Chapter 35
"Wuhoo!!" A wolf whistle threatened to spurt out of Jalal's lips. Witnessing every bit of her reciprocation to its finesse, he felt totally... TOTALLY OUT OF WORLD.
Back to senses, Jodha swirled to share her ecstasy with Jalal, and the folds of Sari slipped from her fingers. "Uff!!" She bent to pick it up but the sight before her rocked her to the ground. Wide spread on ground in its beautiful splendor was not a green Sari as she supposed. The actual portion is now revealed conveying that she glimpsed only the Pallu part till then. It was - A Peacock Blue Banaras silk Sari with exotically woven gold threaded feather motifs all over it. An elegant piece of craftship it is, but what Jodha is seeing is not its magnificence. Her widened eyes are staring at the striking similarities to another such masterpiece she last saw... ON HER MOTHER!! THE LAST MEMOIR!!! Hazed, she slowly collapsed onto knees and scooped the whole fabric into arms.
"How strikingly similar!!" Her fingers caressed the gold motifs, eyes reliving the beauty of her mother in that splendid color. "Hot chick!!" She recalled her mother's blush whenever she called that. A classic beauty she was, no wonder her father fell for her on first sight and every sight thereafter. It is said, Rule of a successful relation is to fall in love with the same person over and over again' and her parents lived to it. A sweet smile touched her lips.
"What's going on?" Inching closer to the window, Jalal wondered. He saw her swirling and the fabric falling onto ground. He expected her to pick it up and run to him but she seemed to have no such idea. With her back facing him, he couldn't see what's going on with her.
"Raghu loves you so much Sudha and it seems to exponentially increase with age. What's the secret?" Every time her friends teased, her mom always answered them with a proud smile. Its crystal clear in her father's eyes how much he adored his wife - an ideal lover, husband, father, brother - he played his roles to perfection and her mother was no less. She's his true soul mate, the supporting pillar. She stood by him always, through thick and thin... through life and...
"Didn't she like the design now that she got a full view of Sari?" Jalal scratched his head not understanding what's stopping her. "Or color? What happened all of a sudden?" Unable to wait another minute, he strode away from the window.
"I thought I lost you!!" The craving daughter tugged the Sari to her chest. "But destiny brought you back to me!!" she buried her face into it. The silk felt so soft, so warm and comforting like her mother's cocoon. She inhaled its fragrance and no wonder she felt it smelled of her mother. "Oh Maa!! How much I miss you!!" She breathed the fragrance again and again, her face tugging deeper and deeper into the silk. The darkness behind closed lids suddenly evanesced by a pair of beaming, glorious eyes that always brimmed with immense love for her.
"No hard feelings!!" stopping before the door, Jalal drew a steady breath. "If she were to reject the gift accept her decision like a MAN. Don't force her or coerce her into acceptance!!" He exhaled deep and twisted the knob. The sight he was welcomed with threw the already disconcerted boss into greater confusion. Bent on knees and head dug into the silk, he didn't understand if she's accepting it or denying it. "What should I do?!!" He spent a pensive moment. "If she's struggling to reject, let me make it easier for her!!"
As long as I'm there, I'll not let any harm on you!!
She's FAMILY!!
You shield like a FATHER...
Idiot, you're so disorganized!!
You are spoilt with excessive freedom!!
You chide like a MOTHER...
Management is not your forte Jodha!!
This tiny brain is programmed to produce creative wonders!!
You guide like a BROTHER...
WHO ARE YOU JALAL?!! WHAT ARE YOU TO ME?!!
"You're not forced into accepting anything..." the graceful man's baritone reverberated in the silent confines, "...that doesn't appeal to you." Startled by the sudden voice Jodha looked up. There he stood at the entrance, his broad frame taut and dominant, HER...
Tvameva maata cha pitaa tvameva (You are my mother, you are my father)!!
Tvameva bandhu cha sakha tvameva (You are my kinsman, you are my friend)!!
Tvameva vidya, dravinam tvameva (You are my wisdom, you are my wealth)!!
She didn't have the faintest idea why that particular Sloka sprouted in her mind at that moment, yet it happened.
She didn't have the faintest idea why Jalal picked that particular Sari amongst the humungous lot, yet it happened.
She also didn't have the faintest idea when her heart coronated JALAL with status of her family. Yet, it just happened!! My!! My!! Destiny and its happenings... SLICK, SUDDEN and SURREAL!!
"All it takes is a simple NO!!" He walked in steady strides and her gaze descended to his refulgent feet. "The supreme lord with lotus feet striding into my LIFE?!!"
The dazed lady didn't know what he was saying. All she knew was a layer of mist clogging her vision that also blocked her heart-quenching intake of his resplendence. Annoyed, she blinked eyes and got the obstacles between him and she cleared.
"Of course, minus hesitation, minus tears!!" he stopped before her.
