The next morning….
Bani entered the kitchen.Rakhi came there.
Rakhi:Bani,you don’t need to do any work.There are maids here to do work.
Bani:But…
Rakhi:No need Bani.
Rakhi ordered the maid to make tea for Bani.
Rakhi and Bani sat together and sipped tea.
Rakhi:Bani…how is my son Aakesh?
Bani remembered the previous night and became upset.
Bani:He is nice.
Rakhi:Actually Bani..he has a drinking habit.Other wise he is a nice boy.Earlier he was not into drinking.But I don’t know why.Suddenly he started drinking.He is not telling me why he started drinking.Only your love can change his bad habit of drinking.
Bani:I will try my best Maa.
Rakhi smiled:I know.You are the best thing happened to my son.
Bani gave her a pale smile.
Veeranshu woke up from the bed.He saw Bani near him.He was surprised.
Veer:Bani!
Bani:I have come to you Veeranshu.
Veeranshu could not believe it.
Veer:How?
Bani was silent.
Veer:Anyways I am very happy that you are with me now.I want to open my heart before you.I really love you Bani.
He moved his lips as if he was going to kiss her.
Suddenly Bani disappeared shocking Veeranshu.
He came back to senses.
Veeranshu became upset.
Veer:How can Bani be here with me?She is with her husband.I am a fool.
His eyes became teary.
4 months passed.There was no change in Aakesh.He ignored Bani and got engrossed in drinking.He was very rude to Bani.
In Luthra house they celebrated Janmashtami.
Bani remembered how she danced with Veeranshu during the last Janmashtami.
Madhuban mein jo Kanhaiya kisi gopi se mile Kabhi muskaaye, kabhi chhede, kabhi baat kare Radha kaise na jale, Radha kaise na jale Aag tan mann mein lage Radha kaise na jale, Radha kaise na jale Madhuban mein bhale Kaanha kisi gopi se mile Mann mein to Radha ke hi prem ke hain phool khile Kis liye Radha jale, kis liye Radha jale Bina soche samjhe Kis liye Radha jale, kis liye Radha jale (O, gopiyaan taarein hain, chaand hai Radha Phir kyoon hai usko biswaas aadha) - 2 Kaanhaji ka jo sadaa idhar udhar dhyaan rahe Radha bechaari ko phir apne pe kya maan rahe Gopiyaan aani jaani hain, Radha to mann ki rani hai - 2 Saanjh sakhaare, Jamna kinaare Radha Radha hi Kaanha pukaare
Oye hoye, oye hoye Baahon ke haar jo daale koi Kaanha ke gale Radha kaise na jale, Radha kaise na jale Aag tan mann mein lage Radha kaise na jale, Radha kaise na jale Mann mein hai Radhe ko Kaanha jo basaaye To Kaanha kaahe ko usse na bataaye Prem ki apni alag boli, alag bhaasa hai Baat nainon se ho Kaanha ki yahi aasa hai (Kaanha ke yeh jo naina hain Chheene gopiyon ke chaina hain) - 2 Mili najariya, hui baawariya Gori gori si koi gujariya Kaanha ka pyaar kisi gopi ke mann mein jo pale Kis liye Radha jale, Radha jale, Radha jale
Radha kaise na jale Kis liye Radha jale Radha kaise na jale Kis liye Radha jale, kis liye Radha jale Radha kaise na jale Kis liye Radha jale, kis liye Radha jale Aah, aah, aah, aah... Radha kaise na jale - 3(Lagaan).
Rakhi looked at Aakesh and Bani.
Rakhi:I want a small Krishna here.When are you both going to give me a small Krishna?
Aakesh-Bani became dull.
Suddenly Aakesh embraced Bani from behind.
Aakesh:Sure Maa.We will fulfill your dream.
Aakesh looked at her naughtily:Right Bani?
Rakhi smiled while Bani was in shock.
Rakhi:I can’t wait for it.
Aakesh pulled Bani towards him and said passionately:Even I can’t wait for it.
Bani was shocked.
Rakhi walked away as she felt that she needed to give them privacy.Bani pushed away Aakesh who was holding her closer.
Bani:Don’t touch me.
Aakesh:I am not desperate to touch you.I behaved oversweet with you so that Maa won’t doubt us.I want Maa to think that we are madly in love with each other.I can’t see her upset.
Bani:Why did you tell Rakhi Maa that we will fulfill her wish when you know that it’s not possible?
Aakesh:If I tell her the truth she will be upset.That’s why.By the way if you wish you can be a mother.
Bani:What?
Aakesh:You know that I can’t satisfy you.So you are free to have secret affair with anyone who loves you.I don’t mind if you get pregnant with your lover’s baby.But the baby has to call me ‘papa’.My Maa will be happy thinking that it’s her own grand child.
Bani lost her control and blasted at him.
Bani:Stop it Mr.Aakesh Luthra.I have never seen a cheap guy like you.I never thought that you can stoop to this level.Rakhi Maa is so nice.How did her son become like this?If there was no Rakhi aunty,I would have left you and gone.
Aakesh laughed.
Aakesh:Anyways you have Janmashtami Prasad.It’s time for me to drink.
Bani:Atleast on this auspicious day you don’t drink.
Aakesh:If I don’t drink my body will shiver as a whole.I have no escape from this Bani.
