June 19th Competition Update pg1

Entry #1



Authors Note: The title is taken, for purposes of copyright, from the song Promising sung by Robert Sean Leonard in Chelsea Walls.

She finds the note under her pillow, neatly folded and scribbled in blue ink. It takes her a few seconds to remember, because its clich and the clock just struck twelve and this is it. She doesn't know what to do from here on because she doesn't know where they stand but today, today there is note under her pillow from him and it's the 19^th of June and it's their day, so she forgets all of that. She carefully opens the note and the first thing she sees is that it's not much of a note after all. It's their photograph, one of the first photographs that were taken before they all became damaged and disintegrated into pieces. It's amazing how much can be written on the back of a photograph but his handwriting has always been legible and this looks like something genuine, something true, something that's worth all of last year and the year before that and the years before that.

"I don't believe in letters that start with 'if you're reading this, I'm probably dead' so this is not going to be one of them. I don't know why I'm writing this, I don't even know if you're going to read this, but if you are, I wanted to let you know that today is the day. You haven't forgotten, have you? Of course not. You never forget; not even the least important things. Do you remember how we met? Do you remember talking to me, looking at me and pleading with me for support of some kind? Do you remember all those time when you smiled only because I was happy? Do you remember those days when it used to be just about us? Do you remember a time when we used to kiss and forget about everything else? Of course you remember. You remember every little detail, don't you? It's a perpetual fault of yours: to remember too much about too many things until you aren't even sure if it's all real or if you're just dreaming.

I never had dollhouses, I never really dreamt of an ideal wedding or an ideal life, but when I was young, I used to want a wife. I used to want a wife and a family and perhaps a little dog. I used to wish for a life where there would be Sunday brunches and white picket fences. I used to wish for a life where there would be love. But then I met you and I didn't know what I wished for anymore. You, Bani, came into my life like a storm and uprooted every single thing I ever knew. You ruined me more than anyone else could. You destroyed me more than anyone else could ever possibly dream of. You remember all that, don't you? You made me love you and destroyed me and ruined me and snatched away everything I had from me. But then you fell in love with me or maybe you just developed Stockholm Syndrome but you gave everything back to me. You gave me my life back. And all I ever really wanted to know was why did you ruin me in the first place to give it all back again?

I would say that I loved you and that once upon a time I used to love you very much and that would be a lie. I could say that I used to worship the ground you walked on and that would be a lie. I could say that there was a time when you meant everything to me and that, too, would be a lie. But then you will ask me something like why do we keep coming back over and over and over again and I have to look at you and see your kohl-lined eyes and anything that I might say won't be a lie at all. Why do we keep coming back, Bani? I used to think it was because I loved you and you loved me but it's a lot more than that isn't it? I kept coming back because I needed you, I let you ruin me because ruining myself, destroying single-handedly everything that I owned was a better option to see you ruined, I let you love me because I needed to be loved and I loved you because I needed to love someone. Wouldn't you call it selfish, Bani, that everything I did was because of me? It was me, me and me all over and yet that didn't stop you. You want to think that you won't feel guilty for destroying me, you want to think that I deserve it, but I know you too well. I know you feel guilty, I know you wish to take it all back, I know you wish to make everything right again. I know you stay awake at night because your conscience is burning you. It's a good thing, though; at least it means that you still have something left to lose. It's a lot more than I can say for myself.

Do you remember the day we first met? Do you remember how sunny it was outside, with the birds chirping and the clouds disappearing and the sky looking spectacular? Do you remember the first time you told me you loved me in the drenching rain with your eyes filled with repentance and I might've said something like I forgive you without saying that I love you too? Do you remember the first time we hugged and you told me afterwards that you loved my cologne? Do you remember the first time we kissed under the moonlight and your reflection on the lake nearby and your eyes filled with bliss? Do you remember the time when we got married and you promised to cherish me, cherish us for ever and ever and ever? Do you remember when we first heard that you were going to be a mom and how we celebrated that night that we were finally a family? Do you remember a time when there was nothing more than happiness and prosperity? No? Me neither.

You know what I do remember though? I remember you ripping apart everything, piece by piece and painfully slowly, and then I remember thinking that I've never loved you anymore than I did at that moment.

I don't know what I want to achieve by writing this to you. I want to say that I love you and I want to reassure you that that will be good enough. But you know it won't and I wouldn't disgrace you by lying so obviously. I think I just want to remind you that it's the 19^th of June, I think I just want to tell you that I really tried to stop loving you for a long time before realizing that it was impossible. I think I want to wish you a happy…something for the future.

But I guess all I really want to tell you is that it's been a long time coming. Don't you want to come home?"

She finishes reading the letter, her face white and her hands trembling as she reaches out for the telephone.

"Hi," she says when he picks up on the first ring, "It's me."

They recognize each other at once because their voices lack any kind of melody and that, in itself, is special. He doesn't speak over the phone at all and she doesn't know what to say that isn't inappropriate to stupid like I love you so, so much.

They just hold the phone and listen to the other person breathing; the soft sound washing over the receiver like a cool wave.

Entry#2





Bani screams chodiye mujhe.. .. leave me. She was brought in front of a man in 50's he was none other than bani's father. He says chodo usse, he order them to go out and stand, they go out. He says to tum phir se ek baar ghar se bag ne koshish ki? She sees him with an angry face dressed in her dulhan attire.He says is baar u r not going to escape and u will get married that's final. Don't u dare try to run away varna anjaam accha nahi hoga. You are going to marry him and that's final she says but papa he says bus, in 2 min u wil be in the mandap…samji!!. He then orders his wife to bring her down and leaves.



Her sisters holds her along with her mother bring her down. The dulha was already present in the mandap doing the rituals, seeing his dad and mom who were grinning but he was like what ever was doing what ever was told. He was almost angry with his parents for making him go through all this. He was in a shervani and sehara with flowers over his head. The dulhan was brought down and made to sit. While sitting she badly wanted to kick the dulha's arm but sits down, actually made to sit down by her mother and sisters forcedly. She sees the dulha's chera and thinks uff ye hain mera dulha jiske saat muje shaadi bhi karni hain aur zindagi bhi bitani hain…oh no!!.. kyun god aapne ais ekyun kiya… not fiar. Lekin mein bhi haar nahi manungi, dekna ise itna pareshhan karoongi kud mujhe ghar se baga denge…with this thought she smiles to herself.



The panditji ask both of them to do the havan and they do. While doing so she wanted to scratch his hand with her sharpie nails.



The dulha sees her who was sitting as if she didn't know anything, looking completely innocent. They were asked to put the varmala to each other…. they do it. Then the panditji ask the girl parents to do the kanyadaan. Bani's father comes and she was refusing but he takes her hand and places it on the dulha's hand. He pours the milk indicating he was doing the kanyadaan. Then the kadbandan was done by the dulha's sister. They were made to hold each others hand before the pheras started. She knowingly hits him on his hand with her nails and bangles, hurting him. He too gives back by pinching her and pressing her hand hard. Soon they finish of the pheras and were made to sit with exchanged places.



Then the panditji ask him to put the ms around her neck he does it and they both each other and says tumein mein dkeloongi. He then fills her maang, with a daring smile. Then after that they were forced to take their parent and elder' blessing.



The dinner was served and Bani coolly start to eat when her mother stops saying pehle tumahra pati phir tum.. She looks at her not fair. But slowly takes a gulaab jamoon from jai's plate and ate. Jai searches for his gulab jamoon but sees bani eating it and thinks ab dekna.. He takes a roti piece and takes the sabzi and places a chili along with it and feeds her the food as per rasam and stuff it in her mouth. She chew and her eyes get watery because of too much chilli. He sees her and smiles. She drinks water and gives him a cold stare, then eats her sweet from her plate. She was asked to feed the kheer by her fingers to him. Her mother brings the kheer and Bani takes it with a frown on her face. While feeding he bites her fingers and smiles. When he feeds her she too does his finger and smiles.

Bani eats quickly and gets up from there but was made to sit back and wait till jai finished his food. She frowns as he knowingly eats slowly.

Bani's bidaai time comes all cry even bani cries throwing the rice, her father folding his hand says to jai agar meri bachi se koi glati hogai to bahcii samjakar maf karddena woo abhi bhi nadaan hain.. jai thinks agar abchchi hi hain shaadi kyun akrwayi? Jai 's father assure all will be fine and they get inside the car bani keeps crying seeing jai she thinks it all as his fault… sab tumahri wajese.. I will not spare u ,chodooonga nahi tumein… teri zindagi ko muskil nayi bana diya to mera naam bhi bani nahi hain!!! she vows. On the other side Jai thinks avo bani welcome to my house dekna tuje itna pareshaan karoonga ki tum kud meri ghar se chali ajvogi… as it is I just hate u. Glancing back at him she says I hate u mr jai walia.. kitne baar mana kii shaadi ke liye haan mat karo but u dint hear me ab dekna…With both of them juggling with these thoughts they reach the wm.

Jai and Bani get down and stand in the door jai's mom take the aarthi and welcomes them in, Bani kicks the rice bowl which rolls away a little too fast seeing this she smirks. Jai says mom this?? She says it is a perfect shagun. Bani gives Jai a victorious smile, she was then asked to walk in the red colour water.

Then ring ceremony starts. The couple was made to sit opposite each other. A huge bowl placed in front of them filled with milk, both of them were fighting. Seeking opportunity Bani was scratching his hand with hers but he too was giving her back. Both take the ring out and see there was 2 ring, they put it on their respective person. Bani puts the ring inside his hand and he too does the same. Every one around cheered.

Bani started to get worried as they lead her to the suhaag raat room. Seating her in the middle of the bed…In no time jai was brought there and his mom goes out closing the door asking him to lock it, he agrees then turns towards Bani who was getting scared with ach passing minute. Slowly he comes near, then sits next to her leaning forward he opens her ghoongat and smiles. She gives him a starry cold look. He continues to smile then proceeds to remove his sherwani, throws it away and comes near her. She gets frightened and moves back saying don't u dare come near me!! varna mein tuje… He says tumahre paas ana, I mena ek choti bachhi wahi kahete hey na teri papa soo I don't prefer touching a kid with a smirk takes his pillow and says mein bada hoon, isliye u sleep on the bed varna bachhi dar jayegi….he laughs and goes, puts the pillow in the sofa and says agar tumein dar lag raha hai to shall I get some teddy bear for you to sleep with.

Bani fumes….u idiot then throws the small pillow over him but he catches it and giggles. He moves away from there to change but she get down and comes in front of him and says agar bachhi manthi ho to shaaid kyun ki? Mana karne keliey meine kaha tan na.. He turns back…. muje koi shock nahi ta ek bahchii…. I mean badahopkar bhi bachii hii hian. Bus meri majboori ta.. waise tum kyunn nahi bagghii shayd dar lag gaya hoaga and smiles. This gets her angry.. u she screams and comes to hit but he holds her hand
"don't u dare!!" .Bani, ab tum meri boundry mein ho meir biwi banker isliye apni haat peir samlkar kaam karna samji.. agar tum marne ki koshsih ki to mein chup nahi baitoonga smaji.. baby bani. She gets more angry and when he tries to leave she beats him on his back, he turns and she sees him with the same angry face he pulls her and kisses her hard, she tries to hit him again but he hold her tears roll down her cheeks he leaves her after 1 min of kissing. She gives him a tight slap and starts to beat him, he tries to hold her but she bites him on his hand he gets infuriated and slaps her hardly. They see each other and again start to pull their hair fighting like little kids, in this process both fall in bed bani sit over jai and hit him and some how he manages her bring her down and roll away but the fight continues.. .. .. he kisses her again and the scene fades away.

The sun rise and the first rays enter the room. Jai and Bani were sleeping holding each others hand…Bani on the pillow and jai over her, hugging each other. Few minutes later jai hears bani crying saying how dare u jai tune aise kasie kar sakthe ho? Hitting him with the pillow. He says stop it, varna anjaam accha nahi hoga.. .. smajii. She start to cry like a small kid. He says banii u know jo hoga soo hogaya, seeing her….waise tum baby se badi hogayi hoo and giggles, she continues to cry. Seeing her condition he says… "Arre rone se kya hoga.. jo hona ta woo ho chukka hahin waise.. I dint like u at all I was forced into this wedding, aur kal raat jo kuch bhi hua woo teri waje I mean kya jaroorat tii ajgad ne kii? Mein to chup chap sone jaraha ta, lekin u started the fight and u were going out of control isliye .. u know" she cries…she says I never thought my first nigh t will be like this he say me to, woo bhi tum jaise ladki ke saat…urgghh .. Bani gets angry says chup then throws another pillow and continues to cry. There was a knock on the door and she sys jaakra kolna then turns her face. It was none other than jai's mom she sees bani sitting and room with scattered things a slow smile forms on her face. She says beta dono nashte keliey neeche ajavo. Hum sab intezaar kar rahi hain. Then sees bani crying and ask beta kay hua she says aapki ladle ne muje rularahe hain and cries more. Jai was like oh no.. saas bahu drama shuru… waise hii mom mujse gussa hain aur iski waje aur badjayega. He syas nahi mom.. woo meri saat honeymoon jane keliey mana kar rahi hai. Bani stares in shock and says nahi mom ye joot bol rahe hain.. muje inke saaat jana manjoor hain par kehrahe hain.. mein jeans nahi pehen sakthi and cries saying muje lagta hai inko mein hii pasand nahi hoooonnnnn. Jai mom says are beta aise kuch bhi nahi hai, ye toh aise hii, toda sa pagal haina, tum chalo beta not before standing and slapping Jai for making her bahu cry.. saying kabadar tune meri bahu se kuch bhi kaha too. She turns to Bani bale hii use sari nah pehen ata hoo phir bhi badoon kii maan rakte hue salwar kameez peheni hain .. naki jeans .. tum roh mat beta ye aise hii hain.. agar kuch age kaha na jor se ek tapad dedena.. she says mein kasie mein unki patni hoona and cries. Jai mother syas kitni boli hain meri bhau..aur ek ye hain kii .uhhnn kabadar tune.. aur bani beta agar woo kuch bhi kaha to mujse khedena mein maroongi use.. maa hoona she ssy teek hain jii and give a innocent look . Jai was shocked by her actions and reactions, think's to himself that she is no 1 drama queen, agar ekta dekthi jaroor heroine ka chance dethi.

They both come down, Bani sees jai's family. Anu comes saying bani mami and pulls her saying ayiye, aaj se mamu ke paas wale seat mein baitiye, aaj se woo seat aapke hain.. .. common and makes her seat and also says are mamu u too come and sit. Bani thinks mamu hehehehe… late se paida hua jai and giggles inside .Jai sees this….mein jantha hoon wht u are thinking Mrs. walia. They then eat the food. Jai's father takes out their honeymoon ticket and hands it over to jai and bani saying it is his gift for them… tickets for Goa. Bani was like Goa, my favorite place jahan mein ek abar bhi nahi gayi.. jana chathi thi apni pati ke saat honeymoon par and enjoy but not like this with this man and feels bad but pretends to be happy. Jai was like honeymoon????????? Woo bhi is ladki ke saat? No way.. I don't wan to spoil my honeymoon with her that too a nice place like goa but accepted it.

Bani was talking with anu who was blabbering non stop. Jig was busy with her arrangement of party for tonight as next day Jai and Bani were going to goa.. .

After their lunch Anu takes bani to her room to get her ready as she called a expert beautician and had a special dress Few min alter jai comes down wearing his sherwani both look matching in their dresses all the guests comment on how lovely they look.

They were taken to reception hall bani was upset form inside and jai was too yet they pretend to be happy in front of others. They were smiling and bani says kitna drama karta hain tuu agar ekta ki serial mein ajta jaror villain ka role milta.. ya phir joker ka toh milhi jata. He says keep ur mouth closed as I dotn like when some comment on me. Well kya kaaha tumne, ekta muje role dedthi ofcourse dethi kyun ki mein hoon aise.. .. waise agar role milta bhi na.. mera fan following bad jata as u see I already have lot of fans and grins. She retorts back fan following my foot and stamp on his foot making him go shock and say ouch.. and says I will make u pay for it.. she sasy same to u.

Photo were clicked, all compliment them saying there are looking made for each other and etc… and thye were like made for each other my foot and she stamps in one more time. He says tumein too she says kcuh nahi Karsakte tum dekna.. teri kane mein mirchi dalkar dedoongi .. samjii jaise tune meri kane mein kiya.. agar pareshaan kiya to mamma se kehdoongi.. he says mein tumahri maa se nahi darta .. she says lekin apni maa se too darte hoo bhool gaye subh maa ne kay kahi? Hmm and smile…The photographer asks them to come, they do and pretend to be happy in front of the camera.

Later in the evening bani was holding her mummy's hand and saying muje wahan jai ke ghar nahi jana aapke saat ana hain.. and almost to cry.. her father comes seeing him she goes quite and say smein abhi ayi and goes. He feel bad as bani was angry with him for making her marry, he ask kay kehrahithi kahrethi…. use apni sasural nahi maiyaka ana hain.. aur apse bhi bahut naraaz hain .. isliye chaligayi.. he syas tum too janthi hoona mein jo kuch bhi kiya uski balaikeliye hi kiya.. pehle hii 3 sagayi toot chuki hain .. hum to apni beti ki sachayyi janthe hain par log kaise kaise bat kar rahe the.. .. isliye todi zabardasti karke mere bachhpan ka dost ke bete ke saat shaadi akrwaadi kyunkii use bani ke bare mein sab pata hain .. isliye.. janthi hoo aaj bhi ktini ziddi aur bachpana bari hain uske andar deka nahi..kasie jai se baat kar rahi thi.. ye jai ka badapan hain isliye chup ta… .. varna agar sochoo kya hota?.. par jii banii .. shayad kush nahi hain… he says woo jaroor is shaadi koo samje gii… muje jai par pura barosa hain …. She thinks aapko kasie samjavoon….

In dinner time Bani was near her mummy and saas and she was hardly eating anything.. Thinking I hate theses dishes, her mother forcely feeds her. Jai takes the picture and smile thinking wait I will tease u and giggles. Later he was talking to his friends they were teasing and ask kal night kay hua.. he says kyun jana aapsabko it is between me and my wife.. and some how escape that thing.. pretending to be angry and feel thank god and goes. Jai's father calls him and says beta.. ji papa he says I think you should be with bani now, dekoo kitni akelie kadi hain bore horahi hogi.. javoo and sends him he was like oh no.. and goes planning to teases her He says hello baby.. kasie ho cellphone mein bachoon ki taraf game khel rahe ho? And giggles .. she says tumein kay mr joker.. he ssay kabadar tune joker bulatoo she ask kay karogi ager mein bulavoon to? He says sab ke saamne tuje.. kay? Kiss kardogi? Hmm I will bite u… he says nahii I will make u dance.. for rakhi sawants item number.. she says oh really.. wait I will make u dance for that song…. Waise rakhi dances better than u… and she is good than u. If she sees u dancing then she will faint and get admitted in the hospital samje jai and giggles. He says u.. she says me kay? And show her 32 teeth, all other seeing them thinks they are much happier.

Suddenly the light goes off and the lightening hits as it was an open venue, getting scared she hugs him tighl and starts to sing om jai jagadish hare…He smiles at her innocence and hugs her back.. saying my baby don't be scared mein hoon na and giggles, she was still holding him tightly and the light comes and all see them hugging and they laugh, some even take pictures of it. He says bani choddo muje.. sab hamein dek rahe hain she sasy nahi deksakte bahut andera hain.. he say ab nahi hain and she slowly open her eyes and seeing light she look at him and realizes and leaves him when she sees other were looking her and she run away all frustrate thinking kud ko samjte kay ho?.. wait mr wlaia I will teach u a lesson and goes to the food counter and take a ice-cream. She remove some amount and takes a spicy chilly, red one and a green one and places it put some chilly powder and then makes another scoop and places it on it and with a spoon goes to jai's mummy and say mummy aap unse kehye kii ye kahiye. Woo kay hain jab mein unke paas gayi woo mana kardiya … agar aap kahe too.. too then she calls jai .. he comes and sees bani and seeing icecream and her smiley face gets suspicious and says mom aap she says ye looo ice cream pakoda aur kahooo bani kitni payar se layi hain bani pretends to feel shy. He says nahi mom mein… she says kati ho ya nahii and says dedo beta and she gives him all smiling, he was forced to eat takes the first scoop and eat and feel happy as nothing was there, bani giggles. His mother deka meri bahu tumse kitni pyaar karti hain.. aur tum hook o and hears her hubby calling and goes.

Jai then was like what ever takes few more bites of the ice-cream, suddenly his face goes out of action and freezes. Innocently she ask kay hau jiii? Mirchi lag gaya? She giggles and says kay hua jai?tuje kay laga mein itni bewakoof hoon? Kii maaji ke samne tuje chedooon? Hehehehe isliye deka unke samne mein acchi bahu tum bure hoo .. bilkul waise hii jaise meri papa ke samne tumne accha damad banneka dong kiya.. uhhgg.. ab dekna aise hiii har pal tere liye nahi musibaat kadi karoongi.. aur tuje irritate karoongi…then in her mind taki tum muje meri ghar bejdoo. Tuje aise hii apreshaan karoongi meri harkatoon se.. tum tang ajavoge phir mujse shaadi kyun ki is baat keliye bahut pach tavoge.. .. She giggles showing her 32 teeth and goes. He says tuje kay lagta hain bani I will spare u wait and watch kya karta hooon … .. and gives a devilish grin.
They come back home, Bani was tired and goes to her room and falls over the bed and cover herself with comforter and sleep. Jai comes and see bani who had slept kicking her sandals here and there and sees the mess of jewelry fallen on the way. He says damn pata nahii papa ne ismein kay dekkar shaadi karwadiya mujse. He picks up all the thing and goes changes himself and sleep off. In the night unknowingly they hug and sleep inside the cover all smiling as if nothing was wrong and they were deeply in love. Suddenly jai's mom knock asking them to get up as they have to catch a flight too. Bani in her sleep push Jai asking him to go and see who is at the door as she doesn't want her sleep to get disturbed. Jai gets up grouchily murmuring kaisi patni haina. He get up and opens the door with a messed up hair and in night clothes. He seees his mom who smile saying donon jaldi sey taiyar hokar neeche ana then giggles na dokar anaa. Shutting the door he wonders why and scratches his head and sees mirror and realizes the kumkum was on his face and thinks pata nahi maa kay kay soch rahegi hogi and goes taking his towel. Few min later comes out wiping his hair and sees her still sleeping and think kitna sothi hain .

Few min later he coems down and his mother ask bani kahan hain he says aapki ladli abhi bhi sorahi hain…she says kya? Par agar sorahi hain to peeche koun hain and he turn and get shocked as bani was all ready looking sweet in a chudidar all in red she averted her gaze acting to be shy then obediently comes downs and stands next to jai playing with her duppatta. Jai was shocked from her action concludes that she is really drama queen no 1.His mother pulls his ear asking him to stop such tantrum and take care of Bani.

While eating Bani giggles thinking about the previous night incident, jai makes her eat form his jota palte saying adarsh patni ko aise hii kana chahiye.. bani knows it as in her house also it happens her mother does even her sisters does so she eats it and seeing his plate totally messed up she clean it jai smiles..

Then later Bani puts her stuff in a bag they come down, take blessings and leave. On their way Bani thinks I will make your honeymoon the worst seen moon and jai also think the same dekna I will make your honeymoon a gray moon. They board a flight and she sits, ties her seat belt and prays to God and takes the pillow and blanket and sleeps off. Jai think kahan fasa diya meri maa ne muje and read some magazine and suddenly turns and sees her sleeping and looking like a baby. A smile spreads on his face taking the blanket he covers her properly. He turns and sees a parents handling the kid and trying to feed the baby his cereal but he was saying no trying to catch the front seat. Jai smiles thinking pata nahi bani kaise handle karegi hamare bachheko and realizes what he was thinking .. and stops himself .

The parents were none other than arjun and boomi from saarthi who was the parent of the kid Krishna(the old boomi and arjun not the new ones) trying to make the kid eat. Jai keeps seeing them and sees how both help each other and play with their kid.trying to put him to sleep. He watches bani who was still sleeping.

They reach Goa and get into the cab and goes to the resort. Bani was looking outside and he was seeing her and the otherside. She turns and catches him eyeing her and ask muje aise kay dek ra hai ho? He says dek raha hoon kii kis pagal se meri shaadi hogaya hain. She starts to hit him, he syas kya kar rahi hooo? Without manners, stop it. The driver stops the car getting worried and asks kuch hua sir? He says kuch nahii javoo and the ride continues and jai smile on seeing bani face which was red with anger.

Soon they reach the resort in the reception Jai was filling the formalities, bani was looking around and seeing the fish tank she gets excited. She walks around talking to the fish she sees jai talking to the receptionist who was more or less flirting with him he reciprocates giving her a charming smile. Suddenly a girl comes and hugs him they start to talk. With each passing second Bani was getting angry she comes there and stand next to him yet the girl didn't bother continues to talk making bani more angry so decides to do something and ask jai hamra room kahann hain? Jai sees her and says wait for a min.. and continue to talk with her. Bani gets irritated takes her foot and stamp on his legs he yelps the girl immediately say kya hua Jai. He says bus ek jungle billi ne katt dii uf. The girl looks around confused.Bani says jai muje kamre mein jana hain chalet hoo ya nahii .. he say nahii she says teek hain and calls jai mom and says mummy jiii wo mein.. and cries.. jai thinks started her nautankii.. .. she says mummy jii hum paungaye jai aur uske girlfriend ke saat and cries .. jai pulls the phone and says aise kuch nahi hain mom and switches off the mobile. He ask what is your problem.

That girl says I know Jai girls like her bhenji types u see cant even see her hubby talking to a friend, I will talk to u later pata nahi tum ne aise ladki se shaadi kyun kii jaroor parents ne ise tere gale mein jabardasti band diya hoga and goes. Bani says how dare she look at her herself looks like a bhootni. I am sorry chudailll hain woo. He takes her ahnd and drags her before she creates a scene. Opening the door he sasy kay samjthi hoo apne aapko haan? Stop it bani meri majboori hain kiii muje tum jaise ladki ke saat honeymoon par ana padraha hain.

Few min later jai was knocking at the door asking bani to open he was inside the bathroom and she giggles from outside saying mafi maago tabhi darwaza kulunga. He says nahi manngoonga she syas mein bhi nahi koloongi seeing the tv and dancing for ketchup song. Jai begs saying please Bani, she says maafi maangoooo .he says ok baba sorryyyyy very much sorry.. .age se tumein kcuh nahi kahoonga… she asks pakka? He say haan bab koldo darwazaa…she say teek hain and opens and he comes out seeing her smile think of doing something but controls himself.

Later she was all dressed in a jean skirt and cool top and was eating breakfast in the hotel. Jai was sitting in other opposite side table and she was enjoying and sending the bill to him saying if he refuses she will call mamma and will inform and she will scold him and send him out of house he does and she giggles, gives him a flying kiss and goes to their room taking her handbag and taking the money form his purse in fornt of him saying varna mamma ko call kahrongi aur kahoongi tumharii girlfriend keliye muje bahar nahi lejarahe hoo agar money dogii kuch nahi kahoongi and u can enjoy with any one. He thinks better way as he need not bear her and give etc 2 cc and sends her. She becomes extremely happy with money and ccs and kisses him for that. He was shocked from her reaction.
She gets inside a dress shop and remembers all her western cloths were in her maika and decides to shop some so that she can wear it and goes to get some dress for herself. Trying out a few she picks a few skirts, tops and jeans. Returning back to hotel and coyly falls asleep.. few hrs alter she gets up and seees jai and get shocked.. how was in short and t-shirt and reading the paper and ask what u r doing here/? He says I should be the one asking you as it my room she says my room. .. hmm and say don't forget if u do anything u will pay for it like today morning.. samjaa. Then goes and orders by phone for to eat and doesn't bother to ask for him then he too goes and calls the waiter laugh on it. The food arrives and they both eat but the waiter gets confused from their action, he decides to leave it and moves from there. Bani was sitting on the bed enjoying her food along with watching TV. Jai gets irritated as she was on cartoon channel and laughing… thinks ismine hasne kii kay baat hain? but she jumps and laugh then rolls over bed laugh and he got more irritated.. .. .. he can't take it decide to take revenge..

He says bani.. she says haan if you are going to ask that u want the remote I won't give ok if don't like it go to the reception and watch tv or book a new room for yourself and see the tv.. samja and continues laughing. He then says ahii woo nahiii to kya hain she ask.. eh says banii mein soch raha hooon kii honeymoon keliye aahii chuke too mana hii lete hain (she was like in what look) he says I mean goomna phirna etc .. she was like par tum to nahii chathe te kii mein tumhare saat avoon waise bhi tere paas to bahut saare girl friends hain mein kyun avoon? Javo unke saat… aur jo kuch bhi karma hain karoo .. par pregnant mat karooo varna… tuje hii ghar se bahar nikaldenge emir kehne se pehle .. and giggles.. he says bani tum jyaada hii bolti hoo sharm nahi ayii is taraf baatein akrte hue… she says nahi ayi jab tumhein hii nahi ate jab teri girlfriends aise gande gande baat karte hue.. mein to sirf pregnant sabd istamaal kiya which is decent .. and kehne ki layak hain not like ur girl frined joo bateeeioon ke nam par gandhi gandhi sabd istemaal kartete hain samja… .. he says ok ok relax…. .. I am sorry… she says that's better.. akir sab mujse darthe hain … I mean mere izzat karte hain and smile.. he think baby bani I will see u.. and says too abhar goomne chalein … she says ok par mein taiayr hoakr athi hoon .go and enters the bathroom .. jai get ready also but she take almost 45 min and he was fed up and even took a nap of 15 min .. and thinks use meine bulaya hii kyun? ..
Why does the girls take soo many times says in louder manner bani comes saying kabhi ladki taraf taiayr hojavo tabhi pata chalega.. kahoon too madat karoon taiar hone mein and giggles. He was like oh noo she is total a …….. she was looking very fashionable in an expensive top and short pants, takes out a scarf and drapes it around her neck and he was like oh man….. he says chaloo and she says pehle hum kuch kayenge muje bhook lagi hain he says fine.. Thinking abhi kuch hi der pehle too kaye te.. hmm and thinks that I know why must be the food got digested soon as she talks loots and also does make up usi mien and smiles in his mind they lock their room and goes walking to the near by a beach restaurant….

Then they order he just have a cold coffee and she orders some roti and sea food curry. He says he didn't want to eat and she eats and he just smiles on her childish way of eating and thinks she look cute and she ask mujpar line marte hue sharm nahi atii woo bhi meri kane ke waqt muje dek rahi hoon kahin meri kane mein nazar na lag jay and eat hiding her food with her handbag.. jai end up laughing and drink his cold coffee but smiles.. she finishes and pay it with jai' purse itself and he was like ise ye kahn se mila? She says are bedroom mein pata na hain tum mardoon koo ais aissa hi jata ha .. jahan jo cheese rakni nahi chaiye whan wo cheese rakdete hain aur bechari biwion ko apreshhan karte hain and says itliye aaj ye purse mere hain tuje nahi doonga and says chaloo

They decide to rent a car but that was not available so they decided to hire a 2 wheeler, but there also they got only a kinetic Honda. Jai was like "I don't know how to drive a kinetic" but Bani assures him that she knows and he sit in the back….Jai was "Hey bhagvaan tu ne kya kiya". They sit and she ask him kahan chalein he says jahan tum chavogi toh…. hum ek long drive par chalet hain.. he sasy nahii it is night already yahan bahut jayda I mean Goa mein chori bhi hota hain I don't want to take risk and so they decide to go for small shopping near by and then end up going to achurch also and prayed and jai sees her and thinks she is different bachoon ke taraf zid to karthi hain par and prays . Later bani was driving and ask jai tuje dartoo nahi lagraha haina ? he sasy nope.. inside in his mind muje to bahut jayda darlagta hain… but kay akroon need to be strong in fornt of u varna meri mazaak udavogi….

She drives and he was sitting back holding the shopping bags and holding her too she says bikul bhi mat darna muje adadt hain is taraf jane kii. Tuje hain kay he says nahii woo kya haina I have given other lifts. She says u know what zindagi mein tabhi mazaa ayega when u takes others help also I mean dusrooon keliye tum ek lift banjavoo haan baat hain kii tumein lift karne mein muskil hosakta hain but lift dene mein nahi and giggles and he too tries to smiles and she shakes the scooter and scare him and giggles saying dar gaye na and then they reach and give back the vehicle and says kal bhi hum yahii lengein and goes jai follows her with bags.. remembering her bargain and winning and she also got him some funny shirts and said no shorts as she doesn't like it and got some funny pants also.

They came inside and order their dinner and ate and slept as jai was tired btu bani kept blabbering this and that but he fell sleep and she saw him and slightly felt some thing but she also slept in one corner and other he slept but as usual in night both hugged each other. In the morning she gets up and sleep turning and he get sup and get ready ordering the chai and breakfat and sees her and thinks… pata nahi kay sochkar papa ne meri shaadi si ke saat karwadiya...par ye bhi to shaadi nahi karna chathi na mein phir bhi log hum donon ki shaadi karwadi … ye tune kay kiya god? And drinks his chai and eats his breakfast and sees some news . After few min she gets up and gets ready after he serves her tea in the bed itself and she drink and he thinks kahan fasdiya.. .. aapne mom dad.. jissse muje seva karna chaiye I am doing seva to her…. In my whole life I was a good human being par kya uska fal yahii hain… meri biwi bani ke roop mein.. kuch karo god….

Few min later … she says jai shall we go to beach.. woo paas hi to hain… he says teek hain par teek se dress karke ana samjiii .. she says too kya …. Mein teek se dress nahi karti, kudki dress sense deki kabhi and starts her accusing and blabbering and to make her quite it became unbearable so he gives her a shut up kiss and she goes quite and says if u dotn keep quite yahii karoonga. She starts to cry and cry.. he was like oh noo with a open mouth.. and after 1 hour jai was doing sit up and she was giggling saying if u make me cry I will punish u like this. Jai thinks ohh nooo ise chup karne keliey kay kya karma padta hain….because of u my face is spoiled I am going to wash so don't disturb and get ready we will go to beach and after 1 hour jai hires a gypsy for themselves to roam around goa.

They go to beach and play in the water and he was clicking pictures around suddenly she calls him and says jai mere ek bhi tasveer nahi logi, he says tumhara with a irritated face but get ready to do and does it and clicks she says like this and that… and she says bus now I will eat something … can u get me something pls.. he says fine and goes and thinks accha hua digital hain varna film roll hota toh kab ka katam hua hota and smile and goes.

Later when he comes back get shocked to see bani fully wet after playing with small kids.. he smiles seeing her like that and comes to her and says ye loo kalooo aur kuch der keliye meri camera pakado I want to play in water too she says.. oh really and splashes water .(as he was wearing jacket the camera was inside ) and he get wet and he start to give her back and they play and play and fully getting each other wet


After that eating icecream she sasy muje pehli baar itna mazaa aya pata hain tujhe no rok tok saying mom dad and noo this and that.. muje lagta hain I should come to honeymoon all again … as jab bhi hum hamre family ke saat goomne jate te we had our boundries and timings but here I am enjoying with full freedom haan tum hoo toh teek hain after all u pay the money. Jai sees some new side in bani and get amuzed. He wonders why did my father make me get married to a girl like her who is still childish? Pata nahi how I am going to run my life with her? Oh good help me out it look like I am doing baby's dayss out noo actually bani's dayss out and smiles. He sees Bani who was enjoying herself with other kids making sand homes etc.

They come back changing themselves and goes out for dinner. He thinks… shaadi too hochuka hain ab use badala to nahi jasakta … atleast us riste ko ek chance dekar nibaya to ja sakta haina .. .. after all shaadi is not a game or fun. Suddenly she drags him to the shop and get huge set of dolss like teddy bears and some stuff dolls and he was like oh my god.. he tries to tell bani that these are for kids not for elders she says u better keep quite varna yaad haina and he was like oh mine.. kahan fasa diya ab kya akroon? .. she gets more and the shopkeeper says congrats and they didn't understand first and jai was just dumped with the toys she got she says thanks agar tum nahi ata too koun uthata ye saare saamna and giggles and walks coolly and he was carrying it and walking with her.. she turns and sasy itne deere kyun chal rahe hoo walk fast agar isi speed par tum avoogi how can I dot atleast my half shopping haaan? He was like what? .. few min alter he was siting inside the car and inside the toys and bani was playing video games and wining the game.

In the room the toys filled the entire place and bani was sleeping in the middle of all. Jai was seeing around the room as he was pushed out of the bed as the toys and bani have occupied it.. he thinks hey baghwan kya ise ladki ke saat mein ne apni riste shuru karma shocha/? Kay hoga is jw ka? And thinks…. aise kya karoon jisse hamrii rista sudar jaaay? After all shaadi is not a game nor fun atleast we need to give a chance before we think on divorce.. varna.. aise na hoo later we realise it better we givea chance par uskeliye I need to talk to her will she agree? Or afterall we had done a miya biwi thing isii nate hii sayii I have too par how shall I talk to her… see how she is sleeping inbetween the toys like a kid kay akroon? Then sleep on the sofa.

Next day morning when he gets up sees bani playing video game attach in tv he say oh noo and falls back down in the sofa back thinking ye kya hogaya??????????????????????????? Papa ne muje kis ladki se shaadi akrwadiya?.. he goes to her getting anger and ask bani ye sab kay hain? She sasy dikayi nahi deta video game hain… tum todi na apni laptop dete hoo aur upar se mera koi hain hii nahi isliye tuje problem hain ya phir .. u r scared kayiin mein game keliye bulana dooon aur tuje hara na doon he sasy stop connecting words from head to toe… and mere room ye sab nahi chalega samjii she sasy oh really .. u r right tumhare room mein ye sab nahi chalega par mere room mein chalega aur ye mera room hain tumhara room nahi hain chahoon to papa aur ma koo call kar ke poochna.. samjhaa.. He was like oh noooo and goes as he dint want to argue with her. In the bathroom he gets a idea… after soo many confusion and smiles thinking abi teri hii style mein tuje jugavoonga mere samne and givea devilish grin..

He comes out and first order the breakfast eats it and she too grabs some while playing and slowly slowly he says it seems u win all the game r u a expert in it?. She says haan and continues playing it… he says but bani what if u loose? She says no I don't loose in game or to anyone and gives a smile and continues to play he then again slowly talks saying this game should be played like this, she says I know how to play u don't need to teach me as I am expert, he say s oh I see. How can I know u r expert I mean prove it.. she says why shd i prove that to to u ? he says I mean to say if u r not scared of ur confident prove it then I wont dsisturb u and will let u do what u want and wont say anything … bani smiles in her mind and says ok tell me how should I prove.. ? if u want me to win all the game I will do. He says bani until there no competion how can u prove that u r the expert only if u play then it doesn't mean u r expert when there is a competion and a competitor it could be judged that ur expert.. she says that mean? He says let us have a competion if u win u can do what ever u want and that too with full freedom and I wont say anything nor disturb u if u loose to me then u have to obey me and should do what I say it must be a deal or u can say a bet… she says ok.. ..


