FF: Pale Blue Dot Thread 8 (Chap 32 20/10/2015 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

"Hey little idiot!!" the man excitedly held Jodha's hands, "Caught you!!"

"Kirannn..." the repercussions of the young man's unforeseen presence echoed in her scream. "You here? When did you come?" ignoring the curious onlookers and the not-so-pleased boss, Jodha crushed Kiran's hand in excited astonishment.

"Who's Kiran? Is he THAT close to call her idiot?" the perturbed boss's eyes sharply lounged over Jodha's hands. "May be... Else why'd she hold him without hesitation? She doesn't even touch me with that ease!!" Pulling on the poise mask, he drifted eyes from the irking sight. The green-eyed monster which he assumed to have conquered years ago, gradually seeped in reinstating its existence and ridiculing his defeat.

"This morning" grinning at her excitement the handsome hunk replied. "Will be here for one more week... had a conference at IBM!!"

"Oh... I get it. If not for company's work, why would we get to see you so soon?" the spunky lady winked. "It's been only three months since your last visit and your general tenure is five years na, like our MLAs who show their faces only once in five years."

"Can't she ask the same with her hands off?" Rolling eyes, the boss fumed.

"Achha??" banging on her arm, Kiran retarded. "Then who came two years back? And who made my supposed to be a relaxed vacation laborious?"

Keep your hands off man!! The fumes aggravated. This is a public place for God's sake!!

"Offo... don't I know why you came and whom you came for?" Jodha teased, "and who made your vacation strenuous?" switching onto defensive mode, she demanded. "I didn't ask you to help me with anniversary arrangements. You only did because you needed an excuse to come out and meet..."

"Ok ok, I give up...", having had ample experiences of losing an argument to the relentless girl, Kiran submitted.

"Wise decision," she chortled, "and look at the coincidence. You're here on the same day. How's Ramya doing? Did she come too?"

"Oh... ", Kiran nodded surprised, "20^th September... aunty uncles' wedding anniversary, you're right!! It skipped my mind... Sorry!!"

Huh? It's her parent's anniversary? And she didn't tell me? Is that why she's alone at office? Unwitting to remain a mute spectator any longer, Jalal moved to Jodha's side.

"Hey... sorry I forgot to introduce you" smiling to Jalal, she turned to her friend. "He is Mr. Jalal Ahmed, MD of Regal and Jalal... he's Kiran my friend cum neighbor. We live in opposite houses in Hyderabad."

"Opposite houses? Means he's Mrs. Lakshmi's son?!!" rightly speculating, Jalal forwarded hand to greet.

"Come Kiran... let's sit there and talk, I'm damn hungry" pointing to the food court, Jodha invited and Jalal flatly looked on. Huh? Should I spend next one hour witnessing their thick friendship? What an awful evening!! A third man hijacking his hard earned privacy, to top it, Jodha ignoring him in Kiran's presence obviously tasted bitter to the possessive boss.

"Wait Jo... I just ate and I don't have much time", Kiran announced bringing relief to the frustrated boss. "I've to catch 9'o clock flight to Hyderabad. I'll be back on Monday evening. Let's catch up then. Should I get you anything from Hyderabad?"

"Oh... ok then, come home when you're back. I don't want anything from Hyderabad. By the way, where are you staying?"

"In office guesthouse. I'll come home one evening next week. Nice meeting you Mr. Ahmed, sorry that I had to leave, hope to meet you again. Excuse us for a minute..." taking a cordial leave from Jalal, Kiran pulled Jodha along.

"Who's he?" ensuring they're inaudible to Jalal, the friend whispered.

"Our MD... why?" she stared confused.

"That's all?" an impish smile appeared on the doubtful man. "Then why did his fists clench to whack me when I caught you?"

"What?" amused by the news, Jodha asked in confirmation. "Are you sure?"

"Yes... his anger and irritation are hardly masked. What's going on?"

"Nothing..." joyously dancing within, she posed a flat face. "His reaction could be due a recent nasty happening with me. I'll explain you later. And yeah, he's not just MD, a family friend of Badepapa too" she added as an answer to other unvoiced questions stirring in Kiran's head. Why'd an employee rove around malls with MD? Would be any man's suspicion and she preferred clearing it before Kiran framed conclusions. Waiting in queue to order, Jalal glared at the duo every now and then wondering what their secret talks could be!!

"Nasty incident? What's that?" the kin-like pal worried.

"It's too filthy to recount now, I'll say later. And don't mind his anger, as a boss and a friend he's just being protective. That's it!!" she asserted to annul the negative conception, if any, of HER MAN in her friend's mind.

"I didn't mind Jo, I was little surprised. Ok... I'm running late, catch you later, bye!" bidding farewell, the friends parted.

"So Mr. Don is possessive of me?" contended with the fact, Jodha walked pleased to the awaiting man. "Oh, you're quick" his voice was plain, yet the sulky eyes lucidly exhibited the intended sarcasm. "Thinking you'd take time I ordered for noodles, is it ok?"

"Kiran seems to be a very close pal" making it sounds like a casual remark, the boss started.

"Yes," Jodha answered taking a sip of water.

"Does he live in the US? With family?" the smartness behind the enquiry tickled her. Hiding amusement behind glass, she took another sip before responding. "No... He lives alone!!" Dubiously glancing her, Jalal asked. "Who's Ramya then?"

Oh he heard the name?!! Scheming to pester him more, Jodha faked seriousness. "Ramya...", she sadly sighed, "...is the woman who conquered my reserved place in Kiran's life. She's his wife!!" Though the fact that Kiran is married brought a huge relief, the sobriety her eyes conveyed misled him, yet again. "Your place?" he anxiously asked. "Why? Did you lov... like him?" despising the mere thought that she'd have loved other man, Jalal polished his query.

Thoroughly enjoying the so-called never envious boss's envy, Jodha laughed to herself. "Hmm, I liked him but what to do, he loved Ramya." As expected her conniving statement multiplied his discomfort. Interrupting Jalal's interrogation, the waiter made an untimely presence with the order.

"Had he not loved Ramya, would you have married him?" soon the waiter left, he shot back.

"That's what Dad's friends proposed" concentrating on puffing the noodles, Jodha coolly answered. "One of my Dad's friend suggested to get me married to Kiran... but..." lifting lids up from plate, she watched the sharpening black orbs. Taking a morsel to mouth, she leisurely chewed testing the patience of anxious boss.

"...but??" he nudged and she smiled.

"...but Dad refused."

"Why?" Another question hurled out almost immediately.

"Because he knew I wouldn't agree to it" she lazily said. "Doesn't it sound disgusting to wed a brother like man?" her brows seriously kinked as if seeking Jalal's opinion and the boss discerned he was deluded. The mischievous smirk hiding in corner of her lips so poked him that, had it been a private place, nothing would have stopped him from kissing that smirk off her. Cuffed by the ambience, he had to stay mutinous limiting his anger to a solid icy glare.

"I'm right!!" she chirpily thought. "Overcoming jealousy is easier said than done."

"Pachai Nirame, Pachai Niramae... Ichai Oottum Pachai Niramae
Ho..! The colour Green... The colour Green! The Green colour that pleases...

"Lovely song na?" she instigated. Throwing her a rigid glance he flatly nodded and resumed eating.

"However hard we try we can't separate Green from our life, right?" The stiff planes of his face conveyed his fuss and the entertained lady sheepishly grinned. "I mean Green capsicum... green leaves... green chutney" highlighting the capsicum and coriander leaves from her plate she innocently explained.

"Right!!" perfectly aware of the devious motives behind that angelic innocence, Jalal gave it back. "Green is so inseparable and I guess that's why I often see you in that color" his brow rose, "I MEAN your dresses."

Chuckling at the kinky wit, Jodha checked herself. The mustard yellow and green Salwar she decked in apologized for throwing her into fix. "Mm... True!! I never realized but you are quite observant!!" she appreciated.

"Of course!! I observe all that is visible and..." darting a fiendish glance, he smirked. "...that is hidden too!!"

"Huh?" The noodles in her mouth rapidly slumped down causing the dazed woman to choke. Patting head, she quickly gulped a few sips, and her gaze involuntarily traversed down to verify the position of her dupatta. After all, wasn't it a natural womanly reflex to such devilish retort?!!

Tracing her gazes, Jalal grinned in pleasure. My, my!! Winning over her, time and again, how scrumptious!! His gaze lurked around her heated cheeks. "What happened? Why're you choking?" making an innocent face like the most pious man on Earth Jalal asked.

"After what he just said, is he asking me why?" too embarrassed to talk of it, Jodha looked aside irritated. "Nothing!!"

"Fine..." innocently shrugging, he resumed where he stopped. "Yeah... about the hidden part... I'm talking of invisible up", leisurely chewing the morsel just like she did earlier, Jalal sniggered. God!! The listener's shoulders coiled in modesty as the dirty mind could only perceive adulterous content from his statement. That moment, she regretted her secret wish of HIM getting bad, for, this bad boy proved to be too insidious to endure.

"...upsets and turbulences. Isn't it why you're alone on a Saturday evening in office?" The gaiety in his tone went missing.

"Eh?!!" having got a taste of her own medicine, a twisted play of words, Jodha cautiously met his eyes. For first time ever, she felt conscious... of his gaze... on her body. Making a mental note to be extremely cautious before thinking to tease him, she feebly nodded.

"I was a little low as it's my parent's wedding anniversary today" twirling noodles, she opened up.

"And you decided to remain aloof?" Jalal prodded. "Why didn't you think of calling me?"

"For what?" she faintly laughed, "to drench you in buckets of tears?"

Finding no fun in her jest, Jalal curtly looked back. "What's wrong?" his baritone reverberated as cold as ice. "Despite having all around you, if you choose to be alone, isn't it our failure?" he asked aggrieved. "Where am I failing Jo?" The ache in his eyes thrashed the smile on her face. Well, considering HER aloofness as HIS failure is apparently an unanticipated twist in tale.

"Jalal... why do you look at it as your failure?" her voice mellowed. "I regard your presence in my life high Jalal. How can I forget the haven you resuscitated? But that doesn't mean I seek your or to that point, anyone's support for every trivial upset" her head staidly swayed. "It's a small turbulence and I was sure I can deal with it if I am left to myself for sometime. When situation is out of my bounds, I definitely seek your support, but running to you every single time, doesn't it sound inane?"

"Absolutely not!!" the steadfast boss asserted. "Looking for emotional support for any reason doesn't make one lame or stupid."

"May I ask you a question?" carrying a cute frown, Jodha requested and the boss nodded in consent.

"What would you do if you're in my place? Don't tell me you never had lows in life" she warned with a smile. "Did you look for a shoulder to cry on?" The question came as a direct blow to his male aura. He spent a moment in contemplation to be candid to himself. Definitely he wouldn't, for, he didn't do it till date!! His grief was always restricted to himself!!

"No!" His truthful answer came in her defense. "I knew!", sealing lips in conviction, Jodha indulged into full attack, "and you expect the rules to be different for you and me? Have you ever shared any of your personal problems, forget personal, even office issues with me? No... Because I'm not WORTH it, right?" The confused glare on Jalal made her quickly rectify the statement. "I mean... I'm a mere woman who can't handle myself and you are the Prophet Mohammad that descended to Earth only to partake everyone's suffering, not to share yours." The lopsided grin on the tickled boss added fuel to fire. "Cut that grin!!" she taunted. "You know what... you men have serious attitude problem. You manage family, friends, work and society all single-handed and you think a woman can't even tackle herself? How gross!!" throwing fork on to plate, Jodha fiercely got up picking her bag. Startled by the wild reaction, Jalal hastily held her hand.

"Hey stop!" perceiving the half empty plate, he truly felt bad for spoiling her gaiety. "Ok, I admit men have attitude problem, for that, you needn't go on hunger strike. Come, sit!!" he tried bringing her back to seat, but the adamant lady didn't move an inch. "No... In your terms its my failure as you never share anything with me. So let me go!!" Falling for the solemnity in her gaze, Jalal looked on worried.

"Its not your mistake Jo" he persuaded. "The age old characteristic male pride you see..." with a bashful smile he expectantly glimpsed, "anyways I'll try to practice to be more unrestrained with you, ok? Sit now!!" Observing the couple's intimate talks from a distant table, a crude pair of eyes squinted in vengeance.

"Sure?" she doubted but he smiled in assurance.

"Hmm.., let's see" temporarily yielding, Jodha sighed. "Chilli chicken or pepper chicken?" Taken aback by the weird question Jalal asked inquisitive. "What?"

"I actually got up to order chicken, not to leave" she winked, "arguing with you, what all I ate got digested."

"Order?" Regret and soreness for getting trapped once again was evident on his face.

"Yes... if I order now it'll be ready by the time I finish noodles na", she seriously answered and burst into giggles seeing his scrunching nose. The mellifluous giggles sounded gruff to the perpetrator. Darting her incensed stare, he scooted off from the locale.

"Every time I fall for your act, I swear this is the last time, yet..." cursing with love, Jalal tucked her to seat, "you sit and eat, I'll order."

"You are ought to fall boss..." she proudly tipped chin up, "after all, fifteen years of acting experience can't go vain."

"Idiot!" swearing under breath, he left to order and Jodha looked on at the retracting form... the smile on her lips turned rueful. "Acting is much needed Jalal. To mask the hurt people knowingly or unknowingly give."

~~~~

"Hell with patience!!" The frustrated voice yelled. "She's happily strolling with boyfriend all over city and you tell me to patiently wait. Bullshit!!"

"Are you still following her?" the voice from other end roared. "I warned you to stop. How many times should I tell you? It is dangerous to our plan if you continuously lurk around in her locality. Why don't you listen to me?"

"I stopped following the day you instructed me to do so", the former hissed. "I saw her in a mall just now, it was a coincidence. Anyways I feel we're wasting time and losing opportunities. She seems to be in love. Remember, once she gets married all our planning and effort goes sheer waste."

"In love?" the latter startled. "Who's he?"

"I don't know. But seems familiar."

"Is he the same who saved her at site?"

"Mm..." the former thought for a while, "may be. I don't exactly remember. I would have seen him while stalking her at site; that could be why he appears familiar. How are we proceeding next? Shouldn't we hurry? If you can't think of a better plan, leave it to me. To kill her is a matter of minutes, only your insistence to keep it natural is ruining the opportunities."

"I repeat... PATIENCE!" the latter ordered. "September is ending and coming up is our lucky month!!" A shuddering cold smile from the wolf-like predator brought immense satisfaction to the listener. "Let her pay final rites to her parents. Then we'll help her join the family in Heavens. Wait for my instructions. End of October should also mark the end of Jodha Akkineni!!"

