SS: Recalled to life!!! (complete) TYN pg 2

Hey guys,
Here is another SS!!! Again it is a bit different, less on mushy side, but of course extremely passionate and romantic.
Hope you all will like it!!!

I usually see above 1000 views and only 15 replies that is a bit disappointing!! Common guys, it?s just a matter of a word good or bad!!! This time I would like to read more of your replies!!!

I hope you had a ROCKING DIWALI!!!!😊

ENJOY!!!!😊

I took me a great deal to find a suitable title but I got it at last.
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Boast of Quietness? ?

- Jorge Luis Borges

Writings of light assault the darkness, more prodigious than meteors.
The tall unknowable city takes over the countryside.
Sure of my life and my death, I observe the ambitious and would like to understand them.
Their day is greedy as lariat in the air.
Their night is a rest from the rage within steel, quick to attack.
They speak of homeland.
My homeland is the rhythm of a guitar, a few portraits, an old sword, the Willow Grove?s visible prayer as evening falls.
Time is living me.
More silent than my shadow, I pass through the loftily covetous multitude.
They are indispensable, singular, worthy of tomorrow.

My name is someone and anyone.

I walk slowly, like one who comes from so far away he doesn?t expect to arrive.

He was finally going back?to where he belonged?six years away from your family?away from your homeland? it was more or less an ordeal?away from the soothing shelter of the roof of your home? away from the familiar streets?away from the protective shields of your parents?away from that comfort zone from which no one wants to come out?away from that feeling of belongingness? he had achieved success?reached the pinnacle?conquered heights which others could only dream of?yes everything was beautiful?just from the periphery supposedly?.the cold summers?the snowy winters?the rare rainfall?failed to fill the gap of the sun stroked summers?the over-flooded monsoons?the superficially chilly winters?the fragrance of the homeland was amiss?even after gaining so much? an unfulfilling, lost feeling followed him everywhere?but finally he was coming back?to where he belonged?a sense of joy filled him?more so ever to see HER again?it was because of HER that he had escaped?just to please her?but his heart still rested in her?all these years he had only imagined her?and a few hours later those imaginations were going to take shape and form?he felt his knees go weak?suddenly he felt weak on the context of meeting her? ?Jai Walia was finally coming home?
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Bani stood in the balcony?busy sketching in her drawing book, her passionate hobby?she loved to sketch and shade?and not color them?she never knew why?? But she liked the realism in a pencil sketch?it was more enigmatic and concealed the actual meaning of the sketch while colors were too vocal about what was being intended to say?they were too expressive?keeping the pencil aside she gave a long look towards the picture?they were two birds against a landscape?one was sitting on the branch of a tree?while the other was flying away leaving the other bird behind?but there was no sorrow on the left out bird?s face?she was sitting as though nothing had happened?calm and quite?enjoying her aloneness? a couple of pencil-outlined birds were plying to a new place in the colorless expansive sky?closing her drawing book she sat there still?contemplating? ?

The prodigal son was coming back after nearly 6 long years?well, it was unfair to accuse him of being a prodigal son?after all it was she who had forced him to do what he did?after six long years he was coming back?How would she face him? A cold shiver ran down her spine?

He was coming back?she came to know yesterday at the dining table when her father fondly spoke of his success and return?it still hadn?t sank in?he was coming back?she didn?t know how to react?.she couldn?t read her mind or her heart?her heart fluttered on the prospect of seeing him?while her head feared his very existence?

She heard the zooming sound made by the tyres?he had arrived?she went near the boundary wall and bent a bit?he stepped out of the expensive latest car?his back was turned towards her?she kept looking at his back?

Jai bent down to take the blessings of his parents?his eyes moistened seeing them after so long?he looked at Nishikant uncle and Kiran aunty and greeted them with a smile?but his eyes wandered around to find that one particular face?where was she?

Bani frowned looking at a woman standing beside him?who was she?? And why was she holding on to jai like a creeper?? She thought?just then when she was about to move away she saw jai?s eyes on her?

Jai was going inside the house after his mother performed the aarti when his eyes suddenly flew up?and his sight lingered there seeing the object of his thoughts?

