Chapter 27
"Condition!! What condition??" Jodha asked surprisingly.
"I want you to look up at me."
"Look up?? Oookay"
"Uh uh don't move away, stay as you are...keep hugging me, only turn your face up."
"Acha ji, meri billi mujhi se meow." (ok, using my own trick on me.)
Jalaal laughed hearing Jodha and boasted "See, I'm a quick learner"
"Hmmm, I see that" teased Jodha.
"Okay now just look up"
"Looking!!"
"Now keep looking at me and tell me when did you realize that you are in love with me??" Jalaal asked straight forward.
Kaisa Lagta Hai, Achha Lagta Hai
(How does it feel? It feels good)
Pyar Ka Sapna, Sacha Lagta Hai
(The dream about love, now seems true)
Jodha fell silent hearing his question.
Jalaal waited for some time but when he didn't get any reply from Jodha he added "Jodha don't look down or close your eyes. This is my condition...I really want to know, then only I will answer your question" Jalaal put forth his condition hoping to hear what he was getting so desperate to hear from Jodha.
Finding herself on a tough spot with no way out Jodha decided to answer his question.
"Ummm I always liked you but initially I was scared of you, I felt embarrassed because I uhhh bumped into you the first day... I thought you will think that I am too clumsy, careless, rude and what not. I was so nervous in the beginning that I even avoided direct eye contact with you, but when you praised me after the first exam I felt really happy and I thought now at least you would think good about me and then gradually I started liking your attention towards me."
"What??" Jalaal asked surprised "Why would I think shallow about you, you didn't bump into me on purpose..."
"Ohhh...You didn't think bad?? Wow that's great!!! Later due to the science & technology fair project we started talking and I loved being with you. I really enjoyed the time we spent together making the project. I can't forget that I got to ride with you on your scooter because of that project. That was very unexpected but just as amazing, I was very nervous at that time, I had never ever thought, not even in my dreams that something like that would ever happen."
Tu Jo Kareeb Hai, Mera Naseeb Hai
(When You are near me, You are my good luck)
"Hmm that was unexpected, by the way do you know no girl has ever sat behind my scooter like that, other than family of course. I felt so happy, I was on cloud nine that day" Jalaal chipped in.
Hearing that Jodha suddenly felt very happy and surprisingly asked in low tone "hmm...really?!"
"Yes" replied Jalaal, hearing her innocent excitement a wide smile kissed his lips. "Then what happened??" he curiously asked.
"Then!! Hmmm then all my happiness went down the drain" Jodha sadly confessed.
"What?? Why?? What do you mean??" Jalaal worriedly asked.
"Well you suddenly stopped talking to me, I know the reason now but at that time I was feeling so suffocated... my heart desired for your one mellow look at me but you were purposely ignoring me... I felt so gloomy and sad during those days. I was so confused at the sudden change in your behaviour towards me... I couldn't figure out why you were so mad at me... And then that incident with Principal mam happened and it scared the hell out of me...but your behavior was totally opposite to what I imagined. I thought you would get even more mad at me but thank god you didn't, otherwise I don't know what I would have done... But It was so comforting to know that you trusted me. Then after that everything was fine again, I had lots of fun at the fair, got to share my lunch with you, then you took us all to Sagar Ratna, basically I just loved how you were with me, so nice and caring...always smiling and happy and not mad at me at all. Those four days were just awesome. I will cherish those memories forever... I was feeling that I am in some different world that time." Jodha replied lovingly.
Dil Me Basi Hai Tu, Meri Khushi Hai Tu
(You reside in my heart, You are my happiness)
Tere Bina Ik Pal Mujhe Na Rehna
(Without You, I don't want to live for even a single moment)
"Ya by then I had left everything on GOD..." Words came out of his mouth unknowingly...
"Meaning??" asked Jodha in confusion.
"I will tell you later, first you finish telling." Jalaal insisted.