"What hesitation? What NO?" his words finally registered and her eyes squinted. Following his gaze she looked down to her hands and then... realization dawned - "He thinks I don't like this?!!" She looked up startled. The faintest disappointment masked behind the sternness in his eyes etched an enchanted smile on her. "Oh my love!!" She rose on knees and before he discerned what happened to him, he was ferociously pulled down, his knees clashing with hers, his cheeks ardently crushed between her palms, his head forcefully angled and then... And then he was rendered blind!!
"What's happening?" The right eye's nerves didn't yet complete the signal transmission to brain when his left eye was equally honored, albeit for a little longer. "KISS?!! Was it that?" Seeing his benumbed neurons taking too long to react, the reflexes took charge and the result...TREMORS!!
Tremors that started in his head and traversed all way down to toes twirling every muscle, every nerve that came their way. "What the ..?" More than her abrupt explosion, it is his own body's reaction he found hard to believe. Yet the quivering lips and quaking limbs asserted he indeed is trembling. "Shivering and Me? Like a first timer? What's wrong..? Woah!!"
A mild scream escaped his lips as he flinched back. Yes he had to flinch, for, he was totally unprepared to the lightening stroke that violently hit him. His hands, out of their own volition, curved around the weight that pounced onto him, finding support on the very girl who made him crouch. Hanging on to her, he regained his balance and looked down to the head that crooked into his neck, and the head's hands that draped around his nape - gripping it like steel manacles.
"Kiss followed by a bone-crushing hug!! Party hard!!" Smirking, he leveled the solidity of her embrace by squeezing her tightly into him. His lips, still quivering, descended to find comfort on her shoulder... but... Shucks!! The target missed and they fell a little apart... on her bare skin that was devoid of the covering of Kurti. "What the heck!!" Bothered, he tried shifting position of his lips but the circuit he just established between their bodies grounded him. His tremors, having found an extended connection, flew in full fervor into the new body and the outcome - Jodha quirked her shoulder, unceremoniously crushing his lips. Her fingers slid into his hair conveying she liked his lip signature and that is more than the cue he needed.
"Oh!! My sweet!!" His heart cried as he feverishly tugged his face deeper into her warm skin, transforming the unintentional fondling into a purely intentional one. His lips traced along the collarbone, furbishing it with a new color - a pale shade of red. From there they took an upward tour as if measuring the length of her neck. "Just the right length to accommodate my face!!" He smiled against her skin. "Mm!!" Creamy skin that smelled celestial slackened his principled restrain. Gliding his hand all the way up, he tucked fingers into her hair and angled her neck aside, just to the right amount that is needed to fit the whole perimeter of his mouth on it. Breathing in her fragrance, his nose drew along the contours of the neck fixture marking borders for his next act. The pressure Jodha unconsciously exerted on his nape bumped his passion to a next level. "Jo!!" Nuzzling deeper, he murmured against her skin and her strained veins mirrored her response. "My Love!!" He insanely smashed his lips onto her tensed skin... nibbling and reveling in the taste of it. His hand on her back descended a little down and with supreme might he drawled her against his length. "Stop!!" His brain transmitted a warning signal. "God Damn!! Stop before your fxcking need becomes obvious to her!!" His cognition shouted. His lips increased their fervor thus leaving their imprints; his fingers dived deeper into her hair and his clutch on her hips fastened further. "Don't stop..." desire encouraged to defy cognition.
"STOP!! Back off man!!" Cognition chastised. "She trusts you!! Her family trusts you!! Back off before you prove you're unworthy of it!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP... STOP... STOP!!!"
"Hmm!!" A labored sigh darted out of his mouth when cognizance conquered desire, finally!! With his face still engraved on her neck and eyes shut, Jalal took quick deep breaths; every nerve of him massively strained to regain the restrain.
"One, Two, Three... Ten!!"
"Phew!!" Breathing fixed!! Sanity returned!! Desire curbed!! Once he's completely sure he's under control, he opened eyes. The cream white skin griped at the new color and design he tainted it with. Impishly smirking, he compensated his mistake with a soft loving touch of his lips. Jodha's hold on him is still intact; he could hear her errant breathing. Smiling, he jerked his torso back a little, only to ensure his body wouldn't betray him again. The grip of both his hands loosened, one returned from hips to spine and the other out of her hair. He glanced down at the garlanded hands and smirked recalling how it all started. "What got you emotional dear?" He thought, nestling her head and lulling her spine. Something definitely got her emotional; else she wouldn't get as bold as kissing - that he knew for sure. He was athirst to hear her reasons, yet he didn't voice a word. WORDS CAN WAIT!!
