Aaja Re Woh Kaun Hai..., Woh Kahanaa Hai.., Jise Doondh Thi Hai Nigaahen, Woh Kaun Hai.. He stood on that lonely hilltop, huddled inside the thin jacket he was wearing, trying to protect himself from the chill that was seeping in now as the sun had bade goodbye to the day. He had been here the whole day, sitting, walking, watching and praying to see that one person he wished to meet again, see again, hold again. How many times had he closed his eyes and visualized that one meeting, that had changed his life, her life for ever. She had made a cool soothing vision she had made in a white cotton churidar, sprinkled with tiny, red, embroidered flowers and a red duppatta thrown around her shoulder. The shy smile she had cast his way had simply enveloped around his heart for ever. He had forgotten about the blazing sun, the dry air and the noisy crowd. She too had come to the mela with her two sisters. He had followed her around the whole afternoon, stealing glances, admiring her soft beauty and absorbing her bubbly laughter. Once or twice she had caught him looking at her and her had he had captivated her eyes for a few moments before letting them go. At a stall selling colourful bangles, he had watched as she and her sisters oohed and ahhed over selection and she helped her sisters choose some for themselves and paid for it, but did not buy any for herself. When she had left he had walked over and asked the vendor what she had been looking at and then purchased the few the vendor pushed towards him. Stuffing the notes, more than double the asking amount, he had picked up the bag and rushed off in the direction he had seen her gone, leaving the vendor waving his arms frantically. When he had found her again, he had practically collided with her, her arms had gone flying, the plates of bhel falling to the ground as she tried to regain her balance. Instead of falling on the floor, she had fallen into his arms. Both of them had stayed still, eyes staring, breath stilled and lost to the world that is until one of her sister had coughed loudly. How she had blushed deep red? It almost matched her duppatta. But he had not been sorry and she had not been sorry that they had bumped into each other, for this was what destiny had written on the fragile pages of life for them…their destiny…the immortal bond of love, forged between two souls eons before time. Hawa Sun Hawa, Use Chu Ke Aa, Use Chu Ke Aaja ZaraHawa Sun Hawa.., Use Chu Ke Aa, Use Chu Ke Aaja Zara.. HoKahan Hai Woh Ithna Batha..Hawa Sun Hawa, Use Chu Ke Aa.., Use Chu Ke Aaja Zara.. aaaKahan Hai Woh Ithna Batha Kaun Hai Yaad Jo Har Pal Aaye, Yaad Woh Aaye To, Aake Na JaayeKaun Hai Yaad Jo Har Pal Aaye, And this was the special place where she had brought him on their first so called date. It hadn't really been a date, but a persuasion by him and his sister to show him around. Standing under the dried up tree, she had pointed out landmarks to him, her voice had sounded like tinkling stream in the deserted landscape. He hadn't paid any attention to what she had said, but had shamelessly gazed at her. Yaad Woh Aaye To, Aake Na Jaaye..Raaz Yeh Dil Ab Kisko BathaayeinSaamne Hai Woh Nazar Na AayeMujh Ko Kiski Aahaton Ne Hai Chua..Kau Hai Woh Yeh Hawa Tu Ye Batha.. Hawa Sun Hawa, Use Chu Ke Aa, Use Chu Ke Aaja Zara.. aaKahan Hai Woh Ithna Batha.. This was the same place where he had dared to tentatively steal a kiss from her soft pink lips, the lips he loved to watch, just so he could hear her voice. This was the same place where he had dropped down on his knees in the dust and declared his love to her loudly. The place was as entwined in his heart as much she was, how he can ever let go of this place when he could not let go of her. Year later he was still Hoping that she would return to him, she would hold him and tell him she forgave him for his stupidity, for his doubts and accusations. Today he had hoped she would come here, looking for him. How could she forget this date? How could she forget that night? How could she forget the uniting of their souls once again in this lifetime? How could she forget his love? The cold now numbed his body, just as her loss had numbed his heart in lonliness. He fell on to the ground, feeling abandoned and lost, a prisoner of his own soul. Meri Sadaayein, Tujhko Bulaayein, Samne Aajaao, Aaja Re Aaja ReMeri Sadaayein, Tujhko Bulaayein,Samne Aajaao, Aaja Re Aaja ReMeri Yeh Baahein Tujh Ko Pukaare Aaj Re, Aaja Re, Aaja.. Re Aaj Re, Aaja ReMeri Yeh Baahein Tujh Ko Pukaare Aaj Re, Aaja Re, Aaa Hawa Sun Hawa, Use Chu Ke Aa, Use Chu Ke Aaja Zara Ho..Kahan Hai Woh Ithna Batha……….Woh Kaun Ha... She walked with