SS Pride And Trust

'Ma ,' she called out before taking the umbrella and walking out of the house.

Her mother ran with a glass of juice spilling the contents on the floor stopping before her. 'Here.' She thrust the glass in her hand again spilling it on her arms.

'Ma, how many times I told you, I'll drink if I want, I am not a small girl any more..' she took the glass and empties the contents and lickes her lips.

'Yeah, yeah, you don't take care of yourself then someone has to ..' she murmured taking the glass back and walking in.

'Ma, see you in the evening.' She called out again and almost ran out of the gate. The rain was falling in small droplets she opened the umbrella. She walked ahead looking for an auto rickshaw. She looked at the watch and then walked briskly towards the shop.

The rain fell heavily. She had to hold her umbrella from slipping. She quickened her steps and saw an auto rickshaw she called out at the driver to stop. Her sound almost drowned in the rain. The rickshaw stopped. She told him the address and satdown getting wet in the process. The driver commented on the unexpected change of the weather.

She got down before the shop. The shop was opened. To her surprise swati smiled at her from the counter.

'Ah! I was up early so thought of coming down to the shop. Anyways I was eager to see the stock that came in yesterday.' She looked at Bani from head to toe and said. "you are dripping wet.'

'Yeah. I am going to switch on the fan to dry myself..' Bani said, keeping the umbrella down.

'It's very cold in here and you want fan?'

'Yeah I want fan. My sari will dry fast. Just five minutes/'

'hm..' swati nodded and went past her to the storeroom to look at the items.

Bani and swati together ran antique shop in ooty. The major shareholder was swati. Bani had joined her at swati's insistence. For past two years they have been running the shop. Business was not all that great and was not so bad either.

Bani switched on the fan. And spread her pallav before her, pulled a chair and sat down. She heard exciting sounds coming from the store room. Swati was oohing and aahing.

'Bani I am going to put little more extra for these stuffs they are extra ordinary.

Bani smiled. Swati was always excited.

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The weather worsened by afternoon. The phone was down and there were hardly any customers.

'I am hungry.' Said swati.

'mee too for that matter.' Bani said.

'I am hungryyyyyyyy.' She shouted .

Bani giggled. 'phone is down cant order for food and sorry sawti I am not coming out I can't get drenched again. As it is I am feeling very cold.

Swati nodded. She then patted her growling stomach. " I am hungry Bani let me go and see what I can get from that tea stall.' She went and took the umbrella.

'Yes bring me something hot..'

'That, I can't guarantee Bani honey. I'll bring you something that's for sure.' Saying that, she opened the door and got out with the umbrella.

Bani went to look for the items in the store room. The stuff was beautiful thought Bani taking each piece with utmost care. She then heard the jingling of bells. Someone was inside.

"swati'..' called Bani.

'There was no response. She called again hearing a cough. Before the person could reply Bani hurriedly walked out of the storeroom.

He was facing his back to her, as he heard the footsteps he turned towards her.

There was utter disbelief on his face. Bani had the same look. Not in her wildest dream did she think she would come face to face with him.

He looked at the face that had haunted him day and night. It took him several seconds to shake his head and acknowledge her.

'Bani..'

She had never forgotten that sound that deep masculine sound of Jai Walia. The sound snapped her from her stupor .

'Jai Walia.'

He nodded. 'I did not expect to see you here.'

She smiled.

'You had vanished Bani.'

'hm'.. and landed here.' She smiled to cover her uneasiness.

He looked around the shop shaking his wet coat.

'You are wet.. if you hand me the coat..'

'It's alright Bani.' He stopped her he did not want to go back to their past not those painful years where he had missed her terribly all because of one mistake from his part.

The weather worsened outside. Thunder rumbled and they looked at each other. There were so many things he wanted to know yet he was afraid to ask her anything. The silence fell between them the lights went off and she looked away.

She went to see the electrical box. There was nothing wrong. She went and picked up the phone the phone was dead. She put it back and saw him looking at her.

You want to call anyone?' he asked.

'Er yes the electric office I have a cell''

She took her cell and dialed the number. The number was busy. She put the phone down.

'They are always busy.' She said.

'Hm.'

She did not know what to talk to him she looked at the door eagerly. Where the hell is Swati?

Jai and her eyes met briefly and she asked, 'You are out for shopping ?'

He nodded. 'the weather worsened suddenly. I wanted a shelter and the first shop that I got to was this since I am here I'll take a look.'

'Yes please..' she saw him leave her walk to one of the largest vase. Bani did not know what to do, her gaze wandered around the door. Swati was taking too much time she decided to give her a call the phone buzzed Swati's number flashed.

'What are you doing?'

'What? Okay '..' she put the phone down. So much for waiting for her. She got a cab and she was leaving and asked Bani to do the same. Her tea and snacks were on the way.

The door opened and a boy walked in hurriedly carrying a covered tray.

He placed the tray on the table and left before she called out to him.

She pulled the cover and saw few samosas and a mug full of tea. Now what she thought, how was she going to have all alone? And tea she so much wanted to drink it but how, should she offer him one but there was only one. She looked up from the tray directly at him.

