Bani came downstairs to see that everyone was congratulating Tara for their coming engagement. Bani was happy for her sister. She also congratulated her. Everything was fixed and the Sharmas left.

As soon as they came home, they all got busy in making lists and setting up work. The engagement was going to be held at a banquet hall owned by Singhanias and they were going to look into the food preparations as well. Bani called d'souza aunty and got a contact of a decorator from her. They all did as much work as possible and engagement going to be held tomorrow night. Post all this, Bani was sitting slightly sad, looking out the window. A hand approached her from back and pulled her nose.

B: ouch!..Monkey!

Sure enough, it was Mayank. He laughed and sat next to her.

M: kya hua hai buddhu Bani, aise mu kyu laktaya hua hai...thik ho jaana wrna ghar me sbko lagega tera break up hua hai..

Bani made a face at him. Mayank pulled at her hair and ran away.

B: Monkey!...

She shouted and started chasing him. They kept running till they stopped at the door, both out of breathe.

M: chal Bani...

He pulled her out of the house.

..................................

Veer paced in his room. He couldn't make sense of Bani's behaviour. He thought that even she felt the sparks. That a friendship was getting formed and there was some connection but why was Bani so upset in the morning? Was she angry with him?

V: that's it! I cannot sleep feeling this restless.

Veer headed out his window as cheel and reached Bani's house. He sat on a pole and was looking for a safe spot to land and turn human when he noticed Bani. He squinted his eyes to see her getting on a bike with a man. He wondered with whom she was headed out at this time. He followed them both and saw them stop at an ice-cream shop near a park. He himself sat on a branch and kept an eye on them.

.................................

Mayank and Bani ordered ice-creams and sat on a park bench.

M: ab bol Bani..

B: kya?

M: I am not blind..or buddhu like you...You are upset...bata mujhe, kya hua hai..

B: kuch nahi Mayank..

She looked away and Mayank realized she did not want to talk.

M: I getting it Bani if you don't want to talk but please know that no problem is so big that you cannot tell me...I will always have your back...even if you are wrong, I will help you, not blame you.

Bani teared up at her brother's words and ruffled his hair.

B: tu kb bada ho gaya Bandar?

Their innocent exchange was seen by Veer who got very angry at this. He felt an urge of possessiveness. He couldn't hear their talk but the audio-less visual did more harm. Mayank and Bani left after a few talks and joking with each other, Bani's mood considerably better.

V: (turns human and climbs down) Mujhe laga tum sad ho.. lekin?...aur is saale ka toh kuch krna padega...you are only mine sweetheart!

...............................

The next morning, both the families were super busy with work and final touches. The evening rolled in and the function began. Both the families reached the venue and greeted each other. Veer was totally taken aback by Bani in her wine colored attire but his mood ruined the moment he noticed Mayank. He clenched his jaw.

The rings were exchanged and everyone congratulated Tara. Everyone was enjoying the party and greeting guests. They all started to dance in a circle. Mayank asked Bani to dance. Bani refused.

M: chal na ..mujhe pata hai tujhe kitna pasand hai..come..

She was dragged by him. Veer saw red. The dance commenced. Tara were dancing in the middle, lost in each other and every other couple had circled them, they changed partners after each stanza. Veer skipped partner before music and went closest to Bani. The moment the partners changed, he had Bani in his arms.

A memory of a Akeshwari flashed in front of them. They also recalled their first meet. Bani looked away. Veer pulled away from her and bought her close again, twirling her. They began dancing, the surroundings forgotten. The next partners came towards Vani and Veer slightly pushed him towards the next girl whom he had to join.

B: ye kya kr rahe ho?

V: kyu? Tumhe uss bacche ke saath dance krna hai?

B: shut up!..

V: waise bohot bold ho tum sweetheart, I haven't seen koi family function me plus one lata hai...

B: I haven't seen ki koi girlfriend ke saath same ghar me rehta hai with family but I guess bade logon ke khayal bhi bohot bade hote hai..

Vani kept taunting each other indirectly, both venting out their anger. The dance ended and some kept swaying while others left the floor. Bani sat near Meera . Mayank started talking to Ponky who was his senior in college.

Veer glared at him.

T: itne gusse se kisse dekh raha hai Veer?

V: kissi ko nahi bhai..

Ponky and Mayank came there and hugged Tapish. He also said hello to Veer.

