Hello everyone
I know I haven't updated in a long long time. I am busy at the moment with my house shifting and getting things done for the new house also I actually need some time to do the next installment of the story. So in the mean time I thought why not do a take on a short story based on 19th June. I hope you all enjoy reading this. As it's my first attempt to do a short story. And its in two parts.
The night of June 19th
Every other day she was the first one to wake up in the house. But last night had left her drained out. She did not understand anything about her so called husband Jai Walia. Yes it was a fact that they got married under circumstances. He was supposed to marry her sister. He was in love or infatuated with her, Bani hasn't been actually able to figure that part out. As from a very young age men were attracted to Pia like moth. She knew to carry herself very well. Where as Bani was more homely, and she did not often approve of Pia's ways. She had tried to stop the wedding form happening. But then when both the groom and the bride were hell bent on proving her wrong she just stood back. But that was the first mistake she had made. Then it was a series of errors from her side. She sat in as a stand in bride under Jigyasa's pressure. Try to help her husband come into terms with the betrayal and hurt because of her sister. She felt it was her way of saying sorry or rather penance for the mistake she had committed by entering his life unwontedly. Then came in Massi to keep her happy she had to put an act. And it actually broke her heart every other day to deceive an old woman not only that she had some how grown to love her husband who did not show her any other emotion than hate and vengeance.
She was there for him every time he needed her. She would wait for him to ensure that he had his dinner however late it may be. The medicines his breakfast his appointments everything was taken care off. But her husband just treated her as a nonexistent person in the house hold. She was mere shadow in the huge mansion on which he trampled and walked off. But last night she wasn't sure what happened he was like a maniac. She had often thought the man cared less or nothing at all about her. But when Jigyasa aunty broke the Bombshell with the pregnancy report all hell broke loose. It still made her shiver. The way he just barked at his sister
Flash back
Jigyasa had walked in late for dinner as all of them were at the table and Bani was serving them.
Adi: Oh so finally madam has come home.
Jigs: Ignoring Adi. Today is a day to celebrate so I had asked Tony to get some sweets. I hope its come Bani.
Bani: Ji..
Jigs: Oh forget it. I will get it myself.
Adi: What the occasion so much to be happy out here. Looking perplexed at his wife and wondering what drama today she is going to make. Who just walks in with a 'mithai' box. While Bani had no idea of the storm she was brewing up.
Jigs giving a smug smile at Bani: Congratulations bhayia and stuffed the sweet laddo into his mouth.
Jai has a small bite and asks what so happy thing that is happening around here.
Jigs: The fact that we will get to see a baby in few days time.
Jai just looks at jigs in a confused manner.
Jigs: Oh Bhayia congratulation on becoming a father.
That was it Jai just spat out the laddo.
Jai was thundering down his sister in an angry growl and towering over her. All of them were stunned by his action.
What the hell are you talking about. Me and father
Jigs was now thoroughly shaken up, she knew her brother and Bani did not share that kind of a relationship. She just thought this as a chit to get Bani out of the house. But seeing her brother's anger now, she too began to stammer.
Jai: Better explain yourself Jigyasa and it better be good.
Seeing that she was taking time.
Jai: Out with it are you going to come up again with one of your cock and bull story then this are the limit.
Massi was trying to calm him down.
Jai: No massi I want to know how I have become a father without my knowledge.
Jigyasa: Not meeting up her brothers eyes in a very low voice I had met the doctor at our city hospital in the club and he had just congratulated me and informed the news that Bani Walia was pregnant.
Jai: What?..
Massi was beaming with happiness while the rest of the family members stood transfixed in their places.
Jai then turning slowly towards Bani and in a very soft voice going near her.
Care to explain what my sister is talking about.
Bani by now were in tears and scared like a mouse. She was in a fix as to what to say. Seeing that she wasn't responding.
Jai just pulled her aside and in a very menacing tone. How come you are pregnant when we haven't shared any kind of relationship. Massi was the first one to gasp. But now Jai was fully focused on Bani that he failed to notice anything. If looks could kill Bani would have been dead by now. Whose b*st**d are you carrying? Bani just tried to close her eyes and tears were streaming down.
Jai: your sister ditched me and when I thought you were at least different from her you too proved that you are nothing but another gold digger. I just don't understand how everyone has fallen for your innocent spell. And mind you Bani you are going to pay for this treachery. Get out of my house now he thundered. And shoved her away.
Massi came to hold Bani: Munna what are you saying she is your wife.
Jai: My wife. Oh I should have known never to trust her. After all she is Pia's sister. And in one breath Jai told the reason for marrying Bani leaving a shocked massi . He could care less for all the people he was hurting today.
Only Bani saw the pain in his eyes in spite of the anger. The feeling of being betrayed once again. He was a strong man but yes he too has some feelings and emotions ?..
Bani at that moment had fallen in everyone's eyes. The accusing look Massi gave her was enough to explain the one person who supported and help build the thin thread of understanding between Jai and she was lost now. And the rest of the members were too stunt to react.
But that was not the end of the night. As she packed her bags along with Rano and tears in her eyes Anu had coming sobbing into the room. What she hadn't noticed was Jai was there in the garden. Watching his wife intently with a drink in his hand.
