4~*NOT just a passionate affair~*Pt 42

3rd September

OSR PART 41

SRI INSTITUTE - THE DEAN'S ROOM

'We never expected this from you' came the stern objection from the Head of the Committee 'Especially, not at this stage!'

Re-fastening the metal strap of his watch that he'd been toying with, he looked up at the panel of members seated in front - observing one face to next as he took in their puzzled frowns.

This was a group of respectable members that he'd always been on cordial terms with. They were the eminent faculty who'd willingly favoured him in the past two years - professors who'd actively backed him through all his achievements. Yet, at this point in time not even one of those 'friendly' faces appeared pleased with his choices - and this despite his many logical trials to convince them differently.

'Damn' he fidgeted in disappointment - this was not going to end on good terms for him. Ceasing his temporary lull, Jalal went on to re-address the Dean on a calm note, hoping to give it one last shot 'I've only taken this decision after long and hard thought, sir... I'm only requesting you to exempt me from attending the remaining classes and seminars, which are for another three-four weeks at most...' he paused 'I will be able to catch up by accessing study material online...'

'We are not a Govt college, Jalal' the Assistant Dean retorted 'This is a reputed private institute... we value class attendance and active participation in presentations and debates!'

The lone student let out a heavy sigh 'I realize that sir...but...'

'Jalal' Mrs. Uma interrupted his attempts 'We were banking on you to present an important portion of the Investment Analysis seminar next week...we have visiting lecturers attending too...and you're leaving it half-way?'

'If your personal problems are so grave...' Mr. Venkatraman suggested 'Why don't you seek the counsellor's assistance?'

'Yes, Jalal...that helps...' Professor Ram Charan agreed 'And I can tell you from experience... personal problems come and go... but education is what stands by you... forever!'

'True... and who doesn't have family problems?' Mrs. Uma butted in once again. This outspoken lecturer appeared to be in no mood to mince her words - after all, she had more than one reason to be disappointed in her star pupil 'I lost my father last year...I didn't stop coming to college... Professor Ram Charan would tell you too... he'd lost his wife some years ago...but, that didn't stop him from teaching...we all get on with life...we don't quit...'

'But Ma'am I'm not quitting my MBA...' Jalal asserted, his tone slightly sharper now 'I WILL appear for the exams...it's only classes and the seminars that I cannot attend...besides, my personal problems are of a different nature...' no doubt, he was genuinely touched by their concern. He was saddened to have to disillusion them - that too, literally at the finishing stages of his post graduation. However; by this point, he also couldn't help but think they were being harder on him than needed. Maybe because the private institute wanted to preserve their almost squeaky-clean track records?

Nevertheless, he had to take this step. He could deal with a few angry frowns from his professors. What he couldn't deal with was her postgraduation dreams being annihilated unfairly and unreasonably!

'Anyway...' the Dean spoke up a few seconds later, shaking his head with a disapproving scowl 'It's YOUR decision at the end of the day...but since this is not medical leave, your loss of attendance will affect your scores... you will lose a percentage of your marks for failing to attend the presentation...'

'Oh!' he stared-on, in mild disbelief. It took him a minute to absorb the setback - but he subsequently decided to deal with the conditions 'It's only a few marks' he told himself, before accepting the terms 'All right...I understand sir'

'And' the Dean concluded - his tone still somber 'We NEVER reveal such information to students beforehand... but, I'm telling you this...because, you're one of my favourites...and because, I'm hoping that what I'm about to say will make you change your mind...' he waved his finger with authority 'Due to your exceptional track record in both, academics and extra-curriculars... you stand a good chance as contender for the Outstanding MBA Student award...' he shrugged 'With this shortfall, your attendance falls below 90%... you lose out on the eligibility for that award...'

'What?' Jalal's eyes widened. Now, this information was a tad more difficult to down - especially for a go-getter like him. Two years of hard work to be wiped out by four weeks of insufficiency? He took a deep breath in - weighing the situation as he did so - pondering on the pros and the cons.

Outstanding Student, MBA Batch 2012!

Which academic wouldn't look forward to it? No doubt, it'd be a significant loss, if lost!

Now, what would he gain with this award, if he got it? Claps? Praise? A photo in the local daily? Another crown on his already-brimming trophy shelf? A few years on - and it'd all just be an interesting memory for him. Well, career-wise it wouldn't do him much - seeing how he was only going to take up his family business hereafter.

Then again, what could it come at the cost of? His promise to her? Her education? Her life's ambitions? Her happiness?

'But Jodha, this degree's your dream...and I'll ensure nothing affects that!'

Letting out a cheerless smirk, Jalal looked back up thence and at the Head of the Institute - who was still awaiting an answer in all eagerness

'I understand sir...' he accepted the ramifications, a soft smile returning to his lips 'And I accept the consequences too...'

KALANIKETAN SHOPPING MALL - THE WEDDING SECTION

Her forehead had broken out into a cold sweat despite the fact that the glistening showroom was effectively air-conditioned. Nothing was making sense to her anymore. Her listless glimpses had lingered over the endless selection of clothes on the low counter for so long, that the sights were nothing but a maze of distorted colours to her. The vast variety of fine fabrics in front had converged into a kaleidoscopic mess of sorts. The vibrant displays felt meaningless - as though they were sapping the colour out of her already-bleak days even further.

Five days. In a mere five days, her world had undergone such radical changes that she couldn't even fathom how to come to terms with the dark realities. Alas! She'd become a helpless victim all over again - her hands forcefully tied, her mouth compulsively shut. Only this time, the deed was being done by fate - and by her own family. She'd been reduced to a mute spectator, where she could do little but sit by and watch as lavish dresses - gifts - were being picked for the groom's household to mark the big day.

