FF :Tears of Pearl, Epi&Pt25- Pg 120 updt - Page 64

PART XVIII

What ails you
You silly heart?
What could ease
This disease?
And oh! This pain
What could be
Its medicines?

(dil-e-nadan! Tujhe hua keya hain
Akhir is dard ki dava kya hai?
-Mirza Ghalib)

Walia Mansion
5.30 a.m.

Bani slowly opened her eyes, as the alarm started ringing. A splitting headache greeted her and she winced as she sat up slowly. The events of the past night rushed back to her and she sank into the bed once again, her eyes brimming with tears. In a matter of minutes, her entire world had come crashing down and she could do nothing, as images of Jai kissing another woman flooded her.

She squinted her eyes closed forcefully as if doing so would wipe the images but it was futile. Gathering all her strength she left her bed and walked towards the window, overlooking the garden. The birds playing on the window sill flew away sensing her presence. Bani looked down to see the gardener and his wife busy in the garden, and she wanted to go down and join them. But she decided against it, as she was not in the right frame of mind to meet anyone and talk with them. She seated herself on the window sill and pulled her robe around her tighter. The birds were twittering at a distance and she could see them playfully chasing one another. Unknowing to herself, a small smile crept up on her lips and stayed there for some time. A little beyond, she could see and hear the sea waves rolling across and crashing against the craggy shore.

Everything seemed perfect except her life, she thought, as she sighed.

She reasoned with herself 'Why am I still hurting? I was chasing a dream, thinking it to be the greatest reality of my life, but God has given me the signal that I was wrong. Karuna Aunty was right after all, Jai does belong to Manya and loves her. It was quite natural for him to be angry with her after she broke off the engagement after the accident, but one cannot forget one's true love ever. Maybe they have both realized that even after everything, they can't stay away from each other and hence …'

A heavy sigh escaped her 'But what about me? Why was Jai playing with me? Was he on rebound and I never understood? I don't know why he did what he did, but I love him a lot. He has given me so much that I can't ask for anything more. I love him so much that it hurts and I don't know what to do.

Why did God do this to me? All my life I have never complained about anything, even when things have been difficult for me. If Jai was not meant for me, then why did God bring him in my life? I was happy as I was. How could I make this mistake?'

The longer Bani thought about the futility of the situation, the more she realized that everything was wrong from the word 'go'. She shouldn't have been here at all, this was not her place, but how could she say anything against Manju Aunty who has loved her so much?

She wanted to go back to her hostel as she didn't want to confuse things further. But Bani knew very well that even though she was trying hard to convince herself, yet the pain of losing Jai, her only love, would always pervade. But she did not want to become a thorn in his path.

Bani slowly dozed off on the sill, as the unfortunate tears dried themselves on her cheeks.

……….

'Didi, wake up' as Bani woke up once again to Parul's voice from across the door and her incessant pounding.

'Wait, wait' she answered back, as she carefully got down from the sill and walked towards the door. Opening it, she let Parul come inside and went and sat down on her chair.

Parul came and sat beside her, after having closed the door behind her

'Didi, Manju Aunty was calling you downstairs for breakfast. You haven't eaten anything last night too, I know. What happened?'

'Nothing Parul' Bani answered, staring out of the window 'I was not feeling well and there were people all around, that's why I came upstairs and went to sleep. I don't want to eat anything now.'

'Are you kidding?' Parul started shouting 'You are not feeling well and you haven't eaten last night. And now you don't want to eat? I am going to go and tell Manju Aunty and Jai Bhaiyya about this.'

'No no' Bani said 'Don't do this to me Parul. Ok let me freshen up, then I will go and eat something later I promise.'

Parul shook her head 'No. Manju Aunty asked for you now since the newly married couple are also there, and she wants everyone to be at the breakfast table together.'

Sighing, Bani got up from the chair and moved towards the washroom 'Ok Parul, give me five minutes. I will just change and go down. Promise. But please don't tell anything to Jai'.

……….

Bani entered the dining room to see everybody busy with their breakfast and chatting away. Jai was seated beside his Father at the cornermost end of the table, but what caught Bani's attention was a beautiful lady seated beside him, who was chatting amicably with him. Bani had not seen her earlier but it did seem like the woman she had seen with jai last night. For a brief second, Jai's eyes met hers and then he looked away uncomfortably.

'Arrey Bani' Manju Aunty called out 'Come and sit beside me dear. Parul told me that you were unwell.'

Bani smiled at her and sat down beside her 'Nothing Aunty, was just feeling a little tired so I went upstairs to take rest, and fell asleep in turn.'

Manju stroked her cheek fondly 'beta, you were so tired that you forgot to eat anything?'

Bani tensed and looked at Parul who at that moment chose to serve the guests. She hinted a flicker of concern in Jai's eyes which went away as fast as it had appeared. Bani turned around towards Manju and smiled

'Its ok Aunty, I was just tired and there were so many people around.'

'But dear, I sent you to the Study to call Jai' Manju Aunty continued 'And the next moment you were not there. I was also so busy that I could not inquire about you.'

Bani felt Jai's eyes on her but she didn't turn back.

Karuna replied sweetly 'Bhabhi, why are you saying like this? Everybody knows that in a marriage house, there is so much to do. I am sure Bani didn't mind'

Before Bani could say anything, she continued
'By the way Bani, I don't think you have met Manya.'

