FF: Pale Blue Dot Thread 4 (Chap 24 page1 07/04/15) updated

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

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7 

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

"So... you are not leaving Regal?" studying the new offer letter, Divya exclaimed in surprise.

"What do you suggest?" pleased by Divya's elation, Jodha raised a brow.

"Of course, YES... you now have no reason to leave this job", the jubilant friend attested. "After all, the one you had problem with is your family friend now... soon this family friend may become a friend, and friend to a cloossee fri... ahem ahem," she feigned a choke perceiving Jodha's warning ablaze - not that the latter blushed at the teasing, but it is the months of practice to veil her feelings that saved her from being victimized.

"OKAY!! I get it that you are considering to continue here only for Badepapa's sake, not for ANY one else, all right!! Now please simmer the flame dear, I have no liking for blisters", Divya chuckled placing the letter back into envelope.

Mildly smiling at her friend's impish intentions, Jodha extended her hand. "Give it here!! Let me talk to Raj first, I can't get hold of him if he leaves for site visit!!"

"Ok... all the best and what about tomorrow's treat? Shall we cancel it as you aren't leaving??" Divya asked the retreating lady.

"Why?" Jodha turned back puzzled. "Let's celebrate my come back, if not my resignation!" she winked with a beautiful smile. "But what if people asks about your wedding?" the ever doubtful friend worried looking pensive.

Making a sad face at that question, Jodha alleged in grief,  "My wedding..." she faked sniffing, "my wedding... is called off in last minute... I'm now an abandoned bride. Who'll marry me, hayyoo?" pulling out a handkerchief, she acted squeezing into it. "Idiot..." laughing loud at her antics, Divya threw a pencil at her. "You seem prepared for all sorts of interrogation!!"

"Had to darling..." catching the pencil, Jodha giggled. "I know I'd be subjected to scrutiny by some desperate souls!!" she slyly winked. "But Divi, the only saddest outcome of this drama is, I'm gonna miss the sweetness I've been bestowed upon whole of last week by our marketing friend, pch, pch!!"

"Wo to hai!! You're come back is hazardous to her hopes", Divya winked back.

-----

"Should I first talk to Raj or Jalal?" she wavered in dilemma reconsidering her decision. "What if Jalal doesn't know of this offer? It'd be rude if he gets to know of it from a third person", she surmised. "Already he's prejudiced and stamped me as egoistic, why to take a chance with him," she resolved and walked out of the cabin carrying the envelope.

"Uff... should he delay today only as if he hasn't got any other day? Will he come or not? This Murali is also nowhere seen", disappointed for the third time in past two hours, she restlessly dropped the cover on the desk. "How'd I know if he's coming or not", thinking over the possible sources of information, she dialed a number.

"Hello Badepapa!!"

 ...

"No I haven't. I thought it'd be good to inform Jalal first, before taking this to Raj. Do you know if Jalal is coming to Regal today?" she impatiently asked.

"Well I understand your anxiety beta... but I'm sorry", the old man quipped. "Unfortunately I'm a mere legal advisor, no personal secretary to be accounted of his whereabouts!!" he sardonically smiled.

"Papa... aap bhi naa..." abashed by her evident anxiety, she patted her forehead and disconnected the call.

"Fine... if he isn't in before 2:00, I'll just inform Raj. He'll take care of the rest!!" she decided and resumed browsing online journals as she had nothing specific to do on a supposed to be last working day - every now and then, her eyes involuntarily watched out to her cabin door, expecting to have a glimpse of his arrival.

------

1:30pm

"... at least this'd be a testament that I tried informing him," collecting the photocopy from the machine, she walked towards the still vacant MD chamber. Growing uncomfortable with not being able to talk to the MD before the self-imposed deadline time, she came up with an idea of leaving a copy of the letter on his table. Eminently appeased by the alternative, she escaped from lunch and returned to the workspace to immediately implement her idea - after all, who else knows of the best time to sneak into MD's chamber than her!!

"Oh no... It's locked", forcing all her might on the handle bar, she rued her fate.

"TRY WITH THIS !!"

The sudden descry of baritone, seemingly close, dislocated her heart a few inches down. She stepped back flustered and the widened eyes confirmed his arrival. The man she has been fervently waiting for, was standing to her left - intrigued and amused - the hand he extended held a bunch of keys, with the one to his chamber protruding forward. She stayed baffled, smiling silly and despising his timing.  

"Which DVD is it this time?" his brows rose and fell questioning her presence - that one satire was ample enough to bring her back to action.

"Sorry if it disappoints you...," she bitterly spouted. "But I don't have a gift for you this time. I actually came to talk to you about this," she slightly lifted her hand to make the paper clearly visible.

"Come in!" unlocking the door, he trekked ahead and she followed. "Have a seat!" he offered removing his blazer, but she stood still deviating her glare from his chiseled torso. Once he settled, she too occupied a seat and handed over the letter to him. Having guessed the content beforehand, he gave it a quick scan, only to confirm his guesswork.

"So... what did you decide?" he asked looking up to her curious eyes.

"Are you aware of it?" perceiving no surprise in him, she dubiously asked.

"Not when it was issued!!" he answered and continued. "But it isn't a news to me either!"

She paused a few moments to infer his perception of the deal, but the man sitting opposite to her isn't an open book. Giving up the effort she directly asked, "So, am I to infer that this offer has your approval?"

"A chairman's decision isn't counter questioned generally, not even by the MD!!" Yet again, her yearning to hear his willingness directly from him, in simple and straight words, remained unfulfilled. By this time she's well versed to his master play of words, but somehow she didn't like it a bit then.

"And it's your decision that is more important here!!" he retaliated inwardly preparing for the next act, if her response were to be a NO.

"Just follow his methods Jodhu. To him, your decision matters, not how you said it," her mind instructed. "My foster parents want me to accept it and continue here," she slyly alleged taking the indirect approach. "... and I can't deny them!"

"Sounds good!!" contended by her response, he tossed an approving smile. "Did you discuss this with Raj?" he enquired. "Not yet!!" she nodded.

"Ok, you talk to him, I'll instruct Nina to proceed with joining process!!" he reached out to the intercom, when she curtly stopped him.

"One minute... this isn't the actual letter", she hastily said taking back the paper while he looked on intrigued. "I'm not sure if Badepapa conveyed this to you, but...," she grabbed a pen from the stand, stroke off the numbers and scribbled her original pay scale above it. "... This is the number that should go into new appointment order!" she returned the letter to him.

Perceiving the inquisitive frown on him, she replied before he mouthed his question. "I don't think Regal has a policy of hike within one year of joining!!" Her statement explained him that she wanted to continue as if nothing has ever happened. Before he appropriately responded, his mobile buzzed. Sensing that she's taking more of his time, she faintly smiled getting up to leave, but he gestured her to wait and picked up the call. Feeling awkward to listen to his conversation, she concentrated on the interior of his room as he answered the call in short words. It was a call from Bangalore vintage car club, of which is he a member and it impetuously brought in a change to his initial plan.

"Do you take interest in vintage cars?" three minutes later, he asked putting his phone down, driving to an informal colloquy. "Huh?" her eyes narrowed in confusion, "No, I don't!! Why?" she wondered at the absurd question.

"I thought you would!!" he expectantly said. "... So you are interested only in vintage bikes!!" he riposted feigning seriousness. It took a few seconds for her to discern his sheepish retort and once done, she had an obvious frown. "My Scooty isn't a vintage one," she gravely affirmed. He smirked cherishing the furious frown, which he last saw four days ago and which he missed since he saw her today.

"Oh is it?" he acted surprised, "but isn't it a 1947 model?" he puzzled reminding her of Prameela's exaggeration.

"It is just ten years old and indeed a well maintained one!" she sharply replied. "If you are mocking at it only because of the accident, then let me clarify, it's neither of our mistake in the ordeal. In fact, I and in a way, you too owe it a lot!!"

"Really? How am I supposed to owe to your two wheeler?" he intrigued.

"Had it been a car instead of my Scooty, I'd have hit a small girl or in an attempt to avoid a hit, some other on goers would have been affected, and lastly I'd have ended up in a police station, eventually I could not have made it to the client meeting," she recited with great possessiveness for her two-wheeler.

"True that you're indebted to your bike, but I...," he gave a teasing pause. "... may be not. The presentation would've been conducted by Raj or Mohan anyways!!" he sniggered enjoying her changing reaction.

"Ouh... He had an alternative!!" the disheartening fact blew off the little pride and self-appreciation she credited herself with, for living to his expectation despite the adversity. "When you had an alternative, why were you mad at me then?" she flatly asked unknowingly falling for his trick.

"Because that is how I generally react to an irresponsible associate," he casually shrugged readily welcoming the consequences of his statement.

"Irresponsible?" she didn't wait a second in responding. "I always wonder what made me irresponsible to you. If the reasons you cited that day were the sole ones, then I have an explanation for each of them. I accept that I did my personal work in office hours, but that wasn't at the cost of project work. I did it out of compulsion, I was hardly left with a private time then and that sketch was important to me. I don't know why you construed I lied for leaves, but the fact is that I informed Raj beforehand, formally applied leaves and took an off. And on client-meeting day, my mobile was dead; I barely remembered a right number to inform any of you and on top of it I had to wait for a change of dress to make myself presentable before clients. After all this, if you still believe I'm irresponsible...," checking her words, she abruptly stopped looking away from him. "What did I come for and what am I doing?" she self-chided for getting carried away. "cha... seems Vaastu of this chamber doesn't suit me at all... I always end up in untoward ending!!" she groused.

"If I still believe you are irresponsible...," he teasingly provoked forcing her to meet eyes with him again. The mischief in his gaze was hardly masked, and that instant, she realized his purpose. He trapped her to blurt out her pent up rage, which she urged to say and he aspired to hear, during their previous altercation in the same room, but then, that day proved not to be as fateful as today. As the realization dawned, angst took a back seat.

"If you still believe I'm irresponsible... ", the slightest hint of smile on his lips, brought a 360 degree turn to her mood. "I don't think you would approve my coming back..." she plopped a charming smirk."... EVEN if it was a chairman's decision!", mildly tilting her head, she asserted in conviction -  and at that conviction he laughed, not an usual one - it was a genuine magnetic laugh, straight from heart, which she rarely witnessed. That moment, the virtual barriers of ego, pride and prejudice met their first blow.

***********

August 1^st , 2:30pm, Regal

"Today's news is tomorrow's crap Samyu, my called off wedding is also a mere one day sensation. Leave this now and tell me about your special lunch with special someone. How did it go? How is the chap? Fair, 5'10"... are the details in profile truly true??" Jodha ardently asked longing to know of Samyu's official date with first man in her parent's list of prospective grooms.

"Oh no Jodhu... don't ask me about it. He looks good but is extremely boring darling. He hardly spoke ten sentences in one hour and seven of them are about his job or my job...  ", Samyu yawned in distaste.

"What are the other three?" Jodha chuckled envisaging Samyu's plight facing that man.

"Hello... how are you... nice talking to you, bye", Samyu bitterly said making Jodha laugh loud. "He is nowhere near to my wish list of dashing, daring, dynamic guy dear. Sadly, he is so feeble that if I were to marry him, I should feed him vitamin tonic every night!!" Samyu self-sympathized.

"Gosh...", Jodha guffawed louder, "you are just unspeakable Samyu," she stated amidst bouts of crackles, but the fun ended mid-way as she received a call waiting alert.  "Hey... Badepapa is calling... will call you back later... bye!!"

"Jodha... Jalal is supposed to handover me a file, but he couldn't make it to my office. Will you please collect?" Saradhiji requested. "Sure advocate ji...  Jodha couriers at your service," she zested.

"Hi there... at office?" wasting no time, she texted Jalal.

"No... y?"  The response came in few minutes later.

"Badepapa told me to collect a file from you..."

"Oh yeah... I'll ask Murali to give it to you... bye!!"

"Too eager to say bye!!" she scowled at the missed opportunity of seeing him in pretext of collecting the file.

Thirty minutes later...

"Received file...", soon Murali left her cabin, she texted eagerly peeking at the screen. A minute later, his reply flashed -"Ok". "Just OK? No thank you? Was he never taught courtesy words like Sorry, Please, Thank you at school?", she griped and sent another text.

"... but not courier charges "  -  there after her phone remained silent. She waited and waited, minutes seemed like hours as she waited, but her black beauty didn't buzz again.

At the construction site, his flow of instructions to civil engineers curtly stopped as he read the message and an impulsive snigger made its way out. "Hmm!!" he cleared throat and resumed the instructions. But the frivolous message had its effect thus unconsciously thriving him to wind up the supposed-to-be-lengthy discussion in twenty minutes.

"Did I take more lenience?? Did he feel bad?? Ayyo... I shouldn't have sent it!!" with every passing minute, she grew restless pondering over alternatives to amend her act. She was engrossed in framing an appropriate apologetic message, when his reply flashed on the screen.

"How much is it?" - "habba... he didn't feel bad!!" she had the broadest grin of relief and glee. With rejuvenated spirit, she replied back.

" 15571 - courier fee + old arrears"

"Arrears?"

"Scooty+mobile+Jodha repair and revival charges"

"45000- 15571 = balance you are debited to me..."

"Me?? 45k??"

"Outcome of your hitting spree..."

"But the door was fine and so were you!! 😕"  She truly didn't understand what he was hinting at. At the other end, he guffawed at the wit.

"My phone... it faced its death and I had to get a new one..."

"Oh really? so sorry!! I never knew this... mmm... two minutes pls..."

At the end of second minute, he received a MMS. He zoomed in the pic to get a better glimpse of it - a cheque for Rs 29,429. As he was busy marveling her signature, he received one more message.

"How about sneaking into MD's chamber to drop this?"

"Not a bad idea... but drop a new one with principal + interest"

"Interest?? Fine... as you say..."

"100% per day cumulative interest!!"

She took a few seconds estimating the amount before replying.. 30k (day1)+ 60k(day2)+120k (day3)...

"OMG!! I can't ever make it even if I sell me a hundred times... any mercies... 😭"

The continuous smile on him explained it all; how thoroughly he enjoyed their first light-hearted chat, an unexpected one that came as a real good stress reliever!!

"Pay with interest or don't pay at all..."

After fifty seconds, he received her message, "I think... I can live with the second option... for now 😊". A scheme to repay his debt along with interest, in a much subtle way, started developing in her head.

-----

8:00 Pm

"Which one shall I wear? This yellow one or black one?" surfing through the hanged sarees in wardrobe, Divya asked for her friend's suggestion.

"Yellow one is a bit pompous, not for an executive dinner... black should be perfect," Jodha opined pulling out the plain black Saree with maroon tissue border.

"Ok... what are you planning to wear?"

"What else than the red suit we shopped at Kalanikethan? I'm waiting for an opportunity to wear it!!" she replied excited.

"Suit? And not a saree??" Divya averred seriously. "Why do you always avoid a saree? You didn't wear one for Iftar either!!"

"Because I prefer enjoying the event without inhibitions," Jodha grinned. "With saree, I should be extra cautious moving or raising my left hand and such consciousness makes me feel handicapped," she winked and further elucidated. "Also I find it uncomfortable talking normally to people who gawk at everything except my face. Other functions are different, I don't meet those gawkers again, but at office, I have no other go than facing them daily!!"

Automatically Divya tucked the saree back into cupboard. "God... how many times would have I rose my left hand when in a saree," she hit her head abashed. "I don't think I can carry a saree normally ever after... idiot... you and your reasons, cynical but very true", not knowing how to show her fret, Divya pinched her wicked friend.

"Hello madam," casting her a disapproving glance, Jodha stated. "You generally wear single pallu, then why should you bother? My reasons are very specific to me, as I hate carrying pallu on left hand all throughout, not for you. Chup chap wear that saree on Tuesday!!" she threatened.

"Sure?" Divya asked skeptical, still lingering over the reasons. "Sure... lock it!! And now that your dress selection is done, shall we eat? Lest I should die with starvation in another five minutes...", she pulled her out leading to kitchen.

"Courier delivered?" a message flashed on her mobile bringing a flutter along with it.

"Divi you unwrap the parcel, I'll just come," seeking privacy, she locked herself in the washroom.

"Not yet sir... on the way... stuck at Divya's home!!" she typed in fast.

"I regret to say miss... but, your services are very poor... Dickenson road to Jayanagar in six hours... one can deliver on foot...," Reading the retort, she bit her lips to mute her giggles.

"Pardon sir... our services might be slow, but come with guaranteed delivery and zero damage..."

"Hope so... what's up..."

"About to dine... aap??"

"Lucky you to dine early... me @work". As her eyes discerned the message, her heart tugged in a delicate pain. "Power, fame and status are definitely enjoyable but they come at their own terms!!"

"Jodha... come fast, I'm serving", Divya shouted from the dining filling the plates with biryani. This time, the image of steaming biryani didn't tempt her appetite as before.

"How about extending our services to pizza delivery sir?" she hastily texted before Divya called for her again. At Four wheels, the message filled the recipient's heart with tender warmth, he felt touched by her gesture.

"Thank you... but next time... for now, I'm about to start to home..."

"Sure??"

"Yes..."

"Ok then... gtg... bye..."

"Bye..."

Having received the last message for the day, her fingers unwittingly scrolled to top of the conversation - once done rereading the chat, she checked her reflection in mirror to assure there isn't an extra smile or blush on her that'd feed the detective pal's grey cells.

***********

5^th August, Hyatt, MG Road

"Hi Divya, hey Jodha... new hair style... looking good yaar," noticing the French side-braid and the free flowing tresses curled at the ends, a peer commented. "Had you informed before, we too would've come in red and black," another colleague griped at the scintillating ladies in black and red. Taking place beside them, Jodha quipped, "Then we'd have looked like a band bajaa gang".

"How can these Swedish eat by 7:00 re? To us, it is neither snacks time nor dinnertime. I'm not hungry at all", Divya griped examining the arrangements in the banquet hall of the five star hotel.

"Fasting would've helped, but you didn't heed", Jodha grinned scrupulously scanning the tables to locate the desired man. Raj, Mohan, Shashank, Ramesh, and other middle management are to be seen, but there weren't any signs of higher authorities. "They might be accompanying the clients", she thought receding the gaze, when her eyes met with one of her colleague's. Little she knew that she was under constant scrutiny by those pair of eyes since she entered and when she caught him off guard, he smiled unabashed. She let out a faint formal smile and quickly turned her glare - those eyes didn't carry usual appreciation of her looks or what so ever, there was much beyond it that made her squirm.

"These restaurant parties are becoming repetitive. We should plan for a team outing yaar, it's been ages since we've been to one", one of the colleagues suggested. "Oh... did you say that?? What a coincidence!! I just thought of the same," Shashank jumped in with his flirtatious trial and the girls' gang exchanged glances. "Come on... let's decide on a place and plan for this weekend. Take a name and leave the rest to me", he generously promised.

"Swiss..."  "No, no... Venice", "How about Mauritius!!" "Bangkok is also cool", "Miami would be the best!!" the girls teased. "Arre... when Shashank is so willing to sponsor why to compromise dears? Let's start at Swiss and end at Miami", Jodha winked to her friends. "Yes, yes, absolutely right", the colleagues readily agreed.

"What's happening folks?" intrigued by the loud masti, the project manager joined them. "Raj, thankfully you are on time. Please talk to boss and grant us three weeks leave. Shashank is sponsoring a world tour for our team, you too are welcome", Jodha sheepishly grinned.

"Ah, if Shashank is sponsoring, why not make it a family tour? Entire team with families, sounds cool right?" Raj added his part. "Raj, you too...", Shashank sulked and turned to the girls, "I asked a name for a team outing, that means with in 100km radius of Bangalore, not about your dream holiday destinations madams!!"

"Ok, jokes apart, we should seriously consider going out, how about this weekend?" Divya avowed. "Definitely...  mmm... Divi, shall we try that cave resort??" a suggestion popped in. "Resort is a good pick, but if everyone is ok for two days stay, we can think of a beach resort in Mangalore", with obvious liking for beaches, Jodha proposed. With no sign of arrival of guests any soon, the other team members too roped in with their recommendations.

"Two days might not work for many of us Jodha, plan it for a day. You guys think of a suitable spot, I'm hopeful management would fund half the expenses," Raj stated and moved to his peers. "Wow!" an exclamation from one of the female associates, brought in a sudden silence to the boisterous discussion, automatically all heads turned towards entrance.

The assistant marketing manager gracefully walked in, in a sizzling baby pink georgette saree embroidered with silver thread and glass beads. "Truly stunning!" Jodha admired the perfectly outlined physique in a well-draped outfit. "Jodha, did you notice? Isn't that saree similar to the one you have!" Divya whispered, "Mostly, except the blouse!!" Jodha meekly nodded. A shower of compliments rained on asst. marketing manager as she neared the table. "You look gorgeous!!"  -  the friends' duo honestly complimented.

"Why is everyone assembled at one table?" she graciously asked.

