SS - Marriage added on page 2, March 25 - Page 2

hey divan,

hey divan

hey Di...

Marriage

Bani raised her hand and slapped Pia across her face. "What are you saying? You and Pushkar! How could you do something like this when you were engaged to Mr Walia." Bani looked red faced at Jai Walia who stood stiffly, his eyes red with anger.

Pia fell down on her knees and sobbing, her hands covering her face. "I am sorry di…please. I made a mistake."

"You made a mistake!" Jai Walia roared. "You damn well made the biggest mistake in your life. Playing with me and my feelings. I will damn sure make you pay this Pia. I will make your life hell." Jai Walia threw disgusted look at Pia and Bani.

Bani scared now, Knowing how ruthless Jai Walia could be, ran up to him and grabbed his arms. "Please Mr Walia…don't do anything to hurt Pia. She said she is sorry and I too apologize for her behavior. But don't do anything to hurt her."

Jai snatched Bani's hand off his arms, "Don't tell me what to do Bani. You realize there are a thousand guests waiting outside…waiting to see me get married. What do I tell them? How do I show my face to them? "

Bani shook her head in despair, her red, long chandelier earrings swung back and forth. In the deep red sari she was wearing, she looked pale. Her lips quivered with fear. Jai Walia's eyes rested on those lips, painted red, they aroused sensual thoughts in him. He looked away, trying to compose himself. Bani standing in front of him, looking helpless was throwing his senses into chaos.

Turning around, his face now a cold mask he stared at Bani, his eyes boring deep hole into her shining golden ones. "You don't want me to hurt Pia. Right?" He minced each word slowly as he spoke. "Well then Bani, get ready to take her place. You will marry me instead of Pia. And I want Pia gone right now from my house. I don't care where she goes, as long as I don't see her face again."

Bani looked even more frightened, beads of sweat formed on her forehead. She gulped and whimpered, "Mr Walia…I can't marry you. You…you… don't love me." Jai Walia gripped her arm in tight grip. "What has love got to do with it Ms Dixit? Lots of people marry without love…so I won't be the first one. The woman I loved, never loved me anyway. Get ready right now." And he threw a icy stare at Pia still sobbing on the floor. He pointed at Pia, "First get her out of my sight."

Rano who had been watching the whole scene with numb shock, moved forward and helped Pia to her feet and then walked her out, giving a pitying look at Bani. Jai Walia looked at Bani, "Well, I am waiting. Get ready. Don't expect me to leave this room without you."

Bani picked up the wedding lengha from the bed and disappeared into the bathroom. With her hands shaking she put it on. Draping the chunri over her head, partially covering her face, she came out. Her stomach was lurching in nauseous circles. Her hands felt cold and clammy. Jai Walia grabbed her arm, "Come one." They walked downstairs together. The guests murmured looking at the dashing figure Jai made in his heavily embroidered cream sherwani and his bride in crimson lengha. No one noticed the cold look in his eyes, except his sister Jigyasa and her husband Adi.

Both of them performed the wedding ceremony like robots, following the pundit's request, neither paying any attention to chants or what the pandit was explaining. They were showered with flower petals as they did the pheras, with some teasing going on from Jai's friends. Finally the mangalsutra went around her neck and sindoor brushed roughly In her parting. A look of contempt filled his eyes as he performed the final rituals.

The couple were blessed and congratulated by family. Jai sat on the chair next to Bani, as guests came up bearing gifts and offering congratulations. The smile forming on Jai's face did not reflect in his eyes. His grip was unbearably tight on Bani's hand throughout the night.

It was after midnight the guests left and Jai and Bani with the family were left alone. Jai roughly pulled of the churi from Bani's head and pushed her in front of masi. "Look at your new bahu masi."

Masi sat down on the sofa with shock. Jigyasa and Adi eyed Jai. "I knew something was wrong." Jigyasa said with glee. "So Pia madam got cold feet did she?"

Jai glared at his sister, "No…I changed my mind. I will not marry a woman who loves someone else."

Adi looked doubtful, "Are you sure Jai? I don't think Pia would do something like that."

Jai now pushed at Bani, who was crying silently. "Why don't you ask her? Tell them what your sister said." The order was made in rapacious voice. Bani told in between sobs of how Pia confessed she loved Pushkar. Adi gave a deep sigh and gazed at Bani with sympathy.

