Hey guys,
It's me, Moon, again! I have written another short story for this holiday season. As some of you already guessed from the title, it's a movie that I watched last year during the holidays'and I really wanted to write a short story'but I wasn't sure! But this time I'm really glad that I'm doing so. The story's plot will be similar to the Hollywood flick "Borrowed Hearts: A Holiday Romance"'but I really wanted it to be Jai Bani style! So here I am....frankly I'm very scared'AGAIN'to post the part'I wasn't planning to do so until I finish the whole story'but I couldn't wait!
Also sorry....because I'm not very good at different religious backgrounds... so if i offended someone ...Sorry!
So enjoy!
And
HAPPY HOLIDAYS=)
Borrowed Hearts...BORROWED HEARTS, KEPT SOULS
Author: Lisa Sanders
I stand back and watch
wanting to speak
wanting to voice my opinion
Knowing, suffering, and blocking thoughts
How we met, oh how strange
I cannot help but to look back on that day
I had you at one point,
But were you really mine?
I felt as if I did not have you for my own
You were not mine to keep
I borrowed you those nights
and I left without a future in sight
My body I gave to you
My soul I kept
But those nights we had
I can never forget
The stars glowed those nights
I could see them in your eyes
and at the end of the night
they disappeared with our
Good-byes
I see you now
I can still hear your voice
Was what we did,
the right choice?
I think back on those nights
and what I thought
when I looked into your eyes
Time has passed,
but memories stand still with time
My memories take me back,
when for a few nights
I felt your borrowed heart as mine.
Memories stand still with time
She stood by the window of balcony, gazing intently at her daughter playing outside with other kids. She sighed as she reflected about how her life has been, and what she had done to deserve a life like this. She hasn't given her 6 year old daughter any happiness in life, hasn't fulfilled her one and only wish. However, she was helpless herself and she hated the mere thought of it. It was almost Christmas'again, like every year, Neha will hope that her wish comes true'but she knew better. She couldn't even get Neha presents, their financial condition was deteriorating badly, and she could barely afford the apartment itself let alone the other expenses. Her job only supported the mere expenses of the household, but she couldn't even leave it as it was the only medium of income. Her reverie was broken as she sensed a hand on her shoulder.
"What are you thinking about?" asked Rano
"It's nothing, just my life. I can't believe it's been 6 years" Bani sighed as they both walked back into the room.
"You have to tell Neha about it someday, and the more you'll wait, the harder it will be" Rano quietly sat beside her on the couch, and offered her some coffee.
Bani took the cup and added extra cream as always. She sighed as she expressed "I know Rano, but how can I shatter her dream, I'm scared of losing her'" her sentence trailed off and her eyes burned with uninvited tears threatening to spill any moment, but weren't as if asking her permission. Finally, she glued her eyes shut and her cheeks were washed with streaks of tears.
"Oh Bani, please you have to be strong, at least for Neha, please baby'don't cry" Rano consoled Bani and crushed her in a bear hug.
"I know, but please just for sometime, I need this now" she quietly mumbled in between sobs.
Rano was her best friend since they met in college. She always thought of her as a sister she never had. She was also supportive with Bani decisions and loved Bani to death. She hated any person who caused her harm. Bani came to Rano whenever she was emotionally distraught, and cried her heart out without the fear of appearing feeble.
"Ssshhhh' come-on Bani now, stop crying, please for me'." She said as she quietly detangled them, and wiped her tears.
"Sorry Rano, it's just that I'm very disturbed, but I'll be okay" Bani knew she was lying about this but she didn't want Rano to have any tension because of her. She sipped her coffee quietly, her gaze shifted to the clock on the wall.
"Oh my god, its 6 pm 'I'm sorry Rano I have to get going right now" Bani quickly paced around to find her stuff and sprinted towards the door to get her coat as it was cold outside.
"I'll go get Neha" Rano briskly slipped out of the room.
Rano could sense the cold outside, as it had started to seep into her skin when she descended her apartment stairs. She spotted Neha playing by herself sitting on the grass covered by richly brown and dead autumn leaves. She stooped beside Neha "Hey sweetie, why are you playing by yourself? Where are your friends?"
"They all left for supper" Neha sadly informed the reason.
"Oh, I see'now its time for our princess to leave as well. Look, your mommy is waiting for you" she pointed at the window where Bani was standing, looking intently at them.