"Resorts are boring yaar. Let's go to Wonderla!! I have been there earlier, but would love to visit anytime", she stylishly declared after learning the point of discussion from Shashank. Before the debate continued, the clients, accompanied by the chairman, directors and other top management made their way in. The middle management, along with the asst. marketing manager, advanced to welcome the guests, whilst others stood up at their places in respect.

"Grey tuxedo, off white shirt!!" she took a precious moment to study the sculpt profile of the awaited man. Though she shifted her gaze few seconds later, a corner of her eye held vigilance on him to catch up his expression after seeing the exotic lady in pink. To her relief, he didn't react as spellbound as others to asst. marketing manager's incensing beauty.

----

"The authority with which he speaks na... mmm", attentively listening to every word of his, she stealthily drooled. As the managing director concluded, the banquet hall reverberated with loud cheers exemplifying how much the team loved their boss. Following him, the executive vice president of Ericsson annotated on his appeasement in allying with Regal and once he's done, the stewards plunged into action.

Savoring the delicacies, the clients gradually drifted the formal dialogue onto classic art forms. To enhance the reputation of their resources and indirectly their organization, Abdul divulged that Regal's employees are a bunch of talent in various art forms and the clients expressed their interest in having a taste of the same.

"Shashank!!" Abdul walked to the buoyant man to pass on the request of clients. "Just one or two performances would do, you see, it makes an impact!!" he suggestively stated. Attention seeker by nature, the asst. marketing manager volunteered to render a classic melody, to start with.

"Eeswar satya hai.. satya hi Shiv hai.. Shiv hi sundar hai.. a aa.. " - as the pitch raised to touch higher notes, waves of vibration filled the banquet hall with pin drop silence. Undoubtedly, she succeeded in adding many admirers to her fan base that evening, including the inimical friends.  

"Beautiful!!" the clients personally appreciated her after the lauds muted. Not leaving the opportunity, Shashank took over the mike to make the next announcement. "As we listened to a wonderful classical song, it's time for a spectacular classical dance. May I invite Jodha on to stage please". That invitation epitomized the side effects of teasing him - he casted a wry grin as she looked on startled.

"This fella...  why did he take my name?" It's not that she's bullheaded or found pleasure in defiance, but she truly held no interest in a public exhibition of her talent for reasons best known to her. She got up to make an excuse, but the amaze in a pair of deep black orbs refrained her from doing so - the inquisitive boss was staring at her dazed and expecting.  She then looked at the chairman and the magnificent man blinked his eyes in encouragement. Unwilling to turn their expectations down, she confidently accepted the invitation.

----

"Annamacharya keertana? Or Tyagaraja kriti?" Divya suggested scrolling through the playlist in Jodha's handset. They bought in a few minutes to decide on an apt song; meantime, Ramesh bridged the gap singing a Hindi romantic number.

"No yaar, no kritis please. Some light number or rather a tune without lyrics," Jodha insisted. "Keertana's are worth watching if lyrics are understood dear, else it might be highly boring."

"This should be good," Jodha pointed to Shankar Mahadevan's lyric less classical rendition from the movie Takshak. "Fast, crisp and classical... ideal for the occasion," they decided. Recollecting the steps, Jodha draped her dupatta round the waist, like the dancers generally do during practice, and signaled Shashank that she's ready.

Though confident, her heart raced up as she stepped onto dais; the fact that he's going to watch her got onto her nerves, she breathed deep flushing the tension out.

"tom tanana.. tom tanana",  as the music started, she started off with authentic namaskar bending on knees touching the ground. Then she slowly got up, steadily moving her feet and hands according to rhythm.

"Dheem ta dare dani dheem..",  as the beat picked up she surrendered to the act, forgetting the world. Arms, toes, waist, head - every part of her moved in harmony with the changing rhythm. With clanks of metallic bangles, oscillation of hair as she swirled, swaying metal jhumkas and above all a soft smile on lips and a subtle expression in eyes, she appeared angelic to him. The three and half minute rendition passed in a flick as the audience stayed mesmerized.

Withdrawing the closing posture, she recoiled to material world and impetuously looked for him. She spotted him amidst the guests, tenderly clapping for her and when their eyes met, he conveyed his special message. Battling to hide the blush, she instantly broke the eye lock and walked off the stage. The chairman looked on proud and appreciative at the camouflaged young lady. "There is much to her than what she appears," he surmised.

***********

"Why do you sound excited?" Samyu asked curiously. "Guess!!" speeding towards the end of the corridor, Jodha chirped. "mm... may be you received compliments from someone on your looks", Samyu guessed.

"Right and wrong, compliment is right, but not for looks. For the dance I just finished."

"You danced??" Samyu wondered. "You didn't tell me you're going to. Waise, how come you overruled your self-imposed reservations today, haan?" the inspective friend inquired. "I'll face your interrogation later, but tell me why you called me now?" Jodha hurried.

"Oh, haa... the reason I called you is, that guy's parents are coming home now, probably to convince maa, papa of their son's feebleness. I don't know why they are showing so much interest, when I clearly defied. Can you think of a reason?" Samyu sounded worried.

"Forget them, tell me what's your stance? Any change of opinion?"

"No way, I can blindly say he isn't my kind", Samyu professed. "Fine then, chill and relax. No one can get you married against your will na. Anyways, leave it to uncle and aunty. They'll tackle the situation," perceiving someone approaching her, she winded up the talk. "Got to go, will call you later, bye!!"

"Hi", turning back, she smiled at the person standing before her and decided to go ahead, when he stopped her. "Jodha, I want to talk to you", he murmured.

"Yes please," she agreed anticipating the weirdness behind his behavior since evening.

"I don't know how you'll take this, but I can't keep it to myself any more...", he stuttered. Looking straight to her eyes, he mustered the courage, but the rigidity in her gaze dampened his will. He couldn't directly utter the exact three words he wanted to say; thence he resorted to a roundabout approach. "I'd a liking for you from day one Jodha and it grew along. I want to... I mean... will you marry me? Will you accept me as your life partner", he finally said what he's been intending to say for months. Unperturbed, she looked on flatly allowing him to speak; she expected something of this kind the moment he stood behind her.

He continued with how much he loved her, how disheartened he was with her wedding news, how relieved he felt when it was cancelled, but her mind stopped receiving none of his rant. She focused on thinking for a candid masterstroke that'd shut his thoughts forever. She silently studied him trying to recollect the weaknesses of the very man, and the sapphire ring on his index finger gave her the cue.

"Why are you wearing that ring?" the irrelevant question made him halt his flow. He looked down to his hand and answered. "It's for the grace of Jupiter. I'm a Sagittarian and wearing this would fetch me luck. I got this job with 40% hike only after wearing this", he gave away too many details. "Oh... you too believe in this stuff?" she smiled as she asked, and the poor man misinterpreted her smile. "... and your parents too?" she added.

"Of course, they are strict followers of astrology", he revealed falling prey to her trap. Profusely thanking her deity friend for showing her the path, she calmly stared at him. "Ramesh, do you know why my marriage was called off?"

Blissfully unaware of how she's going to use the information he just shared to turn his tables down, he nodded in a no. "Because the guy I was engaged to, to be precise, my maternal uncle's son, wears one such ring", she ruefully sighed. Ramesh looked on perplexed as it was beyond his capability to connect the dots. "A week before, my uncle's scholarly astrologer verified our horoscopes and declared that astrologically I'm a perfect mismatch to his son. He overtly said...," she paused looking aside. "... that, if the marriage happens... I pose a living danger to his son's life."

Ramesh froze on his feet calculating the truth behind her statement. "Sadly, the loss of my brother when I was 15, and the accidental death of my parents last year strengthened their credence," she added turning again to him. "Their trust in astrology was so tenacious that my very own uncle feared me making his daughter-in-law. I strongly believe, that'd again be the same reason that turns this proposal down when brought before your parents. I'm sorry to say this, but this is not going to work out Ramesh. I'm not ready for another insult."

"You lost your parents?" he asked in disbelief attempting to digest the facts she recited. "Yes, it's my personal secret known only to Divya. If you hold any respect for my feelings, please keep it to yourself," she requested.

"But Jodha, if horoscope is your only objection, may be there is a remedy to this, like some kind of pooja..." he babbled, but the passion he earlier had evidently diminished. The contemn in Jodha's eyes, made him quickly rectify his blunder, "I mean not for my sake, but for the satisfaction of my parents... just to convince them that there wouldn't be any problem."

"How magnanimous?"  she controlled hard not to show off her aversion. "A life full of suspicious scrutiny is not which I dream of Ramesh, let's forget this here. Excuse me," she walked off before her itching hand touched his cheek. "Claims as a diehard lover and backed off in two minutes. No wrong in faking to such people!!" her jawline stiffened.

-------

"Why did you refuse him in first place?" her inner self questioned as the fork in her hand aimlessly moved. "His true color came out only after the farce, but why didn't you think of at least considering his proposal? What do you want Jodhu?" along with blood, her heart seemed pumping questions. "Yes... leave Ramesh aside. Why am I reluctant to other proposals as well, what do I want? Whom do I want? Urgh... I should kick him for spoiling my evening... it's too tough to battle this inner storm", lost in contemplation, her auto-piloted fingers started kneading her temple.

"Where are you lost miss?" seeing her remaining irresponsive, the colleagues teased. "In my friend's phone call," she faintly smiled. "You're denying everyone as if you're a princess. What kind of guy will appeal to you madam? Will you ever find such one?"  As her conscience mocked, she looked aside momentarily closing the eyes, to shove off the pounding thoughts. "Huh..." exhaling the burden out, her lids parted open, and there she found - an answer to all her questions.

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

Chapter 20

"You're denying everyone as if you're a princess. What kind of guy will appeal to you madam? Will you ever find such one?"  As her conscience mocked, she looked aside momentarily closing the eyes, to shove off the pounding thoughts. "Huh...," exhaling the burden out, her lids parted open, and there she found - an answer to all her questions. "Your feelings for him are crossing admiration barricade and steering towards a risky passion Jodhu. Be aware and be alert!!" her mind reproved. She had a sudden urge of running away from the place, from his charm, from her conscience, to a safe hide out. Though amidst tens, two people in the hall were lost in their own world, Ramesh and Jodha. The former observed the lady turning passive and it fed his ego. "She should be liking me, else why'd my proposal have such an impact on her," he foolishly deducted.

Later in the night

"I spoke with Saradhi ji over phone Abbu..." Jalal stated. "To me, his suspicions seem to be mere suspicions. Probably, the reasons he's stating are sheer coincidences; Jodha has been here for six months and there wasn't an iota of wary situation. What do you think?"

"Not sure Jalal, we have no lead to think further" the chairman avouched. "Whatever... make sure she doesn't stay for longer hours. If Raj should be informed accordingly, don't hesitate to do so", he advised.

"Instructions are passed on beforehand Abbu..." Jalal smiled. "...much before this fiasco and not just for Jodha. After Ericsson project was delivered, I instructed Raj not to retain female associates for extended hours. Those two months were a compulsion," he manifested and the father looked on appreciatively at his sensible son.

-----

"I can't let this happen to me. With no clue as to where it is going to end, I just can't let this happen to me", rolling under the blanket, she hurled the novel aside. The introspection seemed never ending and sleep is nowhere imminent. Hoping a good read would fetch peace, she picked up a novel, but the disrupted soul is too reluctant to concentrate. "How silly of you Jodhu?" her intuition ridiculed. "He started being nice to you and you're already assuming things. What if he's casually generous considering Badepapa or sympathetic of your past?" it questioned.

"What should I do now?" her head lowered in angst. "Control", her insight suggested. "Yes, all you should do is to practice self-control. Remember you're just any other employee to him. If you let your feelings flourish and when one fine day he drops a wedding card on your table, then you'll be left with no option than becoming a nun or spending rest of life staring into void".

"Damn you", waging a war against the ever nagging conscience, she firmly sealed her eyes.

Much to her dismay, behind the closed lids, the enticing man's teasing smirk recurred. His musical laugh during their conversation in his chamber chimed in her ears. "What if you're presuming?" shushing up her mind, her heart voiced. "Smirking, teasing, chiding, riling, why would a boss do that to an employee? May be you aren't just any other employee?"

"That could be his style," insight interfered again. "Are you confident you are the only one receiving such special treatment? It's possible that he's the same with all and you're blind to it."

"How'd I confirm?" she fussed. "I can't seek Divi's help, it'd be like digging my own grave", she agitated opening the lids.

"Above all what is this hunch, that I've seen him before? Why do his eyes seem familiar to me? Is there a possibility that I met him in Hyderabad? Probably in some get together or a family function?"

"Or there is another chance. It could be that he resembles someone well known to me," she pondered. "Yes, that should be the case". With waxed spirits, she decided to undertake a match-the-following kind of exercise.

"Ok, NCC colleagues first...," leisurely leaning against the bedstead, she started off with the pursuit. "Avinash... mmm... matches pretty closer", she rejoiced at the discovery. "My hunch is correct!!"

Before endorsing her detection, she recalled another face, just for sake of confirmation. "Bhaskar... ye kya... even bhaskar's eyes are matching...," she trembled. Doubting her judgment she remembered all her colleague's faces one by one; to her rotten luck, every set of eyes seemed matching with Jalal's.

"How is this possible?" she banged her head. As she bewildered at the absurdity, reality struck her - when she thought of a name, she's envisaging that particular man, but when she focused on eyes alone, her vision got overlapped with Jalal's eyes; comparing Jalal's eyes against his own would obviously be a righteous match any time. "This man had already caused more damage to me than I anticipated," she rued her plight.

"Anyways, I should unfold this puzzle today," she resolved grabbing laptop from side table. "Open everyone's pic and compare with his," logging into Facebook, she set out for the strenuous exercise.

"Colleagues checked next relatives!!" Adamantly continuing the task, she clicked on family category. One hour into the activity, her eyes started watering due to excessive straining, but she determined to stop only after verifying each and every man's eyes she memorized till date.

-----

Plush bed, mild AC, light music, every single thing is failing in its effort to bring on sleep to his burdened eyes. After a long time, he felt alone - absolutely alone in a grandiose home with all comforts, save a loving partner to share the comforts with. Ever since he retired for the day, his thoughts revolved only around Jodha - her dance, her smile and the slightest hint of blush before she walked off stage, to be precise. Apparently his torso ached in desire; an urge to take her to his arms, brush every inch of her face with his lips kindled umpteen times, but then, he also despised the inkling every time. "She doesn't deserve to be a second woman in anyone's life" - he chanted and chanted, but with every chant, the fact that he couldn't advance with his emotions worsened the pang. "If only... if only... I met you two years before Jodha..." his heart churned. "I'd have had no qualms in expressing myself to you. I'd have left no stone unturned to make you mine".

-----

"Is my hunch wrong or my approach?" unable to achieve anything beyond a light headache and misting eyes after two hours of exercise, she sadly massaged her lids. Tired with exertion, she got up from bed for a stretch of muscles; after two rounds of stroll, she stopped before her family portrait. She silently stared at the picture for few minutes and then turned to smiling deity on dressing table. "Why are you smiling, huh? Enjoying my tension," she pouted, but then realized it's no use angering with him; thence she resorted to befriending him. "You see, I can't seek anyone's help in this situation, right? You are my only confide who can help me, guide me through," she buttered. "Tell me, what should I do now? Listen to my heart or to mind?  Give me some hint Baba... I know you are busy with lakhs of devotees, but I'm your darling kid, isn't it? If so please treat my case with VIP priority, please!! You know how serious Badepapa is about my marriage and I can't make excuses every time, right!! So, please hurry up and do something... we have less time, okay!!" she teamed up with the pious deity to fight her tensions.

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

6^th August

"Do you have few minutes Jodha?" at the breakfast table, Saradhi ji asked the young lady.

"Of course... kya baat hai Papa?" she asked interested.

"Prameela, get that photo...," he suggested. "Photo", she perceived a drop of rock on her head. "See this," the advocate forwarded a picture of a nice-featured man. "He's a Radiologist at Apollo dear. His father and mother are professors, has one sister and she's married. A family of your kind! Well educated; equal to us in social and economic status. You used to say you want to be a doctor, I can't make you one now, but how about getting a doctor husband?" he jested.

"EQAUL TO US IN ECONOMIC STATUS!!" her attention stopped at that remark; eventually it reminded her of the differences between the status of her employer and she. "Practically speaking, what value-add would I fetch upon his life?" she deemed. "Doesn't he deserve a better statured girl than I?"

"They're apprised of the past of our family, they don't trust in horoscopes and they aren't demanding either. They liked your photo, so it's only your willing that matters now", Saradhi ji looked on expectantly.

She casted a studying glance at the elderly duo before making a decision - their eyes carried hope. "I should probably infer this as hint of Baba," she surmised. "I can no longer trouble them with my oscillated feelings."

"As you say Badepapa", she announced her decision. "If you believe this is a suitable one, please proceed," she faintly smiled.

----

"Hey chotu... where is your brother?" Stopping the car by an 8 x 8 feet pan cum newspapers cum kulfi special shop in her locale, Jodha asked the sixteen year old looking after their business.

"Dii... he went to that aunt's home to fix the fuse, he'll be back soon," the youngster pointed to a neighbor's home. "He's coming!!" he shouted again. Seeing a late teen chap approaching them, she got out of the vehicle.

"What dii... aaj subeh subeh kulfi khane ki mann kiya kya? (felt like having a kulfi in the morning?)" The teenager smiled. "Kulfi party toh banta hai... but not now", she returned the smile and presented an envelope. Surprised by her act, he looked into the cover; it enclosed a bundle of 500 notes.

"What is this dii?" taken aback, he hastily returned the envelope to her, but Jodha didn't budge.

"College fee, caution deposit and remaining for books. Now go and get your name enrolled in that college, fast, fast", she expedited. "No no dii... I decided to study privately through Open University, you please take this," he stuttered.

"Listen Akram, had you been a full time student in plus two, wouldn't you have scored enough to get a free seat in government college?" she seriously questioned and Akram agreed. "Then, do you want to repeat the mistake for post-graduation?" she gravely asked.

"Post-graduation!!" he gasped. "Will I ever be able to do it dii?" he asked in disbelief.

"By all means...," she smiled injecting confidence. "But if you don't want anybody's help for PG, you should accept this now!!" she tricked.

"Haan bhai... I'm anyhow not interested in studies. You listen to dii's advice and join college, I'll take care of the shop," the smaller brother popped in.

"Yes Akram, I miserably failed in persuading chotu to continue studies and I'm not going to accept another failure," she pledged.

"Dii... I don't", the youngster's voice burdened.  "I don't know how to thank you. I'll never forget this day dii, I can't do anything but to pray Allah for you!!" he murmured in sincere gratitude.

"Wise decision!!" she smiled in content. "But I don't befit your thanks or prayers because this isn't my money Akram," she shrugged. "I'm just a messenger!!"

"Is it?? Then who's it that helped me dii? Please tell me, I'll personally convey my thanks, promise them that their help wouldn't go waste. I'll study hard, get a good job and repay them with interest. Also I'll make a prayer on their name in Dargah, so please tell me who it is!!"

"I can't take the name," she denied considering the prudence in revealing Jalal's name. "...but if you insist on one, refer to him as JA saab. And about repaying money, well there is a better way of doing that - you offer the same to a needy once you are self-sufficient. And, of course, I can suggest you an idea for paying interest, if only you're willing to do so," she sniggered.

"Sure dii... tell me what it is", he fervently asked.

"Keep him in your daily prayers, it'd be equivalent to paying a daily interest!!" Jodha grinned in gratification. "Definitely dii... one more favor... On my behalf, convey JA saab my sincere thanks please". Though the young man didn't mention it, he knew whom else to add to his prayers.

1:00pm

"First let's decide on date, do you all agree upon next Friday, 15^th August?" Shashank asked and most of the team agreed. "Now venue, how many for resort?" he set out a poll, a few hands rose in favor. "...and for Wonderla?" Wistfully, the second option too received same number of votes. "What about the rest? You don't want to come anywhere?" he asked confused.

"Silence also means we are fine with both," Jodha corrected, "Ask Raj, his vote should be the deciding one," she suggested. "Well, Raj belongs to neutral group just like you, I already asked him", Shashank avowed.

"What happened guys? What's going on", puzzled by the raucous crowd in common area, the managing director asked. "Control, control", the alarmed employee's mind transmitted its instructions.

"Voting sir... to decide on a venue for team outing," the team explained. "Ok, carry on," he smiled and proceeded to leave when Shashank stopped him. "But we have a tie sir, we need your help!!"

"Tie? ...Between?"

"Between an amusement park and a resort... Your vote would help us."  

"Then go for a toss!! Heads theme park; tails resort. Count it as my vote," he advised. The enthusiastic team right away tossed a coin following his advice.

"...Heads!!!" Shashank announced.

"It's Wonderla then. Thank you Jalal, you indirectly supported me, amusement park is my suggestion," the asst. marketing manager plunged in.

"Oh is it!! Congratulations then!!" Jalal shook hand with marketing-wali unaware of the squinted eyes of his feisty employee.

"What's there to shake hands and congratulate as if she won a medal in Olympics?" rolling her eyes in disdain, the jealous woman diverted her gaze.

