Hello Everyone! Not sure if anybody is still interested in this story. But, I had some free time and decided to write the next chapter. Would understand if nobody is interested 😔 and would be grateful if anyone likes it and bothers to drop in a comment 😊.
CHAPTER 7
Alarm clock rang. Jodha groaned and stopped the ringing. She wanted to duck back under the covers and go back to sleep. She was awake most of the yesterday night and went to sleep only in the early hours. Then she remembered the reason for her restless night and she gave a loud groan.
Jodha was dreading the encounter with Jalal. From today she has to work with Jalal, in his cabin. How can Kaanha be so cruel...
Jalal was humming a tune. His household was shocked to see his change demeanor. Never in their life have they seen their master in such jolly mood. He is usually a reserved master who never let others see what is in his mind. But today was different. Today Jalal was going to see his Jodha, not just in his dreams, but for the entire day, can talk to her.
Jodha reached Mughal Enterprises before time. She was both nervous and angry. Nervous because she has to work for Jalal and angry because she wanted to be anywhere else but here.
She wanted to be first in Jalal's cabin so that she would be busy with her work and would not be bothered to look at him when he arrives. But, luck was not on her side. Jalal, too excited to waste a single moment of the day without being with Jodha, was already at his desk.
Jalal can see Jodha from his cabin. He saw her muttering to herself and making faces. He wanted to burst out laughing. He knew Jodha is angry and irritated with him, but he was enjoying the kaleidoscope of emotions on her face. Just before Jodha entered the cabin, he wiped all of traces of emotion from his face.
Jodha breezed into Jalal's cabin and comes to an abrupt halt. Jalal was sitting there with a raised eyebrow at her abrupt entry.
Jodha recovered quickly and said "Good Morning!" looking at the wall behind him.
"What a luck! My day is ruined before it has started." She muttered beneath her breath, without realizing that Jalal has all ears and eyes focused on her.
Jalal gave her a mocking smile "Is it really a good morning?"
Jodha stiffened and said sarcastically "Must be for some lucky people out there, outside this cabin. God can't be so cruel to give bad days to everyone"
"God! She is a tigress. She is a match for him. Nobody dares to contradict him, and here is his Jodha who is mocking him first thing in the morning." Jalal wanted to smile but he didn't want her to know how much he loves their verbal sparring. She might stop it just to be contrary.
"Hope your bad luck doesn't impact your work. I do not tolerate fools and so you better concentrate on you work. "
Jodha goes to her desk and starts working sulkily. Soon she is lost in her work.
She doesn't know that the man who has seen the world, is considered a connoisseur of beautiful women, and can have the most beautiful women and movie stars as his escort is not able to take his eyes off her. She is just worried about completing her work and leaving Mughal Enterprises. Never knowing now that Jalal has found her, he would fight with even his Khuda to keep her with him.
Jalal is too much of a man of world to let Jodha know about his true interest. He has a busy schedule and he has lots of appointments. He also had a business lunch but that would mean leaving Jodha behind in office.
Lunch time comes and Jodha is happy. Half an hour back Jalal had ordered lunch for two. She assumed that somebody will be joining him for lunch. He will be otherwise occupied and she will be free to go and have her lunch. She was hungry. She skipped breakfast because she was too nervous to eat anything. Now, her tummy was giving warning signals.
There is a knock at the door.
Jalal's secretary enters with the office boy bringing in the lunch trolley. Both of them leave after depositing the lunch on the table.
Jodha takes this as her cue for leaving.
She picks her purse and gets up from behind the desk and started moving towards the door.
"Is there a fire?" a sardonic male voice calls from behind.
The hateful voice stops Jodha in her track.
Without turning back, she faced sideways and replies "I am going to have lunch. I am sure Mughal enterprise employees do have some lunch time."
Then in a soft voice not for anyone else ears but her own "Not all can be blood sucking Jallad like you."
Jalal was in the process of taking a sip of water and chokes hearing Jodha's soft comments. He starts coughing. Seeing Jalal's condition, Jodha hurries back and removes the glass from his hand. Jalal is still coughing so Jodha starts patting his back.
Jalal freezes on Jodha's touch. For him, time has stopped and his world is centered on Jodha's touch. Unaware of Jalal's reaction, Jodha continues to pat his back. Suddenly, she realizes that Jalal has stopped coughing and immediately moves away from Jalal.
Her abrupt withdrawal is painful for Jalal.
Jalal says sarcastically, "Now that ministering angel has come down the pedestal to comfort a Jallad, we can start with lunch. Even as a vampire, I do eat from time to time".
Jodha's face turns red. She has not realized that Jalal had heard her snide remark.
With a guilty face, Jodha takes the seat in front of Jalal and starts serving.
She is startled to see her favorite food on the table. She thought maybe Jalal also shares the same likes in food. Jodha could not imagine that Jalal had ordered this food to please her. He likes to tease her and argue with her, but he doesn't want her unhappy.
Jalal doesn't like spicy food. When Jodha starts serving the dish in this plate, he winces seeing so many chillies. Jodha is startled. Suddenly she is in a trance.
Mr. Jalal in a Mughal outfit is eating food from a golden plate. With the first bite, he starts perspiring. Beads of sweat appear on his forehead. He looks uncomfortable but doesn't stop and continues eating. From time to time, he looks up and frowns at the lady in rajputani lehenga. Since she was standing with her face towards Jalal, Jodha cannot see her face.
Jodha comes out of her trance and gives a blank look to the serving spoon in her hand. Jalal is concerned by the disoriented look in Jodha's eyes. Slowly the blank look disappears. Jodha comes to her senses. She puts the spoon back in the bowl without serving Jalal.
"Why do I feel that Mr. Jalal would not enjoy eating this food?", Jodha ponders.
"His secretary must know his likes and dislikes when it comes to food."
Jalal drawls "Are you planning to eat everything? Or you are offering me something else for lunch." With a wicked twinkle in his voice.
Jodha gives him an angry look for his sly remark.
"I don't want to eat spicy food." Can we order something else?
Jalal is puzzled. Because he remembers Jodha telling her friends to order spicy food for her.
But he is relieved. He would not be eating the ordered food.
"Are you now questioning my taste in food?
Jodha is hesitant. She is already embarrassed to waste the food already ordered. On top of that she doesn't know what Mr. Jalal's would like to eat.
"What would you like to have?"
"I am amazed Amer Enterprises hired you. Can't you order lunch by yourself without asking me?"
Fuming Jodha unknowingly orders all Jalal's favorite dish.
After giving the address for delivery, She says "Please make it fast and don't make it spicy."
Jalal turns his back to Jodha and gives a half smile. First he is having lunch with his dream woman. Second, his dream woman has ordered his favorite dish. Third, she has also told the restaurant not make it spicy."
"This is turning out to be a good day!"
Jodha sighs "It's going to be a long day!"
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