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Kaise Mujhko Mili Tu
Bani looked out into the street lit by the yellow street lamps. The rush hour had subsided long time ago, same as the queues for coffees and lattes in the coffee bar she worked in. Half an hour more and then she could close the shop and go home.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the opening of the shop door. Bani blushed seeing the customer. It was the same man who came in for late night coffee every evening. Dressed in a grey suit, his slightly long hair curling around his neck, he flashed a smile at Bani, showing off perfect white teeth.
"The usual" he said in his soft voice.
Bani quickly made up the order and handed it to him, taking the exact money he handed over. With a nod he turned and walked out. Bani gazed at him, taking in every inch of his six foot frame.. Her dreary day turned into few minutes of delight seeing him everyday. As she gazed today, she saw him wait in the street and then start to cross the street. Next second she saw a flash of car and his body flying in the air and landing on the street. A scream escaped him and she ran out of the street and looked at the mangled body on the road.
Bani rushed up to him and almost fainted at the sight of the blood, "Help!" she screamed. Luckily several people had called emergency and an ambulance arrived in few minutes. Bani locked the door of her shop and stood watching as the paramedics put him on a stretcher and loaded him into the ambulance. As the door was about to close, Bani rushed up and asked if she could come with him to the hospital. The paramedic asked him if she was relative. Bani shook her head and said he was her friend. He had just stopped in for a coffee and was crossing he street when he was hit.
The paramedic pulled her in and it speeded off to the hospital. The paramedic took out the man's wallet and cellphone and handed it to Bani. "Here keep this safe." Bani opened the wallet and looked his name, Nachiket Walia.
In the hospital she filled out the paper using his driver's license and used his visa card to pay for part of the hospital bill. Bani waited outside the operating theatre, biting her fingernails and praying he was going to be ok. Suddenly the cellphone she was clutching rang. Bani stared at the phone and let it ring few times before answering.
"Helloooooooo." She said slowly.
There was a pause and then suddenly a deep voice boomed, "Who the hell are and where is Nachi?"
"Nachi?" Bani asked blankly.
"Nachiket…my brother. He should have been home long time ago." The voice said irately.
It took a few second for Bani to register that she was speaking Nachiket Walia's brother.
Bani panicked, "Oh…Oh…I am…so sorry…I should have…phoned earlier."
"You are not making any sense girl. Speak up." The voice boomed.
"I mean Nachiket is in hospital." Bani said finally.
"Hospital! Why?"
"He had an accident. They have taken him in the operating theatre." Bani finally managed to tell the man.
"Good god girl! And you only just thought of telling me now. Why the hell did you not phone earlier? Now tell me which hospital!" he ordered. Bani quickly told him the name of the hospital.
Before Bani could relax, she saw a group of people coming towards the emergency waiting room. The man, tall, dark and his face looking extremely severe was flanked by a slightly older man with a pleasant face and another, younger, but very good-looking man. Behind him she could see two elderly ladies, an overly made up younger woman and a teenage girl.
The man stopped in front of Bani, "You are the girl I talked to?" he asked abruptly.
Bani nodded. She held out Nachiket's wallet and cell phone to him.
"What's your name?" he asked as he pocketed Nachiket's wallet and phone.
"Bani.." she said in a frightened voice.
One of the older lady came forward and hugged her, "Jai puttar…kyun aise chila raha hai isse par. Bechari kitni dari huwuni hai."
Jai glowered at dadi, "Dadi…isse ladki ne hume phone bhi nahi kiya…acciedent ke bare mei. Aur yeh kaun hai?"
Dadi caressed Bani's face, "Friend hogi apne Nachiket ki. Kitni sohni kuri hai. Meri Nachi ki girlfriend hogi."
The older looking man smiled, "Haan maa, Nachi baat kaar raha tha ki uski special friend hai. Sirf naam nahi bataya."
Jai didn't look convinced. He glared at Bani. "If she was Nachi's girlfriend, why didn't he tell me about it. He always tells me everything."
The older man held his hand out, "Mei…Adi. Nachiket's brother-in-law. Don't get upset with Jai. He is just worried that is why he is angry. Now come let me introduce you to the rest of the family."
While Jai paced up and down, Adi introduced her to masi, who was crying, his wife Jigyasa, Nachiket's older sister and his son Ranveer and daughter Anu.
