-Let me be your HERO-
chap 1
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'Jallu!!! Sar fod dungi main tera...idiot book wapas kar'. Jodha yelled at the top of his voice. But Jalal was surely not in a mood to listen. He slide through the little space between the bed and couch to avoid her clutch. It was all Jodha's fault...she was so immersed in Rohan's dimples that she couldn't notice when Jalal entered the room...when he reached bed and snatched the book from her hold.
'Mujhe badi bhashan deti firti hai...our tu kya kar rahi hai???...haan???...book me chupake ladke ki photu se romance!!!' Jalal almost aped Jodha while speaking this.
'Dekh Jallu main our Rohan sirf dost hai', Jodha tried to take hold of the situation.
'Achhaaa...ek baat bata main bhi toh tera dost hoon, kabhi meri photu to niharte hue nehi dekha tujhe...' uttered Jalal as he knew he caught his pal off guard. This logic of Jalal pushed Jodha on back foot...at least for the moment being. Sensing her trepidation Jalal inched towards the bed where Jodha was sitting. Jodha didn't know how to counter this reasonable 'tell me how'...hence she decided to launch counter attack on Jalal.
'Kaise niharu??? Shakal dekha hai apna??? Donkey jaisa...' before Jodha could proceed with her onslaught on Jalal's look, he sprang onto bed. Jalal grabbed Jodha's wrist and twisted her hand to her back, then pushed her on bed. He himself came down on her...locking her to the bed. Jodha winced in pain as her wrist was hurting in his grip.
'Jallad kahika!!! chhod mujhe'. Jodha shouted.
For Jalal there is no better sport than annoying Jodha. How can he let that go stray so easily? Jalal descended his weight on Jodha.
'Aah...' This time Jodha almost cried in pain. 'Jalal leave me, it's hurting', Jodha yelled with rage.
'Trust me...I will...But pehle bata...am sorry Jalal', he put forward his condition for release...rather his first condition for release.
'Sorry my foot!!! dekh kaise aunty se shikayat karti hoon teri', Jodha was surely not the one to surrender so easily.
'Achha...to shokayat karegi meri!!!...fine...karna shikayat', throwing this challenge, Jalal pressed his muscular body against Jodha, almost squeezing the air out of her tiny figure.
'Ahh...achha babah sorry', finally Jodha gave in to his torment. Once again victory was Jalal's. He lifted his body to let her breath.
'Ab bol...Jalaluddin Mohammad is the sexiest and most good looking man alive', Jalal came with his second condition.
Jodha felt like shouting, 'Jalaluddin Mohammad is the ugliest man alive'. But keeping in mind her condition and his determination...Jodha decided put down her gun for time being. Hence she went, 'Haan haan wohi'.
'No pronounce it'. Jalal said as he tightened his grip on her hand.
'Achha babah thik hai, Jalaluddin Mohammad is the sexiest and most good looking man alive', Jodha said it all.
'Tu bhi na yaar...ek hi baat bar bar bolti hai...tell me something which I don't know baby', Jalal winked at her and got up from the bed, leaving a ranting Jodha behind. She touched her wrist...faint red marks have already appeared on it...it was hurting a little too. Standing near the bed, Jalal was adorning a victorious smile as he won this round as well.
Just then Mainawati entered with a magazine in her hand. 'Jodha tumhare GEO a gaye hai. Aur tum log abhi tak yaha kya kar rahe ho? Collage nehi jana?' She was about to utter some more words when her gaze fall on her daughter. She was caressing of her wrist. Mainawati knew what exactly happened. She shifted her focus to Jalal. 'Nalayak tune fir meri beti ko mara. Meri dubli si patli si bachhi...kyun uspe aapni pehelwani nikalta rehta hai...haan?' Mainawati scolded Jalal faking an angry tone. She was anything but serious in her reprimand. How can she!!! Mainawati was used to this since they were mere kids. Jalal always ended their game, irrespective of what they were playing, by beating up Jodha. Every time Jodha cried a lot and announced, she will never ever play with this Jallad again. A few days to her shapath...then again Jalal comes with some new board game...again they were together. Both the families were used to this break up and make up friendship of them. They hardly pay any head to it. So many years to their friendship...and it's still the same...same break up and same make up.
