For Sangita
Men love women, women love children, children love hamsters - it's quite hopeless." Alice Thomas, Welsh literary light
Opening and Closing of Wounds
Part A – Return of the Nagin
Jai looked in dazed as the outhouse door flung open and Jigyasa ran out, screaming, "NO! Stop! Jai bhaiya stop."
The bulldozer ground to a halt with loud clang. Jai stormed over followed by the rest of the family. His face red with anger he shouted, "What the hell is wrong with you Jigyasa? You are the one who kept saying the outhouse is unsafe and now..."
Jigyasa's eyes held a hint of fear...a flash of something showed for a moment. "Please Jai bhaiya don't destroy the house, it's almost finished the repair work. Then Bani can move in."
Jai's eyes showered anger, "No! I want that bloody house flat on the ground. Bani has a place to stay inside the house." He turned around and gave the guy to order to go ahead. As he turned back, he saw Jigyasa run inside the house. Now seething with fury, he stormed after her. With a kick of his leg the door flew open and he stood shocked at what he saw. Pia...Pia who was supposed to be in US, sitting in a wheelchair looking half dead and his sister Jigyasa...now looking petrified.
"What the hell is this?" he roared. Jigyasa cowered down to the floor and whimpered, "Jai bhaiya please...I only did everything for you."
Jai hauled her up unceremonsiouly, unaware of the spectators at the open door. "What do you mean for me? What the hell is Pia doing in the outhouse?"
Tearing streaming down, black with mascara, she whimpered, "I tried to make sure your money stayed safe...all your hard work did not fall into Bani hands. You know all she wants is to get her hands on the properties and money." Then a bitter laugh came out from her mouth, her face twisted by anger, "But then you are blind my dear brother. In your pagalpaan for her...you don't see how evil she is. Remember the kids...I even went as far..."
A sharp slap halted her. Her eyes darkened with rage, "How dare..." JW raised his hands again, "Just stop it. Don't blame the children's death on anyone."
Jigyasa's eyes glinted now, a venomous laugh escaped, "Kids...you think your stupid wife was capable of killing the kids. It was my plan to kidnap the kids and get you to surrender the company and everything over to me. But your stupid wife had to go running off to see her lover Daksh. Otherwise she would have been dead at my hand the day kids got kidnapped."
Suddenly Pia shoved the shawl on the floor and stood up. A smirk flew on her face. "Well...well...well. Thank God I didn't let Jigyasa pack me off to US. I would have missed all this fun. A nice reunion we are having aren't we. Just like the good ole days. Me...Jigyasa...you...Mr Vollaya and my dear self-sacrificing sister." A loud round of clap rang out. Pia walked slowly towards JW, standing before him and pouting, she ran her finger down his face, 'Miss me darling! I missed you terribly. Shut up in this dingy house, waiting for the day I could walk into your arms."
A sharp tug of her hair sent Pia flying away from JW. She looked to see Bani, her eyes hard as steel, her mouth set in a line. "Di!"
"Just keep away from Mr Walia Pia. You touch him again and you won't live another day. I won't stand idly by let you destroy him again."
Pia stood up slowly and clapped, "Wah my sister, you have certainly changed. What happened to my darling sweet sister?" She gave a sickly smile at JW, "Mr Vollaya. Looks like I am going to have to fight my sister now to get you."
Bani came and stood in front of JW, "You take a step anywhere near him...and you will be dead."
JW looked from Bani to Pia to Jigyasa. Jigyasa had a trimphant look on her face. A scowl drew on Pia face and Bani, stood still, eyes glittering, flushed cheeks.
JW took his cell out and his voice shook with anger, "I don't know what games you three are playing. But today someone is going to pay for the death of my children."
Pia smiled at Jigyasa, "Let me tell you how much your sister loves you Mr Vollaya? She loves you so much that she could got your kids kidnapped and killed right in front of your eyes. She loves you so much, that in her hatred for my Di, she overlooked the fact the children where yours too. That's how much she loves your Mr Jai Vollaya."
