Chapter 1
The smell of the white lilies brought back memories to her. The path up to the house was filled with them. She remembered that they were Jai's favourite flowers. She looked across the immaculate lawns, and discovered that there was a new bed of red roses. She wondered about them, for as long as she lived there, the gardeners never encouraged flowering plants because of their high maintenance and careful upkeep. Obviously who ever's idea it was cared a lot as the roses were stunning, a red so deep that they were almost black, and the fragrance was so strong that it permeated your sense of smell long after you passed them. She wondered if they were dedicated to Meera. It pained her to think of Jai and Meera as a married couple, but such was life. She was not prepared to mourn any longer.
Had it not been for Adi uncle's call telling her about Dadi's health she would not have to WM come at all? The fact that the rest of the Walia's hated her did not change her relationship for Massi and Dadi.
Tony had not expected to see Bani waiting at the front door as a visitor. To him she would always be Mrs Jai Walia. But the recent happenings and the threat of losing his job, prevented him from voicing his opinions, after all he was just a servant.
As he led her inside, she rewarded him with a pleasant greeting and her warm infectious smile. He noted that despite the hardship she had endured at the hands of the Walia's, Bani looked wonderful. She carried herself with poise and grace.
When Jai and Meera arrived from the office, it was Jai that immediately noticed that there was a change in the atmosphere. The large French doors were open, fresh breeze filled the rooms and the rich smells from the kitchen tickled his taste buds. From across the hall he heard muffled voices and occasional peals of laughter. Curiosity getting the better of him, he walked towards the sounds, closely followed by Meera. He was surprised to see that the sounds were coming from Dadi's room. Jai stood at the partially opened door and peered in.
The sight shocked him. There was Massi and Dadi laughing and joking like there was no tomorrow, and it was obvious that there was a third person in the room. Whoever it was must be special, as the silence for the last couple of years was depressing. It was obvious that they were enjoying themselves, he smiled at least they were happy.
Not wanting to disturb them he turned away to leave, when a voice he thought he would never hear again stopped him in his tracks. Bani! Bani in Walia Mansion, impossible. It could never be, he tried to reason, but there it was again, the distinct giggle that had so endured her to him.
Meera had chosen that precise moment to open the door wider, and was shocked to see that it was Bani that was present. When Jai turned around it was Massi that had first seen him, and the laughter died in her eyes. Sensing this Bani stood up and followed Massi's gaze and met the intense brown eyes of her estranged husband. He had aged she noticed and he looked so tired, but Jai Walia still turned heads. He was as handsome as ever.
Jai on the other hand took in the sight of Bani and sighed. She looked stunning. She was immaculately dressed and going by her toned down look, he could tell that she had come straight from work as well. Brown hazel eyes clashed with deep brown ones. The staring session would have gone on for hours, had it not been Meera again, that had broken the spell. Immediately Bani felt like the trespasser, and ignoring both the antagonists in her life turned and focused her attention back to the old ladies. Jai felt snubbed. For 2 years he had pined for her, to see her, talk to her and here she was ignoring his existence.
But Bani was not immune to seeing Jai. She made small talk to the ladies but was acutely aware that he was just mere paces behind her. The shock of seeing him after so long troubled her. She could still feel the strange pull that she always had whenever he was around. She shrugged it off when she saw Meera.
Bani had succumbed to the insistence of Massi and Dadi and decided to join them for supper. Thankfully Jigyasa was not around. Jai was brimming with longing seeing Bani at the dining table. As he took in her presence, he realised that she was exactly where she belonged, amongst the people that loved her, in their home. Bani made no direct conversation with Jai or Meera but neither was she rude or indiscriminate towards them, she just carried on like they were not there.
As the conversation around her continued, Bani shifted her gaze to the staircase that led to her and Jai's room and a whimsical look passed her, tears stung her eyes, and as she returned her gaze to the dining table, she caught Jai staring at her intently. For a brief moment all conversation was blocked out as she and Jai stared at each other egging each other on to remember things long gone. His eyes flicked, shadowing his own feelings. Meera's discreet cough brought her out of her reverie, and once again Bani was reminded of her place.