Bani looked at him for a brief second?his face was unrevealing and unexpressive?she turned and left?while jai kept looking in her direction?she hasn?t changed?not much?he kept looking at where she stood a while ago until he was ushered in by his over-enthusiastic mother?

Bani stood in front of the gates of the Walia Mansion?it was time to face him?she couldn?t run away anymore?
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Bani looked at the man who had escaped this country to forget her sitting quietly in the soft sofa.... She had urged him in this direction, and considered it right that he stay away to establish himself successfully with the unusual NRI trappings?much admired in their social circle, they were regularly updated about what he had bought, where he had traveled and who he knew. Such news bored her?

He had become very silent since he had arrived?she noted?coming home after nearly 6 years had created more emotions than he could handle?there was hustle-bustle all over?they were by contrast more silent? jai answered all the questions posed at him in monosyllables?his eyes glued on to her?

He could smell a wandering?perhaps a lost?odor?a delicate, sweet odor of lilac that fixed him for a moment immovable? for this odor belonged to Bani; it was her own, and hers only? The odor brought back her memories vividly, almost tangibly before him?

His most significant achievement was by his side, his India born foreign grown friend or rather girlfriend who had accompanied him all the way crossing oceans? The way Roshni was fussed over made bani sick?her heavily coated face was stretched in a fixed smile showing off her lined white teeth? ?she hated it?hated everything?including herself?

His and her glance slithered around each other. He told her that she hadn?t changed but?bani shuttered as she returned the compliment.

She had imagined him as still the same; time may have touched her but never him. But his face had filled out; his speech had a nasal twang?but he was still the charming old jai which she had loved and probably even loved till date?

They looked at each other without speaking; they spoke to each other not knowing what they were saying...

She asked him careful, conventional tidbits, so what do you read now, what music to you listen to ?but alas those carefree habits had vanished into the piles of files and the sheaves of papers in his cabin where he worked?

?Bani beta?Jai is joining the office from tomorrow?just show him around?and get him introduced to the staff?abse toh jai hi sambhalega sab kuch?soch rahoon ki retire ho jaoon Nishi?kya khayaal hain??

She heard a roaring laughter form her father??Bilkul?Jai hain bani hain?aur pushkar bhi... hum budhon ko chuti leleni chahiye??

Bani instantly looked upto to jai on hearing about Pushkar?there were no signs of any feelings?he knew it seemed?

Pushkar?was a very competent Business Lawyer who handled the legal affairs of the company?and her father?s favorite person as well?he liked pushkar a lot and just casually asked him about bani?and what was next bani and pushkar were getting engaged?he was genuinely a nice guy?but she never felt that romantic love for him?how could she even think about someone else?but she tried?tried hard to control her over-powering nude emotions?
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Bani sat in front of the mirror giving the final touches to her lightly made-up face?the Walias? had organized a party in the honor of jai and he joining the Business?She found her gaze drawn repeatedly to the mirror. The older woman she saw filled her with a nervous despair?gone was the sweetness of the 20-year old?gone was the softness of a young woman?now it was more stern and rigid in appearance?though she was just 26 but still the glow had vaporized?

They didn?t know how many times they could peer through the window their bodies had made into the past?the past few days in the office were torturous?jai?s silent treatment killed her?she felt like a criminal under his questioning gaze?like a murderer who was roaming around without any guilt and shame?she had done what she had but she felt it was right for everybody??

For years she kept reassuring herself that what she did was right?she still justified her actions?she knew she was right?but then came the caution he had brought up 6 years later, and the wistfulness whenever he was mentioned, and the sadness in the dark watches of the night, that she had let something go away?with her own bare hands?but she had make a choice and she didn?t choose him? ?

And had he thought about me during the intervening years? She wondered

No he hadn?t. He had to study, work, diversify the already homogonous business-in short live.

Pushing away the thoughts she went downstairs?she saw pushkar waiting for her scanning a magazine?

?Do you think I look good? bani asked her fianc? though she knew his answer would be an unconsidered yes. He thought about her appearance as little as he thought about his own. Though she normally found security in such unquestioning acceptance, his present assurances were cold comfort. And her mirror by refusing to lie depressed her further. She could do nothing but wait, mentally preparing herself to read in his dazed jet lagged face disappointment, the knowledge of passing time, the wonder that she had any looks left...
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The party was in full swing?drinks were pouring in and the music was not so loud?she entered the room hand-in-hand with pushkar who was looking smart and savvy in his suit?

