Thanks for the comments on my other story...here is another one...
Jai walked briskly down the elegant Paris street looking for the jeweller that his business associate had recommended. It was Christmas time and the streets were extra busy with people dressed in coats, scarfs and hat to ward off the chill in the air. Jai loved the decorations and lights that were everywhere, the trees, the shop windows and even lamp posts. It felt like Christmas.
He was eager to get his gifts for his wife and daughter and other family members before returning home. Finally he found the small but elegant shop, with window displaying the expensive diamond jewellery. He had no idea what he wanted, but may be there was something that he would find for Bani and Krishna. She wasn't fond of ornate jewellery, preferring just to wear the simple string of mangalsutra around her neck all the time, but may be he could find something simple and elegant for her to wear for parties that they attended now and then. And he couldn't forget his little angel, Krishna…at five she was the life of the house. Much more vivacious than him or Bani…she was full of energy and had the whole house running after her.
The shop assistant eyed Jai. At over six foot, with mahagony skin, jet-black hair and eyes with chiselled face, Jai made female heart flutter. She smiled and walked up to him and in accented English asked, "Can I help you find something sir?"
Jai smiled, "Yes…I am looking for something for my wife and daughter…"
"Aha…so sweet, how old is your daughter?" she asked, thinking how lucky the woman was to have such a gorgeous looking man.
"Krissy…she is five." Jai replied, scanning the display.
"Five…a little girl. One moment sir…I might have something…" She disappeared behind the shop through a small door and came back with a box. She laid the box on top of the counter and opened the box to reveal a glass globe with tiny figures…a girl in pink dress and a boy skating. She shook the globe and then set it back down, silver and gold flakes tumbled down. "This is a new, those are real silver and gold flakes in there…it's a new line introduced this year…for Christmas."
Jai picked up and stared the figures moving around slowly. He set it down. It uses battery. "No…actually solar power. The battery charges up in the sunlight. "Do you think a little girl would like this?" he asked, not sure if Krishna would like the globe.
"Of course sir…children are fascinated by the falling flakes and the figures inside the water. It has been a very popular item…we don't have many left as only a limited number were made."
Jai nodded, "Ok…I will take it. Could you me something for my wife? Something with flowers, but nothing too fancy."
The sales girl put the box aside. "We have a line based on flowers…let me see…" She disappeared through the door again to the back of the shop.
Jai gazed at the other people shopping…just like him. Few minutes later, the shop assistant came back. "Sir…we have this…" She opened the box to reveal a slightly more platinum and brilliant diamond design. Picking it up and laying it on a piece of black silk, "It's from our garden collection…so each piece is designed after a flowers…this is called lilies…see the long stem…connect each flowers." Lillies…she loved lilies just as much he did. He looked at the necklace, sitting against the black silk, it looked perfect…just perfect for Bani…simple, yet beautiful. "I will buy this…my wife will love it." Adding silently to himself, I can't wait to see her face as he puts it around her neck.
Jai spent few more minutes buying gifts for his sister, niece and other family members and then left the shop feeling much happier. He took a brisk walk along the Siene and decided, next time he would come back in much warmer months with Bani and his daughter and do a lot more sight seeing than the odd bits that he did on when he came on his business trips.
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Krishna dressed in her favourite pjs, a pink top and bottom with her favourite Disney character, the little mermaid. She pressed her face against the glass pane, "Maa…when is papa coming? You said soon…but he takes so long."
Bani, stopped putting the clothes away and gazed at Krishna. She smiled to herself, so impatient…it had been the same song all day…when was her father coming? "He will be here soon. Remember, he called us from the airport. You talked with him."
Krishna turned around, her eyes sparkling like pool of crystal clear water, "Yes maa…papa said he has got me lots of pressies. I love pressies…I hope I get another Barbie…a Christmas one. Neha has one…her papa got one for her last year." Bani put away the rest of the clothes and then sat next to Krishna, cuddling her. "I am sure he has got you a Barbie…"
"I hope it has pink dress…pink is my favourite colour…and silver sandals…I will brush her long hair." Krishna babbled on of how she would play with the Barbie with Neha…they would have a party for their Barbie dolls and she would ask uncle Tony to get some cakes and icecream…pink ice-cream to eat at the party. Bani listened silently, she loved her little girl chattering away, especially now…when both of them missed Jai. The day usually went by…but nights were always lonely.
After some time Bani stood, "come lets go downstairs. You can have milk and cookies."
"Yeah…maa…can Neha come too." Krishna asked, running to the door.
Bani shook her head, "No…Neha has gone to sleep. Don't go there…Anudidi will get upset."
Krishna smile drooped and she pouted. "I want to show Neha…my Barbie."
Bani patted her cheek, "Sweetie in the morning…you can show your Barbie."
It was late and everyone had retired for the night. Bani sat with Krishna lying on her lap, the TV was showing some cartoon. Krishna's eyelid drooped; she couldn't keep awake much longer and was soon breathing softly as she fell asleep. Bani too fell asleep.
The car stopped in front of Walia mansion close to midnight. Jai stepped out, he was tired from the journey, his flight had left an hour late due to stormy weather. He climbed the steps and let himself in. The driver followed in with his bags.