Suddenly she felt stifled and like an intruder. She had no right thinking of such things any longer. She was no longer a part of the family and this house, and certainly no longer a part of Jai's life. Abruptly she made her excuses to leave. As Jai was washing up he thought of the woman that had occupied his mind and heart for such a long time. He noted how beautiful and breathtaking she looked, and how her presence at WM felt so right. Hastening he rushed out, he wanted to speak to her, no he needed to speak to her.
He needn't bother, she had already left. Amazingly the old, stale atmosphere returned, and dejectedly he turned to his study. He would not be able to sleep in their room tonight, the memories were too painful.
As Meera prepared for the night, her thoughts went back to Bani. The looks she and Jai shared did not go by unnoticed. Bani was a beautiful woman, and from what she saw she was quite nice too. It was plain for all to see that the estranged husband and wife still cared for each other, so what had caused their separation? She hoped that Jai would value her friendship and open up to her.
She too felt the distinct change in the atmosphere when Bani was there, and as for Mr Walia, why it was the first time she saw him take his meal at the family table!
But what really baffled her was Bani's indifference to her. She made no attempt to make conversation with her and when she tried she was subtly rebuffed. That unsettled her, and she vowed that she would get to the bottom of it.
Jai sat at the sofa, looking out to the same gardens that Bani was admiring a while ago. His eyes settled on the red rose bush, and noticed how for the first time in 2 years they had blossomed so abundantly. He could smell the fragrance through the open windows and inhaled deeply. He remembered getting the trees 2 valentines ago.
Flashback
It was Valentines Day, and Jai had driven from florist to florist trying to locate roses for Bani. But the demand on that day far out did what the suppliers could provide. Dejectedly he drove home, and to his delight spotted a nursery on his way. In desperation he bought the rose bushes roots and all, eager to show Bani that he was just as romantic as the youngsters of today. It was only when he parked his car, armed with his precious plants and called out for her, did he realise that she was no longer with him.
It was Tony who rescued the discarded plants the next morning and made a bed for them, unknowingly in front of the windows facing Jai's study.
It was so uncanny that it was 2 years later, when Bani visited that the trees were in such full bloom. Perhaps they too longed to flower for the person they were intended for.
When Jai came down for breakfast the next morning, the usually noisy table grew hush. They did not know what to make of his renewed enthusiasm, good mood or the stark red rose bud pinned to the lapel of his suit!
Chapter 2
Bani did not understand anything that anyone was saying to her. Her mind was totally focussed on the file she held in her hands. For months she had worked so hard to win the approval of her seniors and the male dominated board of directors that refused to listen to any of her proposals. Now out of the blue they were singing her praises and congratulating her, when she looked up, her unabashed tears were met with nods of approval. It was only Aprajit Deb that grinned knowingly. The girl deserved it.
He remembered the day he met Bani. She was one of 30 or so that had applied for the position as assistant project manager. While men and women alike bombarded him with the successes of his company, Bani had focussed on his failures and provided reason why they failed and suggestions of how they could have been rescued He was intrigued, but he could tell that the predominantly male board of directors did not appreciate a waif of a girl telling them or rather pointing out their failures to them.
But AD as he was called liked what he heard and certainly what he saw in Bani and being a major shareholder hired her. Bani's diligence and knowledge for her work, proved them wrong, and today she made good on the decision he had taken.
As soon as she stepped out of the boardroom she rushed to the confines of her office, and closing the door behind her slid to the floor crying her eyes out. Bani remembered the same proud look Jai had given her when she excelled in her work while she was at WGI. His mentorship was excellent, and her enthusiasm edged him on to teach her more. In a short space of time they had become such good friends. Then as circumstances would prove their relationship changed from, friend to wife, hate to love, and then again from love to hate. Seeing Jai yesterday brought back painful memories that she had locked away, hoping never to retrieve them again.