~~~

"Why Kebabs?" perplexed by two bowls, Jodha asked.

"You like them, right!!" serving her, Jalal replied.

"Enough... enough!!" horrified by his downpour, Jodha shrieked. "When did I say I like kebabs?"

"I thought so..." he grinned impish, "... as you drooled over my plate while I was eating Kebabs."

"What?" making a repulsive face, Jodha demanded. "When?"

"When you all worked late for Ericsson project, I joined you for dinner one day, remember?" chopping the kebab with fork and knife, he reminded. And she remembered!!

"Oh... shucks..." smacking her head, she rushed to clarify. "I wasn't drooling over your plate. I was observing your fingers then."

"Fingers?" his brow rose in teasing, "I never knew they are so drool worthy!!"

"Stupid!! Can't you just shut up!! Isn't a false assumption less damaging than a candid truth in these situations?" condemning her haste, Jodha pouted. "I didn't drool, I peeked only once. That too impressed by your ease in operating fork and knife, like tools in hands of a mechanic!!"

"You call an automotive engineer a mechanic?!!" Jalal laughed, "How insulting!!"

"What else can be a better term for the man who spends all day with machines?" playing with the chicken piece, she riposted. "To me, that fork and knife in your hands simulated wrench and pliers."

"Now I get it why you find businessmen boring!!" curiously observing her reaction, Jalal quipped. "If a mechanic is Ms. Jodha's pick, why'd businessmen interest you?!!" Amazed by the whimsical satire, Jodha looked up from plate. The mischief in his eyes compelled her grey cells to think of a subtle response.

"Why not?" redeeming from amazement she stylishly nodded. "If a mechanic perceives and reciprocates to a machine's beats, he is ought to be an expert dealing human hearts. Then why not?!!" At that befitting reply, the enamored boss mushily grinned!!

Jalal's Residence, 09:00 pm

"Yes Aaliya!!" Hearing the unpredicted name from Jalal's mouth after many months, the friends exchanged skeptical glances.

"What's going on?" Chetan's brows rose in question.

"Who knows?" Abdul shrugged. Patiently waiting for Jalal to finish, the friends resumed the task at hand. From the ease of Jalal's talks they discerned this is not their first conversation after break up.

"Don't worry; I'll talk to Sameer too about it!! Bye!!"

"What's going on?" The moment Jalal disconnected the call, Abdul countered.

"Its Aaliya" Jalal coolly said, "some issues with Municipal permissions for the hotel construction in their land in Gachibowli, so seeking my help!!"

"You sound so casual as if talking to any other friend" Abdul wondered, "When did you both come on talking terms?"

"Since I met her in Delhi conference..."

"What?" Chetan puzzled, "you met her there? And you guys patched up?"

"Yes!!" sheepishly smirking, Jalal nodded.

"I don't believe!!" Abdul quipped. "When did you become so forgiving? And why do I feel like something is brewing in your head. What's that?"

Laughing loud, Jalal patted on his pal's shoulder. "Why do you think I'm scheming something? In Delhi, she met me and apologized her behavior; I too found no point avoiding her. We reconciled and see... we're friends again!!"

"Friends?" Abdul's face scrunched in distaste. "Sounds gross... And who's Sameer?"

"A millionaire from Pune, he owns a construction company there and is trying to expand to Hyderabad. I introduced Aaliya to him and they're working towards a merger."

"What's your interest in this?" Abdul glared dubious.

"Come on Abdul" chuckling hard, Jalal jested. "It's a casual help. No interest, no planning. Can't I do a self-less help to any?"

"Of course!!" Abdul readily agreed, "You're benevolent and self-less but not to the one who ditched and looted you. Come on, shoot it!! What're we missing here?"

"Man... you are a pro" boyishly winking, Jalal revealed. "Well, my interest lies in Sameer's interest!!" Perceiving the confusion on his pal's faces, he elucidated. "Aaliya is interested in Sameer's investment and Sameer is interested in Aaliya's single status. I'm just fuelling their interests!!"

"Why?" Chetan curiously asked. "How should it matter you?"

"So that... I'm free of Aaliya forever!!" Jalal sighed, "When she voluntarily approached me to speak her heart out, I believed she truly missed me yaar. But the next day when she came up with a request to introduce to Sameer, I realized what she missed more" the cool man smirked, "My business contacts, and not me!!"

"I wouldn't have done her the favor had I not sensed Sameer's interest in Aaliya the previous day. I decided to play cupid and bring them together, for, if Aaliya is left single, there's a danger of she or her parents reverting to me in future. We never know, you see!!" The friends looked on awed!!

Smiling at his amazed pals, Jalal continued. "Also, this would nurse the bruised relations with the Khans. The prevailing awkwardness between Khans' and our family definitely affected Abbu, he wouldn't say but I see it. After all, they have been friends and partners for years!!"

"Hmm, so you're making your path clear?" Abdul simpered.

"Yes!!" The boss winked.

"For a hassle free life with Jodha!!" Chetan winked. "Must say... What a prudent plan!!" The name of his ladylove and an envisage of his future with her etched a sweet shy smile on the infatuated boss opening doors of teasing to the acute vigilant friends.

***********

22^nd September, Monday

"The jerk is back to work!!" Jalal informed the advocate. "How shall we proceed?"

"I've a vague plan Jalal," Saradhi said. "But it's complicated!!"

"What's it uncle?" the young man intrigued and Saradhi narrated the facts that steered him arrive at the scheme stirring in his brain. The flabbergasting facts rendered the listener silent. "How's that girl doing now?" once Saradhi pause, Jalal asked disturbed.

"Gradually recovering, she's discharged from hospital two days back."

"Didn't they file a case?"

"No, as I said she couldn't remember the faces. It was dark and remote!!"

"Shit!!" Another staunch example of the assaults on women left him agitated. Impulsively, the narration reminded him of the despair of his girl, which he witnessed in CCTV recording. "Ya Allah!!" He once again sent a silent thanks to the Almighty for standing by his girl and saving her from being victimized.

"Uncle... I get your plan. But doesn't it sound unjust to get her married to a creep like Ramesh?" Jalal asked unconvinced. "In an attempt to punish Ramesh, we shouldn't be unjust to her!!"

"Hmm..." Saradhi sighed in contemplation, "Do you believe its easy for a rxxe victim to ever get married Jalal?"

Unable to aptly answer, the young man continued to be silent. "Ramesh is a typical male Jalal, a decent man till caught. Only we know the filthy side of him; as per society norms he is a well-educated, well earning prospective groom."

"But why would he agree to marry a rxxe victim?"

"We have to corner him!" the advocate professed, "For that I need your cooperation. We have to trap him and seize in Regal's clutches for a few years so that he dances to our tunes. Also we have the CCTV evidence to bend his neck and make him heed to our orders."

"Even if we succeed in compelling him, would he keep her happy? What if he tortures that girl?"

"Right, that's the sensitive part of this plan. We have to immensely counsel that girl to be strong and courageous. This is not going to be easy Jalal. It's intricate, yet, if we succeed, it'd be a great boon to the girl in long term. Ramesh has to compromise at some point of life, and I'm confident this girl can bring the change in him. I have seen her from close quarters last week; she's patient, confident and understanding. What she lacks now is courage, and if we succeed in reviving it, she can mend her life."

"I'm still doubtful uncle. Marriage is a huge step in life, if we falter the girl is going to suffer forever!!" Jalal vacillated.

"How can we guarantee Jalal?" the wise lawyer countered. "Will she and her parents be happy with her remaining unmarried forever? Even she marries someone else, how can we be assured that she'd be happy with him. If it is Ramesh, we can keep him in our control and monitor his behavior."

"And Ramesh's parents... how to tackle them?"

"They wouldn't accept Jalal. That is where Usman saab's influence does the needful. We have to literally intimidate with our influence. If my objective is only to punish Ramesh I can think of other ideas as well, but that girl... I want to do something for her. Legally, I could do nothing and if this is going to settle her life for good, then I'm prepared to take the risk. You too think of it, I know this is not easy and no compulsions to agree to it. If you have better alternatives, we'll go by them."

"Ok uncle!! Give me some time to think about it. Your point is fair, yet, we have to thoroughly evaluate the pros and cons before arriving at a decision!!" Winding up the call, the pensive man spent a minute revising their discussion. Is this practically possible? A mild diffidence seeped in. Possible or not, it sounds perfect. I can fire him immediately, but that would set him scot-free. No... He should be clasped in our clutches and tortured. Bas***d, roams with a mask of decency na, let him be slayed behind that mask itself. He has to be in this company, to witness the rise of Jo and his own fall. The ugly hands that dared touch her should one day fold in fear and respect bowing before her. Every moment in Regal, he has to quiver... thinking of past... dreading of future!! Though it is inconvenience for Jo to face him... she has to temporarily endure..." his thoughts paused, "He's back to work. Did he try to talk to Jo again?" As the suspicion emanated, he immediately dialed Jodha.

"Yes boss!!" The mettle in the ever-spunky lady's voice thrashed the melancholy of his thoughts and fetched peace to the disturbed mind. "Ramesh is back, right?" he asked. "How's he behaving? Did he try talking to you?"

"Nope... he didn't!!" she replied relaxed. "I saw him in team meeting. He avoided eye contact". The causality in her tone satiated and also surprised the gratified boss. It's been more than a week since the incident, yet he never saw the repercussions dooming her spirit. He feared the mishap would imprint permanent marks on her morale, but to his content, she bore no such sign, at least that is how she kept it!!

"Very proud of you Jo!" he acknowledged taking the listener by surprise and by suspicion.

Did he get to know of my involvement in his work? "Why boss?" she asked skeptical.

"For what you are!!" he admired, "You remained so balanced, not letting the consequences to dampen you. I'm impressed by your stability."

"Balance?" The pleasure on her face dissipated; the emotional trauma she sustained through the first few nights churned in a flick. "If only he knew the internal storm I lived through behind closed doors" her eyes shut memorizing the awful nights. "The struggle to bury the incident, the paranoid illusions had she not escaped from Ramesh, the pain of self-nourishing the intimidated heart that nothing worse can happen than what she already endured... At that point, Jalal's work came as a rescue from hysteric paranoia, helping her to strain till exhaustion... till sleep effortlessly took over.

"Do you know the story of shortening a line Jalal?" snapping out of thoughts, she asked.

"No, what's that?" wondering at the mystic question, Jalal asked interested.

"Once a king drew a line on a paper and challenged his courtiers to shorten it" Jodha said. "The conditions are not to erase the line, nor to tear the paper. How to do it? If it were you, how'd you do it?"

"Fold the paper so that the line becomes small?" the boss tried to crack the puzzle.

"No tampering of paper allowed... not even folding", Jodha repeated. After a precise pondering, Jalal gave up. "No idea, what's the answer?"

"The courtiers too gave up after breaking heads how to shorten a line without erasing it boss. Then the smartest of the lot, like our Birbal in stories, confidently came forward. He went straight to the paper and drew a bigger line beside the King's line. He neither erased, nor tampered and the first line automatically got shorter."

"Smart!! But why this reference now?" the boss asked befuddled.

"To explain the secret behind my balance!!" she calmly said. "Fate or ill-fate, I'm equipped with bigger lines that make any other line smaller Jalal. I appeared unbothered not because I'm truly one, only because, every time this incident tried to overrule me I measured it against the bigger lines in life. And you see the result... this new line became small and trivial!!"

Benumbed by the revelation, Jalal succumbed to absolute silence. Admiration, pride and respect so deluged him that an immediate urge to see her gushed in his nerves. Time and again, how could he not fall for this girl!!

"Are you at desk?" he asked getting up from seat.

"Why?" Jodha asked baffled.

"Coming there!!" he answered short.

"No no... Its lunch time", Jodha quickly denied. "Divya may come anytime. And why do you want to come? To see if I'm crying..." she laughed, "Not at all!!" her giggles forced him to halt.

"By the way by bigger lines I meant" her eyes evilly squished, "...facing your wrath, tackling your mood swings, enduring your adamancy etc... etc... Before you, any trouble falls smaller boss!!"

"Wow!" bewitched by her sudden turn around, he smirked. "So I'm the biggest trouble for you?"

"Mm..." she gladly agreed.

"Then why don't you stay away from me?" he provoked.

"Because life is too plain without trouble... Not at all exciting!!" she jabbed.

"Well then..." smartly weaving words, he spun the ball in his favor, "Are you ready to nurture this exciting trouble lifelong?"

"Haa... I ..."

The inherent meaning of his quip struck the amnesic cells and her response abruptly ceased; the enthralled heart pumped extra gallons setting her body on blaze. Fathoming what he asked and what she nearly blurted, she banged her forehead thinking of a quick escape.

"... 'm Coming!! I'm coming..." she hastily blabbered.

"What? Where?" thoroughly knowing her tricks, Jalal prodded.

"Wo... Divya called. I was answering her... got to go Jalal. Talk to you later" posing a deaf year to his laughs, she curtly disconnected the call. Exhaling the tension out, she blushed and blushed at the untoward end of the conversation.

"Smart idiot!" fondly glancing at the name on mobile screen, the smitten boss grinned.

***********

Chapter 31 - Part2

"Well then..." smartly weaving words, he spun the ball in his favor, "Are you ready to nurture this exciting trouble lifelong?"

"Haa... I ..."

The inherent meaning of his quip struck the amnesic cells and her response abruptly ceased; the enthralled heart pumped extra gallons setting her body on blaze. Fathoming what he asked and what she nearly blurted, she banged her forehead thinking of a quick escape.

"... 'm Coming!! I'm coming..." she hastily blabbered.

"What? Where?" thoroughly knowing her tricks, Jalal prodded.

"Wo... Divya called. I was answering her... got to go Jalal. Talk to you later" posing a deaf year to his laughs, she curtly disconnected the call. Exhaling the tension out, she blushed and blushed at the untoward end of the conversation.

"Smart idiot!" fondly glancing at the name on mobile screen, the smitten boss grinned.

Regal, 5:45pm

"Hi Mohan! Abdul here!!"

"Hello sir! How are you doing?"

"Where are you man? Left for the day or coming back?"

"My son is sick sir, had an appointment with the doctor, heading there now. What's up sir?" anticipating the reason, Mohan asked.

"Oh... take care of your little one" Abdul said concerned, "As it is we used up ample of your personal time. I have a token of thanks for you... for your exemplary endeavour. I came to give it you personally, but since you're away Jalal will pass on tomorrow, please accept."

