FF: Pale Blue Dot Thread 6 (Chap 28 27/06/2014 page 1) 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

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 28

Bangalore, Indira Nagar, 6:00am

The tepid morning rays hurriedly cantered down heating up the wintry city that sluggishly stirred under the blanket of chillness, all thanks to the showers that drenched the city throughout the night. A bunch of them eagerly penetrated through the slight crevice of curtains into the titillating man's bedroom in a pursuit to wake him up with their warmth, but to their daze, the man was wide awake. Adding to their temper, his lips bore an enthusiastic smile that heated them in reverse. With evident glow of happiness, he seemed posing a tough competition to the sanguine rising Sun and it was no wonder the supposed to be lukewarm rays all of a sudden turned broiling. "We should be the sole source of radiance on this earth. Who is it that surpassed us and brought such an effulgence on him?" the envious rays seethed unbeknown of the marvel whirling his neurons. Lost in the abyss of compassion, his eyes aimlessly stuck to the landscape opposite his bed whilst his mind traversed around the night before.

~~~~

...the kindling fire was just fuelled to zenith... conquered by desire the desensitized man lowered his head onto her but the sudden drift in seat disentangled the snoozing woman from dream inflicting her to abruptly open eyes. Startled by the unexpected advent, the infatuated man's reflexes acted pronto. Briskly backing off before being caught off-guard, he drew a steady long breath to vitiate the bottled up desire. Straining eyes to see through the dim lighting, Jodha assiduously looked aside for her father and brother. Perceiving Jalal in place of her family, her brows formed a baffled frown. "When did Jalal come home?"

"Did she descry my act? Why is she staring like that?" scorning his momentary debility, the tensed man skeptically glanced. The turbulence jerk aided her completely plunge out of trance making her realize the locale was in fact a plane, not her bedroom in Hyderabad.

"Was that a bad dream?" offering her water, Jalal cautiously asked.

"Mm..." erecting elbows against thighs and drooping head to palms, Jodha groggily replied. "Very bad... an awful one to say, however hard I try to forget... it keeps haunting!!" Every word of her deluding remark empowered Jalal's suspicion and he goggled apprehensive. "She indeed dreamt of the massacre!!"

"Have some water Jo..." with notable anxiety, he brought the bottle before her bowed head and she accepted.

"I ditched it at fifteen but it recoils like a boomerang..." after emptying half the bottle, the relieved woman simply announced. "Law of diminishing utility... I so hate that chapter Jalal."

Bewildered by the out of context reference, Jalal's forehead creased. "What?!!"

"Haa... third unit in 10^th grade Economics. I hate that unit and the subject in total Jalal, it made me miss school topper and cry for a week." Unable to decipher the fiasco a bit, Jalal asked confused. "Where did that come from Jodha? What did you actually dream of?"

"Dream?!!! Nah... Call it a nightmare...", the placid woman coolly replied hooking to his knitted orbs. "Its about the day of economics exam in 10^th grade. You know, it's such a disgusting subject and top of it it's the last exam. Actually the school boards have no sense Jalal. Who'd revise History or Economics when an alluring holiday is waiting? Don't you think last exam should always be one of the easiest subjects like a language paper?" she graciously asked as in seeking an opinion poll and he nodded befuddled. "Exactly... I don't understand how insensible the boards could be", rattling head in distaste, she easily asked. "Anyways what did you assume I dreamt of?"

"I?" recalling his presumption and how starkly it contrasted with the actual happening, Jalal sank back breaking into a bout of giggles. "Sshhh..." considering the tranquil ambiance they're encompassed by, the bemused lady hastily shushed him thoughtlessly sealing his mouth with fingers. As soon as the pricking mustache tickled her palm, the impulsive act got registered in mind imposing her fingers to quickly retract but the enthralled man seized the falling hand and lovingly turned to her. "You take me to heights of frenzy with your unpredictable stunts Jo," he wryly whispered compelling her to gasp in tension. What?? Is he referring to the mindless act of shushing him? "I didn't get you..." making a temptingly innocent face, she unknowingly challenged the bewitched man's poise.

