Part 21
Jai felt much better in the next two days, mostly due to the efforts of his wife, who ensured that he not only followed Dr. Reddy's instructions to the letter but also followed a healthier and more tranquil routine than he normally did. Though Bani still kept insisting on Jai to take more rest, he told her that he felt too bored and restless sitting around in the Farmhouse with nothing to do but gaze with desperation and longing at his wife, so it was better that he went to work and at least did some work. Especially since his chemotherapy was scheduled to take place within a week's time and Jai wanted to wrap off the entire major issues in hand before that. Besides, by sheer coincidence, Nachiket and Purva were coming back from their honeymoon around the same time and so was everyone else from Vaishno Devi.
Jai still hadn't decided whether to tell them or not, even though Bani kept bringing up the topic time and again, despite having been shouted upon by Jai several times. He did not mind telling Massi, Karuna and Tarun about his condition, but he was very hesitant to disclose everything to Nachiket, knowing that he had to leave for the US in a few days and this news would certainly put a spanner in that direction. For some reason, Jai was convinced that Nachiket desperately wanted to go to the US and that it would augur very well for his banking career. Bani tried to explain to Jai that he was simply jumping to conclusions, like always, without asking the other person what he or she thought about it, but Jai in his inimitable style, waved off Bani's concern and told her that he knew what he was doing.
Bani on her part wanted to call up Nachiket and tell him everything...but that thought simply remained a thought in her mind. She very well knew the consequences of such an action and did not want to make any impulsive move and give any more stress to Jai. But she could not help worrying day and night regarding her husband's health and it felt very, very lonely for her, when she realized that though Jai now had her to share his problems with, she had no one to share her anxieties and fears with. In front of Jai, she had to put up a brave face and keep convincing him and herself that everything would be fine, but she could not get Dr. Reddy's words out of her mind...that which he had spoken to on the wedding night. It was a 50-50 chance.
Farmhouse
It was close to late noon and Bani was prancing here and there in the house, unable to spend her time, not being used to sit at home and do nothing as far as she could remember. But in Jai's house, the number of servants and the complete paucity of work ensured that there was literally nothing for Bani to do, even though she had woken up early, made breakfast and also packed lunch for Jai. Which as always elicited a humorous response from him, telling Bani that after middle-school, this was the first time that he was actually taking a lunch box to work! Though she had been happy that Jai was fine now and had started going to work, something he clearly enjoyed and was passionate about, she had not considered her own situation and now she was stuck feeling bored and listless, her mind working overtime on what she was going to make for dinner, though it was just one in the afternoon.
Bani was sitting in their bedroom, half reading a book, when there was a polite knock on the door. Assuming that it was Abdul who had come to ask her for lunch or tea, she got up and walked towards the door, when suddenly, to her complete shock and surprise, it flung open. Taken aback and also terrified, Bani all but screamed, but then was left speechless when she saw that it was none other than her husband.
'Jai!' she exclaimed with a huge grin and in a shocked voice.
'Yes. Jai! Though you make it sound like Superman has landed in your room, himself!' he retorted grinning back and pulling his tie loose.
Bani's face lit up like a thousand watt bulb and she quickly hugged him and sent a volley of questions, 'What happened? Why did you come so early? It is early, right? I thought you only come back by 8 or so! Are you okay? Oh! God...is it your back? Is it paining? Should I call Karthikji? Did you take the medicines? I knew you would forget taking them...I even sent you a text message at ten to remind you...but...'
Giving an owlish stare at Bani, he said calmly, 'hold on...hold on...and seriously, calm down! I came early because there wasn't much to do in the office today...I can work from home also. And I did not want to lounge about in the office till 8 and leave my blushing bride alone at home, listening to Kishore Kumar's songs!'
Bani blushed with happiness and hugging him fiercely planted a kiss on both sides of his cheeks and said, 'YOU JAI WALIA...ARE THE BESTEST HUSBAND IN THE WHOLE WORLD!'
'There is no such word as bestest in the English language, but still, I appreciate your compliment!' teased Jai, kissing her back on the lips.
Looking elated that Jai had come back early only for her, she rallied off with excitement and joy, 'what do you want to have for lunch? Oh! God! If I had any idea that you were going to come back by lunch, I would have prepared something by now...but just give me like 30 minutes and I will manage something...'
'Arre yaar! Stop feeding me all the time! My trousers already feel a bit tight on my waist! And if you remember, despite my saying it a thousand times, you still packed lunch for me. Which by the way is still lying with me. So just heat it up and I will have that! Did you have something to eat?'
Bani was already taking out his casual clothes and answered back in a shocked voice, 'I can't let you have the food I packed for you in the morning. I will make something fresh! Just 30 minutes is all I need!'
Jai could not help but laugh and replied back, 'Bani, seriously! I am not that type of husband who wants to see his wife slaving in the kitchen from daybreak to dusk!'
'Then?' she asked with sprightly curiosity.
Opening the first three buttons of his crisp white Ralph Lauren shirt, he walked towards Bani and pushing her against the door of his wardrobe, whispered seductively into her ears, 'She should reign on her husband's heart and mind...on their bed!'
'I knew it!' exclaimed Bani, crossing her hands and looking suitably annoyed, making Jai laugh wildly at her reaction, as he took her into his arms and kissed her. As always, his physical proximity melted any trace of anger or fake annoyance that she was displaying right away.
Jai let his palms graze over the swell of her hips, then over her soft belly. She eased back to rest her head against his shoulder and laced her fingers behind his neck. It brought her chest tantalizingly higher. They both watched their reflection in the mirror with anticipation as his hands cupped each sensitive orb. His fingertips brushed softly over her nipples. Her eyes shut and a gasp escaped her lips. Feeling bolder, he dropped his head down to nibble and lick at her neck while gently rolling the peaks of her bosom between his thumbs and forefingers.
Bani's head flew back as she cried out and her B****s pressed harder into his hands. Her fingers pawed desperately at his neck.
‘You're so beautiful,’ he whispered. While one hand still cupped her left bust, the other travelled down to her stomach. ‘I can't wait to touch you.’
‘Jai,’ Bani cried as his fingers gently sought out and stroked her back, tracing a line down her spine.
‘And taste you,’ he said into her ear. Bani's eyes were closed, her chest rising and falling rapidly with her shallow, quick breaths.
‘Yes,’ she said, her muscles tensing as she neared the edge.
‘Let go, Bani.’
That was all it took. He cradled her body against his as she came, absorbing the violent spasms of her orgasm. When the cries subsided and her body slumped against his, he bent to scoop her into his arms and carry her to the bed.
'Jai…your back...'she whimpered.
'Oh, shut up!' was all he gave for a response, along with a short laugh.
Her legs were still trembling when her back met the slick grey fabric of his duvet. She watched him through hooded eyes as he unfastened his belt and slipped out of his remaining clothes. When his body covered hers again, and ready to love her the way he was aching to, she whimpered in a half worried and half desperate voice, 'Jai, your back...'
'Don't kill the mood, sweetheart. Please! It’s been four bloody days...I am literally dying to...' he growled in a low voice, making her both laugh and feel incredibly bashful. It came as a jolt to Bani that they were actually having their delayed wedding-night at 1 in the afternoon, almost a week after their wedding.
Jai slipped her remaining clothes down the long length of her slender legs, tossing them to the floor with the rest of their clothes. He took his time traveling back up her body, trailing kisses and gentle nips along the inside of her knees, the soft skin of her inner thighs and the flat plane of her stomach.
Bani wrapped her arms around Jai's neck and pulled him closer to her. "Don't make me wait any longer," she said before bringing her lips to his.
Jai thrust his tongue into her mouth just as he slipped into her body. He closed his eyes, holding steady and still as the wave of pleasure washed over him. "Oh, Bani," he groaned against her lips. "You feel incredible."
When Bani cried out a second time, her muscles pulsing around him, it was the sweetest music Jai had ever heard. She clung to him, gasping and sobbing in his ear. It blew his memories of his wedding night, when he had been rushed for a medical emergency. Not that he needed his memories anymore. He had his future with her.
That was the thought that pushed him over the edge. He gave into the delicious sensations building inside of him and poured into her. It wasn't their first time. But he was certain it also wouldn't be their last time.
An Hour Later
At the moment, she sat on the edge of their bed, wrapped in bed sheet. He was still in the bathroom shaving and taking a bath, after having been firmly refused by Bani to join him in the supposed "Love Tub". She'd thought she could keep reality at bay until she returned to get her car, but it was starting to creep in. Bani was so terrified seeing Jai in pain, that she was in constant fear, that something would happen to him, every time they made love. That he would hurt himself in some way or worse still, that she would be responsible for causing any hurt or injury to him.
Her eyes teared up and she felt utterly desolate and helpless. What was she supposed to do? Jai was her husband...and they were madly and deeply and passionately in love with each other. Physical proximity was clearly very, very important to Jai. Bani honestly felt that she could do without it as long as it ensured Jai's well-being, but it was out of question for him. How could she refuse him every time he came near her? He was her husband now...and yet; she knew that his body could not take any added pressure on it. As it is, Jai was hyper-active and found it impossible to sit at one place for more than a few moments, despite his doctor having advised him full bed rest. Bani could now understand why Jai had been so grouchy and bitter when he had initially arrived in Mukteshar, because he had been confined to sit on the chair for hours on end, something which he despised.
