- PART 1 -
Plans
"Bani, look at this," Rano exclaimed. It was afternoon in the Walia Mansion and one of those rare days when Bani got a holiday from the Institute. No one was home, except for the three girls and the servants.
"You know Rano," said Lakshmi. "Sometimes I wonder whose first anniversary it is!"
Bani ignored them and continued to study her book. Months passed by since the night in the study. Bani finally closed Pushkar's chapter and he was nothing but a memory. Yeah, he was difficult to deal with. But Bani knew well. Before confronting Jai in the study, she called the security guards and kicked him out of the house. He called a few times after that night, but Jai handled him. He was sent to jail for a number of crimes and was probably never going smell fresh air again.
"What style would your prefer?" Rano asked, but Bani didn't reply.
To say the truth, Bani couldn't care less about the style of the party. In a few weeks time it was Jai and Bani's first anniversary and everyone in the family were excited except for Bani. She, like Jai, hated parties.
But not wanting to hurt the excited family members, Jai agreed to Rano and Lakshmi's crazy plans, much to Bani's displeasure. However, he promised to gift something special for her compromise and that made up for everything!
"Bani," Rano said. "You have to help us pick! Afterall it is your anniversary."
"Do whatever you like Rano. Jai gave you the heads up, why bother asking me?" Bani retorted, not taking her eyes of the book.
"Oh cheer up Bani," Lakshmi interjected. "Knowing Jai, he probably already did something to make up for his promise. So you might as well save the sour mood and tells us your choice."
An involuntary smile went up Bani's face, which didn't go unnoticed by Rano or Lakshmi. They instantly started to bombard her with questions about what Jai was giving her in return. But they were just as clueless as Bani.
Bani didn't realize when she got involved in the party plans. If they were doing it, why not enjoy it. All three of them had a fun time deciding for the theme, colours, flowers, style, food, etc. But by the end of it, they had got barely two steps closer to the party organizing.
"All this party planning is starting to bother me…lets do something," Rano said yawning. "Lets go out!"
Lakshmi and Bani gave Rano a look, which said 'you crazy? You will get us both killed!' Ever since Rano was expecting , Ranveer became over protective about her. She was only half way through her third month, but he didn't listen. She was not suppose to strain herself, and that included walking around in the mall. She was to stay home and could only go out with supervision from responsible people. And according to Ranveer, only he was responsible enough to take Rano out.
"Chill girls," Rano said reacting immediately to their reactions. "I will talk my 'pati dev'!" Bani and Lakshmi giggled, as they handed Rano the phone. She quickly dialed Ranveer's number and silenced the other two with a finger on her lips.
"Ranveer!" Rano whined, as soon as she heard him answer the call. It was the baby kind of voice… a voice, Ranveer would never refuse. Bani heard his immediate concern on the other end. Only if he knew what a devil Rano was!
"I am soo bored," Rano complained. "No one even takes care of me. No one would even know if I die out of boredom!" Ranveer started to console Rano, but she cut him off.
"No," she said, talking as if she was almost in tears. "You don't understand. I am so bored. I thought I am supposed to get whatever I want." Ranveer's reply was instant.
"So, then please let me go to the mall with Bani and Lakshmi," Rano said in her innocent voice. But his voice hardened as he said in a strict voice 'No'.
"But I don't go anywhere," Rano said, breaking into fake sobs. "Our baby is suppose to get fresh air and you keep me locked up in this house." Bani could hear Ranveer's voice soften. He gently refused once again, unable to hear Rano crying over the phone.
"You are so mean Ranveer," Rano said tearfully. "All you care about is the baby! Why bother about me? Afterall I am just its mother!" Finally, Ranveer gave in and Rano put down the phone with a wicked smile.
"See girls?" She said devilishly. "This is how it is done!"
"Poor Ranveer!" Bani sympathized. "You are taking advantage of him."
"Yeah yeah." Rano said, dismissing Bani. "But seriously, he could cut some slack. Its not like I can't take care of myself."
…………………………………………..
"Hello?" Bani answered to the ring of her cell phone. They were at some randomn jewelry shop, looking through designs.
"When are you coming home?" replied, a deep voice Bani would never forget.
"Can't you even reply by saying hi or hello?" She asked.
"No!"
"Gosh, you are still the same." Bani fumed, while she heard Jai's laughter at the other end.
"So, when are you coming back?" He repeated.
"I really don't know. Maybe two or three hours."
"But I thought we are spending the day together?"
"Somebody had to go to office today!"
"I said I was sorry missy."
"And when did I say I accept your sorry mister?"
"Okay fine," Jai said. "What will make you accept my sorry?"
"Hmmm…lets see," Bani said thinking. "Actually, you know me well enough. So do what you think will make me forgive you!"