Masi now looked with anger at Jai, "Bani se kyun shadi ki? Woh bhi tujhe pyaar nahi karti?"

"Toh kya…shadi mei sara seher aaya tha…meri naak katwaoon kehke ke aaj meri shadi cancelled." Jai said harshly. Masi now stood up and put her arms around Bani, "Paar uski zindagi barbaad karneki permission tujhe kisne di?"

Jai laughed loudly. "mujhe kissise permission leni. Who teen behne meri meherbani se meri ghar mei rehti hai."

Masi tried to wipe Bani's eyes. "Chal chup hoja. Saab kuch theek hojayega." Masi looked at Anu, who was hovering in the background looking upset. "Anu, Bani ko guestroom mei leija."

Jai Walia stood and watched as the woman he had married in a rash decision was led away from him.

XXXXXX

"Bani…" he called out softly. No longer was he the roaring bully of a year ago. Somehow over the months his hatred had slowly disappeared, until he was left feeling shaky, uncertain and confused about what he felt for the woman he had married, the woman who was just a wife in name. He did not look at her murderous glare in his eyes, instead he gazed at her with a wild mixtures of emotions, all churning into chaotic vortex. Her eyes too did not look at him with fear, he was too scared to analyze what the looks she gave him meant. Jai sat down on the bed, waiting for his wife to tread into his domain.

She came, her soft steps barely making sound. If it wasn't for the dozen or so bangles adorning his hers making the noise, he would not have known she had arrived. "You called." She said in her hushed voice, her one hand playing with the end of the pallu. Jai half smiled at her. "I need a bag packed. I am going to leave for Dubai by an evening flight. I need some office clothes, some casual and something formal to wear, just in case."

"I will get the bag ready."

Did he detect happiness in her voice? Was she happy that he would be gone for two weeks and she would not have to face him, he thought. "Are you happy that I will be away?" he asked rashly, his heart careening madly, waiting to her say yes and experience a blow to his ego. But all he saw was a negative shake of her head. He felt elated, but why considering he did not know what he was going to do with the knowledge that his wife was not happy about his going away.

"I have deposit sufficient money in the account to manage for the two weeks I am away. The office and Adi can get in touch with me, if any emergency arrive." He added just for the sake of saying anything to her.

"Can I ask for something?" Jai nodded.

"I would like to go and visit Mt Abu. I want to visit my home. It must need some attention after being closed up for so long." She gave a reason to support her wish.

"You may go, but not alone. Take masi with you. The house should be in good condition. I arranged for a caretaker to make sure it did not fall into ruins. Please get Adi to make arrangements for you." Jai said the last sentence in a dismissive tone. Bani gave him one more glance, the only way she could convey her thanks…in an unspoken message.

She did want to be away from him, that why she said she wants to visit her home…her home was Mt Abu, not his palatial mansion with multiple servants and people who barely had time for one and another. Somehow this thought broke his heart. He did not want to go to Dubai. He wanted to take her to Mt Abu. He wanted to be alone with her in her home…away from here where the bitter memories of his shameful marriage lingered on. With restrained effort he got up, may be after he came from Dubai, maybe he will talk to her and ask her for a separation…freeing her to lead her own life.

The bag was neatly waiting for him in his room when he arrived back from the office. Bani was nowhere to be seen when he took his leave from masi. Masi told him to take care of himself and to return home safe. His heart tortured him, Bani did not tell him those same words in her sweet voice.

Upstairs from her bedroom window, Bani watched as Jai left for the airport. She did not go down. She did not want him to see her cry, she did not want him to know that she would miss him terribly. There would be no longer taking tea up to his room in the morning or laying out his night clothes at night and no longer seeing the faint crack of light from the bottom of the study door in the middle of the night.

XXXXX

Masi sat next to Bani in the train compartment as it pulled out of the station. Adi waved them off cheerfully, shouting to have a good time. "Bani…why do you want to go to Mt Abu?" masi asked her the question that had been bugging her since the morning when Bani told her they were going to Mt Abu.

Bani smiled happily, her eyes shining brightly. "I just want to see my home masi. It has been so long since I have smelled the fresh air full of dew and smell of the mountains. See the sun peeping over the hills or walked down to the lake and feed the ducks. But best, I will be able to relive some fond memories of my childhood."

