Dear Friends,
Nice to be back here. Once again with the known characters. Actually I just wanted to see if I can write with different characters hence wrote 'The Uncut Diamond' for the Bandini forum https://india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1152499 and one ss for JDJ based as RK was dancing there...'Dance with me tonight' https://india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1149016. While writing those I kept on typing Jai and Bani instead of the new names...anyway it was different and fun but once again back where I belong....
My Previous FFs:
The Emperor & the girl : https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1122861
A Little Space : https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1103113
A New Beginning: https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1083796
The Christmas Cake : https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1082945
A Tear in the Wind: https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1069888
SS : The Everlasting Love : https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1065677
Kasamh Se https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/929115/ff-kasamh-se-ch-51-end-pg-116-updtd-on-25-9
The Captured Heart: /forum/kasamh-se/1026470/ff-the-captured-heart-ch-18-pg-45-last-chapter
Chhoti si mulakat : https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=999441
A New Dawn : https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=974981
The Phone Call : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/910155/ff-the-phone-call-epilogue-pg-52 Dil Ki Suno : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/874713/ff-dil-ki-suno-epilogue-pg-53 Eternal Soulmates: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/869198/ff-eternal-soulmates-ch-5-pg-7-end The Flowers of Spring, https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=853938&T PN=1
Ek Kashish: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/830952/ff-ek-kashish-ch-20-and-epilogue-pg-58 The Crushed Innocence :https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=800150& TPN=1#13464286
The Destiny: https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=779329&T P
Ankho hi Ankho me: https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=738121&T PN
Woh Raat : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/731347/ff-woh-raat-chapter-6-pg-10-last-ch
Anokha Rista (https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/712391/anokha-rishta-chapter-18-and-epilog-pg42).
Chhoti si aasha https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/672677/ff-chhoti-si-aasha-ch29-and-epi-pg-76:
Kuch Achhe Kuch Bure (https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/641995/kuch-achhe-kuch-bure-ch-24-and-epilog-pg71); Thori si bewafai (https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=615869) Kuch Rahen Anjaani Si (https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/573991/ff-kuch-rahein-anjaani-si-ch-36-pg111): Contract Heir: https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=536274&T PN. Return of Bani Walia, https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/515481/return-of-bani-walia-note-on-pg-31: :Business Tycoon Jai Walia marries a Mt Abu Girl(https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/486636/business-tycoonjw-marriesfinal-prt-pg64). Mai Apke bina nehi reh sakti hu (https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/457994/mai-apke-bina-nehi-reh-updt-pg-11-pt-ix)& Finding Bani (https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/469208/finding-bani-ff-part-viii-page-8).
A Touch of Remembrance
Prologue:
The Train was slowing, she sat up straight, the dawn was yet to break though the sky had lightened....she peeped through the glass window....the train was curving to enter the station, she could see the train forming a 'U', then it will enter the platform.....this sight normally gave her a thrill everytime, she loved to see the engine of the train snaking its way to the platform...today she saw it once again, in the grey lights the train was really looking like a black snake.....she sighed then turned to wake the small child sleeping, utho Veer, we have to get down, she shook the child....the child made protesting noises but she kissed him and made him sit, just then a smart looking army personal came clicking his heels, taking out the suitcase from under the bench he said....Madam time to get down.....shall I carry your son?
No Captain, it is all right, he is not in a very good mood, I will take him....
They both sighed together and nodded at each other, she picked up Veer, Veer put his arms around her neck and hugged her tight....the train stopped the officer got down and gave his hand, she once again nodded and managed on her own in descending...
The officer asked her to wait and ran towards the luggage compartment...there were other jawans already standing waiting for the guard to open it....once it was opened the guard moved away the jawans entered the bogie and got out a coffin wrapped in National Flag....the commanding officer shouted his commands, the jawans lifted the coffin onto their shoulders and marched towards the exit....she followed them alongwith her son....
