A special thank you to all you ...for your likes and comments ...and requests for updates ...I am posting this chapter without thinking it through so please forgive the mistakes
Part 17
How did everything change so quickly? She had spoken to him she wished she told him she loved him ... Seeing him lying helpless with his eyes closed, she closes her eyes thanking kahnaji for saving his life, she was being given another opportunity ... Thinking, that's all she had been doing since she got there, about the awkwardness of her presence in the midst of his family, a huge part of her felt like she did not belong with, they were not her family, still had a flickering instinct that burned within her telling her she was need and deserved to be ...
"Finally" her head snapped up at the sound of Adham's voice
An older man with grey hair dressed in green scrubs walked out towards the family, he talked to them briefly "Jalal, surprisingly made it without much damage ... we'll just have to monitor him closely and he will have to strictly follow a regimen of medications and diet ...allowing him to lead a normal life" he pauses and continues "there is no guarantee when dealing with health ...clinical trials have proven to be successful"
"Can we see him doctorji" HB politely asks
"Sure, he has been drugged and will remain in the ICU tonight and probably won't be responsive, but you can see him, don't disturb him" then he winks "only two guest allowed at a time okay?"
Everyone nodded and stood ... the doctor answered questions directed at him and excused him and left
"I..I want to go in" she whispers wiping her tears away, walks away his family "I want to go in"
"No, we want you to leave" Jo turns towards the voice and sees an angry HB "Jodha, please leave, we all as a family request you to leave ... you are not part of this family no matter what happened between you and my son, please leave before the elders in the family arrive"
Jo looks at Jalal through the glass as his sister marched to her "listen, my future in laws are on their way, I don't you to be around when they get here, I cannot explain the need for your presence and your relationship with my brother to them they are too orthodox, they will flip ...if they stop the wedding, I'll die"
"Why do you bother explaining anything to her, if we tell her to leave she has to leave ... she has no choice" Adham Khan joined in
"No, she stays" Mirza cuts in angrily "till Jalal comes around and says she can leave, I promised bhaijaan I will call her ... the last thing he asked me to do before he collapsed was call Jo' ... I want her to be here just in case he asks for her, I don't' want my brother to loose faith in me, I'd feel like I was betraying my own brother" Mirza countered "she will wait in the lobby till you are all done and gone"
An hour went by, they continued to make snide comments, bringing her to tears, finally tears streamed down her face as Mirza grabbed her hands and pulled her towards Jalal's room "Come, I'll take you in, I have to do it for him ...I almost lost my brother" then looks at HB and Maham says " she deserves your wrath, but not now"
Ignoring everyone, taking a deep breath allows Mirza to drags her into Jalal's room ...his eyes were closed, she was certain he was sleeping, his face was relaxed, reaching forward she runs her fingers along his cheek, before she knew it she was clutching her chest sobbing, barely catching her breath ...she cried out all her fears and emotions that she kept bottled inside her ...
She cried for her relationship with Jalal ...she cried for her own feeling of helplessness over his condition, she cried because even though she had decided to end her relationship with him, she missed him, he had become her best friend and she would never stop loving him ... Lacing her fingers through his hands whispers "I love you Jalal, thank you for not dying" squeezing his hand lightly ... she was pleasantly surprised when he squeezes their interlocked fingers
Jo looks up to find Jalal's gaze resting unwaveringly on her ... despite the tears tracking down her face she holds in pain trying her best to explain, words formed in her mouth but nothing came out ... Jalal raises his hand lays his fingers on her lips "sshh baby, no ...need for explanations"
"I'm sorry Jalal, I'm sorry" ...she sobbed as tears of happiness fell from her eyes onto his chest, leaning forwards kisses his forehead ..."I'm scared, so scared" her lips brushing against his cheek with each word
"hey" he whispered "I am fine, I was not scared of dying ... even if I died, I would have died a happy man without regrets knowing you were there for me ... knowing you did not hate me..." he pauses, chuckles and continues "I take that back, I do have one regret actually ...only one ... a baby ...our baby ...I wished Allah had blessed me with the pleasure of holding our baby in my arms" moves his hands over her abdomen as if trying to cuddle with the baby ... longingly ...gently "I got tricked with fatherhood"
Jo breaks down completely ...slides her arms around his back, crying into his shoulder ...finding comfort in his embrace ... it felt good being back in his arms, they stay holding one another till her tears and fears subsided. The day she walked out of Jalal life she had stopped taking birth control ... closing her eyes thanks her stars ... and decides would try and get pregnant as soon as possible, as the fear of almost losing Jalal and having no part of Jalal in her life grips her.