P: bhai mai iske saath upar wale floor pr hoon...daksh and baaki friends bhi wahi hai...koi pooche to bata dena..

They left.

V: ponky ki badi jldi friendship ho gayi ise....hai kon ye..

T: arey pehle se jaante hai...Mayank uska junior hai..

V: ( thinks: manhoos Mayank...baccha hai tumhare age Bani ) aapko bada hug kr raha tha..

T: arey isme kya hai...Meera ka chota bhai hai...mera bhi to bhai jaisa hi hua...

V: kya?!..aur Bani ka?

T: tu kahan khoya hua hai...uska bhi Bhai ki hua na..

V: (ye saala toh sach me saala nikla!...sorry Mayank for thinking so bad of you...sweetheart!...aise hi dil jalaya maine)

He excused himself and approached Bani. He saw her going towards a corridor.

....................................

Bani was walking when she stopped.

B: Veeranshu!

V: (comes forward) not bad sweetheart...ab to tum mujhe meri ahat se pechane lagi ho..

B: whatever..peecha kyu kr rahe ho..

V: tum mujhe gussa kyu ho?

B: mai nahi hoon gussa..

V: mujhe dekhte hi tumhara mu utar jaata hai...it hurts me sweetheart...bata do na..kya galti hui hai..

Bani makes a face and turns away. 

Her pallu flies and lands in his hand. A current flashes through him and they both freeze. He studies her back and his eyes land on her open dori. He moves near her and tried to tie it. Bani comes out of her trance and breaks out of his hold.

B: ye kya badtameezi hai..

V: badtameezi nahi hai sweetheart...aur mai nahi chahta koi tumhare us kande ke til ko dekhe...I am sure tum bhi nahi chahti..let me help you..

He twirls her around and tries to fix it. Bani turns again and pushes him away.

B: help your girlfriend!...jao yahan se..

Bani left fuming and Veer got confused. Bani rushed to the backyard and Veer followed her. He saw her sitting on a beach near the fountain and sat next to her.

B: tum phir aa gaye...

She sounded too tired to be angry. Being upset with him was draining her energy.

V: (calmly) I don't have a girlfriend Bani..

B: don't lie Veeranshu...I met her at your house. You don't have to lie..

Veer frowned till things made sense. He video called Mayuri. Bani felt bad and started to get up. Veer held her hand and forced her to sit.

M: hi baby!..what a surprise...I knew you miss me too...kaho to abhi aa jaun?

V: shut up Mayuri!..kitni baar kaha hai I am not your baby..Now, am I your boyfriend?

M: off-

V: DON'T LIE MAYURI...SACH BOLO..NOW!!

M: (gulps) no Veer.

V: ARE YOU MY GIRLFRIEND?

M: No Veer.

V: WHY DID WE BREAKUP?

M: because-

V: BOLO

M: Because I cheated. But I am so sorry...Veer last chance.

Veer ended the call.

V: (softly to Bani) do you believe me now?

Bani nodded slowly, her eyes apologetic. Veer smiled slightly and looked away. Bani felt guilty for not trusting him. She studied his face, his sharp jaw and manly features.

V: (who is looking ahead) ab ghoorti rahogi to pyaar ho jayega sweetheart..khud ko control nahi kr paogi..

B: shut up! (she blushes and looks away)

They sat next to each other in comfortable silence.

Dil ibadat kr ra hai..

V: I like your ringtone..

Bani became red and picked up the phone..

B: hello!

M: kahan hai Bani...ab ghar jaana hai...

B: aa rahi hoon..

Bani gets up. She says him goodbye and turned to go. Veer looks towards her and pulls her back.

B: Veeranshu!

He says nothing but puts her hair out of the way and ties her dori. Bani looks down. She turns and whispers a small thanks. Veer smiles and wishes her goodnight. She turns to leave.

V: sweetheart?

B: hmm?

V: kl ek business party hai...will you come with me?

B: mai kya karungi..

V: mai bhi bore hi hota hoon ...mujhe bachane ke liye chal lo..

Bani : (smiles) aur mai bore hui toh?

V: mere saath? No chance!

B: Done! I will save you from boredom if promise that you'll save me too.

She leaves and he sits there, happy that whatever misunderstandings they had unknowingly developed were past them.

............................................

Thoughts?

xoxo