"Okay!! Then after the fair we talked frequently and I really loved that... by that time you captured my heart and thoughts completely... Day and night I was reminiscing those beautiful four days of fair... I somewhat lost control over my heart and brain... Stupidly I was looking for excuses to call you, I would come up with problems so I could talk to you" chuckled Jodha.
Har Taraf Khushiyo Kaa Mausam Hai Yahaan, Hamne Pehli Bar Dekha Yeh Jahaan (x2)
(In every direction there is an atmosphere of happiness,
I've seen such a world for the first time)
"I also loved our evening talks, Entire day I used to wait for the evening and your call...sometimes when you wouldn't call I felt disappointed and sad" revealed Jalaal.
"I thought if I called you everyday, you would think that I am purposely coming up with problems." Then Jodha mischieviously added "But if you had said that you wanted me to call you everyday then I would've called you everyday. You never told me." Jodha said in complaining tone.
"Okay, I'm saying now... I want to talk to you everyday!" Jalal teasingly responded.
"Me too" replied Jodha in chirpy tone. "I mean of course we'll talk everyday."
"But when did you realize your feelings for me??" Jalal asked curiously.
"The day you threw the bomb on me that you are going away from me forever to USA!! It was a sudden shock... at first my brain got numb for a while and then I broke down with tears... That was the first time I realized that my feelings for you were not just attraction but something much more... I felt very sad at that time and I cried a lot. I thought you will go and I'll never see you again, you will forget all about me." Jodha sadly revealed and paused, then with deep sigh out she continued "But then I thought why am I crying?? Why the news of you leaving is making me cry?? It was so confusing, I couldn't understand why I was feeling that way. I remember I just sat there pointlessly and cried for sometime until I realized that the phone fell from my hand. After seeing the phone I gathered myself and decided to act normal and happy as if nothing has happened. Realization occurred that you weren't gonna stay with me forever anyway. I thought I should be happy for you since you are getting such a big opportunity. I was extremely sad but didn't want you to know that I was sad. And while deciding all that I kept the phone back and it rang right away. I thought it must be you and took a deep breath in and picked up the phone and tried my best while talking to you and made sure that you don't find out I was crying. I thought if you found out I was crying, you would ask me why I'm crying and I wouldn't be able to tell you the reason."
Jalaal was shocked knowing that Jodha had been hiding her feelings so perfectly for sooo long. She was in as much pain as he was. He really cursed himself for almost letting her go, but then thanked god for giving him this chance to finally say what he wanted to. "Jodha, I am so shocked... you very successfully hid your feelings from me, but to tell you the truth when I told you about me going to USA, I thought your reaction to this will give me an idea about how you feel about me. But your reaction was not what i'd hoped for, you reacted all normal and happy for me, I felt so disappointed and heartbroken thinking that you don't have the same feelings for me."
Jodha replied sadly "ohhh... so you were heartbroken..."
Gamm Ki Duniya Se, Hum Chale Aaye, Door Hain Humse Dard Ke Saaye
(We've come out from the world of sadness, the shadows of pain are away from us)
"Any way forget all that ... I am really really glad that you called me today or else we would've never said anything to each other." Jalaal sighed out loud and said in whisper "now all I want is to see you and..."
Aa Dua Maang Le, Kuchh Bhi Ho Ab Dukh Pade Na Sehna
(Let's pray that whatever happens now, may we never have to endure pain)
"See me??" Jodha replied swiftly and nervously.
'How will I face him?? I would die with shyness' thought Jodha feeling panicked.
"Yes!!! Why are you so surprised?? I want to see you, I would've come right now if I could. Don't you want see me??" Jalaal asked confused.
She replied all scared "No... no way... You can't see me."
"What?? Why not??" Jalaal confusingly asked.
"I mean...uhhh... I mean..." Jodha stuttered while trying to think what to say. Suddenly an idea popped into her head and she said "ya I mean don't we have holidays now...no school...no tuition so how will you see me?? You can't see me" sighed Jodha in relief.
