Banner credit to my dearest darling Kalgi who startled me out of blue with her masterpiece. Kal, You know what!! You are highly magnetic!! You pull anyone towards you with your magnificent silent hunars !! Love you so much.. muahhh!!
INDEX
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai - 04 Aug 2025 EDT
Saiyaara Male lead is overrated!!!
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai - 03 August 2025 EDT
ONE MONTH TIME 3.8
UPMA&ICECREAM 4.8
CID Episode 66 - 3rd August
Maira’s classes
Anupamaa 03 Aug 2025 Written Update & Daily Discussions Thread
Theme for September
The mockery of National Awards
Anupamaa 04 Aug 2025 Written Update & Daily Discussions Thread
Who will win best new face female of 2025?
Member topic: What do you do on weekends?
Are you interested to watch War 2 in cinemas?10 days to go!
Chapter 15
"And thanks Jodha for making it on time that day despite all the limitations. You did a fantastic job!" he admitted looking straight into her eyes.
Woah! He said it! The long awaited recognition is finally here!
On contrary, her excitement dampened ascertaining the much-yearned reciprocation. Her heart neither jumped in joy, not was startled by this abrupt appreciation. Instead she had a strange tranquility, a conglomeration of gratification, self-esteem and above all a huge relief. "Thank you," she acknowledged with a simple smile. "Finally, the day has come!" she determined.
"What's in this girl that everyone sings her praises? If a forty plus manager is so lattoo over her, why not the twenty plus managing director?" the jealous asst. marketing manager gibed, conveniently ignoring the numerous other occasions the Managing Director overtly appreciated his employees, including her.
"Bass such a simple reaction? Definitely there is something beyond this fictitious serenity. What could it be!" the perplexed boss wondered.
***********
"Hello Badepapa," stepping into her cabin, she immediately dialed her guardian father, whom she is accountable to for her decisions. "Yes Jodha," the elderly man answered looking into a case file.
"Are you busy? I need to talk to you about something important?" she urged.
"Tell me beta, what's the matter?" he curiously asked looking away from the file. "What would you say if I say, I'm quitting this job right now and from tomorrow I'll be lavishing my badepapa's earnings?" she anxiously asked.
"What'd have happened all of a sudden?" the keen lawyer pondered. "If a daughter is willing to bestow with all her time, how can a parent deny Jodha?" the doting father in him elegantly accepted. "In fact, I'd thank your company for this..." he witted.
"How sweet!" appeased by the beautifully framed words, she admired in delight. "But why didn't you ask me the reason behind this resolution?"
"Because I trust you!" he replied. "I'm sure there should be a proper justification behind your decision beta. I'm just wondering what it could be!"
"Is this how you compensated Baba?" descrying her foster father's unconditional trust, she thanked her deity friend for the fortitude she's been blessed with. These five months of kinship with her guardian parents helped her re-discover the childless parents' true feelings for her. "With every passing day, you make me realize how fortunate I am with all the wonderful people around me. This loss and gain equation is driving me crazy, or rather insecure?" she grieved staring at small wooden idol of Baba on her table. "Had HE too trusted me like you, I'd never have doomed into this situation Papa," she thought, but the judicious pulse debated back - "Isn't it too early to expect an unfamiliar someone to trust you just like the elders you have been grown along with?"
"Jodha you there?" Saradhi ji enquired perceiving an elongated silence from the other end. "Yes Papa, I'm here. I'm silently thanking my stars for having you in my life. By the way, I'll explain you everything in the evening, see you papa and thank you once again," she was about to disconnect when the elderly man's voice reiterated.
"Jodha... One minute. I'm not sure what all transpired there, but whatever it is, be poised and stay calm. Settle everything friendly, don't get into argument with anyone, ok?" his experience advised, while she turned tongue-tied inapprehensive of a subtle answer.
"Mmm... What if I was subjected to a humiliation which I don't deserve Badepapa? Do you still suggest me not to answer it back?" she asked kneading her forehead.
"I can't answer this without knowing the particulars, Jodha. Tell me now so that I can advise accordingly". The next ten minutes she explained in detail the incidents that transpired a month before and present day. Attentively listening to the narration, the wise man stayed mute till his daughter finished spouting her fluster.
"Fine Jodhu, your anger is justified and I support your decision to resign too. But before that I think you should talk to your Boss first. May be a one-to-one discussion with him would resolve all the differences. I'm sure he'd be having his own set of reasons or tensions behind his behavior, we never know," he advised out of his 35 years of experience as an advocate dealing with multifarious human psychologies.
"But how can I be the outlet for his tensions papa?" she argued. "And the worst fact is he isn't sorry for his behavior towards me. I agree he is a boss and I'm an employee, but we are humans first. What's wrong is apologizing when we err?" she fumed. Laughing loud at his child's anger, Saradhi ji suggested, "So what, if he doesn't apologize, you have a sweet heart, you can forgive him."
"I'm not so magnanimous Papa," she retorted. "Moreover, none of us is going to lose anything with my resignation. He'll find a new replacement the next day and I'll get a new job soon. So please let me proceed as per plan."
"If you are so determined, what can I say Jodhu?" he smiled. "But then you should have done this much before, why did you delay till today?" he intrigued.
"Then it'd have looked like I accepted the allegations and backed off, right! I resolved to resign the same day and even composed the email as well; I only waited for the right time to send it. If I were to quit, let me do it with all honor Papa. Today I'm appreciated before the same group that witnessed my insult the other day. What else can be a right day to react? But as you suggested dealing matter friendly, I give up the decision of encountering him. You know what, I had rehearsed for hours on how to accost him, but I'll not do it now. If I were to discuss with him on this topic, it'd be nowhere close to a friendly dialogue. So its better I don't indulge into that situation at all," she smiled as she concluded.
Giggling at her remarks, Saradhi ji approved of her slant. "As you wish dear... But let me just reassure, we stand by you and are there for you to support in all ways."
**********
Fifteen minutes later
"I checked today's date soon after seeing your mail, any guesses why?" the most revered project manager of Regal witted at his favorite employee sitting opposite to him.
"No Raj, why?" she puzzled at the abrupt comment. "Because I thought you were fooling me," he chuckled. "I verified to confirm it is July 18th and not April 1st," he riposted.
"Neither is it April 1st not am I kidding you Raj. I mean what I wrote in that email," she asserted with a firm smile.
"But... Why this sudden decision Jodha? Jokes apart, I was truly amazed by your mail. What happened? Why do you want to quit?" he steered into actual business darting his questions.
"To save this company from wasting 55k on an uncommitted and irresponsible employee Raj," she rebuked without any qualms; after all, Raj is the only superior aide whom she can discuss such matter with zero inhibitions. "So that awful evening is the sole reason behind this?" he surmised whilst she nodded in acceptance.
"But weren't you fine all these days? I thought you moved on forgetting everything, Jodha. Moreover, if that is the case, I wonder why you waited till today?" he enquired and she reiterated the elucidation she gave her Badepapa a while ago.
The shrewd manager couldn't help admiring the fighting spark of the young lady. Glaring at the conviction reflecting in her eyes, he apprehended he has to be cautious dealing with the hurt emotions of an adamant girl. "I'm not sure how to negotiate on this issue Jodha. If the complaint were on work or pay, it'd be easy for me to convince and hold you back. This is too delicate to handle. I only hope and request you forget everything and stay back. But one thing is pretty sure; today no body in this organization, not even the management doubts your dedication. Whatever happened that day was an impromptu gush of emotions and words. Please ignore it and move on Jodha, you'll feel better".
Jodha smiled faintly as her heart discerned the affection behind his generosity. It's true that she is going to miss the most supportive manager, but she couldn't explain him what is making her restless - true that her effort was recognized, true that she received a public accolade, but something was going amiss. A pampered student, a never finger-pointed employee - that is what she was in school, college or in her previous organization.
"I totally agree with you Raj, but it pricks me to be around facing the same people who judged me wrong," she hushed to calm down her annealing nerves. "Please accept my resignation and relieve me off the burden Raj. I also have one more request for you. Is it possible to shorten this one month notice period? I don't have much tasks now, so if you can find a substitute soon, I'll quickly finish the knowledge transition and want to get relieved in ten days." she earnestly pleaded.
Though she didn't divulge her expectations, the matured man apprehended her intentions - every wound deserves a right treatment and from the right person. Probably he is not the pertinent man to manipulate this deal; thereby he harbored to his diplomatic mannerism. "Fine Jodha, I agree with you and accept this resignation. But the managing director talks to any employee who decided to quit this organization before officially forwarding the notice to HR. So I'm going to hold my decision until Jalal talks to you."
The unexpected development made her skeptical of the knack of her shrewd manager. She knew him and his diplomatic tactics - the managing director intervening into resource management is definitely news to her - thence she glared at him dubious. Perceiving her inquisitive frowns, Raj laughed aloud, "Don't be so suspicious. Jalal introduced this protocol after he took over the charges. It's not an abrupt rule that I came up with on the spur," he conveniently lied.
-----
"Jalal, am I disturbing you? Looks like you are still at Mosque?" Raj inquired perceiving the background sounds.
"Not at all Raj... I'm done with Namaaj and about to step out. What's the matter?" he questioned stepping into his shoes.
"Jodha gave her resignation notice. I called you to confirm if you are returning to Regal or going on site visit."
"Resignation... But why?" he puzzled. Raj silenced for a moment pondering whether to disclose the actual reason or not, but then decided not to blurt anything till the actual two talked.
"Don't know exactly why, but she seemed disinterested continuing here. I asked if she is unhappy with work or pay, but she denied," he gave a wry hint without blabbing the particulars, but it insinuated the wise employer of the root cause.
"What did you say Raj?" he asked recalling the simplicity of her reaction to his accolade that morning. "So that was tranquility before cyclone!" he amused.
"I temporarily subsided the discussion saying that you talk to every quitting employee before the resignation is officially accepted. What do you say? Do you want to talk to her or should I forward the notice to HR?"
"As you already announced it, let's go by your statement. I'm coming now," he gave up the original plan of site visit and steered his Jaguar to The Estate building.
----
"A spoon is meant for aiding you to eat, not to play." Divya quipped gazing at the spoon that has been aimlessly twirling in Jodha's fingers for a while. Looking up to her sarcastic friend, Jodha faintly smiled. "I'm not hungry Divi," she replied placing the spoon aside. "Why? We are neither early for lunch, nor did you eat something at eleven o'clock break. Why are you not hungry then?" she reiterated.
"I don't know," shrugging light, she closed the lunch box as she knew it is useless to keep it open. She perceived the reason behind her lack of appetite - tension. "The last time I gave up eating out of tension was the day before my EAMCET exam," she recollected, "... and today I feel the same. When butterflies are flapping their wings in my stomach, how can I eat peacefully?" she fretted.
"Where are you lost madam? You are not in your usual self. Periods kya?" Divya murmured. Brushing her eyes with her cold palms to satiate the pulsating nerves, she breathed deep and nodded in a no. Noticing their other colleagues engrossed in a casual talk, she signaled Divya to be quiet and finish her lunch fast.
Intrigued by her friend's plight, Divya started emptying her lunch without further questions. "This is the second time in these five months that I'm skipping food because of you mister," she virtually complained. "This man is getting on my nerves and if I continue here my blood pressure keeps increasing ten points a day," she panted brushing her temple as she awaited her friend to windup eating.
"Mein pareshan pareshan pareshan pareshan," her favorite ringtone echoed breaking her chain of thoughts. "Yes Raj," she answered moving away from the loud voices.
"Jodha, Jalal is back to office. If you are free now, can you go and meet him?" he informed.
"Ok Raj," she agreed clutching her dupatta tight. "Cha cha... Shame on me... I blabbered like a ferocious heroine before Badepapa and when the actual moment came, I'm fluttering like a coward," she self-chided as heart thumped listening to his name.
"Divi, I'll be back in ten minutes. I'll come to your cabin directly. Chalo, see you, see you guys," she hastily packed her lunch bag and walked out as Divya stared baffled.
*************
"One, two, three," she counted till ten rubbing her cold palms before they actually led on the metallic handle of the MD's cabin door. She peeped in through the rectangular glass vent of the wooden door to confirm his presence. He's there, all alone, working on his laptop.
"Tuck, tuck," she knocked wetting her parched lips.
"Come in," hearing his authoritative base voice, her heart skipped the first beat. "Idiot, don't forget why you are here. Stop skipping beats for every word of his," she scolded her heart and entered his cabin mustering all the guts. The first few steps were fast and fierce, but as he looked up to her from his laptop, her gait slowed down, albeit involuntarily. The reflection of mustard yellow dupatta draping her neck is making her glow brighter than usual - as he gazed on the approaching celestial form, the ten feet distance from door to desk seemed never ending to her.