Jai had just come out of the bathroom, dripping with water, as always never drying himself properly after a bath and he caught the expression on Bani's face and understood the reason behind her acutely guilty and grief-struck expression.
Jai crossed the room, taking Bani's hand to pull her up from the bed and interrupt her train of thought. His arms wrapped protectively around her waist, pulling her against him. "Stop thinking about it, please."
"I am not going to stay away from you because of my stupid medical condition." He said the words very matter-of-factly, leaving no room for her to argue with him. "As far as I'm concerned we're picking up right where we left off. No matter where this lands me or how much the doctor advises...I am not going to stop living my life and loving my wife, till I am alive."
'Jai!' broke down Bani crying, falling on his bare chest, as he hugged her back and said jovially, 'Come on now! What was all that about being brave for me, etc. etc.? And let me tell you something, as a rule, my women, after they have been made love by me, have the appearance of a cat that has licked a pot full of cream. They certainly don't weep like you are doing now!'
She instantly broke into giggles, at the same time weeping and hitting his chest. 'There you go again! How many times have I told you that I don't want any mention of your women?'
'Sowee!' he cooed, holding his ears like an errant child and making her melt into a puddle.
'Now are you going to stand in front of me with your bare shoulders and neck or change into something and then fix me my lunch?' asked Jai, as Bani made him sit on the bed and rubbed his hair dry, chiding him for being so careless about it.
'Give me ten minutes...'
'For goodness sake, don't start cooking something fresh! I will eat whatever you packed for me in the dabba! By the way, I became the butt of many jokes by Aditya and Ranveer in the office today, thanks to your Steel Dabba!'
Bani laughed and said, 'I couldn't find any suitable lunch box in the kitchen, so I used my steel dabba to pack your lunch! It’s from Mukteshwar!'
'I should have known...' murmured Jai sarcastically, getting a pinch from Bani on his shoulders, as they both laughed.
Sometime Later
Jai burped for the second time after having finished his lunch, as Bani kept putting chappati's after chappati's on his plate and despite being a fitness freak and very particular about what and how much he ate, Jai simply could not say not to the delicious food.
'God...before the Chemo kills me, your cooking will!' said Jai, thoughtlessly, making Bani drop the ladle on his plate with a bang and glaring back at her husband.
'I...sorry...Gosh...stop staring at me with your saucer sized eyes....you look terrifying. Hey, we just made love...think about me trailing kisses all over your...'
'Stop it Jai!' she exclaimed, going red in the face and then bursting into a spate of giggles.
Licking the last morsels of the delicious Chana Palak from his plate, Jai spoke abruptly, 'Let’s go shopping!'
Looking thoroughly surprised, she smiled back at him and said, 'Shopping? At this time? And for whom?'
'What do you mean this time? I thought women never needed a time to shop! And what do you mean for whom? Obviously, for you!'
'For me? But why? I have everything Jai...' started Bani, but was interrupted by her husband, who said, 'Yes, yes...I know you have everything and that you are Gautam Buddha who doesn't required anything...but I am an out and out materialist and I want to indulge in my gorgeous wife and buy her beautiful things...'
She blushed with pleasure and tried to dissuade Jai, but as always, that was an impossible task. Which finally resulted in Bani changing into a salwar kameez and joining Jai in the porch, for their so-called shopping spree.
As Jai drove his massive Cadillac Escalade luxury SUV, Bani kept a constant chatter about random things, as Jai listened with keen interest and whenever there was a red-light, did not fail to lean sideways and plant a kiss on Bani's cheeks, interrupting her flow of talk and make her blush like a tomato.
'You know one of the best things that I love about you? The fact that you are so shy...I think its really cute...I mean, out-dated and 1940's...but still cute!' teased Jai, making her blush and laugh, as she planted a kiss on his arms, not able to reach up to his cheeks, due to their height difference.
'Jai...seriously, where are you taking me? And I have so many clothes! Why is the need to spend so much money?'
'Well, since I always speak my mind and now that you are my wife, there is an even more strong reason for telling you the truth!' announced Jai, turning his Car inside the inner-circle of Connaught Place.
'What truth?'
Bringing his Car to a halt at one of the parking spots, he killed the engine and giving a look at Bani, said to her, 'Sweetheart, your dressing sense, to be perfectly honest and brutal, SUCKS! Big time!' Not giving enough time to Bani for a reaction, he added mischievously, 'And that is one of the many, many, many reasons that I prefer to undress you all the time, than seeing you in these perfectly middle-class type of clothes!'
Laughing openly and not giving any attention to Bani's extremely offended countenance and her volley of protestations, he took her hands and slipping his Aviators on the top of his head, dragged her towards the famed, all-white corridors of Connaught Circle which housed some of the oldest and most expensive garment shops.
'Middle-class clothes? What does that even mean? And pray, what is wrong with the type of clothes I am wearing? This is such a pretty salwary kameez...Karuna di gave it to me!' said Bani, looking at her dress in a confused way, not able to understand what was wrong with her dressing sense.
Jai stood in front of a huge glass door, which said, 'Greenways' and giving a top to toe glance at his wife said evenly, 'the colour is purple and red...atrocious...the cut doesn't flatter your figure at all! And the fabric is god knows what crap! Typical of Karuna to wear garish, small-town type clothes and then gift them to others too! I am not standing for it! My wife will looking nothing but perfect. With or without clothes. All the time!'
Bani could only stare back at him with an open-mouthed expression, as he held her wrists and took her inside the air-conditioned and mildly scented store, whispering into her ears, 'it is one of the oldest shops in CP...that is the short-form of Connaught Place. My mom used to buy her saris from here and it was no wonder that she was one of the finest dressed ladies that Delhi Society had ever seen.'
Bani felt a bit intimidated by the chic and classy interiors and the patronizing looking sales girls. And realized, that her dress was indeed very over the top, especially when she stood beside her extremely well-turned out husband, who even in a pair of faded jeans and a casual shirt looked dressed to kill.
There was a middle-aged Marwari man, who was clearly the owner, dressed in an all-white ensemble of dhoti and kurta, rattling off instructions to one of the sales person, when his eyes fell on Jai and dropping the accounting book on the white mattresses on which he was sitting, he got up with a wide, welcoming smile.
'Arre...dekho toh, kaun aaya! Jai beta! Welcome, welcome. After such a long time...' he spoke with genuine warmth, as he came forward and hugged Jai lightly.
Jai grinned and folded his hands, answering back, 'Namashkar Mittalji...bahut dinon ke baad, aapke darshan hue. Kaise hain aap?'
'Bilkul badiya, bhagwaan ki kripa hain. Aur aap bataiye!' he spoke, ushering Jai and Bani to take a seat and instantly ordering one of the boys to bring refreshments, even though Jai protested.
Turning to look at Bani, Jai smiled and said, 'Please meet my wife. Bani. We got married just four days back...it was a very private ceremony and hence we did not invite anyone apart from immediate family.'
Mittalji looked visibly taken aback but when Bani bowed her head with a respectful namaste, he smiled back warmly and putting his hand on top of her head, blessed her, 'Sada suhaagan raho.' and then turning to look at Jai, said, 'Many, many congratulations. This is such good news. And you have come empty handed? No sweets!'
Jai laughed and replied back playfully, 'Mittalji, your only sweet is when customers buy stuff from you and then you rake in profits! So I have come to do exactly that!'
Though Bani looked a bit shocked by the way Jai joked with the elderly man, he in turn laughed genially and insisted on Jai and Bani partaking of some Almond Sharbat and an assorted tray of namkeen and dry fruits.
Looking at Bani's reluctance and shyness, Mittalji commented to her, 'Bahu, this is the way we Marwari's welcome our guests and even though I have known your husband since he was a small child, still, as of now, you are both our guests. So please honour me by taking these snacks and drinks.'
Bani smiled and quietly nibbled on the delicious Farsaan, which was clearly home-made and smelt of rich, pure Ghee.
'Don't eat too much...already in the last fifteen days, your body parts have expanded slightly. As I told you before, I want my wife to be perfect in every way...so keep your 36-24-36 figure, as it is!' whispered Jai, making Bani choke on her Almond Sherbet and then trying to fight back her laughter.
She leaned towards him and whispered into his ears, 'you have got my figure right for the most part...but it’s not 36...its 38.'
Jai gave a genuinely surprised look at her chest and said, 'Impossible. I can't be wrong about...'
'Jai! I was talking about my hips size! Lord! I don't want to speak to you now!' she came back, blushing red and then struggling with her composure, as Jai made faces and teased her.
Despite Jai telling Mittalji to go about his work, the proprietor still insisted on personally showing the Saris to Bani, making her feel even more awkward. She honestly had no idea how Jai expected her to dress up. Whatever little dressing sense she had, was thanks to Rano and without her assistance, Bani was literally at sea.
But Bani did not have to worry at all...Jai seemed to be an expert at choosing ladies garments, which did not really surprise Bani. He rejected some of the Saris with a contemptuous sleigh of hands, not even bothered about what the genial old man might think and zeroed in some of the saris, which one of the assistants kept aside.