As they put the coffin on the carriage she stood watching it...one by one fresh wreath of flowers were put by several dignitaries and inspite of being at the break of dawn, there were already quite a gathering, the local authorities and other personalities....after placing the wreaths they came to her to offer their condolences.....suddenly her eyes fell on a figure, standing a bit far, away from the crowd, he was standing straight next to the known four wheel SUV he normally drove and watching them....no she cannot mistake that stance and that car.....
The commander asked her to get into army vehicle standing in front of the carriage...she put down Veer and walked towards it, as she was getting in after Veer she glanced in that direction again, he too was getting into his car.....she took her place next to Veer, the boy held her with both his arms...how much gravity of the situation he understands is not clear but he is not letting go of her for a moment, he is not crying though, after all he is a big boy, a man as his father called him......
The car drove climbing the hills, the carriage followed.....thanks to the media many people had gathered along the streets as they passed she heard them crying out 'Captain Rananjay Amar Rahe' showering flowers at the carriage.....the road was well known, how many times she and Ranjo drove up and down the same she cannot recollect.....on horseback, hitch-hiking on open trucks even on foot...depending on Ranjo's mood, he was full of energy and very restless, could not sit in one place for more than a minute, now he was going up the same road quietly lying still.....It took twice the time normally it takes them to reach the bungalow or kothi as it was called.....the carriage entered.....they got the coffin down and took it inside.....
The hall was quiet inspite of several people sitting, the coffin was placed in the middle of the floor and opened.....there was a sharp cry and a woman flung herself on it, a man stumbled his way...Veer hid his face in her stomach....she stood with her hand on his small head, assuring him of her presence....
+++++
A clearing was made at the end of the orchard, next to the Sutlej river, the coffin was brought down from the Kothi, several men offering to shoulder it, it was a privilege, the braveheart of the land, it was a proud moment and a sad moment...they placed him on the pyre...the priest reciting the mantras, lit the torch and looked at her, she pushed Veer forward, taking his small hand, the priest placed the torch, Veer was shivering, the heat was too much, his mother held his shoulder firmly, suddenly he came, taking the torch from Veer's hand, picking up Veer in his lap, he looked at the priest.....the officers looked puzzled but the priest nodded, they looked at her, she stepped back....he carried the child around the pyre holding the torch, the priest recited the final prayers...he lit the pyre, the men once again cried out 'Captain Rananjay Amar Rahe'....Long live Captain Rananjay....the bugles sounded, the heat of the pyre reached her face, tears rolled down.....Bani stood with her head bowed saying goodbye to her best friend, her husband......
++++++++
From Shimla to Narkhanda along the slopes of Himalayas Uday Walia owned several orchards, mostly apples mixed with other fruits....he was a well known personality and featured in the glittery of Shimla's society regularly. Uday Walia had a house in Shimla but he preferred staying in this Kothi amidst of his orchard on the slopes of Narkhanda, about 60 k.m. from Shimla he was happy living here, the kothi was large and view was very scenic... he lived here with his 2nd wife Neera and younger son Rananjay....
Rananjay studied in Shimla staying in the hostel, he was supposed to come home during weekends but then he often came midweek hitch hiking his way, much to the distress of his parents. Neera wanted to shift to Shimla it was more happening place but Uday Walia preferred this Kothi....agar mujhe Shimla me hi rehna hai toh I better stay in Delhi, Shimla has become too congested.
Yes they went over to Delhi where they also had a house in the posh locality, there his mother stayed with his elder son, Jai.....his mother Krishna had died after a prolonged sickness with which she was affected after she had met with an accident which crippled her, the sickness was more mental than physical, Krishna battled with her inner demons as she was unable to accept her disability.
Neera was not very fond of Delhi, as she did not know many people there and unlike Shimla, where she was considered to be a well known fashionable socialite, in Delhi nobody knew her....the three months they were forced to stay in Delhi during winter was more than enough, in the summers they visited Delhi only if they required for medical help or to do some exclusive shopping. They were also entertaining guest during summers as many relatives and friends visited them, Neera loved showing her house and fine lifestyle they lived away from the maddening crowd.
