chapter 10
A week after the incident with Jallal , Jodha felt happier now. She realized that life should go on. She wouldnt waste her energy
crying for him who was a playboy. She learned from her mistake of falling for him, and she didnt intend to commit the same mistake again.
She had an office of her own now, and was located across
the office of Mr. Humayun Mohammed. Her training was doing well, she learned many things from planning, organizing, directing and controlling an organization. Every lunch, she joined her friends in the Marketing Department, Manish, and Avinash. Sometimes the men would join them, Robert, Amit and of course,
Charlie. Charlie asked her for a date, but she declined, saying she was not ready to go out on a date with someone yet. She just broke up with her boyfriend and still mending her broken heart. But the truth was, she was not hurt because of her breakup with
Ranveer, but by Jallals rejection.
She was on her way home when Amit called her on the phone.
Jodha, have you heard the news?
What news? Jodha asked her friend.
Jallal is back and hes in a very bad mood.
Charlie said that he has been like that since they were in California. And guess what, this morning he fired some of the staffs and Ruks, his executive secretary!
What for? Mostly little things. Ruks was already packing her things.Amit added.
Oh my God. She pitied Ruks, suddenly jobless now.
So whos replacing Ruks? I dont know. They would hire someone for sure.
Jodha was shocked that Jallal was so ruthless. How could he fire his staffs, especially Ruks. She realized that she really didnt know him much. Shed better avoid him because she didnt want to hear any bad words coming from his mouth.
The following day, Humayun was in her office.
He was sitting in front of Jodhas desk.
You must have heard that Jallal fired his executive
secretary yesterday.
Yes, of course.
I dont know what came over him, Ruks is very efficient in her job. Right now, Abdul is complaining. He is loaded with too many works. He is doing his job, as well as Ruks
Thats too bad for Abdul.
Yes. Actually, Im here to ask you a favor.
A favor?
Yes. Jodha, will you fill in Ruks job, as Jallals executive secretary? Of course, it would be a temporary arrangement. Besides you would learn a lot from it.
But...
Dont worry, Abdul will still assist you.
Well... If I could help... Jodha said hesitantly. My Goodness! This would mean in a close working environment with Jallal.
Thank you Jodha, I know I can count on you. You can go to Abduls office now. Dont forget to bring your things.
Jodha went up to Abduls office. Across his office was Jallals. She knocked at the door, before she opened it. She was so surprised seeing Jallal in Abduls office. Her heart suddenly skipped a beat. It had been a week since she last saw him.
Jallal's eyes caught and held hers, then traveled from her black heels to her black and white executive suit. She bit her lips, feeling so uneasy under his scrutiny.
Hi. Good morning. She said firmly, trying not to be affected by his arresting face.
Come in. Jallal summoned her inside. Sit down Jodha. He indicated the chair in front of him. His eyes never leaving her.
There was a spark of some indefinable emotion in his eyes.
Jodha slid gracefully into the wicker-backed chair. Her
thin fingers tensed in her lap.
Did father tell you that you will fill in Ruks job temporarily? He spoke in a low, composed voice.
Yes, just now.
Thats good." Jallal nodded. His eyes like a hawk, clung to her and observing her reaction.
"Well, Abdul will orient you to your new job and show you
to your office.
Okay, thanks. Jodha nodded. Her eyes shifted from Jallal to Abdul, who was sitting behind his desk.
Abdul, take care of Jodha. Im going out now. I have a lunch date. Jallal rose from his seat and gazed at Jodha.
"Yes, boss." Abdul replied before Jallal spun and was gone.
Lunch date? I wonder who his new girlfriend is, right now. Jodha thought and felt a stir of jealousy within her. I have to be strong. I
dont want to cry anymore.
Mr. Humayun Mohammed called Abdul, Jallals PA to his office.
Abdul, tell me, what is wrong with Jallal? Why is he acting so strange these past few days?
Abdul sighed and clasped his hands together. I really dont know, sir. But I think, Miss Singh has something to do about it.
Mr. Mohammed frowned.
Jodha? Why do you think so?