Chuckling at her solidified face, he fondly tapped on tip of her scrunched nose. "In your dream, I mean so called economics exam nightmare, you murmured a few words that coerced me to deduce you're actually dreaming of last night's aggression. Obviously it called for a high alert and here you casually say it's about an exam. Earlier, during Prithvi's enquiry too I was needlessly tensed unaware that you're having fun at our expense. As your feats and reactions are totally unpredictable, I think I should stop presuming and wait for your clarification, lest I should go crazy with your antics," the fascinated man complained coiling his fingers round her wrist.

Chuckling at his assumptions and decisions, Jodha veered in the seat narrowing the distance between their shoulders. "I warned you craziness is contagious boss," devotedly looking down to their entwined hands, she gibed and angelically looked up smiling straight to his eyes." "You can't blame me!!" Whenever he held her hand, it's the same feeling that flooded her mind... a promise... a commitment that he's there for her!! The tender yet authoritative grip of HIS always brought a sense of togetherness with it giving her a fervid reason to never back off her hand though she shied at his touch. How could she desist a promise, probably a lifetime one?

"I'd not..." for once, he straight away agreed quenching in the resplendence of her ethereal smile. "Tell me, apart from Economics exam what or who else you dream of?" Though the buoyant man's intention behind the question was pure mischief, it impetuously reminded her of the other eerie dream and the anguish it fetched along.

"None," unwitting to share it, Jodha tried dismissing the topic. "By the way are you coming to Regal tomorrow??"

"None?" gouging into her masked cognition, Jalal's orbs squinched. "I don't believe it and I also know your knack of deviating the discussion. Not this time Jodha", with unbent resolution, the tenacious man insisted.

"My dreams are not discussion worthy Jalal" with a sweet smile, she implored. "Let's not get into it and spoil this gaiety."

"Why? Is it because they're about your parents?" the steadfast boss unwaveringly persevered.

"Yes," staidly answering, the rigid lady turned away. "... and I'm not comfortable speaking of them. Shall we talk something else?" Secerning the traces of agony that smeared her eyes, Jalal intently looked on. She's always on guard in mitigating the topic of her family, be it at work or with him. Till date he didn't nudge her about it intending to give her space and time to freely open up to him, but he couldn't let her live in the cocoon of nonchalance any longer. Determining to bring her out of shell, he persistently thought of the right words that'd effectively hit the target.

Unwinding his fingers, Jalal forwarded his hand to Jodha's left elbow pulling the sleeve up, and she gaped down baffled. "When you're injured in the accident, remember you removed the bandage after few days?" he asked and she nodded.

"Why?"

"Because wounds heal faster when exposed than bandaged," she casually said and then discerned the direction he was cleverly steering her to. Spellbound by his dexterity, she promptly looked up and his eyes meaningfully smiled. Firmly bracing her elbow, Jalal convincingly whispered. "Unleash the bandage Jo!!"

"Words are your weapons Jalal..." admiringly glancing at him, she cutely cursed. "...they fetch you unanimous victory over any argument."

"Wow..." coyly winking, he smothered a grin. "...a genuine flattery from Ms. Rebellious... not bad. Now that you accepted your defeat, will you reveal your dreams?"

"They're not so serious ones Jalal," taking his hand from elbow, and bracing it between palms, Jodha started with her head thoughtfully bowed down. "... and not pleasant ones either, I don't like recollecting them but as you insist... I have one regular dream with a variety of climaxes..." avoiding dwelling into serious rendition, she glimpsed up faintly smiling.

