Chapter 43

Chapter 40-Jaspal

The meeting had gone off without a hitch.There had been some resistance towards a woman taking over but between Gurleen and Daarji, they had managed to settle down the naysayers. Gurleen in the board room was different from the Gurleen he knew as his fiance.His fiance was quiet, dreamy and had a smile which reached her eyes while the future chairperson was indeed a vision to behold.

Gone was her shyness and gentleness.She effortlessly cut through the discourse as if she owned the room.Yes,her inexperience did show,but everyone understood she was not one to be trifled with, especially with Daarji deciding to mentor her.He realised he didn't mind being sidelined by his family;he was happy to remain her support.He had never been prouder of her.

His daarji finally addressed the room,

"It's finally been settled.Brar Jewellers will have its own board,CEO and chairperson.It will be semi autonomous but partly owned by the soon to be Gurleen Brar.They will get twenty five percent of the profits in exchange for letting us use their jewellers and workshops.

Jaspal, as CEO, you will sit on the Babbar board as well ,along with me as the representatives of our company. Moreover it's vital to understand that while we have independence with respect to the designs and products ,the veto power lies entirely with the Babbar board.

I know this is difficult to digest but please remember that Gurleen is my daughter in law and her husband,my son,is your CEO.I will not tolerate any disrespect and will not hesitate to crush any dissent.I hope I've made myself clear."

To say he was shocked was an understatement. Never had he expected his daarji to go out of his way to support her.He snuck a glance at her,only to find an identical expression of shock with a hint of terror on her face.He discretely squeezed her hand under the table and to his relief she didn't pull away and squeezed back.Before long the meeting was over and everyone drifted off to chit-chat.

He helped her to the door and led her to his office .

She looked at him quizzically.

He smiled at her.

"Welcome to my office.As your husband,it would be rude not to give my wife a proper welcome, wouldn't it?"

She simply rolled her eyes and made herself comfortable on the couch.

"There's still enough time to call off the wedding you know?"

"But then you'll miss my charm and panache."he retorted .

She simply picked up a cushion and chucked it at him.He lazily caught it and replaced it in its position .

"This is the second time you've thrown something at me.Is this chronic?I wonder if Daarji and bebe are aware of what they've signed up for, a cushion chucking bahu."

She looked beautiful when angry he absent mindedly noted as she stuck her tongue out him.

"And to think out fortunes rest in your hands."he sighed before taking a seat beside her.

She was now comfortable sitting with sitting close to him.He mentally congratulated himself.

"Gurleen, I'm very proud of you."

He had clearly caught her unawares.She opened and closed her mouth lick a fish,lost for words.

He laughed ,"I believe the proper words are thank you."

She simply swatted at his arm.

"Thank you Jaspal ji but may I know what I did to earn your pride and esteem?"

"Let's see,you managed to make an entire room of old codgers listen to you.I know daarji backed you up but you still held out on your own."

She looked stupefied for a second before hugging him.Hugging her back had been only too natural for him.Instead of the usual thrill of electricity jutting through his bones, he felt his heart settle and mind clear,as if he had finally come home.She too seemed calmer than usual without flailing abd stiffening.He didn't know what to make of this new development.

She finally pulled away and spoke.

"I'm sorry about that ,I just got overwhelmed."

"No, it's ok.I really appreciate your spontaneous hugs.They're really comforting.You don't need my permission."

She started laughing.

"Parjaai calls me a hugging monster,so be careful what you wish for."

"One can never hug too many times.Anyways,I had nearly forgotten why I had brought you here."

"I'm all ears."

"The primary reason was to officially welcome you to my office.But I did have a hidden agenda.

I want to give you something before you leave for London ."

He got up and rummaged in his drawer and pulled out a rectangular box which he brought over.

"Open it please."

She obliged and gasped.There was a single delicate chain from which hung a flower.He picked up the chain and fingered the pendant.

"I designed this personally.The petals of the flower, as you might have noticed, are inlaid with amethyst stones.Amethyst itself signifies peace and tranquility and it reminded me of you .I would really love you to wear it ."

She looked rather conflicted as if she was steeling herself to do something painful.

"Jaspal ji, this is a very personal gift, something which I cannot accept.You have poured your heart and soul into it ;you must give it to someone you truly love.Moreover, I do not have a gift for you."

He was surprised.This was definitely not what he had envisioned.There evidently was one person who had the ability to surpass his overthinking and she was sitting right in front of him.He hadn't thought so much while designing the pendant.

"Gurleen, it's not as personal as you think it might be able trust me when I say that I do not expect anything in return.You are a really good friend and I made it for you."

"I know it doesn't matter to you but gifting is something I take very seriously.Technically,I could give you something in return but it would take away it's value as it was not given from the heart.Please forgive me."

With that,she actually got up and left.He just sat still on the cushion,very confused.All he had planned was wishing her a happy journey and somehow the whole conversation had shifted towards the science of gifting.

It's just a necklace right?