"Hi Jodha," he greeted as she neared his desk. "Hi," she greeted in return and skeptically halted unsure of how to proceed further. "Have a seat," he offered with a charismatic smile and she dutifully obeyed meekly nodding her head. Shifting the mobile to left hand, she rubbed her sweated palm against her dress wondering, "Why are my hands sweating like a low BP patient?"
Discerning her discomfort from the incoherent glares and cuddled hands, he intended to let her tensed muscles relaxed. "What would you like to have? Tea, Coffee, or may be something cold... ", he slyly paused taking the receiver into hand... "to dwindle the heat. I mean isn't it very hot today?" his eyes feigned innocence, but his lips erupted into a wry snigger.
"No thank you, I just had lunch," she replied darting a steely glance at him. Placing the receiver back, he excused and left to the attached private chamber, while she looked on curious. Returning in no time with a glass of cold water, he extended the glass to her. "I don't think you should object this. Please accept it as this is the FIRST TIME you are here!" he sheepishly stressed on first time resting back in his executive chair.
"Thank you," she replied plainly peeking at him. "I wish I could curb that evil grin!" her clasp tightened on the glass.
"By the way Raj forwarded me your resignation notice, but it doesn't mention any reason behind your decision," he dwelled into actual business silently re-reading the email.
Dear Raj,
Please accept this email as the formal notification of my resignation to the position of Architect with Regal Infra Developers, Bangalore. I appreciate the opportunities I have been given at Regal and I'm grateful to you for your professional guidance and support.
As part of my four weeks notice period, I want to ensure my tasks are appropriately transferred to the identified replacement. Thank you again for everything and I sincerely hope we cross paths again in future.
Regards,
Jodha Akkineni.
That's all it conveyed!! "May I know the reason, if only you are okay sharing it?" he inquired leaning forward.
"Speak up Jodhu!" her breath speeded chiding her tied tongue, "You told Badepapa, you told Raj, you practiced tens of times, then what's the difficulty in blurting out the same to him?"
"I...", she cleared her throat, "I'm not comfortable", she half-revealed looking at this laptop.
"In exactly what?" he stressed concentrating on her lowered eyes. "In this job," she completed meeting eyes with him.
"May I know what are you not ACTUALLY comfortable with in this job?" he reiterated. Perceiving her silence, he adapted a multiple-choice path making the task easier for her.
"With work? Is it too hectic?" "No, I've no issues with hectic schedule!"
"With time? Is it over-timing?" "No, I'm ok working for long hours!"
"With pay?" "no no," her brows creased depicting she is least bothered of pay scale.
"With team?" "No, the team is very friendly and cooperative!"
"With manager?" "Not at all, Raj is very understanding and supportive," she instantly refused. The playful smile on him explained her that he was thoroughly enjoying this question-answer session. Amusing at the swaying of the tiny rubies of her small temple jewellery jhumkas when she cutely nodded for every question of his, he shot the final question.
"With ME?" Needless to say, the jhumkas didn't sway this time. She refrained from responding, but her silence gave away the answer.
"So you have a problem with me!" he concluded crossing his legs and settling back leisurely.
"I don't have a problem with anyone," she firmly clarified. "It's y..." she checked her words and pace as her Badepapa's suggestion echoed in her mind. "It's the management that has a problem with me!" she toned down looking straight at him. "The management lacks faith in me and I'm not comfortable working in such skeptical ambience. So please accept my resignation and relieve me."
"Why do you think the management doesn't trust you?" his eyes squinted.
"Think?" she frowned squeezing her brows. "I'm neither thinking nor assuming things. I'm just repeating the facts I was apprised of by the management INFRONT OF many other colleagues," she couldn't refrain conveying him her discontent on presence of others during their confrontation. "The management clearly stated that I'm irresponsible, undedicated, I lie for leaves, I deliberately delay for crucial meetings, I utilize office time for personal work and I stay late for chatting with friends. I was also informed that Regal flourished over years not just because of talent, but because of dedicated professionals. That implied I don't befit this organization and how am I supposed to work here carrying such an impression around?" her shoulders broadened, nose sharpened as she unleashed as all the pent-up anguish over the days.
He waited a minute for her emotions to settle down before he answered her elongated charges. He calmly moved the glass towards her signaling her to drink, but she adamantly refused nodding sideways.
"The management doesn't make baseless allegations on its employees Jodha," he coldly replied. "If someone is pointed out, the intention is to let them aware of their mistakes so that they correct themselves, for better. Imagine yourself in shoes of the management and tell me how would you react when the reputation and business of organization is at stake for whatsoever reason. Is it practically possible to stay composed? Also the other accuses are generic, they weren't targeted at anyone specifically. They apply to all other employees present in that room as well. If you believe you don't befit them, just ignore", he casually shrugged.
"Just ignore?" she howled. "He is so cool and casual. If a third person hears his statements it looks like he's right and I'm wrong. He twisted the whole situation like it's a problem with my thinking than his attitude. Not a bit of regret or an apology for his rudeness", she looked disgusted, dissatisfied and disapproved of his explanation.
Gazing her pestered form, he bit his lips not to erupt a chuckle and rile her up any more. "Anyways, your reputation is never tarnished, Raj accolades you as always and your team respects you the same. What else should matter to an employee than his/her team and manager?" he persuaded. It's obvious that he wanted her to continue in his company, but was just too bossy to directly confess the same to her.
She remained pensive at his persuasion. "You talk of Raj, team and every other soul in this company, but not about you mister? Why don't you admit your mistake and ask me to stay back," she fumed. "Fine if you are so stubborn, let me introduce my adamancy to you. I'll make you accept my resignation, by hook or crook, by truth or by knack!!" she resolved.
"Mmm, I think you are right. I shouldn't bother if the comments were really generic, fine, I have no issues ignoring it and moving on," she calmly admitted. Perceiving a meek victory snigger from the latter, she added, "But I'd have continued if I weren't looking for a break. I'm planning to take a break and do something more interesting," she completed observing his changing expressions.
"More interesting? Like what?" he sounded suspicious. To him, it seemed a bluff story she promptly came up with to force him accept the resignation.
"Like pursuing higher studies," she answered.
"Of what sort? M.Arch?" he pledged to prove her false her by digging into details.
"No, MBA! Want to master management tactics," she witted.
"Oh, glad to know that", he retorted. "Where are you planning to pursue MBA?"
"In US," she replied.
"Great! Then you'd have attempted GMAT. What's the score?" he cornered.
"No, I'm yet to attempt", she stated.
"Ah, so there is a long way to go. When your plans are not finalized, it's not wise to hasten in resigning." With every increasing question, they realized the discussion is moving far from being formal. It was no more an employer-employee colloquy, but was more like a cat mice fight, where the cat is trying to trap and the mice is trying to not be trapped.
"But I need dedicated time to prepare for GMAT. It's not easy to crack it, so I better resign and concentrate on it," she didn't budge a bit.
"In that case, you may go on leave without pay," he immediately said, as he wasn't the one to give up. "You can resign after you get an admission and visa. We don't mind putting your position on hold till then," he played his trump card.
"Woah!" undoubtedly she was startled by his last move. "Think fast Jodhu! You can't let him win," she pressurized her grey cells, whilst he stared at her with a victorious smile.
"Thank you for the offer, I feel privileged," few seconds later she quipped. "But sorry that I had to turn it down... as I'm getting married next month to my uncle's son living in the US," she dropped her all time trump card.
His smile vanished instantly!! At last she succeeded in curbing off his charming smirks!
"She got to be kidding!" his face stiffened and he straightened in his seat. He glared suspicious while she relaxed and grinned in success.
"Engaged with my uncle's son" was her ever-ready trump card she used in college to wisely save herself from the crush of few lover boys. At this nick of hour, all she had to do was to slightly amend and use it; indeed, it worked like a charm as usual.
"Yes, I got engaged in April and next month is my marriage. My family is insisting me to quit this job and spend quality time with them before I leave for US. That's why I requested Raj to quicken the transition process and relieve me early. He's ok with that and agreed to release me in ten days," she narrated a foolproof story connecting all the dots.
The otherwise quick witty, smart Managing Director turned numb to her power play. Somewhere deep in his heart, a few veins seemed twisted. Was it her quittance that ached him more or the reason behind it? He couldn't determine. Whatever, now he was left with no reason to stop her, HE HAD TO LET HER GO.
"Fine, your resignation is ACCEPTED!" he averred snapping out of the repercussions. "July 31st would be your last working day with Regal," he solemnly announced.
"Thank you for accepting and I'd like to thank for this session too. It was nice talking to you. I'll take your leave now," she graciously got up to leave while he passively nodded.
"Mr.Jalal..." a few steps after she turned back as if she remembered something, "I shared a happy news of mine, but you didn't even congratulate me," she playfully complained.
"uff, I'm sorry...", came out his reflex response, but her widened smile made him realize what he blurted. "Wow! Wasn't the word sorry sounding extra musical in his voice," she amused.
"Hearty Congratulations," his gaze sharpened as he flatly wished. "Thank you!" she responded with a beautiful smile and graciously walked out.
"Aina last punch manadaite danikoche kick ye verabba... aah (if last punch is ours in the scene, that kick is intoxicatingly different)," she mimicked Pawan Kalyan's famous dialogue as she stepped out of his cabin. Advancing to Divya's cabin, she faintly smiled recollecting his blanched face after she blabbered of marriage. "Ouch, I should first inform Raj of all my lies so that he doesn't goof up when boss talks to him," she gusted to Raj's cubicle thinking of all precautionary measures to veil her lies.
**************
Chapter 16
Chetan's Residence, Sadashivnagar, Bangalore, 8:00pm
"... You soon get transferred to Bangalore Prithvi. How long will you struggle with those coal-mining scam cases? You can live in peace here," Smitha suggested joining the buoyant group with a tray of ginger tea.
"Yes, first transfer then Shaadi. It's high time you look for a permanent cook Prithvi," Abdul retorted sneaking at Sara who's absorbed in savoring the Indianized Italian dish. Unperturbed by the igniting gag, she puffed in the aroma of ginger tea and quietly maneuvered. "Yeah, just the way we look for permanent drivers and ATMs."
Taking pleasure of their entertaining Hum-Tum war, Smitha exclaimed, "How come you both fell in love with each other? It's a wonder that a cat and mice married and are living in the same kettle".
"As you said, some wonders do happen," Sara scoffed whilst Abdul self-pitied, "... and some blunders too." Just then the doorbell rang empowering Abdul's satire. "See, I'm virtuously right!" he chortled miffing Sara.
"Prithviraj maharaj ki jai! How is your kingdom of Bellary under your reign maharaj?" Jalal repartee-d as he made his way to the living room. "Safe and sound!! Why fear when Prithvi is here!" he jived banging on his friend's shoulder.
Smiling at the lively exchange, Smitha handed over a plate of Pasta to Jalal. "Have it before it gets cold. You are already late, did you break Roza?" she queried.
"Haan Smitha, thank you," taking the plate over, he noticed the grimaced doctor darting daggers at him. "Why is Sara angry?" he befuddled looking at the coolest husband eating pasta unbothered of his wife's sulk. "Nothing yaar... Routine Tom & Jerry fight. But your timely doorbell turned out to be a massacre," Chetan recited their silly brawl a few minutes ago.
"By the way, congrats dude on first international contract. When is the party on?" Prithvi asked diverting the topic from drabbing couple scuffles. "Only after Ramadan, without booze I don't call it a party", Abdul answered before Jalal responded.
"Abdul, we have to postpone Iftaar in Regal to Thursday. Dad cannot make it to Bangalore before Wednesday morning. Let's continue with our initial plan of Iftaar at Four wheels on Wednesday," Jalal informed.
"Is aunty also coming?" condoning her scowl, Sara excitedly inquired. As Jalal nodded in a yes, she gloated insidiously. "Bhaiyya this time I'm going to promote my cousin's rishta strongly before aunty. Now that you supported Abdul, though unintentionally, be prepared to face a tough time!" she forewarned.
"Yes Jalal, it's time to move on, we were suggesting Prithvi also to get married soon," Smitha too added taking Sara's side. "I'm getting married next month to my uncle's son living in the US," the feminine form uttering those words blink flashed in his mind. Expelling her thoughts, he smiled at Sara, "Tell me how much your cousin bribed you. I'll double the amount as a compensation for my grave mistake and also promise you what all you wish for, but please stop haunting me with this proposal."
"Right yaar, let's get away from here soon! These two are hell bent on getting us married to their jumbo cousins," Prithvi got up flustered, "... and you two. You are allowed to bowling if only you don't bring this topic there," he literally threatened them apparently inviting a cushion and fist attack from the riled ladies.