~~~

"...the first part of it is more or less the same but climax keeps changing... sometimes I fall into a river, sometimes it's a valley or a cliff. Whatever, it is just endless falling and falling into void...", drawing distorted patterns on his palm, she paused. The instant Jodha began narrating, Jalal realized the dream is about her brother and parents' death. He momentarily repented for his adamancy but the subtlety with which she rendered the exertion made him fall for her willpower yet again. His heart ached for the under veiled misery in her tale and the patterns she unconsciously drew on his palm reflected the emotional ups and downs of the dream. Reveling in the strokes of her finger, his eyes affectionately hovered over the enrapturing woman, exultantly noticing her comfort in holding his hand though his ears attentively hooked to her citation.

"Jo...", he softly called and her play with fingers ceased. "Why did you keep your past a secret in office?" Letting out a rueful sigh, Jodha revealed. "A few bad experiences from my previous company Jalal. After my parents' demise, I noticed a drastic difference in attitude of some of my colleagues. A guy tried to take advantage of my loneliness by coming close while a few suddenly became extra cordial and needlessly sympathetic. I couldn't endure that and I didn't want the same to repeat in Regal... but...", looking away in despair, she stopped. Involuntarily Jalal's arm rose to pull the anguished lady into a protective hug, but her fresh remarks about over-sympathetic colleagues refrained him from doing so. "What if she considers this a gesture of sympathy?" cuffed by helplessness, his fist clenched. "Jodha..." the perturbed man called but the lights that abruptly turned on illuminated the flight interrupting his notion.

Shutting lids to shield eyes from sudden brightness, Jodha adjusted in seat moving away from his proximity. The announcements that followed and the passengers' activity dissipated the prevalent serenity; silently waiting to land on the destination, the couple slipped into their respective contemplation.

"Have you heard of Pale Blue Dot Jalal?" the impromptu question loitered around towing him out of stupor; he glimpsed at her intrigued, but her fastidious eyes brazed to top view of electronic city.

"No... What's that?" he stared inquisitive.

"That one..." pointing towards the mass of land irradiating with series of lights, Jodha said. "That is Pale Blue Dot Jalal... our Earth... our home!!" Shifting closer to the window, she continued arduously eyeing down. "This plane has all amenities to live in air, yet each of us, including the plane itself, yearns to get down, land on Earth, why is that Jalal?" A stringent silence prevailed as the listener stayed agog at the clueless question. Casting a side-glance without budging from the window, the engulfed lady feebly smiled. "... because that is our home... we belong to there Jalal. However luxurious the life in air is, the belongingness goes missing." Exhaling deep to dwindle the seeping lump in throat, Jodha rested her temple against the window glancing at Earth. "And it is a similar belongingness with my family that made me address myself a loner Jalal, not that I didn't value other precious relationships of life."

"God!!" painstakingly awestruck by her simple yet effectual simile, Jalal sat benumbed. What should he say? What could he say? He feared uttering a word, as words would dampen the divinity of her musing. Surpassing the inhibitions, his arm unwaveringly circled the immersed woman's shoulders drawing her away from the window. Staggered by the spasmodic pull, her gaze drifted and locked with the majestic man's - those barbed black orbs brimmed in immense pride for the most endearing woman he has ever met. They shined with a layer of mist and Jodha blinked her eyes to confirm it's not her soggy eyes that misled her.

"Oops... I think that was too philosophical," dazed by the fact the sturdy boss was indeed staunchly disturbed, she feebly smiled. "Boss... I told you... you shouldn't have...", a mild gasp evanesced her remark as her cheek crushed against his shoulder, a consequence of his mighty tug.

"Proud of you idiot..." with surfeiting adoration he murmured to her ears caressing her arm and pressing her closer to his torso. "Aww..." the lady in arms looked up to her man in boundless happiness and awe. With one simple line and gesture, he thrashed all reasons for her to be envious of any woman in his life... in past and in future. "I'm so honored, thank you Don", melodiously chuckling she rose a hand to encircle his tummy, but the curious gaze of the passenger in adjacent row brought her to consciousness. Sensing her hesitation, Jalal followed Jodha's gaze; blatantly reverted to reality, he swiftly recouped and slowly freed her. The abashed lady moved away blushing and he needlessly corrected his hair putting up a stoic face.