He went to see Miss Singh before we left for California. Since then, your son has become so ill- tempered and unapproachable. Often times, he was brooding.
Humayun sighed. You are right. This has something to do with
Jodha. Jallal is obviously attracted to her, who wouldnt? Shes a real beauty. But I warned him to leave her alone. I know my son so well, he just wanted an affair with Jodha. I couldnt let that happen. It would ruin my friendship with her father.
Abdul smiled and shook his head. I dont think so, Sir. I think your son is falling in love with Miss Singh. The feeling is unusual to him, thats why he refused to acknowledge it.
I guess you are right. Mr. Mohammed said amusingly.
Jallal was having lunch with her grandmother, in one of
the finest restaurants in Japan. His granny, was an eighty-year
old woman, very fragile and overly sensitive because of her age. She was the foster mother of Jallals late mother, Hamida Mohammed.
Hmm this salmon is very delicious, and this lettuce is
so fresh and crispy. I love this, Jallal. She smiled sweetly at him.
Jallal smiled back at her grandmother. He pleased her and gave her the first class treatment, all the time.
They only served the best here, nana.
Awe... Im sure this is where you bring your dates, hmm?
Sometimes. He replied, honestly.
So, whos your latest girlfriend now, anyone I know? Oh, I saw a picture of you and that super thin model-actress in the entertainment column of the Daily News, are you still with her?
He exhaled rapidly, and shook his head. No. Im not dating anyone right now.
Really? Why, what happened? Since when?
He groaned and sliced the meat of his steak with a little force. He couldnt
believe that his grandmother would see his not dating state as a peculiar event.
Im very busy with the business, and currently we are working on an important project in California. I dont have the time to date anyone.
Awe Jallal. You must also enjoy sometimes, balance business and pleasure. You are still young. I dont want you to be like your father, getting so old-looking in his sixties, no time to enjoy, only business here and business there. She heaved a sigh and continued. When your mother,Hamida died ten years ago, I told him that it was okay if he would marry again. But he said, he loved your mother so much and dont want to replace her. Hmm he is a very sentimental man. Jallal grinned at her. He just learned that his father loved his mother so much when she died. They were not affectionate with each other, and often times not together. But he knew, that his father was always loyal to his family.
So, how long will you be staying here in Japan?
Three days, I guess. I will have my regular medical checkup tomorrow. Surya said that we would fly back to Italy, as soon as he is done with his business here.
Suryabhann was Jallals grannys only biological grandchild.
His parents, together with Jallals mother, Hamida, died in a plane crash accident ten years ago.Surya was twenty-one at that
time and just earned his Engineering Degree. Since then, he has taken care of their family assets and businesses. Right now, Surya owned one of the Worlds biggest Oil Exploration and Production Company.
Anyway, hows that poor girl you are supposed to marry?
Did you meet her yet? Your father is very old-fashioned.
I find that arranged marriage so silly. You know, if your mother is alive, she wouldnt agree with that, Im sure.
Yes, I met her already.
Really?
Yes, shes having her business training in our office, right now.
Oh, thats nice. Do you find her pretty?
Yes, very. He said, and continued eating his steak.
Oh... Im so happy for you. Are you going to marry her?
I dont know, maybe, it depends.
Depends on what?
I cant answer you right now about that nana, its too complicated. But Ill tell you soon, okay?
She nodded. But I want to meet her.
Yes, you will, soon. He smiled at her reassuringly and touched her wrinkled hand. But nana, this is our little secret, okay? Dad didnt know that I told you about it.
Of course. I can keep a secret Jallal, I havent even told Surya about it. But I told Merlita, my nurse. I cant help it, you are my favorite grandson.
Jallal rolled his eyes. Jodha looked at her wrist watch. It was already five oclock and Jallal had not come back in the office yet, since he left for his lunch date. She was deciding whether to go home or wait for him when someone knocked on her office door.
She hurriedly opened the door. She was surprised to see a strikingly attractive man. He was tall, lean yet muscular, with dark bronze hair and silvery gray eyes.
"Yes?"
Hi. Im Surya. Is my cousin, Jallal here?
No proof reading is done so excuse me fr mistakes done
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