Bani simply kept sitting quietly, her chin resting on her palms and with a soft smile on her lips, as she let her husband do all the shopping for her. In Bani's eyes, everything he was choosing looked hideously expensive and though she desperately wanted to stop Jai from making such impulsive purchases, she did not have the guts to say anything, remembering his reaction when she had refused to take the Diamond Choker set from him.
'There...I think these are nice...what do you say, Dharampatniji?' asked Jai, pointing out to a bundle of saris kept on one side.
Mittalji had excused himself with a phone call and Bani took the opportunity to retort back, 'how would I know? My upper-class husband obviously seems to know EVERYTHING in the world!'
Jai grinned and laughingly replied back, 'I love your sarcasm baby...but keep it for our bedroom...and now hurry up and tell me whether you like what I have chosen for you or should we hit the next shop?'
Bani simply smiled and shrugged her head, glancing at the heap of about a dozen odd saris. They were all pure chiffons, in pastel shades and with gorgeous prints, the kinds that Bani only saw in glossy magazines and when she checked one of their price-tags, it almost took her breathe away. None of them were less than twenty thousand bucks and Jai had selected at least one dozen of them.
'They...they are gorgeous Jai...but...'
Waving aside anything else she wanted to add, Jai said to her, 'this is just for daily wear...you know at home etc...Greenways is known for its Chiffons....Mom used to have her Saris custom designed...we will get you your silks etc. from Nalli, Ushnak Mal etc...'
'Chiffon for daily wear?' asked Bani in a flabbergasted voice, having never ever owned anything in pure chiffon till date.
'Yes Babes...I don't want to see you wearing this kind of hideous outfit ever in my life...'
Suppressing her smile at his cuteness, Bani nevertheless rallied on pretending to be hurt, 'I thought you said I look good in everything...'
'Yes, you do. But that still doesn't mean, you can't look better! And no don't argue...we still have lots more to shop!' retorted Jai, bringing an end to the argument, as Bani looked on aghast at the smiling and satisfied face of Mittalji when he presented the six-figure bill to Jai.
'2.5 lakhs for Saris?' she whispered furtively, convinced that behind his paternal smile, Mittalji was totally ripping off her innocent husband.
Deliberately mistaking the tone of her voice, Jai quipped back, 'Oh, babes, the bill is on the lower side, cause these are the saris I expect you to wear at home...you know, while you chop spinach for making palak paneer etc....wait till we get you some lovely silks...that will give you an impressive enough bill!'
'Jai!' she squealed in protest, as they both bid goodbye to Mittalji and stepped out in the pavement, which was getting busier as afternoon turned into evening and the office going crowd gathered outside to enjoy the carnival like atmosphere of the British era shopping district.
'You are completely out of your mind! Who wears French Chiffon while doing kitchen work?' said Bani, helping Jai load the several paper bags into the back of his huge SUV.
'Jai Walia's wife does. Period.' came back Jai, shutting up Bani effectively.
While walking towards "The Heels", an upmarket shoes shop exclusively for ladies, Bani saw a chatwallah making some Pani-puri's or Golgappas as it was popularly known in Delhi on his portable cycle cum food stand and she said excitedly, 'Oooh...Pani Puri! I love them! Jai, can we have some? Please! Please! Please!'
Jai gave a slightly disgusted look at the soiled looking man deftly making the Chaat in his not so hygienic looking vehicle and said, 'Really?' And then smiled to himself, when he saw Bani's childlike glee and excitement at the sight of her favourite food item, though he failed to understand, how despite being a woman, she was more thrilled by road-side food than the expensive clothes he had just brought for her!
'Okay...but this might land you with a doctor! God knows what water they use and that man looks like he hasn't taken a bath for ages...' muttered Jai, even as Bani took hold of his hands and dragged him towards the Chaatwaala.
'Bhaiyya...do plate!' she told him, as Jai looked here and there and said to her, 'Bani, if someone sees me here eating this crap, I swear it will be on the gossip columns in tomorrow's papers! I can see it already! "Famous Criminal Lawyer is a cheapskate in real life!"
Bani giggled and replied back, 'come on! Where does it say that one has to spend money to enjoy the good things in life? Try it once! You will love this!'
Jai took the small plastic katori that the man gave him and then glanced suspiciously at the fried puri filled with deliciously spicy water, potatoes and other condiments.
'What do I do?' he asked.
Bani who had already gulped down two of the Panipuri, spluttered out laughing and replied back, 'What do you mean? You eat it! Like this...' and saying that, she took the Panipuri from Jai's plate and urging him to open his mouth, pushed the whole thing inside, making him choke with laughter and shock at her action.
'Easy...easy...the water is a bit spicy...' she said, as Jai managed to push it down his throat and then licking his lips, spoke with wonderment, 'Wow...this tastes good! How come I never had it before?'
'Probably because it is humbly called Pani Puri and not Foie Gras or Apple La Pomme!' quipped Bani playfully, laughing at his expression.
'Firstly, it is not Fua Grass, for goodness sake! Its Foie Gras...and you don't pronounce the letter 'e' in French...its silent! But Ha! Ha! For your sarcasm!' retorted Jai, thoroughly enjoying his evening out with Bani.
After having finished their Paani Puri, Jai took out his wallet and handed over a thousand rupees note to the flabbergasted looking Chaatwalla, who muttered back, 'Sahib, itna bada chutta nahin hain.'
'Whatever. Just keep the change! Come sweetie...we have more shopping to do!' said Jai, linking his arms around Bani, who stared back at him with a stunned face.
'Jai! You have him 960 rupees in tips for a Rupees 40 item?'
Looking impatient, he said, 'I don't have smaller notes! And how does it matter!'
Giving him a stern look, she said, 'It does!' and then turning to face the gleeful looking Chaatwalla who was still holding his entire day's earning in his hand, she took it back from him and handed it to Jai, opening her purse and giving him the exact change.
'That was mean!' commented Jai, amused at her action, as she royally swept away along with her husband, leaving the heart-broken Chaatwallah behind.
'That was sensible!' answered back Bani and added, 'that man seems to be hardworking and honest...and looks happy with whatever he earns. No need to change that equation.'
Jai simply tossed his head and muttered something under his lips and when Bani looked at him, burst out laughing alongside her.
In the next two and a half hour, Jai brought some half a dozen sandals for Bani, then proceeded to raid a bag shop, where he purchased a couple of pure leather designer bags from the Hi-design outlet for her and then they went to Nalli's to pick up some traditional Kanchivaram Silks.
'Jai...seriously, enough now. I have never splurged like this on myself...I feel so guilty...' mumbled Bani, as Jai took out his American Express Centurion Card, which was only given by invitation to a select few and paid a figure in lakhs for the five or six beautiful pure silk saris that they had purchased at Nalli's.
'Don't be ridiculous...why should you feel guilty? And what is money for if not spending it on yourself?' he answered back.
Bani did not reply but noticing her discomfiture, he spoke to her in a soft voice, 'I usually don't talk about this, Bani...to anybody...but I am telling you...'
'What?' she asked him with curiosity.
Giving a small smile, he said, 'You might think that I am a complete hedonist...who thinks only about himself and who only believes in material pleasure and who has criminals and crooks for friends...but I do contribute to charitable causes also...very, very regularly...I am on the board of several NGO's...and till I got this bloody cancer, I used to donate my blood regularly at the Red Cross...and let me assure you, while most of my clients are criminals...I never defend rapists or child abusers...or perpetrators of domestic violence...my cases deal very strictly with political and business related crime cases only.'
Bani kept staring at Jai, till he flushed a bit and said, 'I shouldn't have said all that...now everything looks meaningless...like I do them for a selfish motive...'
'Jai!' she exclaimed with tears swelling up in her eyes and holding his hands, she whispered back emotionally, 'there is not one bone in your body that is selfish, Jai. And believe it or not, I had seen your goodness way before you even let me see it...I am sorry...if I hurt you...'
'No silly! Of course not...I am just buying you all this...because...well...it makes me happy to do something for you...and why not? You are my wife dammit...it’s my right!'
Bani blushed and smiled, burying her face in his shoulders and said, 'Yes, it is your right...and from tomorrow onwards, you will see me wearing that lovely chiffon sari you got for me and hoping that it doesn't catch fire, when I make Mooli Paranthas for you!'
Jai threw his head back laughing and hugging her back warmly, replied back, 'that reminds me, let’s go to Good Living and get you a lovely apron! Also...I HATE Mooli...so if you insist on my having a high calorie breakfast, make Gobhi Parantha instead!'
They both spent the rest of the evening laughing, cracking jokes and walking hand in hand, as Jai literally brought the entire city for Bani in one evening and poor Abdul had to spend a good half an hour unloading the dozens and dozens of packets from Jai's Car when they drove back home.
Taj Hotel, Mansingh Road
It was close to eight in the evening and they had been out for more than six hours now and both were completely exhausted.
'Jai...lets go home, please! See, its eight in the evening and you have to drive all the way to Mehrauli from here...Karthikji had told you to take it easy, isn't it?' she pleaded with him.
'You and your beloved Madrasi! Whatever! Okay...last stop and then we go home!'
'Why are we going to Taj Hotel? You just said you are not hungry and I am up to my neck in food....and I have not been doing any running or Yoga for the last so many days...I will definitely gain weight...'
