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Gen 5 Manifestation and Prayer and Wish Thread
Rashmika and Vijay Wedding Thread
Ram Gopal Varma - Dhurandhar Vs Toxic
Entry No. 1
Jai Walia was sitting on the lonely beach. The Christmas Eve party was in full-swing in his Beach Resort in Goa. Here he was sitting in the beach' staring at the waves of the sea. The happiness and enjoyment of the party did not creep inside him.
Suddenly, he heard rustling of sand behind him. He turned back and groaned. 'Why can't one leave him alone?' he shouted in his mind. When the person came near, he frowned. That was girl wearing white long skirt and red short tops over it. She did not look like any of his employees. When the girl looked at him, she stopped in her tracks.
"Do you mind company? Or you wish to be alone?" The girl asked politely.
Jai took a deep breath for a second, then said, "This beach doesn't belong to me."
The girl was taken aback. "Why do you want to be rude?" She asked back.
Jai sighed, "I am sorry'"
"It's okay." She said and sat a few steps away from him.
There was silence for a long time. The string of silence was broke by the ringing of the mobile.
The girl looked at him. Jai fished out the mobile from his pocket in frustration. He looked at the name displayed on the screen and made a disapproving sound. He pressed the 'silence' option and put the mobile back into his pocket. Then, as an afterthought, he took it and switched it off.
He heard the girl saying, "It might be an emergency!"
Jai sighed and gave a disapproving look at the girl and started to stare back at the waves. "If you don't know what's happening, its better you don't open your mouth."
The girl glared at him. 'Is he always this rude?' she wondered in her mind. The course of hotel management had taught her patience.
There was silence for sometime. The silence was again broken by the ringing of the mobile.
The girl attended the call. "Yes, Raashi." "I am sitting on the beach." "Please, understand Raashi'" "I was feeling bored. And you know, I don't like parties." "I understand Raashi." "Please'" "Okay, don't worry about me, I will be back soon." "Yes, before you go back to the room. Alright?" "Yep. Bye'" "Enjoy'." The girl ended the call.
After sometime, she heard the man asking, "So you have come to the Beach Resort for the Christmas Eve party'?"
She frowned. After being so rude, why was he trying to bring up a conversation? But she did not want to be impolite (like him!) She answered, "Yes."
Jai said, "Why come for a party, when you don't like it?"
The girl said, "Do I have to answer it?" Jai raised his eyebrows. She answered, "I don't have any choice. I happen to work there."
Jai just nodded. Then, went back to stare at the sea. He heard the girl asking, "Can I ask you something?"
Jai turned to look at her. "If I say 'No', won't you ask?"
She said, "No, I won't." She suddenly got up and dusted the sand out of her skirt. She heard him saying, "What do you want to know?" She kept silent for a minute. Then asked, "Are you always this rude?"
Jai was taken aback. 'Shock' was clearly written on his face. It took few seconds for him to compose himself. Till date, no one had ever insulted him in such a way. He was aware people used to call him by various name, but that was behind his back! He was brought out of his thoughts and shock by the girl's voice, "I asked you something?" Jai looked at her face straightly and said, "Yes." Now it was the girl's turn to get shocked. Jai got up and dusted out the sand particles. "Any problem?" he said and started walking.
The girl frowned. She followed him behind. "Yes, I have a problem." She said.
Jai frowned and sighed at the same time. He stopped and turned back to face her. "And' what is it?"
The girl said casually. "You don't have any right to be rude at me."
It was the way the girl said that made Jai look at her properly. He looked at her face, which was trying not to give out any expressions. He asked slowly, "What do you want?"
The girl did not expect this question, it seemed. She was taken aback. She calmed and said, "What can you give me?"
Jai looked at her from top to bottom. The girl frowned. She became uncomfortable in his gaze. Jai's lips curved in spite of himself. He asked, "What do you want me to give?"
The girl thought for a second. Then, she frowned, "I am sure, you cannot give me."
Jai took a deep breath. "And. And why is that so?"
The girl took a deep breath and folded her arms. "Because, I want you to get wet in the sea with me."
Jai's eyes widened and the girl raised her eyebrows in question. Jai folded his arms and said, "Why would I do that?"
The girl said, "Because I am asking." She dropped her hands down and said, "So, ready?" She looked at him from top to bottom. He was wearing a formal business suit with scarf. "In that case, you will have to remove your coat." She knew very well she was trying to be bold that too with a stranger, which was really not her character.
Jai brought his hands before her. "Listen. First of all, I am not going to get wet. And second, so there is not need to remove my coat."
"I told you. You cannot do it." The girl said. "Anyways, it's just' people say that we need to wet our feet if we land up in sea or river." She smiled. Then she said, "It's nice meeting you." Jai nodded his head. The girl said, "Bye'!"
Jai said, "Not that soon." The girl frowned in question. Jai said, "I see that you have not yet wet your feet." A smile came in the girl's lips. Jai offered his hand. "Shall we?" The girl kept her hand on his. Jai smiled. They walked few steps. Then suddenly, the girl stopped and removed her sandal and started walking carrying it. They reached the shore. She dropped her things down on the sand shore. "One minute." Jai said and removed his shoes and socks. He placed them on the shore along with his watch, wallet, mobile and removed his coat and his scarf too. He removed his cufflinks and folded his sleeves. He then turned to the girl and said, "Come on'!"
They both started walking towards the sea. First, they waited for the waves to wet their feet. When they didn't, they took few steps towards it. After few steps, the waves landed on their feet. The girl left Jai's hand and ran into the sea. Jai watched her excitement with a smile. She signaled his to come and join her. He shook his head and signed her to enjoy. Suddenly, he saw her falling down. He ran into the sea to grab her out. When he reached near the spot, he found her standing less, coughing more. He immediately dragged her out of the water. She was still coughing. He stroked her back. Besides coughing, she started to shiver; thanks to the chilly weather. He shook his head and went to grab his coat. He covered her with his coat. She raised her hand in a thankful gesture.
Jai said, "So, happy?" little sarcastically.
She looked at him frowning as if asking 'For what?' as she was still coughing.
"Look at me. You have successfully drenched me in water." He muttered.
She looked at him and started to laugh all of a sudden along with coughing. Jai was amused. She said, "You *cough* know wh *cough* what *cough* My friends *cough* *cough* if they see you *laugh* in this state, *cough* *breathing* they would have said *cough* 'You look hot! *cough*" and she started to laugh. Gradually her coughing died.
Jai was left jaw-dropped. Look at the guts of this girl - She made him get wet, no correction, get drenched, and now she is teasing him! He was frustrated. He wiped his face with his hand and said, "And you know what? All I need now is a glass of brandy."
She stopped laughing. She blinked at him. "Brandy?!"
Jai completed his sentence. "To cool my temper'"
She said, "Oh!" She looked around. Her eyes caught something. She looked at him and said, "Would you mind walking?"
"I am sorry?!" Jai said.
She pointed at a place behind him. Jai turned back unwillingly. He could see a lighted church behind all the trees. He turned back to her. She said, "Christmas Eve! So I guess we can get brandy over there." Jai nodded his head unwillingly. "Shall we?" She said in the same tone as Jai said before. Jai started to walk. She shook her head smilingly, collected their things and followed him.
After they had covered some distance, Jai said, "What if, I take advantage of you'" He paused to look at her reaction and added, "Right now?"
She stopped on her tracks shocked. She looked at his expressionless face. She looked around her. She thought for a while. Then said calmly, "You won't." Jai raised his brow in question. She answered. "Simple fact. You already had enough of time to do that. But you didn't."
Jai nodded his head and walked forward. She followed him. After sometime, they reached the Church gate. The Christmas atmosphere was evident. A decorated Christmas tree with lights, stars, poinsettia, chocolates, candy canes, gifts and presents, etc with mistletoe hanging here and there at the entrance, a bonfire type of fireplace on one end of the church with people sitting around singing Christmas carols
, people praying inside, a depiction of the birthplace of Jesus Christ, busy shops in a small lane ' It was a perfect Christmas atmosphere.
"WOW!" She exclaimed looking around. "It's so beautiful!!"
Jai smiled shaking his head. He led her to the fireplace. He made her sit in a bench over there and said, "Let me go and buy a brandy or beer bottle." She nodded her head giggling. He frowned and turned back. He took only few steps and swore, "Dammit!!! My wallet!" He turned back to find his wallet in her hands. He walked to her and snatched it from her hand and mumbled, "Thanks." And left the place. She looked at his retreating back.
***
Bani had never met a man like him. She was brought up in a secured family life. She did not have much exposure with men. In fact, she had always stayed away from men ' All thanks to the girls' school and College. Only in her course of Hotel Management, she got a chance to move with men. She has been posted at Walia's Beach Resort for her Internship along with few of her classmates. She would be completing her Internship program by the end of this month. Till now, she had a great time in her Internship ' Thanks to her roommate, Raashi. This was the last week of her Internship. She would be leaving after the New Year. And she was happy. She had been selected by the Recruitment Team in Walia Groups of Hotels and she was offered a position of Junior Hotel Manager in the Beach Resort. She would be joining from the month of March.
She had started to like the place ' Goa. More Christians and Tourists. Her only problem was with food. Being a vegetarian, she was finding difficult to cook by herself and the cost of the vegetables were high.
She had come to beach when the Christmas Eve party was in full swing in the Resort. She was tired with helping and supervising the decoration of party hall. She wanted some fresh air. And she came to the beach, only to meet a middle-aged man, who was rude, arrogant and unfriendly, but he was not unapproachable. Till now, he had been polite to her. She smiled looking at his retreating back. He was really something, she thought. She then started watching the people singing Christmas Carol happily. Her feet tapped automatically and her hands clapped spontaneously.
When Jai returned back with some chocolates along with beer can, he found her sitting along with the young people in the crowd and waving her body and head along with them according to the tune. Jai smiled, the next second, he shivered. He immediately went near fireplace beside her.
She smiled at him. "Hi!"
Jai just nodded and stuffed the chocolates into her hands. Bani raised her brows in question. Jai made an expression as if telling, 'Can't you see?!' Bani narrowed her eyes in disapproval. Jai swore under his breath and took the chocolates from her hand. He then offered it to her. Bani glared at him and got it from him. Jai thought, 'why the hell did I get chocolates for her?' in his mind.
Bani started to eat the chocolates and Jai opened the can and started to drink.
Bani spoke. "I am seeing Christmas celebration for the first time. And I feel so good." Excitement evident in her voice.
Jai sipped his beer. He asked casually. "Christmas celebration in Goa is always very special. So, you don't belong here?"
Bani bit a piece of chocolate and said, "Nope."
Jai nodded. He remembered something and asked, "You said you are working in the resort, if I am not mistaken."
"Yep. But, yet to join as permanent employee. Right now, I am on an internship programme." Bani said.
"When are you joining?" Jai asked.
Bani turned and looked at him. She asked, "Don't you think, you are asking so many questions about me?"
Jai sipped his beer and said, "Actually no!" Bani glared at him. Jai continued, "I happen to be the owner of that resort."
This time, Bani was shocked. "You must be kidding!"
Jai laughed slightly. "Really! Why would I?"
"I have seen his Jai Walia's photograph." She argued.
Jai sighed and took out his wallet. He took out his PAN card and showed her. Bani looked at it and blinked her eyes blankly.
"Now are you clear?" Jai asked. He then asked casually, "Back to our previous conversation. So, don't you think I have the right to know about my employees?"
Bani turned away her face. She mentally kicked her brain for not getting his introduction earlier. She was embarrassed to the core. She did not know how to face 'her boss'. Then she frowned. 'Wait a minute! What did she do wrong, by the way?' she asked herself. 'He looked different in the photograph! He looked more stern in there!' She argued.
Jai was busy watching the people dancing around. When he realized, he did not get any answer from her, he asked, "What's wrong?"
Bani shook her head. "Nothing."
Jai took a breath of cold air. "Are you wondering how to talk with me now?"
Bani frowned. "Do I need to?"
Jai raised his brows. "Don't you?"
Bani said, "I don't think so."
Jai nodded. "I am glad." He went back to look at the dance. "So, you will be seeing the same Christmas next year too?"
"Yeah. I am joining in March." Bani said.
"Do you like this place?" Jai asked.
"Mmm' I am'" Bani said. "Chocolates?" she offered. Jai took one. "Do you come here every Christmas?" she asked.
"Not every Christmas. Depends on my schedule." Jai said. "Do you like your workplace?"
Bani looked at him and smiled. "Do you think I will answer this question?"
Jai threw a looking as if saying, 'Why not?'
"You happen to be my boss." Bani said.
"So? That doesn't mean you should not answer this question." Jai said.
Bani nodded. "You are right." She bit another piece of a chocolate. "Well, this is my first experience. So, there is no chance of comparison." She paused. "Actually, I like this job. I always wanted to go for hospitality industry because it suits me, my nature and moreover, that is what I want to do. I like meeting people. I like helping people. To some extent, I am good in managing people ' Thanks to my sisters. So, overall, no complaints or regrets. Maybe, this is because I am working as Intern. So, let me wait and see what happens when I join as an employee." Bani spoke truthfully. Jai was watching her intently. He could see that she was speaking her mind. Jai felt jealous. Bani asked, "Why do you ask?"
Jai kept looking at her, but did not answer her question. After sometime, Bani lowered her head. They did not speak for a long time.
Jai asked, "Don't you feel you are missing something?"
Bani frowned. "No, but, why---- Like what?"
"Anything'" Jai said.
Bani thought for a while. "Do you miss anything?" she asked.
Jai took a deep breath. "I think so' I am not sure." He said. Bani did not say anything, but let him speak. "You know what,-- what's your name?"
"Bani'"
"You know what Bani, sometimes, I feel suffocated while working. There is always a portion of my mind, which is always restless. I don't know what to say' but'" He left his sentence unfinished.
Bani spoke softly after sometime. "You badly need a vacation." Jai let out a dry laugh. Bani continued, "Yes, you need a vacation. Go somewhere you have not been to. Or, go somewhere you would like to go to. Don't think anything. Just enjoy."
This time, Jai laughed. "Do you think, being the CEO of the company, I would be able to do it?"
Bani argued, "Why not? You are still a human being. You can't deny it."
"It's easier said than to be done." Jai gulped the last portion of the beer.
"Then, what are your employees for? You have trained them, you are paying them. For what? Just to do the work you have allotted? Don't they have their own brains?" Bani said.
Jai smiled at the usage of her words. "You are insulting my employees."
"No, you have spoilt your employees." Bani said.
Jai laughed. After sometime, he asked, "So, what now?"
Bani sounded bored. "Nothing. Just that you need a vacation."
Jai gave an expression as if saying 'Can't you leave it alone?'
The mobile rang. It was Bani's. Bani excused herself and attended the call. "Haan, Raashi'" "Actually, I am in the church." "I think I have come a little far." "No, no' I can manage'" "Yes, don't worry for me." "Yeah, alright." "Bye'" She ended the call.
"Let's make a move'" Jai said and stood up.
"Yeah'" Bani said and collected the things.
By then, their clothes had half-dried. Bani gave Jai's belongings to him. They started walking.
As they exited the Church premises, Bani said, "It was nice meeting you, Mr. Walia."
"Thank you. But it was pleasure meeting you." Jai said.
Bani smiled in reply.
As they walked, Jai wondered, when was the last time, he had taken a vacation' he could not remember. When was the last time, he spoke out his mind to someone' he could not remember. When was the last time someone criticized him' he did not remember. Except Masi, nobody had the guts to do so. He had been avoiding her lately as she was seriously behind him for getting him married. Jai smiled in his mind. He looked at Bani. She seemed to be thinking about something seriously.
"What's going on in that small brain of yours?" Jai asked.
She did not answer immediately. She took her own time. Then she started speaking, "Some things. Firstly, I am still in a daze that I have met 'Jai Walia', that too catching him off-guard." She chuckled. Jai too chuckled. "Secondly, I am surprised ' A person who has been handling his business successfully for the past ten years, tells me that he is missing something. Thirdly, I am wondering, how come I have spent the last couple of hours with a person, whom I hardly know, which is bothering me because, I am not that of an extrovert. And fourthly," she paused. She stopped. Jai looked back at her. She smiled and said little loudly, "I don't know why I am so happy today' I mean, my mind is bubbling with happiness that' that I want to open my mind and dance through this shore'" she said spreading her arms wide.
Jai looked at her for sometime ' her eyes were closed and her arms were spread. He went to her and took off his coat still draped around her. Bani opened her eyes. He dropped his coat on the sand. He took off all his things (her mobile and chocolates too) and put them on the top of it. He offered his left hand and said, "Come Bani, Let's dance'" Jai knew he was not a dancer. But, he wanted to share her happiness.
Bani did not react for a second. Next second, she smiled widely and gave her hand to it. They swayed their bodies slowly with the sound of the waves. They both looked into their eyes as they swayed. They moved close to each other's warmth as minutes passed. Bani felt after a long time that Jai had shed all his inhibitions and he was moving with her freely. She wanted to touch his cheeks, but she held back herself. She did not want to cross her limits.
Jai felt relieved' liberated' He felt happy that someone was making him feel normal. He was relieved realizing the fact that he too can be normal' Just because he is 'Jai Walia', he cannot stop being 'Jai'. Suddenly, he knew what he missed' he knew what he wanted. But what he wanted right now was the company of this girl, who was dancing in his arms.
"Kya mera intezaar karogi?" Jai asked all of a sudden.
Bani was stunned. She managed to smile and asked, "What??"
Jai came near her and cupped her face. Bani went uncomfortable. She looked at his cupped hands through the corner of her eyes. Jai waited till her gaze returned back to him. He slowly lowered his head and pressed his lips on hers. The next second, Bani gasped at this sudden action and closed her eyes. Jai kissed her bottom lip, then her top lip. He raised his head and looked at her; her face with eyes closed with a dreamy look. He brought his lips again on to her lips and pressed a kiss on it. He raised his face and held her arms.
"Mera intezaar karogi na?" Jai said softly. Jai's voice made her open her eyes. She opened her eyes slowly. The desperate voice, his expecting face; she looked at his eyes searching hers for an answer. She just hugged him tightly. She did not know what to say. She did not want to answer negatively, but she cannot say anything positive too.
Jai hugged her back. Jai understood her dilemma ' after all, who was he to ask such thing from her and he should not expect such things from her too. Being just a stranger, whom she knew only for few hours, how could he expect her to answer his question? But, he would be glad to see her after he had achieved what he wanted.
"Don't say a word. I understand." He pressed a kiss on her still wet hair.
After a long time, Bani raised her head and asked him, "Why did you ask such a question?"
Jai held her chin and smiled. "I want someone to witness my life. I want someone to know I live my life. I want someone so that I could live my life." Bani went restless. Jai smiled and continued, "I won't force you. Main tumhara intezaar karoonga'" Bani did not say anything, in fact she did not know what to say. Jai continued, "You know what, you are my Christmas present this year. Thank you." Bani smiled a little. Jai spoke, "I realized what I have been missing. I will get that and come back. I don't know how long it would take, but I want to do it. And you, for you' I will come back. I am not saying I love you or I have fallen in love with you, but you made me feel something. I want to give it a chance. I will come back every Christmas to you' for you' here' to this beach' I will come only when I have achieved what I wanted and only if' if I love you. And I want you to come here every Christmas Eve, only if you realize you love me. Otherwise'" he left unfinished. He released her from his hold. "I know I am asking for too much. You might think, we would not be suitable ' our status, society, work and not to forget, our age." He smiled and then said, "I don't want you to come for me. You need not come for me. I want you to come for you' with your will and wish' Decide by yourself. Do you understand?" He bent down and picked all their things and at last draped the coat around her. "I will always cherish this night. Thank you, again." He kissed her forehead and looked at her still shocked and stunned face. "Come, let's move." He put his arms around her and walked towards the Resort.
As they entered the gate, Bani stopped. Jai frowned. Bani stammered. "I' I' My quarters is over there'" she pointed a direction.
Jai looked at the pointed direction. "Oh!"
Bani removed the coat and gave it to him. She smiled hesitantly at him and walked towards the direction pointed out by her wondering how so many things could happen in one night. Jai watched till her figure disappeared in the darkness. He then turned to enter the resort to go back to his suite wondering whether he would see her again.
***
After 3 years, the day before Christmas:
Bani looked at the guests' list for the umpteenth time to see whether the name was there. But it was not' Towards the evening, all her hopes died. 'He did not come this year too'' it ached her mind. She looked over the decorations of the party arranged on the occasion of Christmas Eve.
~ * ~
She spent a sleepless night after entering into her quarters that night. She was very disturbed. She did not know how to react. Later, she explained herself that it could not be real; Jai Walia, he nearly proposed her! No, it couldn't be'! She told herself that the evening was an evening with the stranger, who managed to enter into her mind. But he couldn't be her prince, who would sweep her away' She remembered the kiss ' the tenderness of it. She remembered his words. He had asked her to decide. It was an open issue. She would take her time to decide.
Next day, she learnt that Jai Walia had checked out. She thought, 'Well, the brief affair had come to an end.' She spent the Christmas day with her colleagues.
She left soon after the New Year to her college to submit her internship report. She went back to Mount Abu to see her parents. She enjoyed the two months with her parents and sisters. It was a complete family time. Jai did not even come to her mind often. She joined her work in the month of March. She concentrated well on her work. As she had already been well-known with the working of the hotel, she was able to pick up her work very soon. She went to language classes to learn foreign languages to increase her productivity. She had her first promotion after 10 months, in the month of December. She was promoted to Assistant Manager ' Hotels. She was happy that her passion, interest and career were one.
During the Christmas Eve Party that year, she had invited her family to come over there as her sisters were having her holidays too. Her family was happy that she was working in such a big hotel. Bani came to the party along with her sisters, Rano and Pia. Pia was excited seeing the party. She joined the dance floor. Bani made sure none of them went beyond Port Wine. Later, when Rano started getting bored, Bani went to fetch Pia. Pia said, "C'mon di, I am seeing such a big party for the first time in my life. I don't want to miss it. It might not make a big difference for you as this is the second time you are enjoying Christmas Party in Goa. Please Di, let me be'." Pia's words brought back the memories of previous Christmas Eve. She shuddered. She composed herself and left Pia in Raashi's company and went to Rano. She remembered his words. She wondered whether he would be waiting for her. By then, she had reached Rano. She smiled. Bani said, "Come Rano, let's go back." They both left the party hall. When they came out, Rano said she would like to see the beach at night. Bani stopped breathing for a second. She did not want to disappoint Rano. So she took her to the beach. When they reached the beach, her eyes automatically went in search of him. She couldn't find him. She let out a breath of relief. But somewhere deep inside her mind, she was disappointed. She stayed with Rano for sometime and they both retired to the quarters.
Since then, there was a constant question nagging her mind ' Did he not love her? The memories of the night came back to her whenever she came to the beach. She remembered the whole time she spent with him. She realized many things which she did not notice at that time. She remembered what he said, "I will come back. I am not saying I love you or I have fallen in love with you, but you made me feel something. I want to give it a chance. I will come back every Christmas to you' for you' here' to this beach' I will come only when I have achieved what I wanted and only if' if I love you. And I want you to come here every Christmas Eve, only if you realize you love me. Otherwise'" She did not understand what he meant by 'to achieve what he wanted'. She decided, may be, he did not love her. But the thought hurt her. She remembered his words, "You know what, you are my Christmas present this year. Thank you." She laughed out sub-consciously. May be, it was just a fling to him.
Next summer, when she went to her home for vacation, her parents brought up the subject of marriage in front of her. She did not know what to say. Suddenly, Jai's words rang in her mind, "Kya mera intezaar karogi?" "Mera intezaar karogi na?" That moment, she realized, he was residing in her mind without her knowledge. She told her parents that she would like to work and she did not want to marry at least for the next four to five years. Her parents agreed to it as they knew very well, she was still young. But Bani wanted to understand what exactly she was thinking and what exactly she wanted.
