It was a serene place. For as far as eyes can travel, one could only see lush green tress. They were really tall. The smell of fresh pine trees and soil right after rain filled the air. The sky was grey. Despite it having rained cats and dogs since morning, it looked like it will rain again.

This was the perfect weather for the poets, the romantics and the broken hearts. The poet would feel inspired, the romantic would feel passionate and a broken heart could feel the gloom. The dark grey of the sky could transcend from the outside into the inside of the heart. Looking at all this with gloomy eyes today was someone with their hearts over sixteen hundred kilometres away in Mumbai.

Bani sat by the large window in her house and looked at the lush mountains sprawled before her eyes. She had a blank look in her eyes as her tears had dried up in all these years of crying. She was lost in the memories of the man that held her heart and probably did not even know it.

She wondered how he was. Was he was dating someone now? Did he marry someone? He was always desired by women, surely he must have had so many pine after him. He wasn't the dating kind, maybe he just did flings. The thought hurt her heart. Did he change, settle down and have a kid? All these thoughts pierced at her broken heart.

B: (Thinks) Kyu ye sb soch kr apne aap ko dard deti hai Bani? Bhool jaa...

But a little voice in her head asked how do you forget something that is so natural to you. As natural as breathing. She loved him with every part of her. She realized her feelings late but when she did, she was deeply in love with her husband. Such feelings cannot be forgotten with time.

B: (Thinks) Shyd meri kismat me pyaar likha hi nahi hai..Nageshwari ko Hriday se pyaar tha, milan ki raat vo mara gaya...Kalyug me mujhe Veeranshu ka sath milla lekin tb tk hi jb tk maine khud apni feelings realize nahi ki thi, jiss din maine khud se accept kiya ki mujhe usse pyaar hai, Bholenath ka ashirvaad liya, confess krne ka plan banaya, ussi din sb gadbad ho gayi..

She was lost in thought when she heard tiny footsteps. A smile automatically graced her lips. It was like she became a whole new person. She heard the sound stop and tip toe near her. She smiled but did not turn.

'bhooo'

She heard a soft sound and acted scared. Giggles filled the room.

'Rehan! You scared Mumma!'

The five-year old boy laughed and climbed his mother's laps. He kissed her cheeks. Since all these years, he had been her sole reason to carry on, the apple of her eye. She planted a big kiss on her forehead.

B: Did you brush? Pray?

R: Yes Mumma! I brushed and prayed to Bholenath..

B: Good Boy! (she ruffled his hair)

R: Mumma, Can I have bweakfast now?

B: Sure!!! Chalo..

R: Yay!! I want a sand-wich...

Bani knew what her monster would want and had already prepped. It was his last day at his play school. From tomorrow, he will starting proper schooling at a prestigious school. Bani fed him and gave him a bath.

B: Rehan, today is your last day!

R: Yes mumma! Kl se I will go to big boy school!!!

B: Yes! So aaj tum jo chaho pehen skte ho, no need of uniform...konsa t-shirt nikalu?

R: Ohh! I pick!!

Rehan pulled out his favourite black t-shirt with a small gun made at the chest pocket. Bani was instantly transported to Mumbai. Rehan loved black like his father. She wondered how Veer would have felt about Rehan but she also feared if he would accept the baby? He called her a gold digger after all. He might think Rehan is not his and accuse her of trapping him.

R: Mumma, you sad?

Rehan's ability to pick on her emotions amazed her. He was never a fussy baby and hated troubling her. In fact, she felt he was the most sensible for his age. He would always do as she told him to do. If she was the slightest bit upset, he could sense it and hug her close with his tiny arms.

B: No Rehan, just a little emotional that you are growing up!

Rehan smiled and Bani made him wear his clothes and dropped him off to his playschool which was just a little walk away. Post that she returned to home. It was cute a little cottage surrounded by greens.

She quickly cleaned everything. It was her off day from work and she wanted to utilize it to the maximum. She then decided to bake Rehan's favourite cake to celebrate his end of play school. She knew she would not be able to afford a lot like Veeranshu but she still aspired to offer Rehan all she could afford.

She was in the middle of beating the batter when the doorbell rang. Bani placed the bowl on the table on the kitchen counter and answered the door.

B: You? It is a surprise!

The person hugged her tight.

P: I missed you so so much! How are you? How is- Ooo, somthing smells divine.

B: Andar to aa Mayuri.

Bani bought Mayuri inside her home and Mayuri quickly made herself home. She placed her suitcase near the couch and Bani looked at her.

B: You are planning to stay?

M: Can I not?

B: You don't have to ask Mayuri! Off course yes! I just want to know why?

M: I wanted to see Rehan off to his big day tomorrow!

B: Seriously!?

She gave her a look.

M: Okay and I also fought with my boyfriend! He was just being nasty okay!

B: Hmm, I anyways thought you were going to run away soon. It is the longest you have dated a man!

M: Hey! I take time to realize if the person is good and don't settle for less..don't judge me!

B: I never would...