Bani thinks after all I am the campion shayd tumhare life mein in sab keliye waqt hii ahi hoga aur hua bhi u must be a old and forgotten player and giggles in her mind and says chaloo shuru karte hain . but let make me some rules we will play 10 games.. joo maximum jeeta hian wahi winner hogii ok.. he sayss ok. Then after 30 min both sit in the sofa adjusted towards the tv and take their respected toy stick, jai says all the best she says same to u and the first car race begins…. Jai lets bani win… and bani say hip hip hurray and other game start jai wins and Bani goes dull but doesn't accept her defeat and says it was like she was hungry.. 3rd game won by jai 4,5 by bani bani was happy but 6,7, won by jai 8 th game was a draw, now 9th game bani wins now it was the last game which was a football game and jai was expert in it and was winning. The last goal was left and if he put he will win and bani was loosing she have to protest it soo she was worried and sees him with a worried expression didn't know what to doo so gets an idea and pause ther game and suddenly when jai turns to ask why she did soo she kisses him hardly on his lips and he was shocked looks with open eye she leaves him and sees him and then starts the game and she wins and says hippeey I won I won and now I can do what I want and u cant say anything. He say s noo it is cheating u won by cheating. You kissed me to divert my concentration … isliye soo I cant accept the defeat, you wantedly did as u were loosing.. how mean and I wont accept it, your are a cheater. She says what ever it is I won…. Waise bhi love and war mein sab chalta hain.. ab mera hii chalega.. .. sajha.. he says oh really chalne doonga tab na and the fight starts. Both starts to fight a lot acussing and shouting and suddenly jai slaps bani.. which shocks her.. but she gets angry and gives him back a tight slap.. shocking him both turn other side.. For 3 hrs both didn't talk anything just sat far away from each other accusing each other in their mind and murmering.. she then get up and goes to bathroom freshens up and goes out saying mein bahar jarahi hoon … few min later she was walking in the beach scolding jai in her mind traveling in her own world not bothering about the surrounding and the people around.

In other side jai was too scolding of her and was sitting in the restaurant and drinking his cold coffee he turns and sees bani walking near the swimming pool he pays the bill and goes there to fight with her but stops and think why should I varna she will think I am following her. Suddenly bani feels some one following her and sees a men following her and she walk a little fast and trips and falls in the 10 feet water of swimming pool. She cries for help as she doesn't know how to swim

Jai hearing her voice think help and turns and see her drowning and goes and jumps into the pool and rescues her and lays her in the table near the pool as she was unconscious. He wakes her up calling out her name and rubbing her hand and feet and then turning back and pressing. The water comes out which she drank accidently then gives her mouth to mouth respiration and she get up and sees him and hugs him tightly and cries like a scared child. He comforts her saying it ok bani. By the time being the hotel people starts surrounded them and he ask them to send a doctor and carries her as she was hugging him tighly and crying. She realises on peeping with her one eye that all were watching them only. He carries her to their room and lays her in the bed and ask tum teek ho na.. pani peelo and feeds her the water and turns and goes to get the towel and coems and put it over her head and starts to wipe her hair and she says deere karo and says chodo and wipes herself seeing him and he says bahut hii beeeg gayi hoon ab kapade badaldo. Soon they change and the doctor comes and checks her and tells it was just a shock and tells now she is fine and give some tablets and goes asking them to take care. Jai helps her out she was sneezing and tells him that she feeling to eat an icecream, Jai scolds her but order it and the icecream come and in protesting it falls on bani and jai dress and they start to hit each other with icecream and pastry like kids and sees themselves and giggles. Like a kid they both go and refreshes themselfes and smiles, then they sleep away like good kids actually good adults.

Next day they get up and that too with smile and jai gets ready and wakes her up who says some more time, he says time up and they get ready and see each other while eathing breakfast in the restaurant and ask aaj kay kareiin? He says, hmmm let go for hmm… she says cycling making him get shocked and that too the double cycle and ask him whether he knows cycling and he says bacchapna mein I drived and they cycle. He was scared but she was cool and keep talking and then after the ride they go around Goa simply and see the beaches and drink nariyal pani and chat like some old friends. They talk about how they were forced by their respected parents to get married they even plan to divorce each other after 6 months so that they always be friends and giggles. Inside they feel bad but doesn't show out. Bani even ask him whether he loves some and he says nope. She says I loved some one but that fellow cheated her and got married to some one. Jai with little jealousy aks who it was she says aur koun abhisek bacchan and makes him laugh and he says even he loved ash, they both start to laugh uncontroabily.They dint know why they were behaving like this, suddenly they so comfortable with each others, sharing their past life.

They return and Bani's face fall as she changes back to her traditional dress salwar kameez. Jai se not to worry after the divorce she can enjoy and makes her smile but some where it didn't feel good hearing the word divorce.

They come to Mumbai pretending to be a happy couple and jai mom sees the luggage was more and giggles. They were welcomed warmly and seeing them happy all were happy bani and jai's father were reliefed thinking everything was fine and their decision to get them married was not wrong. In the room bani was sitting and thinking ye kay hora hain before wedding I dint want to marry him but it seems he is not bad. She sighed after all they are going to get divorced isisilye mein too baat karne keliye apni dost ke paas gaya hain.

Jai says that mean we can get divorce in 3 months, GREAT…thanks God. Tum mere sachha dost hooo thnkss, soo pls make the divorce paper ready aur 3 mahine ke baad we wil be divorced, cool and goes smiling and thinks bani will be very happy to hear it so goes and gets some sweet and icecream for her. He runs to his room and close the door. Jai's mom who was sitting in the chair near by sees and giggles and tells that to Bani's mom who was also happy thinking they are very happy.

Jai enters and says Baniiiii agar tum ye kush kabar sunogii toh tum bhi uthna hii kush hogi jitna mein ab hora ha hoon u know what we can divorce in 3months itself on mutual basis. Agar judge poochegi to itna kehna hain kii mein kisi aur se pyaar karta hoon aur mujse pooche mein kahoonga kii tum bhi kisi aur se pyar karti hoo bus divorce hojayega. Ab hamri 3 mahine katam hone ka intezar karma padega bus 3 mahina. I mean ab see almost 55 days only and says I am soo happy. Bani too smiles but some where inside she was not feeling good. He says until then we need to pretend as a good hubby and wife. Actually not, bus we have to prove that we can't stand each other nor we love each other. Now we need to plan the things out waise bhi tumein sikaane ki jaroorat hii nahii, tum sabko irritate kar hii dogii kii sab tumse baaat bhi na karein aur mein teri ghar waloon ke saamne ye sabit kardoonga kii I am not a good person for their daughter. She thinks kaash ye tum shaadi se pehle hii kiya hota toh aaj ye musibaat hi nahi ata. He says what u say, bani says perfect soo shaal we start our drama he says ok, toh kay karein/? She asks. He says we should do something jisse our parents get into a fight. She says asie kyun? He explains…. bani agar wo log saat rahe to hum kaise alag hosakte hain? Isliye. She says par. He say aur rasta nahi hain bani pls. She agrees but hum shuruwaad karenge kahan se? He says jigg bua se. She says perfect hameshaa chote bbaat ko badee bane ki adaat hain. Toh kya kareen. He says hmm, turns and sees Bani's dresses popping out of the bag and says idea.

Jig was coming out of her room and get shocked seeing bani in a half jean and top having only noodles stap. She says bani ye kaise kapde pehni hoo? She asks kyun dikayi nahi deraha hain? Jean aur tops,lagta hain unpad gavar hain aap. She says mein? How dare you, badtameex ladki. Bani giggles saying u r badamezz, now move I am going to disco. She was like disco?.haan chavoon too aap hi mere saat chal sakte hain. It will be rocking and moves her hand. Jig was like how dare u and calls bhabhhiiiiiiiiii bhaiya ye dekiyee aapki bahu aapk logon se peet peeche kay kay gul kilarahi hain. Bani giggles and jai comes from back and smile saying very good bani kya jawab dii tumne, very good. She says woo to mein hoon but muje sachii mein disco lechaloo tabhi yakeen hoga, he says fine, pehle tum bahar javoo badoon ko beizzati karo phir mein dukii hokar bahar ata hoon. Then we will go to disco waise muje bhi gaye bahut din hogay haie and smiles. Then peeps from upstairs and see jig already filling everyone's ears and they says chup stop blaming and try to derfend bani but jig doesn't stop and ask them to call bani and the truth will be out and krishan se abhi bulati hoon tabhi aapko aise hoga kii bani kitni acchi hain aur aap use galt samj rahe hain. They turn and get shocked bani walking down wearing boots and a western outfit. Sahil says woow bani bhabhi you look hot anu says oh my god, kya sense hain inkoo dressing ka and they all see with two eyes popping out. Bani walks with an attitude she comes and stand and ask aap logg muje is taraf ghoor kyun rahe hain? Jig say deka bhaiya meine kaha na kii ye ladki hamri ghar na jai keliye teek hain dekiye kaise kadii hain bathameez kahega. Bani says chup,itni joor se chillakar baat kyun kar rahe in? agar karna hii hain politics join karlijiye. Haan ye baat alag hain kii aapki baton ko koi sunega nahii and giggles. Jigs say how dare u. Bani says ufff chupp itni chilati kyun hain, apki jaise logon kii wajse noise pollution bad raha hain, samje. Isliyee chp rahi ye varna chilana muje bhi ata hain. Uday says beta ye. She says mein janthi hoon papa aap kya kehna chathe hain yahi na kii muje is taraf kapadeaur assise baat nahi karni chaiye par mein kya karoon mein hoon aise, isliye toh mein shaadi keliye naa karne phone kiya par aap log galat matlab nikaldiya waise bhiii aap kii bete ke saat shaadi koun karege, itna boring jo hain. Koun sehenga aapki bete koo uff isliye mein disco jarahi hoon. Aap chaein toh merii papa ko phone karke complain bhi karsakte mein kissi se nahi dartii aur haan ho sake too is moti jig aunty ki treatment kardijiye bahut jyada hyper hojathi hain aur dusroon koo paressaan karti. Hamesha chila chila kar bat karke, I feel pity for adi uncle and goes making every one stand there dumbstruck. Jai coems down keeping his face filled with worries and sadness and says deka papa isliye I didn't want to marry this girll who has no respect for elders who have noo sanskar who don't know how to talk to elders. I had told you na, I didn't want to marry her, deka kaise baat karti hain. Ab appko andaza hoga na ki woh mujhse kaise peesh ati hain.

And keep a sad face and says bua kash aapne papa koo shaaid se pehle samjaye hote too ab ye nobat hii nahii ate, kash papa aapki baat sunte toh and goes saying uskiikeliye mein aap sab logogn se maafi mangta hoon. Jigs says deka bhai, mein kehthi thi na kii ye bani jai keliye teek nahi hain. Aaj sabit hogaya na. Aditya's mother comes there and says meine bhii apnii bete se kaha tum uskeliye layak nahi hooon phir bhi shaadi karli na tumse. Jigs turns to see her mother in law who comes and says bus karo jig.


Are tum log bhi na itna bhi nahii samje, un donon koo sharm arahi hain hum sab se kehne keliye kii wo log disco jayein saat mein varna jai uske peeche peeche kyun jata? And make them to think and says aaplog kiski baat sunrahii jig kii, are aaplogon ko pata nahi hain kya jig choti choti baat ko bhii bada kardeti hain….. ye ais ehii hain.. jaroor jig kii hii koi galti hogi.. jig was fuming.. anu giggles.. .. she sasy are bhool gaye uday beta… jab tumhari aur krishan kii nahi nahi shaaadi hua ta.. tum koi na koi bahana banker use milne jayakarte .. aur jab maika gayit o uske peeche peeche chale jate aur naraaz hone ke bahane krihsna koo bhar lejate te.. and all smile.. eh sya aapbiina beeji.. aur nahi too kya.. samjakaroo sba undonon ki abhi abhi shaadi huyi hain .. kaise aise kehdenge kii hum log bahar ghomne jarahe hein.. .. sharm agaye honge.. jig se sharm.. woo aldkii to behsram hain deka nahi kaise kapde peheni huyi thi.. she says hooi jig jaise kii tum nahi pehna karti tii.. aur jab anu pehensakti hain woo bani kyun nahii waise bhii woo dress decent hi lagrahi thi.. teri sahil ki girlfriends kii taraf nahii joo sirf ada ada kapde pehente hain making sahil get shocked.. and anu smiles.. .. Krishna says aap bilkul teek kehrahi hain beeji .. woo to bachhe hain .. abhi abi too shaadi hua hain.. is waqt nahi goomengi nahi too kab goomge? Kyun jii mein teek kehrahi hoona? .. jai dad says haan jii… aaap too hamessa teek hii kehti hain jii making her blush.. anu ask mamu mami ke saat flirt kar rahi hoo kya?... daadi says are beta.. ye bhii koi poochne ki baat hain making all laugh.



Outside bani was sitting over the car dikki and singing some song, jai comes happily saying banii have to say kay talk di tumne yaar. Now I am sure .. this is a small chinkarii which will soon start ta fire… phir hamara divorce. She says ok .. waise yaad haina tuje kya karni hain kal raat koo mere ghar mein jab hum dinner keliye jayenge.. He says of course yaad hain. You don't worry. Kal aise khel kelengii kii is bhaar undonon ke beeech ek fasle ajeyega.. phir.. yahii false ko hum badayenge aur the result will be our divorce. He starts the car but didn't start. She asks him what happened and he replies that the engine is not starting. she says why? He says don't know.. and tries.. they get down. and she turns and sees a bike and says jaii car koo chodo let us go in the bike.. he was like what?.. he says par bani she says plss jai.. he was like ok and they go to bike luckily the key was on it and he climb over it and start. Bani sit on the bike and innocently ask him whether she can hold him as she was scad sitting in the bike for first time he was like what? She says as in small age she had the desire to climb and ride a bike but her father dint allow as she was a girl. isliye he smile and says she can hold him seeing her innocent looking face and smiles.. thinking pagall ladki hian. They go on the ride discussing that in house by now it would have created great drama and sure for a fight.. they get into the disco. They get happily and dance.. jai dint want bani to go alone as it was her first time.. .. They even share their college experiences jai tells her that how he used to climb the wall in the midnight and got to disco with friends in the bike and smiles.


They return back thinking everyone must have slept but get shocked to see Krishna and uday awake and seeing them jai says deka bani tumhare wajese mer mummy papa ko jagna padraha hain.. aur tum ho wahan/.. kitni mastii se nach rahi thi.. bani thinks tum kounse kam te? And giggles in her mind .. aap jante hain mom muje ise kahan kahan doona pada.. iskiwajese.. mere legs feets mein dard horahain .. bani rem the scene where she got angry and stamp his feet in the dance as he was making fun of her dance.. .. hides her smile.. jai was indicating bani to speak out and start the fight bus she was busy in her own world.. he says deka papa hum yahan kade hain woo kaise besharamom ki taraf apni duniya mein koi huyi hain and shout bani.. jawab dooo meri mom dad koo she says par sawaal hii nahi poochen to mein jawab kaise doon? Making the parents laugh and they says bus karoo jai becharii ko itna koshogii.. hum janthe hain ye terii hii mazaak hogi and says chaloo hum loog aap logon kii intezaar akr rahe the.. chaloo jagar donon fresh hokar ana mein dinner lagathi hoon aur haan bani too is dress mein abhut hi sundar algrahi hain .. and sasy ksisi ki nazaar na lagein and palces the kala tikka mking them get into shock. .. jai was like mo m ye aap?... she sasy jai u better keep quite.. kuch mat kahoo.. sab tumhari wajese bani ko aise kapdepehene padte hain varna ye aise todi na hain kay mein nahi janti apni bani ke bare mein boli jo hain jain was like boli.. and get lsot.. .. they were made to go up and bani was smiling thinking bechara jai.. and teases him on the flop plan … and says no one can beat her from planning and making it win and ask him to hear her and walk. They come back have their dinner and jai mom was taking care of bani and making her eat like a mother feeding a 5 yrs old kid.. jai seeing get memerized and a unknown smile appear in him.. uday sees his son and smiles thinking ye too pasa pyaar mein and smiles. Later in night they sleep early as they were tired after dancing.

Next day morning comes, jai gets up and get shocked, bani was ready and wiping her wet hair. He asks bani tum itni jaldi.. she says kyun uth nahi sakthi? He says aise baat nahi par tum.. she says meri papa ki wajse muje subh uthne ki adaat hain and jai laughs saying bani u sound funny, This tricks Bani and she gets angry. Soon they both start the pillow fight, hitting each other and giggling. The feathers start flowing in the room when Krishna walks in without knocking. She gets shocked seeing the two act like little kids. She laughs and tells them to come down for breakfast.


Few minutes later Jai and Bani comes down as innocent adults and everyone hid they smile. Krishna to remove their ackwardness asks when will you join office again. Uday teases him and says I don't think at least for 2 months he wants to go back. They all laugh at this.

Later in the evening Jai was helping Bani with the sari. She teases him saying you do it quite well and must have done this job for a lot of his girl friends. He tells her to shut up and pin the sari properly. She giggles and tells him to stop tickling her and she will do it. Jigs walks in not bothering to knock, she gets shocked seeing Jai help Bani out with the sari. Aditya who was passing by whistles telling Bani you are a genious, it's been only few days in to your wedding and Bani has already trained him so well. They come down and everyone smile seeing them.


Jai says bani tuje yaaad haina what to doo and also says mein koi kaam nahi akrta aur ladkiyoon ke saat goomta hoon she nodes yes aur no office ok.. she says haan aur ek aur baat ad karlena kii I beat u.. uskeliye stopping the getting down slaps her hard she cries and slaps him back he says he did to show other that he beats her.. but she says but why soo hard and then both reach the house .they get down and say all the best and ring the bell.

The door get opened and there was standing bani's dad with a smile. Jai sees bani and smiles indicating their plan succeded. They get in and they were made to sit. Bani mother politely ask what u want to drink he says vodka pls.. jiii she says. Bani was giggling in her mind seeing her father was shocked. Jai says are aaphii ne to poocha ta kii mein kya peeta hoon to batadiy agar dena hain to wahi dijiye varna mein nahi peevunga. Bani father then says aap accha mazaak karlete hain damad jii and laughs other says mazaakk and laugh. JB were like oh no!!! He ask bani mother to bring some cold drinks for their beti and damad as they have come for first time after the wedding and smiles. Jb see each other and bani was like har baar plan flop kyun hojata hain. Then they talk and jai wantedly was trying to mistalk with her father but all ends up as good.

Then they were made to sit and eat he wantedly make fun of the food yet bani father support him and everything gooes smoothly. While leaving bani starts to cry saying muje nahi jana is janvar ke saat.. jo mere upar haat uthata hain. Bani father says stop being childish and says I know jai u must have done some thing isliye… and jb even try to fight through argument but bani father made everything fine and they were driving back saying ye bhi flop.. and both stop and start to fight on itbut in the end say sorry.

For next 3 months they tried and even brought jai 's girlfriend and also bani's boy friend but all went flop as both turned out to be anu and sahil friends. JB were like uff, ab kya karein. Atlast they decide to fight in front of everybody for the matter of small food and they start the fight happens all witnesses it.

The fight start to heat up. Jb were smiling in their mind and accuses each other a lot. Bani says mein ghar choker jarahii hoon muje nahi rehana tum jaise insaan ke saat and says mein ajrahii hoon and goes saying ab merii lawyer baat karega hamri divorce keliye and goes up and does rona dona natak.

Getting inside the room closing it she starts to dance saying yippee now I am going to be divorced and smiles. Starts to pack her bag and come down all crying and says mein jarahi hoon. Jai says haan javona koi nahi rokenge tuje.. although some try to stop her yet she goes but when she was about to step out of the door she faints as her head spins and jai unknowingly rushes to her and all were surprised and jai start to scold other saying what happen why are you all not doing anything. He carries her in his arm to the car and drive away fastly .. all thing lagta hain ab sab teek hojeyga.

He carries her inside the hospital and shouts for the doctor like a mad man. When the doctor come he even scolds the doctor for coming late.


Later bani was been checked. He starts to worry and goes in front of god and prays to save bani. Suddenly realizes and sees god with open eye and was like what happened.... why I reacted like that.. that means I am in Love?nahiii nahiii par hosakta hain… nahiiii haa nahii he was more confused thinking how come and meri dimaag bhi na. Bani teek kehtii hain ki mere saare plan flop hi hain.

The doctor comes and he gets worried and ask bani kaise hain? he says gabrane kii koi baat nahii actually hain due to her mood swings. He was like what? Doctor says congrats.. app papa bannewale hain.. (nahii ye nahi hoga… ye too sirf ek aise situation hain jo hosakta hain par aise nahi hoga.. toda reverse jahiye.. bani comes down with the suitcase…wahan se kahani phirse shuru hoga.. )

She comes down crying. Uday tries to stop her saying beta woo apgal hain. Tum uski batton ko dyan mat doo plss mat javoo ruk javoo pls I promise u I will slap beat scold and make him a good person pls mat javoo pls. She says papa aaj muje mat rokiye kyunkii aapki beta ne muje bahutt dard pounchaya hain, ab mein is ghar mein nahi reh sakthi. Aapko nahi pata kii aapki bete … crying aapki bete ne… ksiis aur see milkar baccha paida karna jara hain and cries then runs away taking her bag.

Jai was like ey bani overeact kyun kardiya. Oh nooo ab kay hoga iski overacting ki wajese mein kahin musibat mein pas na javoon. Uday sees him and says jai ye bani kay kehrahi hain.. tum.. He says papa deka woo kitni jooti hain.. mere bare mein itna bada joot bolkar chaligayi aapko pata haina min kaise hoon. Mein aise karsaktha hoon kya? Jigs says Jai teek kehraha hain biaya. Jaroor woo ladki joot bolrahi hogi, muje pata hain hamare ghar kii bacche aise kaise bacche paida kardenge. Woo sab bani ka nautanki hogi jai koo badnaam karnekeliye .. meine pehle din see kaha kiii ye ladki jai keliye teek nahi hain.. aaplogon ne nahi sunii isliye bukatoo.

Bani comes out get inside the taxi and turns to WM and says tata forever and goes happily. Takes the glycerin and says ye kam ayega when I enter my house.

All were quite and jig continues jai pretend to be sad but was happy inside. Then says mein janta ta papa ek din aise hii hoga isliye meine pehle se hii is shaadi keliye mana kar raha ta and goes up pretending to be sad. Jig increase the hatred in the sitatuion .

Jai goes to his room locking it and calls bani and they share the fun and says is bhanae we can atleast run for 3 yrs and giggles. He sasy tuje yaad haina age kya karna hain she says haan and she gets down with glycerene. She cries and goes to her house and cries and says that jai was having affair and his family supported him as the girl was pregnant and does rona dona natak. They were shocked and ask her to get ready for divorce and she cries heavilyand cries and cries and they believe as they call WM but jai picks up and speak rudely and says what ever bani said is truth and ask them not to call here as their relationship is finished.

First nixikant couldn't believe it soo he coems there to speak and jig insults him and speaks ill on bani and he gets angry and insult back. Uday who comes there hears it and without knowing what jig spoke speaks in favour of jig and the heat increases and the relationsip breakdowns. Bani hearing it feels like jumping so runs back to her room pretending to be sad and jumps. And calls Jai and informs him and they decide to go out and celebrate.

Jai goes out and picks bani up by entering in their house climbing the ladder and pipe and they both jump from the house. Bani says she never enjoyed her life sooooo much and never had fun like this as she was very much protected by her family saying she is still a kid. Jai says wo to tum ho and she beats him and he says ok baba chodoo and they laugh a lot.

He says now divorce. Woh bhi hojay too after that we can be free and they they eat dance and enjoy and then jai drops her away and says bye. She sees him through the window ans smiles.

Jai gets call and he was urgently needed to go for delhi for 2-3 days. He goes but doesn't inform bani. Bani tries jai cell but doesn't get it and get worried. She was all upset when he doesn't even pick up her call. She was thinking all bad thinks like jai had fallen for some one forgotted her. She was almost in the state of crying, suddenly she feels nauseous and runs and puke out and says ye muje kay hora hain? Subh se 4 bar kar chuki hoon .. and thinks jaroor kuch ulta seda kadeyiya hoga and goes.

Bani starts to miss Jai and his talks and the fights.. she suddenly she sees jai standing there combing his hair and suddenly sees him wrinking in the mirror and tieing his tie with other hand and she blinks and ask jai tum yahan she get called by her mother and she turns and turns back no sign of jai and hits her head and goes.. her mother says that she had prepared the chappatii and ask her to keep it inside the hot pack .. she says ok and start to pick up sees jai sitting over the tumbler in small size waving his hands and giving flying kisses and winking and she was like jai itna chhota kasie hogaya and smiles.. and seess he get gayab.. and she open the hotpack and places it and suddenly sees a hand holding her and she sees jai holding it and she was seeing him with wide eyes and he kisses her in cheecks and gets gayab she thinks ye muje kay hora hain .. then she takes the hot pack and places it in the dinning table and sees straight were her father was sitting and sees jai coming back of him and standing and making fun of her father's hair and giggles.. .. suddeny her mother say bani she turns and jai get gayab.. .. she was like muje uski yaad kyun araha hain? .. muje to ana nahi chaiye..s haady ssaath ten a isliye .. bus todi din baat woo muje na dikyai deka na yaad ayega.. and goes continues to play video game btu rem jai in that slaso .. and goes and sleep in the bed but suddenly feel eathing aam ak achaaar…. And goes downa and takes it and eat.. her mother coming that way see it and get suspicious but keep quite and decide to speak to her next day.

Jai on other hand was missing bani funny talks and fight for no matter and saying sorry in childish manner and smile to himself. He finishes his work quickly imaging n bani every where.. . he was coming out of the office room after meeting he gets a call which makes him get a smile on his face.. he says aapp .. a women smiles turning showing her 32 teeths.. (guess who?????????? Nahi pata too abhi pata chala jayega) she says aab jagar tuje meri yaad ayiii ek phone bhi nahiii he says woo mein.. jaa ja shaadi ek baat muje bhooll hii gaya na.. he says nahii massi..(akir massi too massi hi haina.. jab bhi athi hain kuch karti hain dekte hain ab kya karegi ye massi).. aapko apta hain mein ne man banakar aya ta kii itni dor agay hoon too massi se jaroor milkar javoonga .. akir aapko miss jo akrta hoon.. she says chal haat.. jot to mat bolo munna.. .. he says massi mein aapse kabhi joot bola hain kya??..she sasy munna… he says massii.. she then ask too kaba rahi hoo? He says within few min.. .. abhi aapko phone karne hii wala tha aaphii kardiya. In will be there.

Few min later jai coems to his massi house and enter and hugs her from back saying massi she sasy munna and turns and sees him with a huge smile on her face and says hai hain.. kitna pyara lagraha hain shaadi ke baad kisi ki nazar na lag jay.. and places the black teeka on behind his ears.. and smiles he smiles abck and bends down and getr her ashirwaad.. immdietly massi ask are aise kaise akele ashirwaad le rahe hoo bahu kahan hain?.. jai sasy wooo actually wo nhai ayii… .. kya? Tune use akele hotel mein chodke ayae.. eh syas nahii massi woo yahan ayii hi nahii.. she was like what? Kyun nahi ayi? He sasy bus nahi ayii… she says teek ahin mein phone karke tere maa se hii poochletii hoon and goes jai was like massi nahi woo actually but nope she already dialed krishna's num.. krishan takes it and sasy hello.. she says mein billo bol rahi hoon.. ye kay munna akla aya hain bahu ko chodkar ? she says ismein na jai ka dosh hain na bani ka.. agar kisi ka dosh hain wo hain kismet ka.. ye tum kay kehrahi hoo Krishna .. haan woo aapko jai en kuch abtaya.. .. nahii tooo kyun Krishna kuch hua hain kya? Nahii woo actually jai ka kam ta isliye bani ne apni maiyka chali gayi bechari shaadi ke baad ek baar bhi nahi gayi thi isliye.. . ohh massi sasy woo baat hain.. tabhi munna ka chera itna uthaarava hua hain .. accha mein rakthi hoon .. mein kuch aur hii samaj bejthi .. kher aab sab teek hain…. Then sees jai who was maintaning his smile . massi says too ey baat hain keeping the phone down.. .. koi baat nahi beta wo wapas ajayegii.. woo kay haina shaadi ke baat har ladki ko apni ma, baap ka ghar yaad ahii jata hain .. is baar anhi tgo agela baar lekar ana meri bahu ko…. Chaloo ab fresh hojavoo mein kana laga dethi hoon.. he goes..

Few min later he was sitting down in the floor below the sofa and rest his head on his massi's lap and was imagining bani. Massi was talking and suddenly notices him lost in his thoughts . MASSI SAYS BETA.. KYA HUA HE SAYS KUCH NAHI MASSI AND HOLDS HER HAND AND CONTINUE STARING AT THE WALL. MASSI ASKS JAI SACH BAAT BATAOO TUM kush hona? He sasy haan maassii mein bahut kush hoon phir muje kyun lagraha hain kii kcuh gadbad hain.. meine shaadi ke din bhi deki kistaraf tum donon baat akr rahe the.. aur woo tuje icecream emin mirchi laggar dii.. meine deka par muje laga shaadi hochuki hain .. itna too chalta hain waise bhi woo too bachii hi hain and jai remembers the thing in goa and laughs .. in his thought and massi sees it and ssay kay hua btu he continues laughing .. massi sasy munna bani yahan kaise he was like kay massii .. she giggles .. and sasy too aap bani ki kyaal mein koi hue te.. he was all emabraased and sasy woo massi.. .. looking down with all red.. masii se too aapko usse pyaar hgoaya hain.. he was like pyaar.. massi continues saying aur nahi too kya.. pehle jab ate te kam se kam 1 min 10 baar to amssi massi kehte tea b mere paas baite hue bhi kyaalon mein koi hoo.. iska matlab meri bahu ne teri dil koo jeet hii li… jai sees massi with a semi smiled faced.. with a confused look.massi says … pehle to shaadi keliye na na kerahe te.. ab kay hua? Hmmm? .. he says woo mein.. she sasy eta.. aise hi hota.. shaadi se pehle lagta hain kii humko shaadi karna nahi chaiye.. par karne ke baad sab teek hojata hain jaise kii ab.. tumhein hii lelo.. sab teek hogaya na tumahre zindagi mein.. he get lots in thoughts thinking we r gogin to divorce.. soon massi woo aapse mein kasie kahoon?.. massi ask sab teek haina beta.. dekoo jai.. tum chahe apni maa se bhi joot kehdoo par tum mujse hamesaa sach hii kehta ta bachappan mein tum jab bhi koi anjane bhi bgalti karta ta.. tum apni maa se chupdete hoo par mujse akar kehteta ..kyunki.. agar teri maa koo kisi taraf pata bhi chalein mein tuje bachaloon aur meine kahiin baar bhi kiya.. sach batha beta.. sab teek hain… muje galat mat samjna par … muje aise laga tum mujse kuch chuparahe hoo tum.. agar aise koi baat hain bata dena beta.. kay pata uska hal miljay tuje.. .. he was little confused and sasy woo sab chodiye na massii aapne hamri pasand ka besan ka laddo banya hain? Massi munna aya to mein ladoo kaise na banvoon.. and sasy ek min abhi layi and goes.. and jai get lsot in his thought .. thinking what amssi said.. soon massi comesw with the laddo and feeds him… and look after her munna.. . in the night.. he was thinking on massi words and suddenly his phone rings and sees it was bani's num.. and a smile comes and he says hello she on the music.. he says baniii I am sorryyyy sorry babab.. she says kay sorry.. muje ek phone bhi nahhi kiya haaan? Nto fair.. tuje pata hain.. hamari papa von ki business taka lag honewal hain.. ,,.. kiski wajese tumhare wajese… he was like meri wajese? Idea kiska ta/?
Bani:tumhara ofcourse… par haan uska anjaam meine diya varna teri har idea flop hii than a.. makes him laugh jai: says bani.. tum nahi badli…
Bani:mein kyun badaloon?isliye to hamre divorce horaha hain…socha kii tumse baat hi an karoon.. joo muje ek phone tak nahi kiya.. .. he says sorry baba woo jald baazi mein ana apda. Wiase bhi tuje phone karne hii wala ta.. woo meri dost ka phone aya.. hamre divorce ke silse mein.. he said jab mein return avoonga hamra divorce hosakta hain… .. ab koi problem bhi nahi hoga na .. afterall hamre papaon ki beech bhi dooriyaan achuka hain.. jo humne paida kiii .. ab bus hamein divorce miljay too

Bani was on other side was crying not feeling good on hearing divorce and tears were already in her cheecks.. . she says maa bularahi hain bye and cuts the phone and sleeps huggin the teddy and remember seeing the teddy which jai got him as a siymbol of thierfriednship and hugs it tighly and sleeps of actually due to heavy crying the sleep overtook on her.
Jai on other hand think why what happen and keep the phone and get up to get something and get shocked to see massi standing there angrily ..
Massi ask ye sab kay hain munna? What is all this? He says woo mein.. munna ye divorce????kya matlab klya hain .. aur aaplogon ki papa alag horahe hain ye sab mein kya sunnrahi hoon?
He say massi actually she says nahii mein abhi Krishna ko phone karthi hoona nd takes the phone to clal jai sasy nahi massi please aise mat kijiye.. pls… she says kyun an karroon akir unlogonon ko bhi pata chalnii chahiye kii tum donon ki wajese se sab hua hain;.. he says nahiii massi aise baat nahi hain try to understand .. woo and takes the pone form amssi ahnd and look ashamed. Massi says sach abtate ho yaar phir trying to take the phone he says batata hoon wooo ..she ask woo kay munna? Haaan? Seeing him with a angry face.. he says massi.. .. ye sach hain kii humari divorce honewali hain par duk se nahi we both are happy with this divorce massi sees him with a shocked face .. he says haan amssi hum donon is shaadi se pehle hii is shaadi ke kilaf te par hamare ma bapon ne jabadarsti se hamri shaadi karwaadi.. ..jab hum donon honeymoon gaye te.. hum donon ne milkar decide kiya kii we both will go for divorce.. massi was like what?. He says haan massi woo hua yahi hain kiii and says form first what happen that she called him before wedding itself to say him that say no to her father's proposal of amrryign her he toow anted it and said it to his father btu when the announcing time came h announced jb will eb getting engaged and married in 3 days and that day engagement took pplace.. bani even tried to run away form the wedding btu she was caught and brought by the gaurds and she was forcelly amried to me like em who also was forcelly gget into the wedding due to mom and dad's pressure.. . shaadi kea bad se hii hum donon ki nahi bani.. we were not happy with each toher btu in honeymoon we decided to go for divorce.. .. so that we be happy. Ise wajese we got friends also… and we planned so much and most was flop and last palnn got successful.. hum bhi kya karte massi.. akir we we re not wanting this wedding .. isliye hamein majboori mein ye sab akrna pada.. hum ye sab akrna nahi chathe te isliye to pehle se hii shaadi keliye na na kehrahe the par koi nahi sunee aap bhi nahi.. isliye.. massi gives him a tight slap saying muje tumse ye umeed nahi tha jai.. tum logon apni swart keliye tum logo aise kiya.. he look asahamed.. thinking ye kya hogaya… she sasy accha haut um log mujse abhi kehdiya.. mein abhi jagar phone karthi hoon he says nahii massi pls… varan.. sab katam hojayega… she turns jai agar meine phone nahi kiya too problem badjayega aur jb alag hojayega.. yenge.. isliye.. mein phone kar rahi hoon he begs massi nahi plss mein aapki pair pat ta hiooon… pls.. she says nahi jai.. ab sachayi bahar akar reehega.. … massi phone..

The scene shifts to the Mumbai walia mansion where all were gathered. Jai and bani were standing. Their father says we expected this and doubted it .. when they wanted lied on each other to us and we pretended to fight to bring out the truth phir bhi ye loog aise behave akrte rahe.. nahi sudere ye donon.. ab hum logon neb hi faisla kardiya.. .. kab ye log aise harkat ki hain too it is better we go for their divorce soo that it doesn't create trouble in other lfie. We made them to get married to grow our realtionsip in healthy way and also for their good life btu they dint understand it.. isliye.. we will go with their decision so that our life atleast be out of damage.. and all go away.. jb were standing there with a fallen face and see each other and feel bad. Bani's sister rano come and say chalo bani.. and takes her bani turns and was seeing jai.. and she was taken away.. something inside him asked him to stop her but he cdnt.. as she was already taken away.. the next day they were seated in the court . their lawyer were too seated along with their parents..

In the house massi was praying along with Krishna that some karishma happens and everything go well and jai and bani get back together.

The judge says after hearing the things and matter it seems like both didn't want this marriage to happen and soo they with their own understanding decided to go for divorce. But the court always want the couple to get back and live happily as it is our first aim but in some cases the divorce take place soo as per law of court and your people marriage is 3 months young It has been decided that u both will be away for 6 more months, after 6 months also u people want to lvie separately the divorce wil proceed. Inbetween u people change ur minds the case wont proceed further and the court is adjourned for today and the judge goes.

They come outside and the lawyer says pata nahi judge ne kay sochkar ye sab kiya as the court case was over today. Jb were seeing each other will a worried face but inside somewhere they felt a happiness. Their father sees each other and sasy bus 6 mahine kuch bhi hoo inki riste kasie bhi hoo is 6 mahine ke baad par hamra ye dosti nahi tootega and they go away taking bani and jai.

That day night Krishna places the plates and jai sees bani's plate which was a glass plate with pink apple in the side and sasy ma bani ka plate.. Krishna says ohh haan mein bhi na phir se bhool ajthi hoon kii bani hamre saat nahi rahegiii .. wo uski adaat padchuki haina and takes the palte.. jai feeling abd goes away saying muje bhook nahi hain,,, on other hand bani was to missing jai .. but dint know why and what it was? .. on other hand jai was remembering the good times with bani. Massi comes to sees him and sees him seeing bani's picture in computer which they shooted in goa along with their video clipping and smiles. The funny thing bani was doing and then continued watching him and her's picture and a smile appear on his face. Massi sees it and smile too mera shak sayi ta.. pyaar to karte hain… par samaj the nahi.. inko smajana bahut jaroori hain.. and goes back.

Jai couldn't sleep the whole night and was roaming in his room, study, terrace and in the gardern lawn but nothing kept him away from seeing bani illustration ,remembering bani 's voice her funny acts and the things she did which he missed and his sleep was taken away due to this. And he also dint talk nor fight with bani. He tried to divert his concentration on the work for next 2 days but couldn't.

The same thing took palce with bani, she too tried many things.. to keep jai away from her mind btu nothing left her mind.. the fights.. the orders she gave to jai to make it and he did it and their flop plans.. which backfired.. .. and at the end they laughed blaming each other. She was totally missing it more than that the things she felt for Jai was surprising her. She kept on dreaming about him till her eyes closed.