-------

"What?" biting back a lip, Jalal posed a serious face in response to her fuming glare. "I thought you'd pick it up as you are mighty enough to do that, so I didn't interfere," he coolly shrugged. Darting daggers at him she gave a face turn fixing her eyes on the distancing baggage on conveyor belt. As it is she was massively incensed by the heated argument they had while waiting for her luggage to turn up, now, his statue posture pleasuring at her defeat added to the aggravation.

"What if Hrithik Roshan never divorced?" It all started with a provoking jibe, stretched to his derogatory comments on the aging hero and his grown up kids that comes for free making her instant mommy. Vexed with defending her favorite star, the piqued woman freaked out. "Fine... if Hrithik is not available... I'll marry anyone on earth except..." rightly stopping at the righteous juncture, she covered up. "... Boring businessmen. Hearing to stocks and stakes whole life is the last thing I've dreamt of." Rather than getting offended, the rugged businessman darted an acerbic smirk fuelling her fury. Right then she spotted her baggage crossing past them; carrying the same mood, Jodha angrily stepped ahead to take the suitcase out but the distorted thing with its handle facing the opposite side made it impossible for her to get a grip of it. Cursing the attendant that carelessly threw the bag onto belt, she ran along with it trying to pull it off but the fellow passengers jammed her way. Giving up the trial she had to return to the coolly smirking man.

"Need help?" his teasing felt acidic on the grated nerves. "No thanks...", dragging her cabin bag, she walked in counter-belt-direction and halted at a free spot. Sooner, the checked in luggage completed a round approaching the awaiting owner. She determinedly bent over the belt not to miss the bag at any cost, but the robust man nudged her aside, got hold of the handle and easily dislodged it.

"Oy...", screaming at him, the nettled woman snatched the handle out of his hands. "Who asked for your help?"

"Because I can't waste another five minutes with your futile attempts," a sarcastic satire spurred her further. "...and I have no stamina left to stand here and argue with you," whacking their luggage onto a trolley, he shook his head. "I must admit... women are gifted with abnormal energy levels. Its one thirty in the night and look at your fervor!! When it comes to argument, you people are charged up given any time of day. God is so partial to women in this aspect."

"What??" casting a demeaning look, Jodha sternly gritted. "How mean!! Who started it all? When in air, he lifted to cloud nine saying he's proud of me, and now dropping to ground at once!! Back to Bangalore, back to attitude... he is not Jalal Ahmed... he is..."

"Mr. Mean Ahmed...", firmly folding arms, the instigated woman blocked his way whilst Jalal's squinted eyes darted a steely glance at the addressing. "First thing... it is you who welcomed an argument with derision of my favorite star. Second thing... I , and women in total have better things to do than arguing with men. Third thing and the most important one... God knew that it takes double energy to impart sense into a man's brain as half of them are numb and other half are ostentatious. To compensate HIS faulty creation, HE had to instill exceptional energy levels in women."

Drifting his attention from the agitated lady's heaving chest, Jalal mockingly scanned around.

"What?" peeved by his silent actions, she fussed.

"Looking for water... such a long naarishakti speech deserves minimum a bottle of water..." his lips parted to a lopsided smirk.

"You..." curbing the temptation to tangle his neck, she seized the trolley from his grip. "No thanks... and I can handle my luggage."