The next six months, she came to know about him professionally from the senior staff members and his personal family life from the Reception and Restaurant Department. She read about him in the magazines, newspapers and internet. None of the sources made any sense to her because none of them explained his behavior that night. She remembered his kiss. Whenever she remembered his kiss, her fingers automatically went to her lips to touch them. She remembered him saying he was missing something. She frowned thinking what it might be. She wondered he went for a vacation as suggested by her. He was rude to her, then distantly polite to her, then distantly friendly to her, then suddenly, he became close to her; in fact intimate would be the right word. That instant, she realized she meant something to him and he would definitely come back to her. So what if they were socially apart, economically apart, not to mention the age difference, he would come back to her. The realization brought tears in her eyes.
That Christmas Eve, she took a long time to decide what to wear. At last, she decided to wear an off-white sari. She took a shawl too as the weather was chill outside. She was happy thinking she might be meeting him that night. She went to the beach as the darkness started to set. She went and sat in the beach. There were so many people still walking on the beach. She did not mind. All she expected was to see him. She smiled to herself so many times wondering how different it would be when they both would be meeting this time. It would be entirely different from that happened two years ago. As the time went by, doubt started creeping into her. As it crossed 10 o' clock, she started to cry silently. She returned back to her quarters at midnight. She fell asleep as she cried.
Next morning when she woke up, she tried not to remember the previous night. But his words echoed in her mind, "I will come only when I have achieved what I wanted and only if' if I love you. And I want you to come here every Christmas Eve, only if you realize you love me." She realized it was an AND condition, not OR condition. Now the question was what he wanted to achieve. But deep inside her, a voice said he would definitely come back to sweep off her feet. She still had hopes. How could she not, when she had realized she loved him'
~ * ~
Bani was so busy with the preparations and arrangement for the evening that she did not get enough to get ready. She just wore a pink salwar and draped her shawl and left for the beach. She did not have high hopes this time. She was here because she loved him. She was yet to know his mind. She sat on the beach staring into the sea. The moon had risen. Full moon day was approaching. The waves were higher too. She lost the track of time listening to the waves. The people started leaving.
She was brought out by a deep voice. "Do you mind company?" Bani stopped breathing for a second. She turned her head to see whether it was the person speaking or it was his voice echoing in her mind. This time, the voice was indeed coming from the person. She sat rooted to the spot looking at him. She still wanted to believe he was indeed there. His voice called her, "Bani!" For the first time, he was calling her. A smile slowly came on her face. She held out her arms. She did not have the strength to stand up on her own.
Jai lifted her to her feet. Bani's eyes roamed all over his face. She was waiting for him to say something. Jai's eyes drank at her presence. He wanted her to be there, but was not sure of himself. He stroked her hair. He smiled at her. She immediately hugged him tightly. Jai hugged her back. Bani broke into sobs. Jai let her cry. As her sobs died, she heard Jai saying, "I love you, Bani'" softly into her ears. Bani gasped and her sobs stopped. She raised her head and looked at him. He cupped her face and said again, "I love you, Bani'"
Bani's lips slowly curled into a smile. Jai smiled with her. They both hugged each other. Bani felt happy placing her head on his chest. She kissed on his chest and placed back her head. Jai patted her cheek as she did that. Only after a long time, the sound of the waves reached Jai's ears. He looked at the sea and smiled.
He released her from his hug. Bani just stared at him. All of sudden, he carried her and walked towards the sea not minding Bani's shriek. He dropped her into the water. Bani's jaws dropped. She heard Jai saying, "People say that we need to wet our feet if we land up in sea or river."
Bani's eyes widened. She glared at him and caught his leg all of a sudden and dragged it. Jai lost his balance and fell down. Bani broke into laughter. Now, there was nothing to lose as they both were wet. They both played in the water for a long time.
Suddenly, Jai swore, "Dammit!"
Bani stopped and came to him, "What happened?"
Jai took his mobile from his pant pocket. It was completely wet and there was no display. Bani did not know what to say. "I am sorry'" she said.
Jai frowned and looked at her. "Why are you sorry? I just forgot everything looking at you." He looked at his mobile and said, "It doesn't matter. We will get a new one." He smiled at her. Bani smiled. "Come'" He held her arm and they both walked out of the water. Jai sat on the sand and made Bani sit close to him. Jai put his arms around her and said, "You didn't ask me why I did not come the previous two times'"
Bani said, "I came only last year'" she said slowly.
"And, I wanted to come both the times'" he said softly.
She raised her head and looked at him, "And you didn't come'"
"I wanted to come when I was sure that I have no other responsibility'" Jai said that earned only Bani's frown.
~ * ~
Jai was happy that night when he reached suite in spite of Bani not saying 'Bye' as she left. Jai understood what he was missing. As Bani said, he needed a vacation and he wanted to do things which he had never done before' never done before. He had fulfilled many responsibilities given to him; now it's high time he thought about his life. He had decided long before that marriage would not be feasible in his life' but today, being with Bani' he realized what he was missing' a company' in fact a companion' with whom he could share his thoughts' with whom he could share his feelings' with whom he could share his fears' with whom he could share his complaints' with whom he could share his happiness' He felt twice as much happiness which sharing Bani's little happiness. He smiled. Bani' A couple of hours had made the difference of a lifetime. She was indeed an angel sent on Christmas. He chuckled.
As he changed his dress, he planned what he wanted to do. He switched on his mobile and placed it on the night stand. He called the reception and asked them to make arrangements for him to return the next day.
From the airport, he called his widowed childless Masi in a village near Chandigarh and informed him that he would be visiting her within the next two days. His Masi was delighted. Later, he called Aditya, his brother-in-law and informed him that he would be returning that afternoon and he wanted all the family members to be there at home in spite of anything that evening. Aditya agreed.
In the evening, he informed his family members that he would be going on an indefinite vacation and that he would not know about his time of return. The family members were shocked. Aditya asked about the reason. Jai just replied that he wanted a vacation. He allotted each of them a responsibility. He resigned from the position of CEO and said, he would continue to be one of the members in the Board of Directors. He transferred all his shares to his sister, brother-in-law and their children keeping only 20% in his and his Masi's stake. Aditya did not agree to it. Jai said, "It is supposed to happen one or other day. Why not now?"
Aditya said, "Why now?"
Jai thought for a second. "I, too have a life Aditya'"
That was enough to put an end to further questions. Jigyasa was more than happy. At last, the property had been transferred to her and her children. What more she needed to ask for?
Jai completed all his paperwork and formalities the next day. He departed for Chandigarh the following day.
His Masi was happy to receive him. Only two days later, Jai told her that he had come for an indefinite visit. Masi was more than happy this time. He stayed at home enjoying the food and the climate. It was middle of winter. The cold weather need not be mentioned. He went for walk in the field in the mornings and evenings. Slowly, he started to help his masi in maintaining the accounts pertaining to the farming. He was at last freed from his business suits. He enjoyed staying in simple kurtas.
As the night set, Bani's face would come in his mind. Her words rang in his mind. "Are you always this rude?" "You badly need a vacation." "Yes, you need a vacation. Go somewhere you have not been to. Or, go somewhere you would like to go to. Don't think anything. Just enjoy." "You are still a human being. You can't deny it." How true her words were! Those were some casual and normal words' But it contained a lot of truth.
Days went. He started enjoying the simple life. He gave a lending hand to Masi to handle the people and the accounts.
After nearly one month, he told Masi, "Masi, I want to stay here' with you' Can I?"
Masi laughed and said, "Why not? Who is stopping you? But I tell you, you will get bored here easily."
"Why will I? I am helping you in your work, Masi'" Jai said.
"But you are not doing any full-fledged work." Masi pointed out. "And, you don't have the habit of staying idle, I tell you."
Two weeks later, a land came for auction. Earlier, Jai used to participate in the auction to buy the land to build hotel in that. Now he went to be just a spectator. Later, as the prices were called out, something struck in his mind. He too, called for a price. At last, he won the auction with a marginally higher price than the market price. Masi was surprised. She did not ask any question. She knew he would come to her eventually. Jai applied the loan from bank staking his company shares. Hence, it did not take a long time for the loan to get passed. He collected the sample and sent to the Agricultural University for the soil test. When the results arrived, he came to Masi. He told her that he was planning to do agriculture and that he would need her help.
Masi looked at him and asked, "Why?" Jai did not understand her question. Masi repeated, "Why do you want to do it? And' that too suddenly?"
Jai remembered what he told Bani "I want someone to witness my life. I want someone to know I live my life. I want someone so that I could live my life." He turned to Masi and said, "Masi, I want to live my life' I don't want to regret later."
Masi looked at him intently. "Are you regretting now?"
Jai smiled sadly. "Masi, I feel I missed a lot of things in my life' I don't know whether it happened knowingly or unknowingly. I don't want to miss anything more in my life'"
Masi teased him, "Hmm' Why the sudden realization?"
Jai just smiled.
Masi frowned and asked, "So, when am I going to get a chance to meet her?"
Jai was surprised. "How did you guess correctly, Masi?"
"This is not a rocket science. Answer my question, first."
"I have not decided, yet'" Jai said.
Masi looked at him intently and said, "Don't delay much'"
Jai smiled at her concern and said, "She knows me, Masi'"
Jai slowly started the agriculture. He divided the land into different portions and cultivated different kinds of crops. Slowly, he rotated the cultivation each time. He did not aim for the export or import. His first and foremost concern was to repay the loan. He cultivated according to the demand and scarcity. That earned him small profits. It took him more than two years to repay the loan. He did his work besides his Masi's.
When the first Christmas came, he was not in a position to leave his first cultivation and go. Even if he went, there was nothing for him to tell her. What was the use of proposing, when he himself was struggling?
The second Christmas arrived. There were losses in the crops in that region due to heavy snowfall. He could not leave the people and go. At that instant, he decided, whatever it might be, he would definitely go to see her the next Christmas Eve.
Masi was concerned with him not contacting the girl. Jai just smiled and dismissed her worries.
The next year, with good rainfall and the increase in demand, the harvested grains were taken over by the government at a marginally high rate. The farmers over the region were delighted.
This year, he did not want to miss the Christmas Eve Celebration. But there was delay in the departure of the flights due to fog. So, he was not able to catch the flight to Goa from Mumbai at the correct time. Now, he had come to meet her hailing a cab.
~ * ~
Bani heard to him patiently. She asked him, "Don't you have any regrets?"
Jai was surprised, "For what?" Bani did not answer. Jai said, "Look Bani, half of my life is almost over. I have no clue what I did in this half of my lifetime for me, except for the business and taking care of the family. The coming half I want to live for me' my life' with you'" He paused and asked, "Will you marry me, Bani?" Bani looked into his eyes without saying anything. "I promise' I promise Bani' I will keep you happy' Will you marry me?" Jai said.
Bani buried her face in his chest. "Will we be staying in Chandigarh after marriage?"
Jai got his answer. He brought her head more closer. "Yes'"
They stayed like that for a long time. Bani whispered, "Make sure we marry soon'" Jai raised her head and looked at her face. Bani said, "Aur intezaar nahin hoga mujhse'"
Jai nodded and brought his lips on hers. This time, when he kissed, it was full of passion. His hands roamed all over her body as if dancing to the tune played by the waves'
~ * ~ The End' ~ * ~
"Stop it Bani" Rano di screamed when I tried to shift my position. I had been sitting on the chair for the past one hour, while Rano di worked on my hair and Pia di painted my face.
"How long will it take for you to fix my F hair? It's been more than an hour already" I complained. I was really regretting my decision on giving consent to my two 'adopted' sisters to do my makeover for the Christmas party tonight.
"For goodness sake Bani, It's just been ten minutes! Now quit fidgeting" Rani di snapped at me pulling at my hair. Ten minutes? Damn it! I swear it felt like an hour has passed!
"Really Bani, can't you stay still while we do our work" Pia di slapped my hand when I tried to reach out to get the candy cane sitting on the dresser.
"Fine" I growled and gave a long frustrating sigh and waited patiently for them to finish their work on me.
It was 24th December, and like every year, my best friend Muskaan Rusell's Parents,(who also happens to be my godparents) held the Christmas Eve party at their mansion. It would be after three years that I would be attending this party, as I had been always away on holidays but this year I was forced to stay back home! I knew it would be as grand as every year and this year I wanted to shock everyone, give them something to remember this Christmas Eve party. And so we planned, me, Muskaan, Anu, Pushkar, Laxmi, Rano di and Pia di, after a long discussion and throwing in ideas by everyone. It was decided that it would be my makeover, from the tank top and overalls to a beautiful reddish dress, from curly unruly hair to long silky waves and from a clumsy arrogant teenager to a graceful young lady. And we knew it would shock everyone, there will be reporters waiting and watching to write the shocking news and we planned to give them just that. Till now everyone knew me as the tomboyish, arrogant and pampered daughter of the handsome sly businessman Aprajeet Deb Dixit. Now they were in for a shock, but that was not all, I also had a dare to fulfill, this time our victim was Anu's Mamaji, the Jai Walia. Tonight, I not only had to present myself as a beautiful young lady but I also had to kiss Jai Walia at the party, in front of everyone. The reason? Nothing. It was all just for fun! To perform one more stunt, to annoy and distress one more person! It was just unfortunate that this time it was Jai Walia who was still single and not ready to mingle. My job was to just give the man a little kiss which might lead him to become more romantically involved with women rather than be surrounded by files and meetings''''
"Wow! Thank you my adoptive sisters" they both rolled their eyes at my mention of adoptive, poor girls still living with the notion that they are not adoptive. "I look like an Angel from heaven" I exclaimed as I admired myself in the mirror'. Well maybe more like a devil in disguise of an angel!
"No need to thank us Bani, We were just embarrassed to have such a ragged looking sister following us to such parties" I glared at Rano di, she just grinned at me'..
"Ahhh" I screamed when I staggered in my walk down the stairs. I had never worn any heels in my life and now I had to F walk on this F heels.
"Bani, stop walking in such a way" Pia di screeched seeing me trying to walk like she does but obviously it wasn't working!
"It will ruin the whole act if you walk in such a disgraceful manner and keep staggering" Rano di pointed out as she steadied me from another close fall.
"urgh!" I stomped and nearly fell again.
"Just let it go, Bani, don't try so hard. Just walk as you always do" Rano di advised while Pia di blanched at the mention of my usual walk.
"Get off my hem! I nearly fell on my face!" I screamed.
"Who are you screaming at?" Pia di asked me.
"My feet" I answered
Pia di blinked at me, I blinked back at her, she blinked back at me, I blinked back at her again and we all just stood there blinking back at each other.
"Hurry up! We are already late" Rano di yelled at us. I quickly wore the black shoes and together we skipped on towards the car with me still staggering, the dress was too long, it kept tangling in shoes''..
*****5 minutes later*****
It's the most wonderful time of the year.
With the kids jingle belling,
and everyone telling you,
"Be of good cheer,"
It's the most wonderful time of the year.
There'll be parties for hosting,
marshmallows for toasting and
caroling out in the snow.
there'll be scary ghost stories and
tales of the glories of Christmases
long, long ago.
It's the most wonderful time of the year.
There'll be much mistletoeing
and hearts will be glowing,
when loved ones are near.
It's the most wonderful time of the year.
I was driving on safely, listening to Christmas Carols, minding my own business when I heard the loud police siren behind our car and as expected Pia di shrieked and started with her nervous blather.
"Oh' my God! We are going to go to jail, oh'my god'. We will have to live in that cell amongst rats, and roaches. It's all your fault, Bani! Oh.. my god' the police will beat us up' oh..god' oh.. god' I told you no-
What the F! It had been her who was complaining and urging me to drive faster, and now she goes on to blame everything on me! Bi$$h!
"Shut up" I yelled stopping her from her blathering. I pulled over the car on the side, hurriedly unbuckled my seatbelt and Pia di's, unfortunately she was the one sitting on the passenger seat, her whole body shaking, I seriously wished it had been Rano di instead of her.
"Pia! quick! shift on to the driving seat" Rano di yelled from the back and I quickly leaned over towards Pia di's seat.
"quickly!" I snapped, understanding Rano di's plan and seeing the officer getting down from his jeep, it was our luck that the car had black windows which disabled the outsider from glimpsing the faces of the insider.
"What the hell are you trying to do Bani?" Pia di asked as I buckled my seat belt and told her to do the same.
"You were driving the car" Rano di answered her instead, her eyes turned wide and she started shaking again as understanding downed on her.
"Oh' no' no'. I can't do that, why not Rano di" Pia di protested, we could see the officer slowly walking towards our car.
"Just play along" Rano di said in a calm and even voice so very opposite of Pia di's who was having a nervous breakdown. I shook my head in frustration seeing how Pia di was in such array over such a small thing! I seriously wouldn't have put her in such a situation if I had my license but unfortunately I was still not of age to drive!
"Oh'god'oh'god" Pia di started again with her blather, jumping back at the knock on her window.
"Oh Matarani' oh' Ganpathi'. oh' Kalima'.oh'god" she kept chanting all the god names as she slid down her window.
"Your license, Miss?" the officer asked, his eyes gazing at us all, I consciously wrapped my red velvet shawl around my bare shoulders.
"License?" Pia di question with confusion on her face, I kept my face straight trying not to laugh at her dim-wittedness.
"Driving License, Miss" the officer explained.
"ermm' y-yah'. J-ju'.just' le-let m-me'. g-get'i-it" Pia di stammered her shaky hands reaching out to take the bag from my hold. She shakily started searching for her license, lipglosses, foundation, eyeliners, and many other beauty products came out of the bag'. even tam-'. Yah that too'. and birth control pills to which Rano di raised her eyebrows'. All throughout the search Pia di kept muttering "it was here'. It's here'. Just a min" The officer waited patiently writing down something in his notepad.
"Ah' found it!" Pia di exclaimed holding the license in triumph as if it was a medal! The officer took the license and examined it "the insurance papers" he asked.
"Oh'y-yah' j-just' they' we-were here'. j-just a se-sec" she stammered again, opening the drawer in front of my seat, papers fell down at my feet, Pia di leaned down and started picking them, went through them all and finally found the needed papers and handed it to the officer. I and Rano di sat quietly at our seats, silently watching Pia di shake and the officer analyzing us three in the car. It was hard to keep the straight face and control the laughter that was bursting through me at seeing Pia di's actions.
"Why were you driving in such speed?" He asked, his tone stern, his eyes staring at Pia di in anger.
"er'erm'.it gets you home faster" yes' that was the answer my idiot sister gave the officer, throwing a sheepish smile at him. I couldn't stop the giggle that burst through me at her answer; even Rano di was laughing and soon the officer joined in too while Pia di stared at us in confusion.
"You youngsters!" he said shaking his head, still laughing and writing down a speeding ticket to Pia di.
"I hate you Bani!"
"The feeling is mutual sister" we were now on our way, Pia di got her first speeding ticket! Poor her she was still shaken from the whole incident; I never realized just how police phobic she was'..
In ten minutes we reached the Rusell mansion. I handed her the key card and Pia di quickly parked the car in the private family garage of the Rusell's. I being Muskaan's best friend had certain privileges! The three of us stepped down and walked towards the entrance'..
Was I nervous at what I was about to do? No. Was I excited about performing yet another dare? Yes! Was I having doubts on flirting and kissing Jai Walia? Nope. Why? Because it was not my first kiss, and it will not be the first kiss between us. He had kissed me before once but that had been a long time ago' many years had passed since then'.
"Bani!" Anu screamed throwing her arms around my neck and embracing me in a tight hug, Muskaan and Laxmi followed her. I was crushed in between the three in a group hug, unable to breathe!
"Anu! Muskaan! Get your hands off of Bani, you are all ruining her hair and dress." Rano di screamed while Pia di tried to pry away everyone clinging to me.
"Sorry" they sang in unison. They stood there surveying my new look, Anu and Laxmi had their eyes wide open at my beauty while Muskaan told me how stunning I was looking.
"You look gorgeous Bani" Muskaan commented kissing my cheek. I smiled in appreciation.
"I love that Rosary, Muskaan! It's beautiful" I exclaimed as I touched her rosary, it really was very beautiful, the cross had small diamonds in a diverse sequence. Now don't expect me to go into a detail speech on what everyone was wearing and carrying, because I am not going to do any such thing!
"Finally we see you in something other than overalls and you finally combed your hair" Anu voiced, and then she always complains on why she couldn't be my best friend. The Bi$$h! Laxmi nudged Anu to stop her from commenting further. Muskaan held me back from advancing towards Anu.
"So are you ready for it" Muskaan asked in excitement. Apparently they were all standing outside waiting for us, well'. it wasn't like they hadn't seen me in the new form, I had tried the dress on in front of them, and they had all been there with me when I was getting my haircut and all the facial, threading stuff done but I guess they were still somewhat taken aback at my beauty'..
"H Yah" I exclaimed giving her a high five. I was ready for the act to begin, I could feel the excitement running through me and I knew others were excited as well.
"Alrighty! I am going to head on now. Let the action begin" I called as I ran up the stairs to make the grand entry. I was too excited and in my hurry took large steps up the stairs skipping one two steps'.. and when I finally reached the top, entered the main door, took the first two steps, that's when my stupid traitorous long dress and my feet cheated me because my left foot stepped on the front hem of my dress and I staggered slamming hard on someone, the force of which had me falling back hard on the floor. It took me total of two seconds to realize that I had fallen, a man's shadow lumbered over me, a silence fell around me, and my grand entry had been ruined!
"Ouch" I exclaimed as I lifted my head from the hard floor.
"It's so wonderful to see you Bani" Pushkar greeted as he helped me off the floor. "Was that part of the plan?" he asked in a whisper, still holding my arm as I tried to compose myself.
"No" I answered as I peeked over his shoulder. Everyone was staring in our direction, the press already clicking pictures. There goes my grand entry! Holy C this was definitely not what I had planned; I did not want to see a picture of my fall! Pushkar sighed in relief at my answer and withdrew his hand from my arm.
"Then why did you fall?" my unofficial brother-in-law asked me, the idiot still did not comprehending that it was an accident.
"oh'that! I enjoy falling down and getting hurt" I mocked as I hugged him, I felt a dull ache in my head. I needed some comforting. Ignoring the eyes of all the guests on me. Where the H were the girls when I needed them, I needed a distraction, something to get everyone's attention on something else. And my rescue came in the form of Jai Walia, everyone turned their attention behind me, at the entry door where Jai Walia entered wearing an Armani black suit, with a cigar in his hand, a sapphire ring in his left hand finger and that grim expression on his face. How did I know this with my back facing him? Simple. That was how he always made his entrance, the same old black and the same old grim look and still managed to get everyone's attention!
"Bani! You ruined everything!" Anu complained glaring at me. I looked up to see the group walking towards me. Now they come, where were they when I had my fall, if they had been with me then I wouldn't have had that awful fall!
"Shut up!" I snapped at Anu, Pia di glared at Pushkar's hand which was still wrapped around my shoulder, I snuggled closer to Pushkar and smirked at Pia di.
"Pushkar!" Pia di warned as she tugged Pushkar away from me.
"Stay away from my man" Pia di ordered
"Okay" I said stepping away, Rano di giggled.
"Come Muskaan, let's go search for Anu's sexy brother" this time Rano di gave me a glare. "I mean Anu's mamaji" I lied.
"Bani, are you okay? You didn't hurt yourself did you?" this is why Muskaan was my best friend. She was always so very concerned about me, being a very kind and caring friend. She had followed me behind, while the rest were still giving me the angry disappointed glares. I seriously didn't care about having ruined my grand entry; I still had the rest of the evening left to create the buzz'..
"I am okay. Don't worry" I lied while taking the Juice from the waiter and walked towards the giant Christmas tree, overly decorated with too many beautiful ornaments and sparkling lights. I suddenly felt an uneasy feeling of someone discretely following me, I felt as if someone's gaze followed me continuously''
"Don't worry Bani, it still worked despite your fall. The press is following you like glue and look how everyone is staring at you wide eyed" Muskaan assured me.