"Thank you sir, so kind of you!!" the obliged employee expressed gratitude. "Sorry that I had to leave, you may leave the gift with Jodha though. She's still at office", finding no reason for further secrecy Mohan disclosed. "She and I jointly accomplished the task, so she's equal share on it."

"Jodha?" Abdul repeated in perplex captivating the attention of inattentive boss. Ceasing the task he's engrossed in, Jalal looked up intrigued.

"Yes sir... Jodha" Mohan confirmed. "Since the work is huge, I sought her help. That is why the delivery was ahead of time."

"Is it?" pleasantly surprised by the revelation, Abdul exclaimed. "That's a news to us!! We didn't know this!!"

Not getting the gist of conversation from Abdul's short exclaims and skeptical frowns, Jalal's eyes squinted in question.

"She preferred to keep it low sir," Mohan smiled. "She is good at work and bad at gloating."

"Pretty likely!!" Abdul chuckled. "Ok I'll talk to her. Thanks, bye and take care!!" disconnecting the call, Abdul eagerly leant forward on to desk facing the curious boss. "Since when did you start hiding things from me?" out of blue, he demanded.

"What?" The latter's face scrunched. "What's it about?"

"Oh... you want me to believe that you didn't know Jodha worked on these designs?" Abdul smirked crooked. "When I suggested her name, you bluntly dismissed and now what?"

"Jodha?!!" Jalal stared in utter disbelief. "No. You're mistaken" his refute came pretty damn quick. "Had she did, she'd definitely tell me. She wouldn't hide from me, you see!!" That assertion seemed more of backing his conviction than stating facts to his friend. "I showed her the designs on Saturday and she didn't look like she knew them. Who told you Jodha did?" his voice sounded almost demanding.

"Mohan!!" the entertained friend chortled. "He clearly said Jodha and he shared the work. Now... why she hid it from you is your problem" Abdul lazily leant back in chair, "Tch... tch... why do I see a huge trouble coming your way my friend?" faking sympathy, he playfully rose brows. "Be prepared!!"

"Jo?!! Did she?" Ignoring his friend's insidious sympathy, the astounded boss glimpsed at his laptop screen. "NO..." his mind defied to believe but his intuition predicated the other way. "SHOULD BE !! Else how could such complex work finish in four days? Now its clear!!" A beautiful smile radiated his face remembering the daily updates he received. "Mohan wouldn't work with such promptitude, it has to be she. My goodness!! But why did she hide it from me?" Jalal wondered. How innocently she asked me what these designs are!! As if she saw them for the first time!! Hmm!! Perplexed and determined, his fingers seized the mobile.

"Jo... BOSS is calling!!" seeing Jalal's name flashing on screen, Divya picked up the piece to pass on to her friend. Why did he call now? To resume where he stopped in morning?!! Moving from the drawing board, Jodha anxiously extended her hand for mobile and the wicked friend did the favor, but not before tapping two buttons - Answer and Speaker.

Huh?? Scorning the insensibility of the lady, Jodha hurriedly tapped all buttons to mute the speaker before "Jo" or "Idiot" is heard from the other end. Suspiciously staring Jodha's flutter, Divya scooted to her side shamelessly lending an ear to the boss-employee conversation.

"Hello Mr.Jalal" she formally addressed praying Jalal to take the cue.

"Hello Jodha... in office?" to the listener's luck, Jalal too kept it formal.

"Haa... at my desk, Divya and I are working together", she added unasked details to apprise him of her situation.

"Ok, come to my cabin once!!" To the listener's bafflement Jalal passed on the instruction and curtly ended the call.

"For what?" While Jodha blankly stared at screen, Divya voiced her friend's unvoiced question.

"We both heard the same words... then how'd I know the reason if you don't?" offering her phone, the irritated lady angered. "Call him and ask if you're so curious!!"

"Its ok dear... I'll wait till you come", the unashamed colleague giggled. "Meantime I'll keep speculating what demanded this beauty queen's presence in HIS MAJESTY's cabin." Helplessly rolling eyes at the spoilt brat, Jodha hastily barged out.

"She's coming..." Jalal announced. "In a minute we'll have our answers. You wait in my personal chamber."

"Why?" the wicked dude chuckled. "To save your modesty from me? Don't you want me to witness your tigress slashing you with paws?"

Smiling to his friend, Jalal confidently stated. "Her anger is confined only to me Abdul. In your presence, she draws a mask of diplomacy. To extract her real self and real answers, I've to be alone."

"Ah!! You seem to have done a thorough study of her man" slyly smiling, Abdul got up to leave to the connecting chamber. "Good luck!!" the impish friend winked before he shut himself behind the door.

"YOUR TIGRESS!!" a sweet smile crept over his lips at Abdul's addressing. Time and again, a sense of possessiveness and ownership filled his heart whenever his friends associated Jodha with him. "Indeed, she's mine", a proud smile glistened his eyes.

"Tuck!! Tuck!!" thwarting the proud grins, the knock on door notified HER presence and he swiftly buried his head into laptop acting all busy.

"Hi..." advancing with her signature smile, Jodha stopped before Jalal's desk watching his absorbed form. Constraining the desire to immediately confront her, Jalal continued staring at the screen and signaled her to sit.

"What's up boss? Why did you call me?" sitting opposite to him, she chirped.

"Remember the designs YOU..." flipping the laptop to face her; the conniving boss paused noticing smile vanishing from her face, "... SAW on Saturday. The carburetor internals did by Mohan?!!"

Why is he referring to them now? Her eyes drifted from laptop to his scrutinizing orbs. "Mm..." she nodded "I do!!"

"I need your help with them Jodha", he got up and gracefully walked around the semicircle desk to reach her. "A few modifications to be done and Mohan is out of office. Will you do it for me?!!"

"Me?" her brows furrowed as she gazed surprised at him. Why is he asking me? Where is this heading?

"Do you think I can?" She didn't let the opportunity go. "I mean... you only said this work demands finer skills in animation. So do you really think I can?" her eyes narrowed in inspection.

"Why does she sound bitter? And why is she still beholding truth? This is definitely not modesty. What am I missing here?" His eyes hooked to hers.

"Mohan's son is sick Jodha, it's not fair to disturb his family time. Also, the changes are simple and I'm pretty confident you can do them."

"Confidence?!!" a sore smile escaped her lips. "In my skill?!! I believe I'm too amateurish to take up such complicated work Jalal. You better explain to Mohan, he'll do at home when he gets time. I don't want to lay my hands and spoil it."

"Ah!! She is hurt and reasons are clear!!" The nonchalant stare, the undercurrent griping and the deliberate self-indignity gave away his answer. "She is badly offended by my pick of Mohan over her!! Shucks!!" affected by her hurt, Jalal rushed to clarify his stance but restrained at nick of time. "She didn't yet admit her involvement", intently staring at the stubborn girl, he arrived at a determination. "Let me see how long she'll hide?" her adamancy challenged his shrewdness and he's not the one to back off. Calculatedly framing his thoughts, Jalal leisurely propped hip against the desk.

"Fine... as you wish" shrugging nonchalant, Jodha reverted to the screen. "Tell me!!"

"There are only a few. To start with..." he pointed to a file and explained. "This should be changed from side to top projection." It was the same image he pointed out to Jodha the other day as the one that missed correction by Mohan. He knew he's playing blind as he wasn't sure who designed it, yet, he took the chance. Deep within, his conscience asserted it should be she, else, the design wouldn't show up in his mailbox within ten minutes of his notification to Mohan. And he was right!! Jodha, having known the task beforehand, altered and kept the design ready for Mohan to share with Jalal when asked for.

"Why?" she immediately looked up to him. "You asked to reverse it on Saturday, now what's wrong?"

Smirking devilish, Jalal kinked a brow. "Wow!! You seem to have photographic memory Jodha. You hardly had a glimpse of it and you memorized already. Very impressive!! Anyways, I want this back to original projection. Also these other designs..." he opened a bunch of files and blurted some random modifications that came to his tongue.

"Hang on!" bewildered by the inundating instructions, Jodha screamed. "You're asking me to alter almost every design Jalal," she looked up confused. "And what's with these changes? Don't you think they contradict with your original requirements?"

"Got you idiot!!" a triumphant smile escaped his lips. "So you knew the original requirements," his brow rose as he calmly asked. "How Jodha??"

Acceding that statement what followed in the chamber is absolute silence. With arms crossed, Jalal graciously continued glancing at her and with a hand firmly clutching the hand rest, Jodha continued glancing back at him.

"Did you talk to Mohan?" half a minute later, she coldly asked.

"Yes!!" he firmly nodded. And that was all!!

She neither asked what Mohan said nor did he render an explanation. With stilled silence, both continued intently gazing at each other reading what their eyes conveyed.

"Why did you hide it from me??" his eyes had the obvious question.

"You tricked me to confession?!!" her eyes had the apparent complaint.

Breaching the mutinous communication, Jodha got up and swiftly turned to leave when Jalal's voice held her. "I'm yet to hear your answer Jodha!!"

"I don't owe you one SIR..." She replied without turning back making her anger evident in the stressed SIR. "If I were to answer anyone, it is Mohan. If you were to question anyone, it is Mohan. We don't share any direct communication in this affair. One more thing..." her head turned to glimpse him from corner of eyes, "when you expect an answer, you better put your question straight. Tricking and cornering one like an advocate trapping the guilt in court, unfortunately, doesn't work with all... bye!!" With that, the worked up lady left reinforcing a truth about her to the dazzled boss. When she's hurt and he's the reason for it, only a genuine approach did the needful, tricking her to confession always backfired. The lunch date and gentle persuasion in Ramesh's fiasco testified the former, while her resignation day and today exemplified the latter.

Discerning the elongated silence, Abdul cautiously stepped out from the hideout. Perceiving the dab of door Jalal turned back to face his friend. Wryly smirking, Abdul advanced to Jalal drawing a line against his neck with thumb - a gesture that indicated... YOU ARE GONE!! At that, Jalal laughed and nodded. "I stroke the wrong chord man, it was a mistake" he trekked back to his seat. "Now... I'll do it right!! I'll play it her way as she wished... straight and to the point. Let me see how she would avoid me this time!!" His eyes glistened with a fortified plan.

***********

"No message, no call, no email... How careless!!" vexed with futile umpteenth checking, Jodha threw the silent piece onto bed. "He's so cool, unbothered... then why the hell am I worked up? It is his mistake, his turn to cajole.. not mine to yield and worry. Stop thinking and stop waiting for his call. You've better things to do." Thus decided, she pulled out the velvet fabric, needle and thread to complete the half-sewed design.

"What made Mohan reveal it?" The needle in her fingers wriggled along the design but her mind reverted to evening's conversation. "Whatever!!" her head shook in contempt. "What should he do soon he knew the truth? Shouldn't he come running, hug and thank me? He did nothing of that and even worse he tricked me!!" her nose hissed in anger. Fathoming the troublesome man ruling her mind again, she chided her debility and concentrated on the task at hand. "Chii!!" looking at the grotesque sewing her broiling mind resulted in, Jodha dropped the frame down. "No use doing it now. I'll only spoil it", packing up the stuff; she casted one last hopeful glance at the mobile. Frustrated by its unending slumber mode, she descended downstairs for a break from gruelling thoughts.

"Come for dinner", seeing Jodha slumping onto couch, Prameela called from the dining. "Not now Peddamma. Later!!" taking remote to hand, the lethargic daughter replied.

"Why? Aren't you hungry? Did you eat outside?"

"No!!" comfortably settling in the recliner, she smiled to her Badepapa seated adjacent.

"Then? Eat on time at least when you're at home!!" the unyielding parent advised.

"Why're you dull Jodhu?" looking up from file, Saradhi inquired. "Not dull Papa," Jodha smiled portraying her passiveness as laziness. "I'm in rest mode today... too lazy to do anything including eating."

"Will your mouth work or is it also lazy?" Prameela laughed.

"24/7", Jodha winked. "Mouth and stomach are on 24/7 x 365 days. Only fingers are on non-cooperation movement."

"Jodhu in pampering mood today. Prameela did you get the message?" Saradhi expectantly smiled to his wife.

"I did!!" Prameela showed the plate in her hands. "What about you? Shall I get your plate too there?"

"No... I'll eat a little later. Look after her first!!"

"Wow!" sniffing the aroma of chickpeas gravy, Jodha attentively folded her feet up and opened mouth like an excited child.

"Mm... 100/100!!" reveling in the exquisite taste, she coiled fingers into SUPER. "Actually Maa... your talent shouldn't be confined to our kitchen. Let me enroll you in next season of Master Chef!!"

"Its Master Chef, not blaster chef!!" Saradhi mocked earning a stern glare from his wife. "I'm not deriding you madam ji," the cunning husband feigned. "I only meant your phenomenal culinary skills would blast their minds and tongues. So, Blaster Chef, a rank above Master Chef, should be the best title for you."

"I very well know what you meant," shaking head in despise, Prameela chided. "Wasn't I seeing you from 35 years? Everyone praises my cooking except you. Not once I heard a good word from you about it."

"Papa might not speak Peddamma," Jodha took it on her to act as the facilitator. "His clear plate after every meal and this protruding tummy speaks," nudging the advocate's stomach, she rebuffed. "Don't mind him. He's jealous that you'll be more popular than him if you show up on TV."

"Ting!! Ting!!" the music of doorbell brought victorious grins on the mother and daughter. "See... we're right!!" Prameela proudly laughed. "Ever since Jodha came, you're strengthened. When two females speak, which man would dare open his mouth? I'm a lone fighter in this home", wryly self-sympathizing Saradhi left to check on the untimely visitor.

"Smart Escapist!!" Prameela commented making Jodha giggle. "Do you know why your Badepapa is successful?" continuing with feeding, Prameela whispered and Jodha looked on intrigued. "Because he never got a lady advocate as opponent. He can't win an argument over women!!" With that the duo broke into bouts of giggles. Amidst the TV volume and gaily laughter, they missed hearing the visitor's name from Saradhi.

"JALAL!!"Opening doors to the unexpected visitor, Saradhi smiled in surprise. "Come in!!"

"Sorry to knock at odd hour uncle," Jalal's outstanding voice traveled till living room promptly muting Jodha's chuckles. "Who was that?" she skeptically glanced at Prameela seeking confirmation of the voice. "I had an urgent work with Jodha," the voice reverberated asserting her senses; her head quickly turned to the entrance. "I couldn't wait till tomorrow. So..." his explanation halted catching sight of the astounded lady gaping at him in disbelief. "Hi Jodha! Hello Aunty!" his eyes spilled mischief at the cute lady's statue posture. "Arre Jalal... what a surprise!! Come, come!" broadly smiling Prameela welcomed. Meantime Jodha recouped and her daze converted into suspicion. Why did he come?

