PART 1 to 45

PART 1-38D

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/385275/part-33-to-39-a-flashback-x

*************************************

PART 39B

FLASHBACK XI

The radio is playing this song in the background:

It's late in the evening; she's wondering what clothes to wear.
She puts on her make-up and brushes her long blonde hair.
And then she asks me, "Do I look all right?"
And I say, "Yes, you look wonderful tonight."
We go to a party and everyone turns to see
This beautiful lady that's walking around with me.
And then she asks me, "Do you feel all right?"
And I say, "Yes, I feel wonderful tonight."
It's time to go home now and I've got an aching head,
So I give her the car keys and she helps me to bed.
And then I tell her, as I turn out the light,
I say, "My darling, you were wonderful tonight.
Oh my darling, you were wonderful tonigh

I feel wonderful because I see
The love light in your eyes.
And the wonder of it all
Is that you just don't realize how much I love you.

Both just stare at each other, JW's grim look turns into something.... undescribeable.......he is the first to return to the real world, bends down, flowers in one hand, to pick up her spoon........
Hands both to her , she just takes the flowers.......A big beautiful bouqet of multicolred roses, wrapped in a noisy cellophane,
She just stares........... endlessly at his clothes, he is wearing coffee Dockers, and a lime yellow and coffee checked cotton shirt with shoulder straps, more buttons than necessary undone at the top, coffee suede on feet.............
JW: So what do u think? (amused and obviously enjoying being the object of her attention)
B: The coffee color on the shirt doesnt match the shoes!
Laughs out loud............
JW: I think this is urs as well? (a slow grin)
B flushes "U are late!" (snaps taking the spoon from his fingers)
she buries her face into the flowers trying to hide her embarrassment at recvng the roses and not the spoon
JW: Bani I was working! I am sorry, wont happen again....
B: Hmmm
Speechless
JW: So we want to do the meeting here? (looking around the hallway)
B: I am sorry......... plz come in, she starts walking backwards, until he is fully inside, shuts the door, still holding on to the flowers and the spoon)
He saunters in walks around lazily looking at everything as if its his first visit.......... hands tucked in pockets

JW: Can I go get my laptop? (after the survey is over)
B turns beetroot red again
B: Ummmm ummm aap pehle baithiye...... Mr Walia, plz sit
JW looks at her curiously
JW: Sure...... thanks, sits down.........
B: U havent taken ur shoes off........
(points to his feet)
Smiles gets up takes em off by teh door with a "Sorry"
JW: So what did u want to talk abt?
B: Ummmm, aap kya peeyenge?
JW: Is liye bulaya mujhe?
B: Plz Mr Walia
JW: OK what do u have?
B: Maine abhi lemonade banaya........ I love it
JW: Ok?
B: Its OK aapko achha nahi lagta to main kuch aur...............
JW: I am fine..... I was expecting something alchoholic
B: I DONT DRINK!
(Maybe it was a bad idea? she thinks, he is either being difficult on purpose or..........)
JW: I guess lemonade will have to do then.....
She pours a tall glass full...... adds extra ice ;-)
B: I am sorry....... (handing the glass to him)
JW: For what? (inquisitive)
B: Mera matlab us din......... I mean last time, matlab, woh aap aur............
JW: U mean three weeks ago the Sunday evening? (kinda flat expressionless tone)
B:(bends her head down tries to dry her hands which are damp from touching his tall frosted glass) Hmmmm
JW: Are u?
B: What?
JW: sorry?
B: Ya........
JW: How sorry Baneee? (walks up to her, she backs up against the frig)
B:Mujhe aise over react nahi karna chahiye tha..............
JW: Good...... (continues approaching)
JW: So do u promise not to jump to conclusions any more?
B: I didnt jump to conclusions?
JW: Phir?
B: I......... mujhe laga............ u were being arrogant and snobbish..........(lies)
JW: It wud help u a lot wudnt it? Agar main sach mein snob hota to?
B: main samjhi nahi (lies again.)
JW: U did Bani............. agar main apne status ka ghamand dikhata to tumhaare liye simple ho jaata, kyon?
B: U are wrong.
JW: U know I am not........... tum mujhe pasand nahi karna chahti........
B: Ummmm........ I am just sorry
He continues walking twrds her.....

B: If u take another step then I wont be sorry anymore (trembling)
JW lazily sipping his drink......... walks up to her and stands close, her frig magnet pokes her back........ she waits for the predator........
He approaches just blocks her exit and starts reading the pieces of paper held back with magnets around her..........
She distracts him........
B: Its rude stop reading
JW: Yeh Amit kaun hai? (curious)
B: Anjali's boyfriend........... wiase aapko kya......... (bugged that she didnt get the response from him that she had expected for her apology, more warmth perhaps?)
JW: Yeh last Sunday tumne circle kyon kar rakha hai calendar mein?
B: How do u know its me it cud be Anjali
JW Banee mujhe tumhari handwriting ki pehchan hai remember u are working in our office (taunt)
B: Shut up! I have to cook
JW: So cook...........
JW: Pehle yeh batao last Sunday circle karke A ? ka kya matlab hai
She flushes realizing her Dad had called asking her to call Atulya on that day......
B: None of ur biz..........
JW: Its not abt Anjali then
B: Why dont u go sit down?
JW: Atulya?
B:Main aapse poochti hoon kya ki aap kis se baat karte hain? Do I check ur palmtop? NO!
JW: Do u want to?
B: No!
Silence........
B: Woh Papa ne kahan tha ki Atulya se baat kar lena.........
She can sense his jaw clench........... lips form a pursed up line..........
JW: So did u
B: no..... (murmurs)
He lets out a deep breath almost as if some game results were decalred
B: Plz go sit down
JW: Kya kaam tha Baneee, I had to go some place for dinner
Her face pales, when she hears that, she thinks it must be with roshni
B: Oh?
JW:Ya
B: Happy Birthday! (extends her hand out)
He grabs it, making her fingers tingle and mouth go dry, in the warmest shake ever politely lets her hand go much to her annoyance)
JW: thanks
jw: So do I get a present (looks at her lips, and slowly sips out of his glass)
B: First u have to tell me how old u are(smiles)
JW: That depends on what the gift is (eyes back on her lips)
B: Well......... no age ...... no gift.... sorry Mr Walia (smiles back at him)
He bends down anyway.......... places the glass on the counter by her side........ frames her with his hands...............
B: Peeche magnet mujhe poke kar raha hai
JW: U can step fwd
B: No!!
JW: so whats my gift again?
B: Not here........
JW: U want to go inside?
She punches him
He is too quick for her......... holds her hand again, she twists hers in his grip, he wont let go her silver bangles tinkle...........
B: I wnat my hand back
JW: I want my present
B: I ve cooked...........
JW: I am not talking abt food Baneee
B: I am....
JW: Baneee look at me
B: No! (looks at his button)
B: Itne saare buttons kyon khol lete hain aap?
JW: U like it? (grins)
B: No!
She goes to do them back with her left hand, he grabs that one as well........ brings both to his chest
JW: Baneee I turned 33 today!!
B: U are sooo old, mere se almost 9 saal bade hain aap (rolls her eyes teasing)
JW U are abv the legal age.... (taunts back looking at her lips) for everything..........
B: Not for u...........
JW Yes for ME
B: Oh! (warmth creeps up her face)
JW: So?..................
B: She leans fwd impulsively and pecks him on his cheek and quickly steps back crashing her back on the frig, its all over before he can open and close his eyes once
JW sucks his breath in, looking at her incredulously.................. too stunned to react, lets go of her hands and touches his cheeks, looks at her lips and back at her eyes again............ she is nervous but smiling........
B: happy Birthday (softly)
JW: Thats got to be the best bloody gift I ever got..... (husky)
B: Stop! Dont swear
JW: its all your fault
B: I lied..........
JW: So you are actually 50 and just got a face lift, (looks at her body. and goes to touch her belly.) a tummy tick and a...........? ( eyes rove intrestedly over her blouse..........taunts)
B slaps him on his wrist..........He laughs at her obvious displeasure at being considered older than him....
B: i didnt want to talk about work, woh to aapko ghar bulaane ka bahana tha (serious and shy)
JW oh i knew that baneeee, Mr Ranade se milkar aa raha hoon main(smug)
(her hand flies to her mouth in an OMG! expression)
JW Dont worry i didnt tell him that his fave person on the team is trying to step on his toes while trying to call truce with her boyfriend
B: I am not stepping on his toes, main advisory role se more hands on ho rahi hoon, aapko kya maloom, aap to rehte hi nahi c**try mein.......... hamari baat ho chuki hai... (on and on she vents, while he just looks at her with an intense expression, his turn to color........)
JW: Atleast u are not arguing abt the "boyfriend" part! (intensely)
B: Oh!! (Another OMG! expression)
She bends down trying to come up with a suitable retort at having been caught napping.........
JW reaches for her clip and pulls it off, causing her hair to slide down in a silky mess around her face.......
JW: There! Thats much better........ its better to have your camouflage on Baneee when u cant run away and hide (husky)
She reaches for her clip, head bent, he wont give it to her, tucks it into his trouser pocket..........
B: I have to cook
JW: Dont.... bahar chalte hain
B Nahi
JW: what the hell is your obsession with that word? (angry)
B is surprised looks up at him "Theek hai aapko nahi khaana to aap jayiye main kha loongi"
Sulks.........
He lets her sulk for a while
JW: If I eat here, uske baad bahar chalogi mere saath?
B: Ummm I have to go to bed........
JW: that sounds even better (amused)
B: It would (sarcy pushes him with all her might)
JW: lets skip dinner (proposition)
B: No! mujhe chawal banana hai
JW: Runs his fingers thru his hair exasperated.............
JW: Ok go cook....... (Gawd! Women kind of expression)
She opens and closes cabinets pulls pots and pans out starts prepping while he just leans on the other opp against the kitchen counter and watches her, pulls her claw clip out of his pocket, opens and closes its jaw........the gas, pours oil, throws some cumin....
B: stop staring. aap TV dekhiye na
JW: This is more fun.......
B: Mera clip toot jaayega
JW: Good.........
Continues.......
She turns away ticked......
makes raita, tastes the salt makes a face, doesnt notice he is close by adds salt, tastes again with a drop on her palm....... loves it.......
JW: I am picky abt my salt........ (holds her right wrist, places a drop on it, and kisses it off her palm, much to her shock)
he slowly lets go still holding her eyes............. she quickly turns away and starts getting the dinner plates...........
Seated across from each other at the table
**************
JW watches her serve, notices the nervousness...... is totally quiet and doesnt respond when she asks him with her eyes to indicate if he wants more, she places one roti and adds another and another.... and another, nope none what so ever, she places all the 5 she has made in his plate.......... he just stares......
She serves herself some rice with a smile twitching at the corner of her lips and sits down to eat, goes over to the frig gets some soda cans and some water........
JW: Tumhe maloom nahi khaana khaate time paani nahi peete?
B: I am thirsty........
JW: I am too, but I am not givin in to my temptation (its not abt water at all!)
B: Well...... main kya keh sakti hoon aap mahaan hai... (laughs) I am not....
JW: We'll find out...... wont we...
(Now SHE doesnt want to find out.....)
JW: Grill Pia kya tha calendar mein?
B: Kya? Its personal........ main nahi bata sakti.......
JW: I am like family now, dekho tumhaare ghar pe dinner kar raha hoon........ so ?
B: My family is...... (trails off..... cant bring herself to say it)
B: Pia meri sister hai yahan hotel management ka degree kar rahi hai, in fact she did her internship at a hotel in the city..
JW: Oh (not at all interested) So why do u want to grill her, I work in a hotel tumne kabhi MUJHE grill nahi kiya... I wud love to be grilled........................................(softly) by you......
B: Dont.......
JW:U seem like a tough big sister, bahut strict ho kya?
B(embarrassed) Hmmm..... woh Mummy chali gayi to Papa hamesha kaam pe rehte the to main........... I love them par.......... Pia thodi.......... Rano bahut seedhi hai, she is a great student............. Papa nahi chahte.......... (bits and pieces)
He is all ears.........."Hmm?"
B: (unwittingly) Pia kisi ko chahti hai shaayad (blushes when she says that)
JW: Oh?
B: Iam sorry main aapko, I mean its crazy, thanks for asking
JW: The fact that ur sister is in love makes u blush? (gently mocking) What happens when its you?
B she SHOWS him.......... a shade of red he has never seen on her face before..........
B: Paneer bahut spicy hai........
JW: First flight of the nite!
Set JW!
B: Excuse me?
JW: Chicken nahi banaya?
B:I thot u gave up meat? (taunts)
JW: Do u want me to?
Set JW!
Back and forth cryptic exchange happens for a few more minutes, she wants a roti......... he is not offering, she gives it longing looks..........
JW: (pushing his plate fwd) Here! Tum kha lo........ I made sure maine.....
B: Koi baat nahi (reaching for it! thinks he is about to say........ "sab saaf hai koi jhoota nahi")
JW: I meant sab joota hai (after she picks a piece)
She drops it as if her hand is singed.....
He pushes his twrds her fully, nad drags her rice plate..... and starts eating the rice
"You are a fabulous cook Baneee"
B: I know! I am sorry I mean Thanks(flustered)
He grins at her obvious conflict of confidence and nervousness
B: papa kehte hain jis se meri shaadi hogi woh bahut lucky hoga! bus Papa ko yeh chinta hoti hai ki main kisi se zyaada baat nahi karti, siway Pia Rano ke aur unke (outta control mouth)
JW: Aur kya kehte hain "Papa"?
B:Usko confident hona chahiye , kyon ki main bahut shy hoon
JW: Dont worry......... I am confident for the both of us ;-)
She accidentally pushes her water glass down on the floor in shock
Bends down picks it up, there is water everywhere.......... he goes over to the kitchen brings the towel and mops it off while she makes an affected attempt to place the lids on the dishes and organize and already organized table
She is no longer hungry
He eats well
She gets up first, he brings all the dishes over to the sink........... she puts away leftovers, he attempts to clean the table.......... asks for more soda, she is out, takes another glass of lemonade
She is all excited about kheer,.......
Serves a bowl full adds shredded almonds on top
Quickly steals a spoonfull , and goes to get another bowl for him, he takes the one in her hand and starts eating.........
JW makes a face "too sweet!"
B: iam sorry! I didnt even buy cake, I forgot, i am sorry.......(goes to take the bowl from him all apologetic, she was guessing it wud be too sweet for him as she loves it that way).............
JW:I was kidding Bani, its great!
B: Very bad! Main dar gayi thi....
JW: what I feel means that much to you?
(serious)
B: Mmmm I have to go get your gift......... turns away and starts walkingtowards her room)
JW: flight number two?
JW: Bani!
BHmm (back facing him)
JW: Wont u wish me Happy Bday?
B: I did.......
JW: How abt again?
Bturns around reluctantly, walks to where he is leaning....... takes a spoonfull from his bowl, feeds him "Happy Birthday"
J:Thanks (husky) May I?(brings a spoonfull to her mouth)
B: Its too sweet!
Set BW!
JW: It probably is Banee coz I just ate off that bowl! (grins like a smug ba-----) (feeds her anyway......)
Set JW!
B:Get lost (turns around and goes briskly to her room)
Gets his gift hands it to him, he is done eating and is filling the kheer bowl with water in the sink........
B: UhhhUmm(grunts)
JW: Baneee?
B: Yeh aapke liye.......... (a lil shy and a lil embarrassed)
He is thrilled....... takes the box and gently unwraps it and opens the cardboard box to find a Navy Lacoste tee inside......... grins and places it on his chest......
JW: How do u know my size?
She blushes......... I.......... um.......... mujhe........ maine........ store mein poocha........
JW: Did u tell it wa sfor me? (smug b-----)
B: I did and they said he is so heavy u have to custom order it !
Right back at him!
He approaches her menacingly
B: I mean I am sorry, stop, I am sorry...... plz stop.......
She backs off again hitting the sofa
B: do u like it?
JW: I love it Thanks
B: Yeeeee (thrilled) I am sorry (checks herself)
JW: Can I thank you? (intensely)
B: U just did
JW: U know what I meant
B: i dont......... I dont want to know...............
JW: U do Baneee............ (gathers her close and holds her)
JW: Wont u give me a hug?
B: Only if its a hug
JW: Define a hug
B: I wont
JW Do u want me to?
B: No!
She breathes into his open V, drinking in his scent........
B:Everytime I smell this mujhe lagta hai aap aa gaye.......
JW: So u did think of me
B: Only when I smelled this (biting her lip for being a loud mouth)
JW: Everytime I shut my eyes, tum aayi!
There! atleast he is more honest!
B: U didnt shut it while driving?
sET BW!
JW: i dont drive Bani, even in Hkg I took a cab
Set JW! (chuckling, holding her tighter)
She slowly brings her arms up his neck...........
His are around her waist...........
JW: Good God! do it Baneee....... do u want me to turn into a bloody fossil?
B: I LOVE fossils (accusing)
JW: I like sexy archeologists better......
B: I am not an archeologist!
JW: So u realize u are sexy!
She gives up!
JW: good Banee, its much better that way!
She knows what he means but wont respond
She eventually links her hands behind his neck, her heart racing............... feeling like she is going to explode like a water balloon that just hit a pavement........ the heat from his body melting her insides..............the high tide dragging her with it........she just clings........... to her rescuer.........
Her first ever hug....................!!!
******************
Her cell phone rings shrilly
JW swears..... she doesnt even hear it ring, just hears him swear.....
JW: Dont get it Baneeee (begs)
B: Papa ka hua to
JW: Sweetheart...................
B graons and trembles violently at that endearment........
It doesnt stop ringing...........
He lets her go with another curse
She gets it.......... its Pia....... wailing, telling her she is on her way!!
B is nt too happy but obviously shocked
She hangs up
B: Pia aa rahi hai
JW: what the hell Banee?
B: plz Mr Walia
JW: Ask her to come tomm
B: she is upset pata nahi kya hua. I wont, why shud I meri behan hai (all her sisterly juices start flowing)
JW: Baneeee( raedy to explode)
B: Plz Mr Walia........ she is my family......
He grabs the box the wrapper, his tee and his cell phone from the dining table.
JW walks up to her in not very happy but still ina incredibly sexy stride
And holding his phone in his left hand waves his left index finger warningly in front of her face
JW: Get rid of her soon, I am going to go home and call you....... U owe me for this Banee
She stares speechless, half angry at Pia, half not wanting him to leave, half torn between the two........
JW "The next time I have my birthday the only bloody family I am letting u share it with has to be our child"
Yanks her close, kisses her fully on the mouth.......... releasing a guttural graon in his throat..............
Slips his shoes on and lets himself out the door and it slams shut yet again.