Jigyasa felt a cold shiver down her spine, Pia was overmouthing as usual. She raised her hand and swung it hard across Pia's face, the impact sent Pia reeling to the floor. "You stupid bitch! Never know when to close your mouth do you?"
Pia glared at her from the floor, "Well if you had listened to me in the first place, we would be in this mess." Then eyes glinting like a venomous snake, her tongue licked her lips as if about to savour a kill, she darted a smile at Bani, "I told you let me kill! I told you we needed to get rid of her first. I know my sister. Once she starts sniffing...she doesn't let on. Poor darling Banidi, still the same, have to get to the bottom of the truth."
Jai's face showed the shock, the shock of what he was hearing from the two women, one who he had loved like a sister and the other...the other who had been loved like a daughter by his wife. How could these women have so much hatred for one person? The one person who would go the ends of the earch to make them happy. Adi who had heard everything, suddenly noticed JW go in shock, quietly told Nattu to call the police. He stepped in and shook JW. "Jai, this is no time to act silent. I have called the police. You have to do what is right, Jai." Darting a quick look at Jai. "Let the police take over. They both confessed to the kids kidnapping and murder. Let them get the justice they deserve."
It was as if Adi's word added fuel to his anger, because Jai got up and strode to Jigyasa, his hands wrapped around her throat. As his grip tightened, Jigyasa's face started to turn red and her eyes bulged wit fear. She struggled to loosen his hold but to no avail and managed to croak out, "Bhaiya..."
Bani watched Jigyasa struggling to breath. Pity overtook the bitterness and anger. She flew at JW and pulled at his hand, screaming, "Stop it Mr Walia. You are going to kill her, Stop it, you can't have her blood on your hand. Please for sake of Ganga...please Mr Walia let her go."
Hearing Ganga's name stopped Jai from tightening his grip further. His hands dropped to his side and he glared at Bani...how dare she use their daughter to stop him from avenging their children's death...how dare she interfere again when he was meting out justice.
He stepped back as the police siren sounded outside in the compound and sound of running feet. Adi took hold of him as the police entered the outhouse. "Mr Walia, you called." Inspector Khanna asked as he looked at the group. Jai's quiet voice shook slightly as he said, "Inspector please arrest Jigyasa Bali and Pia Shukla for the kidnapping and murder of my children."
The family gasped at Jai's words. No one believed he would send Jigyasa off to jail.
Part B – Who is at fault?
He stepped back as the police siren sounded outside in the compound and sound of running feet. Adi took hold of him as the police entered the outhouse. "Mr Walia, you called." Inspector Khanna asked as he looked at the group. Jai's quiet voice shook slightly as he said, "Inspector please arrest Jigyasa Bali and Pia Shukla for the kidnapping and murder of my children."
The family gasped at Jai's words. No one believed he would send Jigyasa off to jail.
XXXXX
Bani stood alone in the outhouse. Everyone had left. Rano's pleas to fell on deaf ears as Bani lost in her own world refused to move from the spot she had stood for the last hour.
JW had long since left. She knew he was probably locked up in his study, drowning the shock and guilt with alcohol. Nothing would bring him out of the study until he was ready to face world.
Bani did not know how long she had stood, but when her legs gave way and she crumpled to the floor, she realized she was alone in the outhouse. It was dead quiet. And night had long since blanketed the earth and put it's children to sleep. Wearily she stood up. The tears threatening to fall…she hated herself at this moment. Whey did she want to shed tears for women who had gone out and destroyed her world…women who had taken her children away…women who had destroyed her shattered her home…women who had caused the man she loved to hate her.
She dragged her feet, she did not want to stay in the outhouse. The outhouse reeked of death to her now. Quietly she entered the house. No one was around but the lamps had been left on by Tony…he usually did that when he knew people where still up or coming late in the night. Her feet stopped near the study as she saw the thin strip of glow near the door. She turned the handle and the door opened smoothly. JW was sitting slumped on the couch with a full glass of scotch in front of him.
