Hello everyone,

I don't know what got published the last time I published this draft as none of my stories on this profile are about any other topic save Vani. Must have been a glitch. Hopefully, the correct chapters gets published this time. Let me know if you cannot view it now as well too :)

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Bani looked at her watch. It was fifteen minutes to seven. She smiled and right on cue, she heard the bell as the door of the cafe opened. She poured out a cup of coffee, strong and not too sweet; just the way he likes it.

Tumhe kaise pata chal jata hai hr baar? She heard him say.

B: Easy! Because you are never late.

Arijit laughed and sat at the stool near the counter and sipped the delicious coffee. Every last Saturday of the month, while coming home from work, he would take a longer route to stop by the cafe his friend worked at. They would catch up on things in their life. Bani did not own a cell phone and feared contacting him from her house landline. Once Ritu had caught them talking outside school when she came to pick up Mehek-Dehek. Bani was only ten but she made such a fuss about it that the two friends steered clear after that. Soon, Arijit transferred away with his family and they met years later in college and rekindled their friendship. Arijit liked how easy it was to talk to her and Bani was always happy to listen to someone who would talk to her nicely. Arijit felt something was different about Bani today. He took in her appearance. Yes, she was wearing her workers' outfit but her hair was not set in that untidy pony but was actually made quite nicely. He also felt there was something different in her face. Is she? Is she wearing Kajal?

A: Bani! Aaj tumse start kare? What up? You look different...You are glowing and wait....why are you setting another cup?

Bani blushed and Arijit's eyes lit up in amusement.

A: Bhagwan ji...Thank you...maine kabhi nahi socha tha ki mai kabhi meri bff ko aise dekhunga. Pakka pyaar ka chakkar hai...

B: aisa kuch nahi hai...vo Veeranshu ke liye cup set kr rahi thi mai...

A: Ohoo...to naam Veeranshu hai us chor ka...jisne finally tera heart chura liya...Hai kahan vo..

B: Bs...ata hi hoga.

It had been a routine thing from the past one week. Veer would come to the cafe at around seven and have a cup of coffee while Bani changed. Then they would walk towards the shore and talk about how their day has been. Later, at dinner they would tell each other about their past life and post dinner they would talk of easier topics to lighten up the mood if the dinner talk had been heavy. Initially Bani was reserved and listened to Veeranshu patiently while he spoke to her about his dad's behaviour, his step family and cousins. He would even rant about work. Veer was amazed at how good of a listener Bani was but after two three days, Bani started to open up to Veer as well. She would talk about her day at the cafe, customers that felt difficult or if anything happened at her tuitions. Veer was happy to see their bond prosper and Bani felt happy to be able to share thing so freely and have her night hours so free. Though none would accept openly, they longed the day for each other's company.

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Veer's POV

I got off my car and walked towards the cafe. It was usual for me to spend all my waking hours post seven with her. Bani is such an easy person to get along with. She got me well and I really adored her. Vo bohot acchi hai maa, I smiled at the sky and went in.

My smile fell and I squinted my eyes. Ye chuza kon hai? A person. A MALE person was sitting at the stool near the counter and talking to my Bani. I did observe that at times people turn to take a second look of her face but never did I ever see anyone approach her at her work place and that too she entertaining them. She never replied to these people but I saw her cheeks turn red at something he said and I stalked towards them.

V: Bani...

I was angry but the moment her eyes landed on mine, she gave a very genuine smile and I saw relief surge into her eyes. Just like that, any anger that I felt melted away. Why was I even angry in the first place?

B: Veeranshu! Your coffee...How was your day..

V: Thank you...sahi tha...

I looked at the man. This shameless man was still staring at her and me as well. Bani noticed my eyes on him.

B: Veeranshu. Meet him. He is my friend- Arijit. I know since I was young but we became good friends in college and Arijit, ye hai..

V: Veeranshu..the fiancé

He chocked on his drink. Serves you right! Stay off my woman! He shook my hands and turned to Bani.

A: Bani! Ye kaise locha kiya hai tumne? Fiancé !! mujhe bataya bhi nahi

V: Oye dhang se baat kr!

Bani's POV

Oye dhang se baat kr! I looked at Veer when I heard these lines. Why is acting so protective? Aisa toh kuch nahi bolla Arijit ne. Anyways, I excused myself and went to change. By the time I came back wearing my black sleeveless kurti and leggings, Arijit was gone and Veeranshu was already done with his coffee.

B: He went?

V: Nahi to kya mai coffee me dip krke kha gaya ?

B: Seedha jawab nahi de sakte na tum...chalo ab..