****************************************

PART 40--I
FLASHBACK XI

The events from the evening seemed almost unreal to Bani. After Pia walked in sobbing, it was almost as if the the dinner with JW hadnt even happened. Pia was sleeping, she had finally come out with all the truth about her relationship with Pushkar shukla a fellow student in a closely related Hospitality Mgmt program called Event mgmt . She had been "Seeing" him for around six months now, they had gone for dinners and movies together and she had wanted to "marry" him", much to the shock of Bani. She felt fear curl in the pit of her stomach at the thot of papa finding about about all this. Chances were, he would ask both of them to quit what they were doing and pack their bags and return to Mt Abu. He wouldnt tolerate such antics from any of his daughters, most of all Pia. He was extra disciplined towards her anyway, Bani was able to understand why that was. It was as if all of Papa's advise/reprimands/discipline had worked on Bani the most.

Pia was someone who strived for her own happiness and went all the way to get it. The teen childishness/ flirtatiousness/immaturity had now been replaced with an adult impudence........... except even more confident, defiant and brazen.Bani knew Pia was different from her and rano but this was news to her. Even in Mt Abu there were many "boys" who rode their bikes back and forth on the street they lived in all wanting to "befriend" Pia and catch her attention. Her school bag starting 8th grade or so was always more than half full with roses cards and "love notes" on Valentine's day!! She had tried her best to convince Papa to get her a cell phone exclusively. But Papa had refused point blank B was sure it was because he couldnt afford it.

Pia was always late coming home from school. And all her Bday parties had her male classmates on the invitee list and she frequently attended their Bdays as well (all without Papa ever finding out).............
B had definitely wondered many times how Pia must feel to be the center of attention like that and how so many boys could "love" her all at the same time. She had even asked Pia about it, but Pia strangely hadnt given the whole thing any thought, and just revelled in the adulation. She didnt care she was breaking some sincere hearts . She only knew, she didnt want to marry and live in Mt Abu all her life. She wanted to get away from it all as soon as she could.

Acc to her, she was sure "a wealthy incredibly good looking sexy guy, a Page 3 industrialist type would be attracted to her, fall in love at first sight, and would sweep her off her feet, in a whirlwind romance. She would not take the Borivali superfast to go on a date nor eat vada pao at Chowpatty for "date" dinners, she wud be ensconced in the back seat of a plush Merc or BMW and would only eat at places like India Jones or PD Changs..... she would meet him one day, marry him the next and go off to Paris or Switzerland on the third and live a life of ultimate luxury in a mansion with butlers and servants at her every beck and call, alternating between homes in Mumbai and abroad. He would get her a Honda Accord just coz...... and maybe De Beers diamond for their anniversary, never have to work one day of her life. Her hotel mgmt degree was aimed at "meeting such suitors" " she had admitted candidly.
But tonite.................

Pia had discovered about Pushkar being "plain old lower-middle class like us" (yes thats the term Pia had used between racking sobs).Pia's friend who also worked part time at the University's billing office had casually mentioned to her about Pushkar's second and third sem fees being over due and his name being shortlisted for posting outside the fee office!! It had come as a rude shock to Pia. She was sure Pushkar cudnt be "poor". She had confronted Pushkar and had a showdown publicly at his apartment in front of his friends and hers. Unpleasant things were thought of and said and Pia had decided she didnt want to see him again and have nothing to do with him ever again.

Maybe he wasnt wealthy at all but how should that matter to Pia if she really loved him?.................... That made B wonder........ "how can you "choose" to be attracted?" With Bani it had just happened........... her thots went to JW.......... OK I am not attracted........ she corrected herself.......... but I still dont think u can "choose" The spark is either there or not..............If the spark is there for Pia then it shudnt matter if Pushkar is not wealthy.
She had never won any arguments with Pia. Pia had too much resilience and stamina. B usually gave up within the first 10 minutes......... she had started conving her again tonite but, had wearily given up sooner than her 10 minutes.

It had taken Bani hours to calm her down. She wished Anjali wasnt away on a biz trip and had been at hand to help out with resolving this "lovers crisis". Bani had no experience......... ok well limited experience, if her fights with Mr Walia are included........... theirs was always a private battle. No one else knew what happened between the two when they exchanged angry looks................. and JW was NOT her boyfriend so B didnt know how that worked.....................
B liked to keep her things private, part of her shy, introverted personality............
Maybe she doesnt have to worry too much, it is a good thing that it all ended with pushkar, there will be nothing to share with papa and she wont have to quit her job. Pretty soon Pia wud have forgotten it and moved on. May be Papa can indeed find for her a rich Rajasthani Brahmin man, wealthy, successful and good looking?

B stood in her tiny balcony, gazing up at the sky, wondering if there was any truth in what JW had said abt sharing his Bday in future with "family". Her hand instinctively travelled to her lower belly, she placed it there, stood there trembling, eyes shut, face flaming.......... no......... it cant be........... He had warned her not to jump to any conclusions, so probably he must NOT have meant anything when he said that she concluded. Spending two days with a woman automatically did not make her a candidate for a wife, esp for a man like JW!

Her cell phone rings shrilly from under her (what is now Pia's) pillow, Pia stirs in sleep, she quickly grabs it, noise is accelerated as she pulles it out, as the pillow no longer muffles the ringing..............
Even before she sees who it is she knows...........
The blue screen glows with "Jai Walia calling"...........
Her heart ready to explode, in its final seconds starts deactivating her hands and legs... she fumbles with the answer key, Pia's tear swollen eyes open a crack, a questioning look in them wondering who has called Dee so late at nite, B manages a reassuring smile, sending her back to where she was......
B: Hello! (softly....... walking twrds her balcony again, shutting the door behind her)
JW:Its me!
She knew THAT!
B:Hmmm
JW: How is she? (still sulking)
B: Abhi so rahi hai
JW: is she sick? (concerened)
B: Ummm..... No! (blushes) Woh....... uski........
JW: Hmmm?
B: Uski Pushkar ke saath........
JW: Who is Pushkar? (angry at B's lack of cohesiveness in speech)
B: Her friend! Aapko kya? Aap so jaaiyye na? (irritated)
JW: She ruined my nite!!! I have every bloody right to know what upset her!! (authoritatively)
B: She did not! (bristling)
JW: I am sorry.......
B: Its OK
Silence!!!
JW: Baneee thanks for the tee.
B: Oh? Thanx, I mean u are welcome..... Iam sure you must have gotten other things thatw ere really expensive........... I...... mera matlab
JW: What did I say abt jumping to conclusions?
B: Iam sorry
JW: Do u want to go out for lunch sometimes next week? I will wear what u gave me, you can see how it looks on me (smiling)
B: Ummmm......... I am busy.......Ummmmm
JW: Do u want to go or not? (warning)
B: Hmmm
JW: fine I'll call you........
B: Agar main busy hoon to?
JW: Baneee I have something for you. (ignores her struggle with herself)
B: (spontaneously)Kya?..........(biting her lower lip) Mujhe nahi chahiye.
JW: OK
Silence!!!
B: Kya hai?
JW: So u do want to know?
B: Achha theek hai dont tell me.............
He laughs huskily.......
B: Plz..........
JW Chocolates. Which one is ur favorite?
B: Cadbury, fruit and nut!
JW: (smiles warmly at her middle class-ish choice) Oh! this one is called called Pierre Marcolini, and its from Brussels (Belgium). They make some of the best chocolates Baneee, ........It has Sicilian hazelnuts and Turkish raisins in them...............they source their cocoa from Venezuela and Guatemala
B: Iam sure a lot of drug cartel money gets pumped into growing those, I dont want any........ (stiffly....... pompous)
JW: (stunned at her smartness)U need to quit being so bloody smart. Do u know that? How the hell do u get so much time to read?
B: Kaam ke baad, raat ko.........(innocently)
JW: We need to find you an alternate nightime leisure activity that takes more than an inanimate book and a light! (throatily)
B: No! (getting the implication)
Silence!!!
He is the first to start talking.........
JW: Koi aur ladki hoti to she wud be thrilled her boyfriend buys her chocolates that cost Rs 4000 a lb. But not mine........ all she cares about is how it was made.
B: OMG!!!(her hand flies to her mouth) OMG! Itna expensive? I cant accept it.....(forgetting that he referred to himself at her boyfriend)
JW:If u say that one more time. Main abhi aa raha hoon and am gonna give those to you.
B: No!!!! (horrified)
JW: its settled then!
B: Who asked you to buy such expensive chocolates. I justed wanted Cadbury's......... (trails off and sulks)
Silence while he lets her get over it.........