'Hush...hush...just come with me!' said Jai, getting out of his Car and throwing the keys in the Valet attendant's hands, who gave him a crisp salute, recognizing one of the hotel regulars instantly.
As they both walked inside the cool, marbled and fantastically furnished lobby of the legendary five star hotel, Bani noticed that almost every staff that was passing by acknowledged Jai.
'Everyone seems to know you...' she mumbled.
'Of course! I come here regularly to dine at House of Ming...their Chinese Restaurant...and have a lot of client meetings also...in fact I used to come here since I was a child. Chote and I used to have breakfast at Machan...it’s their coffee shop.'
Bani smiled silently, wondering not for the first time, the vast difference in Jai and her own lives...he had grown up dining and having breakfast at five star hotels with his parents, while she had grown up taking care of her mother and cooking for the entire family from the age of eleven.
As always reading her mind, he slipped his hand protectively around her waist and said lovingly to her, 'yes, I know, our childhoods have been vastly different...and that is why I love to indulge in your...makes me feel a bit less guilty, that while I was this spoilt brat having the time of my life growing up, you were this sweet little angel who sacrificed everything to ensure that her family was happy. So it’s your time to have some fun!'
Bani simply smiled in response, sticking closer to him as he led her inside and stopped in front of a huge store, that was located within the premises of the hotel.
Bani stared at the dress window and then went beetroot in her face, when she looked at the mannequins dressed in gorgeous but skimpy looking lingerie, with the golden letters proudly pronouncing on the glass walls, 'VICTORIA'S SECRET.'
Paying no attention to Bani's scandalized looking expression, Jai said, 'they just opened their outlet in India a few months back! What luck! Now go inside and buy everything that can be brought with money...so that I don't have to see you grandmother type bras's and petticoats anymore!'
Almost choking out of shock and blushing red, she stuttered on her words, 'Jai! I am not buying all this stuff! And excuse me? Grandmother type bras? When do you pay attention to what I wear underneath? You are in a tearing hurry to take everything off!'
'That is precisely the reason...now if you wear alluring stuff like this mannequin is wearing, then I will take my own sweet time to admire you and take it off slowly and gently...go now. Be a good girl and buy some real slutty Lingerie...'
'Jai!' squealed Bani, both laughing and feeling utterly embarrassed.
'Are you going or should I drag you inside and buy it for you? Decide yourself which would be more embarrassing for you!'
'NO! I will go myself! Please!' yelled Bani in panic, at the thought of her husband accompanying her to buy her undies.
'Good girl! I will be at Machan, enjoying a glass of Beer...Oh, I forgot...no more alcohol...I will enjoy a glass of their famous Masala Tea instead, while you shop to seduce me tonight...' he teased her, planting a kiss on her warm cheeks.
Reluctantly taking the credit card from Jai, Bani made her way slowly inside the super-intimidating and posh store, feeling utterly conscious and uncomfortable as one of the snooty looking assistants walked towards her with a supercilious smile.
JB Bedroom
Jai was lying on his bed in a rather royal fashion, waiting patiently for Bani to finish keeping the several packets of clothes, shoes, bags and accessories inside the wardrobe, jamming it completely.
‘Don’t worry, I will sort out everything tomorrow and won’t take up your space.’ She smiled, as she closed the doors of the cupboard.
‘Let’s not bother about it…I just want you to see the purchases you made at Victoria’s…’ said Jai, matter-of-fact, but grinning devilishly.
Bani flushed and retorted back, ‘such a ridiculously overpriced shop! Who on earth pays twenty thousand for a camisole?’
‘People who appreciate good things. Don’t change the topic…show me what you purchased!’ insisted Jai, appearing quite amused at the discomfort on Bani’s face.
‘Now?’ she whined.
‘Yes, now! And when I say I want to see it…what I mean is that I want to see it on you! Stop being such a damn prude and do your duty as your wife!’ commanded Jai.
Bani gave him a stare and said, ‘my duty as a wife? Wearing lingerie?’
‘Of course…didn’t you only tell me…that too in Sanskrit! 'Karyeshu Dasi, Karaneshu Manthri; Bhojeshu Mata, Shayaneshu Rambha, Roopeshu lakshmi, Kshamayeshu Dharitri, Shat dharmayukta, Kuladharma Pathni’
Bani could only stare back in stupefaction, shocked that he had learnt the Sanskrit verse in just one go. But then she remembered that her multi-faceted husband had a photographic memory.
‘We all know that you work like a well-trained maid from daybreak to dusk, that you are a sensible adviser to me and that you cook better than my mom did and that you are as pretty as Goddess Lakshmi could be and that you are maha-forgiving as a person. So now, go ahead and fulfil the becoming the Rambha part and make your husband happy!’
Bani simply kept starting at Jai, too shocked to say anything, as he munched on some grapes and said languorously, ‘begin the show, sweetheart!’
She broke into a spate of giggles and then quipped in a naughty voice, ‘Okay, if it’s a show you want, then it’s a show you will get…’
Sometime later
Bani had dimmed the lights of the bedroom and lit a few scented candles all around the room, provoking Jai to quip, 'this house is not insured, sweetheart...if it catches fire due to your seduction act, we might have to refund everything we purchased today!'
Bani simply laughed in response from inside the washroom, as she changed into her newly brought lingerie from Victoria's Secret.
‘Good evening.’ She issued her greeting in a low silky voice he barely recognized, a sound that conjured visions of his body wrapped around hers.
Bani was wearing a sheer ankle length gown in the softest of off-white satin with beaded work on the front. It had a dramatic low cut front and hugged her figure at the waist, flowing alluringly from there to the ground. Bani kept smiling at him as she delicately opened the satin lace that was tied in front of the gown and let it drop on the floor, revealing her glowing body, contoured by the lacy fabric inside.
His gaze locked on her as she began walking slowly, flowing down the carpeted floor with a grace that drew his attention to the way her gown glimmered over her curves. All that spangly beadwork and yet he could see breath-taking glimpses of her lush body below.
Swallowing hard, Jai lifted his gaze to her face. He got up from the bed and walked towards her, reaching out to stroke her cheek, he grazed his fingertips along her skin, aroused by the freedom to touch her after four long days and nights, and not just a little interested in how she'd pulled off such a dramatic change in her appearance.
‘Reality far surpasses the fantasy,’ he said. ‘You're brilliant and beautiful and I'm one very lucky man.’
She trembled, and judging by the way her expression melted into a pleased smile, he'd said exactly the right thing. Threading his fingers into her hair, he smoothed work-rough palms over her cheeks, tipped her face to deepen their kiss. He kissed her as though he'd wanted her forever, and the intensity of his hunger struck her as odd.
A desire she hadn't dreamed could grow any hotter spiked through her. She wanted this man like she'd never wanted another. She craved his mouth on hers. His masculine scent filled her senses, played to her deepest fantasies and promised so much more. She wanted to feel his body pressed against her, wanted to feel his strong hands caress her skin. She wanted to see his face sharpen with desire, wanted to hear his voice as he reached his own pleasure.
She sighed when his lips nibbled along her jaw, a purely sensual experience with his lips caressing, his tongue stroking, his breath breaking in warm bursts against her skin. When he trailed his mouth to the hand she held over his, pausing to rest his cheek against her fingertips, he literally took Bani’s breath away with his tenderness.
He pulled his T-shirt over his head in time to see Bani gazing at him, her skin lush and rosy in the dim light. Jai reached for the clip behind her head and released the masses of curly hair. Gently, he buried his hands in it and pulled long strands of curls over her shoulders where the ends danced at the tops of her bosom.
And then he just looked. He knew he should say something, but was incapable.
He couldn’t resist. When the flood of rosy colour dotted her creamy skin, Jai dipped his head and kissed her. Her lips parted beneath his with a soft gasp and invited him inside. He did his damnedest to hold back, to keep the kiss from turning into something they were both too exhausted to finish.
But he didn’t protest when she stretched up on tiptoe and wound her arms around his neck. She didn’t protest when he reached down to grab her bottom and lift her up into his growing heat, easing the strain on both their necks, and pulling her perfectly proportioned body towards him.
Moments passed before he realized that Bani was regarding him with a frank sensuality. Running both hands over his chest, she murmured, "Nice."
Jai stripped off the rest of his clothes, his gaze never leaving her. Then he stretched out beside her, laced his fingers with hers and brought her knuckles to his mouth for a gentle kiss.
Shifting her hand in his, Bani drew them both slowly over the velvet pillow and over her skin, then up to the silk pillow and across her neck. Turning her head, she placed an equally gentle kiss on his fingers. ‘So?,’ she said in a husky voice she didn't recognize, ‘what do you think of my purchases?’
Jai looked intoxicated by her beauty and mumbled, ‘what purchases?’
She laughed and planting a kiss on the tip of his nose said, ‘purpose achieved!’
As they lay together, she could feel his heart racing in time with her own and decided that this was a perfect moment, too. He murmured something and nuzzled her neck, then kissed her temple. Bani sighed.
Jai didn't give her the option. "Wow," he whispered. He shifted to his side, rolled her onto hers and drew her against him, fitting himself against the curve of her back, his arm around her waist. Then he wrapped them both in a cocoon of the new comforter and Bani fell asleep in his arms.