"So did you get the chance to place our ornament on the Christmas tree after our failed attempt last week?" I asked instead sipping on my juice as I viewed the beautifully decorated tree; I smiled seeing our group picture ornament on the tree. I was well aware of the many eyes following me and the many whispers going on about me.
"Yes! I sneaked in at night and placed it at the other side" Muskaan snickered.
"Dad about had a heart attack seeing the freakish ornament on the tree in the morning!" "You know how dad gets so possessive about the Christmas tree. He doesn't even let mom touch the tree!" Muskaan sighed and I nodded my head in agreement, Uncle Russell really was very possessive when it came to decorating Christmas tree!
"I can't wait to open my presents . It's going to be so much fun to open all our presents together" Muskaan exclaimed in excitement. I nodded my head in agreement, even I couldn't wait to open the presents, there were far too many gifts and the fun was opening with the others.
"There comes Anu and others" Muskaan informed, I didn't look at them, I was still angry at Anu's outburst.
"So what now?" Pia di asked joined by the others.
"Walia" I answered indifferently, my eyes searching for the man. He was sitting at the bar, sipping on his brandy , his eyes searching the crowd and then suddenly they stopped at my direction. He stared at me, his eyes surveyed me from top to bottom, his eyebrow pricked in recognition and in shock at my different form. He raised his brow in question at me while I gave him a sweet smile in return and slowly made my way to him, carefully walking in a manner Pia di always did and I hoped I had it right this time! Walia drained down his drink, placed the empty glass on the bar counter and stood up to greet me with an unknown glint or he might have stood up to escape from my presence but I am going to go with the former''
"Dixit" He said and a displeased look covered the glint I had seen or was I mistaken? Was it anger? Must have been anger, he always gave me that angry look. The guy still hadn't forgotten that incident! For god's sake it's been years, couldn't he just let it go! I still remember the look he had given me that day nearly 9 yrs ago. He had absolutely loathed me; it was pure hatred I had seen in his eyes that day and I still see that same loath behind his mask'..
"Merry Christmas Walia!" I greeted extending my hand to him. Bas$$$d! "Dixit" That was all he said, couldn't he just be a gentleman for once and tell me how beautiful I looked tonight. Modest I never was! He glared at me before taking my hand and kissing the back of it and quickly letting it go. I leaned up and kissed his cheek, ignoring the nasty smell of brandy coming from him. I smirked inwardly at his uncomfortable posture, he was angry, distressed at my advance but he couldn't do anything the reports were present, clicking in our pictures, the guests watched us. Everyone was expecting some big drama to unfold between us. Seems like even they hadn't forgotten the incident!
"What is it now Dixit? What are you all playing at this time?" He asked glaring at me angrily and then darting his eyes at my group. I was still waiting for him to compliment me, it isn't like I dressed up, had a makeover for him to notice me as a young woman rather than his niece's spoiled friend. Really it had nothing to do with him! Honest!
"Nothing, I just thought maybe you could do with a company tonight, I see you are without a date (as always) so thought to join you" I answered giving him the glass of brandy. It would be better to have him drunk rather than in his senses. He looked at me with disbelief before taking the glass from my hand.
"It's not going to work this time. I am not going to fall for another trick of yours this time" he said gulping the drink and taking another one. Fool he didn't know he was already falling for it. Ha Ha Ha! Evil I always was!
" Chill Walia, why don't we go and dance?" I suggested wrapping my hand around his arm and dragged him towards the dance floor, winking at Muskaan and others who stood at the far end, watching our interaction.
All I Seee' In Hersszzz Touch Wats D Fun ? Ah Ah Do U Know Wht I Mean It Isz ? Mmmm Sup Sup Oooooo Can I Get Ya Oooooo Can I Touch Ya Oooooo Can I Get Ya Oooooo Can I Touch YaWalia glared down at me, trying hard to appear disapproving. But of course it wasn't easy with my face grinning charmingly up at him and I knew I had succeeded in developing alarming cracks to his resolve and the firm wall he had created around him to keep girls away from himself''..
Zara Zara Touch Me Touch Me Touch Me Ah Zara Zara Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me Ah Zara Zara Hold Me Hold Me Hold Me Ah Zara Zara .. Oooo Ooo Ooo Touch Me Touch Me Touch Me Ah Zara Zara Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me Ah Zara Zara Hold Me Hold Me Hold Me Ah Zara Zara Oooo Ooo Ooo [ Zara Zara Touch Me Song Lyrics @ Http://Www.Hindilyrix.Com ] (Bin Tere Sanam Is Jahan Mein Beqkaar Hum Dum Da Dum Da Dum Bin Tere Sanam Is Jahan Mein Beqkaar Hum ) '.. 2"I love to Dance" I said moving my face closer to Walia, breathing in his cologne. Then wanting to get a reaction from him, I purposely pursed my lips and very lightly blew on his neck.
Walia staggered for a moment, stared at me in a calculating manner, "Is it another dare this time? Am I the new prey this time?" He asked in anger, but I saw through him.Walia's control seemed to have vanished the second he felt my breath on his neck. He ran his hands across my bare back and pulled me in slightly, trying to get closer to me without making it too obvious. And then he did something that freaked me out, no he didn't kiss me'. He dipped his head down and smelled my hair. Ewwwww'.. Sick'. I know! His hand suddenly wrapped around my waist in a tight grip, and his hand reached out to touch my face, his eyes expressed an unknown desire, and his fingers tingled on my cheek. I could feel the blush creeping up on my whole face, at the touch and his warm breath fanning on my face. When had he come so close to me, his nose was almost touching mine, his eyes were staring deeply into mine, I stared back at him in confusion, shocked at the sudden change in him'...
(Tere Hi Tera Hi Intezaar Hai Mujhe To Bas Tujhse Pyaar Hai Tera Hi Tera Abb Khumaar Hai Khud Pe Na Mere Ikhtiyaar Hai ) '' 2 (Bin Tere Sanam Is Jahan Mein Beqkaar Hum Dum Da Dum Da Dum Bin Tere Sanam Is Jahan Mein Beqkaar Hum ) '.. 2 Touch Me Touch Me Touch Me Ah Zara Zara Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me Ah Zara Zara Hold Me Hold Me Hold Me Ah Zara Zara Oooo Ooo Ooo Once Time Touch Me Like This I Like What You Want What You Give Its A Risk Two Time Touch Me Like This Together Wanna Fasa D Style The Way Tat A Lover Three Time Touch Me By Far Gets Over Here Comes The Crazy With Me In My Car Its One Time Touch Me Like This I Know Wat You Want, Wat You Can, Wat You Say.. My Lover [ Zara Zara Touch Me Song Lyrics @ Http://Www.Hindilyrix.Com ] "Beautiful" he sighed his thump caressing my cheek. Finally! I was getting tired of waiting for his compliment!I was having trouble to breath. Now there is no need to assume things; it was only because of the nasty smell of cigar and brandy coming from him. Honest! I could not take my gaze away from
him, his eyes held mine. Now don't go on assuming things again, it was only because he held my face in his hands. Honest! It was getting rather too intense, I could feel the eyes of everyone on us, and I saw the flashes of pictures being taken. Yes'. now was the time to take the last action.
"Kiss me' Kiss me Walia" I urged, bringing in desire and earnest into my voice, reaching my hands towards his neck, entwining my fingers in his hair. I knew the desire was visible in my eyes; my lips trembled at the feel of his finger tracing my bottom lip. Would he just do it before I lose my patience and give up on this act! I don't think I can manage to keep up with being so close to him, it was all getting a little too intense to my liking. I don't want to see that desire and lust for me in his eyes, I felt very uncomfortable with that look I prefer the anger and annoyed look he always gave me''
"Was it for me?" he asked, I looked at him in confusion. What the H was he asking? Couldn't he just shut up and kiss me already! His eyes raved up my body stopping at my lips "This" he said his fingers twirling a strand of my hair.
"No" I denied; the idiot thought my makeover was for him. Fool did he think I still had that stupid girl crush on him, it had been years since then and I have gotten over my crush on him years ago. Honest!
He frowned at my quick denial and I saw the disbelief in his eyes.
"It has nothing to do with you. You better believe it!" I showed my directness of this through my eyes.
"Yeah sure'. I believe you" he said dryly, letting go of me and then swiftly turned and walked away with all the grace that I am apparently in need of.
I stood there and blinked after him. What had just happened? What did I just do? It was all perfect, he was just about to kiss me but no he had to show that arrogance of his. A$$$$$e!
As my eyes continued to observe his back as he stood surrounded by the press reporters. I realized the many eyes on me, laughing at my distress. I turned and stepped down from the dance floor and walked confidently, if not steadily towards the bar, which was now devoid of any people. My stupid ankle was hurt because of that embarrassing fall and I was also embarrassed by the abrupt end to my dance with Walia. Bas$$$d! I hate him as much as he hates me! Honest!
I needed a drink, to calm my rising anger and hatred for Walia'' I quickly grabbed the wine bottle, glared at the bar tender who opened his mouth to question my legality. No one dares to ask me that question! I have been drinking wine since I was fifteen! I angrily filled in the glass with wine, brought the glass to my lips and started to drink, when something caught my eye. Turning to confirm what I saw, I actually choked on my wine. Daksh!
Ohh H'. if he sees me flirting with Walia then my love story will end even before it started! Daksh' a senior in my college, the perfect student, every teacher's favorite student, the best hockey player in state, the studious student and my current crush which was developing into something more day after day'. *sigh* but Daksh'. he was still unaware of my feelings for him, he still did not understand why he always saw me everywhere around him!
"Bani!" Muskaan rushed up to me, followed by others.
"Daksh is here in the party" Anu screeched loudly turning the guests head in our direction.
"I know" I sighed, draining on my wine and having another fill.
"Bani, one glass is enough!" Muskaan advised, more like ordered and snatched the wine bottle from my hand.
"I hate you all" I muttered before stomping off to settle scores with Walia. I really did want to be with Daksh then but it was too risky to take the chance. I wanted to find Walia and annoy him to death!
"What is this Jaanu, you promised to stay by my side the whole night" I complaint to Walia, who was still surrounded by the press. For just one second I saw an incredulous look on Walia but that was just for one second, I guess he realized the reports were staring at us with their cameras flashing on us.
Walia raised his dark eyebrows at my tone, but otherwise did not make any other sign that he noticed anything remarkable about my behavior. "Of course Jaan, let's go" he said, his tone dripping with fake sweetness, and turned towards the reports "Please excuse us"
"Is it true then, Mr. Walia?
"Are you dating Bani Dixit?"
"Is it true that she is your date for tonight's party?"
"Don't you think she is too young for you?"
"She is still a minor, Is Mr. Dixit okay with your relationship with her?"
The questions continued on, as Walia dragged me away from the press. At last Uncle Rusell had to come and take the press reporters away. Walia sighed in relief and I sighed in disappointment, I wanted to answer their questions but Walia had stopped me from saying anything!
"What are you playing at, Dixit?" He growled angrily, his hand tightly held my arm. We had finally gotten away from the press and the curious guests. He had dragged me to a corner; a huge Poinsettia was placed at the side which covered our views from the curious eyes.
"What do you mean Jaanu?" I asked, tugging my hand at his tie, wiping an invincible dust from his shirt and then I did what I knew would get to him! I bended my head at an angle and peered at him through my lashes, innocently batting my eyes and biting on my bottom lip. He gaped and blanched at me, stepping back a foot. Damn! It always worked with men but it seems like Walia wasn't like other men'.. I am starting to doubt his gender preferences now''. maybe the reports were true after all'. maybe......
"Do not play the innocent with me. Refuse it all you want, but end this act'. Now!" His voice was low and stern, but not harsh. I saw the loathing full force in his expression. I could clearly see the challenge in his eyes, a challenge I will not refuse!..... maybe I will'. Just this once'.. I didn't know how to react, so I just merely nodded my head and said nothing. It was safest move, just nod and agree with him when he stared at you with such loathness and that deadly warning his voice hinted at.
"The next time you feel the need to embarrass me like that again; the consequences of such actions will not be so light. The next time, you will be punished much more'thoroughly." He said huskily into my ear, before giving me a wet kiss on my cheek. Ewwww'. Sick'. I wiped my cheek with my hand, trying to get his salvia out of my skin! While Walia let go of his tight hold on me, straitened himself and again for the second time left me standing there but not before glaring down his nose! A$$$$$e! I stomped my foot in anger and headed off towards the group''
****** 30 minutes later*****
"What the H was that for" I asked Walia fiercely as he glided me down the dance floor. I had been blissfully dancing with Daksh, it was all perfect, a slow song was on, Daksh had come up to me to ask for the dance when I had been chatting with Muskaan. I knew the blush crept up my face when I felt Daksh's hand on mine. I had been dancing with him for merely five minutes when stupid Walia had come and dragged me away from my beloved Daksh. Poor Daksh''
"H?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. I stared at him blankly not understanding what he asked.
"Hello with no 'O' in it" I finally answered as comprehension drawn on me.
"Now why the F are you dragging me around" I asked tugging at my hand, to let it loose from his tight hold. Walia opened his mouth to ask me what "F" meant but then must have decided against it for he closed his mouth shut! He stared at me for a whole minute and then bended his head down at me, his lips inching closer to my face'.
"A little payback, Dixit" he grinned in my ear, my heart skipped a beat when he wrapped his hand around my waist tightly.
"You will pay for this Walia" I whispered as I watched Daksh staring at Walia's hand around my waist. I almost broke down to do my happy dance when I saw Daksh seething with jealousy! Finally! I was getting something from the man!
"Let me go, Walia!"
"What is this Jaan, you promised we will have dinner together" he sneered in that freakish voice of his.
"Of course! Jaanu, let's go have that dinner" I will act along with him in his little act; the Bas$$$d was trying to play one on me. Idiot! He will regret it!
"Look jaanu, there's mamma and Pa! Let's go meet them" I exclaimed happily. Walia let go of his hold on my waist, jumped a feet away from me, gave me an incredulous look and franticly looked through the party hall, trying to locate my parents. HA! I got one on him!
"Where are they?" he asked urgently, his eyes dancing through the hall, as beads of sweat began to form on his forehead. I almost felt bad for the man'. Almost!
"I can't see them! Where are they'.. Dixit" He asked again.
"In Vegas, having their'..ermm'. lost count of the numbers'. honeymoon" I grinned. Walia heaved a sigh of relief and then gave me an angry glare. I snorted and wrapped my arm around his, and happily walked towards the dining hall, while Walia kept glaring down at me. He was such an idiot! It was hard to believe that he is one of the biggest and the youngest businessman in India'..
We were happily'..ermm'. at least I was happily'. Walia still kept giving me that angry sneer'. walking towards the dining area when Walia halted abruptly. "What is it Walia? Why did you stop?" I asked angrily, tugging at his sleeve. He was looking at Dain, Muskaan's cousin, who was just two years old. The Kid was a nightmare!
"Don't!" I warned Walia but he ignored me and walked past me and headed towards the kid sitting in the chair, with the Hot Chocolate filled glass in his one hand, his mouth sucking on the Candy Cane , which he held in his left hand! Walia had a sweet smile playing on his lips, as he began talking with the kid. Urgh! He never smiled at me like that! Not even when I was a kid!
*****2 Minutes Later*****
"Stupid little kid!" Walia said, looking at his finger, which had the imprint of Dain's teeth, I laughed as the image of Dain biting Walia's finger replayed in my mind.
"Serves you right, Walia! I told you not to touch him!"
"Oh shut up!" he snapped. "He was such a cute little boy! I didn't think he was vicious!"
I raised my eyebrows in amusement. "It's always the cute ones that are vicious. Take me for example..."
Walia rolled his eyes and pushed past me. "Let's get something to eat"''''
"Where are you going Dixit'.. the dinning hall is this way" Walia tugged at my hand.
"I know'. But I gotta go tinkle first" I answered.
"tinkle'..?" Walia asked dumbly.
"Pee'. I gotta go PEE" I snapped and hurried to the restroom. God! the man was such an idiot!
********** one hour and twenty minutes later*********
I greeted aunt Rusell, talked to her for a while and started out to search for Muskaan, I was too intent and engrossed on trying to find her and the others hence was not paying attention to where I was going. Again'.. I know! As I gazed at the crowded guest I didn't spot the man standing in front of me before it was too late. I ran into him and grabbed on to his shirt collar before I overbalanced. I did not want another fall! Long arms snaked around my waist to steady me and I breathed in the now-familiar nasty scent of brandy.
"Can't you see where you are going?" I yelled angrily at the person, I was never one to admit my mistake.
"Not you again!"
"Walia?" My voice caught in my throat and I swallowed hard. Holy C! Out of everyone it had to be Walia! I did not want to see the man ever again especially after that rude insult and the embarrassment he caused me at the dinner.
"The one and only" he smirked. The Bas$$$d!
"You seem to be in need of some'. fatherly'.. advice" he bent over and spoke quietly in my ear, his lips brushing a curl there. A small squeak escaped from my throat, but I shook my head. He definitely didn't feel like my father, not with that sexy smirk!
"Watch where you are going'. Next time" He sneered at my face. I staggered as he abruptly let go of me. Again! Bas$$$d!
"You Bas$$$d!" I screamed as he made to move past me.
"My parents, contrary to your belief, Dixit, were married" Urgh! The Insufferable, Arrogant Bas$$$d! Where is Pa's gun when I need it! I stomped my foot angrily and shrugged my head, it was then when I realized Walia was staring up and everyone was cheering at us. I looked up cautiously, I knew what I was going to see'. but I had to make sure. Mistletoe
The Kiss! We were standing under the mistletoe! I was just about to forget my anger and do my happy dance, but fortunately I restrained myself. Wouldn't want to give everyone a heart attack! Especially Walia who stood with a shocked, grossed expression as if someone told him he had to kiss a frog! He kept murmuring something, glancing at me and then at the mistletoe'.. Poor Walia he had to kiss me now! HA HA HA!
I leaned into him to hear what he was going on about. I saw his body stiffen at my sudden closeness. Then suddenly it happened, I don't know how, one minute I was staring into his cold eyes and the next I felt his cold lips on mine. I was too shocked to react; I stood still for few seconds as he continued his assault on my lips. I was too dazed to realize that I was responding to his kiss. Then one by one everything registered into my mind. I was kissing Walia'. no'.no'. Walia was kissing ME! I was wrapped in his arms'.. I tried to think back and remember exactly how I landed in this position'.. his one hand caressing my back, the other wrapped around my waist.
I don't know how long he kissed me, but the moment his lips left mine, my hand unconsciously reached out to hold him back but I withdrew my hand before it touched him. What the F was I about to do! The dare was over! Walia kissed me in front of everyone!
I stood still for one whole second, than peered up at him through my eyelids. He was staring at me, an unknown desire in his eyes, I shuddered at the intensity of his stare, his hand was still wrapped around me, and the other reached up towards my face. My eyes opened fully as his cold fingers caressed my cheek. I suddenly realized my surroundings, every eye was watching us! It was just bad luck that the press was already kicked out'. Or else it would have been more fun! I looked at Walia, whispered out to him' but the man seemed to be in a daze'. He was staring at me in a peculiar manner, there was sudden softness edged in his eyes that I couldn't name. I felt a dreadful fright, I gasped at the warmth that had spread through me with just his stare. And then it happened, something that I never imagined! I felt the bile rising up inside my body. I pushed Walia away and ran towards the closest restroom covering my hands over my mouth.
I threw up all my contents of the dinner as soon as I reached the sink.Yes! I threw up after kissing Walia!
"Are you okay?" Walia asked, his eyes mocking me. Well seems like he came out of his daze and was back to being a bas***d. I saw his lips twitch, his cheek held in'. the man was holding in his laugh. My ears suddenly rang replaying the rude comment he had given me at the dinner table "You are stuffing your mouth so fast, is the food even touching your mouth?" The bas***d had sneered at me. I knew then that he was inwardly gloating at his witty turn of phrase. Insufferable Bas$$$d!
I looked over his shoulder hearing the footsteps, and saw Pia di and others walking towards us, Daksh was also with them, his eyes were fixed on Walia's back'. And that's when I decided to do something I had not planned to do'..
"Y-You'. You... erm'. You Bas$$$d!" I screamed at him angrily, and then I did it' I slapped him!
"How dare you kiss me without my consent" I cried with not so fake tears, my eyes peering over his shoulder to see Daksh and others watching us in shock.
I pushed past Walia and ran straight up the stairs, I reached my room in record time and locked the door and then'. I screamed! Not in joy'.. in pain! I stomped around the room cradling my hand!
"Oh'. Oh F'. Oh Holy Mother Mary" I screamed as I jumped around in pain, my hand stung, my palm had turned bright red. Damn! I didn't know slapping someone would be this painful. F' it should be him in pain not me!
"Walia better have the red mark of my slap on his face!" I voiced as I opened the small cooler, reached for the ice, poured it in the zipper bag and pressed it in my palm'.
********
I sat on the dressing table, wiping the makeup off my face. It was all over, I had flirted, I had kissed, and I had slapped. Yup'. Everything went perfectly'. erm'. except for that ungraceful fall'and'.erm'. yah' that slap'.. The party was still on, but I was very sleepy and tired hence decided to hit the bed and have a peaceful sleep'.erm'. well'.ermm'. I was also too frightened to face Walia'.. I yawned as I pulled out the pins from my hair.
I crinkled my brow when I heard the laud knock on my door. Who could that be? Muskaan! I opened the door to find a familiar face sneering down at me. Hmmm. He wears lenses'. Never knew that! "What do you want?" I snapped. The dare was over and I really didn't want to deal with him now, I was still trying to calm myself after that passionate kiss which left us both breathless and not to forget my hand still stung from the slap I gave him'..and erm'. I was scared shit of what he would do to me for slapping him!
"What a kind way to greet people Dixit. We don't want the press writing about your pleasantness would we?" Walia sniped pushing me aside and stepping inside my room and closing the door behind him. I looked at him, slightly astonished. Was there a joke hidden somewhere between that insult? Insufferable Bas$$$d!
My breath caught in my throat and I began to shake with fury. And I was too incensed to notice the way he was staring at me. No one insults Bani Deb Dixit! I narrowed my eyes and I knew my eyes were filled with deepest loathing as I stared at him and Walia's eyes were equally so as he glared down his arrogant nose at me.
"What are you doing here? Get out! How dare you enter my room?" I screamed at him, he just stood there with that sexy smirk on his face as I ranted at him. Wait! Did I just say his smirk was sexy'. Scratch that I meant ARROGANT!
"Your room? Isn't this Rusell's mansion?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, but I am Muskaan's best friend. I have my own room in this mansion!" I answered him as I walked back to the dresser and continued with removing the pins from my hair, hoping he would leave and let me be!
"But I thought Anu was your best friend" he voiced and walked up to the couch and made himself comfortable. I realized his steps staggered as he walked, he was drunk' too drunk to walk steadily.
"Anu can keep dreaming" I yawned and walked up towards him, seated myself beside him on the couch. I was curious, what was it that brought him to my room and what was he playing at? I had to know!
"So Anu is not your best friend?" what the hell? Was he here sitting in my room because he wanted to know if his niece was my best friend or not?
"Why are you here?" I asked him bluntly, I was never one to play around with questions. I was tired, and sleepy, I had no time for his stupid questions!
"Was the slap part of the dare?" he asked evenly, his cold glare sending shivers down my body.
"W-wh-what'.?" I asked stuttering'. I was too shocked! He knew! Walia knew all along! But how?
"You know, you should really advice your friends to keep the door closed when they are discussing about your little pranks" Walia answered my unspoken question. Anu Walia, live you last night in bliss! Tomorrow no one will save you from my wrath.....erm'. ahem' that is if I escape Walia's wrath!
"T'.w-why did you act along with it?" I questioned, I had to know why he kissed me when he knew about the dare all along, why he went along with everything I did when he knew I was only acting'. I gasped as I replayed all the happenings'. it was all making sense now'. Walia talking to me, dancing with me, having dinner with me and kissing me'. I never really stopped to think how easily everything worked with Walia! It was because he was playing along with me!