His eyes were open and glazed and he seemed to be staring at nothing. JW did not even look up when Bani stood in front of him. "Mr Walia!" Bani called out.
He continued to stare ahead. "Mr Walia, are you alright?" she asked softly.
No reply, JW just stared fixatedly at nothing.
Cinders of anger started glowing inside her…how dare he, ignore her. Was he the only one that was hurting? As always, the self-absorbed husband of her was choosing to be stay quiet and wallow in self-pity. Bani picked up the glass of scotch and poured it over him.
The warm liquid flowing on his face made him jump up from the sofa and glare at Bani standing with an empty glass. "What the hell are you doing?" he bellowed at her.
Remaining on the spot and her eyes unflinching, she replied coolly, "I tried talking to you and you choose to remain ignorant so I had no choice."
JW pulled handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped his face and threw it down on the table once he was done.
He looked menacingly at Bani, "What the hell are you doing in my study? Why aren't you asleep?"
Those cinders were flaming up inside her now. Bani said in a raised tone, "How can I sleep? Why aren't you asleep?"
"Who are you to question me? Get the hell out of her. Goddamit leave me alone!" he shouted.
Those cinders were now a nice little fire going inside her, "Stop shouting! That's all you do when you get angry." She stomped her foot and flung the glass at the floor. The glass shattered into pieces, a couple even hitting the bare skin on top of her feet.
"Don't tell me stop shouting when you are screaming at me like a banshee." He smashed his fist against the sofa, which did nothing to relieve the pent up anger he had.
The fire inside of her now erupted into a blazing dragon, Bani flew at him and grabbed him by his shirt. "You drunken sob. How dare you call me names? All you do is scream abuse at me. You don't know how to listen…you don't know how talk to me. You can't talk to a room full of strangers, but when it comes to me…you clamp up."
JW watched her eyes pouring out lava of hatred at him, her slight form shaking as she lost control of her herself. She was right, he could never open up to her. With her he always closed the door of communication tight. He never gave her or made it easier for her to talk to him. Goddamit! What was a man supposed to do when all he could think about was lust when she came close to him…all he could think of was how good she smelled, how gorgeous her eyes were…the look he could drown in when she cared to throw it his way…those soft lips that parted in a smile…a smile that reached her eyes.
He winched, once again he clamped down on his thoughts…those treacherous thoughts always interrupted his train of thoughts. His hands grabbed her wrists and tried to pull them off, but it was a big mistake because as soon as he touched her, those familiar shards of desire surfaced. With utmost control he pulled her hands off, and gritted, "Bani get out of here or I won't be responsible for my actions."
Her eyes sparkled and her hands curled into balls, "Oh threaten me with s**. Well it wouldn't be the first time we romp around because we are both upset, is it Mr Walia. Remember the first time. I was mad at you and you were upset because I had left without telling you."
JW winced at her words. She was so right. It seems every time they were mad or upset, they ended up making love. But he would prove her wrong today. "Keep your dirty thoughts to yourself. Or if you are so desperate than why don't you run to Daksh. I am sure he would be more than willing to drop his pants for you."
Bani swung her fist at him only to find his hands clamp down on it. JW twisted her arm back and hissed, "You want to play this the hard way. Well then tell me how good is Daksh in bed compared to me?"
Forgetting the pain down her arm, Bani tried to kick his shin but he anticipated it and wrapped a leg around her, "Oh no you don't." he spat at her.
Frustrated by his hold she blurted out, "Why don't you tell me how good Meera is at warming up your bed than I will tell you about Daksh. Why don't we sit and drink ank compare notes on our lovers Mr Walia. May be we can learn from each others trysts."
"Why you dirty little…" he never got to finished his sentence as Bani pushed toppling then both on to the sofa. Panting a little from the effort, Bani freed herself and sat down. She felt tired with all the shouting she had done.