We spoke for a while like usual and he dropped me home. I smiled at him. Arijit is my very good friend but the truth is that in kuch dino me jitna close friend Veer lagta, utna koi aur nahi hai..

B: Bye Veeranshu.

V: Bye Sweetheart.

I entered the house and saw Mehek-Dehek look at me with disdain. They were painting their nails and left when I entered. Chachi threw me distasteful look as well. I knew that even when she sold me off, quite literally, she could not handle the fact that I was happy. She hated the fact the Veeranshu met me daily. She did not like the fact that maybe he enjoyed my company. Also, he got me off work. Now my post cafe hours were free. He sent dinner here every day so that Chachi cannot taunt me for being irresponsible. I still remember that when the second day Veer sent dinner, Chachi bought down all our expensive crockery to eat so that I had to wash more utensils, that too with extra care. One of the glasses was chipped on the edges and it cut my hand. When Veer realized I have to wash utensils as Chachi doesn't like me idle, he started sending disposable cutlery as well which his men picked from the house as well so that chachi doesn't make me work.

She could not say a word to him, he was rich and powerful, but she taunted me. Few more days Bani! I told myself.

I took a small cup out of the cupboard and went near the window. I poured some water in it and took some crumbs and set them. A while later, a majestic bird came near the window. It had been coming from past three days. I was scared to pet it but I usually gave it food and liked to look at it. It stayed at the window till I slept or till Mehek-Dehek shooed it away.

Maa! Papa! Aap kahan ho? Kaise ho? Mujhe dekhte ho na? Vo bohot accha hai maa

POV end

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Bani woke early as usual and got to her work. She cleaned the house. Meera came to her.

M: sun Bani. Aaj maa ka mood thoda kharab hai...sambhal kr...vo bahana dhoondegi koi kami nikal kr apni saari frustration tujhe sunane ka..

B: Okay di...warning ke liye thank you.

R: BANI!

B: Ji Chachi...

R: Breakast?

M: Done hai maa..

Bani looked at her and smiled.

R: Saaf safai..

B: Ho gayi Chachi..

Ritu kept asking Bani regarding all chores but Meera had safeguarded things. She had finished the chores she knew Bani usually did later.

R: Sb ho hi gaya hai to jaa kaam pr! Paise kya tujhe aise hi de denge tere boss log?

B: Vo Chachi...aaj leave hai meri...

R: Leave? Kyu? Taki to poora din aiyashi kr sakte apne paise wale mangetar ke saath..

B: Aisa nahi hai chachi...vo owner ne kaha tha ki...

R: Chup! Mujhe pata hai tu meethi meethi baaten krke sbko ghumati hai....abhi din me kissi aur ke saath ghumegi and raat ko to humare beechare seedhe damad ji hai hi..

Bani's eyes welled up at the taunt on her character. She rushed out of the house. Her vision felt blurry as tears formed in her eyes. She ran and ran till she collided with someone.

Oof! Both fell.

B: I am so sorry...really...maine dekha nahi...maaf kr dijiye...
Person: It is okay ...

He took in the beauty in front of him. Her hair were windblown and her plump lips were slightly parted. Her nose was red and she looked amazing in her simple suit. Bani had rushed out of the house without caring to pick her dupatta first and the person's eyes shifted to her slightly visible cleavage. He took out a handkerchief to give to her but they both heard a bike sound and Bani turned.

B: Vo awaaz...

She looked back to see no one was there. She was confused and sad. She turned and saw the source of the sound.

Veeranshu Singhania was standing near his Bike. Daksh and Ponky stood on his either sides. They were reported by their clan mates that their step brother Jai was causing trouble and because of his association with Balwant, they were scared to fight him. Veer and Donky reached the location but Jai had already taken off and without any proof against that snake, they couldn't accuse him or confront him because he knew very well how to take sympathy and make them all villains in Balwant's eyes. They last followed him to this area surrounded by trees when he disappeared. Veer was about to take his cheel roop and fly high to observe better when something rammed into him at full force.

Veer took a step back to see that he was hugged tightly. The fragrance told him it was Bani. Her frail arms wound themselves around his manly torso. He observed and noted the slight movement of her shoulders. She was sobbing! His heart clenched. He put one hand on her head and with another, patted her back.

V: Shhh....Sweetheart! please calm down.

He gave a look to Daksh and Ponky and they left.

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Precap: Veer realizes his feelings. Wedding preparations on the way.

Note: Shakura has not spotted Bani and I am holing off his entry this early. I realized it didn't suit my track plan.

Also, a disclaimer, this book began due to the number of arrange wedding requests so there will be a lot focus on wedding and post wedding rituals.