"Why did you kiss me then?" I asked, wanting to know why he did that when he knew all along that everything I was doing was an act!
"You have a big zit on your nose by the way, did you know?" He sneered at me instead; I jumped and quickly rushed to the bathroom to check my face. Too late! The bas$$$d got me on that' Urgh! I could tell without checking that my hair has escaped its bun and my face is the color of a cherry.
I walked out of the bathroom angrily to see that Walia has made himself more comfortable into my room and was now standing by the fireplace staring at mine and Muskaan's picture hung high on the wall. It was a picture taken at Muskaan's second birthday, I had been a yr old then but Muskaan Rusell and I had been friends since I was born! Our grandmothers were childhood best friends, our mothers were and still are best friends, and we plan to continue that tradition! Anyways, Walia stood there staring at the picture intently, he seemed to be on some other planet, probably where there are files and erm' files and'.. erm' yah' more files. I sneaked up till I was standing right beside him. I am surprised he has let his guard down. He has always been so alert and stiff!
"Walia!" my voice boomed loudly. He jumped about a foot in the air and I burst out laughing. When I finally calmed myself and wiped the tears from my eyes, I noticed that he was staring at me. His eyes held a peculiar expression; I stood there waiting for him to lash out his anger on me. He raised his hand at my face, I clutched my eyes shut tightly expecting a slap but felt his fingers tuck at the single strand of my hair behind my ear and then the fingers returned to my face, now they traced a pattern from my temple down to my jaw. I stood there still, too shocked to react at his assault. I was disappointed at myself, when I heard a sharp intake of breath I took before he covered his mouth with mine. . He removed his lips from my mouth to catch his breath but his hands wound around my waist, one hand moving up my bare back. I found myself unconsciously arch my back, I watched as he dipped his head down and his lips sucked my color bone. A groan escaped from my lips'.. ewwwww'.. what the H was this guy doing'. but why did it feel so good'..
I wanted to scream, I wanted to push him away but my body betrayed me'. and as he ravished my body with his hands and mouth'.. I realized how far one stupid kiss had gone'. I realized I had awakened the hungry animal that had been sleeping for so long'.. I felt his hand lift my dress, his hands reaching up my thigh'. a moan escaped from me'. I could not believe I had gotten myself in such a situation'. I could not believe I was enjoying the feel of his hands and mouth over my body'' my body had betrayed me!
********
That night'. I was too observed and drunk to realize where my actions would lead to'.. now when I think back to that night I can't remember anything other than holding her warm body in my arms and kissing her and then waking up to see myself naked beside Bani, in her bed'. in her room'.. our clothes scattered on the floor.
I did not remember what I had felt for the girl the past evening but in the morning when I had stared at her serene, content and innocent sleeping form. I felt loathness, pure hatred and anger at her, for driving me insane with her devilish tricks and charms, for thinking and enacting such a dare on me'. but mostly for shaking my resolve and the wall I had created around myself'.
But I never realized that one night could change so many things in my life'. I never realized and I know she didn't either that a stupid dare would lead to such consequences that would shake both our lives'. I never in my dreams thought that three months later'. I would find Bani sitting in my cabin, her eyes red from crying, her trembling hands holding a medical file'..
Chapter 1
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rockJingle bells swing and jingle bells ringSnowing and blowing up bushels of funNow the jingle hop has begun Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rockJingle bells chime in jingle bell timeDancing and prancing in Jingle Bell SquareIn the frosty air….. She watches in disbelief as her father finally arrives, lugging with him a grand pine tree, its pines already falling out of place. His cheeks are a noticeable color of pink and she can tell he has been outside in the chilly weather for some time. Her father's panting is what causes her to rush down the fleet of stairs and come to his aid. Just as she grips onto the other side of the tree's trunk, her father looks around it and gives her a wide thankful smile. What a bright time, it's the right timeTo rock the night awayJingle bell time is a swell timeTo go gliding in a one-horse sleigh….. "Ma, what is the meaning of all this? Why do you have that radio blaring so loud," she asks her mother, not bothering to hide the growing annoyance building inside of her. Her mother, who dusts frantically everywhere and hums cheerily along with the lyrics of the uplifting song, turns to look at her moody daughter. Kiran Dixit lowers the volume so she does not have to shout over the music. "I'm just setting the mood, Bani. After all, Christmas is a month away," her mother uses as a justification for her high spirits. Bani rolls her eyes at her mother's cheer. For the past several weeks her mother has been giddy in waiting for the arrival of her best friend's son. It was all she ever discussed about at dinner and pointed out every single day. Krishna Walia, her mother's childhood friend, moved to America after marrying her husband, Uday Walia where two years later she gave birth to her only child, Jai Walia. Despite being in different continents, Kiran and Krishna never failed to stay in touch with one another, whether it be simply sending holiday cards or phoning each another once in awhile. Their last phone call, Krishna Walia announced that she was sending her son to India and requested that he stay with her so he can have a warming experience in a country he has never been to. Kiran, of course, obliged right away. However, there is a secret motive behind Krishna Walia's American son's visit. A motive that Bani's mother has kept hidden from her family, one that Bani happened to learn by chance on eavesdropping in one of her mother's phone calls. Just this past Diwali Kiran sent her best friend a well wishing card for the holiday, which was anything but out of the ordinary. This time, though, she sent something else as well…. She sent a picture of her eldest daughter, Pia. Pia, Bani's older sister by two years and whom she loves to death, is very well known for her looks. In fact, she is constantly pointed out as the beautiful one out of the Dixit sisters. Not that Bani or Rano, her sister junior to her by three years, are any less--- Pia was simply just blessed with a more exotic appeal. A girl's beauty usually goes straight to her head, making her egotistical and arrogant toward others, but Pia is an exception. She is the complete opposite of just that, something that Bani has always appreciated. So of course she genuinely felt happy at first knowing that a rishta was coming to her gorgeous sister's way, but was displeased by this fact being hid from Pia and of a proposal coming from a complete set of strangers who Bani's family, except her mother, have no knowledge about. They only have Kiran's word, but that still doesn't seem enough. Once Bani informed her sister, who scoffed at the whole idea, Pia immediately finalized her pending plan for a trip to Goa with a few close friends. When asked of her reaction by Bani, Pia simply said, "I'm only twenty-three. I've still got a long life ahead of me. I won't let myself be strapped down already. Mama can bring all the men she wants, but I'm just not ready yet." Two days later her sister left on her vacation after a heated argument with their mother. It was only after Nishikant set his foot down to silence his hyper wife that Pia was allowed to go without any restraints. Nishikant: She is only going for awhile and will be safe, she's old enough to take care of herself. What is so wrong with her going out now when you have never had an objection before? Kiran: (aghast) But our guest----Nishikant: (cutting her off) Will it be such a loss if Pia won't be around to welcome to our guest? Kiran instantly became silenced. She did not wish to answer. It was hard enough to convince her husband into letting Krishna's son stay with them during his visit in the first place. How will she tell him that the whole point was for Jai to come and see their daughter? If her husband knew, he'd fly through the roof and refuse entry to the poor boy. No, she would only disclose this matter with him after Jai safely arrives and settles in with them. Reluctantly Kiran let her daughter go, only after seeking a promise that she would return back in time for Jai's last week in India. Pia hastily agreed and left. But the whole point really is that now her mother is hell-bent in impressing her hopefully soon, future "son-in-law". Jai Walia, age twenty-seven, was born and raised in America, where he has lived his whole life in. He has never once been to India before despite both of his parents emigrating from there. He is a Christian, which says in the letter Krishna Aunty had sent them all just weeks ago, and completely American civilized. Unlike her mother, Krishna sent no picture of her son. "To keep you anticipating" is what she had said to explain her reasoning. Now Jai will be arriving in less than three hours and her mother has everyone in the household in a frenzy to welcome him and make him feel just at home. And since her lovely "son-in-law" is a Christian, they will be celebrating Christmas this year---her mother had firmly declared Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feetJingle around the clock…… Her mother turns the dial back up, increasing the radio's volume after Bani resumes in helping her father place the tree into their family room. She clenches her teeth together. Oh how she was going to despise this stranger. He hasn't even arrived yet, but is already turning their house upside down---making them all go out of their way in order to please him. These next six weeks are going to be hell, she knows it. Mix and a-mingle in the jingling feetThat's the jingle bell,That's the jingle bell,That's the jingle bell rock…….****************************************************************************
Jai Walia was never one to follow the traditional values his parents, especially his mother, held close dearly and tried endlessly to instill in him. Instead he grew a more modern outlook and appeal, neglecting old traditions that he felt held no more value in a fast rapidly changing world. His parents were still stuck in their homeland, India, he knew this. And no matter what he could do, he will never be able to get India out of them. Being the rebellion that he is, Jai resisted at a very early age against his immigrant parent's attempt in infusing principles taught to themselves when they were younger and carried with them across the seven seas.
He become more and more immersed in the American culture, where gradually his pride grew so strong that his parents lost all hope in trying to teach their son old treasured morals they were raised with back in India. At eighteen he converted into Christianity, which his parents respectfully allowed the practice of the faith. Despite being a complete American-washed citizen and disappointing his parents in his lack of interest in their family history and background, Jai never proved to be a failure. He is an intelligent, respectful, and polite young man that everyone takes a fancy to. And Kirshna and Uday found that this was satisfying enough. So what if their son has moved away from their native culture? At least he has grown into a fine young man whom they can proudly call their son.
When a month ago his mother confronted him about wishing to send him to India, Jai had flatly refused. What was the need, he thought. He had further inquired about why the sudden wish of sending him to a country he has never been to before in his life and was stunned by his mother's confession.
"Her name is Pia… She is a lovely girl, absolutely beautiful. I hear great things from her mother. I have such a strong feeling about her, Jai. …. Beta, I have never asked you anything before in your life. I have let you run your life the way you have wanted to. But this one time, I am asking you one thing, just one. And that is to give me the right of choosing your wife for you….. This is the one favor I ask of you. As your mother, I ask for only this one thing."
But he didn't believe in arranged marriages. How could his mother possibly suggest such an idea?
"Give it a chance… It will not hurt if you give it a try…. But if you are still against it after meeting her, then I will not hassle you about the topic again," she quietly pleaded to him. Not having the heart to hurt his mother by defying her right away, Jai told her that he would give it some thought and inform her when he comes to a decision. Her words, "I ask for only this one thing," continued to haunt him during the next few days.
Before Jai knew it, he was booking tickets to India and making plans for a six week stay at his mother's friend's house to see the much talked of Pia Dixit, whom both his parents praised highly of. After personally telling his mother that he has agreed to go, she had handed him her picture.
"This is her…. I am sure you will like her," she had said with a twinkle in her eyes. Jai took the photo from her and after giving it a scrutinizing glance, he tucked it far someplace else where he would not find it again. He had no keen interest in the girl…. She was, still after all, only a girl. Sure she is beautiful, but he could not see what was so extraordinary in her that his parents did. Perhaps he would have to see that for himself once he gets there….
"Please buckle up your seatbelts as we will be arriving shortly at the airport in a couple of minutes," the flight attendant announces through the speakers that jolts him out of his lost trance. Jai locates his seatbelt that he had neglected throughout the most of his long journey and clasps it around him just as the plane begins to descend down to ground level…..
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"Rano, where did you get that silly hat," Bani questions her jolly sister, who comes gliding down the stairs with a bright red Christmas hat adoring her head. To her grave displeasure, even her sister has taken a liking to the Christian holiday. But then again, Rano needs any excuse she can get to just have a good time. And at the present, Christmas is proving to be one of her greatest holidays.
Rano: Why Di? You don't like it? I love it! I think it's so cute!
Bani: I think you look ridiculous.
Rano: Don't be jealous Di. You are only upset that you don't have one yourself.
Bani: Yes, because I want to parade around with a goofy hat on my head all day.
Rano: Well aren't you just the itself!
Her younger sister comments while playfully taking her nose into her fingers' grip and wriggling it. Bani pushes her hand aside and glares at her.
Bani: I'm not the Grinch…. Whatever that is.
Rano giggles at her sister's ignorance and scurries off to see if their mother needs anymore help. Bani gloomily walks over to the family room where she dumps herself onto the couch and watches her father fuss over the entangled lights.
Nishikant: (grits) These damn lights!
Unwillingly a smile appears on her lips at the sight her father makes. Her father, she believed, was the most adorable man a person could know. He gives her a sheepish, begging look.
Nishikant: Willing to help me out Princess?
Bani stands onto her feet and approaches her father slyly.
Bani: I don't know Papa…. What will I get out of it?
Nishikant: I promise you that I won't have your mother brainwashing me into lending our home to another foreign stranger ever again.
Like Bani, her father too wasn't much "excited" in turning their whole household about in order to welcome a complete stranger. She smiles at her father, showing him that he has bought her right then and there.
Bani: I'm holding you to your word Daddy.
In the middle of untangling the Christmas lights that Kiran had instructed them to hang around the house, the house doorbell rings and within seconds Bani hears her mother's hurried feet racing to the front door. A moment later both father daughter hear a shrilling scream of delight. They look at one another….
Nishikant & Bani: (in unison) He's here…..
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Jai awkwardly lets his mother's friend, who is three fourths his height, embrace him into a warm affectionate hug. As he nervously lets out a chuckle and murmur to her that he is just as pleased to meet her, he looks behind Kiran's shoulder and spots two figures lurking behind…a man and a girl. Before he has time to even take their appearances in, his Kiran Aunty takes his face into her hands, drawing his attention back onto her, and pinches his cheeks.
Kiran: You are much cutter than I had imagined! Oh your mother is such a tease in not sending me a picture of you beforehand! But I must say, it was fun thinking of how you would look like! (cheekily confesses)
Jai manages to smile politely back at her. His taxi driver is kind enough to drop off his luggage at the front door, intruding in on Kiran's welcoming way of introducing herself. Kiran takes notice to the driver then to his suitcase, her hospitality finally kicks in.
Kiran: Oh, how rude of me! Please, come in. It's cold outside!
Jai: Thank you… (relieved)
Without warning Kiran strips him from his jacket and hangs it onto the coat rack nearby. Regaining himself from the unexpected action, he takes the time to let his eyes wander around the small lovely home. He contains a laughing grin as he sees everything decked in the festivity for Christmas which is five weeks away. His mother, he is sure, must have told them about his conversion to Christianity.
Kiran: I hope you don't find the house too small… I know that it's not what you're used to back in your home in America.
Startled out of his thoughts, Jai looks over to Kiran, who seems a little apprehensive about his views on their house. Honestly, he hadn't been degrading their home or comparing it to his in any way. In fact, he finds the Dixit residence quite homey-looking and nice.
Jai: Not at all Aunty… It's just great.
Kiran flashes him a pleased smile. She takes his arm into her hands, steering him into the depths of her home. Again Jai's eyes focus back over to where he had taken notice to the two figures from before, but now see only the man who looks at him grimly with his arms folded across his chest.
Kiran: Nishi… Darling, don't just stand there. Get our guest's luggage and put them into his room.
Disgruntled by this, Nishikant straightens from his posture and grumpily comes forth to set to the task. That is until Jai stops him from lowering and picking his suitcase into his hands.
Jai: I've got it Uncle… you don't have to worry.
Without a word Nishikant merely gives him a look before treading off into the safety of the family room across the hall. Jai gives Kiran a curious look from this.
Kiran: (nervously) Don't mind him beta… He is just a little upset. We do have three daughters as you know.
Actually he didn't have a clue. He hadn't heard that Pia had any siblings. But how delightful…. The father already thinks of him as a pervert. His six weeks living in this house will just be dandy.
The shuffling of feet storming down the stairs right by diverts Jai's attention onto a bright looking young girl, adorably cute in a Santa hat and candy canes strapped firmly in her fingers. She approaches him and dots at him with her wide eyes through her thin rimmed glasses.
Rano: Hi Jai! I've been looking very forward in meeting you!
Kiran: Rano, do not address him by his name. He is much older than you. Be respectful. Call him bhaiya.
Rano: Mom, I would do that if he wasn't so handsome, but he is and I am not favorable to the idea of making him related to me.
Rano Dixit, by the way, is the most outspoken out of the Dixit girls and one Nishikant and Kiran try their best to tame but to no success.
Kiran seems like she will die from embarrassment whereas Jai just wants to burst out laughing, not knowing whether he should feel flattered from her blunt comment or amused. He may just even like this chit of a girl, he muses to himself. He can tell right away that she is the little party animal out of Kiran's daughters. He returns Rano's sly smile after she winks at him.
Kiran: I'm sorry Jai beta… please excuse my daughter. This is Rano by the way. My youngest.
Jai: It's nice to meet you Rano… (courteously)
Rano: (chirpily) Likewise…. Candy cane?
She offers willingly, startling Jai for a second as she shoves it into his view. He politely smiles it off.
Jai: No thank you…
Rano: But I thought you Americans were crazy about your candy canes? (honestly looking confused)
Jai: (grinning a little) I guess I'm the odd ball then….
Rano: Suit yourself. More for me then. (shrugging)
Kiran: (curiously) Rano, where is your sister? She hasn't come yet to see Jai…
Jai listens intently, wondering whether she is speaking about Pia or not. Rano cheekily gives her mother an answer along with a reply, spoken in a hinting tone.
Rano: Bani Di has a headache so she's sleeping it off.
Kiran looks clearly displeased by this, along with seeming a little infuriated. Jai is unable to understand what is going on and feels like there is something amiss. He watches as Kiran composes herself together and smiles in his direction.
Kiran: Bani… my second oldest…. (informative)
Jai nods his head, taking this information in. Pia, Bani, and Rano…. The Dixits' three daughters. One down…. Two more to go.
Kiran: (adding on apologetically) Pia, my oldest, isn't here at present. She has gone on a small vacation with her friends in Goa. She will be back just a week before you return to America.
Okay, scratch that. Hold off on one of the sisters for a little awhile. Just one more to go.
Jai: (discreetly pleased) She's not here?
Kiran: Yes. You will meet her later on. (saying even more regretfully than before) I'm sorry for not informing you about that before. It was sudden.
Jai: No… (completely relaxed now) That's fine. I'll see her when I can.
She'll be back a week before he leaves. He felt like laughing at the stupidity of this whole trip. Why had he come if he was only going to get to know her for only a week and then come to a decision based on that if she is the one he wants to spend the rest of his life with? Oh well, at least he doesn't have to go into a full fledge confrontation with her right now, something he had been dreading the moment he had agreed to his mother.
Kiran seems a little relaxed as well, glad to know he is "understanding" of the situation. She leads him on in where she tries her best in settling him into their home. For the rest of the day he received Kiran's, Rano's, and somewhat of Nishikant's company. Especially Rano who made him feel at ease knowing that he has someone that he can get along with during his stay. It was the absence of the other sister that secretly irked him though. For how long does a person need to sleep of a headache?............
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Bani stubbornly remained in her room despite her mother's angry demands that she immediately introduce herself to their guest. Her mother was "gracious" enough to come drop by her door in between devoting her time to Jai. It was after her father warned Kiran off that her mother stopped harassing her.
She lays on her stomach in bed while ducking her head into her folded arms and letting her mind wander into her own inner thoughts. She had been genuinely surprised on seeing Krishna Aunty's son. He didn't match up to anything she had imagined him to be. In fact, he was far better looking than the horrid prejudice depictions she had made of him. Far better.
He fits the description of tall, dark, and handsome to the tee. A gallant height of 6'3"….with a head full of short thick jet black hair… dark steel gray eyes…overlapped with long eyelashes and finely shaped dark eyebrows… a chiseled like nose….strong jaw line….rugged features…enticing bronze skin….and a well fit physique of a body which defines masculinity. Hot warmth gushed into her instantly by his sight and she felt her former pride and confidence being stripped from her in a flash. Surprisingly intimidated by his presence, she had stealthily slipped away to the refuge of her room. She didn't want to do anything with the spoilt American brat, she reminded herself.
Bani springs up from her mattress as her cell rings and she sees her sister's name flash across the screen. She hurriedly picks it up to answer.
Bani: Hi Di, how's Goa?!
Her sister involves her into a very lengthy conversation about all the wonderful things of the city and wishing that she could stay forever.
Bani: Well it's nice to know that someone is having fun…
Pia: Oh hain, I forgot… How's things back at home? My husband-to-be is coming today isn't he? (giggling at her own joke)
Bani: Di, don't even joke about that. At this rate, he may even live with us and become a ghar jaamaye.
Pia: What do you mean by that?
Bani: He came this morning. And all I have ever heard since then is Mama and Rano laughing their little behinds off and gushing over him. I think they're really liking him, especially Mama.
Pia: You don't?
Bani: Well I…. (hesitant)…
Pia: Come on yaar, tell your sis the details. What is he like? How does he look?
Bani: (sheepishly admitting) Well… I don't really know anything about him considering that I haven't even personally introduced myself yet to him.
Pia: (slightly gasps) Bani, you haven't even met him yet? Then what have you been doing since he's been here?
Bani: Hiding in my room… (meekly)
Pia: Is he that bad that you are letting a stranger make you hide in your own house?
Bani: Di… I don't know… I just don't feel like meeting him yet. I'm still heated up right now that we had to go out of our way to make him feel welcomed and meet up to his American standards.
Pia: I don't know Bani… if Rano seems to like him, that he can't be as bad as you make him sound.
Bani: You know perfectly as well as I do that Rano loves everyone.
Pia: (agreeing) That's true…. So you don't even know how he looks like at all?
Bani: (growing slightly shy) Well…. no…. I do. I caught a glimpse of him before.
Pia: So, how does he look? (casually)
Bani: He's… decent…. He's not as bad looking as I thought him to be. (admitting, embarrassed)
Pia: Haila… Bani Dixit… are you getting shy on me? That too because of a stranger?
Bani: No, I'm not…. (defensive)
Pia: Yes you are… Oh, now you really have to tell me all about how he looks like. I mean, if he's making you all shy, he's got to be damn good looking, no?
Bani: (silent) ……
Pia: (giggling) Accha Bani, how about we do this. How about you marry him instead and we'll all be happy. You, me, Rano, Papa, and especially Mama. (pulling her leg)
Bani: (blushing) Dddddiiiii!
Pia: Think about it! It makes sense you know. (continuing to mock her)
Bani: No it doesn't… because I'm not going to marry some ajnabee. Besides, he's here for you, not me. Remember?
Pia: Arre, nothing's been finalized. And nothing's going to be, remember? (imitating her) Because I won't let it be. I'm not going to be married off to some American stranger either.
Bani: Some sister you are in trying to throw me under the bus to save yourself.
Pia: Oh pish posh… I know you like him. Don't deny it. Marrying him won't seem so bad after awhile to you. By the way, you'll make me your maid of honor, won't you? I'm assuming you will have a Christian wedding considering that he is Christian?
Bani cuts off in the middle of her sister's laughter, not able to stand her teasing anymore….
Chapter 2:
It was at one in the morning when Bani finally gave into her stomach's grumbling. She purposely avoided dinner. She knew the reason why, she just didn't know why she was choosing to do so. What was it that made her distance herself away? She has no clue.
Creeping out of her room and tiptoeing downstairs, behaving as quiet as a mouse, Bani makes her way over to the kitchen to satisfy her paining hunger. She opens the fridge to check the leftovers from dinner and makes a face at the meal her mother had chosen to make. She scratches the leftover idea out and instead decides to settle on some ice cream. You can never go wrong in that. She stands on her toes as she opens the cupboards and reaches for a bowl. After withdrawing a spoon from one of the drawers, she turns to walk over to the fridge, but stills in her spot on seeing someone standing before her in the dim darkness and screams as she drops her spoon, that makes a clatter sound against the kitchen floor. Her screaming becomes muffled as the person's hand clasps her mouth to silence her….