Masi patted her hand. "You must miss your mummy papa very much." Bani nodded, a fine mist of tears just clouding her eye.

They reached Mt Abu and her home late in the evening. Bani got down from the taxi and stared at her home. It had a new roof and a fresh coat of whitewash. And the garden, well it was neat with flower borders. There was light already in the house. Bani opened the iron gate and stepped in with masi, the driver bringing their bags. The door opened and a kindly old man opened the door. "Namaste beti, Namaste maji." He greeted them warmly and took the bags from the driver.

"Aapka naam?" Bani asked.

"Gopal naam hai mera." He took the bags and put them in a bedroom and came back.

"Baithiye…aap thak gaye honge. Abhi pani le aata hoon. Khaana bhi taiyaar hai."

"Chacha aap baithiye, mei paani dekhti hoon. Waise sare din hum baithe hi thai."

They had dinner and then retired to bed. Bani assuring Gopal that they would be fine alone and asked to come back in the morning.

Next morning, the soft rays falling through the shutters woke Bani up. She rubbed her eyes and then remembering where she was, got out the bed quickly and opened the shutters and look the sun climbing up over the hills. A chorus of birds singing filled the dewy air of another new day. Bani quickly had a bath and dressed in a fresh set of clothes. She stepped out into the garden and picked flowers for morning puja. The small mandir in the corner of the room was as is, except she noted Gopal had been lighting the diya in there. Bani set about decorating the mandir and the idols with the fresh flowers. By the time she was done, masi joined her, "Beautiful shajaya hai Bani." Bani smiled. She and masi did puja and arti.

Gopal came shortly, with a young girl towing behind him. He did Namaste to Bani and masi. Pushing the young girl forward, "Yeh Aruna hai…khana aur ghar ke kaam yehi sambhalti hai." Bani smiled at the girl. "Chalo, hum dono breakfast banate hai."

Bani felt thoroughly at home. She, Aruna and masi did short trips to see the temples, the gardens and scenic points. In few days she felt as if she had never gone away from her home. Only when she looked in the mirror and saw the mangalsutra and the sindoor, did she realize that she was no longer Bani Dixit, daughter of Nishikant Dixit but Bani Walia, wife of Jai Walia. Jai had phoned once briefly, asking how they were. Bani had sat for a while staring at the phone, thinking her husband would magically materialize in front of her eyes. But the phone remained immobile and the room empty, except for her.

Two days were left before Bani would have to return back to Mumbai. She started feeling depressed, her smile wavered and her eyes did not shine so brightly. She moped around the house, not taking much interest in doing things. Masi worried, Bani did not want to go back to Mumbai. She did not want that…she still had hopes, Jai would one day accept Bani as his wife and start fresh. Masi had long realized how right Bani was for Jai…he needed a wife to take care of him, not a wife who was interested in being taken care of like most of his ex girlfriends.

In the evening, to cheer Bani up, Aruna made a jasmine gajra for Bani. She plaited Bani's hair and fixed it and then looking at her rather dull salwaar khameez, Aruna opened the wardrobe and pulled out a red sari with light embroidery. "Bani di, aaj yeh phenol…kitna achi sari hai, lal rang mei aap sundar lagogi."

Bani shook her head, "Kahaan jaana hai mujhe abhi, yehi theek hai." Aruna shook her head, "Aap pehenlo…hum mandir jayenge…aaj purnima ki pooja hogi…aap bhul gaye. Mei masi ko bol deti hoon."

Few minutes later, the three of them set off for the mandir. Aruna held the puja thali. Masi looked pleased seeing Bani smiling again.

It was late when they returned. The sky was like black velvet, with twinkling stars and the moon, round, white and felt as if one could reach it and touch its softness.

No one paid notice to the car parked on the street. They entered the house, Aruna chattering loudly. A bag stood in the middle of the floor. Aruna stopped and said loudly, "Yeh kiski bag yahaan pari hai." Bani looked at the familiar bag. There was no one in the room. Just then Gopal came out from the back of the house. "Sahib ayeen hai. Jhaara fresh hone ko gayen hai. Mei abhi chai rakh ke ayaan hoon tumari room mei beti."

