SS 1 & 2 Pg 1
SS 3 Pg 3 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=3
SS 4 RENAISSANCE by Vardhani Pg 6 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=6
SS 5 Pg 8 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=8
SS 6 BANWARA MAN by Vardhani Pg 11 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=11
SS 7 Rains & Coffee by TinTiny Pg 14 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=14
SS 8 by Chander Pg 16 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=16
SS 9 Pg 18 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=18
SS 10 RAINY ROMANCE' 'by Vardhani Pg 19 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=19
SS 10 by mujer Pg 19 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=19
SS 11 Vo pehle baar jab hum mile by Clare Pg 21 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=21
SS 12 original plot by Nema Pg 22 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=22
SS 13 Rains & Coffee Part II by Tintiny Pg 24 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=24
SS 14 RAINCOAT!!!! by Vardhani Pg 26 & SS 15 The Shelter Pg 26 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=26
SS 17 The Gift Pg 28 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=28
SS 18 The Birthday Gift by Tintiny Pg 30http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=30
SS 19 The Terrace pg 32 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=32
SS 20 shopping by Ree pg 33 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=33
SS 21 Wrong Connection by Kamy pg 34 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=34
SS 22 The Toothbrush Tale by Reepg 37 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=37
SS 23 Suhaag Raat by Tin page 39 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=39
SS 24 Bheegi Raatein by Sonam page 39 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=39
SS 25 Mera Deewanpan by Sonam pg 41 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=41
SS 25 The Toothbrush Tale II by REE page 41 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=41
SS 25 The Mathchmaker by Dhani pg 42http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=42
SS 26 The Rescue pg 44 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=44
SS 27 Sukriya by whiterose pg 46 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=46
SS 28 by Ezther pg 47 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=47
SS 29 My Friend Raj pg 48 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=48
SS 30 Silence Speaks by Bristy page 49 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=49
SS 31 Pyaar aur Baarish pg 51 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=51
SS 32 Home and Heart pg 52 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=52
SS 33 Wet Night by Dhani p54 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=54
SS 34 dekha nahi by Abhi pg 56 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=56
SS 35 Shubho dristi by Ree p58 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=58
SS 36 Raindrops by Dhani p60 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=60
SS 37
SS 38 Before The Rains by Dhani p61 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1018948&TPN=61
Monsoon Rains
Monsoon clouds loomed in the distant horizon, the sunshine which had filled the day had now disappeared casting gloom in it's place. Bani stood on the terrace of her home, her open hair flying in the wind, which seemed have picked up. She gripped the rail on the terrace wall as she looked down at the winding road. An hour ago she had called Jai and asked him to come home early. They were forecasting a heavy storm and she didn't want him stuck somewhere unable to reach home due to flooding.
Her thudded as she felt the first drop of rain, the cool water instead of feeling comforting added to her anxiety. She loved rains'as a child like all children, she had loved to play in the rain, getting drenched and then being told off by her parents. Even getting sick after didn't seem to quell the joy of carefree play in monsoon rains. When she and her friends grew older, they would sneak out of the house and meet on someone's terrace to dance in the rain'the rains filled their vibrant youthfulness with different kind of happiness. They had teased each other about sharing the first rains with their future husband, boyfriends, lovers.
Well today three months married and Bani instead of feeling happy was worried about Jai'her husband who worked in the heart of the city. He had been calm when she had called him, her voice frantic asking him to come home. In fact she had been upset when she heard him laugh at her silliness of worried about once small storm. She had only put the phone down when Jai had promised he would come home as soon as he could. Bani brushed the raindrops away and stayed staring out. She wasn't going to move until she saw him come home.
Soon the sky above darkened and the raindrops multiplied into a shower. The steady downpour drenched Bani, her sari clinging to her body. She shivered as the cold started to seep into her. The warmth of day gone, replaced by damp of the rain. Bani wrapped her arms around trying to shield the cold. Tears now mingled with the rains as she failed to see the familiar Merc on the road ahead. Slowly she sank to the floor and started praying'she wanted Jai to be safe at home, she wanted to feel him breathing, feel his heart thundering next to her.