Jai felt much better in the next two days, mostly due to the efforts of his wife, who ensured that he not only followed Dr. Reddy's instructions to the letter but also followed a healthier and more tranquil routine than he normally did. Though Bani still kept insisting on Jai to take more rest, he told her that he felt too bored and restless sitting around in the Farmhouse with nothing to do but gaze with desperation and longing at his wife, so it was better that he went to work and at least did some work. Especially since his chemotherapy was scheduled to take place within a week's time and Jai wanted to wrap off the entire major issues in hand before that. Besides, by sheer coincidence, Nachiket and Purva were coming back from their honeymoon around the same time and so was everyone else from Vaishno Devi.
Jai still hadn't decided whether to tell them or not, even though Bani kept bringing up the topic time and again, despite having been shouted upon by Jai several times. He did not mind telling Massi, Karuna and Tarun about his condition, but he was very hesitant to disclose everything to Nachiket, knowing that he had to leave for the US in a few days and this news would certainly put a spanner in that direction. For some reason, Jai was convinced that Nachiket desperately wanted to go to the US and that it would augur very well for his banking career. Bani tried to explain to Jai that he was simply jumping to conclusions, like always, without asking the other person what he or she thought about it, but Jai in his inimitable style, waved off Bani's concern and told her that he knew what he was doing.
Bani on her part wanted to call up Nachiket and tell him everything...but that thought simply remained a thought in her mind. She very well knew the consequences of such an action and did not want to make any impulsive move and give any more stress to Jai. But she could not help worrying day and night regarding her husband's health and it felt very, very lonely for her, when she realized that though Jai now had her to share his problems with, she had no one to share her anxieties and fears with. In front of Jai, she had to put up a brave face and keep convincing him and herself that everything would be fine, but she could not get Dr. Reddy's words out of her mind...that which he had spoken to on the wedding night. It was a 50-50 chance.
Farmhouse
It was close to late noon and Bani was prancing here and there in the house, unable to spend her time, not being used to sit at home and do nothing as far as she could remember. But in Jai's house, the number of servants and the complete paucity of work ensured that there was literally nothing for Bani to do, even though she had woken up early, made breakfast and also packed lunch for Jai. Which as always elicited a humorous response from him, telling Bani that after middle-school, this was the first time that he was actually taking a lunch box to work! Though she had been happy that Jai was fine now and had started going to work, something he clearly enjoyed and was passionate about, she had not considered her own situation and now she was stuck feeling bored and listless, her mind working overtime on what she was going to make for dinner, though it was just one in the afternoon.
Bani was sitting in their bedroom, half reading a book, when there was a polite knock on the door. Assuming that it was Abdul who had come to ask her for lunch or tea, she got up and walked towards the door, when suddenly, to her complete shock and surprise, it flung open. Taken aback and also terrified, Bani all but screamed, but then was left speechless when she saw that it was none other than her husband.
'Jai!' she exclaimed with a huge grin and in a shocked voice.
'Yes. Jai! Though you make it sound like Superman has landed in your room, himself!' he retorted grinning back and pulling his tie loose.
Bani's face lit up like a thousand watt bulb and she quickly hugged him and sent a volley of questions, 'What happened? Why did you come so early? It is early, right? I thought you only come back by 8 or so! Are you okay? Oh! God...is it your back? Is it paining? Should I call Karthikji? Did you take the medicines? I knew you would forget taking them...I even sent you a text message at ten to remind you...but...'
Giving an owlish stare at Bani, he said calmly, 'hold on...hold on...and seriously, calm down! I came early because there wasn't much to do in the office today...I can work from home also. And I did not want to lounge about in the office till 8 and leave my blushing bride alone at home, listening to Kishore Kumar's songs!'
Bani blushed with happiness and hugging him fiercely planted a kiss on both sides of his cheeks and said, 'YOU JAI WALIA...ARE THE BESTEST HUSBAND IN THE WHOLE WORLD!'
'There is no such word as bestest in the English language, but still, I appreciate your compliment!' teased Jai, kissing her back on the lips.
Looking elated that Jai had come back early only for her, she rallied off with excitement and joy, 'what do you want to have for lunch? Oh! God! If I had any idea that you were going to come back by lunch, I would have prepared something by now...but just give me like 30 minutes and I will manage something...'
'Arre yaar! Stop feeding me all the time! My trousers already feel a bit tight on my waist! And if you remember, despite my saying it a thousand times, you still packed lunch for me. Which by the way is still lying with me. So just heat it up and I will have that! Did you have something to eat?'
Bani was already taking out his casual clothes and answered back in a shocked voice, 'I can't let you have the food I packed for you in the morning. I will make something fresh! Just 30 minutes is all I need!'
Jai could not help but laugh and replied back, 'Bani, seriously! I am not that type of husband who wants to see his wife slaving in the kitchen from daybreak to dusk!'
'Then?' she asked with sprightly curiosity.
Opening the first three buttons of his crisp white Ralph Lauren shirt, he walked towards Bani and pushing her against the door of his wardrobe, whispered seductively into her ears, 'She should reign on her husband's heart and mind...on their bed!'
'I knew it!' exclaimed Bani, crossing her hands and looking suitably annoyed, making Jai laugh wildly at her reaction, as he took her into his arms and kissed her. As always, his physical proximity melted any trace of anger or fake annoyance that she was displaying right away.
Jai let his palms graze over the swell of her hips, then over her soft belly. She eased back to rest her head against his shoulder and laced her fingers behind his neck. It brought her chest tantalizingly higher. They both watched their reflection in the mirror with anticipation as his hands cupped each sensitive orb. His fingertips brushed softly over her nipples. Her eyes shut and a gasp escaped her lips. Feeling bolder, he dropped his head down to nibble and lick at her neck while gently rolling the peaks of her bosom between his thumbs and forefingers.
Bani's head flew back as she cried out and her B****s pressed harder into his hands. Her fingers pawed desperately at his neck.
‘You're so beautiful,’ he whispered. While one hand still cupped her left bust, the other travelled down to her stomach. ‘I can't wait to touch you.’
‘Jai,’ Bani cried as his fingers gently sought out and stroked her back, tracing a line down her spine.
‘And taste you,’ he said into her ear. Bani's eyes were closed, her chest rising and falling rapidly with her shallow, quick breaths.
‘Yes,’ she said, her muscles tensing as she neared the edge.
‘Let go, Bani.’
That was all it took. He cradled her body against his as she came, absorbing the violent spasms of her orgasm. When the cries subsided and her body slumped against his, he bent to scoop her into his arms and carry her to the bed.
'Jai…your back...'she whimpered.
'Oh, shut up!' was all he gave for a response, along with a short laugh.
Her legs were still trembling when her back met the slick grey fabric of his duvet. She watched him through hooded eyes as he unfastened his belt and slipped out of his remaining clothes. When his body covered hers again, and ready to love her the way he was aching to, she whimpered in a half worried and half desperate voice, 'Jai, your back...'
'Don't kill the mood, sweetheart. Please! It’s been four bloody days...I am literally dying to...' he growled in a low voice, making her both laugh and feel incredibly bashful. It came as a jolt to Bani that they were actually having their delayed wedding-night at 1 in the afternoon, almost a week after their wedding.
Jai slipped her remaining clothes down the long length of her slender legs, tossing them to the floor with the rest of their clothes. He took his time traveling back up her body, trailing kisses and gentle nips along the inside of her knees, the soft skin of her inner thighs and the flat plane of her stomach.
Bani wrapped her arms around Jai's neck and pulled him closer to her. "Don't make me wait any longer," she said before bringing her lips to his.
Jai thrust his tongue into her mouth just as he slipped into her body. He closed his eyes, holding steady and still as the wave of pleasure washed over him. "Oh, Bani," he groaned against her lips. "You feel incredible."
When Bani cried out a second time, her muscles pulsing around him, it was the sweetest music Jai had ever heard. She clung to him, gasping and sobbing in his ear. It blew his memories of his wedding night, when he had been rushed for a medical emergency. Not that he needed his memories anymore. He had his future with her.
That was the thought that pushed him over the edge. He gave into the delicious sensations building inside of him and poured into her. It wasn't their first time. But he was certain it also wouldn't be their last time.
An Hour Later
At the moment, she sat on the edge of their bed, wrapped in bed sheet. He was still in the bathroom shaving and taking a bath, after having been firmly refused by Bani to join him in the supposed "Love Tub". She'd thought she could keep reality at bay until she returned to get her car, but it was starting to creep in. Bani was so terrified seeing Jai in pain, that she was in constant fear, that something would happen to him, every time they made love. That he would hurt himself in some way or worse still, that she would be responsible for causing any hurt or injury to him.
Her eyes teared up and she felt utterly desolate and helpless. What was she supposed to do? Jai was her husband...and they were madly and deeply and passionately in love with each other. Physical proximity was clearly very, very important to Jai. Bani honestly felt that she could do without it as long as it ensured Jai's well-being, but it was out of question for him. How could she refuse him every time he came near her? He was her husband now...and yet; she knew that his body could not take any added pressure on it. As it is, Jai was hyper-active and found it impossible to sit at one place for more than a few moments, despite his doctor having advised him full bed rest. Bani could now understand why Jai had been so grouchy and bitter when he had initially arrived in Mukteshar, because he had been confined to sit on the chair for hours on end, something which he despised.
