There was a post made asking how Jai fell in love with Bani, my answer to it was that it would take an essay to explain it, and a lot of time to write it. Later I received a PM from Priyanka (Mahimn) requesting that I write it for the sake of the JB despos in the forum, later I reread the post and even Rani requested that I write it…
For those who dont know how JB fell in love.. I hope this helps...Mahimn, PhD gals, all the JB despos in the forum- this is for you….
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Often the phrase for a couple falling in love is described it being "love at first sight". Such is not the case for Jai and Bani. Imagine living with a total stranger. As you begin to live with this person, you get to know their habits, their nuances, their likes and their dislikes.
Jai and Bani got married against each of their wills. Jai was betrayed by the woman he thought he loved, and Bani was trying to save her sisters face by sitting in the mandap. The beginning of their relationship was bitter. Jai was filled with hate for Pia, and decided to vent out his anger on Bani, but Bani stood her ground and dealt with the mistakes of her sister, knowing that was the only way to make the situation right. She knew that this marriage would be shortlived, and that it was only a matter of time. She knew that she would have to endure this in order to see her sister happy.
Jai mistreated Bani many times, and she took it silently. As different as they were, as different as their thoughts were, as different as their methods were, they both had the realization that they were very much alike. Bani's parents had passed on, and Jai too no longer had his parents watching over him. They both were orphans in a sense, with the weight of the world on their shoulders. He had his Masi, who lived in Chandigarh, but beyond that he too was all alone. Both had that feeling of not having someone elder to them watching over them, developing a bit of sympathy for one another.
Both Jai and Bani fell in love with each other through their surroundings. Jai realized that Bani never took out her frustrations on his family, that she always treated them with the utmost respect, no matter how badly he treated her. He could never fully understand why she would go through such lengths to protect her sister. She even told him that he could treat her as bad as he wanted, hit her if he wanted, as long as his anger against her sister went away. For this Jai had no words. When Masi arrived into the house, Bani took her responsibility out of the kindness of her heart. Masi and the others were the first to recognize Bani's inner beauty, her benevolence, her consideration. Living with Jai, Bani could see how much love he had for his family, especially Masi. He respected her more than anything, since she raised him. He always watched out for his family, and maintained his position as head of the family. He was generally a fair man who would take right for right and wrong for wrong, and despite her being stuck in this marriage, she was able to see how vulnerable he was. She could see past that tough exterior and into his heart, which was longing for love more than anything else.
In the beginning, Jai and Bani really did not speak much to one another, but as time wore on their relationship that begin as "hate" developed into a relationship of respect. Jai came to Bani and told her that he realized that he was making her suffer for Pia's mistakes, and that he would no longer "torture" her. He then wanted to see her as a friend, rather than Pia's sister, and now wanted to see her happy. Thus began a silent understanding in their relationship. Jai and Bani could look at one another and you could see their emotions emitted through their eyes. Their eyes said it all. Their eye locking sessions were as powerful as they were concentrated. They were filled with the longing and desire to be with one another. They only thing they could not read was that they both felt the same about one another. Jai assumed that Bani wanted out of the marriage, and Bani assumed the same. Their hearts were saying one thing, and their minds another.
Jai and Bani's silence and actions spoke volumes. Bani would leave out his night clothes, ensure he took his medications, made sure he was eating the proper foods. Jai made sure she had her ayurvedic medicines, made sure there was water in the room. Although not admitting he, he was indirectly trying to care for her as well. They had gotten used to each other being around, if Jai left out of town Bani missed his presence, and even Jai seemed lost when Bani was out. She liked knowing that he was home safe at night, she became jealous when Roshni came into the picture. At first she could not realize why she would feel such things. The rest of the family could see her falling in love with Jai by day, and it was only a question of her realizing herself of what her heart was feeling.
Bani did her level best to protect the family, clearly shown when Anu found out she was pregnant. Bani knew that it would be a scar on the family name, therefore took the brunt of Jai's anger. Upon realizing his mistake, he never felt so guilty for insulting Bani and her family. It blew him away to see how far Bani would go to protect his family, protect his niece, protect the family name. This was the first time he admitted to himself and to Bani that he considered her to be a presence in his life, clearly illustrated by the infamous line "You're my wife Goddammit!".