"Sure?" marching fast to match her pace, he prodded and she acknowledged with a killing stare. "Fine... as you wish... but I hope this doesn't make me and all men in total...", imitating her lines, he made an innocent face. "... discourteous; as it is we're branded faulty and ostentatious." Ruthlessly killing the chuckle that struggled to plop out, Jodha looked away.

~~~~

"Idiot... wasting last few blissful minutes with stupid silence," the exhausted man's mind rebuked the mutinous form that seated to the farthest end possible. During the drive back home, the otherwise unyielding man stooped a bit subsiding his ego and attempted to reconcile by condemning his own ethnicity, singing praises of her hero, and even offered to call the press and throw an open apology to entire womankind for his derisive remarks on their arguing abilities, alas, none of them managed to earn her reciprocation. "If not for this driver, I'd have roughly pulled and kissed her to silence... shucks... she's already silent... so it should be kiss her to speak...", with craziness personified, the angry young man restlessly slithered in seat. Cherishing his edginess from corner of eyes, the amused woman triumphantly laughed to herself.

"Sir... this lane?" the driver's question dragged her to reality demanding her to look out. "Yes... dead end of lane and stop on left", Jalal's stern directions reminded how soon their journey is going to end. "Why was the drive so short? Did the airport drift half way towards home or was this driver too fast?" Instead of relief, an anonymous tension seeped up as the home approached; she sadly looked at Jalal as a surge of pining swept through her frayed nerves, but it went unnoticed by the engrossed man - with striking seriousness, he's gaping at the road that led to their separation. A minute later, the vehicle stopped before the gates of a corner plot and the driver got down to get the luggage out.

As soon as the automated car light switched on, Jalal's eyes shifted to Jodha. She's staring at him in profound silence with a pool of longing simmering in the expressive orbs and his edginess melted in her mellowness. "Time to part," his softened gaze persuaded.

"Sir should I take out all three suitcases?" the driver's question disturbed their silent communication and the duo were forced to step out.

"You reverse the car, I'll drop her and come...", escorting Jodha to home, Jalal instructed the driver. The mid-September night turned darker with heavy clouds masking the starry sky striking a perfect resemblance to the plight of the couple. Clouds of pining masked the radiance of the couple as they silently marched to the unlocked iron gates.

"I don't want to go...", her slow gait disclosed. "I don't want you to go...", his nonchalant tread professed. "It was better when I didn't see her for a week. Now, after spending quality time with her the situation worsened," casting a side glance at the slowly treading woman, he sighed.

"Its not like the world is ending now. I'll see him in office in the morning, then why this pain?" puzzling at the pounding pine, she looked ahead. "A few more steps of togetherness and he's gone!! NO!!!" brazenly her feet froze unwilling to move further, a sudden urge to find solace in his comforting arms rooted deeply within. "Baba do something..." she sought her friend's help. "You made me trip and fall on him when I was least prepared, why not now? You know I can't voice out my desperation, please help me na!!"

Noticing Jodha not following him, Jalal stopped looking back. Two feet back she stood steadily with her head bent. "What happened?" leaving the baggage, he quickly backtracked. "Jo... are you ok?" perceiving no response from her, he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Not ok... not at all ok...", shuddering at his proximity, she looked up mildly nodding in the opposite of what her heart said. "Mm... good... but", she stammered rubbing her temple for a proper excuse and he stared worried. "...feeling a bit dizzy..." No sooner her last word reached him, the concerned man's hand on the left shoulder made a round trip to the right dragging the frayed woman into a side hug. Celestially dancing at the desired result, Jodha rested her temple on his shoulder and her eyes automatically closed!!

"Why all of a sudden? Let's get in... Come!!" he tried to hastily take her in, but her glued legs didn't budge an inch. "No..." swaying her head as she said, Jodha denied. "Peddamma will unnecessarily get hyper... let's not go in!!" Sizzled by the vibrations of her hair's brush against his neck, Jalal's hand slithered down to her waist. "Mm... ok... then let's sit there till you feel better," he directed to a bench in the lawn. Drowsing in his musk, the smitten woman gleefully smirked at her fruitful scheme. "Why is she dizzy? Did the stressful events take a toll? I shouldn't have insisted to talk about her parents when she's already strained with other wrack up," protectively holding her, the guilt ridden man steered her to a complacent sitting.