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Jai had woken up with a desire to quench his growing thirst. Since he is alienated in the guest room which is on the ground floor, whereas everyone else sleeps on the top, he didn't resist in walking over to the kitchen which is nearby. As he approached the entryway, he lingers by it as he sees someone presiding in the area, their back faced toward him. He can tell it is a girl with the little use of light he has as he clearly sees the mid-length layered hair let out, resting against the person's back, and the lacy tang top paired with pajama pants the girl wears. Thinking that it is Rano, he goes near to see what she is doing so late at night, but before he can even take another act of action, the girl turns around---meeting him eye to eye. His breath is caught in his throat after the realization that the girl is nowhere close to being Rano passes by…..
He hears her let out a startled gasp before screaming. Instantly his hand flies to her mouth, worried that she will wake everyone. Her eyes widen as a reaction to what he does and she stares at him with momentary disbelief. They silently keep their eyes locked with one another until Jai allows his to lower and take her appearance all in. From what he can make out, she is about 5'7" or 5'8" with full, silky long hair…. a slender body…. Smooth, baby soft seeming skin from what he can see of the exposed skin made noticeable from her tang top. Before he can give her a thorough look through, both Jai and the stranger unknown to him hear footsteps coming down the stairs. Seconds later they hear Nishikant speaking in furious whispers to someone. Jai looks back to the girl, who stares curiously back at him. Without removing his hand from her mouth, he startles her as he wraps his arm around her waist, pulling her close to him, and then whisks her off to the side, hiding behind the refrigerator. He presses her against the machine, standing in front of her with his hand securely kept over her mouth. A moment later the kitchen lights come on, lighting up the whole room.
Jai feels his insides rise as he can clearly see her features now. Olive smooth skin…. Silky black hair… big, expressive hazel warm eyes… a small cute nose… full, pink soft petal like lips (which he sees after slowly lifting his hand apart from her mouth)….and a very curvy feminine body…
"See Nishi, no one is here. You are hearing things," Kiran says tiredly to her husband. "Kiran, I am telling you. I heard something," Nishikant replies, holding high confidence in what he says. "It was probably the neighbors… Come on, let's get back to bed. You have work in the morning anyways…," Kiran attempts in pushing the topic aside. "But," Nishikant protests. "Just forget it Nishi… it was nothing. Now go back to sleep, please," Kiran's last words to her husband as they close the kitchen lights and leave….
They drown in the darkness once again, but remain eye to eye with one another….. It feels like a century goes by with them remaining silent…except for their clashing eyes that speak volumes. It is Jai himself who breaks the powerful spell…
Jai: (softly) I'm sorry that I frightened you…
Bani proceeds in staring at him, wide-eyed….not muttering a single sound. Judging by her silence, Jai takes it that she isn't as friendly with strangers as her younger sister, Rano. He will have to be patient with her….
Jai: (slowly) Are you Bani?
He sees shock register in her eyes and smiles lightly on her response. So this is the girl who has been avoiding him all day, claiming to have a headache. He knows this as he incidentally listened into one of Rano's and Kiran's hushed conversations.
Jai: ….That was some headache you had there, Bani. You have been resting all day. (subtly mocking her)
He watches her cheeks turn a lovely shade of pink as she lowers her gaze from him, looking away sheepishly. He has caught onto her white lie.
"Nishi…will you stop it already? I'm telling you, na, no one is in the kitchen," they hear Kiran's voice whisper angrily from a distance. Bani becomes stiff as she hears her father more clearer voice say, "I just want to double check… I thought I saw something from before." She looks back over to Jai, who seems equally stuck in the predicament as hers, and expresses her panic to him. He only places his finger against his mouth, signaling for her to remain quiet. Mutely he takes a hold of her arm and leads her farther back and out of the kitchen through the other way, leading them into dining area. Together they see the kitchen lights spring back on….
"….What is this spoon doing on the ground?" Nishikant muses loudly to himself. Bani mentally curses herself for dropping the utensil in the first place. If her father catches her like this, that too, with an older boy late at night, he would burst and tear Jai into limbs. After a couple of moments of hearing her father pace around the kitchen a little bit, she heaves a sigh of relief once the lights switch back off and her father's footsteps slowly fade away. Thinking that she has had enough fright for one night, she hastily decides to return back to bed without any food and starve herself rather than having to risk being caught in an awkward situation once more. She doesn't waste time in moving out from their hiding place, taking her chance to flee quickly and go back to avoiding her family's guest, but her hopes are dashed once she feels his grip grow firm around her lower arm, keeping her in place.
Jai: Wait… at least let me properly introduce myself to you.
Not willing to give him this opportunity, she pushes off his hand from her, releasing herself, and runs for her room as fast and quietly as she can……..
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(CONTINUED)Chapter 3:
The first thing Jai thought of right when Kiran came to wake him was of his bizarre meeting with her second oldest daughter, Bani, from last night. Yet he was left intrigued by the strange girl. He is looking forward in knowing more about her….
Before freshening himself up for a new day, he was given promise from his Kiran Aunty that she would have pancakes made at Breakfast for him especially. He didn't know what else to do but smile. He was appreciating the woman's efforts in making him feel welcomed, but perhaps she is going to a little extreme here. The Christmas tree in the living room was enough to prove that point of his. After dressing in a casual shirt and comfortable pair of jeans, Jai joins his host family at the table to be served Breakfast. He gives his pleasantries to Kiran, who scurries around setting the table, Rano, who smiles brightly at him, and Nishikant, who grumbles his good morning. Jai sits down beside Rano after she enthusiastically pats down at the chair next to her. They had really hit it well yesterday and Jai already felt a close bond with the girl. He was starting to think of her in some way of a sister he never had.
As he does this, he doesn't fail to notice the empty seat across from him. Is Bani choosing to avoid him once again? What will it be today, stomach pain? His conclusion is cut short once he sees the very girl he thinks of emerge from the kitchen doorway…..
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Bani was furious. Her mother woke her at six AM, instructing her to get ready and then come downstairs to prepare pancakes for her favorite person in the world at the present----her best friend's only son. She grumpily set to the task, burning about five pancakes, openly expressing her detest to the whole idea of making breakfast to the rich American stranger, until her mother angrily scolded her and she properly cooked them just to put an end to the shrilling. She had to closely follow the instructions on the box as she had never made pancakes before in her life.
She stacks all of the "perfectly" fluffy golden brown pancakes onto a serving plate and walks out of the kitchen to the table after she hears her mother call out to her for the umpteenth time. Bani scowls under her breath as she makes her presence known in the dining room, holding the plate securely in her hands.
"Thank God Di that you are finally here with breakfast. I am starving," Rano comments loudly as she spots her sister finally joining them. Bani purposely ignores Jai, who has set his attention on her, causing her to be very well aware of herself. She can literally feel his eyes following her every move. She consciously places the plate onto the table and obediently sits down into her chair once her mother asks her to do. She stubbornly keeps her eyes on her plate, refusing to let them wander up and look at the person across from her. However, she is forced to as her mother doesn't hesitate in introducing them immediately.
Kiran: Jai Beta…this is my daughter, Bani. She is two years younger to Pia. There is not much of an age gap between them which is why they behave more as friends than sisters. And Bani, this is Jai. Your Krishna Aunty's son and our guest for the next six weeks…. Say hello.
Bani: (barely audible) Hello…
She switches her focus down onto her plate again. Jai holds back a forming smile. Her behavior towards him is quite cute really…. He has never seen a girl so quiet and distant around him before. He's never met one of those kinds from where he comes from, where girls usually throw themselves on him.
Kiran: She was feeling quite sick the other day, which is why you weren't able to see her since she was resting…. (nervously reminding him)
Jai: It's nice to finally meet you… How are you feeling now? (making light, polite conversation with her)
Bani: (softly) Fine, thank you.
Kiran: (adding enthusiastically) It is Bani who has made you pancakes this morning, Jai. She was very sweet enough to offer to do so.
Bani's eyes widen with shock as she hears her mother's words. Lies! I did no such thing…. You had practically shoved me out of bed and dragged me down to the kitchen to get cooking!… she fumes to herself. Somehow Jai does not believe Kiran as he sees Bani angrily shoot daggers at her mother. However, he chooses to go along with it…
Jai: Thank you… That was kind.
Bani's cheeks bloom red by the sincere look he directs in her way and she tears her gaze quickly off from him.
Rano: Awww, look Jai, you made Deeds blush! Isn't that so cuuut-----Ooooowwwww!
Nishikant: What happened Rano?
He speaks for the first time since morning. Rano's eyes water as she bites down on her lip, preventing her from voicing her pain anymore. She shakes her head at her father and at her curious looking mother. Even Jai gives her a wondering look.
Rano: No… it's nothing. I just… jabbed my own finger is all.
Bani bites down a smirk as she brings her foot back to her side. She was glad to think that she could have possibly left a bruise on her sister's leg from her kick.
Kiran: You should be careful Rano…
She comments while affectionately running her hand down her daughter's hair, which in the meanwhile, Rano pouts at her older sister. Kiran turns to look at Bani, who instantly stops shooting dirty looks in Rano's way.
Kiran: Arre Jai beta… what are you waiting for? Dig in. Have your breakfast.
She tells him as she notices him not touching his pancakes which she had placed in his plate.
Jai: Woh… actually Aunty, I was wondering where the syrup is….
Kiran; (confused) Syrup?
Rano: Yeah Ma. Syrup. You're supposed to have them with pancakes.
Rano clearly had been doing a lot of research about the American life. Bani often scolds her that if she loves the American culture so much that she might as well go live in America to spare everyone the lectures she always has ready to share at Dinner.
Kiran: (embarrassed) Why…. I didn't know that---- You can't eat pancakes without syrup?
Jai: Well you can----
Rano: (cutting in) Mom, you always have to have syrup with pancakes.
Kiran: (brought down by this) I'm sorry beta. We don't have any syrup. Your whole breakfast is probably ruined now.
Jai feels like an a** for putting Kiran down. He wouldn't have asked for the syrup in the first place if he knew they didn't have any. He catches Bani looking a little miffed with him.
Spoilt brat… she growls to herself. He just needs everything, doesn't he?
Nishikant: (his voice rough) Don't worry Kiran. I'm sure it's just fine without the syrup.
Rano: But Pa---
Jai: Uncle's right, Aunty. It's just the same. I was just wondering if you had it in the first place. You don't need it with pancakes, really. Don't worry about it. (politely)
Kiran smiles feebly at his attempt of making her feel better. To prove his point, he takes his first bite of the plain hotcakes and smiles brightly at her, further reassuring her that it's completely fine. He comments earnestly on how well they have been made. Kiran blushes, glad that she managed to please him. From the corner of his eye, he sees Bani turn a little pink herself.
Kiran: (suddenly back to her cheery self) Bani, I was thinking that you and Rano should take Jai around the city today. Your father has work and I've been invited to a friend's house this afternoon, so neither of us will have time. Besides, he will have more fun with you girls rather than the company of two older people.
Rano: (excited) Oh, Deeds, that'd be so much fun! Wouldn't you like that Jai?
Jai: I would very much like that….
He replies while looking in Bani's direction. Again her cheeks become flushed.
Bani: (obviously reluctant) I don't know Mom. I have a study session with Priya later on.
Rano: Study session? Deeds, but I thought you were on break and didn't have exams unt-------Ooowwwww!!!!
Jai: (amused) Jab your finger again?...
He asks her to which Rano replies with a pained nod….
****************************************************************************
Despite her futile attempts in excluding herself out of the tour around the city, in the end, it was her mother who had won the argument, even against her father.
Kiran: You two are being ridiculous! What do you expect the poor boy to do at home while we are all out?! ----And Bani, didn't you care to think that it should be you who takes Jai around rather than Rano? You know the city far better than your sister and you know this!
She would have to give it to her mother, she really nailed her right then and there. Which is why she is at the moment acting like a tour guide for her foreign guest, who lingers behind with her sister fooling around. His laughter was really irking her. Here she is, dedicating her full time for him, setting aside her own plans (well, not really since she didn't have any plans rather than to relax at home) to entertain him, and he is not paying the least bit of attention. She angrily moves on….
****************************************************************************
Jai was finding himself strangely more and more attracted towards Bani every time she distanced herself farther away from him. It's like some kind of magnet was drawing him to her. Her arrogance and stubborn attitude only seemed to intrigue him rather than keep him away, making him want to know Bani even more than before. What is the reason behind her prejudice against him? Is it simply because he is American? He was getting a hunch that it was entirely because of just that.
****************************************************************************
Rano: Hey, brilliant idea! Why don't we catch a ?
Rano suggests as she finds herself become extremely bored by every passing second with her sister taking them to museums and parks around.
Jai: You guys have theaters around here?
Rano: Duh… India may not be comparable to America, Jai, but we're not that far bad.
Jai: (sheepishly)… Your sister would be up to it?
Rano: Of course. She loves watching . That's what we do all the time during our free time. But…..at the moment, I'm not so sure if she'll listen to me. Why don't you give it a try and ask her instead?
Jai: (lets out a chuckle at the idea) You're asking the wrong person, Rano.
Rano: Why do you say that?
Jai: Your sister completely detests me.
Rano: (giving him an incredulous look) No she doesn't.
Jai: Yes she does Rano… tell me, have I done something to her unknowingly? ---To make her so upset with me?
Rano: Well I can honestly tell you that you haven't done anything wrong….but to her, you may never know.
Jai momentarily goes into a deep trance of thinking until he is alerted out of it by the sight of a flower cart. A grin makes its way onto his lips.
Jai: You don't suppose flowers would cheer her up, do you?
Rano: As a matter of fact, Di loves flowers. You should give it a try.
****************************************************************************
Bani casually glances up from the map sprawled out in her hands and is given a pleasant surprise in seeing Jai standing before her with a small bouquet of beautiful bright flowers in his hand.
Bani: (startled) Jai?....
She watches as he wears a handsome smile on his face on hearing his name slip from her lips.
Jai: So the girl speaks….
Bani: (blushing) Of course I do….
Jai: (grinning) To everyone but myself….
Bani: (pushing away the much pended topic) What are these flowers for?
Jai: (comments casually) I got them for you….
The blush in Bani's cheeks deepens. Bani looks behind Jai's shoulder and sees her younger sister holding in her oncoming giggles. Of course this must be an idea of Rano's of wanting some fun and where would she find a better bait than herself? She gives Jai a dissatisfying look.
Bani: (snaps) I'm not amused….
Jai: I'm not trying to amuse you…. I just want to say that… Main tumse pyaar kaarta hoon.
After her shock passes by, Bani feels her heart flutter at his words and heat surfaces quickly to her face as she looks away shyly and nervously from Jai's intense stare. Hearing Rano explode into a fit of laughter, Bani angrily stalks off after remembering that it is all a sick joke, not heeding any attention to Jai who stares curiously on after her…
Jai looks back over to Rano, seeming highly confused. He approaches her.
Jai: You did tell me to say the right thing, didn't you? (giving her a questioning look)
He had asked her earlier on of how to apologize in Hindi since he knew nothing of the language, except for a few words here and there. He thought he would impress Bani in that way and break down the American image she has stubbornly created about him. But now he is doubtful about what he has said regarding Bani's reaction….
Rano: Of course! Would I ever lie to you?
****************************************************************************
For the next few days Bani mostly tended to ignore Jai who tried his very best to be friendly, but she was hard as a rock. It would take a miracle for her to even speak with him, he concluded. But he was determined as well…. He was going to make sure that this Bani would speak to him.
On the other hand, Bani was growing more and more frustrated by the stranger who she had to go out of her way all of the time to make comfortable. If this continued, she might just explode….
*****************************************************************************
After long protests from her baby sister, Bani finally caved into the idea of going to the Cinema rather than taking them around the city again. Besides, she wasn't very keen in sharing any type of communication with Jai after his "joke". The three make their way to the theater where they look up which are in and playing. Jai, however, can't really put any input since he has no idea about the foreign films to him.
Jai: Rano, are these all Hindi films?
Rano: Oh hain, I forgot. You don't know Hindi. It's okay Jai, they have English subtitles. You can read that. Just pick which movie you think looks interesting.
Jai shrugs and looks on at the movie posters, debating between confused thoughts of which would be worth paying money for.
Jai: What's this say? ….Rahb nee bahna dee johdee….
He asks while trying to pronounce the title of the movie, but to no success as Rano bursts into a fit of giggles. Giving a backwards glance at her, he notes that even Bani wears a small laughing smile on her lips.
Jai: What? (innocent)
Rano: It's Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Jai…. (politely correcting him)
Jai: Well thanks for rubbing in my lacking skills in the Hindi language, Rano.
Rano: (grinning) Always a pleasure…. You wanna see it?
Jai: (shrugs) Sure, I guess. I don't really know what other movie to decide on anyways.
Rano: (smiling) Good, because this is one movie me and Di have been dying to see.
Jai looks over to Bani and gives her a sly grin while answering Rano…
Jai: Well then, what are we waiting for?
****************************************************************************
Much to Bani's dismay, Jai sat himself in the seat between her and Rano. She looks around him and at her sister, who merely winks at her. Fuming, Bani crosses her arms against her chest and glues her eyes onto the wide screen, making sure to ignore Jai's presence as much as possible. Jai on the other hand was enjoying Bani's plight to the fullest. He shares a smile with Rano. As the movie began, Bani found that she was able to forget Jai and focus her full attention on her all time favorite actor, Shahrukh Khan, and soon become fully immersed into the movie.
Jai sighs in boredom in the middle of the movie. He was truly giving the foreign movie a fair shot, but he didn't have much interest in keeping up with the subtitles. His attention span was failing him at the moment. He however noticed that Bani's full attention is captured on the screen. He stealthily catches her bright eyes shining and her face so relaxed and serene-like that he finds himself momentarily smitten by the picture she makes him. What could have he possibly done to make such a beautiful girl angry with him?... He pondered to himself.
****************************************************************************
Rano: The movie was great, wasn't it Di?!
Bani smiles while agreeing with her. She was glad that they ended up going to the theaters after all.
Rano: What'd you think Jai?
Jai: (smiling as well) It was nice.
He didn't, though, pay much attention at all. Thanks to the person right next to him who continues to act as if he doesn't exist.
Rano: What do you want to do next?
Bani: (intervening) Nahi Rano… bus hogaya… Aab hum ghar chalna chaaye… Mummy Papa intezaar khar rahe hoge… (trans: No Rano…. We've done enough… We should go home now… Mummy and Papa must be waiting for us.)
Jai looks over to Rano for a translation who gives him one along with a defeated look.
Rano: She says that we should go home.
Jai: (nodding) She's right… It's getting pretty late. I had fun though Rano… thanks.
Rano smiles brightly at him, clearly pleased in giving him a good time, whereas Bani tries to conceal her anger. She isn't very successful though as Jai can see she has become peeved. He hides a grin. He had purposely left out thanking her. He's secretly enjoying seeing her get angry, she looks very cute whenever she is. As they walk out from the theater, they note that it is raining cats and dogs outside. Before any one of the girls say a word, Jai clearly sees their hesitance in stepping out in the rain and willingly offers to bring the car to the front for them. They had borrowed Kiran's car for their outing due to her persistence.
Bani and Rano watch Jai make his way over to the parking lot, slowly disappearing from view. They linger by the entrance behind the small shelter that keeps them dry. A few moments go by in which the sisters continue to discuss about the movie when they hear approaching footsteps. Turning to their side, they see two figures making their way over to them. It takes Bani a good second to realize that they are two men, who seem drunk by the way they are swaggering over to them. As the men approach closer, Bani protectively holds onto her sister's hand and looks around to see if anyone else is around. Not one person is in sight. It's dark and they are alone. Frightened for the safety of her and her sister, Bani desperately searches to see if Jai is coming anytime soon.
The whistling from one of the men draws her attention back to them. Rano creeps behind her sister's back, afraid of the men who they have become bait to. They smile sleazily at the sisters.
"Hey laadki… tum daarti ho kyun? We mean no harm…," one of the men comments. His friend, who stands beside him, smiles even wider than before which penetrates fear into the pit of Bani's stomach. "We just want some fun…," he continues, defensively. The same man comes even closer; crossing all limits, and touches Rano's cheek. Bani, who was still and stiff before, is enraged by the man's audacity in touching her sister. She surprises him by smacking his hand away and glaring hard at him.
Bani: (hisses) Don't touch her.
"Waah…. Did you see that Sunil? This one's got an attitude… Hmmm, I like it," he says with approval in his voice. Sunil, his friend, gives a throaty laugh.
Sunil: Of course you would Rakesh… You are always into the hot tempered ones… How about you take her while I'll deal with the other one?
Rakesh: (grinning) It's like you read my mind….
Rano, who is close to tears, flies into the safety of her sister's arms.
Rano: (squeaks in fear) Dddii----
Rakesh: (raising a brow) Sisters? … Even more interesting… Sunil, this is our lucky night yaar.
Sunil: What are you waiting for then? Let's enjoy our night to the fullest….
All of Bani's senses become alert as she sees Sunil come forth, his eyes set onto her younger sister. Acting as a guard, she stands in his way and pushes him aside. The men laugh at her weak try as she barely manages to move Sunil away, who is much stronger compared to her.
Rakesh surprises her in taking a grip of her wrist and pulling her towards him, tearing her away from Rano. He wraps his arm around her waist, keeping her firmly in his possession, and chuckles as Bani pounds hard on his chest in an attempt to get him away from her. He takes her chin into his fingers and makes her eyes meet his. From behind her, Bani can hear Rano whimpering and Sunil taunting her in between making lewd comments. Tears spring up in her eyes as she feels helpless in being unable to protect her sister.
Rakesh: You have quite a fight in you, gorgeous… Why don't you come and use the effort in something else instead…
Before she can even properly react from his words, out of nowhere, she sees a fist slam hard into Rakesh's jaw. In an instant she feels the gritty man's hands release her. Sunil's attention is diverted as he hears his friend's moaning pain. Bani and Rano look on with shock as Jai stands over Rakesh's body, his hands rolled into fists.
Sunil: Hey, who the h*ll do you think you are, man?!
Sunil aggressively pushes Jai, getting ready to start a full fledge fight. Jai aims a punch into his stomach and throws him onto the ground as well by twisting his arm and shoving him forward.
Bani: (gasps) Jai, look out!
Following Bani's eyes behind him, he turns and instantly faces a blow at his eye. Rakesh heaves in anger and proceeds into a fist fight with Jai, who is boiling in rage himself as the vision of the man holding Bani so close to him and touching her is permanently burned in his mind. With wide eyes, Bani watches Jai being entangled into a fight with both men. Rano goes back to her sister's side and joins in helplessly watching Jai being hit roughly, yet bringing a well comeback in beating the life out of the p*rv*rts. Seeing how seriously he is injuring the men, Bani steps in to stop him.
Bani: (choking on her forming tears) Jai, please, stop! You'll kill them!
He ignores her begging cries and resumes in beating the men black and blue. It isn't until Bani holds him back by grabbing onto his arm that he listens. He stares into her glistening hazel eyes as she whispers pleadingly….
Bani: Please….
(CONTINUED)
He somehow calms down a little at the sight of her and from her frightened voice. He looks back over to the men who lay on the ground, groaning, and aims one last kick in Rakesh's ribs before turning his full attention back over to Rano and Bani.
He gathers Rano close into a comforting hug, as she is in a pool of tears, and places a subtle touch on Bani's cheek while looking at her with full concern.
Jai: You're alright, aren't you? Did they harm you two in any way?
With tears falling from her eyes, Bani shakes her head as a response. Jai seems clearly relieved from hearing this, but not completely satisfied. He places them both into the car and taking charge of the wheel, drives them safely home'.
****************************************************************************
Kiran: Jai beta, what has happened to you?!
Kiran exclaims in worry as she opens the door only to see her friend's son with a black eye and blood running down his jaw and the knuckles of his hand. She also takes in her daughters' appearances, who are drenched from head to toe. Nishikant, worried in seeing Rano trembling so much, quickly engulfs her into his fatherly hug and soothingly asks her what had happened. It is Bani though who narrates everything to them in between tears. Kiran gasps while Nishikant looks outraged; sharing the same look of anger that Jai wears on his face. If it hadn't been for Bani, he may have actually ended up killing those men. The audacity they had in trying to lure themselves girls for some pastime fun disgusted him to no ends.