faltering steps on the rocky path. She did not know why in the middle of the night, she woke up and felt the desire to visit this place, the place which she had avoided because of the memories it held. The fear of unlocking the chains which she had padlocked around the memories and her heart a year ago had kept her away. Tonight in the bright moonlight, she had dared to take steps here, just to glimpse, to relieve, to immerse into those bitter sweet memories for one night.She saw his slumped form on the ground and stopped. Her heart beat mercilessly, the adrenaline rush making her breath faster and deeper, the energy surge releasing excess heat from her skin making little beads of perspiration form near her hairline. Sense triggered in her numbed mind after a few seconds, may be someone had fallen sick, at least she should she if they need help. With hurried steps she rushed towards the dark shape. Kneeling down she raised the face gently and then stopped, staring as she saw who it was. How can this be? Why was he here at this time of the night? What happened to him? Why was he lying here? With care she wiped dirt she could faintly see from his face. "Jai…" she whispered softly, her hand running down his face in a soft caress. She heard him moan. Saw his eyelashes flutter and close. His face felt cold in her hand. "Jai…please open your…eyes." She cried with slight desperation. Somewhere in his mind, he heard her far off voice calling to him. He smiled, he knew she would come…she too could not forget him. There he could feel her now, he could smell her scent, her warmth was chasing away the cold in his heart, her voice sounded like a familiar song that he had long forgotten. One peek, he would just take one peek at her and then go back to sleep. Jai opened his eyes and smiled as his eyes met her tawny brown eyes, watching him so intently. He reached up and touched them, making sure she was really here and not just a figment of his imagination. "Bani…you came." He whispered in wonder. Bani looked at him in bewilerment. Why was he saying that? How did he know she was coming? He tried to sit up, but the numbness in his limbs forced to slump down again. "What's wrong Jai?" she asked, frightened now that he may be hurt. He shook his head. "I am fine. Really I am going to ok. I just fell asleep." He said to reassure her. "What are you doing up here at this time of night?" she asked the question that her mind was asking her. "I have been here all day…waiting for you. Don't you remember…Bani…tonight…a year ago." He said huskily, wet film lining his eyes. "June 19th…" A thunderbolt struck her heart. The chains splintered open, freeing the love she had kept in a prison for so long. Her body trembled, her hand shook under his head. A sob escaped her, but no tears fell. "I am so sorry…I made you wait. Can you forgive me?" she asked, awed that he had spent the whole day here, waiting for her…not giving up on her. She really had been a fool to think he did not love her…he did not care for her…he never ever wanted her. He pushed himself up slowly and sat up and looked at her lowered head. She still took his breath away, even though she looked a little thinner. Gently he pulled her in his arms. "There is nothing to forgive…I am just happy you came. Come home…Bani." Tujhse Miloongi To, Tujhse Kahoongi; Tere Bina Mein Rehna SakoongiTujhse Miloonga To, Tujhse Kahoonga,; Tere Bina Mein Rehna SakoongaChodo Udasi Kyun Aankhen Nam Hai; Gaur Se Dekho To Nazdeek Hum HaiMujhko Kis Aahaton Ne Hai Chua Hoo; Kaun Hai Woh Ye Hawa To Yeh Batha Hoo Hawa Sun Hawa, Use Chu Ke Aa, Use Chu Ke Aaja Zara Ho..Kahan Hai Woh Ithna Batha……….Woh Kaun Ha....... Woh Kahan Hai...., Jise Doondh Thi Hai Nigaahen
XXXXXX
Matter of the Heart
Dil tadap tadap ke keh raha hai aa bhi ja
Tu humse aankh na chura, tujhe kasam hai aa bhi
ja
Dil dhadak dhadak ke de raha hai yeh sadaa
Tumhari ho chuki hoon main, tumhare paas hoon
sadaa
He tipped the glass up and drained the amber fluid
empty. His throat burnt from the fiery
liquid, but he just grimaced. Most nights he had no choice but to follow this
ritual before he left his study for his bedroom and his young wife. He had no idea when it happened or how
it happened, but he had fallen madly in
love with his young wife who he
had been forced to marry. The hatred he had for her and anger he had
displayed had gradually worn away and he had been left feeling tormented,alone
and frustrated with the decision whether he should confess his feelings, ask
for forgiveness and plead to make the marriage work...he was desperate now to
have his feelings reciperocated
and to show her how much he wanted her.
