FF - A Touch of Remembrance,Epilogue pg 37 - Page 18

hey tin,

the mystery behind that night is getting darker and thicker and deeper... it seems that the whole story resides on that night...

Well, Veer interrupted a perfect moment...

Chapter 9

When? Kab? Alka asked when the phone started ringing….Alka answered it, Bani took the opportunity to excuse herself and leave the shop….

Phew that was close she thought….

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Jai entered the flat, his eyes fell on the sitting room, something has changed then his eyes fell on the corner table next to the sofa, the table was not known to him, it seems Bani has finally handed over Ranjo's quarter….Ranjo's photograph was kept on it….

I have disposed off most of the things, given it up for sale to the auction house as this house is already set but this table I have brought, I hope you do not mind, I mean this was the first piece Ranjo & I…..

It is alright Bani, it is a beautiful table….good that you brought it back….

He turned to see Bani standing fiddling with her fingers, the uneasiness between their relationship is refusing to go away…..

Errr Bani I have come up to say something…..

Yes..Bani darted a glance towards the kitchen, Usha was working….yes Jai….

Err I am trying to expand into tourism, I have got some proposals from Uttaranchal, a place called Sialsor, on the banks of Mandakini, on the way to Kedarnath….the government wants me to build a small but luxourious resort…..I thought since you were brought up in the hills you might like to come along with Veer…..

Bani wanted to decline right away, after that evening she felt very uneasy to be alone with him and even Veer was not helping things…through the corner of her eyes she saw Usha coming out of the kitchen, it seemed she wanted to ask something to Bani, seeing Jai she hesitated….

I think it should be okay, Bani replied automatically, I mean when should we leave?

Tomorrow morning, we will leave a bit early, we will drive down….

In that case Maam shall I make something for the road, Veer will be hungry….

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We will not be able to explore much, you know there are snow in the higher altitudes…..

I guessed so Bani replied watching the road cutting through as Jai drove…..I was wondering why did you choose this time to inspect the land…..

Well winter tourism is also becoming popular and moreover when summer sets it, I would like the work to start without further delay but of course the site has to be approved….liked by….

Liked by whom Jai Bhaiya, Veer asked from behind, sitting strapped with his toys he was not too happy….

Of course you my boy, it has to be liked by you after all you are going for inspection aren't you?….Jai replied….

Of course…..yes I am, Veer smiled feeling very important…..

Well he is getting so much importance, uska singh na nikal aye….

Don't worry Bani, I will take care of that too, atleast let him have his say, mera toh koi sunne walahi nehi tha….

I thought your Dadi….

Yes she was there….my mother was sick and my dadi managed the whole house, my mother's nurse, her medicines, my school, my tuitions, uske baad na time milega to indulge in me but then she protected me and my mother like a lioness….I miss her still…..

Weren't you jealous of Ranjo? Bani asked softly….

He took some time in replying….then said strangely no….I was about 10 when Ranjo was born…first saw him when he was about 2 months old…..I don't know I felt very protective towards him….maybe due to my disturbed childhood….when his mother was sick, I took it as my responsibility to take care of him…..

Bani had many other questions but Veer was demanding attention, with Jai driving, Bani turned to respond to her son….

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They reached Sialsor in the evening, the cold winds hit Bani's face as the got down from the car, Bani loved it, felt like home coming, the snow capped mountains looking white in the moonlight, a bonfire lit at a distance….

Bani inhaled deeply, the air was fresh….

Mamma yeh kaisa awaaz….Veer got down and held her hand….

Pani ka beta, the river Mandakini is flowing just beyond those huts….Bani pointed out to the cluster of log huts visible….

I cannot see any river….

You will see in the morning, Jai replied, now come carry your toys' bag, lets see what kind of room we have got….

They went down the cobbled path towards the bon-fire…some guests were sitting surrounding it …the Manager came running, aapne bahut der kar di ane me, driving in these mountains….

Yes I know it is a bit risky but my wife belongs to Himachal, she guided me….

Bani covered her surprised quickly, smiled at the manager….he is a careful driver, she told the manager, which was the truth….

I have to be, can't afford to lose anymore, he muttered as the Manager led them towards their hut…

It was a cozy place, the door opened to a sitting room with a bed, leading to a bedroom with a big double bed and the toilets beyond…..

The room heater was on, making the room temperature already comfortable….

As Bani directed the porter to keep their luggages, Jai placed the order for the dinner, asking Veer what he would like….

Chicken aur roti khana hai mujhe Jai Bhaiya…..he replied…

Jai Bhaiya?...The Manager looked questioningly….

He calls me what my younger brother calls….

The Manager smiled….I will send the food within 20 minutes Sir…..

Thank you…..

As Bani unpacked, Jai stood at the door in between the room watching them….eerr Bani I think you better keep this door open, I mean I do get up to use the toilet…..

Its okay…..Bani replied as she started taking out Veer and her change…..the hut already started to have a family feeling, much smaller than his apartment, luggage and things all over, Veer running about, Bani shouting at him to sit in one place, Veer getting up on the bed, calling out to Jai to sit next to him as he took out his toys….

The dinner came, they sat in the small sitting space sharing the same, Veer eating out of their plates, Bani and Jai took turns in feeding him, Jai felt happy, for the first time in many years he felt he was living in a home….

As they retired to bed, Veer wished him goodnight sitting on his bed, I can see you Jai Bhaiya when you sleep….darna math, we are here….Veer gestured his flying kiss….

Yes of course…Jai reciprocated, Bani switched on the night-lamp and they got in bed…

Jai laid down hearing the mother & son's interaction….

Mummy are you sure it is the river which is making so much sound, koi rakshas wakshas toh nehi…

Beta, Dadaji ki ghar ke pass bhi toh hai…

Lekin itna jor se toh nehi…

Because we are closer to the river beta, hence so much noise.....

A little later….Mamma are you sure the the river water will not come into the hut….

Nehi beta, the river is not that close…..

Kya mummy abhi bolte ho close aur abhi bolte ho not that close….

Shhhhhh….abh sow jao, Jai Bhaiya is getting disturbed….

Hold me tight mamma I am not liking this noise, it is just like storm, you know how I hate storms….

Sleep was overtaking Jai, hearing Veer's statement, his eyes flew open….he lay still till he heard the mother and son falling asleep….

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Me first!

Jai Bani & Veer went out like a family for the first time Hopefully this will help JB overcome the awkwardness in their relation I feel for Jai HE never lived in real home till now

Veer should start treating Jai as father & not just buddy Why don't anyone may be Bani tell him to call him dad not Jai bhaiyya

Why was Jai startled with Veer's statement about being scared of storm Wasn't Jai scared of storm when they went out alone , at the tme when Veer was conceived? Is Jai getting clues about Veer being his son?

Such a nice family atmosphere. Travelling is so much fun - esp the eating together around a table in the sitting area in a hotel room!

Its a family time...

oh my... what a coincidence... jai is also scared of storms... it is one of the reasons they ended up alone on that afternoon...

so is jai gonna rake his brain now?

hey tiiny

veer's "jai bahiya" is too funny! veer' s last statement was exactly wat jai said so many yrs ago- jai in shock!