Her eyes immediately rested on jai?s handsome appearance?she saw him looking back at her?his face unsmiling?she returned an unsmiling expression same as his?she didn?t fail to notice that glint of jealousy in his eyes seeing her with pushkar??that revelation surprised her?it was unexpected?

Bani stood in a corner not quite enjoying the rocking party?it was Roshni?s first time here and jai?s as well as her parents? couldn?t have enough of giving her presents, introducing her to people?she screamed in her head?

?How fortunate things have worked out so well for you? jai said as he stood beside her?

?And for you too?? she replied

?Yes of course?? his glance serious and watching her face.

Bani?s gaze found pushkar?s back who was standing beside Roshni engrossed in some conversation, and the sight of that safe, solid somewhat heavy expanse calmed her nerves?he left leaving her alone?towards Roshni?his face still serious?

In between observing everything she also studied him?Was he not happy??? He loved Roshni didn?t he??? Well, he had introduced Roshni as a good friend but she knew it was more than just good friends? at least from Roshni?s side? Self control and habit had made her like if not love pushkar, why should he be different, they had been alike in so many ways?

Bani felt suffocating?she needed to breathe?she quietly left towards the terrace?Jai?s gaze followed her?he hated seeing her in the arms of some bloody pushkar?it was only him who had the right to hold her?to touch her?his grip on his whiskey glass tightened?as the rushes of the past exploded? ?

They had been joined together as children-growing up in houses next to each other, their fathers being best of friends and partners, who were almost like blood brothers though not, ran the huge empire of Dixit and Walia Industries and their mothers managed to be good friends?

Bother and sister, you are brother and sister they had said as they grew, Why???? the reason was still unreachable, probably because they were their parents? only children, the lack of a sibling to any of them emphasized on their brother and sister hood, or more so because of their contrasting state boundaries and cultures, he was a Punjabi while she was a cross of Marathi and Gujarati, their parents never imagined them anything else but brother and sister?

They tied rakhis on one another and reaffirmed their emotional bond at every festival?which had stopped once they were teenagers thinking that it was too old-fashioned?and stupid?in fact they celebrated everything together?be it friendship?s day or Valentine?s day? Only two years younger than him?she was his best friend and he was her best friend...

It happened over three summers, the love that they grew up with deepened by every passing day...

The first time they had held hands like a guy and a girl?they first time they hugged each other like a guy and a girl?the first time they had kissed like a guy and girl?everything was still afresh?they were each other?s first ever and probably the last ever girlfriend and boyfriend ? ?

She was the first one to break up, over matured for her 20 years of age- ?Go? she had urged him, ?Go and get a life away from here, so I can get one too??she had literally begged?

He had not wanted to leave; he pleaded for openness, argued that their love was not wrong?but she sighted her own reasons?which were relevant at that point but today they seemed frivolous?

He came back to the present?he loathed this?all these ignored feelings which were lost in the bylanes of anonymity?but today seeing her those feelings resurfaced?

It was their school?s farewell function in 12^th standard when she had worn a sari for the first time?it was a pinkish chiffon sari he still remembered?she was looking breath-taking?and today after so many years she was looking the same?it was that evening he had kissed her for the first time?

He wanted her?wanted to tell her How much he loved her??? How much he missed her??? But she was not ready to listen?keeping aside his glass he followed her upstairs??
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Bani entered the terrace after 6 years it was still the same?as they had left it?she remorsefully remembered the times when she used to sit in the corner and sketch while he used to dribble his basket ball?endlessly talking to each other?she could still hear soft murmurs of voices and the thumping of the ball? ?

Bani was immersed in her thoughts when she felt herself being pulled in a direction?and she knew who it was?.she felt her back pitted against the wall?she arched her back on coming in contact with the roughness of the wall?

?Jai?? she gasped?jai?s grip on her arms tightened?bani shivered as she encountered the igniting desire in his eyes?he bent down and crushed his lips against her?he urged her to open up?pushing her with umpteen force?she refused to satisfy his dire need?