After his encounter with Roshni today, he wanted
nothing more than to do with her. Whatever
feelings and respect he had for her had gone when Roshni had demanded he leave
his wife and marry her as she was now ready to settle down with him. Jai had snubbed her by replying it was too late...it was four years too late. The time when he had been ready to settle
down with her had long gone, along with any love he had for
her. He
was no longer unattached and not callous enough to discard the woman he had married for her. Roshni had screamed abuses at him and then
stormed out of his study.
Jai got up from the sofa and slipped out of his
study. He wasn't sure if Bani would be
awake or not. Most night she had
already retired to bed when he came to their bedroom. He walked slowly towards their room and stopped when he saw the
door open wide and the room flooded with light. He swallowed hard and took a step forward into the room and his
eyes trailed over to the bed. It was
still pristinely made. No residue of
anyone had touched the covers showed.
With his heartbeats skipping, his gaze went around the room, towards the
bathroom door, which stood open and dark and then back to the bed.
Where was she?
He was sure he had seen her go off in a huff when Roshni had
arrived. There was no one
downstairs. Jai walked up to the
balcony doors and swung them open.
Night air hit his face and he faced an empty balcony. Just as he was about to turn back, his eyes
fixed on a figure walking towards the gate.
His heart raced now. It was
her...it had to be...he couldn't mistake her.
Where was she going at this time of night? Without waiting to answer his own questions, Jai turned and ran
out of room, down the stairs, out of the house and down the driveway. When he got out of breath, he cursed himself
for being so unfit...of letting his habit of exercising go.
His feet pounded on the hard surface until he
reached her. "Bani!" he called out hoarsely, stopping now to take a
breath. The bag in Bani's hand, dropped
with a thud on the floor. She turned and looked at him with fear.
"Where are you going?" he asked, his
voice filled with apprehension.
Bani did not answer, but stood still, watching
him. Jai took a step forward, Bani took
a step back, her eyes darted slightly away from his gaze. Jai took another step forward and Bani
stumbled as she turned to run away from him.
He pounced on her, to stop her falling on the floor, and felt dizzy as
rush of blood coursed through his head.
He held her tight to his chest, taking deep breaths to recover
himself. Bani pushed at against his arm
and pummled his chest when he did not release. "Let me go...just let me
go."
"No..not until you tell me where you are
going?" Jai demanded with an edge
to his voice.
"Why do you care?" she replied
flippantly, digging her fingers in his chest. "Why should I stay where I
am not wanted."
Jai's arms dropped to the side and he looked as
Bani bent down to pick up her bag. What
did she mean? Not Wanted? How did she know she wasn't wanted. He grasped her hand tightly and pulled her
against him.
"Who told you you are not wanted?" He
asked softly, his tone laced with anger.
"NO one had to tell me...I know...I can
see...there is no room for me in that house...dont' worry I will send divorce
papers so you...so you can be free." Bani answered as tears spilled down
her cheek. Jai twisted her arm behind
her and pushed her chin up roughly. He
looked at the tears trailing down her face and her lips quivering as she tried
to control them. A sharp pain went
through his heart as if someone had stuck a knife into him. He had never seen her cry, in all these
months, she had never shed a tear in front of him. He had not cared if she was happy or unhappy...he had just
watched her silently going about taking care of his home, his family and him.