JW sat up and sat still not saying anything. They sat in stony silence for ten minutes until Bani fidgeted with her salwaar which was pulling at the neck. JW glanced at her, the anger having died down and replaced with irritation.
"I think we should talk. I am sorry I said all those things to you." Jai said quietly.
Bani stared at him, her anger still shimmering, "Well don't expect me to apologize. I am sick of listening to your accusations. When have you ever given me an opportunity to relate my side of the story? What happened to the trust between us? And what about the undying love you declared to me countless times…you loved me enough to believe your sister when she flashed the picture of Daksh and my sister in your face?"
JW ran his fingers through his hair, "Goddamit Bani, don't complicate things. I was upset at losing the kids. My world had collapsed…I wasn't capable of making rational thoughts. I know I broke your trust but it was your fault. Why did you run away again?"
Smashing his fist on the table, his voice rose a pitch, "Why didn't you come back the next day? Why didn't you call when you found out you were pregnant?"
Bani flinched at his accusation.
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Part C – I want to talk with you
"Jai..."
Her soft voice, did she just call him by his name? She never did that except on very rare occasion, even these last few months...she always called him Mr Walia. He hated it...he hated when she called him that. He locked eyes with her.
"Do you remember what you called me?" The hurt obvious in her voice. Yes, he remembered, he wasn't ashamed of it. "You called me a whore Jai...you called the mother of your children a whore. It hurt Jai...it hurt so bad that I tried to kill myself. I couldn't look at myself anymore. Because everytime I saw my reflection, I did not see me...I saw woman who was dirty. A woman who sold her body...even though there had been only one man who had touched me...you made me feel as if countless men had dirtied me. When masi found me half-drowned, I cursed Gods for making me live in hell." Bani felt her chest tightened, the hurt still ripped her heart open. Tears burst forth and she didn't care she was sobbing in front of him.
JW watched her tears flow, unable to bring himself to comfort her...he wanted to take her in her arms and close her wound but for some reason he felt as if he was tied to a stone and cast into a pit from where he could not get out. When he heard her sob quieten down, he shifted a bit and cleared his throat.
"Bani..." She looked up at him with her big eyes still misted with tears. Oh God, did she have to look at him like he was the devil.
"Look Bani, I can't take those words back. I should have known you would rather die than let anyone touch you. I just saw a girl who looked like you...and you had gone to Khandala for a wedding. I should have taken a deep breath and locked myself when Jigyasa gave me the photo. I should have thought...I should questioned...I should have asked you to tell me what the photo meant." Tentatively he reached his arm out to touch her but she swept it aside violently.
"Don't touch me." She snapped. He stared at her defiant face. He only wanted to touch her to reassure her. "You want to touch me when you just told me to go to Daksh. How many times do I have to tell you, Daksh is my brother-in-law. I don't sleep with my brother-in-law. There is boundary which I don't cross. Pia crossed it but I don't. I don't lust after what is not mine...which belongs to someone else. I don't want you because you have Meera in your life. You married Meera...I don't even know if you divorced me. Did you get a divorce Jai?"
Jai just shook his head. "No. I assumed you were dead Bani...I was mad when you didn't come back and hoped you met your death." The look of sheer pain on her face along with anger, shook him. "Bani...I am sorry."
Bani threw her head back and laughed, "What are you sorry for Mr Walia? That I am alive...that I did not die?"
Jai pounded his head on the table, "Stop it Bani...I am sorry for wishing you dead. If you had really died, I know I would have died too. I know my heart would have known that yours had stopped beating for me...and would have beating for you. There were days when I used to stand on balcony and feel the breeze...I imagined it was your essence that was caressing me, I imagined you standing somewhere and thinking of me...reaching out to me. I knew then you were still alive. Marrying Meera was a mistake. Jigyasa took advantage of my moment of weakness. I hate myself for what I did to her. I can't look her in her eyes, becasue I am scared of what I see."