Jai had just come out of the bathroom, dripping with water, as always never drying himself properly after a bath and he caught the expression on Bani's face and understood the reason behind her acutely guilty and grief-struck expression.
Jai crossed the room, taking Bani's hand to pull her up from the bed and interrupt her train of thought. His arms wrapped protectively around her waist, pulling her against him. "Stop thinking about it, please."
"I am not going to stay away from you because of my stupid medical condition." He said the words very matter-of-factly, leaving no room for her to argue with him. "As far as I'm concerned we're picking up right where we left off. No matter where this lands me or how much the doctor advises...I am not going to stop living my life and loving my wife, till I am alive."
'Jai!' broke down Bani crying, falling on his bare chest, as he hugged her back and said jovially, 'Come on now! What was all that about being brave for me, etc. etc.? And let me tell you something, as a rule, my women, after they have been made love by me, have the appearance of a cat that has licked a pot full of cream. They certainly don't weep like you are doing now!'
She instantly broke into giggles, at the same time weeping and hitting his chest. 'There you go again! How many times have I told you that I don't want any mention of your women?'
'Sowee!' he cooed, holding his ears like an errant child and making her melt into a puddle.
'Now are you going to stand in front of me with your bare shoulders and neck or change into something and then fix me my lunch?' asked Jai, as Bani made him sit on the bed and rubbed his hair dry, chiding him for being so careless about it.
'Give me ten minutes...'
'For goodness sake, don't start cooking something fresh! I will eat whatever you packed for me in the dabba! By the way, I became the butt of many jokes by Aditya and Ranveer in the office today, thanks to your Steel Dabba!'
Bani laughed and said, 'I couldn't find any suitable lunch box in the kitchen, so I used my steel dabba to pack your lunch! It’s from Mukteshwar!'
'I should have known...' murmured Jai sarcastically, getting a pinch from Bani on his shoulders, as they both laughed.
Sometime Later
Jai burped for the second time after having finished his lunch, as Bani kept putting chappati's after chappati's on his plate and despite being a fitness freak and very particular about what and how much he ate, Jai simply could not say not to the delicious food.
'God...before the Chemo kills me, your cooking will!' said Jai, thoughtlessly, making Bani drop the ladle on his plate with a bang and glaring back at her husband.
'I...sorry...Gosh...stop staring at me with your saucer sized eyes....you look terrifying. Hey, we just made love...think about me trailing kisses all over your...'
'Stop it Jai!' she exclaimed, going red in the face and then bursting into a spate of giggles.
Licking the last morsels of the delicious Chana Palak from his plate, Jai spoke abruptly, 'Let’s go shopping!'
Looking thoroughly surprised, she smiled back at him and said, 'Shopping? At this time? And for whom?'
'What do you mean this time? I thought women never needed a time to shop! And what do you mean for whom? Obviously, for you!'
'For me? But why? I have everything Jai...' started Bani, but was interrupted by her husband, who said, 'Yes, yes...I know you have everything and that you are Gautam Buddha who doesn't required anything...but I am an out and out materialist and I want to indulge in my gorgeous wife and buy her beautiful things...'
She blushed with pleasure and tried to dissuade Jai, but as always, that was an impossible task. Which finally resulted in Bani changing into a salwar kameez and joining Jai in the porch, for their so-called shopping spree.
As Jai drove his massive Cadillac Escalade luxury SUV, Bani kept a constant chatter about random things, as Jai listened with keen interest and whenever there was a red-light, did not fail to lean sideways and plant a kiss on Bani's cheeks, interrupting her flow of talk and make her blush like a tomato.
'You know one of the best things that I love about you? The fact that you are so shy...I think its really cute...I mean, out-dated and 1940's...but still cute!' teased Jai, making her blush and laugh, as she planted a kiss on his arms, not able to reach up to his cheeks, due to their height difference.
'Jai...seriously, where are you taking me? And I have so many clothes! Why is the need to spend so much money?'
'Well, since I always speak my mind and now that you are my wife, there is an even more strong reason for telling you the truth!' announced Jai, turning his Car inside the inner-circle of Connaught Place.
'What truth?'
Bringing his Car to a halt at one of the parking spots, he killed the engine and giving a look at Bani, said to her, 'Sweetheart, your dressing sense, to be perfectly honest and brutal, SUCKS! Big time!' Not giving enough time to Bani for a reaction, he added mischievously, 'And that is one of the many, many, many reasons that I prefer to undress you all the time, than seeing you in these perfectly middle-class type of clothes!'
Laughing openly and not giving any attention to Bani's extremely offended countenance and her volley of protestations, he took her hands and slipping his Aviators on the top of his head, dragged her towards the famed, all-white corridors of Connaught Circle which housed some of the oldest and most expensive garment shops.
'Middle-class clothes? What does that even mean? And pray, what is wrong with the type of clothes I am wearing? This is such a pretty salwary kameez...Karuna di gave it to me!' said Bani, looking at her dress in a confused way, not able to understand what was wrong with her dressing sense.
Jai stood in front of a huge glass door, which said, 'Greenways' and giving a top to toe glance at his wife said evenly, 'the colour is purple and red...atrocious...the cut doesn't flatter your figure at all! And the fabric is god knows what crap! Typical of Karuna to wear garish, small-town type clothes and then gift them to others too! I am not standing for it! My wife will looking nothing but perfect. With or without clothes. All the time!'
Bani could only stare back at him with an open-mouthed expression, as he held her wrists and took her inside the air-conditioned and mildly scented store, whispering into her ears, 'it is one of the oldest shops in CP...that is the short-form of Connaught Place. My mom used to buy her saris from here and it was no wonder that she was one of the finest dressed ladies that Delhi Society had ever seen.'
Bani felt a bit intimidated by the chic and classy interiors and the patronizing looking sales girls. And realized, that her dress was indeed very over the top, especially when she stood beside her extremely well-turned out husband, who even in a pair of faded jeans and a casual shirt looked dressed to kill.
There was a middle-aged Marwari man, who was clearly the owner, dressed in an all-white ensemble of dhoti and kurta, rattling off instructions to one of the sales person, when his eyes fell on Jai and dropping the accounting book on the white mattresses on which he was sitting, he got up with a wide, welcoming smile.
'Arre...dekho toh, kaun aaya! Jai beta! Welcome, welcome. After such a long time...' he spoke with genuine warmth, as he came forward and hugged Jai lightly.
Jai grinned and folded his hands, answering back, 'Namashkar Mittalji...bahut dinon ke baad, aapke darshan hue. Kaise hain aap?'
'Bilkul badiya, bhagwaan ki kripa hain. Aur aap bataiye!' he spoke, ushering Jai and Bani to take a seat and instantly ordering one of the boys to bring refreshments, even though Jai protested.
Turning to look at Bani, Jai smiled and said, 'Please meet my wife. Bani. We got married just four days back...it was a very private ceremony and hence we did not invite anyone apart from immediate family.'
Mittalji looked visibly taken aback but when Bani bowed her head with a respectful namaste, he smiled back warmly and putting his hand on top of her head, blessed her, 'Sada suhaagan raho.' and then turning to look at Jai, said, 'Many, many congratulations. This is such good news. And you have come empty handed? No sweets!'
Jai laughed and replied back playfully, 'Mittalji, your only sweet is when customers buy stuff from you and then you rake in profits! So I have come to do exactly that!'
Though Bani looked a bit shocked by the way Jai joked with the elderly man, he in turn laughed genially and insisted on Jai and Bani partaking of some Almond Sharbat and an assorted tray of namkeen and dry fruits.
Looking at Bani's reluctance and shyness, Mittalji commented to her, 'Bahu, this is the way we Marwari's welcome our guests and even though I have known your husband since he was a small child, still, as of now, you are both our guests. So please honour me by taking these snacks and drinks.'
Bani smiled and quietly nibbled on the delicious Farsaan, which was clearly home-made and smelt of rich, pure Ghee.
'Don't eat too much...already in the last fifteen days, your body parts have expanded slightly. As I told you before, I want my wife to be perfect in every way...so keep your 36-24-36 figure, as it is!' whispered Jai, making Bani choke on her Almond Sherbet and then trying to fight back her laughter.
She leaned towards him and whispered into his ears, 'you have got my figure right for the most part...but it’s not 36...its 38.'
Jai gave a genuinely surprised look at her chest and said, 'Impossible. I can't be wrong about...'
'Jai! I was talking about my hips size! Lord! I don't want to speak to you now!' she came back, blushing red and then struggling with her composure, as Jai made faces and teased her.
Despite Jai telling Mittalji to go about his work, the proprietor still insisted on personally showing the Saris to Bani, making her feel even more awkward. She honestly had no idea how Jai expected her to dress up. Whatever little dressing sense she had, was thanks to Rano and without her assistance, Bani was literally at sea.
But Bani did not have to worry at all...Jai seemed to be an expert at choosing ladies garments, which did not really surprise Bani. He rejected some of the Saris with a contemptuous sleigh of hands, not even bothered about what the genial old man might think and zeroed in some of the saris, which one of the assistants kept aside.
Bani simply kept sitting quietly, her chin resting on her palms and with a soft smile on her lips, as she let her husband do all the shopping for her. In Bani's eyes, everything he was choosing looked hideously expensive and though she desperately wanted to stop Jai from making such impulsive purchases, she did not have the guts to say anything, remembering his reaction when she had refused to take the Diamond Choker set from him.