"Phew!!" Breathing fixed, sanity returned, and desire curbed... Jodha's lips parted into a relieved smile. Easing her grip around him, she dispelled the last bout of tremors that began the moment Jalal's lips first touched her skin. True that she was hazed by the emotional tumult, but her feminine reflexes didn't fail to perceive the blaze ignited in her body. Love hormones, after all, and it is she who triggered them first in him and eventually in her. She didn't plan for it - neither the sudden outburst of affection, nor the kisses or the hug that followed - nothing was deliberated. By the time she realized her actions, her lips were half done with his eyes.
"God... I kissed him!!" Only after hiding her face on his back, she got the time to reel upon it. "Me? Who was parched by his intense glares this morning? Me? Who was hesitant to fix his hair this afternoon? How could I?" She was blushing and deliberating when Jalal's moustache tickled her collarbone. Gasping, she quirked her shoulder, and her fingers with a mind of its own, slid into his hair. Her already shut lids squeezed in raw pleasure and whatever transpired after that totally swept her off her mind. Pure desire scurried through every vein of her. She wasn't ignorant to the pounding beats or erratic breaths, yet she could do nothing about it. Her mind warned her to yank when Jalal nibbled her neck, but she just couldn't. Au contrary, her hands pressed on his nape acting exactly opposite to what her mind instructed. As a matter of fact, she was badly anticipating his lips to travel upwards, from neck to cheeks, but to her surprise he refrained at nick of moment. It took a few moments for her to discern he's reining his passion and the knowledge welled the closed lids with happy tears. "Jalal!!" She hugged him tighter, and seeing Jalal move his body a little back, a mischievous smile curved her lips. "My Mr. Gentleman!!" She silently grinned on his back. "Time and again you prove how unique you are from jerks like Ramesh!!" Her chest swelled with pride. A rebellious tear dribbled down her cheek. As if he sensed her tears, Jalal's hand just then nestled her head and she felt completely drenched in his love. Resting in his arms, she stayed numb till she gained complete control over her desire, till she curbed the shy grins. "Phew!! Facing him had never been so laborious before..." she wetted the parched lips and slowly retreated from his arms.
"You must be thinking..." clearing throat, she safely fixed the bashful lids on his shirt, "... that I lost my mind..." she shyly finished and Jalal smirked. Well, if this were how she behaved when mind is lost, he would love her to be mindless 24/7, 365 days.
"I know gifts make girls crazy..." he quipped, his eyes lingering over the pink shade on her neck, "...but to this extent is definitely a revelation!!" Jodha chuckled, lifting the shy lids to him, but the intensity of his gaze made them fall again. Taking the lump of silk to hands she softly caressed. "Why this Sari Jalal?" she murmured.
Assuming she's asking why he bought her a Sari, Jalal shrugged. "No special reason. It wasn't planned, it just happened."
"I'm asking..." Jodha repeated. "Why THIS particular Sari?" she stressed bringing the peacock blue part before his eyes. "Amongst the umpteen colors and designs, why you chose THIS?" Her probing took Jalal by surprise. "Again, as I said, no specific reason. On the first glimpse I felt its tailor made for you..." he mildly blushed at the admission, "...and I picked it up without second thought. Why do you ask?" his brows knitted.
"Tailor made for me?!!" Jodha silently contemplated looking down to the silk. "Why did he feel that? What sort of coincidence is this?"
"Any wrong with it Jo?" drifting glances from the fabric to her, Jalal doubted. Looking up, Jodha tossed him a beautiful smile, unclipped her hair and gave her head a shake. While Jalal sat glimpsing at the cascading tresses, Jodha briskly got up and splayed the Sari across her. "Click a pic... I'll tell you!!" she gushed without giving him time to contemplate over her weird acts.
"Mm!! More beautiful than I supposed it to be!!" Viewing her delectable body wrapped in his gift, Jalal took his own time to adore before clicking on capture.
"Wait!!" chucking the Sari on to bed, she ran for her mobile while Jalal stood perplexed. "Open the one you clicked..." she instructed standing by him and scrolling on her own phone, "...and tell me who looks better?" She propped her mobile next to his. "Mrs. Vasudha or Ms. Jodha?" she chirped keenly checking on him for his reaction.
It was Jodha in the picture that caught Jalal's first attention. Casual and smiling - an absolute happiness was very obvious in her eyes. His gaze then shifted to her parents standing on either side of her. The couple's hands circled their daughter, and their shining eyes depicted how much they loved their daughter. "How devastating it is to lose such blithe!!" He felt a twist in heart. Obscuring his ache Jalal glimpsed up smiling. "You inherited complexion from your mom and..." he complimented. "...eyes from your father."
"More than my father, its my grand mom, Meenakshi. Remember the name Meenu? You now know the reason." She smiled and Jalal wondered at the practice she would've done to smile amidst pain. "But you're missing the real gist mister. Look at what my mom is wearing..." she zoomed the pic.
Jalal focused on Vasudha's attire and his brows rose in surprise. He shifted glances between both Saris and exclaimed loud. "How very similar!!" His astonished eyes looked aside at the gleaming lady.