Immediately Anu hugged Bani. "Oh I am so sorry, you must be so scared for mamaji." And then glaring at Jai, "And bare mama has no manners, shouting at you."
Jai stopped and gave Anu a dark look. Before anyone could say anything else, the operating theatre door opened and a doctor walked out. He looked at all of them. "Are you all here for Nachiket Walia.?"
Jai nodded, "I am his brother, Jai Walia." The doctor smiled recognizing Jai, "Well Mr Walia. We have managed to successfully stop bleeding in his brain. Now he does have some fractures, luckily he escaped spinal injury. We have stabilized him. Just have to wait for him to wake up now."
Jai shook the doctor's hand, "Thank you. Can we see him?"
"Yes but only for a few minutes. They will shift him in intensive care unit soon."
Adi came and wrapped his hand around Bani. "There see his ok now. Come lets go and see him."
Jai rolled his eyes. "Adi. You heard what the doctor said. We can just look and then leave him to rest."
Adi nodded, "Yes Jai. But at least let this poor girl have a look at Nachiket."
After seeing Nachiket and satisfied he was going to fine, the family decided to go home. Masi who had now stopped crying insisted on Bani coming home with them and so Bani found herself standing in the Walia mansion half an hour later. Her eyes boggled at the size of the house and the grand interior. A pair of dark eyes, stared at her suspiciously before walking into his study.
XXXXX
For the next few days Bani was ferried between hospital and Walia mansion by the family. Masi and dadi doted on her…they spoilt her rotten, which bugged Jai Walia. Whenever he saw Bani, his hackles would rise and he would give her dark looks and fire barbs at her. Adi was very considerate; he stayed with her at the hospital as Nachiket had fallen into coma. Bani would sit and talk to Nachiket, tell him everything that happened at home, how she loved masi and dadi treating her as if she was their little girl. She would also complain to him about his brother…Jai Walia.
One evening she was complaining to Nachiket about how Jai had shouted at her in the morning because she by mistake put milk in his coffee, when Jai walked into the room and stood thunderstruck, listening to Bani going on. When he could not tolerate it any more, he strode up to her and pulled her up her arm. "What the hell are you doing?"
Bani stared at him, her face red with embarrassment.
"You are something…god knows how Nachiket fell for you. It's not as if you are Ms India. Look at your damn mousy hair and those piggy little eyes. When I think of Nachiket's old girlfriend Purva…you are nothing compared to her."
Hurt filled Bani as he tore her apart. Tears rose and then fell down her cheeks. She couldn't help it. No one had ever said such cruel words to her. Bani shoved at him and ran out of the room.
"Well done bro!" Nachiket's saecastic voice, dragged Jai's attention to the bed. "Oh my God…Nachi…you are awake." Jai forgot all about Bani and hugged and kissed Nachiket. "Oh…let me get the doctor…gosh masi is going to go mad. She has been worried sick about you."
"Bro…who was that girl?" Nachiket asked.
Jai looked at him with surprise, "You don't know her. We thought she was your girlfriend."
"What's her name? And why am here?" Nachiket asked, gazing around the hospital.
"Her name is Bani. And you were in accident…she brought you here." Jai answered.
Nachiket scrunched his face up, "Accident?"
Jai looked thoughtfully, 'You don't remember? You don't remember Bani either."
Nachiket shook his head. "I don't know…all I remember is I was coming home."
"Well let me fetch the doctor and get you checked out." Jai said as he walked away.
"Bhai…I want to talk to Bani." Nachiket told him.
Jai's face turned grim. He didn't say anything but nodded.
Outside he met Adi, he was sitting consoling Bani, who sobbing rather loudly. "Nachiket's awake…I am just going to fetch the doctor." Jai told Adi and strode off down the hall.
"Now…now Bani. Stop crying. I know it much be overwhelming….Nachiket coming out of coma. Dear you should be happy." Adi assumed Bani was crying because Nachiket had opened his eyes.
Bani continued to cry. The doctor checked Nachiket out and told Jai, he would have to do further tests just to make sure everything was ok. Nachiket asked Jai, "Where is Bani?"
"I will go and get her. But Nachiket you should rest, so don't talk to long with her."
Outside Jai motioned to Adi to take Bani in. Bani wiped her eyes and went inside with Adi. Adi set her down and then smiling at Nachiket, "Hey chotu…good to see well. Now be nice to her…she has been sitting at your bedsides for weeks."