"But I don't want to leave; I want to stay here with you Rano aunty. You always tell me nice fairytales, especially the angel one" she complained
"Hmm, kiddo you're one charmer'but I will tell a secret now, but don't spill it, okay?" she said in a hushed voice, and gawked around before leaning in and whispering in her ear.
"You know, if you want any wish of yours to come true, you have to look for the angel. The angel will always fulfill any wish that have" she said
Neha appeared astonished in excitement and her eyes glistened with spark.
"But how will you spot the angel?" she said
"Ssshhhh'" Rano gestured with her index finger on her lips.
"Sorry. But how will you spot the angel. It could be anyone'" Neha said in a hushed tone
"Okay, listen, when an angel is near us, you will hear music, and angel leave behind sparkly dust" she whispered and picked Neha and took her towards the stairs.
"Really" Neha asked with bewilderment. Rano nodded her head.
They reached her apartment, where Bani was waiting for Neha. She slipped her jacket on, and turned towards Rano.
"Thanks a lot for babysitting her for me" Bani expressed gratitude towards Rano.
"Are you crazy? Anytime for my princess, so I'll see you tomorrow" She pinched Neha's cheek and bent down to kiss her.
"Remember what I said" she whispered
"Okay" Neha concealed in excitement which wasn't missed by Bani
"I think we should go now" Bani reminded Rano who was sulking
"Why do you have to go? Just stay for the night" she questioned
Bani couldn't tell her the real reason that her landlord would be at home asking for rent, or worse maybe throwing her stuff out of the apartment. Rano would be stressed out as hell. It wasn't good for her and she had her own life to deal with.
"Come-on now, Ranveer will be home, do you really want him to hate me? I'm sure he has something special planned to calm you anger since he is running late" Bani joked and teased her
"You know its nothing like that" Rano tried hard not to blush, but it just happened to color her cheeks in no time.
"Ha-ha, just joking honey, we really should go now" she confirmed
They both hugged and said there goodbyes at the door. Bani and Neha descended the stairs, and walked towards their house.
The crispy air outside sliced through their cheeks causing them to gasp. It was a typical weather for Shimla and since it was December, all the shops were lit as well as houses for Christmas and New-Year. Bani along with Neha walked past the shops, savoring the smell of sweets, staring at the dcor of the shops that they couldn't afford. However, that didn't dash Neha's excitement as she hopped around and greeted every shop vendor. Bani, on the other hand, had other things to worry about rather than her surroundings.
"Mom" Neha nudged Bani's hand.
Bani shifted her confused gaze to Neha.
"Mom, what's wrong with you? I've been calling you for so long"
"Sorry, so what were you saying?" Bani walked towards a narrow alleyway alongside Neha.
"When are we getting a Christmas tree? I want the best tree ever" Neha concealed in excitement.
"I don't know sweetie, but I'm sure that Dixit sir has plenty in his yard, so we'll go there" Bani stood to a side and pulled Neha allowing a scooter to pass through.
It was getting dark, but the whole market was lit up like a bride, every shop adorned with lights and decorations.
At last, they reached the end of the dark alley. The apartment houses were old, rusty, and cheap in other words a "chawl". It was also lit here and there. As they both reached their apartment door, a sudden voice stopped them.
"Oh, finally you're here, I thought you ran away by making my job easier" the landlord had spotted them and as he yelled in front of everyone.
"Neha, go inside'" as Bani unlocked the door for her.
"Mr. Sharma, you don't have to be so rude, I have the rent. Please don't yell and create a scene here" Bani was furious but she had to keep her anger in control if she wanted to stay here.
"Oh, I see, now you're going to tell me how to behave with people like you"
Bani was enraged beyond words.
"I didn't mean that, you should'never mind. I'll go get the money for you" she disappeared inside.
She saw Neha, seated on the bed looking scared.
"Hey sweetie, everything is alright, as long as I'm there" she sat beside Neha and hugged her tightly.
"I'll be right back" She got up, took the money from the cupboard and gave it to the landlord.
"And next time, don't take any trouble coming here'I'll come and pay you" she hissed as she shut the door on his face.
After couple of hours, which seemed like forever, Neha finally gave up her requests, had dinner and fell asleep. Bani cleaned up the house, and finally had some alone time for herself. She made herself some coffee, suddenly the phone rang. She glanced at the clock on the left side wall that stated 10 o'clock.
"Hello" Bani made herself comfortable on the sofa.
"Hi, Bani, this is Rano. Why didn't you call me after you got home? I was worried for you".