"Shall I get some water?" ensuring she's comfortably seated he caringly stroked her locks. "uuhu", reveling in euphoria of his husky voice so near to her ear, she drew closer to his chiseled body. Minding to keep her grip loose like a dizzied woman, the bewitched lady slowly yet cautiously snaked her arm round his waist. "You shouldn't have skipped dinner Jo... top of it, you indulge into arguments and speeches. What else could be expected than giddiness?" His possessive reprimand fetched beautiful smiles on the hypnotized lady. "Now that I got a hug, how about stealing a kiss!!" a naughty desire chirped in. Blindly speculating the distance between her forehead and his lips, she slightly tipped her head up. "Eat something after getting in, okay?" his continued instructions resonated very close. "I think I'm almost there...", bracing herself for the warmth of his soft lips, the tricky woman stretched her neck some more. Wondering at the abrupt movement of her head, the ever-decent man cautiously flinched back to avoid a careless crash of his lips on her skin. "Take leave and rest at home, don't rush to office," perceiving the increased distance through his voice, her head dejectedly fell - a sigh of disappointment stemmed out. "cha... I'm so close; still he's not utilizing the opportunity. For once, why can't he give up his decency and be a bad boy!!" she insanely groused.

The dark chill night clubbed with the fragrances of night-queens and roses added to the eroticism in air. A gush of cold current swept across the couple making the fragile lady evidently quiver. "You are a complete idiot Jo...", covering her with both arms to shield from cold, he drew her unceremoniously tighter angling her body to his broad frame. "Sweaters are meant to be worn, not to lock up in suitcase," rubbing his fingers down her spine to generate heat, he chided. "I haven't seen anyone as unplanned and as disorganized as you!!" Delighted by the affection behind his nonstop tantrums, the besotted woman passionately tightened her left arm round his waist giving up the pretense. Her unemployed right hand circled his tummy to join its counterpart thus locking him between arms and snuggled into his neck to return him the favor - heating him up with her blazing breath. Astounded by the unexpected boldness of his idiot, the amazed man's head inclined to view the lock he was fastened in. Vanquished by craving, he squeezed her mightily into him arching his chin on to her temple and closed his eyes ravishing the newfound ecstasy. He didn't understand if he's giving her comfort or taking it from her. The touch of his rough contour on her temple helped her discover a sensitive spot of her. If a peck of his chin is so tantalizing how'd his lips...", profusely blushing at the mere imagination, her head stirred disturbing their posture and the impatient man immediately nudged her head back to original position, albeit an inch deeper into his neck than before. Moments of blissful tranquility mutinously rolled on without disrupting their utopia.

"Jalal...", she softly called with her lids still shut.

"Mm..."

"You said you'll talk to Badepapa about the incident..."

"Hmm..."

"... but I feel its better if they hear from me first. My silence shouldn't go wrong with Peddamma na," she looked up imploring.

"Hmm...", pensively sighing, the rational man avouched. "I said I'd talk as I don't want you to go through the trauma all again Jo," dotingly cuddling her cheek, he agreed. "But if you believe you wouldn't be uncomfortable recounting it, go ahead."

Enthralled by his sensitivity to her anguish, Jodha promised placing her hand on his. "I'll deal with it Jalal, don't you worry."

"As you say..." confident of her strong emotional quotient, he willingly approved tucking his rival lock behind her ear. "Feeling better?" with spilling love, he enquired and she charmingly smiled in response. "By the way... taking my feebleness for granted what all did you say? Disorganized, unplanned and what not??" quirking brows in mock anger, she demanded.

"Of course its a fact that you are an out and out idiot," he teased. "Uff... someone was so proud of me an hour ago," biting a lip, the frivolous woman hurled a satire. "... and the very man is admonishing me now. Tch... tch... how quickly men change their statements!!" A mild chuckle vibrated close to her ear sending tickles all over her body. "That was a weak moment... mistakes are prone to happen miss!!" he retorted right in her ear and each word felt like a feather kiss on the lucky ear.