Her parents too noticed how lost she looked. She even tried to make herself occupied by doing household work before her mother said as she hated it once but now she was doing it. Nothing seems to work out with them.. what ever they did thay missed each other badly but couldn't say out. The reason was their EGO ackwardness and their present state. Her sister too notices her as she does her work without any one commanding nor scolding and even does their thing which bani never did. Her sisters saw it and understood it. And talked to their parents in secret and they too felt good but what can be done.

The next day morning jai came out fo his bath and saw bani picture kept in the drawer and open it and suddenly tony said sir bade sir is calling u to come down as some one has come.

Few min later he walks down the steps and get shocked when he sees ROSHINI there saying surprise, deka I came back as I promised and goes to him and says u know what my mom and dad is going to come tonight here to talk to your parents on our wedding. And hugs him and he releases her hug and sees his father who say yes beta as u know what happen I dotn want ur marriage to take place without ur marzi isliye we have decided to accept ur love. He was shocked and was like papa par. He says I know beta after 6 months u r wedding will take place . We have no aitraaz and gives an assuring smile but Jai felt his whole world was gone drowned in a ocean and says nahii ye nahi hosakta. Krishan ask kyun nahi hosakta beta u love roshnia nd she loves u too phir kyun? Roshni says haan jai jab sab raazi hain tum kyun inkaar kar rahe hoo. He say woo mein..... Massi says munna jab sab problem katam hochuka hain tumhein aitraaz kyun hain? He says woo …. Actually muje ye shaadi nahi karni divorce bhi too nahi ha hain. Uday says haan beta pata hain divorce to honiwala haina, waise bhi tum donon to is divorce keliye raazi hoo too problem nahi ayega… chavoo to bani se poochloo.. akir u both will be happy right. But jai dint feel good and says I need time and goes back to his room. Massi comes there and sees him standing there worriedly and caresses his hair and says beta kya soch rahe hoo? He says muje ye shaadi nahi akrnii massi she ask kyun beta?? He says apta nahi… par nahi akrni…massi says kyun jai? Woo divorce nahii hua haina… .. massi smiles saying woo to hone wala hain waise bhii rista too toot chukka hain sirf paper mein formularity complete hona baki hain… ye tookoi badi waje nahi hain beta… he says par massi muej ye shaadi nahii akrni.. pata nahi kyun.. she says mein bataoon seeing the photo leing in the half open drawer. And says kahin woo waje ye to nahi taking Bani's picture and smiles.

He was shocked seeing it and massi says beta mujse mat chupana… mein teri massi hoon muje pata hain kii teir andar bani keliye pyaar kil chukka hain ab usse inkar ne se koi faida nahii.. kya soch rahi hoo jaii.. he sasy pyaar bani se ? massi giggles saying agar pyaar nahi hain to shaadi kyun nahi karleti roshni se.. hmm nahi akrpavoge.. kyunke ab teri andar bani achuki hain.. aur tum usse pyar akrte hoo roshni se nahii… ye baat samaj mein tuje der laga hain beta. He was all stunned hearing it. Massi says agar pyar nahi hain too uski tasveer kyun hain tere paas? Haan … mujse joot mat kehna kii ye tasveer galti se yahan hain kyuunki meine kud tuje is tasveer koo dekte hue deka hain… beta pyaar aise hii hota hain.. kab ata hain hamein apta hii nahiii chalta… muje ter aankon mein saaf dikayi deta hain… kii tum bani koo kitna pyaar akrte hoo aur tum usse door hoen kii wajese use kitna miss akrra he hoo. . muje sab apta hain beta…. .. in ur eyes it is clearly seen ab too samjoo meri munna and goes smiling. He thinks kya massi sach kehrahi hain? And sits down and closes his eyes and sees bani smiling and remember all the moments he spent with her and smiles thinking kitnii acchi pal ta woo. He tunrs and goes to cubboard and open and sees bani's pink and red saree and remembers something.

Flashback: Jai was correcting her pallu and pinning it. Bani sasy jaii u know what divorce ke baad tuje mein bahut miss karoongi shaadi pehene ke waqt as u don't scold me but do the saree with patiently which I even don't have pata nahi kay karoonga. He says too teri apni marzii se shaadi hogi tab kya karogi agar teri sasural mein sirf shaaddi hii allowed hain.. she giggles saying tuje bulaavoonga pehnanekeliye ya phir shaaddii se pehle us hoenwale pati koo tujse training keliye 1 month bejdoonga and giggles. He too laugh and says u little brat and smile and says naughty bani. You know I too will miss this and they both hug.
Flashback ends

He smiles on it and takes the saree and says shayd ab iski koi zarrorat nahi hogi bani after all I will be there for u and smiles thinking iska matlab what massi said was a truth. I mean I AM IN LOVE WITH BANI and says yes I am varna mein sue itna miss kyun karta aur why I lost my sleep which dint happen even when I fell in love with roshni. That means bani is my true love .. and smiles.

Bani was coming down to dining table and suddenly faints. All her family members sees this and get worried. They immediately calls the doctor.

Few min later Jai hurries up in the steps and comes down quickly and all were shocked. Roshni tries to call but he run away soo fast that he didn't even hear her. He takes his motor bike and drives away thinking when will he reach Bani's house.

The doctor comes out and assures them there is nothing to worry about and in this stage this is all normal. Her father gets confused and asks him what do you mean by this state? The doctor says your daughter is pregnant, didn't you all know that. Everyone standing there gets shocked. Her sisters along with their hubbies are also shocked with the piece of information. Bani's father get's angry and storms to her room…yeh sab kya hain?
She gets up and says papa woh actually, her father slaps her, asks her kiska baccha hain ? kiska paap tumahre andar paal rahe hain? She says papa!! ye baccha paap nahi hain, yeh baccha Jai ka hain. Her father says bus karoo Bani aur kitna joot bolegi? Hum sab ko pata hain kii u both didn't want this wedding too baccha kahan se aya? Haan?? Jaror is bacche ke baap ke saat tumhara rista hoga isliye tumne turand divorce karni keliye chaha, taki divorce hote hii tum uske saat shaadi karsakthe hoo. Kitna bada doka, muje laga … .. kher …. Ab sirf ek rasta hain is bacche koo abort kardoo.

Bani gets shocked and says mein nahi karoongi, ye baccha mera aur jai ka hain ye sach hain. He says bus karoo apni backwaas. Pehle see hii tumahre wajese mein bahut jayada sarminda hochuka hoon. Her mother tries to defend but no use, even her sister rano tries but nothing was done. Her brother-in-laws also tried to cool Bani's father but that also failed.

Her father dragged her out with her bag and pushed her out saying don't show me your face and I don't want a characterless girl in my house who is married to some one and having some other person's kid and bani directly lands up in jai's hand. Her father closes the door..

Bani sees jai and cries a lot and hugs him tightly saying jai ye baccha hamra hii hai, mein joot nahi bool rahi hoon, ye baccha hamra hii hain. He was like what? And sees her and says you mean you are pregnant. She nodes her head and a smiles appear on his face. You mean that we are going to be parent soon and hugs her out of joy and happiness. She cries more asking tum muje chodkar chalenahi javoge. He sasy kabhi nahii bulki meinto tuje lene ayata….you know why. She looks up he says because I love u.


Jiya Dhadak….Jiya Dhadak…….

A soft song was played and they have eye contact section.
He asks do u love me? She says haan I love u too and hugs him. He asks ghar chalein, she nodes yes but get worried. He says tum fikar mat karoo I am sure jab ye kush kabar suneenge sab kush hoajenge aur sab bool bhi jayenge. She says par meri papa he says tum fikar mat karo I will make him understand agar chahe too my dad will make him understand now let's go to our home and celebrate this victory and smile and says chalo taking her bag but she was still in tears he assure her father will come and take her to maika happily and says ab tum roh mat and I want my bani back who's funny talk and whose naughtiness made me fall for her. He takes her saying her not to worry, as he will always be with her. He places the bag in motorbike and she asks.. tum ey laye hoo he says haan woo jaldi ta na tuje lene keliye isliye I came in this bike. Waise bhii u too love to ride in motorbike. She says haan.. and says chalein. She was about to take step to climb when he ask her to sit in the position of both the legs on one side not the other way as it wont be safe and she sit a little scared and holds him tightly. He tells her to hold on and tickle him, they smile and he starts the bike and slowly drives saying she was pregnant and he didn't want to take any risks. They reach home.


They were about to step inside when his father says teharoo they stop and take back their foots. He says agar andar ana hain to tum akele hii ana. He was like papa. Yes, If you want to come in, you will have to forget this girl. Jai protests, No, I can't leave her. We have realized that we are made for each other and also decided to patch up. His father gets angry, what is with both of you, one time you want to divorce then after few days you want to patch up. Do you take us to be fools? He says nahi papa.. woo actually. Uday says mein tumse kuch nahi sunna chata, agar tum is ladki ko nahi choda tum andar nahi asakte. He says papa ye aap kay kehrahe hoo ….? Do you know papa, we are going to be parents and you are going to a grandfather. He says kya? Dada? Samaj kay rake hoo hum sabkoo? Haan? Tum log ek din kehte hook ii u both were forced to get married isliye u both want to divorce and did many dramas and when we all agreed u both come back saying u r going to become parents? Are u people trying to fool us? ..hmmm…muje aab samaj mein ara hain.. u dint want to get married to roshni haina isliye tum bani koo wapas laye hoo aur ye bahana banarahe hoo taki we accept Bani and you don't get married. Again u both can start a new drama how mean u people are…haan .. apni matalb keliye praegnancy ka joot bolrahe hoo. Bani was already in tears, hearing all this her heart broke.

Jai gets angry and says, you can tell me what ever you want but don't criticize our relationship like this. I agree we did a lot of things but now we have realized what this marriage mean for us and our baby is symbol for it… we both love each other.

He says enough Jai….you leave this girl or leave this house. He calls Tony and he bring a bag and places it front of jai and jai's father says u choose r u going to go with the bag out or come in leaving Bani, he takes the bag. His mother try to protest him but he makes her keep quite and jai says sorry papa I cant leave Bani, that too in this stage, patni hain woo meri .. meri bache kii honewali ma aur mein usse nahi chodsakta and says sorry dad. Then takes Bani's hand and says chalo bani I promised to take care of u and our baby and I will, chalo let go and she fell once again in his love.


They left the house Jai returned the key of car and bike along with the CC, kept some money which he earned while he was the MD of WGI and left with Bani who was crying uncontrollably. He wiped her tears saying keep faith in him.

They walk in the street, Jai's hand in bani's and other hand with their bags. He never made bani lift the bag and he carried it. Suddenly it started to rain they both got into a small mandir to save themselves from getting wet and he covered her with his jacket and gave an assuring smile and promised to protect her. She hugged him and then they prayed to God to help them. He filled her maang and once again tied the mangalsutra. She was bending down to take his ashirwaad he stops her saying her place was in his heart and says I want my smiling and dominating Bani back. She asks you mean to say I am dominating u r too mean. He smiles thinking she looked so cute with an angry face and says mood swings. Nope Bani u r sweet and she goes shy. She then asks where they will go as they don't have shelter too and says she never thought she will be like this but still she is happy as she was having jai.

He says this is their new beginning and sits in the mandir and both watch the rain. Few min later the rain stops and the pandit ask beta tum logon ne ghar se bag gar aye ho? He sasy nahi actually haan. Bani indicates him to be quite. Accha, aaj kal ki bacche bhi na. Bani says panditji actually humne unlogon koo samjane kii koshih ki par we log mane nahin, issiliye humne baagna pada. He sasy ohh. Jai asks kya paas mein koi hotel hain aaj koo teherna hain. He says paas mein to hai par shaayd tum log wahan nahi rehpavogi akir bhag kar aye hoo aur upar se woo hotel mehenga hain. Isliye aagar aaplogon ko aitraaz na hoo toh jab tak chaein meri ghar mein ruksakte hain. Bahut bada toh ahi hain par rehne keliye jagah jaror hain. Jai thanks the panditji and says hamein aitraaz nahi hain , Bani also nodes yes.

He takes them to his house which was near by. He said tum logon ki shaadi hochuke haina. They say haan.. too tum log us kamre mein rehsakte hain. Meri beti ka hain shaadi karke chaligayi. Issliye woo hamesaa hii band raha aaplog baitiye mein us kamre ko saaf karwata hoon and goes in search of his wife. Bani was like accha panditji hain, varna aajkal koun kiski madat karta hain. Jai also agrees and says aaj keliye milgaya par kal hamein apni ghar doona hoga.

The pandit's wife comes and sees bani and says meine tuje akhin deka hain. Tu wahi ladki haina joo apni shaadi se bag gayi. Jai was like may be. Tabhi tooo kaise bool skathi hoon tuje. The panditji ask ye tum kya kehrahe ho? She says bhool gaye. Wahi ladkii jiski shaadi mein hum gaye te aur woo dulhan bag gayi thii aur shaadi ruk gaya ta. He says haaan woo shaadi yaad aya. She ask to ye log yahan kya akra he hain.. tab bagi thi ab laute ho kya? He says woo kay haina becahre donon beghar hain isliey socha kii aaj keliye in donon koo yahan jagah dein. JB looks pithily at her. She agrees and tells that tomorrow we will send them to their parents. Jai smiles saying they won't comes because they only throwed us out. Jai and Bani look at each other sadly. They were like what he says haan. Woh hum gaye te maafi mangne par ghar se hii nikaldeya. They were like kya ? he says haan. Jai says upar se meri wife pregnant bhi hain. The couple console them and tells them not to worry and they can stay as long as they need.

Jai and bani was sitting in the given room and was like ab kay kareeein. She says mein ek idea doon. Tum tumhara woo lawyer dost ko phone karoo, hosakta hain he can help. He says not bad and calls and he says jai I am out of town and due to power shortage the phone goes of. He says kuch nahi hua.. Bani was like jai kab tak hum yahan rehenge. Atleast hamein rehnekeliye money to dene padega na varna woo log kya sochenge. She says they are nice people that's why they allowed us to stay but we should not take advantage of their goodness. He says u r right, hamein bahut jald kuch karna padega. kal subh hoti hii mein naukari doondne javoonga. Phir milte hii ek accha ghar bhi dek loonga, teek hain. She says ok then asks jai agar tum izazat dee to mein bhi naukri doondoon, chote naukrahi hi but it will help to fulfill our small needs. He says tum kabse meri izzat lena chali aur ye kya u r asking y permission. She says woo aaj see and hugs him shyly. He caresses her back saying I love u she replies hum too he was like what//? She places his hand on her small slightly ready to swell belly and they hug and sleep.

Next morning they Bani asks him again if she can go for a job. He agrees but tells her not strain herself too much and in this condition he didn't like this idea but for their living they don't have any other choice. Bani goes to some hotel and restaurant to see if she can enter as a cook as she had studied cooking but no luck. Jai was also searching but he also fails to find one. At last she goes to a pizza house where jai also accidenlty comes and says let us try our luck and go. First the owner doesn't give but when he learns they are hubby and wife he gives, saying as they will have less problem and they wont take leave much. They get are happy because they got a job and start work from tomorrow.

Bani helps inside and serving too and jai goes as a delivery boy. In one house where he delivered pizza the girl falls for him and he escapes from there. He tells this to his collogues and bani hearing it laughs. He asks her why she was laughing? She tells him that she was imagining how must have been to see him run away. He wanted to fight with her but smiles thinking if it was some other girl they would have started a war.

Later they go home, their new home rented near by the panditji house. With their help they found one house. It was not very big but manageable. Just a room, a bathroom along with a small dressing room. In front the main room was separating by a small screen. A small kitchen which had no door between the main room and it. It was an open kitchen. They were both happy nevertheless because they at least had a small shelter. Daily they go by bus together and return together.

One day in the pizza house Bani's elder sister along with her kid and hubby come there and bani serves them. Pia had come there with her child, husband and some friend. They ignore her so Bani feels bad, she goes behind the kitchen and cries. Jai seeing this goes there and consoles her she hugs him and cries a lot. He comforts her, then they get back to work.

Bani and jai come back to home and bani get nauseous and throw up. She gets unwell and Jai looks after her the whole night and she says jai we need to get a better job to support ourselves. Waise bhi aaj meine pia ko deka and from her looks I could say she was embarrassed. She says, I am not telling this job is bad because this only helped us support ourself but…. Jai says it's ok dear, I understand. I have applied in 2-3 places I am just waiting for their call.

2 days later he get a job interview letter and goes there. They ask him what he was presently doing? He says he was doing a job in pizza house as a delivery boy. They ask him are u not ashamed on saying it as many feel. He says nahi as for him the work they do is more important as no kam is chota ya bada kam kam hi hota hain and he gives more good answers and they appoint him as their company 's GM and appoints provides him with the company's flat and car. He gets happy hearing that and thanks them. They tell him to join the next day.

He gets some sweets remembering how much Bani likes them. When he enters the house he sees the pandit's wife was sitting next to her. He gets shocked and asks them what happened. The wife replies that Bani fell down while working but baghwan ke sukar hain ma aur bachhe donon ko kuch nahi hua. Accha hua tum agaya mein jagar tum donon keliye kana lekar ati hoon. He says Bani what was the need for you to do all this, what if something happened to you. Do you know what my condition would have been. She smiles and tells him that you are always tired when you come back from work and I didn't feel good to make you work, that's why I thought I will just clean up a bit. He smiles and says muje hameshaa lagta ta tum bahut ziddi hooo ,tumhari andar bahut jyaada bachapna hain…par aaj muje pata chala….cupping her face and going near her, that you are truly my love. You are very nice Bani, that's why even in this condition you thought about me. You didn't want to trouble me so took that responsibility on your head. Because of me you had to fight with your parents but still you believed me, he wipes the few tears that formed on his face and hugs her. Tears roll down both their cheeks.

He ask doctor ke paas gayi?? She nodes haan kuch dawyi de hain. Par muje nahi kani kadvii hain. He sasy koi baat nahi laddu ke saat kalena. She asks laddu tum banaoge? Wo bhi besan ka laddoo and giggles. He says tujhe apta hain muje naukri bhi mil gaya aur sat mein ghar aur gaadi bhi. She was like what? Haan .. She congratulates him but he says he want the congrats in other way. She goes red and shyly hugs him. The pandit's wife comes there and coughs. She gives them food and says mein chali but Jai stops her and gives her sweet saying he got naukri and thanks her for taking care of his wife.

2 days later Jai got up early in the morning and sees bani and smiles. Then goes to wear his clothes. While brushing his teeth he smiles seeing the kumkum on his cheek and remembers their romantic moments last night and get ready. Few minutes later he comes with chai to wake bani who was still sleeping. He says bani utho subha hogayi hain. Chai laya hoon peloo utho. She gets up and feels shy. He smiles making her blush. She gets up saying tum javoo mein taiayr hokar athi hoon. He smiles saying bani don't u think it is too late for that. Teek hain mein jagar bread ko toast karta hoon tum tayar hoajana. I kept all the necessary thing in the bathroom taiyar hojana ok. She nodes yes and says jai I love u. He turns and tells I love u too and kisses her and goes not before feeding her the chai. She goes covering herself.

Few min later she comes wearing the towel in her head and neatly dressed in a jeans and kurtis and sees her self in the mirror on the wall and sees the doll next to it and takes it. Through the mirror she realizes her belly was starting to show though very small and giggles. She gets excited and runs to jai and drags him who was drinking his coffee, takes his cup which was still in his mouth. Deko jai showing the mirror and he ask kay tumein dekhun ? She says nahii woo dekoo hamri baby, it is growing. Meri belly also growing dek na. He smiles saying haan mujhe pata hain I noticed it yesterday. She goes red and they hug.

They both feed each other breakfast, half of the time playing with food while leads up to both of them partially having a butter face. They giggle and hug each other. He says he is getting late for office and says when they will return he will pack and tomorrow is Saturday and they shift to their new home.

Next day they enter the house and jai makes her kick the rice bowl and does the aarthi and she keeps giggling saying u r funny. She says I never thought this serious face has brain to do such lovely things. He carries her saying ab se ye hamra ghar hain and no problem as I even arranged for a dhai ma who will help u in house hold work and also look after u.



3 months later .

Bani was in her 7th month pregnancy sitting in the sofa watching cartoon and bossing jai as Saturday afternoon to Monday the dai ma was off. Suddenly starts to cry saying she was missing krishna ma and the glass with pink apple in it and he hugs and console her. Feels bad.thinking kash woo ghar mein hote how nice would have been, he too was missing but covered it well because he did want Bani to get upset. He promises to get a plate like that and tells her not to cry and she sasy toh mujhe shopping le chalogi? He nodes yes.

Few days later Bani open the door and sees massi. Jai was busy in the kitchen chopping the onions and crying. Bani smiles and says Jai dekoo massi ayi hain and he was like who and comes out and sees massi and they both bend down to take blessings. Massi says are beta is halt mein nahi bani and hug her and jai too hugs her and she asks- kaise ho tum donon? They says teek hain, she asks kitna mahina. Bani replies 7th month. Accha lekin tum donon ki shaaid ko bhi 7 mahine hii hua haina. They both start to fight saying it is each other's fault. They get caught and massi says donon ke donon waise hii ho.Mein toh samj gayii jab tum donon koo mirchi kilayii kii tum donon ekdusre keliey hii bane hoo and giggles. They ask her to comes in and she brigns the bag. They ask massi bag? She sasy haan mein yaahan rehna agayi hoon apni bahu aur munna ke saat. Bani giggles saying munaa koun hain massi.. ? mera paas kade hain woo ya meri andar hain woo. Massi laughs and Jai gives her an angry look.Massi says kitni boli hain meri bahu and says kisi ki nazar na lage and palces the black teeka and smiles. She says meine apni jeeju aur bani ki papa se ladkar yahan agayi hoon kehdiya mera bahu aur munna bahut kush hain.They say bahut accha hua aap agaye and masssi says jai beta kuch jal raha hain kay? Eh says haan massi and runs to off the gas and opens the windows. Massi asks kya Jai kana banata hain '? She nodes yes saying woo uska off haina isliye aur rozz banaleta hain. Raat ki kaana hummilkar karte hain, massi laughs and commends kitni pyaare lag rahe hain.Chalo aaj mein kana banadethi hoon tum donon aram karoo. Bani says nahi massi Jai accha banata hai aap bhi intezaar kijiye wahi banayega haina jai javoo and he goes sadly to cook and massi laugh saying kya baat hain tere haar baat manta hain. She giggles saying Krishna ma ki training hain kyunki woo apni pati koo kaboo mein nahi rak payai na isliye unhone hii kahaa pehle se hii rakloo varna unki aur meri maa kii taraf rehan na pade and giggles. Massi says banii tum bhi na, tum aur teri Krishna ma and giggles.

Massi calls panditji and get a good date for bani's godbarai because she was in her 7th months. Krishna comes but bani's father doesn't send her mother so Bani gets sad. But rano and her mother in an excuse of going to the temple comes and sees bani and gives her ashirwaad. Krishna also had said the same lie and massi teases her saying isliey apni bahu koo apni beta ko kaboo rakne keliey kaha and Krishna sees bani who was giggling and says haan too meri bahu hain isliye kyunki saas bhi kabhi bahu thi and all laugh. Bani gets emotional when both mother and rano was about to leave they promised to visit her again.Krishna says she will come back and was going to continue the war which she is doing to bring them back and jai also gets emotional. They go asking massi to take care of Bani.

Massi pampers bani with her food and bani teases jai saying his mother and massi are great that's why he is also good and giggles. Jai was falling for this cute bani day by day.

In her 9th month massi was sitting and feeding bani kheer and jai says I am going to office and will come back soon bus ye file dena hain ok. Kuch bhi hoo call kardena, mein chalta hoon ok bye and kisses both massi and bani and waves bye.

In the night he enters and gets shocked to see massi and his mother sitting in the bed next to bani and feeding food and maedicine. He panics and ask kay hua? Krishna says woo iski tabiyat karab hogayi thi hospital jagar aye hain. He asks kyun kya hua sitting next to Bani. They says iski due date haina isliye false pain hota hai. He was like oh, par mom aap yahan? She says mien bhi teri papa se jagada karke agayi kehdiya kisi aur se shaadi karliye tabhi apni biwi kii aimiyat samaj mein ayega. He was like mom? She says aur nahi too kya meine kab se kehrahi hoon kii beta aur bahu koo ghar wapas ladeein par nahii unko unki dosti ki pati thi isliye agayi mein. Ab se yahii rhaoongi, waise bhi mera pota ane wala hain and sees bani who was smiling saying accha hua aap agayi muje apki bahut yaad athi thi kyunki massi ki munna koo akele satane mein bore horahi thii aapke bina making them laugh. Krishna says meri bahu kitni boli hain and they were all laughing but suddenly bani starts to scream saying she was in labour. Jai carries her to the hospital.

Few min later.Bani delivers a healthy baby girl along with 2 boys. Bani says ap mein apni donon saasovn ko jane nahi doongi. Agar papa koo chahe to mamma ko aakar dekein, hiana mummy. Krishna says haan beta. Jai calls his dad saying yahan bahut jyadaa saas bahu ki drama hain and please forgive them and get them back, because he can't stand all this anymore. His father break into laughter sayin jo meine saha ab tum bhi sahoo,aise hii hua jab tum paida hua ta and giggles and cuts the phone. He calls Nishikant and says muhabarak hoo nixikant hum dononn saat mein nana aur dada bangaye. He was like kya? Haan bani koo baccha hogaya hain, hamre plan kamyab hogaya atlast they have become responsible. Kya hum hamri is naraazki ka drama katam Karein? Nixikant says rahoo itni jaldi mat akroo. We need to have patience varna sab gazaab hojega aur phirse apni harkatein shuru kardeinge, let them get more responsible as parents tabhi eshaas hoga ma baap hona kya hota hain.

They sceretly come to meet the new born and gets shocked seeing the 3 babies in the cot but are neverthless happy. Bani asks Jai tum 4 bachoon ko kasie samalogi? He says lagta hain I cant let my massi and mom goo varna mein to gaya.

3 days later bani come home with the kids in her and Jai's hand. Krishna takes aarthi and welcomes them. Bani's mom comes with Rano, Sahil and their baby boy. Jai says I miss my dad agar woo bhi hote kitne acche hote. Bani start to cry saying sab meri wajese hua hain. He says nahii meri wajese meine toh, tum pls mat rona and consoles her. Krishna feels bad and says mein jarahi hoon jagadne keliye kii meri beta aur bahu koo rulane meri pati se jwaab mangne keliye and goes.

Krishna comes and sees the grandfathers celebrating the new arrivals by cutting a small cake saying atlast hamri biwiyan bahar chaligayi and we got time to celebrate becoming grandpa. Bani mom who came there along with Krishna sees it and learns they did this drama to teach jb a lesson and they get angry and goes to them and says ye sab kay hain?

They were like oh noo we are caught that means you all purpose fully and they were like haan.. woo hum.. to hum kay akrtein? Bacche jab galt karein hum chup chap dkein isliye we wanted to teach them a lesson, that it, par hamein todi na maloon ta kii ye log itni naughty hoange. The mothers were first angry but later understand they had only good intentions.They ask them to brink back their kids back along with their babies. They were like fine but asks them not to tell the truth to Jb, they agree.

In the evening Jai was trying to calm down his girl and sasy beta apni maa se mat seeko kii kasie blackmail karke apni baat manwaya jata hain. Bani says kys kaha apne and gives him a playful slap and the baby goes quite and sees them. Bani giggles saying dekoo teri beti toh chup hogayi and he was like kya tumein too and pulls her and she ends up in his lap.The parents come and see them and turn aside and abni gets up and hides behind jai who also stands up. They ask hum bahar wait kar rahe hain aap log ajayiye and goes. They slowly come out with their kid in their hand and look down emabaraased.

They says hum tum logon ko ghar wapas lejane aye hain. They were like what? See each other. They says haan socha ki ab tum donon bhi ma baap bangaya hoo too tum logon bhi zimandariyon ka eshaas hogay hoga isliye.Waise bhi hum log tum logon se naraaz reh sakte par hamre poti poton se todina rehsakte, isliye koi aur wajese nahii. Massi says bus kijiye jijaji apne jooti naraazki ko band karlijiye aur hasdijiye kyunki muje pata hain aap hasna charahe hain par has nahin rahe hain aur aap bani ki baap. Becharii ko itna pareshaan kardiya. Deka undonon ko aap logon se naraaz hona chahiye, aapki harkaotoon ki wajese. Jiski wajse jai koo ghar ka cooking, cleaning aur dusra kaam bhi karma pada. Upar se Bani pregnant thi, issiliye aap chup chap maaf kardijiye, varna may nahin aane dongi ein dono ko aap ke sat. They were like teek hai and goes to take their grandkids.


Jai sees bani and both give each other a happy smile and bends down for ashirwaad making them get shocked. They smile and says thank u papa's agar aap log hamri zabardasti shaadi nahi karte too hum aaj saat nahi hote isliye aaplogon ki naraazki bhi manjoor hain, jiske wajaise hum donon ne bahut kuch seeka.Hamein eshaas hogaya hain kii we cant live without each other nor without the elders aur kaas kar Krishna mummy aur massi. Bani hugs krishan and they start to get teary. Jai says dekha dad, rooz I have to see this. Bani's mother laughs and sees Nishikant and in her mind says your decision was right and feels proud. Jai's father start to smile saying enjoy jai because I am busy with my poti and potas. Jai was like dad aap bhi na. Krishna says hum sab ghar chalein, they all node yes.

JB enter with baby and uday was also holding the baby Krishna takes the aarti and welcomes them and the new borns and take the kid form uday's hand and says kitni pyaari lagrahi hain meri poti and kisses her and says mere poton bhi kam nahi hain. They look around and see the whole house was beautifully decorated, they see Aditya and Jignyasa standing there with a huge welcoming smile.

Later in JB's bedroom Bani was sitting next to the kids who were sleeping peacefully. Jai ask kay hua and she start to cry and hugs him saying meri papa.. she says he still hate me.. he says nahi baba.. aise kuch bhi nahi hain she says aise hii hain.. isliey too ab tak bhi baat nahi kii.. tum se bhi kii.. akir tum unke ladle damad jo ho… and cries.Jai says aacha mein aapki papa se baat karoon she nodes no saying he wont hear and cries. Uday seeing it feels bad and goes to bani father and ask him to talk to bani. He says he feels bad for treating her like that in that halat.. how he will face his daughter.. he says she will understand him and take him after convincing him ..

He goes to see bani who was still crying in jai's arms.. uday says bani beta.. she sees him and looks down at her father comes to her and says I am sorry beta.. she cries down more.. he says sory beta and hugs her .. she too says sorry papa… sab teek hojata hain..

3 months later

It was Jai and Bani's anniversary, June 19th it was one year now they got married. And today they are together after one year and jai bani wishes each other and smile how they started their wedding and fought everyday with each other and now they are parents of 3 cute kids and smile. They talk how they worked together which thought them more about their life and their responsibilities. He thanks her for it she says no she should thank him and hugs Jai. They throw a huge party, photos were clicked and their parents were happy.


3 years later…

Bani was doing the same masti with the kids playing hide and seeks and jai gets bani and hug her and starts to kiss her saying at last they got some time and suddenly the three kids surrounding says pakadliya.. mamma papa koo… They both look away embarrassed. The kids says papa aap mamma ko pakad kyun kar rahe hain? Aur kay kar rahe tte? Jai smile saying kuch nahi .. woo asie hii.. pyaar kar raha ta.. woo bhi actually aap logon ki taraf dimaag ki taour par bacchi haina isliey samal rah tha and bani was like what and start to chase him and he runs around the sofa and says bachaao … are koi to muej bachaoo she says koi nahi ayenge samje and chases him around. At last they end up and she gets his coat.and sasy jai tumein and suddenly faints but he catches her in time.

The doctor come out and says muhabark hoo she is pregnant…. He was like what?. The kids ask him papa pregnant matlab kay hain? He says woo .. aap log jagar apni dadaji se puchi he is knows more and send him and they go and asks he says what happen they say the doctor told papa that aapki biwi pregnant hain. He smiles saying that mean u will all soon get a small little brother or sister. They were like ohhhh with their tiny mouth.

9 months later

Now all were sitting next to abni and the kids next to jai and hearing the baby in bani's womb as now bnai was in her 9 th months pregnant. Suddenly bani says jai I think I am in labour.. they ask what is labour.. jai says mean .. aapki baccha ke union mein ek aur join hone wal hain. They then take Bani to the hospital.

Few minutes later the kids were born and they were asking questions and jai was answering them. The nurse come and asks them to keep it down and the children starts to ask the nurse a bunch of questions. The nurse leaves getting confused and they all laugh on it.

JB brings the twin in their hand along with the kids holding them. The kids cradle the baby in the cradle and says mere bahi behen hum aapka kyaal rakenge. JB sees them and says they are cute.. just like us. And smile and goes near them and sit next to them.

And like this their life continues with love, fun, naughtiness and all their parents were also happy as the DIL always shows the way to LOVE which ultimately leads to true happiness.

Kyunki dil to pagal haina. Agar har dil mein ek chota sa pagalpan na hoo toh kuch bhii nahi hota na pyaaar na kuch…

The End.……………..and the continuation of their married life with some sweetness, bitterness and lots of happiness.

Entry #3

,

She woke up a with sigh. Once again…the same muddy brown eyes tortured her in her sleep. These are the same eyes that have been haunting her for the past three years. Everyday… the same face, the same eyes came and succeeded in their mission –destroying her peace, disrupting her dreams, and freezing her in her very own life.

She walked to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face. It felt good. It felt good to wash away the traces of tears shed during the night, though they remain as a stain in her heart. She dressed quietly, without even looking at herself in the mirror. She had other things on her mind…things that were never not on her mind.

She went downstairs in silence. Silence was the only thing left in her life. It had been three very long years. She had stopped counting though. There was once a time, more specifically three years ago, when she counted the passing by of every tick of the clock. Eventually, she learned to control herself, control her heart, and stop the waiting.

"Bani," Kiran called. Her eyes searched the room for her mother. She walked over to the couch and sat down beside her. The house was empty, just like it was everyday at this time. Her dad at work and her brother at college. It was only she and her mother, and ofcourse the servants.

"What is it Ma?" She asked, trying to erase the pain of the morning's dream from her voice. It was easy. She was good at lying now. Even to herself. But a mother's heart can never be deceived. Kiran recognized the unnaturally blank voice coming from her daughter, signifying something being hidden.

"What happened?" Kiran questioned straight away. Bani sighed in reply. "Why can't you get over what happened Bani?" She continued in an exasperated voice. "You can't change what happened. Get OVER it!"

"Please Ma!" Bani said, trying to calm her mom. "I don't want to talk about this. I am getting late, hurry up and tell me."

"Krishna called," Her mom replied in a disappointed voice. This was clearly something her mom wanted to hide. But Bani's eyes brightened up in an instant. "He's coming back…"

* * *

Bani was the first child to the Dixit's. She was loved and adored by everyone in the house. She was pampered…well, until her younger brother Pushkar came along. Easily, he gets the attention now. But inspite of this, Bani never felt ignored. She loved her brother, her mom and her father.

She had a petite figure that was tall and slim. She had straight black hair up till her waist. Her eyes were almond shaped and hazel coloured. She had thin rosy lips and a small forehead. Whatever her outlook maybe, she was something different in the inside.

She had a heart that was one in a million, and yet she had desires like everyone. She could be sweet if you were nice but she could be rude if she wanted to. She could get mad in an instant and her patience would be endless. She could talk to drive you nuts and yet she could be as silent as if nonexistent. That was Bani… someone you wouldn't meet everyday.

And finally, after three odd years, she was seeing him again. Of course her mom thinks he would have changed, but why would he? So what if he spent three years in London? Does that mean he changed his culture? Does that mean everything is different now? Does that mean he forgot her? Does that mean even their friendship ceased to exist? But she dismissed these thoughts, claiming them to be silly.

She fiddled nervously with her duppatta, as she walked around Krishna's house, also known as the Walia Mansion. She loved the house more than her own. Not because of its sheer size or the expensive things that decorated it. She loved it because of the memories it held. Memories of that same face, of that same man. As she finished her tour, she came to the living room and saw everyone huddling around one person.

Her heart leapt just at the thought of seeing him after so many long years. Did he look the same? Did he change? Did he have the same muddy brown eyes? Did he have that same muscular build? Did he still have ruffled hair? Was he the same? Was he still hers? These questions ran through her mind as she quietly walked down the stairs. She stood in a corner, trying to see him through the crowd.

And finally, she caught a glimpse of him. Her heart gave a excited squeal as it steadily started to beat faster. The same brown eyes, deep as an ocean. The same messy hair, falling on his forehead. The same muscular build making an athlete jealous. The same dark texture of his skin. He was the same… but was he hers? Suddenly her mother's words seemed correct.

He was laughing, hugging his cousins, catching up on things. His eyes didn't even waver for a second… didn't even search for her. But Bani was too absorbed in her thoughts to notice this. She was flying higher than the sky. After three torturous years, Jai Walia was back!

Three years ago, he had left to manage the new company his dad launched in London, UK. Not once did he come back. Why? No one knew. And suddenly, Jai decided to come back without a reason. If anyone found this odd, they didn't dare to voice it. Jai's anger was worse than a volcano, but his love was sweeter than honey.

Bani's thoughts wandered to the first time she met him.

It was her twentieth b-day party, when she first set her eyes on Jai, an admired boy, who she knew existed as he was her favourite Uday uncle's son. But never did she meet him. And on that day, she saw him, staring at space, a look of boredom clearly plastered on his face. She walked over to him, not recognizing him for they never met before .

"Hi," she said with a bright smile. He merely looked at her and continued staring everywhere except her. His rude gesture set her off beyond words.

"Excuse me," she continued. "I don't know who you are, but atleast I am trying to be courteous and–"

Jai cut her off in an irritated tone. "Don't be. No one wants to listen to your lecture, so you might as well save your breath." Bani's mouth fell open. No one ever dared to talk back to her.

"What is your problem?" she said, anger clearly visible in her voice. "No one is making you stay here. You can leave right now."

"Yeah that's kinda the problem here missy." He still didn't look at her. Looking at the clock Bani supposed.

"Who the hell are you to call me 'missy'?" She fumed.

"Go mind your business, instead of bugging me!"

"Do you know WHO I am?" Bani asked, eyeing his expression closely.

"No and I don't want to either. Probably some friend of Bani Dixit's. Seesh, I can't believe I am actually here at her party!" Jai sounded annoyed.

"Why?"

"What do you mean why?" He asked, still staring anywhere but her. "The perfect Bani Dixit. A lovely daughter who my dad rather have. Not getting into trouble, always obedient, never rude, topper in school and of course my dad's pet. My unknown rival."

And that's when Bani's anger vanished and she started laughing. Curious, Jai turned to actually look at her. To his horror, it was Bani Dixit. He was so embarrassed. And finally after what seemed hours, she stopped.

"Oh my god," she said breathless. "That was the best thing I have ever heard so far. You are older than me and you are acting like you are some five year old! The look on your face was sooooo HILARIOUS!"