In three months of their marriage, Bani had slowly fallen in love with Jai Walia, the groom her father had picked out for her. It wasn't as if she had never seen him before, after all their parents moved around in the same business circle so they were often at the same parties or functions. They had never been attracted to each other, just a casual hi, hello whenever they met. When couple of her friends had revealed their crushes for Jai to Bani, she hadn't paid much attention. They were young and he was one of the good looking men around. Bani never gave much thought to marriage, hoping to go to college and then work afterwards.
But her father had his eye on Jai for a long time and as soon as Jai had established himself in his father's business, Nishikant had made his move and proposed an alliance between Jai and Bani. Jai's mother had taken an instant liking to the pretty girl when they had come to see her. Jai had liked Bani and that was good enough for his mother to agree to the alliance. The quick marriage whirled by and Bani had found herself married to Jai Walia. Their relationship had started in awkward silence, as neither of them knew each other well. With others being around, they did not get chance to sneak away into their silent corners, instead the family made sure the two were thrown together as much as possible. The silence slowly got replaced with tentative questions or messages and soon into discovering of their likes and dislikes, outings for coffee or dinners.
The days flew by and they started to develop feelings, new feelings that they had not experienced before. The brush of their hands, the touches, the closeness of each other gave rise to feeling of butterflies in their stomach, of their heartbeat racing with an unknown anticipation and wanting to discover each other. Their first lovemaking was like a new discovery, it happened spontaneously, the kissing flaring into fumbling and then into an unstoppable desire to be one with each other.
Bani did not know how long she sat their because after her a while the coldness had made her numb. The feel of a warm arm around her made her look up to see two angry eyes glaring at him. Ignoring the anger Bani flung herself on him and clutched his shirt and she poured out her fears at him. Jai just sat clutching her close to him, feeling the coldness of her skin and her mumblings, his anger died down as he realized how crazily worried she had been. After a while Bani stopped crying and just sat listening to his heart beat under her face. She stirred and looked up at him, cupping his chin with her small hand. 'Sorry Jai. I shouldn't have been so crazy.'
The dark eyes glittered with concern, 'I am sorry for coming home late. When I got home, I couldn't find you anywhere in the house and thought you had gone out looking for me. I was mad and then Tony reminded me of terrace, saying you might have gone there'and found you here sitting here, soaked wet with the rains. You could get sick Bani'you are so cold.'
Bani wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his chin. 'I am not cold anymore Jai. I am so happy you are home safe. I loved the rains as a child but when masi said the city could flood, trapping people'I just thought of you being away'I didn't like the thought of you being alone somewhere, far away from me.' Jai brushed the strands of hair plastering across her face and hugged her to him, 'I love you Bani'even though you made me crazy with worry. Let's go inside and get you into a hot bath.'
Bani wrapped her arms tighter around him, 'No'lets stay here for a while'this is our first monsoon rains together. I want to share the songs of the rains with you.' The two of them sat together under falling rains, their heart beating to song of the rains, their love singing along with the song of the rains.
THE END
Monsoon Rains 2
'Di...' Rano shouted through the metal bars of the window.
Bani turned her head and grinned, 'What Rano? Need some money?'
Rano scowled and pulled her tongue out. 'No! Ma said to make sure you were taking your umbrella. She doesn't want you to come home wet. And she said to remind you to come home early. You know why nah...koi ladka anewala hai.' Rano gave a meaningful look at Bani, who in turn turned bright red.
Bani went inside the house and picked up the umbrella propped against the wall. Waved the umbrella at Rano and left the house, hurrying, not wanting to miss the bus.
Bani reached the hotel where she worked few minutes late. The manager, Mr Bhakt eyed her over his glasses, not too pleased at her being late. 'Sorry sir, the bus was late.' Bani mumbled her excuse and rushed into the back office to drop off her bag and umbrella before returning to take her position behind the counter. Shaz pinched Bani as she stood next to her at the reception counter, 'I thought you might skip coming in today, you know...' nudging her, 'spend day getting ready for the possible husband material coming to see you.'
