AKDHA FF: 'No Name To My Desire' THRD 5- Chap 18-20

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INDEX

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TREAD ONE

FOR Chap 1-6 >>>> CLICK HERE

TREAD TWO

FOR Chap 7-10 >>>> CLICK HERE

TREAD THREE

FOR Chap 11-12 (Part 3) >>>> CLICK HERE

TREAD FOUR

Chap 13-17 >>>> CLICK HERE

TREAD FIVE

Chap 18-20 >>>> (Scroll down)

TREAD SIX

CLICK HERE

MUMBAI

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'Holy sh*t!!! Yeh kaise hua!!!' Abdul slammed on the couch with popped out eyes. His gaze was fixed at Jalal's right arm, presently wrapped under a plaster.

'Nothing yaar...just broke it...' Jalal uttered with a frown. He was still to get out of the effect of the stinging pain he had to go through few hours back. If a single hairline fracture could brought such havoc, Jalal wonder, what a full fledged broken bone would have made him go through.

'Yah...but...how come?' asked a worried Abdul.

'Was playing squash...slipped...hairline fracture...20 days under plaster...that's all.' Jalal summarized the entire incident within few words. He was simply not in a mood to shell out a detailed account. But that much was surely not enough to satisfy his pal. Hence Abdul went again, 'but how can you just...slip? I mean...you are such a pro...salon se khel raha hai yaar...aise kaise gir gaya?'

'Woh...I...slipped over pineapple juice...' uttered Jalal in a barely audible voice.

'What!!! Pineapple juice pe gir gaya!!! But what the hell pineapple juice was doing in your squash court!!!' Today there was no end of surprises for Abdul. And what was making him more irate was Jalal's 'chalta hai' reaction towards the entire thing. As if breaking a hand is hardly an issue to be bothered about. He was surprised...how can a fussy guy like Jalal be so cool with a broken hand...how come he is not taking about bringing the world down! Well...Abdul got the reason...when Jalal uttered the next sentence.

'Salim was drinking it...bottle me leak tha...juice fell on the floor...and...' Here Abdul took the cue. '...And you fell on the juice'.

'YES.' Jalal replied briefly.

'Salim should have been careful...' No sooner these much came out of Abdul's mouth, his mind pulled the plug. It made him face the fact that he just blamed Jalal's son! That too in front of him!

'Sh*t', Abdul silently scolded his tongue for this crime. And just as he expected Jalal took almost no time to react. 'Bachha hai...how is he supposed to be careful? Tu bhi kaisi baat karta hai...' Jalal didn't express his annoyance loudly but it was clear enough from his face that he didn't like his son to be blamed for this.

Sensing Jalal's annoyance Abdul swiftly changed the topic. 'Fir toh...you'll have to rest at home...or you will come to office?'

'Will rest for a week...at least. Then office. Waise bhi...with my badmash son with me I can even live in a lonely island.' With this Jalal broke into a laugh.

'Are wah! Beta kya agaya tu toh ghar se nehi nikal raha...biwi ayegi toh room se bahar nikal na muskil hoga!!!' Abdul laughed back with a wink.

'Woh toh hai...after all...bearing this for 5 long years...waqt toh lagega.' Jalal uttered in a husky voice as he leaned back on the couch. A strange smirk was playing on his face. It didn't escape Abdul's eyes either.

'Hold back your thoughts Jalal. As far as I know your wife...even if you think of doing all these, she will kill you RIGHT THERE...' Abdul uttered with a smirk.

'Trust me Abdul...that would be a death of bliss for me.' With this both of them broke into a laugh riot.

Few minutes later...

'Chal yaar I don't have any more time to waste. You play with your son...I need to go office.' Wrapping up their chit chat session, finally Abdul stood up to leave...but then something struck in his mind...something...hard enough to cause him a sting. Abdul turned again to Jalal. 'Kamine...you are sitting at home with broken hand!!! Then who's gonna sign the contract with Korean Company!!!'

'Ab mere Abbajaan toh nehi kar payenge...' Jalal uttered blatantly. He actually had fun watching this sudden change in Abdul. And this reaction of Jalal irked Abdul even more. This time he came in a much serious tone. 'I know he can't...but his son must find a way. IMPERIAL is working on it for months...it simply can't end like this.'

'There is no other way Abdul. CEO ka sign chalega nehi and I can't sign right now...so...' Jalal didn't finish what he began...he didn't feel like pronouncing those expected words. Just like Abdul, he felt bad too...but there was no other way he could have strolled on to avoid this mishap. Now the only thing he could think of doing was...sending a 'thank you' mail to the employees who worked on this deal. Jalal was about to spell his mind out to his friend but before he could do so, Abdul's words, pulled him on his feet.

'You can't...but your wife can sign on your behalf na?'

Though it was undeniable on Jalal's part that...he himself had no faith on his word...but intentionally he never wanted to break the promise he made to Jodha. That's the reason why he was putting so much effort to stay away from her, knowing very well every such minute was cutting him less. Hence, Abdul's suggestion to drag Jodha in this ruffled Jalal. He turned it down immediately. 'Don't even think of...I don't want to drag her into these. And I promised her not to divulge our marriage to anyone...so...forget it.' With this Jalal turned to leave but again Abdul made him stop. 'Jalal...try to understand...a bunch of young people worked on this project day and night...won't this be injustice to them?' Abdul tried to put forward his logic before Jalal, but he forgot...Jalal never bother about any when it comes to Jodha. As a result he failed miserably. 'It doesn't matter to me in any way...and you know it very well Abdul. Nothing against her wish...and that's final.' With this Jalal tried to close the topic. But Abdul was not done yet. Sensing all his attempts going to ashes he threw the last cube. 'Nothing will be against her wish...I will talk to her and ONLY IF she agrees, we will take this further. Otherwise I will just dumb this project forever.'