And in spite of himself, Jai's anger for his unknown rival vanished slowly. And from that moment began the journey of a very close bond of friendship.

Bani jerked out of her thoughts as her mother gently shook her. She just nodded, assuring Kiran that everything was fine. At the same moment, Jai's eyes locked with hers. A blank expression crossed his face as the past he desperately wanted to forget was standing before, or rather, staring at him.

* * *

A year passed after Jai and Bani's meeting. They got along very well and became the best of friends. Uday and Nishikant, who were childhood friends were happy to see their children following suit. As their friendship deepened, Bani soon found herself falling head over heels in love with Jai.

Life became beautiful all of a sudden. She enjoyed Jai's company, loved talking to him, dreaming about him at nights and still thought about him hours after he had left. Of course, she kept her feelings hidden from him, afraid that the feeling may not reciprocate.

One night, when both of them were out having dinner, Jai's old girlfriend Pia came by. Surprised at seeing her, Jai invited her to sit with them, much to Bani's displeasure. As both of them immersed themselves in old memories, Bani felt ignored and deeply hurt. As she looked at Pia, she understood what she was lacking…beauty.

She realized that she can never be as pretty as Pia. As both of them went to dance, Bani saw the graceful way she moved with Jai. And Bani looked at herself. She was dressed in jeans and a tank top. She had no make-up on or anything and her hair was tied in a ponytail. And then she glanced at Pia, who was wearing a mini skirt, with matching jewelry and high heels. Bani couldn't even imagine wearing high heels.

A pang of jealousy hit Bani really hard that night. She not only realized that she hated this Pia, but she hated herself. She was not pretty like other girls, so why on earth would Jai fall in love with her? As they drove back home, it took everything Bani had to stop her tears. She got out of the car as soon as they reached her house.

But Jai stopped her from going inside. He held her hand firmly and yet gently. But Bani was pissed off beyond words to even have a proper conversation.

"What's wrong with you Bani?" Jai demanded. But he got nothing in reply. Frustrated with her silence he kicked his car really hard. "Damn it Bani! Tell me what's wrong." And that blew it. Everything Bani has been holding in, came out in a jumble of words and tears, shocking Jai beyond anything.

"What's wrong?" Bani sobbed. "Everything is wrong. You and Pia…" Jai was surprised. "Everything is….wrong. We….can…." Jai couldn't understand anything.

"What about me and Pia?" He asked over her tears.

"You won't understand Jai." Bani said. "You will never understand anything. Go ahead. Go behind those stupid girls who are pretty from the outside, but not from the inside. You will never understand girls like me."

There was silence, except for Bani's weeping. Jai didn't expect this for answer. "Why…why do you care if… if I go out with people…like Pia?" He asked slowly.

"Because I love you stupid!" Bani said but regretted instantly. She looked into Jai's eyes, but his expression was blank. There was pin drop silence as even her tears stopped flowing. "Say something Jai," she begged quietly. But Jai let go of her hand.

He walked over to the car and drove away. Taking Bani's dreams, hopes, everything along. A fresh set of tears poured from her eyes as it started to rain. It was only the next morning that she figured out his answer. Jai flew to London, without even saying goodbye.

* * *

Bani sat in the garden, looking at the stars. It has been two days since Jai came back and not even once did he come to say hi. Something that hurt her deeply. But what more could she expect? After the huge row with him, how could she even hope that everything would be normal? Her mother was right. Things were not okay. And just as she warned Bani, Jai's feelings didn't change a bit.

A sigh escaped from Bani as she recollected the last three years. And whatever she was today, the credit went to her mom. She stood by her even in the darkest time of her life. Without any explanation, Kiran understood what her daughter was going through. She first got mad at Jai and promised herself that she will never make Bani go through that ever again.

And that started the beauty training. Kiran forced Bani to learn how to take care of herself. She took Bani along to parties, made regular trips to the salon, changed her wardrobe. But Bani didn't care. She did what her mom told her, but other than that she took no interest whatsoever. In her opinion, all these things were fake. She was turning into those same girls, whose beauty was artificial… into those same girls, Jai liked. And besides she wanted Jai to love her, not her beauty.

She heard someone sit beside her, but was too occupied to know who it was.

"I am not hungry Ma," she said thinking it was Kiran. She was surprised when she heard a deep voice that was still unfamiliar to her and yet as if she knew it life long.

"Its me," Jai said quietly. Both of them sat in silence for a long time. Not knowing what to say. Finally breaking the silence, she spoke in a quiet voice.

"How are you Jai?"

"I am…" he stopped, not knowing what to say. He wasn't fine. Everything was messed up, especially their relationship. Bani didn't say anything. She is probably the only one who knew how he felt. But she didn't want to voice it. Right now, Jai didn't need anything from her.

"Forget it," he said after a while. "But look at you. You changed so much!"

"Did I Jai?"

"Yes you did." He said remembering old times. "I remember you in jeans and shorts and here you are in a salwaar!"

"But that's what you wanted right?" she said in a whisper. "You wanted me to be pretty on the outside and you frankly didn't care how I was on the inside."

Silence. "I always cared how you looked in the inside Bani." Jai spoke slowly.

Bani let out a sarcastic laugh. "Really? Then may I ask the reason for your sudden departure to London, Mr. Jai Walia?"

"I… Bani… I… I am sorry!"

"Sorry is the not the thing to say right now Jai." Anger suddenly bubbled up inside her. At what exactly she was mad at, she didn't know.

"The reason I left is because I needed time to think. That night… everything was so sudden, that I just had to leave…just to clear my head," Jai explained

"And did you? Is everything clear now?" Bani asked, trying to keep her voice in check. She didn't want to face rejection once again. Jai didn't answer and she spoke in a cold voice. "Everything is pretty much clear to me Jai. And I am sorry, but I don't think I have the courage to hear your no once again."

Bani stood up to leave. "I may have changed the way I look to make you like me, but that doesn't mean I have changed the way I look at things too Jai. If you want me, you have to accept every part of me. Not just my heart, my not so great beauty as well. But I got my answer already. And don't act as if the last three years didn't happen. Because I remember every second of it and I understand the reason behind it."

* * *

Hearing a sudden confession from Bani sent Jai into confusion. He didn't have an answer to her. He liked her as a friend and he couldn't go on after that. He wanted to be with her, have fun with her, send time with her, talk to her. But that doesn't mean he is in love with her.

And that was the main reason he left to London. He didn't want to face her. Tell her that that he didn't love her. He was always upset with the fact that things between Bani and him ended in such a way. But life was not fair and he learned to live it. But that proved to be very hard.

Life with his best friend was terrible and very difficult. Starting from choosing his clothes to his meals, Bani was always involved, helping him and making his day easier. But without her, a single day was difficult to pass. Jai couldn't eat on time or find his files or be able to wear his tie. And unfortunately, from getting up to going back to sleep, everything reminded him of Bani.

After a while he decided to come back and face her after all. But his mind stopped him. His heart didn't want to see the tears that stained Bani when he left. He knew they were still there. One evening, he was sitting in a nearby park, thinking about the drastic changes his life took. He was looking at the moon and its strange light, when he spotted a nearby couple.

The girl was walking beside the guy, like a normal friend. And yet the way both of them kept looking at each other told him that they were in love. The girl was laughing at something the guy told her. They looked into each other's eyes and even in the dark Jai could see the affection both of them held for the other. Their hands entwined together and the couple continued to walk, still talking. After walking a few paces, Jai saw their heads inch forwards and they broke into a kiss.

Something about the two people reminded Jai about his relationship with Bani. The casualness and yet the intensity the couple shared took him down the memory lane to when he and Bani used to be like that. This brought a huge wave of sadness for there was no Bani beside him, but there was also realization.

He loved Bani as well. As stupid as that may sound, he loved her deeply too. Yes he may have been late to understand it, but there was love hidden in their friendship. He felt light after so many days. After nearly three years, Jai felt as if he could breathe again. The very next day, he booked a ticked to India.

Jai sighed as he remembered that day and that couple. He hoped that everything was still the same in India. But apparently the three years cost him very much. Bani's anger was something he couldn't bear. And even though he knew she was mad at him, he saw love hidden in that too. He knew how to convince her.

* * *

Bani stormed into Jai's study in the Walia Mansion fuming. Just that very morning she received a wedding card from him and it was written Jai weds Pia. After all that they have been through, he expected her to visit his wedding? And why Pia out of all the people. This pissed her out beyond words. It irritated her when Jai didn't even bother to look up when she barged in.

"You should seriously learn to knock Bani," he said in a calm voice. How could he be calm after all this?

"What the hell is this Jai?" Bani asked outraged. She threw the card at him and it landed on his desk. He merely glanced at it and looked straight at her. A smile set in his expression.

"What?" He put on a innocent charade. "I only sent you my wedding card!"

"Why?"

"What do you mean why Bani?" Jai stood up. "I thought we were best friends. Did that change over the three years I was gone?"

"YES!!" Bani yelled. "It did change. Because a person who can't respect my feelings can't be my friend. And you are not a human to even understand my feelings!"

"Ouch." Jai put his hand over his heart. "That really hurts. Anyway, where did this anger come from? Ma was telling me how excited you were that I was coming back."

"I am sure aunty misunderstood me,' Bani said coldly. Behind her anger, there was hurt.

"Bani baby, chill!" Jai said cheekily.

"DON'T call me baby!"

"But…" Jai was cut off.

"But what? Three years you don't talk to me. You walked away without looking back. Do you have any idea how much that hurt me? No! And then you come back here and it takes you so long to come and talk to me and on top of that you send me your wedding invitation? I never met anyone like you!"

"It was only two days," Jai interjected.

"Two days is 48 hours, 2 880 minutes, 172 800 sec-"

Jai cut her off. "Okay! I get the point. But what I don't understand is why you are angry if I am getting married."

"I…Um…I…" Bani struggled to find words to explain why she was angry. She couldn't answer him.

"Which brings us back to the point that we are still best friends. Right?" Jai said taking advantage of her silence.

Bani didn't answer.

"Which means that you still care for me. Correct?"

No answer.

"Which means that everything is the same as before. Right?"

"Umm… I…ummm…n…" Bani stuttered. Jai continued without letting her finish.

"Which means that you still love me. Right?" This time there wasn't a knowing smile on his face. Jai's expression was hopeful. Hopeful that Bani did love him. And this time, he waited for her answer. There was a long silence.

Finally, Bani took a deep breath. "I have to go Jai. Have a happy wedded life." Bani started to walk away when Jai quickly grabbed her hand. She looked at the floor, angling herself away from him. There was no need for Jai to see the tears. It was bad enough already.

But Jai gently put a finger under her eye and a teardrop fell on it. He turned her face towards him with his other fingers and made her look up into his eyes.

"You didn't answer my question Bani," he said gently.

"There is nothing to answer."

"Yes there is. Right or wrong? And don't try to lie, you are terrible at it. I am sure you must have changed over the three years. But that may be your looks and not your heart."

Bani just looked at the floor. What was he trying to prove she thought bitterly. He knows my answer. And it was embarrassing the first time. Finally, Bani looked up into his eyes.

"Right," she said in a voice full of pain. "Happy?" Bani tried to free her hand, but Jai didn't loosen his grip.

"Now look at the correct wedding card." Jai took out a card that looked exactly the same as the one she received. He handed it to her and she opened it curiously. She was shocked. There were no words to describe the feelings that engulfed her heart. It said Jai weds Bani.

* * *

Bani sat on the huge king side bed in Jai's room. It was her first night and the wedding was finished hours ago. A blush crept up her cheeks as she tried not to think about what was waiting for her. A lot of things changed in the past few days. Including hers and Jai's relationship.

After the surprise in the study, Jai told her about his change of heart. How he realized that he was in love too. And after that she and him were inseparable. The wedding was grand with Kiran and Krishna in charge. However, Jai and Bani couldn't care less. They were with each other and that's all that mattered.

And finally, today was their wedding night. After all that they have been through, today they were finally married. It was as if the past three years didn't exist. Bani's heart couldn't stop but accelerate every second. And finally she heard him come in. And her heart was out of control. Jai came and sat beside her.

He gently lifted her gunghaat, and admired her beauty, making Bani even more uncomfortable. When he saw her trembling hands, he squeezed them with assurance. And after that, both of them became soul mates forever.

They were with each other in every phase of life. Whether it was happy times or sad times. Never did their love for each other falter. As Bani got ready in front of the mirror like every morning, Jai hugged her from behind.

"I love you," he said. Something he did everyday.

"I love you too."

Entry #4

It was a perfect day, the sun exploded on Bani's face causing her to stir uncomfortably. She hated mornings and that was the only part of her life that she was pessimistic about. The alarm started to buzz loudly and her hand automatically reached for the snooze button. The next time it rang, her fingers automatically turned all the alarms off and fell back asleep. Thankfully her consciousnesses forced her to wake up and deal with all the chores for the day. Once she was up, awake and active there was no looking back. She loved living, for the present, past and the future. She was a woman of a lot of words, someone who wouldn't stop talking once she started. She knew her limits which stopped her from crossing the border to being annoying.



The truth was that everyone who knew Bani loved it when she talked, once she started talking everyone else would forget their problems and juts be sucked into her stories. She had a talent to take people's biggest worries and change them into small problems with easy solutions.



She stretched her arms out and wasn't surprised Jai was already awake and gone to work. She hit herself on the forehead "This is why Bani you are never going to be a perfect wife, you can't even wake up earlier then your husband to make tea for him."



Bani had an excuse though, unlike Jai who slept exactly at 11 PM every night come what may, Bani had chores around the house to finish. Bani had come into this house newlywed almost four months back and by now everyone was completely in love with her.



Bani reached for her cell and saw four new text messages, all from her friend Esha who wanted to meet her urgently. Bani texted her back that she would be free in half an hour and they could meet for coffee at the new coffee place in town. She hurriedly got up and picked out a pretty black summer dress. It was getting really hot in Mumbai these days and Bani was a modern girl who didn't want to be weighed down by having to wear a ten pound heavy sari that everyone else in this house wore. She had gotten married not been sent to jail.



Within a few minutes, Bani came out looking fresh and beautiful. She went downstairs and took blessings from Dadi and Maasi. She loved them the most in this entire house, they understood her completely. Bani asked them for permission and when it was granted, she headed out of the house without heeding any attention to Jigyasa who was just standing there to cause problems.



Bani saw Esha from distance and couldn't hold her excitement in. She hadn't met Esha in almost seven months, at the time of her marriage, Esha was in London for a project from her company.



"Bani, Bani, Bani… I have so much to tell you!" Esha said as she was hugging Bani.



"Let me guess, you met some rich idiot in London who you charmed with your beautiful face and he proposed to you and you said yes!" Bani said jokingly.



"Yah, pretty much!" Esha squealed.



"Seriously?" Now it was Bani's turn to be surprised.



"Sit down, let me tell you from the beginning," Esha liked to tell stories with a lot of details but she refrained this one time to tell the basics, "I met him at the airport going there, he was there to pick me up because he works in the same company. It was certainly not love at first sight like I always imagined it would be instead we were meeting a lot during official meetings and afterwards we would catch coffee together and just started talking. I have never been the one who imagined falling in love like that, but that's how it happened. And then it was time for me to leave but both of us had this sinking feeling like something wasn't right so he asked me to marry him and obviously I said yes. I was in love for the first time in my life!"



"Oh my God, that's crazy! I am so happy for you!" Bani felt so happy for her friend, she deserved this completely.



"Yah, so the marriage is in 2 weeks and you have to come no matter what, even if I have to come and beg your husband!" Esha looked at her friend who looked prettier then ever.



"Of course, I will talk to Jai about it tonight."



"Okay, shoot your turn." Esha wanted to know everything about her friends married life.



"What is there to tell? I got married almost four months back and I am incredibly happy with my husband and family." Bani didn't know what else to add.



"Well are you in love with him?" Esha asked straightforwardly.



"Of course, he is my husband." Bani was confused at what type of question that was.



"No dumbo. Just because he is your husband does not mean that you are in love with him. That could teach you to care for him as a person or make you in love him for being there in your life but are you in love with him?" Esha wondered why Bani was hesitating.



"Well yah! The nights he does not come back till late into the night, I worry about him and can't fall asleep until he is back in the house." Bani was never one who dreamt of what love was exactly.



"Okay, that's good that you care about him. Fine tell me something that irritates you the most about him." Esha wasn't going to let this drop.



"Well he… well I don't really know any bad habits. I mean we got married and then just settled into our married lives. We tend to take care not to disturb the other too much." Bani thought hard about something that annoyed her, "Well maybe when he eats he tends to eat too quickly. Like he will never put the spoon down and savor the food."



"Has he ever tried your food?" Esha was shocked with the type of live her friend was living.



"No… we have too many servants in the house so they won't let me cook." Bani felt like Esha was analyzing her life.



"Bani, you are young right now, this is the time when you and Jai should be getting to know each other. Why don't you guys go out somewhere, spend some time with each other, get to know each other. You guys just settled into the lives that we have to live for the rest of our lives but you skipped the part where you get to know each other, fall in love over and over again so that when those days come they are not boring."



Esha's words kept going through Bani's head the entire day. As soon as she got home, she went straight to the kitchen and started cooking. She took a huge poster paper and wrote in big words, "Don't come in I am cooking today's dinner."



She asked the servants to leave because she wanted to do everything herself but was stuck when she didn't know what Jai's favorite foods were. She went outside and found Dadi sitting there reading a book and went and sat down next to her.



"Dadi, what is everyone's favorite food in this house?" Bani tried to be sly.



"Well gajar ka halwa, chole bature, kheer, rajma, chaval are all Jai's favorite dishes. Isn't that what you wanted to know?" Dadi patted Bani's head.



Bani shyly got up and went back to the kitchen and started to cook. Within an hour or so, everything was ready and she still had half an hour before Jai was due to come home. She went upstairs and beautiful blue sari Dadi had given her. She put it on and put the bangles her mom had given her, she was going to make sure that there was love in this relationship.



Everyone in the house noticed Bani and her actions and decided to go out for dinner so that Jai and Bani would have some alone time. It was usually the husband who did all this but Bani cared more about the relationship then she did about her ego.



Jai came in through the door, and the house was a lot more quiet then usual. He figured everyone was out or just really tired and sleeping. He put his briefcase down on the couch and made his way to the kitchen to grab a bite to eat.



Bani called out, "Go ahead freshen up, I will set the dinner for us."



Jai was surprised, it was usually the servants who were told to set the table. He went into the bedroom and changed and for some odd reason took out a deodorant and sprayed it. He took a look in the mirror and changed his kurta into a light blue one for some odd reason and straightened his hair.



Jai came down the stairs and saw Bani working in the kitchen. She looked gorgeous in a light blue, simple but elegant sari. He went up to her and took her arm to stop her from moving and put his hand to her back and tied the dori again.



Bani felt a shiver move through her, that was the first time his touch had sent a signal like that to the rest of her body. "Go ahead sit down, let me just get the food."



The two of them sat down after the food had been set on their plates and started to eat quietly.



"This food is fantastic, who cooked today?" Jai loved the taste of the gajar ka halwa.



"I did," Bani smiled softly.



"It's fantastic." Jai couldn't help but smile back at the innocent face.



"I skip through at least ten fifteen songs each time before I settle down on one that I really like, the one that describes my mood." Bani said it quietly.



"What?" Jai was confused by the randomness.



"Well I figured we don't really know much about each other so I decided to throw that out there." Bani was trying to get to know Jai better and she prayed that he would reciprocate the feeling.



"Okay, well I love watching the rain." Jai didn't know really what to say but that was the first thing that came to his mind.



"I love to play in the rain rather then watching it." Bani liked this, them talking.



"I hate tea," Jai knew he was Indian and it was a crime to say so but he hated tea.



"I do too! People always look at me weirdly when I tell them that I hate it…" Bani gushed at the thought that they had more then she thought in common. Even though it was such a small thing, it was a start, right?



"So, what made you do this all of a sudden?" Jai pondered loudly.



Bani wasn't sure if she should tell him about Esha's conversation but realized it was probably still too early for that kind of conversation. "Well, I met one of my old friends and she asked if we had ever gone to dinner, just the two of us. And sadly, we hadn't so I thought why not do it this way."



"Well you didn't have to cook all this just for that, we could have gone to a restaurant." Jai, for the first time, got to have a good look at his wife. She looked beautiful and radiant.



"I also had a favor to ask you," Bani felt incredibly shy all of a sudden.



"What is it?" Jai saw Bani's cheeks turn red and wondered what it could be.



"I was just thinking… that we never went on our honeymoon and I…" Bani felt her ego kicking in right about now, he was supposed to ask her about this not the other way around.



"So…" Jai was having a little too much fun seeing Bani fumble with her words.



The little sly smile on Jai's face got Bani boiling, "Never mind."



Jai grabbed Bani's hand before she could go away, he twisted the hand back and put his face next to her ears. "Where do you want to go sweetheart?"



Bani wasn't going to give in so quickly, "No where, forget it."



Jai took a step closer to Bani, and she stepped back until they were cornered against a wall. "Where do you want to go?"



Bani was having a hard time breathing, she could barely whisper it anymore, "No where."



"Are you sure?" Jai grabbed Bani's hand and put it in his and laid a soft kiss on it.



Bani was at a lack of words, they had never had this form of simple yet passionate relationship before. It wasn't to say they hadn't had sex, they had but it was more done as something a husband and wife were supposed to have in order to produce a child.



Jai grabbed the remote and pressed play, and a soft romantic tune started to play. It was chilly all of a sudden in the room but with one touch of Jai, Bani felt her entire body heating up. He laid his hand out and Bani slowly put hers in it. They swayed a long with the song, just looking into each other's eyes.



A tear fell from Bani's eyes and she tried to walk away but was just pulled back by Jai.



"What happened, sweetheart?" Jai prodded softly.



"I knew she was wrong, I can't believe I let her words make me think something was wrong." Bani realized she was being stupid by creating a scene like this.



"What are you talking about?" Jai knew something was bugging Bani butt he didn't know what exactly it was that she was talking about.



"Esha came today, the friend I told you about. We used to create stories about the perfect man, the one we were destined to be with forever. It was always the prince charming who would sweep us off of our feet. Then one day my parents asked me if I wanted to marry someone of their choice and I couldn't think of a reason why not. I mean even I knew that these stories that I had made up in my mind were just that, stories. I saw you for the first time before marriage and you were definitely charming but I was never one who believed in love at first sight. I got married to you because we got along pretty well, when you smiled it made me want to smile. It was as if despite the fact that we weren't in love at that point, there was something that matched. And then days passed, and I started to care for you. We never did anything big, we never went out to dinner alone or go to the movies, or go on a honeymoon but then after a long day at work, you came home and bought me a box of chocolates or when Dadi told me that you were sick and I felt like I was the one in pain." Bani didn't stop for a breath.



Jai looked at Bani struggling to say everything together but didn't interrupt.



"And well maybe we never said I love you to each other but I know for a fact that I felt it. I know I am just throwing a lot on you all of a sudden but when I met Esha today and I told her about our lifestyle she told me that we were missing love. And that is not true. I just realized that the only thing we were missing was maybe passion but there is love. And I just wanted to let you know that I…" Bani couldn't say it. She could saying everything up until this point but when it came to those three words she shied away.



Jai took Bani's arms and pulled her closer, "I… what?"



Bani tried to pull away but was pulled even closer to Jai's face. She couldn't even breathe any longer. His face was right in front of hers urging her to say the three words.



Jai pulled Bani closer and closer to his face until he could hear her breathing hard. "Bani, I love you…"



Bani glowed like never before, happiness radiated throughout her body, "I love you too."


It was June 19th, a day Bani would remember forever because that was the first time she told her husband that she loved him. It was the first time in her life that anyone told her the three magical words, "I love you."

Entry #5

"Never again will a single story be told as though it's the only one…"

-John Berger

Hum rahe ya na rahe kal
Kal yaad aayenge yeh pal
Pal, yeh hain pyaar ke pal
Chal, aa mere sang chal
Chal, soche kya
Chhoti si hai zindagi
Kal mil jaaye to hogi khushnaseebi
Hum rahe ya na rahe, yaad aayenge yeh pal) - 2
Shaam ka aanchal odhke aayi
Dekho voh raat suhaani
Aa likh de hum donon milke
Apni yeh prem kahaani
Hum rahe ya na rahe, yaad aayenge yeh pal

The lyrics of the beautiful song floated in the air, the timbre of the strings of the guitar filled the claustrophobic room, his deep melodious voice touched every heart present there, who ever listened to the song fell in love with it again and again…

It was the graduation party of St. Xavier's College Mumbai, the students had organized a farewell party, "FARWELL", a time to rejoice, a time to bid adieu to your friends with a promise to meet again, a time to thank your teachers for their valuable contribution, a time to celebrate the new beginning, a time to remember all the beautiful bitter-sweet memories of the college life, a time which is too short-lived……

A golden time etched with the most valuable period of one's life, the fun filled student life, a memoriam, the sort of which can be taken out on a rainy day, dusted and relived, bringing happy-sad tears to our eyes.

Aane waali subha jaane
Rang kya laaye deewaani
Meri chaahat ko rakh lena
Jaise koi nishaani
Hum rahe ya na rahe, yaad aayenge yeh pal
Hum rahe ya na rahe kal
Kal yaad aayenge yeh pal
Pal, yeh hain pyaar ke pal
Chal, aa mere sang chal
Chal, soche kya
Chhoti si hai zindagi
Kal mil jaaye to hogi khushnaseebi
Hum rahe ya na rahe, yaad aayenge yeh pal – 2

{Singer: KK}

His fingers skillfully played the thin metal cords of the guitar; Jai Walia finished the song which erupted a thunderous applause from his friends and batch-mates.

"Encore…" swati, his friend shouted

"ONCE MORE!!!!!!!!" the crowd roared in union

He smiled and obliged their wish.

His long fingers started drumming the strings of the guitar; he adjusted the mike and proceeded to sing

(Nagme hain, shikwe hain
Kisse hain, baatein hain) - 2
(Baatein bhool jaati hain
Yaadein yaad aati hain) - 2
Yeh yaadein kisi dil-o-jaanam ke
Chal jaane ke baad aati hain
Yaadein, yaadein, yaadein

Yeh jeevan dil jaani, dariya ka hai paani
Paani to beh jaaye, baaqi kya reh jaaye
Yaadein, yaadein, yaadein
Nagme hain, shikwe hain
Kisse hain, baatein hain
Baatein bhool jaati hain
Yaadein yaad aati hain
Yeh yaadein kisi dil-o-jaanam ke
Chal jaane ke baad aati hain
Yaadein, yaadein, yaadein

Aa aa aah, aa aa aah, aa aa aah - 2

Duniya mein yun aana, duniya se yun jaana
Aao to le aana, jaao to de jaana
Yaadein, yaadein, yaadein

Baatein bhool jaati hain
Yaadein yaad aati hain
Yeh yaadein kisi dil-o-jaanam ke
Chal jaane ke baad aati hain
Yaadein, yaadein, yaadein

Aa aa aah, aa aa aah, aa aa aah – 2

{Movie: Yaadein Singer: Hariharan}

------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------

"Jai, come on, dance karna…" tarun his best friend dragged him to the dance floor.

"Arre, araam se…aa rahan hoon baba…" jai said as he steadied himself

He started grooving to the upbeat tunes played by the DJ.

Suddenly everything went blank, all his surroundings blacked out, he held his head in his calloused palms, he felt a piercing pain in his brain as if his nerves would burst out at any moment, his clutched his hair strongly unable to bear the throbbing pain, beads of sweat formed on his forehead, he collapsed…

------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------

Jai was being wheeled into the emergency room of the Lilavati Hospital; he lay unconscious on the stretcher covered by crisp white cotton sheet, his handsome face looking pale.

"aap, sab bahar wait kijiye, main check karta hoon…" the aged doctor said as he came out of his cabin adjusting his stethoscope

"Hey bhagwaan, mere bache ki raksha karna…" jai's mother Krishna prayed with dedication

"Krishna, kuch nahin hoga jai ko, hosla rakho…aao baitho idhar" uday tried to console his wife trying his level best to overcome his emotions

"tarun, yeh achanka jai ko kya hogaya…" ranveer, jai's elder brother asked tarun

"pata nahin bhaiyya, jai toh bilkul thik tha, gana bhi gaya usne, phir hum dance kar rahen the, aur achanak behosh hogaya…" tarun said

"I hope sab thik ho…" ranveer mouthed a silent prayer.

------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------

"Look, Mr.Walia, listen to me carefully…" the doctor said

"Kuch ghabrane waali baat toh nahin hain haina doctor…" uday said as he nervously tried to gauge the expression of the doctor, Krishna was already numb and ranveer held on to the arms of the wooden chair.

"I am sorry to say Mr.Walia, but your son has brain cancer and its last stage…" the doctor said gravely

Uday slumped into the chair; Krishna had a dead expression, ranveer gaped at the doctor open-mouthed trying to register his words.

"Par…, jai was always a healthy boy, kaafi fit hain, haan kabhi kabhi usse sir dard hota tha par thodi der main theek ho jata tha, he is active in sports, very good in studies, usne apna graduation bhi complete kiya hain and also participates in extra curricular activities, baaki youngsters ki tarah he doesn't even drink or smoke…" uday finally mustered up some courage to speak hoping against hope that the doctor's diagnosis was wrong.

"Mr.Walia, this has nothing to do with his habits, brain cancer main ek tumor form hota hain, mainly created by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division of the brain cells, agar thoda pehle detect karte toh shayaad operation ho sakta tha, tab 50-50 chances hote, par now jai ke pass bohot kam samay hain, hardly a month or so…" the doctor trailed off

Krishan broke down, "uday, yeh jhoot bol rahen hain na, uday mere jai ko kuch nahin hua hain na, uday aap bol kyun nahin rahain, humare pass kitna paisa hain, hum jai ko US, London, kahin bhi le jaayenge, par who thik hojayega na, uday aap kuch bol kyun nahin rahen hain, ranveer bol na tu, jai ko kuch nahin hua haina na, please bol na kuch…"

"Main inki halat samjh sakta hoon, par aap jai ko kahin bhi lejayen, usko bachana taqreeban namumkin hain…" the doctor said

Just then they heard the rasping sound of a person, they all turned to witness jai standing at the door firmly holding the door knob wearing a mortified expression.

------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------

"Uday aap isse samjhate kyun nahin, yeh kyun jaa rahan hain, uday kuch boliye naa…" Krishna cried as she saw jai packing his bags silently

"Krishna…meri baat suno, let him go…" uday tried to pacify her

Finally jai spoke up," Maa, main janta hoon aap sab ko bahut bura lag rahan hain ki main iss halat main aap se door jaa raha hoon par maa mujhe bhi samajhne ki koshish kijiye, main……main yahaan rehkar har din, har pal marna nahin chahta, maa main mar raha hoon, yeh koi nahin badal sakta hain, main yeh bache kuche din shaanti se jeena chahta hoon, yahaan rahoonga toh roz aapki aankhon main apne mauth ki parchaiyi dekhunga, main aise jeena nahin chahta, agar main yahaan raha toh aapko bhi dukh hoga aur mujhe bhi, please maa let me go…please…samajh lijiye yehi meri aakhri wish hain…"

"thik hain…par tu apna khayal rakhega na, phone karna…waada kar…" Krishna said

"haan maa I promise, aur waise bhi doctor ne kissi Dr. Nishikant Dixit ka reference diya hain na, doctor ne kaha ki woh bahut ki competent hain, main apna treatment karvaoonga…thik hain…aur phone bhi karunga…" jai said hugging his mother tightly

"bhaiyya, woh humara ooty wala guest house thik karvane ko keh dijiye…" jai said looking at ranveer

"Hmmm…" ranveer said tears rolling down his cheeks

"Come on Bro, men don't cry!!! Chaliye aapni woh killer smile dijiye jispe office ki har ladki fida hain…" jai said trying to make the tense atmosphere light

------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------

OOTY

"…such beautiful English rain, such delicious English mud" is how Lord Lytton-Viceroy of India from 1876-1880 described Ooty to his wife

Ooty also known as Udhagamandalam is the "Queen of hill stations" and the capital of Nilgiris district. It is located at a distance of 105 km away from Coimbatore. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. Nilgiris means "Blue Mountains". It is a land of picturesque picnic spots and it sparkles with fresh vegetation and sceneries. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level.

An added attraction for the tourists to Udagamandalam is the mountain train journey on a ratchet and pinion track which commences from Kallar, near Mettupalayam and wends its way through many hair-raising curves and fearful tunnels and chugs along beside deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams and tea gardens.

One can notice a marvelous change in vegetation, as one goes from Kallar to Coonoor. The establishment of numerous tea estates made Ooty famous. Lofty mountains, dense forest, sprawling grasslands and miles and miles of tea gardens greet the passengers on most routes. Like Icing on a cake ooty adds Pride to the Western Ghats.

------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------

Jai entered the warm confines of the guest house; it was built in British style, the upholstery and furniture looked very old and English. The whole cottage smelled of wood, it was mostly dominated by rare artifacts, the arras were covered with layers of moist dust. A huge painting hung on the wooden wall caught his attention, he approached it and observed it with great interest, it was a portrait of a British official, he was wearing the army uniform, many medals and badges adorned his apparel.

He spotted an old piano in the corner of the humongous hall; it was standing still and alone on an elevation against the moisture laden glazy glass window-pane, a faint glimpse of the green foggy hills and the vast azure clear sky was visible through the glass.

He briskly walked towards it, he sat on the low wooden stool, he stared at the black and white keys, he slowly lifted his fingers to play them, as he pressed the keys in a definite sequence, the keys produced a sweet music which diffused to the various corners of the living room, touching each and every thing infusing life into them, making them alive with verve.

"Beta aapka saman rakh diya hain kamre main…" the grey haired caretaker of the house informed him

"Haan thik hain…" jai said

"Main khana ki taiyaari karta hoon…" the caretaker left for the kitchen

------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------

Jai came out after taking a fresh hot-water bath, he entered the hall and made himself comfortable on the dormant sofa, the spicy aroma of the food reached his nose. Suddenly he heard jagan kaka [the caretaker] shouting on top of his voice. He followed the direction of the sound and reached the backyard of the house, he moved further into the widespread flowery garden to get a clear view.

He saw jagan kaka standing with a long bamboo stick in his hand below the branched peach tree.

"Bani, niche aa tu, bata hoon, chupke chupke phal chura rahin hain…aaj teri kher nahin…" jagan kaka scremed in fury

A pretty young girl was nicely sitting on the heavy branch of the dwarf tree with her legs dangling; she casually plucked a fruit, rubbed it against her woolen sweater and started munching it.

"Bani, dekh mujhe gussa mat dila, chup chap niche aaja…" jagan kaka said controlling his anger

Bani didn't even glance at him; she plucked a few more fully ripened peaches and threw them in the air towards the boundary wall, her quite younger friends were sitting on the boundary wall ready to catch the fruits, there were two girls and a boy, one of the girl wore spectacles, her hair just reached her neck, the other girl was sporting two swaying ponytails, the boy was average heightened wearing cargo pants, he was holding a plastic bag probably to carry the fruits, bani kept throwing the fruits, the children caught hold of some while some flew over the boundary wall.

Jai stood there watching the naughty girl and her antics.

Bani winked at her little friends and within no time they descended down the ladder which was resting against the other side of the puttied wall carefully holding the plastic bag.

"Jags, kyon chilla rahen ho, aa rahin hoon na, zyaada gussa mat karo, B.P. bad jaayega, phir papa tumhe duniya bhar ki dawaiyan khane ko kehenge…" bani said as she safely came down the tree holding the branches.

"Aaj teri kher nahin, tuk tu..." jagan kaka approached her whipping the dry yellow bamboo stick in the air

"aap mujhe pakad hi nahin sakte…" bani said confidently and ran away smartly ducking him

"Bani tuk tu…" jagan kaka limped towards her on his wobbling knees

"aap bhudhe hogaye hain jags…" bani said turning her head back speeding ahead with full force, suddenly she collided with someone, her head hit jai's flat chest.

Jai held her waist to prevent her from falling, she looked up to see a pair of ocean deep steel grey eyes staring at her with amusement, she just stood there in a trance, all of a sudden she pushed him hard and ran away, jai steadied himself and looked in her direction, she turned back and winked a him with her flashing eyelashes.

Jai just stood there watching her leave……

"Kaka, kaun hain woh…" he asked jagan out of curiosity

"Arre, ooty ki sabse shaitan ladki…Bani, Dr.Nishikant Dixit ki badi beti…college ki chutiyaan hain na… din bhar bhaga daudi karti rehti hain, pagli kahin ki…" jagan said as he fondly talked about bani.

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

A few days passed by, jai either buried himself in the fat novels and books or played the piano or his guitar; he seldom went out, just for a brisk walk in the cold early foggy morning.

His once sparkling eyes lost their sheen, his handsome face lost its boyish charm. It was as if his soul had already died, his thoughts always drifted towards his fatal incurable disease and his ominous death. Though Dr. Dixit said that his body was responding positively to the treatment, but he knew better, those comforting words were just to boost up his dying moral and self-esteem. He was dying, that too soon and he had accepted that long ago…

Many a times Jai sat in complete darkness, often questioning the almighty that why He chose him, why he was the helpless victim of fate's cruel plot, but invariably jai never got any answers.

Jai had embraced death without any protests even before its inevitable arrival; he stared at the vast expanses blankly, the heavy clouds of nothingness loomed above his head.

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

"Daadi, who phool kitna sundar hain na…" bani said excitedly as she pointed her finger towards a rare breed of flower

"Haan…bohot sundar hain, chal dekhte hain…" her daadi said

It was Ooty's famous "Summer Festival", a summer festival is held each year during the month of May in the Botanical Gardens, the Flower Show is the pride of the festival, various cultural programs are also organized in traditional classical arts.

Bani was looking at the different flower species when he spotted Jai strolling about looking very handsome and dull wearing a navy blue sweater.

Bani quickly called his naughty gang, Rano her sister 5-years younger to her, rano's friends pronita and nikhil.

"Hey! Nik, kaun hain woh pata hain kya…naya lagta hain, maine jags ke guest house main dekha tha" bani said pointing towards jai.

"Haan jags ne kal hi bataya tha, koi Ja…Jai Walia hain, woh guest house ussi ka hain, kuch dinon ke liye aaya hain…"

"Jai…accha chal, kuch masti karte hain…" bani said grinning mischievously, all her gang shouted with glee

"Daadi…daadi suno na…" bani said skillfully faking an appalling tone

"kya hua beta…"daadi asked softly

"Who, ladka hain na…kab se mujhe hi ghoore jaa rahan hain, dekho…" bani said showing jai who was standing at a distance

"Kaun beta…" daadi said trying to focus her weak eye-sight

"Arre, woh, jisne blue sweater pehna hain…udhar daadi…tumhe dekh ke piche mud gaya…dekho…"bani said impatiently

"Woh, nalayak, meri poti ko chedta hain, uski kher nahin aaj…" daadi said angrily and marched towards him

Bani, rano, pronita and nikhil gave each other a high five!!!