B: How does it taste?
JW: What? (pointed)
B: Stop it!
JW: Baneeee!! (she is sure he is running his fingers thru his hair, she colors warmly imagining it) I havent tasted it. A friend travelled to Brussels last week, usko kaha tha maine to bring some for you.
B: For ME?
JW: Hmmmm! (matter of fact)
B: Oh!!
JW: I havent opened it, my friend Mohan got it. He is a commodities trader who also happens to trade in a commodity called diamonds! (she is sure he winked)
B:Wow!
B: Aaap usko bhejiye nahi. I will take it when I see u for lunch.(she is thinking of Pia when she says that, she is not sure when Pia will leave. With Dushera vacation next week)
JW: So tum milna chahti ho lunch ke liye!
Oops!
B: Ummmm....... Main aapke office se le loongi. Aap Mrs Singh ko de deejiye.
JW: What shud I tell her when I give it to her?
B: Yahi ki main lene aaoongi
JW: Tum kaun ho?
B: I dont want your chocolates!! (trembling)
JW: Baneeee..........
Silence!
B: Pia jaag jaayegi mujhe andar jaana hai
JW: Kahan ho tum?
B: Balcony mein
JW: Itni raat ko bahar kyon khadi ho? (angry)
B: Woh so rahi hai andar
JW: Go inside right now and lock the door (demanding yet protective)
A sudden wave of joy bubbles up to her throat from her insides........... its a strange lovely feeling of being cared for and protected........
"protector finding her own protector"!
B: Hmm (starts walking inside, bolts the door, secures the twist lock thing) mujhe neend aa rahi hai............. I have to go......
JW: Banee, can u take the afternoon off after lunch?
B: No!! I want to work, .......... mera matlab go back to work
JW: Very well then.... we can work together after lunch. I will ask Ms Singh to put it on my calendar!
Click!

**********************************************
Neenam and all others waiting for the Sunday treat here u go...............

Enjoy!

Have a good week

A

PART 40 (2)
FLASHBACK XII
She stormed into his room in blazing anger. How dare he? Is this what he did for a living? She knew Pia harbored "fantasies" but was sure she wouldnt cross the limits drawn by Papa.
JW busy on a call, his eyes light up when he sees her, lips curve into a grin, notice her hair is untied, she is wearing a red sequinned sleeveless blouse coupled with blue jeans ;-)
Its a Sunday morning, she looks tired and weary, almost as if she had been crying, her eyes all swollen up, face scrubbed clean of make up, he was is sure she is lying about her age and she is actually 14!
B: Mr Walia I am deeply disappointed! (she doesnt bother to wait until he hangs up, just starts blasting him)
His expression changes from joy to one of confusion mixed with anger
JW: Hang on a second (he murmurs something into the phone)Ya, she looks like a raging shrew.... (guffaws) I dont think so......... ya If I survive this, then may be I'll see u tonite...........(listens and laughs again) Ya Bye.
Hangs up lazily......
JW: What happened Bani? (eyes smiling)
B: How could you Mr Walia? How could you do such a cheap thing?
His expression changes completely, now, his eyes like shards of glass, smile wiped away to be replaced by razor thin lips, not used to being accused like that
JW: What the hell did I do Banee?
B: Aapne Pia ke saath kal raat ko kya kiya?
JW: (roars) will u sit the hell down and tell me what I did?
She doesnt, stands there stoically....... eyes shut, trying not to tremble against the force of his anger.
JW I havent even MET Pia what the hell are you talking about
B: You havent met Pia but u tried................. u tried................... u tried...... u did... to take advantage of her (between sobs, covers her face in her palms and sobs)
He swiftly gets up from his chair to reveal his clothes fully, he is wearing blue jeans and a white all cotton, crushed kinda shirt, full sleeves, rolled up till the elbow, three buttons undone at the top, his Rolex gleaming when he pushed his chair back in digust to step away, throws his pen on his laptop keyboard, it lands with a clutter.
His cell phone rings he turns the power off and throws that back on the desk
Walks up to her

JW(menacingly) Do u know what u are accusing me of?
B: I know.......... I know...... (part of her sorry that she has to do it, torn between protectiveness twrd younger sister and attraction twrd him) I was wrong, I know, all rich men are lousy casanovas...... I shud have known (regrets her relationship with him........ suddenly) Pia is devastated...... aapki wajah se. How could you.
JW is in front of her, pushes her into the nearest swivel chair, holds the armrest on both sides, brings his face close by
JW: Dont u dare say anything until u tell me what happened. ALL OF IT (his eyess telling her "it wud take me less than a second to kill you!)
B: Pia kal raat ko apne friends ke saath yahan neeche, dance club Nocturne mein aayi thi, she said u tried to............ u tried to.. aap kaise kar sakthe the aise, aapne uske saath badtameezi ki.... (she sobs again face in her hands)
JW: WHAT!!!! BANI DIXIT!! Who the hell fed you THAT story?
B: Nobody FED me anything. PIA NE BOLA (screams at him)
He drags a kleenex box from the far end and shoves some in her hand, she throws it back at him, grans some from her pocket once used" and mops off her face for the umpteenth time. He gets some water, she refuses to drink
JW: I did not touch your sister!!
B: Par woh keh rahi hai ki woh aap hi the, aap hi ne usko molest kiya!!
The use of the word sends him aloft in anger again. He sucks his breath in vilonetly, curses explicitly, picks up the water, gulps it down slams the gass back on the table, jolting her body......
JW: Bani dont use words u will regret later
B: She wanted me to press charges (sobs again, accusingly)
JW curses aloud........ over and over again.......
JW: U do that and we'll see how far it goes!!
Silence!!
JW: I agree I went to Nocturne last nite, (She tries to interrupt face pale, it stuns her that it was indeed him)
B: To woh....
JW: Shut the hell up.......... will you?
BNo I wont
JW: I will have u thrown out of here for disrupting my work (angrily)
B: Just the way you got rid of Pia last nite
JW: Baneeeeeeeeeeeeee,(swears violently) I went there with my friends Mohan bhi tha, a couple of other guys, we ate, drank and were generally having a good time. SHE, IT WAS YOUR SISTER PIA WHO CAME ON TO ME STRONGLY, if THAT'S ur sister (roars again)
B: she did not!
JW: U can go to hell Bani and get out of here if u dont want to listen, go ahead press charges............ (he is no longer leaning on his desk, facing her, arms crossed in the front) (blunt and expressionless)
She is sitting there sobbing

JW: She introduced herself I cant remember the music was too loud, I told her who I was, thats it....... she was all over!!
B: U are lying.............
JW: Look here Bani she is your sister u may know her well. I am a man I can tell when a woman is giving a hint (deeply)
She spontaneously looks at his eyes..........wants to believe whats in there..... but cant becoz she thinks Pia wont lie abt such a thing
JW: With ur sister there was no hinting biz. She was screaming from rooftops. I think she was drunk, main kya koi bhi kal raat ko uske saath...........
B: Shut up. Aap keh bhi kaise sakte hain aisi baat?
JW: Kyon ki main uske itne kareeb tha ki mujhe uski khushboo aayee(bitingly) GOT IT? She was drunk AND she was looking for a good time!! (nasty, taunting)
B: No....... she wont, she wont, papa ko pata chal gaya to..... nahi aap galat hain
JW: she wanted to dance. I didnt.......... Mohan volunteered........... she went reluctantly, I was chatting with her other friends came to know ther are from a city college. She was giving me ****** looks from across the dance floor (runs his fingers thru his hair, tired? disillusioned and suddenly at a loss for words in trying to convince Bani)
Thats it.
B: Nahi usne kaha aapne usko apne kamre mein bulaya jan woh nahi gayi to aapne uske saath
JW: Ur sister is a bloody liar Bani!! She grabbed my arm and wanted me to take her shopping at the hotel's arcade. I refused. I had to take Mohan to the airport woh Jaipur ja raha tha aaj subah so I had to get some papers ready to take with him
She is just not listening, almost deaf to all/any explanations..........
Silence!!

B: I hate you for doing this to her, I hate you for doing this........ (she stops just when she is about to say "me")
JW: U are over reacting..........
B: Iam not!!
B: So u didnt touch her? (She wants to know desperately)
JW: I did not, she ASKED ME TO KISS HER AND I DID NOT!!! Satisfied? (in rage)
B shuts her eyes, not wanting to visulaize him kissing Pia. Gets up......... they both are standing facing each other less than a foot of distance separating them phyisically but suddenly hundreds of miles away emotionally
JW: That THOUGHT itself pains u doesnt it? (knowingly)
B: No it does not!! (firmly, calmly) not anymore Mr walia!! (rubbing her hand on her cheeks wiping the fresh set of tears) Mujhe pehle hi samajhna chahiye tha, mujhe yahan aana nahi tha, I shud have gone and got help, mujhe pata tha aap jhoot bolenge
JW: What the hell..........
B: She said, u put ur arms around her and tried to grab her, u told her she smelled good...... u told her....... u wanted to meet HER again (betrayed......... sobs coming back)
JW: Do u think I am that desperate to fling yself at every woman, every middle class type who is frsutrated and looking for a good time?
B's hand comes out in a swing and slaps him right across his cheek
B: Pia is middle class just like ME. She is NOT frustrated. She is my sister (sob) Her, Rano and Papa are all I have..... (Sobs again, shaking her index finger warningly on his face) Dont u dare. Aapki himmat kaise hui aisi baat kehne ki?
He locks his hand around her wrist in a steely grip........ jerks her.
JW: Bani Dixit, u pull that stunt one more time and I am going to slap u right back!! (words barely escaping his clenched teeth, his eyes on fire!!)
JW: I dont care for your sister, I dont care for the love u are displaying right now........... (lets go of her hand in disgust) She is messed up, tum usko kehna nahi chahti ho, usko theek nahi karna chahti ho, tum uspar vishwas karna chahti ho, tumko woh galat nahi lagti. I feel u never ever will feel or ack her mistakes.......... its systemic
B: I have been her mother since Mummy passed away, main teeno mein sabse badi hoon......... aapko mujhe sikhaane ki koi zaroorat nahi hai
Main wohi karoongi jo mujhe sahi lage. Main report karne waali hoon Mr Walia (angrily walking away, resolute)
JW: Be my guest Bani! and Oh BTW, Bani..... ask her to embellish it some more before u go to the police!! Might help u in getting more money out of me!! (blunt, acidic, disgusted)

**********************************

PART 40 (3)
FLASHBACK XIII

WARNING: DO NOT READ if you love Nishikant Dixit's character!!

Rest of you: Have a blast!!😉

Bani had turned in her resignation from AA a week before the day that call came. They had demanded to know what happened so suddenly. Mr Ranade was quite worried. He knew she was the sole finiancial supporter of her family. Bani had often discussed her career goals with him, and has assured him that until both her sisters were done with their college and until Pia was married she will not be looking for any outside opportunities. Mr Ranade was in fact glad that, she being a 24 yr old in today's day and age is actually not frivolous and fickleminded as them, the booming Indian economy to blame majorly for young people switching jobs more than twice in a year. It was aseller's market these days in India, in professions like IT and accounting. Bani being a gold medallist, there were no dearth of headhunters, looking to pace her in bigger and better roles daily!!