His hand rose up and with his thumb pads he
wiped her tears. Bani closed her eyes and shuddered at his touch and Jai felt
it against his body. He leaned and
pressed his lips on her closed eyes, feeling the soft velvety skin on the
touch. He inhaled the flowery scent
from fleeing from her skin and trailed his lips down her cheek brushing the
salty tears. He picked her up
effortlessly and carried her towards the house and did not stop until he
reached the bedroom. He sat down with
her in his lap.
When he gazed down at her eyes were still shut
tight, but she was clutching tightly to his shirt. "Bani..." he
called out softly. Her eyes opened
slowly and her light brown eyes looked back at him. Jai pushed a lock of hair away gently and his warm breath blew on
her skin, "I need you...I want you...I don't want to be free from
you." he said huskily. As he
watched, her eyes filled with amazement, they sparkled now, deep and clear.
"Say it again..." she asked in
whisper.
"I...I love you." Jai said simply,
finally disclosing what he wanted to say for the last few weeks.
"But you love Roshni..." she said with
disbelief, hurt flashing in her eyes.
"No...who said I love her?" he asked.
"Roshni...she told me you loved her and
wanted to marry her."
Jai's face went dark and his eyes angry, Bani flinched
in his arms and immediately his face become concerned.
"I am sorry. I am mad at Roshni.
Bani...I don't love her. I
stopped loving her a long time ago."
Jai fingers brushed her cheek, "I don't want to love anyone
else. You have taken a place in my
heart where no one else has been. All I
know is I want to love for eternity Bani."
The huskiness in his sent tingle down Bani's
spine, butterflies fluttered across her stomach and she felt a warm feeling
flood her. The words she had dreamed of
hearing were actually being spoken to her...she felt as if she was in a
dream...a dream where all her desires were coming true.
Jai waited few moments for her to say something,
when she did not, he sighed deeply and almost whispered, "It's ok...if you
don't feel the same way...if you still want to go...I won't stop you. I don't have any right to hold you to
anything."
He was rather surprised when her eyes brightened
up and her face flushed as she looked at him angrily. "One minute you tell me you love and then you don't care if
I stay or go. Why did you put
mangalstura around my head and sindoor in my hair? Why did you marry stay married to me...just so you can tell me to
go?" By the time she stopped
spluttering her anger at him, she was breathing heavily and tried to push him
away.
She stopped when she heard him laugh
softly. He was smiling when he
stopped. He was surprised at her
outburst. Jai stopped laughing an took
hold of her chin and stared deeply into her eyes. With each passing moment, their heartbeats stepped up it's
beat. He felt drawn into those golden
pools of her, being lured to her innermost sanctum…a place where her his heart
resided…place where her soul lay waiting for his. He felt her move towards his face, her lips blowing a flutter of
warm across his lips. With a groan he
moved and claimed her parted lips. He
felt her arms run up his back and into his hair.
There was only silence filled now and then with
soft sighs and moan. A puddle of
clothes lay on the floor where it had been hurriedly discarded. Two hunger filled souls were lost in a world
of their own. Nothing existed in their
world, only they and their desires.
Even the moon had decided to creep behind the
clouds to leave the two souls alone. A
long time later when a moonbeam entered
the room, it fell on the two lovers, sleeping entwined in each others
arms. It stayed floating around in the
room, until the dawn and the rise of the pale morning light chased it out of
the room. No one noticed it departure,
no one noticed the rise of the golden orb or the light of new day brightening
up the room.
XXXXXX
Some Things
are Meant To be…
A drop of
tear fell on the paper which she was writing. She brushed it but it was already
soaked into the paper. With a deep
sigh, she signed her name, simply Bani and folded it up and tucked it under the
silver box in which she had placed her mangalsutra and sindoor. She picked up a small bag which she had
packed earlier, with few of her old clothes…clothes she had originally come to
this mansion with…along with her two sisters.
Tonight she was leaving the mansion and also her sisters. He will take care of them, that she was sure
of.
As she
passed by the bed, her eyes fell on the photo of her husband, she paused and
then picked it up and quickly slipped it inside her bag. There was no harm in at least keeping his
photo close to her. Now she quickly
went out of the room and out of the house, scared he would return home early
from his rendezvous with Roshni…his ex-girlfriend who had returned back into
his life. It was early on in the day
when she had heard him make arrangements to meet Roshni that she had decided,
she would finally leave him…what was the point of staying in a loveless
marriage with no hope of ever becoming his wife in a true sense.