Rano truly sounded worried about her.
"Oh, I'm so sorry; I was just got too busy with stuff. Anyways, relax, I'm okay"
"So tell me, how's Neha?"
"She is fine, you know her requests about one thing only" she sighed
"Yea, I understand, but just remember what I told you today"
"Yea I will Rano, anyways you shouldn't have called'I hope Ranveer is not mad" she joked
"No-no, he told me to call you" Rano said proudly
"Ha-ha'that's very sweet of him, anyways I'll let you two be'goodnight you guys"
"Good night" Rano quipped and Bani hung up.
----
Rano clutched the phone in her hand until Ranveer placed it back on the receiver.
"Are you alright Rano? You seem really tensed" They both snuggled in the bed sheets.
"Yea, but I'm worried about Neha and Bani'you know how close they are for me'"
"Yes I know honey, so tell me how is Neha?" he asked whilst hugging her ever so tightly.
"She is good like always the same'I really love her'she is the sweetest thing ever"
"I know'I promise we'll have one very soon" he knew her pain.
Rano and Ranveer had been married for almost 3 years and were trying. However, their luck never seemed to be on their side. Ranveer knew how much Rano wished for a child, and her longing was affecting him badly. Maybe adoption wasn't a bad idea, he thought.
"I know, we will'" and she yawned sleepily.
"Goodnight, you need sleep'you look very tired"
They both hugged each other and fell asleep.
----
Bani sat on the couch staring in space; her coffee mug was half empty, thinking about her so called husband.
She met him in the last year of college, here in Shimla. He was a new admission for his last year in college and she was also in her senior year. They got along instantly and next thing they knew, they were dating.
She remembers when Rano got the news, how mad she was that she was the last person to know. However, her anger melted away soon, and she was truly happy for Bani.
The real problem was their parents because Bani Catherine D' Souza was in love with Tarun Kapur. When Tarun found out, firstly he was confused, then mad and scared. His parents would kill him for not marrying an orthodox Hindu girl.
"But your name is Bani'how can that be Christian?" his face was hard to read.
"I know, but my father's best friend is Hindu, so he named me, since I was born on his birthday"
"Dixit sir named me'" she told him.
Bani's parents were friends with people from different backgrounds; however, they didn't have a modern thinking. They also wanted Bani to marry an orthodox baptized Christian.
When their parents found out, they tried their best to stop their kids, but Tarun was determined to get Bani at any cost. Even Dixit sir tried to reason with his friend, Victor D' Souza, but his pleas were heard on deaf ears.
Tarun was truly obsessed with Bani's beauty and hadn't seen anyone like her. They ran away, got married and their parents disowned them. Bani officially became Bani Catherine D' Souza Kapur and her happiness was on cloud nine. But now, it seemed like such a foolish thing to do.
In their early days of marriage, life was blissful and joyful. However, as the days progressed, so did their financial condition along with their relationship. When Tarun found out that Bani was pregnant, after a year into the marriage, his behavior towards her became rude. She still couldn't pinpoint where their marriage turned bad. Tarun was the only earner and whatever he earned; he never gave it to Bani. They often had fights where their neighbors had to intervene to stop it.
When Bani had Neha, she thought that everything would go back to normal. Tarun did become his cheery self again, but it didn't last too long. He often started yelling at Neha when she wouldn't stop crying in the middle of the night.
It was one of those nights, Tarun was yelling at Bani for not taking care of Neha. This time, she yelled back at him, and their fight turned into a major fiasco. In anger, Tarun packed his bags and left the house, never to be heard from again. She wasn't herself ever again, always aloof and lonely. She lost touch within herself.
At that time, Neha was only 2 years old. Since then, every Christmas, Neha wished for only thing, her dad. Except, her hopes were shattered all the time, her dad never came. She knew it was going to happen this time as well.
A tear escaped from her eye, rolled down her cheek, and stood there. Later, others' followed it and Bani was sobbing loudly. She truly missed her parents, but they passed away soon after her marriage, and she blamed herself for it. After breaking and loosing every relation, she got lost in the darkness inside her. She was alive only because of Neha.
She clasped her hands together and prayed to God.
"Please don't let my child's hopes get dashed again'my memories stand still with time and they are just too hard to forget. But, please let my child have the best Christmas ever Jesus" she whispered.
She got up, went to her room and descended into sleep.
Moon=)
Anupamaa
Kumkum Bhagya