Bani could not believe what Gopal just said. Did he mean Jai was here and he was actually in her bedroom? Gopal picked up the bag and went off, leaving masi and Bani still standing. Aruna seemed excited. "Chalo…aaj toh jijaji se milungi. Dekho didi aapki puja safal hui…Bhagwan ne apke maan baat sunli."

Masi lightly tapped Aruna, "Pagli…bak bak karti jati hai. Jaa kitchen mei aur kuch kaam kar."

Aruna grumbled as she walked off. "Khana toh ban chukka…aur kya kaam hoga."

Masi tapped Bani, "Did you know Jai was coming?"

"No masi…he never said he was coming early or he was coming here. May be it's Adi uncle."

"Let me go and see," masi said, as she walked towards the bedroom. Bani sat down, her legs felt wobbly, why would Jai come here even if he came back from Dubai early?

Masi came back, "He is in the bathroom. Said he just came from Dubai today…took a flight to Jaipur instead of going home. I am so happy…now he too can relax and take a break from work."

"Masi I will go and make some food, some more rice and roti." Bani made to go towards the kitchen, but masi stopped her. "I think there is plenty of food. It will do." Bani sat down, listening anxiously for footsteps to come out of the bedroom. It was good twenty minutes before Jai came out of the bedroom. He had showered, water dripped down from his wet hair and he was wearing a jeans and cotton shirt. He smiled as he saw Bani and masi. Jai touched masi's feet. "I hope you don't mind my coming here?" Jai directed the question at Bani, staring openly at her, wondering why she was dressed up. He never saw her wear flowers in her hair at Walia house. He could smell the faint trace of jasmine in the air. The red colour of her sari made her the creaminess of her skin stand out, the only time he had seen her in red was at their wedding.

"No…but you did not say were coming back early." Bani said in a controlled voice, aware of Jai watching her.

"I did know either. Work finished early so took the first flight out. At the airport, I realized you were not home, so took first flight to Jaipur. I thought I might as well come and make sure things are taken care of here."

Bani stood up, "you must be hungry. Let me get the table ready."

Dinner did not take long, Bani helped Aruna clean up, who was quiet taken by Jai and kept on gushing how handsome her jiju was. She inadvertently made Bani blush. When Bani came out of the kitchen, Jai had retired to the bedroom. Masi too went off to sleep. Bani sat on the sofa…wondering what to do. Her clothes were in the room where probably Jai was sleeping now. She did not want to go in the room to get her stuff. Bani sat curled up on the sofa, until she fell asleep.

Bani woke up when she felt someone shaking her. She opened her eyes in fright to stare at Jai. He was standing in front of her. "I am sorry to wake you up. Go and sleep on the bed. I forgot I had occupied your room. I will crash out here for the rest of the night."

Bani shook her head, "No Mr Walia…please go back to bed. I am fine here. You will not find the sofa comfortable." Jai stood staring at her bent head, in two minds what to do. For once he had forgotten this house was not a mansion. He had been fallen asleep as soon as he lay down on the bed.

After a few seconds, Jai returned back to bed. Tomorrow he will not make the same mistake again. Of course sleep did not come easy, thinking of Bani sleeping on the sofa. He had to make an effort and decide what kind of future he wanted with her.

Bani curled up again on the sofa and watched the light of the full moon playing on the walls. She got up after a while and stood by the window, watching the garden and hills around the house bathed in the moonlight. It was eerie and dark, instead there was softness in the grey of the shadows. Somehow her life felt like that now…it was dark and desperate, but now the darkness was filled with some light making it not so depressing.

XXXXX

Jai went looking for Bani next day. He hadn't seen her since she had tiptoed into the room, to retrieve her clothes and personal items. He had been awake, but had closed his eyes, when he heard the door creak slowly open. He wanted to talk...talk before he dithered again. Jai found her in the back garden, doing some weeding with Gopal. There was little bit of dirt smeared on her cheek, where she must have brushed it accidently. Before he could say anything, Gopal smiled at Jai, "Ayee saab, betiyaan ko kab se keh raha hoon, andar jaa. Par sunti kah re."

Bani stopped what she was going and turned to look at Jai. She stood up and brushed the dirt off her clothes, "Sorry, did you want something?"

"I need to you…in private." Even as he spoke, he felt nagging at the back of his mind to back out of taking this step. Why not leave things as they are?

