed. "Dekho, Jai. Unless and until you are of this marriage, please don't do it… Baad mein pachthana na pade…"

"I understand. Lekin, mujhe yeh shaadi karni hai…" Jai said finally.

"Alright then, kab hai shaadi?"

"Bataoonga zaroor."

"Okay, bahut ho gaya. Phone rakhta hoon."

"Haan. Bye…" Jai ended the call.

Jai closed his eyes and leaned back on the chair.

***

Jai's aloofness disturbed Bani a lot. She also noticed not once ever anything was mentioned about Krishna and Uday. It surprised her a lot. She decided to speak to him. At last, she caught him.

"Aap mujhse shaadi kyun karna chahte hai?" She asked.

Jai frowned, "Kya matlab?"

"Wohi, kyun shaadi karna chahte hai mujhse?" she asked again.

"Maine kaha naa, main tumse shaadi karna chahta hoon." Jai said with controlled temper.

"Wohi, kyun shaadi karna chahte hai?" she asked again.

Jai gritted his teeth.

Bani waited for his answer. She said, "Koi toh wajah hoga naa?"

Jai looked straight at her face and said, "Kyunki main hamesha tumhein apne saamne dekhna chahta hoon. Apne paas…" And he left before Bani could interpret what he said and react.

What did he mean? It could be taken in many ways. Bani was confused. She decided to take it in a positive way. She smiled to herself.

***

Bani had booked her tickets. She was scheduled to leave on Wednesday night. She informed the Walia family.

When she was left alone with Jai, she smiled at him.

Jai asked, "Tumne mere sawaal ka jawaab nahin diya."

Bani narrowed her brows, "Kaunsa sawaal?"

Jai gave time for her to recollect. Then he said, "Yehi, agar tumhari maa shaadi ke liye nahin maani, toh tum kya karogi?"

Bani did not want to think about that. She was keeping her fingers crossed for a positive reply. Here Jai was asking an answer for an alternate situation. She did not say anything.

"Bani…"

"Maine socha nahin…" she said softly.

Jai got up. "Soch lena…" and he left the place.

Bani looked at the retreating figure.

Thanks for reading

Me First HO HO HO.....

interesting part- y does jai want to marry bani, she seems to want an escape from da loneliness

meee

wonderful part Abhi....

hey abhi