Sick of being teased about the expected visit by the boy her father had invited, Bani snapped at Shaz, 'I wish you could take my place. I am sick of hearing about it. My mother...my sister and you. I thought I could escape to work for a few hours of unwanted nagging.'
Shaz rolled her eyes, 'My someone is cranky. Come one Bani. Aren't you excited? I mean it's not everyday, a guy fromt he big city makes his way to backwoods of Mt Abu to see a girl. I have seen his photo in a magazine...he is so hot.' Bani gazed disgustedly as Shaz eyes went into day dream.
Bani watched the skies with frown. The morning sunshine had faded, the grey clouds had gathered casting gloom over the town. She prayed the rains would hold out till she got home. It would be long bus ride home if the rains pelted down now. Shaz had finished her shift and left a long time ago, nagging Bani to go home before the rains fell. A knock on the counter diverted her attention back to her job. Bani smiled at the well dressed man standing in front of her. 'Can I help you sir?' she asked politely.
'Can I get your best suite for tonight?' he asked, his eyes looking piercingly into hers.
Flustered by his intense gaze, Bani stammered, 'I will...check what we have available sir.' Mr Bhakt rushed out of his office, he had spied Jai Walia through the glass door leading to his office. His keen eyes had not missed the impeccable suit and expensive watch on Jai Walia's wrist. Not trusting his staff to do their job, he came up to Bani and said loudly, 'Why don't you let me deal with the gentleman? You keep an eye on the phones.' Bani quickly shuffled away to the other end of the counter where the phones where, glad to get away from the scrutinizing look cast her way.
Jai Walia curled his hand into a fist, annoyed by Mr Bakht's action. He was rather enjoying unnerving the slip of girl at the reception. The drive to the resort of Mt Abu had been boring. Both his parents had snoozed while he sat in the front with the driver. The traffic on the highway had been jam packed, it was as if everyone had decided to travel in the same direction as him. It didn't help that his father had thrown this unexpected trip to Mt Abu at last minute, making him scramble to rearrange his appointments for couple of days.
Jai watched covertly as Bani stood idly rearranging papers, pens and magazines around. Mr Bhakt finished assigning the suite and he shouted for the porter. Handing the key to the suite to Jai Walia, Mr Bhakt with a smug smile said, 'Our best suite is for you sir. The boy will take you up.'
Jai gave a curt nod, a smile in Bani's direction who had looked at him as Mr Bhakt handed the key and he turned and went over to an elderly couple sitting in the louge area of the hotel. 'Papa, ma. Lets go to the room and refreshen up.' Jai came back up to Bani, 'Miss do you think you can have tea and coffee sent up to my suite, with some sandwiches?'
'Yes sir.' Bani answered quickly, picking up the line to the kitchen to sent in the order. Turning back she smiled at Jai, 'It will up shortly sir. Anything else we can do for you?'
Jai arched his brow and gave her an intense look and said softly, 'Nothing at the moment miss, but I will call if I need anything else.' The underlying tones in his voice made Bani blush as Jai Walia gave a soft laugh and left.
The gloom cast by the monsoon skies seem to disappear for Bani, she felt her mood lift even as the first drops of rain fell outside. The skies can pour if they want, it didn't matter if she reached home wet, for the first time in her life she found herself attracted to opposite sex. She felt butterflies in her stomach just from the way he looked at her. Bani stood and watched the rains fall, she wished she could walk out from behind the counter and dance in the rains...her heart beats were following the sound of the rains, the rhythm soft and soothing. For two hours Bani sat and wondered if she would see Jai Walia again before she went home. She wished he would come down even with a silly request...those eyes...yes he had beautiful dark brown eyes that seemed like a never ending pool.
The phone ringing brought her out of her daydreaming. She picked it up and answered politely. Her mother screamed in her ears, 'Bani...where are you? Why aren't you home yet? I asked you to come home early.' Bani moved the phone few inches away. She looked at the pouring rains, 'maa...it's raining, it's been raining for hours now.'
Kiran, 'I know. Why didn't you leave before it started? The boy will be here soon.' Bani heard her mother wail. Bani rolled her eyes, sometimes her mother was impossible. 'Maa...you think he will make it in this rain. He is probably stuck somewhere.'