He just couldn't take in the fact that the woman who bore all his grudges and ill treatment with patience and still showered him with care and comfort would turn out to be the worst among the lot. Many of them had betrayed his trust but Bani was different. The woman whom he had not welcomed with open arms had slowly crept into his life and taking over his mind and soul. She made place for herself in his life. He never knew or pin point the time when he started to think about her not as a mere furniture or ornamental piece in his house. Yes he was ashamed of his earlier behavior. But today all that was just an illusion. He just couldn't believe it. How had he been so wrong in reading her. How could she do this to him. Jai had known her to be the most truthful and innocent one and now she turned out to be the most deceitful one. Thinking that made him boil in anger but it hurt him the most was the fact she was caring someone else's child. It did not sit well at all with him. His wife was in love with someone else. Yes she he now realizes the fact too that she had married him to save his family name. But he never thought she could have been in love with someone else. Never, Bani was his and alone. No one had the right over his wife. He did not know from where those emotions came in all of a sudden and the glass in his hand broke into shreds hitting the floor. His hand had a deep cut. He could care less now. His marriage was a farce and now it is going to end. He wanted to cry out and lash out but at whom. Those eyes are going to haunt him for the rest of his life that is for sure. He wanted her to pay for her treachery but still he would feel the pain. He did not know when all his thoughts brought him near the door of the room from the garden. To see his little darling niece crying in the arms of his wife and apologizing profusely to her.
Anu: Maami all this is my fault. You are leaving the house when it should have been me in your place. I just don't know what to do?
Bani: Relax Anu you don't worry about me. And crying like this will harm the baby. Think about it.
Anu: Why did mom have to meet up with that doctor. And Rohit not here I just don't know what to say to papa and mom.
Bani: You don't worry things will fall in its place.
Anu: No Mamaji is livid he will kill me if he comes to know about the pregnancy.
Bani: Shhh Anu? We had talked about all this. And looks at Rano
Rano was royally mad with her sister and was angry with Anu also for not standing up for herself and her sister taking all the brunt not only from Jai but also Massi. But one good thing was now all the lies and deceit have come to and end so may be they can now start on a clean slate away from this city. It is the city where dreams come true but for them it was the city that broke their dreams. Though she knew it would break her sister's heart as somewhere along the lines she felt Bani had fallen in love with her husband.
Anu: I will ask papa to help you out?
Bani: No Anu you do not want Mr. Walia and Adi uncle having a fight over this issue. And you have to be courageous and you need to speak to the father of your child and settle matters I hope you understand that it is important the news of you being pregnant cannot be hidden for too long?.
That was it Jai was shell shocked on hearing that bit of news at first he just couldn't figure out but when Bani had spelt it out this way he was transfixed for a moment his wife wasn't pregnant but his Guddiya was pregnant. ( Jai had a big soft spot for his niece she was the only one with whole he indulged in all silly nonsense)
Anu: What do we do Maami? How?
Just then Jai enters and in a very calm voice: May be you could start form the beginning with all the truth. Behind this calm voice everyone knew a storm was going to blow.
Bani: Mr. Walia Anu is ?.
Jai: His eyes were raging he was totally mad with his wife and niece. His wife trying to cover up and the fact that his Guddiya could do something like this were too much . Putting a finger on her lips Shh..... Bani no. This is between me and my niece Stay out of it. And don't think so I am finished with you. And Jai came and stood in between Bani and Anu.
Bani was now really in a fix she knew Jai's anger and Anu was always his pet. The girl was already very much scared and in this state. Jai could wreck havoc.
Jai: And you better start explaining yourself young lady. Your benevolent Maami is not going to come to your rescue from me.
Once Anu had finished saying everything she was literally in tears and she was sorry and she kept on apologizing to Jai but it had no effect on him. He just kept staring out of the window. And now Bani feeling sorry for the girl went to give her a comforting hand.
But was stopped mid way by Jai.
Jai: Next time you try to save someone's b*tt just do let me know as I cannot keep taking in shocks after shocks and see that she goes to bed and be with her till I tell you other wise.
Bani was about to say something but the next comment stopped her.
Jai: Bani save the talk for some other time and don't worry you are going to be doing a lot of explanation.
End of flash back
That was it she hadn't seen him after that. She was with Anu all the while during the night. And today she was really late to get up.
A week later
Bani's mind was not in anything today. Jai was going to be back today from Dubai after settling the marriage issue with his father. Bani had come to know that Jai had left early next morning as the Chopra's were not in town and he wanted to find a solution to the problem. Adi was too disappointed and Jigyasa refused to acknowledge her daughter. The girl was in a state of distraught. Hopefully once Jai is back thing should brighten up. But then she now feared what he had to say to her. She knew Jai doesn't like being lied too and covering up someone mistakes even though to help her out Jai would never understand that.