"Sir, we are counting you in as well, please join us," the team requested. "I'd love to guys, but I've appointments. I'm sorry; I'll make sure to join you next time. For now, you have all the fun!!" he replied and receded. To her, the excitement in the event plausibly reduced to half; a tad bit of her firmly believed he'd make it to the outing, but with his denial, her secret wish of glimpsing a non-official avatar of him abated.

"One night... and everything is reverse!!" she fretted. "Yesterday he'd all eyes for me, today not even a glimpse?" she scoffed, as the MD didn't bother to look at her for once. "Baba, I asked you to give me one hint and here you are, showing a dozen of them, and every single one exactly the opposite of what I desired. A new proposal too tough to be refused!! A new indifference too sore to accept!! Unwanted handshakes and missing opportunities!! Hmm, I barely remember when you addressed my prayers with such an urgency in the past, but this case, you definitely treated with VVIP priority", she sulked. Like it or not, she always followed the path her pious friend showed; such was the trust she held in HIM.

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

14^th August

A dark summer morning - a morning as dark as a night!! A girl in her mid-teens is staring impatiently to the farthest end of an abandoned road, stretching her neck as far as possible. "Papa, what's the time?"

"If a minute before it's 7:00, now it wouldn't be 6 or 8", the only other man on the road jested, but he knew patience isn't his daughter's forte. "Yes, it's coming!!" she shouted standing on middle of road, pointing to a single ray of light piercing the darkness and heading towards them. "Not a bus?? Krishna uncle, Gautam's bus is coming... you move out of the way", she yelled at the man on bike that halted before her.

"Raghu... let's go home!!" Krishna's cold voice echoed in the serene vicinity. "Where are you going? Gautam is coming", she screamed again, but ignoring her, the bikes kick started. "Wait!!" the girl ran and jump sat on her father's bike. "Why are there so many people at my home?" she wondered getting of the bike. "Where did papa disappear all of a sudden?" she looked here and there - people in lawn, people on terrace, people everywhere - "Hey let me in. This is my home!! Move... move", she's pushing the crowd to make her way in. "All in here to watch news? As if this is the only TV in world?" she looked on puzzled - her mom is sitting in couch staring at TV, but something about her is different. "Papa," she looked around, her father is doing the same standing frozen at a few feet away from the set.

"A private travel's bus from Visakhapatnam to Hyderabad... hit divider... reports say driver is drunk... keep watching TV9..."

"No no..." she screamed and turned back running. Tears are countlessly flowing down her cheeks. "Maa... papa... wait!!" on her way, she found her parents getting into a car, but before she got in, the doors were locked. "Come on Meenu. Catch us!!" Laughing at her, her parents teased. She's running and running at jet speed as if she had skating shoes on. "Where did the car go?" she paused as a bridge came in her way. "To that end may be!!" she resumed running, half way through, her leg slipped. She's falling, she shut her eyes tight preparing for a hit... but no, she's just descending down, as light as a feather, endlessly into vacuum - down, down and more down - is there an end to this falling?

Soon she got an answer, when she abruptly landed on someone. "Open your eyes", the voice said!!

White ceiling... Dim light... Half-wet pillow!! "Uhh", exhaling deep, she looked aside wiping her tears - half past twelve, the radium hands illuminated. "Same dream again and again," she kept her eyes wide open to let the percussions wane off. Ensuring she's fully conscious and the dream wouldn't repeat if she resumed sleeping, she tilted the wet pillow upside down. "Generally life will be routine for all, for me, dreams are also routine!! Same sequence, running, chasing, falling... no masala at all... not in life, not in dreams!!" she panted inviting sleep, but then an oddity struck her. "Wait a minute... chasing, falling and then? And then it wasn't endless falling, like it always was, it's something different today," her brows knitted. "Yes... the climax changed, I actually fell on someone, and heard something...", she attempted recollecting, but her trial was disturbed by few sounds from the kitchen.

"Who is it at this hour?" she wondered getting off the bed. "...Peddamma?" In dim light, she could perceive Prameela going from kitchen to her bedroom with a cup of tea. "...Tea at this time?? Is Badepapa fine?" the worried daughter silently descended downstairs.

"Why are you so overthinking ji? If not this match, we'll look for another. You please stop worrying now," the concerned wife chided. "I'm not tensed for not finding a suitable match Prameela, the very reason behind cancellation of this match, that is what upsets me," the advocate fretted. "I'm Sixty four, sound and fit, Raghu also never had major health complaints, then how can they refuse Jodha on pretext of my father's heart attack and mother's cancer. If we, being the direct descendants, bear no symptoms of such serious ailments, why would Jodha do?"

"I think they're highlighting it to deliberately cancel the proposal. Their true reasons could be different," the suggestive wife stated - a pensive frown made its way on silent listener's forehead. "I'm afraid, how Jodha would take it. Two proposals dropped down even before materializing; hope this doesn't throw her into distress. She's faced enough!!" the doting father dominated the composed man in him.

"Why to reveal it to Jo? Let's say that they backed off as they found another one, as simple as that. And I think we should give a break to these trials for time being. It'd be tough for Jodha too to take all this. After Raghu and Vasudha's death anniversary rituals, let's visit Tirupati first. After that you see, the lucky man born for Jodhu would automatically walk into her life", the spiritual wife chirped caressing the worried husband's hand.

To cajole the tensed parents, Jodha decided to break the silence, but at last moment she changed her decision and silently retreated before her presence disturbed the couple's personal moment.  Shutting lids to invite sleep, she reminisced the conversation downstairs. "Is my responsibility creating ripples in peaceful lives of this couple?" the bothered lady lamented. "They might have had high hopes on this match, lest Badepapa shouldn't sound so disappointed. Waise, isn't their reason too weird?" she thought. "I genuinely tried to keep up your wish Badepapa, but...", her thoughts ceased there.

"Woah!! I actually did nothing to break this rishta, but it got cancelled!!" her lids startle opened. "Besides, there'll not be any pressure on me till October. TWO months, SIXTY days... I'll not be asked to look at any other photo!!" she exclaimed in delight. An intangible burden she carried along since this match roped in, automatically faded off. "Are YOU doing this?" stretching neck back to the dressing table, she asked her teammate. "All this is your game plan, right?? To make me hassle free!! I know you Baba, you're my bestie!!" she happily smiled.

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

15^th August, Indira Nagar, Bangalore

"Sir, coffee", extending the cup to his occupied master, the dutiful servant asked. "What about lunch sir??"

"I'll have at home today," without looking up from the paper, the master answered. Reading every bit of a newspaper is a luxury Jalal was rarely bestowed with, and that day, he's cherishing the same with a second round of coffee.

"Ting!!" the mobile buzzed and his glance immediately shifted to it; to his disappointment, it wasn't from an expected sender. His eyes returned to the article on stock market trend, but strangely it didn't interest him anymore.

"Fifteen days since she messaged!!" swiping through the messages, he checked the date they chatted for first and last time. "... and not a single one after that...". The causality behind the messages made him expect more of them from her, but to his surprise he didn't receive any. "It could have been an act of impulsion", he surmised, and the conclusion did no good to him.  

"11:30!! They should be at Wonderla".  Its been ten days since he last glimpsed her - added to his compelled presence at Four Wheels, it was his conscience that made him avoid her during his visits to Regal. An yearning to see her once rooted deep down in his heart and it multiplied by manifold with every minute.

"I'll just say hi to the team and come back. It'd be an encouraging gesture...", he bluffed to his mocking intuition.

12:30pm

"Oh my God, it was fun!!" holding her tummy, the asst. marketing manager laughed. "What fun? I felt a whirlpool in my stomach, I was counting minutes for the ride to stop," making faces at the AMM's overboard laughter, Divya averred. The team just returned from a mixer ride that gave a real feeling of being in a blender.

"Ok then let's go to that ride Divi, it goes only up and down. No twists and turns," Jodha sheepishly winked signaling to a 40meter tall tower. "...That one!!" Divya gulped. "Planning my murder or what?" the panicked friend fumed. "My heart would immediately stop looking down from that height."

"Enough of thrill rides yaar, we're running out of time", Mohan reminded. "Yes, let's move on to water rides. Post lunch we should try dry rides too. We can't spend all our time here", Ramesh suggested and the team agreed. As they walked on, Jodha pulled Divya back, "Please come with me Divi, I want to try this tower. The queue is relatively low, we'll finish soon and join them for water rides, ok?" she pleaded.

"No way Jodhu, I'm seriously scared of heights. If you insist, you try it; I'll wait for you here."

"Ok, just fifteen minutes, thank you dear", tossing a smile, the spunky lady moved towards the queue. The interest in thrill rides is only a part of reason that stopped Jodha from following the team; the other part of it is the discomfort of exhibiting her wet form to her colleagues, especially to Ramesh's hungry looks. She couldn't explain her inhibition to Divya as it'd spoil the latter's mirth and she already had witnessed the effect of Saree story on her friend.

Few minutes later, Jodha felt someone extremely proximal to her back. She meekly tilted her head, only to find two strangers standing deviously closer to her and conversing in Tamil. Suspicious of their body language, the smart woman texted Divya, "I'll call you, but don't talk. Two people standing behind me are talking in Tamil, listen to them and text me what it is."

"Ok", after receiving Divya's message, Jodha dialed her number. A minute later Divya texted, "Come back!!" Intrigued by her friend's message, Jodha separated from the queue, and the strangers looked on displeased.

"Jerks they are!! Making vulgar comments and scheming to harm you during the ride," Divya angered. "Lets get away from here. Come", the worried friend clasped Jodha's hand.

"Idiots, they spoiled my plan. If we go now, everyone will compel me to join them," she cursed the strangers simultaneously thinking of an alternative.

------

"Hello sir, we are at pool, water rides area", Mohan directed the boss over phone.  

"Hi guys, where are others?" Jalal asked noticing half the team missing. "Have been to changing room sir, should be coming shortly," Ramesh answered.

"Hey look there, boss is in. Yaar jeans and T-shirt!! He looks very different," a young employee whispered. "Not different, he looks hot!!" the other corrected.

"Didn't she come?" posing a deaf ear to the team's banter and a blind eye to the asst. marketing manager's charm, his eyes scanned around. "It's been ten minutes and no signs of her. Divya isn't seen either, may be they didn't come at all!!"

-----

"Divii..." Jodha sweetly called and the sensible pal gave a now-what glance. "...Sky wheel!!"

Before Divya started off with tantrums, Jodha resorted to buttering. "Actually I don't like water rides dear, I find them tame. I love these thrill rides. So let's make a deal. You go ahead and join the team; I'll finish these two rides and join you, ok??"

"...Rides?"

"Yes"

"Alone??"

"Yes"

"Do I look like a fool? I don't accept!!" Divya sternly refused. "Please Divi, if you're worried of those jerks, just forget it. We're not here to spoil our fun fearing them. Anyways, now that I know their intentions, I'll be extra cautious ok, please, please", she earnestly pleaded leaving Divya no other choice than to budge.

1:00pm

"Ok guys, I don't want to spoil your time. Have fun, I got to go!!" Construing that Divya and Jodha would have dropped off, he readied to leave. "Hello sir, when did you come?" Divya asked surprised. "Ten minutes back, how are you?" he smiled searching behind her for the desired woman.

"Where's Jodha?" Shashank asked seeing Divya all alone. "...at sky wheel queue. She'll come later", she answered and the answer hinted the desperate boss where to continue with his search.

"Ah... water!!" wetting her lips, Jodha looked around for a shop. Heat and adrenaline parched her throat as she got off the ride. Spotting a beverages shop nearby, she walked ahead. "One water bottle please," she asked extending a five hundred note.

"I don't have change madam, give me tens!!" the man in counter bluntly replied attending other customers. "Uff!!" she searched in her backpack, but didn't find more than a ten note and a few coins.

"One water bottle", she looked up as an authoritative voice vibrated beside her.  "Hey... You here! " It was beyond her wildest imagination to see him there; thence an impulsive scream erupted out of her mouth. And the gleam in her eyes satiated his desperation. "It was worth coming here," his heart smiled.

"Sir no change, ten..." staring at the hundred note, the shopkeeper tried repeating his song, but the stern gaze of Jalal didn't let him finish. He signaled at other customers and the guy got the cue. Meantime, the delighted lady recouped her senses; she discerned her face brightened more than needed.

Accepting the note from Jalal, the shopkeeper calmly handed a refrigerated bottle and change. "Thank you, won't you drink?" she asked as he passed on the bottle and he nodded with a simple smile. Beige silk top with peach color printed maples , wavy sleeves, peach legging - while she emptied half the bottle, his eyes glued to the long arms that appeared longer than they are, due to tiny wavy sleeves.

"What are you doing alone here?" he asked moving out of the shop. "I wasn't alone, the team just moved to water rides, I'm going there only," she casually said.

"Yeah, I met them at pool, JUST twenty minutes before," he smirked stressing on just. "Oh ok, I was stuck in the queue and asked them to go on," she covered up.

"One minute," he excused as his mobile rang. Giving him privacy, she walked further and stopped at a distance.

"Look there, same chick, she's alone, shall we try our luck," talking over the phone, Jalal turned to the direction of the words; he spotted two people conversing in Tamil and ogling at Jodha. "You come from front and I'll push from back", they schemed as they stealthily moved towards her.

Disconnecting the call, he calmly joined the waiting lady. A minute later he saw one of the two men following them and the other was seen heading from the opposite direction. "Have you been to Ericsson site? How is it going?" Jodha asked initiating a conversation. "Yes, been there twice. Foundation is going on", he replied keenly observing the shadow man from corner of his eyes. Both the men closed into the couple like normal on goers. The follower readied to push Jodha hard with his shoulder and the other one was prepared to embrace her by enacting like stopping her from slipping down. Since their eyes were fixed on the target, they missed the slightest of movement of the man on her left.

Observing the shadow man coming close enough, Jalal silently retreated a step back. At nick of time, his left hand gently pulled Jodha and the right leg jammed the follower's way. Obstructed by Jalal's foot, the shadow man tumbled falling straight into arms of his aide, thus pushing him to ground; the second man's head hit the road while the former fell on top him and then rolled aside. The entire act appealed as natural as it could be.

Jodha didn't understand what's going on around, but after viewing faces of duds, she discerned everything. At first, her heart raced when Jalal's hand circled her arm; she looked on baffled but soon she realized he's up to something. Forgetful of the duds, she caressed the spot where his hand laid upon and self-congratulated for wearing a sleeveless top.

"Are you okay?" feigning concern, Jalal enquired as passersby stopped to lift the dunces up. Not giving the chance of helping them to on goers, Jalal grabbed the first man's hand, while the second one screamed in pain, "My hand!!" he moaned in Tamil.

"Oh so sorry, my mistake, I didn't see", Jalal scooted his booted foot from the victim's palm, but both the parties knew it wasn't a mistake. The first one quivered in fear speculating the fate of his hand in Jalal's grip. Before he freed his hand off Jalal's clasp, Jalal pulled him up smiling, "Hope you are not hurt". In the process, the twist of first one's wrist escaped seeking a third man's attention.

"Ah..." Both the chumps winced as they got up. "Be watchful while walking folks". It sounded like a friendly advice, but the devious smirk and threatening gaze conveyed it all.

"Come!!" done with his execution, he resumed walking and Jodha followed. A proud smile danced on her lips as she admired the knack with which he tackled the morons. She wavered in dilemma whether to thank him, but then sued the idea after a shrewd cogitation. His act was so natural that he didn't want her to discern it was a ploy, so thanking him would ascertain that she apprehended it was a scheme and no coincidence.

"If he can feign innocence, I too can", she decided. But her one doubt remained unanswered, "How does he know Tamil?"

"Will you join the rest now?" he asked halting at a junction. "Mmm..." She flatly nodded, but then the flash tower ignited an idea. "I'll go after taking that ride", she added indicating to a tall tower ride.

"Why do you want to go alone? Isn't it a team outing?" tucking a hand into pocket, Jalal riposted.

"Of course it is," she grinned. "But water rides doesn't interest me. Instead of sitting on a bench watching the team having fun, wouldn't this be better?" her brows raised.

"Anyways, I don't think I'd have a company even after they're done there. They seemed less interested in these thrill rides," she sadly explained.

Now it was his turn to fall into dilemma. He can neither leave her alone, nor go with her. "Ok then as you wish, but be careful. See you," considering the aftereffects of spending more time with her, he decided to leave.

"Ayyo, he's leaving, your idea's gone into drain", her grey cells mocked. "Mmm... bye, good day!!" she calmly said and he left darting a goodbye smile.

"May be he'd have stayed back if I asked," she groaned staring at the retreating man.

"What if the jerks return and take advantage of her loneliness!!" the very notion abruptly stopped Jalal on his tracks. He turned back and saw her standing still staring at him. Perceiving him coming back, the gloom on her face backed off.

"It's not safe to linger around alone, go back to your friends once done with this ride, okay?" bothered of her safety, he ordered standing right before her. As it is, his jeans avatar had already casted its spell on her, now the concern he showed, though disguised under a command, made her legs quiver - she feared she'd either hug him or tremble down if he stood there for another minute, thereby she quickly nodded in acceptance.

"Good," he smiled and turned to leave. "Arre budhu, why are you so tongue tied? You may never get this privacy again. Don't let the opportunity go, stop him", her inner voice yelled. She didn't know what fate had in store for her, but she then determined to live the moment, no matter how short it was.

"Jalal... are you in a hurry?" she swiftly asked before he completely left. "What?" interested by the question, he turned back.

"Wo... actually... are you in a rush? I mean..." her throat dried. Relieving her of the trouble to further elucidate, he shortly replied. "...no why?"

"Oh, ok... if you are not in a hurry, will you mind joining the ride?" with evident tension, she finally uttered. Taking the goggles off, he silently studied her tensed face for a moment. "Are you nervous?" he asked.

"A bit", she faintly smiled.

"...of ride?"

"Mmm", she partially lied.

"Why do you want to try something you are scared of?" he grinned.

"Because I love to," boosted by his grin, she smiled back, "the sense of achievement we get after trying such things, sss... it's beyond words".

"Let's go!!" chuckling at her expressions, he accepted the offer.

"You're coming then!!" her eyes widened in disbelief. Obviously, she didn't expect him to agree so soon.

"I suppose that is what you asked," he retorted putting his coolers on.

"YES... YES!!" virtually smacking herself for the stupid question, she happily followed. The first yes is for him and second one is to her heart, to convince it that the entire happening isn't a dream.

-----

"Hope I'm not disturbing your schedule. Are you done with your appointments?" slowly moving in the queue, she dubiously asked.

"Appointments?" he wondered.

"Haan... that's why you refused to join us for outing, right??" she reminded.

"Oh yes!! I had one at SBI with the regional manager. I thought it'd take longer, but it winded up fast", baffled by her untoward enquiry, he used the previous day's appointment to make a cover up story to support his unannounced presence.

"Oh ok," she darted him a scrutinizing glance. "Actually I too had some bank work today, but I thought banks remain closed on a national holiday," few moments later, she slyly remarked feigning innocence.

"Shyea!!" his brows creased for getting caught, but thankfully the coolers came to his rescue. "They do", he flatly replied. "But the manager turned up since we agreed upon an appointment", he faked. But luck was not in his favor as his phone buzzed at the wrong time; it was his enthusiastic friend calling him. Perceiving the danger behind attending the call he curtly disconnected it, but unfortunately, it rang again and again.

"Tell me," Jalal seriously asked.

"Where did you go?" Abdul enquired.

"I'm out, baat kya hai?" he hurried to cut the conversation as short as possible.

"...out?? You called me home and went out?" Abdul intrigued. Jalal then remembered their plan of visiting the flying club that afternoon.

Bereaved of distancing from him in the queue, Jodha couldn't help listening to their conversation. Hail the screams and continuous chatter of visitors, Jalal had to be loud to make him audible.

"I'll be back in an hour, will come directly to flying club, ok", he answered short.

"What are those screams?" unheeding to Jalal's reply, the sleuth friend enquired and the latter sensed it's high time he disconnected the call.

"@wonderla, brb... wait for my call", he swiftly texted the instructions.

"Why did you go there? ..." ignoring the instruction to wait, Abdul texted back.

"Team outing!!" Jalal's patience started to dampen.

"Woah!! Regal team is interesting you more than flying club?? How strange!!"

Jodha couldn't speculate the content of texts, but she thoroughly enjoyed the shade of red on tip of his nose, she didn't know what angered him but the cute anger out of abashment was definitely adorable. The speed with which he locked the piece and thrashed into pocket made her turn aside and bite her lips.

-----

"U hooo...," she shrieked in excitement along with others as the conveyer started trekking up the tower. Undoubtedly, her boss had the widest grin watching her childlike amusement. Her hands fastened around the lock system as the gondola shot up high. On earth, humans resembled ants as she looked down from 30 meters. She then looked to her boss who had a continuous smile, "His smile is infectious", her heart certified, but before she returned his smiles, her mirth vanished.

