A Tear in the Wind: https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1069888
SS : The Everlasting Love : https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1065677
Kasamh Se https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/929115/ff-kasamh-se-ch-51-end-pg-116-updtd-on-25-9
The Captured Heart: /forum/kasamh-se/1026470/ff-the-captured-heart-ch-18-pg-45-last-chapter
Chhoti si mulakat : https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=999441
A New Dawn : https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=974981
The Phone Call : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/910155/ff-the-phone-call-epilogue-pg-52 Dil Ki Suno : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/874713/ff-dil-ki-suno-epilogue-pg-53 Eternal Soulmates: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/869198/ff-eternal-soulmates-ch-5-pg-7-end The Flowers of Spring, https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=853938&T PN=1
Ek Kashish: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/830952/ff-ek-kashish-ch-20-and-epilogue-pg-58 The Crushed Innocence :https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=800150& TPN=1#13464286
The Destiny: https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=779329&T P
Ankho hi Ankho me: https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=738121&T PN
Woh Raat : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/731347/ff-woh-raat-chapter-6-pg-10-last-ch
Anokha Rista (https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/712391/anokha-rishta-chapter-18-and-epilog-pg42).
Chhoti si aasha https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/672677/ff-chhoti-si-aasha-ch29-and-epi-pg-76:
Kuch Achhe Kuch Bure (https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/641995/kuch-achhe-kuch-bure-ch-24-and-epilog-pg71); Thori si bewafai (https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=615869) Kuch Rahen Anjaani Si (https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/573991/ff-kuch-rahein-anjaani-si-ch-36-pg111): Contract Heir: https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=536274&T PN. Return of Bani Walia, https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/515481/return-of-bani-walia-note-on-pg-31: :Business Tycoon Jai Walia marries a Mt Abu Girl(https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/486636/business-tycoonjw-marriesfinal-prt-pg64). Mai Apke bina nehi reh sakti hu (https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/457994/mai-apke-bina-nehi-reh-updt-pg-11-pt-ix)& Finding Bani (https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/469208/finding-bani-ff-part-viii-page-8).
The Christmas Cake
Jai Walia watched the city below. The city was getting prepared for Christmas, people were going in and out of shops for their last moment shopping. Carrying their bags of various size and shapes they were hurrying towards different directions, towards the tube station, car parks, bus stops, to get home in time. Watching the scene from top in one of Toronto's busiest commercial complex & city centre in Yonge Street, Jai felt a pang of jealousy. While he saw his office getting empty earlier than usual, he did not have any place to go....his sister was married and settled in India. A couple of times he suggested his desire to go and visit them during this time of the year, only to be said, Oh Jai Bhai you should have said earlier, this is the best time in India to have a holiday and we are taking the children for a short holiday before their school reopens, quality time for family....so next year he invited them for Christmas, Jai Bhai at this time of the year in Canada, it is so cold there, no we will stick to our summer visits....but Jigyasa during that time I am usually busy with office and this is the time we really have no pressure at work, I can give you sometime.....
Don't worry Jai Bhai we know our way in Toronto so even if you are busy we will have no problems. Life has changed drastically after the death of his parents 5 years ago in an unfortunate car accident. Suddenly he seemed to be left alone in this world, his sister Jigyasa with whom he shared all dreams and aspirations while growing up having very little or no time for him. These 5 years have been terrible and he missed his parents especially during this time when the whole country was virtually shut down celebrating their biggest festival he sat at his bungalow or in office sipping a drink or coffee, watching TV. Even if he was seeing a girl at that point of time, he usually ensured that she spends sometime with her family, after all Christmas was meant to be with family. This year there was no girl, he broke up with his last girlfriend 2 months ago so even on 26th he will be alone. The very thought made Jai more lonely...whereas during his childhood it was a very special affair. Diwali was a big festival during his childhood back in India. They got new clothes and toys for Diwali but since he and his sister studied in Christian school they knew about Santa Claus, and his visits to small children. Invariably they would put up their stockings and tried to remain awake to see the Santa coming. Everytime he came late only after they fell asleep inspite of trying hard to remain awake, giving them their gift, something they needed or wanted which was missed out during Diwali....
Usse patah kaise chalta hai, that I need this, Jai wondered to his sister but she, two years elder than him inspite of pretending to know about the world was clueless. Jai still remembers the day, when his sister came home one day a year or two later to say, there is no Santa Claus, woh mummy / papa hi dete hai....the myth was broken, the charm lost...but nevertheless they had cake from the local bakery, the best Christmas cake he ever had, no cake in the world tasted like it. He visited various parts of the world, having cakes from different speciality shops. The last time he had that cake was the year before he left for USA, for his higher studies, he was about 18 and now at 36, it seems a long long time back almost previous birth. Today on 24th December he had to come to office, there was some urgent unfinished business he had to complete so that his offices in India & China could work as they only are closed for 25th only. He was apologetic to his staff who came to join him and promised them an extra day leave on 27th knowing very well he will be joining office on that day itself. Two days in the house alone is more than enough for him....they too have left around 3.30 in the afternoon. Now at 5 he was watching the scene below, wishing he too had some presents to buy for his near and dear ones....
Oops sorry, I did not know you were still in.....