The road
was quiet, she waved at he passing rickshaw and got in when it stopped. "Train
station." She told the driver and then covered her head with her pallu in case
someone passing by would see her. At
the station she purchased the first train out of the station going north. It did not matter at the moment where it was
going, as long as she was out of the city was all she cared for. Ten minutes later she sat huddled in the
crowded compartment, squashed between an old man snoring away and a woman with
a toddler sleeping in her lap. The
train started to move and Bani felt the tension leave her shoulders.
XXXXX
Jai Walia
got out of his car and went inside his home.
He quickly took the stairs up to his bedroom. He felt a bit dizzy, didn't think he had drank much to make him
feel this way. But he had left Roshni's
apartment when it became apparent she had more in mind than just dinner. Her advances threw him off guard for a
moment but the guilty feeling that he would be doing something wrong…something
that would hurt his wife made him want to get out of the apartment and back
home to Bani…his wife. As he had sat
back in the car with his eyes closed, all he saw was her face, her shy smile,
her dark brown eyes and the black hair that framed her pretty face.
In his
bedroom Jai felt disappointment on seeing it empty. May be she was sleeping with Rano tonight. She did that from time to time and he had
never bothered to stop her but tonight he wanted her here with him…he wanted to
talk to her…to tell her he wanted another chance to make their marriage
work. As he flung his jacket and tie on
a chair, his eye caught the piece of paper tucked under the box on the
dresser. Curiosity getting better of
him, he walked over and pulled it out.
The words
blurred as he read the letter and by the time he reached the end, his heart
seemed to be squeezed tight in a death grip.
The paper slipped out his hand and he slumped down on the floor. Tears rolled down his cheeks as the reality
sank in…she had left…because she wanted him to be happy with Roshni. She did not want to stay in a marriage where
there was no love…there was no hope for the future. Jai rubbed his eyes and screamed "You are wrong Bani…you are so
wrong…I do love you…I see a future for us."
His scream only echoed in the lonely room. She was not here to listen to it. He did not know where she had gone…she did not say. Just wished him a happy life. How can his life be happy now…how can he be
happy without her. She had slowly
crawled into his heart without him knowing it.
The girl he
had hated, the girl he had hurt, the girl who had stood silently and taken
everything that he and his family had thrown at her, had somehow entwined her
essence with his that now he could never think of her as anything but his soul
mate. He stood up and clutched the
letter and put it under the box again.
He opened the box and stared at the black beads linked in a gold
chain. She had left behind the signs of
failed marriage. But he was not ready
to accept the failure, he would find her…somehow he would bring her back into
his life. Jai looked at he date on his Rolex wrist watch…June 19th…he
would remember the date…he would bring her before the next Jun 19th
came around.
XXXXX
A year
later…
He couldn't
believe his luck. Jai ran his fingers
through his greying hair…the past few months had peppered his jet black hair with grey, the sleepless
nights, the frustration and constant travelling had taken toll on him. He had lost weight, his clothes hung loosely
on his broad frame. His once handsome
face now dark and gaunt. But today
instead of the sadness lining his eyes, there was a glint inside them…there was
hope inside them. He had finally found
her…tucked away in the hills of Shimla, working as a nanny for one of the rich
family who had summer residence here.
Of course if he hadn't met Raj on the flight from Mumbai to Delhi, he
would never have found her. But Raj
being a talkative man had found in Jai a perfect listener and had virtually
sung praises of this angel he had found a year back and who now took care of
his pride and joy…his one and only child Sumeet. From the description Raj gave, Jai's heart was convinced it was
Bani…he could never be mistaken about her…he remembered every little detail
about her, little things about her which he had never bothered with, had become
so important to him over the year.
Raj stopped
the Jeep in front of a beautiful house set among a breathtaking setting…the
green hills made a perfect backdrop for the house. The front door opened and a beautiful young woman came out. She smiled happily at Raj, "You are back
darling. Why didn't' you phone?"