But Bani was for in another shock altogether Jai had walked in the evening with the Chopra's and along with him was his stunning sister. Later whom Bani came to know was once upon a time Jai's girl friend and they had been even thinking of getting married. She was now devastated. Jai hardly acknowledged her presence like today in the morning when Roshini came in he just walked away with her ignoring the breakfast tray she was bringing in and just informed Tony to keep his suit ready for the engagement. She had once again become a shadow in the huge mansion. And Massi was still mad with her for hiding the fact about her marriage. She couldn't say much to her Munna as he wasn't there and was tied up with the issue of Anu. Now things seemed to be falling in place so Jigs was happy to note that her daughter was marrying Roshini's nephew, they were friends. Till Roshini had relocated to London and they lost touch with one another.
Towards the evening Massi walked in with a bag and gifted it to Bani saying that.
Massi: I don't know what you both are going to decide about you future And I haven't been able to talk to Munna. But I hope today as the Bah of this house I want you to wear this. This was something Jai's mother had brought saying that she would want to gift this to her sons wife. It's a Sari with matching jewellery. I had asked Anu to get the blouse done up with the designer she had arranged for her engagement out fits. Bani did not know if she had to right to it but just to make Massi happy she took it. She was busy looking into the arrangements of the party that she failed to notice the time till Massi came and reminded her. So she just hurried herself up to change.
Thinking no one would walk in she left the Sari out on eh bed. She just took the shower and stepped out into the room in her bath towel. She was not aware of the fact Jai had just walked in and moved out into the balcony for a smoke. From there he was trying to just look out at he party arrangements he was surprised not to see Bani anywhere when he suddenly noticed some sounds coming form the room. Only to see his darling wife struggling with the Dori of the blouse and she was yet to drape the Sari around her. She depicted a very sexy picture. And off late Jai was finding it really hard to keep away from her. And the fact that Roshini trying to cling onto him was making his temper rise. Jai couldn't take his eyes of her. Suddenly Bani feels the presence of someone and looks up to see Jai watching her through the mirror she was totally mortified and turned into a shade of pick. Jai couldn't help notice the embarrassed look on his wife's face. He thought why not play on a bit for all the torture she put him through.
He came close to her and just slowly moved her hair to the side all the while Bani just kept staring at him through the mirror. And she could felt he goose bumps arising from his slow feather like touch he was taking his own sweet time to tie the Dori's it was just held in place with three dori's and it was completely a backless blouse. Jai was having a hard time to keep his roving hands away. As he began to trace every inch of her back with his hands Bani just tired to shut her eyes close when she heard her husband whisper.
Jai: Come on open you eyes Bani. And she soon felt a cold metal around the neck. You look beautiful in my mother's jewellery.
Bani opened her eyes and was about to say thank you when Jai all of a sudden turned her to face him and was intently looking into her eyes which made her blush like anything. Not able to meet his eyes she stated to look down when Jai with one finger slowly tilted her face up and started caressing her chin . She could feel her husband's breath on to her face. As he murmured into her eyes. You are going to look breath taking to night SO what is it you plan to do to night.
Bani: In a stammering voice Ji?
Jai couldn't help chuckle at his wife's perplexed look. Can any woman be so innocent. Those dove shaped eyes had him haunted all the nights. Their beautiful moment was broken by the insistent knocking at the door.
Rano: Di Come fast Massi is asking for you she wants to know about some 'mithai'.
Bani: all of sudden becoming alert. Oh no I hope they have delivered it by now. One whole set was not send. She just broke away from Jai running to wear the Sari into he washroom. Jai was royally upset that the magical moment was lost.
While Bani was thankful to Rano as she didn't know what had gotten into her husband.
But as the party progressed she was thoroughly disappointed. Roshini held onto Jai like a leech. And it seemed to everyone that they were a couple while Bani was left to see the arrangements of the party. And to top it Jigyasa's comment too.
Jigs: Looks like finally my brother is coming to his senses and trying to find a good replacement to act as a host during parties.
Even on the dance floor she had admiring glances from many men fold but none from her husband. Feeling thoroughly left out she decided to move out of the party scene and the more she sat herself in the room she couldn't help wonder what she was doing in this house. It was clear that she could never be the society wife. And to add to it she was not a stunning beauty or glamorous. It high time she made a move. She had to get out of here the first thing then may be she could decide for herself. As it is Rano now stays in the hostel and today she came in on Dadi's Anu's and Massi's instance for the engagement party. No one would even miss her in this whole house. With these thoughts in her mind she slowly packed a bag for herself and started to move towards the gate with one last looks at the house which she very badly wanted to make it her home but was unsuccessful.
Jai meanwhile noticing that Bani wasn't there in the party enquired to one of the staff if he had seen. When he said that she had just gone upstairs. Jai went up to check what was wrong. But then suddenly he noticed something a miss. The wardrobe was slightly open and one of the bags missing and the bangle stand of Bani's not there on the dresser.
Jai couldn't just believe this.
His wife had walked out on him. Never this was not happening? How could she do this. Jai just couldn't get a grip on the situation. He did not know if he was angry or hurt. He did not seem to be in the right frame of mind thinking of all the worst possible scenarios. If he could just see his wife then he was going to give piece of his mind and never let go but where has she disappeared to ??.
For that readers please wait for Part B of the story which should be in by tomorrow. I have to do some editing work on that.
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