Chapter 1

Hi guys, SM here again,

Here is a new short story for all you Jodha-jalal fans. I just came across this idea, while I was trying to write an update for "A tale of ice and fire"..The idea wouldn't leave my head so I had to scribble it down. Unlike my other story its a modern take on Jodha and Jalal..The characters would be introduced as the story proceeds. I always intend to keep my stories short, but I've failed miserably with "Tale of ice and fire", its I guess not even half way..But this I would keep short, probably 7-10 chapters..But just give it a read, its a short preface kind of introductory part, that gives a glimpse of Jodha's state... The chapters are yet to begin..Let me know how did you like the plot (although, thats yet to unfold)..

It has been ten years in UK. After getting graduated from the business school, Imperial College, London, Heer Vikram Singh Shekhawat, (more endearingly called “Jodha”) has ascended to the reputed position of Product manager, in one of the finest UK-based tech corporations. Seven years of high-paying job, great workplace, and loving colleagues, she has everything that one could professionally wish for. Yet, sitting on her desk, she has a resignation letter, that had just been reluctantly approved by the GM of her current company, and on the other hand she has an offer letter for the position of senior executive, a position way lower and a wage much less than what her current experience could get her. A low- key job, that she managed to land after falsifying her experience from 7 to only 2years in her CV, in one of the most rapidly emerging tech-giants, named COSMOS, from India.

GM: It was so great having you here, that I can not stop but think, how will we able to manage without you?

Jodha (smiled): You’ve a great team, and it is my honor to have been a part of it. You’ll be fine sir. We’ll be fine.

GM: Ms. Shekhawat, for the last time. Is there anything I could do to stop you from leaving?

Jodha (forwarded her hand for the shake): Believe me sir, if it wasn’t the matter of life and sanity, I would never leave this place. But, I must go, I’ve to.

The GM and the other colleagues gave a nod, some of them hugged Jodha hard.. Partings have always been difficult for her.

Tomorrow is the flight, back to India, back to where it all started ten long years ago. She cant take it anymore, there are questions that need to be answered. Someone, she couldn’t stop thinking about all these years. A childhood friend who parted ways, never looked back in all these ten years. No social networks, no public contact informations that she could find to connect back to. As if he crept in a cocoon, refusing to be found. The last time she saw him was ten years back, when they were in high school. But after that, she can not recall anything, as if what happened is just a blur, as if a part of her past memories have gone lost. How so much has she tried to connect the dots, but nothing. Coming to UK to pursue graduation, the news of her father’s loss, her only family left, an elder sister who cares for her yet distanced herself. What happened to him, why a friend who has such a strong imprint on her mind, never bothered to get in touch with her in her hardships, loneliest times? Why her elder sister wouldn’t talk about him? Why Jodha couldn’t believe when she was told that he doesn’t wanna have anything to do with her? Why it hurts that bad, why, if he was just a friend? Why she couldn’t let his thoughts go? Its not that she hasn’t tried, but why his fifteen years old self keeps her haunted? Why her heart picks up the beat, everytime she thinks of him?

And then she saw the Forbes’ 30 under 30s. He was on the list as one of the youngest CEO of the emerging tech giants, COSMOS, from India. She hasn’t seen him in ten long years, yet her heart knew, it was him. It had to be him. She found him, finally.

Jodha couldn’t stop the nervous flutter of her heart, when she swiped her fingers on the letters imprinted on her offer letter, forwarded by the HR on the behalf of....

“COSMOS”

CEO, Jalal’ud din Mohd

Ten long years she had been waiting for this day. She would see him again. How come, he means that much to her that despite the fact that she couldn’t recall anything from her past, his face sticks around in her subconscious, like not a day has bygone in these ten years? N Why she means nothing to him, why he never bothered to get in touch? Was there just a friendship? Infatuation on her part? But why it feels way more than that? Whatever this feeling is, why it keeps growing with every passing breath?

She will know now..If no one else can tell her. She will ask him..because he owes an explanation to her, whether he likes it or not…

sm13082021-04-25 01:10:53