Now this logic given by Abdul somehow made sense with Jalal. But still he couldn't brush off the hesitation from his heart. More than hesitation, it was worry that Jalal was feeling. He was worried about Jodha's reaction to the entire thing. He was worried that she may think it to be another ploy of him. The restless battle going inside Jalal didn't go unnoticed by Abdul either. He lightly placed his hand on Jalal's shoulder and uttered, 'don't worry buddy...I will never let that happen. Bharosa hai na aapne dost pe?'

'Khud se jyada...'Jalal truly had that trust on his buddy.

PUNE

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The man studied the number for third time. Still he was far away from getting any clue...who this could be...a client or someone else...Giving it few more minutes he finally picked up the call. 'Hello...who's this?'

'Doesn't matter.' Answered the lady on phone.

'Then tell me what matters.' The man was quick enough to hit back. These lil hiccups were nothing unnatural in his profession. He was used to them.

'I have a task for you.' Uttered the lady briefly on phone.

'Am listening.' Replied the man with patience...but just to be dumbfounded by the caller's next words. 'You should not. You are not going to be briefed on phone.'

'Then what am I supposed to do?' an irritation could be sensed in the man's voice.

'Take the next flight to Kolkata. You will be briefed on the way.' The lady on phone sounded damn confident in her command.

'I think...before that...I need to make...' before the guy could complete, the caller broke into. 'Task what I ask for...and money what YOU ask for. Hope you got your answer?'

'Yes.' Replied the man.

'Then wish you all the luck for your task ahead.' With this the call ended, leaving the private sleuth wondering what the task could be.

KOLKATA

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'Jodha apna pen toh leti ja...' Rinki pushed the pen to Jodha.

'Thanks yaar...main toh bhul hi gayethi...' Jodha picked up the pen and turned to leave, but Ridhima's words made her stop. 'Isn't it quite normal these days?...I mean the 'so active' Jodha is turning into a forgetful mess...you know...it's too tough to swallow.'

'Then don't. Never eat what you can't digest...Ridhima.' Giving a final glare Jodha left, not before unlocking a new floodgate of problems that will aggravate her future troubles many fold.

Jodha was not the kind of person, who rudely behaves with people. But water was rising above her head with Ridhima. She had no idea for what reason, everyday Ridhima comes with a new testimony to Jodha's changing life. The more Jodha tries to play it down, the more she fans it. For last few days things were just slipping out of Jodha's hand and her patience. She was waiting for a chance to shut her up...to make Ridhima understand...she wasn't liking any of these. That's what Jodha did today. Made her point clear to Ridhima. But in the process of doing this, Jodha unknowing pushed Ridhima out of friendly ring...made her enemy...an enemy who's gonna cost her havoc in near future.

An irate Jodha came out of the school. She was almost boiling with anger. She was angry with Ridhima...she was angry with Jalal...she was angry with her fate...she was angry with each and every aspect of her life. She wished she could have slashed them apart from her life. But she couldn't. She was fated to live with them. And this un-putdown-able and constant truth turned Jodha's life into a living hell. It kept reminding her every second...that irrespective of her efforts she will have to bear this burden all her life. No MERCY...No ESCAPE.

Jodha looked at her wrist watch. It was 15 past 5. Earlier she used to leave school before 4.30 pm...then she had to pick up Rico from his school and get back home. But now...she doesn't have that job anymore. Rico's absence had removed the business out of Jodha's life. She was left with endless time, not known how to spend.

Giving few more minutes to her aimless mind...Jodha finally decided to get back home...at least she can spend some time...chatting with Bhabya...she thought. Jodha was about to call for Auto...but her voice stumbled on her own name...uttered by somebody else.

'Jodha...'

Voice seemed not so known to Jodha. But when she turned to face the caller...she knew who it was.

'Hi...am Abdul.' Uttered Jalal's pal with a smile.

'I know...but you shouldn't have come here...and...I...don't have any time to talk to you...so...' Jodha uttered with a frown and turned to leave. She was visibly annoyed with Abdul's arrival. Sight of each and everything related to Jalal only escalates the pain and agony of Jodha...nothing else.

'Jodha...just listen to me...for once...I won't take much time...I promise...' Abdul almost pleaded. But his words failed to draw any impact on Jodha...it couldn't stop her walking away. Well...Abdul was surely not somebody whom one could be gotten rid of so easily. He followed Jodha.

Within few seconds Jodha realized...Abdul was following her. This made her hell outraged. She turned to confront Abdul...this time with a warning. 'If you don't stop following me right now...am surely gonna call police.'

'Jodha...don't. Please...d d don't call police. I didn't mean to follow you...you just listen to me for once...ekbar sunlo...then I will be gone...just listen to what I have to say...please.' Abdul pleaded like never before. Only thing he had in mind was...he had to convince Jodha somehow. He simply couldn't afford any luxury here. On the other hand...situation was no less difficult for Jodha either.

However tough Jodha tries to look like...at heart she was still that merciful girl who feels for the hapless. Hence negating Abdul's plea was not that easy for her. Disobeying the mind, her heart finally agreed to listen to. 'Fine...be quick.'

'Jodha...you must have known by now...that...Jalal has broken his arm?' Abdul paused here as he expected a confirmation from Jodha. He got a reply...but not what he expected.

'I have nothing to do with that...anything else?' uttered Jodha rudely.

'Aaa...yes. Actually for that reason he is not being able to sign...but there is an important deal due this week. So...' Abdul was still looking for the right word to approach Jodha.