Bani tried to make sense of what he said, but her ears seem to ring with only these words 'my heart would have stopped beating for you.' When he called her, "Bani..." she looked at him absently.
"Are you ok?" he asked softly.
Bani shrugged her shoulder, she didn't know how she was, how do you know if you are ok if all you feel is hurt and pain?
Her silence bothered him, dammit why doesn't she say something? Her anger was preferable to her stony silence. He tried again rather sharply, "Bani!"
When she stayed silent, his voice boomed into her daze, "Don't go into the silent mode...Bani say something...dammit say anything."
"What do you mean say something? What do you want me to say? There is nothing left to say. You have your life and I have to learn once to live my life without Ganga. Just promise you will take care of Ganga. You won't let anything happen to her." her voice petered out...the hurt of going away from him and Ganga started to pound inside her.
There she goes again, he thought. Running away...she wants to run away from him again. He damn well will not let her walk out on him. He had enough of her and Meera deciding for him who he needed. With swift move, he pulled her to him and gripping her tightly by her shoulder, he shook her slightly, "Listen Bani...listen good. You will not step out of this again without my say so. I am not going to let go, I don't care if you hate me, I am not letting you go. I need you...Ganga needs you. I want you in my life and not Meera. Meera will leave...there is nothing I can give her. She needs to move on with her life."
Bani pushed at his chest, "You can't tell me what to do. You can't keep me here if I don't want to stay...you can't." Jai stilled her and locked her eyes with her, his hot glare with her indignant stare. "Watch me just do exactly that. You dear wife, Mrs Bani Walia will learn once again to love me, to trust me and share my bed with me and the lesson starts now." Bani's retort never made to her lips as he crashed his lips hard down on hers and kissed her, bruising her lips, nipping her lips until she parted her lips to let her mouth be invaded by his tongue. Time stopped as Bani felt her body betray her, her resistance eroded by the erotic massaging by his lips and tongue, his hands which had slipped under her top and were busy doing there own exploration, caused her skin to shiver and then burn. She gave her self completely to the thrill of his expert touch...the buried desires resurfaced as his lips moved slowly down her neck to her collarbone where he nipped her skin with his teeth causing her to pull at his shirt wanting to touch him in the same way he was causing havoc on her. Both of them were lost in satisfying the craving need...the physical ache buried for years. It was only when his hands moved to rest on the fastening of the her bra, Bani's mind registered for a second what was about to happen. She jerked away suddenly and stood up, her chest rising from her labored breathing, her eyes still dazed from his passionate onslaught. Bani pushed her hair back and straighened her khameez. She ignored his pleading look. "Bani..."
Turning her back to him she shouted, "No. I won't let you seduce me into submission."
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Part D – I am listening, I am learning, I will try
"I was not seducing you. And I didn't hear you say no…you were just as willing." He drawled back, not bothering to button up his shirt again. Bani turned and watched him, sprawled back, hair disheveled and looking thoroughly desirable. Her heart raced again, her mind created of visions of what they would have been doing if she hadn't stopped herself. Was it so bad to desire him so madly despite all the things he had said…despite all the things he had done. She stood now unsure of what to do next…what to say next…did he want her to stay? Her treacherous heart seemed to shout, of course he wants you…didn't he just prove how much he wants you. Bani reached over to pick up her discarded dupatta when he stopped her by clasping her hand.
His eyes still dark and dangerous, "Sit down Bani. We haven't finished talking yet otherwise you wouldn't be running again." Bani sighed and sat down but at the opposite end of the sofa, as if the distance would create a safe haven for her sanity.
"Bani I am waiting…" Jai growled again.
More than anger she felt irritated by him, she scowled at him, "Waiting for what…"
He retorted sharply, "To hear what else you have to say…since it seems there are some open wounds that needs some attention…need some tender care so you and I can move on." Since they were talking he wanted to get their grievances cleared up. It seemed to him that both of them felt deep hurt…deep wounds that needs to heal…otherwise both of them could fester their life away wallowing in those open wounds.