Jai was busy looking at the rare and unique species of plants, creepers and flowers, when he heard somebody yelling, he turned to see an old, grey haired stout lady mouthing something

"Dekhne main toh bade ghar ke lagte ho aur aisi gandi harkat karte hue shram nahin aati…" daadi glared at jai

"Ji maaf kijiye aap mujhse baat kar rahin hain…" jai said looking at her with utter disbelief

"Haan main tumse hi baat kar rahin hoon, besharam kahinke…"

"Ji aap ko shayaad koi galat faimi hui hain…"

"Kaise bhole ban rahen ho, meri poti ko buri nazar se ghoorte hue sharam nahin aayi…"

"Ji main kisiko nahin ghoor raha tha…" jai said firmly

"Ek toh chori upar se sina zori…"

"Ji maine aisa kuch nahin kiya, main toh aapki poti ko jaanta bhi nahin hoon…"

"Accha toh tum uss ladki ko nahin ghoor rahen the…" daadi said looking towards bani who was trying to cover her face but was very much unsuccessful in doing so.

Jai gave bani an abhorrent look, bani looked at him nervously.

"Daadi…chaliye chodiye naa…hum ghar chalet hain…" bani got hold of daadi's wrist and literally dragged her out

She turned back to see jai standing there wearing a grim, vacuous expression. She winked at him shamelessly.

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

Jai was reading a book, when suddenly bani's pretty whitish face flashed before him, her naughty wide brown eyes, her slight pinkish cheeks, her cherry red moist lips, she captivated his mind. He smiled to himself like a buffoon recollecting the incident which happened at the Botanical Gardens, he felt nice after many many days, it was the first he had smiled since he came to ooty. She was a toofan mail…

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

Naam Gum Jaayegaa, Cheharaa Ye Badal Jaayegaa
Meree Aawaaj Hee Pahachaan Hai, Gar Yaad Rahe

Wakt Ke Sitam Kam Haseen Nahee, Aaj Hain Yahaa Kal Kahee Nahee
Wakt Ke Pare Agar Mil Gaye Kahee, Meree Aawaaj Hee.. ..

Jo Gujar Gayee, Kal Kee Baat Thee, Umar To Naheen Yek Raat Thee
Raat Kaa Siraa Agar Fir Mile Kahee, Meree Aawaaj Hee.. ..

Din Dhale Jahaa Raat Paas Ho, Jindagee Kee Lau Unchee Kar Chalo
Yaad Aaye Gar Kabhee Jee Udaas Ho, Meree Aawaaj Hee...

{Movie: Kinara (1977)
Singer: Bhupinder, Lata Mangeshkar
Music Director: R. D. Burman
Lyrics: Gulzar}

Jai was singing the song peacefully while he walked along the stony path enjoying the fresh cool morning breeze tickling him, he was in a pensive mood, he felt somebody following him, he turned behind to see nothing, he started walking again, he heard some footsteps, he didn't turn back and kept walking, suddenly he turned back to see none other than bani along with her notorious gang standing like erect statues…before he could say anything they giggled and ran away…

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

"Daadi chalo na…kitni der kar rahin ho…papa chale jaayenge…"bani called daadi for the millionth time

"Ayi baba, cha lab…." Daadi said

They reached the hospital…

"Hi Sheetal!!! Papa…" bani said jovially greeting the receptionist

"Ek patient ke saath hain, abhi aajayenge, you people sit…" sheetal said

"Okay…" bani replied

"Daadi ek baat puchun aapne kabhi pyaar kiya tha…" bani asked

"Pyaar ka matlab jaane se pehle hi tere daadaji se meri shaadi ho gayi…" daadi said

"Daadi…aise kya karti ho, please batao na…"

"Arre sach main nahin kiya…haan tere dadaaji se bohot pyar kiya…"

"Kya koi pyaar main fail ho jaaye to devas ban jaata hain… raaston par gaana gate phirta rehta hain…"

"Kya boli ja rahin hain…"

"Daadi sachi, maine ek ladke ke dekha ek dum depressed sa tha, Kasamh se…"

"Kuch bhi…"

"Nahin daadi aur woh sad-sad song bhi gaa rahan tha, koi purani si…"

"Naam Gum Jaayegaa, Cheharaa Ye Badal Jaayegaa
Meree Aawaaj Hee Pahachaan Hai, Gar Yaad Rahe…." Bani started singing loudly completely out of tune and rhythm…when she abruptly stopped seeing somebody.

"Daadi…devdas…"bani said meekly

Bani grabbed the small flower-pot placed on the nearby side table and hid her face behind it.

Jai looked at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes…he came near her, bani was getting nervous with his every approaching step, he came very close to her and kissed her soft left cheek and left the hospital winking at her…daadi watched the scenario agape

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

"Idiot, duffer, stupid…donkey…monkey…ARHH!!!!" bani cursed breaking the poor already broken branches which were lying on the ground

"Bunny kya kua…" pronita asked

"Pro I hate him, I HATE him, I Hate him!!!" bani screamed

"WHO!!!!!!" nikhil asked

"Aur kaun Jai Walia…" rano said laughing

"uska naam bhi mat le rano…and stop laughing…its not funny…" bani said in an acidulous tone

"Okay, okay, chill……." rano said

"itna gussa karni ki kya zaroorat hain bunny, ek kiss hi toh kiya who bhi gaal pe, kitna handsome hain woh…,kash aapki jagah main hoti…" pronita said dreamily, a tiny stone came flying hitting her head, "OUCHH……." Pronita yelped

"SHUT UP…daadi ko samjhate samjhate thak gayi main…itne sawwal kiya, kaun hain, tum kaise jaanti ho usse, usne ladkene aise kyun kiya…UFffffff…!" bani said appallingly

"Hey!!! Bunny. Look Jai…wahan…"

"Great!! Dekhna kaise theek karti hoon…" bani said and ran towards jai

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

"Hey!!" bani exclaimed

Jai stopped in his tracks, he didn't reply…

Keeping a straight face bani said," I LOVE YOU….tum mujhe bohot pasand ho…kahin bhaag chalen…sab se door, aaj raat ko 8 baje church ke piche aajana…"

Bani left secretly smiling at her achievement.

Jai looked at her suspiciously…

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

Bani was standing on the third step of the ladder, hammering a nail in the wall.

"Nik, yeh hammer pakad aur who photo de…"

She hung the photo carefully, adjusting it properly she was going to come down, when she felt a pair of strong hands grab her waist, she shouted,

"Kaun hain, kya kar raho, bachao…" she screamed

She turned her head to see jai, carrying her outside her house…

"JAI…JAI…kya kar rahen ho, main gir jaoongi, chodo mujhe, please, Nik, rano, pro, bachao…" bani yelled

Jai safely carried her light body in his arms, thrusting her fragile figure in the front seat of his jeep; he seated himself in the driver seat and inserted the keys, starting the engine.

"JAI……kya kar rahen ho, let me go......"bani flapped her hands in the air

"Chup…main kya kar rahan hoon, tunhi ne toh kaha tha bhaag chalte hain, wahi kar rahan hoon, hum bohot door chale jaayenge…" jai said atrociously

"Par maine toh, 8 baje aane ko kahan tha tum itni jaldi kaise aagaye…"

"Who kya hain na mujhse intezaar nahin hua…"

"Wapas chalo na jai…please…"

"Nahin…"

After driving for hours jai halted the jeep with a jerk, it was a lonely alien place nearly 15 kilometers away from the main town.

Bani got out of the jeep and looked around at her surroundings, she was mesmerized by nature's sheer beauty, it was all green as far as one could see, she walked further lost in the scintillating beauty of the divine nature…

"Jai…I love this place, it's so beautiful…."bani shouted

"Good!!! Because tum yahin rahogi…" jai shouted back

"Kya…" bani looked confused

"Haan…tumne kaha tha kahin door bhaag chalet hain, toh aagaye, ab tum yahin raho, main jaata hoon…….." he said in a serious tone

"Nahin…tum mazaak kar rahen ho na…Jai mujhe chod ke maat jao...JAIIIIIIII" bani shouted

Jai started the jeep and in a jiff of time and left the place, clouds of innocuous smoke fuming out from the back of the jeep………

Bani shouted and cursed him miraculously, in a fit of mad anger and bafflement she threw small stones in the air…

She stomped her foot hard in frustration….

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

Jai was turning the pages of the book" Unaccustomed Earth" written by Jhumpa Lahiri, when he heard the clicking of heels…it was rano approaching him…protecting herself in a comfy shawl

"Bunny…she has not come yet…..hum sab bohot pareshaan hain…please usse leke ao Jai…uski taraf se main maafi maagti hoon…." Rano said hesitantly

Jai ran out of the house hurriedly, he started his jeep and zoomed away……

"BANI…….BANI………." jai was shouting relentlessly for the past one hour but there was no sign of bani……..

He climbed up to where his jeep was parked; his eyes suddenly fell on a bonfire at a distance…

He reached the spot within minutes, panting…

A lean old man was sitting there, covering himself with his tattered shawl buying some heat from the combusting logs of wood.

"Kaka…yahaan kissi ladki ko dekha…" he said trying to control his breath

"Woh...jo thand main kaap rahin…thi...hain na…wahaan baithi khain…conne main…" the old man replied

Jai looked to see bani sitting in a corner before the burnt out fire shivering with the unbearable cold…

He quickly reached her in fast steps…

"Bani...Bani..." he said softly

He started rubbing her arms to generate internal heat from within the body…bani hugged him tight…

"Mujhe ghar jaana hain…" bani said in an almost inaudible voice

He covered her delicate frame with his jean jacket and carried her to the jeep……

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

He stopped before the imposing gates of her house; Daadi, Rano, Pronita and Nikhil were waiting there impatiently pacing from one corner to another.

Seeing the jeep, rano, pronita and nikhil ran upto bani and bombarded her with numerous questions

"Chup!!! Main bilkul thik hoon…." Bani said flashing her dimples, giving her trademark effervescent smile.

Jai walked to where Daadi was standing.

"I am sorry…Daadiji…" he sadi his eyes downcast

"Sorry, tum toh sorry bolke chale jaoge lekin meri poti ko kuch hojata toh…thik hain usne mujhe tumhare bare main galat bataya, main tumse badi hoon kuch bol bhi diya toh kya hua…itna sab karoge tum, agar usse kuch hojata toh, waise hi uski tabiyat kharab rehti hain aaj kal…" daadi said crying inconsolably

"Tabiyat...Bani ko kya hua hain…" jai asked looking surprise

"Kya nahin hua hain uss phool si bachi ke saath, ab woh kuch hi din ki mehmaan hain, bas bahar se yeh hassi mazaak, andar se woh mar rahin hain….." daadi said with remorse and went inside the house

Jai stood rooted to his spot; he was completely dumbfounded by this piece of information.

He turned back to see bani talking to pronita, nikhil and rano animatedly.

"Yeh sach hain bani…" he asked

She nodded her head vehemently and giggled…

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

Later in night…

Nishikant was trying to get some sleep when he heard the creaking sound of the door; he looked up to see Bani standing there.

"Papa…neend nahin aa rahin hain, bure bure sapne aa rahen hain, ki main mar gayi hoon aur aap sab ro rahen hain…….." bani said intently looking at him

Nishikant smiled and extended his hand, indicating her to come near him

Bani went and put he head on his lap…nishikant caressed her head lovingly…

"Bani…kuch nahin hoga…sab thik hoga…aankhen band karo aur araam se so jao, papa hain yahaan…." Nishikant said as he patted her to sleep

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

Next morning…

"Doctor, ek baat puchoon, bani ko kya hua hain…" jai asked Dr. Dixit

"I am sorry jai, main apne patient ka case dosron se discuss nahin karta…" Dr. Dixit said curtly

"Main…ek doctor se nahin balki bani ke pita se puch rahan hoon…"

"Jai…Bani ko Congenital Heart Disease hain…it is a Cyanotic defect, a heart disorder that causes a decreased, inadequate amount of oxygen in blood pumped to the body… There is a large hole between the ventricles of her heart, which allows oxygen-poor blood to mix with oxygen-rich blood…" nishikant said gravely

"Kya ab kuch nahin ho sakta, I mean kahin foreign jaake koi operation, ya heart transplant…"

"She was 5 jab detect kiya tha...... when she was 10 AIIMS main operation karvaya tha, and it's a miracle that she is very sound till date…heart transplant ho sakta hain par it is very difficult, koi donor mila nahin hain…aur mil bhi jaaye to har cheez barabar match honi chahiye which is practically impossible, aur bani is very weak from inside, uska immune system bhi weak hain, her body might not respond to the transplanted heart…shayaad kuch nahin ho sakta hain…abhi…"

Jai left his cabin without saying another word…

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

Jai stormed into bani's house.

Bani, pronita, rano and nikhil were playing cards.

"JAI…cards kheloge humare saath…" rano said bringing a low cane stool for him to sit

Jai sat down and directly looking at bani asked,"Bani tumhe zara sa bhi andaaza hain ki tumhe kya hua hain…"

"Congenital Heart Disease, it's a Cyanotic defect…" bani said casually sequencing her cards in an appropriate order

"There is a large hole between the ventricles, which allows oxygen-poor blood to mix with oxygen-rich blood, and narrowing at or beneath the pulmonary valve…" rano said blatantly

Jai was taken aback…

"Sab jaante hue bhi aise haste muskurate hue kaise reh paa rahin ho…tumhe dar nahin lagta…" jai asked softly

"Nahin dar kiss baat ka…Dekho jai mujhe kal ki chinta nahin hain, jo hona hain woh hoga, main sirf aaj main jeeti hui, issiliye khush hoon…dekho yeh rano mar jaayegi, pro mar jaayegi, nik mar jaayega, yeh ped, yeh phool…sab ek na ek din mar jaayenge…bas main toda jaldi mar rahin hoon…….hey rano, mera show hogaya, main jeet gayi…….YIPEEEEEEE!!!!!!!" bani said nonchalantly

Jai kept staring at her and walked away silently…

"Yeh Devdas ko kya hua…" bani wondered, she shrugged her shoulders, " chalo pate baton….next game…" she said excitedly

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

Jai ran as far as he could, as fast as he could, as hard as he could, he reached the hill top, he stood at the apex beneath the vault of the blue sky, he spread his arms, he breathed in the fresh air, he shouted, the whole valley reverberated with the echo of his voice……

He felt free, for the first time after so many days of mental torture, he actually felt light and happy, all his worries, fears, insecurities evaporated, a sense of tranquility spread across his whole body…

"Yes Bani was right, when it is ought to happen it will, why die before it, live the moment to the fullest…." He thought

Some life energy that was blocked within him, opened up, just like a spring opens up and he recognized the bountiful naturalness of the beautiful nature…

He smiled, he laughed, his laughter hit the rocky hills and returned back……

He twirled his body in concentric circles enjoying his newfound independence…..feeling giddy he stopped, he decided to return to the cottage as it was growing dark, his cute smile lingered on his curvy lips…

That peaceful night it was not the demons of death but the angelic face of bani which invaded his dreams…….

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

Jai stared or rather ogled at bani without even blinking while she played football with rano, nik and pro… kicking the hard ball right, left, center…

Bani constantly watched jai from the corner of her eyes…wondering why he was staring at her…but something unknown gripped her soul…she felt shivers run down her spine under his hypnotic gaze…there was something very distinct in his gorgeous eyes today……..

Rano kicked the football towards nikhil, she observed jai looking at bani and bani stealing glances at him, rano went and sat beside him…

"Tell her…" rano said smiling at him

"How do you know????" asked jai looking surprised

"Tumhare chehre pe saaf likha hain…stupid…"

Jai laughed…

"Dekho…bunny is coming here…all the best… main chali…." rano said in a hushed tone and left

Bani came and stood before him with her hands on her hips…..

"Kya hain…" she said not quite politely

"Kya hain…." Jai faking to be puzzled

"Kyun ghoor rahen the…"

"Main…main kisko ko ghoor rahan tha…"

"Zyaada smart baneki koshish mat karo tum mujhe ghooor rahen the…….maine dekha…"

"Acha….iska matlab tum bhi mujhe dekh rahin thi……"

"Woh….woh…galti se dekh liya…"

"OH!!!!!"

"Tumne jawaab nahin diya tum kyun ghoor rahen the….."

"Kyunki tum bohot khubsoorat ho………"

"Kya matlab hain tumhara……how dare you say that……tum……."

"I LOVE YOU BANI……."

"HA! HA! Joke! Maine jo mazaak kiya tha phir se mujh par wohi mazaak kar rahen ho……."

"No, I seriously love you bani…..meri aankhon main dekho sirf pyaar hain……"

"Achi acting karlete hon….main nahin maanti……"

"Ek din zaroor manogi…….mujhe pata hain.kyunki even you feel the same…….." jai said confidently, kissing her right cheek he left………

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

"I Love You…"

Bani turned around to see jai…standing at her bedroom window…

"Tum, tum yahaan kya kar rahe hon, jao...Go…" bani said waving her hands telling him to leave

"Bunny…kisse baat hkar rahin ho…yahaan toh koi nahin hain…" rano said looking at her while arranging the pillow

"Haan, arre…" bani once again looked outside to discover that there was indeed nobody. She sighed, she was dreaming of jai…

She lay down on her bed, trying to sleep, but her restless thoughts kept disturbing her, "I Love you…" jai's expressive voice kept haunting her, echoing in her ears…….

Frustrated she got up and sat on the bed with her legs crossed…her tired eyes fell on his jacket which was hung, she remembered that night when he covered her with the jacket and carried her to the jeep, she got up and held the jacket in her hands slightly caressing it, she wore it, she felt as if she was enveloped securely in his arms, she blushed at her uncensored thought…….

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

Bani finally reached the pine groove in search of jai…she saw him standing there alone leaning against a pine tree with his hands folded across his chest, looking thoughtful…she went upto him…

Jai smiled at her as he saw her coming towards him…

"Jo, tumne kaha who sach hain…"bani said biting her lower lip nervously

"Kya…"he pretended to be unaware of what she was asking about

"Wohi jo tumne kal kaha…"

"Kya kaha kal…"

"Jai…mat satao…bolo na…"

"Arre pehle batao toh kya kaha…"

"Yehi ki tum mujhse…tum mujhse…pyaar karte ho…"

"Sach se bhi sachi hain yeh baat…"

"Lekin tum kyun mujhse pyaar karte ho…"

"Pata nahin…bas karta hoon…bohot pyaar karta hoon…tum mujhe bohot acchi lagti ho…mera dil kabhi itne zoron se nahin dhadka…"

"mera bhi…har jagah sirf tum hi tum dikhai de rehe the kal…kya yahi pyar hain…"

"Shayaad…"

Jai gently pulled her towards himself; she rested her head on his chest…

"Meri dil ki awaaz ko suno bani…kitna zor zor se dhadak raha hain sirf tumhare liye……."

"Mmmmmm…ek baat kahoon…"

"Hmmm…"

"I LOVE YOU TOO…"

"I Love You Three…"

"I Love you four five six seven….."

"I Love you eight nine ten eleven…till infinity…….."

They both giggled like school kids….

The sound of their giggle faded away, they stared into each others eyes…

Jai slowly leaned forward and kissed her lips softly, bani felt electrical sensations flow in her entire body with just his mere touch, on the other hand jai felt as if he was floating in the cool Mediterranean waters….

First he gently brushed his lips against hers, he slowly kissed her upper lip and then the lower lip, his hands cupped her face, he inserted his tongue in between her jointed lips separating them, she raised her feet above the ground kissing him further responding to the unknown passion which he was igniting, her one hand traveled to his hair gripping his hair in a tight fist, her another hand reached the back of his shoulder, her colored nails digging inside his pullover…

The dark clouds settled in the brooding sky got heavy, the grey black clouds condensed into teardrop shaped spherical raindrops…

The first drops of rain steered through the canopy of the tall pine tress, and reached them, as if showering them with their love, as if showering them with nature's blessings, as if the heavens themselves have given their consent to their pure love, as if God himself had designed their eternal union……

Their conjoined bodies got wet in the rain of their love…they continued kissing each other with ardent ardor breaking all the hidden known unknown barriers…

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

Hum hain iss pal yahan, Jaane ho kal kahan
Hum miley na miley, Hum rahey na rahey
Rahegi sadaa yahan, Pyar ki ye dastan
Sunenge sadaa jise,Yeh Zameen asmaan

Hum hain iss pal yahan, Jaane ho kal kahan
Hum miley Na miley, Hum rahey na rahey
Rahegi sadaa yahan, Pyar ki ye dastan
Sunenge sadaa jise,Yeh Zameen asmaan

Rang dhal jaate hai, Din badal jaate hai
Raatein so jati hai, Raahen kho jaati hai
Pyar khota nahin, Pyar sota nahin
Pyar dhalta nahin, Haan badalta nahin

Hum hain iss pal yahan, Jaane ho kal kahan
Hum miley Na miley, Hum rahey na rahey
Rahegi sadaa yahan, Pyar ki ye dastan
Sunenge sadaa jise,Yeh Zameen asmaan

Hum jahan aaye hain, Meherbaan saaye hain
Hum yahaan khwaabon ke, karwaan laaye hain
Dhadkane hain jawaan, Ga raha hain samaa
Pighli pighli si hain, Mehki tanhaiyan

Hum hain iss pal yahan, Jaane ho kal kahan
Hum miley Na miley, Hum rahey na rahey
Rahegi sadaa yahan, Pyar ki ye dastan
Sunenge sadaa jise,Yeh Zameen asmaan

Hmmmm....mmmmmm....mmmmmmmm

{Movie Name: Kisna (2005)
Singer: Madhushree, Udit Narayan
Music Director: AR Rahman
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar}

Jai and bani's love story blossomed just like the dew bathed nascent buds of the violets and roses smile, upon being kissed by the warm sunrays, the whole valley fragranced by the sweet scent of their Love…….

Their Love as soft as a flower and often just as fragile too, as great as a lightning stroke so bright and powerful, their Love which knew no absolute boundaries, all of the boundaries in their life were put there out of their love, a fountain of pleasure and happiness, their Love was greater than any thought, idea, or conception of meaning, greater than what anyone can express, greater than that which anyone can understand, or experience, and yet… their Love was the very substance of their Life… their Love was their healing……the reason they were still alive…the reason why they will perhaps die one day peacefully…

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

"Bohot dard ho raha hain…"jai asked with concern, bani was again having some pain in her heart…

"Nahin baba…yeh toh normal hain…" bani said smiling at him

"Acha chalo bohot raat hogayi hain so jao…"

"Jai…main tumhari godh main soun…"bani asked innocently

Jai smiled and brought her closer to himself, bani kept her head in his lap; he covered her with a blanket and lightly stroked her head…

"Jai…" bani said closing her eyes

"Hmm…"

"I Love You…"

"I Love You Too…"

"I Love You Three…"

"Bani…so jao…baad main yeh sab…"

Jai nicely tugged bani, he placed a brief kiss on her forehead, he jumped off the huge window which was almost at ground level.

He sauntered towards the main gate when he saw Nishikant walking in…

"Bani se milne ke liye khidki se jaane ki koi zaroorat nahin hain…main door se bhi aa sakte ho…" Nishikant said to jai who was nervously running his hand through his hair

"Issiliye shayaad bani itne dino se bohot khush rahti hain…" nishikant continued, jai smiled a bit embarrassed

"Jai…kya bnai tumhare bare main jaanti hain…" nishikant enquired

"Nahin…" replied jai

"Par…"

"Please…Docotr bani se mere baare main kuch mat kahiye…woh bardash nain kar paayegi…"

"Thik hain…par usko pata chal toh I don't think she can take that…"

"I know issilye main se usse kuch nahin bataya hain…"

"Well, Good Night then…"

"Good Night Doctor…"

Jai started to walk when nishikant called him," Jai…agli baar darwaaze se andar aana…"

"Ji…" jai said gaving him a lopsided smile

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

Jai just came back after meeting bani, he saw his mother sitting in the hall looking tensed.

"Maa...aap…" jai said

"Jai…main…main jaanti hoon maine tere se wada kiya tha ki main tujhse milne nahin aaoongi par…main apna waada nahin nibha saki…main tujhe sirf ek baar dekhne aayi thi…main chali jaaoongi kal…tu gussa nahin karega na…" Krishna said holding jai's cheek

"Maa…main bilkul gussa nahin karoonga…aapko dekh kar bohot acha lag rahan hain…"jai said hugging her

"Sach…"

"Bilku…ghar main sab kaise hain…dad, bhai…"

"Sab thik hain…bohot yaad karte hain tujhe…tarun bhi phone karta hain…"

"I miss them too…acha change kar ligiye...khana khate hain…phir bohot saari baten karni hain…"

"Thik hain…" Krishna went to her room, she was pleasantly surprised such a drastic change in her son, jai forgot to smile the day he came to know about his sickness but today her old jai was back, her jai who always used to laugh and be happy was back, it was as if somebody breathed in a new life in him…she prayed to God for his happiness and went inside the bathroom to fresh up…

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

Next Day…

"Teri tabiyat kaisi rehti hain…" Krishna asked patting his head

"Thik hain maa…koi chinta nahin…mujhe yahaan bohot acha lag raha hain…"

Just then the phone rang…

"Hello…" jai said picking up the receiver

"Jai…kab aa rahe ho…" bani's shrill voice came from the other end; jai quickly gave the receiver to his mother,

"Kya…" Krishna said looking surprised

"Aapka phone…" jai said and pressed the loud-speaker button.

"Mera phone...kaun…"

"Baat karo na maa…"

"Hello…" said Krishna

"Ladki ki awaaz nikalna band karo aur jaldi ao...kab se wait kar rahin hoon…" abni said impatiently

"Main jai nahin hoon…"

"Achi mimicry kar lete ho…ab jaldi se ao aur ek kissy do mujhe…"

"Beta…main jai nahin uski maa bol rahin hoon…"

"Maa…" bani thought, she bit her tongue and disconnected the line.

Jai burst out laughing; he rolled on the floor literally holding his stomach...

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

Bani was cleaning the house wearing her faded pajamas when the calling bell rang. She opened the door, seeing an elder lady; she smiled and said,"Dr. Dixit ghar par nahin hain…hospital jaaiye whaan honge…"

She was about to close the door when she the heard the affectionate voice of the elderly lady," beta…main tumse hi milne aayi hoon…"

"Mujhse…" bani looked quite surprised

"Main Krishna Walia…jai ki maa…" Krishna said smiling at the pretty young lady standing before her

"A...Aunty Aap…Namaste…aayena…please andar aaiye…aap baithiye main abhi aati hoon…" bani said, strangely feeling nervous

Krishna sat on the single sofa…

Bani came back in a few minutes wearing a crisp white salwar suit with a red duppata around her neck; she had left her hair open and was looking really beautiful and the scarlet blush on her cheeks only enhanced her beauty further.

"Aunty…aap kya lengi...Chai, coffee…" bani asked politely

"Nahin beta kuch nahin…idhar aao...mere pass baitho…" Krishna said

"Woh…aaj maine jo phone pe kaah usskeliye soory...main bas aise kuch bhi bol rahin thi…"

"arre…koi baat nahin beta…tum bohot pyaari ho…ab mujhe pata chala jai itna khush kyun lag raha hain…beta main yahaan jab aayi toh bohot ghabrahat si thi…par aaj main jab wapas jaa rahin hoon toh bikul shaanti se jaa rahin hoon…jai ke bare main pata hote hue bhi tume usse itna pyaar diya…main…samajh main nahin aa rahan hain ki main kaise tumhara shukriya ada karoon…" Krishna said as she wiped her tears…

"Jai…jai ko kya hua hain…aunty" bani said quite astonished worried…

"Ab…jai toh chala jaayega hamesha ke liya…par tumhari wajah se who itna kush...apne dukh se ubhar payaa hain…bhagwaan kare tum hamesha aise hi hasti raho…accha beta main chalti hoon…meri train ka waqt ho gaya hain, Coimbatore jaake phir flight pakdna hain…" krishan said, she lovingly placed her hand on bani's head and left trying not to break down.

Bani sat glued to her position…"Jai"…….she ran out of the house……

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

She frantically ran along the long corridors of the hospital desperately searching for her father…

She opened the door of the general ward with a loud bang just to see her father checking a patient…

"Sorry…" she mumbled and ran away to his cabin.

She flipped through the case files of patients kept in the drawer…finally she got Jai's file…

She scanned the pages…BRAIN CANCER - LAST STAGE was written on the middle page in dark bold letters…she gasped…she dropped the file which landed on the floor with a thud…

Nishikant entered his cabin to find bani standing like a sill statue…her face absolutely blank…he noticed jai's file lying on the floor…

"Yeh jhoot hain na papa…" bani asked still reeling under the shock

"Beta…it's sad but true…" nishikant said looking upset

"Kya jai ki halat mujhse bhi kharab hain…"

Nishikant said quiet. He went near bani and embraced her…

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

"Bye…maa…pahunchte hi phone karna…" jai said as he waved good bye to his mother who was looking at him sadly sitting in the train waving her hand.

The train moved ahead making a grumpy sound emitting the white grey fumes produced by the burning coal…

"Mujhe kyun nahin batayaa…" jai heard a voice from behind.

It started raining heavily…he turned to see bani standing afar angry, sad, helpless…

"Bani…kya nahin bataaya…"jai asked

"Yehi ki tumhe Brain cancer hain…"

"Tumhe…tumhe kaise pata chala…"

"Woh zaroori nahin hain… tumne mujhe bataaya kyun nahin…" bani shouted madly…

"Bani meri baat suno…"

"Mujhe kuch nahin sunna hain...tumne bataaya kyun nahin mujhe…"

"Bani itna gussa kyun ho rahin ho…"

"Itna gussa kyun ho rahin hoon….kyunki mujhe abhi pata chala hain ki tum mar rahe ho…" she screamed at him

"Toh kya…"

"Toh kya…tum mar rahen ho aur keh rahe ho toh kya…"

"Haan bani…toh kya…meri maa mar jaayigi, woh station-master mar jaayega, yeh ped, yeh phool…sab mar jaayenge…main bhi mar jaaoonga…toh kya…tumhi ne toh kaha tha…"

"Haan par…tum…"

"Main kya bani…tum hasi-kushi mauth ke kareeb jaa rahin ho, wahin main bhi kar rahan hoon…phir…"

"Lekin… tum…alag ho…"

"Mani kyun alag hoon…bani… KYUNN…" jai shouted in extreme frustration

"Kyunki tum mere liye sabse zyaada important ho… kyunki tum hi mere sab kuch ho…main tumhe marte hue nahin dekh saakti jai…nahin dekh sakti…" bani cried…

Jai came and hugged her tightly, she gripped his shirt…

"Kyunki main tumse bohot pyaar karti hoon…sabse zyaada…apne aap se bhi zyaada…" bani said in a muffled voice and cried…

"Chale jao jai…chale jao......" bani said and pushed him apart from herself and ran away…….

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ---

Jai sat on the low stool and fiddled with the keys of the piano, he struggled hard to make a cheerful number but he was only able to play a melancholy tune……

He heard the door open; he lifted his head to see bani standing there, she had changed into some dry warm clothes, but her face was smothered by the rain-drops, her black long hair was still wet with drops of water dripping from the wavy ends, her moistened eyes filled with love…

He got up and stood there staring at her, he spread his arms, she ran towards him and hugged him tight, her hands firmly holding his neck, she buried her face in his chest and cried……

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

They were sitting on the couch in his room, her head resting on his shoulder, his arm hugging her sideways…

"Jai……" bani said

"Hmmm…" jai replied

"Make love to me….." bani asked boldly

"Nice joke……"jai said smiling at her innocent wish

"I am serious jai…" she looked into his eyes…

"Don't be silly bani…"

"Please jai……please love me…one last time…" she almost pleaded him with her eyes

"Bani….." jai groaned

"Please jai…..kya pata shayaad kal main……" before she could complete her sentence jai covered her mouth with his hand

"Phir aise kabhi mat kehna, warna…"

"Warna kya…"

"Warna main hi tumhe maar doonga……" he said

"I love you…"

"Maska mat maro…"

"If this is my last wish then……I want to live our love jai…only once…..please jai….." bani said almost choking her words

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

Jai carried her in his arms all the while looking at her serene face, he gently paced her on the bed; the bed slumped a bit due to her applied weight…

He removed the damp hair which was clumsily sticking to her ornate face; he sucked in the glistening water droplets which were scattered all over her white oval face with his mouth, he kissed her quivering lips tasting the sweet rain drops, her back arched, her toes curled as his shameless hands caressed the soft skin of her waist, she detached the white shirt from his body, her hands roamed around his ebony chest making inconsistent patterns her fingers distorting the hair disseminating his broad chest, within no time they disrobed themselves, the burning wooden logs in the fireplace below the hefty mantelpiece radiated some heat in the chilly atmosphere, her undressed body shivered under the influence of the gentle breeze flowing from a distance over the steep gorges and ravines, he covered their cold naked bodies with the soft comforter, he partially lay over her not putting his weight on her, and they lost each other in the unexplored realms of their pure, innocent and virginal LOVE……

------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ----

JUNE 19^th 2008

Jai was sitting on the wooden stairs of the cottage waiting for bani's arrival. He covered himself with a thick shawl to protect himself from the cold atmosphere, and moreover for the past few days he was not feeling well, his head-aches had increased, he suffered from serious insomnia since quite a few days, ugly dark circles had formed in the sockets below his twinkling eyes, he looked at his watch, it was 5.00 p.m. but still bani didn't come neither others…

He saw nikhil running towards him…

"Jai, Bunny ko hospital leke gaye hain…usse bohot dard ho rahan tha…jaldi chalo..." nik said catching up with some oxygen

Jai ran, stumbling over the stairs, he ran as fast as he could on the gravel path, he ran to meet his bani…..

He reached the hospital; they had already taken bani into the operation theater……Rano came rushing to him……

"Jai…..bunny ko kuch nahin hoga naa… "she said with hopeful eyes

Jai kept mum, he lightly hugged her…..

About 2 hours later Nishikant came outside the O.T., daadi, jai, nik, pro, rano…..everybody rushed to him….

"Operation to kiya hain….par usse jab tak hosh nahin aata kuch keh nahin sakte….." nishikant said trying to control his tears.

He left hurriedly to shift bani to the I.C.U.

After nearly an hour bani opened her eyes…..to see the worried faces of her father, daadi, rano, pro, nik… nishikant checked her vitalities…….

But her eyes searched for one person…..JAI…she looked around but he was not there……rano came to her side and pointed towards the glass window…

Jai was standing there outside…looking at his bani through transparent glass shield……he sadly smiled at her……

Bani baited her eyelids indicating him to come inside…….

Jai came inside, everybody left them alone……

Before leaving Nishikant held jai's hands; he squeezed his palm a bit and nodded his head in horizontal direction with tears trickling down his wrinkled face………….

Jai went and sat beside her on the bed……he placed a feather-like kiss on her forehead…… he held her hand……

Bani smiled weakly…….

"Bhaag chalen…" bani said in her excessively strained voice with a small smile adorning her dry lips, she jostled to breathe…

"Hmmm…" jai said and gently kissed her awaiting dry lips…

That was their last breath together……

The ECG machine indicated a straight florescent green line producing a high pitched beep…

Jai's brain went blank…he felt his blood circulation stop…the soft muscles of his brain constricted…everything got blocked…he collapsed…with his head resting on bani's forehead…

They lay motionless on the hospital bed, hands clasped, their lifeless fingers entwined, everybody watched the two eternal lovers through the glass pane with weeping eyes and grieving hearts……

LIFE… brought them together for a brief period but DEATH… united them forever……

Their bodies inflamed, their souls departed from the materialistic unreal world, but their blissful love lived on……

The setting sun, the vast sky, the green-headed hills, the steep valleys, the brimming river, the impatient waterfall, the chirping birds, the violets, the roses, the orchids, the tall pine trees, the fresh tea bushes, the never-ending mazes, the cattle-grazed meadows, the silent lake, the first rain drops, the whistling wind, the crescent moon, the blinking stars…everything… stood testimony to their unconditional love……

"Immortal love, forever full,
Forever flowing free,
Forever shared, forever whole,
A never ebbing sea!...."

-John Greenleaf Whittier

Thus, this was THE FINAL CONCLUSION…of their short, immortal love story… which has no epilogue……

But life was indebted to them…probably…..in their next birth they will meet again, fall in love and live happily together…after all life has to repay the inherent debt which it had taken from them because they had sacrificed their love, their life to the inconsiderate death……. They silently bowed their heads before Destiny……but now it was Destiny's turn to kneel down before their omnipotent love…….

Entry #6

Chapter 1: The Bitter Truth

The tears welled up in Bani's eyes, she was thankful to God that it was raining. She walked aimlessly, she honestly had no reason to be crying but the tears would not stop. Everything in her life was pretty good, she had great friends (though they were in different parts of the country), she had loving parents (though they were almost 6 hours away), she had an annoying but cute brother (though he was too busy growing up).

Maybe it was the fact that she was surrounded by so many strangers, people she had thought were her friends.

Maybe it was the fact that she expected too much out of people.

Maybe it was the fact that she trusted too easily.

Maybe it was the fact that she was so open.

Maybe it was just simply that life was against her.

She let the tears drop from her eyes, maybe she was too judgmental but she had a right to be. These people were her friends but they were so different from her, they were so different from what they perceived themselves to be. Bani had decided it was time to change things, it was time to move on and it was time to find where she belonged.

Everyone went through the phase in life where they need to find and be able to distinguish themselves from a big crowd of people. It was her time.

Classes would be over in less than a week and a half and it was time that she did something for herself. She was going to do everything she had wanted to do, she was going to learn ice skating, she was going to learn dancing, she was going to go back to her singing, and finally explore the natural world, do something adventurous. And most of all, she was going to get her poems and stories published. She was going to find herself.

All of a sudden, she felt this light in herself open up. Maybe it was all meant to happen, maybe it was time that she put the past behind her and moved on.

The tears dried up, and she got herself in the car and drove back to her apartment. Her friends, a few people that she actually still trusted were seated cozily in the room in a blanket and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai playing. Rano as usual was crying at the same part that she always cried in, no matter how many times she had watched the movie before. Raashi was rolling her eyes at Rano but at the same time she too couldn't watch sad movies before having tears in her eyes. And Pia who had finally grasped enough hindi to watch the movie without subtitles was actually pretty emotional for the first time.

Bani scooted along with her three friends and finally felt like she belonged a little. It was these people that she saw in her future and not the others who she had thought were her close friends till recently. She wondered how she had exactly gotten in such a position where she was left hurt and crying.

Flashback

Bani looked around and tried to find Tarun, he had promised her that he would be there on time. She was going to be embarrassed one more time because he would never be there when her friends come around. She knew he was a busy man, always running around having to do something or the other but at the same time, she expected him to have time for her.

They had been together for over four years and everything was always running smoothly between them, they never faught, they never argued. Mostly because Bani always changed herself to make sure that everything worked out perfectly but it was getting to be too much, why was she the one who always sacrificed? She was going to talk to him about it today, it was time that they work things out for the better for both of them.

