KMTMG Thread 5 CLOSED - Page 53

Hi All,

Hope you are all doing well.

First of all I would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who requested for the update and I'm SO SORRY it took me so long to give it...but nevertheless here it is now and I sincerely hope you all like it.

Don't forget to like and comment.

Love❤️

Preet.

Chapter 34

"Come on girls hurry up, we don't have much time...sir will be here soon" Jodha instructed Meenu, Jassi and Neeti.

Jodha was running around trying to set everything for the party, she wanted everything to be perfect. While preparing for the party, for a while she forgot the deep down pain in her heart of the upcoming separation.

As per plan, all the girls had come early, Meenu reached with the Black Forest Cake, Niti with Samosas and Jassi with the Greeting card.

For all the other girls it was a regular see off party, but for Jodha it was a very special moment... She wanted everything to be perfect... She wanted him to feel special, feel happy and most of all she wanted to see him smiling...She again mentally checked everything...

'Cake' CHECK

'Samosas' CHECK

'Chips' CHECK

'Plates' CHECK

'Spoons' CHECK

'Tissues' CHECK

'Coffee' Almost ready

Jodha snapped her fingers thinking 'What else? What else? Oh yeah... Greeting card and the Gift.' Jodha turned around and found Niti still writing in the cards. Jassi had already written good luck in the card before she came over, Jodha and Meenu had also written. As Niti reached last she was still writing, which annoyed her slightly.

"Niti hurry up, he will be here any minute, put the card in the envelope and put it next to the gift over there" Jodha instructed and then looked towards Meenu and Jassi and said "I'll go check if the coffee is ready to be brought out... I hope everything goes fine."

Meenu and Jassi nodded in affirmation.

Meenu smiled at Jodha and said in amused tone "Jo will you stop worrying and chill...everything is ready, it's all good, nothing to worry about" Jodha smiled nervously, nodding her head at Meenu she left the room and walked towards her kitchen.

While walking Jodha mumbled to herself 'Hope he likes everything... specially the gift I got for him.' She frowned at her own thinking and thought 'Well, he better like it... I spent too much time in selecting it, I would be really disappointed if he doesn't like it.'

As she reached the kitchen she noticed her mother pouring the coffee in the cups "It's ready!!" She exclaimed. "Good I'll take it then."

Her mother smiled and handed her the tray with all 5 cups asking "Do you need anything else before I leave?? I'm heading back to the boutique..."

"No Mom, I don't need anything else, thanks" Jodha replied smiling.

Jodha remembered Jalaal asking to make his coffee 'extra sweet' but she couldn't do it in front of her mother, she shrugged her shoulders thinking 'No choice' and walked out of the kitchen with her mother walking behind on her way back.

As she walked towards the room she saw Jalaal climbing the stairs. For a second as their eyes met, her heart stopped beating and her eyes sparkled with happiness and Jodha gave him a huge smile which Jalaal returned with a secretive mysterious sweet smile of his own. Then Jalaal nodded his head respectfully towards Mainavati whom he had just noticed walking behind Jodha.

Jodha knitted her brows in confusion at the gesture. Soon she was brought out of her confusion as her mother passed her and went in front to open the door. That's when she remembered her mother was behind her the whole time and that's who Jalaal was nodding his head towards. She stuck her tongue out biting it between her teeth and mentally laughing at herself for forgetting everything as soon as she spotted Jalaal. 'I can't seem to remember anything once he is in front me.' She thought to herself and smiled sheepishly.

Mainavati opened the door greeting him back. Jalaal entered and walked towards the room.

"Bye Mumma!" Jodha hollered to her mother's retreating figure and went to the room with the coffee tray.

Suddenly Jodha halted in her steps, which made her spill some coffee from the cups in the tray and she shrieked loudly "Aaahhh!!!"

Everyone looked at her in horror thinking she spilled the hot coffee on herself or something.

JALAAL's POV

Jalaal rode his scooter towards Jodha's house excitedly. He couldn't wait to see her, 'I hope I make it there before other girls arrive so I could get some alone time with her' he thought.

He couldn't help but remember their first hug and kisses the other day... He was hoping to continue where he left off that day and maybe finish what he had started. Thinking about it brought a huge grin on his face.