Kiran agitated, 'Bani...get home quickly. Look shall I send papa to pick you up.'
'No ma...l will ask Mr Bhakt to let me finish early ok. And take a taxi home.' Bani put the phone down and looked towards Mr Bhakt's office. Bani knocked on the manager's office door and entered, 'Sir can I leave early today. My mother is not feeling well and needs help.'
Mr Bhakt glared through his thick lens, annoyed. One thing the girl comes in late and then wants to leave early. He saw Jai Walia walking towards the reception and he nodded at Bani, 'Yes you can go. But make sure you come early tomorrow.' he said as he stood up and walked past her. Mr Bhakt smiled at Jai Walia, 'How can I help you sir?'
Bani collected her things and walked out of the office and past Jai Walia. She did not notice him watching her walk away, disappointment flitting across his face. 'Can you get me a taxi? I need to go here,' and Jai Walia pulled out a piece of paper and gave it to Mr Bhakt.
Mr Bhakt looked at the address, a look of surprise showed on his face, 'Oh...you are going to same area where Bani leaves.' Jai Walia gave a confused look, 'Bani?'
Mr Bhakt grinned showing his yellowed teeth, 'The girl who was working the reception sir. She just left.'
'Bani...' Jai said silently. The name sounded short and sweet, just like her he mused.
'Mr Walia, the taxi will be here in two minutes. Please wait while I get the boy to get an umbrella to escort you to the taxi.
A taxi pulled up and Bani, holding the umbrella down to shield against the rain, hurried towards it and at the same time Jai Walia too strode towards it. Bani went to grab the door handle when a hand shot forward and opened it, 'Allow me,' the deep voice drawled.
Bani stepped back and stumbled, her umbrella flew out of her hand as she tried to steady herself and found herself falling back with a splash. Embarassed Bani sat, the rain soaking her wet. A hand gently helped her up and she found staring into those two dark eyes dancing with amusement. 'I am sorry. Can we share the taxi as we are going in same directions?'
'No sir, it ok. You go ahead I will wait for the next one.' she replied quickly, not wanting to sit with the man who was making her nervous now.
'Well then you take this one, I will wait for the next one. You need to get home quick and change out of wet clothes.' Jai Walia grabbed Bani's elbow and pushed her in the taxi and slammed the door. He stood under the umbrella watching the taxi disappear.
XXXXX
'Bani...' Kiran wailed seeing her her daughter dripping wet in the room. 'Go change quickly before you catch cold. How many times I tell you girls not to play in the rain. Go quick, the boy is coming too, he just called.'
'Maa, can't you call him and tell him not to come. I don't want to see him. My hair...I have to wash my hair.' Bani stammered, trying to think of excuses to give her mother. Kiran glared at her as she mopped the water off the floor. 'Just go girl. Let me clean up this mess. Rano can dry your hair for you. Jaldi.'
Nishikant Dixit came to see what the mother, daughter were arguing about. He took off his glasses and smiled at Bani. 'Good omen Bani. Dadi kehti jab barsaat hota hai, tab kuch acha hota hai. Get ready quick, Jai is a nice boy.'
Bani never argued with her father and so walked meekly away to her room to get ready. A warm bath did not relax her. She did not want to put on the sari her mother had laid out for her, she did not want to go meet whoever was coming. A knock on the door sounded and Rano popped her head in, 'Di you ready? Maa wants you come and join us. He is here,' her dancing Rano gave her sister a grin.
Bani picked up the sari and sighed, 'I don't really want to see him Rano. I don't want to wear this sari either.'
Rano came in, 'Come on di, he is very handsome. And this sari...you will look good in this.' Rano held the dark pink sari against Bani. 'Let me help you put it on.'
Ten minutes later, dressed in sari, hair left loose, Bani walked with Rano into the room. Kiran beamed a smile at Jai Walia, 'here she is.' Patting the seat next to her, Kiran said, 'Bani come here and sit next to me.' Bani focused her gaze at her mothe and went quietly and sat down next to Kiran looking at the floor.