"Where do you want talk? I need to wash up first." Bani showed her dirty hands.

"We will go out. I will wait for you over by the car." Jai pointed at the wall running at the back of the garden. Bani rushed inside to clean up. She wondered why he suddenly wanted to talk. May be he wanted to return home, but then he just had to tell her. After wiping her face clean, Bani ran a brush through her hair and neatly fastened it back. Bani found masi in the kitchen, "Masi, I am going out."

"Kahan jaa rahi ho didi?" Aruna asked.

"Pata nahin, apke jiju le jaa rahe hai." Bani answered, shrugging her shoulders.

"Wah…jiju en gumne ka plan bhi banadiya." Aruna giggled as she noticed Bani blushing. Bani left before Aruna said something else.

Bani found Jai sitting in the car already. She sat down on the passenger side. Jai started the car.

A few minutes' drive, Jai pulled the car to the side of the road. Jai turned in his seat and looked nervously at Bani. "I don't know if saying sorry is enough to forgive the way I behaved to you. But still I want to sorry Bani for the things I have done. I realize now what a mistake I made, forcing you to take Pia's place that night…when I had no intention of following the marriage through." Jai paused and ran his long fingers through his hair, displacing some to fall forward on his forehead. Taking a deep breath, "I…I have made up my mind, to let you go. You are free to go where ever you want Bani. I would like to give you some money."

Bani raised her hand up, she felt tears prickling her eyelashes, but contained herself not to spill them. "Mr Walia…I don't need money…I don't need an apology, you were hurt and you reacted to cover your hurt. If you want to end this marriage then I will not stand in your way. I will not come back to Mumbai with you. I can stay on here and find a way to support myself. " The tears did not spill, Bani sat looking straight ahead when she finished. If he had made up his mind to separate, she wasn't going to stop him. There was no point trying to mend something when there was nothing in the first place to break. Still it hurt her that the marriage had taken place and now it was being tossed aside when her husband decided he had made a mistake…to force her to marry him. Why did he not feel that a piece of paper will never wipe away the ties inadvertently made that day?

Why wasn't he happy with her answer? Is this not what he wanted and what he wanted from her too? A parting of way, without any hassle, emotions and hatred… Yet he was not happy hearing her say, she will not stand in his way to end the marriage…he was offering her the freedom…not wanting his freedom.

He looked at her face, even though she wasn't looking at him, he could sense the unhappiness in her. "Bani…" She refused to look at him. "Bani…please. Look at me…I just want to be sure you want this."

"I want this!" Bani snapped at him, "what makes you think I want this? You want this marriage to end…I didn't ask for it. So nice of you to realize you made a mistake a year later…a year too late. You did not ask me to marry you, you ordered me and now you did not ask me, you are telling me I can go…because you don't want to feel the burden of our marriage any more. I hate you Mr Walia." The tears started to flow now. She didn't care. Bani opened the door of the car and stumbled out, running down the road with tears blinding her eyes.

Jai sat stumped by her outburst and then seeing her running through the mirror, he jumped out and ran after her. "Bani…" he shouted. Bani did not stop and started running up a dirt track on the hillside. He reached the track and before he could put a foot on the dirt, he felt shower of dirt and small rocks and heard a scream. Bani had stumbled on the track and went rolling down the dirt track and stopped in a dirt covered heap at his foot.

Bani moaned and stirred, touching her head. Jai reacted by dropping on the ground and reaching out for her. "Bani…are…are you ok?" he asked, fearful she might have hurt herself. He helped her sit up, brushing the dirt off her face. Bani winced as his fingers grazed out minor cuts on her face. Bani pushed his hand away, "I am fine…I don't need to help." Jai felt hurt by her words. He sat in front of her looking at her dabbing at her face with the dupatta. After couple of minute, Jai stood up, "At least let me take you home and make sure you are ok. I will go away afterwards."

Bani stood up slowly and swayed a bit, "Go…I can make my way home. Why do you care anyway? I don't need anything from you."

Jai grabbed her by the shoulder angrily. "I do care…if I didn't I would not be standing here. Now stop being stubborn and come back to the car. I will not leave here." Bani glared at him, his fingers were pressing into her bruised skin. When she did not move, Jai picked her up in his arms and stormed off towards the car. He opened the back door and put her down on the seat, slamming the door and getting into front seat of the car. He took a quick look at her angry face, through the mirror.