He was happy Bani was confident and sane enough not to get carried away and was refusing all the offers without giving it a second thought. She was being paid over 55K a month, a very competitive starting pay as far as public accounting was concerened. B was saving a lot for her sisters' education and weddings. Her Dad had substantial loans that he had taken for her Mom's medical treatment that she had even begun paying some of. His job was just enough to help her sister and her Dad get by.
She was sure that by the time Pia was married it would be time for Rano to be married as well and being the oldest and the most accomplished and well-apid she had taken the whole family's responsibilty on her young shoulders.

Mr Ranade had started liking the courage and will power this young girl was exhibiting. He had grown fondness for her calm quiet ways, his own only child was married and she lived in Singapore ;-)! He had invited Bani home on many occasions, particularly for Maharashtrian festivals........... He wished he had had a son, and she could have become his second daughter by way of marriage to his son........

It was indeed disappointing that she was not willing to share anything about why she wanted to quit. She was basically a very private person. She shared her family's financial situation only with him. Nobody at the office knew anything about her. She had sounded a very unhappy about something...............
***************************************

B had contacted an NGO that worked on women's rights to understand what her options were. She was sure Pia was not lying. She was devastated that the person "had to be" Mr Walia. She felt like she was never going to fall in love again. Pia didnt know about her friendship with Mr walia. Why would she try to destroy it? Even if she did know, why would she do that to her?
So, what ever she said happened that nite had indeed happened. She had also gone off in a fit of anger as soon as leaving Walia Hotel to the Nariman Point police station, the station house officer had given her an incredulous look and had "gently" talked her out of pressing any charges. She had given up on that idea then. But she still felt that she hadnt adequately supported Pia and had left her wanting........ hence the NGO contact.
*********************************
B's phone rings...........
B: Hello
ND: Bete main bol raha hoon .... Papa (sounding nervous and scared)
B: Jee Papa boliye, aapki tabiyat to theek hai na?
ND: Bete tum office mein ho ya ghar par?
B: Jee office mein, kyon, Papa kya hua, kuch boliye to? (concerened)
ND: Bete woh...... bete...... maine........ mujhe......... (life daughter like father, when nervous or when in trouble, cant talk straight........)
B: papa kya hua? ( a lil impatient)
ND: Woh mera dost hai na is company mein, Sandeep Shah? Woh aur main...... kuch paise, business mein lagaye
B: KYA? Kahan se aaye paise? Papa, Sandeep to aap khud hi kehte the ki achha insaan nahi hai, Papa hua kya?
ND: Bete, usne mujhse galat kaam karwaaye (startssobbing)
B's phone slips from her hand, it falls on the mat like carpetting......... she quickly grabs it again, checks to see if it got disconnected, with nervous trembling, sweaty hands places it on her ear.
B: Papa KAISA galat kaam?
She imm fears for Rano
B: Rano kahan hai? Theek to hai?
ND: Bete Rano ko kya hoga woh theek hai (grunts)
B: Saaf saaf bataiye na please Papa (feels a lump in her throat.
ND: Beta woh Mr Mishra (Atulya's Dad) ne mujhe accounts department mein mera tabadla kar diya tha 3 mahine pehle......... Shah ka hamare ghar aana jaana shuru hua, mujhe woh theek lagne laga, Mishra sahab ka bank ka kaam main karta tha, paise jama karna lekar aana wagairah............ (Sobs again)
B: Papa plz apne aap ko sambhaliye, main kal aaoon?
ND: Aaj raat ko aa sakti ho?
B: KYA?... (starts to cry, suddenly feeling chilled to her bones in fear, very very lonely.........)
ND: Beta hisaab bhi main hi rakhta tha (grunts and clears his throat) Shah ne kaha, ki thoda thoda nikaal ke bahar byaaj par laga denge 3 ya 4 mahine mein 4 guna ho jaayenge to lauta denge...........
B: YEH AAPNE KYA KIYA?
Notices a couple of coworkers giving her curious glances at her shril outburst, she quickly runs to the stairwell, one of her co-workers is returing after a smoke break, the whole area smells like cigarettes, she makes a face, cups her hand on the receiver to drown out the echo from the empty stairwell...........
B: Papa abhi aap kahan hai?
ND: Beta ghar par hoon, magar...... (starts crying again)
B: Aap mujhe pehle poori baat batayiye (clears her throat to stop herself from crying, her heart reaching out to her Dad)
ND: Beta maine Shah ke kehne par 30 lakh se oopar Shukla sahab ke paise use de diye.............. usne kaha, jab paise dugune ya tigune ho jaayenge to woh aur main aadha aadha kar lenge........... maine socha ma ki ilaaj ka saara karz utaar doonga aur tumhari shaadi sabse pehle kar doonga. Mere dil ko yeh baat bahut buri lagi ki tumne sabse badi hokar bhi apni behano ki shaadi ke baad shaaadi karne ka faisla kiya............ kya socha tha beta kya ho gaya (he loses control again and sobs audibly). Aaj subah Mishra Sahab ko sab pata chal gaya jab unhone 4 mahine ka ledger aur bank book mangwaya....... (she can sense the fear in his voice......)
B: Papa......... papa.............. (she sobs too)
ND Mujeh maaf kar do beta....... kyon ki Mishraji police mein jaane ki baat kar rahe hain
B: PAPA, Himmat rakhiye aisa kuch nahi hoga......... Papa, meri baat suniye......... papa....(urging him to stop crying)Papa abhi Shah kahan hai? Us se paise lekar Mishra Uncle ko de deejiye na?
ND Woh saare paise lekar bhaag gaya!!!
************************************************************

PART 41 (A)
FLASHBACK XIV (14)

This FF and the "JW" in it have NO connection whatsoever to Kekta's Jai Walia!!! In reel or in dreams!!!

This man is purely a figment of MY and my friends' imagination ONLY. Unlike Kekta's Jai Walia, this guy does not believe in sleeping with anything that wears a dress, to alleviate his grief.
************************************************************ *******

She walked nervously into the lobby of Walia Hotel. The events from the past few days was a fuzzy blur now. Too much emotional trauma too close together. She had taken

the evening flight to Jaipur the nite Papa had called. At the airport she was busy looking for a lawyer still, found the law offices of Rajora and Khandelwal, a BIG name in

Jaipur B cud tell, from the website, their main office was in Mumbai and Ahmedeabad too. She was able to acll from the airport phone booth (for privacy) and talk with a

junior associate and explain the situation, he had calmed her down assuring her that anticipatory bail, would not be a problem.

She had reached Mt Abu almost early next morning, her Dad was awake, watching TV, pale and terrified. She hadnt bothered to change, had called the associate a guy

named Nirav Rathore. He had been very pleasant and had offered to drive by to ND's house. There was no further indication of arrest or any kind of pursuit, that was making

B a lil nervous. Nirav and Bani went over the whole entire case's details, step by step, to understand ND's role in it. They both then drove to the law office, and met with the senior partner Mr. Rajeev Khandelwal who although met clients directly, very rarely, B concluded must have been moved by their case enough to meet with them.
He was a very good looking man in his early forties, with greying sideburns. He talked t B abot life in Mumbai, her job being a CPA etc. B wanted him to come to the point soon. He also mentioned having a wheeling and dealing brother. She didnt think much of it..........

He looked at the deatils of the case, had a one-on-one with her Papa that lasted over two hours and when they were ready to laeve it was past Noon. B hadnt slept a wink all nite. They headed home. Rano had fixed lunch, she was very happy to see B despite the circumstances. B had a hearty meal, she had invited Nirav over as wel, he was a charming, enthusiastic lawyer, who saw himself practising in the Supreme Court in a few years. They talked abt work life in Mt Abu etc.

B decided to take a nap, and half way thru it around 6 in the evening, her Dad had woken her, very excited about something. She had woken up startled, only to discover that Mr Mishra wanot be pressing any charges anymore. She was stunned to say the least. She didnt have a clue what brought the turnaround. She imediately dialled his number and attempted to speak with him. He was very affectionate towards her, deeply disappointed that his trusted employee Mr Dixit would do such a thing. He assured her all is forgiven, B wanted to know about the money, all he said was "I have gotten it back!"

B wasnt convinced she had asked him multiple times, all Mishra Uncle wud say was " Bete chinta mt karo, woh paise aa gaye hain"
She still continued to prod, wanting to know if Shah was arrested, Mishra Uncle had been very evasive about it all. She hung up and had shared the good news with her Dad. She decided to call Mishra Uncle later to clearly understand how the money was received and if ND still owed anything. Her Papa will have to find a new job now. May be Rano and him can move to Mumbai. Rano had always wanted to learn German, with her B Com heading towards completion, now would be a good time B thought.................

She had left the thrid morning for Mumbai.

She was done transitioning her work at AA, to the new hire, she had been offered a job with KPMG, and she was really excited about it. She hadnt had a chance to think about JW or how he must be all theese days. The call from Ms Singh had come to her desk directly. She had requested one hour of her time. B's hrt had started to race when she heard Ms Singh say the name of her boss. It was as if her heart had been waiting for the roll call, it jumped up and sped much like a racehorse. She thinks it must be about the transition and the public issue. She owed the client a meeting. Her personal relationship with the client was immaterial................

She took the elevator to the coroprate offices, her face flush with color, in anticiaption.........
Ms Singh greeted her cheerfully as always and directed her towards her boss's room and returned to her desk

She knocked nervously, once, twice, waited for a response, a third time.................
JW: Yes ?........

B cleared her throat, wiped off the sweat from her palm on her dark green sleeveless kurta...... tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, wished her haisr was tied back, placed her index finger on her upper lip and mopped the sweat off

Walked in........ avoiding looking at the man seated with his back to the bay windows..............
B: (looking at his laptop) Hi! Mr Walia...........Ms Singh said u wanted to meet with me?
JW: Hello Ms Dixit!! Or shud I say Bani Nishikant Dixit? (softly, taunting)
***********************************

PART 41 B
FLASHBACK XV (15)

B's faces loses all the color, gained in the past two hours, from the minute she hung up on that phone call from Ms Singh, all the effort her heart had put in to pump all that

blood to her face, all gone in a split second!!
B: Ummmm how, aap, How... How do YOU know my full name? (screechy)
JW looking at a manila folder in his hand, dressed in a two piece black suit with a offwhite shirt inisde, a a burgundy and copper tie, pulled down in frustration, hanging to its dear

life from his neck, she could see the strong colum of his throat, the hairs on his chest working on their escape route thru his exposed collar magnified from 15 feet away......

JW: U work for a company which is provinding biz services for mine. Ms DIXIT!
JW: Oh I am sorry I shud say "worked" ( his jaw clenches at that word, obviously unhappy at her exit from AA)
B: They offered better money (sulkingly)
JW: Ofcourse! Money!! It cant be anything else can it? (swivels in his chair, faces the side of teh room, rubs his jaw with his fingers, the rasp amplified across the room)
B: Shut up! Its none of your business (almost shouts)
JW: Shhhhhh!! (places his index finger on his lips, left hand) It hurts my ears Baneee stop shouting! (touches his ear next)
She is about to reprimand him for the use of her first name, sees the look in his eyes and checks herself.............

JW: I set up the meeting. I better call Mr Ranade................. this is not going well (silkily)
B: Aapko kya kaam tha? Iam ................ I am ss....... I am SORRY (agitated)

The glint comes back to his eyes almost like they are saying "Hmmm thats better!"
JW: Wont u sit?
B: Sure! (nervously removes her laptop from her bag, turns it on, plugs it in....... stares at the screen waits for it to boot, not taking her eyes off it)
JW gets up slowly walks around the table to where she is.......... leans on the desk.......... hands the blue manila folder to her, she is not looking at him appear, she is

startled to find him a foot away........
Thinking everything is back to normal, and he is indeed interested in talking ONLY abt work, accepts the folder with a nervous smile and flips it open................
She starts breathing audibly when she reads thru teh first page, its a stamp paper, notarized with a Mt. Abu law office stamp on it at the bottom.. she peers at it, it says

Rajora and Khandelwal on it, she goes back to read it once, twice, thrice, she cant believe her eyes............. its the legal dox for paying off Rs. 30 lakhs to Mishra Uncle's

company, she is confused at first, flips to page two at the bottom she sees the scrawled signature of the man lazily lounging on his desk, arms folded watching every

expression flit across her face with utmost curiosity....................
B: Aaapne, aapne? Apne? Why did YOU pay? (confused and dazed, her mind has stopped working a few minutes ago)
JW: I love doing charity Bani (flat, expressionless)
B: How do u know? AAPKO KISNE BATAYA (enraged, ready to explode...........) Its none of your business.... (throws it on her key board tries to get up but he is just in

front of her, his trouser clad knee rubbing on her chiffon clad ones, she shrinks back into the chair, pushes it backward with all her might, the wheels are stuck on the plush

carpetting, it wont budge, holding her breath too long only makes her choke)
B: Its none of your business. Why did u involve urself? Its my problem (she rambles on with a pained expression) Who told YOU? News mein bhi nahi tha (cringes when she

says that)Us se pehle hi..................
For a fleeting second a concerened warm look crosses his eyes, its gone before she can see it)
JW: Does Mohan ring a bell Bani? Mohan Khandelwal...............
Her hand flies to her mouth............ "the wheeling and dealing brother of Rajeev"
B: Mr Rajeev breached the attorney client relationship to tell his brother and his BUDDY? How ridiculous!! How dare he. I will see him in COURT (totally outraged)
JW: Yes he did Banee (calm, smug)
B: How dare you! Iska matlab aapne Shah ko kahin chhupaya hoga (sad, childish, sobbing) aap chahte the mere Papa ka, u wanted this. YOU PLANNED IT!!
JW: Shut up Baneee. I can send him back to jail, sorry.... send him there NOW if I want to, but I wont. Who the hell is Shah (yells back)
She is terrified when she sees him raise his voice
B: Dont lie! Aapko sab pata hai
JW: Who the hell is he Bani?
B: He partnered with Papa...... (softly) woh saare paise lekar...........