"Sorry... looks like I came at wrong time," impishly shifting glances from Prameela's hand to Jodha's mouth, the boss smiled. "Not at all Jalal, you're welcome any time!! And its only eight fifteen", Saradhi replied signalling the guest to sit and skeptically glancing at his discourteous daughter. It is then her mistake dawned upon; swiftly putting legs down Jodha got up plastering a smile. "Hello sir!!"

Soon she stood up, Jalal's gaze noted the offbeat attire she's embellished in. Three forth length skirt, short-sleeved blouse and loosely braided hair - no wonder he found her more lovely in cool casuals than in the neck to toe anarkalis she usually decked up in. "I need your help Jodha," he plainly said. "...in modifying the designs. It's a bit urgent, so I had to disturb your private time, sorry for that." Words came very casually out of his mouth as if the entire lines were well rehearsed.

"I thought we were done sir!!" meticulously pondering over his hidden motives, Jodha slyly said. "You took all the trouble to come here when you could have instructed over phone. Anyways... let me get the laptop," she turned to leave when both Jalal and Prameela stopped her. "Finish your dinner first. No hurry!!" Jalal warmly instructed.

"You forget everything when you hear WORK", Prameela chided handing over the plate to Jodha and turned to the young man. "Jalal... join us for dinner!!"

"Thank you aunty, but sorry", he softly rejected. "Abdul and Chetan are waiting for me. I've to get this task finished today, at any cost. It's intricate to explain over phone, so I turned up here though it's late". His twisted smiles affirmed Jodha that the TASK he's referring to is anything but WORK. For, she knew there isn't any major task left behind that demands his presence at her home at this hour.

"Ok. You shouldn't have objection for fruits at least", Prameela left to kitchen paying no heed to Jalal's denial. "Excuse me!!" with half-done plate and mindful of questions the boss's arrival created, Jodha followed her Peddamma.

"Did he come to cajole me?" her heart jumped in excitement at the mere thought. "How's he going to do that before Badepapa? How gutsy to directly come home?!! Huh, dare devil!!"

"Curd rice?" filling the chopped Apples into bowl, Prameela interrupted Jodha's brainstorm. "Later!!" stuffing last portion of roti into mouth, she washed hands and picked up the tray of fruits and water. "I'll take!!" Though the eagerness to confront Jalal magnified with every passing minute, she acted cool only to convey boss that her anger hasn't dissipated a tad bit.

"I'll be in Mumbai for a week Jalal, hence the new watchman. In the past I didn't need one, but in current situation..." seeing Jodha coming, Saradhi paused. Nodding in comprehension, Jalal glimpsed ahead to the enchanting view of the alluring feet advancing to him. For first time he's visualizing a portion, though small, of her uncovered legs; a sweet ache to feel the softness of her skin stirred within. Alerted by the instincts, Jodha immediately stared at Jalal only to find him gauging her feet. Feeling conscious, she automatically slowed down causing Jalal to look up. Discerning her uneasiness from the stiffened torso, the appeased boss smiled to himself and freed her from his surveillance.

"I'll get my laptop", passing on fruit bowl to Jalal, she quickly disappeared to her room.

~~~

"Should I change?" viewing her reflection in mirror, Jodha thought. "Tiny sleeves, three forth skirt... more skin show to him than ever. Is it ok?" A shy smile crept on her lips reminiscing his gaze hovering over her feet. "Who else has the right to see you than Jalal?" her heart questioned dabbing an enticing shade of red to her cheeks. "Idiot!" cognition snapped back, "You're going down to fight, not to seduce or to get seduced. Focus!! He may try hugging, touching to persuade you, but don't succumb." Moving away from mirror, she seized the laptop and trekked down with absolute resolution to not fall prey to any of his tricks or charms.

"Use my office room Jodhu..." Saradhi suggested unknowingly bestowing boss with the desired privacy, "... It'll be convenient and bustle free." Seething within at the mischievous orbs that shone at Saradhi's suggestion, Jodha flatly said. "Ok papa. Come sir!!"

"Sir?!!" Saradhi smiled amused watching the retracting couple. "Was that out of respect or sarcasm?"

~~~

"How long will he stare like that?" growing restless at the deadly silence and discomfort at his blink-less gawking of her fingers, Jodha tossed. Five minutes... five odd minutes into the closed chambers and he didn't utter a word. Neither did she!!

Both stayed glued to the positions they took five minutes ago, each to the farthest ends of a three-seat couch. Soon they settled down, Jodha opened files and waited for his instructions; she neither spoke nor looked at him, and he was no less. With his keen glare slashing her from tip to toe, he went on staring without making a sound, for, he very well knew silence is not her forte. She'd be the first to break the ice and he's so right.

"Hmm!! This is not done" vexed with the awkward muteness, Jodha sharply looked aside. "Is this what you came for?" The response she got again is... silence.

"Sir... I'm talking to you only. What modifications should I do?" One more silent minute rolled in testing her patience as Jalal continued gauging her.

"JALAL...", her patience broke and his lips parted into a winning smile. "Speak up!!"

"Glad you remembered my name!!" his satire heralded her involuntary slip of tongue. "Damn it!! Can't you just shut up? What's your problem when he is least bothered? Be firm, be angry idiot!! Don't yield!!" Her head turned to the portrait on wall.

"Anger, impatience, temper... what not!!" Jalal smirked seeing her head turn. "You couldn't wait a minute without response Jodha. Do you understand how it feels when you walked upon me without an answer?"

"I gave my answer Jalal..." instigated by his accusation, Jodha grimly pinned her gaze to his. "We have nothing to talk of it. Do you really have some work for me? Lest we should leave this room right away!!"

"Definitely..." contrast to her anger, he coolly said, "...but after playing the game your way. You wanted me to be prim and straight, right?!! Fine... tell me, what made you so angry? What stopped you from divulging the truth to me?

"Why should it matter you?" Jodha argued. "Getting work done, on time, should be your concern, not who did it!!"

"It's my work and I exercise all rights to know who took it up", Jalal's jaw stiffened at her adamancy. "I'm not complaining on your involvement Jodha. It's your facade that bothers me. When I discussed with you the other day, you acted all ignorant. Why? I bet it was not out of modesty. It's pure anger on me and I'm bound to know the reason for it", his dire demand incensed her temper.

"Woah!!" she mocked. "Who ignored whom Jalal? Raj informed you I worked on animation for Ericsson, I informed you my willingness to help when needed... yet when you have a work that perfectly suits my skills you totally ignore me? When you didn't count on me why should I confide in you?"

Shooting a scrupulous glance at her fuming eyes, he waited a minute before aptly responding. "How many late hours you spent every night to finish it?" his question took her back.

"That's not an answer to my question Jalal" she replied blunt.

"Answer me!!" he curtly demanded.

"One or two a day. I didn't count!!"

"A white lie!!" he flatly opposed. "I know the complexity of my work and the time it necessitates. Given the regular project work Mohan had, I expected it not to be ready even in ten days. I always doubted a second person's involvement in this task, given the periodic delivery of designs, but I was too busy to care."

"So?" Jodha looked confused.

"I haven't seen Mohan finishing any task with such an urgency in the past. So it has to be you working overtime to finish it" Jalal declared, his voice reflecting concern and pride. "The unyielding idiot... you did exactly what I didn't want you to do... overstressing yourself. It was the prime reason I chose someone else over you and the second... to be true to myself, I admit I was skeptical of your ability to interpret the requirements. I'd have still taken a chance with the second excuse had I had ample time to sit by you and explain. Restrained by time, I had to opt for a better experienced one idiot, not that I meant to belittle you" his voice mellowed as he finished.

He did out of concern for me?!! Sinking in each word of Jalal, Jodha looked on. Of course he's right on the second reason as I know how much I initially struggled to get into the skin of this work when Mohan was at ease. As he thought experience definitely counts!! BUTTT...

Unwilling to buy in, she asked acerbic. "This you could have explained before arriving at a decision without my consultation Jalal. I'm not that adamant to not listen to you. I was expecting your call when Raj informed me of your request. Seeing you teaming up with Mohan while I was eagerly waiting..." swallowing the humility, she glanced aside.

Moved by her hurtful posture, Jalal gently freed the laptop from her lap. Discerning his next act would be to hold her, Jodha cautiously sagged aside. If he were to touch her, it'd be the end of her exasperation and she's not yet ready for that. For Jalal to not repeat it in future, she has to be rigid now.

By the time Jalal placed the system aside and turned, he saw her clinging to the farthest end of couch. His eyes squinted fathoming her resistance; had she casted a glance at him, she'd have perceived the hurt in his eyes. For few moments, nothing was heard in that sound proof chamber except the deep breaths.

"I didn't know you're waiting Jo..." after a while, his baritone sounded so soothing.

"I wouldn't have waited either Jalal..." she stressed, "...had you treated me like any other employee. But..." she griped as if it is his mistake to cosset her, "the bond we share encouraged me to expect you'd approach me first!!"

"And the bond we share..." Jalal repeated her own lines in firm conviction, "...encouraged me to take a decision GOOD FOR YOU ON YOUR BEHALF!! Tell me I'm wrong, I'll outright apologize you!!" At that masterstroke, Jodha stayed agape in sheer wonderment. "Come on tell me" he provoked and she remained unanswered. What should she? How could she? Is there an answer to that irrefutable fact?

"What did I expect and what's happening?" she evidently pouted. "No gentle persuasion, no pampering, no hugging yet he's winning. He's claiming authority, possessiveness over me and damn it... I can't even refuse. Evil he!!" Seeing her pout, the master player discerned he won her back. Carrying a mysterious snigger, he lazily stretched his arms resting head against the seat.

Alarmed by the extended arm and irked by his naughty simper, Jodha squeezed her body. "One should apologize if one truly meant it" she crankily said carefully avoiding commenting on the fact he stated, "Not for namesake. Anyways, you admitted you're skeptical of my talent, then why don't you terminate me and save the perks you're wasting on me."

"How do I?" battling the desire to take the pouting cranky girl to his arms, Jalal looked sad. "You're Chairman's direct recommendation. How can I fire you?" seeing daggers darting out of her eyes he chortled. "If I dare take any such decision, Chairman will reverse our positions. He'll make you MD and me your assistant. Then I should start calling you BOSS like you do." That wit managed to fetch a frivolous grin on Jodha but she suppressed it behind the locked lips.

Self-appreciating his talent in bringing smiles, though concealed, on his tenacious girl Jalal proceeded. "Woah! What do I see there?" he acted as if he's visualizing something before his eyes. "The entire Regal team including me standing in a row with arms folded, heads down obediently waiting for your arrival..." her giggles threatened to burst out any moment, "and then comes an exquisite Limo... the doors open to her Highness Jodha Akkineni. You're graciously walking to us, stopped by me, tipped my chin up and gave a proud smirk to me saying... "You see the consequences of defying me?" carelessly tipping my chin down, you roar. "Never ever dare defying me, else I'll sweep you off the ground. You will not have a place to stand neither in this company, nor on this Earth... Till yesterday you're THE BOSS, today I'm your BOSS... Ha ha ha I'm BOSS OF THE BOSS... ha ha ha... Oh my God!!" His whimsical narration, the mock terror, and the hilarious tag he entitled her with were her total undoing. Impressed, melted and amused, she faced the wall and silently laughed.

"Bloody lucky wall!!" continuing with the act, Jalal cursed. "I make all the effort here and it gets your smiles. I'm gonna smash it!!"

Exercising great control to not let the chuckle be audible, Jodha blatantly said. "You don't get my smiles because I'm still angry."

"Still angry?" Jalal looked on horrified.

"Yes!!" she adamantly affirmed.

"After all the stunts I did to knock your door in the night?" He wondered.

"Yes!!" she bit back a lip.

"After all the excuses I blabbed to your Badepapa to talk to you?" he doubted.

"Yes!!" she grimly nodded.

"After all the reasoning I genuinely gave?" he looked hopeful.

"Yes!!" she tipped up her chin.

"After all the crazy fabrication to crack that smile on you?" he groused.

"Yes!!" she haughtily tucked her veered locks.

"AFTER THIS?" The fingers of his extended right arm cuddled her left arm and pulled towards him with great might.

"O ooo!!"

The tug was so mightier that even before her scream reached his ears, the unprepared lady ended up hitting his shoulder with her head. But that didn't end there!!

"Aaah..." It was Jalal's turn to scream as the sudden striking weight made him stumble and fall back.

"Eyyy... laptop!!" with she being atop, Jodha timely judged where his head is directing to. Quickly circling a hand around Jalal's head she tucked him into a protective embrace and hastily pushed the laptop down with other hand. In a flick, Jalal's head hit the couch crushing Jodha's palm beneath it. Slithering fingers into his auburn hair, she clamped him tightly to her chest like a protective mother tugging her child. Clasping one arm around her waist and other on her back, Jalal secured her in his warmth. Engulfed in his love and warmth, her eyes impulsively shut.

As Jalal's hand circled her waist, the slightly displaced blouse granted his little finger free access to her skin. Smiling at his luck, the smart boss managed to accommodate two more fingers in that tiny zone relishing the softness beneath them. Engulfed in her fragrance and protection, his eyes involuntarily shut.

"Dab... dab... dab!!" With every rise her heart kissed him and with every fall it distanced away tormenting him. JODHA in HEART, JODHA in MIND, JODHA on BODY - her omnipresence churned his long restrained desires and he saw his muscles stiffening, passion gradually overtaking his cognizance. His head angled till his cheek comfortably rested above the neckline of her blouse. The taut grip on her back, the gruff jaw on her collarbone, the seductive brush of fingers on her naked waist gradually drew Jodha into senses. Discerning the weight on her chest and whom exactly it belonged to, she opened eyes in a jiff and jerked up her torso.

Displeased by the abrupt withdrawal, Jalal opened eyes and saw her glimpsing down to him with a concoction of feelings - shy, awkwardness, tension, anxiety, what not!!

What was I doing? Her throat parched in shame as she wriggled to free from his clasp.

Not letting her go, Jalal smirked at her evident embarrassment. "Thank you for shielding my head boss", he teased and her pupils widened. "By the way are you still angry with me?" he made an innocent face. Too dazed by his audacity and too abashed to meet his glare, Jodha forcibly nudged him setting herself free. That very moment, she craved to run away to a private hideout till the frayed nerves calmed down, nevertheless she couldn't. With her escape she didn't want to make the clumsy situation clumsier. Mustering strength not to depict herself weak-kneed, she ignored answering him and seized the laptop lying on floor. Settling down at a safe distance she clasped the dead system tight to get a hold on the quivering fingers.