On hearing her name mentioned, the gorgeous female looked towards them and smiled

'Well Bani, this is Manya, Jai's to be wife and Manya, this is Bani, Jai's friend. She really helped Jai a lot when he was unwell. Bani lives here with all of us, since she has no home and she's really a sweet girl.'

Manya smiled at Bani and said 'Then I must thank you. But I think I can take care of Jai from now onwards.'

Not finding any answer, Bani looked back at her food but she could register nothing. She looked up once to see Manya feeding Jai a piece of fruit, and all she wanted was to run to her room. But she could not do so, for Manju Aunty's sake.

After minutes of painful torture, Bani was thankful when everyone left the breakfast table for the day.

…..

Two Years later

Jai Walia stood upright in front of St. Mary's Convent, Lonavla. His two years search seemed to have ended here, it seemed. But he could not be sure until and unless he could fulfil his goal. Today he was a successful businessman and had everything in life, but yet he hankered for more.

Jai had always wanted to sponsor schools for children and when the Management of this school contacted him for sponsorship, he just couldn't say 'No', especially after seeing the poor condition that the school was in. As he stood in front of the school building, he couldn't help but notice the faded colour of the buildings, the unkempt ground, broken swings, the rusted gate and the stained windows of the classes. When he had told his Mother about his dream, his Mother had supported him well and nigh and here he was.

The Headmistress of the school, Sister Rosa nearly ran out to greet her important guest.

'Welcome Mr. Walia. I am so fortunate that you came to visit our humble abode. Please come in.'

Jai entered the building, and the shabbiness of the place did not escape him. He noticed a few children running along the corridor and their angelic faces beamed of happiness and joy.

Sister Rosa ushered Jai inside her room and it's condition was moderately better than the others. Once Jai was seated comfortably, she gave him a brief history of the school and how they were dependent on private spending, since all the children over here were orphans. She also added that many people did not know about the school's existence since Lonavla was primarily an area where expensive schools were usually found.

Sister Rosa then took Jai to a tour around the school compound and stated about how the teachers took initiative to teach the children, even though they were paid a pittance. She hoped that if things worked out and her school managed to get a donation, she would also like to open a Library in the school for the children. As they went around the school, the Headmistress shared her plans with Jai regarding the school and finally when they reached back to the Headmistress' Room, Jai promised her that he would send his team to evaluate the cost of renovating the school, adding new wings and structure, and to get them affiliated to a Board so that students would be able to pursue their studies forward. Sister Rosa was happy since it effectively meant that the Walia Group of Industries would sponsor her school and the children would be able to pursue their education.

Jai walked outside feeling happy. Yes, the school was in bad shape no doubt, but things could still be worked out and it could be renovated easily within a few months. He saw the children playing around in the garden and their cherubic smiles brought a smile to his face.

He had parked his car outside the gate of the school and he saw a few children inspecting his car thoughtfully, with wonder in their faces. The children did not see him approaching so they continued with their assessment and they looked up in fear when Jai said

'So what are you all doing with my car?'

The children thought that Jai was angry and they looked from one to another, not knowing what to say. They started moving away when Jai smiled at them and added

'Do you all want to go for a ride?'

The confusion on their faces gave way to happiness and they were about to step inside the care, when a voice called from behind

'Where exactly are you taking these kids? It's time for them to go back inside and I am sorry if they have been troubling you.'

Jai froze in a shock as he recognized that voice – the voice that had haunted his dreams for these two years. He slowly turned around and noticed how the surprise in Bani's face gave way to amazement and then pain, which however did not stop her from running up to him.

Slowly, she raised her hand to touch the scar on his face, which was a faint mark now against his bronzed skin.

'I hope it doesn't hurt you anymore' she asked softly. Jai nodded his head in the negative, while gazing into her eyes.

Bani lowered her hand and then moved backwards. She seemed to appraise him for a minute or two and then said

'Thank God! You can walk on your own!'

Jai noticed the happiness in her voice and for once, he did not know whet to say. He never expected to find Bani here and now that she was here, in front of him, he did not know what to do.

Bani seemed to have matured a bit more, he thought. Her hair was longer than before, held at the back by a butterfly clip, and she was wearing a light blue cotton printed saree. Her hands were empty except for a few glass bangles and she wore a simple chain around her neck.

Jai slowly removed his sun glasses and stared at Bani, as if believing her to be an apparition, afraid of touching her lest she fades away. This female standing before him was not at all like any other women he met during his lifetime and yet, this was the only woman whom he wanted badly in his life.

After a moment, he pulled Bani to himself and embraced her, his head resting on her shoulder.

'Forgive me Bani' he whispered as he pulled her closer 'Please forgive me.' He could feel the tremors running through her body, as she clutched onto him, sobbing her heart out.

……..

Sangs di, Ekta has seriously rubbed on you. 😡 😉 😭

Why are you doing this to our baby? I think Bani deserves some happiness...I cant take all these other women just enter her life just like that...

I want happy ending. I just hope that Jai accepted to be with Manya to seek revenge and there is nothing between Jai and Manya...

But I love your writing style, I can picturise everything. You make me feel for every character. Fabulous👏

Continue soon...looking forward to see what happened between the two.

Cheers,
Meena