Nishikant: Rano, Bani, aapne kaamrein mein jaao' (trans: Rano, Bani, go to your rooms.)
Bani: Paar Papa----
Nishikant: (his voice booming) Now.
Casting a fleeting look at Jai, who meets her eyes, Bani listens obediently and walks over to the stairs with her sister in tow. Jai glances up at Nishikant, who directs his focus over to him instead. He watches with anticipation as he comes forward to him. What he does though slightly surprises Jai. He places a hand onto his shoulder and looks at him with genuine gratitude. The man, who had only looked at him with indifference since he had come here, now was replaced with someone else'
Nishikant: Beta, I don't even know where to begin'. If it hadn't been for you'.
Jai places his own hand over Nishikant's, stopping him as he sees a father's pained expression grow in him. He is obviously upset about what his daughters had to face.
Jai: I only did what anyone else would have done, Uncle.
Nishikant: Still, I don't even know how to thank you---
Jai: You don't need to because it was the right thing to do.
Nishikant: '.. Beta, forgive me. I have behaved very rudely since you have come.
Jai gives him a weak smile in an attempt to brush off the matter.
Jai: You are elder than me, you shouldn't have to ask for forgiveness from someone who is younger.
Nishikant gives him a small smile in return. Kiran affectionately runs her hand on his hair and kisses him on his forehead.
Kiran: Go to your room, son. I will come in some time to check your injuries. In the meantime, you need to lie down and get some rest. '.
****************************************************************************
After Bani successfully put Rano to sleep in her room, she drifts into the depths of her own overwhelming thoughts. The flashes from the incident continue to preoccupy her mind. The way Jai had stepped in and handled the situation taunted her. She had been so wrong about Jai Walia. She felt ashamed for behaving the way she did with him. She had judged him beforehand without bothering to get to know him first to see what person he really is. She assumed him of being an American brat she has been accustomed in hearing about. Tears begin to rebuild in her eyes as she dwells on the fact that Jai is the one who had saved her and her sister from meeting a dooming fate, a fate that would have tormented her for the rest of her life.
Bani quickly brushes away her tears as she hears her bedroom door open and her mother appear from behind it. Kiran joins her daughter on her bed and worriedly tends to Rano, soothingly running her hand down her hair and securely placing the blankets over her.
Kiran: How frightened was she? (her voice shaky)
Bani: '.. I've never seen Rano so afraid before in her life'
Bani watches as tears build in her mother's eyes. She, however, quickly blinks them away.
Kiran: You two are safe now' That is all that matters.
She says, but Bani knows her mother is comforting her own self more than her.
Bani: (quietly stating) Jai saved us Mama'
Kiran: I know, baby' Me and your father are so lucky that he was there with you two. (her voice trembling) ' He is in a pretty bad shape though.
A moment later she hears her mother let out a watery chuckle and speak in a tired tone.
Kiran: How will I explain to his mother that it hasn't even been a full week since he has been here with us and already he is hurt?
Bani finally notes a bottle in her mother's hands along with a small packet of cotton balls.
Bani: (ignoring her question) Mama, what are those for?
Kiran follows her gaze toward her hands.
Kiran: I wanted to check up on Rano quickly before going to Jai. He has wounds that need to be taken care of.
Bani didn't know what made her say it, but she did so anyway'.
Bani: I'll go'. I'll check up on him instead. You can stay here with Rano, I know that's what you really want to do at the moment.
Kiran: (reluctant on the idea) Paar---
Bani, though, already has risen from the bed and takes the materials from Kiran's hands.
Bani: Mama'. I need to thank him anyways. I'll take care of it' Aap bus Rano ke saath raahiye' (trans: You just stay with Rano.)
Kiran looks at Bani for a second before nodding her head and smiling faintly at her'..
***************************************************************************
Just as Jai sits down on his bed, he hears his cell ring. He grabs it from the dresser and checks the screen to see who it is. His mother'.. He debates whether he should answer it or not. But decides to in the end as he had failed to call her lately to tell her he had safely arrived. Before she can even ask him anything, he goes ahead and answers her worried questions'
Jai: Yes Ma' I got to Kiran Aunty's house perfectly safe, I had no troubles in getting here, she is very nice just like you said, and she and her family are treating me nicely. Are you satisfied now?
Krishna: But what took you so long to call me? I have been ringing your cell phone for the past four days.
Jai: I got a little distracted. But I'm telling you, I'm perfectly fine.
Krishna: Accha' so how is India so far?
Jai: It's great' (sounding a little miffed)
Krishna: How is Kiran and everyone?
Jai: They're fine too'
Krishna: (catching on to his tone) Jai beta, why do you sound upset?
If only you knew'. he bitterly thinks.
Jai: Nothing Mom, I'm just probably still tired from jetlag.
Krishna: Are you sure?
Jai: (sighs) Hain, Ma.
Krishna: Teek hai' toh'. What do you think of Pia's family?
Jai: (annoyed) Ma, first of all, the girl you are trying to set me up with is not even here. What is the whole point of this trip then?
Krishna: Jai, no need to be angry beta. I know that Pia is not here. Her mother had told me she had gone to a small vacation.
Jai: Yeah, coincidentally around the same time I was going to drop by to see her.
Krishna: Jai, there is more to your trip than just Pia. You are also there to connect with your native culture. I want you to learn about the culture you are traditionally apart of, where your true roots really lie. You may have been born in America, but your roots are in India, son. '.
Jai: Still I----
Jai stops midway in his sentence as he hears his bedroom doorknob turn and slowly his door open. On seeing Bani standing hesitantly in his doorway, he keeps his eyes on her while he ends his conversation with his mother'.
Jai: Uh, actually Mom, I'll call you back in sometime. We'll talk then.
Krishna: (protesting) But Jai----
Jai cuts the call and places his cell back onto his dresser after putting it on silent, knowing very well that he's going to be receiving some calls back from his mother.
Bani: (softly) Can I come in?
Jai: (indifferently) It's your house' You can go wherever you feel like, you don't need permission from me.
She interprets this as a yes and allows herself to come into his room. She quietly closes the door behind her and approaches him slowly at his bed. He looks up at her with an expressionless face which nerves her. He sees from behind her back that her hands fiddle with something. Bani catches where he looks at and shyly brings it into view. She presents him with a Poinsettia flower held firmly in her hands that he recognizes as there are quite a few around the house as a part of the Christmas decorations.
Jai: What is this flower for?
Bani: (shyly admitting) It's for you'.
Bani watches as he gives her a long, hard look before saying'.
Jai: '.. I'm not amused.
She feels her boost being deflated from his words and wears a look of defeat on her face. She knows that she deserves his attitude though. She hasn't been a very nice person to him so far. Bani hesitantly sits down beside him on his bed and looks at him with miserable eyes that it makes Jai feel terrible and regret his action in trying to give her a taste of her own medicine.
Bani: (barely audible) I don't blame you for behaving like this with me. I would do the same if I were you. I have behaved rudely towards you since you have arrived here and not very welcoming.
Like father, like daughter, he muses.
Bani: (close to tears) And I'm very ashamed about my behavior. I'm sorry Jai'. I really am.
Jai: Tell me, Bani' Have I done anything to make you angry with me in the first place?
He asks her subtly as he doesn't want to make her feel worse than how she already does. He just wants an honest answer. Jai watches as she lowers her eyes and shakes her head'.
Bani: No' you didn't directly.
Jai: (curious) But I did indirectly?
Bani: (continuing on after a pause)'. I was angry of all the attention you were given this past month. My mother has been driving us all up the wall about making your stay here comfortable' She had even decided that we'd celebrate Christmas for you. Rano did a lot of research on it and Mama made us do a lot for its preparations. '. I---I wasn't used to the whole change and I held you responsible for it. I felt that you were making us all go out of our way to please you '. (quietly)
Jai: That's understandable'
He defends her reasoning as he finds a little truth in her words. He has noticed how far Kiran has gone to make him comfortable and impress him.
Bani: (going on, feeling better in bearing the weight off of her chest) I thought you were a spoiled brat.
Jai raises a brow at this while Bani flushes from embarrassment by his reaction.
Jai: So that's where all the prejudice came from'.
Bani: (meekly) Jai, if you can, please forgive me'. I have judged you wrong. You are a far better person than what I had thought of you to be. Especially after what you did tonight for me and Rano'.
Jai: You mean after tonight'. as I haven't done anything else to appease you.
Bani: (red, nodding her head) After tonight'.
A silence begins to build in them and together they dwell on the incident.
Jai: (suddenly) How is Rano doing?
Bani: She's sleeping' she was very frightened.
Jai: I know'.
Bani: I---I want to thank you as well' for what you did.
Jai: I would have done the same even if it were anyone else, Bani'
Bani: (nodding her head again in agreement) Which is why you are such a good person.
Again there is silence. Jai nervously looks down from Bani's captivating eyes. The depths of her warm, honey hazel eyes unnerved him and made him feel out of place. He directs his gaze back over to the flower that still is held firmly in her hand and slightly alerts her as he gently takes it from her, their fingers brushing'.
Jai: It's amazing that I had to beat up two p*rv*rts just to get you to talk to me' (softly grinning at her)
Bani, smiling back at him, looks at him with new hope.
Bani: Does this mean that you forgive me?
Jai: (his grin growing wider at her hopeful expression) Let's just put this behind us and start afresh'
Bani watches Jai extend his hand forward and she stares at it for a moment before glancing back at him as he says'.
Jai: Hi, I'm Jai'
Without any effort, Bani breaks out into a dazzling smile that makes Jai's heart skip a beat. She eagerly takes his hand into hers and cutely replies'
Bani: Bani'.
Bani's cheeks turn crimson and her insides become warm as he takes her hand and kisses it sweetly'.
Jai: It's nice to meet you, Bani'.
Bani: (stammers shyly) N-now what?
Jai: (grinning handsomely) Now that we are friends Bani, would you mind helping a friend out and tend to his wounds?
Bani mentally slaps herself for forgetting the whole purpose in coming to his room in the first place and politely obliges. She begins at the task by dipping the cotton balls into the rubbing alcohol and dabbing them gently on his injuries. He would briefly flinch from the stinging. While at task, she can't help but blush as his eyes constantly meet hers'.. Soon enough they slip into a slow, but comfortable easy-going conversation in which they learn a little about one another' Awhile later, he suddenly asks out of the bloom'.
Jai: So tell me' what was it that made you so mad with me that one day' I think four days ago?
Bani: (confused) About?
Jai: At the museum' when I tried to apologize to you'
Bani: You were trying to apologize? (further puzzled)
Jai: (nodding his head) I said it in Hindi though' Rano taught me. ' Main tumse pyaar kaarta hoon' That means I'm sorry, doesn't it?
He sees how her whole face turns bright red and how she avoids looking into his eyes. He grows a bit confused himself'.
Bani: (shyly advises) You shouldn't try learning any Hindi from Rano'. She will get you into trouble one day with the stuff she is teaching you.
Jai: Why? What does it mean?
Bani: (continuing to blush) That is besides the point' Just please, don't learn anything from that girl. She loves making a fool out of everyone. And you are no exception.
Jai: I thought she likes me though'.
Bani: She does' which is why she will harass you even more.
As Bani places the last bandage onto his lower jaw, she closes the bottle of rubbing alcohol and gathers the used cotton balls.
Bani: You're all done' Keep on icing down your eye. Hopefully it'll help somewhat.
Jai: You're going?
Bani: (smiling lightly) Yes' It's pretty late. Close to midnight to be exact.
Jai glances over at the clock and sees that she's right. It is close to twelve. He looks back to her, disappointment lingering inside of him.
Jai: Thanks'
She smiles sweetly at him as a response. He watches her rise from his bed and stand idly before him.
Bani: I' I should go now. ' Um, let me or anyone else know if you need anything.
Jai: That won't be necessary, but thank you anyways.
Bani nods her head and tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear, nervously.
Bani: Um' Goodnight then. I-I'll see you in the morning.
Jai: (smiling) Goodnight, Bani.
Bani gives him one last look before turning and walking to the door. She is just about to leave until she stops in a heartbeat once she hears Jai call out to her'
Jai: Bani'
She looks back at him with her heart beating strangely fast.
Bani: Yes?
A friendly smile appears on his lips as he says meaningfully, "Sweet dreams." To which Bani replies with a small blush looming in her cheeks, "Sweet dreams to you too." Jai watches her disappear from his door and looks on for a moment before turning his attention over to his cell phone that flashes brightly, indicating that he has a call. He takes it, knowing who it is.
Jai: Hey Ma, can you answer a question?
Krishna: (startled by his quick reply) Sure' what is it?
Jai: What does'. Main tumse pyaar kaarta hoon, mean?
He hears her mother's tinkling laughter on the other side of the line which puzzles him to no ends.
Krishna: Kyon? Has someone said this to you?
Jai: No' Can you please just answer the question, Mom?
Krishna: (still giggling) Jai beta' It means I love you'.
At first Jai is shocked but slowly a smile makes its way back onto his lips. So this is the reason behind her blush'. He chuckles softly to himself.
****************************************************************************
Bani lays beside her sister and rests her head onto her folded hands. She stares out from her bedroom window and softly smiles with the thoughts of Jai in mind. Maybe having him marry her sister won't be such a bad idea after all. She has no doubts about him anymore'..
(CONTINUED)
Chapter 4:
Unlike last time, Bani happily obliged to make Breakfast when asked by her mother. Kiran, who suggested they make pancakes again, enthusiastically pointed out that she got syrup this time. Bani, however, declined the idea, saying it would be better if they gave Jai a variety. She settled on making toast and eggs instead….
****************************************************************************
Jai: Breakfast was great, Bani. Thanks.
Bani, happy in being able to please him, blushes while shyly smiling at him.
Bani: You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Jai smiles at her while they walk together to the family room where Rano suggested they go after eating their meals. Nishikant, after sharing a lengthy conversation with Jai at Breakfast, making up for his lack of hospitality before, left to work while Kiran set to some housework.
Jai: What do you suppose Rano wants to do?
Bani: I'm not sure. That girl is always up to something.
As they enter the room, they spot opened boxes of ornaments and Christmas decorations scattered around. Rano, who stands flat in the middle of the room, gives them a wide smile. The way she looked so cheery and carefree at that moment, one wouldn't think she went through a traumatic experience just the night before.
Bani: Rano, what is this mess?
Rano: Deeds, I thought that instead of going out today, we could stay home. And what better way of making use of our time by decorating the tree?
Jai and Bani share a look at this, both understanding the reason behind Rano's insistence to stay home for the day.
Bani: You don't mind do you?
Jai: Absolutely not. I think it'd be best if we just stayed here as well. Besides, it'd be nice to decorate the tree, don't you think?
Before Bani can even answer him, Rano exclaims in joy.
Rano: Oooh, great Jai Bhaiya! That's the spirit! Now let's decorate a much pended tree!
Jai looks on at Rano as does Bani in surprise. Rano stares back at both of them, puzzled by why they are just staring at her.
Rano: (innocently) What?
Jai: (breaking out into a smile) I thought you said you didn't want to call me Bhaiya.
Rano: (slightly blushing) Well… I want to now. You're like the brother I never had. And I feel that I should especially for what you did for me and Di last night. You don't mind do you?
Jai ruffles her hair while trying to conceal how touched he felt at the moment.
Jai: Of course not. In fact, I'm happy that you called me Bhaiya. I don't have a sister, but I'm glad that I do now….
Rano smiles delightfully up at him. She takes her hand into his and drags him over to tree.
Rano: Then come on Bhaiya, let's get started!
Jai gives Bani a backward glance at this, who smiles in his direction. She had warned him before that whenever Rano gets excited about something, she gets really excited. As she watches Jai join Rano in examining the tree and planning on what to put on it first, her smile suddenly fades as she realizes something. Would Jai start thinking of her as a sister as well now that Rano has started to address him as Bhaiya? For some reason, this thought troubled her more than she would like for it to….
****************************************************************************
Bani gasps as Jai hangs one of the last remaining ornaments onto the tree before standing back and joining the two sisters in admiring the grand tree which is fully decorated around.
Bani: (breathes) It's beautiful….
Rano: I never knew a tree could look so great.
Jai: It's not done, though.
Bani: (stunned on hearing this) But what more could you possibly put on it?
Jai: We're forgetting the most important piece….
Rano: What's that Bhaiya?
Jai pulls out one final ornament safely from a small white box and the sisters watch with anticipation as he places it high onto the very tip of the tree. As he backs away, Bani finds herself staring at a beautiful angel in a shimmering white gown and her wings to her sides as she folds her hand in prayer.
Rano: Of course, the angel… I can't believe I forgot.
Jai: (smiling) Now it's complete….
Bani: She's gorgeous… (praises) and the tree is great….
Rano: You still think that Christmas is a pointless holiday, Di?
Bani blushes as she feels Jai's eyes switch to her at that precise moment. She hurriedly shakes her head to deny her, not wishing to offend or displease Jai in any way.
Bani: (murmuring) I never said it was pointless Rano….
Rano: (looking surprised) Really? But how about all those times when you would list so many things ridiculous about Chri-----Oooooooooowwwwww!!!!
Bani moves her foot back after using it to stamp hard onto her sister's. She watches with satisfaction as Rano's eyes begin to tear from pain. Before Jai can register this action of hers, Bani hastily speaks to divert his attention elsewhere….
Bani: (breathlessly) Would you like something to drink?
Jai, startled by her sudden hospitality kicking in, he dumbly nods at her after curiously eyeing a pained Rano.
Jai: Uhhh… er, water would be great, thank you.
Before wandering over to the kitchen, Bani gives Rano a warning glare to not speak a word. Just as she leaves the room, she hears Jai amusedly ask….
Jai: Do you tend to hurt yourself a lot, Rano? ……….
****************************************************************************
Once she came back with a fresh glass of water to give Jai, she was informed by a sudden idea formulated within the short time she spent to go to the kitchen.
Rano: Deeds, me and Bhaiya have decided to play a game to pass some time! (back to her old cheery self)
Bani: A game? (curiously)
What are they, seven? She looks over to Jai for confirmation who only shrugs as an answer. She can tell he was only going along with whatever Rano was saying.
Rano: Yup! A card game!
Bani: (uneasily) But I don't know any card games….
She says as she sees Jai shuffling the deck of cards in his hands. He looks up, switching his attention over to her, and smiles gently…
Jai: It's alright… We'll teach you. You'll get the hang of it after awhile.
And so they started a game of Egyptian Ratscrew. Since Rano already knew the game rules and claimed to be a pro, she volunteered to help her sister out at first. Bani, though, was finding it difficult to keep up with her sister's fast rambling and was grateful once Jai stepped in after noticing the lost look on her face. Her cheeks color as he sits close beside her and patiently teaches the rules of the game with his soft, silky voice. Often her heart would race whenever he would place his hand over hers, guiding her into playing the game correctly.
Jai: See, you're getting good at this. You only needed a little practice.
Bani blushes with glee as he praises her ability to learn the game fairly quickly. She was finding lately that she liked to please him in just about anything….
****************************************************************************
A couple of days after the trio went out for lunch with great prompting from Kiran, who encouraged that the three should spend their time together to the fullest. She was enjoying seeing her daughters grow close to Jai, raising her hopes in having him as her son-in-law. Rano chose a small, cozy caf to lunch in where they all slipped into a decent flowing conversation. Jai was learning more and more about Bani and was inwardly happy to know that she was starting to open up to him. He knows that she will be graduating next year hopefully with a business degree and wishes to join the business world, to which he politely replied that he would make sure he will have an open spot for her in his father's company. She loves music, books, dancing, soft toys, the color pink, the rain, sunsets, the city life, her university, spending time with friends, oriental foods, and her homeland India. He could tell she held high pride in her culture with the way her eyes lit up as she talked fondly about it. He was also learning that he loved the way she talked…. so enthusiastically yet with innocence. He could listen to her voice all day….
Rano: It's kind of sad that you won't get to know Pia Di as well as me and Bani Di.
Jai wasn't liking the way this conversation was going…. He sits up in his seat and clears his throat.
Jai: Yeah, it's a shame. (dully)
Bani: (beaming at him) I'm sure you will like her just as much. It is hard not to like Pia Di. She's a very friendly person and gets along with people well.
Jai returns her radiant smile as his insides flip with the way she glows at him….
Bani: She graduated over a year ago in fashion design. She's always had a love for designing clothing. You should see her sketches, they're amazing…. She wants to open up a small business of her own.
Rano: (adding on) She's a really hard worker. And when she is determined about something, she really sets her mind to it.
Bani: (nodding, adding slyly after a moment) She's really beautiful too, Jai….
Rano: Hmm. She's often pointed out as the beautiful one out of us three sisters.
If Jai could, he would have scoffed at the statement. But he didn't to remain polite. He felt the statement was over exaggerated. Sure Pia's a pretty girl, but in no way is she comparable to Rano and Bani. They are both beautiful respectfully in their own individual ways…. especially Bani who he has noticed has a noticeable natural glow in her. For some odd reason, Jai for a moment finds himself wishing that Bani had ended up being Pia instead….that she had been the girl he came to see. He is jolted out of this thinking as he hears the very image of his thoughts speak to him….
Bani: She's a really fascinating person to know…. She is interested in so many things and has so many hobbies that it is sometimes hard to keep up with her. She is a very active person and so she hates lazing around.
Rano: (agreeing) She's really energetic….
Bani: (continuing on) And she….
Jai couldn't stand listening to Bani praise her elder sister for a minute longer. He was getting fed up with the thought of Pia and how she constantly made her way in between conversations since he has gotten here, despite her not being around. And he wasn't going to tolerate having her get in his way of getting to know Bani as much as he can.
Jai: (cutting in) I'd actually like to know more about you than Pia at the moment. When Pia comes, then I will take the time to get to know her as well….
He watches as Bani look startled momentarily before blushing by his blunt words. She didn't realize she was getting so hyped up in telling Jai about her sister. It is just that she really wants Jai Walia to like her. She wants this rishta to work. He is a good person and she is afraid another proposal as good as this one will not come knocking on their door again. At least, this is what she keeps telling herself.
Bani: (softly) What else do you want to know?
She sees him grin lazily at her while leaning back against his seat and looking at her with a gleam in his eyes.
Jai: Well for starters… Do you have any boyfriend?
Bani turns a dark shade of red as she shakes her head hastily at him. Rano sniggers at her sister's reaction.
Bani: (shyly) No….
Jai: (his grin widening) Well how many have you had?….
Rano starts to giggle, finding the situation amusing. Bani, on the other hand, feels like she will die from embarrassment.
Bani: …..Why do you want to know?
Jai: Well Bani, you're a beautiful girl and I'm assuming you've had many boyfriends… I just want to know how many. (he says frankly)
After the shock passes by, Ban's heart thuds hard and she is sure she looks as red as a tomato just about now. Before she can even say anything, her sister beats her to it.
Rano: (giggling) Bhaiya, Bani Di hasn't had any boyfriends…. In fact, I often wonder if she has sworn of men or something….
Bani glares hard in Rano's direction whereas Jai feels some sort of relief sweep into him, satisfied by the answer he has gotten. He turns to Rano, knowing that he should ask her the same to avoid any future remarks from her in his keen "interest" in her Bani Di….
Jai: (smirking) … So how many boyfriends do you have, four-eyes?
Bani blocks out Jai and Rano's banter as she relishes in the fact that Jai finds her beautiful…..
**
(CONTINUED)
Chapter 5:
Bani: Hain Di… things here are going just great.
Bani answers her sister whom she speaks to over the phone.
Pia: Accha? Woh kaise? (intrigued)
Bani: (startled, confused) What do you mean? Things are just fine… what else do I need to say to explain that?
Pia: Bani Rani, for the past three weeks I've been noticing that things have just been going "great" for you all the time. Usually whenever I go somewhere, you mope around and complain about how boring it is at home. Aab tujhe kya hua?