"Mm..." she smiled and nodded. "This Sari is special to me in two ways Jalal. It is the first one I gifted to my mom and," caressing her Mother's picture, she revealed. "...and the last one I saw on her."
Discerning what she just mentioned, Jalal stood thunderstruck. "This is our last click..." her voice began to shake, "captured..." she cleared the lumps clogging her throat... "captured... just before they stepped out of home that evening." Much before she completed Jodha was taken into a crushing embrace.
"Fxck me!!" He admonished himself for scraping her healing wounds, though unwittingly. "Sorry Jo, extremely sorry!" He tugged her face into his chest and Jodha was taken aback by the unexpected apology. "Had I had the slightest hint that it'd churn your forbidden memories, I wouldn't have bought you that. I never meant to hurt you. I'm so sor..." his outflow stopped seeing her mystically smiling at him.
"Hurt?" she pursed her lips, recalling the Sloka that spurted in her mind on seeing him at door. "Not really," bowing head, she began circling on his shirt button. "Au contrary..." Curbing the shyness that's on verge of showing of, she finished. "I had a different feeling altogether." It was his turn to be surprised.
"Different feeling?" fondly watching her play with this button, he prodded.
"Should I say?" She hesitated.
SHE's FAMILY!! His proclamation before the inspector replayed. "If he could unwaveringly claim it before a stranger, why're you hesitating? He has every right to know what he means to you!!"
"I wasn't hurt Jalal..." She replaced her finger on his button with her forehead. "In fact, I was very happy," her eyes shut in immense peace as she spoke. "... and the tears you saw were not of pain. They were the tears of ecstasy." Resting his chin on her head, Jalal silently listened to her revelation.
"Ecstasy of a returned memoir!" Her hands circled him as she completed. "Ecstasy of a returned family."
RETURNED FAMILY!! The profundity of her words and the implied meaning hit Jalal hard. "FAMILY!!" A huge sigh emanated from his heart. Finally his wait came to an end!! He felt so relieved and so out of world that his hands left her waist and squished her cheeks making her glimpse up. "MEENU..." He ardently called as if he has been waiting for eons to call her that. He only knew HIS REASONS for his special liking towards that name.
"Meenu..." He called again before his lips closed on her forehead and eyes, bringing the awestruck Jodha back to senses. "Meenu?!!" She rose on toes ravishing his love. "Meenu?!!... Oh!! How much I missed it!!" Her fingers dropped the mobile on to bed before they entangled behind his head. "When was the last time someone called me that?" Suddenly, she dropped onto feet holding her head.
"Mee..." Flabbergasted, Jalal opened mouth to enquire but was immediately shushed up. "No..." she pressed her fingers hard against his mouth. "Don't call me that!!" she firmly nodded. "Not again!!"
"Why?" taking her fingers down, he anxiously asked and then remembered her possessiveness towards the name. "Don't you like ME calling that?" Hurt filled his voice and it tugged her heart.
"I don't want ANYONE to call me that", she firmly clutched his cheeks. "Especially YOU and don't ask me why!!" she gave the final ultimatum and hid in his warm cocoon.
"You just broke the wall of inhibitions and you're rebuilding it, dear?!!" His scraped heart screamed though his auto-piloted hand slowly caressed her head. He knew some pain is stopping her, he could read it in her eyes... But what is that?!! How many more emotional jolts do you need to speak your heart out, my love?" His eyes caught glimpse of the Sari on bed. If not for THIS particular sari, how long would it have taken for you to give me the status of FAMILY?" He began feeling restless. At the same time he was taken aback by his own desperation. That evening he could literally feel a roller coaster ride going on in his mind. From happiness to hurt, from pleasure to pain, from ecstasy to desperation... all in jet speed. "This is not me!!" He gave his head a massive shake. "Not me who dealt with the gravest of situations with better patience and subtle poise."
"Jo..." He softly called, withholding his favorite addressing till she approved. "What's bothering you? Unleash it and leave the rest to me."
"No..." she swayed against his chest. "You'll find it silly, you won't take it serious!!" she blurted her suspicions.
"I do take it seriously", smiling, he promised with a kiss on her head. "Tell me DEAR!!" He became a little more open to give her the needed push and as expected his solacing endearment served as her undoing. "It..." she tugged deeper into his protection. "...it worries me Jalal", she opened up. "After losing two significant men who pampered me with that name, I find it..." she vacillated how to put forth her belief. "I find it ominous. I don't want anyone to fall prey to the ill fate that name carried along. NO ONE means NO ONE... and absolutely not YOU!!"
Her reasons became apparent and he felt totally... TOTALLY satiated, for, she just professed what he means to her. My love!! An ethereal smile glistened his face, his restlessness long gone!! "You are the pain... you are the medicine darling!!" His long kiss on her head spoke for his exuberant heart.
"Jo..." he tipped her chin up and tucked back the locks that obstructed his heart content view of her.