'So???' Jodha asked impatiently.

'So...can you...can you...just...s...sign on his behalf?' Finally Abdul managed to express his purpose...but only to worsen the situation further.
'What!!! What did you just say!!! On his behalf!!! How could you even...' Jodha was about to lash out at Abdul, but somehow controlled her words at the last moment...and continued in a much calmer tone. 'Anyways...aapse kuch kehna bhi bekar hai...please excuse me...I need to go somewhere.' With this Jodha turned to leave.

Abdul decided to give it a last shot before calling this mission close. He walked ahead and blocked Jodha's path, making her halt midway. 'Jodha...gimme another chance...I can expla...' But Jodha was surely not in a mood to give him another chance. Hence, even before he could finish, she began, 'how could you even ask for something like this? Whatever he has done to me...whatever he...' Jodha felt a sharp pang in her heart as those cursed memories revisited her mind. She halted for few seconds to gather herself and started again...'there's nothing...not known to you...am I right?...Still you think...I can do anything...anything at all for him?'

'You will surely not do anything for him. This one deal...few more crores in bank...hardly gonna make any difference to him. But those bunch of poor fellows who worked day-night for this deal, gonna be the sole sufferer if it doesn't take place. They will be at the losing end, NOT JALAL...arre...he doesn't even care whether such a deal happens or not.' Abdul poured both his mind and heart before Jodha...in a bit disgusted tone. This time Jodha couldn't ignore the sense in his words but that was not enough to make her forgo her suspicions. 'He has sent you with all these words...right?'

'No...he hasn't. Jalal believes in fighting his battle...on his own.' Now this was a truth even Jodha couldn't reject. She paused for a moment to think, and then said, 'Gimme the paper. I will sign.'

Abdul forwarded her the file without any word. Jodha rolled her eyes on the paper and signed. She returned the file to Abdul...and uttered, 'Can I go now?'

'I don't have the authority...to say yes or no...Maam.' Abdul replied with a faint smile. But his words only stiffened her face. She left the place without uttering a single sentence. Reason...perhaps not unknown to Abdul.

Job was done. Purpose was served. But after this encounter, one thing Abdul was damn sure about...Jalal will have to shell out his life to get this lady by his side.

'I should inform Jalal about this...dhakkan ko laga tha...I won't be able to convince Jodha...hah...' Abdul took out his phone from pocket. But before he could press for speed dial, phone started ringing. It was Jalal.

'Hey Jalal...I was just going to call you...' Abdul was about to deliver the news, but what Jalal told in the middle, was enough to knock him out of senses.

'How dare you follow my wife!!!...kamine!!!...yeh tha tere dil me?' asked Jalal faking a serious tone.

'Jalal!!! tujhe kaise...' Abdul got the shock of his life. He couldn't thought of any possible way, by which Jalal could have known all these. Sensing his pals' trepidation, Jalal came to the rescue.

'What did you think? Maine aise hi chhod rakhha hai use? Jaan hai meri...How can I let her live unprotected?' Here Jalal paused for some seconds, only to begin again in an authoritative voice, 'I have arranged 24x7 vigils on her. What she does, where she goes, whom she meets...I keep tab on each and everything. Nothing about her...is beyond my knowledge. Only thing is...she have no idea about this.'

'Mujhe bhi nehi bataya...' Uttered Abdul in a low voice. A faint existence of allegation could be sensed in his voice. Jalal wasted no time to address this.

'Abhi bataya na...waise congo yaar...you did it. She signed.' Jalal tried to turn the topic.

'Yap...she did...chal abhi bye...see you in a while...' Abdul was not in a mood to continue the conversation right now. He was a bit upset at Jalal's hiding deed.

'Fine...by then.' With this Jalal ended the call.

This happened for first time in their 20 year long friendship that Jalal hid something from him...that too such a big thing. Abdul was visibly disheartened at his friend. But on the next moment, his mind seized holds of a fact...a fact that explained Jalal's action to him...a fact that he failed to ponder in time. 'When it's about Jodha...Jalal is a stranger.'

MUMBAI

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'Somebody signed on his behalf...sign se naam toh pata nehi chal raha...but the note under it says...it's his wife.' The caller informed Maham over phone.

'Wife!!!' Maham couldn't hide her surprise, irrespective of her awareness that this would give away her state of mind to the caller. And why not! The very last thing she expected to be unearthed was Jalal's marriage. 'WIFE!!!' unconsciously the word came out of Maham's mouth again. She couldn't believe...the man...who doesn't even look back at the girl in morning, he spend the night with...has a wife!!! Maham's otherwise sharp mind was now spinning at a full speed...she never faced a fact this bitter before.

'How can a high profile man like Jalaluddin get married secretly? If it's just a marriage, then what's the issue in making it public? Is his son belongs to this lady? What's going on in Jalal's mind?' numerous questions flooded Maham's mind in no time. She felt like banging her head on wall...only if this could make it a bit clear.

Immersed in her own thoughts, Maham almost forgot that she was still on phone with the guy. No sooner she felt the present, she ordered the caller then and there. 'Try to read the name...you will have to do it...quick...don't waste time.' Maham was growing more impatient every passing second.

'Maam...it's too tough...it's just initials...something...Rajput...A...no no...G...no...I think...its J...YES...its J in the beginning...then S and then Rajput at the end...it is J. S. Rajput. Isse jyada toh nehi mil sakta is sign se.' the guy gave his best effort to please Maham...in the hope to get a good sum for this piece of info. May be not the way this guy wished, but Maham was pleased indeed. For her...'something' was always a better option than 'nothing'.

