Chapter 41

Chapter 37-Jaspal

Getting his veerji and parjaai back to bed was a garangatuan task of its own.No matter how much she pleaded,he couldn't let Gurleen help.He was concerned about her foot. Thankfully,Sukhdeep agreed to help them and between the two of them,they managed to sort out everything before the household rose. Jaspal was exhausted by the time he had managed to cajole his brother into bed.

He made his way back to the pool where Gurleen waited for him.She insisted on hobbling back to the house ,refusing to let him carry her,and insisted on sleeping in the guest bedroom.They walked back in silence,the tension between them thick enough to cut through.He deserved her anger,that much he was aware but he couldn't bring himself to apologise.He had his own priorities and she hers.There was no way he could sacrifice his principles for his own happiness,emotions be damned.

The least he could do for her was being a good friend and if she turned down that offer,well it was her loss.Her happiness did not make much of a difference to him,he reasoned with himself despite the pit of despair threatening to swallow him whole.He watched her enter the room and lock herself in.Making his way to the south wing terrace which no one used,he reflected upon himself and his actions.

The results were rather discouraging.He hadn't been a good person,blindly following his daarji.Perhaps it was a blessing she despised him;a divorce would save her the heartbreak and a prenup would ensure the security of their respective fortunes.Renembering his askew hair,he sat down with his back to the cold railing,trying to fix his hair. His fingers trembled too much, effectively tangling up his hair further.

The frustration along with the inherent loneliness finally got to him ;he sat still , trying to cry,but the tears refused to come.His body shook and eyes burned,yet he found himself with his eyes dry.Suddenly he felt a warm hand gently patting his back in a soothing rhythm before two arms went around him.

Without any hesitation,he threw himself at her,clinging to her desperately ,as if she were the only buoy in a stormy sea.To her credit,she didn't flinch this time and stayed calm;she only held him tighter as he sobbed harder and attempted to muffle the sounds.She finally let go when he had calmed down sufficiently and sat down beside him,close enough for their legs to touch.

"You shouldn't have come.Your foot......"

"My foot is my business,"she replied curtly.

"We are not close enough to discuss my health beyond the bounds of basic human decency."

He bristled.

"We're getting married."

"So what, it's all in name's sake."

He was stumped.She had trapped him with his own words.

"Gurleen, I'm sorry.I really am, I know this whole thing has been unfair to you from the beginning but please do take care of yourself.You don't have to tell me anything at all but please don't hesitate to ask for help when you're in trouble.I'll rest better knowing that."

She just turned away and his heart sank.It was clear that she didn't trust him.A simple apology wouldn't suffice.He had to earn her trust.And the first step was letting her in,allowing her to take her time to explore.But what if it was a bad idea?What if she decided to use him to get to Daarji?He hadn't exactly endeared himself to her.One mistake on his part could spell disaster for the company.

"Jaspal ji, there's something I need to tell you.I'm leaving for London with Amrit Veerji."

He whipped his head around, flabbergasted.

"What do you mean? You'll officially be chairperson next week.You can't just go off to London like that.We have our work cut out for us.We still stuck in the merger,there are negotiations pending and what not."

"Is that the only reason why you want me to stay?",she asked,searching his face.

"Yes,"he replied,a lump in his throat.

"Daarji worked hard to build this company.I can't let anyone or anything sabotage this."

She merely raised an eyebrow.

"So you're implying that I'm being irresponsible and reckless,and basically unfit for this position.Are you suggesting my replacement?"

He had to explain this tactfully lest he invited her wrath.

"Gurleen,by marrying me you're entering a pit of vipers.You cannot trust anyone in this household.I know that everyone likes you for now,but remember, it's only because you have Daarji's stamp of approval .The moment he decides to discard you,they won't hesitate to tear you down.Just don't trust anyone and avoid getting involved in anything.

Daarji has a huge ego.He will never forgiving you for acquiring Brar jewellers."

"We're in a truce at the moment.He will allow me to run the company in peace as long as I don't interfere in his business."she muttered,to his shock.

His daarji clearly respected Gurleen to have backed down.

"You are truly wonderful.",to his horror he had uttered the words aloud.She was watching him carefully.He continued,"But I still need you to be careful around him,for your own sake ."

She took a deep breath.

"Jaspal ji,you need not worry about the trip to London.Daarji and I have completed all the negotiations.He will probably brief you soon.And I'll be leaving after the ceremony."

He felt a pang.She hadn't mentioned the negotiations to him at all.

"When will you return?"

"A month before the wedding.It's actually a new project I'm working on.I need to supervise it personally until the ground work is laid."

"Oh".

Five months without her......it seemed too painful to comprehend.Without realising it,he had grown rather found of her.But he had no right to stop her.

"Your hair is all tangled up.Would you mind if I fixed it?"

"Not at all",he heard himself reply as if from a distant planet.

She crouched in front of him;he felt her fingers combing through his hair untangling the strands before tying it and fixing it with his comb.He found himself observing every movement of hers,her eyes narrowed in concentration as she tackled a particularly stubborn knot.Her lips were cracked he noticed absent mindedly.

She had finished tying the cloth and made to move away.He caught her wrist and pulled her closer.