Aakesh walked away.Bani shed tears.
Rakhi went to Kasi for pilgrimage.
One day…
Aakesh vomited blood which shocked Bani.She held his hand while he vomited.
Aakesh:Leave me.
Bani:Atleast when you are sick don’t be egoistic.
He fainted which shocked her more.She ran towards him and patted his cheek.
Bani:Aakesh!
He did not respond.
With the driver’s help Bani carried aakesh to the car and took him to the hospital.
Bani asked the doctor:Doctor,how is Aakesh now?
Dr:I can’t put you in dark.His condition is not that good.
Bani was shattered.
Dr:Any alcoholic person will have to face such consequences.
He has to get rid of his alcohol addiction.Then only there will be any use.
Bani became upset.
Bani thought:How will I make him stop drinking?He did not stop drinking even though Rakhi Maa and I requested him many times.
Bani walked out of the cabin tearfully.By mistake she collided with someone.
She could not believe her eyes.It was Veeranshu.
Veer:Bani!
Bani:Veeranshu!Why are you here?
Veer:My colleague is admitted here.I visited him.Why are you here?Are you alright?Why do you look upset?
Bani tried to turn off her face to escape from his questions.
Veer:Say Bani…why are you trying to ignore my question?
Bani could not hide it anymore.She embraced him and cried.
Veeranshu was stunned:What happened Bani?
Bani:Aakesh is not well.
Veeranshu was shocked:What happened to Aakesh?
Bani:His drinking habit has ruined his health.
Veeranshu was shocked:Aakesh drinks?
Bani nodded tearfully.
Bani:I want to save him.But …..
Veer:Who is his doctor?
Bani:Dr.Anil.
Veer:Dr.Anil is my friend.I will speak to him about Aakesh.You don’t worry about him.
Veer patted her shoulder softly and went to meet Anil.
Anil:Hey Veer….
Veer:Anil…actually now I am here to talk on behalf of my friend Bani whose husband Aakesh is your patient.
Anil:I know Aakesh.He had been my patient before also.
Veer:How is his condition?
Anil:Not good.He is addicted to alcohol.That’s why.
Veer became dull.
Anil:I did not know that Aakesh’s wife is your friend Bani.If I knew this before I would have asked you to stop this wedding.I did’nt know that Aakesh got married.If I knew it before I would have stopped the wedding.
Veer:Because of alcoholism?
Anil:Not just that.He had an accident.After that he became physically unfit to get married.
Veer:What do you mean?
Anil:He is impotent.
Veeranshu was shocked.
Veer:Then why did he get married?
Anil:Maybe to hide his inability from the society.
Veer:Disgusting!
Bani prayed to God:Please God…please make Aakesh alright.
Veeranshu who came there became upset seeing Bani pray for Aakesh.
Bani:Veeranshu,did you speak to the doctor?
Veer:Yes.
Bani:What did he say?
Veer:First you tell me Bani.Why are you sticking on to Aakesh who does not deserve you?
Bani was confused.
Bani:What do you mean Veeranshu?
Veer:He is a thorough alcoholic and he is an impotent also.
Bani was shocked as Veeranshu came to know everything.
Bani:Is it his fault that he has physical problem?
Veer:No.But he hid it and married you.He betrayed you and still you care for him?Why?
Bani:Because it’s my responsibility.
Veer got angry:Responsibility towards an unfaithful husband?
Bani:Responsibility towards my mother in law who is my mother too.His mother loves me like her own daughter.She does not know that her son has other isues too other than alcoholism.She hopes that I will save her son.
Veer:Don’t be so naïve and innocent Bani.Leave him.Divorce him.You will get a better man who loves you dearly.
Veer said in her mind:Understand my love Bani.
Bani said in her mind:The person I love is you Veeranshu.You don’t love me.Now I don’t want anyone’s love.I just want to live doing my duty.If Aakesh is physically unfit to lead a married life it’s a blessing in disguise as I can’t even imagine anyone other than you touching me.
Bani:No Veeranshu.I will keep up my promise to Rakhi Maa and save Aakesh from alcoholism.Don’t try to change my decision.
Veeranshu became upset.
Veeranshu thought:Within some time the cheater Aakesh became more important than me for Bani.
Veeranshu said emotionally:Aakesh must have done some good deed in his previous life.Otherwise he would not have got a lovely wife like you.
Bani looked at him emotionally.
Veer thought:I may not have done anything worthy in my life and that’s why God did’nt bless me with Bani.
Veer:Are you angry with me for asking you to leave Aakesh?
Bani was silent.
Veer:Please don’t be angry with me Bani.
Bani:I can never be angry with you Veeranshu.Because you are…
Bani completed the sentence in her mind:The only person I love.
Bani:You are my best friend Veeranshu.
They shared an emotional eye lock.
Veer:There is an alcohol rehabilitation centre run by my colleague’s husband.I will recommend ..If you take Aakesh there,his health will improve.
Bani was relieved:Thank you Veeranshu for suggesting this.It is a big help for me.Which colleague?
Veer:Vandana.
Bani was stunned:Vandana?She is married?When did she get married?
Veer:She was always married.I simply joked that she is after me.
Bani stared at him in disbelief.
Veer:Anyways ..all the best Bani.Bye.
Bani:Bye.