Bandhani, Brocade, Crepe, Resham, Benarasi - many such elegant and exquisite materials had been chosen. Yet, how brutal that the extravagance was to signify a ritual that could be nothing but inelegant and unpleasant to her.

The Tilak ceremony!

Her traditional engagement to Rishabh Raghuvanshi was slated to take place four days from then!

'Nearly done maa...' bhabhi put away the ones she hadn't found too enticing 'I'm guessing this should do ...we've taken everyone in their family into account...'

'Bahu' came mamma's stern reply thereon - as she passed on an audible message through her daughter-in-law to her daughter, who was sitting just a seat away 'Ask your nanad, if she's going to choose anything for herself... if not, let's take these clothes and have them billed...I have to return to the hospital now...'

'Bhabhi' questioned Jodha in return, just as she heard the caustic words darted at her 'Ask mamma how she could possibly assume that I'd be interested in shopping... when papa's still recovering at hospital...'

'Bahu...' the mother retorted instantly, while she continued to look ahead 'Maybe your nanad should be reminded who put him in the hospital in the first place...who caused us all this stress... whose misbehaviour has pushed our family into shame...' she let out a sarcastic smirk 'Besides, I too have no interest in shopping when my husband has just had an angioplasty heart surgery 24 hours ago ... I am ONLY doing this to follow his wishes...'

'Bhabhi' Jodha fretted 'How do I explain...I...don't want this now...'

'Bahu...' her mom turned livid 'Let's leave then...she's forgotten everything that happened at the hospital yesterday...between her and her father...but, I'm not surprised anymore...'

NO! That was simply not true. How could she forget anything that'd happened at the hospital? How could she ever get over those disturbing scenes? How could she disregard the pitiable plight that she'd been reduced to - that her family had been reduced to - that her dad has been reduced to?

'This ill father begs his daughter...please show him that you still care for his feelings...'

Is that not why her lifeless form was sitting here in the first place? Is that not why she was following her family's bidding? Is that not why Jodha Singh had turned victim from fighter - and in the span of barely two days?

'I do not want to get engaged...please don't force me into this...' she'd continued putting on a brave front and protesting voraciously against the rishta - her spirits charged-up following her conversation with Jalal at college 'I want to continue attending college...and I am not wrong in wanting to do so...' she'd refused to give up. Despite the torrent of emotional blackmail her mother had subjected her to - despite the additional warnings her brothers had come up with, she'd persisted tenaciously 'I can't agree to this rishta... please hear me out once... you're prejudiced against my choice, only because you don't want to accept him...Jalal comes from an excellent family too...'

However, many many hours of such traumatic spectacles in an otherwise peaceful household could not come without a cost. It'd ultimately taken its toll. That too, on the one person who was her weakest link emotionally - the one person who'd been her pillar of support for the past 23 years. Her father! Just as she'd feared, his health eventually succumbed to the stress.

The disappointment caused by the many shockers that his 'ideal' daughter was giving him - the agony caused by watching his laadli go through constant hell at home - his weak heart could take it all no more. On Monday night, he'd suddenly stopped speaking - chest pains had taken over. He had to be rushed to the hospital. 'A mild heart attack' the doctors had diagnosed. An emergency angioplasty had to be scheduled for Tuesday morning.

The misfortune hit everyone like a tumbling ton of bricks would. Emotions started spiralling out of control. In a frenzy, she was made the scapegoat. Her family touted her - and her obsession over this 'manhoos ladka' - as the prime cause for his condition!

By the time the angiogram and other test results had arrived at hospital on Tuesday morning, her mother had become so possessed by anger and grief that she'd refused to let the daughter meet her own father.

'No Jodha... don't go inside the room...' she'd cursed her youngest one, immense concern for her husband thoroughly blinding her sensibilities 'You'll only make his condition worse! His health will deteriorate further if he sees you...'

'Please don't do this to me mamma... I never wish ill upon anyone... you know I love papa too much... I haven't done anything wrong...'

'Choti! Its YOUR choices and actions that have led to this... and you know this very well too! As it is, you're out to ruin our family's reputation...now, you're taking away our father from us too?'

'Bhaiyya...aise mat kahiye...I'm not evil...you're all my own... my family... just because I love someone else, doesn't mean I love you all any less...'

'No Jodha... it has become clear...you consider that manhoos ladka more important than all of us...even your father's health matters less...'

'Mamma...please...don't say such things... please let me meet papa once...'

Standing outside the hospital room, she'd pleaded and pleaded and pleaded to no end. All she'd wanted to do was see her dad's face. To talk to him. To wish him luck before the surgery. However, those pleas had fallen on deaf ears. Apparently, no one wanted to empathize with the unruly-daughter-of-the-house who'd caused it all.

At long last, it was her father who'd intervened. Papa had ended up calling for her. Much to her relief, he finally had something to say to his laadli - or so she'd thought.

THE UNIVERSITY GROUNDS

'Kyaa yaar...' he whined cheerlessly, shooing-off a fly that was annoying him even further than he already was 'I still can't believe it...'

'Me neither...' Maan let out an unhappy sigh, as he leaned against the large peepal tree they were resting under

'You hauled us all the way here...to tell us this?' Abdul murmured, before frustratedly flinging afar a tiny pebble on the soft lawn 'And I was under the impression we were gathering here to make some plans for today evening...'

'Same here...' Renu sneered 'This makes no sense whatsoever!'