"The couches in this home are lucky for me", he naughtily thought sitting straight and recalling their first encounter in the very home. "She ends up in my lap each time!! And the havoc her touch incites in me... uff", brushing face with palms to mitigate the kindled fire, he glanced at the squiggled lady. To save her from abashment, he decided to act unaffected, thence shifted his gaze to the portrait on opposite wall. His eyes flickered over the girl daintily smiling from frame and then over the man beside her. The queasiness he experienced seeing Jodha with her uncle's son in restaurant replayed. "It all started then... the first inkling of possessiveness seeing her with other man. Why not?? You're mine Jo..." he possessively thought. "How'd Kiran or Ramesh or your cousin come our way when we are meant to be together!!"

"Shoot..." he suddenly remembered Jodha's estranged alliance with Kiran, "How did I miss passing on this information to Prithvi. Mrs. Lakshmi tops his suspect's list and any relative information should be helpful to him. First thing out of this home, call Prithvi!!" making a mental note, he glimpsed down again to Jodha. The system in her lap is waiting for her to enter password, but she seemed out of this world - blankly staring at screen and lost in thoughts.

"What could he have thought of me? That I did chance pe romance?" The whirlpool of thoughts raked her calm. "Why did I over react? Its only laptop, he wouldn't be majorly hurt though he hit it... cha... I shouldn't have acted so impulsive!!" she rebuked. Not once, she admonished his audacity to intimately hold or touch her, for, she didn't feel it was wrong. Her only problem seemed to be with his perception of her mindless act.

"Password should be entered with fingers, not with eyes!!" Jalal's voice shattered her introspection. "Huh?" she glanced at him baffled and he signaled at the screen. "Mm..." obediently nodding, she hastily typed in, albeit the wrong combination. Wetting the dried lips, she typed in again with no luck; the fidgeting fingers again mistyped a character.

"Stop!!" trying hard not to laugh at her futile attempts, Jalal slithered down seating adjacent to her. "God!!" His toned skin visible from crevice of the dark blue shirt, his beguiling perfume, the tempting clean-shaven jaw made her draw a long steady breath. "Should he sit so close to me now? After all the exercise I just finished to settle my beats down?" She swore under breath.

"Give it to me!!" he seized the system. "One more wrong attempt and its locked!! What's your password?"

"Gautam2305", she answered and Jalal casted a solemn glance. "Here you go!! Your laptop is fine" he returned after inputting the password. "Thanks!!" she faintly smiled and hooked up to the system. "What next?" She didn't understand what to do further. "His purpose of visit is served. What is he waiting for?" growing nervous with his proximity, she sulked. A part of her wanted him to leave but the major part rebelled. Though tensed, she loved having him in her home, right next to her.

"Show me all the designs you worked on!!" breaking ice, Jalal asked - only half the purpose of his visit was fulfilled and the other half not yet. "Mm..." following his instruction she opened the files and scooted laptop to his side for better visibility. "Didn't the incident affect him in any way?" As he coolly scrolled through the files, she puzzled. "How could he be so normal when my mind is out of whack?"

"This label is misspelt Jo" disrupting her contemplation, he pointed to a design. "We noticed it during finalization."

"Ok, I'll correct" she nodded. "Any more changes?"

"Yeah... few more. I have them in my system. I'll send you tomorrow" he replied intently studying each design that shaped up in his idiot's hands.

"Is that all he has to say?" she looked disappointed. Observing her sullen features from edge of eyes, Jalal smiled within. His scrolling fingers stopped at a picture that attracted his immediate attention. It's the same pic that earned everyone's appreciation - the most intricate design of all. Seeing him halting at the much-lauded design, she crackled her knuckles eagerly anticipating his reaction. "When he assumed it was Mohan he praised a lot. Now when he knew its me what'd he say?"

Taking his own sweet time to study each line, each node of the picture, Jalal stayed muted. "How wrong of me!!" he truly felt bad "...to underestimate her skill!! This one picture is enough to scoff at my prejudiced decision. I should have given a try before deciding, she might be new to subject but is an absolute fast learner. It's a blunder I shouldn't have committed", with regret filled eyes he faced her. Innocent and anxious -like a kid awaiting appreciation from teacher- Jodha pinned her gaze on him.

"You don't get any accolade Jo.." softly smiling, he placed the laptop down. "Huh?" Before she discerned, his fingers gripped hers and his face descended down. "Uh," she gasped at the wetness of his lips on her fingertips. "The fingers that wove the magic does!! Splendid job guys" fondling with his thumbs, he spoke to her fingers and she blushed hard. The jitters that took forever to settle down returned in no time. "Also the arms that supported these fingers," his hands trekked up from palms to wrist, wrist to elbow all the way gently caressing like massaging the strained muscles. "Jalal..." She tried to quickly retreat but his firm grip didn't give her a chance. "Shh!!" he shushed her up. "Close your eyes and relax. You have troubled these enough, you stubborn girl".

"Relax"? Her pupils widened. "Your touch sets my heart on Marathon and you expect me to chill?" She looked unbelievable.

"I said close your eyes" his taut gaze conveyed he meant his order to be obeyed. "This man is impossible!!" Gulping the tension down, she obeyed his order. "Romancing with me right under the nose of Badepapa and Peddamma. Not a bit frightened... what if they see us now..." Unbothered of her turmoil, his fingers traversed up from elbows to shoulders carrying on with the massage... gentle, soothing, and caring!!

A while later, Jodha felt the impact of his caressing - beats getting levelled and breathing steady. Surrendering to his magic, she shut off the whirlpool of thoughts and submitted her body to his will. With unblemished faith that nothing can go wrong between they two, she set the stringent muscles free. How improper to think he wants to romance with me?!! What he's doing is...unadulterated adoration!! A hearty smile illuminated her face. Witnessing the anticipated reciprocation in her - to feel his love, not desire - Jalal too smiled gratified. From arms, the travel of his fingers hopped on to cheeks. Preciously cuddling her face as gentle as holding a fragile flower, his thumbs began kneading her temples. Drowning in celestial solace Jodha slowly snaked her fingers around his forearm.

"You don't get any thanks Jo", his voice came as a whisper and now that she understood his game, she simpered. "... but this tiny creative brain does!! Thank you li'l one", he gave a loving kiss on her forehead that lingered a while; her smile broadened. "And you don't get any apology either!!" joyously hitting her forehead with his, he shifted thumbs from temples to eyes. "...but these eloquent orbs that stayed awake every night for me do!! I'm sorry softies!!"

Awestruck and touched, Jodha fastened her clasp around his arm waiting for the eyes to receive their share. Contrary to her expectation, his lips halted half inch above her lid. "Uff..." he gently puffed before closing his lips on to lid for a light feather kiss. Dazzled and shuddered she impulsively inched closer. After honoring the other eye too, Jalal withdrew to have a heart content glance of the ethereal face in his palms. Keeping eyes shut as per his orders and not objecting a bit to his audacity, she appeared endearing. "How blindly she trusts me!!" his heart ached. "What did I do to earn this trust? Biased... prejudiced... dominant... isn't it how I've been treating her??"

Puzzled by passive silence, Jodha slowly opened eyes and the view before her left her amazed - remorse and devotion in equal proportions showering from his intense orbs completely dampened her. "What happened?" her eyes worried. In response, his forehead plunked against hers - their breaths mingled... lips yearning to mingle. "MY LITTLE WONDER!!" he murmured slithering fingers into the pristine tresses and tightly pressing her head to his. The word My' seized her immediate attention. Did he say that? Did he just claim me as his? The fist sized heart jumped in surpassing bliss. "THANK YOU FOR BEING WHAT YOU ARE..." his acknowledgement transformed bliss into Paradise, "AND SORRY FOR ME BEING WHAT I AM!!" The unexpected last words acted as turbulence in her transcendental ecstasy. She retreated befuddled!!

"Knowingly AND unknowingly..." he smiled to her questing eyes, "Many times I was the reason for your hurt Jo. I never apologized when I was ought to, so let me do it now. Excuse m..." his word remained incomplete as Jodha vigorously crushed into him - draping hands around his neck and firmly clinging to him. Surprised, his hands tightly cuddled her with abundant affection. "No... Don't say that!" her head in the crook of his neck swayed. "You don't have to apologize me Jalal", she strongly said.

"Why Jo?" fondling her locks, he whispered. "You always wanted to hear one!!"

"Mm... after every tiff I expected to hear one from you..." she murmured, "but whenever you uttered it, I wasn't at peace. The hurt, instead of getting satiated, intensifies."

"Why?" bemused, he looked down to the closed eyes.

"I don't know", cuddling more into curvature of his neck, she sounded clueless and he smiled affectionately fastening her in his embrace.

"Don't you want me to apologize though I'm wrong?" he mumbled.

"No..." she gladly confirmed, "You begin to be wrong and end up being right, so you don't have to be sorry." Her untainted conviction made her more irresistible.

"Think well Jo..." his cheek propped against her temple as he huskily murmured into her ear, "Next time you'll not have a chance to complain!!"

"I'll not complain...", sliding hand into his hair, she gave her word without second thought, "after these many months of acquaintance I learnt a fact that BOSS IS ALWAYS RIGHT!!" The brush of lips on his skin as she spoke, the flame of her breath, the tormenting friction whenever her head nodded- His other parts of body so envied the luck of his neck that they set themselves on fire demanding him to serve their need. Exhaling deep to get a grip on broiling passion, he pressed his cheek more into her temple.

"Always?" he prodded.

"Yes!!"

"You mean...I do anything and I'm right!!" he reiterated.

"Yes!!"

"Anything?"

"Ye..."

Wait!! Why is he stressing the same again and again? Turning suspicious, Jodha slightly drifted from his embrace, arms still garlanding his neck, and looked up - his eyes brimmed with unmasked mischief.

"Mm... tell me... ANYTHING I DO IS RIGHT?" his head angled inching close to her and she wheezed at his devilish move. "NOOO..." Tensed and terrified, she let out a mild scream shutting his mouth with palm. "What? Why did you shout?" he giggled behind her fingers. "What did YOU THINK I was doing?" he teased and she discerned she was tricked, yet again. "Cha cha..." hating her for her impetuous reactions and hating him for his endless teasing, she angrily pushed him and escaped... from HIM and from the chamber.

"My lovely idiot... Run as far as you can", leisurely standing up he chuckled. "One day... YOU HAVE TO RETURN TO MY ARMS.. AND BE THERE FOREVER!!"

*********

"This looks more like a storeroom than a bedroom. Papers, clothes, books, clips... its stuffed with all types of waste. If you're not cleaning up by end of this week I'm gonna throw everything into bin. Later don't complain that I didn't warn you." The dire threatening from her mother inflicted the young lady to shred her laziness and sit upon the tedious task of refining her messy room. Thirty minutes later, with a pile of books, papers and files on the ground, she found herself leisurely flipping through her birthday albums - starting from first birthday where she looked as cute as ever in a tonsured head and baby pink frock till the tenth birthday. In the first nine albums she was the only one to stand before the cake, with her parents on either side, but the tenth birthday had an addition to her family- JODHA.

"Cute idiot!" seeing the excited little friend staring enthralled at the cake, Samyu sniggered. "How strangely we became friends!!" she traversed down the memory lane to the day Jodha joined her school in fourth grade. That day, the immediate emotion that evoked in her heart for the pretty girl is ENVY, for, she garnered instant attention of boys in the class. With time, jealousy also grew as Jodha surpassed Samyu in studies and became an Apple of their class teacher's eye - the teacher on whom Samyu was extremely possessive of. Adding to the factors, Jodha having a brother in same school to boast of, her gloating of her father's princess-like treatment at home frustrated Samyu, who had a strict father and no siblings to count upon. Vexed and irritated, one fine day she declared open animosity by tearing off Jodha's copy and it is then Raghuram intervened into the matter and counselled the little girls molding their enmity into gradual friendship. Their friendship flourished in the pink bonding two families into one.

"I never told you Jo," caressing a photo of two families happily smiling; Samyu sighed, "but I had an innate guilt for being jealous of you ..." she spoke to Jodha in pic, "because, deep within, I believe my envy could have been a reason for the losses you suffered. I was jealous of your marks - you lost school topper. I was jealous of you having siblings - you lost your brother. I was jealous of your princess treatment - you're totally deprived of it now. How sordid of me!!" Unconstrained tears dribbled down her cheeks as she closed eyes in remorse. "This pang of guilt recurs whenever I reminisce our good old past times, it eats of my peace. Pardon your silly friend Jo."

"Galiyaan... Teri Galiyaan!!" The silent lamentation was disturbed by a call on her mobile. "Prithvi?" seeing the dialer's name, she took a while to swab the tears and swallow the grief before answering. "Hello!!"

"Hi, sorry... did I disturb you from sleep?" her heavy tone and the delay in response made him doubt.

"No Sir... tell me!!"

"Ok, I called to ask if you know anything of Jodha and Mrs.Lakshmi's son Kiran's alliance" he put it straight.

"Jo and Kiran's alliance?" she repeated baffled at the out-of-blue inquiry. "Yes... but why now?"

"Tell me all details about it!!" Prithvi urged.

"There aren't any details to say. It was a mere suggestion from one of our family friends. But Raghu uncle refused on the spot as Jo and Kiran didn't share such bonding. Moreover Kiran was in love with another girl. It wasn't publicized then, hence Srini uncle should have come up with that idea."

"Who's Srini uncle?"

"A common friend to Jo's, Kiran's and my family."

"When did he bring it up?"

"Almost two years ago, on Kiran's sister's engagement day!!"

"Did Kiran's parents know of it?"

"May be not. It was as an impromptu suggestion that was almost immediately turned down upon. So I don't think Rao uncle or Lakshmi aunty were notified of it."

"Did Mrs. Lakshmi or her husband mention of such intention ever?

"No... They never had such intentions. They knew Kiran is more like a brother to Jo, so I'm sure they wouldn't have thought of any marriage between these two."

"That might be your perspective Samyuktha!!" Prithvi softly said. "We often look at things the way we want, not the way they are!! Try and recollect any instances that'd have indirectly hinted that they wished Jodha as their Daughter-In-Law!!"

"What do you mean officer?" Samyu asked inquisitive. "What are you hinting at? And how is this proposal related to Jo's case?"

"Don't ask me how!!" Pritvhi flatly said. "Just let me know if you recall anything!!"