Once Tarun came through the door, Bani knew something was different. He gave her a look and in one simple word said, "This is not going to work. We are done."

That was all he said, he just turned around and left. Bani was left standing there for the next few minutes and she finally got up and went to her house.

Flashback Ended

Chapter 2: The Step Forward

Bani was excited for the wedding as it meant getting out and living life to the fullest all over again. She was going to change herself, and like Pia had told her, the first thing she needed to do was change what she was looking for. No more, forever nonsense. She was going to enjoy life, have a fling or two if needed, just go out there and have fun.

She remembered her conversation with Pia completely.

Flashback

"What exactly was it that made you break your relationship?" Pia asked.

Bani thought back to that day, "Well I was the one always giving in, always changing myself to fit the relationship and even after I did all of that. He comes home one day and says that we are not meant to be and that we need to break up."

"Why did you date him if you had to change yourself that much?" Pia was an expert at relationships, she knew the mindset of many guys, she grew up around 4 brothers.

"Well, I could have always imagined myself ten years down the lane with him, it seemed that we could have been happy in the future." Bani could no longer imagine that but at the time it seemed okay.

"Did it feel right? That future… were you happy?"

"I don't know about happy… but it was a content future. We both worked, our kids were smart, and we lived in a nice house." Bani realized all of a sudden just how boring that seemed.

"Exactly, life could have been content… but where the love, the passion? I want you to promise me something." Pia extended her hand forward

Bani hesitated but still gave in, "I promise."

"Okay, go to this wedding and ever y guy you see, imagine what you would do with him the next hour or the next day max and not ten years down the lane. Live for the moment Bani, the future will come by itself. And then go and find someone just to have fun with for a while. Enjoy this break cause you need it." Pia looked at Bani's face and couldn't help but laugh, "You promised."

Flashback Ends

Chapter 3: The New Stranger

Bani got down the bus, she had finally reached the station. As soon as she got down, she saw her really close friend, Sonali standing there. Bani dropped her stuff and ran to her friend and they kept in that embrace for a good five seconds.

They broke apart and started laughing uncontrollably for no reason. Bani all of a sudden realized that she left her luggage behind and turned around to find it missing, "My luggage!"

She sees a man going towards a car with her luggage and runs after him, "Stop or I will call the police! You are taking my luggage, drop it!"

The man slowly turns around and shrugs and drops the luggage really hard on the floor.

"Be careful! It has important stuff!" Bani was annoyed by the nerve of this man.

"You said drop it so I did. Your fault." Jai looked at the petite girl standing opposite him. Her hair was a mess, it came across on her face. Her face was boiling with anger, making it tomato red and gave her a ruffed look that attracted him to no end.

Bani got a good look at this man, the crooked smile pissed her off. The sparkle in his eyes annoyed her and the hair coming on his face irritated her. Yet it was the same smile that made her want to smile, it was the same sparkle in his eyes that she made her think that this summer might not be that bad, and it was the same hair on his face that made her realized how her hair was on her face.

In front of him, however, she kept a irritated look on her face, "What were you doing with my stuff anyway?"

"Well my annoying cousin, Sonali, dragged me along because she figured that you would need help. How wrong was she?" Jai saw the look on Bani's face go from irritated to embarrassed.

"Oh…" Bani felt embarrassed but the smile on his face made that go away really quickly, "Well how was I to know, of course I would think that you are stealing my stuff."

"Do I look like someone who is going to steal?" Jai questioned pretending to be offended.

Bani took a step back and looked up and down, his pants were torn at the bottom, his shirt was unpressed and completely ruffled.

Jai saw the look in Bani's eyes, "Never mind don't answer that. I am sorry madam, not everyone wakes up an hour early every day to make sure that all the lines in their clothes are gone."

Bani looked at her clothes, and realized how prim and proper she looked. She had gotten into the habit since Tarun was a big industrialist and he always needed to maintain a good look. She realized that the first thing she had to, was give herself a much needed makeover.

Jai saw Sonali coming their way, "What kind of friends do you have?"

Sonali punched Jai softly, "Don't heed any attention to him Bani, he is just an idiot like that."

Bani smiled at Sonali, "Oh I know, he is so not worth any attention."

Jai pretended to be hurt and this rolled his eyes and walked away.

Bani did something totally out of character, she yelled after him, "What happened? Cat got your tongue?"

Jai turned around and yelled back, "No I figured you are not worth wasting my breath for."

Sonali laughed at the bickering between the two of them, before Bani could say anything back she put her hands on Bani's mouth, "Wow! I mean I agree that he can be quite annoying but I didn't think you would be fighting that early."

The two of them dismissed Jai from their minds and started to talk about the upcoming wedding by the time they got home, Bani was asleep in the car. Jai saw her sleeping there peacefully and two thoughts crossed his mind: first was to pick her up softly and take her inside as she looked so innocent and the second one being make as loud of a noise as possible to wake her up.

Thankfully, he didn't have to pick as she shifted and realized that they had come to a stop. She got out of the car and loved the weather there already. She knew this summer was going to be great.

Chapter 4: Second Chance?

Jai was busy with the preparations for the wedding that he really didn't have time for other people and their drama. Apparently, the boutique had decided to send the wrong types of flowers then the one the bride and the groom wanted. At times like this, he wished that they had just hired a wedding planner.

Bani saw the way Jai had been running around all day and felt sort of pity for him but first she was going to do something for herself. She always tried to help others, but this vacation was about helping herself. She looked at what she was wearing; it was a office suit, something that made her look professional.

She remembered the last conversation she had with Tarun.

Flashback Starts

"Why did you stay with me all this time then?" Bani just needed to know the answer to this. She had called him just to find out why.

Tarun seemed annoyed on the phone, "Because you were perfect in terms of what people wanted to see. You were always prim and proper, something that every industrialist needs in his partner. You were a traditional girl, something my parents wanted to see. You were good looking, something that society wants to see."

Bani was disgusted, "What did you see?"

"I am going to be honest, you never mattered to me. All those people and their opinions did, though. When I saw Rosie, however, all that started to matter less and she has all the qualities plus more. And she is not afraid to take the relationship further." Tarun wanted to hang up but he figured he owed her at least few minutes.

"Take relationship further? I was ready for marriage with you! Why? God knows! And if you mean it physically, well I am glad that I did not waste myself on someone like you!" Bani hung up the phone and couldn't believe she thought she was in love with such a sick man!

Flashback ended.

Bani changed into a simple but cute salwar kameez. It was exactly the kind she used to love earlier, but Tarun did not like Indian clothes unless they were around his parents. She wore long earrings that she loved but had stopped wearing because Tarun thought they were too flashy and inappropriate. After a long time she felt like herself.

Jai spotted Bani coming out and his first reaction was "beautiful." But he wasn't going to tell her that, of course.

Bani went up to Jai and she extended her hand forward, "Let's just start over, my name is Bani."

Jai smiled and extended his hand further, "My name is Jai."

"That's a good start, I guess. Do you need help Jai?" Bani felt weird calling him by his name all of a sudden.

"Why are you being so formal? You are the bride's best friend, just look around and find anything to do." Jai started putting the flowers back on the rails, "Where are you coming from?"

"New York, what about you?" Bani started to pick the flowers and entangle them into a long thread.

"California… from a quiet place. I like it better that way, no excessive noise or pollution. How do you like New York?"

Bani wondered how she liked it, "Honestly? I never thought about it till recently. I just lived there for others, for other purposes… it's never a place I wanted to live. It's a beautiful place, I love the snowy winters but I hate the noise and the speed."

"Why don't you move then?" Jai wondered loudly.

"it's not that easy. I have my work, my friends, my life already based there." Bani wondered how he could even suggest that.

"Well if you are not happy, there is no point in living in such a place. Just a personal opinion." Jai's cell phone rang and he excused himself.

Bani wished it was that easy, wished that she could just pick up and move away and not have any worries attached to her. But she knew that was not going to happen. Her cell phone rang and Bani smiled at Pia's flashing name.

Bani spoke with a smile into the phone, "Hello!!"

"Wow, that is the probably the chirpiest/happiest I have heard you be in a while. Who did you find there?" Pia giggled.

Bani shook her heard, Pia never gave up, "I didn't find anyone. Remember, I am here to forget everyone and everything not to find a new one."

"New one, what?" Jai butted in into the conversation without being invited.

Bani looked annoyed that someone had been listening in on the conversation, "Nothing, mind your own business!"

"Ouch, didn't know it was that personal, angel." Jai teased Bani pointing to the phone.

Bani glared at him and walked away, "Don't mind him, continue what you were saying."

"Actually, you were the one talking but if you don't kill me, can I say something?" Pia wondered how Bani would react.

"He sounded hot, and when you talked back to him, that conversation no matter how dumb had some… some passion." Pia let it out, now was Bani's turn to be furious.

"You are crazy and insane. It was nothing like that! You have too much of a creative mind that just thinks up stuff. There was no passion, let alone any kind of romantic thoughts in either of our minds. Now can you drop it." Bani told herself to relax, her friend only meant well.

"Well if it meant nothing, ask him out, go on a date, enjoy." Pia wanted to see if Bani would ever do that. It was totally against her style.

"Are you serious?! I will never do that." Bani was appalled that Pia would even mention that.

"I told… passion," Pia knew what buttons to press.

"You are impossible," Bani said as she hung up. By the time she got back, Jai was already done with the arrangements of the room and it looked fantastic. "This is amazing work, Jai!"

"Of course it is, after all, who did it?" Jai smirked.

"Never mind, I take that back…you are so egotistical." Bani's conversation with Pia was still running through her mind. "What are you doing tonight?"

"Nothing, why?" Jai continued working and didn't even bother looking at Bani.

Bani assembled courage, "You want to go for dinner?"

"Well, yah just come out here and let me know when everyone is going." Jai was having a hard time putting the thread through the needle.

Bani looked at his clumsy fingers annoyingly, took it out of his hand and did it herself, "No, I meant… do you want to go to dinner together?"

Jai realized what Bani meant and felt like laughing at how red her face was turning out to be, but he controlled it, "Alone?"

Bani wondered why she had gotten herself into this, it was too late to even back out, "Yes… I mean if you want to."

"Is that what you want?" Jai was going to take advantage of this, who knows when he will see Bani squirming like this again.

Bani looked up and saw the smart smile on Jai's face and got mad, "You know what, forget it! Why would anyone even think about going…"

Before Bani could finish, Jai grabbed her and pulled her close. He put his face down to hers and whispered softly, "Wear something red, I think it would suit you, Bani."

With that said Jai left, leaving Bani standing there still reeling in shock. She knew exactly the type of passion Pia was talking about, there was something about the way he looked at her, the way he felt, the way he said her name, the way he…

Bani stopped her train of thoughts, how could she even think like that. She had already been fooled by a guy once and she was not going to let it happen. And wearing red? Yah that is the last thing she would ever do! EVER!

Chapter 5: The First Date

Bani came down the stairs wearing the only red dress she had in her dresser. It was a short summer dress and it perfectly matched the weather outside. She had decided that she had worn red not because Jai told her but because it suited the weather and she had never worn it before.

Jai came down dressed nicely in a semiformal shirt and jeans, looking incredibly handsome. He saw the red dress on Bani and smiled.

Bani couldn't even think of anything as she looked at him, there was something different about him, the rugged tough man look was gone replaced by a sly romantic one. She could have fought off the rugged look but that smile was hard to resist. She wondered what she had gotten herself into.

Jai took Bani's arms and led her out of the house, and Bani prayed one last time, "Oh God, I hope I don't regret this later."

Jai had already reserved a table for two and they got seated in silence. Bani looked up and saw Jai staring at her intensly, "What?"

Jai shook his head, "I was just wondering, what color are your eyes?"

Bani became self conscious, "Light brown and a little bit of green… why?"

"They are intriguing, they look like a dreamers eyes but from what Sonali has told me about you… you are not a dreamer." Jai saw the anger flash on Bani's face, and wondered what he had said that was wrong.

"Sonali told you about me? What did she say?" Bani wondered how much Jai knew about her…

"Nothing, just the fact that you like things organized and orderly… and that basically… well I don't want to sound rude but since you asked… the way she described you, you seemed like a complete bore." Jai wondered how Bani would take that.

To both of their surprise, Bani burst into laughter, "Bore… I guess you could put it like that. And now?"

Jai thought of the word of what he felt Bani was like and the only one he could come up with was, "Intriguing."

Bani blushed involuntarily, "Huh… well when I first saw you, I thought you were inconsiderate and rude."

Jai laughed, he should have expected that, "And now?"

"Ummm… pretty much the same…" Bani smiled softly.

"Oh yah, then why exactly are you at dinner with me?" It wasn't a question that needed to be answered as they both new it was an invisible string pulling them together.

The rest of the dinner went by so smoothly that neither of them noticed when the time had passed. It had been so long since Bani had laughed so freely, without hesitating about being so loud.

Jai just stared at Bani every time she laughed, her eyes lit up completely. There was a slight dimple on the right cheek that made her laugh even more contagious.

The night ended as quickly as it had begun and by the time they got back to the house, Bani was sleeping with her head leaned on Jai's shoulder. The hair kept falling on her face and Jai softly put it to the side, he couldn't help but stare at her for a few minutes.

Bani woke up and saw Jai looking at her, she felt completely safe all of a sudden, "How long have we been here?"

"Five or so minutes," Jai wished the moment would just go on forever like this.

Bani got up and out of the car, "Sorry, I don't even remember when I fell asleep."

"It's okay, good night Bani." Jai led Bani to the door.

"Good night," Bani left quickly, almost abruptly because she was scared of the new sensation she was feeling.

Chapter 6: Something was changing…

The next day, Jai and Bani both pretended like nothing happened between them and they went through the rest of the day with great ease. They worked together comfortably and it felt as if they had known each other all along.

Jai messed around with Bani all day, and instead of getting annoyed like Bani usually would, she was enjoying every moment she spent with him. Jai realized that he should probably take the next step now and ask her out instead of it being the other way around.

Jai cornered Bani after a really long time, and found her alone. "Tonight at 8, what are you doing?"

Bani knew where this was going and was not sure whether she really wanted that to happen or not, "We can't."

"What do you mean? Why not?" Jai was extremely confused.

"Because we are here for Sonali's wedding and we should be helping her." Bani was trying to make up excuses.

"Bani, if you don't want to go out with me, just say so." Jai knew Bani was just trying to come up with excuses. Jai turned around to leave but was stopped by Bani's hand.

"Fine, we will go. Just remember one thing, this all means nothing. We are friends and after two weeks, you will go your way, I will go my way. Okay?" Bani said it all in one breath.

Jai raised his eyebrows, "Bani, usually a guy says that line. But if you want to keep it like that then its fine. Tonight at 8, then?"

Bani smiles softly, "I just don't want complications. Yah, I will see you tonight."

Sonali came in and dragged Bani away for help with her dresses and what to wear when she goes out tonight.

The night came too slowly, and Jai called Bani up, "Bani, I am sorry, this is going to take some time. Do you want to go to the Beach Paradise Restaurant? I will meet you there."

Bani understood with the wedding preparations he must be busy, "Yah, no problem. I will see you there soon."

She tried not too look too hard in the mirror, she was not going to be affected by this date at all. By the time Bani got to the restaurant it was completely dark. She went inside and Jai had not arrived by then, so she decided to go to the beach and just walk around till he came.

Bani saw a shadow creeping up behind her, and figured that Jai was trying to scare and her so she jumped around to scare him instead. When she saw the face of the person behind her, her face turned tomato red. It was a random stranger who was just staring at her horrified.

Just then she heard someone laugh uncontrollably and she glared at Jai who was standing at a corner and trying to control his laughter. Bani walked away from the two of them annoyed and completely embarrassed. Jai ran behind Bani and caught up to her, "I am sorry."

Even as he said it, Jai was laughing really hard.

Bani stopped turned to him and stared for two good seconds and then started to laugh herself. The two of them stood there laughing for a while and then turned around and headed towards the restaurant.

As soon as they sat down, Bani wondered what took him so long, "Why did you become so late?"

"Nothing," Jai was trying to avoid the subject.

"Hiding secrets on the second date, thank God we are not in a serious relationship or else I would be mad right now." Bani said it so casually though even at this point she knew that whatever was between them was anything but a fling.

"Fine, since you are insisting so much I will tell you. On my way here, I saw this beautiful girl on the side of the road and she needed help. And so I had to be a good guy and help out, I couldn't just let her be. Would you have done that?" Jai was teasing Bani with a serious face.

Bani could joke around as well, "Well, if it was a hot guy on the side of the road, of course, I would stop."

"Oh yah, even if I was waiting here for a date?" Jai wondered how much of what Bani was saying was true and how much false.

Bani smiled, "Well of course not… I mean I would just get him a taxi really quickly and be sure to get his number."

"His number, huh… Well if you call any other guy's number other then mine for at least the next week or so, we are going to have a problem." Jai called the waiter as he laughed.

Bani loved it when he claimed power and at the same time it scared her because she kept reminding herself that this was all temporary.

Bani didn't know where time passed, the two of them finished dinner and went outside to the beach for a walk. They were just walking by a group of friends who were circled around a bonfire talking and playing truth or dare. Bani was just about to pass them when an old friend of hers, Anjum came up to her.

"Bani! It has been so long. Where have you been? Is this Tarun?" Anjum pointed toward Jai and asked.

Bani looked from Jai to Anjum and back to Jai, "No, Anjum this is Jai. Tarun and I broke up a while back."

Anjum realized how awkward the position had become and tried to make it playful again, "We are playing truth or dare, come join us for a while."

Bani looked at Jai, "No we should get going soon."

Jai looked at Bani and wanted to get the mood playful again, "You know what, let's play for a while."

Before she knew it, Bani was being dared to dance with Jai to a romantic song. Bani looked at Jai, "Oh God, even if he was the last man alive, I wouldn't dance with him."

Jai laughed, "Thank God, life got saved otherwise I would have to suffer with this annoying brat."

Bani stared at Jai, "Bandar ho, Bandar."

"Just be glad, I agreed to come on this date with you." Jai loved messing with Bani.

"You asked me, you should be the one who is glad." Bani got up and walked away.

Anjum was still laughing as Jai went after Bani, "Bani, okay, okay, I am glad you agreed."

Bani turned winked, "You better be thankful!" With that said she ran back to the fire.

Anjum got up, "You still haven't completed your dare. Dance or else."

Jai got up, extended his hand further and Bani slowly put her hand in his. The two of them danced slowly, looking into each other's eyes and not even bothering to look at anyone else around him. They never even realized when the music stopped, it was only when the group of friends surrounded them and Anjum put her hands between their faces did they jump away like thieves caught stealing.

Embarrassed, the two of them came apart and smiled at everyone. Within few minutes, they went home together.

The next day, Bani kept remembering the date all day, and the next few days. The marriage took over all their time, they danced, ate, spent all their time with each other. The two of them were inseparable and by the end of the few days, everyone had an idea that something was brewing between them but both of them opted to keep their relationship quiet. The thought of separation was creeping up on both of their minds and Jai wished that he could take back the promise.

Chapter 7: The End Coming Close

Jai looked at the picture people had taken of Bani and him together and knew that with time he had failed truly, madly, and deeply in love with Bani. He was going to tell her exactly that when he saw a letter on his desk.

The two weeks came to a close and Bani knew that it was time to step back. Why was it so hard then? She always knew this was going to happen, so why did it hurt now? She was the one who had laid down the rules and it was time for her to follow them through. She started to pack her clothes but every article of clothing held a memory.

She had left a letter on Jai's desk a few minutes earlier, it was short concise and to the point. No love, no romance.

Jai,

The past few weeks have been great. But the time is over, and as decided we have to go our different ways. It was great seeing you.

Bani

She glanced at the bouquet of flowers and flung them across the room landing straight into his feet. Jai stood there for a second just looking at the flowers at his feet and then slowly bent down and picked them up. He took one glance at Bani's face and knew that she was serious about this decision. He took a step forward and saw Bani take one back.

Jai stopped halfway, "Don't worry. I am not going to make you fall weak at your decision. I just came to give you these pictures that we took during the two months we spent together."

"I don't want them," Bani replied curtly.

"Usually I am the one in a relationship who says that but I just want to say that as much as I didn't want this, I fell in love with you. And though you didn't and its not your fault, take these pictures and remember the wonderful summer we spent together. You don't have to love me to know that this summer was probably the best either one of us has ever had." Jai put the flowers and the pictures down on the table and turned around and headed towards the door.

"Wait," Bani called out quietly.

Jai's eyes filled with hope, a smile spread across his face as he slowly turned around.

Bani took a step forward and picked up the flowers and handed them to Jai, "They are for you for making my summer so unforgettable."

Jai felt the tears linger in his eyes, but he wasn't going to fall apart at least not in front of someone who didn't even understand his love. Jai didn't touch or take the flowers, instead he turned around quietly and walked out. Bani felt as if her heart had been cut open and taken apart from her. She felt the tears coming but stopped them, she had promised herself that she would never again cry for a guy.

Bani looked at the card with the flowers, it simply said "Remember us and what we used to be."

Bani went back home and fell into the normal schedule. She had not told anyone what had happened this summer, it was easier to forget it then to have to be constantly reminded of it. Pia had pressed her for information and Bani finally caved it and told her the complete story.

"Bani, I am your friend and I hope you know that. But I just want to say one thing, you are so stupid! Just because one idiotic guy hurt you once does not mean you don't let any other guys get into your life!" Pia was shocked that Bani would let go of such a wonderful guy.

"Pia, you know what happened with Tarun. I can't let that happen again!" Bani was shocked that Pia was not on her side.

"Bani just answer this honestly, were you happy when you were with Jai?" Pia wanted to smack some sense into this girl.

Bani thought back to the many memories she had made over the summer, "Yes… I was."

"Were you happy with Tarun?" Pia knew it was a hard question but she knew it would help Bani make the right decision.

"We talked about this already… no I wasn't but I was the one left hurt in the end." Bani couldn't be that vulnerable again.

"Is Jai anything like Tarun? Just ask yourself if he would ever hurt you like that." Pia didn't know how to get through to her friend but she prayed that whatever she decided was the right decision.

Bani knew the answer to that, she had known all along but she still found it hard to just let it all go.

Pia looked at Bani and finally gave up, "Bani you are not afraid that he is going to hurt you, you are not afraid of losing your trust, you are afraid because you are in love for the first time in your life."

"I KNOW!! I know Pia. I know I am in love and it scares the shit out of me. How can I just accept the fact that a guy who was a complete stranger to me two weeks ago could mean so much to me? How do I live with the fact that when I close my eyes at night, his face pops up?" Bani felt the tears but she was not going to cry.

"These are not bad things Bani, these are the feelings everyone should have in their love." Pia was confused.

"I don't know. I don't know why I am so scared… why I am so afraid…." Bani knew that most girls became happy when they fell in love. When was with Jai, she was happy, she had never been that happy before. Maybe that scared her the most. What if it didn't work? What if they weren't the ones for each other? If he left, or if the relationship didn't work, she would be completely alone and heartbroken…

"Bani, I am just going to say this one thing… maybe ten years down the lane you guys might be divorced and be just like half the other couples in the world but isn't it worth the risk? Don't you think that your relationship with Jai is worth the trouble and possible pain you might have to go through?" Pia got up and left Bani alone after that, it was now her turn.

Bani sat there for the longest time thinking and she opened her bag and looked at the pictures of the last two weeks. She smiled thinking back to the time when they had actually had a mud fight, who did that? Apparently they did.

Bani got up and smiled for the first time in days, "It is completely worth it."

Chapter 8: Finally…

Bani didn't think twice, she didn't even pack anything. She grabbed her purse and wallet and was out of the door and into the next bus back to Arizona where Jai still was with Sonali's family for the lasts few family rituals. She was crying the entire trip back but this time around they were tears of joy, the beautiful moments the future held for the two of them.

She was beginning to be incredibly restless, the bus finally came to a stop and Bani ran out of there, grabbed a taxi and was at the residence in less than 10 minutes. She looked at the house and all of a sudden felt incredibly shy. How was she going to do it? She got out of the car and just looked at her reflection on the car window.

She stood there for a few seconds and then rehearsed what she was going to say, "I really have no idea what to say."

Jai's voice startled her, "Just say what I have been waiting to hear."

Bani turned around slowly and gathered courage, "I can't, not just yet. There are a few things I have to make sure before that."

Jai was really annoyed by now, he had always been a patient man but now she was stretching it.

"First thing, promise that the rest of our lives will be as fun as this past few weeks were."

Jai smiled softly, and whispered, "I do."

Bani became shy but she continued, "Promise that you are going to buy me flowers and a card EVERYTIME we get into a fight, no matter how small. And at least two of those flowers must be handpicked."

"Okay…" Jai took a step closer.

Bani took one back, "Not yet. Promise that you will never ever cheat on me."

Jai stopped for a second, "Bani… what am I going to say to Malliaka, and Shivani, oh and Juhi?"

Bani glared at him, "Promise!"

Jai chuckled, "Sigh… if I must, the things we do for love."

Bani controlled her smile, "Promise that on Wednesday's you will cook dinner because you cook so wonderfully!"

Jai laughed, "I might have to cook all days darling, with your cooking and everything…"

Bani punched him softly, "Promise that I get to name our children."

Jai was not happy with that one, "How is that fair?"

"What if those names are Krishna and Atharva?" Bani knew the names Jai liked, she wouldn't be that mean.

Jai smiled, "You remembered."

"Don't get too happy, I have two more. Promise that we will have a mud fight every now and then for the rest of our lives," Bani grinned widely.

"As much as I would love that, its not going to be raining every month… so once a year for the next twenty years but what about when we are like and on wheelchairs?" Jai took a step closer again and this time Bani didn't step back.

"Well then it will be harder to play, but you have to do it. Promise?" Bani knew she was being silly but that was the fun in it.

Jai winked, "Don't worry sweetheart, you will want to do more then a mud fight once I get my hands on you."

Bani became shy but it was turn for her last one, "Promise me that everytime I say those three words, you will be right here to say them back."

"I will, and you know that." Jai took Bani closer and hugged her tightly.

Bani pulled back.

"Now what?" Jai asked when Bani moved back.

"I want to look you in the eyes when I say this, I love you Jai Walia. I think I always have, and I know I always will." Bani tiptoed and planted a kiss on Jai.

Jai formed a smile on his face, "Did you know we are married?"

"What?" Bani pulled back.

"You just made me promise 7 things, our 7 vows, our 7 pheras." Jai winked again.

"Don't think you are getting off the hook that easily. I plan on using full advantage of your credit card in making our wedding the best wedding ever." Bani wrapped her hands in Jai's.

"But I haven't even asked you to marry me yet." Jai teased.

"Well if you don't do it soon, I am going to have to do it," Bani said with a determined face.

"Oh no, you don't! That is my right and you did not make me promise that." Jai put his hand around Bani's shoulders.

Bani pulled back, "If I had made you promise everything, we would stand there for the rest of our lives. And don't get me mad because I don't want you to have to go buy me flowers right now."

Jai pulled Bani close again, "I would buy you flowers every minute if that meant you being with me all the time."

"Oh, I really do love you Jai."

"You better because I love you too. And I am the one who asks you for marriage."

Bani smiled, "Then ask already."

"Like this? Is this really how you imagined it?" Jai wondered if he should just do it now.

"It's better then how I had imagined it." Bani felt weak in the knees when all of a sudden Jai was down on his knees.

"I have been carrying it around in my pocket for days now Bani, will you do me the honor of making me the happiest man alive?"

Bani's eyes brimmed with tears and she nodded softly, "I will. I love you!"

Jai slid the finger on Bani's hands and said "I love you too!"

The end... and they lived happily after, fighting and all included. 😳

Entry #7

O saathi re (film Omkara,, 2006, Music:Vishal Bhardwaj. lyrics:

o saathi re din dube na o saathi re din dube na aa chal din ko roke dhup ke peeche daude chaanv chuwe na o saathi re	- Translation- O my love, hope the sun never sets O my love, hope the sun never sets come on, let us stop the day lets run after the sunlight let the shadows not touch us O my love
thaka thaka suraj jab nadi se hokar niklega hari hari kaayi pe paanv para toh phislega tum rok ke rakhna main jaal giraaun tum pith pe lena main haath lagaaun	when the tired sun passes over the river the sun may slip if it steps on rocks slippery by algae you hold the sun and I will try to trap it you carry it on your back and I will lend you a hand hope the sun does not set
teri meri atti patti daat se khaati katti re jaiyo na	I am not speaking to you really not speaking to you for sure please do not go
o pihu re o pihu re na jaiyyo na	o beloved o beloved, don't go
kabhi kabhi yoon karna main daantu aur tum darna ugal pade aankhon se feenke paani ka jharna hmm tere kohre badan mein sil jaaungi re jab karwat lega chhil jaaungi re	sometime let me scold you and you pretend to be scared and you cry pretend tears I become a part of your body so close that when you turnover, I will feel the friction
sang le jaaunga teri meri angni mangni ang sang laagi sangni sang le jaaun o pihu re	I will take you with me i am yours you are my life partner i will take you with me o beloved

A man sitting in a quiet corner of a very noisy bar is enjoying his drink, a formidable man so to say. Successful at everything be it the sports he did in college and during his university years, his business which he took over from his father and took to ultimate peaks of success at just the age of thirty-six, or the women he conquered and the many others who are waiting to be conquered by him. A introvert man who only speaks when necessary, a natural leader who does not demand respect but one look at him and people can not do otherwise then to wait for a sign from him to. A man you would not dare to cross and not dare to make upset. A man who loves his family till no extent and can kill and be killed for.
Jai Walia is sitting in a quiet corner of a very noisy bar enjoying his drink.

Across town a woman in a white saree is doing her last prayers of the day and having the only bland meal she is destined to have at a day before she has to shed this side of her. After having her meal she folds the 'chattai' (thin bamboo mat people lay on the floor and sleep on) she sits and sleeps on and carefully shoves it under the luxurious bed in her bedroom. She walks to her cupboard and pulls out a green saree with silver embroidery from one of the hangers. She undresses herself and neatly folds the white saree. She opens another side of the cupboard and puts the saree next to the other white sarees she has there. After that she takes out a silver jewelleryset. She looks longingly at the green glass bangles next to them but decides not to wear them as he doesn't like them and opts for a diamond bracelet instead. She carefully dressed herself and combs her black waist-length hair. For the first time that day she looks at herself in a mirror. Bani Dixit sure had two sides.........a double life.


'Jai how are you doing buddy?' Malik Saigal slaps his 'friends' back. More then friends they are unsaid and unannounced rivals. Malik detests Jai, Jai's work and his success, which is sheer luck according to him. But as they say, keep your friends close and keep your enemies closer, Malik is doing exactly that. He doesn't miss any of the Walia functions, never misses any new thing about them and his favourite part about this all is that he never misses to irritate or irk Jai Walia. Malik derives pleasure from catching Jai Walia off guard. An odd thing when everyone knows that Malik always is the one who leaves frustrated and angry when he meets Jai and Jai is the one who has the last laugh.

'Fine Malik. How are you?' Jai asks while rolling his eyes and muttering under his breath. 'I dont need this right now.
Arre itne ukkhre ukhre kyun lag rahe ho? You should laugh and enjoy. You got engaged yesterday. Tumhaare to ghoomne- phirne, aish karne ke din hai'' Malik's laughter sounds like an intrusion to his ears. Fake, not genuine like always.

'Aisi baat nahin hai Malik. I am just having a drink, some time for myself.'
Malik laughs out loudly. 'Time for yourself. Since when do you take some time for yourself? You have always spend your free time with others.' Malik winks meaningful before he continues.

'But afsoos. Ab tumhaara saaaaaaaraaaa waqt sirf ek hi ke liye hoga like the rest of the mortals. To bad Jai. well if you want to have some fun, I know some women. Just tell me.' Malik almost whispers in Jai's ears.

'Kya bak rahe ho! ' Jai roars. 'And aren't you married?'

'Are hatto na yaar. I know you! And you know me too. I spend so much time with my wife, ab thora sa waqt kisi aur ke saath......it's okay Jai. No big deal! After a while you need some change. Likh ke lelo mujhse. You will do the same and it's okay.'

'Malik, please leave!'

Malik throws his hands up in the air, imitating his surrender. 'Okay Jai, naraaz mat ho. Ja raha hoon. Yeh rakhlo, just in case.' Malik takes out a card from his pocket and puts it on the table next to Jai's glass. 'I know you. Isse call karlena. Agar dil na khush kardegi to mera naam badal dena.' Malik hurries out of the bar when he sees Jai's hand clench the glass he is holding.

Jai Walia got engaged yesterday. Maybe his family got upset with his single status. It is true his aunt was pestering him since a long time about her 'bahu' and the 'khaandaan ka waaris' she wanted to see. Jai was too busy with his business. He is no saint, had some casual affairs on the side but not as many as the media ascribed to him. The family was not ecstatic about his last girlfriend Malini, but they didn't have any problems with each other. When Jai came back from his business tour last week he saw Mausi sitting with the priest trying to find a date for his engagement with Nalini. According to Mausi he had to get married to someone so why not her? Jai liked her. The family approved of her too and on top of that Jai was getting old. Jai agreed, at least he and his family knew her. Nalini is what he wants in his wife. She is smart and sexy, educated, well behaved and well cultured. They come from the same background, understand each other and they make a good couple. Somewhere he even has feelings for her, not the romantic lovey-dovey feelings but still she has a special place in his heart and his life. Why is he not happy then?

Jai is sitting in his office when Mausi calls. 'Beta woh caterer ne tumko kal phone kiya tha na? Uska naya number mujhe dena zara.'
It takes a while for Jai registers what Mausi is talking about. After shrugging his head he has to admit to himself. 'Kal kuch zyaada ho gaya. Caterer, caterer.......Oh yes.'
Jai takes out his wallet and looks for a white card he hurriedly had scribbled the number on when the caterer had called him yesterday night. Mausi, mil gaya. Aap likh lo.'
Jai gives the number and ends the call. He makes a ball out of the card and wants to throw it away when he get curious and unfolds the card to see on what he had written the number.

Maliks card. He mutters. Jai only sees a name Trishna' with a number beneath it on the card. Jai throws it away in the waist bin.

'Hey darling.'
'Nalini. How are you doing?' Jai mentally pats himself on his back for recognizing his fianc's voice. At least there is some progress in this relationship.

'Jai I got an invitation from the Saigals. Be ready at eight Jai. Saath me chalte hai.
Nalini, you know I don't like all this. I am really not in the mood to go, tum chali jaana.
Come on Jai. He hears on the other side of the phone. You know you have to do all this. Aise to nahin chalega. They are your associates and you need to mingle with them.
Jai sighs and admits truthfully 'I know. You are right. But I am really not in the mood. You know what. Come over to my place and we'll spend the evening together. In party's me mujhe ajeeb lagta hai. So what say? Dinner tonight?'
'I'm sorry Jai. I need to go to the Saigal's. Some other time.' Nalinis voice sound apologetic.
Jai was expecting this. Its okay. Tum jao, have fun. Byebye. and puts down the receiver without listening to her reply.
Jai spends the rest of the time in his office. His engagement and Nalini come to his mind from time to time. Lots of men would like a fianc like Nalini. Maybe he was getting cold feet. Its not about losing his single status. He isn't doing much with it anyways but somewhere something isn't right. There is still something missing. Something is unfulfilled. A wish, a desire. Trishna suddenly comes to his mind. Doesn't that mean the same as desire?'

Jai fishes out the card from the bin and looks at it for a long time. Its almost close to seven in the evening. He picks up the briefcase and his coat and heads towards his house.

Jai is lying on his bed staring at the ceiling. Ever since he came home, during dinner and while he was going through his files for tomorrows meetings he has been hearing about his wedding.
His niece is already planning what she is going to wear. There have been made several dozens of lists for menus and all of them have been rejected. His aunt has been pestering him about making appointments with designers and other people and his sister can't stop talking about the wedding and how grand it is going to be. Jai came up to his bedroom to escape from the madness around him. He has been waiting to fall asleep for the past three hours, but it isn't happening.

The madness in his house seems to have affected his brains. The only thing he can see is flashy lights which are used in weddings. The only thing he can hear is the sound of a shehnai playing in a distance. 'Damn, this isn't working.' Jai mutters and kicks his duvet away. Frustrated he heads towards his study, hoping he wont meet one of his crazy family members.

The following day Jai arrives in his office after his lunchbreak. He decided to rest for a while in his cabin after the back-to-back meetings he had to attend. Jai hears his mobile ringing and answers it. 'Beta ek problem hai.' His aunt tells him agitated. Jai panicks. 'Kya baat hai mausi?'
'Us nalaayak pandit ne mahurat galat nikaala. He just called me. There is only one auspicious date this year but it is in two weeks. Otherwise you will have to wait for next year.'
Jai suddenly smiles. How could this be? There was no question about getting married in two weeks, not when the rituals for his parents death anniversary will be held.

'Dekho beta, I know you don't want to get married near the date of Didi and Jijajis death anniversary, lekin aur koi raasta bhi nahin hai. Who believes auspicious-inauspicious things anyways?'
'Mausi Papa and Mama did believe in this.' Jai answers 'What is the problem? I can wait for a year. Koi baat nahin hai. accha mausi I have to go.' Jai lies. He doesn't want his aunt to catch his happy tone when she thinks she has brought him upsetting news. Anything to keep up appearances. Jai ends the call and looks at his hands. Unknowingly he started playing with the card Mallik gave him. Jai quickely puts it aside and lies back in his chair. The wonderful feeling of joy Jai is experiencing soon makes way for guilt. He is deceiving his family and his 'fianc' but Jai wonders who will end up with the most scars. He or them?

Khurana slumps over to the other side of the bed. He is trying to catch his breath when Bani hears her mobile ring. Bani pulls the sheet up to her chin and excuses herself so she can take the call. An unknown number flashes on the screen. She answers the call.
'Trishna speaking'
'good evening. I......i.........' The voice on the other side stops. Probably a firsttimer.
'What are you charges?' The man asks suddenly.

'I charge per hour.'
'Fine by me. How much?'
Bani tells him the prices.

'Don't worry, I only want you company.'
Bani smiles wryly. That is what all the men say initially. After five minutes just her company doesn't suffices anymore.
Can I come over tonight? Around eight?'
'Sure. Note down the address.'
Bani gives him the details and ends the call. Khurana is already putting his clothes on.

*********************

For the past three weeks a strange man visit's Bani at night. Every evening he calls her to ask her if she is available. Bani waits for him dressed in some of the best clothes and best jewellery she possesses. The man comes in, nods toward her to acknowledge her and walks towards the sofa set near the window. He seats himself there and stares out of the window. Bani pours him a glass of whiskey and he sips it quietly. After three hours, at a few minutes past midnight he leaves after leaving the exact amount of money for three hours on the dining table. He never touches her and never looks at her more then necessary. His talking while he is with her is limited to only 'Yes', 'no' and 'Thank You'. He never said his name and never asked her for hers.