As he stepped in to the lounge, he saw the TV on and Bani with Krishna, both sleeping. He turned off the TV and turned to see Bani watching him. She smiled, "Hi…" Jai leaned over and kissed her hard on the lips. "Sorry…flight got delayed."
Bani ran her hand down the side of his face, "You look tired. Are you hungry?"
Jai shook his head, "No…let us go to bed. Here let me carry Krishy up."
"She wanted to wait for you…she was so excited." Bani whispered to him. "She kept telling everyone…that you were bringing her a Barbie."
"Barbie…thank God you had sent me text message otherwise I would have forgot. I had the manager at the hotel, going crazy trying to find one for me. Luckily…he managed to find one shop which still had few and went himself to pick it up for me."
Bani laughed softly as they walked up. "I knew you might forget. She has been so excited about it…you know she has even planned a Barbie party…"
Jai smiled and gazed at his daughter snuggled up in his arms. "A Barbie party…what next? I can't wait to see her face when I give her gifts."
"I will tuck her in bed Mr Walia…you go and rest."
Jai shook his head, "No…let me tuck her in. I missed my bed time with her. I just want to hold her for a few more minutes."
Bani watched Jai disappear into Krishna's bedroom. She went to their bedroom and set out Jai's pjs and went changed into her nightdress. The room was still empty when she came out of the bathroom and she wondered if Krishna had woken up and was keeping her daddy with her.
When Jai walked in he found Bani curled up, fast asleep on the bed.
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Jai was woken up from deep sleep by Krishna jumping on the bed, "Papa…wake up…wake up."
Jai opened his eyes slowly and then smiled as he saw Krishna staring at him. "Good morning princess." He reached over and pulled her on top of him, snuggling her.
"Good morning papa…papa can I have my Barbie." Krishna squeaked as Jai held her close him. Jai tickled her make her giggle loudly, "Is that why you woke me up? So you can have your pressie…"
Krishna wriggled free and sat on his chest, nodding her head, her curly hair flying around her. "Yes papa…I want my pressie."
"Ok…where is mommy? Go get mommy and then you can have your pressie."
Krishna leaped off him and went hurtling out of the room, screaming, "Maa…come on up…"
A few minutes later Bani appeared with a tray of coffee. "Good morning Mr Walia."
Jai sat up on the bed. "Good morning Bani…Merry Christmas guys…its Christmas day."
Krishna tugged at Jai's hand, "Papa my pressie…please…"
Jai laughed, "Ok…let me get up." Krishna ran to where the bag was lying on the floor and stood looking at it impatiently.
Jai opened the bag and rummaged through his clothes and then pulled out a brightly wrapped package. "Do I get kissy first?" he pointed at his cheek. Krishna quickly planted a wet kiss and then grabbed the package and sat down on the floor. She tugged at the wrapper, pulling it off and then screamed, "Oooh…she is so pretty papa." She said looking at the doll. "And I love her dress…I am going to have a dress just like her…"
Jai looked at Bani, "I missed you guys so much. Everyone over there was talking about plans they had made to spend time with family over Christmas…it really made me homesick."
Bani gently ran her fingers in his hair. "We are glad you are back with us for Christmas…mind you Krishy has been watching her favourite channels and is into Santa claus and Christmas tree…she even said she wants to go North Pole…" She giggled, "She wants us all to dress like Eskimos…in fur coats and boots and she wants to go in a sled."
"At least she has good imagination. How about next year we go somewhere in Europe for Christmas …she can then really experience the festival." Jai said enthusiastically, already planning it in his mind.
Bani shook her head, "Nothing…" she said breathing deeply. Jai pulled out two packages, "I have a present for you…and another for Krissy."
"Another pressie…yippee…" Krishna dropped the box with the Barbie and took the small package Jai held out to her. She tore it open and then glanced puzzled at the globe. "What is it papa?"
Jai took the globe and shook it, "It's a globe…see…" Krishna watched the tiny flakes tumble down in the water and then stared at the figures and then said chirpily. "Look papa its Barbie..skating…inside."
Bani sat down and peered at the revolving figures, "Hmm…this is lovely. Where did you buy this from Mr Walia?"
Krishna shook the globe again and stared at the flakes falling down.
"I found it in a special shop…it has real silver and gold flakes in there."
Jai held out the gift package to Bani, "Come on open yours…" Bani gave him a look, "You didn't have to get me anything. You coming home is best present for both of us." Reaching out for her, Jai tugged her on his lap and nuzzled her neck, "Aww…that is so sweet of you. Ok…close your eyes and don't open them until I tell you." Jai took out the necklace and fastened it around her neck and then lifted her up and carried her to the dresser and set her down. "Ok…open your eyes…" Bani opened her eyes, her eyes immediately dazzled by the shimmer of the diamonds around her neck. Her eyes sparkled with surprise, "It's beautiful…the flowers…" Jai leaned and kissed the side of her neck, "It's just perfect…I love you..." he whispered against her skin.
Krishna came running up, clutching the Barbie in her hand, "Can I go and show Neha my Barbie…maa." Bani grabbed her, "Not yet Krissy…she might be sleeping. Wait till she wakes up. Come let me get you ready first." Bani went to take off the necklace but Jai stopped her, "Wear it Bani…after all it's Christmas day today."
THE END
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