"Mistake?" lifting up from him, her lips sealed in conviction. "How about this punishment then?" the ten fingers on his left waist teamed up as ten weapons creating a burning sensation on the skin. "Aww... devil..." screaming in pain, his grip around her loosened as he looked down to his waist. "What the hell you did?" massaging his skin, he solemnly looked up.

"I did only this...", feigning innocence, she distanced more and delivered similar punishment to the right waist at lightening speed. "This is for allowing HER to lay hands around you Mr.Ahmed," evilly grinning, she swiftly ran and he furiously followed to seek vengeance. To his bemuse the spunky woman stopped by a jasmine bush, took out a dry stem, forwarded it to him and extended her left palm like a student before a teacher. "Now its your turn... go ahead", she submitted herself to a punishment for punishing him.

Amused by her gesticulation, he took the stem and raised it as in delivering a ghastly blow, however, her hand didn't flinch a bit. "Not scared?" he asked ceasing his action. "uhu...", her chin tipped up as she tossed a confident smile. "I know you wouldn't hit me!!"

"Why?"

"Because...", sheepishly closing in, she murmured. "There is an adage in Telugu... after six months of friendship people tend to exchange their characters. That way, I transferred my generosity to you and took up your tyranny. So you can't harm me!!"

"If that's the case...", throwing the stem down, Jalal wryly exclaimed. "I should isolate myself from you before I become a conniving idiot."

"Try if you can boss...", grinning unabashed at the newly earned tag, she raised a brow posing a challenge.

"By the way...", suspiciously staring at the electrified lady, the shrewd man quested. "Your body also seems to have unpredictable swings like your mood. It was so feeble a minute before and now all charged up, how come?"

"Oops..." rebuking his ever alerted grey cells, Jodha covered up with a sugary smile. "It was a weak moment... I'm fine now."

"Ok... it's cold here, get in," though not convinced, Jalal couldn't prolong remembering the awaiting cab. Quickly helping her luggage to door, he prepared to leave. "Good night Jodha... take care."

"Mm... call me after reaching home," an auto-piloted causality stemmed out, and she immediately made a face seeing his mischievous smile. "I mean... just to ensure you reached safely..."

"I will..", freeing her from embarrassment, he assured. "May I?" he sought permission to leave and she half-heartedly nodded. "Didn't you miss something?" her heart voiced as she stood still watching the retreating persona. "What was that?" churning her brain, she kneaded her forehead. A rigorous brainstorm and there she remembered the missing thing.

"Jalal..", her scream echoed in the serene ambience immediately stopping him. "A few glitches apart he took utmost care of me through out the trip, and I didn't even care to thank," rebuffing her negligence, she ran to him as he turned back surprised. "THANK YOU..," etching right before him, she devotionally simpered. "Thank you for being there Jalal!!" Taken aback by the unanticipated gratitude, he stood frigid facing those candid orbs; Strangely his heart didn't wallop in ecstasy, instead, her devout gratitude swirled the buried regret bringing the guilt back. "Thank you for being there," her voice reverberated ridiculing his hypocrisy in conveniently getting away with the unspoken words. "Ja..", before she discerned what's happening to her, Jodha found herself in his cramped remorseful embrace - straight in his arms,with her up curves almost flattened against his solid chest and face obscured in curvature of his neck; with every inch of her body in contact with his unlike the side hugs they previously shared, she stood flabbergasted. "I'm sorry for not being there Jo," whispering the exact opposite words of what she said, he quickly plunged out of trance and vanished, leaving the flummoxed lady behind.

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

chap 30.. me being too optimistic 😆

Originally posted by: sharmacatty

Congo for new thread di.. and thankyou so much for updating😃

omg me first this time..😆

🤣.. thanks dear.. 😆

hey i didn't notice in my excitement that u haven't posted a chapter yet😳

Congrats di on ur new thread!!!!

Congo Janhu for new thread..🥳

Originally posted by: sharmacatty

hey i didn't notice in my excitement that u haven't posted a chapter yet😳

Congrats Jahnu for the new thread...Thanks for the update. ..