Masi clucked around Bani like mother hen, shouting at Aruna to bring some water and towels and the medicine box. Bani sat on the bed, keeping quiet, listening at masi telling her off. Jai stood and watched masi cleaning up the scratches and cuts and applying some ointment. Masi looked irritated as she spoke to Jai, "Now why are you standing here? Couldn't look after her? Go outside, she needs to change her clothes and rest."

Jai paced about in the garden. Masi would not let anyone disturb Bani. Jai badly wanted to speak to her. Aruna teased him a few times that he would kill of the grass on the ground with all him walking to and fro. Bani had her evening meal in the bedroom. Jai ate with masi, even though he did not feel like eating.

Sleeping on the couch at night was uncomfortable and Jai did not get much sleep. In the morning, he woke with nagging headache and feeling grumpy. Bani was not in the bedroom when Jai went in. He took a quick shower and put on clean clothes. In the kitchen Jai saw Aruna, "Bani kahaan hai?"

Aruna shrugged, "nahi maloom…aap chai lenge?'

Jai nodded and went and sat down on the sofa. He was sipping tea when Bani and masi came into the house, Bani had flowers in a basket. Masi beamed a smile at him. "You are ready. Let's go to mandir then."

Jai finished off his tea and stood. Bani looked at him acrimonious gaze. He followed them out of the house and walked behind them. In the mandir he watched Bani sit down and close her eyes in prayers. Her face was no longer irritated, and he felt smug being able to stare at her without getting those black looks from her. Her anger was a new experience for him, far removed from the docile image she had up to now. Bani opened her eyes and turned her face and frowned at him, "It would be better if you tell the Gods you are sorry and instead of looking at me."

Jai smiled, "You guarantee that he will forgive me. And give me what I want."

"Why ask me…you should have that faith in him. I trust him to do what is right." Bani replied and stood up and walked toward the pandit to receive Prasad. Jai waited outside for them. His headache had gone he noticed and he felt in a good mood. Bani gave a frown, noticing Jai looked in good spirits. She could not stop herself, "Looks like your prayer must have been answered. You look too happy Mr Walia."

Jai arched his well defined brow, "Well I am hoping it will be answered soon." He fell in behind them, humming tunelessly, irritating Bani. He was supposed to be gone…why is he hanging around?

XXXXX

3

By the time evening came, Jai sat looking morose. Bani had not stopped snapping at him and letting him know she was not happy to have him around. His effort to joke with her at dinner had been met with a frosty glare. Even masi had noticed and teased him.

In the dark, Jai tossed and turned on the sofa, trying to make himself comfortable, but not succeeding. He was sure he would have bruised back by the time morning came around. Jai fell asleep eventually but soon woke up when he fell off the sofa trying to turn. He sat up and stared at the shadows dancing on the wall. After few minutes he stood up and walked to the Bani's bedroom and entered. He stopped near the bed and looked at Bani sleeping peacefully, curled up under the covers. Tapping her hand gently, Jai tried to wake her up. After couple of tries, Bani finally opened her eyes. She sat up quickly when she saw Jai staring at her. "What are you doing here?" she hissed at him in the dark.

"I am having trouble sleeping on the sofa." Jai said quietly.

"What am I supposed to do about it?" Bani asked him tersely, not happy at having her sleep disturbed.

"Well…could I sleep in the bed?"

"No! IF you remember you gave the bed. Anyway, you are supposed to be in Mumbai by now…why are you still here?" Bani crossed her arms tightly and waited for his answer.

He gave her a tortured gaze and sighed. "Please Bani…I don't want to go away from you."

Jai watched her face change to anger and then indignation. Bani slipped out of the bed and stood facing him. "First you tell me we should separate and I should go my way…and now…now you don't want to…go away. What am I supposed to do about it? I never asked you for a divorce. Took all your anger and frustration, telling myself, you will eventually calm down and realize you married me because you wanted to and may be…decide to accept it. What would you do if I refuse to sign any divorce papers? You would never be free…" Bani found his hand on his mouth, preventing her from speaking.

"Stop talking…you never talked so much before."