He soon realized that she wasn't about materials, and that she was about relationships and the sanctity of marriage. He could now clearly see how different she was from her sister, or even different from most women in general. He saw that the important things to her were the small things in life- whether it was making aam ka rass for Dadi, sewing a small little button for Jai, being there for Anu when arranging her marriage. Jai realized that Bani gives more importance to an emotional relationship than one based on materials and giving gifts. For her, relationships were the best gifts in life. This was unlike any of the other women that he had in his life, who were artificial and materialistic. Those women were easily swayed by expensive gifts, whereas Bani could care less about them. This baffled Jai.
He wanted to get to know her and understand her more. He developed a sense of protection about her, he couldn'see her getting hurt, physically or emotionally. He wanted to protect her, yet he couldn't come to terms of why he felt in such a way. He knew that it was because of her a light was brought into his life. They kept their emotions hidden, and then came the time in their developing marriage/relationship where they consummated their marriage. After so much time, so much intensity of emotion, the two souls became one. Although Jai still assumed Bani wanted out of the relationship, he could not bear to have her out of his sight. Bani decided that if he did not want to be with her, then she would take the one moment that they were one, and live the rest of her life in peace, because that was the one night she was truly with her husband.
This brought on a new phase in their relationship- one of much confusion, but more intensity than it had before. He was now proud to have her as his wife, and never hesitated taking her around. He wanted her by his side at all times. Jai realized that he could not live without her, and he himself feared the day she left the Walia Mansion. He couldn't figure out what he would do when she left, how would he cope with her absence? Bani completed Jai in a way that he couldn't understand, and when he found out she was pregnant, he felt that sense of completion strongly. To him, he now had a family, but that happiness was more than short lived as she had just found out the Park Road Raaz, thus beginning their separation.
When Bani left the Walia Mansion, Jai realized just then how much he needed her. Everytime he saw her, his heart broke. Not only was she alone, but she was also heart broken. Jai had tried is very best to keep her protected and not to hurt her, and even in doing so it was he that hurt her the most.
When they were apart from one another, no matter how hurt Bani was, neither could deny what they felt for each other. Bani had admitted to herself long back that she loved Jai. On the other hand, Jai was just realizing exactly what he felt for her. He still missed her and wanted her back in his life. Through the divorce fiasco, he still loved her, knowing that he wanted her to be safe and protected along with their child. When Bani lost the child, Jai was heartbroken. Bani was broken too, but this Jai could not see. He was confused of why life was treating him the way he was. He was sure that he was cursed not to have the love of a wife or a family.
Through the next phase of their relationship they were together, and now Jai realized his love for her. He knew that it was only Bani that resided in his heart, and knew that Bani was his soul mate. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, showering her with affection and love. Although this phase of their relationship was tainted, with reasons I do not care to explain, at least Jai could realize how much she meant to him.
This time when Bani left him, he truly felt her loss in his heart. It was a void that only Bani herself could fill. He could care less about living at this point, but he had to know that Bani was ok and that she was taken care of. He would go to all lengths to ensure her security even if she didn't want to see his face. He could deal with him not seeing her for the rest of his life, as long as he knew that she was protected. He would sacrifice whatever it took for her.
Though this phase Jai could finally admit to himself and to Bani, and to the whole world for that matter that his life resided in Bani. Without her he was nothing but a shattered man, who could care less about the world, the world could end and he would still love Bani and his love would never decrease, only grow through time. Till date, Jai and Bani love each other with the same intensity that they did in the beginning of their relationships. They are separated only because of the circumstances that have come in their way, but no matter what comes their way, there is no denying that Jai and Bani love each other. They still maintain their relationship of silence. It is the way they understand each other- a language that nobody will ever truly understand.
Jai realizing his love for Bani was gradual. It was circumstances that he faced that made him realize just how much she meant to him, how much her presence affected him. Jai and Bani falling in love, and the lengths they went for one another is what keeps us attracted to this couple. There is no doubt that Jai loves Bani or vice versa. Their relationship has been tumultuous but never has there been a point where they turned back to look at their relationship and regretted getting married to one another. They have intense passion for one another and a profound amount of respect. They will get through this time as well, as their love is not the type that will die. It is pure and immense.
Not knowing what they wanted in life, they got everything they could have asked for. Jai and Bani were the most unlikely couple, only to realize that in each other, they could find their happiness.
Such is the journey of Jai and Bani's love…
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