'Maina Darling trust me...main ise marna nehi chahta tha, but can you imagine she called me donkey!!!' Jalal told Mainawati with wide eyes.
'Really!!! That's very bad Jodha. Tumhe aisa nehi kehna chahiye tha', Mainawati frowned at her daughter. Jodha was fully aware of their drama. It was nothing new to her either. She knew this will go on for a couple of minutes and then just as ever...Jalal will get away with it.
'My wrist is hurting...kal mera class test hai...main likhhungi kaise...idiot!!!' an irate Jodha burst in form of them...she wasn't sure actually at whom she was more angry...is it her mother or her friend.
'Woh tension tu mat le...waise bhi tu jaise maan lagake padai kar rahi hai, mujhe lagta nehi tere paas likhne ko jyada kuch hoga...agar page khali bache toh photu chipka dena', Jalal threw it with a mischievous smirk.
'Kaunsa photo Jalal? yeh kis photo ki baat chal raha hai?' sensing something fishy Mainawati decided to inquire about it. Now that's scared the hell out of Jodha. She knew her mother...once she smells something; she won't give up until she unearths every bit of it. Jodha didn't want to mess up everything now...she didn't wanted let it out in such a way. She frowned a silent disgust at Jalal...how can you do this!!!
Jalal read her message. It only broadened his smirk. And why not...after all that's what he wanted...a ruffled Jodha. He never had any intention of putting Jodha into trouble. He knew when he will pull the cord to halt the flow. 'Nothing aunty...I was just kidding', Jalal winked at Jodha. She breathed relief.
'Bohot hogaya mazak. Niche ajao...nasta karlo. College nehi jana? Saying this Mainawati left the room.
'Tu dar gaye thi na?' Jalal asked Jodha with his trademark mischievous smirk.
Jodha didn't reply. She was still rubbing her wrist. Jodha was too annoyed to talk to him right now. Jalal knew her...he knew he won't get any answer now. Hence he decided to leave. But before leaving the room he threw the book at Jodha. 'yeh le...dekhle apni bandar ko thori der...our jaldi niche aja. Main jyada der wait nehi karunga. Fir akele hi college jana parega'. Finishing his line Jalal left for down stare, closing the door behind. Jodha picked up the book and flipped few pages to reach Rohan. A smile appeared on her lips. She looked at the picture for a while and touched her lips on it.
Jalal reached the breakfast table. Bharmal was already there, waiting for them. 'Ao Jalal baitho. Jodha kahan hai?' asked Bharmal.
'She is just coming uncle.' Answered Jalal as he rolled his eyes on the bowls placed on table. Sensing his mind, Bharmal informed, 'today your aunty has prepared your favorite alu ka paratha with pudine ki chatni'.
'Really!!! alu ka paraha!!! Maina darling I love you...' announced Jalal.
'Chup kar badmash.' Mainawati yelled back from kitchen.
'Mama mera breakfast...jaldi...' uttered Jodha as she took her seat. Mainawati served butter toast and juice to Jodha and placed the plate of paratha and chatni in front of Jalal. 'Our lage toh kehna beta.' Mainawati told Jalal. Before Jalal could come out with a reply Jodha swung onto action. 'Haan Haan our khilaiye...hathi toh yeh pehle se hi hai...ab dinosaur ban jayega'. Jodha rapped making a strange a face.
'Jodha!!!' Mainawati was about to go on with her slamming with wide eyes but Jalal broke into. 'Leave it aunty... simple case of jealousy.' Spoke Jalal making a hopeless face to Jodha.
'What!!! Am jealous!!! No way...you are...' Jodha couldn't complete what she began as Bharmal decided to drag this tu-tu-main-main to end. He had much more serious stuff to discuss about.
'Jalal...tumhara final exam kab hai?'Asked Bharmal as he fixed his gaze on the young man sitting on his right.
'Uncle abhi 2-3 mahina baki hai.' Jalal had no idea why his uncle was suddenly inquiring about his exam. There was nothing unnatural though.