'There...I think these are nice...what do you say, Dharampatniji?' asked Jai, pointing out to a bundle of saris kept on one side.
Mittalji had excused himself with a phone call and Bani took the opportunity to retort back, 'how would I know? My upper-class husband obviously seems to know EVERYTHING in the world!'
Jai grinned and laughingly replied back, 'I love your sarcasm baby...but keep it for our bedroom...and now hurry up and tell me whether you like what I have chosen for you or should we hit the next shop?'
Bani simply smiled and shrugged her head, glancing at the heap of about a dozen odd saris. They were all pure chiffons, in pastel shades and with gorgeous prints, the kinds that Bani only saw in glossy magazines and when she checked one of their price-tags, it almost took her breathe away. None of them were less than twenty thousand bucks and Jai had selected at least one dozen of them.
'They...they are gorgeous Jai...but...'
Waving aside anything else she wanted to add, Jai said to her, 'this is just for daily wear...you know at home etc...Greenways is known for its Chiffons....Mom used to have her Saris custom designed...we will get you your silks etc. from Nalli, Ushnak Mal etc...'
'Chiffon for daily wear?' asked Bani in a flabbergasted voice, having never ever owned anything in pure chiffon till date.
'Yes Babes...I don't want to see you wearing this kind of hideous outfit ever in my life...'
Suppressing her smile at his cuteness, Bani nevertheless rallied on pretending to be hurt, 'I thought you said I look good in everything...'
'Yes, you do. But that still doesn't mean, you can't look better! And no don't argue...we still have lots more to shop!' retorted Jai, bringing an end to the argument, as Bani looked on aghast at the smiling and satisfied face of Mittalji when he presented the six-figure bill to Jai.
'2.5 lakhs for Saris?' she whispered furtively, convinced that behind his paternal smile, Mittalji was totally ripping off her innocent husband.
Deliberately mistaking the tone of her voice, Jai quipped back, 'Oh, babes, the bill is on the lower side, cause these are the saris I expect you to wear at home...you know, while you chop spinach for making palak paneer etc....wait till we get you some lovely silks...that will give you an impressive enough bill!'
'Jai!' she squealed in protest, as they both bid goodbye to Mittalji and stepped out in the pavement, which was getting busier as afternoon turned into evening and the office going crowd gathered outside to enjoy the carnival like atmosphere of the British era shopping district.
'You are completely out of your mind! Who wears French Chiffon while doing kitchen work?' said Bani, helping Jai load the several paper bags into the back of his huge SUV.
'Jai Walia's wife does. Period.' came back Jai, shutting up Bani effectively.
While walking towards "The Heels", an upmarket shoes shop exclusively for ladies, Bani saw a chatwallah making some Pani-puri's or Golgappas as it was popularly known in Delhi on his portable cycle cum food stand and she said excitedly, 'Oooh...Pani Puri! I love them! Jai, can we have some? Please! Please! Please!'
Jai gave a slightly disgusted look at the soiled looking man deftly making the Chaat in his not so hygienic looking vehicle and said, 'Really?' And then smiled to himself, when he saw Bani's childlike glee and excitement at the sight of her favourite food item, though he failed to understand, how despite being a woman, she was more thrilled by road-side food than the expensive clothes he had just brought for her!
'Okay...but this might land you with a doctor! God knows what water they use and that man looks like he hasn't taken a bath for ages...' muttered Jai, even as Bani took hold of his hands and dragged him towards the Chaatwaala.
'Bhaiyya...do plate!' she told him, as Jai looked here and there and said to her, 'Bani, if someone sees me here eating this crap, I swear it will be on the gossip columns in tomorrow's papers! I can see it already! "Famous Criminal Lawyer is a cheapskate in real life!"
Bani giggled and replied back, 'come on! Where does it say that one has to spend money to enjoy the good things in life? Try it once! You will love this!'
Jai took the small plastic katori that the man gave him and then glanced suspiciously at the fried puri filled with deliciously spicy water, potatoes and other condiments.
'What do I do?' he asked.
Bani who had already gulped down two of the Panipuri, spluttered out laughing and replied back, 'What do you mean? You eat it! Like this...' and saying that, she took the Panipuri from Jai's plate and urging him to open his mouth, pushed the whole thing inside, making him choke with laughter and shock at her action.
'Easy...easy...the water is a bit spicy...' she said, as Jai managed to push it down his throat and then licking his lips, spoke with wonderment, 'Wow...this tastes good! How come I never had it before?'
'Probably because it is humbly called Pani Puri and not Foie Gras or Apple La Pomme!' quipped Bani playfully, laughing at his expression.
'Firstly, it is not Fua Grass, for goodness sake! Its Foie Gras...and you don't pronounce the letter 'e' in French...its silent! But Ha! Ha! For your sarcasm!' retorted Jai, thoroughly enjoying his evening out with Bani.
After having finished their Paani Puri, Jai took out his wallet and handed over a thousand rupees note to the flabbergasted looking Chaatwalla, who muttered back, 'Sahib, itna bada chutta nahin hain.'
'Whatever. Just keep the change! Come sweetie...we have more shopping to do!' said Jai, linking his arms around Bani, who stared back at him with a stunned face.
'Jai! You have him 960 rupees in tips for a Rupees 40 item?'
Looking impatient, he said, 'I don't have smaller notes! And how does it matter!'
Giving him a stern look, she said, 'It does!' and then turning to face the gleeful looking Chaatwalla who was still holding his entire day's earning in his hand, she took it back from him and handed it to Jai, opening her purse and giving him the exact change.
'That was mean!' commented Jai, amused at her action, as she royally swept away along with her husband, leaving the heart-broken Chaatwallah behind.
'That was sensible!' answered back Bani and added, 'that man seems to be hardworking and honest...and looks happy with whatever he earns. No need to change that equation.'
Jai simply tossed his head and muttered something under his lips and when Bani looked at him, burst out laughing alongside her.
In the next two and a half hour, Jai brought some half a dozen sandals for Bani, then proceeded to raid a bag shop, where he purchased a couple of pure leather designer bags from the Hi-design outlet for her and then they went to Nalli's to pick up some traditional Kanchivaram Silks.
'Jai...seriously, enough now. I have never splurged like this on myself...I feel so guilty...' mumbled Bani, as Jai took out his American Express Centurion Card, which was only given by invitation to a select few and paid a figure in lakhs for the five or six beautiful pure silk saris that they had purchased at Nalli's.
'Don't be ridiculous...why should you feel guilty? And what is money for if not spending it on yourself?' he answered back.
Bani did not reply but noticing her discomfiture, he spoke to her in a soft voice, 'I usually don't talk about this, Bani...to anybody...but I am telling you...'
'What?' she asked him with curiosity.
Giving a small smile, he said, 'You might think that I am a complete hedonist...who thinks only about himself and who only believes in material pleasure and who has criminals and crooks for friends...but I do contribute to charitable causes also...very, very regularly...I am on the board of several NGO's...and till I got this bloody cancer, I used to donate my blood regularly at the Red Cross...and let me assure you, while most of my clients are criminals...I never defend rapists or child abusers...or perpetrators of domestic violence...my cases deal very strictly with political and business related crime cases only.'
Bani kept staring at Jai, till he flushed a bit and said, 'I shouldn't have said all that...now everything looks meaningless...like I do them for a selfish motive...'
'Jai!' she exclaimed with tears swelling up in her eyes and holding his hands, she whispered back emotionally, 'there is not one bone in your body that is selfish, Jai. And believe it or not, I had seen your goodness way before you even let me see it...I am sorry...if I hurt you...'
'No silly! Of course not...I am just buying you all this...because...well...it makes me happy to do something for you...and why not? You are my wife dammit...it’s my right!'
Bani blushed and smiled, burying her face in his shoulders and said, 'Yes, it is your right...and from tomorrow onwards, you will see me wearing that lovely chiffon sari you got for me and hoping that it doesn't catch fire, when I make Mooli Paranthas for you!'
Jai threw his head back laughing and hugging her back warmly, replied back, 'that reminds me, let’s go to Good Living and get you a lovely apron! Also...I HATE Mooli...so if you insist on my having a high calorie breakfast, make Gobhi Parantha instead!'
They both spent the rest of the evening laughing, cracking jokes and walking hand in hand, as Jai literally brought the entire city for Bani in one evening and poor Abdul had to spend a good half an hour unloading the dozens and dozens of packets from Jai's Car when they drove back home.
Taj Hotel, Mansingh Road
It was close to eight in the evening and they had been out for more than six hours now and both were completely exhausted.
'Jai...lets go home, please! See, its eight in the evening and you have to drive all the way to Mehrauli from here...Karthikji had told you to take it easy, isn't it?' she pleaded with him.
'You and your beloved Madrasi! Whatever! Okay...last stop and then we go home!'
'Why are we going to Taj Hotel? You just said you are not hungry and I am up to my neck in food....and I have not been doing any running or Yoga for the last so many days...I will definitely gain weight...'
'Hush...hush...just come with me!' said Jai, getting out of his Car and throwing the keys in the Valet attendant's hands, who gave him a crisp salute, recognizing one of the hotel regulars instantly.