"I don't..." Samyu irked at his flat tone, "...and I also don't understand what your police brain is cooking up. First you suspected me, now Kiran's family... Wah!!" The pangs of remorse combined with his untrue assumptions of her as the murderer ganged up against her rationale. "You always end up suspecting the wrong ones officer, don't you? Fine... let's assume Kiran's parents yearned to have Jo as their daughter-in-law and were upset with her rejection. Still, why would they plan to kill her after Kiran's marriage? Don't you remember the timeline of second attempt? Kiran got married much before that. Then what gain would they get by murdering Jo? How can an ACP think so ridiculous?"

"Nothing is ridiculous until proved!" Prithvi sternly countered, "I have no fun in baselessly suspecting anyone. A police envisions and contemplates much beyond your reach Samyuktha; don't try educating me. And what do you think? I'm doing time pass by asking you for every trivial detail? What do I gain in this investigation? Am I paid? Are you my friend or is Jodha? Or is this my official task that I'm compelled to work upon? If not for Jalal, I'm least bothered about who is scheming to kill whom." His taut reply not only silenced her sharp tongue, but also made her repent for her overdone comments.

He's right!! She regretted. He has no reason to indulge into this, yet he's doing... not for namesake, but a genuine attempt. How bad of me to scoff at him!! "I'm sorry..." she outright apologized, "...extremely sorry. I was unnecessarily rude!!"

"Give me all information of Jodha and Kiran families' bonding" he curtly asked as if her apology didn't matter him. Feeling a tug at the harshness in his ignorance, she started low. "Raghu uncle and Rao uncle are friends from college..." Whilst she accounted with all information she's aware of, Prithvi carefully listened to her narration making a note of intriguing points.

"That's all I have to say Sir. Do you now get it why I objected to your doubts on Kiran's family? I've been witnessing them for years. Jo is very dear to them, they'd not even dream of harming her." Samyu affirmed in conviction.

"Mm..." Prithvi nodded. "Thanks for the detailing. A routine caution - don't speak of our conversation or of this case to anyone. Bye!!"

"Mr.Prithvi..."

He's about to disconnect when her addressing held him. "I apologize again for the rudeness, and I see that you're still angry with me..." she paused gulping the lumps, "but please don't show your resentment on this case. I'll never be able to excuse myself if you gave up because of my stupidity."

"Don't worry..." perceiving the crackle in her voice, Prithvi softened, "I'll do what all I can to save your friend."

"Thank you..." she felt obliged.

"Why not?" he smiled trying to lighten up the situation. "Didn't I receive a death warning on that front?"

Gosh!! Samyu smacked head in embarrassment. "Sorry for that too..." She sincerely admitted. "When it comes to Jo, I become outrageous. She is very special to me Sir..." tears welled up as she looked down to the album in hand. "She filled the void of a sibling in my life. Outwards, she appears simple, normal girl... but we get to know her real essence only when we acquaint with her in close quarters."

Striving to discern the motive behind the sudden eulogy of Jodha, Prithvi stayed a silent listener. "Is this to make me empathize with Jodha and develop a soft corner so that I don't back off from this case?" he rightly guessed.

"We are friends for fifteen years, our journey started with tiffs and enmity, but I didn't know when she became a friend and an obsession..." Samyu paused composing herself. "I can't afford losing her Sir, please... Please help us!!"

"I understand Samyuktha!" Prithvi murmured feeling a strange stab at her helpless imploration. "I promise to try in every possible way to trace the culprit soon. You relax!!"

"Thank you sir..." She smiled between tears. "Good night!!"

**********

"Thank you... I didn't expect such an expensive gift. We've to profusely thank Abdul sir." Mohan gleamed elated. "But how shall we share this Jodha?" he looked confused.

"As it is impossible for two to share a phone, I have a solution..." Shashank came forward, "I'll take it!" he grabbed the pack from Mohan's hands with a bewitching smile.

"Two steps back for work and four steps front for gifts..." Jodha scoffed yanking the pack from Shashank. "We don't need your advice on how to share. Mohan... I have an iPhone and have absolutely no interest in getting another. You always wanted to buy one... So you keep this. As part of my share, throw us a treat!" she winked at Divya. "But choice of venue will be ours!!"

"But..." Mohan interrupted.

"No more arguments. In this case, my verdict is final!" she stamped her fist on the table imitating the hammer in Judge's hand .

"You're speaking more like a lawyer these days..." Mohan laughed, "Anyways, I abide by your judgment!" Mohan yielded without further ado, as he knew its no point insisting on the stubborn colleague. Once decided, she doesn't heed to any!!

"Cool... How about tomorrow lunch?" Divya propped a plan. "Today we already got lunch boxes."

"Anytime as you say..." Mohan readily agreed.

"What's going on?" intrigued by the bustle, Raj knocked in. "Hey Raj..." the vivacious employee greeted, "Mohan received iPhone 6 as gift from Boss!" she happily showed the piece.

"That's so cool!! Congratulations man!! What did you get Jodha?" Raj laughed.

"Something very precious than these gadgets!!" she smiled remembering the boss's hugs and kisses. "A treat from Mohan for giving up my share. Raj, join us for lunch tomorrow. It's been so long since our team partied out."

"Sure!!" The manager left with a smile and the team followed.

"I haven't seen a Budhu like you!" once they're back to cabin, Divya scorned.

"Why?" failing to understand the sudden retort, Jodha puzzled.

"You did most of the work and let Mohan take the credit and gift." Divya shook head in distaste.

"When did he take all the credit?" Jodha asked bemused. "I told you he revealed to Boss yesterday and Boss thanked me. Then what's the problem?"

"Had it been someone in your place, they'll boast of their endeavours till death. To hell with your modesty, you're unfit to corporate world Jo. Here you have to speak of your achievements, else you'll be thumped upon."

"You think I'm so naive Divi?" Jodha giggled. "I made sure Raj knew of my work because the immediate manager holds first priority to any employee than the MD or CEO. I didn't insist on my share of gift because I'm not interested in it and also Mohan deserves it. He took time to explain me, guide me, and these gifts are no close in value to the learning experience I gained in return. My animation skills are refined and it boosted my confidence to take up any challenge. Also, where do you find colleagues like Mohan? As you rightly said, in this self-centred corporate world who supports his juniors like Mohan? I just paid back his favour by giving up my share and see... he'll remember this forever. Anytime in future, he'll stand up for me. I lost an iPhone, which I'm not interested in and earned his loyalty in return. Now tell me... am I that Budhu?" she winked.

"Oh My God!!" Divya's eyes widened in wonderment. "One should learn from you how to be sincere and cunning at the same time. I'm Budhu to think of you as Budhu!!" she delivered her trademark pinch to Jodha and the latter heartily laughed.

4:30pm

"Jodhu... What shall we do about that Civils aspirant guy? He called us again now!!" Prameela asked perplexed.

"You tell him what Papa said... that we don't pay for coaching institutes. Tell him that our trust pays only school and college fees."

"I told him but he is requesting again and again. His request is also genuine you see; he passed Prelims on his own... it shows he's talented. A proper tuition from coaching institute will definitely help him to score well in the Mains. What should we do?"

"Hmm... tell Badepapa. If he agrees, let's take it offline, not from Trust account..."

"Tuck!! Tuck!!" A knock on the door followed by Abdul's entry interrupted her talk. "Maa... I'll call you later!" she disconnected standing up to welcome the gentleman.

"Hi Jodha, how are you doing?" Abdul greeted.

"Fine, thank you Mr. Abdul. How are you?" she smiled offering a seat.

"Great!! With people like Mohan and you in team, any boss is cool and great!!" Abdul witted fetching an impish grin on Jodha. Smart man!! He knows how to flatter his employees!!

"Jalal told me you too worked with Mohan on our designs. Thank you so much!!" he divulged the purpose of his visit. "It was exceptional!!"

"Thank you..." Jodha shyly smiled.

"I didn't know of your inclusion beforehand, else I'd have got a token of thanks for you too. As a compensation I have an open offer..." he warmly said. "You are free to ask for anything you want."

"That's very nice of you Mr. Abdul!" the pleased employee smiled. "I demanded my share from Mohan in form of a treat. So I'm good, thank you!"

"That's not fair on my part" Abdul persuaded, "Its not Regal's project that you're obliged to work. It's our personal work and it's unjust of me to get away without proper reciprocation. Feel free to voice your wish Jodha, else you'll be compelled to accept any gift that I come up with. However gross be it!!" he warned with a chuckle.

"Had I known I'd be gifted, I'd have been prepared!!" Jodha chortled in return. "Let me save this offer for future because I have nothin..." Her statement abruptly stopped. "You don't need anything but aren't there other needy people??" Her inner voice hinted. If not you they'd have paid someone else and got the work done. Also if he comes up with a compulsory gift, you'll be in fix, better utilize this offer for a discreet cause," the conscience encouraged to avail the opportunity. "But then what'd he think of me if I ask now... after just refusing like a magnanimous Duchess?" she vacillated.

"You don't have to hesitate!" seeing her pensive frown, Abdul cheered. "Shoot it!!"

"Will you give anything I ask for?" with regaled spirits, she solicited.

"YES!!" he assured.

"Then give me a Cheque for twenty thousand!!" She asked it straight taking him by surprise.

A moment before she's so reluctant, why this sudden turn now? Quashing his curiosity, Abdul smiled in pleasure. "Just twenty thousand? An iPhone 6 costs 50K..." he slyly hinted. "In case, you are not aware of!!"

"This is not to buy iPhone..." Jodha laughed. "For a better prudent investment than a phone." The resplendence in her eyes enhanced her beauty making her look angelic. Jalal would have fallen for these eyes!! Abdul smiled within.

"Mm... sounds interesting. Wish your investment treats you with huge returns!!" he chuckled. "I don't have the cheque book with me, will send it with Jalal tomorrow. Glad having you in team Jodha, see you!!"

"My pleasure Mr. Abdul... see you!!" she humbly acknowledged. "Hey... one important thing..." Abdul leant forward as if sharing a secret. "I know you're not just an employee of Regal!" he sniggered startling her. Did he know of Jalal and my relation? She wondered while Abdul grinned at her alerted face. "Jalal told me you're niece of Saradhi ji. I know him too, so you're free to call me Abdul without the Mister."

"Sure!!" she sweetly nodded and he left with a smile.

"Peddamma...", soon the door closed, the excited daughter dialed Prameela; "I just spotted a donor. Tell that guy to come day after tomorrow to Trust and collect the Cheque!!"

~~~

"Was it a thumbs up or down?" Noticing the smile on the advancing friend, Jalal laughed. When Abdul apprised of the idea of open offer to Jodha, the boss firmly asserted that she wouldn't ask for anything, but then Abdul heedlessly proceeded with his attempt. Since then Jalal eagerly waited for his friend to return... unsuccessful.

"Up!!" Abdul triumphantly smirked. "A Cheque for 20k is her gift!!" He announced and it was Jalal's turn to be surprised. "Is it? Strange!! Did she ask for it?"

"Mm... she denied first but suddenly came up with this request!!" Abdul recited their conversation.

"Investment?" Jalal wondered what's cooking in his idiot's brain. Is it really for her?

"Yeah... That's what she said!!" Abdul shrugged. "By the way... How and when did you cajole her? She looks cool and happy unlike yesterday."

"Last night!! At her home!!" Jalal winked and Abdul looked astounded. "You knocked a girl's door at night to beg pardon?" the amused man burst into giggles. "I thought you're an exemption to such crazy stuff. Looks like Jodha made the impossible possible."

"Shut up Abdul!" Jalal dismissed with an abashed frown. "It's my mistake and I have no qualms in fixing it!!"

"Yeah... yeah!! But you could have done it over phone or wait till today!" the evil friend grinned. "Someone used to deride my crazy antics to please Sara. Look at him now!!"

"Phew... don't compare me with you!!" Jalal's eyes rolled in contempt. "No one can get as crazier as you two. Endless chatting on phone every night, sleeping in office during day, assigning your work to me and Chetan, emptying cards in two days after credited with salary... the expensive gifts, the surprise visits to India... God!!"

Shamelessly grinning, Abdul jabbed. "Love makes you do all that and much more bro! Confess your feelings to Jodha and then see. How crazy your life becomes!!"

"Jodha is mature and sensible. I'm cocksure we don't indulge into such things", the confident boss declared.

"Acha... let me see!!" pointing his fingers to eyes, the wicked friend gestured WAIT AND WATCH. "I'm going home... you?"

"Will start in an hour. Have to finish some signatures before I leave. From tomorrow, its all Fourwheels, no Regal visit for a week."

"Ah!! I promised Jodha that I'll send the Cheque with you tomorrow", Abdul looked troubled.

"Let it be. I'll give mine."

~~~

"Hello Jodha!"

"Yes boss... how can I help you?"

"Ah!! How about the investment suggestions madam?" Jalal jested.

"O... The news reached you already?" Jodha tittered. "Your information channels are pretty fast boss. And what an honor!! Offering suggestions to the shrewdest of bosses!! Wow!!"

"Idiot!" Jalal chuckled, "Are you alone? I'll drop by to handover the Cheque. I'll not come to Regal for rest of the week."

"Oh... Ok, I'll come. For twenty thousand, I can take the little trouble of walking over to your cabin..." she smiled and ended the call. "Talking over phone is easy but facing him after last night's incident... phew!" she breathed deep before knocking MD's cabin. "Easy... Easy..." chanting the instructions, she stepped in.

"Welcome BoB!!" To her dismay, his cheesy grin worked as an anti-dote to her hypnosis-therapy. "Not easy... not easy", her mind reversed the instructions, nevertheless, she bravely advanced plastering a smile. "Thank you... but what is BoB?" she quizzed.

"Boss of the Boss!!" he winked and she shyly smiled. "A BoB should be at giving end, not receiving end. How'd I befit the title?" sitting opposite to him, she countered.

"No madam, you are at demanding end and I at serving end. So it perfectly suits you!" Jalal sniggered.

"Haww!! Am I so demanding?" she pouted. "You're scoffing because I asked for Cheque na. Its ok, keep it with you."

"Oh no!! How dare I !!" Jalal feigned frightened. "The entire Regal gangs up against me if I dare mock you. Raj, Divya, Mohan and now Abdul... you have a private Army here BoB. So please..." standing up, he crossed the left arm, extended the Cheque and bowed. "Please accept this and make me obliged My Lady!"

"God... Jalal!!" giggling loud, Jodha got up. "Wait...!"

As the boss curiously looked on, she took a quick turn around the desk and stood before him. Crossing feet, she expanded the pril of Anarkali with left hand, bowed and accepted the Cheque. "Thank you My Lord!!"

Standing straight she winked and the duo broke into boisterous laugh. "That was so filmy!!" her hand rose for a Hi-fi and he completed the gesture.