Letting out a defeatist grin in response to their disgruntled reactions, Jalal silently watched his pals for a while - letting them have their 'sulk' time. After all, their grievances weren't unwarranted - they had every right to feel let down. They'd been under the impression that he'd dragged them to one of their regular hangouts - on the Uni grounds - for a brief chill-out break. Alas! How disappointed were they to feel when they realized this was never meant to be a casual reunion at all. They'd been tricked into this catch-up session by their bestie only to be ambushed with a bomber soon after - something they'd least expected.

'Guys...don't be too surprised... but, just wanted to tell you that I'm off now... today is my last day at campus... will be back for the exams hereafter...so, just wanted to meet back at our favourite spot to bid you all a farewell...I've totallly enjoyed my two years at SRI because of you four... and I have absolutely no doubts that we're going to continue being like we always have... friends-in-touch... I'm not going to get all emotional on you now...and you four better not get emotional on me either, ok?'

Nope! He'd not discussed his intentions with his close-knit group even a day prior. He'd given them no feelers whatsoever. Not even to Abdul.

So understandably, they were not happy about this!

Having waited through a five-minute-spell of nothingness thereafter, Jalal eventually decided to end the impasse 'Hey guys... waise bhi there's only a month of college left...' he shut the zip of his Nike bag 'Besides, stop acting like we're never going to meet again...'

'You're just abandoning the Investment Analysis presentation we've worked on for a month?' Renu exclaimed in disbelief 'This is f**king ridiculous...'

'And what about our study leave?' Salim fumed 'We used to get together... share notes... crash out at the library till late...gorge on chai and samosas...have fun...'

'We'll do it at MY place...' Jalal shrugged on a chirpy note 'Or any of yours...'

Renu glared back at him 'You know that's not going to be entirely practical...'

'Wait a sec' Abdul interrupted the conversation 'So you're not going to be attending the farewell party, either?'

'God!' Jalal groaned under his breath. He hadn't thought about THAT glitch yet . Nevertheless, he had no other go but to put on an apologetic frown for then 'Maybe not...'

'Wah!' Salim sniggered 'One of the most popular faces in SRI missing out his own farewell party? These days will never come back... you recognize that, right?'

'Please yaar...' Jalal stopped his friend on a heavy-hearted note 'Don't make it any tougher for me than it already is...'

'By the way' came Abdul's inquisitive query a second later 'Does Jodha know about this plan of yours? I'm sure you haven't consulted her before taking this decision...she'd never approve of it...'

Erupting into a slow half-smile, Jalal stared back sheepishly - he had to marvel at how well his best mate knew them both 'Of course, she doesn't know...' he winked 'But... I'll pass on the message through Meera ...later on...'

'Good for you...' Renu's tone dripped with sarcasm 'For some crappy terms that her ANCIENT family is coming up with... you're giving up your college life...GREAT!'

'Renu... please tone it down! I've enjoyed two years...it's only a month I'm missing out on...' he shrugged casually 'And who knows... maybe they assumed this would be the quickest way to stop the family gossip mills from working overtime...' as he ended that cynical note, his glimpses veered towards their hushed friend resting against the peepal tree

'Hey' Maan eventually broke his silence at long last, unease now written all over his face - he knew very well what Jalal was hinting at 'Somehow... you feel all this is happening because of me, right? I'm so sorry yaar...but I really had no other go...'

'Achaa?' Jalal raised his brow quizzically

'Don't look at me that way...I'm already feeling like shit for all that's happened...' Maan fidgeted with the cap of his water bottle 'You have no idea how angry her bhaiyya sounded over the phone... and being interrogated that way... in the middle of the night... with my parents standing right behind me...I had no idea what to say...what was going on...where she was...or how to cover up for you both...'

'Ok...ok... ok...' Jalal suddenly put his hand out to pat the guy on his shoulder, his attitude making a swift shift for the better. If truth be told; neither did he hold Maan entirely responsible for the way things had turned out, nor did he want to get into blame-games at this point 'It's ok... I understand...' he clarified 'Even if you HAD covered up for us, I can't see how Jodha wouldn't have gotten into trouble with her family...that evening ... things...' his tone faltered for a moment. A myriad of recollections from the critical night - both, good and bad - subconsciously returned to his mind in a flash 'Everything was just too muddled up that night...' he paused to take a deep breath 'Waise...' he quickly decided to steer the 'delicate' topic away. Neither did his group know of the extent of abuse Jodha had undergone - nor were they aware of what it had led to at his place thereon - and he meant to keep it that way 'Waise...if we need to blame someone, let's just blame the bas***d that brought us to this... that stalker...'

'Yeah...'

'And you sure its not Shareef or any of his gang members?'

'I'm sure...' Jalal nodded, slipping into deep thought once again 'That build...the height...the voice...somehow, I know this person...and yet, just can't seem to...'

'Arre yaar... ye sab baatein chodo...' Abdul interrupted his ruminations with a boisterous pat on his back 'You'd said her brothers are going to lodge a complaint na...let's hope the authorities are able to dig up something...' he gave his bestie his typical playful wink 'You're leaving in the next five minutes...let's discuss something positive...'

'True...'

'You're right...'

'Ek badaa waalaa group hug ho jaaye?'

'God...you guys are a seriously senti lot!'

'Come on...'

A bout of funny chuckles broke out as the lively group of five got into a shoulder-to-shoulder arm-in-arm mega hug - reliving two years of fun within those two minutes.

'Ouch... Abdul... stop it... that's my hair... stop ruining it...'