Jalaal's heart was racing with excitement as he climbed the stairs of Jodha's house. He spotted Jodha coming out, his eyes sparkled seeing her. He noticed she was wearing a long black skirt with a pink top and her hair tied in a neat ponytail. He quickly hid his huge grin when he saw her mother walking behind her. He nodded his head respectfully towards Mainavati. Then as he averted his gaze back to Jodha, that's when he finally noticed the tray full of cups in her hands. 'Why is she holding so many cups today??' He thought.

As he saw her mother moving in front of Jodha to come and open the door, Jalaal diverted his gaze off of Jodha. He smiled at her while entering and walked to the room.

As he entered the room, he got pleasantly surprised. He saw all the girls were already there and the table was full with Cake, Samosas, Utensils etc...it seemed like a setup for a party. But before he could say anything he heard Jodha shriek behind him 'Aaahhh'. He quickly turned and noticed her annoyed face.

"Are you okay??" Jalaal worriedly asked holding the tray while he frantically looked up and down at her for any spill of the hot coffee on her.

Jodha looked up at him hearing his worried voice and forgot her annoyance. She sweetly smiled at him and reassuringly said "I'm fine, don't worry!!"

"Are you sure??" Jalaal asked still worried.

"Yes, I'm fine..." Jodha reassured him once again.

Jodha looked at everyone and said "Let's sit!!"

After everyone sat, Jalaal smiled and asked in surprised tone "So, what is all this for??" while gesturing towards the table with his hands.

"Your farewell party of course" Jodha sheepishly replied while cleaning the spilled coffee in the tray and wiping the outside of the cups with a napkin.

"Wow", that was all Jalaal could say. After a few seconds Jalaal recovered from the surprise and connected the dots. "So, let me get this straight, you guys requested for today's class so you could give me a farewell party and didn't really have any questions as you told me...what a brilliant idea to keep everything a perfect surprise." Jalaal looked towards Jodha and asked "Whose idea was it by the way??"

All the girls looked towards Jodha and smiled, indicating to Jalaal that his guess was correct and it was indeed Jodha's idea.

Jodha looked at Jalaal and smiled. Then she started handing everyone the coffee cups beginning with Jalaal.

Jalaal's eyes twinkled with happiness as he took the cup which in turn made Jodha just as happy, if not more.

While Jodha passed the cups to the girls, Jalaal thought 'I wonder if she made my coffee extra sweet, like I had asked!!! Hmmm I guess not, coz she's just handing the cups like they're all the same...plus her mom was with her as well when she was bringing the tray out... Hmmm so that means she probably didn't get a chance to add my special sweet' Jalaal concluded. 'Now how do I get her to make my coffee sweet??'

"Sir!!" Meenu called as she forwarded a plate filled with Cake, Samosa & Chips. Her voice effectively brought Jalaal out of his thinking mode.

That's when he noticed Jodha getting the plates ready for everyone while Meenu was passing them to everyone.

Jalaal smiled and took the plate. He waited for everyone to be served so they could all start eating.

Soon everyone started eating and after a few bites Jalaal sweetly requested Jodha "Can you please add some sugar in my coffee?? It's a bit less 'sweet'!!" He put extra emphasis on the word 'sweet', he knew Jodha will understand what he means.

Jodha looked at him with wide eyes for a second and then shook her head slightly in amusement. Saying "Sure" she grabbed his cup and left the room.

Once she was out of the room and on the way to the kitchen she wondered 'How did he know I haven't taken a sip from his cup?' Then she shrugged her shoulders 'I'll ask him later', then smiled thinking 'He is very smart' and took a sip of his coffee and went back.

After reaching she forwarded her hand with the cup, teasingly saying "Please check if it's sweet enough now!!"

Jalaal mischievously smiled at her while taking the cup, he took a tentative sip and said "It's perfect now, thank you."

Jodha smiled and shook her head in amusement.

Jalaal smiled seeing her amused expression.

They all had a good time talking, eating, enjoying each other's company. All the girls were happy knowing Jalaal liked their surprise.

Meenu slowly scooted near Jodha and whispered "Hey Jo, let's give him the gift now...it's almost time for him to leave."

