Pride, Honour & Love

Chapter 31

Maggie smelt the the oil Bani gave her, it had a very soothing oder, if you have the last wash with it, whole day you will feel fresh even in this hot weather...

Due to this uprising we did not travel this year to the hills, Charles did not want to get stranded anywhere in the middle of the road, very far sighted man is my Charles, things were not right he got news so we postponed our journey finally cancelled it on hearing things have gone from bad to worse....

Bani smiled she was watching Tara sitting with the children, she was making her gurgles but was watching her mother from time to time, will need some more time to become normal playful self, Bani hoped, she will be like the traits she was showing before 'the journey' happened.....

You must be very glad that it is now over, you are now safe and sound....Maggie once again observed...

Yes for my daughter yes, each parting day she was becoming quieter, La...I mean I was thinking she will forget how to speak.....Just then Tara started crying as Maggie's little one snatched the toy away....Bani got up to quieten her.....

Maggie frowned, yesterday she also said she is happy the journey is over for her daughter, today the same reason, did she want the journey to go on and on, why would she want it unless.....Oh yes she was going to Lucknow, was she going to Lucknow or escaping to Lucknow? A long journey means some more time with Jacques....

Maggie closed her eyes, she could feel the pain, the pain of someone in love but not getting it, she knew it as she had suffered it albeit one sided and Bani has got Jacques' child and Sarah is his betrothed, she may get to marry him for obvious reasons but will she get his love?

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The sunset here happened earlier here being in the east, the sky was making noises, we will get the first rains of the season it seems, Maggie had announced before leaving for Aukland Hotel with Sarah to buy some bakery products, wait till you ate their pasteris and patties, Sarah jad said she had rested enough went out with her, My Lady was resting in her room, after their return about 5 days ago, My Lady rested as often as she could. Seeing her condition, Charles requested Jacques to postponed their shifting to another place, see the summer is dull as it is without much social activity, Maggie too was feeling down but with you in the house the vibrancy is back. Jacques agreed not because the Wilsons gave them shelter without any questions but his grandmother really needed the rest and some good care, true to their words the Wilsons are being attentive without being overbearing and extending all possible help including calling their family physician to have a check. Rest and good food is all they need, the healing will be done automatically as most of them are young except My Lady, she needs rest as much rest has possible.....the physician had instructed...

The rain started, the smell of the earth reached Bani's nostrils, she leaned from the window seat to feel the droplets on her face, Oh how she was missing Dariyaganj, the first monsoon was so special she invariably got wet, sometimes Jacques joined too but then those days are gone, they are gone and won't be back again, now that things are settling down she has to take some decisions....sudden restlessness overtook her senses, she got up and went out of the room, Tara must be in the nursery playing with the children, she decided to let the girl be by herself for sometime but then she is always worrying about Tara, when she saw Jacques taking two steps at a time and running up....

Kya baath hai Laat Sahab, aap aisa bhaga bhaga kaha se a rahe hai, she asked....

Jacques picked Bani up, circling her and shaking his hair, the rain drops wetted her face once again, I am very happy today, I have a plan, come I will share with you, he took her to his room and dropped her on the bed, lying on top of her, like he did many times is the past when he wanted to share his new plan he said, Jamal will be here within a few days....looking deep into her eyes, he smiled..............