JW: Ur Dad stole it too. He is a thief!
She gets up swiftly and swings her arm but before it can connect in a noisy crack, he captures it and twists it down ina steely grip
JW: When I said it was the last time. IT WAS.............. (warningly)
B: Papa is not a thief
JW: Aur kya kehte hai aise aadmi ko?
B: He did not steal. Shah ne, Shah ne Papa ko...............
JW: FOR ONCE STOP DEFENDING YOUR LOUSY FAMILY BANEEEEE (exasperated, annoyed, frustatred)
B: You are a lousy man. I despise you! I hate you,. I am sorry I ever met you (vehemently) I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOUR FACE EVER AGAIN...............
JW: Thats going to be a tad bit inconvenient....Banee, (his fingers indicating a tiny quantity)considering you are going to be married to me soon!!! (dripping with sarcasm)
************************************************************ **********************************

Now that I have effectively killed and celebrated the death of Kekta's JW, I am back on a roll, as Soap wud say......... here u go girls, the next part
I may be off the rest of the day, may write later in the evening when I am home

Enjoy Fall!!

PART 42 ---1
FLASHBACK XVI (16)

The folder drops from Bani's lifeless fingers, her cellphone and her pen follow it to give it some company at the bottom of the chair, she gets stunned.......... looking at his face, his face not revealing anything, an unscrutable mask.
B:(irate and riled) WHAT? Kya kaha aapne? Shaadi? Aur aapse? You are crazy!
JW: No I am not Bani......... poori file to pehle padh lo, tum (bends down to her feet to pick it up, she is sure she felt his warm breath on her toes, making them tingle, setting her face ablaze, bringing nack memories of that breath on her face)
JW: Here! (handing it to her)
B No! I dont want to see it or read it. Mujhe maloom hai yeh aapki koi chaal hai. Mujhe shaadi nahi karni.
JW: Why? are u waitlisted at the Missionaries of Charity? (smile not reaching his eyes)
B: Shut up! I wont........... mujhe AAPSE shaadi nahi karni. I never asked you to involve yourself Mr Walia. You did. Without asking me, now do not expected ME to pay the price (calmly)
JW:Its not as simple as that Bani............
B: Is this a joke. Aapko har cheez ek mazaak lagta hai. Shaadi koi mazaak nahi hai (shrilly)
JW: Did I say it was?
B: Aap yeh soch bhi kaise sakte hain. Aapne jo Pia ke saath kiya uske baad, aap soch bhi kaise sakte hain ki main aapse shaadi karoongi. You planned all this to pay me back for what you did to Pia.
JW: Shut up Bani, dont overestimate yourself. I am just a good bizman thats all. You havent even heard the entire proposal yet..... (grabs the folder from her hand and flips to the center pages, taps his finger noisily on a paragraph)

JW: Readt it Bani!!

B reads hsakily, it says something about some land in Sindhudurg Coast, she looks up at him confused
JW: My Dad bequeathed 200 acres of real estate on Sindhudurg coast, its between Devgarh and Malvan.........perfect for a resort development. There is a glitch Bani, the property can only be transferred it to my child's name!!! (calm? taunting? riling?). Being the guardian it would allow me to develop and operate it, until he or she turns 18!

B's feels faint...... holds her head and sits down, it must be a nightmare, in fact thats what it is, when I wake up it its all going to be over, and I am going to be ready to start my new job with KPMG............JW punches his cell phone, still holding on to hers and her pen, that had fallen off her lap previously.
Help arrives in the form of Ms Singh bearing two tall frosted glass of lemonade. He offers her one. She sits there like a statue, no movement, eyes shut, wanting to wake up from her bed, in Bandra.
JW: Bani drink.......
B: Mmmm...........mmmm
JW: Stop over reacting and drink it! Goddamnit! (swears)
B opens her eyes, nervously reaches for her glass, takes a sip makes a face, and sets it back
JW: Kya hua (demanding)
B: Its not at all sweet......
He drinks his
JW: It is Bani....... stop fussing......
B: Mujhe nahi peena
Sits there sulking, waiting for the next bomb to explode, in frustration he calls Ms Singh again, she brings sugar. He stirs it in noisily, and brings the glass under her nose
JW: yeh lo!
B: Fine!!! (gulps it down in one go)
JW watching her sweep the moisture off her upper lip with her tongue)
Eyes meet and part briefly, messages, sent received, deleted by B without reading...............

JW: I have this all planned out. Take it home read it and send it back with ur signatures in a day or two (back to being the arrogant b------, effortlessly alternating between the roles of, commander-in-chief, lover, caring gentleman )
B: Aap apni arrogance aur manipulation kahin aur le jaayiye. NO!!
JW: U dont have a choice. I am offering a deal. You are an accountant, you will love it
B: Main abhi shaadi nahi kar sakti (trying to reason , upon seeing the legal threat under her nose)
Mujhe Pia ki shaadi aur rano, ne apni padhai poori nahi ki hai, I have to save............. I cant marry.
JW: What kind of a man is your father? (disgusted) He sent YOU to Mumbai to save money for something he was not man enuf to do?
B: Dont you dare. Aapko mere Papa ke baare mein aise baat kehne ka koi haq nahi hai.
JW: What the hell kind of a man is HE? (looks at Bani like she were a lab specimen) YOU CANT MARRY until he LETS YOU?
B: None of your biz!

JW: oh BTW I forgot to tell you, main tumhaare ghar gaya tha kal,
B: AAP? Aap kyon gaye MERE ghar? (storming, fiery)
JW: I went there for a deal, met Rajeev and Mohan, got this taken care of (nonchalantly pointing to the file) and went to your house. Also met your "suitor's" (does the quote unquote with his fingers mockingly, bringing more color to her face) Dad! Mr Mishra, a nice guy....... basically ur Dad took him for a ride.
B (cringes in shame) Woh........... woh....... Papa se gal........ Papa ko kisi ne behkaya hai
Silence!!

JW: And also ur Dad loves me, he told me he cudnt have wished for a better son-in-law! (smug)
B: Papa ko maloom nahi aap kaise aadmi hain. Bechaare.......... (groans)
JW: Kaisa aadmi hoon main Bani?
B: ruthless, evil, arrogant, unforgiving, vengeful...........

JW: If I were you I wouldnt be talking to my savior like that Bani
B: You are not my savior! Aap kuch bhi nahi hai mere (impassioned................ voice indicating to him that hedid mean something to her at some point)
Silence!!

JW: I met ur sister Bani (tone softens)
B: Rano se baat karne ki kya zaroorat thi aapko, aapne kya kaha Rano se (blushing, worried)
JW: Dont worry maine kaha nahi usko ki uski Didi aur mera kya rishta hai
B: Kuch nahi hai............
JW: She loves German, she wants to move to Mumbai and learn it.......... I tried some German I know. My second girlfriend was half Geman....... I struggled to sound smart in it (winks)
B doesnt want to know........... too much FYI
B: I am sure aapki har country ki ek girlfriend rahi hogi, its impossible to learn all the world languages. I agree (nasty)
JW: Esp in bed Bani when she expressed herself in German........ (throaty)
B's eyes fly to his "with such a colorful past, how dare you even expect me to tie the knot with you?" jealous, tormented..........
JW: Dont worry! no language issues for us.............. you and I will just have to let our eyes do the talking in bed.............. like we do at other times!

**************************************

PART 42 ---ii
FLASHBACK XVII (17)

B(morose, devastated) You have been with so many women.....................
JW: U have not been with me and I have not been with you and THATS all that matters Bani (finality)
B: I cant get married to you.
JW: I only want to get married to you
Silence!!
JW: I feel I have covered everything in the contractual agreement Bani. (serious) Initially we will give it a try for two years, if we have a child and we still want each other at

the end of the two years, we'll take it from there (clinical, dispassionate)
B looks at him like he was a stranger. The man she knew from three weeks ago either buried too deep to be salvaged or completley lost, the man she saw today was a

cold calculating bizman, she has never met before.
B: It must be so easy for you to play with people's lives like this, is it not Mr Walia.
JW: lets not get too emotional Bani!
B: Its my life!! You want me to have your baby (florid) and just give her to you? (accusing, for the first time feels a lump in her throat)
JW: U dont have to part ways Bani. We cud stay married
B: Aap isko biz ki tarah dekh rahen hain? (incredulous, she looks at him like "dont you have ANY feelings?")
JW: Atleast Iam considering the prospect of us being and staying married................. (doesnt finish the sentence with "what abt YOU?")
B: Mere Papa ki ek galti ki wajah se meri poori life badal jaayegi? We dont live in teh 19th century. We dont buy and sell humans Mr Walia (reasoning?)
JW: I havent bought you Bani ("I wish I had" glint his his eyes), just bailed your Dad out!! (succint)
B hangs her head in shame.
B: Papa ne aapse kuch nahi poochha?
JW: Bani, U dont realize the value of freedom till you are faced with spending the rest of your life in prison (trite)
B: I have to pay the price for his freedom? (confused, blurts)
Doesnt realize she just inadvertently has placed the blame for the crime for the first time on her Papa.
JW: U said it Bani, i didnt!! (gotcha!)
B: Marriage is supposed to be special................ After what you did to Pia, main aapko dobaara dekhne bhi nahi chahti thi, aur ab aapse shaadi?.........
JW: I thot u were going to pursue the case? (mock-curious)
B: I am......... (shuts down her PC, looks at his hand, her cell phone still in it, looks up at him....... he hands it to her, his eyes not leaving hers)
She is still unable to diegest what she just heard............. and argued and lost..................
B: Its not a movie or a book. Meri zindagi hai. Who gets married on a mutual contract?
JW: Its mine too....... (cryptic)
She gets the message, but ignores it...........
B: Will you atleast let me arrange the money? (defeated)
JW: Absolutely!! Go ahead! (encouraging)
B: Aap mujhe kitna time denge?
JW: A week? or take two................. (thoughtful faraway look in his eyes)
JW: maasi tumse milna chahti thi, agle hafte? Not sure when she wanted you to come by before Diwali, Karwachauth waale din? (bland)
B(blushes furiously) Main us din nahi............ not on that day........... Mr Walia, meri training shuru hai agle hafte se......... new job...... (stilted)
JW: Why did you quit Bani? U didnt even bother to tell me abt it............
B: I didnt want to work for, with.... I mean I didnt want...... I wanted a change........... (lies, hence looks away)
JW: U thot I'll never find out?
B: Ummm......... Mr Ranade ne Chaitanya Goyal ko assign kiya hai, for legal consulting. Aap uske saath kaam karenge, (packs her laptop in her leather case, throws her

cell phone back in her purse, looks for things to do, so as not meet his eyes.......... empties her empty lemonade glass in her mouth, not a drop in it, sets it back, wipes the

sweat off her upper lip, he is watching all of it)
He brings his almost 3/4th full glass and offers it to her
B: No thanks! I have to go (She is not sure how much she hates the man now, she has never hated anybody more, infact he is the first human she has hated in her life!)
JW: Have mine!
B: (shrouded) No! I have to go................
JW: Do weeks mein sign karke courier kar dena, or wire transfer the money to my account, get the number from Ms Singh..............unless I see you at home next week?
B: I cant come next week!!! (shrill) Mere naye office mein already the women in my team have turned in their leave apps for "that" day. They fast............. I have to fill in......
Its just us, men and a few single unattached women.................like ME! (rubs it in)
JW: Not for too long........... I hope (tauntingly trying his best to rile her)
B: I will let you know abt the "contract" (stone cold and expressionless)
Starts walking twrds the wide cherry double doors, with gold knobs on them..............
JW: (behind her, still lounging on the desk, sipping his lemonade lazily)Bani, I e-mailed you a link to Marrakesh, Morocco. Its supoosed to be the best honeymoon

destination in the world. Take a look and let me know what you think!
She uses all her self control her body ever produced, to not turn around and fling her laptop case on his head and punch him with her balled fists........ shuts her eyes briefly

to quell the resentfulness and rage......... lets herself out with outwardly calm, shutting the door quietly behind her!!