His hands hold her head forcing her to look into his eyes "Hey, I'm still here aren't I? You thought I'd leave you that quick? How can I? You still owe me a baby remember?" he teases, then gets serious "I want you to Promise Jo, promise me that you'll trust me and never leave me again no matter what"
Jo looks at him through tears, she had almost lost him for good ... nothing mattered anymore, she did not care if Rukiaya was pregnant ... Did not care that his family hated her, all that mattered was that he needed her and she would be there for him ... nods her head in a vow of silent communication ... then whispers "I promise, I will never leave you"
"No matter what?" he questions "even if I behave like a jerk?"
"No matter what ... I'll stand by you ... I love you Jalal" she promises
The next two days went by fast in a blur with many visitors, doctors, therapists setting follow up visits for cardiac rehab, counseling with dieticians ...whenever Jo attempted to leave trying to give some privacy with his family, Jalal's had would grip hers tightly holding her back ... Jalal constantly demonstrated his desire for Jo to be by his side openly in front of his family. When getting ready to be discharged stillness filled the room when Jalal announced
"Jo will be coming home with me to take care of me, please give her all the instructions" taking everyone by surprise
"Jalal, I just, I can't believe this" his mother voice sounded distressed "You can't do that to Rukiaya, you will be insulting your wife ...you can't bring her home and flaunt her in front of our family especially with Bakshi wedding ... the family functions start next week"
"Ammijaan I have already explained this" Jalal's voice rose in temper, his brow furrowed in anger as he swings his legs off the bed, stands up, feeling dizzy, sits back down on the bed, HB rushes to his side, he pushes her away, looks up "okay ... I made a mistake and got married ... poor judgement on my part for wanting to satisfy the desire of my mother"
"A MISTAKE" she snapped back at him "a mistake ... forgetting a birthday, meeting, agreeing to work late when you are a guest at a function, are mistakes, not lying to your wife, pushing her away from the day you got married ...divorcing like she is worthless to you is a bit more than a mistake beta, don't forget the issue with you chachaji's wife ..."
Jo was beginning to get irritated ... everything happening around her made her feel guilty ... His mother's voice changed his demeanor, he looks at Jo, sees her nervously biting her lips...his voice tenses ... "can't we just move on from that ... I was tricked into that situation ...I'll deal with them later ... I mean, let me atleast get discharged first"
His mother's anger continued "And what happens after you get home?"
As his family argued around her, Jo began having regrets realizing the problems her presence was causing in his family ... the concerns his sister voiced seemed valid...the possibility of her marriage being stopped by "you open affair with a hindu, showing no respect to your wife ...sharif's parents are very orthodox bhaijaaan" she pleaded...
Jalal's hand crept into Jo's squeezing her fingers tightly, all thoughts of doubts fleeing from her mind, she holds on to his hand taking the strength and support he offered, Jo looks at him, the misery in his eyes mattered more than family squabbles ...his eyes begging ... he needs me she decides, smiles and nods ...
Rounds of protests and argument went in waves till Jalal finally stated "well, if Jo is not welcome at home then I will stay at the penthouse with her ... she stays where I stay, actually she is my home"
Rukiaya put an end to it by supporting Jalal "She can come and stay in the house I have no problem, Jalal's happiness and health is more important for me, he needs an assistant to help him with recovery anyways"
"But Bhabhijaan, my wedding is in two weeks, how can I explain .." Bakshi protests ..Rukiaya cuts her off
"we'll tell them she is Jalal, personal assistant ...they will understand"
"What makes you decide that bhabhi" Bakshi shot back ... "she can never be part of the family, she is Hindu and it is against..."