***********
"Though you unintentionally said marriage as an excuse, it reminds us of our responsibility Jodhu. We never shared this with you, but there are a few prospective proposals making their way. You know something, according to our Hindu philosophy, if a girl gets married within one year of parents' death; the kanyadan phal goes to her parents. So I suggest you to consider marriage idea seriously. What do you say Jodhu?" Prameela asked gently combing the long tresses of her daughter. Post-accident, this became a habitude to the duo every evening - Jodha sits on one of the steps at the kitchen exit and her peddamma plates her hair, adorns it with a fresh jasmine strand. Enjoying the cool evening breeze fragranced by roses, jasmines and parijaats in the backyard, they chat about trust activities, gossip on relatives, debate on serials, and what not!!
"What does Badepapa say peddamma?" the young lady asked without opening her eyes. The solace she gets from this loving gesture of her Peddamma is just heavenly, the very first day when they started this process, her eyes misted commemorating her mother, but with time she got so habituated that she yearned for this time every evening.
"You know your Badepapa na. God only knows what is running in his mind. He doesn't open up to me, but I strongly believe he also wants you to get married soon. He never admitted to me but he's tensed of our growing age Jodhu, he wants you to see you happily flourishing in life with husband, children, in-laws, before we retire from lives," she sighed twisting the band. The elderly man, stealthily sneaking the conversation was highly appeased by his better half, yet another time in their long cherished journey. "These wives bhi na, there is no escape for husbands from their mind reading," he amused.
"Please don't say that maa..." Jodha turned back taking Prameela's hand into hers. "To me, you and badepapa are eternal. I believe you'll be there for me forever and let me live in that chimera, else I'll go insane with insecurity", her voice burdened, but before she yielded to grief, the astute man made his appearance.
"Papa, when did you come? We haven't heard your car sound?" she asked in surprise. "When you started narrating your resignation drama!" he smiled and seated beside Prameela.
"Ooo... So Peddamma is right, you are a big chupa rustum. Waise, tell me this advocate ji, under which section does the offence of eavesdropping fall into?" she jovially asked lifting her brows.
"Well, it's under section 420, but there is an exemption to it," he sheepishly grinned stretching his legs. "When two females talk, there is no possibility for eavesdropping. So it is not considered an offence," he witted feigning seriousness.
"Haw, you call us loud speakers," Prameela ji condemned and Jodha giggled. "This is enough to file a domestic violence suit on you. Jodhu, you are my witness," she groaned.
"Fine no problem! I'll drop you tomorrow at Jayanagar police station while going to office, but now can I have a taste of your domestic violence, I mean a cup of tea?" he tittered. Giving him a sharp look, the adoring wife bit her lips not to look amused. "No, from today forget tea-coffee in this home," she seriously averred and then smiled loud giving up the facade. "Anyways it's 8 o'clock; it's time for dinner not tea. Let me check if rotis are ready," she got up calling out to their kitchen maid.
"You never told me you were tensed of my marriage Papa", seeing her peddamma leave, Jodha asked moving a step up sitting beside him. "It's not exactly tension Jodha, it's more of concern. Now that you are our sole responsibility, I want to be extra careful in selecting the right partner for you," he clarified. "By the way, what are your expectations of marriage? Is your answer still the same as you gave us last time or did the expectations change?" he curiously enquired.
Jodha remained thoughtful frivolously looking down to her entwined fingers. "I didn't give a proper thought to marriage past eight months papa. But I think my answer is more or less the same, an endearing family with good values," she looked up smiling at her foster parent. "If possible look for a giant family with two brother-in-laws, three sister-in-laws, dada-dadi, nana-nani and anyone else possible. Life will be so busy that I hardly have time to sulk," she crackled uplifting the mood.
"Then I should get you married into that vim ad's largest family in India," Saradhi ji jested. "And one more thing," he lowered his voice as if sharing a secret... "You are absolutely free to tell me if you like someone, even if he differs from our communal status. Don't hesitate about our relatives or society; it is you who has to decide whom to live with. Your peddamma is conservative in these matters, but your happiness is above her status quo, so I don't think you'll not get an objection from her either," the elderly man assured.
"Aww...," she gladdened at this sweet gesture. "Definitely papa, if I were to like someone you'll be the third to know," she too whispered simulating her guardian parent. "First would be me, second would be that man and third is you," she playfully counted and both smiled in unison. "If you are done with gossiping about me, do you mind coming for dinner?" Prameela ji shouted from the dining table making the horrified duo hastily gush in.
***********
"What are you doing?" Samyu asked slowly trekking upstairs. "kuch nahi, strolling aimlessly on the terrace, what are you doing? What are uncle and aunty doing?" Jodha replied sitting on a concrete bench mounted at one end of the terrace.
"They are downstairs in the living room. I came up to talk to you. I have to ask you something which I couldn't do it in afternoon as Divya was beside you," she paused leaning against the parapet.
"Acha, what's that?" Jodha intrigued alarmed by the under current profundity of Samyu's statement. "About your decision to quit Regal... Are you really happy with it?" Samyu strived into business. "Oh!" Jodha sighed in relaxation. "What's there in this question that you couldn't ask me before Divya?" she cross-questioned first and then answered. "Anyways no one can be completely happy leaving a cooperative team and a supportive manager, right Samyu?"
"Then... Is it wise to take decisions that you are not happy with?" Samyu chided slowly leading the conversation to her desired target. After a momentary thinking, Jodha responded. "Earlier I wasn't happy shifting to Bangalore either, so were you. But today my decision turned out to be wise. Similarly, this might also turn righteous in future, who knows what's in store?"
"Mm... you are right. But I have one more doubt", Samyu continued. "If Jalal had apologized you, you'd have taken back your resignation, right?"
"Haan... or may be even without an apology if he genuinely justified his behavior that day. What should I imply if he says it's a generic statement, nothing was targeted at me? It means he categorized me into his so called trickster corporate employees' and am still in dark unbeknown if he still thinks the same of me," she huffed getting up from the platform to resume walking.
"Acha, but why are you affected by his behavior?" Samyu demanded. "If I correctly remember, when our chemistry lecturer reprimanded you before entire class for degrading scores, you were least impacted."
"When?" Jodha puzzled recollecting the incident, "oh, in plus two? Gosh, you still remember that Samyu? Anyways you know na, he had never been my favorite lecturer, so why would I consider his tantrums?"
"Ahaa..." Samyu amused erupting into a chuckle before she shot her coveted question. "So, is Jalal your favorite Boss then?"
"What are you trying to prove Samyu?" irked and alerted by the encounter, Jodha scowled halting in her tracks. Imagining her friend's piqued avatar, Samyu guffawed. "I want to say that miss tempered Jodha is smitten by her mister charming boss and is actually quitting the company to escape his spell."
"And what is the base to prove your stand miss analyst?" Jodha promptly asked knitting her brows; needless to say, she wasn't as disgusted by this teasing as she was a few months before. "Your hostility!" Samyu tittered. "Twelve years of acquaintance with you divulged me many times that you show off your true anger only on a selected few, your family, me and Priya. You excuse all others easily, for say, rest of our gang or your classmates, but if WE wrong with you, you are truly upset and stay very adamant till we apologize, persuade and pamper you. And don't try to deny this, I know you better."
"How true!" Jodha wondered, "I know I have a soft corner for him, I know his charisma was impacting me, but when the hell did he pervade into my closest affinity circle without my knowledge," her beats fastened at the realization.
"Are you busy thinking of an apt rebuff, Jodhu?" Samyu grinned anticipating the silence. "Before you come up with a cock & bull story, let me tell you, had it been someone else than Jalal, you'd have resigned the very day giving a damn to his delusions. You wouldn't wait to prove your efficiency or innocence."
"You never told me you were attending psychology classes Samyu", eminently pleased by her bestie's dissection, Jodha smiled her heart out. "tch tch, sad part is you are going to be smacked for this free diagnosis".
"I know I know, even Copernicus was hanged to death when he announced earth is round," Samyu gibed in a sober tone, a moment later both of them broke into blithe laughter.
"So what next?" Samyu asked with all excitement. "Mm... nothing re, have to sleep now, tomorrow I have to go to Malleshwaram on some trust work. What about you?" she casually answered.
"Idiot! Who asked about your mundane routine?" Samyu scorned patting her forehead. "What next means - what are you going to do with your newfound revelation, how are you going to express this to him - I'm not asking about eating and sleeping", she seriously admonished.
"Have you gone nuts Samyu?" Jodha rebuked, "There should be tens of girls admiring him in Regal and Four wheels. That doesn't mean they all love him or they should express it to him. Moreover, now that I'm out of this company, there's no point disputing over this stuff - out of sight, out of mind - few months later he hardly remembers Jodha and the same might be with me. So stop straining your tiny brain and go to bed, its 10:30 already."
"Matlab, you are still hell bent on leaving Regal? Don't you want to continue?" Samyu fumed but Jodha giggled. "What I want doesn't count now, what I did counts!! I took an irreversible step and I have to stick to it, now that if you mercy me with this Arnab Goswami encounter, let's end this here and talk of something else, lest I should disconnect the call", she intimidated.
---
"Mmm... yes here it is! Devi, Madhapur boutique..." as she scanned through the contact list looking for the required number, her eyes fell on the contact just below it - Don'. The mere sight of his name piloted her back a few hours in time. "Why did his smile vanish when I talked of marriage?" she pondered recalling their accost. "Is it because he lost the argument or ..." she put aside the pillow on her lap feeling restless, "I too should join psychology tuitions to decode his eye-language", brushing off the thoughts she texted the designer's number to Samyu. Once done, her fingers inevitably opened up the contacts again.
"Delete or not?" she hesitated swiping the contact from left to right and vice versa. "Is Jalal your favorite boss? You are smitten by your boss", Samyu's exegesis replayed in her mind expediting her into recapitulation. Placing the mobile aside, she switched off the lights and pulled the blanket over embracing darkness. "Samyu is right, but what is so tantalizing in this man in particular?" she rolled aside drowning into thoughts. "Is it his charm, but wasn't the project leader in NCC more charming than him? I never found him interesting though, why only Jalal?" lost in contemplation she started drawing patterns on her mobile screen. "Somehow I feel connected to him, but what's that?" she closed her eyes concentrating on his persona.
"What's in him that makes girls fall for him - intelligence, command, grace or his royal aura? Aah, wait a minute, this list reminds me of someone very familiar to me ", she focused hard. "Yes, Gautam," she discovered the answer to all her unanswered questions. "His traits are very close to Gautam's except the royalty, including the taunts and teasing," she smiled wide reviving how Gautam used to enjoy aggravating her. "Oh, so I was unintentionally looking for a Gautam-alike in all the men I've been encountering!! Could that be the reason why I wasn't impressed by anyone who proposed me till date?" she whooped at the realization.
She instantaneously unlocked the mobile reopening his contact. "Hey mister!" she sounded silly to herself as she addressed the contact, "Why did you instigate me today, huh? You know what, you have serious attitude problem," she accused. "Remember Mr. Don, it's just because of your attitude that you are missing me. I wish and pray you get the dumbest of employee as my replacement and he/she should do your bheja fry every day!" she sweetly cursed chucking a vivacious smile. As she gawked at his screen name, a mischievous idea flashed her naughty cells.
---
11:45 pm
"Ting..." the mobile buzzed with a Facebook notification. It was from Shashank who posted his review of the latest Kannada movie he just finished watching. "How blissful it is to have a tension free weekend, watching movies, enjoying with friends!! Hmm, people envy power and authority, but they least know the compromises to be done to procure it!!" he exhaled remembering the last time he slept before 10:00pm. "MBA, Automobile engineer at Toyota Corp US, Four wheels, Regal, life has been boosting at jet speed", he mulled over navigating through old pictures.
"Every step of life was well meditated, but how did my cognition falter at the most crucial resolution," he closed his eyes in rapprochement. To his astoundment, a chatpat dainty form emerged behind the closed lids making him startle open his eyes. Sitting straight in the chair, he shook his head to dismiss the thoughts and concentrate on his work. Five minutes later, his fingers irresistibly clicked on her Facebook contact via Shashank's friend list. Facebook seemed playing cupid suggesting him to send a friend request to know more about Jodha Akkineni, as it secured all her details except the profile pic. He went on staring at the chirpy contented smile she had in that cover page picture. As every minute of gazing augmented his restlessness, he vehemently closed the laptop, not gratified with the battle eventuating within.
Chapter 16 - Part 2
July 21, Monday, 5:00pm
"...uffo Jodhu, this step is too complicated, change this to a simple one dear," Divya pleaded sitting on the bed of resting room, vexed in repeating the hand movement Jodha illustrated. "Hello madam, this is classical dance. Your movement should match the lyrics, else Kamal Hassan will sue you," she giggled referring to Kamal's iconic performance in Sagara Sangamam. As the energetic youngsters of the office decided to make 2014 Iftaar more memorable, they came up with the idea of cultural events from their end, complementing the grand dinner offered by the management. A welcome dance by Divya was an impromptu idea of Jodha as they were informed of the rescheduled dinner date.