'Would you like to have some''

'What you got in there?' he asked walking towards the table and, looking down at the plate.

'hm samosas and there's only one cup Bani.'

Oh how that man was talking to her so freely like nothing had happened between them, she nodded at him , 'You can have tea.'

'No thank you Bani please go ahead before it gets cold.' He said taking a samosa from the plate.

'You can have tea I think you need it more than me.' She said.

He looked at her for a moment and took the tea cup. 'You are sure you don't want?'

'Yes.'

Take a moment to think Bani don't be hasty in making decisions.'

Bani winced at his words she looked lost for a moment and nodded. 'you can have tea, I'll have samosa.'

'well then,' he sipped the tea and looked content. 'They make pretty good tea here.. you should tell me what tea I should get before leaving''

'It's not the tea Jai it's how you brew them.' She bit her lips immediately what is wrong with her why the casual talks.

'Yes it's how you make them. I remember how you'..'

'Did you like the vase? Anything interesting here that has caught your attention.' She asked to change the subject that was getting more personal.

He nodded studying her. His gaze stopped at her neck for a brief moment and looked at her hair parting and for some odd reason heaved a sigh of relief.

'Yes something interesting has caught my attention.' He sipped the tea leisurely taking one more samosa from the plate. And saw her half eaten samosa. 'eat it before it turns cold.'

She put the remaining piece in her mouth and chewed almost choking. He handed her the bottle of water that was on the counter. She took it and gulped down.

'You okay?'

She nodded.

He walked around the shop and looked through the window. The rain hasn't stopped. He turned from the window and asked abruptly, 'How many years is it?'

'What?'

'You and I spoke like this?'

She ignored him and sat on the chair behind the counter.

'How many years?'

'I don't remember.' She almost snapped.

'Yes I do, three, right?'

She did not respond.

He went and sat on the sofa and stretched his feet. 'I did come across the places you worked wanted to come and talk to you. If we talked we could have resolved the issue, then, one fine day you disappeared.'

Bani looked up from the counter he looked like he was talking to himself. She did not want o hear any of those things she did not want to be reminded. She'

'why did you leave the city?'

' I left the city because I wanted to leave it.' That was it no more discussions.

'Hm yes I know'' he got up and walked again towards the window. He moved the blinders and looked outside. The rain was falling heavily. But the power has returned.

'So BAni , how are you doing? Your mom and sister Rano?

'They are fine Rano got engaged a week ago.'

'And you?'

'Me? What about me?'

'Married engaged?

'Neither.'

'why Rano and not you, you are the older one.'

'I have time I want to see her settle first.'

'yes, yes very thoughtful sister.'

Was he being sarcastic? She saw his face expressionless.

He again walked towards the vase and stood behind it.

'Do you want the vase?' she asked thinking Swati will be ecstatic if she got a good price for that.

'hm ' I like it. I'll have to ask her.' He picked up the phone and dialed and spoke for few minutes on the phone describing the vase.

He disconnected the call and said. "I'll take it she seems to like it.'

She who? Thought Bani and stab of jealousy went though her. Why was she jealous she had left him and his place and his memories and everything then why the hell she was'.

'You alright?'

'Er yes I was just thinking how to pack the vase for you.'

'yes, yes. You will take card or just cash in here?'

'Both''

'Good then.'

He walked to the counter and gave her the card.

She took the card and said, your wife she liked the vase?

'My wife?' he laughed. 'she is my interior designer she is doing my house.'

'Oh!' she handed him the bill to sign.

Taking back his card and signing the bill he looked at her face. 'You haven't changed a bit.'

She smiled. The ever, so lovely smile showing her dimple.

He looked away immediately. 'is it okay if I wait here till the rain stops or atleast ..'

'Yes please be seated.'

He went and sat down on the sofa and she turned her attention to a new magazine Swati had brought.

'So bani what kind of husband are you looking for ?'

'Excuse me?'

'The common criteria what do you want in your husband?'

She did not know what to say she stared ahead of her.

'what expectation do you have for the man you will marry, one I am aware of is he should trust you no matter what the circumstances are that is very important for you''

'No I won't look anything like that in any man.'

Jai felt a stab of pain.

'why?' it came out as a whisper.

'I don't think any man has it in them to trust'. Well I have learned well and good.' She was almost bitter and it tore his heart. All these years and she had not forgiven or forgotten.

'People make mistakes under circumstances.'

'Not if they trusted the person.'

'Human's tend to err.'

'So bad for them.' She looked away from his painful eyes.

Not wanting to continue the topic she went to the store room to get the box to pack the vase. He saw her return with a huge box he got to help her.

'I'll manage..'

'I think not, let us be practical you can't lift the vase.' He said.

She nodded and they both got down to pack the vase using bubble wrap now the problem was to get the vase in the box the vase was almost her height.

'it's good isn't it.' He said admiring the vase before he lifted it and put it in the box. Bani nodded holding box. She closed the box and he moved it aside carefully.

Well now it's over I'll just check outside if the rain has stopped.