'Fine...that much is enough...you will surely get your reward for this.' Maham quickly wrapped up the call. She hardly had time to waste right now. For her this was a piece of straw, she thought, would take her to the shore.

Maham dialed a number on her phone.

'Hello...have you reached Kolkata?...Good...I think my man briefed you on plane?...very good. Now listen to what am saying. Well...you already know...you will have to look for Salim's mother...she lives in Kolkata. It can be possible that Jalal met her on his visit to the city. You will have to find out that...You already have Salim's photo. Now am giving you a name...its J S Rajput. And if am not wrong in my assumption...then this is the person you are assigned to look for.'

PRECAP: 'hello Jodha...hello...are you listening...hello...are you ok...have those guys reached you...hello...DAMNIT!!!'

KOLKATA

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'What's her name?' The sleuth couldn't hold back his desperation anymore...after all he was just one step away from his goal. One more answer from the clerk, and the victory will be his.

48 hours of hard labour brought him to Salim's school. It took another few hours to oil and then convince one of the clerks to get him some information on a student...rather an ex student. After a few good rounds of bargain, finally that clerk settled for 10 lacs to read out the admission form of Salim Singh Rajput. Not too much for the sleuth though...as he was destined to get much more once he bring back these information. For last 2 minutes the clerk was reading out each and every point mentioned in Salim's admission form...finally it was time for his guardian. This raced up the sleuth's heartbeat. 'Quick...what's his mother's name?' it was getting more and more difficult for the sleuth to stay away from his ultimate goal.

'It's Jodha...Jodha Singh Rajput...and it says...she is a teacher...in Ripley High School.' The clerk pronounced it all. This revelation elated the sleuth to the core...he almost jumped in excitement. 'Yesss... Jodha Singh Rajput...J S Rajput...perfect...yesss...yesss...yesss.' He clutched the hand of the clerk and uttered, 'Thank you boss...you made my day...your information are simply worth it.' Then something popped up in his mind and he asked, 'well...can you tell me how I can get to this...Ripley High School?...I mean what's the location?'

'Not far away...just 10 minutes in auto.' Replied the clerk.

'Thank you dear...thank you very much.' The sleuth made his way towards the exit...to hunt for his last bit.

15 minutes later...

'Ripley High School.'

The sleuth read the board fixed in the middle of the building. It assured...the destination has arrived. 90 percent of his assignment was almost over. He got the name...got the address...got the fact. Now he just needed one more thing...a picture of the lady. But perhaps...that was the toughest part of it. Because he didn't know how she looked like. He needed someone to identify Jodha Singh Rajput so that he can take a photo of her...and he needed to do all these without getting noticed. Tough job indeed!

After couple of minutes...

'Walking without a destination would have felt much better', thought the sleuth. For last couple of minutes he was standing still in front of the school, not knowing what to do or whom to ask. He was feeling blank all the way...well...until...he caught the attention of somebody. It was Ridhima! 'Excuse me...are you looking for somebody?'

Now that shocked the sleuth himself! Last thing he expected was somebody's interrogation. And looking at Ridhima, he was sure...it was imminent. Hence, he somewhat tried to gather himself and brace for it. 'Aaa...actually...I...I was waiting for somebody.'

'Does he or she belong to this school?' inquired Ridhima with eyes full of suspicion.

'Aaa...yap...' uttered the sleuth.

'I hope you are sure about your motive mister, otherwise we have a separate police post for school itself...you know how bad people are nowadays...' Ridhima hurled a warning in her words.

'No...no...nothing of that sort...am just...I mean...my cousin is a teacher here.' The sleuth managed this at the last moment.

'Ohh...am so sorry...I thought...you know...we have huge number of kids here...so...alert rehna padta hai...anyways...you can go inside the school and wait for your cousin. Sare teachers abhi aye nehi honge...', Ridhima uttered without knowing what kind a shock was awaiting her.

'No it's alright...I'll wait here. Am ok.' The sleuth almost prayed it to end here. But it was Ridhima after all!!!

'By the way...what's the name of your cousin?'

'Aaa...she is...aaa...her name is Jodha.' Left with no other option the sleuth had to.

'Jodha!!!...you mean you are Jodha's cousin brother!!!' That was enough for Ridhima to sense the odd. There's hardly anybody in school who knows Jodha and doesn't know she is an orphan. In fact they all know she spent her childhood in an orphanage; grew up there...she didn't even have a foster family to her. Hence, such an answer made Ridhima sure of the fact that this guy was lying.

'What kind of cousin brother are you mister?' Ridhima decided to grill the guy.

'Aaa...a distant kind of...actually I live in London...toh phone pe baat hoti hai...but we don't get to meet. In fact I may not recognize her at once...' the sleuth tried to fortify a reason for the present scenario.

'Oho London...then you must be very close to her brother...' Ridhima threw her final googly. And there she was...all win.

'Yes I am.' Sleuth stepped in the trap.

Registering her win, Ridhima broke into laughter. The sleuth was taken aback by the latest development. Things were jumping off his head now...but before he could ask for an explanation Ridhima began. This time she put it straight. 'Are you doing this on your own or you being paid for that?'

'Am sorry...I didn't get you maam...' the sleuth couldn't believe his ears.

'I repeat...are you doing this on your own or you being paid to spy on Jodha?'

'No...there is no such...'

'Orphans don't have cousins and Jodha surely doesn't have a brother in London...anything else?'

It was over. The sleuth knew it was over for him. But there was still one way left to stroll on. He decided to walk on it now. 'Well...you are right. Am here to get some information on Jodha Singh Rajput...and if you help me in getting a photo of her...it can be really profitable for you.'