Jai Walia sat with smile playing on his lips as he looked at the bent head of Bani. Who would have thought this morning when he had been in a foul mood about coming to see girl his father felt would make a suitable wife for him, that fate would play it's silly games and give a glimpse of the girl even before he knew who she was.
Kiran nudged Bani, 'Why don't you serve tea Bani?' Bani lost in her thought looked at Kiran blankly, 'Tea.' Kiran whispered. Bani poured a cup out and then asked quietly, 'Sugar and milk?'
A familiar deep voice answered, 'Just milk.' Bani raised her lowered eyelashes and stared at Jai Walia, sat in the same room as her. Her hand shook as she poured milk, adding slighlty more milk. She passed the cup to the extended hand before she poured out one for her father and mother.
Bani sat like a statue half listening to the conversation between her father and Jai. Her fingers twisted, retwisted knots in the pallu of her sari. She wondered if he knew who she was when he saw her at the hotel. How stupid she must have looked. Know she understood why he kept staring at her. She wished he would quickly drink his tea and leave so she could escape to her room and get out of the stupid sari. Kiran smiled inwardly as she noticed Jai give quick glances in Bani's direction while he talked. She prayed he did take fancy to Bani. It would be wonderful to see one of her daughter settled in such a wealthy family.
Seeing it was still raining outside, Nishikant indicated silently to Kiran that may be they should leave the Jai and Bani alone to talk. He noticed Bani had been silent and hardly looked at Jai. Nishikant stood up, 'Why don't you and Bani talk Jai? We will just step out for a few minutes.'
Jai nodded his head while Bani's face turned red as she stared up at her father, who smiled at her in encouragement. Only the pitter patter of the falling rain on the roof filled the as silence fell in the room. Bani had no idea what to say to him so she sat looking at the floor again.
'So your name is Bani?' Jai tried to get Bani to look at him. Bani nodded her head without looking up.
'Tell me do you like working at the hotel?'
Bani nodded again tongue tied. 'Do you want to ask anything?' he asked, his voice tinged with amusement. Bani shook her head, her mind completely blank, only her racing heart beats seemed to be filled in her mind. His soft laughter made her look up at him. The dark eyes that had fascinated her earlier were glinting. Bani found herself glued to his eyes as his laughter died and he leaned forward, 'Do you find me so boring that you can't talk to me?'
Bani gasped and stammered, 'No...sir...no.'
'Hmm...please don't call me sir. My name is Jai.'
'Do you want to get married Bani?'
Bani just stared at him, her thinking muddled, confused all she did was stare at him. Jai tried again, 'Bani I won't to know do you want to get married? Your father is not forcing you to get married to someone of his choice is he?'
Bani managed to croak out, 'Nooo...' Jai stood up and turned away and looked out at the dark skies through the window, the rains still had not let up. He stood for a minute just watching the rains fall, the large drops splashing into already water soaked earth.
'Bani.'
'Ji.' Bani answered watching the broad back blocking in the dull light of the room.
'Do you like rain? It has been raining for hours. It traps you where ever you are. Stops you from doing things.'
Bani walked up to window and opened the window and put her hand outside so that the raindrops fell on her hand. Her voice soft and dreamy, 'When we grow up, we forget how much fun it used to be when the rains fell. How we ran outside and splashed about. How we made paper boats and tried to sail them. The rains are still the same, only we have changed. I like the rains very much. It makes me want to run outside and relive the fun of my childhood. Do you like the monsoon rains?'
Jai came near her and stuck his hands outside, 'I never liked the rains much. In the city the flooding makes the city stop. But what you just said made me change my minds. How easily we forget the simple thing that once gave us so much pleasure.' They both withdrew there hands at the same time. Bani wiped her hand on the sari pallu and then looked at his wet hand and held her pallu out. Jai held the pallu in his wet hand and then let go.
'Will you come out with me? I would like you to meet my parents. My father wasn't feeling so he decided to stay back and rest.'
'Papa se poochna parega.' she answered with a soft smile. Jai smiled, 'I will ask him then. Infact we will all go. I am sure papa would like to meet everyone.' He sat down and picked up his teacup, 'can I get another cup of tea, with a little less milk this time?'
The End
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
Debate Mansion
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Real Estate
Arjun