Bani pulled his hand away from her mouth. "That is because I didn't feel the need to. Now…now…" she trailed off into silence, biting her tongue. She almost told him, she did not want him to go, but tell her he cared enough now to make the marriage work. The silence stretched deep in dark, the two of them staring at each other, their minds thinking.

"I'm so sorry…"

His whispered words felt like a flutter of kisses in the dark. Though they were words, she had wanted to hear, Bani kept silent.

Jai tried again, he pleaded softly wanting to grab and hold her close to him. "I don't want to go. Don't send me away Bani…please. I will do anything to make you happy."

Bani didn't know what she should say to him now, she felt happy.

"Bani…"

Her name uttered so simply in his soft voice felt like a sweet touch on her cheek and she took a moment before she threw herself at him.

He caught and held her as close as was possible. Warmth spreading through him as her arms wrapped tightly around him. Tears now burnt his eyes as they fell. Trying to hide them from her, he buried his face in her hair. They stood allowing the comfort of their body, the gentle movements of their hands on each other to soothe them. Bani felt dampness in her hair, "Are you crying Mr Walia?"

"Yes." His answered muted against her hair. Bani leaned back slightly and gazed at him. "Why?" she asked.

"I thought I was going to lose forever. And you would always hate me." But now looking at her, smiling softly at him, her eyes not glaring with anger, he was glad he had come. He was glad he had fumbled his way somehow to reach out at her…maybe this was why he had come…to reach out to her and find he would need her just as much she needed him.

Reaching his chin forward, he rested it on her shoulder, his cheek pressed up against hers. She could feel stubble pressing against her skin. "You'll never be unhappy again, Bani, I promise you. This isn't the end of it; we're just moving on to bigger and better things."

She sighed, ignoring the swelling of her heart at his tender promise and pressed her face into his chest, breathing in his comforting scent. After sometime, Bani moved away and smiled at him, noting slight deserted look taking over. "I think we should go to sleep. It is still middle of the night." Bani said as she sat on the bed.

"You are," he began, his voice warm and husky, causing goose bumps to erupt across her body in the darkness, "not going to send me out to sleep on the sofa Bani." Bani giggled loudly despite trying to curb it, she pointed at the empty space on the other side of the bed. "You can sleep here if you want to.'

Jai did not need a second invitation, in a second he was sliding under the cover on the other side of the bed. Bani lay down and turned to look at Jai, he too had his eyes wide open staring at her.

XXXXX

Bani stirred in the morning and then snuggled closer to the warm body next to her. With her eyes closed she smiled, reveling in the feelings invoked by sleeping so close to Jai. Bani felt his arm wrapping around her waist as he pressed his nose into her hair and breathed. "Good morning. Her heart fluttered at the tenderness in his voice and Bani moved away shly and her face blushed as she looked at him. "Good morning," she whispered to him.

Jai's hand reached out and pulled her closer, "Don't go away, I like having you close to me." Bani buried her face in his chest, only to find Jai pushing it gently up, he sighed and then pressed a kiss on her forehead. She breathed against his chest, her hands finding their way over his shoulders and mumbled, "I have to get up, masi will be waiting to do puja." She felt his arms curl tighter around her and then relax and he moved away. "Go...before I change my mind," he murmured huskily.

XXXXX

Six months later, Mumbai…

Dr Mathur, smiled at Bani and Jai sitting in her office. "Congratulations, you are pregnant Mrs Walia."

Bani smiled shyly at the doctor before looking at Jai, who looked a little shock. Dr Mathur laughed, "Mr Walia…you are going to a father."

Jai felt his cheeks burning, "Thanks doctor."

A few minutes later Jai and Bani walked out of the hospital and set off for home. Jai was still smiling as he drove. "Bani…are you happy? I am very happy. And masi will be doubly happy." He reached out for her hand and lifted it up, kissing it. "Thank you….thank you…thank you." Jai said, kissing her hand in between.

Bani laughed, "I hope you will still feel the same when I feel sick and grumpy."

"Why would get sick?"

"Because it's part of being pregnant. It's not smooth sailing." Bani replied.

Jai sighed, "Seems I have a lot to learn about becoming a parent."

Bani smiled dreamily, "Yes…we both have to."

THE END

That was a great addition. I loved it. Please write more.

I loved the angry bani and the way she was snapping at jai wow

totally loved it