'May I ask you why do you need a photo of her?' Ridhima could not hold her curiosity back. 'No you can't. Just get me a photo of her...I will give you money in return.'

This offer put Ridhima in a big dilemma. Firstly, she didn't know the guy...she didn't know what purpose he is serving. Lending him such a favor could actually land her in trouble. But at the same time she couldn't avoid the lure he hanged in front of her. Hence, she could feel her mind splitting in two parts...one in favor, one against it. Sensing her dilemma the sleuth spoke, 'you don't need to be worried about anything. This is going to be highly confidential. And I assure you...I don't have any malicious motif. It's just a formal thing.' Now this argument of the sleuth made the situation easier for Ridhima. Plus there was another thing that catalyzed her decision. It was her latest altercation with Jodha...which was still alive in her mind.

After sometime...

'There she is...in cream salwar...just got down from the bus...that's Jodha.' Ridhima showed her to the sleuth, who swiftly clicked a picture with his S4. Ridhima did her job...without knowing...what kind of danger she pushed Jodha in.

3 days later...

KOLKATA

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'Hello...Rico thik toh hai na...is he alright...kuch hua hai kya?',

Jalal's call...that too in morning, scared the hell out of Jodha. She was rushing to the bus stop to catch her bus to school but this call made her stop midway. The very first thing struck her mind was...there must be something wrong with Rico. Since the moment he has gone away from her, every minute...every hour she fears the same thing...it has become a part of breathing now. 'Is he ok?' reiterated Jodha. But what she got in reply was something radically different...something she never imagined.

'Jodha listen to me very carefully. Can you see that black Mercedes at your right?' asked Jalal in a worried but controlled voice.

'Yes I can,' replied Jodha.

'Now just go and get inside that car...NOW,' ordered Jalal.

'But why?' Jodha just couldn't get what Jalal was talking about.

'Because am telling you...now go.' Jalal's growing temper could be sensed in his voice. But that surely was not enough to convince Jodha. Rather it pissed her off big time.

'What do you think I am...haan...am I your servant...am I your slave...what do you think...you can dictate me like this all my life??? Then let me tell you...you can't. I won't let you...' before Jodha could vent her anger further, Jalal broke into...this time on a higher pitch. 'Shut up Jodha and just get inside the car...right now...get in the car before those bas***ds reach you.' Now this struck the cord with Jodha. She sensed something serious in Jalal's voice. 'What...what do you mean?'

This time Jalal began in a hasty but firm voice, 'a black Scorpio is following you...it has bad intentions...it would reach at any mo...' before Jalal could finish, Jodha interrupted with a trembling voice, 'I...I think it has reached...I can see a black Scorpio coming this way...'

'Shit...Jodha...don't waste any more time...just run to the Mercedes...do what I told you...go go go.' Jalal almost yelled on the phone.

This finally made Jodha turn towards the Mercedes. But the sight there again halted her steps. She expressed her worries to Jalal, 'but four men are standing there with guns...'

'They are my men...Jodha now go for God's sake.'

'Alright I...' she couldn't complete both her sentence and her run, as five men blocked her way. Gazing around Jodha realized...that black Scorpio has already reached her.

'Leave my way...' Jodha tried her best to hid her nervousness and appear confident. 'Leave...' she uttered again...but with no result. Men were closing in with every passing second...making Jodha feel a chill down her spine. Looking at those hard faces, she could sense the graveness of the danger she was in. She knew...she had to get out of this net. But she didn't know how. Only thing she could hope for was some divine intervention. Hence, she closed her eyes and started praying. All the while she was clutching the cell phone to her heart...it still had Jalal on line.

MUMBAI

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'Hello Jodha...hello...are you listening...hello...are you ok...have those guys reached you...hello...DAMMIT!!!' Jalal could feel his patience breaking down with every passing second to sweep his control out of his hand. His failed attempts to know what was happening with Jodha, was pushing him to the extreme edge. He felt like tearing those jerks apart who were responsible for this ruckus. But he was helpless...she was thousand miles away from him. Only thing he could do was waiting for her reply on phone...which was surely not something he was going to get any soon.

Jalal was pushing his mind to every possible direction to fish out anything that could help him in arresting the situation. But before he could hold on to something, a sudden sound shook his entire being. It was the sound of guns being fired...which he heard on phone.

Rain of bullets...and then everything went blank. No sound...no voice. The call was snapped. Jalal lost the connection with Jodha. But his heart was yet to be convinced. He kept calling out over and over again, 'Jodha...Jodha...Jodha are you listening?...Jodha please talk to me...please...Jodha.' Jalal's voice was turning heavier with every passing second; a fear of unknown was slowly overpowering him. His mind was sensing the worst but his heart was simply not in a mood to let any such negativity enter his thought. While this battle was going on Jalal could feel an all consuming pain engulfing his soul. Everything else was receding from his vision...except one...'His Jodha is in danger'.

PRECAP: 'Why have you brought me here!!!'

MUMBAI

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Abdul was rushing out of the lift when he almost collided with someone...who was in equal hurry to get into it. Abdul was about to burst out at that jerk but he looked up only to find...the one crashed into him was not other than Jalal himself. 'Buddy what happened? Where are you running to?' Asked Abdul to a visibly tensed Jalal, who by then had already stepped into the lift.

'Abdul...inform the ATC to get my jet ready. I am going to airport.' Jalal uttered this much in reply and pushed the button for ground floor. But his words threw Abdul in the middle of nowhere...he failed to fathom what possible worst thing could have happened to his friend that he was not even bothering to leave his prescheduled conference for!!! And that too without sharing it with his buddy! Abdul made his last attempt to get the fact. 'Where are you going?'