'Oops Renu...' he sniggered back

'Guys... guys... guys...' Jalal cut short their tiff with a low wince 'That's my left shoulder...be careful'

'Oh...'

'Sorry...'

'By the way, Jalal...don't forget to have it checked with the doc again!'

'Sure sure daadi-amma!' he nodded like an obedient student would and then stopped - he'd just noticed something 'Wait a sec...Renu...is that...is that a tear in your eye?'

'Nooo...' she looked away in defiance, till there came a point when she could hide it no more

'Kyaa yaar...' he patted her shoulder with an affectionate smile 'My tomboy dost turned all ladylike, haan?'

'Yeah...yeah...whatever...' she snubbed, still annoyed about having given in to a tearful spell in front of four men

'Pagli...' he ruffled her hair

'Ok... ok...' she ducked to protect her hair that Abdul had already half-dishevelled 'Waise, you want us to tell the rest of our batchmates about this?'

'Yeah...' he nodded 'I don't want to come there and create a scene now!'

'And Jalal...' Salim jumped in thereafter, trying to make light of the unfolding emotional scenes 'We'll barge into your house anytime... unannounced...so be prepared for that...'

'Of course...only... make sure you've parcelled some canteen-waalaa samosa-pakodas for me before you come!'

'Deal' Maan cheered

'Deal'

'Deal'

Just then, the alarm on Maan's mobile went off - indicating it was time for their next class. As the group eventually parted away from the hug, Jalal made a sweeping survey of the affable faces around him and then the familiar places around him. The buildings, the grounds, the canteen, the library, the students. How beautiful were the memories they carried for him. How cheerful were the days he'd spent there. How many joyous occasions came to mind - and now, he was leaving it all behind. It was not his first farewell in life - but it was definitely beginning to feel like the most difficult one.

Life was a mixed bag of goodies indeed! Who knew what surprises each day held in store for everyone?

KALANIKETAN SHOPPING MALL - THE WEDDING SECTION

'This ill father begs his daughter...please show him that you still care for his feelings...'

When she'd opened the hospital room door and quietly gone in, all she'd hoped for by that point was to hear him call her 'Jodha beta' . All she'd hoped for was to be able to hold his hand tenderly. To be able to hug him and feel like a daughter again.

So, no sooner than she'd shut the door behind her and run up to his bed - she'd wrapped him in a tearful embrace 'Papa...I love you...get all right soon...'

However; when she'd come away from the hug what she saw startled her. She noted in her father's eyes an anguish that she rarely saw before. She knew what that expression meant - he wanted something from her!

'Papa?'

'Jodha' he'd spoken up - his voice very feeble 'Beta...in the past 58 years, I've never let our family's reputation come to harm... please don't destroy what I've so carefully built...please give up on this adamancy of yours... I will be discharged in two days...please let the Tilak to go on like we'd planned...' a tear drop gradually trickled off his tired eyes 'I want to come out of this surgery a peaceful man...if people start mocking our household...I shall not be able to withstand the humiliation...I'll...I'll...' he'd picked up both his palms and folded them with great difficulty thereafter 'This ill father begs his daughter...please show him that you still care for his feelings...'

All she could remember following that immensely pitiful request from him, was her mind going blank. Her body had slumped down on one corner of his hospital bed soon after. Her emotions had burst forth into a hysterical fit of sobs!

'Two hours we've been sitting here... and she's not chosen one saree...' her mother's voice resonated in the shopping aisle, snapping Jodha out of her dreadful stupor 'She hasn't returned Rishabh's call either...only yesterday, she gave her word to her father that she'll forget about that ladka...but today, she's back to her tantrums...'

'Ma...' bhabhi sighed 'Please try to understand...'

'No you make HER understand why we're being so strict bahu...' mamma responded on a harsh note 'In spite of the mess she's created... in spite of tarnishing our family honour, we still do care for her future. She argues so much with Kranthi. Does she know that Kranthi has set aside some savings to get her a new mobile phone? Despite his schedules and office work, Bhagwant has been making so many trips to the police station to report that stalker ...' her mother wiped a brewing tear with the corner of her pallu 'Does she know that for every meal she skips at home, her mother skips one too? Does she know that her father has been trying to convince her brothers to send her back to college? She realizes NONE of it... because she cannot see anything beyond herself...'

'Ma...' bhabhi tried to comfort her distressed mother-in-law 'People are watching... as it is, a big scene was created at the hospital yesterday...let's avoid one here today...' she patted the woman's shoulder She is young...laadli of the house, so adamant...like we're in shock, she's in shock too... give her some time to come out of it...she's been led astray by that boy, but she'll come back to us... she loves us...now let's concentrate on papa's health...and on this ceremony...everything will become all right...'

'Astray?' Jodha asked herself as she overheard the conversation 'I haven't been led astray...' she was silently staring at a red saree that was lying on the counter - a saree not unlike the one she'd worn on that fateful day 'I have only fallen in love with an amazing person...' she began running her fingers on its fabric 'A charming man to whom I consider myself married... by mind, heart, soul...' she paused emotionally 'And even by body... then how can I tolerate my name being taken with anyone else's? I know I'm committing no crime...only, I wish someone would see it like how it was. God! I don't know what to do anymore...'

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Hope you liked it and if you did please leave a comment/like if time permits as it helps the writer in me to keep going 😳

8th September

OSR PART 42

SRI INSTITUTE - THE CANTEEN

'FINALLY!' she thumped her purse on the canteen table, smiling at the silent friend now sitting opposite her 'Feels like ages since we did this...'