***********************************

PART 43
FLASHBACK 18
Over three weeks have passed..............
B had taken the afternoon off, skipped the interpersonal conduct training at the new job, promising to take it online later. First stop was Mahalakshmi temple, bursting at the seams due to Karwa Chauth................................
Waiting in line for over an hour, her thoughts drifted................. Papa seemed to have given up on the battle even before it had begun. He was sure she was going to be married to JW. Infact he seemed to derive a lot of pleasure in planning and talking about the wedding over the phone, not giving a chance to B to refute the proposal or even talk abt arranging finances. He was not even interested in talking abt where the "find Shah" case was heading. It was almost as if, JW had taken care of all his worries. He didnt mind being at home he had said " itni saari shaadi ki tayyari jo karni hai"
She had asked him, where the money was going to come from. He had shooed her off saying "Woh sab main dekh loonga beta tum chinta mat karo, main agle hafte Mumbai aa raha hoon, kal "Jai bete" ko call karoonga is baare mein baat karne ke liye" She had frozen in shock hearing her Papa address the man as "beta". It was as if JW had stepped in and had in one stroke taken away HER role in her family. All that she was and had been was replaced by him. A "find replace in a Word document will take longer, she thot bitterly. She felt envious of him for the first time in life. She wanted to be her Papa's "beta", but he had that title now. They had a little over 5 lakhs saved away in the bank in various deposit schemes. She realized that wouldnt even buy the groom's wedding clothes.......... The fact that JW maybe "throwing" his own wedding irked her no end.All the disappointment, despair she felt at the prospect of her own marriage was mounting exponentially when the economics came into play.
Sharing the news with Pia would go down in her life as the second toughest thing she had ever done. First would be, marriage to JW................Bani, kept punishing herself mentally for having wronged her by deciding to tie the knot with this man. Pia was shocked, Bani had not divulged anything abt knowing JW the past month when fighting to get her justice. She wanted to know if B was marrying him so that he can "hush up the case". B had assured her that it wasnt why. She had told her abt their Papa's actions back home, Pia didnt seem half as affected as B was from all the happenings in Mt Abu or the fact that her Didi would be married to the man she had accused of misbehavior not too long ago. In fact she went on to reassure B that all will be well and she shud not "worry too much about what Mr JW did to me". B had expected Pia to be outraged angry and resentful towards B's decision, but those feelings were conspicuous by their absence............................. may be Pia is too stunned to react now, may be she will disclose her real feelings soon? she wondered...........
B had too many things to worry about at this point, she postponed that issue for later.

In fact she had lost count of how many times she had read and re-read the "contract", until this afternoon. She had signed it!!!
Had not sent it to him yet. didnt want to give him the pleasure of victory. "I will go down with dignity" she told herself.
Her heart was crying out to her, pleading with her............ not to sign, she still went on to do it, at the bottom of each page. She had deliberately avoided reading about the annulment of marriage and the baby. What can be two incredibly special things in a girl's life............. marriage and a child, was all inked down in contract where her life was concerened!! Both would be hers and yet not hers............... she was walking into the next phase of her life as if it were a work assignment, a project that had to be delivered before deadline.........................
The document said she would be "well taken care of for life" if and when they parted ways, a sum so high was quoted for alimony, she didnt bother to count the zeros in it..............
Was she doing it for her Papa's happiness? Was it to keep him from serving jailtime?
Was she doing it for Rano's education? Or was she doing it for Pia's wedding? Was she doing it to save the "family honor"?
Was she doing it to keep the word she had given to her mother about never letting her family down?
Her life had never been about her. It had always been about her family, her parents and sisters then, her Papa and sisters now...........................
Her innocence and childishness buried deep inside, never seen the light of day....................

Anjali was gone for three weeks to a Sales Response Team meeting P&G was holding in Ahmedabad. She had called her and given her a hint.............. not abt Mt Abu but abt, a "possibility that a wedding happens soon" she had imm asked her if it was Pia's. B was not offended. She had declared to everyone that she wud be the last among the three sisters to tie the knot............ she had corrected Anjali amidst her excited squealing that it could be HER! Anjali had jumped up and down, wanted to cut short her SRT training and head home to be with her. She knew B had no relatives in Munbai. Her Mom was the only child and her Dad has two brothers both lived in Jaipur.....

She hadnt called Maasi, she didnt know JW's home number. she didnt want to call him. She didnt want him to know. She had wanted to meet Maasi. She was looking for comfort, being with Maasi made B feel like being with her Mummy........ warm affectionate, gentle, patient......... around Maasi B wanted to be a child again. She was very lonely tonite she wanted some loving and caring............ she was going to spend some time with her no matter what JW said or felt............

she vaguley remembered JW asking her to visit on KC day, she had on impulse, completed her darshan and had hailed a cab and asked him to drive to Juhu. She didnt know if JW wud be home or even if he was in town. ........

She stepped off the cab and paid the driver, her new maroon/red chudidar dress was a lil spotted with mud, from passing cars. Walia Mansion guard wudnt allow the driver to park by the gate, so she was a few yards off. It was a cool, breezy drizzly evening. Much like how I feel right now she mused......
She knocks..........
Tony opens, a lil suprised at seeing her at the door. the house is strangely quiet. "Nobody observing the fast?" B wonders. She doesnt know if Jigs still did........
Tony shows her the way and goes in to get Maasi as per her request

M: Baani? Beta tum (Maasi is overjoyed, she almost starts sprinting)
B(shyly) Jee.........
M: Beta tum kab aayi? Bahut der ho gayi?
B: nahi maasi abhi abhi
M: Tony......... Tony
T: Jee maasi?
M: Arrey bhai kuch lao. (stops herself looks at B)
M: Beta tumhara vrat to nahi hai
B blushes big time,"Nnn....nahi maasi" Nahi maasi vrat nahi hai (murmurs, thinks Why shud I, the guy does NOT deserve for me to starve, i am going to eat out tonite, pizza and chocolate cake, celebrate my vanquishment/defeasance." she concludes bitterly)
M is obviously happy that the girl is still unattached
M: Tony, mithai lao, chai,
M: Bani beta chai peeyogi?
B: Jee
M: baitho baitho (pointing to the plush couches)
B sits down
M: Tum soch rahi hogi aaj yahan raunaq kyon nahi hai. Beta Jigyasa ka jab se divorce hua woh to rakhti nahi fast woh apne friends ke saath bahar gayi hai, to bachi Anu, woh oopar apne kamre mein hai gaane sun rahi hai aur padh rahi hai.
B: looks at her like "Who is Anu?"
M: Anu, Jigyasa aur Aditya ki beti............
B: Oh
M: main bahut khush hoon tum aaj ke din aayi (meaningful)
B: Jee woh main Mahalakshmi gayi (touches her forehead)
B: Achha achha (just admires her happily)
Anu steps down. in a while introduces herself and they chat, B likes her a lot........... Maasi tells her its time for lighting the diya and she will be right back................ and steps out. Anu and her talk abt Hindi movies, hollywood ones, songs lyrics, pop albums the works
A: Aapko pata hai aaj FM mein bahut melodious songs aa rahe hain
B: Main ghar pe hoti to wohi sunti hoon
A: Aapko kya achha lagta hai Radio Mirchi ya Times FM?
B: Radio Mirchi
A: Yeeeeey!! Me too (does a high five)
B: Mujeh aap mat kaho, how abt tum? (smiles)
A: OK thanks
A: Ek min main oopar sorround souns speaker ke saath radio connect karke aati hoon, we can chat and listen to songs
B: Hmm (Smiles and wtaches her leave)

Bell rings, B looks around no sign of Tony or any body else.......... waits, it rings again.............. she waits, she doesnt want to be impolite answering the dorr at other people's houses. but it continues to ring........ she goes to open it with a look of urgency on her face.
Walks over to the door and opens it..................... it cant be anybody else....... yes, its HIM! Dressed in offwhite cords that is so fine it looks practically like velvet from where B is, teamed with coffee colored cotton shirt, sleeves folded uptill the elbow, coffee leather on his feet, Rolex in place....
JW: (a mixture of elation, surprise, confusion and back to elation cross his face) Oh Hi! What a pleasant surprise..........Its Ms. Dixit! Or shud I say soon to be Mrs Walia?
She just stands there........ numb.............upon hearing "Mrs Walia"
Bends her face to hide her rouged cheeks, still holding on to the double wide doors with both hands
JW: We arent even married....... yet, I am not allowed in coz I am late? (winks)
Her hands drop like theyve just touched burning coal
B: Ummm I am s I am....... come in
JW: Thanks ("look who is inviting who" tone)
B: Main maasi se milne aayi
JW: I am sure........ (taunt)
B: I mean it! (hot)
JW: U just told me Bani........
The sorround sound speakers start playing the following song:Both walk by to the couch and she takes her fave spot, not a word said.................. B is all nervous and shaky, wishes, Anu or Maasi wud come out soon.
He just sits there and stares at her, almost as if he cant believe his eyes, watching her squirm under his gaze, reddening listening to the song, nervously wiping off the beads of sweat from her upper lip



sajan ghar aana tha - 2
sajan ghar aaye hai
sajan ghar aana tha
sajan ghar aaye hai
piya mann bhana tha
piya mann bhaaye hai
har khushi hai ab tumhari
mujhe de do gam
jaaneman jaaneman - 2
sajan ghar aana tha
sajan ghar aaye tum
piya mann bhana tha
piya mann bhaaye tum
har khushi hai ab tumhari
mujhe de do gam
jaaneman jaaneman - 2

JW: maasi se mili
B: Hmmm I have to go! (really jumpy)
JW: where to?
B: I am late (checks her watch)


zindagi mein aaye tum chaahaton ke raste - 2
kaash yeh raste sanam kat jaaye haste haste
sone dildara tere pyar to main vaariyaan
meri ya duvaawa tainu lag jaave saariyaan
chaand ho tum chaandani se bheega jaaye mann
jaaneman jaaneman - 2

khwaabon ke iss ghar ki khair kare o rabba - 2
duur talai kalash aur bair kare o rabba
naaz se bade maine kari hai tayyariya
din raat pyar diya nazara utaariya
yeh mohabbat hai ibaadat kabhi ho na kam
jaaneman jaaneman - 2

aaghosh mein meri zulf sanwari teri
chahat ke rangon se main maang saja du teri
maahiya ve aaj mainu aaive kyon ve lagda
aashiq je sachha hove roop honda rab ka
ham yahaan hai tum yahaan ho hone do milan
jaaneman jaaneman - 2


Maasi walks in...........
M: Munna tum kab aaye?
JW: Jee abhi 5 min pehle (not taking his eyes off B)
M: Dekha Bani aayi hai aaj
JW: Jee dekh raha hoon Maasi
Tony brings tons of food.............
M: khao beta
B: Jee
JW: Tum fast nahi kar rahi? (taunting)
B: Nahi....... (smiles at Maasi) Maasi is giving some instructions to Tony....... B looks at JW "fast kiske liye karoon? (nasty, taunting)
JW: For me ofcourse!! (smug, riling) kya sawaal kiay hai Bani
B: Never! aapke liye kabhi nahi karoongi.......
Starts to eat, tauntingly, drinks her chai while he just looks on...........
M: Beta aaj mandir mein bahut bheed thi kya?
B: Jee maasi........
M: Munna tum Bani se baat kyon nahi kar rahe?
JW Maasi B mujhse naraaz hai!
B Nahi to! (blurts realizes thats exactly what he wants her to say)
M: Munna kyon tang kar rahe ho isko, tum chalo mere saath beta.....
B: Jee (doesnt look at him)
Anu walks in too, "Bani tumhe main apna room dikhaati hoon I have the cutest posters of Matt McCoughnehey........."
B is all excited, follows anu ignoring JW
M: jao beta jao, main yahi hoon............