Bani flushes bright red as she has no reply to this. How could she even begin to explain the last three weeks to her sister? Honestly, Bani couldn't remember having so much fun before. But Jai has made that possible with his arrival…. By each passing day, Bani learned that he and she were quite similar, both in interest-wise and personality. Which is why she found herself instantly clicking and forming a good friendship with her much before detested foreign guest. There wasn't much effort put into it…. it just happened. But she couldn't say all this to Pia, whom she knew would only misinterpret everything that she will say. She can already imagine her squeal tauntingly, "So have you picked your wedding dress yet?" No, she was going to avoid that conversation as much as possible….
Bani: Nothing, Di. I'm just doing well. That's all.
Bani is thankful once she hears her bedroom door open and sees Jai standing in her doorway, allowing her to end her phone call with her sister before she teases her silly.
Jai: (slightly agitated) Come on, Bani. Let's go.
Bani: I'm coming, hang on.
Pia: (feigning a gasp) Is that lover boy now? … Arre, but what is he doing here in your room?.... Naughty naughty, Bani. Here you are telling me that there is nothing going on between you and Jai Walia, yet here you are unashamedly with him in your room.
Despite herself, Bani blushes. Jai looks on curiously at this.
Bani: Shut up Di. Aisa kuch nahi hai… (mumbles) (trans: It is nothing like that.)
Pia: Hain, hain. Mujhe saab pata hai… Aacha, tu jah. Tumhara honewala Paati tumhare liye intezaar khar raha (giggling) (trans: Yeah, yeah, I know everything. Okay, go. Your husband-to-be is waiting for you.) He seems to be in a big hurry.(adds on slyly)
Bani: (blushing) Ddddii…..
Jai rolls his eyes as he sees no end to this conversation.
Jai: Bani, today would be nice you know.
Pia: Wah… Tumhara hubby itana impatient hai… (trans: Your hubby is so impatient…)
Bani: Shut up Di. I'm going. I'll talk to you later.
Bani cuts the call and grabs her sweater quickly before joining an annoyed Jai at the door. She smiles feebly at him in a small attempt to apologize for keeping him waiting. Jai, however, silently gestures her to move on downstairs and closes her bedroom door behind them….
****************************************************************************
Bani: What do you mean you're not going?
Bani demands as Rano finishes telling her and Jai that she has other plans for the day. Jai, on the other hand, looks the least bit affected.
Rano: Sorry Di. But I promised Anju that I'd come over. She's been begging me to come for so long now, and you know she's here for only another week.
Bani: Kya Rano… aab mera saath shopping kaun jaaonga? (trans: Who will go shopping with me now?)
Rano: Deeds, Jai Bhaiya hai naa… Aap to aise bolareh hai jaise aap akele jhaare….. (trans: Deeds, there is still Jai Bhaiya… You are acting as if you are going alone.)
Bani: (growing embarrassed) Main uske saath kaise shopping kaarsakti? (trans: How can I go shopping with him?)
Rano: Kyon nahi? Mujhe to lagaa ke aap dono itane kareeb dost banchuke hai… problem kya hai? (tauntingly) (trans:Why not? I thought you two were already such close friends… What's the problem?)
Bani: (grits) Rano ki baachi…..
Jai watches the two sisters arguing in Hindi until he has enough of it and splits them apart. He wasn't liking the fact that they were speaking right in front of him, yet he couldn't understand a word.
Jai: Enough of this Hindi madness… spare me the headache, would you two? I don't see what's the problem…. Rano, just go ahead to your friend's house. Bani and I will go on ahead. It'll be fine. Right, Bani?
With flushed cheeks, Bani reluctantly agrees and before leaving with Jai, she glares hard at her sister who gives her a thumbs up and a chuckle in return.
****************************************************************************
It's not that she felt uncomfortable with his presence. Nor was it that she did not wish to go anywhere alone with him. It was simply the fact that she felt awkward about doing some of her own shopping with Jai around. She was used to taking Rano along and seeking her opinion before she bought anything. But now she wasn't here with them….
Jai: So, where to first?
Jai asks her as they walk along the sidewalk, passing by each store. Bani muses about this, deciding that she will push off her own shopping till later, and thinks about where she should take Jai too.
Bani: (smiling) I think I have a store for you. It's across the street and right around the corner.
Jai: Sure. Let's go take a look.
They round the edge of the sidewalk and look at the speeding cars passing by. Together they watch for any clearing so they can cross through.
Bani: It's so busy….
Jai: Here, give me your hand.
After a hesitant moment, Bani places her hand into his outstretched hand and watches as it clasps around hers. She can feel the butterflies begin to roam around in the pit of her stomach. Jai holds onto her hand tight and leads her into crossing the road. She catches up to his fast pace and stays to him close. As they arrive on the other side, she is surprised to see his grip on her hand still intact…yet soften a little. He continues to stroll down the sidewalk with Bani by his side, leading to the corner, oblivious to his companion's emotions. It isn't until a few moments later that Bani brings this up to him…
Bani: (shyly) Jai… you can let go of my hand now.
Jai looks over to Bani, whose cheeks are satisfyingly pink, and grins handsomely at her.
Jai: Now why would I want to do something like that?
Bani: (blushing) Jai… people will start assuming things.
Jai: So? Let them assume. As far as I know, I'm out spending time with my friend.
He entwines their fingers, enclosing their joined hands together, silently closing any further discussion of the subject. Bani knows that this may be a friendly gesture in America, but in India, people will conclude to just about anything. It is different here… However, she remains mum and allows him to hold her hand, knowing that no matter the amount of protests she makes, he will not listen to her. As they make their way around the corner and walk straight, headed towards the store at end of the sidewalk, Bani begins to slow down a little which draws Jai's attention back onto her. He watches her looking into the glass display of a store with obvious fascination. He tugs on her hand to bring her focus onto him.
Jai: Come on. Let's go in and see…..(with a soft smile)
****************************************************************************
Bani gazes around the jewelry store with wonder, taking in the collections of bangles, anklets, rings, watches, necklaces, and earrings. As she glances down at the open displays, she feels the presence of someone come near. Looking up, she finds the owner of the store smiling politely at her.
"Namaste Ma'am… Namaste Sir… Kaise hai aap? Kya main aap dono ko kuch madaat daoon?" he asks kindly. Jai, who stands beside Bani, looks over to her for a translation. He watches her smile back at the owner and reply back in Hindi.
Bani: Ji, hum teek hai. Hum bus yuhi dekharah hai… (trans: We are fine. We are just looking.)
"Accha, to phir kyon na hum aapko humare collection ko dekhadoon?" he says with an even wider, welcoming smile. Bani nods her head and watches the man excitedly draw out the necklace sets and place them on top of the glass counter for view. A minute into her observing, she hears the man ask….
"Kya aapka paati kuch dekhna chaate hai?" (trans: Does your husband wish to see anything?) Bani's cheeks burn with embarrassment and she finds herself tongue-tied. Jai, who was disinterestedly looking at the displays, sees this and wonders what the man had said that could possibly have embarrassed Bani.
Jai: (prodding her) What'd he say?
The man looks over to Jai and realizes he doesn't know any Hindi. He cuts in, saving Bani from giving him any explanation. "I say her, you see anything? For you, no?" Jai, able to understand him, answers with a shake of his head.
Jai: Uh, no. Nothing for me. We are here just for her.
Strangely the man smiles at him which confuses Jai to no ends. He looks on with a puzzled expression as he says something to Bani once again in Hindi.
"Ma'am, aapka paati baut acche hai… aaj kaal aise paati kahan milte hai joh uski paatni ke liye heer wala dukhaan thak jaasakatha…" he comments with a laughing chuckle. Bani can't help but smile in return, yet still looking painfully embarrassed at the same time. (trans: Ma'am, your husband is really great… now a days where can you a find a husband that is willing to go to a jewelry store for his wife?)
Bani: (meekly) Ji… main zarra wahan dekhna chaati hoon… (trans: I wish to go look over there.)
"Ji, ji. Zaroor." Without another moment of hesitance, Bani wanders off to another side of the store, leaving Jai stuck with the jeweler who simply smirks at him.
"You good….very good," he remarks while nodding his head. Jai gives him half of a smile before joining Bani, finding the man highly strange.
Jai: You found anything you like?
Bani: (shaking her head) No…. I'm done here. Let's go on over to the store I was talking about.
Jai: Wait, hang on. What was it that you were just looking at?
Jai picks up the silver payals that Bani had just placed down and that he noticed she was looking rather intently at.
Jai: You want these?
Bani: No, I was just looking at them. Besides, I don't even have the money for it. (her attempt of lying failing her)
Jai: Well, that's fine. I can just get them for you then. (reading through her lie, knowing very well she wants them)
Bani: (looking very against the idea) No, Jai. It's alright. Please, don't waste your money. I don't even want it to begin with. I was just looking. Honestly. Come on, let's leave.
She says to him pleadingly as she tugs on his arm. Jai looks over to her after he runs his fingers along the anklets. Before he can even say anything more, Bani takes the anklets from him, puts them back down, and leads him on outside of the stores. He chuckles at her hurry to leave. He knew it had something to do with the jeweler who was just starting to make his way over to them.
Jai: Slow on down, Flash…. What's the big hurry?
Bani: (sheepishly) Nothing… I just really want to take you to the store.
Jai: We have all day to shop Bani, we can take our time….. Now….
Taking her hand back into his, he grins at her.
Jai: Tell me what the man said….
Bani, knowing it'll be useless to keep this away from Jai since he will just pester it out of her, answers him shyly with her cheeks turning red all over again….
Bani: (softly) He thought you were my husband….
Jai simply chuckles out of amusement while Bani grows even more embarrassed by the second. He, however, was feeling pretty good about himself at the moment. Husband, huh? Very interesting thought…. His grip on Bani's hand becomes firmer.
Jai: What else did he say?
Bani: (reluctantly telling him) He said that you are a good husband for coming to a jewelry store for your wife since most men avoid doing just that….
Jai continues to laugh, irking Bani a little. She pushes him aside, but their hands remain intact.
Bani: (mutters) This is all your fault you know… I told you people assume here…..
****************************************************************************
Bani showed Jai around a few stores where he did little shopping, mostly for his parents, until he suggested that they go somewhere for a quick bite. They stop by an ice cream parlor where Bani gets herself a chocolate ice cream cone and Jai vanilla in a cup for himself. In the middle of Bani's chatter, Jai fiddles with his phone and after giving Bani a glance, showing her that he's listening, gets a sudden idea. He scrolls down to his camera phone and raises his cell to take a picture of a very oblivious Bani who indulges herself in the deliciousness of her treat.
Bani: ---places like Scotland, Italy, Paris, Singapore, Hawaii…. You know, major attractions…. (looking up) Jai, are you even listening to me?
Jai: (startled) Huh? --- Oh yeah, of course.
Bani: What are you doing?(suspiciously)
Jai: Nothing… just seeing if I have any signal in here…. I'm thinking of giving Ma a call… You know her, she's been pestering me to call her more often…. But go on, ….you were talking about what places you wanted to see….
Bani: Yes… The farthest I've ever been is to Goa… (pouting) and that too on a university trip.
With a growing smile, Jai discreetly clicks a picture of her and gazes at it for a moment before saving it into his phone. He tucks his cell pack into his pockets and turns his full attention back over to Bani, who notices him put his phone away.
Bani: No signal?
Jai: Yeah….
He watches as an earnest smile appears on her lips while she asks….
Bani: Tell me more about Krishna aunty and Uday uncle…about your life back in America.
Jai: (grinning) What more do you want me to say?
Bani: I don't know…. Anything. I feel like you know so much about me and my life here and I'd like to get a feel of what your life over in America is like….
Jai: (sincerely, looking at her intently) You will Bani…. One day….
Bani: (confused) What do you mean?
However, instead of answering her question, he simply smiles and rises from his chair. With a single nod of his head, he signals her to follow…
Jai: Come on… we've been here long enough.
****************************************************************************
Ending their day's outing, Bani mentioned she had some pending shopping to do and Jai obliged willingly. She embarrassedly tells him that she needs to find a dress for her friend's coming party, who insists on it being formal. Jai smiled at her slight discomfort. He knew she was wishing Rano were here just about now. After one dress after another, Bani finally finds her winning choice with Jai's approval….
Jai: Come on yaar…. What's taking so long?
He questions her from the other side of the changing room's door. Bani's muffled voice speaks back to him….
Bani: Hang on…. I'm trying to close the zipper to this thing….
After hearing exasperated sighs and futile attempts from her side, Jai offers his aid….
Jai: You need help with that?
Bani: (caving in) ……. Yes, please.
Jai grins at the desperate helplessness in her tone and watches as she opens her changing room's door, revealing to him her creamy bare exposed back with the zipper stuck midway…. With his breath caught in his throat, he hesitantly nears her and takes the zipper into his fingers.
Bani: It's hard to reach….. my arms hurt from just trying to get a hold of it…
Jai slowly zips her dress from the back after his fingers gently brush across her baby smooth skin….. Bani turns and faces him with a small, curious smile….
Bani: (shyly) So?.... What do you think?
Jai's breath is blown away by the sight she makes. She wears a flattering sleeveless white flowing dress that ends just below her knees, outlining her slender figure and exposing her creamy legs, complemented with a sash around the middle. She looks heavenly….
Jai: (earnestly) ….. You look beautiful, Bani… absolutely beautiful.
He watches again with satisfaction as her cheeks become a lovely shade of pink…..
****************************************************************************
As Jai and Bani arrived back to the Dixit's residence, they were just in time for dinner. Dinner was a joyful affair with everyone involved in excited chatter. Jai, for a brief moment, felt like he was sitting with his own dear ones and not a group of strangers that he viewed them as before…. Slowly he was realizing that he was getting attached to this family more than he would like for himself to be….
****************************************************************************
Rano: I feel bad that I ditched out on you guys at last minute… I want to make it up…. Why don't we watch a movie?
Bani: Rano, a movie at this hour?
Rano: Yes, why not? What do you think Jai Bhaiya?
Jai: I think it's a great idea…. I'm not tired yet anyways….
Rano smiles at his response and encouragingly leads him to the living room where Bani follows them after caving in.
Jai: What movie are you putting in Rano?
Rano: Scrooge….
Scrooge, an old Christmas classic, was about a coldhearted, selfish man who didn't believe in Christmas. Jai grins at her selection. Count on Rano to be in the Christmas mood. Bani, on the other hand, is terribly confused. Within thirty minutes into the movie, however, the very person who suggested the whole idea falls asleep. Jai and Bani, though, don't notice this until afterwards as they are absorbed in a conversation of their own….
Bani: Jai?
Jai: Hmmm?
He replies while keeping his gaze on the movie.
Bani: Why do Christians celebrate Christmas?
Jai tears his eyes off of the screen on hearing this and looks over to Bani's innocent, curious expression. He smiles lightly at her in a fond manner.
Jai: Well, …. Christmas is supposed to be in honor of Jesus' birth, so it's an important holiday…. His birth is said to have fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament that predicted the coming of a messiah… at least that's what many Christians believe….
Bani: Do you believe in that?
Jai places his arm onto the edge of the couch behind Bani and turns his body to face her completely….
Jai: I do…. Jesus was a savior and believed as a prophet…. also to be the son of God by his virgin birth… he was a healer and teacher… he preached compassion and forgiveness, did many remarkable works and performed miracles… and by this he brought hope to the people, who at the time were being forced to believe in damnation….His death brought salvation and reconciliation with God for our sins… He is an honorable and holy man to commemorate Bani….
Bani: You make him sound very wonderful…. (smiling softly)
Jai: He is…
Bani: Would you tell me more about him?
With a grin forming at the corners of his mouth, Jai starts off with the accounts of Jesus' birth leading to his magnificent legacy…. Bani listened intently to his velvety voice as he spoke excitedly. His excitement brought a faint smile to her lips…. It didn't matter if they both believed in different religions… all that did was that they had faith. …
****************************************************************************
Jai affectionately runs his fingers through her hair and gazes at her with adornment … He had noticed her eyes begin to droop before and when he had advised that she go on to sleep, she flatly refused to him and insisted that she wanted to listen to him some more…. Sleep, however, overcame her in the end.
He wished he could freeze this moment forever….here with Bani so close and resting peacefully against his shoulder. She seems so frail and delicate in her sleep that he felt the need to hold and protect her…
He knew, however, that he needed to get her to bed. He wakes Rano first, who is rattled out of her sleep and drowsily wishes him goodnight before retreating to her room. Turning to Bani, Jai softly prods her awake as well….
Jai: Bani….. Bani…. Wake up…. It's late… You should go to bed. ……Bani?
He sees her stir a little but fall back into the abyss of her sleep. Sighing, he gathers her into his arms and lifts her up from the couch as he has no other choice. He takes her to her room where he gingerly lays her onto her bed before tucking her in under the duvet. After a second thought, he tenderly kisses her on her forehead and grins as he sees a content smile grow on her lips….Silently he makes his way out ….
****************************************************************************
(CONTINUED)
Chapter 6:
Bani rushes herself in getting ready as she is already late for her close friend's 21st birthday party, the baby of her small clique of friends as everyone else had turned the legal age quite some time ago. She had been originally planning to go alone but some sudden changes occurred at the end…. Her parents had randomly made plans with a group of their friends and Rano claimed she had an engagement of her own to attend to as well. The problem was, who was going to attend to Jai? Neither of them knew they had separate plans so never really gave this a thought before….
However, her mother readily solved the problem by suggesting Bani in taking Jai along with her. Bani intervened, saying that she didn't want him to become bored as he wouldn't know anyone there. Her mother protested saying that she can introduce him. Bani after some time caved in, knowing that it would only be reasonable for her to take Jai along as Rano has exams to study for and her parents would be socializing with people around their age group. She went ahead and told Jai about the change of plans and blushed by the way he smirked at her with a certain twinkle in his eyes…
Jai: Is this your informal way of asking me out on a date?
Bani: (blushing red, shaking her head) Noo…. I just---I---you----I don't want you to stay home yourself---So I---(stammering)
He chuckles his normal throaty laugh that makes Bani grow even more embarrassed than before, yet her heart races fast.
Jai: Don't worry… I was just teasing …. Give me twenty minutes and I'll be ready.
Bani softly gasps as she is startled by feeling a pair of hands cover her own. She glances back up at the mirror and watches Jai standing behind her, looking gallantly handsome in a black suit. This is her first time seeing him in one and she was finding that she is unable to take her eyes off of him. She slowly removes her hands away from the necklace she was attempting to clasp moments before and allows Jai to take up the task instead. She silently watches through the mirror as his hands take a hold of both sides and begin to attach the ends together. His eyes meet hers and she shyly lowers her gaze…
Jai: I see you handled the situation with your zipper….
Bani: (softly) I got Rano to zip it for me quickly before she left…
He successfully ties her necklace and pushes her hair back into place. Bani feels chills run down her spine by the way he looks at her intently… as if taking her appearance in…. After a silent moment, he speaks again…
Jai: We should get going unless you want to miss your friend's party…..
****************************************************************************
Jai felt uncomfortable with being among a crowd of strangers but was grateful that Bani was trying her best to settle him in with her friends. He caught up with a few of them, Raashi (the birthday girl), Sonali, Lakshmi, and Saahil. He was a little wary with Saahil at first, finding that his closeness with Bani was rather irritating to him, but was put to ease after Bani introduced him as Raashi's boyfriend.
Bani: Jai, I hope you're enjoying yourself?
She asks him hopefully as she turns to him, catching his silent demeanor some time into the party. Her worries are put to a rest as he smiles and reassuringly takes her hand into his.
Jai: Don't you worry about me… I'm fine. Your friends are very nice people.
She beams at what he says, glad by his approval.
Jai: But I'd have an even better time if you were to share a dance with me…
With flushed cheeks, Bani shyly nods her head and allows him to lead her to the dance floor. Jai gathers her close in his arms and continues to smile down at her.
Jai: I see your friend Raashi staring us down like a hawk….
Bani: (pink in the face) Just ignore her, she's just silly…
Jai: Why's that?
Bani: (shyly) She's convinced that you're my boyfriend despite how many times I tell her that you are a guest.
Jai: (chuckling) We must make a good couple then if everyone wants to believe that we are one, don't you think?
Bani: (smiling herself, blushing) I guess…
Bani continues to sway in Jai's arms with her arms wrapped around his neck and half way into the song, lays her head against his chest as she loses herself into the warmth of his embrace and the lyrics of the romantic song…
Saanson Ko Saanson Mein Dalne Do Zara
Dheemi Si Dhadkan Ko Badne Do Zara
Lamho Ki Guzarish Hai Yeh Paas Aa Jaaye
Hum… Hum Tum…
Tum… Hum Tum…
Aankhon Mein Humko Utharne Do Zara
Baahon Mein Humko Pighalne Do Zara
Lamho Ki Guzarish Hai Yeh Paas Aa Jaaye
Hum… Hum Tum…
Tum… Hum Tum…
Saanson Ko Saanson Mein Dalne Do Zara
Salvatein Kahin Karwatein Kahin
Phel Jaaye Kajal Bhi Tera
Nazron Mein Ho Guzar Tha Hua
Khwabon Ka Koi Khafila
Jismo Ko Ruho Ko Jale Do Zara
Sharmo Khaya Ko Machalne Do Zara
Lamho Ki Guzarish Hai Yeh Paas Aa Jaaye
Hum… Hum Tum…
Tum… Hum Tum…
Saanson Ko Saanson Mein Dalne Do Zara
Choolon Badan Magar Iss Tarah
Jaisa Surila Saaz Ho
Hum Hai Re Chupe Tere Zulf Mein
Kholo Ke Raat Azaad Ho
Aanchal Ko Seene Se Dhalne Do Zara
Shabnam Ki Boondein Phisalne Do Zara
Lamho Ki Guzarish Hai Yeh Paas Aa Jaaye
Hum… Hum Tum…
Tum… Hum Tum…
Saanson Ko Saanson Mein Dalne Do Zara
Bahon Mein Humko Pighalne Do Zara
Lamho Ki Guzarish Hai Yeh Paas Aa Jaaye
Hum… Hum Tum…
Tum… Hum Tum…
Hum… Hum Tum…
Tum… Hum Tum…
Hum… Hum Tum…
"What do you say that we blow this party and go on back home…. I'll cook us some dinner," Jai whispers lightly into her ear. Bani opens her eyes and glances up at him with a growing smile of her own….
Bani: That'd be perfect……
Together they blow the party and discreetly leave. Bani didn't bother seeing Raashi before leaving nor felt guilty about doing so either… all she knew was that she wanted to be with Jai…..
****************************************************************************
"Where did you learn to cook all this," Bani questions him while sitting on the kitchen counter and tasting the sauce that Jai offers her on the wooden spoon. She watches him go back to stirring the delicious sauce and answer her….
Jai: My old neighbor who moved away a few years ago… She was an elderly woman and thought of me as a son. I would go over to her place and she would teach me all sorts of stuff… I kind of miss her sometimes…
Bani scrutinizes him for a moment before replying, "Uh huh…, so old girlfriend then?" Jai smirks and nods.
Jai: Yeah, … old girlfriend.
Jai finishes up with dinner and Bani helps by setting the dishes on the table out on their house's deck, where Bani suggested they eat. As Jai comes out with the last dish in hand, he hears Bani let out a soft, "Ouch" and curiously nears her after placing the meal in his hands down.
Jai: Bani, what happened? (concerned)
Bani: Oh, Jai… It's nothing serious, just a splinter…
Jai: Here, let me see.
Bani: Jai, I'm fine… Please don't worry.
Jai doesn't heed to anything that she says and only takes her hand into his, examining the wooden splinter in her finger.
Jai: Sit right here…
Bani let's Jai seat her down onto one of the chairs nearby and he asks her where he can find a pair of tweezers. Without any questions, she directs him there and watches him disappear behind the sliding door…..
Moments later, he reappears with tweezers in his hand and crouches down beside her at her chair. Bani begins to panic on him taking her hand into his and bringing the tweezers close to her finger.
Bani: Jai, what are you doing?
She demands as she struggles to pull her hand away from his firm hold.