'Kolkata.'

With this the door closed. Jalal's lift started descending to ground. He didn't explain much but his last reply disclosed the reason to Abdul...there must be something wrong with Jodha!!!

This thought filled Abdul with unknown worries...worries about Jodha's wellbeing. 'Ab kya ho gaya? Jalal kuch batake bhi nehi gaya...I hope she is fine...' A tensed Abdul was about to move towards the corridor, suddenly a housekeeping interrupted him. 'Sir...Jalal Sir has left his mobile in cabin. Ek number se call a raha hai...there's already 13 missed calls.' Abdul took the phone and dialed the number that called 13 times. A heavy voice hurriedly answered, 'Sir, I have been calling since long...I have very important news to give you.'

'May I know who this is?' Asked Abdul as he had no idea who this guy was and what kind of news he was supposed to have.

'Sir...it's me Rashid. You appointed us for Begum Sahiba's security.' Quickly replied the guy on phone.

'Ohh yah...yes Rashid...what is it?' Abdul tried to manage the situation somehow.

'Sir...there is something very important you need to know...'

'Yes Rashid...go on...' Abdul ordered. Rashid followed. He told everything he had in store for Jalal. Abdul listen to every bit of it. At the end he spoke, 'reach Kolkata airport...wait for the IMPERIAL jet to land.'

'Alright Sir.'

With this the call ended, leaving a much more tensed Abdul behind.

IMPERIAL jet

-----------------

MID AIR...

2 and a half hour never felt so long to Jalal. Every second was taking ages to pass by, making him weaker both at heart and mind. He still didn't know what has happened to Jodha...whether she was safe or not. He left his mobile in hurry which had Rashid's phone number...so Jalal had no other way but to wait till the jet reach Kolkata to get any information on Jodha. And that waiting was killing him. A stinging pain that took birth inside his heart few minutes ago was now stabbing his soul. He was feeling uncomfortably suffocated inside his plush carrier...perhaps for the first time.

Few more minutes passed by. Jalal was now staring outside the window. His gaze was fixed somewhere in the blue sky. More his jet was closing in on Kolkata, more his heart was sinking in worries. Million questions were flooding his mind, sweeping his sanity away. 'Is she ok? Has Rashid been able to save her?' These unanswered questions were ruffling his mind like hell...pushing his inner frustration to the edge. In addition to this there was a guiltiness that was making the situation even worse. To some extent Jalal held himself too responsible for all these. He felt such situation would have never appeared if he had brought her to Mumbai.

'I shouldn't have listened to her...I shouldn't have let her stay in Kolkata. I shouldn't have...'

Jalal couldn't control his outburst anymore and kicked the table in front of him hard to vent his rage out. But the jerk, his body felt due to that kick, rippled through his broken right arm, which was still wrapped under plaster. 'Ahh...' Jalal winced in pain and for the first time...he regretted venting out his anger this way.

Few hours later...

Jalal's jet touched down Kolkata. From the runway, it was slowly taxing towards its designated hanger. Inside Jalal was bracing himself for his future...bracing for the news that was awaiting him in Kolkata. Just then the door of his coupe opened... entered the attendant. 'Sir...some people are waiting for you in the hanger. They have a lady with them.' The mention of a 'lady' blew a light through Jalal. Without wasting any more moment he ordered, 'bring them to me...as soon as the jet reach hanger. No delay. Am I clear?'

'Yes Sir.'

The attendant left. Jalal ran to the window if he could catch a glimpse of the people waiting in hanger...his heart was shouting out to him...'there is Jodha...waiting for me.' But the hanger was not visible from Jalal's window. Hence he had no other option but to wait till those visitors board the jet.

Few minutes later...

The door opened and Rashid entered. Still no Jodha...Jalal was about to burst out at Rashid...but before he could open his mouth, she entered the coupe. Her sight pumped a ton of oxygen through Jalal. He felt as if his heart started beating all over again. He felt as if...his life got back his soul again.

His Jodha was fine...standing in front of him. What else he could have wished for. Jalal couldn't control himself anymore. He jumped out of his seat and rushed to Jodha. Oblivious to others presence, he hugged her with all passion. He wrapped her with his one arm and pulled her to his chest. Jalal wanted to feel her heart beat against his...that was the only way to heel his wound...that was the only way to console his torn state. Strengthening his grip around, Jalal slowly dipped his face in her shoulder. He just wanted to get lost in her...wanted to sooth all the pain he felt in last few hours. Her fragrance, her feel was like a heeling touch to his body. He clutched her tight to get more of her.

Jalal was lost in Jodha...so much so that he almost forgot that two people were standing there and staring at them in wonder. This was something they never came across in life. They never saw their master showering affection on somebody...that too in public. It was the eighth wonder for them. Hence they could not help but stare...and to their huge luck...Jalal was too busy to notice this. Though Jalal himself could not continue his soothing for long as his trance was broken with a strong push Jodha gave him.

A stormy beginning to her day, highly threatening intruders, gun fight and people dying in front of her eyes...everything together numbed Jodha's senses to a huge extent. Before she could even understand what was going on, she saw people moaning to death around her. There was blood everywhere, when her bodyguards rescued her to the Mercedes. She never came across such a frightening sight in her entire life. People, who were alive few minutes ago, were shot to dead within next few.

Off course Jodha wanted to get out of that trap...get away from those suppressors but she never expected them to be killed this way. This entire episode nearly traumatized her. She lost her mind for some time. When she came back to her senses...the car she was in, was speeding towards the airport. She protested but only to be overruled by a heavy voice...that they were ordered to bring her to airport. Partly disturbed, partly annoyed Jodha had no other option but to wait, till they reach airport, to lodge her complain...she knew it was useless to bargain with these pawns.