No response came

Making a quick scan of the growing queues at the service counter, she reverted back to her company 'I'm going to get myself some poori chole... what about you?'

No response came again

'Jodha...' she frowned 'Hello... someone's talking to you here...'

'Huh?' the young lady finally answered, as though she'd just come away from a trance

'Where are you? You're definitely not at the SRI canteen...' Meera tapped her own temple 'Well... at least, not mentally...' the playfulness in her tone faded slightly 'Missing Jalal? You're a bit upset that Jalal took off without telling you?'

'Jalal'

Now THAT mention managed to get Meera her pal's attention for a short interval

'Err...y... yeah...' Jodha muttered slowly, her reactions a massive underplay of her true emotions.

MISSING? 'Missing' would be a very insufficient word to describe what she was feeling in his absence!

A BIT upset? She was REALLY upset that he'd left college - and that she'd known nothing about it till much later.

'Nooo...Jalal... what have you done?' she'd clutched her landline receiver in near-grief when Meera had told her the news over the weekend. Did her ambitious man have to do this? Did her sensible boyfriend have to send her on guilt trips too at this point in time? Couldn't he have waited for a while?

Nevertheless, Jalal was not alone in bearing the brunt of her displeasure over his decision. Her own conscience was under just as much fire too - for not having seen the signs coming - for not having guessed what he'd meant when he'd made those statements five days ago.

'But Jodha, this degree's your dream...and I'll ensure nothing affects that!'

If only she'd been given the chance. She would never have let this happen, but alas. Their circumstances had been exceptional and they'd had no means to contact each other. While she was trapped at home, he'd taken a call in her absence! Nothing could be done now 'Yeah...' she confessed once more on a soft note 'I wish he hadn't given up his college life for my sake...'

'Hey... we are ALL missing him a lot...' Meera admitted sympathetically, on noting the lifeless replies 'I know it's crazy but our group doesn't feel like 'THE GROUP' anymore...we used to have such fun together...' her worry lines magnified 'You weren't here all of last week... Jalal no longer attends college...of late, there's been a slight awkwardness between Maan-Payal and the rest of the group after everything that happened ... Renu obviously doesn't mingle with me...' she uneasily shifted in her seat 'You know...she's pretty mad at your family for Jalal's sake...so, only Abdul and I catch up whenever we can...I guess you both were the backbone of our groups...and when you both are hardly around... it's all becoming a bit weird...' she paused suddenly 'By the way, you ARE back at college full time na?'

'Yeah...' Jodha nodded listlessly, still trying to get around the disheartening updates she'd just heard 'Yes... I'm back full time...in fact, I'm even planning to attend tuitions to catch up...Bhaiyya sabke liye maan gaye...' she let out a cynical half-smile 'But HE's going to be dropping me off and picking me up...they don't trust me with the scooty anymore... maybe they fear I'd run away from home or something...'

'I pity you...'

'I pity myself...'

'Ok forget about all this...any news on the stalker? Your bhaiyya lodged a complaint, right?'

'Nope' Jodha grimaced 'No positive news on that front either!'

'Oh...' Meera empathized. It was becoming obvious. So swamped was her pal by problems that no amount of optimism from her end was going to help for now 'So last week's been real bad on you, na? Tough days...how have you been coping?'

'Tough days?' she smirked, as the dramatics of the entire soap opera that'd played out at the Singh household in the past week flashed in front of her eyes. How COULD she cope? Well, her battered soul had no other go but to stick to the standard formulas - fighting, pleading, praying, crying, sulking, moping, arguing, debating, justifying herself, defending Jalal, braving taunts, braving emotional blackmail, wrestling with loneliness, missing Jalal, battling desperation, worrying about dad's health, trying not to hate herself for giving-in, trying not to hate her family for making her give-in, enduring drama and theatrics she never knew her family could come up with and last but not the least, becoming exhausted!

'Wow!' she exclaimed as she came to the end of that mental checklist 'What a busy week I've had...' she broke out into a sardonic laugh at her own plight - till the non-hilarity of her situation gradually dawned upon her 'And all this for what? For NOTHING! For N-O-T-H-I-N-G!!!!!'

'Badhai ho Singh Sahab...ab tho ham rishtedaar ban gaye...'

'Malti ji... we are looking forward to take your daughter home, as our bahu soon...'

'We are very happy with how the Tilak rituals progressed...the gifts are exceptional...'

'Hello...is it Jodha? It's me...Rishabh here... congrats...so, we are officially engaged now...waise, I realize you're the reserved type... I know you're really busy with college... and I understand you're upset that your dad's not been well lately... but, I'd like it if you could take some time out for me...I think we should start interacting a bit more now... get to know each other more...want to come out for dinner some day?'

Papa's heart condition. Mama's increasingly-worrying silence that was beginning to show signs of onset of clinical depression. Bhaiyya's terrifying threats that'd gone a step too far. The emotional baggage was too heavy - especially for a lone young lady to carry all by herself. The vulnerable daughter in this 23 year old rebel had yielded. She'd succumbed to their wishes - at least, for the time being. Her family had gotten their way - at least, for now.

On Sunday, her brothers had gone over to the Raghuvanshi household and performed the Tilak as was customary. The preliminary set of traditional Rajput ceremonies had been done. She was now officially engaged to Rishabh!

'Hey Jodha...you've zoned out again...' Meera's voice pulled her out of those dreadful flashbacks 'You look so lost...' she went on to hold her bestie's hand supportively 'Anxious about uncle's health? Actually, Payal and I were wondering if we could drop by to visit him once...'