The gondola decelerated down rapidly, at a speed that triggered a tremor in her body. Though she witnessed the ups and downs of ride while waiting in queue, the speed of deceleration was beyond her calculation. Suddenly she had a sick feeling of falling into vacuum, one of a kind she often experienced in her dream - eventually her eyes locked tight and she clutched the support system with all her might.

"What happened?" noticing the change in her, Jalal immediately asked.

"I feel so weightless," she divulged. "Light as a feather dropping down into a valley," she expressed.

"It's natural while descending down, open your eyes, else you miss the thrill", he suggested, but she firmly nodded in a no. Two seconds later, she felt his grip on her hand and heard him closer.

"Open your eyes Jodha", he softly commanded. Behind her closed lids a similar visual played - she's falling off a bridge into an endless valley, and someone rescued her by holding tight.

"Open your eyes"

"... yes I heard similar words in dream", she remembered. Startled by realization, the dazed lady swiftly opened eyes and first looked down at his assuring grip on hers, and then at his captivating orbs. Adjacent to HER was HE - smiling straight into her eyes injecting warmth, trust and assurance.  

***********

Chapter 21

Adjacent to HER was HE - smiling straight into her eyes injecting warmth, trust and assurance. "Breathe deep and look around!! You feel better!!" he instructed tightening his clasp on her hand. And she did; not that she didn't feel weightless thereafter, but the assurance delivered through his grip shove away the sick feeling. Tossing him beautiful smiles now and then, Jodha thoroughly enjoyed the ride as the gondola continued with few more rounds of up and down before coming to a halt.

"Want to try again??" receding his hand, Jalal teasingly asked as they awaited the support system to unlock.

"No", she immediately refused. "Not that I'm scared of it, but I don't want to dampen this experience," she smiled explaining further. "The thrill I just experienced will definitely allay if I try again and I don't want it".  Jalal looked on pleased.

"Arre... unlock fast... how long do you take?" a yell from Jalal's adjacent passenger made the couple turn to him. It was only a few seconds that the ride had stopped, but the adjacent man seemed pretty impatient. Soon the system unlocked, he ran fast pulling his wife out. "I told you... ye sab mujhse nahi hoga... come fast... where is the toilet here?" he shrieked, but his mirthful wife guffawed covering her mouth.

The horrendous expression on the husband tickled Jodha to such an extent that she felt sealing lips tight that moment was the toughest ever job she was subjected to. Brutally shutting her mouth, she looked at Jalal; the latter is looking away but his shoulders were shaking and she discerned that he too is struggling to mutinous his laugh. Encouraged by similar reciprocation in him, she unsealed her mouth.

Hearing bouts of giggles from Jodha, Jalal too opened up turning to her. Moving away from the crowd, they madly laughed together. "If not for you...," she giggled, "I...," she held her tummy stammering, "I... I'd..." she couldn't complete the statement, but he got the gist. "Thank you boss!" driven by joy, she playfully raised her hand for a hi-fi. Though pleasantly surprised by her addressing, he swiftly joined his hand to complete the gesture.

"Done with adventures?" slowly recouping to normalcy, Jalal quipped.

"Yes, for the day..." wiping the tears off, she answered.

----

"What else do you find adventurous?" Jalal asked as they gradually proceeded to the water rides zone.

"Many of them!" she joyously replied. "Like... watching The Exorcist all alone at night, ice skating, sky diving..."

"bungi jump, scuba diving..." chuckling at her list, Jalal teasingly added.

"Oh yes, bungi jump is an attemptable option, but...," she smiled to him shaking her head. "... Not scuba diving. Not by any chance, as I'd immediately die of claustrophobia ", she tittered unabashed. As he looked on, the resplendent lady's angelic innocence while expressing her complexes vigorously tempted him to squeeze her into his arms and cajole her.

"Is that why you avoided water rides?" detesting his passion Jalal asked, but Jodha dismissed his doubts. "No no... I've no issues with such rides. It's just that I'm not interested as I've tried them multiple times in Hyderabad".

Their conversation abruptly stopped as they reached the junction; one path led to exit and the other to team. "Ok then, see you, enjoy the day", he smiled volunteering to leave, but she stopped him. "You can join us for lunch na, its 1:40 already", she deftly asked.

"No Jodha, I got to go, Abdul is waiting for me, you carryon please," he softly refused and she couldn't insist more; as it is, she borrowed ample of his time. "Fine then...," She was about to say bye when she remembered him saying he'd join Abdul directly at flying club. "What if he doesn't get enough time for lunch?"  The vacillation inadvertently drove her guilty for screwing his schedule. "All are not lucky enough to dine early", his past comment resonated as she quickly scanned around for a solution.

"Five minutes... just five minutes please", spotting a chat stall nearby, she swiftly disappeared without waiting for his answer. "Bhaiyya, two vadapav... parcel... jaldi jaldi..." surging amidst the packed crowd, she hurried the chef. Noticing a just packed vadapav for a different customer, she strewed her charm. "Excuse me, may I take this, thoda jaldi hai... please," she pleaded the customer with puppy eyes and he fell flat for it.

Jalal stared confused at the direction Jodha darted; he saw her disappearing into a chat stall, but couldn't anticipate her intention. Very soon, he found her returning with a pack in her hand. "For you," she extended the parcel stopping right before him, "a quick snack just in case you can't catch up for lunch", she smiled and he stood awestruck. Amusement, innocence and now care - he witnessed too many shades of her in a short span which eventually punctured his poise; it's no wonder he ardently wished the time to cease then and there.

"It may not be as hygienic as your regular diet...," her lingering hand doubtfully retreated as she misinterpreted his awestruck posture. "... If you can wait for...," her faint explanation paused as he held her wrist before it completely receded down. Closing in a step, he couldn't resist meekly brushing her fingers while taking the pack. "Stop presuming things Jodha," he fondly chided. "And thank you so much for this", he smiled to her eyes and she equally reciprocated, but the proximity rang alarm bells in her mind.

"I... I'll go now," she subtly said. "... Lest Divya should soon approach lost and found team asking for me..." she jested and he softly chuckled giving approval. He gazed on smiling as she trekked back to her team - "walk-talk, thought-pout, innocence-arrogance, empathy-apathy - anything of her, everything of her is staunchly effecting me!!" he surmised.

"Isn't it a jeopardous phenomenon?" his pragmatic brain nagged, "Or rather not??" his heart supported.

**********

19^th August

"Here is the design. It's a thirteen-floor construction essentially for corporate purposes. All thirteen slabs are laid and eight floors neared completion, after that the work didn't progress as owners were financially out of resources. We are now taking up this work, as the owners are Jalal's acquaintance. I want you to go through the plan and come up with your remarks, modifications if any... okay?" Raj instructed Divya, Jodha, Shashank and Mohan.

"What is the original intention behind this project Raj? Was it designated for singular possession or multiple floors for multiple companies? That information would help us reviewing the design," Jodha asked.

"My guess is singular possession to be either sold or leased to one organization, but I'll get it confirmed", Raj replied. "Once you thoroughly review the plan, let's schedule a site visit, next Wednesday or Thursday. Is that ok?" he asked and the team agreed.

"One more thing, we got the invite for nationwide architects and designers summit conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute. It's in New Delhi next month, from 11^th to 13^th. Anyone interested?"

"I attended it last year Raj, so don't count me," Mohan said and the other two seemed less interested in a summit. "How many are permitted Raj?" Jodha enquired.

"...Maximum two per organization!!"

"Ok then, count me in!! But if anyone else from our team is highly interested, I'm ready to drop off," Jodha said.

Two hours later

"Argh, let's stop it here and take a break Jodhu. My head is spinning," Divya sounded truly exhausted. Smiling at her friend, Jodha complied.

"I admire your resistance levels dear. You can sit for hours on same task without exhaustion. I don't know when I'd achieve the same", leading to cafeteria, Divya averred.

"You already have it Divi. It's just that you use it for different purpose, for example, shopping - you spend hours on it without getting tired and I'm vice versa", Jodha grinned.

"True that, your tolerance is at peak when it comes to work, but in other matters you suck, highly impatient. I don't understand why," Divya groused.

"Mmm... may be because I love my job," Jodha shrugged.

"Aha... is it love for job or job giver?" Divya sheepishly winked. Casting her friend an awful glare, Jodha japed. "Of course for the job, had it been for the job givers, I should be loving five or six bosses before my career ends," the mere thought shook her body in aversion. "Yuck, it sounds so filthy." Giggling at her pal's reaction, Divya placed the order for two coffee and samosas.

"Waise Divi, I don't understand why boss took up this project? If the owners are in financial trouble and are unable to complete the project, how'd they pay Regal?" Jodha expressed her concern as they waited for coffee.

"May be boss is going to own it?" Divya guessed, but Jodha brushed off. "A thirteen floor construction in city premises would be a huge investment Divi. And to our knowledge, there are three projects in progress including Ericsson. Considering Regal's resources, it is an unlikely move by all means".

"You are right. May be he's doing it for free? Raj said the owners are known to him na," Divya opined.

"Charity in business? That too when he has his own set of troubles?" she worried, but her intuition asserted that he wouldn't act so naive.

***********

27^th August

"All preparations done?" massaging Prameela's toes with lukewarm oil, the doting daughter asked.  "Haan, Vasantha's relatives are packing gifts and I came home as it was getting late," Prameela replied. "Tomorrow we should be there by 7:00am; you've to wake up early, ok?"

"Should I also go that early maa? Tomorrow is Thursday na... I might get late in temple."

"You've to accompany me Jodhu, as I didn't inform Ranga to come early tomorrow. Satyanarayana swami vrat starts early as they've to finish it before breakfast, it'd be helpful to Vasantha if we go before that. You do one thing, there is a Baba mandir in Indira nagar, go there after dropping me, okay?" Prameela suggested and Jodha nodded in approval.

"And you are wearing a saree for puja, no excuses this time", the dominating parent passed her decree.

Next day morning, 7:15am, Indira Nagar

"Peddamma, tell me if I can be of any help to you, I'm getting bored sitting alone," Jodha murmured to her engaged foster mother. "Nothing to do dear, all set. It may take time for puja to start, you go to Baba mandir meantime if you are bored," adding dry fruits and nuts to wheat ravva prasad, Prameela suggested.

"Yes, I'll do that. I should go left and then next lane, right?" Jodha repeated the address that Prameela showed en route Vasantha's home. "Yes... just the next lane. It's better to go on foot, parking would be tough," Prameela stated.

"Ok, be back soon", tossing a smile, she exited her Peddamma's friend's home. It's the couple's wedding anniversary and that year Vasantha's husband turned 60. The couple is celebrating wedding anniversary cum 60^th birthday function, Shasthi Poorthi, that day.

"Wow," exhaling fresh chill air of the pleasant monsoon morning, she draped the pallu of saree round her arms. She looked up - the sky appeared heavy with dark clouds slowly moving to rain anytime. "Hold your showers till I'm back home," she winked at the clouds with a sweet warning and set off on her way.

Forty-five minutes later, she stepped out of Baba mandir contented; her deity friend never fails to bring peace and gratification on her, whenever she visited him. The climate is still as pleasant as it was an hour ago and the clouds are still wandering without showering, as if they are bound to her warning. "Good job guys, just ten more minutes please," she appreciated the obedient clouds. Looking ahead, she swiftly trekked to her destination, but her gait slowed down spotting a familiar face driving towards her on a sports bike.

"Is it HE?" her eyes squinted as the distance between bike and she narrowed. "Yes its Jalal," her doubt confirmed as he crossed past her and she halted watching the distancing bike. "He should've been named Sriram instead of Jalal. There are so many girls around, but ache bache ki tarah, he's going without a side-glance," she smirked.

As she stared on, his bike slowed down and stopped at the other end of road. "Did he see me?" she wondered, but soon her doubt was answered. An elderly man was seen nearing his bike and she inferred Jalal stopped for that man. Both talked for a while and then Jalal took out his mobile to show something to the older man. Enticed by his masculine profile in sportswear, she drooled for a moment before resuming her stroll. "He might be returning from gym or jogging..." continuing on her way, she deduced.

A few steps later, the naughty cells started nagging her. "Wouldn't it be incomplete to leave without teasing him?" She quickly turned back to see if he's still around; preparing to leave, he's shaking hand with the man. Hiding between the passersby and continuing walking, she sent him a message.

The recipient of message was about to key in the ignition, when he saw her sms. "Is your Jaguar sick?" unexpected message at an unexpected time from the most unexpected sender left him baffled.

"What?" he texted back.

"Wondering how it allowed you to ride a bike. Weren't Jalal and Jaguar inseparable?" biting her lips, she quickly typed in. It demanded a lot of self-control from her, to not to turn back and observe his reaction.

Perceiving her message, the sensible man apparently scanned around the surroundings - Thursday and a Baba temple in the lane, obviously it calls for ample women on the road. His eyes searched for a known feminine form in salwar, but alas, how'd he guess that the charming lady would be strolling around that fateful morning in his vicinity, in a Saree. Unable to spot her, he immediately dialed her number, but she disconnected the call. Swiftly silencing her mobile, she softly chuckled as the hide-and-seek game turned out to be more than amusing.

"Where are you?" in no time, she received a message. "Guess!!" she replied. Intrigued by the prolonged silence after that text, she mildly turned back to view his actions. She saw him taking a U-turn and steering towards the temple. "He's coming," heat swept through her body as her intuition asserted he'd succeed in finding her. Mingling with other people, she adhered to extreme right as she walked. Very soon he over took the women she's been using as an obscure, but before she rejoiced that he missed seeing her, his bike slowed down and halted a few meters before her. Eventually her throat parched as she realized she's caught - her pulse raced up.

Observing her advancing figure from bike mirror, he waited till she is close enough to hear him. "What is Ms. Jayanagar doing in Indira Nagar?" getting off the bike, he promptly asked as she tried to ignore and walk past him - her gait abruptly ceased marking The End of game. "This is bound to happen", she breathed deep before facing him; "after all, whom did she challenge!!"

"How did you spot me?" she asked turning back smiling. "Guess," he majestically smiled and then realized her special attire - bottle green crape saree, maroon blouse, simple neck set, his morning turned out glorious as he glimpsed her in a saree for the first time. Cool breeze carried one's fragrance to the other and the experience is just transcendental. The appreciation in his eyes amplified the heat in her; nevertheless, the woman in her unconsciously matched his gaze with the one he gave to marketing-wali on dinner day. To her satisfaction, it was beyond comparison.

"Birthday??" his brows knitted and she smiled in a no. "There is a puja in Peddamma's friend's home... in next lane. It was taking time to start, so came to Baba temple".

"Oh ok", he simply said and remained silent as he didn't know what else to ask.

"Where are you coming from?" she asked.

"Gym", he answered.

"Oh ok!!" After that she remained silent as she didn't know what else to ask. After an awkward pause, she peeked at her watch. "Puja might have started, I'll go now!!"

"Come I'll drop you," he offered, but she hastily refused. "That's ok, its only five minutes walk. Anyways you have to go that way and my route is opposite."  Not bothering to heed to her excuses, he boarded the bike and positioned it in her route indicating that he's decided to drop her.

"Come", he calmly said. She hesitated anticipating the adversity of pillion riding HIS sports bike in a Saree - slant seat, silk saree, one side seating, it'd be no less than a gymnastic feat to sit secure without falling on him, nevertheless, she couldn't voice her inhibitions. Silently circling pallu around her waist, she obliged his offer. Ensuring she's properly seated he started the bike, but very soon the ride paused. Applying brakes he swiftly turned back looking down. Wondering his actions, she too followed his gaze. "What are you looking for?" a confusion frown adorned her forehead.

"Nothing... you've a habit of sweeping road with your dress na, so checking," he teased looking up to her. Her gaze stiffened and the grasp on side hook fastened, as she feared she'd punch him for that counter. Having received his dose of pleasure for the day, he happily smirked and resumed driving.

2:00pm

"Hey Jodhu... where are you?" Divya hastily asked over phone.

"About to start to office, done with function and lunch just now," Jodha answered stepping out of Vasantha's home. "Don't start now. You should do me a favor dear. Ravi is sick and is returning home, I've to leave now. But Mohan and I are supposed to visit our new site today, will you take it up on my behalf?" the worried pal requested.

"Sure. But what happened to Ravi?"

"He said he has temperature, I too don't know how he is actually doing... will call you after going home. Mohan will come to site at 3:00 and you directly go there. It's unnecessary to travel back and forth to office, I'll inform Raj..." Divya suggested.

"Alright, don't worry about site, I'll look into it. Call me after reaching home, take care, bye", she disconnected and returned to her Peddamma to inform her of the delay in evening, as site visits are often time consuming.

Two hours later

"Sir... we are mere supervisors here. All your questions should be put to civil engineers, we just follow what we're instructed," one of the site supervisors politely alleged.

"But where are the engineers? When'd they come? We informed beforehand of our visit, and still they are absent?" Mohan irritatingly asked. Sensing the anger of architects, another supervisor dialed their engineers and assured their arrival in next thirty minutes.

"Mohan, let's wait for what the engineers have to say. Then we can apprise Raj of the discrepancy in design and actual construction," Jodha suggested. Meantime, they keenly watched the ongoing construction work discussing among themselves about the difference in its style from Regal's standards.

"So... what you say is your owners changed the plan to lease 1^st and 2^nd floors for various commercial vendors and the rest to a corporate company? Doesn't that sound ridiculous?" the composure that's been veiling Jodha's irritation for past twenty minutes waned off at the careless explanation of the engineer. As it is, the engineers arrived later than said, and their attitude to Regal's architects was way unacceptable.

"What is ridiculous madam?" the reckless techie retorted. "They get more rents that way. After all, money is what matters end of day".

"Oh... I may not be as good at money matters as you are... SIR...," Jodha sarcastically stated. "But I certainly know how things work. To my knowledge, no corporate encourages intruders into their premises. With restaurants, spas and stores in 1^st and 2^nd floors... and with only one entrance and exit to the building how do you exercise control on authenticity of people? Your owners should either plan it an all-commercial building or an out and out corporate one. A combination of both does no good to anyone!!" The validity in her argument succeeded to shut the mouth of the bullheaded, albeit, temporarily.

"Yes... she is right!! Also share us all the modifications done to original plan. What we see here isn't what we say in layout. Stop the 2^nd floor redesign immediately and wait for our further instructions", Mohan sternly asserted.

"But we haven't received such notice from our owner," another engineer tried to carelessly bluff.

"Here on your owner is Mr. Jalal Ahmad, Managing Director of Regal. It's with his intervention that this construction resumed after a break of five months. I don't think you guys are ignorant of this fact", Jodha gravely avowed, but the engineers glared unperturbed.

"Jodha..." Mohan signaled her to come aside. "It's no point arguing with them, let's call Raj". As they dialed their manager, the shrewd man advised them to notify Jalal as he'd be the right man to deal with non-Regal obstinate guys.

"...boss said he's at Four wheels and starting now... we have to wait for one more hour...", ending the call with Jalal, Mohan announced to Jodha.

5:45pm

"Hi guys... how's it going?" Jalal greeted shaking hand with the tenacious engineers. "Oh Mohan and Jodha... you're here?" he pretended as if he's unbeknown of the trifle and is at the site for a casual visit. Smirking at the perplex spreading his favorite employee's eyes, he continued. "Are you folks introduced to each other? Or let me do the formality. Mohan and Jodha, these are the civil engineers who've been working on this project since inception. Though we replace resources when Regal takes over a project, we retained these people as the owner recommended they're an efficient and cooperative bunch. Hope you guys had a great working time", he slyly smiled.

That's it!! The introduction did its magic!! The erstwhile-complicated techies transformed into nearly amicable associates hearing their praises, along with the inherent warning of losing their positions to Regal's engineers if they continue to be non-cooperative. Mohan and Jodha stealthily exchanged glances perceiving the sudden change in attitude of the engineers. The next twenty minutes seemed a one-sided discussion where the engineers agreed to work on terms and conditions of Regal's architects. "His presence creates magic not only on me, but on the bull heads too," she mischievously smiled within.

"... Great then!! Nice talking to you guys... we'll leave now," with issues being sorted out, Mohan and Jodha shook hands with the engineers removing their helmets. Its 6:15pm, but the evening was darker than it should be due to cloudy sky. Lights were on and the labor was preparing to retire for the day. The duo was on their way to parking, when Jodha remembered something. "Oops Mohan... we didn't tell boss about our observation on quality. We don't know if he observed it earlier, but it'd be good if we inform him, right?"

"Yes Jodha... will you do that please? It'd be too late for me," Mohan requested and she readily agreed. Why wouldn't she? A minute with him in private, although for a formal talk is always welcome for her.

She walked back to the east side of the building, where the work is in progress and where they had a discussion a while ago. She expectantly stopped at a distance seeing Jalal engrossed in talks with supervisors and engineers. Watching her coming back and waiting for him, he excused from the group. "Any problem?" he eagerly asked.

"No nothing... I've to talk to you about some of our observations; I'll wait at the other side. You may leisurely come after finishing your discussion. There is no hurry," she gently enounced oblivious to a pair of evil eagle eyes that wickedly gleamed at the unforeseen opportunity.