Jai turned to see a young lady in her cleaning overalls was standing at the door of his Chamber
What are you doing here...he asked the girl...
The girl looked down at her uniform it is obvious isn't it as if she wanted to say....
I mean today is 24th shouldn't you be on leave....
What difference does it make ....I mean I did come to clean yesterday but since your people were working late I was asked to come later, now if I do not clean today when the offices will open on 27th, it will not be a pretty sight with overflowing waste paper bins, dirty pantry, not to speak about the toilets....
I am sorry...I mean you had to come on a holiday...Jai apologised like the way he was doing the whole day to his staff...
Oh don't worry, I have no family here, live alone, I wouldn't have been doing much otherwise except for watching TV and munching titbits'the girl informed him while clearing the bins, tidying his room'
Just like me, thought Jai'.Where does your family live'.
India'the girl pushed the sofa in place'.I study in the university'.
Oh I see, I also belong from India'.Jai replied excitedly'
I know, the girl stated flatly, I mean you are the CEO & Owner of one of the foremost companies in Canada so being a fellow countryman I do feel proud'she disposed the soiled paper coffee cups etc., making a face at the stains the spilt over coffee left on the glass table'.
Are you? Jai asked'.
What? The girl looked up confused losing the link of the conversation'
Proud of me?
Isn't it natural as fellow Indian, wouldn't you have been? She asked in turn'
Your work here as the cleaner and study in the University'means hectic life, doesn't it hamper your studies'
Well my parents are not millionaires, my scholarship takes care of my studies and rental but I do need money for my daily needs and I am not the only one doing it, you know'
Of course I do but cleaning can be labourious job'.the girl dropped the duster, came and stood in front of him'.
It sure is but 3 hours in the evening is fine with me, the agency is considerate. I do not do all the floors and the supervisor is kind enough to give the executive floor and the top floor having meeting rooms'.today I will even get overtime, what more can I ask for'.she raised her brows'
Jai smiled, the girl was pretty and self-confident, was even not awed by his status and looks as often is the case'.
Bani is it, he read the badge'.
Yes Bani Dixit, she replied, nice to meet you Mr Walia'.she extended her hand'it was warm and soft'.
Glad to meet you Bani'..Merry Christmas '.
Merry Christmas Mr Walia, she picked up the cleaning equipments and went towards the door'.
Err Bani, I gather you are alone in the evening and my family too is in India, I mean I could not visit my sister this Christmas, so would you like to join me for dinner'.
Bani looked down at the overalls and she was wearing a jeans and top inside, nothing special'.
I mean I would love to but ''
If I arrange everything here'..he waited'.
She nodded her assent'.
Theek hai, I will see you in one hour from now'.is it okay with you say around 6.30'..
One hour it is then she replied before pushing the cleaning cart away'.
Yepiee he jumped, picking up his overcoat and muffler'now he too can join the shoppers, he too has a reason to shop'.
++++
Bani stood in the locker pealing her overalls, inspecting her jeans and the top, it was a gift from her flatmate for the Christmas. A hand embroidered with colourful motives'.well not bad, quite suitable infact to go for a last moment dinner appointment with a CEO'Bani thought putting overall in the locker when her hand encountered a packet' she had baked for herself after Annie left yesterday to be with her parents'. she was feeling lonely without her so she baked something to keep herself busy planning to sit at Bay Street on the corner bench and have it with coffee after she finished her work; to watch the lights and feel the festivities around'she took it out, after all you cannot go empty handed to a Christmas invitation, it is not in our culture she reasoned'..
+++
When Bani entered Jai's chamber it was lit with candles and smelling of good food'.
Wow Mr Walia, apne toh kamal hi kar diya'.
Well Bani it is Christmas after all'he pulled out the chair for her to sit'
As Bani sits Jai opens the wine bottle'.Bani looks around the candles burning, the sky beyond mystic with stars sparkling, other days are so busy there is no time to stop and enjoy the ambience around'..
They talk about their childhood, about celebrations of various kinds during their growing up years, life then and life now, how things have changed, how they hardly have time to enjoy the basic joys of life, both get lost in their thoughts'.
Even the silence was enjoyable but then it was already late, around midnight - Bani thanks for joining me for dinner and making my evening enjoyable, I really appreciate your gesture, here is a small gift for you Bani'.he holds a small packet'.and here is something for you Mr Walia, Bani hands over hers'.
For Bani it was a watch, the brand name of which shocked her, I cannot accept something so expensive Mr Walia she looked up to see his eyes closed and savouring the piece of cake she presented him'..
Just that taste, simply too good, he murmured'.where did you get this Bani, I have been looking around half of the world for a cake like this after the bakery where I grew up closed down, Jai opened his eyes'.
I baked it in the morning, she said and then shouted 'White Christmas''.running to the window'.
The snow was falling silently, the sky was navy blue, streets white, the place deserted, shops lit up with strings of light'.just like the picture post card Papa used to get during this time of the year'.Bani thought, now people send emails'.she sighed'sliding the glass to open the window slightly'.putting out her hand to feel the snow'.
It is white Christmas Jai, she said hearing footsteps behind her'.
Another hand joined hers, Merry Christmas Bani, a voice whispered in her ears'..the end'..
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Anupamaa