She smiled and got back to baking. Mayuri went to settle her things in the guest bedroom. If anyone would see her equation with Mayuri now, they'd probably faint. She recalled how they met all those years ago.

Flashback

5 years ago:

Bani was walking as if in trance. Tears flowed freely off her eyes as she recalled all that was said to her. She kept a hand on her stomach.

B: Sorry Baby! Mai kabhi nahi chahti thi tum sad ho jao..

She was determined she had to survive for her baby so she went to someone who always protected her- her Bholenath.

B: Hey bholenath, mai iss prachin mandir me apse raksha mangti hoon..mujhe meri fikra nahi hai pr mera baccha, uske liye mai jeena chahti hoon...

She lit a lamp and prayed to her idol. She kept the lamp lit and kept praying for many hours. Maha-Mrityu Yog was at its peak and she was still praying. Suddenly, the temple walls began to shake but Bani's faith in Bholenath was unshakable. She kept chanting. She felt something bright and opened her eyes. She saw the nagmani rise out of Bholenath's idol and spread its light around her. The light casted a protective spell on her till the yog disappeared.

Unlike what the Farishta or anyone had anticipated, Bani made it out of the yog alive. She was breathing but broken. She walked for miles aimlessly. It began raining and she slipped on the road but instead of getting up, she cried on the road while the rain masked her tears.

This was how Mayuri found her. Bani was shocked to see Mayuri step out of the car and braced to attack as she did not want any harm to come to her baby but the fatigue to everything she went through finally took its toll on her and she fainted.

She woke up in a hotel where Mayuri managed to drive in the weather. She had changed Bani into comfortable clothes and gave her a polite smile. Bani was shocked.

M: I know you are shocked seeing me alive but Adi Naagin should know, I cannot die of snake poison.

B: I know! Uss din Veer tk pahunchne ki jldi me maine kuch socha nahi..

M: Yeah, I fainted. I must say, your poison is so powerful, I was out for days but I felt Jai ditch me and dump me. Usne pehle bhi mujhe Markat ko chadhane ka offer kiya tha aur jb mai wapis aayi I saw Jai was siding with his evil mother for powers. I realised this is all really dark and mujhe meri happening life pasand hai...mai powers ke liye itni andhi nahi ho skti so I left quietly. I am sorry whatever pain I gave you Bani, I truly am.

Bani could see Mayuri was sincere with her apology. When Mayuri asked her how life was, Bani ended up telling her everything, Mayuri felt really bad and angry for her. She was shocked to know she was pregnant and knew Bani needed to get away. That day was the start of their beautiful friendship.

Mayuri brought Bani to the small town near Mussoorie. She helped her throughout her remaining weeks of pregnancy and even stayed till Rehan was one. Bani was amazed that Mayuri left her glamorous life and chose to stay with her when she needed her. Soon, Bani got a job as a teacher and was okay of her own. That is when Mayuri left to go back to her old life but always checked in on her and Rehan.

Flashback ends

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

A few hours later, Bani was all set with the cake and lunch. Mayuri was unpacked. They left to pick Rehan up. The boy walked out of the school in style.

M: Hai toh Singhanias ka hi beta...

Bani smiled and refrained from commenting. She hugged Rehan.

M: Rehan! Masi bhi hai yahan!!!

R: Pretty Masi!!

He launched himself in her arms and Mayuri kissed his cheeks.

R: Ewwww! Lipskit!

He wiped it off and made a face. Mayuri laughed and the three went home.

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

Bani laughed as she saw Rehan and Mayuri dance on 'Galti se Mistake'. It was post-dinner and they were all having fun. Soon, Bani made Rehan sleep as he was starting school tomorrow and Mayuri went to attend a few calls. Now that no one was around, Bani's smile again fell flat and she continued her work. She set her things for the classes and laid out Rehan's new uniform.

Later, she stood near the window.

B: Kash vo sb na hua hota aur hum sath hote Veer! Tumhara beta kitna bada ho gaya hai...kash tum ye dekh pate...

Talking to her love miles away inside her heart, Bani went to sleep.

R: Mumma..

Rehan mumbled in his sleep and cuddled into Bani. An involuntary smile again graced her lips and she embraced her child. Miles away, the man that held her heart also held her saree. Her scent had long washed off it but it still gave him a sense of peace. He dozed off on her side of the bed.

Aankhon mein aansoo leke
hoton se muskuraye
Aankhon mein aansoo leke
hoton se muskuraye

Hum jaisi jee rahe hai
koi jeeke to bataye
Hum jaisi jee rahe hai
koi jeeke to bataye

.

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

Seems like Bani is leading a pretty normal life but 'dil ki baat dil hi jaane....'

Note: A character is introduced that was not mentioned in the characters list earlier. However, she ain't new and need no intro. Its Mayuri and she is positive. How she turned positive is already mentioned in this chapter.

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Come see off Rehan to school in next chapter and see what Balwant is forcing Veer to do. And maybe you'll see a deeper glimpse into Bani's new life.

What are your views on this story so far?

Take care and Stay Safe
Love~