"Ok... ten minutes then", the boss smiled looking forward for a confabulation with her. "Good chance to finish my task," a man treacherously shadowed the retracting lady - his moves as slow and as calculated as a vicious snake.

6:40pm

"yedi yedi kuduredi edi edalo..

yedi yedi adupedi edi madilo.."

(Where is calmness in heart... where is control over mind...)

A delectable dark evening equipped with absolute loneliness involuntarily brought a romantic number to her lips. Playing with hem of her Saree pallu, she continued humming as the supposed to be ten minutes wait prolonged to twenty-five minutes. Thankfully there're chairs at the center of egress available for her to sit as she waited. Done with humming a few numbers that randomly struck her mind, she stretched the crossed legs to relax. Looking for his arrival in all directions, her hand reached out to handbag for mobile, but instead of the metallic piece, a small zip lock found its way out. It was Satyanarayana Swami Prasad packed for Divya, but with impromptu change of schedule, it remained unattended.

"Got bored? Sorry it took longer... was stuck up with Murali", with an apologetic smile and frisky steps, the awaited man approached while she's engrossed in fishing cashew nuts in prasad. Perceiving two silhouettes on ground instead of one, a set of dirty hands bearing heavy load at 10^th floor of the under construction building paused their actions. The man waffled in dilemma before executing his plan.

"It's ok, I didn't get bored..." She stood up studying his persona. "...folded sleeves till elbows... site helmet... loose collar... his attire seemed a bit withered, but not his energy... isn't he ever tired? What does he drink?" she playfully thought.

"Ye lijiye... prasad," snapping out of trance she offered him a portion, but he hesitated. In her enthusiasm she forgot his religious beliefs and the general courtesy to seek his willingness before offering Prasad. It's only after his hesitation that she remembered the cultural differences they held. Au contrary, his voice echoed thrashing all her presumptions. "My hands are dirty Jodha... any water here?" the reason for his vacillation fetched a sweet smile on her.

"O... ok..." Self-rebuking for her presumptions, she swiftly responded. "No water... but I've a solution..." Before he discerned, her prasad carrying palm lifted up to his eyes first and then trailed down to his mouth stopping at a careful distance. "What difference would it make if it is one or two?" unyielding to let the golden chance miss, the impassive man peeked down once. Dogged to execute his plan, he unburdened his hands and quickly disappeared.

Chuckling at her gesture, he slightly tilted his head back permitting her to slip the offering directly into his mouth. To his upward lids, a massive object rapidly descending down right above them appeared as an embodiment of death, thus sending shudders all over his body. "Jodhaaa..." his filled mouth obstructed the cry, but his reflexes briskly reacted. Clutching her hand tight he ran fast towards the parking ramp twenty feet away from their position. "What happened?" running along with him she yelped, simultaneously looking back. She saw a walloping plank kind of object speedily decelerating to ground - her eyes widened in fear and heart disarticulated.

As she continued staring back while running ahead, she missed noticing the slope of rugged ramp. The moment they reached entrance of the ramp her heels twisted making her stumble. Her body slithered to ground pulling the man firmly clasping her hand along with it. Bewildered by her sudden trip, Jalal's free left hand impulsively circled her head drawing it closer to his heart. At nick of time, his right hand released its grip from her hand, encircled her waist taking her into a tight embrace and he sharply twisted his leg so that he hits the ground first and she'd be safe in his cuddle on top of him.

"Hang on", he instructed as they rolled down the rugged ramp. The thunderous sound of a giant granite slab hitting the ground after crashing the chairs Jodha rested a while ago caught the attention of Murali, engineers, supervisors and labor on the other side of the building. Terror paralyzed her body on hearing the roaring sound. Apparently her palms drifted to back of his head to ensure his helmet is in place, once confirmed, they dripped down hugging his shoulders tightly. "Mmm..." he silently winced feeling a cut on his waist, but ignoring it, he focused on the lady in his arms - that instant, his only aim is to not let a scratch on her. The couple rolled a few feet down before their bodies met the wall. Fortunately, Jodha's topple saved the couple from a mammoth blow from debris of the granite slab that bounced into air in all directions. Jammed by wall, she freed from his embrace tossing aside and sat up holding his hand. "Jalal... are you ok?"

"I'm fine.. you are not hurt, right?" helping her to stand up, he cupped her face and anxiously asked . Quickly nodding that she's fine, she dusted his scratched elbows and brushed her hands over his torso checking for injuries.

"What'd have happened to her if I was late by few seconds?" he trembled.

"How come it fell the moment he was in?" she trembled.

"Allaahh..", he silently prayed snugging her to his chest to assure her, rather, his horrified soul that she is safe. "Thank god..", relieved that he's not injured, her hands circled his waist as she snugged deep into his broad chest - his chin rested on her head and her lids shut in solace as the frayed nerves soothed in his comforting arms.

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

Chapter 22

"Allaahh..." He silently prayed snugging her to his chest to assure her, rather, his horrified soul that she is safe. "Thank god!" relieved that he's not injured, her hands circled his waist as she snugged deep into his broad chest - his chin rested on her head and her lids shut in solace as the frayed nerves soothed in his comforting arms.

The man that disappeared from tenth floor halted at third floor to check the result of his execution. To his disappointment, he found no traces of bodies at the accident spot. He looked around and spotted the lady alive, safe and sound a few meters away - his teeth gritted. Loathing her luck, he descended downstairs to vanish from the scene before he was exposed. While all people on site rushed to West of the building, it wasn't tough for him to dash an escape.

"How did it trip?" It started with a meager doubt and soon transformed into a prodigious suspicion. "Saradhi ji suspects a life threat to Jodha", his father's statement promptly echoed turning him cold feet; an immediate urge to confirm his suspicion racked his body. "Jodha...," he softly called releasing her from embrace. "You stay here... I'll be right back", holding her shoulders, he adduced. Recouping from trauma, she obliged.

"Sir... what happened?" Murali, along with others came running to Jalal as he ascended the ramp and paced towards staircase. "Switch on all lights on all floors", he commanded one of the supervisors, "and you come with me," he ordered the other. "You be with Jodha, see if she needs any help... get the site cleared", adjuring Murali to shoe off all the gossiping labor, he briskly proceeded.

Relieved on seeing Murali, Jodha trekked up while the former hastily approached her. "How did it happen madam? Are you fine?" he asked worried.

Mounting up the steps, Jalal felt a tug at his waist. To his fingers that brushed past the bruise, a thick wet fluid conveyed that he's bleeding; nevertheless, his occupied mind had other serious issues to tend to. "In which floor is the flooring work going on currently?" he asked the supervisor. "Tenth floor sir", the shadowing man obediently replied.

"Don't worry... I'm ok", assuring Murali, Jodha slowly walked to the messy spot and the labor enclaved her with questions. Answering them accordingly she examined the stretch before her; the sight was simply terrorizing - the chairs she sat a few minutes before were totally deformed parting into two and the size of wreckage symbolized how ferociously the hunk hit the ground. She had goose bumps envisaging their fate if Jalal lagged in sensing or reacting to danger. With help of workers, engineers got the debris cleaned and disbursed the labor before their whimsical minds framed stories of the incident.

Climbing ten floors non-stop, Jalal paused a moment to regulate his breath. Exhaling deep, he darted to the susceptible place. With bundles of cement, granite and some loose slabs here and there laid for flooring, half the place was messy. There are a few slabs leaned against half-built parapet, but the chance of a heavy slab to slither and trip on its own is highly unlikely.

"Is this how you supervise?" he shouted, "How carelessly were these slabs placed near the edge?"

"Sir... workers would have placed them here to clear that half of floor before leaving... by mistake one slab would have fallen", the intimidated man faintly interpreted. Although the arrangement of loose slabs was seemingly hazardous, Jalal couldn't buy in the possibility that it could be a natural trip and fall.

"Your bag", one of the engineers handed over the bag that safely resided below a broken chair to Jodha. "Thank you," the lady's extended palm stopped midway before lying on the bag - it was tainted in red.

"Is it cut?" noticing blood on her palm, the engineer asked. Nodding sideways, the puzzled lady checked her body - except for tiny scratches on her right wrist due to broken glass bangles, she appeared absolutely unwounded. "Where did this blood come from?" she wondered.

"May be Jalal?" The thought didn't yet settle in her senses when she found herself on the way to steps. Briefly halting at staircase, she turned back to the confused souls. "Murali... get the first aid kit... and water too... fast", passing on the instructions, she stormed upstairs.

"The probability for a random trip is low..  still..  counting that is the case.. then how'd it fall? Shouldn't it glide along the walls?" he recollected the projectile's trajectory when he first saw it. Not understanding what's running in his boss's mind, the supervisor mutinously watched. "But its trajectory was clear... it didn't slide over walls... instead it fell at an angle which is possible only when it was pushed towards its target."  The analysis only confirmed his suspicion thus making him tremble more. "So someone was here... watching her... and", his thoughts ceased - as he turned back, he saw Jodha spurting towards him.

"What happened?" he hurriedly approached her before she reached him. Out of breath with rapid mounting of ten floors, she couldn't utter a word; thence she showed him the stained palm. "Are you injured?" taking her hand into his, he asked. Blinking her eyes in a no, she verified his elbows - noticing no major bruises there, she flipped him left and right to identify source of stains on her palm. Though the blotch on his left waist was obscured by dark colored shirt, droplets of blood that smudged his beige pants around belt pinpointed the bruise to her; while the mystified boss looked on bemused, she hastily un-tucked his shirt.

"What are you doing?" Jalal asked abashed, but the occupied lady didn't reciprocate. As the oozing red fluid made it difficult for her to discern severity of affliction, she cautiously wiped the area with her fingers minding not to touch the slash. His torso tickled at her touch whilst her heart mutely gasped perceiving a nearly two-inch long and one inch deep gash.

 "Oh sir... it's a deep cut," the supervisor cried, while Jodha darted a despising glance at the late lateef for the delayed discovery.

"Didn't you realize you're wounded?" scanning around for a suitable place to make Jalal sit, Jodha asked. "I did, but didn't expect it to be big", fixing his shirt, the unperturbed boss coolly replied. "You did and still climbed ten floors??" she stared at him in disbelief.  "Are you numb to physical pain or what? What's the need of coming here so urgently?" her brows knitted in anger posing him a question he couldn't truly answer. He giggled at her remarks while Murali timely roped in saving him from the situation.

"Thanks Murali for being quick", taking first aid kit from the personal assistant, Jodha pointed a granite bundle to Jalal, "You please sit there, it should be bandaged".

"Hey... it's ok... I'm fine... it's getting late... you should leave now", he cordially refused her help - raising her brows, she casted him an Oh-really glance.

"I'm doing no heart transplantation that it'd take hours", she retorted pulling cotton out of roll. "Now... would you care to sit please", damping it with water, she impatiently asked. Amused by her adamancy, he had to oblige her command. Murali and supervisor bit their lips wondering at the authority she exercised on him.

Kneeling beside the reposed man, she signaled him to lift his shirt. When he did, she first carefully cleaned around circumference of cleft. Taking a fresh portion of dipped cotton, she breathed deep before pressing it against the wound. "Sss..." his muscles flinched and her other palm impulsively clutched his hand that held the shirt up. She looked up to him - strangely, his pain mirrored in her beautiful black orbs. He softly smiled to her eyes conveying he's fine. With her hand on his, she continued the exertion; after dampening two more cotton balls, the bleeding finally ceased.

"I think you should visit a doctor sir... it probably needs a stitch," Murali suggested observing the cut from back of Jodha. "Stiches or not, we should anyways see a doctor. This is only first aid, it calls for a proper treatment by a medic", done with bandaging, Jodha stated. "Please don't move for sometime, else it'd resume bleeding all over," gently instructing him, she got up returning first aid kit to Murali. "Will you please get his car down? Let's go to the nearest hospital".

"Sir keys..." Murali asked.

Handing over keys to him, Jalal signaled the supervisor also to leave. Once they were alone, he scanned the lovely lady before him. With her back to him, she's engrossed in keenly surveying the ambience. Though the free tresses covered most of her back, the displaced attire revealed an exotic arc of her slender waist between maroon blouse and border of Sari; a surge of passion gushed through his body.

How ironical!! When his hand enveloped the same curve a while ago, his mind wasn't in a state to relish the softness and now when he wanted to cherish it, he was cuffed - drifting his gaze up he smirked at his fate. A fresh current of air disheveled her hair and a shiny black strap on her right back unmasked from its hideout. Unknowingly he stood up scratching his forehead on whether to inform her of the cute accident or to ignore. At the same time, she turned back.

"I'll be back in a minute... you sit and take rest," she faintly smiled veiling her thoughts. "Jodhaa..." he hurriedly called but diffidence inhibited him from conveying what he's intended to say, "Let's go down", he aptly covered up.

"Sure... just one minute... I'll have a look at work around and come", she asserted but her insistence sounded incredulous. "Interested in work at this time?? Not possible. She should be taken away before her grey cells start functioning", he decided.

"You may check leisurely tomorrow, but for now, let's go... we're getting late...", he asserted so that she doesn't reiterate her plea. Disappointed, she calmly followed him.

"Jalal... give me your mobile please... I've to call Peddamma," she requested as they slowly stepped down. "To inform of the accident?" he hesitated considering subtlety of the situation.

"No... no... of delay... it'd take time at hospital na", she clarified.

"Ok, but you are not coming to hospital. Once we go down, you're driving home straight along with Murali," he declared passing on his mobile.

"Why??" stopping on her track, she asked confused.

"Because you already had a tiring day... Its 7:15, even if you start right away, it's going to take an hour to reach home. Since doctor visits are often time taking, its better you leave now and take rest", he patiently explained.

"Rest??" she chuckled, "that's ALL I normally do after going home. No issues if my resting delays by an hour or two", she playfully dismissed his objection unbeknown of his plans for later part of the evening.

"No Jodha... you're going home now... that's it," he tenderly commanded looking straight to her eyes.

"Pleaseee... let me come... pleasee", unconsciously moving close to him, she earnestly pleaded making it difficult for him to be strong. It was not in him to deny those imploring eyes, but he had no choice.

"For once..." he fondly stared at her, "Listen to me... please" he persuaded and the softness of his tone brought the desired effect on his stubborn employee.

"Fine then... as you say" giving up, she stated "... at least take Murali with you. It's you who deserves a company, not me." Unyielding to compromise on her safety, Jalal avouched - "Murali's home is on the way, so he'll drive you. I'll take the supervisor with me, ok?"

"Supervisor?" she averred.

"Yes..." he attested.

"That late lateef who didn't notice your injury even after standing beside you for ten minutes; can't you think of a better choice?" the disgust on her face crackled him to the core. "I actually don't need an assistant Jodha," he grinned and added, "I'm perfectly fit to manage on my own. Don't worry!!"

"Oh yeah... how can I forget..." she mockingly swayed her head resuming walking, "after all, you are The Don... these petty gashes are nothing for you."

"DON?" he averred.

"Yes!!" she attested.

"Well... I take it as a compliment" he coolly retorted, "...just like your other ones... lushly romantic and subtly..." he teasingly paused. Her lips parted, eyes widened and gait ceased. She HAD to turn back immediately.

"That one..." she banged her forehead disgusted, "...was one of the gravest blunders I committed!! What'd it take for you to COMPLETELY erase it out of memory??" she proffered a deal.

"Proposing a deal?" he mischievously prodded.

"Ought to..." she helplessly nodded.

"Let me think over it," he stylishly shrugged trekking down. "Till then I suppose the deal is open", he halted at a step just above her and her brows squeezed into a suspicious frown. To her surprise his head lowered, so low that his breath actually tickled her ears. "Behind your shoulder... to the right... check it out", he whispered a cryptic message and swiftly stepped down with a lopsided grin imagining her abashment. And he was right!! Quickly adjusting her blouse, she swore under breath squirming in embarrassment.

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

"Why did Jalal take up this project? Why were the engineers unusually ostentatious? How possibly can a huge plank accidentally fall? That too... at perfect timing! As if it was awaiting his arrival. There is something fishy about this site..." The thoughts that were earlier interrupted by Jalal's intervention compounded her again as Murali drove her home. Oblivious of honks, signals or a man's presence beside her, she stared out of window immersed in scrupulous contemplation. "Had Jalal given me a minute I'd have checked the position of slabs... at least I'd have confirmed if it is an accident or not", she nervously rested her head back.

"What if I go now?" No sooner the idea popped in, she checked time... 7:50pm. "Back to site 40 minutes, fifteen minutes of work and back drive 50 minutes... can be at home before ten", vaguely calculating, she determined to take up the trial. Satiating her nagging mind than spending a sleepless night is always a preferable option for her.

"Murali where is your home?" the sudden question from his co-passenger took him by surprise; he saw her lost in thoughts for quite a while. "Jayanagar tenth block, opposite lane of cosmopolitan club," he replied.

"Oh... your home comes first then... I'll drop you and go", she offered.

"But sir told me to drop you home," the obedient assistant scrupled. "That's ok... it's a matter of few lanes," she brushed off his vacillation. Ten minutes later their vehicle stopped at Murali's home as per her instruction. "Thank you so much Murali... good night!" she warmly acknowledged moving to driver side.

---

"Peddamma... I'm going to Divi's flat... will be back by ten... ok", en route back to site, that was the first thing she did - apprising her hyper parent of the delay. Thankfully the black metallic piece missed a coup de grace that day - cozily residing in inner pockets of her handbag and tucked below a deformed chair, it escaped the blow. Disconnecting the call, she dialed another number.

"Hi... what did the doctor say?"

...

"Stiches? How many?"

...

"Ok... ok... you take care... bye!"  she had to cut it short as Jalal kept it that way.

Forty-five minutes later, her car stopped before main entrance of site; the night watchmen on duty dubiously gaped at the parked vehicle.

"Uff... what excuse should I give now?" tapping on steering, she briskly thought. Devising an undeniable excuse, she happily stepped out of car. "I lost my ring," she bluffed the intrigued men. "I believe it fell on tenth floor in the evening when I was there for inspection. Please turn on the lights, I'll quickly search and come back," she instantly framed a story so believable that the audience let her in forthwith and even offered help in search - obviously the latter amicably refused their help as it tampers the sole purpose of her late night mission.

----

"Only positive outcome of this incident is that the theory which I disregarded as a suspicion is now a testimony. It's deadly true that someone is behind her life and Saradhi ji's speculation is right, the previous incident was also a scheme, not an accident...  I should have tended to it more seriously," leaving the cutlery down, Jalal anxiously ruffled his hair.

The perplexed friends diligently stared at their distraught friend - first they're summoned up to a small clinic out of blue and as they reached, they're pulled to an adjacent food court only to witness an agitated, tensed, distressed Jalal while he narrated a series of life incidents of his employee. Major portion of their order remained untouched; all hail to the gripping narration they've been rendered to.

"Ok... we get it that somebody wants to harm Jodha!! But what can you do about it with no clues as to who it is?" Abdul asked. "Yes Jalal... tell your advocate to lodge a complaint with police. They'll look into it," Prithvi opined.

"...Police?" Jalal looked exasperated. "Why'd I call you if I want any other SI or CI to namesake handle the case? I want you to take it up Prithvi... I want you to help me in digging into it."

Apparently, one question eminently reflected on faces of the duo - "Why is their friend so tensed and worried of an employee's matter? Granted the issue is serious but family lawyer's niece is not an immediate relation to be so concerned of!!"

"I think you're involving into it more than needed Jalal. Jodha has a family, let them take care of it... let's extend our help when asked for. You don't stress yourself," Abdul stated intently watching his friend's reaction.

"Do you suggest the same if it was Sara?" the vexed man calmly asked. Abdul smirked!! Somehow, the reciprocation wasn't a surprise.

"You mean to say..." He coldly jabbed raising a brow. "What Sara is to me is what JODHA is to YOU?" Amazed by the latest development, Prithvi looked on curiously.

Casting his friends a profound glance, Jalal gave a musing pause before he aptly answered. "Relationship apart... if you're talking of prominence..." he sighed, "YES... SHE IS important to me!!"

"...Since when?" Abdul interrogated.

"I don't know..." Jalal genuinely confessed. "All I know is... her well-being matters to me. That's it!!"

"You love her?" Abdul impishly grinned settling back in seat.

"I like her or love her is not our present subject of discussion Abdul", he seriously stated. "She has every right to live to the fullest but someone is trying to cruelly deprive her of that right. And I can't idly sit here debating on my feelings or our relations!!"

"If she's THAT important to you..." Prithvi sniggered. "What are we doing here? We should be at site breaking our heads with first steps of investigation," he sheepishly winked. That understanding gesticulation from his friend, successfully brought a relieving smile to the agitated soul.

----

"Poor Sara... all her dreams to make her cousin Jalal's wife are flushed into drain", Prithvi quipped as they walked to parking lot. "Mmm... now I get it... increased interest in Regal... inviting team to executive dinners... wonder la trips... I get every bit of it now..." Abdul cheerfully patted on his friend's shoulder.

"Waise... when did you know Jodha is Saradhi ji's niece?"