***********************

Anu's room, B is sitting on her bed facing Anu, Anu is facing the door.
Maasi walks in excitedly
M: Bani beta, tumne bataya nahi. Aaj saari khushiyan mere ghar laut aayi hain mere Munna ne shaadi ke liye ladki pasand kar li.
B drops the CD she is looking at, it falls to the floor.
B: Iam sorry (bends down, prays its not HER! sees Maasi's feet by her, shuts her eyes)
Raises her head M is looking at her all smiles
Gives her the warmest hug, doesnt let her go. JW is leaning against the door jamb staring at her!
B is affronted and confused, wonders how Maasi found out looks at JW, "Why did you tell HER?" look
JW has a bland expression Anu is hugging him........
M: Bete tumhe to aaj vrat rakhna chahiye tha. Chalo koi baat nahi agle saal se sahi, lekin agle saal agar tumhari god bhari ho to phir uske baad (places her order in for a grand kid)

B wants to die of ambarrassment

M: Munna wahan kyon khada hai aa, aashirwaad le. He walks over to where she is both bend down Maasi blesses them with lots of kids and happiness
B thinks "not in this lifetime Maasi, not from me, dont wish either for ur Munna"!
M is all charged up like a teenager now, scurries to her room, brings B a saree, a jewlry box, decalres the day off for servants, starts planning for the biggest wedding Munbai has seen
Anu is jumping all over the place, hugging her, hugging him, squeals shouts
JW and B are the most silent ones. B is shell shocked, JW just plainly amused by M and A's reaction
B is ready to explode, he sees that and deliberately delays the explosion
M helps unkowingly "munna isko apna kamra dikhaake lao, us din bhi bhool gaye the" (hints to them that they can go hug kiss what ever)
JW: Jee! Bani? (mock-innocent)
B:(sullen) Hmph!
Walk over to his room
A HUGE room overlooking the ocean, in grey and blue/black very masculine, lots of books, strewn everywhere, smells like him, B avoids looking at the bed, she is in no mood to "see his room" anyway.
B: Aaapne bataya maasi ko?
JW: Hmm
B: Itni jaldi kya hai?
JW: what did u expect Bani I shud have waited a week, a month a year? (walks over to the study desk at the corner by the patio door and leans on it, she stands there in the middle of the room, agitated)
B: I didnt not say a year
JW: U wanted me to. I cant wait anymore Bani. Period. Teen weeks diye maine tumko. I didnt even call you. Neither did you bother (accusing). Is this how you work with biz partners?
B: U are not.......
Silence!!
His phone rings, he takes the call and walks over to the baclcony lreaving teh door open the curtains swaying, sending a chill up her spine, the room the smells all overwhelming her senses. She walks over to the maple dresser, a few bottles of cologne on it, looks at her reflection, there is high color on her cheeks.
Little did she know a couple of months ago that she would be standing here in the bedroom of one of the leading hoteliers in the country........ about to be his wife!!

To suppress that thot she nervously starts reading the names on the bottle, opens the cap smells a few, one particularly intrigues her, she is trying to recall if thats what he wore to her house on his Bday. sets it back, presses the nozzle the spray shoots into her left hand, the hole in the nozzle exactly in the opp direction of where it shud be.
JW: Stop messing with my things Bani!
The cap falls on the dresser and rolls a while.
He picks it up and closes the bottle.

B: Its spraying wrong, mere haath mein aa gaya saara
He walks over with an intense look takes her left hand and rubs her palm on his cheek. She feels like someone just placed a bunch of burning coal on it, it dries her mouth and she starts gasping for air.
JW: Yeah some men have to shave twice, unfortunately! (makes a sad face)
B: oh!?
Rubs her palm again it rasps again across his cheek......
JW: Now its all gone! Satisfied?
B: I want my hand back!
JW: hmmm.. (holding it and walking with her)
She pulls and steps back hitting the wall by the dresser, he follows
B: I just wanted to know what it smelled like................ Un.
JW: Unforgiveable?.................. now u know, its on me............... (bends down offering her nostrils, his cheek)
She turns her face avoiding his head)
JW: I thought women who were engaged fasted today
B: I am not, aur main kabhi nahi karoongi aapke liye
JW chuckles looks at her in mock despair!

B: I am not quitting my job (trying to speak over the drum roll of her noisy heart)
JW: Aur kuch? (following her face from side to side, left hand framing her head on the wall right still holding her left)
B: Main Mt Abu mein shaadi karna chahti hoon
JW: Aur kuch?
B: Main weekends mein apne apartment chali jaaoongi
JW: Hmm......... sounds good!
B: I dont want your money............
JW: Good!
B: I want......... main...... i want it to be in name.......... I want the marraige to be............ I dont want to.............. I wont............. (shuts her eyes trying to come up with "sleep with you")
JW: Too bad!! (still following her face) It cud have been fun..........
B: I mean it!! You sleep elsewhere! Or on that couch (points to the couch on the corner with her left hand, tho still held by him)
B: Mera haath chhodiye!! (irritated, her silver bangles joining her protest)
JW: Mmm..hmmmm
JW: We shud start dating now dont u thing, we shud know find out more abt... each other...... (nuzzling)
B: I know all I want to know abt you, u marry for biz reasons, you hate John Cusack, u shave twice, u always have more shirt buttons open than necessary and ur cologne bottle works all wrong!
Throws his head back and laughs........... totally amused
JW: What abt i love to stay up all nite? (husky)
B: That I DONT want to know!
JW: I meant for work Bani (winks)
Silence!
Both check each other out, memorizing every facial feature the number of eyelashes the crease by his mouth when he laughed, him her fading lipstick, her bindi and her teeka, a zit on her chin....................
He bends down to claim her lips........ eyes not leaving hers........
She turns her face
JW(chuckles again tumne kya socha? " kinda look in it) Lets get some pizza and watch a movie?.............. baad mein I will treat you to chocolate cake
B: I hate pizza and I ha.............. (her dinner plans out in the open thru ESP!)
JW laughs at her openly
JW: Liar!

JW: you never said "yes" abhi tak to my proposal.
B: U did NOT propose. Aapne ne file folder diya kaha padh lo aur shaadi kar lo (lump in her throat)
He immediately goes down on his knee, still holding her left hand
looks up into her eyes deeeply
JW: Bani Marry me?
B is too stunned to react, she never expected a "proposal" from HIM!
"I HATE HIM, he ruined my family, he roped me into marriage on the pretext of saving my papa, how can he be so cruel and heartless and propose like this"
JW: Baneeeeeeeeeee! My knee is hurting!
B: Abhi nahi
JW: If u take too long, I will exact my price
B: I .............. i...................need............(just looks at him her eyes answer in affirmative)
He holds on to her eyes and raises himself up in their strength like a kid being rescued out of a pool................

Silence!
Takes her in his arms, brings her close............ holds her chin, kisses her zit, she wont let him.. hides in his open chest, smears her teeka on his shirt yet again
JW: At this rate after we are married........ ur paycheck is prolly going to be barely enuf for the cleaners.
B groans........
He holds her face in his palms
Bends down, "Happy Karwa Chauth! welcome into my life soon-to-be-Mrs Jai Walia!" brings his lips down

******************************************

PART 44
FLASHBACK 19

A week after KC, the entire media was aware of one of Mumbai's most eligible good-looking bachelors, planning to tie the knot soon there was a general atmosphere of

mourning in the cocktail circuit "another one bites the dust" they said, JW unfazed by all the negative publicity at his decision went about his daily biz meetings and getting

work accomplished.
Walia Mansion had already taken on the look of a house where a wedding was slated to happen, people had started visiting, the phone was ringing off the hook, Jigs had cut

short her "poker party"on KC nite to return home on Maasi's insistence only to find what the cat had dragged home..........Bhaiya announcing that he was planning to marry

"trailer trash". Hugely disappointing for her! She had already spoken with multitude of her poker friends, all wives, sisters of noted industrialists in town, offering their

daughters nieces and in some cases even themselves if Jigs would allow it. All those plans had come to a grinding halt. She could either look forward to a edding or start

plotting for a divorce, but now is not the time, her teenage daughter Anu was obviously overjoyed, her son Sahil nowhere to be seen, the ex-hubby Aditya was acting like he

hadnt heard of such good news all his life.

The overdose of sweetness gave her a migraine and she "retired hurt" early, not before noticing Maasi giving meaningful looks to her would be bahu. "I'll deal with YOU later"

she thot, disgustedly looking at that 20 something girl, her brother for some reason was acting strange, was not taking his eyes off her, "Is this my Jai Bhaiyya?" What in

the world has happened to HIM?" she wondered.................. The girl? The hug was all she could take in that nite from her she reeked of some middle class perfume, surely

some Indian brand ! ............., "where do I even begin with Bhayya? his choice, the girl's lack of fashion sense, she must have been too busy trying to ace her what ever

exams......... where were her glasses?, all those books all those lectures, didnt reward her with a pair? Maybe its in her knockoff purse?"..............
she pondered............. for now she was going to disappear.............. rest would have to wait until "Bina" was a permanent fixture in this house, may be I cud turn her into a

fixture?...................


B had not called him neither had he, after dropping her off on KC nite past midnite,
B had talked Rano into speaking to her college about taking a transfer to Mumbai after the first semseter was over. Her credits were transferable acc to her college Prof. She

was working toward a biz degree just like Bani had, Bani got a feeling that rano admired her skills and natural intelligence.......... Ranow as visiting for the weekend, Bani

had gone to get her from teh train station, she was very excited to visit Mumbai for the first time. Their Papa had not accompanied, he sounded hurried and excited on the

phone all the time these days, it was as if he had suddenly stumbled upon a fortune and didnt have a clue what to do about it. Bani kept her convos with him to the

minimum. she didnt want to hear about or know of any "plans" Papa had made that involved JW. She didnt particularly care for his sister, the fact that it was making JW

more protective towards her was making Bani hate Jigs more. "Why does he think I need protection?" "He needs to mind his own biz".....................

Rano and her were on a shopping trip cum "check out Max Meuller Bhawan (MMB)" trip, to review the courses in German (Thanks Sow). they got off at the Churchgate

station and walked by the teeming footpath filled with hawkers selling every imaginable book on the planet, most looked like they were pirated, the nes that were not were

used :-) Streling Book house across the street from Kala Ghoda was too expensive for B and Rano, she let Rano buy some of her fave ones, while B checked out some US

GAAP publications....... and some paperback novels.......... Janet Dailey was her favorite, "I have to save enuf money to go live in a ranch in the US mid west sometime in

life, may be I will find a rancher like she describes in her books?" A smile escaped B's lips, Rano became all curious, wanted to know if it was Mr Walia she was thinking abt, the book slipped out of her hand when she heard that name 😳 ........... color rushing, she shut her eyes for a second shaking her head from side to side" Mmmm... mmm" she said.

Rano wanted to know what the famous Jehangir Art Gallery was all about, B loved being the "Mumbai expert" albeit her limited experience of two plus yrs in the city, they

went in, enjoyed the air conditioning to the fullest............ B's white cotton capris and purple sleeveless blouse that had almost soaked, drying up again............ her hair tied

thankfully, wisps escaping on the side................ no make up........... her first pair of Nikes on her feet, "The shoes make me look rich" she thot... smiled again.........

Walked over to MMB next, to check out the courses............. Rano looked like she was going to die of happiness and shock at actually being inside where she had only dreamed of a few months ago..........

the classes were usually held on the 2nd floor. On the grnd floor there was a gallery were they had exhibitions etc. they rented it out for such events. first floor had a library which used to be converted into an audi for movie screenings etc.
The rooms are named after German cities: Hamburg, Berlin(the biggest room), Dresden (one of the smaller ones).
there is a small sitting area for students to interact during breaks-but only in german .

The offices of the director and the secretary were also on the same floor.
A counter next to the sitting area served as the registration /information desk.

Every course if taken intensive (3hr each day, 5 days a week) took abt 3 mths for completion. Courses could be completed in around 9 months................only weekend

classes were also being offered, Bani steered Rano twrds those, she didnt want Rano travelling all by herself, she had told Mr Walia she wud be spending herw eekends at

her apartment so she could take Rano then................. Mr Walia had looked amused when she she had demanded that, but Bani was sure she didnt want to spend a

minute more than necessary with the man in their marriage.........................

Rano picked the........Zentrale Mittelstufe Prfung(ZMP):-Central test/exam for middle level.
after M3. intermediate level following the ZD. Quite a toughie she said but she wanted to go for that............ Forms filled payments made with her credit card, ID would be

made the day classes started.................
Both were hungry when they left MMB, headed towards what looked like a sandwich place, across the street at the corner, adjacent to Fabindia, there was even a

sugarcane vendor by the sandwich guy.............. B had a couple and Rano had no room for the second, B was still thirsty for their favorite "family drink" ganna juice, she

didnt have change all the money sh had in loose change spent on sandwiches and the train fare, she had a Rs.100, the ganna waala ready to send the bill thru the

crusher.........
B: Ek minute bhayya, abhi change lekar aati hoon, Aap isko pilao......... (pointing to Rano)
R: Didi aap kahan ja rahi hain?
B: Abhi ruk jao Rano, change lekar aati hoon sandwich waale se........