After an hour the sedan reached airport. Within next few minutes...Jalal's jet arrived. Jodha didn't know Jalal was coming, nobody informed her...but for some unknown reasons she was feeling the same uneasiness which she feels whenever Jalal is around. This feeling plus the arrival of Jalal's jet - together they convinced Jodha...that...Jalal was there.

Be it in her distress or her despair...the very last thing Jodha ever wanted to cling on to was...Jalal. To come into his sight was like a soul raking torture for her. His philanderous gaze, his daring touch...everything Jodha detested like hell. He was a curse Jodha prayed everyday to get free of but God never listened.

She liked it or not...Jalal was in front of her again. She was just about to shoot her questions to him, when he suddenly got up and rushed to her...hugged her. A well-known disgust flushed through her body. She felt like pushing him to the floor right there but the presence of outsiders restricted her outburst. She somehow managed to bind her anger in control. But her restrain couldn't last long...it broke with his next move towards intimacy.

She could feel Jalal was drawing her more and more close...trying to feel her intimately. This growing intimacy was piercing Jodha sorely. She was gradually losing control over her temper...within next few seconds it breached the ultimate barrier...when she felt his lips on her shoulder.

Jodha pushed Jalal with all her strength...causing him to jerk away from her. He was so immersed into her that couldn't apprehend her reaction...and faltered.

Jalal was a bit surprised at her move. He thought after this whole fiasco Jodha must be in need of some psychological support. He actually thought he was providing her that. But he was wrong. The lady who could fight the world on her own... never needs a shoulder to shed her tears on...that too from the person she hates most.

Her dhakka brought Jalal back into reality...back into the presence of a small audience...at whom he looked with an irate face. 'What?'

'Aaa...Sir...', the attendant fumbled for exact word in front of this sudden encounter. Without giving him anymore time Jalal cut into. 'I think you already know...what you are supposed to do. Am I right?'

'Yes Sir.' Nodding to the master the attendant and Rashid both left the coupe, leaving a disturbed Jodha behind...who was still trying to fathom what was going on!

'Why have you brought me here?' asked Jodha in a high tone.

'To protect you.' Jalal answered briefly before retiring to his couch. This made Jodha even more pissed off. 'I don't need your protection. It's because of you that I am going through all these. Why don't you just leave me alone?' Jodha vented her frustration before Jalal. But the addressee seemed not to be affected by it...not even an inch. He poured some water into his glass and drank it at once. There was a mild sign of relief floating on his face...the reason off course was not very difficult to guess. But his indifference irked Jodha even more. This time she started on a different note. 'Maarne aye the na mujhe...achha hota maar hi dete...even death is better than this life.'

Now this sentence of Jodha suddenly changed the temperature inside the coupe which reflected in Jalal's eyes. They turned burning red from gleaming golden in no time. Jalal's stiffened jaw line was clear enough to say the arrow has hit the mark. He smashed the glass on floor and walked up to Jodha in rage. His glaring gaze sent shiver down her spine. Her steps started receding back automatically...it continued till her back felt the wall.

The pain in Jalal's broken arm was increasing but it was nothing compared to what her words caused him. He knew he can never expect soothing words from her...not after what he did to her... but he can never tolerate anyone questioning his concern for Jodha...not even if it is Jodha herself.

Jalal griped her arm with his left hand and pinned her to the wall. This sudden turnaround momentarily seized her mind. Jodha gasped under his rough breath.

After piercing her with his stern look, Jalal finally began, 'what do you think...they came to kill you??? Then let me clear it for you dear...THEY DIDN'T. They don't want to kill you. They want to KILL ME. They would have done every possible thing to you...that could have killed me. That's what they were supposed to do. That's what...they were paid to do.' Jalal finished it in one go. All the while his infuriated gaze was fixed on her eyes. His warm breath was brushing her face, making her heart beating at a faster rate. Jodha didn't know what to utter in response. She was literally speechless after hearing his words. She could now envisage the true gravity of the danger she would have been in. But she didn't know...whether to thank him for saving her or to bash him for putting her in this situation...she didn't know that.

'I...I...' Jodha tried to utter something but Jalal didn't let her, 'Now go and sit there. We are leaving for Mumbai.' Hurling his final sentence at her, Jalal went back to his place, leaving Jodha wondering...what he just said!!!

'What!!! Mumbai!!! Are you even serious!!! Am not going anywhere with you. NEVER.' Jodha took almost no time to retort back.

It's not that the idea of going to Mumbai never came to Jodha's mind. In fact since Rico left with Jalal, there had never been a day when Jodha didn't think about leaving everything behind and run to her son. But she couldn't. Because she knew...the way that leads to her son...leads to Jalal also. And she can bear anything on this earth...but NOT JALAL. Hence the mother in Jodha always had to put her arms down in front of the woman who lost a lot in the battle.

But just as they say...you make it, Fate breaks it. Jodha took her resolve but, fate rejected it. Well...more precisely Jalal rejected it.