"A day before did you know you'd be coming here?" he asked. Baffled, she nodded in a no.
"An hour before did you know you'd be gifted with THAT sari?" he smiled and she nodded again in a no, trying to discern the direction of his questions.
"And a minute before did you know I'd call you Meenu?" he probed and she nodded, this time fathoming the direction of his questions.
"Fate or ill fate..." he firmly held her shoulders, "...it is predestined dear. Every happening in your life or my life, did it happen with our permission? Did we deliberate or plan them? Or do you think we have complete control on our life's happenings?" Getting the gist, Jodha stayed pensive, struggling to convince her superstitions with his undebating reasoning.
"Forget it..." He smiled, rightly reading her yet unconvinced state. "Lets suppose someone told the same to your father," he reasoned. "...to stop loving you or to stop pampering you because it is ominous for him, what'd he do? Does he comply?" The listener's head dropped at the remembrance of her father - the first man who loved her larger than life. "Unfortunately", she sighed. "... NOTHING would stop him from loving me." A winning smirk twitched the smart man's lips!!
Holding her face like a treasured possession, Jalal gently lifted it up. "You've your answers..." His thumbs caressed the apple of her cheeks as he concluded. "MEENU!!"
Jodha felt a twirl in her stomach; her heart pounded against ribs in aggrandized speed. Her hands moved in a trance to clamp his fingers on her cheek. "How simply, yet staunchly he said it!!" Pearls of ecstasy tugged at corners of her eyes "That NOTHING would stop him from loving her either!!" She revered his palm with a devoted touch of her lips. No customary norms of three magical words, no extravagant promises, no flamboyant showoffs - in one word, just in one word he evinced his love for her is LARGER than LIFE.
The last line of the incomplete Sloka chose that perfect moment to stem in her mind.
TVAMEVA SARVAM MAMA DEVA DEVA!! She rose on toes murmuring what her heart sang, and as the awed man waited, her hands clinched his head and her lips closed on his cheek. "Woah!!" For the enamored man world came to a halt. With every passing second, the intensity of her kiss magnified - her aggravating clasp on his hair and cheek served as the evidence for that unbeatable fact. The wait that started with an accidental blooper in the flight finally ended this moment... in his very own home and when she is wide awake. Jalal felt his endurance and his endeavor are subtly rewarded. Reveling in full splendor of her soft and severe, warm yet wet fondling he engulfed her into him. His fingers toyed with her bare neck and nape in unrestrained freedom. His captivating aura kept Jodha magnetized not letting her separate from him. To think of it, more than his charms, it is her own craving body that compelled her to stay cuddled in his arms. After nuzzling his cheek and inhaling his aroma for one last time, she slowly dropped onto feet. If he painted pink to her neck, she painted pink to his cheek- SCORES EQUAL!! Noticing the aftermath of her passion, his reddened cheek, she felt totally embarrassed. Unable to endure his teasing glares and her own shyness, Jodha buried her face into his broad frame. My!! My!! Can you get any cuter darling!! He enjoyed her embarrassment to its fullest. His lips curved into naughty smirk matching the naughtiness of his thoughts.
"As much as I cherished your reward SWEETHEART," he brazenly quipped. "I have a problem with it!!" His fingers drum rolled on her waist making her hug him more. God!! What is he up to?!!
"Ask me what!!" he huskily whispered. Pursing lips, she shook her head asserting that she wouldn't ask. Of course, why would she? She is no nut to dig her own grave!!
"You won't?" he prodded. "No problem!! I'll say it," the drum rolls traversed from waist to spine. "God!!" She quivered, indirectly adding fuel to his fire. She so wanted to nudge him and escape but her treacherous body seemed to have no such intentions. Damn it!!
"The problem is..", Jalal increased the husk quotient in his already compelling voice. ".. the spot you chose to reward is so open... so visible that I've no way to veil it. So please tell me what to say.." he innocently requested. "..if I was asked about the color on my cheek?"
What a strip tease he became?! She profusely blushed against his shirt.
"Unfortunately silence is not going to work sweetheart..." he showed no mercy.
"Oh man!! This SWEETHEART in your husky voice is surely my death!!" Her fingers tightly clutched his shirt.
"Being an expert story-teller, let us put your skills to use!!" he began blowing the locks off her ear. "Come on, tell me!!"
"OKAY!! Now this is getting too much!!" Before her uncontrollable body reacted agilely once again, Jodha quickly nudged him and turned back. In quick deep breaths she exhaled the smothering tension out.
"You're no less expert..." avoiding meeting his eyes, she took the Sari on bed to hands, "You too can spontaneously cook fibs..." trying her best to get hold on the shivering fingers, she began folding the disheveled fabric, "...like you did to the constable. So think of it yourself."