As they both walked inside the cool, marbled and fantastically furnished lobby of the legendary five star hotel, Bani noticed that almost every staff that was passing by acknowledged Jai.
'Everyone seems to know you...' she mumbled.
'Of course! I come here regularly to dine at House of Ming...their Chinese Restaurant...and have a lot of client meetings also...in fact I used to come here since I was a child. Chote and I used to have breakfast at Machan...it’s their coffee shop.'
Bani smiled silently, wondering not for the first time, the vast difference in Jai and her own lives...he had grown up dining and having breakfast at five star hotels with his parents, while she had grown up taking care of her mother and cooking for the entire family from the age of eleven.
As always reading her mind, he slipped his hand protectively around her waist and said lovingly to her, 'yes, I know, our childhoods have been vastly different...and that is why I love to indulge in your...makes me feel a bit less guilty, that while I was this spoilt brat having the time of my life growing up, you were this sweet little angel who sacrificed everything to ensure that her family was happy. So it’s your time to have some fun!'
Bani simply smiled in response, sticking closer to him as he led her inside and stopped in front of a huge store, that was located within the premises of the hotel.
Bani stared at the dress window and then went beetroot in her face, when she looked at the mannequins dressed in gorgeous but skimpy looking lingerie, with the golden letters proudly pronouncing on the glass walls, 'VICTORIA'S SECRET.'
Paying no attention to Bani's scandalized looking expression, Jai said, 'they just opened their outlet in India a few months back! What luck! Now go inside and buy everything that can be brought with money...so that I don't have to see you grandmother type bras's and petticoats anymore!'
Almost choking out of shock and blushing red, she stuttered on her words, 'Jai! I am not buying all this stuff! And excuse me? Grandmother type bras? When do you pay attention to what I wear underneath? You are in a tearing hurry to take everything off!'
'That is precisely the reason...now if you wear alluring stuff like this mannequin is wearing, then I will take my own sweet time to admire you and take it off slowly and gently...go now. Be a good girl and buy some real slutty Lingerie...'
'Jai!' squealed Bani, both laughing and feeling utterly embarrassed.
'Are you going or should I drag you inside and buy it for you? Decide yourself which would be more embarrassing for you!'
'NO! I will go myself! Please!' yelled Bani in panic, at the thought of her husband accompanying her to buy her undies.
'Good girl! I will be at Machan, enjoying a glass of Beer...Oh, I forgot...no more alcohol...I will enjoy a glass of their famous Masala Tea instead, while you shop to seduce me tonight...' he teased her, planting a kiss on her warm cheeks.
Reluctantly taking the credit card from Jai, Bani made her way slowly inside the super-intimidating and posh store, feeling utterly conscious and uncomfortable as one of the snooty looking assistants walked towards her with a supercilious smile.
JB Bedroom
Jai was lying on his bed in a rather royal fashion, waiting patiently for Bani to finish keeping the several packets of clothes, shoes, bags and accessories inside the wardrobe, jamming it completely.
‘Don’t worry, I will sort out everything tomorrow and won’t take up your space.’ She smiled, as she closed the doors of the cupboard.
‘Let’s not bother about it…I just want you to see the purchases you made at Victoria’s…’ said Jai, matter-of-fact, but grinning devilishly.
Bani flushed and retorted back, ‘such a ridiculously overpriced shop! Who on earth pays twenty thousand for a camisole?’
‘People who appreciate good things. Don’t change the topic…show me what you purchased!’ insisted Jai, appearing quite amused at the discomfort on Bani’s face.
‘Now?’ she whined.
‘Yes, now! And when I say I want to see it…what I mean is that I want to see it on you! Stop being such a damn prude and do your duty as your wife!’ commanded Jai.
Bani gave him a stare and said, ‘my duty as a wife? Wearing lingerie?’
‘Of course…didn’t you only tell me…that too in Sanskrit! 'Karyeshu Dasi, Karaneshu Manthri; Bhojeshu Mata, Shayaneshu Rambha, Roopeshu lakshmi, Kshamayeshu Dharitri, Shat dharmayukta, Kuladharma Pathni’
Bani could only stare back in stupefaction, shocked that he had learnt the Sanskrit verse in just one go. But then she remembered that her multi-faceted husband had a photographic memory.
‘We all know that you work like a well-trained maid from daybreak to dusk, that you are a sensible adviser to me and that you cook better than my mom did and that you are as pretty as Goddess Lakshmi could be and that you are maha-forgiving as a person. So now, go ahead and fulfil the becoming the Rambha part and make your husband happy!’
Bani simply kept starting at Jai, too shocked to say anything, as he munched on some grapes and said languorously, ‘begin the show, sweetheart!’
She broke into a spate of giggles and then quipped in a naughty voice, ‘Okay, if it’s a show you want, then it’s a show you will get…’
Sometime later
Bani had dimmed the lights of the bedroom and lit a few scented candles all around the room, provoking Jai to quip, 'this house is not insured, sweetheart...if it catches fire due to your seduction act, we might have to refund everything we purchased today!'
Bani simply laughed in response from inside the washroom, as she changed into her newly brought lingerie from Victoria's Secret.
‘Good evening.’ She issued her greeting in a low silky voice he barely recognized, a sound that conjured visions of his body wrapped around hers.
Bani was wearing a sheer ankle length gown in the softest of off-white satin with beaded work on the front. It had a dramatic low cut front and hugged her figure at the waist, flowing alluringly from there to the ground. Bani kept smiling at him as she delicately opened the satin lace that was tied in front of the gown and let it drop on the floor, revealing her glowing body, contoured by the lacy fabric inside.
His gaze locked on her as she began walking slowly, flowing down the carpeted floor with a grace that drew his attention to the way her gown glimmered over her curves. All that spangly beadwork and yet he could see breath-taking glimpses of her lush body below.
Swallowing hard, Jai lifted his gaze to her face. He got up from the bed and walked towards her, reaching out to stroke her cheek, he grazed his fingertips along her skin, aroused by the freedom to touch her after four long days and nights, and not just a little interested in how she'd pulled off such a dramatic change in her appearance.
‘Reality far surpasses the fantasy,’ he said. ‘You're brilliant and beautiful and I'm one very lucky man.’
She trembled, and judging by the way her expression melted into a pleased smile, he'd said exactly the right thing. Threading his fingers into her hair, he smoothed work-rough palms over her cheeks, tipped her face to deepen their kiss. He kissed her as though he'd wanted her forever, and the intensity of his hunger struck her as odd.
A desire she hadn't dreamed could grow any hotter spiked through her. She wanted this man like she'd never wanted another. She craved his mouth on hers. His masculine scent filled her senses, played to her deepest fantasies and promised so much more. She wanted to feel his body pressed against her, wanted to feel his strong hands caress her skin. She wanted to see his face sharpen with desire, wanted to hear his voice as he reached his own pleasure.
She sighed when his lips nibbled along her jaw, a purely sensual experience with his lips caressing, his tongue stroking, his breath breaking in warm bursts against her skin. When he trailed his mouth to the hand she held over his, pausing to rest his cheek against her fingertips, he literally took Bani’s breath away with his tenderness.
He pulled his T-shirt over his head in time to see Bani gazing at him, her skin lush and rosy in the dim light. Jai reached for the clip behind her head and released the masses of curly hair. Gently, he buried his hands in it and pulled long strands of curls over her shoulders where the ends danced at the tops of her bosom.
And then he just looked. He knew he should say something, but was incapable.
He couldn’t resist. When the flood of rosy colour dotted her creamy skin, Jai dipped his head and kissed her. Her lips parted beneath his with a soft gasp and invited him inside. He did his damnedest to hold back, to keep the kiss from turning into something they were both too exhausted to finish.
But he didn’t protest when she stretched up on tiptoe and wound her arms around his neck. She didn’t protest when he reached down to grab her bottom and lift her up into his growing heat, easing the strain on both their necks, and pulling her perfectly proportioned body towards him.
Moments passed before he realized that Bani was regarding him with a frank sensuality. Running both hands over his chest, she murmured, "Nice."
Jai stripped off the rest of his clothes, his gaze never leaving her. Then he stretched out beside her, laced his fingers with hers and brought her knuckles to his mouth for a gentle kiss.
Shifting her hand in his, Bani drew them both slowly over the velvet pillow and over her skin, then up to the silk pillow and across her neck. Turning her head, she placed an equally gentle kiss on his fingers. ‘So?,’ she said in a husky voice she didn't recognize, ‘what do you think of my purchases?’
Jai looked intoxicated by her beauty and mumbled, ‘what purchases?’
She laughed and planting a kiss on the tip of his nose said, ‘purpose achieved!’
As they lay together, she could feel his heart racing in time with her own and decided that this was a perfect moment, too. He murmured something and nuzzled her neck, then kissed her temple. Bani sighed.
Jai didn't give her the option. "Wow," he whispered. He shifted to his side, rolled her onto hers and drew her against him, fitting himself against the curve of her back, his arm around her waist. Then he wrapped them both in a cocoon of the new comforter and Bani fell asleep in his arms.
22a
"Hope is the last
thing ever lost." Italian Saying 
hey please update this story! i really want to know the end of this beautiful piece of wrting and lovly and heart touching story
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