'I am not going anywhere. I am getting down off it...right now.' Without waiting for Jalal's reply, Jodha rushed to the door...twisted the latch. Twice...Thrice. But the door didn't budge. She tried to pull it forcefully but that too didn't work. Jodha was about to burst out but she stopped at Jalal's voice...which sounded a bit sarcastic to her ears, 'I thought you know...once the plane starts taxing to runway, doors get auto locked.' Jodha quickly turned her gaze to the window...only to find...the jet has already reached the runway...it was taking position to fly away. Jodha couldn't believe her own eyes. She actually thought Jalal may argue to take her to Mumbai or maximum force her like always. But such an arbitrary treatment!!! Not even in her dreams!!! She walked up to him in utter disgust. 'You are such a...such a...' Before she could define what he was Jalal made an offer...though a lil strange one. 'You want some coffee? We have an exclusive Italian brand. Trust me you would love it.' A sly smirk on Jalal's lips had it all. Jodha felt like slapping him hard on his face. But keeping in mind the possible outcomes...she somehow controlled her anger and made way towards the couch on the farthest corner of the coupe. Once again she lost to him.

After some time...

There she was...his love, his life, his Jodha ...sitting with him in his luxurious jet. Ever since Jalal met Jodha, he wanted to make her part of his world...part of his life. He wanted to give her everything he dreamt of bestowing on his queen. But she never let him. In future also Jalal had very little hope that she will. But that surely didn't stop him from trying his luck. For Jalal...no challenge is challenging enough if it doesn't take the man out of a man.

It's not that Jalal had planned anything. He didn't plan an attack on Jodha or framed the rescue mission that followed. These all were the handwork of his enemies. He had no role in this. In fact this time he was actually more into keeping his word to her...by keeping her away from his life. But just as always...fate had another design in mind. And he had to take the decision to bring her to Mumbai...both for her safety and for his peace. But the million dollar question was...can two worlds ever collide without a storm? Possibly the answer is NO.

The storm started brewing once they came into each other's sight. For one it was the heart wrenching effort to bear his presence...for another it was the painful struggle to keep his word...to stay away from her. Both of them were fighting their battle in their own way. Jodha was trying to focus on her future meeting with her son...at the same time trying to forget what led to this. She was forcing her mind with all strength to become obliterate of the presence of her co passenger. If her struggle was tough, then Jalal's was tougher.

Looking at the condition of Jodha...all soulful, all drained...Jalal knew she was badly in need of love and care. She was badly in need of somebody who could soothe her much hurt soul. Jalal felt like taking her in his arms and love her till she forgets every pain of her. But he knew the barrier of consent will always be there between them. He had no idea when he will be able to cross that barrier. All he could do was...WAIT. And this was something that always burdens Jalal's heart with unbearable weight...the same he was feeling right now.

For last half an hour...Jalal didn't move his eyes from Jodha...his lone, yearning gaze was roaming all over her. Not that he was always doing it intentionally; rather it was more sort of a natural reaction from his mind, when she is around. But for Jodha it was the same lusty gaze she detests like hell. In spite of looking at the opposite direction, she could feel his heated gaze touching all over her...much to her annoyance. Jodha couldn't hold her frustrations back anymore and she shot off, 'I am not going to your house or stay with you. I will arrange something for me.'

Jalal was in a trance which Jodha's words broke. He actually missed what she uttered. Hence he asked for a replay. 'Sorry...did you say something.'

'Yes. I just told...I am not gonna stay with you. I will arrange something for me.' Jodha was still staring at the blue blank outside the window. Jalal kept looking at her for a while and then stood up, 'don't worry you won't have to. I have already made some arrangements. I have...' Here Jodha interrupted Jalal. She turned to him and uttered in an irate voice, 'I said I will make my arrange...' But before Jodha could finish off, Jalal burst in on a much higher tone, 'NO YOU WILL NOT. You won't make any arrangement. You will stay...where I will tell you to.' Giving an extra stress on last few words, Jalal stated his mind...but only to infuriate Jodha many fold. She walked up to Jalal in rage and pointed her finger towards him, 'I warn you Mr. Jalaluddin Mohammad...don't try to play with me again.'

Her words hit Jalal hard. Her blatant challenge punched his ego. It made him forget what actually he was upto and filled his mind with an urgent need to strike a befitting reply. Jalal erased the distance between them in a fraction of second and grabbed her arm. Fixing his gaze on her, he hissed, 'you bet, I will. Even God can't deter me off.'

Only after uttering these lines Jalal realized he didn't want to. Why would he! He wasn't playing any game! He wasn't trying to frame her! Then why he needed such lines! Jalal squeezed his eyes in frustration...scolded his mind for such burst out.

After pausing for some moment Jalal began in a rectifying tone, 'Am sorry...I shouldn't have talked to you like this. I...I just...I just wanna tell you...see keeping in mind what just took place in Kolkata, it would be highly irrational to let you live like this. It will be disastrous...for you, for me, for Salim...for everybody. And all I will do is...arrange a safe place for you and intensify your security. That's it. Nothing else. You can do your job; pay your own expenses...everything at your will. And most importantly you can meet Salim whenever you wish to. At my home, at his school...anywhere.'

Now the mention of Rico spread a different emotion through Jodha. Her heart twisted imagining how she was living without her 'Jigar ka tukra'. The heart of a mother melted with the mere mention of this possible union. She could feel...a rush of emotion clogging in front of her vision...blurring Jalal out of her sight. She could feel...somewhere deep inside...the fiery lady put her sword down before the doting mother.

This changeover in her didn't escape Jalal's eyes either. Rather it moved him. Her flooded eyes were a sight completely unbearable for Jalal. He never hated anything more than her tears. Looking at her like this was a soulful experience for him. What added to his despair was his helplessness at her negation. Hence Jalal kept staring...although his mind not!

Jalal couldn't feel when his hand left its place to reach her soaking cheek...to wipe tears from her face. He realized only when it touched her. But that was also the same time when Jodha realized...his proximity and his touch. Within a fraction of second she jerked back from his touch...and went back to her seat, leaving an upset Jalal behind.

Precap: "Ammijan..."