Raj pecked
the cheek his wife offered and said with a laugh, "I wanted to surprise
you. Here come meet a friend…Jai…Jai
Walia. My wife…Seema." Jai took the hand Seema offered and shook it
lightly, "Nice to meet you Seema."
"And where
is my bafy?" Raj asked as he slipped his arm around his wife.
Seema
rolled his eyes, 'Where do you think?
You know he never leaves the side of his Bani aunty if he can help
it. They both went out for a ride on
the horses."
Raj
laughed, "Aren't you glad we brought those horses two years back…see Sumeet is
making full use of them." Seema punched
Raj lightly, "Yes darling…you are always right." She turned to Jai and said, "I hope you are not like Raj…with
your wife. You look married. Do you have any children?" she asked.
Jai gave a
sad smile. "No…not yet."
"Well I am
sure you will one day. Come on inside
and let me get you settled in before the brat comes and hogs all the
attention." Seems walked ahead, leaving
the men to follow.
XXXXX
Jai looked up when a child voice
screamed, "Papaaaaaa…."
A small boy hurtled towards Raj
with great speed, his cap falling off. But Jai's eyes did stayed fix on
the person who just stepped into his vision…Bani.
Their eyes clashed and the next
moment, he saw Bani slump towards the floor. Jai stood up in haste,
"Bani!" he called out. Seem and Raj looked with surprise at each
other. Next second, they too rushed after Jai who was now on his knees,
staring at crumpled body of Bani on the floor.
Seema went into action.
"Raj…quick…phone Doctor Josheph. Jai…" she shook Jai by the
shoulder. "Pick her for God's sake…bring her to the couch." Sumeet
started crying as Jai carried Bani towards the sofa. Seema picked up Sumeet
and tried to hush him. "Now Sumeet don't cry. Nothing is going to
happen to Bani aunty."
Raj arched his brow at Seema as he
watched, feeling uncomfortable at Jai kneeling beside Bani holding her
hand. Seema asked softly, "Jai…how do you know Bani?"
Jai looked at Seema blankly,
"Bani…she is my wife."
"Wife!" Raj said in a stunned
voice.
Seema did not say anything but kept
quiet and went towards the door to wait for the arrival of the doctor.
Dr Joseph arrived several minutes
later. He did brief examination and then smiled at Jai, "Nothing to worry
about. Her blood pressure is a little low. She must be stressed
out. Just let her sleep until she wakes up by herself." Sumeet who
had stopped crying now, came up to the doctor and tugged his sleeve. "You
are not going to give Bani aunty and injection to make her better?" he asked
with eyes full of curiosity.
Dr Joseph patted Sumeet's head,
"No…aunty does not need an injection. She just needs rest."
After the doctor left, Seema
suggested Bani be moved to her bedroom.
Half an hour later Seema returned
to Bani's bedroom to call Jai to join them for dinner. Jai was reluctant
to leave Bani alone, but Seema persuaded him Bani would not be going anywhere
and there was no point in him starving himself as she didn't want to fall sick
either. Seema gave a nervous laugh, "I
don't think I can handle a husband and wife, both sick under my roof."
Jai couldn't help but reply her
with smile as he stood up.
XXXXX
Seema stopped as she came out of
the kitchen, she stared at Bani, standing like a cornered rabbit, clutching a
small bag. "Where do you think you are
going?" Seema asked sharply.
"I can't stay here anymore…" Bani
mumbled as she looked down at the floor.
"Like hell you can…stop running
away…Bani. Whatever problem you have
with your husband…it's not going to go away.
Running away, does not solve anything."
Bani looked up, her eyes
frightened, "How do you know…how do you know he is my husband?"
Seema crossed her arms, "Because he
told us. And he told us how you left
him almost a year ago…just packed up and left when he wasn't around." There was disgust in Seema's voice. Bani felt like a small child being accused
of doing something bad.
"You don't understand….Seema. I had
no choice, he doesn't love me. He loves
someone else." Bani bleated like a
nervous lamb.
"What the hell gave you that
idea? Are you blind? Anyone can tell he is madly in love with
you. Look at him…all he has done in
past month is look for you. Raj showed
me a photo of him in a magazine…how he used to look a year ago, if I had a hot
looking guy like him…I would have never let him go." Seema gave a sigh as Bani went silent.