"Abdul told me you asked it for some investment..." Jalal intrigued. "May I know what it is?"

"To invest on a To-Be-IAS officer!" her brows rose in gaiety while the boss's eyes squinted in bemuse. "Yes... you heard it right!!" Jodha evilly whispered. "This amount is my bribery to a future IAS candidate." With a bewitching grin, she explained the situation in Trust. "I was discussing with Peddamma about this when Abdul knocked in. Perfect timing, right!!"

"I doubted some sort of this", Jalal understandingly nodded. "By the way, I gave it on your name, is that ok? Or should I give another on that guy's name?"

"You?" confused, she glimpsed at the signature on check. "Why you? Abdul said he'd give."

"Abdul or me, its no different", Jalal simpered.

"Ok... but I give credit to Abdul, not you, boss" she smiled back. "And it's good you gave it on my name as I generally don't prefer revealing the donors details, we never know how people change in future, you see. There are chances they directly approach the donors seeking some other help and cause inconvenience, so I avoid taking names. However, I do share short names like initials to give due credit to the original donor."

"No", she nodded. "Even if I want something, why'd I ask Abdul? You're there for me!!" she easily said and sensing Jalal's impish glare, she discerned her blurt. "I mean... Badepapa, Peddamma, Samyu, you..." she quickly corrected, "You all are there to give me anything I ask for. Suppose I say I'm missing the taste of Ghantewala's Rasmalai..." a mischievous smirk danced on her lips but Jalal's smile faded. "Won't you get it for me?"

"I won't!" to her dazzle, Jalal flatly said returning to his seat. "What's the use when I get it for you and you GENEROUSLY donate it to beggars?" The evident hurt behind his sarcasm made Jodha squirm. He still remembers it!! She aggrieved. Means it hurt him deep... Alas!! What have I done in momentary jealousy!!

"Certain actions cannot be undone Meenu..." Her Dad's teaching reverberated. "Despite Dad's warning you always act imprudent... idiot!" her inner voice admonished.

"Jalal!" she softly called. "I know no amount of justification sounds convincing, so I don't try giving one. But I apologize for that silly behavior..." she looked down to him and he solemnly glanced at her. "Sorry!!"

"Mm..." the steadfast boss nodded.

"What mm?" Jodha pouted. "Am I excused or not?"

"No... Not so soon..." Jalal nodded nonchalant.

"Huh? When?"

"Its my call. Let me think over it" he coolly said irking the anxious lady.

"Let it be. I know how to get your forgiveness and also Rasmalai!!" she confidently said.

"Challenging me?" crossing legs, Jalal kinked a brow.

"If you prefer naming it that way..." crossing arms, Jodha tipped up chin "... then YES!!"

"Interesting. Let's see..." the boss evilly smirked.

***********

25^th September, En route to Bangalore Airport

"Sir... I forgot to tell you something..." smoothly maneuvering through the vacant highway, the exuberant chauffeur remarked. "You know Akram's brother Ali, the younger one who looks after the Pan shop in our street? He told me this."

"What?" Saradhi asked uninterested thinking it to be another mundane gossip talk.

"Jodha madam has fans in our colony. There is a road side Romeo dying for madam's attention. Ali said that he saw him couple of times in our street and sometimes following madam on bike." Ranga grinned whilst the word following attracted the occupied advocate's attention.

"Come again..." He commanded. "What did that boy exactly say?"

"He said he spotted a man roving around our street sneak peeking into our home. Also one morning when he's distributing milk packets he saw him following Jodha mam. She goes to Baba temple every Thursday morning, right? He'd have followed to flirt her."

"When did Ali tell you this?" Saradhi asked pensive.

"Yesterday evening when I stopped by his shop. He said..." recollecting their conversation, Ranga recited. "Good that lawyer saab hired a watchman... Now no nuisance fellows will loiter around your gate. And when I asked what he meant by that, he narrated this incident."

"Is that man just any other rake?" Saradhi thought, "... or the stalker to keep an eye on Jodha's moves?" His sapient cells prefigured the latter to be more plausible. "What if he's the murderer?" his body straightened in alarm. "Did you ask Ali how the man looks like?"

"No sir" Ranga mumbled. "But from Ali's words I figured it out that he's not too young... like the usual teenage eve teasers. Could be some jobless road side Romeo."

"Mm..." Saradhi checked his watch. "Not enough time to go back and talk to Ali", he spent a minute in meticulous cognition."Prithvi!!" the right man to tackle this flashed in his mind. Remembering to make two calls after reaching the airport - one to the officer to give a heads up on the latest development and the other to his wife to instruct not to send Jodha out alone, not even to Baba mandir, the elderly man glanced at the chauffer. "Ranga..." he solemnly called, "Be watchful while I'm away. Drive Jodha to work. Don't leave to your home before 9 pm. If you find anything or anyone suspicious call me immediately."

"Sure sir!" the driver nodded glimpsing amazed at the anxiety on his Master's face from the front mirror.

~~~

"Is this the shop Saradhi ji said?" parking on a side, Prithvi glanced skeptical.

"Should be!!" noticing a teen lad in the shop, Jalal asserted. "This is the address Ranga gave." Seeing two gentlemen stepping out of an exquisite Sedan and approaching his shop, the sixteen year old stood excited. The dull afternoon hours inflicted less activity in the street and ample time for the friends to carry out their enquiry.

"Hi... Ali?" Prithvi asked in confirmation.

"Haan..." the young lad stared surprised hearing his name from the stranger.

"Saradhi ji sent us," Jalal clarified and Ali discerned the purpose of their visit. "Oh... yes sir. Ranga bhai told me you'd be coming. Please sit!" he quickly dusted two stools and offered cool drinks.

"Thanks... how's your business?" Jalal smiled casting an overall glance at the shop. "You seem to be selling almost everything in 800 square feet."

"Ji sir..." the teenager grinned, "It's a pan shop for namesake but we sell everything and Kulfi is our specialty. It's a homemade recipe by my Bhabhi, very popular in our locality. Would you like to try?"

"Sometime again Ali," Prithvi smiled at the enthusiastic lad. "Do you alone run this shop?" the smart officer indulged into personal talks to put the boy at ease before diving into business.

"No sir... my second brother Akram is also there. He looks after the shop from evening. He goes to college during day. My big brother is a mechanic, Bhabhi makes Kulfi at home and markets to shops." Without any hesitation, the excited teen gave an account of his family.

"Great!!" returning the half emptied bottle, Prithvi plunged into action. "Ranga told us that you saw a man following Jodha. Can you elaborate it... like when and where you first saw him, how many times, how does he look like, when you last saw him etc?"

"I didn't see him recently sir..." Ali began, "and I don't know for how long he's been here. The first time I noticed was sometime two months ago. He roved in this street almost whole day, bought cigarettes in our shop couple of times; that is why I remembered him. Again after a week or so, he did the same. I understood he's looking for Jodha Didi because he went missing after Didi's car came out of lawyer saab's home. Also one Thursday morning, while I was delivering milk packets, I saw him following Didi. I confidently say its Thursday because Di goes to Baba temple every Thursday."

"How does he look like?" Arriving at the conclusion that it is none other than the stalker, Jalal eagerly asked. "Mm... average built. But he always wore goggles and hat. I think to impress Jodha Didi", Ali laughed. "He's has beard too... he looks like a Monkey, no match to Jodha Di".

Smiling at the childish innocence, the friends exchanged glances. "How did he used to come?"

"Once on bike..." Ali tried to recollect. "... and once on Scooty."

"Hmm!!" Prithvi sighed. "Goggles, hat, beard, and a different vehicle every time - this man is shrewd enough to mask all clues that lead to his identity!!"

"Thanks Ali. If needed will you narrate the description of that man to our artist so that we have a sketch of him. We are trying to be careful here, as nowadays you know how some creeps stalk women, capture their pictures, and indulge into profane activities or blackmail. We want to trace that man to ensure he's not into any such felony." Prithvi covered up.

"Sure sir... one doubt?" Ali looked doubtful. "Are you Police?"

"Yes", Prithvi smiled. "But came here as a family friend of Saradhi ji, not as Police. And don't worry I'll not trouble you in any way."

"Oh ok..." Ali smiled, "I'm not scared of Police sir, I just asked out of curiosity. Anyways, its Jodha Di's issue, so you're free to ask me anything, anytime. If not for her, my brother wouldn't have joined college. I'm glad we could be of some help to her."

"Thanks Ali..." Jalal patted the adorable boy's shoulder, "You're of great help, I appreciate your sensibility. If you see that man again, try capturing his pic, his bike number or any detail that helps us trace him. Also call me on this number immediately", scribbling his personal number on his visiting card, Jalal passed it on to Ali.

"Definitely sir..." Ali glimpsed at the name on card. "Jalal Ahmed!!" He felt an instant connection discerning the ethnicity of the handsome man. "I'll call you as soon as I see him again."

"Thanks... and don't let Jodha know of our inquiry. Let's not unnecessarily trouble her."

"As you say sir..." Ali agreed. "Is this sir Jodha Di's friend?" looking down to the name again in visiting card, he thought. The outstanding J and A in bold font appeared familiar to him. "J.A... J.A... Where did I hear this before?" he stressed his brain.

The friends bode bye and proceeded to leave when Ali screamed from behind. "Saab... are you the J.A Saab who paid my brother's fee?" he came running to the car making Jalal halt on his tracks. "You're the one who sponsored the money Jodha Di gave us, right?"

Reminiscing his recent conversation with Jodha, Jalal asked inquisitive. "Is it your brother preparing for Civil services?"

"No sir... he's studying B.Sc Electronics", Ali clarified. "He decided to pursue through Open University, but Jodha di persuaded him to join college and also paid the fee. That day Bhai was on cloud nine. He's very thankful to Di but she said it's not her money. Its given by J.A Saab and told Bhai to thank him and include him in his prayers. Its an agreement between Bhai and Di that prayers are the daily interest for donation." he grinned. "I guess you're that J.A saab. Am I right?"

Unable to perceive the gist, Jalal looked on confused. It's obvious that Ali's brother is not the Civil's guy Jodha mentioned about, then why she took my name? Am I that J.A Saab? Or anyone else?

"When and how much did she give you?" Jalal enquired hoping for a clue.

"Nearly two months ago before Bhai's college started. She gave Thirty thousand!!"

Two months... 30k... interest!! It took a minute for boss to connect the dots. Quickly unlocking his phone, he opened Messages to confirm his guess. A picture of Cheque for Rs. 29,429.00 dated 1^st August in their first ever SMS conversation authenticated his suspicion. "Idiot!!" A delighted smile illuminated his face.

"What?" having been a mute spectator till then, Prithvi quizzed. "What's going on?"

"Will explain you later", Jalal smiled. "Ali... your guess is right, but my role is nominal. It's Jodha who deserves your prayers and gratitude, not me. Also feel free to call me for any help with your brother's studies or for any other help."

"Thanks sir for your kindness!" the elated teen saluted. "Aadab!!"

~~~

"What goes around comes around Prithvi!" concluding the narration of the donation mystery, Jalal sighed. "Jodha helped them and see how it emerged as a lifesaver for her. If not for her benevolence, Ali wouldn't have shown a tinge of interest in this fiasco. The most ironical part is, she asked to pray for me while she's the one who needs all prayers right now... to keep her alive!!"

"Right..." Prithvi agreed. "The more I dig into the case, the more I realize why you fell for Jodha" he smiled. "This enquiry helped you with another truth Jalal - that she loves you a lot though she doesn't say it. And the liking didn't start recently, it existed two months before as well. She might be sincere, in not beholding your money and hence donated as you'd not accept it anyways. But doing it on your name and asking to pray for you is definitely not out of sincerity or generosity. And I fail to find any suitable term to name it other than LOVE!!" Prithvi winked fetching mushy grins on the delighted boss.

**********

27^th September, Saturday

"Durga maiyya... come out. We're going for shopping, not for wedding. How long will you take?" banging on door, Jodha cried.

"One minute Akka..." the vivacious maid replied taking her own sweet time to adorn herself.

"Make it fast!" instructing her Jodha marched to her Peddamma. "First lunch, then shopping at Kalanikethan and then to Majestic Road, okay?" she elucidated the plan for the day.

"Haan, to do all that we have to get out of home first. Where's is this Durga?" Prameela groused. "She forgets the world standing before mirror."

"Aap bhi na Maa ji..." Durga came out pouting. "I just took twenty minutes. How do I look?" she twirled showing off her excitement in wearing Jodha's suit.

"You don't have to ask Durga. You're Aishwarya Rai of our home!" Jodha giggled winking at Prameela and the young maid blushed hard. "Hayy Akka... you always tease me."

"If you're done with blushing, shall we go?" Prameela got up seizing the keys and just then the landline buzzed stopping the ladies from leaving.

"Maa... your brother..." seeing the name on caller ID, Jodha passed on the Cordless set.

"Hello..."

...

"What? When?"

...

"Oh no!! When is the surgery?"

...

"Ah!!"

...

"Ok, for how many days?"

...

"Mm... your Jiju is not at home, he went to Mumbai. I'll talk to him and call you soon. Take care!!"

"What happened Maa?" sensing anxiety on Prameela's face, Jodha asked. "What did your brother say?"

"Suguna slipped in bathroom. Doctors said that thighbone has fractured and it should be immediately operated. They scheduled it for tomorrow morning. He's asking me to come for help. Wouldn't it take minimum a week for her to discharge?" Prameela looked on dismal.

"Ayyo...!" Jodha pitied. "Femur fracture at this age will take time to recover. Tomorrow morning surgery means, you've to go today. Bangalore to Tirupathi is only five hours drive. Even if you start in the evening, you'll be there before midnight", she softly caressed Prameela's hand to assuage the nervous lady. "Do you want me to come with you? Ranga and I will return tomorrow after the surgery." "Mm... let me talk to Badepapa first..." she dialled her husband and explained the situation.

"Ok. Take Jodha too with you. Tell her to apply leave next week!!" Saradhi instructed.

"No Papa!!" hearing the instructions from speaker, Jodha denied. "Half the office is vacant next week due to back to back Gandhi Jayanti and Dussera holidays. Divya is on leave for entire week. Also I'll be on leave for whole of 2^nd and 3^rd weeks as we're going to Hyderabad. I've lot of work to finish before I go on vacation Papa and I already assured Raj that I'll be coming to office next week. It's unfair to take leave with such a short notice."

"But how can I let you be alone at home?" Saradhi quested.