'Hmmm...' Jodha let out a long sigh, her dull gazes still vacillating between Meera's inquisitive glances and the speckled floor 'Thanks for the concern... par, it's ok yaar... papa's getting better ... and waise bhi, things at home are not so good now... so...'

'Oh!' Meera muttered 'Are uncle and aunty still extremely upset about...' her words came to a slow halt 'Jodha' she called out, sensing that there was still something wrong with the entire picture 'We haven't had the time to catch up because of classes this morning ...we can talk now, if you want to...is there something I don't know?'

'Huh?' the preoccupied young lady shook her head lightly 'Nahi...nahi... kuch nahi...'

She was lying. Yup, there was one thing Meera didn't know about. Why, even Jalal knew nothing of the shocking developments from a day ago yet. In fact, no one outside her family did. Not because she was scared to tell, but because even SHE didn't know what to make of this sham-of-an-engagement so far! Well, she definitely didn't consider herself related to Rishabh in any way. So, her shaken mind was still trying to come to terms with how to utter ludicrous statements like 'I've just been compelled to get engaged to Rishabh'.

'Arre...' Meera spoke up - to snap her absorbed companion out of the stupor-spell she was refusing to come out of 'I'm off to the library after lunch... you wanna come too?'

'No' Jodha uttered 'I have to go the lab... to check my emails...haven't had internet access in a week...'

'WAIT!' Meera exclaimed, putting on a cheerful tone 'You haven't spoken to him yet, na... you can speak to Jalal now... from MY phone! You'll feel better... lo...' she forcefully thumped her mobile into the hands of her dazed pal - another attempt to uplift Jodha's buried spirits from hibernation 'I'm going to the counter to place the order and get our lunches...' she grinned 'In the meanwhile, tum jee bharke flirt karlo!'

Grabbing her handbag as she stood up; the upbeat junior playfully winked at her seemingly 'lost' friend, before disappearing into the famished canteen crowds all alone - supposedly letting the young lady enjoy her privacy for a bit.

Jodha let out a crestfallen smile as her eyes followed the receding profile of her closest buddy 'Meera, don't you think I would have called Jalal from your phone...first thing in the morning...if I had to...'

'I don't care even if the police come knocking around...but, I HATE that man... it is because of HIM that you've changed so much... even papa begging you from his hospital bed has had no effect on you...'

'But...' she lamented, continuing to guard the door latch in desperation - her rational mind still wondering if her eyes were deceiving her in some way. She knew her brothers were a hot-headed egoistic lot, but she never realized that 'hot-headed' and 'egoistic' could morph into something so terrifying 'I don't want to get married to Rishabh...'

'Why?' bhaiyya's nostrils flared up in rage 'He's an educated, kind, good looking Rajput...at first, he was reluctant to let you continue studies after marriage...but when papa requested, he agreed... you don't even return his calls...yet...he gladly obliged when we showed interest...and you reject such a magnanimous man for a badtameez...for a roadside Romeo?'

'Bhaiyya!' she shouted back, not realizing that the frenzy in her tone and the fury in her stares had intensified by many notches 'I love papa just as much too... but the person you refer to as a badtameez is in reality a brilliant achiever...' she paused to catch up on her breath, the repression of her simmering anger taking up every ounce of self-control 'ROADSIDE romeo? He is the sole heir to his family's flourishing business...you think Rishabh is magnanimous for LETTING me continue my studies? Do you know... Jalal has actually STOPPED attending college... sacrificed his marks... just so MY education doesn't get interrupted...' she turned to her mother, the disappointment in her expressions bluntly evident 'Mamma...the person you keep referring to as a MANHOOS LADKA actually helps destitute old people by managing an old age home...those people consider him anything BUT manhoos!'

'Kranthi...' bade bhaiyya interrupted the squabble, flustered by Jodha's relentless defences of her choice 'Come on...she is possessed...she's not going to give up...'

'Mamma...papa...' she yelled out frantically, hoping for some support - her grip around the door latch tightening even further 'Say something...please...bhabhi...Vishal bhaiyya...'

'Yes ji...she's right... don't do this...this is very dangerous...'

'Haan bhaiyya...please...'

'Shut up...both of you...' he thundered in retort

'Why waste time...' Kranthi bhaiyya smirked aloud, toughening his clutch around the rubber handle 'Chal...Bhagwant...'

'NO... NO...stop...' finally letting go of the latch, she folded her palms and knelt on the floor - overcoming all sense of ego and self-respect by that point 'Please... don't do this... please don't hurt him... he is innocent...a very good man... he doesn't deserve this... he wouldn't even raise his hands against you bhaiyya...'

'Choti move... or you'll end up getting hurt...'

'No bhaiyya...'

'CHOTIII!'

'Ouch!' Jodha flinched in pain as she felt his ironclad fingers dig into her arm, tearing her slouched petite body away from the door that she'd been so vehemently shielding 'Bhaiyya... stop... please...Vishal bhaiyya...please rokiye unhe...' she stubbornly continued clenching onto her brother's legs, not allowing him to cross the threshold of her house 'No...no...stop... please listen to me... don't hurt him...I beg you...' she defiantly held on, since the rest of her family's pleas seemed to be having no effect on them 'Please... Jalal... has done nothing but good to me...'

Following the short tussle that broke out between the siblings, a harrowing howl went off in the corridors of the apartments. The brothers had freed themselves from her forceful grip - her quivering hands could restrain them no more 'Fine bhaiyya...' she gasped - both, in breathlessness and rage as her pride just endured another big blow 'Stoppp' a resentful tear made its way to the corner of her tired eyes. Her aggressive spirit was being compelled to admit that she had no other go but to give in to their whims - at least for then, if she needed to protect her man 'I'll do as you say...but, don't hurt him...'