"Go back to the bedroom and think
of sorting whatever issue you have out with him. Don't leave him again…I don't think he will survive it." Seema turned sharply, her wavy hair bouncing
from the move and she went back into the kitchen.
Bani slowly turned and trudged back
to her bedroom.
XXXXX
She was lying awake in the dark
room, when the door inched opened slowly.
Bani turned her head and watched as Jai entered the room. He smiled at her, but Bani did not return
the favour.
He came and sat down on the side of
the bed. "Seema said you were
awake. Did you eat anything? How do you feel? You gave me such a shock when you fainted like that."
Bani looked away from him. "I am sorry." She said in barely audible
whisper. Jai took hold of her hand and
immediately Bani felt nervous tremors run through her body. "You don't have to be sorry. I am just glad you are fine…I didn't mean to
upset you."
Bani fixed her gaze back on
him. "I am not upset. You shouldn't be here. Why are you looking for me? Seema said you were looking for me. Roshni will be upset."
Jai's hand tightened around hers
and Bani flinched. His eyes went
hard. "I don't care about Roshni…I
haven't seen her in a year. What makes
you think I care about Roshni?" he asked her heatedly.
Bani closed her eyes, she didn't
like the angry look in his eyes. "She
said…she said…you have always loved her and wanted to marry her." Even to her ears, she didn't sound so
convincing…it seemed like she was making up an excuse.
Jai groaned and put his hands on
his face. "Roshni…I want to kill
her. How could you believe her? If I wanted Roshni…I would have had our
marriage annulled a long time ago."
Bani felt red colour flood her
cheek, realizing the impact of what he just said. They had never been husband and wife in true sense, so there
could be no divorce.
The anger melted in him as he looked
her feeling shy now. He lifted her up
and wrapped his arms around her. "I
came back early that night…I wanted to talk to you…to say things to you. To tell you…" he paused and took a gulp of
air. "I wanted to tell you…I love
you." Jai felt her stiffen up in his
arm. After moment, he heard her muffled
voice, "You love me…why did you never say it before."
Jai moved away and tilted her head
slightly. He smiled down at her,
"Because I was sure…I couldn't figure out what I was feeling for you….that is until
it was a bit too late."
Bani felt goose bumps
prickling her skin. It sounded so
strange, yet so warming to her him say that.
She fingered the button on his shirt nervously, unsure of what to say. After few seconds of silence, she felt his
hot breath on her skin as he brought his face close to her and he
whispered. "I hope you are not planning
to break that button of my shirt…I can easily take it off." Bani's hand dropped down quickly…she buried
her face in his chest as she felt her face burn with embarrassment.
There was a soft knock on the
door. Jai quickly moved away and stood
up. "Come in," he called out. Seema entered, her eyes fixed on Bani's
flushed face. "I hope I didn't disturb
you. Raj and I are going off to
sleep. Just came to say goodnight. If you need anything do let me know."
"Thanks Seema. I think we will fine. You have done enough already." Jai replied as he gazed at Bani. He turned back to Seema, "Good night
Seema." Seema winked at Jai as she
turned away and walked out of the room.
Jai turned back and looked at Bani.
"I guess I should go to…let you sleep.
We can talk tomorrow."
He saw her face droop, an uneasy
look filling her eyes. She didn't say
anything but kept staring at him. A
fear went through him and in a quick strides, he was once again by sitting
close to her. "I am not going
anywhere….I promise."
Her bent head shook a little and he
heard her whisper, "Than stay….stay here with me."
He heard himself asking in the same
hushed whisper, "Are you sure?" Bani
nodded her head and then slowly raised her face so that her eyes could see
his. "Yes…."
An exhilarating thrill coursed
through his body. He felt dizzy, as if
he was elevated off the ground and floating in air. With a fervid move he pulled her into his arms and buried his
face in the crook of her neck. The
impassioned feelings ran free and he found his mouth seeking out hers in a
kiss. Her response inflamed him further
and soon they were immersed in rapturous discovery of one another.
The night slipped into
morning. The soft light of the morning
fell on the faces of two contented faces…of two people who felt as if they were
meant to be together forever.
THE END
Anupamaa