Mr. Bharmal was the Manager and childhood friend of Humayun, Jalal's late father. He was like a shadow to Humayun's soul. After his demise, Bharmal took responsibility of the entire business on his shoulder as Jalal was too young to look after it. Since then its Bharmal who has been the head of the industry and a father too Jalal as well. Bharmal never let Jalal felt the absence of a father...be it money or any other need...he was always there for Jalal. For Jalal also Bharmal was no less than a father. May be to some extent he was more attached to Bharmal than his own mother. Bharmal had always been caring about Jalal...about his study...his hobby...his likes...his dislikes. But he was simply not the kind of guy to inquire about...how was your day at college or when is your exam. Hence today Jalal was a bit surprised. But before he could press forward his query he got the answer.
'Jalal...aj agar tumhare abbu our mere dost jinda hote toh shayad yehi kehte...I want you to join business after your final exam. Aagar tum age padai karna chahte ho...that's absolutely fine but woh toh kaam ke sath sath bhi ho sakta hai na?' finishing his line Bharmal wait for his reply. Jalal didn't know what to say. He didn't know whether he was ready to take up that much responsibility or not...whether he was ready for this encircled life or not...whether he was ready to sacrifice his fun or not. He felt to be left numb by this question.
'Jalal...what do you think?' reiterated Bharmal. This time Jalal spoke up. 'Why me uncle? Aap to sab kuch dekh rahe hai na? And you are best at it. Then why me?'
'Because all's yours beta...it's your fathers lineage. You must take care of it. I looked after it because you were mere kid when your father died. But now you are grown up and...main ab buddha ho raha hoon...mujhse itna load bhi nehi lia jata...so...tum samajh rahe ho na Jalal?' Bharmal again looked up to Jalal for answer. He knew Jalal was mentally not prepared to enter this life but at the same time he knew it's his responsibility to make Jalal settle before he close his eyes.
'I can understand uncle...give me couple of days to think...I will get back to you on this.' Jalal sought some time to make his mind though he knew very well he didn't have many options to choose between.
'All right...let me know your decision by next week. Now hurry up, otherwise you will be late for college.' Bharmal bade them adieu and left the table as he himself was getting late for office.
A few minutes later...
10 minutes past...sitting beside each other...no talking...no fighting. Now that was something troubling Jodha too much. Every day she and Jalal go to college together in Jalal's car. He drives it. They come back together as well. That's their daily routine. But there's never been a day when during this short journey, they didn't fight over anything...from the choice of music to the speed of car...they fight over everything. But today there was a killer silence. Glancing at Jalal hundred and tenth time in last 10 minutes, finally Jodha decided to break the silence.
'Tujhe agar business join nehi karna, toh tu saaf saaf papa ko bata de. Itna pressure mat le apne upar'. Jodha touched the right cord here. Since Bharmal have spoken those words to him, no other thought could make an entry in Jalal's mind. The more he was thinking, more he was getting confused.
'I don't know Jodha...whether I have the option to deny at all. Uncle was right...this is my responsibility and I can't run away from it'. Jalal spoke his mind to Jodha.
'Baat to sahi hai...but...I don't think you are ready for this yet. I will suggest, tu final exam de...then decide kar tujhe kya karna hai. Tab tak chill kar and I want my Jallu back'. Jodha tried to pacify Jalal's nerves.
'May be you are right...I shouldn't take that much pressure right now. Pehle exam ho jaye then will see. I will tell uncle next week to give me time till exam. And thanks yaar...firse ekbar...mujhe samhalne ke liye'. Jalal gave a glance of gratitude to his friend.
'You're welcome...donkey...' Jodha poked her finger in Jalal's belly, making him burst into giggles.
'Shut up...and tell me...is donkey ko apne monkey se kab milwa rahi hai? Asked Jalal as he took the last turn towards their college.
'Chal aaj hi milwati hoon', replied Jodha. She herself was thinking about introducing Rohan to Jalal. She doesn't have a single thing in life which Jalal didn't certify for. Jodha was used to this since her childhood. This is first time she has chosen somebody without Jalal's consent. Jalal's opinion mattered to her even more than that of her own parents. Hence she was very eager to set up this meeting. Jodha actually wanted them to like each other as they both were very important parts of her life. 'I hope everything come across nicely'. Jodha closed her eyes and prayed to God as the car entered the college.
PS: yeh thora different hai mere FF se...kaisa laga batana zaroor
Fan Fictions
Anupamaa
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