When Adi went out of the room Nachiket smiled at Bani. "Hey…I am sorry bhai was mad at you. He kind of flies of the handle sometimes. You have to tell me about us…I can't quiet remember how we met."
Bani gave Nachiket a shy smile. "It's ok. I am so glad you are out of the coma. By the way I am Bani…we met in a coffee shop. We have been seeing each other for a year now…sort of best friends kind." Bani made up what she could…kind of half truth …half lies.
"You have beautiful smile and your eyes.." Nachiket gazed at Bani's eyes, which were now sparkling with happiness. "They are such a gorgeous colour. That dumb brother of mine. Wait till I am 100%…I will beat him black and blue."
"No…please Nachiket. Don't hurt him." Bani pleaded. She was happy finally to talk to Nachiket…for the last few months she had fantasized…about chatting with him just like this and didn't want to jeopardize anything.
After a while Jai came in and glared at Bani. Behind him masi and dadi came in. Masi running up to the bed, enveloped Nachiket in a hug, "Thank you bhagwan…thank you…you are finally awake…I can sleep peacefully now. How are you feeling Nachiket?"
Nachiket smiled, "Masi…I am fine. Dadi how are you?"
Dadi grinned, "Arey puttar dadi is fit as a horse. But you son…kya drama…Sharukh ban gaya tha…I looked at you and thought…I was watching Devdas. And this pyari…Madhuri…such a sohni kudi Nachiket." Dadi winked at Nachiket. "Jaldi se theek hoja…phir chaadi karle isko…kisse aur isse chura lei isse phele."
Nachiket turned red. "Dadi…you are too much. Let me get to know her first."
Masi kissed Nachiket on forehead. "You can get to know her after shaadi. We know she is perfect for you. Dadi and I have been taking good care of your sweetheart."
Nachi cringed. This was getting too embarrassing. "I think I am feeling tired." He yawned and closed his eyes. And then opened them again. "Sorry masi."
Jai pushed masi and dadi out. "Chalo…lets go. Let him rest." He gave Bani a funny look but did not say anything.
When the door closed. Nachiket smiled at Bani. "Come here. Don't worry about them. We are not getting married until we are sure it's what we want. I am hungry. Do you think I could get something to eat."
Bani stood up, "What would you like? The canteen food sucks at the hospital. I could go home and make you something and bring it back."
"Could you? I feel like some butter chicken, rice and some spicy samosas." Nachiket said closing his eyes and imagining the food. "Done." Bani said and rushed home.
Two hours later, carrying a tiffin, Bani returned back to the hospital. She went into the room and set the food out and helped Nachiket eat. Taking a bite of samosa, he gushed, "Gosh Bani…this is so good. I can't remember eating samosa that tasted so good."
Bani felt pleased, what did they say? A way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Well she was a good cook. Her mom had taught her well. She could cook new food for him everyday and soon have him wrapped around her little finger. She shook her head. That was a horrible thought. She could never do that…it felt like cheating.
Nachiket gave her a funny look, "What's up Bani?"
Bani shook her head and smiled, "Nothing Nachiket…I was just thinking about how you are eating normal food after so many weeks."
Nachiket licked the spoon clean, "This was great. If you keep feeding me like this…I will get fat Bani."
Bani laughed loudly, her cheeks flushed and her sparkling. Nachiket couldn't help but stare at her. Bani caught his look. "What she asked?"
Nachiket said nothing, just picked up her hand and kissed the back of it. Bani's heart fluttered.
Jai caught the look passing between them and his fists curled. If he could help it, he was going to everything to stop Nachiket making a fool of himself over this girl.
XXXXX
Jai sat with Nachiket…it was late night. They were both in his study having a night cap. Jai raised his glass, "here to you Nachi…glad to see back home." Nachiket raised his glass and took a sip, "Thanks for everything bro."
Jai sat down and then leaned over, clasping his hand. "Bani…Nachi you are not serious about her are you. I mean…you are not thinking about marriage."
Nachiket blushed and took a large gulp of the brandy. "I like her a lot bro. She is different. May be it wouldn't be too bad married to her. She is a great cook." Nachi's mind going back to the dinner Bani had cooked.
Jai snorted, "Yeah she can cook…but what about everything else. I kind of have a funny feeling about her. She makes me mad. I feel she is lying Nachi."
Nachiket looked hurt, "Bro…how could you say that. She is so sweet. I know she is not as beautiful as some of those girls you date. But so what? She is a great girl. She gets along well with masi and dadi. She doesn't mind working around the house."