+++++
Bani's father Nishikant Dixit was an agriculturist and as a young man came to work for Uday Walia. With his hard work and dedication now he was the manager of the estates, taking care of the orchards. His wife Kiran worked as a school teacher in the local school. Bani studied there though she wanted to go to Shimla to study in a fashionable school like Ranjo but it was not possible. Her father was not ready to keep her in hostel, beti hai paraya ghar toh waise bhi chali jayegi, reh le hamare sath kuch din...so Bani studied in the local school alongwith children of local middle class traders and service class people. In spite of that she did not feel too unhappy as her father got her lots of story books, encyclopaedias, etc and because of Ranjo who appeared from nowhere in middle of her classes and threw stones at her through the class window...the teachers tried to chase him away but then he was not leaving without Bani.....the teachers could not scold him much too, his father was one of the biggest donor of the school and most of the students studying here had their parents working for him.....to prevent Ranjo from disturbing the class they allowed Bani to leave class. Bani promptly ran out to meet him and together they ran down to the river as Ranjo narrated Bani how he managed to escape middle of the week, what story he gave to the truck driver from whom he took lift etc.
Obviously Neera used to get very upset to see her son back home, that meant another round of lecture from the principal and another round of pleading not to rusticate him from school......Udayji how many times I will plead to you lets shift to Shimla atleast yeh ladka to mere ankho ke samne rahega...I can take him to school personally....
Well Neera what is the guarantee that you will drop him to school and he will attend classes and as I said even if we move to Shimla, Nishikant has to stay here overlooking the orchards that means Bani betiya will also be here and which means my son Ranjo will miss her and come to meet her....baath toh wohi hogi na.....keya Ranjo baath sahi hai na...Ranjo's mouth filled with chicken sandwich nodded his head vigorously agreeing with his father.....Bani gave a broad smile to Neera....upsetting Neera even more......
I do not know what is wrong with his boy....apne school me koi friends ki kami hai that he comes running to meet Bani.....
The problem is easy mamma, Bani is my best friend, aap Bani ko mere school me daal do nehi toh mujhe idhar ki school me dal do, I will attend all classes.....
Neera glared at Ranjo, aren't you ashamed of yourself, you are two years elder than Bani lekin ekhi class me parta hai, log keya kahenge.....
Bani ke saath parne ke liye toh hi dobar fail huwa phirbhi aap nehi manteho......
Udayji Neera shouted.....
Uday Walia lifted his face from the newspaper, took out the pipe he was smoking and looked at Ranjo...beta finish your food and then I am going to drop you back to school, weekend ke liye do din baki hai, you have to stay in the hostel for two days.....
I think Sunday evening will be a better idea Papa, do din ka baath jab hai....
Beta now you are with Bani, aur fail nehi hona hai tab Bani ageh nikal jayegi and you cannot be in the same class....
No problem papa that time Bani will start failing....kyu Bani theek hai na....
Ha uncle tabh mai fail ho jayungi...aap chinta maath kariye.....
Neera left the room in disgust and Uday Walia got up from the chair....agar tum dono fail hote rahoge who will look after the business, yeh karobar kaun dekhe ga......
Jai Bhaiya hai na, aur waise bhi mai toh army me jayunga, General Rananjay Walia, how great it sounds, Ranjo's voiced beamed with excitement.
Udayji do something before I have an attack....came a voice from the other room
General Rananjay Walia banne ke liye you have to study.....parna tabh bhi parega, after all if you want to lead the Indian army, you cannot be stupid......Jai bhaiya ko dekho...how he studies hard.....
Ranjo...a voice called out.....
Jai bhaiya Ranjo shouted getting up from the table running to the lanky lad who was standing in the doorway, leaping onto his arms,.....
CID