"That's enough" Jalal yelled ... "what are you talking about Bakshi ? Your future father in law has a hindu heart keeping him alive today, ... don't forget that ... remember when he was struggling and fighting for his life while waiting for heart transplant last year, the 19 year Hindu boy died in an auto accident and his family donated his heart for the 52 year old muslim man ..you soon to be father in law... So cut that crap argument out"
"I am his wife, and I have agreed so what's your problem Baksi, moreover, I'll be busy helping you prepare for you wedding ... also, lately I am also not keeping good health ... so let her stay and help him" Thanks to Rukiaya's intervention, Jo fate was finalized ...
Later that night she calls her family ... her parents objected as well, her mom fed her line after line, warning her to guard her heart, her life, "don't ruin yourself beti, his life is too complicated, his life style and family are too complicated" on the other hand her father just stayed quiet after simply saying "just make sure you take care of yourself, we will always be here for you when you need us"
Jo loved her Dadimma's advice best "Jodha, do you want to be with him even after all that has been said and done?
Jo does not answer choosing to nod her head instead knowing her grandmother could not see her
"You love him and are willing to face the bumps ahead?"
"I want to dadimma, I really want to" she whispers
"Then what is stopping you ...it does not matter who supports you or what someone thinks ... this is between you and Jalal"
"Its not that simple dadi"
"Make it simple then beta, work things out with him, decide the rules and boundaries and fight for you love"
The following day things went smooth, Jalal was discharged ...The house was huge as she imagined, the exterior adorned with large windows ...breathtaking sculptures, almost like a museum, she steps inside, the interior was warm and welcoming ... mixture of colors giving his home a homey feel
"Do you plan on just standing and admiring the building all day ...my mother decorated this house and she put extra effort to make sure it reflects her warm personality" Jalal whispers wrapping his hand around her waist ... Jo shudders ...so far HB was far from warm towards her
"something bothering you Jo?"
"No, nothing" she mutters brushing her hair back, steps in ...
"Don't lie to me Jo, it annoys me greatly" he snaps "why don't you be honest and tell me what is bothering you, I have to put up with an upset and demanding family ... I don't want anything coming between us, I want you stop worrying about them, and concentrate on us because you're the only woman I've ever wanted more of in my life ... I can have anyone or anything yet ... all I want is you in my life ..."
"So, ..." hesitates "then, how should I act around you when your family, extended family are around?
"However you want, I want you to feel as comfortable as possible, everyone here at home knows of my relationship with you ...after Bakshi's wedding my impending divorce will be public knowledge ... Ruks has another 3 weeks to enjoy the benefits of my last name ... because like I told you before I don't see her as a one of my choosing"
"But if feel guilty ... like I am being used to break up your marriage"
"Well, if that's how it is working out, I can't help it, this is not about Ruks or my family, it is about us and I don't really care about much else ... if I want to make love to you with my wife in the next room I will"
"How ..."
He puts his index finger on her lips "sshh .. don't think too much about them, this is just the beginning"
She eyes him, giggles and shyly, tiptoes placing her lips on his ears whispers "I know you aren't even a little shy when it comes to your sex life, the whole world knows it, but I'd rather the world not know of mine"
He smirks, then winks "that ship sailed the day I met you, your innocence, your saintly looks it never fails me how fast to turn into a vixen in bed... you'll forever be known as mine ... only mine ...you and me, which is why you are perfect for me" pulls her hand "now let's go face more family drama"
"Here we go" she whispers clutching his bicep tightly
"Jalal, beta, welcome home beta" Maham squeals wrapping her arms around Jalal "may the Almighty bless you with good health"
The rest of the family joined in, Jalal gives instructions to the doorman ... Jo hears the last part "and take the suitcases to my bedroom"
Rukiaya walks in giving her own instructions "as her stuff goes on the first floor, guest house where the workers stay"
"Actually, I have already instructed him to take it to my bedroom to be exact"
Ruks face and Maham's face paled, the maids exchanged looks as Ruks shaken voice "Jalal, maybe...are you ..."