Jodha's smile faltered as reality hit her. It felt like a blow in her guts. She knew that it might be a long time before he will get a chance to be in front of her like this again. If for any reason he is unable to come on Thursday then this is it. She truly hoped that he comes on Thursday but she was unable to shake the fear of not being able to see him for a long time if he is unable to come.

She shook her fear aside and stood up and went to pick up his gift and card from the corner table where she kept it hidden from his view.

Jalaal looked curiously at Jodha and followed her actions with his eyes. He noticed her bringing something which seemed like a gift.

As she reached near the girls she forwarded it towards all of them and they all forwarded it together towards Jalaal saying "From all of us for you."

Jalaal took the gift and said "Thanks a lot" to all of them. He looked on surprised towards Jodha and thought 'I can't believe she was able to hide all this from me so effectively. I never realized that anything like this was going on in the background or got any hint about when she planned and organized this party or how she arranged the gift for that matter. She is really good at surprising me...first she gave me all those wonderful cards and now all this. She is so thoughtful. Everyday I just fall more and more in love with her. I wish I could just hold her in my arms right now, close to my heart which belongs only to her and where only she resides.' He longingly looked at her.

Snapping out of his thoughts and turning his attention to others in the room he smiled at them and asked "Can I open this??'

"Yes"

"Of course"

"Why not?"

"Please"

These were the instant replies from the girls.

He excitedly opened the wrapping and found a card. He opened it and started reading the front -

Life is full of great adventures and you're about to embark on a brand new one. Good luck from all of us!!

"How sweet!" he said and smiled.

Then he opened the card and read all the messages inside -

"Good luck and best wishes in all that you do Sir - Meenu."

"All the best Sir, may all your dreams come true - Niti"

"Wishing you joy and happiness as you begin a new chapter in life - Jassi"

"All the best and just remember... Goodbyes are not forever, Goodbyes are not the end, They simply mean I'll miss you until we meet again - Jodha"

As Jalaal read all the messages he felt blessed with such loving students, but when he read Jodha's message he felt her underlying emotions, her love and also the sadness which she was desperately trying to hide. After reading all the messages, slowly it began to hit him... it's time... her simple message on the card hit him incredibly hard... all his suppressed emotions gushed out through his eyes... his smile vanished in a second with the feeling of emptiness inside him... It was much more painful for him then it was for Jodha, as he was not only leaving HER (his love) behind, but he was also leaving everyone else... his life...his family... his friends... his favourite work- teaching. And on top of leaving everything he has ever known and held dear behind, he was always heading to a new, unknown world, for his and Jodha's better future. Suddenly he was feeling like his soul has proceeded to detach from him. He looked at Jodha with moist eyes and saw her smiling at him. He noticed that her smile didn't reach her eyes, there was sadness and fear in her eyes. But he knew why those emotions were there. He knew that the sadness was due to their upcoming separation and the fear was due to the uncertainty about their future. He knew how she felt and what she must be going though, because the feeling was mutual. But he masked his own feelings to cheer her up, he slightly flinched and looked away from her to control his emotions then he managed to smile through his unshed tears to take away all her worries and sadness. He looked at the girls and said in cheerful tone "Thank you so much for a wonderful farewell..." Then looking at Jodha he continued "It was a great surprise, I loved it."

All the girls grinned widely hearing this.

"Let me open the gift now as well!!" He said and started unwrapping the gift. As he glanced around their faces, he noticed all the girls were excited but on Jodha's face he saw something else besides excitement, which he could only make out to be nervousness. He frowned for a second, but then quickly realized what she could be nervous about. He immediately knew that the gift must have been bought by Jodha and that's why she was nervous thinking if I would like it or not!! He shook his head in disbelief while thinking Doesn't she realize I'll love anything that is even remotely related to her and yet this is something she apparently herself bought for me. So of course I'll love it.'

He kept on stealing gazes towards Jodha, waiting for her to look at him as he purposely opened the gift wrapping slowly with mischievous smile on his face.

Just like on cue, Jodha looked up at him, as if she felt his eyes on her. Their eyes met and Jalaal gave her a reassuring smile to make her relax. Seeing him smile Jodha relaxed a bit and couldn't hide her smirk which Jalaal exactly was waiting for.