Jai: I'm going to take the splinter out… You aren't thinking of leaving it in there, are you?
Bani: Why not? It'll be less pain that way… (crying out)
Jai has to restrain himself from laughing at her state. Here she is, scared by a small splinter…
Jai: Come on Bani, don't act like a baby. I've gone through worse pain than this and didn't react the way you are right now. (tauntingly)
Bani: Like what?
Jai looks at her for a good second before looking down and starting to unbutton the top buttons of his black silk shirt. Bani's eyes widen at this and she feels like she will die from a heart attack right then and there.
Bani: Jai, what are you----
She stops midway in her sentence as she sees Jai reveal his right shoulder to her where he has a nasty scar. Curiously she touches it lightly, tracing the outlining of it and stares back up at him.
Bani: How'd this happen? (softly)
A smirk comes across his lips as he looks back at her. He discreetly takes her hand back into his and begins at his pending task...
Jai: You wouldn't believe me if I told you….
Bani: (stubbornly Yes I would….
Jai: Really?
Bani: If you'd give me the chance, I would…
Jai: (grinning) Alright ….. A couple of weeks ago I was walking out of Dad's office building when all of a sudden this man roughly pushes me aside and I hear this elderly woman screaming. I looked to her and she was pointing at the man and saying how he had stolen her purse away from her. And me being the only person around and in close proximity to the thief, I darted after him. So I'm chasing after him, right on his tail, when he goes into these buildings nearby to lose me.
Bani: Uh-huh….(prodding)
Jai: I follow after him into an apartment building… he's running up a fleet of stairs and I'm right behind him… Once I get up to the roof, he has a crowbar in his hand and starts flinging it at me, I miss it a couple of times, until he gets me right on my shoulder….
Bani: Ouch…. (wincing at the thought) That's where you got the scar?
Jai: (nodding) Right….
Bani: Then what happened?
Jai: Well, he thinks that he's gotten me and starts to run off again but I see what he's doing and go after him again…
Bani: You're doing all this for a woman's purse?
Jai: Come on Bani, the poor woman's money was in that purse and who knows what else.
Bani nods her head in agreement and urges him to continue with his story…
Jai: So seeing that there is no place for him to go, he's so desperate to get away that he jumps over the building and to the next apartment building, landing on someone's balcony…
Bani: (interest sucked in) What'd you do?
Jai: (shrugs) What else would I do…. I did the same. I ran off the building, literally flying midair, and almost miss the balcony completely if I luckily hadn't caught a hold of the railing…. I struggle for a moment, but hoist myself over onto the balcony and track him--
Bani: Wait, you're telling me that you jumped off an apartment building to another building? (disbelief)
Jai: Yes… I think that is what I said….
Bani: Jai, you're full of lies… You know that?
She watches him grin impishly at her, not feeling the least bit of shame for lying…
Jai: Well I managed to get the splinter out without you knowing, didn't I?
Shocked, Bani stares at the tweezers in his hand that holds the splinter into view. Her eyes switch back over to Jai who continues to grin at her. She drowns into the depths of his stormy gray eyes and her heart soars high with her mind reeling fast… It had been that very moment when Bani had her greatest epiphany…. that she is in love with Jai Walia….
****************************************************************************
Bani could not go to sleep with what she had just learned. She felt excitement building inside the pit of her stomach and a new wave of emotions that she never experienced before in her life. It is strange what being in love can do to a person. She lay restlessly on her bed and only came out of it on hearing the front door open. It was her parents who briefly asked her how her evening was and went off to their room, only after having her assurance that she would wait up for Rano. It was ten minutes later that her sister came home as well. Together they walk on over to their rooms as it is quite late. On their way there, they pass by Nishikant and Kiran's bedroom where they hear their muffled voices… It was when they mentioned Jai's names that Bani stopped in her tracks…
Rano: Di, what's wrong? What are you doing?
Bani: Ssshhh… Rano, be quiet for a moment…
Bani places her ear up against her parent's door and listens into their conversation….
Kiran: Oh Nishikant, you are always after the poor boy….
Nishikant: Kiran, it's not that. I am rather fond of Jai. He is a very polite and fine young man… I just feel a little apprehensive about how close he is getting to Bani in particular… and you are only encouraging this.
Kiran: Nishi, please… there is nothing of that sort going on. Besides, it is great if they do get close. It will be good for later on when Jai becomes her and Rano's Jiju….
Nishikant: (grumbling) I guess….
Bani's face pales on hearing this as well as her heart drops… She moves away from the door and tries her best to hide away her forming tears from her ecstatic looking sister.
Rano: (whispers excitedly) Oh Deeds! Did they just say Jiju? Are Mummy and Papa planning to get Jai Bhaiya married to Pia Di?!
Despite her heart breaking into pieces, Bani replies with a cracking voice, "Y-yes Ran…" She watches from the corner of her eye as Rano claps her hands in glee and begins jumping up and down.
Rano: Oh Di, this is wonderful! (still whispering) Jai Bhaiya will become into our Jiju! He will become family! Aren't you so excited?!
Bani does not answer to her as she only goes to her room and buries her face deep into her pillows, burdening them with her tears and sorrows….
****************************************************************************
She did not know why she let this all happen. She knew from the beginning. She knew that Jai could never be hers. He came all the way to India specifically to meet her sister for marriage. At one point even she was going along with the idea, having her sister marry the man she was growing to like. It was falling in love with him that came unexpected. Now the very idea of having Jai marry her sister or anyone else for the matter pierces her heart severely.
Bani hesitantly makes her way to the kitchen where she knows she can find her mother and talk to her alone. She arrives into the area and sees her mother busy in making breakfast. She slowly seats herself down onto one of the stools and softly calls for Kiran's attention.
Bani: Mama….
Kiran turns on around on being called.
Kiran: Oh Bani beta, Good morning. What are you doing in here so early? I purposely didn't wake you this morning because I thought I'd let you rest for a little longer.
Bani: I… I couldn't sleep. So I thought of just waking up.
She watches her mother nod and turn back to the sizzling pans. After another hesitant moment, she draws her attention back…
Bani: Mama… are you really planning on having Pia Di marry Jai?
Kiran stops stirring and looks at her daughter with a slight startled expression.
Kiran: Bani… tumhe kaise pata? (trans: How do you know?)
Bani: (sheepishly) I overheard one of your conversations with Krishna Aunty…
Kiran gives her an admonishing look but Bani ignores it.
Bani: Tell me mama… are you?
Kiran: Yes… I very much approve of Jai… his mother wants to get him married and now Pia has reached an appropriate age to get married as well… They both will suit each other perfectly… Don't you think so?
Her mother turns her attention back to her cooking and Bani's face falls… She gathers up her courage once more as she asks…
Bani: Does it have to be Pia Di? …. (softly)
Kiran stills in her actions and again looks back to her solemn daughter.
Kiran: What did you say?
Bani: …. I said, does it have to be Didi?... What if there is someone else for Jai? (slowly)
Kiran: (puzzled) Bani beta, I am not following with what you are saying… Do you know not wish for Jai to marry your sister?
Bani opens her mouth to reply but is intervened as she hears the very person on her mind speak from behind…
"Good morning Aunty… Good morning Bani..," Jai wishes them happily as he nears Kiran and kisses her affectionately on her cheek. Her mother blushes in a pleased manner…
Kiran: Oh… why, Good morning to you too beta… Did you sleep well last night?
Jai: (grins) The best sleep I ever had Aunty…
He seats himself onto the other stool near Bani, who seems quite uncomfortable and nervous by his presence. She avoids looking at him.
Jai: So, how are the two of my favorite women doing this morning?
He asks, the question going for both of them, but his eyes lingering on Bani…
Kiran: Arre, nothing is new with us… We are just fine. I am making one of your favorites this morning… French Toast… Your mother told me how much you enjoy eating them.
Jai: (smiling) Thanks Aunty, you're an angel….
Kiran beams radiantly at him. Jai switches his gaze to Bani who mumbles something about being somewhere and leaves. He looks on after her curiously…. He excuses himself and leaves as well….
Bani makes her way over to the stairs, wanting to be alone for awhile, but is held back by a firm grip on her wrist… She looks behind her and sees Jai staring at her with question.
Jai: Bani, are you alright? You seem a little…. off this morning.
Concealing her forming tears with her level best, Bani attempts to smile off his worries.
Bani: (sweetly) I'm fine Jai… I-I just have a small little headache. I haven't been feeling so well since I woke up…
Jai: (concerned) Did you take anything?
Bani: Yes… and… I want to sleep for a little bit… usually that puts off a headache…
Jai on the other hand is not convinced by her futile try of lying to him. He can clearly see behind her mask that something is troubling her. However, he doesn't press on it…. He obliges to her wish of being alone by releasing her hand…
Jai: Sure… I hope you feel better.
Bani hastily nods and runs off to the sanction of her room where she chokes into tears all over again….
"What was I just about to do?... Getting Mama to change her mind like that…. She obviously believes that Jai will be great for Pia Di… and she really wants the proposal to work out…. I can't get in the way of that happening…," she scolds herself….. "Pia Didi deserves happiness and perhaps she will never get another proposal as good as this one…. Jai will keep her happy, I know he will…" She snuggles close against her blankets as she tries to her best of capabilities to soothe her troubled mind….
****************************************************************************
Jai noticed for the next couple of days that Bani seemed a little down and quite distant from everyone, even from him. He tried to get down to the matter, but she only covered it up by saying she was feeling a little sick. He glared at her, letting her know that he wasn't believing a single word that was coming from her mouth….
****************************************************************************
It wasn't until the arrival of Pia that Bani went back to her old cheery self. In fact, she was evening pushing her sister onto Jai, causing him to be suspicious of her actions. What is it that she is trying to pull? Just a few days ago she was so gloomy and would barely carry a single conversation with him. And now suddenly she is and trying to play matchmaker? He was getting annoyed with what she was doing as well as upset. He was missing his Bani that would talk nonstop with him, blush at the littlest of his teasings, and even fight with him….
****************************************************************************
Jai fiddles with his mug that contains his untouched hot chocolate and tries his best not to become so worked up on getting his payback from Bani and Rano afterwards. It had been their "fantastic" idea to take him and Pia out to lunch. And it had also been their idea to insist on separate tables so they would not act as a "third wheel". He grinds his teeth together in frustration.
Damn her… Sitting over there and giggling, acting completely innocent and unaware of what she is putting me through…. Jai angrily bickers to himself. He glances up and catches the sight of both sisters talking in hushed voices and throwing him sly looks now and then. He growls after Bani and Rano wink at him in a knowing manner. He looks across from him at Pia, who isn't enjoying their awkward silence as much as him.
Pia: … So you're planning for us to just sit here for the rest of lunch, are you? (coolly asks)
Jai: (clearing his throat) … Sorry Pia… I'm behaving rather rudely to you…. Instead of striking a conversation with you, I am just making this even more awkward than it already is….
Pia: It doesn't have to be awkward if we don't make it… Tell me about yourself Jai… I feel like a stranger with how my whole family completely adores you and know everything about you when I know absolutely nothing….
Jai: (politely) What would you like to know?
Pia: ….. Are you enjoying your stay here with us?
Jai: (nodding) Your family has been very kind to me ever since I have arrived. They have made my whole experience in India very warming.
Pia: So I'm taking that you like my family just as much?
Jai: Yes… You can say that I have even gotten quite attached to them.
Pia smiles a little at this….
Pia: And my sister, Bani? What do you think of her?
Jai is thrown off by this sudden question of hers. He looks at her closely as if trying to scrutinize her.
Jai: What about her?
Pia: (calmly) Well, do you like her? …. Do you find her pretty?
Jai: (eyeing her) What are you trying to get at Pia?
Pia: Nothing… I just wish to know…. Do you like my sister or not? It's a rather simple question Jai… (tauntingly)
Jai, instead of taking offence of her taunting, merely smiles in an amused manner…
Jai: And if I say that I do? If I say that I feel much more for Bani than just as friends, then?
Pia: (smiling herself) Then I would say you two have my blessings…
Jai: Blessings or no blessings, I would take her away from here either way… I am not afraid of anything or anyone… It is your sister who is afraid.
Pia: (her smile growing wider) I see that we are finally sharing a decent conversation… (wanting to point this out)
Jai: So we are….
There is a brief silence in which Pia settles back against her chair and keeps her eyes set on Jai.
Pia: The poor girl is hung up on the fact that you came to India to see me….not her. It will take her a little while to understand that nothing has been finalized and it is not as if we are engaged.
Jai broods in their building silence and looks up with a soft smile.
Jai: Our meeting is quite different from what I had imagined it…. I didn't think we would be speaking so bluntly about how I like your sister instead.
Pia: (shrugs) I am a surprising person…. You on the other hand are exactly how I imagined you…
Jai: And that is?
Pia: Straight to the point and very impatient … (giving him a knowing look)
Jai chuckles at her reply…..So she had noticed him eyeing her sister throughout lunch….
****************************************************************************
A couple of days later Christmas Eve evening finally arrived with the promise of wonders for tomorrow. Kiran had planned on spending the evening with her friend's son but was preoccupied with the sudden news of her and her husband's close friend's accident. They rushed immediately to the hospital after receiving the reassurance from Pia, Jai, Bani, and Rano that they will be fine on their own. They opted on the idea of just staying put at home and relaxing. Jai gets the fireplace running from the insistence of Pia that it was getting rather chilly and soon enough the warmth of the fire begins to sweep throughout the room. The shrilling of the telephone from the kitchen causes Pia to stand up, tearing her gaze off of the television, and excuse herself to attend the call. Jai watches as she stealthily slips her cell phone into her pocket after closing it. She winks at him before leaving and he hides his growing smile…. A few seconds later she beckons for Rano to join her, claiming that she needs her for something. Bani watches Rano leave her alone with Jai in apprehension.
Bani: (nervously) Um… I think I will go and check on what Didi needs… I'll be right back…
Jai: Bani, wait…
He requests as he takes a hold of her lower arm into his hand. Jai stands up beside her and looks slightly nervous himself. Bani looks on at him curiously.
Bani: Yes?
Jai: …. I… I actually wanted to give you your Christmas present personally… I don't think I can wait till tomorrow… (giving her a small smile)
Bani: You got me a present? (softly)
Jai nods his head. His heart skips a beat as she sits herself back down in her place near the fireplace and smiles the same old sweet smile that had first made him smitten by her.
Bani: Alright… I'll wait…
Jai lowers down beside her and reaches into his pocket, withdrawing out a small red velvet pouch. He takes her hand and gingerly places the pouch into her palm.
Jai: Open it… (encouragingly)
Bani does so by tugging on the strings and turning the pouch over which seconds later she gasps at the sight of her present sliding out onto her hand. She gazes at it for quite some time until she looks back up at a smiling Jai…
Bani: Jai… how….why….
Jai: I knew you really liked them despite how many times you tried telling me you didn't… I went back to the store and got them for you…
Bani: But Jai… you didn't have to….
Jai: (earnestly) I wanted to….
Bani stares into his eyes for a moment before switching them down onto her silver payals that she took a great interest to at the jewelry store two weeks back and feels a surface of emotions arise in her by this gesture of his.
Jai: (watching her curiously) You like them… don't you?
Bani: (breathes, smiles) I love them…. Thank you… (sincerely)
Jai looks relieved as well as happy by the way he beams at her. He startles her as he reaches out and cups her cheek with his hand…staring at her intently with his piercing eyes.
Jai: … I wanted to give you something special for your first Christmas… something that you would always remember me by….
Her hands slightly trembling from their close proximity, Bani drops one of the payals from her hand which makes a cluttering noise as it hits the floor…. It draws Jai's attention to it who looks down and picks it back up.
Jai: May I?
Tongue-tied and not knowing what else to do, Bani dumbly nods and silently watches as Jai begins to tie the anklet around her extended ankle… he ties the other one as well and admires the view of the payals he bought for her on her tiny feet…
Jai: They look great on you…
Bani: (softly murmurs) Thank you….
Jai's lips crack into a wide smile and his eyes meet hers once more. For a long minute neither of them speak as they are caught in the spellbinding moment until Jai smiles even further at her…
Jai: Bani… do you realize that right at this precise moment we are sitting under a mistletoe?
Bani: (innocently) What's a mistletoe?
Jai: (grinning) It's a certain plant that people hang around during Christmas… the history behind it is that if a couple are under a mistletoe, they have to share a kiss…
Jai watches in amusement as Bani quickly looks up to the ceiling and spots the plant high up above their heads. She looks back at him and blushes hot red.
Bani: Who would hang that up there?
Jai: …. Rano would….
Bani: Why would she do something like that?
Jai: (smiling) Because I asked her to….
Bani: (honestly confused) Why would you do that?
Jai: …. So I can do this….
He lightly begins in tracing the features of her face with his fingers as his eyes soften and stay fixed on her… Bani's pulse races fast and she feels her breathing shake as nerves tighten in her chest… Her heart thumps hard just when Jai's face inches closer to hers, their noses brushing, and tilting his head slightly to the side… It is when she can feel his own breath fan her face that she snaps out of it and turns her face the other way, making Jai miss her lips by a second…
Bani: Jai… this is wrong…
Jai: (exasperated) How is this wrong, Bani?
Bani: (close to tears) You are here for Pia Didi… your wedding will be fixed with her… Both Mama and Krishna Aunty approve of your match with Di… Please---don't do this to me… I can't do what you want me to do… I can't cheat everyone like this…
Jai: Bani… Look at me…
He takes her face into his hands, steering her over to meet his gaze. His insides sink on seeing tears brimming in her warm honey eyes. He tenderly wipes one away that manages to escape…
Jai: I get to decide who I belong to or not… I don't want anything to do with your sister when… (trailing off)
Bani: ….(whispers) When?
Jai gazes deeply into her eyes as he confesses, "When I'm hopelessly in love with you." Bani's heart skips a beat and her whole insides tingle from his words… She looks at him with transfixed awe… He gathers her close and stares down at her…
Jai: Bani…What we share is so right…. People look forever for what have…. I love you…. and that is the truth…. (emotion deep in his voice)
Overwhelmed with surfacing emotions, Bani feels like she might just choke right then and there. Glistening water spills from Bani's eyes as she succumbs into her tears and professes her own truth to him as well…
Bani: Oh Jai… I-I …. I love you too…
Jai breaks out into a satisfied smile as he has longed to hear those three words from her mouth the moment he laid his eyes on her and takes her lips in his into a gentle, yet passionate kiss. His fingers make their way into her silky hair and he sighs in content as he holds her close against him…..
After what seems like a century to them, Jai slowly caresses her bottom lip before drawing back and resting his forehead against hers, nuzzling their noses together….
Bani: (shyly) …. So what happens now?
Jai: (grinning) Now, my love, no one can keep me from you…. You are mine and only mine…
Bani turns pink and bites softly on her lower lip. Jai sees this and inwardly groans before removing her lip from her teeth's captive and kissing her some more….
It isn't until they hear Pia's intruding cough some minutes later that they break apart.
Pia: Excuse me for interrupting in your lip-locking… But I'm kind of getting tired of standing around in the kitchen… Do you mind if I can come back now, Jai?
Bani blushes from embarrassment on being caught by both of her sisters who stand in the living room doorway and hides her face in Jai's chest as he pulls her into his arms.
Jai: (sighs) You couldn't let me enjoy for some more time, could you Pia?
Pia: Of course not… Now seeing that soon I will become your sister-in-law, it has become my permanent duty to become an annoying pest in your life. (throwing him a smile)
Jai growls at her. Pia, turns her attention over to her younger sister and winks at her.
Pia: Looks like your American ajnabee managed to steal your heart after all, Bani…. I guess I have to start looking for my maid of honor's dress now, huh?… (teasingly)
Rano: Aww Di, how come you get to be maid of honor?
Pia: Because I'm oldest Rano…
Rano: That's still not fair though Di… I'm just as much as close as you are to Deeds…
Jai and Bani both share a look at this and grin… the thought of marriage exciting them both and sending their insides in frenzy….
Jai: (whispers only for her to hear) Mrs. Bani Jai Walia… it has a nice ring to it, don't you think?
Bani merely flushes red as an answer….
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The next week flew by so fast that Jai and Bani could hardly digest the fact that it was now Jai's last day in India…. The very thought devastated Bani who couldn't stand to bear being away from him for the next three months.
Bani: Do you have to go?
She asked him once during the middle of his packing. He smiled lightly at her and ran his fingers through her long black tresses….
Jai: You know I do…. I've got to go to London for some time to set up our hotel chains over there… Dad's been counting on me for this project for a long time.
Bani: But three months? (her face falling)
Jai: I'll call you every single day… We'll pull through this Bani… and in no time, I'll be back to take you with me…. Promise.
He sealed it with a loving kiss on her forehead. And now here they are driving to the airport to get Jai checked in before his flight's time. Bani sighs as she stares gloomily out of the car window, ignoring the excited chatter coming from her family. She is well aware of Jai glancing back to her time to time but was in no mood to speak or let alone look at him at the moment. She would only give into her tears that were threatening to fall any second….
They file into the airport and within some time arrive and loiter around Jai's gateway, treasuring their last moments with him to the fullest. Jai badly wanted to be by Bani's side and soothe her but with the family constantly around him, it was proving to be impossible. Bani stays behind and only watches Jai with silent eyes who replies politely to everyone's chatters. It isn't until the announcement of Jai's flight over the intercom that breaks into the middle of their frenzy talks…
"Business class of Flight 180 US Airlines to New York City please begin to board the plane… I repeat, business class of flight 180 US Airlines, please board the plane."
Bani's heart sinks as she sees Jai being engulfed in everyone's arms and wishes them warmly with a promise of returning soon. Her face becomes downcast as he finally approaches her and stares down at her from his gallant height. She is forced to look up as his fingers take a hold of her chin and lift it upwards… causing her eyes to meet directly with his own.
Jai: Bani….
Hearing her name coming so sensually and passionately from his lips is enough to make her break her steel exterior and give into her emotions…. Hot tears suddenly make their way down her flushed cheeks… Before Jai can even make a gesture to wipe them away, Kiran interrupts…
Kiran: Oh Bani darling, calm down now. Jai will be back soon before you know it. It is only a matter of a couple of months… (soothingly)
Kiran tears her gaze away from her daughter and instead settles it onto Jai who is troubled by seeing tears in Bani's eyes…
Kiran: Jai beta… (adding on shyly) You haven't told us your answer yet…. to the proposal I mean…. I know we haven't directly spoken about it…. but even still I am asking…. You do approve of my daughter, don't you? (hopefully)
Jai turns to look at Kiran and smiles lightly at her…
Jai: Kiran Aunty…. The proposal still stands from my side… not for Pia though….
Taking Bani's hands into his own, Jai keeps his eyes intact with Kiran's whose wide eyes stare at the scene in front of her with disbelief….
Jai: (finishing off) But for Bani instead… I want to marry Bani and only her. …
Bani's face turns a dark shade of pink as she avoids looking at her mother's bewildered expression. Kiran begins to stammer…
Kiran: B-b-but… How can this… your mother and I specifically wanted you and Pi----
She is cut short however as her husband lays a hand on her shoulder, telling her to say no more without using any words. He gives her a quick, silencing look before turning his attention over to Jai who stares back at him with anticipation. Nishikant grins fondly at the young man standing across from him…
Nishikant: What could make us anymore happier than having our Bani marrying a nice man like yourself?…. We accept your proposal, beta…
Jai grins himself from relief and turns to meet Bani's eyes who shines radiantly back at him, bearing the same look as his. He surprises everyone as he takes Bani into his arms and lifts her off from her feet, twirling her around in excitement. Nonetheless they stare at them with approval, even Kiran, who can't help but smile a little at the sight of her daughter glowing brightly in Jai's arms. She now understood the reason behind Bani's reluctance in the idea of Jai's marriage to her elder sister…. The mad girl was in love with him herself…. The very girl who resented the American stranger from the beginning had unknowingly managed to give her heart away to her Ajnabee….
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Indian Premier League
Fan Fictions