"Try it once more dear, you can do it. Just imagine how your image is going to build up in the eyes of Chairman, Directors, MD and our team after this rendition. Imagine the admiration you get, the Wows and Supers you hear... you'll do much more complicated steps than this," Jodha encouraged.
"You too join me then. Let's share the admiration", Divya proposed. "What would I do with it when I'm leaving this place in ten days dear," Jodha smiled. "If I had one more Kuchipudi outfit with me, I too would have joined you. Now enough of discussion! Come on, get up and practice the step", Jodha pulled her up veiling her disheartenment in wearing the classical outfit in absence of her mother.
"By the way, what was Nina talking to you in the morning? I forgot to ask you then", Divya questioned resuming the position. "She told me not to reveal about the shortened notice period as others might take advantage citing me an example. I accepted and also requested her to keep the resignation news confidential till I reveal it on my own", Jodha explained rewinding the song.
"You still want to keep it a secret till last day?" Divya enquired moving her body to the rhythm. "Yes dear, else people keep pounding me with why, where, when, how... huh" she sighed listing the adverbs, "... on 31st I'll throw a lunch treat and break the news," she chortled dancing along with her friend.
***********
24th July, Thursday, 9:30am
"Wow... office looks so colorful Divi!! Is it the same every year?" Jodha asked stepping into Divya's cabin. "Yes it is! By the way did you visit the marketing section? You'd be appeased by deep cut blouses and fancy hairstyles", Divya sheepishly grinned. "O ho... I haven't been there yet, shall we go now? Let's feed some vitamin A to our eyes", Jodha playfully winked. "I just came from there, you go, anyways Shashank is already there to give you company," she slyly hinted.
"Oh, Mr. Bee already in action?" her eyes rolled in distaste. "Hope his belly doesn't blast with excess of honey," she witted and proceeded to leave. "Not just one bee, there are many bees there. Waise did you get camcorder?" Divya reminded. "Yes madam, don't worry! But what am I going to get for shooting your performance and helping you in surprising Mr. Divi?" she turned back folding her arms.
"A cute sa... sweet sa... ", divya wryly approached Jodha narrowing her eyes and the latter trended back acting trembled. "Divi... no please... no... I'm not of THAT type... please... somebody save me please", she naughtily laughed moving back to the closed entrance. "Idiot, stop there", Divya immediately reached out to pinch her wicked friend as hard as possible but Jodha flinched back opening the door with her back. "Better luck next time darling," laughing at Divya she swiftly moved back shutting the door, but in that process she missed noticing the group of people behind her. "Jo..." before Divya could open the door and caution her, Jodha joshfully turned around and nearly bumped into the suit form that blocked her way. As she spinned, the prills of her Anarkali swirled once, before they actually settled.
"Oops...", she impulsively shut her eyes lowering the head and squeezed her shoulders tight trying not to hit the man, while the man stepped back saving himself from the hit, observing the abashed feminine form. Realizing that she managed to compose herself at nick of time, she opened her eyes and quickly looked up to see the person she nearly bumped into. It's the same man missing from office for past three days - the same man whom her eyes unknowingly searched for.
"Careful young lady!" with a generous smile, the magnificent elderly man standing beside Jalal cordially advised. "I'm so sorry," embarrassed by her act, she duly apologized giving way to the group of delegates. Soon they passed past the cabin, Divya pulled her in and pinched on her arm prudently shutting her mouth to mute the winces.
"Is he our chairman?" Jodha asked rubbing her arm and darting killer stares at Divya's poking giggles. "Yes! and the other man behind chairman is one of the directors," she answered. "Wow, he looks so fit and fine even in his late fifties Divi," Jodha fascinated while Divi scoffed in disdain. "You are too weird Jodhu, dashing son ko chodke, you are admiring his father," she murmured low making a face. "Because he is the pillar of this empire and it's not a cake walk to attain this status. He deserves to be admired and to be inspired," she banged on Divi's forehead and stepped out to marketing section.
-----
7:15pm
"Girls... are you done? Chairman's annual report is nearing completion," Nina barged into the resting room where Divya and few other female colleagues were getting ready for their performances.
"Wow Divya, you look fabulous in this costume," she complimented scanning Divya from tip to toe. "I didn't expect it to be a classical dance yaar, seriously you surprised me", she accorded and Jodha merrily signaled to Divya like See-I-Told-You.
"Divya is ready Nina, we'll be down in five minutes," Jodha replied doing final touchup to Divya. "I'm slightly tensed re... I'm doing classical dance again almost after ten years... I last did it in school annual function..." Divya stated smiling to Nina.
"Ouch... ", descrying the moan, the three ladies gusted to their colleague who cut her finger while cutting the jasmine strands with a blade. "Offo," sharing her concern, Nina pressed her hanky against the finger to prevent blood from spitting down. "Wait let me get the first aid", apprehending the depth of cut Jodha stormed out to HR cabin.
"Hello Eric! How are you doing? Sorry for the background noise, we have a small event here..." ensuring he is away from the seminar hall, Jalal answered the Ericsson client.
"... yeah, yeah... I got your email... I'm about to reply it with documents..." he dignifiedly covered up pacing fast from ninth floor to his cabin in tenth floor.
"Sure, let's have a discussion once you go through the documents," disconnecting the call, he was about to open the mail on his phone when his left arm received a vigorous blow from something very solid - so vigorous that the mighty man literally jerked a few steps aside, but balanced from collapsing by holding the wooden partition on other side of hallway, nevertheless, his phone faced the aftermath.
"Ayyayyo... I'm sorry... so sorry..." terrified by the outcome of her violent push of glass door, she hustled to him immensely tensed. "Did it hurt you?" she asked in a jiff, but soon realized how silly her question was. Baffled by her sudden appearance, he casted a serious stare at her knitting his brows. "Are you on hitting spree today?" he gravely asked looking down for his mobile. Swiftly nodding in a no, she too peeped down amazing what he was searching for. As he got up taking the mobile, his eyes casted on the first aid kit in her hand. Suspiciously glancing at the box he frowned, "You seem pretty prepared to hit me!"
Though amused by his wit, she suppressed the snigger and softly answered. "No no, this is for Neeru, her finger got cut. Sorry I was in a hurry and I didn't notice you..." Cutting her short, he raised his palm in a that's-ok gesture. "That's ok!! But you better practice pulling a door than pushing," he waggishly advised and moved on attempting to turn his phone on. "How haughty... ", her mouth widened peeking the retreating profile. "Oh no... Neeru should be waiting," as the consciousness warned, she brisk ran to the resting room, this time pulling open all the doors.
-----
"Om namah shivaya... Om namah shivayaa...
chandrakaladhara.. sahrudaya.."
Viewing Divya's performance through camcorder, Jodha's memoirs hub impulsively got whisked - The days when her mom accompanied her to all their troupe's stage shows, the days when she and Samyu used to imitate the dances of yester year heroes, the days when her mom used to proudly introduce her as a student of Shobha Naidu - a loud whistle from the gents gang pulled her back to reality. Perceiving that Divya is nearing completion, she signaled her girl gang to be ready. As Divya ended the rendition with a fantastic closing posture, the seminar hall reverberated with loud whistles from back of the audience.
The executives in front row turned back anticipating the response to be from male employees, but to their surprise, the whistles were coming from a group of exuberant girls. After a solid one minute of non-stop whistling, they clapped hard cheering their friend. Overwhelmed by the gesture, Divya tiptoed to her gang gleaming bright in elation. "Regal has many rowdy girls Jalal," Abdul quipped and the MD laughed. "Four wheels women are very innocent then, I tell you!!" he sniggered.
The celebration continued the same for all female performances - sometimes with a shower of shimmer papers, sometimes with a garland of fake currency notes, sometimes shouting Ooo' at maximum lung capacity - for next one hour, the erstwhile decent employees of Regal transformed into joyous college girls, happily ignoring the honorable front seated magnates.
At the buffet
"Why are you going that side?" Shashank puzzled at his colleague as she moved towards veg menu, skipping the non-veg section. "Its Thursday babuu," Jodha sadly replied biting a keera slice verifying the not-so-exciting vegetarian options. "Make it fast Jodhu, what are you thinking?" Divya hurried approaching Jodha with a filled platter.
"Tujhe kya? You easily filled your plate with all NV starters, I'm dying here unable to decide which ghass-poos to eat!" she murmured low with a pity frown, but her pout was loud enough to reach the ears of a man who just passed across her.
"Exactly!" Abdul quipped turning to the young ladies. "I too find it extremely unbearable eating anything that doesn't move," he witted bringing on smiles to friends. "By the way, how are you both doing? Divya, I must say it was a spellbound performance from you," he complimented.
"Thank you so much sir, we are doing good," Divya replied. "... and half the credit goes to Jodha, she is my teacher!" she happily admitted. "Oh, wow! That's interesting to know. Why didn't you participate then?" he curiously asked.
"Actually..." she quickly thought of a subtle answer. "I was so busy training my friends on how to whistle, that I didn't get time to practice and participate," she gibed with a sweet smile. "That's a good excuse!" he chuckled and pardoned from the lively ladies to join his friend.
"Chairman ji is self-serving yaar, so down to earth he is!" spotting the big shots helping themselves with the food, Jodha hailed the benevolent chairman. "Yes he is! Also this particular day they don't exhibit their bureaucracy. He tries to mingle with all employees as much as possible," Divya clarified. Though engrossed in chatting and dining, every now and then her auto-piloted eyes stealthily glimpsed at the dashing boss from a safer distance. In a Burgundy shirt behind the black blazer, with a hypnotizing smile adorning his lips, he had his effect on most of the young hearts.
Ten minutes later, when she returned to their table with a glass of water in one hand and a refilled plate in the other, she heard a choke on her left.
"Water?" her hand unconsciously extended much before her eyes discerned who it was. "No thank you! You please carry on, I'll get one," the boss softly refused and her hand retreated, but before he forwarded a step the assistant marketing manager flashed out of blue with two glasses. "I have two, you may take one," she offered with a sugar coated smile. "Thank you!" he accepted and they both moved along talking.
"How different is this water?" Jodha gritted returning to her table. "... As if that glass just landed directly from Himalayas..." the chilly panneer piece winced in pain as she stabbed it with all her might.
"Hello young architects, hope you are having great time!" perceiving the chairman addressing his employees in person, Jalal, Abdul, Raj and other managers too joined him. The chatterboxes muted in a jiff and respectfully got up greeting him. "Hi Divya, how are you doing? Looks like Bangalore branch excited you more than Hyderabad one," he chirped. "Nothing like that sir, both are equally exciting," Divya humbly replied. "Oh, he remembers his employees too," one more cause added to Jodha's admiration list.
"I see some new faces Raj," he curiously turned to Raj and the latter introduced all the latest additions to Regal. "Nice meeting you guys, wish you a great career with Regal," he gently wished and after talking to three more such groups he left for the day.
"Shall we also leave? it's 9:45 now. By the time I drop you and go home, it'll be almost 11," few minutes later, Jodha asked emptying the bowl of butterscotch. "Ok, let me get the bags then," Divya agreed and proceeded to her cubicle.
"Hey Abdul, I forgot to tell you. Ms. Jodha is getting married next month, so she'll be leaving Regal soon", seeing the petite lady walk past them, Jalal profusely announced to Abdul. "My God!" her heart drifted two inches down ascertaining the disclosure. She quickly turned back scanning the audience around him- thankfully there weren't many surrounding him, and thanks to the DJ that started a few minutes ago, the statement failed reaching to a larger audience. But one of her stars seemed to be misplaced, as the news was perceived by a pair of the most unwanted ears.
"Wow, Jodha, is it?? You never told us!" the asst. marketing manager patted from behind showing off all her delight. "Baba... two minutes, just two minutes make me mightier than him... I'll tangle his neck and happily sit in jail," she fervently prayed clasping her fist.
"That's great news! When is your wedding Jodha?" Abdul probed.
"Wo... actually, sometime next month," she gently answered Abdul and turned to AMM. "I thought of sharing it with you all once the date is finalized," she uttered low with a faint smile. "Guys in your excitement you forgot to congratulate her," leaving no stone unturned to abash her, Jalal smirked watching her stiffening eyes.
"Oh... sorry... congratulations Jodha," both of them delightedly wished her. Faking a thank you smile, she hastily excused from there. "cha... cha... now this news will spread like a wild fire, this marketing-wali bhi na, always roams within two feet of his circumference with one ear dedicated to his banter," she hissed taking large steps towards exit.