She could have cried last night, but she did not want to upset Rano and Varun. They too had threaded the same stormy waters with her, and had finally found peace and acceptance in their lives.
She was working robotically the whole day, ignoring the gnawing feeling of nostalgia and longing for the man she so desperately tried to despise but failed.
But the boardroom scene was all too much for her, as she grappled with mixed feelings and long lost needs.
It was useless trying to ignore the ache she felt on seeing him. They had been so happy and content, and for them or especially her, Jai was her first love.
Life with Jai was everyday a day in heaven. They had been through so much, and when they finally dispelled all the hurt, lies and deceit they found a renewed and passionate love and need for each other.
Jai managed to surprise her with his need for her, both physically and mentally. He was an excellent lover, and thought her how to please him in the most sensitive and passionate ways. Whilst she was the chatterbox, Jai was the quite observing partner who took joy in her enthusiasm and gaiety. But when he was serious he had to look at her in a certain way and she understood him perfectly.
She loved how he would tease and annoy her, making her blush profusely with the suggestive looks he shot her, in full view of everyone present.
Bani thought that she and Jai lived in a perfect world, until the fiasco with Daksh and the entry of Meera in their lives. There was so much of doubt, mistrust and lies that was fed to him, that he became irrational and reckless.
She admitted that her behaviour too added much angst to an already fragile situation, but it was when Jai had brought up all her past mistakes, shortcomings and indiscretions that made the situation untenable.
That was the day Bani decided that living with Jai and the Walias, was no longer an option.
WGI
Jai reached into his briefcase and retrieved the picture he gazed at every night.
"Bani", he sighed, ask me why I keep on loving you when it's clear that you don't feel the same way for me... the problem is that as much as I can't force you to love me, I can't force myself to stop loving you".
It was the same mantra he spoke everyday to the lifeless picture for the past 2 years. Today however it was more heartfelt, and today the image that stared back at him was not lifeless, seeing her yesterday brought renewed life and hope to him, it seemed as though he felt her presence in the frame.
Jai thought back to the time when everything fell apart in his life. Bani was acting rather strangely. She would leave the house and return late into the night. Still he gave her the benefit of the doubt. She never failed to shower her love and attention on him when she returned. They were still as much in love as they ever were. However it was when Jigyasa stated hinting at Bani's indiscretions and character that he became enraged.
He had no reason to doubt Bani, but when the accusations became serious her silence irked him. He knew she was not one to retaliate and prove her innocence to anyone, least of all him, but her stubborn resolve to keep silent allowed suspicion and doubt to overcome him.
In an effort to clear her name, he hired a private detective and the shocking feedback and proof that he received, infuriated him. He felt betrayed and used. The photographs proved fatal in the breakdown of their marriage.
The vile and contemptuous things he said to her could not lessen the disgust he felt for her. So enraged was he that no amount of explanation from Massi, Adi or anyone else for that matter could calm him down.
In his outburst and his need to vindicate and destroy her he raked up all their painful past and laid the blame for everything at her feet.
2 months later after he had unceremoniously threw her out of his house and his life, the truth about Daksh revealed itself. Daksh and his family came looking for Bani to thank her for restoring his health and emotional breakdown. Jai was sceptical at first, assuming it to be one of Bani's ploys to redeem herself.
But it was the same damned photos that proved her innocence. Daksh presented albums of pictures of himself and Anamika when they were young, at college, at parties, and on their wedding day.
He read the newspaper article of their accident on their wedding day. The clips of the accident scene, Anamika's lifeless body being lifted into the ambulance, and the obituary that was placed in the papers. Medical reports proved Daksh's mental state, his refusal to believe that he had lost his beloved wife, and the world he escaped too. Seeing such a resemblance to Bani, brought about a change in his catatonic state, and with the help of his parents she finally agreed to help in his recovery.