Carrying the evilest smirk, Jalal moved towards her. "Fine... as you say..." shoving hands into pockets, he stopped right before her, "I'll say the only fib I could think of!!" Intrigued, her fingers ceased folding, but she didn't dare to look up.
"I'll say..." he leaned forward and she clinched the folds, "... that a LADYBUG bit me!!" Eventually, the constricted listener's jaw dropped... the folds of Sari followed. Heat rushed to her cheeks but she couldn't afford exhibiting it to him and welcome another tease-a-thon. Thence, she CONVERTED the shy-wala redness into rage-wala redness. At least, that is what she thought!!
"You're no Sreeram as I assumed," thumping one end of Sari into his hands, she briskly moved away. The farther from this devil, the better!! She peeked at him only after the other end of the Sari ended in her hands, only after creating a distance of six yards between them!!
"What?!!" he faked to be stupefied, both at her accusation and at the Sari thumped into his hands. "Should I be happy that you imaged me as Sreeram or sad that you no longer think so?" he quipped. "Anyways, why such a big allegation?" he made the most possible innocent face. "Just because I was being good and didn't even say an Uff when you pounced on me or bit me?"
"God!!" Losing count of the number of times, she remembered God in a span of fifteen minutes, she hardly gasped. "He's on high today!!" She sulked. "Where is this going to end?!! Wait..." Something else struck her mind making him fiercely meet his eyes...
"Oy... When did I bite you? I just..." she fervently demanded and then squeezed her eyes realizing her blunder. "Shut up!!" She cussed her repulsive mouth. "Keep that damn mouth shut, idiot!!"
"You just...?!!" his lips wickedly twitched as he walked towards her. "Mm... finish it," he towered her. "You just?"
"Nothing..." she thumped the other end into his hands and scooted away drawling the fabric along, "Hold the two ends together... tightly!!" she instructed in an attempt to deviate his attention.
"Let's discuss later on what you EXACTLY did," he offered a little concession. "...but for now, what am I supposed to do?" he confusedly threw arms in air.
"HELP ME FOLD THIS SARI!!"
"ME?" he rose a stupefied brow. "You are asking the MD of four hundred employees to fold a Sari?!!"
"Aha?" she sarcastically kinked her brows. "What happened to this ego while helping a particular blue-salwar-wali?" Finally being equipped with a weapon to retort, Jodha felt extremely glad.
"Who's this blue-salwar-wali?" The perplexed man's brows knitted.
"Wah, as if you don't remember!!" She dived into full vengeful mode. "Or is 'Flirt and Forget' your policy?" Triumphantly holding his gaze, she moved towards him and added two more ends to his hands.
"Flirt? Tch... tch" he sadly shook head. "If only I was good at it, it wouldn't take so long to charm the inscrutable someone..." he purposefully sighed, "Anyways, help me remember who this blue salwar is?"
"Exceptional retorting skills man!!" For a moment she felt proud of her man and the next moment she chided herself for being so shameless. You're the prey and you're taking pride in the predator. Stupid!!
"Oh... you're SO busy charming her that you hardly had time to notice her dress?!!" she held the center pleats trying her best to retain the original folds. "I doubt why you actually came for shopping. Is it to help her or me?" she dominantly demanded.
"Oh... that girl!!" Clouds cleared and the unabashed boss broke into a boyish grin. "That is just a value added service. You didn't utilize my services anyways... so" he coolly shrugged not realizing that his cool scratched her cool.
"Value added service?!!" Her hand automatically rested on the hip as she stood glowering at him. "Is that a new definition for FLIRTING?"
"Flirting?" He looked exaggeratedly shocked. "You got your definitions wrong missy. May I show you what flirting ACTUALLY is?" His darkened eyes hovered on her neck as he began pulling the fabric closer, inch by inch.
"Gosh!!" Jodha immediately set the Sari free, lest she should be pulled along and end up in his arms, once again. She swiftly picked the hair clip on bed and bustled to the closet. "No thanks. Keep your definitions to yourself," she clipped her hair and took a white dupatta out. "Since I failed to utilize your services in the shop," she draped dupatta around neck and then felt completely COVERED. "Let me utilize it now. Please finish the folds Mr. Service Provider..." she sarcastically instructed. "...while I go and check on dinner arrangements."
"Fold?" Jalal impishly looked down and then shot up evilly grinning. "I'd rather prefer unfolding it..." He grinned some more. "... while it is on YOU!!" His twisted grins badly stirred her curiosity, but this time she stayed wisely silent. "God knows what corrupted thoughts caused those bewitching grins?!" She cussed as she walked past him towards the door.
"Jo wait..." cautiously placing the half folded Sari on bed, he commanded. As if she hadn't heard, Jodha increased her pace to escape from the room as fast as possible. Her hand unleashed the door but soon another hand overlapped it. "Darn!!" The door got closed and so her doors of escapade. "Now what?!!" She helplessly glimpsed back.