Kaisa Lagta Hai, Achha Lagta Hai
(How does it feel? It feels good)
Pyar Ka Sapna, Sacha Lagta Hai
(The dream about love, it seems true)
Deciphering Jodha's panic in her tone Jalaal calmly asked "Jodha, why you don't want to see me??"
"No uhhh nothing like that, I was just saying how will it be possible..." Jodha tried to hide her panic.
Jalaal stayed quiet and thought for a minute... and then asked "Are you feeling shy?? Is that why you don't wanna see me??" He wanted to know if shyness is the only reason Jodha doesn't wanna see him and nothing else.
Jodha was stunned hearing his question...she never thought he would so quickly figure out why she was denying meeting him and how she was feeling.
"Uhhh Yes" whispered Jodha.
Jalaal smiled in relief and teased saying "hmmm lucky you we have holidays now." Then in serious tone he asked "Okay but for now will you atleast talk to me on the phone everyday??"
"Yes of course I will" replied Jodha excitedly.
Pyaar Ke Waade Kabhi Na Todna, Tum Kabhi Tanha Na Humko Chhodna (x2)
(Don't ever break the vows of love, don't ever leave me alone)
Aasuon Ko Hum Pee Na Payenge, Hum Juda Hoke Jee Na Payenge
(I won't be able to drink tears, I won't be able to live separated from You)
'There is still a week before the school and tuition starts so in the meantime I can only talk on phone with her. Hopefully this week will pass quickly and soon I will see her in front of me' Jalaal dreamily thought.
'There's a week before school starts and even after that I don't really have to go to school since the course is finish and all the teachers told us to come only if we have any problem or questions to ask, so I need not go. What a relief... I don't have to go in front of him!!' Then she realized 'but sooner or later I'll have to face him...how am I going to do that??'
Aa Kasam Kha Lein Hum Maanenge Hamesha Ik Duje Ka Kehna
(Let's make a promise that we shall always agree to what the other one says)
"I can't wait for school to start" said Jalaal excitedly.
"Why??" asked Jodha anxiously.
"So I can see you in front of me and wrap my arms around you and take you in my embrace just like we are hugging right now" said Jalaal openly.
Kaisa Lagta Hai, Achha Lagta Hai
(How does it feel? It feels good)
Pyar Ka Sapna, Sacha Lagta Hai
(The dream about love, now seems true)
Jodha's eyes grew wider and she swallowed...but stayed quiet.
When Jalaal didn't get any response from Jodha he snapped at her "If you will stay shy like this on phone, what will you do when we'll meet?? I want to enjoy the feeling of you being in my arms, close to my heart just like now."
"Hmmm I would like that" Jodha blurted dreamily. "I mean... I uhhh... I..." Jodha closed her eyes and fell silent realizing she said it out loud.
Tu Jo Kareeb Hai, Mera Naseeb Hai
(When You are near me, You are my good luck)
Dil Me Basi Hai Tu, Meri Khushi Hai Tu
(You reside in my heart, You are my happiness)
Dreamy smile came on Jalal's lips hearing her innocent blurt, then he lovingly replied "You are sooo sweet." Then mischieviously he added "Don't worry... You have enough time Jodha, we have a whole week to practice over the phone..."
Jodha asked trying to change the topic "Earlier you said 'Ya by then I had left everything on GOD...' What did you mean??"
"I meant...uhhh...remember I was telling you that I prayed to God to help me, to show me the right path the day I was gonna make you leave the project...but after the incident with Principal mam that day I decided I won't make you leave the project...well all that made me confused as to what path was God trying to show me??? I couldn't figure out anything, so I thought I will just leave everything on God and quietly walk on the path he is showing. I'm very happy I did that because it brought me here, TO YOU!!! I am very thankful to GOD and hope he keeps his blessings on us like this and one day you become mine officially with our families blessings."