An unnerving interval of stillness took over the disturbed family

'We want you to stop talking to him...' bhaiyya spoke of their wishes thereon 'We want you to stop conversing with him...to stop sharing ANYTHING with him... in short, to completely forget about him... promise us you'll do that...and I'll drop this plan for now...warna...' he paused 'And I'll know if you lie to us ever again...'

THE MUHAMMED HOUSEHOLD - JALAL'S BEDROOM

KNOCK! KNOCK!

'Yes?' came the gentle voice from inside 'Ammi?'

'Yes it's me...'

'What?' Jalal wondered aloud, as he saw her delightful profile reappearing into his room - with a characteristically refreshing smile on her lips and yet another tray of fried delicacies in her hands

'I just tried out these chicken fritters ... and they've come out so well... you love them na...'

'Ammi...' he blurted in amusement 'I'm at home for STUDY leave...aur...aap...yeh...sab'

'Acha?' she glared back in mock-anger 'When I come in, it's study time ... but when you're alone, it's ok to watch a match all morning...'

'All morning?' he laughed at her exaggerations 'Only 45 minutes...' he paused - to observe her place the platter of sizzling friams beside the pile of books on his desk. She'd gone the whole hog - cocktail sticks, paper napkins and even a drink on one side 'But ammi... it's barely 1 and this is round three already...I'm off to Abdul's place this evening...aur wahaan bhi aunty would have cooked me a feast...' a mischief-laden snigger emerged on his lively features 'At this rate, I'll have to permanently shift my desk to the gym...that is, if I don't want to break the exam chair while sitting on it!'

'Kuch bhi' she dismissed his concerns 'Cut out on your beers and you'll be fine... after eons, you're at home AT THIS TIME of the day...so, your ammi felt like spoiling you a bit...' her smiles turned slightly sheepish 'Besides, I'm trying all this by myself... no help from Shantamma...you know?'

'God ammi...' he grinned at her adorable antics, before dragging out a chair for her and placing it beside his own 'Baitiye...let's have this together...'

'Wow' she thought, mighty pleased with his words. A late-morning catch up with her lad over a plate of self-made fritters - a rarity in this house indeed! So, she wasted no time in taking him up on his offer.

No sooner than he'd helped himself to the first piece and hurled her an 'It's amazingly tasty' wink , she delved right in too

'By the way' she resumed conversation, once she was through her morsel 'What's this extended study leave for? I'm still a bit...er... confused...'

'Kuch nahi...' he brushed her off impishly - his mouth semi-stuffed with a fritter 'It's actually... er... quite complicated...'

'Hmmm...' she let out a sceptical sigh 'Anyway beta...I've been meaning to ask you something...well... if your abbu was here na... he would have wanted to ask you this too...' noticing how intently her son was waiting for her to proceed, she went on to reveal her thoughts - something that'd been lingering in her mind for a long long while now 'What are your plans for the future, Jalal?'

'Future plans?' he cleared his throat in surprise - that 'profound' question had pretty much caught him unaware 'Baap re...not given it much thought ammi...I'm only 25 na...' he shrugged nonchalantly 'Don't know...I'll pass these exams first...then, party hard...maybe travel around a few countries for a while...after a few years, I'll possibly think of taking up the business from Taaya...whattsay?' he concluded his reply with a wicked grin.

Nope, he wasn't being totally cheeky with that 'future plans' answer. That's pretty much how he'd envisioned his future for most of his growing up years - till, a certain 'Miss exceptional' had stepped into his life and taken centre spot, of course!

'Hmmm...' his mother muttered in accordance 'Interesting plans, no doubt...' she casually picked up another piece of chicken with her cocktail stick 'But Jalal... I wonder... where and how...Jodha fits in the midst of all this...'

'Jo...?' he nearly choked on his bite - simultaneously trying very hard to stop the sudden spurt of hot flush from spreading to his cheeks. Unfortunately for him, he wasn't entirely successful. Surprising how even the very mention of her name still had that effect on him! 'Jodha' he asked again, with a blank expression - aware that his pointless response was only giving him away further, but he couldn't think of anything else to say for then. Damn! His mother's unusually crafty interrogation had managed to temporarily freeze all of his quick-thinking capabilities!

'Yes... JODHA' ...' she battled her eyelashes with an artificially-innocent look 'You know... your special friend... the lovely young lady...in your college... your junior...'

'Yeah...yeah...Jo...' he admitted with poorly-concealed abashment in order to put a stop to her taunts. It took him a minute or so to recuperate from the awkward situation, but he'd managed to think of a good-enough comeback by then 'So...' he queried her in return, putting on a naive frown as he did so 'You're suggesting I should consider Jodha... as part of my future plans'?' he shrugged slowly, as though he was deep in thought 'Come to think of it... not a bad option actually...'

'Beta' she went on to wipe her oily fingers on the paper napkin, well aware of how her darling son was attempting to turn the situation in his favour 'When you've already taken the decision, why this act of bholaapan? Doesn't suit you, you know!' she winked back at him - just like how he always did when he had the upper hand 'When sons grow up to become young men, they stop sharing stuff with their moms... but, a mom never stops perceiving what goes on in her son's mind...'

'O-K-A-Y!' he bit his lip with an embarrassed smile as he glanced down and conceded defeat. After all, who could win against THAT argument?