?Kiss me? bani?? he almost pleaded...his grip on her bare arms tightened further?he practically cajoled every corner of her glossy lips?her resistance dissolved as soon as she heard his plea?giving in to her heart she parted her lips allowing him to slid his tongue?his grip on her arms loosened?his hands gradually shifted downwards and rested on her exposed waist as their kiss deepened...her hands curled around his neck pulling him towards herself?her fingers moving up and down the back of his neck?their kiss continued?as if there was no end to it?bani moaned as she felt his calloused fingers draw multi-radial circles on her waist?his hands moved up to her shoulders slowly pulling down the short sleeves of her fitted blouse?leaving her lips he smothered her naked shoulders and neck with hurried moistened kisses?she groaned?at his deliberate torture?they camouflaged into each other?she wanted him to continue?to continue till they both were left breathless?she wanted him to continue till they lost every ounce of energy in them?she wanted him continue with this endless endeavor?but she couldn?t afford to continue?she was too weak to carry the guilt of the after effects of this act if it continued now? abruptly she pushed him away with all her might?hastily fixing her dishelved state she strode downstairs with quickened steps and thudding heart?not even looking at him once?jai just stood there with a sense of disbelief?What was he doing????? God!! He banged his fist on the granular wall? ?
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Bani lay on the bed crying?why was she going weak all of a sudden?it was her choice to let go of him then why she was still bounded to him?she looked at the shining diamond on her ring finger?a set of fresh tears rolled down form her cheeks??

Bani very well knew that both their families would not be able to digest the fact that jai and bani were romantically inclined?the old parents very quite stringent and traditionally strict?and moreover they had always perceived them to be like brother and sister and nothing else?this piece of news would be like dropping bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?as the history it would destroy everything?and the extent of destruction was unimaginable?they both feared the unprecedented future which lay ahead?and bani was the one who panicked more?but jai was more confident?he wanted to talk to their parents but she refused blatantly stating that the years old friendship between their fathers will get soured?that they had no right to break their parent?s trust?she had asked him to leave as his father wanted Jai to go abroad for completing his studies? ?and he had finally obliged?having no choice what so ever?
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Bani hated all the fuss? all this cloying act was getting onto her nerves?
Roshni was going back to London?

?Beta, Thode din aur ruk jaati?? she heard Krishna auntie say in a complaining manner?

Bani rolled her eyes?they are speaking as if she was going away from this world?she thought?Jai had not been talking to her since that incident?weeks had passed by?it made her life easier? to some extent at least?

Roshni was all set to leave when Bani was surprised to see Roshni coming towards her?

Roshni hugged her slightly and spoke up?

?Bye Bani!!! Tumse milkar acha laga?? roshni smiled at her?Bani hesitantly returned the smile?not knowing how to gauge her present expression? ?

?Tum aur?? roshni started to speak?

?Cahle Roshni?? jai said disturbing the two of them?

?Haan?? roshni replied back before looking at bani and then walking away?

Bani stood at the driveway and watched them drive away; there she remained standing in the Mumbai moonlight and the noise of the traffic only faintly heard because of the lateness of the hour, his car among the ones on the road, among the ones that added to the city?s pollution day and night?still wondering what Roshni intended to say? ?

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?Tumhe yaad hain Jai tumne kahan tha?ki?tum kissi aur se pyaar karte ho?? Roshni asked as they entered the airport?

Jai who was momentarily stunned by her sudden question mumbled a quick Yes? unknowingly?

?Woh Bani hain na?? roshni asked?

This time jai kept quiet?but his silence was very much eloquent?

?Toh woh bani hi hain?Kya tum kissi aur se pyaar karpaoge?Jai??

Jai continued to remain silent?

?Tumhari khamoshi bina kahe bohot kuch keh jaati hain?tumhe itni achi tarah se toh jaanti ki tumhari khamoshi padh sakoon??

?Roshni?? jai spoke up for the first time?

?Sorry bolne ki koi zaroorat nahin hain Jai?you were honest to tell me ki tum kissi aur se pyaar karte ho?par mujhe laga ki shayaad tum usse bhool chuke ho?issiliye main tumhare saath aana chahti thi?par tumhe aur bani ko saath main dekha toh pata chala?tum dono ek dusre ke liye hi bane ho??