"From your mouth to God's ear!! I hope so too" said Jodha feeling extremely emotional.
Tere Bina Ik Pal Mujhe Na Rehna
(Without You, I don't want to live for even a single moment)
"uh... oh" whispered Jodha suddenly.
"What happened??" Jalaal asked in panic.
"What time is it??"
"I don't know, what happened??" Jalaal asked frantically.
"I just saw mumma going towards the Pooja (prayer) room, is it morning??" Jodha asked shocked. "We talked whole night??"
Jalaal looked at the time and realized that the whole night had passed...it was 5:30 in the morning. "Wow yes we did talk all night" said Jalaal mirroring Jodha's tone.
"I think we should hang up before mumma hears me!!" said Jodha quitely.
"Hmmm maybe we should" Jalaal replied disappointedly. "But I don't want to hang up..."
"Me too" pouted Jodha.
"When will we talk again??" Jalaal asked.
"Uhhh Tonight!! I will call maybe after everyone sleeps!!" Jodha replied in low tone.
"Will you be able to keep the phone with you??" Jalaal asked to make sure.
"I will try... I mean I will" whispered Jodha.
Then both of them reluctantly hung up the phone. But they were both extremely happy, all day they both kept reminiscing all their conversations and how things had suddenly taken this beautiful turn between them. All day they both had a sweet smile on their faces. They were eager for the night to come so they could talk to each other again.
Finally the night arrived. Jodha called Jalaal on his mobile.
"Hi" said Jalaal lovingly picking up the phone in one ring.
"Hi" whispered Jodha as soon as she heard Jalaal. "Were you already holding the phone, I mean you picked up in one ring..."
"Yes, I was waiting for your call." Jalaal replied honestly.
Jodha smiled shyly and replied "hmmm" in low tone.
"How was your day??" Jalal asked casually.
"Uhhh Good" Jodha replied.
"So what did you do all day??" asked Jalaal trying to start a conversation.
Kaisa Lagta Hai, Achha Lagta Hai
(How does it feel? It feels good)
Pyar Ka Sapna, Sacha Lagta Hai
(The dream about love, now seems true)
"Thought about you" Jodha murmured silently.
"Huh!! What??" Jalaal asked annoyingly. He was feeling annoyed thinking 'either she stays quiet or she murmurs, in both cases I have no idea how she is feeling and what she is thinking...wish she was in front of me so I could at least see her expressions and get some idea of her feelings.'
"Uhhh!!!! Nothing... I uhhh I was just studying. What did you do??" Jodha scrambled words nervously.
"I thought about you all day, wished I could see you...hug you...kis..." he stopped in the middle and swiftly asked changing the topic "Have you had your dinner??"
Tu Jo Kareeb Hai, Mera Naseeb Hai
(When You are near me, You are my good luck)
Dil Me Basi Hai Tu, Meri Khushi Hai Tu
(You reside in my heart, You are my happiness)
"Yes" replied Jodha.
"What did you eat today??" Jalaal asked casually.
"Today Mumma made paneer, do you like it??"
"Yes, who doesn't like paneer" Jalaal replied while eating something.
Hearing him eating Jodha surprisingly asked "You are eating now?? You haven't had dinner yet??? It's so late!"
Jalaal smiled hearing the concern in her voice and replied "I already had my dinner, I am just eating gajar ka halwa (sweet made with carrot, milk and sugar)"
"Hawww aap akele akele kha rahe ho, mujhe ek baar poocha bhi nahin (Ohhh you are eating it all by yourself, you didn't even offer me once) Jodha sweetly complained.
"Par ye to mera jootha hai!!! Tum meri joothi katori chammach se khaogi???" (But I've been eating from it...will you eat from the same bowl and spoon??) Jalaal asked skeptically.
"Ya why not?? Kounsa pehli baar aapka jootha kha rahi huin!!! (It's not the first time I'm eating from your leftover!!!)" replied Jodha without thinking.