Jai rolled his eyes, "We have people to do all those things Nachi."
Nachiket put his glass down, "Bro…honestly tell me…is there not even one thing you like about her?"
Jai stared at Nachiket and then frowned. He had been so angry with her all the time that he had never stopped to think and take a closer look at her. Suddenly he remembered all those awful things he had said to her. Nachiket watched various emotions fleeting across his brother's face and smiled.
Jai gave a sorry look to Nachiket. "I guess I have been a rude bas***d to her. Thanks for pointing it out."
Nachiket finished off the rest of the drink. "You are welcome. I think I will call it a night. Just one thing bhai. Could you take Bani out to dinner…kind of way to make up for your rudeness."
Jai nodded, "Ok…I will do that for you."
Next day Bani was surprised when Jai Walia smiled at her as she served breakfast. And she nearly dropped the jug of juice when he casually told her he was going to take her out for dinner that night. Bani just looked at him flabbergasted. Masi and dadi beamed with smile. "Jai beta…that is very sweet of you." Masi said. Dadi winked at Bani, "Our Madhuri needs to go for a nice romantic night out."
Jai stifled laughter, dadi already dreaming up things.
In the evening Bani stood waiting nervously. She had gone shopping with Anu and brought a new sari to wear for tonight. Anu had insisted on going to a designer boutique and they had picked out a black georgette sari with silver halter neck blouse. Nachiket had given Anu his credit card and so Bani had almost fainted when she saw the price rung up on the cash register.
Jai came down, dressed in a black suit and black shirt. Bani gulped at the heart stopping way he looked. All thoughts of Nachiket flew out of her head. Jai locked his eyes with her and smiled, "Shall we?"
Masi, dadi and Anu waved her off. "Bye…have a great time Bani." They called out.
The sleek black Porche flew down the highway. Bani clutched at the leather seat, her heart drumming like mad. Jai looked at her from the corner of his eyes and he laid his hand on hers, "Relax…I am a qualified driver."
Bani gave a wan smile and relaxed her hands. In few minutes the Porche stopped in front of a swanky restaurant. The doorman opened the door and saluted to Jai. Inside the manager ushered Jai into a corner table. The room was large and elegantly decorated. The chairs had velvet seats and the tables had exquisite flower vases and silver candles.
"Some champagne?" Jai asked. Bani nodded, "Ok." Her inside were knotting up, a little alcohol should relax me…she thought. The waiter poured out two glasses fo champagne and left the bottle at the side in bucket. Jai handed her a glass. He clinked his glass to her and said softly, "First I want to apologize for my nasty behaviour and secondly, here is to the most beautiful woman in the room." Bani stared at him in disbelief. She did not sipped her champagne, but looked at him. "You told me I was nothing compared to Nachiket's old girlfriend." Bani said quietly.
"True…that was mean of me. But I mean it when I say you are looking gorgeous tonight. You should wear black more often." He lifted her hand and kissed her palm lightly. Bani felt a shiver run down her back. His eyes locked with hers and some hidden message passed between them.
Bani leant to relax and sipped her champagne. The dinner was partaken leisurely. She had already had two glasses of champagne and was feeling very light headed when Jai asked her to dance.
His hand rested on her bare back. Her skin tingled. He felt the little tremors. The smell of jasmine emanated from her skin and did crazy things to his heart. They swayed to the music, eyes locking and lips smiling. When the dance ended, Jai leaned and brushed his lips on hers. Bani closed her eyes for a second and swooned in pleasure. In silence he led her back to the table. Both of them sat silently, gazing at each other.
It was close to midnight when they returned home. The house was dimly lit. everyone had retired to bed. Jai and Bani walked up the stairs together. At the top, Bani stopped and smiled at Jai, "Thank you for a lovely evening."
Jai smiled, "Good night Bani." He leaned over and kissed her cheek.
Bani fell asleep dreaming of Jai.
XXXXX
One month later…
Nachiket and Bani had just returned from a shopping trip. Jai frowned as he saw Nachiket had his arms wrapped around Bani. His heart constricted and Jai felt blood flow a little faster. Bani gazed at him and smiled. Jai turned and stormed into the study. Nachiket had seen the look in Jai's eyes. He dropped his arm…he had achieved his purpose.