He despises her. She was in bed with another man when he called her for the first time, and still she made an appointment with him. At least there is someone else in this world whom Jai hates more, loathes more then himself. That woman makes him feel less worthless, less cunning, less deceiving. He isn't the one who entertains men for money and luxury.

Jai drives by the temple near his office. suddenly he sees a familiar face.

'Isn't that her? Trishna?'' her appearance looks strange in his eyes but she looks oddly in her element. She is wearing a white saree, her face is devoid of any make-up. No load appearance, no garish jewellery. Her long hair is tied up in a kind of knot and the ends are sticking out. She is busy sweeping the temple steps. Her saree is dirty now. The priest comes and blesses her.

'Well she sins in the night and comes to wash of her sins during the day.' Jai thinks sarcastically.
Jai sees a newly wed bride and groom climb the stairs of the temple. Trishna hurries inside and stands behind a pillar, out of the sight of the couple. Jai curiously keeps looking at the woman. An another priest approaches her with aarti. Trishna forwards her hand to take Prasad but suddenly shakes her head when the priest wants to apply the red tika on her forehead. The old priest smiles sadly at her and pats her head. Jai drives off.

Later at the day he calls Trishna to ask if she is available in the evening. She agrees. When Jai rings the bell at the front door he sees a completely different person then the one he saw earlier that day. A purple saree is draped around her. She is wearing a gold set and make-up on her face.
Jai nods at her and walks into the apartment. He sits at his usual place but instead of looking out of the window he looks at her while she is pouring him a glass of whiskey. The peace he saw on her face in the morning wasn't there.

'I saw you in the mandir this morning.' Jai says. Jai sees Trishna look at him with a surprised expression. Unsure about whether he was really talking to him she nods her head.

'Do you go there often?' Jai asks her. She nods her head again and hands him the glass with whiskey.

Jai is quiet during the rest of the evening. The only difference now is that he is watching Trishna instead of the unrecognizable dark view he normally stares at.

The next morning he sees unintentionally drives by the temple again. Again he sees her, this time she is cleaning the area in front on the temple. The ends and the lower part of her white saree is soiled by dust. Beads of perspiration have formed on her forehead. Strands of hair are sticking to her face. Forgetting his appointment, Jai parks the car in a alley next to the temple and watched every action of her. In the scorning heath she is working continuously. Not a drop of water or a morsel of food reaches her lips. He sees her avoiding people. The priests talk affection ally to her but she doesn't participates in all the rituals. Jai's amazing and curiosity trespass his sense of time and one and a half hour later the ringing of his mobile makes him aware that he is late for his meeting.


*******************************************

Bani hasn't seen her strange client in a week. He has not called her and didn't leave any kind of message. Her other customers come and go but during this week she kept wondering what was wrong with that man. He only came to her to have a drink. He could have gone to a bar instead and save his money there. What was he doing here? Looking for something? Bani was used to men looking for things, most of the time it was just that one physical thing, but this man was different in some way. His eyes looked for something in the darkness every time he stared out of the window. What Bani did not know was that man, that strange client of hers would look every day how she worked in the temple doing her service. That same man was looking for the peace she had during her work in the temple.

Bani hears the bell of the front door ring. She rushes to open it when she realizes that she doesn't have an appointment and she didn't get dressed appropriately. Her house was also not in a state to receive a client. 'Just a minute!' she yells in the direction of the front door and hurries to the hall where the chatai is lying. She rolls it and hurriedly shoves it under the bed in the bedroom. She walks to the huge cabinet where she made a small temple for herself and closes the door. She doesn't wants to let the person on the other side of the door wait so she decided not to change her clothes. Her white saree will have to do. Out of breath Bani opens the door.
'Yes?' She asks without looking at the visitor.
'Can I come in?' she hears a deep masculine voice ask.

Bani looks up to see the man who's name she doesn't know, standing in front of her. Bani nods and moves out of the way. Tucking the strands of her unruly and not brushed hair behind her ear, she moves out of his way and lets him in. She walks to the kitchen and takes a bottle of whiskey, a bottle of water and a glass. She just assumes he wants to drink again. Bani places all the items in front of him. She is aware of a pair of eyes following her all the time.
'Why do you go to the temple?' She hears him ask.
'To pray.' She simply replies.
'That far, across the town. Yahaan paas me bhi jaa sakti ho.'
'yahaan ke pujaari mujhe sirf pehchaante hai. Kisi badnaam aurat ko who kyun mandir me ghusne denge. Wahan ke pujaari-ji mujhe khud jaante hai. There is a big difference between the two.'
Jai carefully looks at her. Although she switches between hindi and English with ease she is clearly more at ease with speaking in hindi. She has a faint accent, like someone from a small town or village has. Jai wonders why she is doing all this. The more Jai was trying to solve the puzzle he calls Trishna, the more he gets puzzled himself.

She moves away out of the room for a while. Jai smells something. He walks to the cabinet his nose leads him too and opens it when he is sure that the owner of the house isn't aware of his actions. To his surprise he finds idols, flickering diya's and burning incense hid by the doors of the cabinet. 'Why would she want to hide that she has a good side?' Jai wonders.

Jai gets his drink and sits down. Bani hears something. A kind of rumbling.

She looks at Jai and notices he looks quiet embarrassed. Bani slightly chuckles.

'Are you hungry?'

Jai nods his head. 'Didn't have lunch and haven't eaten dinner yet.'
'Mere haath ka banaya huwa khaana khaane me aako koi aitraaz hoga?' She asks him.
'No.' Jai replies while wondering what the reason is for this question. Jai assumes she has been shunned a lot of time because of what she does. Bani disappears in the kitchen and comes out with a plate of vegetable fried rice and a glass of water. Jai accepts and is surprised by the taste of this simple dish. 'Accha hai, thanks. Tum nahin kha rahi ho?'
Bani shakes her head. She already had her meal and on top of it she wasn't allowed to eat things like this. For some reason he cant keep his eyes of her. The view of the window isn't that appealing anymore.
'You haven't asked me for my name.' Jai comments. ' Don't you want to know it?'
'It's not important to me.' Bani replies truthfully. ' But I would like to hear it if you would like to say it.'
' I am Jai Walia.' Jai honestly expected she would know who he is. He is well know, in and out of the city and hoped this woman would have a hint of what he is, what he does and how powerful he is, but nothing of that sort happens.

'Jai.' She lets the name roll over her tongue a few times. ' Nice name. victory.'

To his surprise she has completely ignored his powerful surname, Walia. Anyone else would be intimidated by that name but she is unaffected by it.
' aap yahan kyun aate hai?' Bani asks him out of curiosity.
Jai shrugged his shoulders. He doesn't even know anymore. After seeing her in the temple, worshipping, helping people, helping the priests, his feeling of loathing lessened. This attire of her made it impossible for him to hate her. Jai finishes his meal and leaves after leaving money on the dining table. Bani cant stop herself from watching him out of the window until she sees his car disappear. Bani clears the plate and gets her chatai. She lays down on the floor and tries to sleep. She needs to get to the temple earlier tomorrow.

Over the week Jai calls ' Trishna' every day. He makes an appointment to visit her in the evening and tells her not to dress up. She tries to shoo off any other customer, keeps her evenings free, waits for him after clearing the room, closing the doors of her small temple and having her meagre meal. After that she cooks dishes for Jai in case he hasn't eaten, Dishes she would like to try herself but is restricted from. They don't talk to each other, just exchange looks from time to time. Jai tried a lot of times to stop himself. This isn't right. Because of his appointments with Trishna he has cancelled several dinners with Nalini and has lied to his family. He makes all kinds of excuses to go out in the evening. Every time he hears something about his impending wedding his mind twirls around and only after he calls Trishna to meet that evening he finds him mind at rest. In the clothes Jai sees her in and in the way he sees her in her house he finds it hard to believe she is a call-girl. He even stopped thinking about it for his own peace of mind. How can he explain to himself that he likes spending time with a unknown call-girl whom he hasn't even touched, more then spending time with his smart and sexy fianc? There was no explanation for this.

Jai drives past the temple today when he sees Trishna leave. He tries to call her mobile but realizes that it is turned off as it went to her voicemail. She must have left her phone at home. Jai sees the priest watching her leave. Trishna turnes around and while balancing the thali she is holding in one hand she waves to the priest with the other.

Jai steps out of the car and without thinking walks to the priest in his powerful gait.

'Panditji, namaste.' He greets the old man. The man blesses him.

Jai folds his hands. 'Woh….uhm…….woh larki kaun hai jo abhi abhi gayi hai?' He asks attentively.
Jai sees the man's expressions change. His voice becomes harsh.' Dekho mai jaanta hoon ki who kya kya karti hai. Kyun uske zakhmo pe namak chirakne aa jaate ho. Men like you are only interested in one thing and when you are done with that and done with taking advantage of the girl's problems in the night, you suddenly become protectors of morals and our society and try to bar her from places you go in broad daylight. Ek baat jaanlo. Yeh Bhagwaan ka ghar hai. Yahaan sab ko aasra milta hai. Chaahe woh Bani hi kyun na ho!!'
'Nahin, nahin.' Jai protests. 'You are getting me all wrong. Mai pooch raha tha kyunki maine use kai baar dekha hai yahaan saaf safaai karte huwe.' Jai looks at the ground all embarrassed. ' I know what she does and I don't want to harm her. I was just wondering.'

The priests huffs. 'Jaan ke kya karoge? You will still go to her to get what you want and she has no other option. She has no other option, that is how her life is.'

'Mai samjha nahin.' Jai says. He hopes that the priest will talk to him about Trishna and help him solve the mystery she has become in his eyes.
'Bani uska naam hai. Pata nahin tum usko kis naam se jaante ho, lekin uska naam Bani hai. It means God's voice, but men don't go to her to hear the sayings of God. They go for something else. Every one has only taken from her and she only gave and is still giving. Maybe I am the one responsible for her state. I have also taken away her innocence and her childhood from her.

Bani was a small girl when she lived with her parents in a village in UP. I was a priest in that village at that time. One day I was checking her horoscope when her father's friend came to her house. His youngest son was sick and came to me to let his horoscope checked to see what was wrong. They had tried everything but in vain. Kundali dikhwa kar mujhse jaanna chaahte the ki shaayad koi badha nahin hai. Us bacche ki maut nischit thi. He had to die. My eye fell on Bani's horoscope at that time. I made the biggest mistake of my life. I was amazed and I couldn't help but say that Bani would be lucky for this sick boy. If she would come in his life then he would live maybe a year longer and after his death he would definitely not suffer, if she will be his wife. Nobody knows for sure but if Bani's fortune got linked to him he would be close to salvation after death. This appealed the father of that boy, desperate as he was. He would get a year extra with his son and his son would be close to salvation because of Bani. Both the fathers decided to get them married. Bani was just eight at that time and her father couldn't refuse as he was indebted for the past favors of his friend. After marriage Bani stayed in her parents house. Eighteen months later we got the message that her husband died. Her father-in-law came to take her for all the rituals. I went with them.'
The priest looks Jai in his eyes. 'You cant believe how my hands shook when I had to wipe her sindoor. Theirs was a traditional family. I had to shave of her long hair. I gave her a white saree. I had to explain that she couldn't sit with the other girls, couldn't come in front when a ritual would be going on. I had to explain to a nine year old girl that she was considered bad luck from now. She couldn't eat what she wanted, couldn't do what she wanted. Her family left her there. They had other children to worry about. ' Tears roll down the wrinkled brown cheeks of the old man.

' Bani became a nice young lady and even her father-in-law noticed. He let her grow her hair but she had to abide to all the other ancient rules for widows. This was only as per his convenience. Her mother-in-law was a friendly woman, took her in her house and cared for her like she was her own child, shielded her from the world, but she couldn't protect her from her own husband and elder sons. They did things to her that my lips can not utter. Apni ghar ki bahu ke saath jo shayad sirf gyarah saal ki thi us waqt un kameeno ne……..Bhagwaan unhe kabhi maaf nahin karega. Kabhi nahin!' The priest is shaking now. Jai closes his eyes for a while.

' Her mother-in-law got ill. She was Bani's only support in that house. The only one who would wipe her tears in the morning after they……Their family was used to a lavish lifestyle but their resources got drained. There was no money to send the second youngest son to school anymore. Then Bani came to their mind. Bani was barely 17 when she came to Mumbai. That man had given her to someone who would train her and make her into a call-girl. She had to do it for the woman she loved. She doesn't know what else to do to send money for her treatment. She isn't educated. Tab se Bani yahan hai. Yeh kaam karti hai. Uski yahi zindagi hai. Ek aise insaan ki widhwa banker rehna jiska chehra woh kab ki bhool gayi usko mukti dilaane ke liye aur ek aise pariwaar ka kharcha chalaana jo usko manhoos maanti hai. Jiske man ke saath, jiske jism ke saath unhone itne ghinaune kaam kiye hai. People only snatch from her. I did too, her family did too, her father-in-law and brothers-in-law did too.'

********************************************

Bani is waking toward her house when something catches her eye. At a bookstall she sees a familiar face on the cover of an old magazine. She walks towards the stall and looks at the picture for a while. She then reads the letters on the cover. With the help of library books she had made an effort to learn English.
' Bussiness man Jai Walia engaged to Nalini Mehra.'

Bani drops the magazine and walks home. She honestly didn't knew who he was. She doesn't own a tv and tries to stay away form worldly thing like her mother-in-law taught her after the death of her husband. Bani didn't like reading that line. She feels bad that an engaged man is visiting her. She knows that the majority of men that visit her are married and have kids but she thought this man was different, honest. He never touched her, never said anything denigrating to her. She made an image in her head that he was perfect, never lied and never deceived. That image turned out to be false. He is deceiving his fianc by visiting her.

Jai doesn't call that evening. Bani doesn't cook for him. Several of her other clients call but she makes up excuses. She doesn't want to see anybody today. Bani is resting on her mat when she hears the doorbell. Without giving it a second thought she opens the door and sees Jai standing in front of her. Quietly she steps aside and lets him in. Jai looks around in the living room. He sees her temple like she keeps it everyday, her chatai on the floor and her rudrakshmala on it.
' aap yahan kyun aaye hai?' Bani asks him.
' Yun hi.'
' You shouldn't come here. You are engaged. I saw it in a magazine today.'
Jai looks at her 'The other men are married. Isn't that worse?'
Bani tries to move out of his sight ' Yeh sab mujhe nahin pata. Aapko yahan nahin aana chahiya. Aap acche ghar ke hai. It doesn't befit you.'
' Meri zindagi hai, mai jo chaahe karoon. Aur waise bhi mujhe apni shaadi ki nahin pari hai to why are you bothering yourself?' Jai asks.
'Dhokha.' Bani whispers. ' You are betraying her.'
' No I am not. ' Jai isn't sure whether he is convincing her or himself. ' I am not doing anything wrong, I just come here nothing else.'
'But I am a prostitute. No woman will ever accept that her fianc is going to a prostitute and does nothing. She will think something else. It will hurt her.'
'Don't worry about that. I will explain to her. Don't you have anything to eat? ' Jai adds to change the topic.
Bani looks at him 'Only my food. Aapko accha nahin lagega.'
'Care to share? Bahot bhook lagi hai.'
Bani gets the leftovers from her meal. She adds some salt and pepper to the bland food and gives it to Jai. She watches him eat while he also talks to her. Jai wonders how she can eat al this boiled and unseasoned food but doesn't say anything. Must be part of her restrictions. Bani is surprised when she hears him talk about his day and asking about hers.

Jai didn't knew he could crack silly jokes. He didn't knew he could make idle conversation and he definitely didn't knew he could enjoy spending his time in a small house with a strange woman.
Her tickling laughter and her sweet replies to her questions are doing funny things to him. He finds himself in her house evening after evening. She wants to know what he likes to eat so she can keep it ready. She wants to know his opinion on her cooking and what she can do to improve. She never eats with him, never tastes the food herself but each and every time it is a delight.

In turn Bani asks about his family, his business, his life but she never asks about his engagement. She only once asked why he was here and after his reply 'Because I like your company.' She never asked it again. Bani waited for his call. She would cancel other appointments or deny other offers for him because he never wanted anything from her except a few kind words. In return he gave her smiles and a good mood. Her mind is warning her for the strange bond she has formed with that man but her heart doesn't pay heed and flutters everytime she thinks about him.

Bani is feeling bad. Jai has called earlier and she told him he cant come for these two days. She has to keep a fast specially for widows and the next day is already reserved for Khurana and she had committed to him a long time back. If she didn't need the money she would have cancelled but the treatment she is paying for is taking more time then expected and Khurana's money would help her a lot. She doesn't want Jai to come the same evening. She always feels dirty after a man came to her.

Jai is brooding in his office. Although it is near eight in the evening he is not in the mood to go home. She has turned him down. For the past two days he didn't see her. For the past two days he has been thinking what the reason could be until it strikes him.

Jai drives to her house and stays in his car to calm down. Suddenly he sees the shadow of a woman drying her hair with a towel. She is in there and she is alone. Jai flings the door of his car open and walks to the door. Pressing the button of the doorbell he hits the wall next to the door with his fist. The door opens and for a while Jai is memorized by the sight of the woman who invaded his thought for the last two day. Her wet hair, the drops of water on her neck, the pallu of her white saree tucked in her waist. Jai snaps out of his thoughts.

'kaun aaya tha yahan?' Jai roars.
Bani shivers. Not because of the cold wind that evening but because of the voice of this man in front of her. When he repeats the question in the same manner Bani answers in a mousy voice 'Mr. Khurana.'
Jai steps in the house. ' Why??" his voice booms.
ashamed Bani stares at the floor. He knows what she does but she wouldn't bare to see the look of disgust for a prostitute in his eyes.

Jai approaches her in slow steps. Bani steps back away without looking until she feels something hard hit her back. She is cornered against the wall. She feels Jai's hands on her upper arms. The strength of his hands make her flinch in pain and she looks up to him, pleading with her eyes to let her go. Jai cruelly crushes her lips under his. Before Bani can get used to the feeling he lets go of her lips. ' Mujhe baatne ki aadat nahin hai. I am not used to share what is mine. Remember that!' he huskily whispers in her ear and begins to nuzzle her neck and savors the feeling of her wet hair against his face while he places his hands on her waist.
' You shouldn't touch me.' Bani cries. 'don't touch me.' Bani tries removing his hands from her body but Jai doesn't abide. 'Mai apawitra hoon. Mujhe mat choona!'
Jai stops nuzzling her and cups her face. Staring into her eyes he says ' Mai nahin manta. You are mine, I don't care about anything else.' Before Bani can say anything he gently kisses her lips. Slowly, steadily he feels the texture. He wants her to respond before he explores every curve and probe of her mouth. Jai feels her palms pressed against his shirt. She kisses him back with an intensity that amazes Jai. He smiles and caresses her cheek with one hand while drawing sensual circles on the bare skin of her waist. Bani feels weak in her knees and holds on to Jai.

Jai feels Bani's body pressed against him. Nothing matters. The feeling that everything is right and pure is overwhelming to both to them. Bani feels jai's lips on her neck and near her collarbone. She moves her head to the other side to give him better access. She feels her pallu that was tucked in fall on the ground. Jai moves his lips near her cleavage. He knows what he longed for. Finally he has the woman of his dreams, the woman that completed his life in his arms. A woman that cares about him more then she cares about herself. A woman whom he loves more then anything without caring about society and class. without thinking about present, past or future, without caring about background. He loves her.

Jai unhooks her blouse. He sees the smooth skin of her curves. Jai lowers his head and places drugging kisses on the exposed areas. Bani's shaking hands open the buttons of his shirt and touches the muscles covered by his tanned skin. Jai drops his jacket and takes of his shirt. Realizing that they both are longing for each other in the same way Jai picks her up and takes her to the bedroom. With closed eyes Bani hides her face in his chest. She opens them when she feels herself being placed on something. She is looking at the ceiling in the bedroom and soon feels soothing warm next to her. She turns her head to stare in the most love-filled eyes she has seen in a long time. Jai takes her mouth in a sensuous kiss until both feel the need of oxygen.

Out of breath Jai whispers in her ear. ' Let me make love to you Bani. Please?'
Bani looks at Jai and hugs him tightly after kissing him equally sensuous as he had done before.

No one ever called her by her name, no one ever made love to her. They had s*x with her. Her fater-in-law and brothers-in-law had s*x with a cold body. Her customers with ' Trishna'. For the first time in her life she is Bani and someone loves her.

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Jai is wearing his sherwani. Picking at his collar he looks in the mirror after a long time. He turns around when he sees a curtain of black hair in the mirror. Again his brain had deceived him. Jai moves to the window of his bedroom. In the wind he can feel her touches, her sweet words reach his ears. He can remember that day when he realizes his feelings for her. Their coming together was magical. He never thought she would be so nervous but he realized that no one ever thought about her feelings. It was the first time she made love. Jai couldn't get enough of her kisses. He wanted to hear his name again and again from those sweet lips. For the first time Bani slept on the bed in her bedroom. Jai was too afraid to let her go and held her close to him all night. The first thing he did in the morning was throw away her mobile phone and move her out of that house into an apartment he bought recently. Bani's protests went to deaf ears. Jai immediately went to Nalini and broke of his engagement. He informed his family that he was marrying Bani.

His family protested. Jai could understand their reactions because Bani was a widow and was forced to work as a prostitute, but he thought they would come around in a while, after they saw how much he loved her and how much she loved him. It was idle hope. His family didn't come around. They hated Bani's name. Jai saw that they would never accept them and made the decision to leave the house and forgo his company. He would take Bani and move to a place where nobody would know them. As long as he had his Bani he would be happy, but his sister , brother and brother-in-law had other plans. If Jai left the company their clients would leave them too. With the help of the elders they told Jai in clear terms that he couldn't marry her. If he would they would make their family problems public and they would include Bani's name too. Years of Jai's work would go down the drain. Their family would be a topic for gossipers. Bani couldn't bare to see Jai like this. He had to give up his family and his company for her. All the people he loved, every thing he worked for would be gone. Still Jai wanted to leave with her and marry her. Bani tried to explain to him that she wasn't worth the fight and the sacrifices but Jai didn't listen.

The day Jai packed his bags to leave with Bani he received a letter through courier.

When Jai opened the letter his world shattered. Bani……….

Jai,
Try to forget me.I was just a dream. Something that goes away when you open your eyes. I cant let you ignore the biggest reality of your life. Your family. I know how much you love them and care for them. I cant let you leave them. Not for me. I am not worth your families anger and rejection. They will never accept me and I will never let you walk away from them and your responsibilities. They love you and they are right. I have no place in this society and this will harm you an your family. You shouldn't be rejected because of me but I know how stubborn you are and how much you love me. That is why I am leaving myself.
I have only given you and your family grief ever since I stepped in your life. I hope they will forgive me and I hope they will accept this humble gift from me. Do what they tell you, they will only think about your wellbeing.
Thank you for everything, every moment and second you were with me.

Please don't get mad at me. Maybe I am committing a sin but God gave me such a life that I have some complaining to do with Him……

I have never said it but I love you a lot and will always love you.

Aapki, sirf aapki

Bani.


Jais heart sank when he finished the letter. He went over to her place when she saw that all her stuff were gone. He drove of to the house she lived in when he saw a lot of people standing in front of it. Jai made his way in when he saw police officers. Calling out Banis name in panick he reached the bedroom. Banis body was lying on the bed. Blood was spilled all over. She had shot herself in her head. Jai recognized his chain clutched in her hand.

Jai somehow got home after he did Banis last rites the same day. Completely dazed he walked to his bedroom and got the letter. His family was sitting at the dining table for their dinner when Jai came and threw Banis letter on the table.

'I lost her because of you all.' And he walked away. Mausi came three hours later to his room to find him sitting at the floor, holding one of Bani's white sarees to his chest and sobbing away. She handed him the letter which he clutched to his chest.

Mausi couldn't find any words. She was afraid to reach out to him. She didn't want to hear that accusing voice again that would mark this broken man from now on. She turned around and was about to walk away when she heard Jai say 'She wanted me to stay with all of you because you all are supposed to love me. She made me promise that I will do what you will tell me to and I will keep that promise but I will not forget that she killed herself because of my so called family. She didn't kill herself, my family killed her and I swear Mausi I will never forgive any of you for this.

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Jai is standing in front of the window. He was going to fulfil a promise he made to her.Getting married according to mausi's wishes. He kept all the promises he made to Bani except one. He couldn't forget her. He still sees her image when he looks at himself in the mirror. He still sees her in his dreams. He still feels her touches and kisses in the wind. Her clothes were hanging in his cupboard next to his clothes. She wasn't a dream. She was the biggest reality of his life. Even on his wedding day he feels her next to him. Jai looked at the calendar and laughed at the irony of his life. 19^th June, his wedding day. Once he said he couldnt get married in the month the rituals for his parents death anniversary would be held in. And here he was getting married exactly on the death anniversary of his love and his life. A year had passed today. His love died but forgot to take him with her. His love died and became a part of him, residing in him.

'I cant stop loving you. And I wont even try to. I love you Bani.' Jai whispered into the dark night.

Some people are meant to be together but arent destined to be together.

Entry #8
,

Authors Note: Courtesy: The Mistress of Spices. {Amor means Love in Latin}

In the remote village situated on the coastline of Karnataka touching the Kerela border, we could hear the painful cries of a middle-aged woman who went into her labor, the husband rushed to call the dayi maa for help rubbing his sweaty palms along the sides of his tattered pale yellow white kurta, the neighborhood women quickly come to the ailing woman's help, the dayi maa came and did the needful, a few hours later we could hear the shrill cry of a beautiful baby girl, the moment the bundle of joy is placed in her mothers arms she started smiling, she was unusually serene and had a glorified glow in her face, her chocolate brown eyes twinkled with glee…

"Bani…" her mother's strained voice reached the little girl's eardrum, the girl smiled further.

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6 years later…

"Bani…Bani…" nishikant called out for his daughter.

Bani came running to him and handed him his black umbrella, he lifted his pretty daughter up and kissed her goodbye and put her down. Bani went and stood at the entrance waving him goodbye. It was a tradition for Nishikant which he followed religiously; everyday he would leave his house seeing Bani's radiant face, she was his Lucky Charm.

After the birth of Bani, her father Nishikant's fate took a u-turn, that year the crop-yield was very good, in fact double, the following years were more fruitful, the rains were timely, there was no famine, in these six years he had become a wealthy person, today he owned nearly 20 acres of land and had become a very respectful landlord in their village.

Everybody in the village adored the sweet and bubbly bani, they all believed that it was only due to the sacred feet of the little girl that the wheels of fortune turned and her destitute family was now so affluent.

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"Bani…" kiran called

"Yes…maa…" bani came hopping

"Bring some flowers from the garden for the puja…" kiran instructed

Bani went to the backyard and plucked the newly blossomed fresh flowers of different varieties, she came back near the tulsi plant where her mother was lighting an earthen diya…

Suddenly, bani sensed something wrong; she felt a tingling feeling stir up inside her, she impulsively shouted "MAAAAAAAA…MOOVE……"

Surprised by Bani's loud scream, kiran rushed to her…as soon as kiran moved from her place, the coconut fell from the tree with a thundering sound…kiran looked the spinning coconut which fell on the stoned floor in disbelief…

She looked at bani and hugged her…chanting a silent prayer to the Almighty…

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It was the Monsoon Festival in the village; bani was holding on to his father's hand and amusingly looked at the various exhibits…

Bani was looking at the funnily dressed dancing human figures when she felt uneasy and before she could register anything the weather suddenly changed, the wind started blowing violently carrying dust and vigorously shaking the tall trees, Nishikant held on to Bani's hand tightly and started to leave, but the wavering wind was too strong and within no time the waters of their village river crossed the banks and flooded the entire village…

Everything got destroyed, not even a single house or person was spared from the menacing fury of the unstoppable water…

Hours later when the weather died down, there was nothing left, the hatched huts of the villagers were no where to be seen, the trees fell over each other in a heap, the dead bodies of the cattle and villagers lay astray, the green fields were drowned in the muddy waters…nothing was left…the silent winds blew over the quiet place as if mourning over the catastrophe…

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Bani squinted her eyes open to see herself lying on the bed of stingy smelling leaves, she rubbed her eyes to witness a few women wrapped in white saris looking at her intently…

"What's your name…child…" an authoritative elderly woman asked her, caressing her head.

"Bani…" she said timidly

"Beautiful name…"

"Ma…where…"

"Listen Bani…you were found on the sea-shore unconscious, and my student lekha brought you here…can you tell me what happened…"

"There was wind…and water…and I drowned in the water…I don't know…"

The elderly lady somehow understood her obscure description, her village must have been drowned in a shattering flood and she must have floated along with the waters till here. She vividly observed her luminous face, there was a mystic radiance in her, even in her sickness she was looking visibly fresh like a sparkling dew drop.

She smiled at bani and said, "From today you will stay with us…I am Maya Devi...everybody here calls me Guruma…"

Bani simply nodded her head in affirmation.

"Lekha…take care of her…" Maya Devi said to lekha.

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Maya Devi was basically a woman who practiced ancient methods of curing medical ailments using herbs, shrubs, spices, oils and other natural things. She had mastered the art of ayurveda and other traditional practices. She was nearly 60 years old but had the strength of a sixteen year old. She had setup an ashram near the shoreline where she taught young orphaned girls, oppressed and needy women how to use the nature and cure diseases and to serve the mankind. But many rumors floated in the nearby villages that Guruma had magical powers and that she was some supernatural entity. Guruma was indeed a very learned and knowledgeable personality, Ayurveda and Yoga were practiced by her ancestors and forefathers, and it was a passing tradition which she had retained after many years. Though she had some divine powers attainted by extreme meditation and yoga but she was not a witch, she just knew the art of controlling human senses and the nature of herbs and spices.

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Bani was inducted in one of such groups where they were taught how to become the Mistress of Spices. Bani befriended a sweet little girl of her age Avni who chatted non-stop. Though bani was very quiet and reserved in the beginning but gradually she came out of her self-imposed exile, everyone treated her very well, Guruma made her understand one day that God had called her parents to be with him. Bani quickly recovered from her sorrow and resumed her bubbly self.

Guruma noticed something incredibly wonderful about bani; she was such a quick learner, she grasped everything within minutes, she was a naturally gifted girl who had a strong intuition and sixth sense, within no time bani became her favorite shishya.

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14 years later…

"Today is the last day of your training, from today onwards you are capable of doing things individually…and serve the mankind."Guruma addressed her students who were sat in rows.

"Now your favorite Guruma will give a lecture…she is so boring…"avni said yawning

"Shut up avni…if Guruma listens she will not spare you…"bani said in a hushed voice

"Whatever…"

"Listen everyone carefully…Avni…stop yawning…"Guruma said firmly

"Today you have become the Mistress of Spices…and you need to remember three rules for your entire life till death…or else you will loose control over your spices and your instructions will have no effect on them. One must diligently follow the 3 Dictums to wit:

One, only help your clients to accomplish their desires with the spices, but never yours;

Second, never leave your store; and

Lastly, no physical intimacy with anybody."

"OH No!!! That means no men…I though if we will be away from here then we are fully free but this Witch has screwed up our lives…"avni said gritting her teeth

"Ssshhh…avni…"bani said silencing her

"I hope everybody has understood…any questions…"

"No Guruma…" everybody said in union.

"You may leave…and your respective journey begins tomorrow…Bani come here…" Guruma

"Yes Guruma…I am so proud of you Bani…you are amazingly talented my pretty Mistress of Sesame Seeds…"Guruma said affectionately and kissed her forehead.

"Thank you Guruma…"bani said touching her feet for blessings.

"God bless you child…"

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Bani was packing her bags, she was placed in charge of a store "Spice Bazaar" in Mumbai, it is not one of the usual spice shops you see around, but one where the shop owner dispenses with spices that cure you of your problems and show them the way ahead. She vows to serve her customers and to share her magic with the customers.

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Mumbai

In a scented shop in the enchanted town of Mumbai, the mistress works her magic. Powerful spices like cinnamon, turmeric, and fenugreek whisper their secrets to young acolytes. One of a secret clan of women, Bani deals in fenugreek, lotus root, chilies, and cinnamon - roots, plants and powders from all over the world. Drawing on ancient wisdom, she measures out remedies to cure heartache, banish bad luck and rescue the wretched from life's wrong turns. Bani works her way around her spacious kitchen in her pastel shade saris, cute steel earrings, when she hears a knock at the door.

Bani opens her shop doors to the whole neighborhood: Pinto, the taxi driver with a dark cloud over his future; Geeta, the woman in love with a forbidden man; Ajit, the adolescent drifting from his family into a thug life; Navjot Singh Batra, a chauvinistic old man with very conservative roots, who cant bear to see his only grand-daughter living her life in the upbeat modern way; Sudha, a neglected wife who is dealing with her unfaithful husband. By becoming a Mistress of Spices, she is granted access to the power and potency of spices to cure a broken heart. She prepares special spices and mixes them to improve their lives. Bani has a remedy for each. She also puts mehendi on delighted customers' hand and plays a mini doctor when opportunity calls.

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Everything was sailing smooth, her customers were getting satisfactory results, they seemed happy and always came to her thanking her for her help, life was great, she was enjoying the company of her neighborhood who all doted on her, but there was an unknown void inside her heart, the loneliness was growing unbearable, she increasing felt the need of a special someone in her life, she terribly missed the Ashram, Guruma and her friends specially Avni, her sad eyes silently narrated the story of her solitude, she always sat in her attic wooden room on the second floor of the shop staring into nothingness pretty much obvious to her surroundings.

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Jai Walia, the 30-year old self-made entrepreneur, was driving at breath-neck speed in the pitch dark night with only the headlights of his expensive car flashing on the water-bathed lonely roads; it was raining cats and dogs, the plasticized wipers of the car wiped away the rain droplets from the glass allowing him to have a clear view of the road. He was getting late; he had a flight to catch as he was heading to London for an international seminar. Jai was aghast to see the road blocked by a huge tree which fell on the road; he groaned in frustration and decided to take the shortcut road despite of it being bumpy.

He was driving through a narrow lane when a sharp abandoned glass piece which was lying on the street came under one of the highly vulcanized Goodyear tyres, the glass piece came in contact with the air-filled tube inside and the tube imploded with a bang, jai couldn't control the sudden deformation and due to the wet street the car skidded and took a u-turn hitting the low boundary wall of a shop. Jai's head hit the steering wheel and he became unconscious, the broken glass pieces of the window showered on him.

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Bani woke up from her disturbed sleep hearing a loud bang, she quickly peeped out of her window to see a broken car rimmed into the wall of her shop and a bleeding hand of a man.

She hurriedly went down; she somehow managed to bring the unconscious heavy man inside and carefully laid him on the wooden floor, she carefully examined his wounds and started nursing him.

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2 days later…

Jai baited his eye-lids, his muscles were hurting badly, with lot of difficulty he opened his eyes to witness some alien surroundings, his nostrils filled up with the crisp, tantalizing taste of cinnamon and other unidentifiable fragrances. He tried sit in an upright position but failed miserably, his left hand was hurting badly as well as his lower back, just then he saw a simple pretty woman walk in to the room carrying a copper glass.

"I am bani…"her melodious honey-dipped voice reached his ears; he kept staring at her beautiful divine face and those light transparent emerald green sparkling eyes…

"Two days ago you had an accident before my shop…here drink this you will feel better…let me check your wounds…"she walked closer to him and sat near him on the bed which was quite under-sized for his well-built body.

"Drink…"she commanded

Jai looked at the strangely smelling potion and gulped it down in a second, "What was that…"he said making an obnoxious face.

"Herbal juice…"she said busy examining his semi-naked frame.

"I am Jai…Jai Walia…" he said looking in her direction

"Hi!!! I think most of the peripheral wounds have heeled, do you experience pain somewhere…" she asked looking into his deep steel grey eyes

"My left hand hurts a bit and my back…"he said feeling uneasy.

"Okay…a few days then it will be gone…thank god there were no major injuries…"

"Are you a doctor?"

"Well, not exactly but kind of…you can trust me…"bani smiled at him and was leaving to get something

"Bani…" jai called out

"Yes…"she turned to look at him

"Thank you…"he said smilingly

"Your welcome…" she returned the smile and left

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Next few days were blissful as well as torturous for jai, blissful because he was in the company of an extremely beautiful and attractive young woman who diligently took care of him and torturous because he needed to drink those smelly potions and apply those stingy ointments on his body, he was not even allowed to bathe since contact with water was not good for his supple body according to bani.

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Bani started to get attracted to Jai, thus breaking the first rule, she often found herself staring at his handsome features, he was like a breathe of fresh air in her dull, boring life; even if she tried hard controlling her emotions but every time she was drawn towards him even more, she kept drowning in his ocean deep gorgeous eyes, he tempted her far beyond her boundaries, she was living in an abyss of her dreamy attraction.

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Soon jai recovered from his unstable state and it was time for him to leave.

"Thank you bani…I can't thank you enough for helping me without thinking twice…"jai held her hands

"It's okay…jai…and be careful next time…"bani said feeling jittery by the intimate physical contact

He slightly pecked her hands and left.

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Days passed by, bani often kept staring at the door in a forlorn hope that jai would come, but Alas! Never once she could get a glimpse of his handsome face.

Jai' emotional condition was no better, his thoughts often reverted back to bani, he found himself getting drowned in her hypnotic beauty.

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Jai entered the shop "Spice Bazaar" looking dashing in his black attire holding a bunch of white lilies, bani was nowhere in sight, he moved inside, he clearly observed the earthy furniture, ethnic wall hangings, wooden grinding vessels and an assorted arrangement of powdered spices which he didn't pay much notice to when he was last here.

He saw bani standing on a stool, trying to get a jar which was kept above on the top shelf. He kept the flowers on the table and moved further, bani was trying desperately to reach the container but in vain, her stool slipped a bit and she collapsed, she shut her eyes out of fear, but after sometime she realized she was not on the floor, she meekly opened her eyes to witness the handsome face of jai, she smiled at him widely, jai carefully put her down…

"Thanks…"she said, her crme colored cheeks flushed

"Your welcome…" jai said as reached for the flowered kept on the table.

He gave her the bunch of lilies, she willingly accepted them and smelled them lovingly, and they kept staring into each other's eyes for eons.

Breaking their eye-locking session jai spoke up,"Umm…I just wanted to meet you…can…can you come with me…I never properly said thanks for what you did…"

"Sure…"bani said instantly forgetting about the second rule which ordered never to leave the shop.

"Great!! You go and get ready; I will be waiting for you…"

Bani smiled at him and left to get ready not before placing the flowers in the water filled crystal jug.

They explored many places and strolled along the juhoo beach, the cool salty waters caressing their feet, they enjoyed themselves thoroughly, it was a very special and beautiful evening in their lives.

Jai dropped her before the shop.

"I had a wonderful time jai…Thank you so much…" bani said beaming at him

"Me too…" said jai gazing at her impeccable face intently.

"Good night…" bani wished him

"Good night…"jai slowly came near her and leaned forward placing a slight peck on her cheek, bani blushed profusely and rushed inside, jai smiled at her retreating back and left.