"Hello madam, where are you going? Come on come on, you can't escape like this..." all of a sudden, Ramesh blocked her way. "I'm not going home, will call Divi and join you, you go," in a no mood to argue with him, she lied masking her fret.
"I'm not the one to fall for your excuses, come, come," he caught hold of her hand and pulled towards the DJ - a pair of eyes that observed this from a distance squinted into a piercing gaze. "What the heck!" she gaped at his grip on her wrist; masking her aversion, she freed her hand. "Give me two minutes, I'll be back, ok!" tossing a convincing smile, she trekked back to the exit door.
"Ha... Peddammma... It might get late... you don't stay awake... haan... I've keys with me, I'll drop Divi and come... bye...", as she disconnected the call, she spotted him alone stepping up to tenth floor. Unwilling to lose the opportunity, she immediately followed him. "Mr. Jalal," she called out taking him by surprise. Swiftly climbing the steps, she reached him stopping at a step below he erected.
"Why did you announce my marriage news before others? That's my personal matter, I'm the supposed one to reveal it", she angered gripping her fingers on the rail.
"Well... I just shared as I thought you'd love to be congratulated", he evilly smirked placing his left hand in pocket. "I was unaware that it was a secret to your colleagues Ms. Jodha, any special reason behind this concealment?" he questioned with an impish squint.
"Wo... I planned to reveal it along with a treat. But you...", as she looked aside complaining on him, he observed her profile from close quarters - the dark maroon georgette faux anarkali complemented by a navy blue banaras silk patch at the top glorified the radiance of her skin. The puff sleeves, the small sapphire pendant hanging from a sleek chain above the neckline, the small tinge of red on edge of her nose - every bit of her looked ultra-cute to him.
"Is your wedding a lie?" he asked straight looking into her eyes. Perceiving the intensity of his gaze, her throat dried up inhibiting her from responding. "Is it?" he repeated and she slightly nodded in a no. "Then why are you worrying? You may officially announce it with a treat later. Actually, you should thank me for making the task easier for you," he stylishly retorted. Clutching her dupatta tight, she flatly requited. "You are right!! It shouldn't matter who disclosed when the news is true. Anyways thank you so much", she turned back and speeded down while he looked on graciously tapping on the rail.
***********
Chapter 17
25th July, Friday 7:15pm
"Wow... baingan fry," holding a stuffed brinjal from its stem, the freshly dressed lady unraveled the lids of arrayed bowls on the kitchen island. "Arree, puran poli and puliogare? Maa, I thought you'd be cooking some hi-fi cuisine, ye toh sab traditional khana hain!!" she exclaimed in surprise savoring the delicious eggplant.
"Yes Jodha! The guests we are going to have today love authentic Telugu cuisine", Prameela answered gently spreading the poli. "Akka, but don't you worry!! There's chicken fry for you," tittering at the finger licking young lady, the kitchen assistant signaled at the other set of dishes on a distant platform.
"But nothing can beat this brinjal fry Durga," She winked back checking the items behind closed lids. "Oh god! So many dishes! Seems today's guests are special to Badepapa!" She curiously asked standing beside her Peddamma inspecting the making of polis.
"Haa, they are Papa's clients cum family friends. They rarely make it to our home for dinner, hence the heavy menu. What is the time Jodha? Papa hasn't come yet!! Call him and find out where he is!!"
"Its 7:20... I'll call him but you better go and get ready, guests may come anytime," she suggested dialing to Saradhi ji. "Haa... just five more polis, will go once done... didn't you see jasmines at the dining?" she asked noticing her daughter's arid braid.
Nodding in a no, she placed her mobile aside. "Papa disconnected the call, maybe he is nearby..." before she completed her statement, the trio heard the dab of car doors. "Maa... Badepapa is already here... We'll finish this polis and arrange the bowls on the table. You better get into your room before he chides you...," pulling her peddamma to the hand wash, Jodha hurried.
"Ok, ok I'm going... Jodhu... those boxes are for Ranga, give it to him and I asked him to bring daisies, arrange them in the centerpiece please... and what else??" as she stood still remembering the pending tasks, Jodha pushed her out of the kitchen. "I'll take care of remaining stuff, you get ready now meri ma!!" she lovingly yelled and proceeded to the living room to open door for her badepapa.
"You invited guests for dinner but you come so late Badepapa?" she sweetly chided the gentleman glaring at the red and yellow bunches of flowers in Ranga's hands. "It's not my fault dear. This Prameela bhakth Hanuman kept striding all the lanes till he spotted these flowers. All blame on the convicts Mrs.Prameela and Mr.Ranga my lord, I'm innocent", he smiled removing his shoes. "Ouffo Ranga... You should have bought roses if you didn't find daisies na," Jodha swayed her head in contempt taking over bunches from the buoyant all-rounder.
"No madam, if bade madam asks for daisies, how can I get roses? We have a regular florist, but unfortunately these flowers are out of stock today, so I had to go to a different shop," he humbly answered and went to the reading cum office room to secure the office belongings of Saradhi ji. Awestruck by his answer, Jodha turned to her badepapa amazed. "He is truly like Hanuman papa, never crosses Peddamma's order."
"Hai na Jodhu?? I sometimes wonder if he is your Peddamma's secret agent to spy on me," he secretively whispered. "May be... we never know...," whispering back she acted pensive creasing her brows; a moment later the duo broke into giggles.
"Waise how long had she been locked in?" he asked low glaring at the closed bedroom door. "Just now papa... water?" Jodha asked handing over a glass of water.
"Ah! Then she's not going to come out for next thirty minutes," he exaggerated and sat relaxed switching the TV on. Smiling at her adoring parent, she left to her room and returned with scissors and pins. Having pinned the jasmines to her French braided hair, she started cutting the stems of daisies to vase length. "Every time your Peddamma sets a new record in getting ready Jodhu, please search in net if there's a book available on 'How to dress up in minutes?'", the jovial husband commented peeking at the running clock. Apparently, Jodha's fingers ceased their actions as the comment reminded her of the last conversation with her parents. "Saab, I'll come at 10:30 to drop Jodha madam, I'm not parking the car now," Ranga's presence shattered her thoughts before they invigorated.
"I'll go by auto or Badepapa will drop me Ranga," Jodha replied tucking the flowers into the glass vase. "Bus stop is just ten minutes from here, I'll manage. You park the car and come fast. Badepapa! I think you too should change and come, let's have garam garam tea with masala wada" she playfully raised her brows tempting the old man taking the name of hot snacks.
------
"Here... take this... now go home fast before the polis get cold. They taste best when hot, did you inform your wife not to cook dinner today?" handing over a bag of food-stuffed boxes, Jodha smiled at the vivacious chauffer. "No madam, I forgot," giving her a shy smile, he accepted the bag. "Arre... how can you forget? You better call now and inform, in case she hasn't started cooking yet," Jodha ordered in mock anger and he obediently nodded in acceptance.
"Durga... keep the dough ready, but don't make chapatis now," instructing the maid, she collated the left over jasmines, daisies into a tray and settled at the center table to adorn the centerpiece. Perceiving kick-start of Ranga's bike, she shouted louder changing the news channel. "Keep the gate open Rangaa... guests will come soon..."
"Akkaa... "
Panicked by the scream, she immediately rushed to the kitchen leaving the task aside. "What happened?" she asked horrified. "That's my favorite song... please increase the volume na," the teen maid sweetly requested leisurely pouring water into flour.
"What?" Jodha threw her the gravest of stare possible. "You shouted to death for this?" she meekly banged on the assistant's head with remote and returned to the living room increasing the volume; in between the mess, an engine off sound followed by remote lock of a sedan that just entered the compound missed reaching her ears.
An absolutely silent home with no traces of people, except for a humming from the kitchen and high volume of the television caused the visitor hesitant to proceed further as he walked past the opened wooden doors. He decided to trek back and ring the bell to alert the host of his presence, but being not strange to the home and the host, he gave up the idea and headed to the couch to silently await the host.
As he softly walked to the center of the hall, his eyes casted on a feminine form sitting on her knees at the center table with her back towards him. He stepped further for a better glimpse, but couldn't discern her features as the young lady lowered her head preoccupied in arranging the red and yellow daisies alternately in water filled copper metallic bowl finely carved with floral design.
Intrigued by this third person in the otherwise lonely couple's home, he stood still behind the sofa watching out her deeds. Done with evenly arranging the flowers, she planted a plastic leaf at the center and lit a small candle on it. Pleased by her work she got up to have a top view of the centerpiece, whilst the visitor continued with his amusement.
"She seems familiar to me!!" he puzzled as his eyes scanned the petite form standing before him. Dressed in a snug-fit off white top with golden polka dots, a maroon red bottom and dupatta, the young lady appeared pretty known to him. For a better view, he slowly moved to his left and stopped positioning himself between sofa and her.
"Mmm... this is good... but it can be better...," she thought keenly concentrating on the floral arrangement. Taking a few jasmines from the tray, she kneeled again carefully placing a jasmine at the center of each red flower; few more jasmines found their place around the lit candle complementing the look of green leaf with white flowers. "Wow!" impressed by her creativity, she leaned over the table with palm under her cheek admiring the aesthetic decor.
Kallalloki kallu petti chudavenduku :sobs:
(Why don't you look into my eyes?)
cheppaleni gunde kota polchukunduku :sobs:
(To know the pain in my heart which I can't open up to you)
As the song neared completion, Durga's humming turned into sobbing imitating Chitra's' rendition of the youthful pathos pictured on a teen couple's pain of love. Crackled by the funny humming, the silent visitor decided it is high time he alerted the woman of his presence - as he was about to clear his throat, he heard a shout from the other end.
"Durga... stop crying. I'll tangle your neck if the rotis taste salter. And please stop that humming too... my ears are literally bleeding now," she chirpily complained resting her forehead in the palm.
"Woah! What is SHE doing here?" utterly baffled by the assimilation of her voice, he unwittingly reposed on the couch staring aghast at the woman in white & red.
"Don't say that akka... you know what? People in my colony call me local Chitra," discarding the maiden's request, the spirited maid continued singing.
"Kallalloki kallu petti chudavenduku"
".. because hero has conjunctivitis...", irked by the song, Jodha sourly riposted getting up from her place with the tray of left over flowers in one hand and her mobile in the other. After capturing the centerpiece from a close up top angle, she back stepped two feet to take a long shot of the same, unbeknown to the stretched legs of a manly form resting behind her. Anticipating her reaction once she spots him, the visitor's sharp eyes are so focused on her actions that he missed noticing her retreating feet.
"O o ooo..." a meek scream made its way out as she tripped back colliding his toes, but her scream failed gaining attention of her parents or the maid, all thanks to the high volume music. Not knowing exactly what caused her to trip and where she was falling, she tightened her grip on both the articles in her hands expecting to safely land in the plush couch, but alas, her teasing stars had a different plan altogether that evening - passion filled the air as if the romantic demigods waved their magic wands to bring the couple together.
The moment she realized she isn't actually falling on the seat as there's an unknown obstacle between she and the couch, she pinned her elbows strong against his chest balancing her slant body between ankles and elbows, only unwilling to land up in a stranger's lap - argh, but the demigods angered watching her defiance. The bearers of her weight, the elbow joints, pounded his chest hard forcing him to push her up soon. Meantime the jasmines in her hair silently tickled his lips and stole a precious possession from the young entrepreneur - a possession many spinsters overtly or silently crave for - his lip signature.
For a moment, he forgot the world drowning into the heavenly fragrance of flowers clubbed with the natural fragrance of her body. Recomposing his senses soon, he gently pushed her up holding her shoulders, but being hesitant to touch her for long he receded his arms before her feet fastened on the ground. The quondam angered deities waved their wands once again and the result - she stuttered on her feet and landed straight into his lap.
"Shyea!" disgusted by her plight, she set her hands free letting the tray slip - the flowers scattered all over their torsos symbolizing blessings of the appeased gods. Blissfully that didn't mark the end of the show - as she slithered further to her right, her right arm extended to clench the couch seat while her left one reached out to something readily accessible - the collar of his shirt to be precise. The young man's hand unconsciously circled her shoulders to help her stop from falling aside - the celestial forms smiled in content and disappeared as their mission for the day accomplished.
"Who the hell is he?" Bestowed with the opportunity to get a glimpse of the intruder's face, her brows squeezed and eyes fumed showing off her extreme contempt in a stranger's unannounced arrival. As his salient features gradually registered, the brows un-knitted and the lids parted wider mirroring her astonishment. Blithely, it was no less than a feast for him witnessing her ablaze transforming into amazement and then into perplex, from too close to be counted a distance.