Jalaal saw the bottle of perfume in his hand that came out of the wrapping. "Oh this is perfect!!" Jalaal exclaimed with a wide grin.

Jodha relaxed further seeing his happy face.

"This is certainly going with me...it's useful and small enough to easily be packed in the suitcase. Great gift!!" Jalaal excitedly said all this specifically looking at Jodha to make sure she knows he really loved the gift.

Her eyes shone bright with happiness hearing him. Then he looked at everyone saying "Thanks a lot girls!!"

Now it was time for him to leave. He packed all of his stuff and got ready to leave. He then looked at Jodha and gave her a bright smile, well as bright as he could without revealing his true feelings. Because in reality every fiber of his being was feeling the sadness that resided in his heart, sadness of leaving his love, his life, his Jaan behind. But just to make sure that Jodha doesn't feel sad, he concealed his emotions and his own feelings behind his smile. He did it because he simply knew that there was no other way. They had to stay away from each other...at least for now. In order to be together with a brighter future he had to go and build a new life for them, which was far away from here, in a place where they can live happily with each other without anyone judging them. He had to try and compensate for the obvious differences between them. He had to prove himself worthy of her in front of her family despite the many differences. He desperately wished to be happily accepted by her family and to make her officially his with her family's blessings. He did not want to hurt her family to be with her. He very well knew the importance of having family support. He never wanted her to have to choose between him and her family but at the same time he didn't want to lose her either. That's why it was even more important for him to be accepted happily by her family. He wanted to do everything he could to keep her happy and to be with her with everyone's blessings.

"I wish you all, all the very best for your exams, hope you all will do wonderful. If you have any questions or doubts don't hesitate to ask. I'll always be available through emails. Just don't stress and do your best, that's all that matters and everything else will be fine. I wish you all the best and the brightest future." Jalaal brightly wished them and stood up to leave.

Seeing Jalaal ready to leave Jodha quickly looked down to hide her sadness from him. But then she saw his plate and confusingly looked up at him.

Jalaal noticed her confused face and looked at her with questioning gaze. He slightly nodded his head up silently questioning what was wrong?' Jodha looked at him and then at his plate, making Jalaal follow her gaze. As soon as he found out what she was implying his lips twitched up and he gave her a mischievous smile.

Seeing his smile, Jodha automatically smiled back Why did he leave so much cake?? Did he not like it?? And why is he smiling like that??' She wondered.

Finally, he stood up to leave. "Goodbye and good luck girls!!" These were his parting words to them but to Jodha he gave a bright smile and left.

Jodha followed him with her eyes as far as she could. She was still lost gazing in the direction he left when she heard Meenu "I'm so happy everything went well. Sir really liked it."

"Yes it was great" Jassi chipped in.

"Yes" Niti too agreed.

Jodha simply smiled and nodded her head in agreement with them.

"Hey girls, I need to get going... Jassi, Niti do you want me to drop you off on the way??" Asked Meenu.

"Sure" said Jassi and Niti unanimously.

"Ok let's help Jo clear the table and then we'll go." Said Meenu as she started collecting the cups.

"It's okay don't worry I'll take care of it. Thanks though!" Jodha told them so they can leave. She felt like being alone. She wanted to enjoy the leftover coffee from Jalaal's cup.

"Are you sure?" Meenu checked.

"Yes! Go, I'll be fine..." Jodha replied smiling.

Soon all the girls were on their way.

Jodha started collected all the things from the table while wondering that Jalaal didn't like the cake.

After putting everyone else's cup in the tray she picked up Jalaal's cup to drink the leftover coffee but her eyes widened with surprise when she saw there wasn't any leftover coffee there.

"Why didn't he leave some for me today??" She sadly wondered.

Just as that thought crossed her mind her eyes once again fell on the plate that had his leftover cake. Suddenly, a bulb turned on in her mind and she understood why he didn't leave any coffee for her today? Why he left so much cake in the plate? And why he was mischievously smiling when he saw her confused face? She smiled and shook her head in disbelief. How did I not understand his intentions??' She asked herself. Then she picked up the plate with the cake and started eating it happily.