"When did it all start? Don't tell me its love at first sight... it's impossible for me to imagine you falling for someone on first sight".

"Hey Abdul... shouldn't we call Chetan? This calls for a party."

"Does she know of your feelings?"

"When are you officially proposing?" The questions seemed to be endless and so is the teasing.

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

9:10pm

"This is definitely a conspiracy!! Well planned and executed!!"

Observing the result of her experiment, Jodha righteously concluded. After a meticulous survey of spot, she picked up two small granite pieces, pushed one gently and the other with force. As expected, first one travelled along the walls toppling over and over, but second one cleanly landed on designated target, a pile of sand to be precise. Ruefully, the detection badly affected her sanity.

"Someone is truly back of his life then..",  she gulped. "who could it be?" leaning against a bundle nearby, she meditated. "Business rivals? Or is it someone who's unhappy with his decision of involving in this project?"

----

"Why is Jodha's car here?" parking his Jaguar at entrance, Jalal puzzled. "Who parked that car here?" without any ado, he got out of car and eagerly enquired the watchman.

"One madam came sir... she said her ring is lost... she's searching in tenth floor!! Aap kaun??" having not seen the boss earlier, the dutiful watchman questioned. "Jodhaa...", his fist clasped in anger at obstinacy of young lady. Not caring to answer the watchman, he hurried in.

"Sir... you can't go like that!!" ignorant of the men's identities the employees on duty tried to stop. "He pays you to stop intruders, not him!!" Abdul timely shot back.

"Why the hell did she return? This girl is getting on my nerves," he gritted as he dashed up. "Jalal... is it Jodha's car? What is she doing here alone at this hour?" following his friend, Prithvi wondered.

"Who knows what's cooking in her mind?" his head shook in contempt. "I sent her off with Murali... don't understand why she came back".

---

"Should I alert Jalal? What if he doesn't consider my surmise seriously?"

"What are you doing here?" Her spine shuddered hearing a roaring yell that thundered in tranquility of the night. Flummoxed by his sudden arrival, she stood straight dazedly watching the furious man nearing her in long strides.

"Jalal... what happened? Why did you..." before her question completed, she found her wrist squeezed by him and next second she was literally dragged along. "Hey..." She tried to object, but her mouth shut perceiving Abdul and another unfamiliar man behind. "Hello Mr. Abdul... how are you?" she greeted as they halted.

"Will drop her and come shortly", he informed his friends and continued the stride.

"Jalal... I'll go... no need to accompany me," stopping at ninth floor, she protested.

"You said the same two hours before and I trusted you", he angered.

"Wo... my ring..."

"Bass..." his palm raised indicating her to stop, "I prefer truth!!"

"I too prefer the same Jalal", freeing her hand, she crossed her arms. "Tell me what brought you back here with your friends when you are supposed to be at home at this time?"

"I do a whole lot of things every hour, be at many places and I don't necessarily give an account of it to anyone Jodha," he frowned. His anger frightened her, but she didn't flinch. That instant, finding answers to her questions is more important to her than protocols or manners. If she has to be stubborn, she will be!! If she has to face his wrath, she will!! But she needs answers.

"I'm not interested in your diary Jalal... neither am I asking you for an account of one..", she avowed.. "Its only your presence at this place, at this time after a vital incident that demands an explanation. Don't you agree?" Their voices so echoed in the silent ambience that other two men at tenth floor heard every word of their conversation.

"Ha ha... she's gutsy enough to answer Jalal in same tone..." impishly winking, Prithvi whispered to Abdul.

"Oh... c'mon... you are demanding me an explanation?" his poise began to crack.. "When you yourself came here on a pretense? If you deem this as some kind of adventure, then let me tell you.. ", he sharply rebuked, "it's a bad choice."

"I'm not here for any adventure Jalal," she fussed. "I came here for my own sanity... I mean.. a huge plank topples from a tall building straight on to your head and you expect me to forget it and rest at home watching TV? Like seriously... don't you sense an iota of incredulity in this fiasco?? It isn't a paper or feather to fly on its own Jalal," with her eyes hooked to his, she argued. "What'd have happened to you if you were late by fraction of seconds?" her voice burdened as the visuals re-flashed.

"She is indeed gutsy..." Abdul murmured. "...and that is what would have impressed our boss". They silently exchanged smiles.

"Ah... so you're here strolling at night all alone confirming your theories?" the anxious man rebuffed. "What if something happens to you?" he squabbled.

"Nothing happens..." she impatiently demurred, "I'm a loner and my existence or absence doesn't impact any Jalal", unbeknown of the effect of her statement on him; she nonchalantly uttered. "But you've a family... your life is important to m..." she promptly checked "to many... there are hundreds of employees dependent on you. So tell me... why did you come now? You too think this isn't a natural incident right?" holding his hand, she closed in.

"My existence or absence doesn't impact any!!", his ears resonated. "How casually she said it? Is it that simple?" nerves in his heart twisted.  

"Who's doing this? Do you have any rivals? Or is it the owner of this site? Why did you take it up Jalal?" her questions gushed but the wrong chord she stroke with her comment didn't permit him to answer.

"GO HOME!!" the profundity in his voice was intimidating.

"Answer me first..." determined to be stubborn, she didn't budge. He looked down at her hand on his before his mouth opened.

"Wah..." Sarcasm filled his tone. "You don't value your life, don't bother about your guardians... but are very concerned about your boss's life??" he mockingly smirked. "How magnanimous!! If this is how you planned to prove how responsible, how loyal an employee you are..." he briefly waited reading her changing expressions, "...then I admit I'm impressed. I'm cleanly bowled by your concern, but for your kind information, I do have a family, friends and many others to be worried of me. You needn't carry the onus of parenting me please." On tenth floor, smiles dancing on his friends' lips abruptly vanished.

On ninth floor, it took a precarious moment for the recipient to sink in his derision. Once done, her hand slowly unclasped. Deprived of all rights she presumed she had on him, she flatly stared.

"Mmm..." she feebly nodded in acceptance.. "right..", she murmured. "...Bye!"

After a pause she lowly added "...take care!!" With one last departing glare, she turned to leave. He looked on pretending unbothered.

-----

"I think you're unnecessarily harsh", ten minutes later, Abdul alleged.

"I had to be Abdul," Jalal sighed. "...to wipe out the incident and all her questions around it from her memory", exhausted battling his emotions, he reposed on a step. "Now she assumes the attempt was on me, but if she continues digging deeper.. one day or the other she'll find out truth. Can you imagine her plight then?" pain smeared his face ".. every minute spending in insecurity not knowing who's going to kill her... aah," his head shook in distress, "life would be a living hell and I can't let that happen to her!!". Unfortunately the astute man calculated her wrong this time.. he didn't realize she's not among those who give up so easily.

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

Chapter 23

"If this is how you planned to prove how responsible, how loyal an employee you are... then I admit I'm impressed. I'm cleanly bowled by your concern..."

"Damn you... move man!!" she vigorously honked at the car that lagged only by a few seconds from moving after the signal turned green. Rigorous honks, thrust accelerator, abrupt brakes; the drive from site back home was not smooth at all that evening. "Sun raha hai na tuu... ro rahi hoon mein..." adding to the combustion, Shreya Goshal voiced from the FM at a very wrong time. "I'm not crying", eventually, the radio muted in no time with a mighty blow on stop button from the piqued lady.

"But for your kind information, I do have a family, friends and many others to be worried of me. You needn't carry the onus of parenting me please..."  The words were hurting!! Truly and deeply hurting, but the motive behind those words was more hurting. It was obvious that he resorted to derision only to shove her off unanswered, but why?? He can share with Abdul... he can share with some other man she never knew...  but NOT with her!! ... why???

"Is it that I'm not THAT close to him?? Is it that I'm not THAT trustworthy to him??

Or does he think I'm too dumb to handle such things??"  - "Yes, it must be one of them or all of them", she ruefully surmised taking a sharp turn to the left.

"Fine Mr.Don... you don't answer my questions. Granted I have no right to worry about you... but... the one who has proper rights will do it!! Let me see how you're going to escape from them." The resolution smoothened the rigid nerves and she drove fast home to unleash the burden onto her best confide.

----

"Would tracing finger prints around that place help?" Abdul suggested as the friends dwelled into investigation.

"Pch..." Prithvi's lips sounded echoing his disapproval. "This is a construction site Abdul... there'll be hundreds of them..." leaning against a wall, he continued "It'd take hours to collect prints from this small area. Moreover seeking forensic help makes the issue legal and I don't think it's a suggestible idea as of now. Also the exertion is of no use unless the suspect is a past convict so that fingerprints are available in police records. If not, it's a sheer waste of time and effort."

"Then what's the lead Prithvi?" Jalal fervently asked. "How and where should we start?"

"Start with reasoning Jalal..." Prithvi pronounced. "Let's reframe the events", closing eyes in contemplation, the young officer orated. "First point... how did the suspect know Jodha is going to be here this evening? Did he follow her from office?"

"Why an external? Why can't it be someone from the site itself?" Abdul interrupted.

"Can't be Abdul... remember the first situation was in Hyderabad. But you're right, there's a possibility for the same man to be working here..." nodding in acceptance, he paused. "Okay... a few questions Jalal, that helps me decide if the man is from site or not," opening his eyes, Prithvi turned to his antsy friend.

"When did Jodha come here?"

"Don't know the exact time, but I got a call from Mohan around 4:30pm. So they might have been here an hour before."

"Who's Mohan?"

"Senior architect... Jodha should have come along with him from office!!"

"And where was he at time of accident?"

"He returned home. Actually both left for the day, but Jodha came back to talk to me. I was busy with engineers then, so she waited."

"How long did she wait?"

"Half an hour or so..."

"Was she all alone as she waited?"

"Probably... at least she was alone when I joined her."

"Okay... suppose Jodha is here by 3:30 and was at site till 6:00. Presume the man is from site and intended to use the coincidence of seeing her in his favor, he had ample time in hand to think of a plan over hours and execute the moment she's alone... why'd he wait for 30 minutes before dropping that granite?"

"May be she isn't alone? The man would've waited to make sure she's absolutely alone to avoid attention," Abdul guessed.

"I doubt it Abdul as engineers & supervisors were with me and by Six most of the labor left expect a few at the East...West of the building should be nearly deserted then..." Jalal elucidated and added. "Let's proceed with assumption that she's all alone Prithvi... what do you infer?"

"Then I'd say... it was an on-the-spur plan coined by the traitor only after knowing she'd wait for you and he has few minutes in hand... that implies the suspect is an outsider who had been stalking her... it would apparently take some time for him to think and act, hence the delay. Had you been quick in joining her, I don't think the incident would have happened at all. But then, we'd have never known when, where and how it'd have recurred in future. Your delay and diligence both turned out to be blissful Jalal... the former in confirming your suspicions... the latter in saving her!!"

"Who's stalking? For how long have he been stalking? What could be his next course of action? How to stop him?" Jalal looked on displeased at the answer-less questions gushing in his mind. Forty-five minutes into meticulous contemplation, they achieved nothing. They're as clueless as they were an hour before.

"I understand what's going on with you Jalal", Prithvi stared understandably, "I'm not sure if you'd approve of it, but let me admit... without Jodha's intervention we're as good as blind to move further. She's the only source present in both incidents and only with her recital we have the chances of spotting a clue."

"That'd definitely alert her Prithvi... isn't there an alternative? Like her Badepapa?" Jalal grimaced.

"He's just an audience Jalal... not a witness. We need to have an account of it from someone who's live in the scene. I strongly believe we'd have a substantial clue from first incident if exactly recited. Any further investigation, it has to start with Jodha. All I can promise is to handle the situation carefully and keep her diverted," the young officer assured.

"Right Jalal... you probably should discuss first with Saradhi ji... he can better suggest on how to take this to Jodha", Abdul seconded as Jalal looked on pensive.

"By the way... did anyone actually see Mohan leaving the premises?" with no imminent answer to it, Prithvi's question lingered around.

--------

10:45pm

Silence!! A virtue that she revered anytime seemed to be highly inacceptable to her that minute. Back to home, she managed to pull her Badepapa aside, without disturbing his better half, who retired early to bed after a long weary day. Not caring to dine or to change, she immediately confided all the happenings that evening to her most trustworthy source. After an intricate narration, she waited expecting the astute man to comment, to assure her that he'd look into the matter, to promise her questions would be answered, but the advocate stayed silent and cold.

"What are you thinking papa?" impatient to wait more, she broke the lull. His meticulous gaze fixed on her worry lines before he spoke. "You're right Jodha..." he sighed, "the circumstance is highly suspicious and I'll talk to Jalal about it... and to Usmaan ji too if required...", he asserted and continued, "only if you make me a promise..." his voice thickened.

"What's that?" she hurried willing to promise anything solicited.

"Never dare to carry out ANY sort of lone adventures hereon," his warning as solid as rock.. "I've lost enough and am not ready for another adversity. Have you ever imagined how dreadful it could be to linger on a construction site all alone at such a late hour given the vulnerability of women in present society," he strongly admonished and the listener's face fell.

"Sorry papa... very true that it was highly risky. But I didn't have a choice... I couldn't wait till tomorrow when everything would be cleared and we're left with no traces of evidence," she explained low.

"You should have called me...", he instantly rebuffed, "if I couldn't make it... I'd have sent Ranga for your escort in the least."

"Right Papa... I didn't think far... I'm extremely sorry. I promise to be careful", the advocate's cogent argument rendered her guilty of acting imprudent.

Perceiving the anticipated change in her, the loving father finally smiled. "Now, you go and change... leave this matter to me and have a peaceful sleep, okay?" At that assurance and smile, she heaved relieved.

"Sure papa, thank you!!" tossing a charming smile, she got up to leave. "oh... by the way... shouldn't we inform peddamma of this?" she beseeched his opinion estimating the repercussions of divulging or concealing the deadly affair from the frenzied parent.

"You must say..." the elderly man advised, "not precisely though. Sharpen your story telling skills to save yourself from a future house arrest", he jested and she chucked a conniving smile. As he watched her trekking upstairs, the plastic smile he put up slowly waded off. He looked on despondent and befuddled - the former for his niece's destiny and the later for her bizarre anxiety towards her employer.

----

"Phew..",  dropping bag on dressing table, her hands set out to unpin pleats of Sari while her eyes focused on the reflection. Withered, exhausted and messy - her profile wasn't a tad bit appealing. "I hope I wasn't this horrible a few hours back... before HIM", she sighed as the pleats unfolded. Suddenly remembering something she turned aside and checked her back. Satisfied that there wasn't a blunder again, her glance traced down to uncovered waist. The border of Sari which was ought to firmly clutch her waist with zero display of skin wasn't at its original position; instead it dripped down exhibiting a clear portion of creamy skin. "Was this how it was all along?" she fretted, "before Mohan... engineers... workers... running here and there... showing it off.. eww!!" her nerves averred at the visual.

"And is this how it was when HIS arm wrapped around?" tracing a finger along the waist-line, she jaunted into past reminiscing his touch - gradually aversion diminished as passion kindled. Granite aside, terror aside, perplex aside - she closed lids concentrating only on their ramp-roll. "His arms tight around her waist, her hands firm beneath his shoulders, with every inch of her body in contact withs HIS!! God", her knees quivered. Impuissant to stand, her body collapsed on to stool.

"And the hug that followed...", drawing deep breath, she continued fantasizing, "... deep into his chest... close to his heart... where their beats throbbed in rhythm..." she could feel her body stiffen in desire. Unbarring the burdened lids, she gazed at her reflection - and the sight made her cringe. It is not the usual impatient, stubborn, frivolous lady that's seen in the mirror - she appeared different - a seductress to be precise. "Wake up idiot!" her conscience snapped back. "After what he said to you... you are ought to be hurt, crying and cursing... if you can't do that, at least pretend you're angry & unbothered... and stop going gaga over him. Shuck.. don't let him rule your mind and body!!"

Clipping her hair, she rushed to bathroom to slake the walloping physical and psychic stress with aid of a warm shower.

-------

"She was here..." his soap filled hand that reached left of his chest a minute before stopped moving further. Unconsciously his palm pressed against his heart as if snugging her face deeper. Currents of tepid water that continuously showered silently dripped from tip to toe empathizing with his pain and passion. "And here..." he looked at his palms recollecting the softness of her cheeks when he cupped her face. Aah.. how he wished he lowered his lips on to those trembling eyes, pert nose and then... a boyish smile escaped his lips. His thoughts gradually drifted to the events thereafter; the authority in commanding him, the tenderness in tending to his wound, the anguish for his life and the icy coldness when he ruthlessly hurt her!!

"Will she ever talk normally to me?" his fist clenched in angst. "She has to..", he self-persuaded. "Once all this chaos sorts out... I have to talk to her, explain her and chide her for calling herself a loner. And... if miss stubborn denies listening to me...", he playfully smirked, "I'll make her heed to me by completing what I left halfway today!!"

***********

"Hello Jalal!!" Ensuring he is out of his challenging wife's reach, the elderly man dialed his client.

"Hello uncle... good morning!" stepping out of treadmill Jalal wished back, albeit surprised by an early hour call from Saradhi ji.

"I called to thank you Jalal", the grateful man solemnly said. "If not for you, I wouldn't be talking this cheerfully this morning. You don't know what a favor you bestowed upon me by saving Jodha..." he paused to recoup, "but I'm indebted to you... thank you again!!"

"Please don't mention it uncle...", the young man humbly acknowledged. Only he knew how much it was a favor to him as it was to Saradhi ji. "We should thank god for his mercy. By the way... what all did Jodha say?" he asked wishing to know if she shared their altercation as well.

"She said about the accident and...", the advocate tittered. "...and about her experiments. Can you believe she actually carried out an experiment to conclude that it isn't a natural occurrence??" his laughter increased. "Thankfully she's doubting a threat to your life, not to hers... did she talk to you about any of this?"

"Oh... so she didn't mention of our face off then," Jalal deduced. "No uncle... she didn't", he aptly covered up.

"Ok... but she's very serious about it... she insisted me to talk to Usman ji too... so we have to sharply think of a foolproof story that suppresses her doubts".

"This woman..." Jalal shook his head smiling proud, "... is just impossible..." Intrigued by Jalal's smile, his observant friend raised an inquisitive brow. "Sure uncle... let's think about it soon. For now, we have another important issue to discuss.. Now that we're sure of threat to Jodha, I explained the situation to my friend ACP Prithvi, Crime branch, requesting his help. He's now aware of the facts, but is interested in listening to Jodha's version of both incidents. He believes talking to her would help in finding a lead to proceed further. What do you suggest?"

The cognitive man ruminated evaluating the consequences. "I don't want Jodha to have a hint of the ruckus Jalal."

"But do we have an alternative? Only a minutiae recitation of first incident would help Prithvi uncle. Since she's the only witness, we have no other go. Shall we not be able to astray her?"

"Hmm... we can try, but should be careful", Saradhi ji sighed. "Are you free to come home now Jalal? I feel bad to bustle you, but delaying such matters may turn formidable," he hesitantly invited - an invitation too alluring for the boss to refuse!!

"Of course uncle!!" Jalal willingly accepted, "We'll be there in an hour!!"

"Thank you. Please join us for breakfast then," the contended man requested. "Meantime I'll think of how to mold Jodha for the task!!"

----

"Mm mm mm..." the melodious Minnale tune that played beneath a side pillow failed to snap the sleeping beauty out of slumber. The second ring succeeded in faintly reaching her ears bringing her to semi-conscious state. With third ring, she managed to roll a hand sideways fetching the phone to her ear, albeit without opening lids.

"Hello..." she sounded low and lazy.

"Good morning!" her jubilant friend wished.

"Call after an hour and say that..." drowsily responding, she tried to disconnect.

"Hour? Wake up you sleepy head... its 7:30... I forgot to tell you yester...", inattentive to Samyu's rant, the drowsy lady threw the mobile aside disconnecting the call. Samyu's reminder of time alerted that she'd be late to work, but the burning sensation behind closed lids demanded some more rest. Cuddling the blanket close to neck, she succumbed to sleep.

----

"How wrongly I assessed!!" wiping off the sweat with a towel, Jalal grinned in helplessness. "I thought she'd give up... but she told Saradhi ji and asked him to inform Abbu."

"I pity you..." reaching for the water bottle, Prithvi teasingly giggled.

"Why?" the perplexed man frowned.

"With such an adamant lady..." the young cop winked, "...you're going to have a very tough time."  

"Very likely..." Jalal chuckled. "Waise.. what fun in taming a cat? A tigress is an exciting option," he witted taking his mobile to hand. "She already disclosed to Saradhi ji, we don't know who else she'd discuss this with. Let me warn her before the incident is publicized in office," his fingers tapped Jodha's number as Prithvi looked on dubious. "After what you said last night, do you think she'd talk to you?"

"Though not talk.. ", Jalal confidently replied hearing the rings. "She'd listen to me... and that serves the purpose!!"

One... two... three... four...

As the tune replayed, Jodha's sleep was once again disturbed. She knew it was Samyu as no one on earth calls her so early and she's fully aware of her wicked friend's nasty pranks. Unperturbed, she rolled aside when the mobile buzzed again irking her badly.