"You?" she asked bewildered blankly staring at him forgetting the position she's in, "How come you are here?" her voice excited. Instead of answering her, his eyes drifted to her fist clutching his collar, naturally, a mischievous smirk made its way out. "Oh no!" coming back to senses, she immediately flung up making sure she stood straight this time.
"Are you ok?" he teased getting up from the couch - the scattered flowers glided down kissing his feet.
"Is that a question to ask? That too after such an incident? Huh, he seems very enjoying? Waise... did I fall or did he make me fall? But what on earth is he doing here?" Adjusting her dupatta, she looked on baffled as a bunch of suspicions gushed in a second.
"Hello Jalal... how are you? Where are Ammi and Abbu?" Saradhi ji timely budged in interrupting the enthusiastic lady's about-to-gear-up interrogation. "Fine uncle, they should be on the way. They said that they'd visit Sayeed uncle's home and come here. I came directly from office", shaking hand with their family lawyer, he softly smiled. "Uncle? Matlab, he knows Badepapa before... huh... so are these the guests of the evening?" she looked on confused at the shaking hands. "Are you both surprised to see each other?" reading his daughter's expressions, the shrewd advocate giggled switching the TV off and Jalal smiled in agreement.
"She's my brother's daughter Jalal. Jodhu... you should be wondering how I know Jalal!" he lovingly patted. "I'm their family lawyer for past fifteen years. But they are more of friends to us than clients" he introduced one another clearing the air.
"You never told me she's your niece uncle?" he asked in surprise. The newfound fact that she isn't a mere employee, but a member of his vicinity truly uplifted his spirits. Jodha also stared enigmatic willing to know the reason behind the secrecy.
Smiling at the youngsters, the elderly man proceeded to sit. "First let's sit and talk. Oh what's this? Durgaa... ", noting the disbursed flowers, he called out to the assistant.
"Wo... the tray slipped off my hands. I'll clear it papa. You both sit on that couch," she dismissed Durga and set off to pick the flowers. "Oh, Jalal is here!!" Prameela exclaimed walking towards them. "Hi beta, how are you? Wasn't it quite long since we last met! Where are Usmaan ji and ammi?" well aware of her Peddamma's express speed questions, Jodha silently left the place on pretense of disposing the flowers.
------
"What a drastic development!! Yesterday he was just a boss and today he's a family friend!! Woah!! I should see Samyu's face when I say this!" she smiled idiotically. "Badepapa is really a chupa rustum, aah, for a change Peddamma too this time!! Why didn't they tell me before? Oh is this why Badepapa warned me to settle scores friendly? Wait a minute... is there Badepapa's recommendation behind this job?" engrossed in thoughts, her fingers aimlessly caressed the flowers. Her beats raced up in nervousness as she realized she's going to face him, talk to him, dine in his presence for next two hours in her very own home - no office, no conferences, no projects, only personal conversation; her lips parched in unexplained anxiety.
Involuntarily she walked to the mirror to have a glimpse of her persona - white & red dress, jasmines - fortuitously; her avatar reminded her of the wedding night attire of heroines in south Indian films. "Ayyooo..." She cursed under her breath for the choice of dress. "I shouldn't have put these flowers at least..." She self-patted returning to the bed. "Phew! How stupidly I fell on him!" she squirmed in gawkiness encircling her hands around the knees. Her body shuddered forming goose bumps as the tickling of jasmines on her neck reminded of his touch. His mischievous smirk when she held his collar originated a shy smile on her lips.
"Jodha..." Prameela's call snapped her out of the sweet reverie. "Haan maa coming..." she responded swiftly jumping out of bed and peeking one more time at the mirror before actually pacing out of room.
************
"She's Jodha, my niece, Jodha Usmaan ji and Ameena ji", Jodha folded her palms in reverence as the doting mother proudly introduced her child to Jalal's parents. "We both don't need an introduction, right young lady!" the chairman warmly smiled hinting at their altercation the previous day. "Yes sir," she humbly smiled, but was cut off abruptly by the modest man. "No sir dear... only uncle... I'm not your chairman here!" he lovingly warned and Jodha agreed with sweetest of a smile.
"Come dear... sit here!!" Looking adoringly at the enchanting lady, Jalal's ammi made place beside her. "She's got beautiful eyes Prameela ji," appeased with her expressive eyes, Ameena complimented Jodha, flinging her into embarrassment. She always finds it difficult reacting to unforeseen compliments and receiving one in his presence pushed her into more abashment, nevertheless the charming boss rejoiced her bashfulness to the core.
The clock quietly continued with its duty pissed off with the lively group who hasn't casted it a single glance in past forty-five minutes. Only one amongst the group couldn't participate in the discussion in her usual self - there were two reasons to her queer silence - one; the topic of shares, market, some xyz common friends being alien to her, two; the presence of magnetizing man that constantly made her conscious - thence she stayed mute most of the time unless asked for something.
"Jodha... do you have a twin sister?" The gathering in the living room bewildered at that out of blue odd question from the chairman. "No uncle... why?" concluding the act of surveying the carpet, she looked up confused.
"I wonder if it was you or your twin sister whom I saw at last evening's party!!" he jested referring to the whistling and masti she did the before day. Grinning wider at his repartee, she honestly admitted. "I got you uncle!! Actually I'm very nave in topics like Sensex or shares. Though I'm thoroughly enjoying your discussion, I can't take part because the subject is as foreign to me as a bhow bhow language to a cat" - a zesty analogy delivered with an adorable genuine shyness - it isn't her fault that the newbies were spellbound by her charm.
"Very true Jodha," taking Jodha's hand into hers, Ameena came in her support. "I too used to feel left out when Jalal is at home and these two always talked about business and stakes. I was so vexed with them that finally I ended up learning shares and stock market," she sneered complaining on father and son.
"Usmaan saab, let's better shift to my office room before the riot begins," the prudent lawyer jovially suggested getting up from his place but Jodha stopped him worried. "Ayyo don't say that Papa. You please continue here. I'm absolutely fine with your discussion," she pleaded in a jiff. "I'm kidding Jodhu. We have few legal aspects to discus, that's why we are leaving. By the way, you three can freely gossip on latest fashion trends now," he quipped and soon the gentleman left to an adjacent room.
----
"When is that picture taken uncle? Looks like some inauguration?" Gazing at the portrait hanging behind Saradhi ji's chair in his office room, Jalal intrigued.
"That is VRR Trust opening ceremony pic Jalal. It's a charitable trust established in name of Jodha's parents, primarily focusing on educational needs of the poor," the advocate explained.
"How's it progressing Saradhi ji? Any new donations?" Usman ji enquired.
"Yes Usmaan saab, it's gaining popularity gradually. This month, I think, around fifteen students were benefitted from our trust. And yes, Prameela is promoting it hard amongst her circle to raise the funds, but your contribution remains the highest till date," he smiled in gratitude.
"It seems I'm oblivious to many facts Abbu," Jalal complained realizing that his father is aware of the trust and its activities. "But isn't your brother in Hyderabad uncle? I'm wondering why you set it up in Bangalore." - A momentary lull pervaded the room as the elders momentarily silenced at his question.
"Jodha's parents died in an accident eight months ago Jalal," perceiving silence in the erstwhile vivacious advocate, the chairman took up the responsibility of revealing the truth to his son.
"What?" he sounded shaken. "Yes Jalal, it was a car accident and Jodha isn't comfortable sharing this with anyone. I wonder if anyone else in your office knows this truth except Divya," Saradhiji elaborated looking hopefully at the wise man - needless to say, the sensible man got the cue. He determined to be silent and act normal though the news left him flabbergasted.
He gazed again at the portrait, this time concentrating on the smiling lady. That moment nothing appeared more divine to him than her smiling eyes hiding wells of tears behind them. "Why she?" he sincerely sympathized with her fate. Sighing in grief, he slowly receded his gaze; that's when the young man standing beside Jodha caught his attention. He knitted his brows focusing on his face recollecting where he had seen him before. "He's the same man with Jodha in the restaurant that day," the apprehension left him wondered as to how ardently he remembered him with just one glimpse, that he could recognize the face even after months.
"Uncle... Who's that man beside Jodha? I think I know him," he cleverly asked suppressing his enthusiasm. "Who... Are you asking about the one on her left? He's Prasanth, Jodha's bava, I mean maternal uncle's son. He lives in the US Jalal, I doubt if you know him before!!" Saradhi ji wondered.
"Oh! Ok... somehow I felt familiar. I don't think I know him." he faintly smiled. Unfortunately the answer he earnestly urged for tampered his spirits. "Maternal uncle's son... does that mean her marriage news is true?" somehow he didn't like this a bit, but he knew any further question from him would arouse curiosity in the two brainy folks sitting by his side, so he stayed calm delving into ongoing conversation.
9:30 pm, At the dining
"Meenaa..."
"haa.." "aa.."
Three pairs of eyes turned to her surprisingly and two pairs understandingly as Jodha reacted promptly to the addressing that is actually intended to Ameena ji from her husband. "Oops sorry... I heard it Meenu...", she calmly explained. "My father used to call me Meenu...", she smiled and the concerned guardians sighed in relief seeing no signs of grief talking of her father.
"By the way, what does Jodha mean? It doesn't sound like a regular Telugu name...", Ameena asked curiously and Jodha retaliated the story behind her name. As she narrated, the enthralled MD looked on interestingly - he never fantasized he'd pay such a keen attention to every minute detail of a girl.
"Interesting tale Jodha...", the chairman appreciated and turned to his wife to convey the reason he called for. "Meena... Rehman called me a while ago. His son is injured in an accident... you talk to his wife tomorrow."
"Was it a major one?" the wife inquired in concern.
"Not really! Bike race... you know," he incoherently answered and the sensible wife discerned her husband's distaste in the affair. "Rehman would have called for help with the police", she surmised having known how much her husband hated such recommendations.
"Kids these days na, I tell you," not letting the opportunity go, Prameela kicked off with her tantrums. "They drive as if they are in cloud nine. Jodha also forgets the world riding her 1947 model Scooty, last month she met with an accident too," she griped.
"Huh!! Why am I pulled into this scene now?" the exasperated lady paused eating and raised her lids to first read his expressions. "Maa... I was driving at 30 and the accident was neither my fault nor my bike's", she defended turning aside.
"Whatever Jodha, bikes aren't safer at all!" the stubborn parent declared.
"Hmm... as if cars are the safest! Haven't I seen how safer they are?" she sighed lowering her head creating designs on her plate. The sudden gloom that smudged her charm didn't go unnoticed by the observant boss.
"By the way aunty, how is wedding preparation going on?" in an attempt to divert the discussion, the frisky man unknowingly or rather knowingly dropped a bombshell. "Goddd!!" her breathing stopped anticipating where this is steering to.
"Who's wedding Jalal?" Prameela wondered forgetting the bluff of her daughter.
"Who else? Jodha's aunty!! I heard that she's getting married next month to her cousin in the US!!" He smirked looking straight into Jodha's eyes. "Really? You didn't tell me this Prameela ji?" Jalal's ammi asked all excited making Jodha guilty for her drama and for nudging her parents into an awkward situation.
"What's the need to bring it up before his parents as if he isn't satisfied with the mess he created at office yesterday!!" daggers darted out of her flaming eyes for a second. "What should I say now?" tensed and helpless, she turned to her source of rescue. The chairman being apprised of the whole fiasco silently smiled to himself, enjoying the show.
"The cousin you are referring to is married two years ago and has a son too Jalal!! I think now you get it how true the news is!!" Saradhiji tactfully revealed. Unwilling to grant him the chance to slaughter her through his gazes, she fixed her head down concentrating on her plate.
"Oh is it uncle?? I actually heard it from a reliable source, so I expected it to be true!!" he plainly said. A wave of relief smoothened his frayed nerves throbbing off the ten percent of dilemma he had. He, therefore, patiently waited for her to look up.
"Jodha...", he gently called out forcing her to meet eyes with him. "Pass on the curry please..." he made up an excuse, but she only knew his real intentions.
"Tch tch!! Your game is over!!" his piercing glare conveyed.
10:10 pm
"Uff! Had a heavy dinner Prameela ji!! Your dishes expelled my diet principles today!!" Usmaan ji acknowledged reposing relaxed in the lush leather couch.
"Truly! Especially the stuffed eggplant!! I failed to find this taste anywhere else Prameela ji!!" Ameena complimented seating beside her husband. Delighted by their acknowledgement, Prameela smiled in gratification. "You hardly make it to our home once a year, so, itna toh banta hain Usmaan ji!! I'm glad you liked the dishes", she beamed in content.
"Jodha... did you pack your bag? When is the bus? At 10:45 or 11?" Badepapa enquired looking at his watch.
"10:45 papa, yes, bag is ready!" she answered searching for something in and around the dining. "She's going to her grandfather's home, long weekend na, isliye," Prameela announced to the oblivious trio.