Bani tried to analyze his remarks. Did he really wanted to put the past to rest and move on…move on with life…was he offering her the chance to bare her soul and then dump her because his guilt would be erased? She studied his face intently, searching his eyes, trying to figure out what he wanted her to say.
Again his voice droned on her ears, "Surely it's not that difficult for you to say what is hurting you? What I did wrong? What you did wrong? How we got ourselves in this mess? I could get up and walk away and comfortably sleep the night away. Will be able to do the same?"
"Where do you want me to start Mr Walia? How about, you were willing few minutes ago to make love me, your children's murderer, why?" she asked in a voice filled with hurt. Her painful gaze fixed on his face. She detected a tinge of red spread on his face. Her question stumped him for a moment...the word murderer vibrated in his ears.
His chest heaved a deep sigh, "Because the truth is you are not responsible for their death. In my grief I made an unjust decision and held you responsible for kids death. But I still want you to explain why you left them alone with the driver? Why couldn't you have taken them with you when you went to see Daksh?"
He asked one question that she had asked herself so many times. Would things have been different if she had taken the kids with her? She hoped he believe what she was saying, "You could call it lapse of judgment. I acted stupid because Daksh wanted to give me back property papers he had. And I thought it would a nice surprise for you, it would be one thing less for you to worry about." Bani paused to take a breath and continued, "They were not left alone, I told the driver to take them straight to the restaurant. How can that be called irresponsible, the kidnapping could have happened anytime whether I was with Krishna and Atharva or not, or you or anyone of the other family member? Would you have called Adi a murderer if it had been Adi in my place?" She paused for him to answer her.
"Probably not! But then Adi would not be go running off to see Daksh. Bani you promised me you wouldn't meet Daksh again…you broke your promise."
Bani stalled for a minute and then lifted her chin defiantly, "Yes I broke my promise, but it was for a good reason. I broke it so you could get back belonged to you…to make sure Randerias could not hold you to ransom again. I was not even five minutes with Daksh. Does it matter I broke the promise Mr Walia…Jigyasa said I was supposed to die anyway?"
A long pause followed as Jai contemplated what she said then he said slowly, "Fine I accept your explanation, I forgive you for breaking my promise. Drop that's one off the list. What's next on your list?"
Bani spluttered, her temper flared and she stood up and paced near the sofa, "List...you want a list than I will give you a list! How about calling me all those names? What about physical and verbal abuse when you threw me out? What about making false accusations without any proof? Shall I go on? How about explaining the jealous demon that consumed you, even though I had told you I didn't care how old you were, I wasn't looking for a younger man when I was happy with you?"
Jai raised his hands, fascinated by her ouburtst. Her eyes literally spit sparks and she looked ready to do battle with him. He stood up and stepped towards her, "Ok! I am a jerk and that was uncalled for. I am really sorry for all the hurt I have caused. I can't use anger as an excuse for calling you all those awful names. I can't take back what I said or what I did but I really want you to know that I want to put everything behind. I am genuinely sorry for everything. I am sorry for losing another six years of life with you. I am sorry for not being there for Ganga. I want you to know I love you...I never really stopped loving, even though I tried my damn hard to make myself think otherwise. Please Bani you can punish me, but don't punish me by keeping away from me."
When he stopped he was staring her in her eyes, he could feel her warm breath on his neck, the small breadth that separated them seemed to be charged with minute electric ions. Jai took a deep breath and took a step back. He needed to keep a safe distance to keep his head clear.l He felt relieved, somehow he felt as if he had shed burden weighing down on him since that dark day six years ago. Will she believe him? Is she ready to forgive him? He knew he was going to have his work cut out to control his anger...to keep jealousy at bay...to give her an opportunity to take decisions for them.