On the other side, Jalaal was on his way to pick up both Jodha's rings, the one that was hers and the one that he bought for her. He was very excited, it will be his first gift for her. She had already given him so many things, such lovely cards yesterday, a bottle of perfume today, even though it was from all of them he decided to always count it as her gift but the most precious gift she gave him is her love. I never would have imagined, not even in my dreams for this to be possible, yet she made it possible.' He happily thought to himself and silently thanked God for it.

Soon he reached the jewelry shop and asked for the rings. He was extremely pleased to see that the ring was an exact replica of the original. He paid the balance payment and left from the shop. Ohh I can't wait to put it on her finger...' He thought in excitement as he was putting the helmet on and getting ready to leave for his house.

AT NIGHT

Jodha was sitting in her room with her books in her hands while waiting desperately for everyone to sleep so she could call Jalaal.

Though she had books in her hands, but instead of studying her mind was fully captured with all things Jalaal. She could not concentrate on anything other than Jalaal's thoughts.

On the other side of the city Jalaal was also in the same condition. He was also looking at the clock every other minute and eagerly waiting for Jodha's call.

An Hour Later

Finally, after the long wait it was time for them to talk.

Jodha gave Jalaal a missed call and he immediately called her back.

"Hello" Jodha quietly whispered.

"Hi Jaan" Jalaal cheerfully said in low voice.

Jodha smiled brightly, hearing him address her as Jaan always brought a smile on her face. It was one the things she thought she would never get tired of hearing from him.

"Why didn't you leave a sip of coffee for me today??" Jodha curiously asked. She wanted to know that the reason she thought was right or not.

"Ohh that!! Just because I didn't want to!!" Jalaal casually replied.

"What?? Why?? You always leave some for me after you drink it, so why not today??" She questioned him again.

"Today was the the first time my Jaan drank from the cup first so there was no way I was gonna miss drinking even a drop of it." Jalaal determinedly said.

"Ooohhhkkk" said Jodha and giggled. "Hmmm so that's the reason you left cake for me but no coffee!!"

"You figured it out, huh??"

"Off course I did!!"

"But you were looking so cute when you were looking at the cake with confused face." Jalaal mischievously told Jodha.

"Hey, you are making fun of me" Jodha whined.

"Okay okay sorry, I was just kidding. Don't be sad, please!!"

"Hmmm Okay"

"Anyway, forget all this I want to tell you something." Jalaal said effectively distracting Jodha.

"What is it??" Jodha curiously asked.

"I went to the jewelry store after I left from your house and now I have both the rings with me...they have made the ring exactly same, no one will be able to tell the difference. You can wear it without any tension." Jalaal excitedly told Jodha.

"Wow that's awesome."

"Yes it is. I will give both of them to you on Thursday when I come..."

"BOTH??" Jodha whisper yelled in panic "I can't keep both of them with me. What if someone saw them?? What will I say if they asked how come I have two same rings?? I definitely can't keep them both, you have to take the original one with you. No way I'm keeping both the rings..." Jodha kept ranting.

"Hey, Jaan Jaan, it's okay, it's okay...don't panic. I'll take one with me no problem. Don't worry so much..." He soothingly told her. "I know we need to be really careful with these things and I should have thought about it thoroughly before asking you to keep them both...I'm sorry, I don't want you to worry so much" he guiltily continued.

"No no it's okay, don't say sorry, I'm fine.." Jodha quickly told. "So tell me are you all packed?? Shopping all done??" Jodha tried to bring him out of this mood by distracting him and it worked.

"Yes almost everything is done, just need to pack now. Friday my sister and her family will come and help."

"That's nice!"

"Yeah, Thursday would be my last day at the school and on the way back I'll come meet you." He explained and then he sadly continued "After that we can only talk on phone..."

Silence filled the space between them. They were both quietly thinking about the impending separation and how things will go ahead.

Snapping out of his daze Jalaal said "Let's enjoy the time we have together, we will handle things as and when they come. Don't worry everything will work out. Now come here!!!" Then he changed his tone from serious to mischievous and asked "What are you wearing Jaan??"

"Huh!! Uhhh night suit, why are you asking???"

"It's very dark here and I can't really..."

"So what if it's dark?" Jodha interrupted.

"So, because of darkness I can't see what you are wearing and I wanted to know. Tell me then, what color is your night suit??"