"Papa call my number once, I'm not finding my mobile..." she requested continuing with the search. "Ok ", Saradhi ji fished into his pockets for the phone, but couldn't find it there. "I think I left it in reading room," he got up to leave when Jalal stopped him midway. "That's ok uncle, I'll dial her number", saying so he unlocked his mobile. Giving up the search, she waited for him to call, which is when realization dawned upon her amnesic cells.
"Oh no... no no... he can't call me!" she rushed to the couch aghast. "It's ok, it's ok... I'll ring from the landline!" she refused him in a jiff looking for the cordless but the adept man sensed something fishy behind her fidget - eventually his fingers tapped on her number. Few seconds later, a song in low volume was heard causing her blood pressure go down. She silently prayed Baba to help her find the phone before it landed in unwanted hands.
"Oh, it's here Jodha!" the chairman twitched at the vibration from his behind and he slightly moved aside to sneak out the piece struck in partition between sofa seat and the back.
"Isn't this what a BLACK FRIDAY is?" she badly cursed her fate feeling extremely helpless. The situation was beyond her reach to do any kind of amendments now, hence, she nailed at her place preparing to face the aftermath.
"... mujhko pehchanlo... main hoon Don.. tee tee ti ti ti.."
The song played loud as the chairman's hand sneaked out the black beast. "Don!!" the chairman couldn't help reading out the name flashing on the screen.
"So this is it!!" his body stiffened as the mystery behind her fidget exposed.
She so wished to disappear from the room before the heat from his deep black orbs set her on fire, pch, pch, if only she had the power to do so. Had the ambience been any different, the mobile that name called him would have been smashed to debris - such was his temper that moment.
But the scenario was a stark contrast with other memebers in the hall - having apprehended her daughter's prank, Prameela covered her mouth muting the giggles, ammijaan bit her lips and Badepapa looked aside hiding his smiles, but the most amused of all, the chairman laughed his heart out. Of course, he had to - he hadn't seen such a shade of red on his son's face earlier. Following Usmaan ji's laughter rest of the group guffawed aloud giving up their pretense.
"Fret not dear! You gave him the right name." smiling hard, he handed over the phone to the abashed owner. "But the ringtone was ultimate, like cherry on the cake!" ammijaan added controlling her giggles.
"Sorry..." she faintly murmured looking nowhere. "I... I'll get my bag," deeply abashed, she fled away instantly.
"cha cha idiot... what have you done?" leaning against the shut door, she closed her eyes to calm down the beats. The first thing the grey cells instructed her is to change the name and the ringtone and she promptly did.
10:20pm
Having changed into a Kurti pyjama comfortable enough for a night journey, she stepped out of her room with the bag; the jasmines in her hair went missing and their whereabouts are a secret known only to her.
"Acha Saradhi ji, we too will start. Had a relaxing time with you after a long," Usmaan ji shook hand winding up their chat. "Jalal, please keep coming. I get to see ammi and abbu more than you though we live in the same city," Prameela quipped. After few more informal exchanges, they proceeded to exit when the chairman stopped.
"Saradhi ji, actually... why should you take trouble? We can drop Jodha at the bus stop, I mean Jalal will drop and come. What do you say Jalal?" he looked positively for his approval and the son gave his consent.
"Let it be Jalal!! Jayanagar junction is on your opposite route and no guarantee that these private buses come on time," Saradhi ji tried to put the offer down, but Jalal dismissed with an un-debatable answer. "By the time you take your car out, we'll be on half our way uncle. Don't worry that I might get late; there wouldn't be traffic at this hour."
"Huh.. should I face him again? Alone in his car??" being narrowed to a silent observer of the happening, she sulked. She couldn't comprehend if she is delighted or tensed with the privacy she's going to be honored with.
"Jalal, I surrender," Saradhi ji shrugged. "No counter argument to your point!"
"Great then!! See you Jodha," the chairman greeted. "Do visit our home when you come to Hyderabad Jodha," ammijaan invited. "Sure aunty! See you uncle! It was nice knowing you both," she acknowledged with her trademark smile.
"Shall we start?" Jalal asked and she nodded like an obedient student.
"Bye Peddamma, bye Papa, I'll call you tomorrow morning after reaching home," she said taking their leave.
------
"He knows my lies now, my pranks, and may be my past too.. does he have nothing to question or chide?" she wondered sneaking at him from corner of her eyes. "Is that calm or wrath? I don't understand a bit," unable to decipher his state, she grumped.
"How about starting a conversation with an apology? But, what if it unnecessarily provokes him? I shouldn't end up digging my own grave", giving up the idea she looked out, growing restless with the killing silence. It's been five minutes since they got into the car, but not even a word was exchanged between the two. She never felt so tongue tied in somebody's presence earlier. "Whatever it is, I owe him an apology!" she decided and slowly turned to him.
"I'm sorry.." she uttered low mustering the strength. He didn't budge as if he hasn't heard anything and she didn't know how to proceed further. "Attitude!" she hissed turning away to her window. Completely aware of what's going on with her, he had a devious smirk. After a minute, his voice echoed, "So.. what's next?"
"mm.. what?" she puzzled turning to him.
"No MBA, no wedding, no job, so.. what are you planning to do next?" he sniggered.
"I'm seeking a new job," she retorted. "There are two interview calls, one in next week and the other a week after."
"Oh.. with which companies?" he questioned.
"Raheja and L&T", she replied.
"Oh big shots!" after a subtle pause, he added. "Seems you are fed up with small firms in no time." - Aah, how much he loved poking her. "Huh, sarcasm?" she stared seriously at his side profile. "I didn't receive any other interview calls except these two.. ", she averred. ".. may be small firms are thinking that I'm not worth working with them", she riposted after a while.
"No company willingly loses or forbids talent", he asserted halting the car at terminus. Defeating the noisy honks and shrieks, a strange silence prevailed between them as they got out of the vehicle and moved towards her bus.
"Thank you..."
"It's ok.. "
...
...
"Ok then bye.. Good night.."
"Bye..."
...
...
"Jodhaa..", he called out. "uuu.." she turned back.
"May I tell you something??" he closed in. "Sure.." she looked on surprised.
"I hope you don't mind me saying this..", he built up a suspense. "Not at all.. what's that?" she gleamed excited.
"At least in your new job.." he paused as she waited, ".. please try and keep your attitude low... else you may end up seeking a new one soon.. this is just a friendly advice.. okay??", he triumphantly smirked seeing the simmering blaze.
"Good night.. happy journey", he turned back contented while she looked on fuming.
*****************
Chapter 18
28th July, Monday 10:45pm, Hyderabad
"... ye lijiye... aapke tablets," handing over the strip and water to her tired husband, the caring wife reposed beside him.
"When is Jalal returning Meena?" the chairman enquired putting the glass down. "Tomorrow night...," she flatly replied dwelling in her thoughts.
"May I know what is bothering my begum sahiba?" noticing the pensive knot on her forehead, the chairman playfully asked, but the thoughtful wife remained unanswered. "Having been accustomed to being a host on this day...," she responded a little later, "... I felt it strange being a guest at Rehman's party", she faintly smiled accelerating the swing.
"But you were the one, least interested to host it at our home today?" he stared on perplexed.
"Haan ji... because I'm not happy enough to celebrate; I'm in a way glad that Jalal isn't devastated by the divorce and the advent of events thereafter, or maybe he is acting great - but, I just can't bear seeing him dedicated to work like a machine. I want him to think of his personal life too and settle well soon. Moreover, in these parties, I find it difficult putting straight face to questions regarding our ties with the Khans or Jalal's readiness for marriage... I least wanted this day winding up in answering such questions..." she paused. "And if you want to know what I'm thinking of, it's about the very same day last year, with friends and relatives at home... celebrating the news of a little one..." she left the statement incomplete turning aside and the compassionate husband silently caressed his disturbed wife.
"Rehman sahib briefed me of one more rishta today" Usmaan ji stated. "Shouldn't we be proud that our son's image isn't tarnished by one bit and he's still the most sought out groom?" he quipped bringing on smiles to his wife's face.
"haa... wo toh hai... after all, he is my son", she proudly claimed taking the credit.
"A fact no one dares to deny..." Jalal avowed dragging a chair near his parents. "But what made you retaliate that fact now ammi?" he asked smiling.
"First promise me that you don't escape from here if I speak of it..." Ameena riposted keenly watching out her son. "Oh... then it should be about some new proposal..." Jalal sounded truly uninterested. "Abbu... where's the sale deed copy you wanted me to handover to Saradhi ji?" he diverted the discussion, but his mother glared in condemn.
"I know your smartness Jalal, but I want an answer, actually a candid one", she sternly repeated. "Tell me when you want to get married, I'll take your word and wouldn't disturb you till then", she affirmed. The chairman looked on entertained at the mother-son combat.
"Few more months ammi... to think of anything beyond business" he honestly requested.
Agreeing to his request, his mother generously warned. "Fine... not just a few months Jalal... I give you one full year... next year, same day. I should be celebrating with my family that also includes my daughter-in-law."
"Done deal!" smile filled his eyes as he avouched.
"By the way Usmaan ji, I forgot to tell you. Jodha called me in the morning to convey Ramzaan wishes. She asked for you... but you weren't at home." Ameena imparted, as the mention of Saradhi ji reminded her of Jodha's call.
"Oh... Ok!!" a strange seriousness veiled his eyes as the chairman nodded in acknowledgement, whilst his son smirked in amuse. "So my adieu advice had its affect." he sniggered at her anger in deliberately not wishing him.
"Meena... can we have a cup of coffee please... after fifteen minutes", Usmaan ji asked expectantly turning to his wife - and she got the cue - he's intending to have a word in private with Jalal. "Mmm... okay, I'll send it with Khaider. Good night Jalal." she greeted and quietly left the place.
"What's that you wanted to discuss with me in private Abbu?" Jalal curiously asked ensuring they were all alone in the sit out.
"About Saradhi ji Jalal" the elderly man quietly replied and stayed silent for a minute, as if lining up the facts he clinched to disclose. "I know him for fifteen years Jalal. I talked to him hundreds of times all these years... but never before... he exposed his personal matters to me nor requested me a personal favor... not until a day in February this year, a few months after Jodha's parents' demise. One afternoon, he appeared in my chamber, unannounced, looking completely devastated and infuriated - something I haven't seen him ever, not even after his brother's death" the chairman paused as his throat burdened recollecting the awful day and Jalal looked on befuddled; it was beyond his imagination to anticipate what his father was about to state.
"That noon he talked to me of his parents... of the bonding he shared with his brother... of his brother's noble plans and of Gautam..." He halted noticing his perplexed son. "You may not be aware, but Gautam is Jodha's brother Jalal and unfortunately he's the first loss she suffered; he died very young." he plainly revealed.
"Whattt!" The depressing truth dumbed him for an instant. "But how did it happen Abbu?" he asked shortly. "A bus accident if I remember right..." the chairman replied.
"God... how can fate be so cruel to someone?" he silently grieved as his mind flashed the chirpy employee's form behind his momentarily closed lids.
Tangled in past... Usmaan ji continued with the narration. "To admit, I was dumbstruck watching him speak of his personal relations Jalal. I couldn't anticipate the reason beyond such a discussion; not until he asked me a favor after forty five minutes of his soul talk..." He paused cautiously framing his next statement. "A favor to aid him in preserving his brother's noble intentions... and..." a deep sigh led its way out "... and in shielding the life of his brother's daughter... the only blood relation he's left with!!" he professed.
"You mean..." the listener's eyes widened in horror and his torso straightened in alarm.
"You heard it right Jalal... Saradhi ji suspects a life threat to Jodha!!"
****************
July 29, Tuesday, 9:30pm, Bangalore
"Tell me this Jodha... didn't you suspect my involvement behind your job in Regal soon you knew of my acquaintance with Jalal's family?" the advocate questioned smiling to his daughter.
"Yes Badepapa... I did!!" the urging young lady sincerely admitted.
"That's exactly why I didn't find it wise revealing the truth to you!" he laughed fondly viewing her complaining face- why Badepapa concealed his relation with Jalal's family was the most nagging question to her for past three days - seizing an opportunity that evening, she insisted the old man to sit and answer all her impending queries.
"Let me remind you dear, you didn't divulge me the company name until you arrived at Bangalore to give the interview, right?" he cross-questioned.
"I suppose so!!" she answered trying to recollect the events. "Then how can you suspect my intervention in this affair my lord?" he witted.
"Remember Jodhu, last October when I visited you, we talked of your job change and I suggested you one of my clients firm, it was Regal Hyderabad branch in my mind then. And when you took Regal's name on the day you came here for interview, I was apparently surprised. Thankfully your Peddamma didn't hear you, else you'd have known the truth the same day." he retorted glaring at his wife.