"It's ok Papa. I'm not scared to be alone. I'll be in office all day, it's only a matter of few nights. If you're hesitant to leave me alone, I'll ask Durga to stay back and watchman is there too", she plopped a solution.

"How safe is it to leave her alone when I knew the stalker is lurking around?" Saradhi remained pensive. In some way, he's knowing of Jodha's moves. What if he follows her to Tirupati? No guarantee that Jo is always escorted, it'd be easy for him to harm her in a new place. If I insist her to go to Samyu's home or Grand Ma's home, she'll not agree as she got office work. Top of it, it ignites unnecessary suspicions in her. What to do?"

"How about Divya's home?" Saradhi suggested. "Be with her till Peddamma returns!!"

"Uffo Papa..." Jodha smiled at his over caution. "Divya left to her Mom's home last night for Dussera vacation. I told you I'm not at all frightened to be alone. Please stop worrying."

"No Jodha"! The advocated curtly denied. "With jerks like Ramesh around you, I can't take a chance. Let me think over it. Prameela, wait for my call before you inform your brother." The call ended while the ladies glanced at each other befuddled.

"Why's Papa so tensed?" Jodha asked perplexed. "Whatever!! Let's go and finish the shopping fast, lest we should get late if you were to leave to Tirupathi in the evening."

~~~

"Should I ask Jodha's grandparents to come here?" Saradhi strained his brain. "It'd be too sudden and too much travel for them. Or should I send her to Vasantha's home? No... Dussera time. They have relatives and Jo wouldn't be comfortable there. Hmm... What a situation!! Should it arise only when I was away? Where should I keep Jodha? What is the safest place for her?" The otherwise spontaneous advocate felt at loss of a solution that minute.

"Someone who is aware of the severity of situation should be around her. How about asking Samyu to come to Bangalore? No... its risk for Samyu too if at all he tries for another attempt like the gas leakage. Its unsafe to leave Jodha at home without our presence. Then where to send her? I can't reveal Jo's situation to anyone and seek help..." his disquietude suddenly dispelled as a name inflicted his mind. "JALAL!!"

"Yes!! He's the only alternative as he is every bit aware of Jo's state and his home would be the safest hideout!!" His fingers swiftly set to call the young man when the father in him awakened. "How wise is it to leave an unmarried girl with a single man? Jalal is completely trustworthy... yet... what'd people think?" He dropped the idea. "Moreover why'd Jodha agree? What should I explain her?" Restlessly twirling the phone, he thought of alternatives. No matter how much he contemplated, Jalal was the ultimate solution his conscience arrived upon. "Except for Jalal and his male attendant, no woman lives in that home. How should I leave Jodha?" The father in him hesitated. "What if the stalker finds this as Golden chance if I leave her with someone who is unaware of her plight!!" the lawyer in him countered. "Yes... he can easily trace her whereabouts if he follows her from office. It's highly risky to let her stay alone or leave with anyone than Jalal."

"Jodha is yet to get married. Doesn't leaving with a single man tarnish her chastity?" The father reminded.

"To get married she's to be alive. Life or Chastity? Which matters most at this point?" the lawyer argued. To hell with society and people!! I can't put my daughter's life at stake with unnecessary inhibitions and repent later. Jalal knows the seriousness of situation, he'll be extra cautious and safeguard Jodha!" drawing to a conclusion, the resolved advocate unlocked his phone.

~~~

"What uncle?" the baffled listener leant forward in his chair, too dazzled to believe his ears.

"Yes Jalal!!" the advocated solemnly repeated. "Will you take care of Jodha till Prameela returns? You know the vicious trap she's tangled in. I can't trust anyone in this situation."

Jodha in my home!! A stupendous wave of joy deluged him. Every morning... every night... every minute before me!! He didn't realize when his lips parted into a rapturous grin. "Sure uncle!" ensuring not to sound super elated, Jalal calmly said. "I assure you to be wary and please don't worry that she'd be alone. I'll ask my attendant Mani's aunt to come for Jodha's company. I'll alert the security too and will ensure Jodha is properly escorted when she's out."

"Thanks Jalal!" Saradhi felt a great boulder off his shoulders. "Also this is a great opportunity to trace the murderer if he continues stalking Jodha. Should he plan for next attack in our absence, he'd definitely stalk her around office. If we are alert enough, it'd be an easy catch."

"Definitely uncle..." Jalal agreed. "I'll take it on me to drop her and pick up from work. That way I can be more vigilant. We now have a vague idea how he looks like. Prithvi is working with Ali to get the sketch ready."

"Thank you and sorry for the inconvenience Jalal!" Saradhi duly regretted. "You have been of great help till now and I really feel bad for pestering you more. But I'm compelled to seek your help, your involvement in protecting Jodha is getting inevitable. I don't know how to thank you enough."

"Please don't mention it uncle..." the touched man affirmed, "You've been of immense support in our adversities. I see this as an opportunity to repay your obligation."

"That's your humbleness Jalal", Saradhi smiled. "I did what an advocate is supposed to do. But you..." he sighed overwhelmed.

"Uncle did you inform Jodha about this?" too abashed to endure his accolade, Jalal diverted the discussion.

"Not yet Jalal. I thought of talking to you before informing her. It's not a cakewalk to face her questions."

"Of course!!" Jalal understandingly sniggered. "Don't I know how hard it is to convince her? My tough nut!!

"Tell her that she wouldn't be a lone female uncle, it'd help her to feel comfortable", he smiled envisaging his idiot's reaction to the untoward proposal.

~~~

"JALAL's HOME?" hearing the solution her so-called astute husband came up with, Prameela almost suffered a panic attack. "Have you gone nuts?" she didn't mind exhibiting her detest. Listening to Jalal's name from her Peddamma, the fork that reached Jodha's mouth hovered in mid-air. What? Her eyes intrigued.

"Give the phone to Jodha..." unwilling to undergo the pain of persuading his wife, Saradhi hopped on to direct target.

"Here, take it..." Prameela passed on the piece disgusted. "He's suggesting you to be in Jalal's home till I return."

"Huh?" startled, Jodha hooked the phone close to her ear. "What happened Papa? What did you say?"

"Jodhu... you've only two options. Apply leave and go to Ammamma's home or be in Jalal's home", the steadfast advocate announced his decision.

"I've work to finish, how'd I go to Ammamma's home? There isn't proper network connectivity either in that village", Jodha wondered. "...and why'd I go to Jalal's home when I have our own home in Bangalore? I don't understand your decision Papa."

"I can't let you live alone at home. Either Ammamma's home or Jalal's home, choice is yours. If you say no to both, then I'll tell Prameela not to go to Tirupathi!" Saradhi staidly declared.

"Its not fair Papa..." Jodha argued. "Her brother's family needs her and it's completely unjust if she doesn't go. I'm not a kid, I'll take care of myself. Why're you so tensed?"

"Yes, you're not a kid. That is what my problem is. As a guardian I've to be more cautious about a grown up girl than a small kid. Given the last mishap in Delhi and present society condition, I don't take the risk of leaving a young woman unescorted for a week. No more debate on this Jo, shoot your decision. Peddamma going to Tirupathi or not is dependent on it."

"Give it to me..." having got the gist of their conversation, Prameela snatched the phone, "How can you ask her to live in a single male's home? That too for a week?"

"Who said Jo will be alone? There's an elderly woman to accompany Jodha. She'll be there 24x7. Its much better for her to live there than at our home. Can you predict how people like Ramesh plan to avail her loneliness?" the smart advocate dropped a trump card. "If you believe I thoroughly think before arriving at a decision, then listen to me. I advised what's best to mete this situation, quickly discuss with Jodha and let me know, I've to inform Jalal", having said what all he intended to, Saradhi ended the call throwing the ladies into sheer bewilderment.

""Jalal's home?" a strange feeling, neither excitement nor ecstasy, gradually crept up in Jodha's heart.

~~~

"I'll tell my brother that I'm not coming." Prameela announced her resolution making Jodha glimpse troubled. "No..." she immediately refuted, "Suguna aunty has already a grudge that you prefer me over her children. Now if you don't go that bitterness will increase and it effects your brother-sister relation. I'll manage here, you go..." placing hand on Prameela in assurance, Jodha blinked.

"But Badepapa?" Prameela wavered in dilemma.

"He's just over thinking..." the cool daughter easily dismissed, "Yet... for his satisfaction I'll go to Jalal's home, be there for a day and return. I'll convince Jalal to not tell to Badepapa", she winked.

"No Jodhu... if Badepapa comes to know, we can't bear the consequences. Also he doesn't suggest anything without a purpose, so let's do this. I'll go today, make some excuse after the surgery and try to come back in two or three days maximum. Till then, you be with Jalal as Papa advised."

**********

8:00pm, Jodha's Residence

"Where is life taking me to?" blankly staring at the open suitcase, the sullen form sat passive. Clothes, cosmetics, accessories, Baba portrait, laptop - all the stuff needed for a three days stay surrounded her awaiting to be attended.

"I didn't expect I'd leave Hyderabad home as a loner.. but I had to. I came here and now I'm sent to Jalal's home. Hopping from one home to another like a homeless tribe, WHY?" her gaze shifted to the family picture on wall. "Had I had at least one of you with me, I'd have never slipped into this situation. I wouldn't have left our home in first place." After a long silent glimpse she looked around the luggage to be packed.

"Three days..", she sighed picking up the clothes. "Its just three days. Why am I overthinking when I've stayed ample times in Samyu's home while Maa, Papa were away. Its neither the first time nor I'm going to a stranger's home, then why this dullness? After all, its Jalal's home," she cheered up herself. "Think of the exciting time you're going to spend with him." Quickly winding up the packing, she checked the cupboard one more time to ensure she hasn't missed any needed stuff.

"What about this?" picking the fabric and frame, she looked pensive. "Will take it along, else I wouldn't get time to finish before his birthday."

"Jodhu ready?" Hearing Prameela's voice, she quickly tucked the cloth and material into luggage and zipped it. "Almost done Maa!!" placing handbag and backpack by suitcase she stood up casting one final glance around the room.

"Here take the keys," Prameela handed over a bunch. "I labeled all the gift packets with names and put in my room. Ranga will take you to Papa's office on Monday; you give them. Don't forget to buy clothes for Ranga's wife and kids tomorrow. I told Durga to come every morning and sweep outside, you come a day before Dussera incase I can't make it to..."

"Maa.. I'll take care of everything here, you peacefully go," interrupting Prameela's flow, Jodha smiled. "Anyways you'll be repeating your instructions again and again over phone, so don't waste your energy now. One important warning," her index finger raised. "Don't take up all responsibilities on your head. Get everything done by maids; you only supervise. Later if you come and say.. Ouch My knees.. I'm not going to accept."

"Jo," Prameela fondly called. "Do you know how exactly I'm feeling now?"

"How?" Jodha chortled.

"Like A Mother!!" she lovingly held Jodha's hand. "Seems God regretted his mistake and made me a mother at Sixty!!"

"Maa..", with moist eyes, Jodha side hugged the doting parent resting head on her shoulder.

"And sending you like this to someone's home..", Prameela patted her daughter's cheek. "I've a strange feeling which a mother experiences while seeing off her daughter to in-law's home after wedding." That remark managed a sheepish grin on the listener's lips while she momentarily envisaged herself as Jalal's bride. Hiding the blush, she giggled loud separating from Prameela. "If that is the case, don't you worry," she playfully winked. "This daughter promises to screw up the in-laws and return home in three days."

~~~

"Don't stay late at work!!"

"Ok!!"

"Eat on time!!"

"Ok!!"

"Don't go out alone!!"

"Ok!!"

The instructions reached an end when their Sedan, chauffeured by Ranga, briefly halted before the gates of the grandiose home. "Jalal's home!!" As the car steered through the gates, a conglomeration of emotions surged through her nerves. "What's destiny decided for me?" Glimpsing at Jalal and two other people, a man and a woman, awaiting at entrance, she let out an anxious sigh.

"Is this going to be a halt in the journey of life or my ultimate destination?" With an avalanche of undefined vibes, she glanced at Prameela who softly smiled and signaled to get down.

"Hello Aunty!!" stepping down from the porch, Jalal approached the elderly lady patiently waiting for the other door to open. Seizing handbag and backpack, Jodha slowly walked around joining her Peddamma and coming to face with the pair of earnest eyes.

"Hi Jalal!!" she smiled and he gloriously returned the favor.

"Mani.. take the luggage in," instructing the attendant, Jalal expectantly looked at the fifty plus woman standing in the porch. Taking the cue, she quickly descended down greeting Prameela. "Namaskara!! Chennaagidira!! You don't worry Madam, I stay here only. I'll take proper care of your daughter", she spoke in Kannada mixed Telugu bringing smiles on the mother and daughter.

"Thanks Jalal," Prameela glanced gratified. "Saradhi ji would have told you. My brother's wife is undergoing a surgery tomorrow. So I had to compulsorily go. Jodha had office work else I'd have taken her with me. Sorry for troubling you, I'll try to be back as soon as possible."

"No problem Aunty," Jalal smiled in assurance. "You don't have to be tensed about Jodha. Please take care of your Bhabhi, hope she gets well soon!!"

"Sure, thank you!! Jodha..", she turned to the mutinous daughter. "Bye!! Take care!!"

"Mm.. bye Maa," moving away from door, she smiled. "Call me once you reach home. Ranga.. drive safe!!"

The trio stood still till the car disappeared through gates. "Jodha.." the soft call from Jalal made her gaze shift from the closed gates. "She's Vasantha, Mani's aunt. She's here for your company. You can ask her anything undoubtedly," he introduced the lady and Jodha greeted with a smile.

"Feel free Amma. Don't hesitate to ask me. You take rest, I'll go and arrange the dinner". The warm smile on the bouncy lady aided Jodha to be at ease. "Nice lady," watching the retracting form, Jodha commented and turned to the enchanted boss. With a hand in pocket, he went on preciously staring at her and she felt heat rushing to her cheeks. Averting his gaze, she slowly moved ahead towards the entrance and he closely followed. Just when she's about to step in, Jodha felt a tug at her hand. Befuddled, she looked up to the owner of the hand only to spot a magnetic smile dancing on his lips. Pinning his gaze to hers, Jalal lowered his head whispering to her ears. "Welcome Home Jo!!"

Mesmerized by the cozy welcome, the resplendent lady blushed entwining her fingers into his. "Thank you!!" smiling angelic, she inched closer glimpsing down at their feet that stepped into the home in unison. A wave of gale swept past the couple, silently blessing the twined hands, and tickled the wind chimes on the adjacent wall. The drowsy chimes alerted at once and clanked in delight welcoming its Mistress home!!

***********