"What??? When did you eat my leftovers???" Jalaal asked confusingly.
Hearing Jalaal's question Jodha realized what she blurted in her excitement. She bit her tongue and slapped her forehead and murmured "oops".
"Jodhaaa...tell me when you ate my leftovers??" Jalaal asked Jodha firmly to answer after waiting for her reply.
"Kabhi nahin" (never) replied Jodha unconvincingly.
"Jodha, I can tell you are hiding something from me, tell me" asked Jalaal persistently .
"Uhhh wo jab aap tution ke liye aate ho na ghar aur coffee peete ho..." (Uhhh when you come to my house for tuition and you have coffee...) Jodha replied nervously and paused.
"Haan to??" (Ya so??) questioned Jalaal not understanding what Jodha was implying.
"Arre aap coffee peene ke baad last mein thodi chod dete the na to wo bachi hui coffee main..." (Offo you used to leave some coffee in the cup after drinking so I used to...) Jodha left her sentence unfinished for him to understand on his own.
Realizing what Jodha was implying he shockingly asked "You drink the leftover coffee from my cup??"
"Hmmm" whispered Jodha.
Jalaal felt really emotional knowing the depth of her love and said "Oh my god!!!! You loved me so much and I never even realized..."
He paused for a few seconds to control himself and then said "Come here... I want to hug you and kiss your forehead."
Jodha smiled shyly and said "I'm here"
Tu Jo Kareeb Hai, Mera Naseeb Hai
(When You are near me, You are my good luck)
Dil Me Basi Hai Tu, Meri Khushi Hai Tu
(You reside in my heart, You are my happiness)
Tere Bina Ik Pal Mujhe Na Rehna
(Without You, I don't want to live for even a single moment)
"Mmmuuuaah" kissed Jalaal. "I love you sooo much."
"Hmmm" Jodha said in whisper.
Jalaal thought 'I was eagerly waiting for her to say I LOVE YOU to me but her actions speak louder...she doesn't have to say it. Anyway I already know she loves me.'
And like this they continued talking, sharing many things with each other every night.
During one of the nights , Jalaal once asked Jodha "Is the light in your room off??"
"Uh no!" replied Jodha feeling confused. "Why are you asking?"
"Just curious..." Jalaal replied in impassive tone.
"Oookay"
"When will you turn it off??" He questioned.
"Uhhh after some time...why??"
"Okay let me know when you turn it off..." He replied impassively.
"Any way... I will have to put you on hold then only I can go and turn it off so you will definitely know" replied Jodha still wondering why he was asking about the light.
"What are you studying??" Jalal asked her casually.
"Uhhh I was studying business studies before calling you..." Jodha replied worriedly.
"Okay! When will you turn the light off??" He asked again.
"Light?? Why are you so concerned about the light??" asked Jodha irritably.
"I'm not concerned about the light. I just wanted to know when you will come to lie down so I can open my blanket!" He said romantically
"What???? Open your blanket, what for??" She replied shockingly.
Dil Me Basi Hai Tu, Meri Khushi Hai Tu
(You reside in my heart, You are my happiness)
Tere Bina Ik Pal Mujhe Na Rehna
(Without You, I don't want to live for even a single moment)
"Umm coz I am getting cold without you here...every night when you come and hug me, only then I feel warm" He mischievously said.
"What!!! Main kya heater huin???" (What!!! Am I a heater??) chuckled Jodha.
"Hmmm yes, you're my very own personal heater!! I feel cold until you come and hug me every night." He whispered sensually.
Jodha smiled shyly and fell silent.
Kaisa Lagta Hai, Achha Lagta Hai
(How does it feel? It feels good)
Pyar Ka Sapna, Sacha Lagta Hai
(The dream about love, now seems true)
Seher Hone Ko Hai
Bigg Boss 19
Members Lounge
867