?Aisa tum samajhti ho?pata nahin Bani kab samjhegi?? jai said bitterly?

?Samjhegi jai?I know?who tumse bohot pyaar karti hain??

?I don?t know Roshni??

?Well, nahin samjhi toh main hoon na?mujhse shaadi karlena?? roshni tried to smile?

?Done?? jai said hugging her?

The flight announcement was made?
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Jai and bani sat beside each other?on the terrace of the Walia mansion?the dusk giving way to the approaching night? ?

?What should we do?? Bani asked testing the waters, swimming daringly into the open sea? ?

?What do you suggest? Jai asked refusing to swim alone?

She was silent. What could either one of them say that made sense????

?We can?t go on like this?? bani said?

?Like what???? he asked back?

?JAI!!!! I am getting married??

?So??

?So?NOTHING?I am marrying Pushkar?and you remain like this forever?I don?t care?? bani got up to leave?

?Let Me make myself very clear Miss. Dixit?tum kissi Pushkar se shaadi nahin karogi?tum shaadi karogi toh sirf mujhse?Is that Understood??

?Tum pagal hogaye ho jai?aisa kuch nahin hoga?main papa aur uncle??

?Bhad main jao tum ?tumhare papa aur tumhare uncle?main ek baar tumhari baat sun li?ab wahi hoga jo main chahta hoon??

Jai grabbed her wrist firmly almost dragging her downstairs where their parents were enjoying their evening supper?
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Jai and Bani?s eyes slithered from their respective fathers? blank faces to their respective mother?s uncertain ones?they had finally dropped the bomb?and were patiently waiting for the explosion? ?

?Tum?logon ne yeh baat pehle kyun nahin bataya?? Uday Walia finally found his voice?

?Kya farak padta hain?? Jai said sounding tad bit rude?

?Humne kabhi aisa socha hi nahin?? Uday continued quite disturbed by this sudden news?

?Kabhi nahin socha toh ab soch lijiye? Shaadi toh hogi meri aur bani ki?yeh aap ka faisla hain ki?aap uss main shaamil hona chahte hain ki nahin?? jai said?

?Hum?? Nishikant stopped midway not knowing what to say?
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Puskhar stood watching the preceding marriage ceremony with vacant feelings? he had tried to hate Bani but he couldn?t?the day she had confessed to him about jai he was seething with anger?not because she broke the engagement but because she hid such important thing from him?he knew she never did love him?neither did her?he just liked her very much?from the day of their engagement and even before that he had not seen her happy and content?her eyes were always searching for something? ?his train of thoughts were disturbed by a shrill female voice?

?Hai Pushkar?? Roshni greeted her new friend...

?Hai?? pushkar said wryly

?They look beautiful don?t they?? roshni said looking at jai and bani seated in the pandal performing the rituals?

?Hmmm?They are made for each other?? pushkar said?

?No they are meant for each other?? Roshni said?

Their conversation continued?

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Bani stood by the huge glass-paned window?staring at the twinkling stars?she touched the mangalsutra again and again?it was unbelievable ?she and jai were married?she couldn?t believe that?it was as if she was dreaming?and she would open her eyes and everything would be gone?it took a great deal to convince their parents but they had given in?having no choice left?she kept staring at the stars?when she felt soft thuds of the approaching footsteps of her best friend?her lover?her husband? ?she felt his arms around her waist?he planted a kiss on her shoulder and rested his chin there?

?Kya soch rahin ho?? Jai asked softly?

?Yeh sapna toh nahin hain na?? Bani asked lost?

?Yeh sapna nahin sach hain??

?Maine tumhe booth parshaan kiya na??

?Woh toh hain??

?Sorry?par main khud??

?Ssshhh? Bani bas?ab hum iss bare main aur kuch baat nahin karenga?waise soch rahoon tumhe koi punishment doon??

?Kya??

Jai turned her around and kissed her lips? ?

They lay in each others arms?gazing towards the ceiling?talking?there were a lot of things to be told?to be heard? they had missed six precious years of their lives? ?they had to make up for that? ?

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THE END?

God bless

Dhani

P.S.: Sorry for rushing in the conclusion, but seriously I had nothing left to write?