"Bani…why don't you bring some coffee for me in the study…make it two…one for bhai too." Nachiket told Bani as he walked off towards the study.
Bani knocked on the study door and then opend it slowly, balancing the tray. Jai looked at her blankly. Bani did not see Nachiket, but she walked in and smiled at Jai. "Coffee…Jai?" Jai nodded and Bani set his mug on his desk. "Where is Nachiket? She asked.
"He said he be down. You can leave his coffee on the table." Jai answered her without looking at her. Bani set the other mug on the coffee table. She was halfway towards the door, when she felt Jai' hand on her arm, "Bani…" his voice was husky and his eyes smoky.
Bani looked down and took a deep breath. Already her heart was thudding against her ribcage. She felt him pull her close to him and then he bent his head and kissed her. It was soft and slow to start with, but when she started kissing him back, he kissed her back harder. Bani wound her arms around his neck and threaded her fingers in his thick black hair.
When he let go of her, she rested her head on his chest listening to the hammering of his heart. She pressed a kiss over it. Jai lifted her head and whispered, "Goddammit Bani…don't do that…you don't know how crazy you are driving me?'
Bani's eyes glittered in low light, she smiled, "Am I driving you crazy?" she asked him softly. In response he kissed her hard. A little moan escaped her when he let her lips go. Bani pulling at his shirt whispered, "Kiss me again Jai."
Jai growled and scooped her up in his arm and sat down with in his lap and proceeded to kiss her passionately. Both of them were too lost, to hear the study door open and few pairs of eyes staring at them. Nachiket coughed loudly.
Jai and Bani sprang apart…Bani falling off Jai's lap onto the floor. She stood up hastily, smoothing her hair and her face turning red. Jai felt his face burn too.
Masi walked in. "Jai Walia…what the hell is going on? Are you taking advantage of this poor girl?" she asked sternly. Her face unsmiling.
Jai shook his head and looked guilty, "No masi. I wasn't doing anything wrong."
Masi crossed her arms, "Jai Walia…you were kissing her…I saw it with my own eyes."
Jai looked down, "Sorry masi." Then he looked up and gave a sheepish smile, "But masi it was Bani who asked me to kiss her."
Bani gasped. Masi glared at Jai. "Well you better get married to her now…since you have kissed. I can't marry her to Nachiket, not after you have already had your ways with her."
Both Bani and Jai gasped. Dadi and Nachiket giggled. "No masi…you can't do that." Jai groaned.
Masi still looked mad, "Nachiket can you phone the family pandit…tell him to come here right now."
"masi…" Jai wailed. Masi just grabbed Bani's hand and pulled her out of the study. "I am keeping her away from you…until you get married. You will not lay one finger on this girl until your suhaag raat." Masi said forcefully.
Later at night masi, dadi and Nachiket had a good laugh in masi's room as they went over Jai's behaviour since they burst into the study. "Nachi…I must say…it was a good idea of yours. Finally we have your brother trapped in marriage." Nachiket hugged masi, "I am so happy. Once Bhai and Bani are married. I can finally propose to Purva."
Dadi clapped, "Two weddings in our house…we are going to have lots of fun."
XXXXX
Two weeks later, Jai couldn't believe he was married to Bani. With his pulse beating wildly, he opened the door to his bedroom. Their in the candle light he saw Bani sitting. Her face covered by the gunghat, her hands full of red and white churis and her red and gold lengha glimmering in the light. He walked in and sat down next to her and slowly lfited her gunghat off. "Bani…" Bani opened her eyes and gazed at him with love.
"Kaise mujhko mili tu…I mean how the hell did all this happen?"
Bani smiled, "It happened while you were mad at me Jai…you were too busy being mad at me without realizing you had fallen in love with me."
Jai smiled and leaned over, pushing her slowly down on the petal covered bed. "did I tell you how much I love you?" he asked.
Bani shook her head. "Well there is nothing else to do but show you how much I love you." Jai kissed her softly, his hands moving over the front of her chest and then sliding down to her waist. With ease, he slipped a hand on her back and tugged at the doris holding her choli up. Bani felt the silk choli slide off and cold air hitting her skin, followed by his hands. She trembled under his caress. Her hands, slid up his back and into his hair, pulling him closer to her. With a groan, Jai laid her down and then swiftly removed his sherwani.
He stared at her creamy skin glowing in the candlelight before leaning over her and pressing him self down on her. The night folded around the two entwined body lost in each other.
THE END.
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