'Padlo ab...' the bemused mother patted his hair 'I've troubled you enough for a day...' standing up from her chair, she removed the platter and the napkins from the table 'We'll catch up later...'

'Sure' he chirped - finding himself strangely happy following that short and unexpected Ammi-beta catch up session!

SRI COMPUTER LAB

She cast a heavy-hearted glimpse around the familiar surroundings of the quiet air-conditioned lab, standing still in her spot for a few seconds. How many colourful memories that room brought back. It was the first place she'd gotten to know Jalal properly when they'd been grouped together as a team for his thesis. It was a place where her friends had had many bang-your-head-over-a-last minute submission sessions. It was a hub where THE GROUP had enjoyed both, frivolous jokes and intellectual debates alike. Would she ever get those days back? Would college life ever be the same again? Maybe, not! The canteen, the library, the auditorium, the seminar halls, the grounds, the car park - every nook and cranny in that university campus held special memories for her. Could she ever relive them so fondly again? Maybe, never!

'God!' she mumbled dejectedly, before letting her handbag strap fall off her shoulder. Scanning the available chairs thence, her eyes instantly stopped at the cubicle that housed computer No. 6 - Jalal's favourite spot. For reasons only known to him, he always preferred sitting there - and now, it seemed like she'd become so used to occupying cubicle 6 that her eyes refused to trail off elsewhere too.

Proceeding to take her seat, she began typing in her email id and password. As she did so, a strange sense of anxiety gradually began creeping up her body. No, it was not just about the numerous worried messages from Jalal she knew she would find. No, it was not just about her trepidations of how she should reply to any of them. Something else was stressing her out. Something distressing. She could sense it - but she couldn't explain why.

'Damn!' she slapped her forehead in angst, a second later 'Am I becoming mad?' deliberately shutting away the bizarre set of fears taking over her mind, she decided to log onto her email page.

As expected, there were numerous emails - many from Jalal - some from friends - most with the subject headers 'Where are you?'

Making a swift visual scan through the contents of the casual ones, she stopped in her tracks when the pointer finally reached Jalal's email - his latest one. She froze, unable to proceed for a few minutes thence

'Stop conversing with him...stop sharing ANYTHING with him... in short, completely forget about him... promise us you'll do that...warna...'

Should she give up on her pledge to her brother? Should she forsake her promises to her family yet again? What if bhaiyya somehow found out what she was doing behind his back? Besides, what would she reply to her boyfriend's emails - that 'I've just been engaged to Rishabh...too many problems at home.. we can't be in touch for a while now...hope you understand' ?

'Sheesh' she kneaded her forehead agitatedly, as the weird jitters hit her again! What was going on in her mind? Was she perturbed about going against her family once more? Was she unnerved about what to tell Jalal? Or, was it something else?

Nevertheless; now that his email was sitting right in front - now that she was all alone - it was literally tearing her from inside not to reach out to him. She'd somehow stopped herself from making that call a short while ago. However, THAT resolute seemed to be diminishing now. Yes, he would be hurt about the news of her engagement, but he would be hurt much more if she continued staying aloof!

'Whatever' she eventually resolved to ditch her demons. She was going to check his messages and update him on everything too. She knew that doing so would bring as many smiles to her lips as it would tears to her eyes - but, she owed him at least that much!

Struggling to get a hold of her shaky fingers, she clicked on the mouse - but her faltering fingertips meant the pointer slipped to a supposed spam email below Jalal's.

'Urgh' she winced in annoyance, about to press the BACK button - when her glances fell upon the unknown email id who'd sent her email.

yourhubs@domain.com

'Your hubs? Your HUSBAND?' something struck her 'Wait a sec...' her eyes widened in horror 'Who is this? Is it the stalker...sending me emails now?'

She scrolled down the message - increasingly uneasy about checking its contents. Her heartbeats began racing faster. The tints on her cheeks steadily bleached out into a pale white. By the time she'd reached the bottom, what she saw left her even more aghast. There were no words or poems this time. There was an attachment instead - a video clipping of some sort.

'No' she fidgeted around nervously. She did not want to click on it. What if it was worse than anything he'd done or said so far?

However, what she saw thereafter changed her mind in a jiffy - the still montage on the video image had caught her attention. It was a picture of Jalal's house - his porch, to be precise!

'WHAT!' she yelled, thoroughly distraught. She then tried to press the play button at once -but in her desperation to do so, lost control over the mouse. Her numb hands restlessly fiddled and toppled the instrument many times over before she could straighten the mouse and click on it

- and after what felt like eons, the silent video played.

The stalker had shot - from a distance - a MMS of his Silver Audi parked on the front porch - with JALAL still SITTING in it! Worse, he was chatting to someone on his mobile - totally unaware that he was being filmed!

'No... no... no... stop... stop...' she wanted to scream, but her throat had dried out 'What is he doing... what has he done... no...Jalal...are you safe...are you fine...' In a frenzy, she checked the date and time of email - it'd been sent only a few hours ago! She hysterically glimpsed around - searching for someone she could borrow a mobile from. Suddenly, the visuals on the screen changed - drawing her glances towards it again.

The video had gone blank with a bomb blast-like imagery screening over the whole clipping.

'NOOO' she screamed aloud, kicking back her chair and banging on the screen - like as though it would stop what'd happened!

A message popped up at the end

'Since you don't listen to my words

Since you go to the police

Since you don't want to break his heart

I had no other go but to break yours...

Signed,

Your husband'

*********************

Hope you enjoyed it and if you did please leave me a like/comment if time permits since it helps the writer in me to keep going 😳