"Is that a challenge Ms. Dixit?"
"HOW many times will I have to tell you that it is Mrs. Walia? Mrs. Bani Jai Walia!" Bani fumed.
"Chill. Come home soon though," he replied.
"I will try. But you know Rano. She will take forever. Don't know why Ranveer can't take her out regularly. Atleast she won't be upset and make LONG trips with us and make us get in trouble!"
"You know," Jai interjected. "I actually agree with Ranveer."
"Of course. All men are the same. Going to extremes. Either you care too much, or you don't care at all," Bani retored.
"But think logically Bani," he explained. "Rano is in a delicate condition and he needs to take care of her."
"Sometimes, I think it is the child you care more about."
"No… I care for the mother as well," Jai said cheekily.
"Perfect care. Leaving your wife at home and going to office!" Bani said sarcastically.
"Are you talking about me or Ranveer?"
"Is there is difference?"
"Yeah… because when my wife is expecting, I will take better care of her!" Jai said confidently.
"By doing what? Leaving her home with a cell phone?"
"No… I won't give in to her pleas like how Ranveer did today," Jai said and Bani could imagine him shaking his head on the other end.
"Oh god," Bani said. "You can't be more over protective than that!"
"Yes I can be. For example, leaving Rano with you and Lakshmi is the worst idea. You three stick together like glue. Of course you say that you will take care of her, but that is not the reality. So, when you are pregnant, I won't do that mistake."
"And who said I will be expecting?" Bani asked.
"So you are saying you don't want a child with me?" Jai clarified.
"No…I want a child alright. But not with you!"
"Planning to run away Bani?"
"Maybe."
"Well, let me tell you," Jai said in a serious voice. "Its not going to work since I am not going to let go of you. So get used to the idea of living with me."
"And what if I do get away?" She asked in a curious voice.
"I will hunt you down and kill the guy who you ran away with."
"And then…" Bani said.
"Then I will drag you back home and tie you so that you don't escape once again," he said simply.
"So you are ready to become a tracker, killer and absuser…just for me?" She simplified.
"Pretty much," Jai replied promptly.
"What a husband," Bani said sarcastically. "And I wonder why I want to run away?"
Jai snorted. "You are the one having problems with having a child."
"Okay fine," Bani said, giving up arguing with him. "Who you would you have? Boy or girl?"
"Girl," said Bani at the same time as Jai said "Boy."
"Boy?" She asked curiously.
"Yeah… because A) he will exactly be like me, B) I know how to deal with boys and c) Girls are cry babies," he explained.
"As if boys aren't!" She bristled.
"If I have a girl, she will be exactly like you. And I don't want to ruin someone else's life, like how you have ruined mine."
"Excuse me?" Bani continued. "Boys are dirty and boys like you are unbearable. I have trouble dealing with you, what will I do if I get a mini Jai?"
"Mini Jai," he said, laughing.
"Seriously!"
"But you know, I wouldn't mind a mini Bani," he said in a soft tone.
"And why is that Jai?"
"Because she will be adorable and cute. She will have the smile I love, the eyes I love and the act exactly like the person I love." Bani blushed as Jai finished. "Only on problem though. She won't listen to me!"
"She will," Bani whispered. "Because the real Bani only listens to you."
"Then if I ask the real one to come home right now, would she?" Jai asked, wanting to see her.
"If you can pick her up, she would." She replied with a smile.
"I will be there in 15 minutes." And the phone went dead.
Bani tried to come up with a plan, to get out this shopping trip. She clutched her stomach and went to Rano and Lakshmi, with an expression of pain on her face.
"What happened Bani?" Rano asked.
"My tummy is hurting all of sudden!"
"Do you want water?" Lakshmi suggested.
"No," Bani said. "I want to go home."
"But we just came here," Rano complained.
"Then stay here. I will go by myself."
"How will you go by yourself?" Lakshmi asked. "isn't your tummy hurting real bad."
"Umm…actually, I called Jai. He will come and pick me up." Bani tried to look innocent. Understanding dawned to Lakshmi as she saw right through Bani's plan.
"You know Bani," she said. "You look fine to me."
"No I don't." Bani growled. "Please guyz… I have to go. I can't shop like this."
"We let you go," Lakshmi said with a smile. "only on one condition."
"What?" Bani asked.
Rano answered instead. She obviously caught up with Bani's plan also. "Where are you two love brids off to?"
"Somewhere…"
"You can't go then," declared Lakshmi.
"Please… I really don't know. He didn't tell me," Bani begged.
"FINE!"
Bani congratulated herself for getting out of that one. She walked to the main entrance and sure enough, a black BMW was waiting for her. The window rolled down, and her eyes feasted on him as Jai took off his shades and stared at her…
Mr And Mrs Parshuram