"You didn't tell me..." He turned her to face him and she supposed he's bringing the topic of kiss again. "... what you murmured?!!" he finished and her eyes squinted. "What murmur? When?!!" She truly didn't get what he asked.
"You said something just before you..." he showed his cheek. "God!! Should he remind it every minute?!!" Her fingers so itched to show her neck and equally tease him but then she also knew he'd win her in one question - WHO STARTED IT ALL? Feeling extremely powerless, she inattentively answered his question. "I didn't say anything!!"
"No. You said some sarvam, dev..." he prodded repeating the words he perceived. "What's that?"
Jodha gasped in frenzy. "He heard it!!" She had a sinking feeling. "Now he wouldn't leave without knowing it." Her frenetic eyes gave away she indeed said something significant and for the astute man, that is more than needed cue. He folded arms in determination and that instant Jodha experienced how it feels to be TRAPPED!!
"Nothing important Jalal!!" she tried to dismiss with a faint smile.
"Tell me what it is," the unyielding man probed. "Important or not, I'll decide!!"
"Arre... I said nothing na," she blushed thinking of the consequences if she revealed what she said. "Some emotional spurt..." to hide her rosy cheeks, she lowered her head, "...kind of girl's thing."
"Again?!" rolling eyes, Jalal caged her between the door and his brawny arms. "You pledged not to repeat it."
"I didn't pledge, I only said", she grinned. "...and I say a hundred things to get my work done. Its your problem to trust me."
"I know you're capable of it." Devilishness returned to his eyes. "MBA, US, marriage what not you fibbed to make me accept your resignation," his fingers traced the contours of her waistline. The untoward tickles made her gasp and jump towards the only possible direction... his broad frame. Much before her hands seized his shoulders to balance, the grandiose curves came in contact with his hard planes. Embarrassed, she quickly retreated to her original position, thoroughly cursing her over reflexive body.
"My, my!! Who said fire sparks only between two rocks?" Ravishing the friction ignited in split seconds, Jalal smirked fiendish. "It sparks between a rock and a..." he waited for a befitting word, "... a sponge?!!" His face scrunched at poor choice of words. "Seriously sponge?!!" He loathed his poetic skills, and he glimpsed down. The hue of pink on her cheeks helped him improvise. "A pile of pink roses with two taut..." his phone rang giving his floundering brain a rest.
"Ammi..." hearing the caller's name, Jodha looked up partly relieved and partly alarmed. She smiled preparing to leave him to his privacy but Jalal seized her wrist. "We are not yet done talking!!" He answered her quizzical eyes.
"Of course, but first finish your call", she tried to reason. "It's not that I'm leaving this home now!!"
"I prefer finishing it this way," he winked and took her into a side hug before tapping answer button. "Uncompromising boss!!" Shaking head at his adamancy and prudence, she gave a fond smack on his arm. Whatever be his reason to stop her, she liked it to be included in his privacy. Tossing him a beautiful smile, she rested her head on his shoulder.
"Yes Ammi!!" Jalal softly spoke, ensuring his exuberance didn't become evident to his mother.
"Jalal. We finally decided to stay back for Ayudha pooja' at office on 2nd morning and then take the afternoon flight to Bangalore", Ameena informed. "So it'd be mid noon before we come."
"I understand Ammi. Are the tickets booked?"
"Not yet, have to do it tomorrow. What are you doing? Done with dinner?" she then remembered Jalal's previous night call. "You said Jodha would come? Did she?"
"Yes!! She's here!!" hearing her reference, the mutinous listener looked up.
"How is she doing?"
"She is doing good," lovingly glancing at his girl's shining eyes, he completed. "And is in process of accepting and accommodating to NEWFOUND SUBSTITUTIONS," he winked and playfully hit her forehead with his. Shyly smiling at his slyness, Jodha rested her head back on its favorite place. "NEWFOUND SUBSTITUTIONS!!" Her eyes closed as she pondered over it. "How true!! 24 hours back she half-heartedly entered HIS home. 24 hours later... she whole heartedly made HIM her home!! One day... one gift and the whole equations changed!!"
"The sooner she adjusts," Ameena smiled, "... the better for her. She might feel more comfortable if I talk to her, may I?" the elderly lady warmly offered and Jalal glimpsed at Jodha seeking her willingness. Smiling and nodding, Jodha forwarded her palm for phone. "Namaste aunty, how are you?" She felt a newfangled intimacy as she spoke with the first woman of Jalal's life.
"Good Jodha. How're you doing? It has been so long since we talked, right? How is Prameela ji?" - The women exchanged pleasantries. He heard his mother comforting Jodha and also saw Jodha's happy nods and sweet smiles. "Two significant woman of my life!!" A contented smile touched his lips. "... One in arms and one on phone" the view appeared so poignant, so beautiful!!