Confident of the caller's identity, she didn't care to open eyes and confirm. Grabbing the phone nearer, she shouted. "Idiot... will kill you if you ring again...", with a dire threatening, she hung up and muted the piece.

At the other end, the caller stared stunned at his mobile screen. Jodha's shout was loud enough to reach Prithvi's ears although speaker wasn't on. Sealing his lips not to choke, he quickly swallowed water and then burst out laughing. "Pch... seems your tigress set out on a hunt!" wryly sympathizing, Prithvi guffawed enjoying the daze of his friend.

8:45am

"Hmm..." placing the brush in its holder, she sighed looking at mirror. She still felt as lazy as she was before a few handfuls of water flapped on her face. Lazy or rather indifferent... the usual alacrity with which she gets ready to office everyday missed in her that morning. "A cup of coffee should help!!" binding up the pristine tresses into a banana clip, she decided.

"Peddammaaa!" stepping downstairs, she spotted Prameela in kitchen through the open slit to its wall. Oblivious of Saradhi ji and other two men seated in living room, she directly bustled to kitchen. Nevertheless, her voice coerced the riveted boss to impulsively tilt his head to have a glimpse of her before she disappeared.

"One strong coffee please!" wrapping an arm around Prameela, the languid lady sweetly smiled. "Are you okay? Got up so late today?" returning the smile, the doting mother enquired.

"Mm... perfectly fine... just feeling lazy... aah... I wish it were weekend... I've no mood to go to office", climbing on to a counter top she smiled at Durga, who's absorbed in rolling pooris.

"Take an off then... you look very tired... get down..." with a fistful of salt and mirchi, Prameela stood before Jodha to do nazar-utaar. Though the conversation ensued in normal volume, it was audible enough to the nearly silent group in living room. Interested by the news screened in TV, Prithvi, Jalal and Saradhi ji momentarily paused chatting.

"No Maa... I've work and not sure if Divi is coming...", climbing down Jodha replied. "And what's the need of nazar-utaar now?" she asked confused. "After such a wrack-up you're asking me why I'm doing this?? Badepapa told me everything. Glad you were not too close to that place where granite fell..", she continued and Jodha discerned that Saradhi ji twisted the tale.

"Actually it was my mistake, I shouldn't have forced you to wear a Sari... all Vasantha's relatives' eyes were on you. Don't know whose eyes' effect it was!! And you... why did you accept to go on Divya's behalf as if there is no one else in office??" a flow of tantrums poured in. Suppressing his amusement, Jalal sat straight fixing his gaze on TV and ears on the prattle from kitchen.  

If your parent is mad, it's time to be naughty!! Jodha knew the rules and when to apply!! Chuckling at her Peddamma, she cleared her throat. "Ahem... ahem... are you suffering from life critical maladies like headache, stomach ache, fatigue or trivial ones like cancer, tumor?? ", the vibrant lady mimicked the telemarketing guy, "not any more... here comes our nazar-utaar specialist Mrs.Prameela Pardhasaradhi with her simplest yet powerful treatment for all sorts of problems... a handful of mirchi or three strokes with her magical jhadu (broomstick)..."

The kitchen assistant, Durga, started laughing madly at the cameo while Jodha continued. "... A phenomenal treatment at a price of peanuts... just Rs10, 999 and to our lovely viewers, we have an enchanting offer... call in next one hour and get a jhadu treatment free with mirchi!! Why late, hurry up guys... be the lucky ton!!" The men in living room couldn't hide their giggles.

Handing over the mug to Jodha, Prameela patted on her naughty daughter's head. "I know your tricks!!" Winking at the placated parent, Jodha mounted back savoring the aroma of filter coffee.

"Doctor ji, if you're done with your patients, can you mercy on us with breakfast?" grinning at their chitchat, the advocate popped in.

"Haan ready... Durga... take these dishes to dining," Prameela instructed moving out of kitchen to invite guests for breakfast.  "Good Morning papa!" she smiled gulping a sip and the shrewd man impishly countered, "Truly a very good morning it is!!"

"Idli.. bisibelabath.. poori..why is the menu heavy today?" she thought wondering if the day is special in some way and she forgot. When she heard Prameela asking someone to join for breakfast, she realized there're guests. Since it isn't unusual in that home to have unexpected guests, she continued enjoying her coffee.

Perceiving the clank of chairs, she casted a casual glance at dining through the kitchen wall slit. Seated in a chair opposite to Badepapa, a pair of familiar eyes was espying her, but the naughty smirk that generally dances on his lips went missing. The mug near her mouth slowly trailed down as the visual before her eyes gradually devoured. "Why're they here?" she stared puzzled and when the man beside Jalal smiled at her, she remembered the sitting posture. Eventually she jumped off the counter top and in a flick of second moved out of their sight.

"How disastrous!!" She sulked scanning her attire. "How do I perfectly manage to fall into such awkward situations?" she detested her timing unbeknown to another blooper she already committed.  

"What happened?" noticing her daughter's bitter expressions, Prameela wickedly asked. "Jalal and his friend are here... go and wish", she sheepishly whispered and earned a killing glare in return. "When you knew they're coming, why didn't you wake me up?" the piqued young lady gritted.

"You're in sound sleep, I didn't want to disturb. I thought of waking up once breakfast is ready," murmuring low, Prameela assuredly smiled. "Don't think too much. Your dress is fine, just say hi and go. They came to talk to you, so get ready fast."

"Me?" she wondered. "...About what?"

"About the accident... that's what Badepapa told me!!" answering her, Prameela extended a bowl of freshly fried pooris to the bewildered lady. "Go now!!"

Feigning to be as calm as possible, she approached the dining table, with eyes fixed on one man all through the way. "Hi... good morning", soon his eyes met with hers, the nonchalant male casually wished.

"Hi...", making sure not to smile more, she greeted the guests and placed bowl on the table. "How's is his injury?" she vacillated whether or not to mouth the question. "Who knows? Asking about it might also come under parenting", recalling his bitter words, she decided not to ask.

"Jodha... he's ACP Prithvi, Jalal's friend", Saradhi ji did the introduction.

"Oh... hi... nice meeting you...", an auto-piloted reply stormed out of her mouth, but her mind hovered over the tag before his name, "...ACP? Means police... what do they have to ask me?" her grey cells indulged into action.

"Join us for breakfast!!" studying her cute homely avatar, Jalal invited. In a night suit and clipped hair, with evident questions in eyes, she's making it tough for him to pretend detached.

"I'll eat later," softly defying she offered to serve. "Poori??" she asked anonymous and without waiting for approval her fingers swiftly acted - by the time the guests realized, their plates were stuffed with pooris. Having accomplished the responsibility of a dutiful host, she obediently stood beside Saradhi ji. Prithvi looked horrified first at the inundated plate and then at Jodha while Jalal stared grousing.

Crackled by the cop's horrendous expression, a beautiful smile glistened her face. "If that helps you...", she jested, "I swear I didn't make any of them, you can safely eat!!"

"Not that... ", chortling at her wit, Prithvi grumbled. "It's about the quantity. This is too heavy to be called a breakfast!!"

"Heavy?!!" Jodha exchanged glances with Saradhi ji. "if you call this heavy, let Peddamma take over the charge then. You'll come to know what heavy actually means!!" with an amused smile she left upstairs to fresh up.

"Jalal... on a second thought about questioning Jodha of Hyderabad incident, I found an alternative," stepping into the reading room after done with breakfast, Saradhi ji stated. Behind the closed doors the room transformed into a sound proof chamber, without an iota of sound escaping its four walls. "There is one more girl who can narrate the incident as detailed as Jodha. She was there at the scene along with Jodha. We can seek her help and she's confidential too."

"Who's that uncle?" Jalal stared inquisitive.

"Jodha's friend Samyukta!!"

---

"Jodhu... Prithvi has certain doubts about yesterday's situation. Since you're the prime witness, he solicits your help in clarifying them", the advocate formally initiated a conversation as the freshened lady joined them.

"Sure... I'll answer to best of my knowledge", seated beside Saradhi ji, opposite to the duo, she ensured. Before her focus drifted to Prithvi, her impulsive eyes locked with those of the compelling man and a tinge of tension was what she perceived in those deep black orbs. But she couldn't anticipate the reason behind it.

"Jodha.. at what time did you reach the site?" without any delay, Prithvi set out on the exercise.

"3:30pm", though baffled by the question, she replied. She expected the interrogation to begin with an anecdote of the incident, not of her schedule.

"Along with your colleague?"

"No alone. Mohan came ten minutes later."

"Why?? Didn't you both start together from office?"

"No, because I haven't been to office at all. I was away for a function in Indira Nagar and my friend called me around 2:00pm. Since her husband was sick, she requested me to visit the site on her behalf and I left directly from Indira Nagar to site."

"Woah.. it was an impromptu visit then!! If Jodha herself didn't know she'd be visiting site until 2:00, how did the suspect know??" The officer pondered over the possibilities - one, he's there at Indira Nagar stalking her; two - he came to know of it in some other way and reached the site.

"Next?"

"After Mohan came, we visited all floors...", she went on orating every minute detail she remembered. Having given an account of all their tasks till Mohan and she reached parking, she momentarily halted.

"And then?" Prithvi prodded.

"I came back as we forgot to inform SIR of the differences we observed in quality. As he was busy, I had to wait." The new addressing and the slight sarcasm behind it made Jalal cast an I-got-it glance at her and she quickly turned her eyes away.

"Did you find anyone suspicious in the parking? Or on the way from parking to construction area? Like someone following you??" At that question, her brows knitted and eyes squinted. "I don't think so", she answered trying to figure out the intention beneath that query, but without giving her more time to think, Prithvi gravely shot back.

"Fine.. may I know why you actually came back? If it was to talk with Jalal about work, that could have been done over phone or next day in office. You needn't wait thirty minutes, right?" Stupefied by the sudden turn of interrogation, Jalal gaped at Prithvi and then immediately at Jodha. Having unanticipated such rustic inquiry, she stared blanched. Trying to discern the officer's objective, Saradhi ji looked on observantly.

"He suspects ME?" she gulped as the inquiry slowly registered; involuntarily her eyes turned to Jalal. "Does HE too?"  A revisit of Jalal's behavior previous night, his indifference and tension that morning gave away the answer. "He came back abnormally raged, with no signs of gentleness he earlier showed. Now I understand every bit of it... his anger, his rudeness and his words. That was a mockery of my anxiety as he too believed I'm a traitor!!"

"And this questionnaire about my whereabouts.. it all makes sense now. They want to know how and when I schemed that attack!!" Instead of being hurt, she had a strange urge to burst out laughing - the new development seemed very entertaining. "Wah.. what a sophisticated interrogation!! So, the status of being a  family lawyer's niece came to my use this way. A homely backdrop in place of a police station with dissecting males around!! What a luxury it is to be questioned amidst your own people in an air conditioned room!!"

Biting back a lip, the jaunty lady posed a stern face before she curtly replied. "It didn't strike me to inform over phone and I waited because SIR said he'd be back in ten minutes. I didn't know that I should wait for thirty minutes." Apparently, the worried boss misinterpreted the soreness in her voice as hurt.

"Were you alone as you waited?" unmoved by her feelings, Prithvi continued.

"Yes.."

"Try to recollect.. any person or movement that appeared abnormal?"

"No.."

"Okay.. did Mohan really leave when you're at parking?"

"Yes.. I saw him leaving!!" she replied whilst her regaled cells comically construed. "So.. according to this officer, Mohan and I were partners in crime!!"

Prithvi paused a while evaluating the information he descried. "Somewhere something was missing," his intuition pestered. For a better picture, he decided to ask one last question before concluding the session. "For how long have you been at Indira Nagar?"

"Almost all day.. from seven in morning to around three in afternoon."

"7 to 3.. eight hours?? Would someone wait so long to stalk? That too without anybody's notice in a residential area?" His experience manifested that the chances are minimal. As he surveyed the lady before him, his eyes laid on the mobile in her hand.

"Thanks for cooperating Jodha, you're very helpful," he tossed a charming smile. "May I have a glass of water? Jalal do you too want?", the smart cop slyly smirked at his friend. Taking the cue, the surprised boss nodded in yes.

"Sure..",  placing her mobile on the couch, she left the room. Ensuring she's out of sight, Prithvi at once snatched her iPhone. Briskly unlocking it, he checked previous day's call diary.  "Will tell you later why I'm doing this?" he winked at the confused audience scrolling to call log between 2:00pm to 3:30pm.

"Divya.. at 2:05pm.. Raj at 2:10pm.. Mohan at 2:17pm.. and.." he scrolled further up.. "Samyu at 2:35pm!!" His eyes squeezed in dubiety. "Samyu means Samyukta?  Same person's reference during both incidents!! Is this mere coincidence?"

***********

 Chapter 24

"What have you done?" driving back to their respective offices, Jalal sardonically asked his immersed friend. Obviously, the enquiry didn't end in a friendly note; it only added to the soreness he created between HIM and HER the previous night.

"I did what I promised you!!" with an impish smirk, the perky man coolly replied.

"I fail to recollect you promising me to make the situation worse Prithvi!!" darting a side glance at his unbothered friend, the bothered man gnashed under his breath. "He he..." chuckling at the frown on his bestie, Prithvi leisurely riposted. "Looks like you are more infuriated than Jodha for establishing her as suspect. But it's not my fault you see. I told you I'd try my best to keep her diverted and that's what I did. Got the information I required and at the same time strayed her attention. You better thank me than throwing daggers at me!!"

"Strayed her??" Jalal repeated irritated. "Couldn't you think of a better way of doing it? With your one question, you just smashed what it took for months to flourish between us!! An hour before, I was confident she would at least listen to me and I'd be able to persuade her soon. Now I've no hopes!!"

Shamelessly grinning at his friend's misery, the young officer chilled. "That's not my problem boss. I perfectly accomplished the task I was given and winning her back is your battle. Anyways, you too find it very exciting to tame a tigress na. That way, I only added to your excitement!!"

Shaking his head in contempt, Jalal regretted his choices in life - a friend, rather friends, too wicked to endure and a woman too wild to tackle. "Last time when she's hurt, she was hell bent to resign. And today, I see similar tranquility in her... don't know what's brewing in her grey cells."

"By the way... how useful was the enquiry? Did you get any clue?" simultaneously thinking over the ways of cajoling the hurt lady, Jalal asked.

"It was helpful, but I need some time before I put forth my analysis," Prithvi scrupulously replied. "I should also talk to Saradhi ji prior to questioning Jodha's friend"

***********

11:30pm, Regal, Same day

"Mohan, don't be offended by those engineers' tenacity. This site belongs to one of my NRI neighbors; his brother-in-law recently stepped into construction business and had an insidious plan to snatch this site. He misled my neighbor with false budget promising that he'd complete thirteen floors in fewer bucks. The owner being novice in this field blindly trusted his relative and invested almost all his savings into this project. Once the owner is exhausted with all money, that treacherous man offered a deal to sell the site to him at his stipulated price. You understand how other parties wouldn't be interested in a half-constructed building that too a disputed one, right?? He was almost successful in his plan till the owner approached us for help. And those engineers were heavily bribed and offered commission in sale; now that their dreams were shattered, they'd obviously be upset with our company and that reflects in their attitude. So ignore them and keep visiting the site every week. We have to have control on it and if they're uncooperative again, just let me know."  Watching out his beloved employee from corner of his eyes, Jalal concluded his oration. Though it was addressed at Mohan, his target was different - it's the anxious woman who sought out answers for these very questions from him last night. A sudden meeting with Raj, Sashank, Mohan and Jodha with explanation of story behind the site is his first step towards reconciliation of their impaired relation.

"Oh... this is it!! Could it be the brother-in-law who planned the attack then?" the concerned woman pondered. "But why the hell did they suspect me then? Do they think I was bribed to scheme against him... chee!!" well aware that she's under his scrutiny, she had to mask her anger and aversion.

"Sure sir!! Also we observed that quality of construction isn't as per standards. Jodha would have informed you yesterday," Mohan dutifully stated.

"No I didn't as I..." her statement was abruptly interrupted, "I was busy yesterday Mohan, so she didn't get a chance to say." Jalal quickly chirped in presuming the former would speak of the incident. "Tell me now!!"

Calmly staring at him, Jodha detailed their observations while Mohan roped in at times to add to the points. "Okay... good that you informed me. I'll assign our engineers to collect samples for lab tests and also to inspect the work. Thank you guys!!" he chucked an impressive smile that always pleased his subordinates.

---

"Thanks... what shall I bring for you? Biryani? Or Naan?" taking car keys from Jodha, Shashank asked.

"No... Something light like starters!! How long does it take for you guys to return?" dwelling into her work, she casually asked.

"Its 12:15 now and since its Friday it takes longer... expect us to be back by 2:00 or 2:15!! Anyways just join us na, you can eat the same starters there if you're not so hungry!!" Shashank suggested.

"I'd have come if I hadn't planned to leave early in the evening and I already told you Raj requested to finish Divi's task as well. I've no issues even if you get late... don't worry," giving an assuring smile, she resumed typing on her system.

Ten minutes later, her concentration was disturbed by a knock on the cabin door and the man that stepped in following the knock took her by surprise.  "What brings him here?" unconsciously standing up; she puzzled at the unanticipated visit.

"Hello Ja... SIR!! Looking for any information??" she duteously asked admonishing her forgetfulness.

"Don't pretend what you don't intend Jodha!!" tickled by her correction, the MD flatly remarked. "huh?? Did he find it out that I'm pretending upset?" the baffled lady looked on. "Sorry... I didn't get you," she voiced her confusion before deriving at a conclusion.

"It's about RESPECT... you needn't show it when you don't mean it!!" he wryly explained; eventually the tip of her nose turned red depicting her resentment at his untoward comment. "Why do you think so SIR? I never meant disrespect for you and when did I behave so?" she put it straight.

"Is it?" his mock surprise and sarcastic smirk were irritating enough to poke her. "I have neither seen nor heard of an employee, sorry, respectful employee calling their MD an idiot on his face!!" Biting back a lip, he fondly watched her fast changing expressions.

"Idiot?!!" her pupils widened, "You mean I called you that?!!" nodding in disbelief she immediately condemned. "No way!! This should be one more prejudice of yours like irresponsible, attitude... atleast you had a reason for them... but this one... it's nothing than a baseless allegation."

"My prejudice?" he raised a brow. "I've a witness when you said that!! I don't think two people can be prejudiced in exactly the same way," he slyly retorted.

"Who's that?" creasing her brows, she stared skeptical.

"Prithvi!!"

With that answer, she confirmed he's lying. "So... you say that I scorned you before your friend in my home in front of my Badepapa," folding her arms, she firmly asserted. "Sorry to say it SIR, but you should have thought of a better allegation. This is a very lame attempt." Her defiance and the truthfulness behind it explained him that it'd have been a blooper she isn't aware of.

Taking a step forward, he playfully asked, "Whom else do you call idiot other than me?" Griping at him, the piqued woman seriously riposted. "Definitely not you!! I only say that to closest of my..." the flow stopped as her forehead squeezed into a pensive knot - she looked on recollecting something. "When did I say that?" she dubiously asked.

"Today morning!!"

Without wasting a minute, she reached out to her mobile.  Silently bribing Baba to make her guess wrong, she opened the call log. Just below Divya's call at 10:30pm was his number - an answered call preceded by a missed call at 7:35am, while Samyu's last call was at 7:20am. "It was HIM!!" she quickly swallowed the lumps. "So he's right!! I'd have called him idiot... what else did I say... don't call me or call me later?" Failing to recollect the exact words, she sadly looked up to him.  Why should it always be me who commits blunders? For once, why can't he err?? Why are you so partial to him Baba?

She closed in a step to amend her mistake while the enchanted boss looked on entertained at the changing colors on her face.  "I'm extremely sorry," her regret filled eyes locked with his. "It was a goof up... I thought it was my friend. Actually she called me a few minutes before and I assumed it was she again as she loves to irritate me," she halted to confirm if he's believing her, but to her worry, his expressions were too plain to be read.

"I swear... I truly didn't know it was you!! You can check my call log, if you don't trust me," she forwarded the mobile in her support. "It's ok," alleviating her worry lines, Jalal smiled giving up his act. "I'll go with your word. No need of proofs."

"Thank you so much..." heaving in relief, she asked inquisitive, "by the way why did you call me?"  Obviously when she plopped that question, her expectation was to hear him say that he called to apologize, but the response she received was no closer to the anticipation.

"To caution you not to speak about the incident in office," he sniggered and deviously added. "I understand it's extremely difficult for women to hide secrets, but I don't want any gossips about it."

Belittled by his precious opinion on women and disappointed with his response, she glared displeased. "If that is why you called," she sternly asserted. "You can relax. I've no interest in rewinding nightmares!!"

"Great... that's what I'm looking for too," stylishly tucking a hand in pocket, he countered back. "Forget it as a nightmare and never think about it!!" Done with his task, he turned to leave.

"May I tell you something?" she voiced from behind making him face her again. His nod permitted her to proceed while his gaze turned curious.