Walks humming a happy tune, "Its all going to be OK, the three of us are going to be in Mumbai now, living together" her thots come to a screeching halt when she hears

her mind say "live together"......... "I dont care for him, I am going to make every effort to spend every spare minute with my sisters"

Walks right into someone on the overcrowded sidewalk
B: Dekhkar chaliye na? (annoyed)
JW: Thats what I was doing Baneee!! (holding on to her waist)
B: Aaap? Aaap? Yahan kya, how did YOU get here? (shuts her eyes opens a couple of times)
JW: Its not a dream !! Did u wish for me in ur dreams?
B: Let me go!! (squirms out of his hold, he lets her go, dressed in blue jeans and white Polo tee, unbuttoned, a lil sweaty, she can see the sweat beads on his sideburns)
JW: its hot!! (smiles)
B: Go away! Rano ke juice ke liye change lene ja rahi hoon (waves the bill angrily at him, trying to walk past him, he just starts sprinting after her)
JW: mujhse le lo, kitne doon?
B: I dont want your money!!
The sandwich guy refuses to give her any, she walks back dejected, he follows closely, Rano almost spits out her juice on seeing him, he smiles warmly,
B: Bhayya main kahin aur pata karke aati hoon
JW: kitne hue ? (curt, authoritative)
Juicewalla: Rs.15
JW gives him a 20 rupee bill
JW: Change rehne do!
B: Mujhe peena hai
JW gives her a disgusted look
JW: not here Bani!! Lets go!

Rano is looking at their exchange totally stupefied
B: Mujhe peena hai
JW: Not HERE!!
B: rano ne piya then why cant I?
JW: Coz u are a a fool, kaun peeta hai (hisses thru his teeth so as to not let the juice wala hear) YAHAN?
B: aap jaayiye
JW: Bani Darshan is here chalo!
B: No!
She sulks!
He smiles at rano, she is nervous, he opens the door for her, traffic is backing up honking................
JW: Banee lets go! (softly, in her ear almost kissing it)
B: NO! (whispers in rage)
JW: Baneee! Dekho traffic....... I promise, we'll turn around and come back for it
Pushes her gently towards the car, onlookers are amused, want to know why a rich guy is wooing a middle class type into his Merc
He gives the passers by a dirty look and gets in..... slams the door.
Rano looking away too embarrassed to even look atwhat Dee and Jeeja are talking abt.....


JW: We need to make rules about fighting! We cant do this after we are married! I will get the most traffic tkts at this rate! (in her ear...... softly making her cringe first and

blush next)

******************************************

PART 45
FLASHBACK 20 (Whew! Yep 20!)

************************************************************ ***************************

Rano insisted she get home so that she could spend the evening with Pia. Anjali was not back from her SRT trainings yet. B's plan was to convince Pia and Rano to share the apartment with Anjali or maybe even move into a bigger sized one within the same society so that it could be enough for the three. Even before that she needs to check with Anjali about HER wedding plans, "I cant be presumptuos about her taking care of my sisters". "Here I am barely been "engagaed" for a week and am already thinking abt life with him".....................
When he happened to be on the phone she had looked at Dee with "Aapme itna bachpana hai? Aap to ghar par bhi aisi nahi rehti?" Bani had sensed it and had tried to come up with a suitable excuse, honestly even she herself couldnt explain why she was being like taht in his company, it just happens, it just seemed right, she was just unable to wear the "mature" mask around him, either he annoyed her too much or he was indeed too old for her.

R: Didi jab aapko woh mana kar rahe the, tab aap gaadi mein kyon nahi chadi?
B: Rano, tumhe maloom hai mujhe ganne ka juice itna achha lagta hai, main unki kyon sunoon?
R acted like she was fearful of JW, like he was her college Prof or something, cudnt believe her Dee taking so much liberty with the man, stunned as to why her reasonable, rational, practical Didi was suddenly being childish and silly..................
R: Dee agar woh naraaz ho jaate to? Mujhe to laga woh bahut gussa hongey..........
B: mujhe farak nahi padta, tumhe dar lagta hai unse to theek hai main nahi darti, na hi daroongi (vehemently)
His eyes travel in-between the converstaion to B's lap, the books on it, he sees the cover on the top one, she hurriedly flips it over, notcing it from the corner of her eye. rano has a sack, coz she bought more than B, she tries to fit hers into Rano's but Rano, refuses saying "Main bhoolkar Mt Abu le gayi to phir aap pichhli baar ki tarah call karti rahengi asking me to courier it" shakes her head..........
B: plz.....
R Haan main ghar rakh deti hoon, deejiye.....
She takes it and holds it on top of her bag.
He hangs up soon after............
JW: Rano where do u want to go? I was thinking we shud all go get something to eat?
R: Ummmm Mr Mr. Wa.... mera matlab, (clears her throat, embarrassed like hell) nahi mujhe ghar jaana hai.......
JW looks at B like "does that line/illness run in the family?" she returns a soiled look, looks away hurriedly before R can get a hint of the meaningful exchange happening between them.
JW: U cud go if u wanted to (shrugs)
R: Nahi thanks, mujhe....... Pia se milna hai........
He smiles, goes back to his ringing cell phone, B is sandwiched between her sister and the guy, trying to sit as far away from his as possible, he is not shy, leans over her to reach for the yellow tablet and pen, picks up kleenex from the back, his hand, arm and leg brushing freely against hers............ B almost sitting on her side, facing Rano, sulking at him, trying to "entertain" her sister. D slows down wants to know where he shud go, he responds with a curt "Bandra"
Merc picks up speed again...............
*****************************************
B gets off with Rano at the entrance of the society, worries if Rano can manage at home all by herself till Pia arrives, hands her, her cellphone........ Rano is amused a little ad her Didi's over protectiveness,
B: Aap jaayiye main Rano ke saath ghar ja rahi hoon (half sulking half ordering)
JW: I said we'll fight abt later Bani (biting, softly, reasonably)
B: I dont want to go when rano is alone
JW: theek hai we'll wait until Pia gets here! (attemots to get off the car, angry eyes, jaw clenched)
B's neighbor walks in carrying grocery bags filled with stuff, she smiles pauses wants to talk with B, B approaches her, requests her to keep an eyes on rano, she is totally agreeing and happy............ her jaw drops when she sees JW get off the car, she just stares at him approach B,
JW: Lets go? (in her ear, impatient)
R just walks off coolly not looking back even once........
B is ticked off by that coz she cant get any more mileage out of the "Didi" situation
He almost shoves her into the car
B is stiff and cold, looks out her window, sits by it, almost ON the door, he sidles up close by........
JW: Not here! Bani, Wait until we get off!
B is unresponsive angry at her evening with Rano been ruined, not getting her fave juice, not being allowed to "baby sit" baby sister!
Something pokes her on her seat, she reaches under her thigh, its her Janet Dailey novel Touch the Wind, she turns crimson...... tries to hide it, he snatches it before she can, ..................
She tries to take it back he dodges, she turns away and continues staring out the window..............
JW: A auditor who is a romantic at heart?
B: None of ur biz! Mera nahi hai....... Rano ne........ Rano ka hai............Mujhe deejiye! (hot and bothered)
JW:No Baneee! From the way you fought to get it back I doubt its Rano's (taunting)
B: Its mine! I mean its NOT mine, Rano ka hai...............
JW laughs................
Does not return the book, she reaches he holds her hand, drops the book on the seat by his side........... she shakes her hand trying to pry it free
B: What are u doing? (glares at him, points to D with her eyes)
JW: Dont worry Bani he wont care! I assure you (holding her left in both his in a warm snug clasp, her wrist and forearm rubbing on his jean clad thing.......)
JW: I cant believe you read this stuff! (derogatory)
B: I LOVE IT, I want to marry a rancher
There!
JW: Not in this lifetime, Baneee (husky)
She spontaneously meets his eyes when he says that......... he does with them what he is doing with her hand...........)
Silence!
Her phone rings!
B: Hello?
A: Hi! Atulya Shukla bol raha hoon
B: Hi! (her heart skips a few dozen beats in fear)
A: How are you Bani?
B: Main theek hoon,
She watches JW eyes become all curious....... it annoys her.........
B: Acchha Atulya tum India mein ho? (the hand holding hers tightens in a deathly grip)
A: nahi Bani agle hafte aa raha hoon ek mahine ki chutthi par.......... how are you?
B (ignoring her lifeless hand) I am ........gr.............. OK (morose) I want to see you (death wish)
A: I do too, why dont I call u when I get there..
B: Haan theek hai........ Bye......... Oh oops Take care
A: You too...........(B smiles in an affected way)
Hangs up.
B: I need my hand..................(trying to close the zipper on her purse)
JW has a cold sullen look on his face...........
B: I want to meet Atulya. (whiny)
JW: Do that Bani (whiplash) (curses colorfully under his breath)
JW: dont forget to invite him to our wedding (acidic)
B: I wont invite him to mine, u invite him to urs..........
JW: Maybe he can help us find a good place to stay if we head there for our honeymoon, kyon help karega na
B: Dont u dare ask HIM ( storming, resentful) U dont have to meet him, u know what aap us se kabhi nahi miliye, main baat kar loongi (suddenly very protective abt Atulya's feelings at him finding out abt her). You are so ruthless and unfeeling, aap kisi ki parwah nahi karte...........
JW:I have to starighten things out if you get any fancy ideas Bani (blunt, cold)
Silence!

B: Why dont u talk on the phone or do something and let go of me........ my hand? (miffed trying to break free from his grip)
JW: sorry Banee (warm and fuzzy), I have to take some calls (holds her hand with his right and runs his left thru his hair)
B: U can take ALL the calls...........
JW: Ticked i ignored you?
B: I want u to......... ignore me..........
JW:The last I heard from Mr Ahuja was 5 days ago when u visited.
B: NOT FIVE days ago! 8 eight days ago! (blurts)
JW smiles and watches her shut her eyes tightly, bite her lower lip..............
JW: for someone who is not interested in me, tumhe sab yaad hai abt when we met last?
B: Ummm mujhe...... us din............. main us din Mahalakshmi gayi, so is liye mujhe yaad hai (saving face) (trying to pry her hand free again)
JW: Us din someone got engaged too! Do u remember who it was?
B: Yuvraj Singh? (smug)
JW: No, try again! (Amused, and flirty)
B: Hmmm.......... may be Angelina Jolie?
JW: How abt someone in this car?
B: Darshan....... ji? (laughter bubbling out of her throat)
JW: Wait until we get off Bani (warningly..........smiles, his eyes twinkling)
B: Must have been ..................you then (softly, straightening and leaning fwd..............looking out the window)
JW: Who did I get engaged to? (mock-forgetful)
B: mere ghar newspaper nahi aaya, 10 din se, ...............so I dont know........... who u got engaged to...
JW: Wrong answer!
JW: I am engaged to this girl whose day job is to provoke the hell out of this guy called Jai Walia (pulls her towards him.... holds her hand with his left now and pulls her clip out of her hair....... and throws it on the mat below) one of these days his patience is going to run out (warning)
B:I do NOT provoke you! ( furious, galled)
JW: So u are engaged to me then?

:

yeaahhhh great part as always...Love the way Bani is shy yet knows her mind, unlike u know who... JW is hmmmmmm MB dream guy......Continue soon........ 👏 👏

FAbulous part, aditee!!! Loved the cute scenes between jai and bani! 😳 please continue soon!!! 👏

Love,
Godess

amazing pls continue soon aditee.....

andy

Hey Aditi....that was too good!!!...i had been waiting for soooo long 😛 😆 ...hehehe....infact i was just reading(more like re-reading) a previous part when i found your post!...loved their interaction... JW "The next time I have my birthday the only bloody family I am letting u share it with has to be our child"....i loved this line!...with the depressing episodes that have become a permanent fixture on KS...your fan-fic(and those written by others 😊) have become a soothing balm!!...looking forward to the next part...love, Ritika

Great part please continue soon!!!!!

Brilliant Adi!

It certainly felt like a tennis match to me the way they kept serving ace after ace.
The winner though is undoubtedly you for having made them both winners!
Loved it and as usual, cant wait for the next part.

sowmya

wow! di.. what an awesome part!! took me full 10 minutes to enjoy and read
it..!

plz do continue!!

👏

Hi Aditee,

I know you already know this.. but your ff is truly the berst.. you have a rocking style of writing....


tata,
rocky25

that was amazing!!! first of all i love that song...classic! it set the perfect mood.
how was JW going to ask for an alcoholic drink at her house? did he think tht she was drunk when she called him to come over? hahaha...
poor bani trying to figure out her feelings and he walks in and leaving her thoughts, god knows only where.
aditee you rock...
i realize we all sound very demanding when we say that we hope for the next part soon, but....i hope for the next part soon! (not really demanding..just hoping)
thanks again for teh great part...sorry about pm..just couldn't wait anymore!
dipu00