"See you soon aunty," their conversation reached an end. "And thank you for talking to me. It feels nice." She passed on the mobile to Jalal and the light mist in her eyes conveyed she was truly touched. The small conversation helped her clear the misconceptions she held about his parent's reception of her stay and no wonder she felt more welcomed into the home than before. While Jalal continued with the call, she remained silent reveling in Ameena's comforting words.
"Tell Sara to call me Jalal. She asked for some Saris from Hyderabad. She didn't pick my last call."
"Might be busy with patients. I'll tell her. I'm going to Abdul's home now..."
"Oh!! He will be gone now!!" Jodha suddenly remembered. "Will he stay all night in Abdul's home? Or drive back late night? Late night drive two days before his birthday!!" She somehow didn't feel good about it!!
"So where were we Ms. Meenu?" Ending the call, Jalal teased.
"Jalal... are you gone all night?" Worry clouded the prior mirth in her voice.
"No... For three or four hours..." he noticed the sudden gloom in her orbs. "Why? Any problem?"
"Will you stay at Abdul's home?" she further asked. "Or drive back?"
Her interrogation obviously took Jalal by surprise. "Will drive back... why're are you asking Jo?" he completely turned to face her and cupped her shoulders.
"Nothing..." she pensively nodded. "How to stop him!!" Her gaze wandered around the opening of his shirt. Without speaking of her fears!! Without bossing him like a domineering girl?
"Why're you going?" her gaze turned mellow. "Usually they come here na," her fingers clasped the V-neck of his shirt as she inched closer. "As it is you're so tired today..."
"Tired?" His naughty cells got triggered. "Of hugging and kissing? Well... I don't mind such exhaustion!!"
"...of driving auto in that lousy pollution!!" Concern brimmed in her orbs. "So... why don't you call them here?"
"Pining eyes, pouting lips... caring like a WIFE!! Oh Jo..." Jalal swore under breath. "You're killing me." With great effort, he gulped the desire to close his lips on hers. Dotingly clutching the side of her face, he softly spoke. "It makes more sense for me to GO..." he caressed her cheek. "...than to invite two men home... in THE NIGHT!!"
It took a while for Jodha to discern what's wrong in inviting his friends in night and when it did, she felt a twist in her heart. "He's leaving for my sake?" His reasons became apparent, and she drew an aching breath. "Why is his every thought, every act Jodha-centric?" Fear surged through her body. "Don't love me so much Jalal!!" She pounced onto him.
"DON'T GO!!" Astonishing him, she implored. "Have your meeting here!! I'm absolutely fine with it." Jalal remained confounded not knowing how to understand her sudden drift. "Is this the yearning to be with me? Or some other reason?" His ambitious heart preferred to settle at the first option, but his sagacious mind asserted it should be the second. "Is something troubling you Jo?" he asked soothing her back.
"For once..." Jodha looked up truly troubled. "...why can't you relent without cross questioning?"
She angered and Jalal laughed at the frustrated frown on her. "Relenting without appropriate RETURNS..." he winked, "Not an exciting deal missy!!"
"What?" She stared agape. "Here she is shuddering with her fears, and there he's talking about RETURNS"... "Devils should learn from you how to be devilish!!" She helplessly gritted and he grinned unoffended. "Businessman I am..." he quipped, "Return on Investment is anytime on my mind!!" Folding arms, she stood flaring hot stares unwitting to hype his wickedness by asking what he needed in return.
"And being generous by nature..." Imitating her, he too folded arms. "I wouldn't expect GREEDY returns either!! Just tell me..." he touched his arms to hers. "...what you mumbled. I'll accept it as my returns."
"Ayyo!!" She squeezed eyes. "Here comes the topic again!!"
"Once decided..." she griped, "You don't ever forget anything, right?"
"I take it as compliment..." he stylishly nodded, though he discerned her complaint. Finding no way to defer it, Jodha arrived at a decision. "I said..." she rose on toes, her folded arms exerting pressure on his ones. She slightly slanted to whisper to his ears and the sturdy man stood firm offering the much-needed support to her body. "I said..." she cleared throat against his ear and the sound scurried from his ear cavity down the spine as waves of tantalizing vibrations. His hands so itched to unfold and seize her but he also loved this new touch-me-touch-me-not titillations.
"I said something which I'll surely tell you..." she curbed the evilness behind sealed lips, "...when you PERSONALLY wish me good night." She threw a victorious smirk. "I'm planning to sleep after eleven." Finishing, she dropped on toes.
"What is that she is so shying to share?" Jalal glanced skeptical. "Whatever it is should be definitely something very personal or cheesy!! Would she REALLY say?"
"You say a hundred things to get your work done, don't you?" he trapped her in her own words. "And it is MY PROBLEM to trust you. So..." He triumphantly gauged her changing expressions.
"So..." She repeated, finding it hard to believe that he's indeed leaving.
"So..." He darted a mysterious smile and turned back.
***********
Edited by hemakeerti - 9 years ago
Cricket
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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