It was at the request of the doctor and Daksh's parents that Bani kept silent. It was crucial to his treatment that she re-enact Anamika so that Daksh could recover. Despite what Jai believed, she did tell Massi, Rano and Adi about it. Jai was away most of the time that month on business, so Bani thought it best to keep mum about it to Jai. Besides Daksh's progress was so good that it would have been a matter of days when things would return to normal.
However Jigyasa had used the information and their secrets to distort the truth and lead Jai astray. He was livid with her, but angrier with himself that he could believe such lies. The pain that he inflicted on Bani and her character was unforgivable and unthinkable.
Unfortunately the time that he took in establishing truth from lies was too late. Bani had left, so did Rano and Veer. For months he tried to locate her but to no avail. She had disappeared from his life forever.
Or so he thought, until yesterday when he glimpsed renewed hope.
He needed to see Bani again. He wondered if she felt the same.
Chapter 3
Bani threw her entire being into the project that she was entrusted with; she did not want to be a failure. AD was a generous and kind man, who had placed faith in her abilities and she did not want to disappoint him. The same was with Jai; meeting, conferences and office politics robbed him of his much needed personal time. But he had a responsibility to more than 300 employees and their families and he knew that he could not fail them. The only thing that got him threw the day would be copious amount of coffee that Meera provided and the determination to finish the monumental task at hand.
Adi felt the pressure too and Jai knew he had to make some decisions. At the next board meeting Meera was promoted to events co-ordinator and Ranveer was in charge of the finances. In this stressful time Jai missed the efficient Pushkar and Bani and wondered how it had all gone wrong. Thinking about Bani, he realised that days had passed so fast that he was unable to get in touch with her.
3 months later:
In different parts of the same city Jai and Bani celebrated their successes and allowed themselves to take much needed breaks.
Bani was sad to leave Rano and Varun behind, but Varun started a new school and Rano had joined a reputable firm of attorneys. She was happy though that apart for their personal lives, at least their professional ones were moving in the right direction.
Bani had always wanted to visits Mauritius. Jai had always promised that one day he would take her there, but the opportunity never presented itself, and then it was too late. She was fascinated with the place, especially the rich multi-racial and multi religious citizens that she encountered. As the taxi made its way to her hotel, she took in the sights and sounds around her. Surprisingly it reminded her of India but the sea what was she was most attracted to. She loved swimming, but there were not many occasion when she could enjoy the sport she so loved. Perhaps it would be different here she thought.
Bani was used to seeing beautiful hotels. Her ex-husband was in that industry and she had visited many of them with the Walias. But it was never for pleasure; it was always for a function, party or conference. Now she saw more than the conference rooms and foyers. She felt like a little girl going for her first holiday, and realised that she was indeed going for her first holiday! Everything fascinated her.
But it was her suite that had made the most impression on her. She was amused, thinking that their entire 2 bed roomed apartment could fit into the suite, and there was still place for a magnificent bathroom with a Jacuzzi to boot.
It was almost close to dinner time and Bani decided to take a long refreshing bath and then go down to the restaurant she spotted downstairs.
The receptionist blushed at the handsome man standing before her. He smiled as she fumbled with the papers and pens trying to locate his room. Sensing her agitation he smiled, and walked away pretending to make a call. The manager was surprised to see Jai Walia standing in his foyer. It was so seldom that he visited, and was more surprised to learn that he had /not made any prior arrangements. Assisting his harried worker he managed to speed up the formalities and before long Jai was on his way to his suite.
Jai knew that he caught the staff off guard, but he did it on purpose. He looked forward to being away from the office and people that knew him and who would ultimately seek his opinions on business matters. He wanted to be just as ordinary as any other holiday maker and was pleasantly surprised that the service was good.
Refreshing himself he proceeded to the restaurant to have his dinner.
End for now.
Please comment.😉
Jai and Bani meet: On neutral grounds what happens next.........