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The next morning bani pensively thought about the rules which she had broken, she observed the "chilies" that are the most short tempered spices in the group, cringe in disgust and burn themselves. She started ignoring the warning signs from her red chili peppers, caught between two choices: either to continue with her spice business as before or to follow her heart as it takes her.

She decided to do the latter without giving much thought to the possible consequences of her bold delinquency.

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The frequency of bani and jai's casual meetings increased, their mutual attraction slowly started taking the shape of a deep-seated emotional love.

Now, the magic of tradition prohibits her from this and the spices started misbehaving. Somewhere down the line, the spices started losing their aroma, their sharpness, their texture.

The spices/herbs stopped working for her customers and bani's curative powers went haywire.
Their burgeoning friendship soon started to manifest in things going sour in bani's relationships with her other customers; Geeta's family situation does not improve; Ajit fell in with the wrong crowd at school; Navjot Singh Batra's granddaughter wanted to live-in with her boyfriend; Sudha's husband reverted back to his adulterous ways.

The final blow for bani was when her brotherly customer Pinto gets hurt in his car in a nearly fatal accident because bani forgot to give him the protective spices on time. Bani recognized that the source of these misfortunes is her breaking of several rules. So she goes all out to help her customers one last time. This leads bani to take an oath to have a last night with her love and later return to the world of herbs.

She vows that after June 19 she will not meet jai and will only devote her life to the spices and the service of mankind.

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June 19…

Bani was finally satiated and content by the fact that she was able to give a permanent remedy to all her customers. A wave of sadness crossed her face, this would be her last night with jai, her last meeting, he had specially invited her to tell something very important.

She stood before the mirror arranging the pleats of her deep red netted sari, the bikini style red blouse hung to her bosom etching out her breasts to perfection, it was completely backless with just a thing string of doris, one holding at her bare back and the other around her neck.

She pinned one edge of the pallu to the dori and let the pallu rest on her arm. She avoided doing gaudy make-up, just a slight blush on her cheeks and lip-gloss adorning her plump pinkish lips. She didn't even put much jewelry, just a pair of shimmering stone-studded long chandelier earrings, and a silver chime bracelet enclosing her wrist. Her lustrous hair was let loose with the curling ends touching her uncovered waist.

She looked at her reflection with a sense of satisfaction, just then she heard the sound of jai's approaching car.

Closing the shop she headed towards the car and was disappointed to see the chauffer instead of jai, she sat in the back seat of the spacious car.

Bani saw the security guards in their prim uniform open the huge iron gates, the sight which she saw was jaw-dropping, a mammoth imposing mansion stood there surrounded by a very well maintained garden which had a water-fountain in the center.

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Jai opened the door of his house to see bani standing there nervously twisting the ends of her pallu, jai's eyes scrutinized her entire form, she was looking so ravishing, a burning desire engulfed him, she was looking dam hot and sensuous, he just felt like pulling her into his arms and kiss her senseless, composing himself he said, "Come bani…" extending his hand. Bani was left gaping at his killer looks, he was looking smashing in the black Armani suit and a silk white shirt beneath it, it took a few minutes for her to register jai's words, she nervously put her hand in his, he pressed her hand slightly and lead her inside giving her a tour of the entire exquisite mansion.

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They silently sat opposite each in the balcony of his room, where he had set a table for their moonlight dinner, more than eating they were staring at each other drinking in each others' form.

"Dance…"jai said extending his hand

"Hmm..." bani said holding his extended hand.

He took her inside the candle-lit room, their partially aroused bodies swayed to the music coming out of the speakers of the music system; he held her slim figure as close to him as possible, leaving no gap between them, bani snaked her arms around his neck clinging to him as a creeper twines round a tree, they stared deep into each others' eyes feeling the superlative intensity of their love, falling prey to his burning desire jai leaned forward in an attempt to kiss her lips when bani slightly pushed him and turned back, he came near her and tightly hugged her from behind, he nibbled her ear and removed the earring, he repeated his act with the other ear as well, bani's breathing increased, she felt as if her inner self would explode shortly, he gradually lifted her arm, kissing her wrist he unhooked the bracelet, her hand moved up to touch his face, he effortlessly unpinned the pallu letting it fall in a cascade touching the floor, he placed impassionate kisses on her naked neck and shoulders while his licentious fingers teased her navel, she closed her eyes experiencing his sweet torment,

"I love you Bani…I love you so…much…"he whispered breathlessly against her ear…

"I… love…you …too…" bani replied in a broken voice…

He undid the knot holding her underskirt and it fell on the ground exposing her flawless slender longs legs and thighs, bani turned around, unable to control her fierce ardor and kissed his lips passionately, pushing him away she walked towards the king-size bed and sat in the middle of the bed removing her undergarment, jai stood there in a trance mesmerized by her pure beauty, he started disrobing himself, her hands move behind to undo the doris, she threw away her blouse revealing her cup-shaped virginal breasts to his dark desire filled eyes inviting him, he climbed the bed and brought her closer to himself, he cradled her nude breasts with his errant tongue, their legs raveled, her cooing pleasure dipped incantations echoed in the silent room till the late hours of the night………

------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------

Bani woke up to the disturbing sound of the ticking grandfather clock standing at the other end of the expansive room, she saw jai in deep slumber, she quietly got out of bed and dressed herself, gently kissing him one last on his lips she left...without once looking back…

------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------

She kept he belongings outside, and closed the store, before locking the shop she wandered about the store one last time, seeing it one last trying to memorize its each and every corner, suddenly she saw the ghostly white visage of Guruma {Maya Devi}, bani was stunned beyond words,

"I am sorry Guruma…I broke the rules…but I promise I will never do it again…I am sorry…" bani cried

"Child… you have proved your devotion to the spices and they will never desert you again…" bani heard her stern voice.

"Guruma…"bani said in disbelief

"I grant you a boon to stay with your love forever and also to retain your Spice powers……God Bless you child…" and the visage disappeared before bani could say anything.

------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------

1 year later…

Bani stood in the familiar balcony waiting……the pomegranate seed sized rain drops started drizzling…bani enjoyed the feel of the cool water on her warm skin……when suddenly a strong muscular arm hugged her frail waist and a deep baritone whispered in her ear, "Happy First Anniversary Mrs. Bani Walia…"

Bani shyly turned around and hugged her husband, her head resting on his broad chest and said," Same to you Mr. Jai Walia…"

He smiled and carried her inside; she further slumped into his arms hugging his neck, he gently placed her on the bed, switching off the bed light, he reached for the pallu of her sari, and the two souls again lost themselves in the excessive impetuosity of their wild passion……
while the varied spices jailed in the bottled jars kept in her kitchen danced merrily celebrating their Mistress's happiness……

------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------

A Perfect Fairy Tale End……

Entry #9

Rhyme, a word to define words sounding identical. Rhyming words appear as if they are inter related with a sweet bond. So is the life of a family…interrelated with small and big things, mixed with joy & happiness. This is the depiction of a part of the life of a family tied with a bond of love whose nature might have changed with time but whose existence remains in one's being.


Oh how beautifully
All this rhymes
Being together mostly
And away sometimes


Jay handed over his baby boy to Bani after she took her seat in the backseat of the car. Resting his hands on the top of the car Jay lowered his head to see inside the car. Pulling as lightly as he could his baby boy's cheek he smilingly said to the boy, "Mummy ko zyada pareshaan mat karna." Shifting his gaze towards Bani then he said, "Call me after you people reach. Mamaji ka khayal rakhna." Watching Bani for sometime then he asked the driver to start the car. As the car wheels started moving, four hands were seen to wave goodbye; one of Jay, one of Bani and two of their baby boy Atharva. Till the point they could see each other, the wave was continued by everyone and there was that last exchange of looks between Jay and Bani of 'Take Care.'


Jay went back to the house. There was time for their daughter's classes to get over. He sat down with some of his files. At 1:30 pm he left his house in his new car for his daughter's school. As he stopped the car he could see his daughter Krishna of only five (as she liked o point out!) waiting behind the gate. Her cheeks blown like tomato. Jay rubbed his forehead. He kind of knew what attitude she was going to throw but so soon? He got down with a big smile and on seeing him the guard let Krishna go outside the gate. Jay grabbed her tiny hand in his big hand and made her sit at the front seat. Taking his driver's seat he slowly drove the car. Something he had to do to initiate a talk. He said, "Krishoo aaj Mummy nahi hai to chalo lunch bahar karte hain!" Krishna was sitting with her same angry mode with folded arms. Suddenly she jumped and screamed, "Papa aaj wo baraaaaaa wala Dosa khayenge." Jay laughed. This was his girl. Talk of food and all anger gone. But now the worry was different…that baraaaaaa wala Dosa. Krishna loved eating but ate as much as a five year old can, so the rest of the baraaaaaa wala Dosa Jay have to finish.


Jay and Krishna needed a table with a single chair, indeed they were at one. Krishna on Jay's lap tearing the sides of the Dosa and enjoying as much Chutney with that tiny piece as she could and Jay feeding himself and Krishna alternately. The baraaaaaa wala Dosa could be finished finally. After eating Jay had to order Thums Up for himself but having Krishna and Thums Up in front together was another trouble. Krishna would take small quantity of the cold drink and jump in excitement due to the fizz and then again she demanded. Finally their lunch was over after many of the customers finished talking to the cute girl. Even Jay wasn't spared of the very well known looks of girls and ladies, even men.

*****

They were on their way when Jay's cell phone rang. An expert of all things Krishna picked the phone and seeing 'Bani' flashing on the screen put on the speaker. She screamed, "Mamaaaaaaa." before anyone could say anything from the other side.

"Yes dear it's your Mamma. Lunch kiya?" Bani's excited voice came from the other side.

Jay turned towards Krishna and put his fingers on his lips making Shhh sound. Krishna also put her finger on her lips and copied Jay in making the sound of keeping silence. Bani laughed at the other end. There her little girl was thinking that she and her Papa have a secret to keep and here was Bani who actually gave Jay the idea to take her out for lunch. Jay stopped the car and answered the phone himself.

"Reached safely? Koi problem to nahi hui?"

"Yes reached safely. Journey was fine. Aroo Krishna ko miss kar raha tha bas!"

"Arre idhar madam mooh phulaye khadi thi gate par…"

Krishna interrupted, "Papa Aroo se baat karni hai!"

"Bani Atharva kahaan hai?"

"Wo to clap karte karte so gaya…..ekbaar Krishoo ko phone dena."

Jay gave the cell phone to Krishna who grabbed it with joy.

"Hello Arooooooooo"

"Krishoo it's Mamma…..dekho Aroo to so gaya hai…usse raat mein baat karlena okay!"

"O o okay"

"And remember Papa ke saath khub enjoy karna, padhai bhi karna aur Mamma ki good girl ban ke rehna jaisa maine bola tha. Thik hai?"

"Theeeek hai. Krishna is a goooood girl."

"Good. Okay bye."

"Byeeee Tataaaa."

The conversation ended.

*****

Jay and Krishna had a blast having no Bani hovering around to keep an eye on them. Krishna's room was soon rummaged with toys, pillows. Her books and copies never came out of her bag until it was time for their dinner when Jay was finally able to make her study a little. He checked her diary, classwork copy, homework copy, drawing book, helped her doing homework. He was enjoying the change, only he and Krishna doing lots of fun and he with no troubles to get busy with his work. But then soon the independence seemed incomplete, no little Atharva's involvement in play, no teaching lessons of Krishna to her brother and no Bani who ran around the house doing this and that. Tony, the butler of the house got a kiss from Krishna for making her favourite noodles. Seeing everything going fine, Jay felt relaxed. Yes, he can manage the few days without Bani. At late night, he was busy doing some work in his laptop when Krishna woke up from her sleep and started crying. It took some time for Jay to realize that the little girl was up and crying. He put down the laptop and cupped Krishna's face.

"Kya hua beta?"

"Aroo se baat nahi hui"

Jay remembered that it was decided that they were going to talk at night. He was about to say something when his phone started to ring. Fortunately it was Bani who called. He received the call.

"Bani…Aroo ko phone do..Krishoo ro rahi hai."

"Arre kya bataoon, idhar time hi nahi mil raha. Okay thik hai pehle Krishoo ko phone do."

Jay gave the phone to Krishna who was by then standing on the bed.

"Mummma."

"Sorry beta, mumma was late..lo Aroo se baat karo."

Krishna had an animated talk with her brother describing how beautiful a flower she drew that day in the drawing class and Atharva giggled for most of the time during their conversation. Jay found that Krishna won't stop until asked so he patted her shoulders to draw her attention. When she turned, he told her to keep something to talk about the next day and go to sleep. After wishing unending goodbyes and goodnights, Krishna finally let Jay get the phone. Jay and Bani discussed the day's events and some necessary things to be done. Jay talked to Atharva for a while and then finally ended the conversation.

*****

He lay awake in bed wondering how these 8 years of marriage with Bani had passed. They made a sweet family along with the two kids. In all these years she had hardly went to friend's or relative's or mother's place alone that is without him. In the recent years after Atharva's birth even that became a rare occurrence. This time also she wouldn't have had to travel alone but when kids grow, problems follow at each step. Krishna couldn't miss a single class as she had missed a few in the beginning of the session due to high fever and other health problems. Even her elocution competition was two days later and it was the same time when Bani's eldest maternal uncle visited her second maternal uncle's house who was the relative from Bani's side who lived closest with respect to others. Her eldest maternal uncle was too old and weak to travel more so it was decided that Bani and family will meet him at her second maternal uncle's place. But due to Krishna's school, the plan had to be changed. Jay made Bani agree to the plan that he will look after Krishna for four days by which time Bani can go, stay and come back from her uncle's place. As Atharva was too young so Bani took him with her. Jay had informed at her uncle's house that he wasn't going. They were all disappointed as they were very fond of Jay and Krishna too and they were looking forward to meet all of them at this chance. But they all realized that it was just the beginning of changing plans due to school of children. Jay promised to meet them soon.


The next morning Jay got the taste of loads of work and no time at hand when it came to get Krishna reach school. Starting from waking her up to get her properly dressed and checking her bag and tiffin box at the end, Jay had a hard time. The girl was in her own playful mood as her Mamma wasn't there to hurry up. Her's wasn't the age to realize that her 'stay cool' attitude was giving her Dad a hard time. Papa was lenient. He wasn't that much used to make her ready for school. His responsibility was to take her to school. Anyway Jay finished everything on time with lots of effort. The day again went by, fulfilling the girl's demands to play, to jump, to run, to watch cartoons, to colour the drawing book, to read out stories, to make Tony agree to make food that she wanted to eat and not which Mamma had already instructed him to cook. On one hand Jay enjoyed having these new responsibilities but on the other hand he was getting a little tired. He started missing Bani a lot.

*****

Around 11 at night, Jay made a call to Bani. That day she didn't call him for once though she had talked to Krishna when he wasn't around. He waited for her to receive the call. Finally she received, Jay's ears were already ringing with the weird caller tune Bani had.

"Haan bolo!"

"Arre aise bol rahi ho jaise main koi aira gaira hoon."


Jay was a little angry as she didn't call him throughout the day though he didn't want to admit it to even himself and the way Bani said 'Haan Bolo' as if she had no excitement in talking to him. But the next moment after his comment, the laughter he heard at the other side just excited him again. The same laughter of which he was a die-hard fan, listening to it just made him feel on top of the world.

"Poore din bahut busy rahi, Aroo bhi abhi soya, zara tired thi…bas."

"Hmm"

"Kya hmm? Ab tumhe kuch nahi soojh raha kehne ke liye?"

"Baaaniiii……..why didn't you tell me ke Krishoo ki elocution teacher itni gorgeous hai dikhne mein!"

"Kaun Roshni Ma'am?"

"Hmm….suits the name to her. Aaj mila main unse school mein! Haiiii…"

"Oh! Line maarna chahte ho us par."

"Kaash! Waise soch raha hoon…"

"Thik hai!"

"Thik hai? Seriously? Baad mein mat kehna ke maine poocha nahi."

"Mujhe koi problem nahi, haan magar tumhe thodi si hogi!"

"Kaisi problem?"

"She is married and uske husband lawyer hai. To tumhe wo to milne se rahi, upar se mujhse bhi haath dho baithoge…."

"Kya tum mujhe chod dogi?"

"Yes dear..main bhi apne liye boyfriend dhoond loongi!"

"You can't"

"Why not?"

"You just can't! I won't let you."

"Hmm….dekhte hain!"

Bani laughed at the silly conversation she just had. After a long time, she was talking rubbish of such kind with Jay. She could hear Jay laughing at the other end too.

"By the way Bani…"

Bani's cousin came to her room and snatched the phone from her hand.

"Kya Jijs, Di ko bahut miss kar rahe ho?"

"Kaun? Ritu?"

"Haan…Aur kaun?"

"Aur sab thik hai wahaan?"

"Baat ko ghumao mat Jijs….bolo Di ko miss kar rahe ho na?"

"Ab better half jo karega, is half ko bhi to wo karna padega na!"

"Oh! To aapko lagta hai ki Di bhi aapko miss kar rahi hai? Sorry to say….uske paas aapko miss karne ka time nahi hai!"

Bani took the phone from her cousin's hand and glared at her.

"Sorry! Ye bhi na bas bakbak karti rehti hai."

"You don't miss me?"

"Jaiiiiiii"

"Okay then say you Love me!"

"Kya hua kya hai tumhe…jao sone jao..Goodnight."

"Baniii…once!"

"No. Abhi manjli mami aa rahi hai, Ritu bhi hai…hum sab baatein karenge phir sone jayenge..you go to sleep!"

"Hmm….thik hai….enjoy karo..mera kya hai?"

"Okay Goodnight, Sweet dreams Love you Krishoo. Bye!"

Jay looked at the screen disbelievingly. His wife was one of a kind. But did he hear a laughter before Bani disconnected the line? Must be Ritu, who guessed what Bani meant to say. She must be teasing Bani now. Serves her right…..for leaving him alone. He sighed.

Aap ki yaad aaye to
Dil kya kare
Dil jo dil ko churaye to
Dil kya kare
Shikwa bhi aapse hai
Shikayat bhi aapse hai
Gussa bhi aapse hai
Mohabbat bhi aapse hai
Aapke bin jiya na jaye to
Dil kya kare
Aap ki yaad aaye to
Dil kya kare
Dil jo dil ko churaye to
Dil kya kare

*****

Next day morning Jay's phone rang. Krishna picked up the phone before Jay could. She sounded excited. Someone called from Bani's uncle's house because Atharva was restless to talk to his Papa. Krishna talked to her brother with so much of excitement. Next was Jay's turn to talk to his son. He was still reciting Baa Baa Black Sheep on phone. Jay heard the last two lines:

And one for the little boy
who lives down the lane

Jay exclaimed, "Wow! Very good beta." Atharva sounded excited on talking to his father. Jay could hear Bani's voice faintly. He asked Atharva about Mumma. The excited little boy then jumped to call his mother. Bani took the receiver and gave hurried instructions on certain things to Jay and then talked to Krishna assuring her that they will be back the next day and she will be present during her (Krishna's) elocution or performance. Jay felt happy about the fact that Bani and Atharva will be back the next day. Even he found himself excited but then suddenly there was that feeling of no freedom anymore. So he thought to enjoy the last free day with fun. But forget about fun, his office work had piled up; he realized that he took his off days from business a bit too casually. Even the home needed to be neatly arranged. After dropping Krishna at her school and having a little talk with her teacher Roshni Ma'am (after which Jay smiled inwardly thinking of his and Bani's conversation the previous night.), Jay found himself in a mess in the house. He thought Bani when will you come? Busy in the household work, he took out a CD and put it in the player. One particular track played repeatedly.

It was night. Both father and daughter waited for Bani and Atharva's return next morning. Jay made Krishna recite the poetry she was supposed to recite in the function next day and even helped her practice the Doe Ray Me song. When they went to sleep, everything was fine. Both of them felt confident about Krishna's performance the next day. It was the next day morning when the real trouble started. Jay had never wanted Bani to be around him as much as he wanted then. His little daughter was crying since morning. She believed that her mother was her Lucky Charm. Every time Krishna performed at functions, Bani used to be there and her fears vanished. Now with no Mummy beside she felt as if forgetting everything. Jay tried to make her mood happy and started to recite a poem:

Baby Dolly
Hush Baby Dolly, I pray you don't cry,
And I'll give you some bread,
And some milk by and by;
Or perhaps you want custard,
Or maybe a tart;
Then to either your welcome,
With all of my heart.

*****

Krishna's cry reduced to sniffles, but Jay knew that the girl still felt terrible. He tried to reason her that there is nothing called Lucky Charm, she was self sufficient to give a wonderful performance. When Jay finally took Krishna to the classroom where students were being dressed for their performances, he called out her teacher Roshni Ma'am and told her that Krishna was afraid. The teacher assured that nothing will go wrong. Before leaving the room, Jay turned to look at Krishna's face. No she wasn't fully okay. There was that sad look on her face. Finally he gave into his impatience and called Bani.

"Bani where are you?"

"Arre gaadi kharab ho gayi hai."

"Try to come soon."

"Kyun? Kya hua? Krishoo thik hai na?"

"Hmm…she wants you here to see her performance."

"Okay. I'll be there as soon possible. Bye."

Jay didn't want to worry Bani saying that Krishna felt terrible. Jay walked towards the room and saw Krishna singing Doe Ray Me with her friends. There was a smile on her face. Jay felt happy. After they finished rehearsing, Jay patted her cheeks and gave her a chocolate. He said, "Wow Krishoo, even Papa can't sing that well." Krishna smiled whole heartedly that made Jay's heart melt. He felt happy and elated.

After an hour, the function started. Knowing that Krishna's performance was the fifth one, Jay stood near backstage. When Krishna's name was announced for recitation, she stepped on the dias taking tiny steps. Jay could feel cloud of anxiety growing within. He desperately wanted Krishna to perform well not to stand out as the best but to feel happy at the end thinking that she could do it. Jay clapped in encouragement for her. Seeing Papa so close, she felt happy and confident. With her sweet voice she began:

There were five little astronauts
Going to the moon
One stayed to close the door
And that left only four

There were four little astronauts
Going to the moon
One stayed to make some tea
And that left only three

There were three little astronauts
Going to the moon
One couldn't find his shoe
And that left only two

There were two little astronauts
Going to the moon
One couldn't get her spacesuit on
And that left only one

One little astronaut
Did go to the moon
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,
BLAST OFF!
But she didn't like it very much
So she came back home quite soon

The audience laughed seeing how innocently the girl said the funny poetry. Everybody clapped. Jay could feel someone clapping beside him. He turned to find Bani looking adoringly at their daughter. Jay felt a sense of pride and clapped once more with a deeper fervour this time. Krishna left the stage saying Thank You and as soon as she saw Bani, she ran into her arms. Atharva was holding Jay's finger and he started to jump in excitement. Seeing Atharva, Krishna's happiness knew no bounds. She pulled his cheeks, hugged him and laughed uncontrollably due to the immense happiness she felt in her heart. Bani knelt down and kissed Krishna's cheeks. She straightened her hairs and exclaimed, "Very Good Krishoo." Jay patted her head and she looked at him with twinkling eyes as if saying, "See Papa I did it." or may be "My Lucky Charm is here." Jay was unsure but he felt happy.


Someone called out Krishna for her next performance. Bani took her to the room and helped her dress. A group of boys and girls went to the stage. They started singing:

Doe, a deer, a female deer
Ray, a drop of golden sun
Me, a name I call myself
Far, a long long way to run
Sew, a needle pulling thread
La, a note to follow sew
Tea, I drink with jam and bread
That will bring us back to do...oh-oh-oh

Doe, a deer, a female deer
Ray, a drop of golden sun
Me, a name I call myself
Far, a long long way to run
Sew, a needle pulling thread
La, a note to follow sew
Tea, I drink with jam and bread
That will bring us back to Do

Doe, a deer, a female deer
Ray, a drop of golden sun
Me, a name I call myself
Far, a long long way to run
Sew, a needle pulling thread
La, a note to follow sew
Tea, I drink with jam and bread
That will bring us back to do

Do re mi fa so la ti do, so, do!

All the kids enjoyed their dancing and singing but evidently Krishna looked the most excited. Another roar of applause could be heard. Bani said to Jay, "Jay apne future son-in-law ko dekhna hai?" Jay turned to look at her in shock. Bani chuckled and pointed to one particular boy who was dancing with Krishna, "Wo Roshni Ma'am ka beta hai. Both son and mother are too fond of our daughter." Jay looked confused, he wasn't smiling. Right then Roshni Ma'am came and stood beside Bani. She exclaimed in joy, "Bani, oh wow Krishna looks so sweet. She had performed brilliantly and just look at my Abhi. Don't they look cute together?" Bani simply nodded and looked at Jay smilingly with that See I told you look. Jay again turned to look at the boy. Atharva didn't care what his parents were talking about. He just wanted to dance on the stage. Thankfully Roshni Ma'am took him to the stage and let him dance.

*****

The family was heading back to home. The car seemed to be so noisy. The two kids were singing, half-jumping, playing with the gifts and prizes. Bani just stared at the duo. Jay looked at them through the mirror and realized how he missed all these in the past few days. After having their lunch at home, the first thing Bani did was to hand over the gifts and presents to Krishna and Atharva that relatives gave for them. It was hard to make the kids go to sleep. They were just making up for the lost time. Bani went to her room leaving the kids on their own in their room already noting that she had to arrange the room again, it was already 25% in mess.

As she entered her bedroom, she saw Jay reading a book on the bed. Before climbing the bed, Bani arranged the bedside table. Jay looked at her with the corner of his eyes. Miss Perfectionist Jay thought. Suddenly Jay's eyes went to the dressing table. Bani looked at him and then turned to see in the direction he was looking. Jay hoped her not to look there but that was a rare possibility. Bani arranged the table neatly and commented, "Not that bad, but not near to good. Jay tumhe puri zindagi lag jayegi meri tarah ghar sambhalne mein." Jay sarcastically replied, "Zaroorat kise hai? And as a matter of fact I was too good okay!" "Dikh raha hai", Bani rolled her eyes. Bani lied down beside Jay. She arranged the pillow in so many ways but she wasn't feeling comfortable. She again positioned herself and put her head on Jay's chest.


Jay exclaimed, "Arre! Trespassers not allowed." Bani replied with closed eyes, "Hmm….yaad rakhna idhar trespassers not allowed." Poking her finger on his chest she continued, "Galti se bhi kisi aur ko line maarne ki sochna bhi mat." Putting her arms around him she possessively said, "This one is my property." Jay who was watching her till then was surprised, "Main tumhara property hoon?" Bani nodded her head in affirmative and then ordered, "Ab chup karo, mujhe sona hai."

"Kyun?"

"I am tired. Ab ekdum chup."

Five minutes later Bani mumbled, "Did you miss me?" Jay looked at her but didn't reply. Bani opened a single eye and looked at Jay. 'Bolo na! Did you miss me?" she asked with childish curiosity. Jay said, "I am chupchap." Bani shook him and pleaded, "Bolo na."

"Kyun tumhe sona nahi hai?"

"Jab tak nahi bataoge, tab tak nahi."

"Okay….thik hai."

"Ab bolo."

"Kya?"

"Jo pooch rahi hoon."

"Kya?"

"Thik hai mat batao…main jaa rahi hoon."

"Bye."

"Good-Bye."

Jay held Bani's arm and honestly said, "Arre kidhar jaa rahi ho? I don't want to miss you more." Bani looked at him sideways and smiled. Finally she turned completely o face him and asked, "Achha kya kya miss kiya?" Jay made a thoughtful face and started listing, "Subah ka breakfast, kapde dhona,sukhana, shaam mein pakode…" he laughed seeing Bani's expressions who was shooting daggers at him. Jay continued, "Okay seriously I missed……yaad nahi aa raha…..hmm…good morning kiss, meri tie se mujhe hi faasi lagana,…." Bani interrupted, "Hold on. Mujhe samajh mein aa gaya, you didn't miss me ever. But ye good morning kiss ka kya chakkar hai? Mujhe to yaad nahi…mere schedule mein aisa kabhi kuch tha." "Hmm…for the past 8 years I am missing that dear!" Jay made a sad face. Bani hit him on his shoulder and had just kept her head on the pillow when she could hear some sounds. She realized that some song was being played in the next room. Straining her ears to listen to the song when she couldn't get which song it was, she got down from the bed. Seeing her leaving Jay followed her. Both of them reached the room where the kids where matching their voices with the song played in the player:


Aankhon mein tera hi chehra
Dhadkan mein teri hi yaadein
Karti hai deewana
Haye kahaan gayi wo raatein
Wo meethi meethi si baatein
Karti thi jo deewana

Dur jab se tum gayi ho
Jab se mujhko bhul gayi ho
Dur jab se tum gayi ho
Jab se mujhko bhul gayi ho
Main hoon deewana
Lekar dil churali aankhein
Kar gayi mujhko teri yaadein
Deewana deewana
Haye kahaan gayi wo raatein
Wo meethi meethi si baatein
Karti thi jo deewana

Aankhon mein tera hi chehra
Dhadkan mein teri hi yaadein
Karti hai deewana

Mana ke tum saath nahi ho
Mere dil ke paas nahi ho
Mana ke tum saath nahi ho
Mere dil ke paas nahi ho
Maine ye mana
Phir bhi aas lagi hai dil mein
Tum aaogi mujhse milne
Chupke chupke kehte dil mein
Deewana mera deewana
Phir se aayengi wo raatein
Wo meethi meethi si baatein
Karti thi jo deewana

Aankhon mein tera hi chehra
Dhadkan mein teri hi yaadein
Karti hai deewana
Deewana deewana deewana deewana.

Bani waited for the song to end as she was listening to one of her favourite songs after a long time and seeing her children singing that song with enthusiasm interested her more. To her astonishment, Krishna had learned most of the wordings and she was trying to make her brother learn them too. As she turned to leave the kids on their own, the song replayed. Confused she asked, "Krishoo, you like this song this much ke repeat mein laga ke rakkha hai?" Stopping her song Krishna said, "Mumma ye mera nahi papa ka favourite song hai. Kal se humlog yehi gaana sun rahe hai." Bani nodded her head and left the room eyeing Jay who was standing at the doorway. As soon as they got out of sight of the children, Jay wrapped his arms around Bani and whispered, "Bani, I missed you a lot."

*****

Bani was preparing dinner while Jay read the unread articles in the newspaper and the kids were busy playing teacher teacher. Krishna was Atharva's teacher and she taught him, "A for Alice, B for Barbie" and so on. Bani could hear what Krishna was teaching. She laughed as she carried on working. As many words Krishna learnt or loved, she used to teach her little brother all those words giving the excuse of teaching alphabets. "M for Mario" Bani could hear Atharva's excited voice. She slapped her forehead. Really kids these days grow too fast.

Her peaceful work in the kitchen was disturbed by Jay's bewildered entry.

"Kya hua?"

"Bani today is 19th June."

"Haan to?"

"To kya? 19th June Bani. 19th June." Jay stressed the last two words.

"How can you forget today's date Bani? Today was the day when we confessed that we loved each other. Remember at your terrace!!"

"Thank God tumhe yaad to aaya! Tum to har saal miss kar jaate ho, main hi yaad dilate hoon. For your kind information, is saal bhi mujhe yaad tha. Bhule tum the. Yaad hai jab maine kaha ki Krishoo ka function 19th ko hai, tumhare face par koi reaction hi nahi tha. Mujhe tabhi samajh aa gaya ke tumhe kuch yaad nahi rahega."

Jay scratched his head and apologized, "Hmm….sorry. Actually wo kya hai na..itna kaam!" Jay looked at Bani who seemed far from buying his excuse. He laughed at his own situation. Here where he thought that he did a marvelous thing remembering the important day in their lives, accusing Bani of forgetfulness, the tables turned not to say against him. In an attempt to correct his mistake he said happily, "Life changed wonderfully after that day! Bani asked, "Kaise?" Jay started singing:

Seedhi sapaat zindagi bawaal ho gayi
Seedhi sapaat zindagi bawaal ho gayi
O teri ek nazar se
Oo..teri ek nazar se
Ooo…teri ek nazar se
Zindagi nihaal ho gayi
Nihaal ho gayi
Nihaal ho gayi
Teri ek nazar se zindagi nihaal ho gayi

Jay moved a cloth left and right at the back side of his neck just like the hero in the movie.

Bani laughed and said, "Lagta hai koi bahut TV dekh raha hai aajkal. By the way ab shaadi ke itne saal baad tumhe ye biwi kyun achhi lagti hai? Abhi to main ghar ki murgi dal barabar ho gayi hoon na!"

Jay shook his head in negative. Carrying on her work, Bani threw a side glance on Jay. He began singing again:

Mujhe tum chupke chupke
Jab aise dekhti ho
Achhi lagti ho
Kabhi has deti ho
Aur kabhi itra jaati ho achhi lagti ho!

Bani had to smile. It seemed that they weren't going to change; they will be the same Jay and Bani always, so much in love with each other. It was Jay's turn to ask, "Aur itne saal baad meri position kya hai?" In reply Bani just hummed a tune, as if lost in her own thoughts. "Baniiiii….kya gunguna rahi ho?" Jay asked impatiently. Bani turned towards Jay and taking each step she sang:

Meri zindagi mein aaye ho
Aur aise aaye ho tum
Jo ghul gaya hai saanson mein
Wo geet laye ho tum
Tum hi kaho
Tum hi kaho
Dil jo aise gaaye
Koi kyun na gungunaye
Meri zindagi mein

Ho ho ho hoho
Ho ho ho ho
Ho ho ho hoho
Ho ho

Jay and Bani moved apart as Krishna came humming the last tune of the song. But seeing that the song was being sung no more Krishna went back to her room singing the song herself. Bani looked at Jay and nervously laughed. They were saved from an embarrassment. Getting back to her work Bani didn't fail to comment, "Tumhare hi gaane ki aadat lagi hai Krishoo ko!" Jay laughed at her comment.


He saw that Bani was cooking dishes of Paneer, his favourite, actually their favourite. He didn't say anything to her but admired how she found out ways to celebrate the occasion and how she cared for all these little things that mattered so much. Soon the smell of the food diverted his mind and he found himself getting restless for dinner time to arrive.


Bani served the dinner as Jay was seated on the chair and the two kids on the table. Bani asked them to start eating while she brought few more dishes. Knowing that the kids won't wait, Jay started feeding them from his plate. Bani came, put some more dishes and went back. Something unusual happened. Jay noticed that a Paneer was missing from his plate. In 'Johny Johny Yes Papa' tone Jay called out, "Bani Bani." Bani replied from the kitchen involuntarily in the same tone, "Yes baba!"

"Eating my paneer?"

(After a brief silence) "No baba"

(Suspiciously) "Open your mouth"

The kids screamed in unison, "Ha ha ha."

Jay tapped his fingers on his cheek and asked, "Bani sabko tumne apni party mein kar ke rakkha hai na?" Putting a half-eaten piece of Paneer lovingly in Jay's mouth Bani said, "Complain karne wale ko bhi!"


Jay was in the study, finally getting back to his usual routine of working in isolation there after dinner. It was late when he finally thought to put a stop to his work for the day. He went to his bedroom and found the kids sleeping peacefully holding their favourite soft toys. Bani was asleep but at the edge of the bed carelessly holding the story book in her hand. Jay rushed to her and shook her calling out her name softly. Startled she opened her eyes and then she realized how dangerously she has been sleeping. Jay heaved a sigh of relief. He asked, "Balcony mein chalogi ya tumhe sona hai?" Bani raised her hand indicating that she will be accompanying him in the balcony.

*****

The cool breeze made the company of each other in the comfortable silence of the night; special. Bani said, "Bas aise hi aankh lag gayi thi! She kept an eye in the room from the balcony as much as she could; thinking the kids might need something suddenly. Jay complained, "Bani tumhara dhyan is bachhe par to rehta hi nahi!" Bani looked at Jay confusingly and few moments later realized that he was referring to himself. With an air of attitude Bani said, "Mujhe badmaash bachhe pasand nahi!"

"Badmaash hoga tumhara wo sadiyal crush."

"Jay don't talk about him."

"Haye…wo cycle par baitha tha aur Bani ka dil dhak dhak karne laga."

"Jay please…I don't believe main us ladke ko pasand karti thi..bilkul bekaar ladka tha."

"Phir ekdin…wo ghanti bajake chala gaya!"

"Jay I am not talking to you…maine kitni baar kaha hai don't talk to me about him!"

"Sorry dear! But pehle kahon ke main ek masoom bachha hoon not badmaash whom you love to love."

"Kya hua kya hai tumhe? Mere jaane ke baad se hi tumhe bas ye sab kya sab soojh raha hai!"

"Whatever. Tell me I am masoom."

"Badmaash from every angle."

"Masoom"

"Badmaash"

"Masoom"

"Bad…"

Jay tickled Bani mercilessly. In between her laughter and her attempt to keep Jay away from her Bani said, "Jay you are crazy! Huwa kya hai tumhe? Stay away from me!" She hit Jay's hands and as he yelped in pain Bani steadied herself and fuming in little anger she went towards the door. Jay was not in a state to trouble her more. He just said seeing her standing by the door, "Hey sweetheart abhi abhi ek rhyme banaya hai tumhare liye….

Oh in this night you know
How I can give dearest sleep a miss
But can't afford to miss dear lady
From you a special Goodnight Kiss"

Jay grinned like a fool as Bani stared at him with disbelief. She went inside the room and pulled the glass door as Jay sang:

Tumne kisiki jaan ko
Jaate huye dekha hai
Wo dekho mujhse rooth kar
Meri jaan ja rahi hai.

Bani closed the door from inside, switched off the light in the room and switched on the dim light. Jay could see through the glass, Bani going out of the room. He looked at the stars, the lanes and inside the room. He was stuck in the balcony of his own house, thanks to his pranks and his wife who knew how to take revenge! He waited. After some time he saw Bani entering the room and turning left but then suddenly she stopped and bit her tongue. She opened the door of the balcony and was about to turn when Jay caught her wrist and started singing:

Dur dur tum rahe
Pukaarte hum rahe
Aaj ki raat tum jao na
Aakar baahon mein
Samaakar aahon mein
Ab yun nazar ko churao na


Suddenly Bani started to feel like the way she felt on that 19th June, 9 years back. In front of her was the man whom she loved with her life. Her heartbeat lost sync, her stomach had butterflies; she ran to his arms and hugged him. Jay was taken aback by Bani's response but then he could feel the same feeling building up within him. He mentally thanked the day and his stars for blessing him with such wonderful life partner. When time flew by in their thoughts, none realized.

*****

In the middle of the night Jay asked, "Bani sach kehna, tum bhool gayi thi na ke main balcony mein bandh hoon aur tum mere bina hi sone jaa rahi thi!" In her sleepy mode Bani shook her head negatively and started singing with closed eyes:

Tujhe dekh dekh sona
Tujhe dekh kar hai jagna
Maine ye zindagani sang tere bitani
Tujhme basi hai meri jaan haye
Jiya dhadak dhadak
Jiya dhadak dhadak
Jiya dhadak dhadak jaye