"Haa Jodhu... Badepapa informed me after you left for interview and also warned me to stay mutinous," Prameela quipped asserting her innocence in the deal.
"I then resolved to intervene if you weren't selected... but you never gave me a chance. After you said you're selected, I appraised Usmaan ji and requested him to keep it secret, till you proved your ability and you won the accolade of your superiors on your own." he waited observing her reaction.
He perceived a sense of immense relief on her features as her brows un-knitted. "Thank God I'm ignorant of reality Papa. Else I'd have grown dubious each time when Raj supported me" she smiled in gratification. "So... what has the superiors to say about your daughter? Did she live to your expectations?" she chirped playfully biting the lips.
"Yes... you did!!" Saradhi ji attested. "... and how did you know?" a tinge of tension filled her eyes.
"I knew it when Usmaan ji dialed me to congratulate on your impressive presentation to clients", he proudly stated. "I guess he'd have gathered the feedback from Raj." he added and she gleamed in delight.
"I owe you high Raj" she thanked silently, "...for bestowing me with an opportunity to make Badepapa proud". As she continued cherishing the ecstasy, her sleuth cells put forward another prominent question.
"Papa... I get it that you and Usmaan ji shared many things. Does that imply he is aware of my tiff with Jalal and my resignation as well?" she asked concerned and the advocate nodded in yes.
"What would he have thought of me then, ill-mannered?? Egoistic?" the liable daughter in her sulked, thinking of the smear her acts would have splashed on her foster parent's reputation.
Perceiving the worry lines on her forehead, her foster father smiled. "Don't worry dear, your reputation hasn't tainted a bit, and so does ours. Your chairman still adores you as much as before. On top of it when I explained him the ordeal, he was enthralled, in true sense. I'd rather say... he loved your spirit because you didn't give up till you received the deserved appreciation. And your resignation drama, he found it amusing" he laughed heartily relieving the worried lady of guilt ride.
"My daughter is too adorable to be angered upon..." Prameela fondly pulled Jodha to a side hug and the latter lovingly circled her hand around the waist of her foster mother.
"See this..." Saradhi ji extended an envelope to the hugging duo. Intrigued by its content, Jodha instantly opened it and took a neatly typed paper out. "What's that?" Prameela looked on interestingly as Jodha's eyes went through the document.
"A renewed offer letter?" she puzzled looking up to her father. "When did this happen Badepapa?"
"Friday morning... when Usmaan ji dropped by my office," he calmly answered.
"I don't understand how to react to this," she appeared evidently confused, but there was one more question pounding her nerves. "By the way does Jalal know of this?" she sounded skeptical.
"I think no... but I'm sure he'd have no objections, if you are willing to rejoin." the advocated warmly asserted. "Did you disclose to your colleagues that you resigned Jodha?" he astutely asked, trying to make the task easier for her.
"No papa... they know of the marriage farce, but not about resignation." she replied and continued. "But I'm not thinking about them, I'm thinking of myself. How wise it would be to join a company I just resigned? Wouldn't I look demeaned?" she sought the experienced man's advice.
"I wouldn't suggest if it is any other company, but with Regal, you can safely consider rejoining. Points in your favor... one - none of your colleagues, apart from Raj, Jalal and your HR knows of the resignation, so it makes no difference to them. Two - Raj would be happy welcoming you again to his team, Three - you need not struggle to settle and prove yourself in a new team in a new organization," he waited observing the effect of his words on her.
"When you told me you wanted to resign, I actually thought you'd be resting at home. So I gladly supported you... but now that you are already into job trials, I see no point in rejecting this offer." he clearly explained driving her into contemplation. Unable to make a decision, the confused form scanned the letter once again.
"Badepapa is right Jodhu, why to unnecessarily change company now? If you get married soon, we never know where you would go. It might be problem if you get into a new job and have to quit it again..." Prameela voiced her suggestion.
"mmm...", placing the letter aside, Jodha moved closer to her Peddamma circling her hand around Prameela's arm and resting her head on the latter's shoulder. As she closed her eyes in cogitation, she envisaged Jalal's teasing smirk suggesting her to lower the attitude. "I don't know how many kinds of smirks I'd be subjected to, if I were to go back to Regal?" she rued. "And I can neither deny Badepapa's argument... hmm... concentrate Jodhu... 1st of August, one day to go... interview Vs rejoin... new experience Vs five months of fun (of course minus those awful fifteen minutes) at Regal ?" she started balancing the equation and soon she derived at the answer.
"Fine papa... as you say ", raising up from Prameela's shoulder, she announced her decision."... but this offer letter needs an amendment", she smiled pointing at the numbers typed in. "This indicates I'm offered a 30% hike, which I believe is unjust; I prefer to continue with my original pay scale. Five months is too early to seek a hike, I suppose."
"Wonderful decision dear", Saradhi ji exclaimed in relief. "... and regarding the amendment, leave it to me. I'll get a new one arranged for you by tomorrow morning." he promised in excitement, whilst Jodha's lips widened in content studying his regale. "That's like a good girl", Prameela seized Jodha's hand in glee.
"Ok, then I'll talk to Raj tomorrow about this, I expect he'd help me dealing with the HR," Jodha averred, but Saradhi ji interrupted. "Of course you should inform Raj, but forget about HR. You wouldn't be asked any unwanted questions, okay? From 1st of August, you'll be going to office just the way you have been going all long, fine?" he elucidated.
"Great Papa... Divya will be truly excited when I say this tomorrow," she chuckled in elation. "Ericsson clients are also coming next Monday to sign the contract. Aww... it's such a wonderful feeling to witness our design taking shape", she appeared revitalized as a new wave of energy gushed throughout. "This project is very important to me Jodha," a base voice resonated in her ears again and an unconscious smile erupted on her lips.
"Badepapa... do you mind me asking a question?" she hesitated.
"What's that beta?"
"Is Regal in some financial trouble?" she asked low and added on. "I had this gut feeling as Jalal treated Ericsson project with high priority."
The lawyer in him swayed in dilemma at the unexpected question, skeptical of disclosing the details of his client, but he finally decided to open up as the information would help alter his daughter's attitude towards Jalal; moreover, he can safely trust her in maintaining the confidentiality of the content he's going to utter.
"You are right to an extent Jodha. But it's just not the financial aspect that made this project significant, the fame, the pride associated with it in achieving a first international contract for Regal is what multiplied its significance - the very root cause that eventually led to their divorce", he averred.
"An international project is the basis of Jalal's divorce??" she looked on unconvinced.
"Fortunately yes beta... and you'll soon apprehend why I said fortunately. Usmaan ji and Aliya's father Khan Sahib are distant relatives and partners in business dear, in that context... Jalal and Aliya are friends since childhood. I don't know about Aliya as much as I know of Jalal... but from what I have heard and seen, she's a very competent girl with high ambitions. After finishing their post-graduation, Jalal set up a carburetor-manufacturing unit along with his friends, while Aliya took up the responsibility of expanding Regal Infra to Bangalore."
"I'm not sure which family approached first with the proposal of marriage, but they decided to get Jalal and Aliya married hoping that the childhood friends would make an understanding couple... but you see, a good friend needn't be essentially a good life partner Jodhu. They got married in 2012 April and everything seemed fine until their differences came open last September. Aliya was expectant then, Jalal's family held a surprise baby shower, which is when the truth promulgated that she aborted the child secretly at her maternal home", he paused for a break.
"It happened here in Bangalore Jodha. We all were invited for the party. Aliya returned from Hyderabad that evening and was exasperated by the surprise. We didn't understand why she turned serious and left to her room. Ten minutes later, Jalal brought her down and the function went normal. The next day Usmaan ji called me home saying that he needs to confer about a serious issue. As I reached there, the house was filled with tension and utmost silence - there were Aliya's parents and Abdul too. Usmaan ji led me to Jalal, and to my daze, Jalal announced his decision and requested my help to proceed legally. As I looked on bewildered, Usmaan saab explained me that Aliya has deliberately aborted the child with the help of her mother. I was evidently stunned Jodhu, amazed by the serenity he put up before all in the party, just to shield his wife's esteem" - a twinge of admiration for the young man's poise filled the narrator's voice.
"And can you imagine why Aliya took such a step?" he asked the perplexed daughter and she innocently shrugged in a no.
"Because Regal lost the international deal she aimed for... and she held the unborn baby responsible for it!" he averred in disdain. "To put it straight, she avenged the loss of her pride by killing her own child!"
"What!" Jodha gasped in aversion. "But why did she think so papa? What has a five month old fetus to do with that project?" she asked baffled. "According to her, it was her physical state that tampered her concentration, hence she couldn't win the deal though it was untrue and there were various other reasons behind the contract being consigned to another company", he explained.
"But what surprised me more was Jalal's vindication of the rationale for his resolution. He simply said, "It was my mistake that I misjudged her uncle. I've been seeing her since childhood, knew that she's a freedom lover and a high aspirant, still I misconstrued that she'd accommodate into the delicate confines of marriage and family relations. With this divorce, I'm rectifying my mistake, by setting her free - by gifting her freedom."
"That day, I was introduced to the magnanimity of a young man, and also to the haughtiness of a rich daughter Jodhu. When Jalal declared his decision to Aliya and her parents, the first statement out of her mouth was, "Do you think you can get away with a simple Talak? Your decision is going to cost you high!" she literally threatened him beta and the next minute Jalal's family and Abdul shredded their dilemma and stood strong supporting Jalal."
Admiration, empathy, ache moved the young lady so vehemently that her heart yearned to see Jalal once, then and there. Controlling her emotions, she quietly asked, "mm... and the consequence of divorce was the Khan's withdrawal of their shares which tossed Regal into financial strangles, right papa?"
"Partly correct Jodhu... 35% of Regal shares are held by Jalal's family, 35% by the Khans and remaining 30 by three more friends, 10% each. Usmaan sahib was reluctant to allow an unfamiliar someone into his business, so they had to buy the 35% from Khans. But the real big issue arouse with the land Four wheels is built in", he elucidated.
"The eleven acres of land the unit is built up is located in the vicinity of electronic city adjacent to NH 7 and it belonged to the Khans. When Jalal was looking for an appropriate land, Khan sahib volunteered his, but Jalal accepted the offer only after signing a formal lease agreement for three years, hoping to officially buy it over course of time.
To pressurize Jalal, the Khans denied extending the lease that was about to end by last October, so Jalal was left with no option than paying the market price and own the land his dreams are built on. With the hiked land rates, the eleven acres valued about 128 crores in open market. Usmaan ji supported his son by selling off their 5 acres in Madhapur, Hyderabad and for rest of the amount Abdul willingly agreed to mortgage Four-Wheels. Usmaan ji sought loans on their commercial complexes as well to acquire the 35% shares, so in total they had to arrange nearly two hundred crores liquid cash, putting all their fortune at stake. Finally the divorce happened legally and religiously in October, remember, I visited you unannounced last year, I actually came to attend Jalal's case!!" he sighed concluding the discussion.
"But Jodhu, in all this fiasco, what wondered me was the pillar supports lend by Jalal's parents and his friends, none of them advised him to reconsider the decision, not even once - such was the trust they endowed on him! They were confident he'd rise like a phoenix, from rags to riches very soon. Bearing such a huge responsibility on him, it's understandable for a young entrepreneur to scorn on an employee who'd have posed endanger to his dreams!!" he peacefully smiled to his daughter.
-----------
10:25pm, IndiGo flight, Hyderabad to Bangalore
"You heard it right Jalal... Saradhi ji suspects a life threat to Jodha and he has a valid base to it!" No matter how many times he recalled the statement, his fists clenched, out of perceptible angst. The very notion of someone intending to harm Jodha made him damn restless - to the extent that he spent a sleepless night evaluating the grounds of Saradhi ji's suspicions.
"I'm sharing this with you now because I did something without your approval!" his father's citation reverberated in his mind. "I issued a new offer letter to Jodha, as I discerned Saradhi ji's disinterest in her new job trials. The presence of Regal office at center of city, that too at a distance of thirty minutes from his home, makes him feel secured. I hope you hold no reluctance if she were to accept the offer!"
"...Reluctance? Wouldn't you be more than happy to welcome her back?" somewhere deep within his heart, a few veins voiced. "I have to talk to her tomorrow" his mind avowed. "If her hurt ego doesn't permit her to come back... and if my apology is going to do the needful I wouldn't mind uttering one tomorrow." he determined.
-----
"I don't know why... but I feel you close to me now..." her finger tips unconsciously caressed his fb pic as she constantly gazed at him. "If I can be an iota of help to resurrect your dreams Jalal..." she pledged, "I'm willfully ready to do that... even if I were to be looked down or teased upon!!" she determined.
***************
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