For a moment she felt at loss regaining her composure she too walked towards the window to peek out side. it was drizzling now. he turned from the window almost hitting her in the process. He steadied her and left her.

'where's your car parked?'

'It's little far I'll go get it.' He walked to the door. He stopped and then turned to look at her.

Bani held her breath she felt he wanted to say something but he left.

Tears stung her eyes. Why now? She asks wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

She never cried when he doubted she had leaked the tender, that it was her who had leaked the tender to the opponent. All of them present when he discussed the tender were his confidants he couldn't doubt his brother-in-law and his old staff Mohan kaka then Bani was left. If not them it has to be her. she always thought he trusted her. Though he never told her his feelings he had for her, it was visible for her to see and knew he cared a great deal. They understood each other. They were good friends and something more. she would know anything he wanted to tell her before he said them, one look at his face she would know what was in his mind. There were many unspoken things between them. Her days started and ended with the thoughts of him. That same person had misjudged her.

Their tender was leaked. There were no suspects. She was the only one available with a need for money. Rano needed an operation and she needed money. When the tender went to the opponent the very day Rano got operated. She had met with an accident and had broken a born on her leg. The operation was major and the money was huge. Bani had managed the sum mortgaging her house. She did not have any other choice. Jai would have helped but she did not want his help she did not want to be a burden and her pride kept her from asking. She closed her eyes in the memory of that day Jai had called her in his office.

He looked too tensed did not know what to say. Then he spoke, 'Why did you do it Bani? Rano was like my sister I would have helped'.'

She did not get him and she looked blankly at him. 'Bani O Bani that tender was so important to me we worked together for it'''..'

'I am so sorry Jai I wish we knew how it leaked' she had said to much stunned jai. It then registered in her head. She pushed the chair back and looked accusingly at him. 'You think ..I .. Oh God. Jai you thought I would do something as despicable as this?' her face tightened. 'Excuse me..'

She had gone from the room. She refused to see him then, gave him resignation. He had mistrusted her. Jai thought she was a thief he thought she did not have any conscience. She would sell her soul to anyone for money. The hurt, anger and his mistrust had consumed her and broke her heart.

She refused to listen to him or see him. she worked for few months in the same city and then moved to Ooty and here she was happy and contend and he has to come and spoil it.

She was snapped out of her reverie as he opened the door and came in. she helped him carry the vase. She opened the car door for him as he placed the vase carefully on the seat. She moved aside and he shut the door. Their eyes met for a moment he then walked to the other side and got in behind the steering.

He started the engine and nodded reversing the car Bani got into the shop. She was going to go home. She was tired. She went and switched off the lights. Locked the cash counter and locked the main door stepping out. the rain hasn't stopped. She stood looking at the street for a rickshaw.

Jai slowed the car. What was he doing? This was one last chance, God has thrown them face to face not to just buy a vase. He stopped the car and then reversed.

Bani looked at the street impatiently there was no rickshaw anywhere near. The rain was falling heavily by now. she moved back then she saw a car halt before her. she saw him open the door and walk towards her.

'Closed the shop?'

'Yes.'

'I have left something in there. Can you look for me please'' he saw her hesitance.

'It's important I think the paper slipped from my wallet when I took the card to pay.

She took the keys and opened the door. She walked in and he followed Bani switched on the lights.

She looked around there was no paper she looked at him. 'you are sure you have left it here.'

'that's why I came back.' She again looked everywhere there was nothing no paper.

'May be it's packed with the vase go home and see and then come back in the morning. I am tired Jai.'

'hm oh okay may be in the box but I have misplaced something too.'

There was something in that tone and she knew it.

'Wha' t?' her mouth went dry

He took long steps and stopped before her and gazed into her eyes.

'Come back,'

'Don't do this.' She took a step back.

'I am sorry I never did anything to displease you as far as I remember Bani never, but one major mistake I did. I was confused I am sorry.' He held her shoulder and gazed deep into her eyes.

She turned her head. Tears stinging.

'look at me Bani' I have tried many times to explain it to you it was very confidential only three of us were there and..'

'You thought I cheated. How can I cheat you Jai of all people?' A cry tore through her chest. She covered her face sobbing. The tears washed all her hurt anguish and anger.

He did not rationalize his actions he grabbed her shoulder and crushed her to him. He did not know how to console her. Words failed him. He held her in his arms stroking her head.

Bani felt his tension. She moved from his embrace and looked at him. He looked anxious, he feared her reaction. He feared her rejection. She saw his face and understood the pain, his guilt, his one mistake of not trusting her for a moment. Why couldn't she forgive him then but she was thawing. She couldn't look at his face and say go away I don't want to see you again. Her eyes filled again and blurred her vision.

'Bani' did you find what I have come to look for?' he asked slowly.

It took her moment to shake her head before she knew what was happening he lifted her in his arms and swirled her around he put her down and said, 'Always.'

'Wh'. At?

'Loved you.' He drew her to him holding him tight in his hands.

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here's whr u can find old jb stories http://kamsfictions.blogspot.com/