The silence seemed to stretch, he could see from her eyes, she was fighting her own demons...whether to believe his words...to believe he was sorry for hurting her. Suddenly he knelt down in front to her.(cherry his on his knees...just for you) He grabbed her hand and his eyes softening into warm molten pools. "Please Bani I am sorry. I can't bear this silence. Say something. If you tell me you still hate me and can never forgive me than I will let you go and never see you again. Please Bani..."
It felt strange to see him groveling at her feet. The man she loved, the father of her children wanting forgiveness. She gently pulled at his hand still holding hers.
"Jai get up. You are making feel uncomfortable. I think its time to bury all this hurt. We have to move on with life for the sake of Ganga. I want a happy life for Ganga. I want her to be with her father. I want her to grow up with a family. Jai you can buy her whatever she wants with money, but you have to promise me you will make time for her...you will be there to take her to school...be available to watch her take part in school functions...be there when ever she needs you...I don't want to hear you say when I we need to talk, not now later. You will have to learn to put business asides sometimes for me and Ganga. I want to know if I want to talk to you, you are available. I want us to be able build lots of happy memories...memories to carry us through when we get old."
Happiness surged through him. Did she say she wanted to be with him? She wanted them to be a happy family? Yes he wanted a family, a happy loving family like how his was when his parents had been alive. Yes he would cut down his work...hell he can hire five more people if needed to free him, so he was there for her and Ganga. Yes he too wanted to have precious memories...memories which would never remind him of the unhappiness in their life because they would work hard to create uncountable number of memories...memories with Ganga...and with the two of them.
He pulled her into his arms and said happily, "I promise Bani...I promise to work hard to build our life future together." Unable to contain his joy, he lifted her up in his arms. He sat down on the sofa and sat down holding her. Bani tried to shift away but Jai kept his hold. "Don't move. Just stay her with me for a minute." Bani felt the rhythmic beat of his heart against her ear and she felt herself relax. It didn't take long for her eyes to feel heavy with sleep. She forced her self to sit up and watched as his eyelids also drooped. She shook him, she didn't want them to fall asleep down here. "Jai I think we should go upstairs. I am really tired now."
They walked upstairs slowly. Bani didn't want to be alone in her bed, but she didn't want to ask him either. She didn't want to wake up in the morning and feel what just happened downstairs was a dream. Jai on the other hand had decided, he was start to keep his promise to her...her wasn't going to leave her alone. When they reached the room Bani had occupied this few days, Jai just opened it and walked in pulling her along and shut the door. She felt let him lead her to the bed. When he stopped and dropped her hand, Bani took hold of his hand and put it on the swell of her chest, she wanted him to feel her racing heart. She wrapped her arms up, her hand raking through his hair and pulled his head down so that their lips could meet. The hesitant kiss intensified into a tongue tangling exploration of mouths. The hand on her shoulder slid down pulling her pallu down. The tension in him gave way to emotional desire. He felt her hands slip down his back leaving a hot trail behind and he moved his lips down her throat to rest at the warm hollow. Jai slowly lowered them on the bed not letting go of her. Her hands moved slowly over him exploring, discovering the feel and touch of muscles forgotten by years of separation. The sensation created by her overwhelmed him and his hands moved in exploration of his own to discover the soft skin, the curves, and the scent which never seemed to have left him. When he lifted his face to look at her, he found himself staring into stormy eyes framed by her heavy lashes. Her name escaped his lips "Bani..." as he grazed her lips again. In response she wrapped her arms around him pulling him closer to her.
In the predawn hour Bani woke suddenly and immediately rolled away from Jai.
He stirred slightly as she had rolled over his arms extended out at the side. He stayed fast asleep and she gently turned over and raised herself up on her elbow. She rested like that watching him sleep, a slow smile curved on her lips, satisfied everything she remembered about the night was a reality not something she had dreamed.
Part E on page 6
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Kumkum Bhagya
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