"I get it that YOU, I mean your ACP friend is suspecting me," she exhaled deep before blurting her mind. "But I can only say that you are wasting time and energy on me. Of course no culprit admits that he's one, but I seriously have no such intention towards you. Till half an hour ago, I don't know the story behind this site, I have neither met that brother-in-law of owner nor was I bribed to ploy against you. In process of focusing on wrong suspects, I don't want the real ones to escape. Trust me if you can and please apprise your friend too." Suppressing the shake in her voice, she managed to successfully conclude facing him confidently all throughout. The very morning when she had to undergo an interrogation, she found it entertaining. But now, standing before him with an explanation of her candor - it wasn't fun at all, in fact, it was painful!! God... how she loathed her inability to instigate faith in HIM, on her!!

Though she stood strong, he could perceive the concealed pain behind those expressive orbs. God... how he yearned to take her in his arms and swear on those pain filled eyes that she'd be the last person on earth for him to suspect. Curbing his emotions, he posed a grave face. "Are you 25 years old?" Scrunching her nose at his out of context query, she blankly nodded.

"Have to be!!" with a mischievous grin, he boldly commented. "I've a 50 year old neighbor aunt who is 100 PERCENT mad and crazy!!" He knew he's welcoming a storm with his remark!!

"So??" she glared confused as she truly didn't get the gist, but the jubilant man only grinned more. "She's 50, I'm 25... she's 100% mad means I'm..." as she deciphered his squib, her gaze stiffened, "You mean I'm half mad?!!" she fumed.

"Obviously", he guffawed aloud. "You needlessly think and frame craziest of theories Jodha. Give your brain a rest!!"

Seriously watching him having fun at her expense, the kindled woman sorely retarded. "True that I'm going crazier, all thanks to the people I'm associating with off late!!"

"If that's the case..." he slyly closed in, his tone as low as a whisper. "Let me help you get out of it. How about a dinner with me today?" His initial plans of cajoling her didn't include a dinner, but looking at the aftermath of enquiry on her, he comprehended she should be handled more carefully and as soon as possible.

"Dinner?" she gaped amazed as his husky voice started impacting her. After all that transpired between them in last twenty-four hours, a dinner invite was something she least expected from him. Her heart jumped in ecstasy at the tempting invitation but she didn't want to budge in easily, that too after he calling her mad.

"I'm sorry," she sternly refused. "I've to take Peddamma out this evening!!"

"Tomorrow?"

"I'm hooked with our trust work till late night tomorrow!!" she lied.

"Sunday?"

The adamant lady pondered over a quick excuse. "We have guests on Sunday!!"

Tittering at her fake reasons, the buoyant boss prodded. "Are they so important that you can't step out for a while?"

"Yes... they are!!" she seriously replied. "It's Peddamma's brother's wife's cousin's sister-in-law and her husband coming. I can't give a miss!!" My, my!! How he wished he could crush her  cheeks and plant a kiss on those pouting lips, if only!!

"Indeed very close guests!!" he sarcastically affirmed. "As you are too busy this weekend..." he slyly paused and announced out of blue, "Let's go now!!"

"Now??" she stared numb as she wasn't prepared for it. "No way... I have lot of..."

"Remember you laid a deal yesterday!!" depriving her of a chance to deny, he reminded the deal she generously proffered in return for forgetting the DVD blooper. "So... this is it!! See you at parking in five minutes!!" he declared and left the cabin with fuming lady behind.

*******

"This place?"  Noticing the prominently visible star hotel name even from a far distance, the erstwhile silent lady finally opened her mouth. All through the travel from Estate building to The Oberoi, she stayed silent. Giving her time to prepare for the unexpected date, the sensible man didn't disturb her either. Quickly checking her attire, she turned to him displeased. She is dressed decent but wouldn't her Salwar and his blazer make an odd combination for a five star hotel?? "Had I known before, I'd have dressed in a suitable outfit... thank God Peddamma didn't apply oil to my hair and braid it today", she gratefully sighed. Such etiquette didn't bother her in the past, but with him beside her, she unknowingly became conscious.

"Why can't we go to some other place, like a restaurant?" she implored.

"Restaurants are hugely crowded on Fridays Jodha", he said slowing down his Jaguar. "Any problem with this place? If you're not comfortable, don't hesitate to tell me. Let's go to Westend or Hyatt or any hotel of your choice," he looked concerned. If a star hotel were his preference, what difference would it make if it were Oberoi or Taj.

"No... I'm fine..." unable to voice her inhibitions, she had to oblige his choice.

"Sure?" he reiterated and she meekly smiled. After they handed over the car to valet, an attendant guided them to their reserved table in Thai restaurant of the hotel. As she stepped in, the wooden restaurant amidst a water body secluded in lush gardens greatly impressed her. Adding to the pleasure, Jalal led her to a corner table sequestered from fellow diners.

"Like this place?" soon the attendant left, Jalal hesitantly asked. Though she said yes, he still wasn't sure of her willingness.

"Absolutely!!" To his great relief, she flashed a charming smile.

"Why were you hesitant then? Have you been here before?"  

"No..", she wavered whether to say it or not and finally decided not to say. "Nothing serious!!" she brushed a faint smile and shifted her gaze to surveying the ambience. Her eyes were fixed on the dense trees ahead but her thoughts lingered around him. Why is he doing this? Extra witty, extra jovial, why is he behaving different? And what's with this sudden date? Is it a compensation for his rudeness last night? But last time when he hurt me he didn't think of reconciliation at all, why now? Sympathizing with me for my past? Cha.. that's even worse!!

"How stupid of me!!"  she sighed disgusted. "I'm here in an aesthetic ambience on a date with the most mesmerizing man and instead of blindly enjoying every moment of it, I'm wasting time with my nagging cells!!"

"If you're done with studying that tree, shall we place our order?" having observed her continuously gazing at a tree, the amused man jested. Turning her gaze to him, she apologetically smiled. "Sure.. !!" Without attempting to open the menu, she simply waited staring at him.

"To place an order, one should at least refer to the menu Jodha," he chirped wondering at her reluctance. Is she not interested in this date? Did she come only on my compulsion??

"You want me to choose the order?" she looked uncomfortable. "Had it been my friends, they wouldn't dare that!! For that matter, they don't even allow me touch the menu," she sadly pouted when he started grinning.  "So for your stomach's safety and mine too, you please take over the burden!! I'm okay with anything light and tasty!!"

"What did you do so formidable that you're banned from touching a menu?" he asked laughing and she sorely gawked. "That's a very bad experience," her lips averred. "Do your really want to listen to it?"

"Go on!!" he enthusiastically boosted.

"Hmm..", breathing deep, she reluctantly prepared for narration. "Once we've been to a newly launched authentic Chinese restaurant in Hyderabad to celebrate my friend's birthday and it was our first time there. Generally I was in charge of menu every time and my experiments with it are highly successful with less failure rate. As per custom, that day too I placed the order investing all my experience and brain, but the first jolt came to us in form of soup.. I still doubt whether to call it a soup, but it was something like a white oily liquid with no salt and spice.. adding to the misery top of it were half-cooked unpeeled shrimps horridly floating !"

The smitten man guffawed aloud at the distaste on narrator's face and she continued carrying same expression. "Least we knew that it was just the beginning. The party continued with a few disgusting and killing glares from my friends as the starters were served. The birthday girl, one of my besties, is a die-hard fan of non-veg and she eats everything on earth that moves. Ironically she married a full too vegetarian recently.. ", pausing her narration, Jodha smiled at the listener.

"Back to story.. she's especially fond of crabs and with all my love for her I ordered a crab curry. When the dish finally arrived, I received appreciation from every one. It was beautifully garnished, very aromatic and all were pleased with my choice". Resting her head between palms, Jodha continued with last part of the ordeal. "But it turned out to be hell-fire when my friend placed a knife on the crab and to my dismay... it started moving", she stopped observing Jalal's shoulders shaking rigorously. "Huh..", placing her hands down, she helplessly stared at him. "Horrified, she screamed and hurriedly stood up when the curry bowl tripped down painting world map on her beautiful white dress. That was the last day she tried crabs and also the last day I was entitled to placing orders!!" the narration ended with Jalal laughing uncontrollably.

Interrupting their mirth, a steward humbly approached the couple to take the order. Extending the menu to her, Jalal fondly announced. "Time to restore the powers you were bereaved of."

Skeptically glancing at his advanced hand, Jodha crunched. "Are you sure, after all I said?" she demurred, but he blinked in assurance. Charmingly requesting the steward to be back in five minutes, she thoroughly studied the menu, jotted three items and solicited the adept man's opinion.

"Good pick Jodha," he looked on appreciative registering her preference of non-vegetarian over veg. "But try this instead of shrimp", he suggested a fish stir-fry dish. "Its delicious here!!"

----

"So.. you often eat out?" wiping his lips with napkin, Jalal initiated a chitchat.

"I used to in Hyderabad..", looking up from plate, she softly smiled. "Here, I don't have a company!!"

"What's your favorite spot in Hyderabad?" he curiously asked planning to utilize the opportunity to learn as many facts about her as possible.

"There're many of them," she casually shrugged and smirked. "Not star hotels though!!"

"Why? You didn't like the food there?" Jalal intrigued.

"Food was okay..", her brows frowned. "It was the quietness there that didn't go well with me. Or probably I've always been there at wrong times." Perceiving the confusion on Jalal's face, she elucidated further. "Every time I've been to Greenpark or to Novatel, I was with a group that mutinously dined as if paying tribute to souls of dead chicken and fish." Giggles of the winsome man from opposite seat charged up the vivacious lady. "Like seriously.. I don't mean one should shout, but we needn't whisper or murmur either", she graciously opined.

"Now I get it why you denied this place," he sipped his drink to control giggles. "Hope this isn't as bad as your past experiences.

"Not at all..", she happily gleamed. "Thank you for bringing me here.. I liked it a lot!!"

"My pleasure miss," he playfully bowed and she gaped awestruck. It's the same feeling again!! "Lowered head with locks of hair kissing forehead, mischievous eyes smiling at her - I know this man," she thought. "May be he knows me too!!"

"What happened?" surprised by her blink-less glance, he asked.

"Do you know me?" an impulsive question darted out of her mouth and his squinted orbs conveyed how absurd her question was. "I mean..", she quickly corrected, "Did we meet before I joined Regal? Like in some family function or get together in Hyderabad?"

"I don't think so..", he tried to recollect. "But why did you ask?"

"Just like that..", she dismissed the topic with a faint smile. "It might be a false hunch", she decided to never think of it again.

----

"Are you and Abdul friends from childhood?" after a pause of five odd minutes, Jodha asked. All the while, it was he who asked and she answered, but this time she took the initiative, lest the boss should misconceive that she wasn't interested in the date.

"Yes we are!!" spirited by her initiation, he cheerfully replied.

"And the ACP?"

"Prithvi was our school friend in Hyderabad. During graduation he opted civil services, while we chose automotive engineering!!"

"How do you know Tamil then?" taking him by surprise, she inquired. "How do you know that I know Tamil?" he wondered.

"Answer me first, then I'll tell you," she threw a conniving smirk. "We studied in PSG college of Technology, Coimbatore. That's how I know Tamil, now tell me how you knew it, from Saradhi ji??" he tried guessing.

"No..", she playfully smiled. "I came to know of it while I was stalking you to plot against you!!" She didn't mean it serious, but his face blanched at that jest. Bewildered by the gravity in his eyes, her heart sank. "Hey.. I was just kidding. I truly didn't stalk or plot..", her hasty explanation hovered as his hand firmly laid on hers.

"Shh..", he possessively shushed her up. "I know you're upset with the enquiry..", his clasp on hers tightened. ".. but believe me it isn't out of suspicion on you," he attested looking straight to her eyes, but her head lowered - ultimately she couldn't withstand his effecting touch and piercing gaze; on top of it, she wasn't convinced with his justification either. It seemed more of a sham explanation to put her at ease.

"Look at me Jodha..", he softly ordered as he could very well comprehend her thoughts. The softness of his tone urged to raise her head but despite of meeting his gaze, her eyes turned aside, to a distant tree. And he discerned her indifference!!

Slowly retreating his hand, he silently watched her. A few moments later, her head turned to the plate and she calmly resumed eating avoiding eye contact with him. To him, the three feet table appeared to be the longest bridge he ever crossed. Another few seconds of contemplation, he resolved to cross the bridge.

From corner of eyes, she discerned him getting up from his chair and pulling it adjacent to her left. Unable to comprehend his motive, she didn't budge a bit but her heart started pumping at increased speed - and it momentarily ceased beating when his both hands authoritatively cupped her left palm. Mindless of etiquette or onlookers or her indifference, he determined to fix the rift then and there. Thankfully, the bamboo pillar behind Jodha bestowed them with much needed seclusion.

"Look at me Jodha..", he gently implored. His voice was as soft as cream and she feared she'd die of his tenderness. Taking a discreet moment to compose, she raised her lids to him. He's dangerously close and she gulped the inflaming tension unbeknown that she's affecting him the same way. He yearned to pull her to his heart, shield her from all evils, but before that he had to inject faith in her, on him!!

"The interrogation was not because we doubted you," he smoothly started. "It is to assess if you're unwittingly framed. You know he's a cop and his experience demands a thorough citation of any incident," he waited to assay the result of his reasoning, but he couldn't, as she looked on plain. "Prithvi suspects the owner's brother-in-law behind this and since you were present in the scene, he only wanted to know if you're accidentally pulled into it," his fingers gently caressed hers like a treasured possession. The butterflies fluttering in her stomach are making it tough for her to act plain. She didn't want to give in as he didn't yet justify the sudden behavioral change last night, but she confirmed her facade would soon end if he caresses her like this just one more time.

"And the reason for being uncivil to you last night is definitely not what you're thinking," he voiced her mind. "I was angry for numerous other reasons which I can't say now, and you fell a victim of it. I didn't think before taking out my angry on you, but I later realized I shouldn't have done so. I'm extremely sor..", her shielded hand sharply moved with in his clasp capturing his lower palm on the table and she hastily nodded before he finished the sentence. Its true that she always longed to hear him utter an apology, but when he's actually doing it, it wasn't musical at all - on contrary, it was hurting. On the other hand, the enamored man gawked at her in awe.

"Before you continue.. ", she seriously stated. "One confession..", she cleared throat while he looked on inquisitive. "Had your friend continued interrogation for ten more minutes..", she paused checking his reaction, as expected, he appeared worried. "I'd have done it before you which I did after you left." With seeping tension, he braced himself for the worst. Did it upset her so badly that she cried?  

"Laugh out madly!!"

"Did she say that?" he stared mistrustful, but the naughtiness on her lips ensured she meant that. "Laugh?" he skeptically repeated and she blinked. "Your friend's questions and doubts that I and Mohan jointly planned this attack were way hilarious!!" She smiled to his eyes while he stayed speechless - what a fool she made of him. Here he was breaking head from morning rehearsing how to coax her and there she was having fun with whimsical theories. "God.. what should I do to this girl!!" he helplessly giggled.

"You're the most unpredictable women I've ever met Jodha," firmly locking her hand between his, he lovingly chided.

"Thank you SIR," she naughtily bowed.

"Aah.. stop that sir..", he frowned distasteful. "Idiot sounds better!!"  Touching her ears in respect, she musically laughed. "thoba(Err).. thoba.. how can I say that!! You are our reverent boss. By the way, what did I say in the morning? Something like don't call me or call me later?"

"You weren't that polite miss.." relaxing back, Jalal slowly set her hand free. " Idiot.. will kill you if you ring again' were your exact words."

"Ayyoo.. so sorry", embarrassed, she banged her forehead. "Not even by chance I falter in erring, it always ends in perfection!!"

"You seem to have mastered that skill," fetching his plate from the other end, Jalal agreed. "Waise, what do your friends call you if you call them idiot?"

"Many..", serving stir fry dish to him and to her, she replied. "Idiot, stupid, dumb, boring.. depending on situation. But when we remember we are civilians we call by names," she sniggered. "I'm called Jo or Jodhu."

"And Meenu?" At that name, her fingers that held fork and knife ceased moving; she promptly looked up.  "No.., " she denied with a faint smile. "No one calls me Meenu!!"

"I suppose it's your grand ma's name!!" he keenly gazed fathoming the spark in her when he uttered that name. "Why don't your family.. I mean.. Prameela aunty or Saradhi ji call you so? I remember you saying your father used to call you that!!"  Apparently he perceived something mysterious behind that addressing.

"They don't call me because as a naive kid I was so stubbornly possessive to let any one address me Meenu other than my father and brother, not even my mother," she flatly smiled. "Now all my relatives are habituated to calling me Jodha."

"Are you still possessive?" the attentive man thoughtfully asked.

"No.. ", she vacillated, but she knew she doesn't prefer to be addressed Meenu. When her father and Gautam called her Meenu, the pampering behind it made her feel like a princess. When she lost both of them, she had a sick feeling that Meenu is unlucky for her, may be she doesn't deserve to be pampered at all and that's why she lost her family. She can live without that name but couldn't afford losing any more and that's the reason she never requested her foster parents to call by her pet name.

---

"Are you not coming in?" as their car stopped at entrance of Estate building, Jodha asked. The lunch and drive back to office continued with her NCC, his MBA and job experiences - together they shared wonderful time that both of them would cherish forever and blissfully neither of them wanted it to end.

"I've to go to Four wheels Jodha," he plopped a warm smile. "If you are free why don't you come along? You haven't visited our manufacturing unit, right!!"

"Oh yes.. I'd love to see it..", she exclaimed in a mixture of sadness and excitement. "But unfortunately not now. I have work to complete and you don't know my boss."

"What?" his eyes knitted.

"Yes Jalal", Jodha treacherously winked. "If I don't finish it today, the project will eventually delay and I'll be one to face my MD's wrath. You know what, he is Mr.Chillpill with everyone, but with me he becomes Mr.KillBill," her eyes widened in exaggeration. "Even if I mistakenly mistake, I'd be subjected to a non-stop tuition on irresponsibility and its effects on others as if irresponsibility is contagious."

"Very mean!!" biting back a lip, the amused boss feigned seriousness. "I don't think you should work any more under such tempered man. Resign his company immediately," he graciously advised.

"I'd have..", the zesty woman magnanimously sighed. ".. but my poor colleagues implored me to stay back. They don't want to lose a scapegoat that bears all his wrath and I being generally generous couldn't deny them!!"

"How generous of you!!" Jalal readily agreed. "Had it been someone else, they'd have slammed door on his face and resigned by hook or crook. But you wouldn't do such thing as you're an epitome of peace and poise!!" His seductive whispered sarcasm crackled her to the core.

Suppressing her mirth, she faked a cough. "Okay I think you're getting late now.. bye bye.. see you..", she readied to get out of car when his hand swiftly held her wrist. "Hey wait..", he hurriedly called pulling her back. Festively dancing at the luck of her hands, she reposed back, a tinge closer than before.

"I'll be busy with Four wheels in coming days," he answered her questioning glare. "I may not make it to Regal at all. If you're on site visit and encounter any problem give me a call immediately, okay?" her saddened soul could only nod in response. "And be watchful at sites, if you find any thing unusual, don't forget to inform me," he caringly warned. The silent air condition of the sedan carried his musk to her. The intimacy prompted to ask the impending question she'd been postponing since morning; she opened mouth to voice it out but an undefined rein curbed it back. Perceiving her hesitation, Jalal cuddled her fingers in encouragement. "Shoot it out Jodha!! What do you want to ask?"

"I hope this doesn't account into parenting, " she precariously avouched searching for traces of anger or irritation in his eyes. "How is your injury? Is it painful?"

The pleased man stared back tranquilized. "Mildly painful when anything brushes against it, but otherwise fine Jodha..", a heartfelt warmth glistened his eyes. "Thanks for asking!!" In response, her slender fingers entwined with his. "Don't thank Jalal..",  her gaze turned down to their twined hands. ".. but please be careful till it completely heals". She wished she could see his wound, know it for herself its severity and if needed house arrest him till it no longer pained. How dismal that she could do nothing of them than helplessly cautioning him to be careful.

"I will be!!" he whispered a promise as his thumb brushed against hers.

---

"Hi Jodha.. where are you coming from?" a female colleague asked as they waited for the elevator in cellar of the ten floored building.

"Been to a near by shop," taken back by the unanticipated enquiry, Jodha aptly covered up.

"But you stepped out of Mr.Jalal's car?" the assistant manager in the group doubted. "Yes..  he spotted me waiting for an auto and offered a lift", she casually shrugged reveling the jealousy in AMM's eyes. Remembering how Jalal shook hand with AMM earlier, she peeked down to her hands. That day her heart burnt in jealousy, but today it was entirely different, with a sense of pride she viewed the female colleagues around her.

Hey girls...

You may get his handshakes, but not his caresses.

You may get his appreciation, but not his anger.

You may hear a thousand words from him, but his silence speaks only to me!! YES!! I'm his most privileged, endeared, special employee and he is my...!!!

"Ting" the elevator buzzed shattering her thoughts.

**********