"She gets my bedroom, that's final"
Jo feels awkward with the exchange as HB joined ...the stood arguing as Jalal grabs her and leads her up the stairs ... Jo goes with Jalal avoiding the glares thrown like darts on her back as she followed Jalal up the grand staircase ... she couldn't help notice the wedding portrait of Jalal and Ruks ... Pangs of guilt hits her again ...choosing to ignore it, she goes with Jalal ...she had yet to have a private conversation with Ruks ... yet to face her wrath
"This is my childhood room Jo I have a lot of memories in this room and want to build more memories with you in here" pulls her kissing her passionately, running his hands under her tshirt ...things were getting too steamy ...recalling the doctor's warning Jo pulls away ]
"Jalal, you know what..."
He laughs "yeah, yeah I know ...but I could not resist wanting you ...my mind tells me one thing but my body wants completely the opposite" then sighs and points to a connecting door "through there is Rukiaya's room"
A surprised Jo asks "you don't share the same room?"
Jalal pulls her into his arms "No, when I got married, you were in my mind ... I could imagine only you here ...you'll be the first woman to sleep in my bed ... I have visited Ruks in her room, on her bed ... had sex... in the past ...before us" he stammers ...
Feeling a bit jealous when he spoke of his relation with Ruks ... Jo pulls away and walks around the room, looking out the window as pangs of guilt begins eating her ... Jalal tells her about the servants in the house and "Kasim baba is my closest friend, he has been taking care of me since I was a little boy ... he has become a father figure, I confide in him, there are some things I feel uncomfortable talking to my ammi about ...but with Kasim baba ..I can talk about anything, I have instructed him to look out for you when I am not around, you can trust him even more than me, Look" takes her hand and leads into a large walk in closet ... Jo was surprised ...to find a small Pooja alter with a golden idol of Kanha set up on a carved out wooden stand ..decorated with fresh flowers... "I asked Kasim baba to have it set up, I had him get help from the local temple elder"
Jo was touched but Jalal's gesture ...she quickly takes the Pooja thali and does Pooja and brings arathi for Jalal ...unknown to the Ruks, HB and Bakshi stood watching the whole thing ...
"Bhaijaan, you have gone crazy" Bakshi yells and walks away ..
Jalal walks and shuts the door and locks it "forget about them ... I need you Jo, just remember your promise, you are here for me, and only for me, for us, only for us"
Jo quickly settles into life at Mohammed mansion, goes over Jalal's discharge instructions, his mediations, his diet restrictions helping him balance rest exercise, work, visitors diet ...looks at the clock, it was almost time for dinner ... Jalal had gone down to talk to some of his relatives that came to visit him, she was alone writing up his diet restrictions, and a time table to balance his recovery when Ruks walks in
"So Jodha, you are sleeping with my husband, back stabbing me ... don't think I am okay with all that has happened ... I only agreed because I care about Bakshi ... So please get too personal with him and insult me in front of my family ... Because soon Jalal will dump you and you'll be running to which ever corner you came from ... he may have slept with you ...but no matter what he will always be my husband"
"Ruks, I am here at Jalal's request and I plan to get as personal as he wants me to be" an irritated Jo says angrily
"Bitch, he slept with you only because my health would not allow me to, but soon he will be a slave only for me" she snaps before slamming the door and walking out ..
Jo looks at the closed door ... Sighs ..this is only the beginning "what am I doing her Kanha ji, please help me do the right thing" she pray softly.
Jalal had not been up all evening a worried Jo ventures out of her room, comes to the staircase, sits on the stairs listening to the shouting coming from the living room ...her heart was pounding against her ribs
"We want her gone from here before the wedding" a male voice yelled
"This is not your house Khan saab, my house, my guest, my life and as I've said it before, she will be staying and attending the wedding as my guest... your son is marrying my sister ... If it bothers him then ... I will leave and not attend the wedding ..."
Jo could hear the fatigue in his voice ...she could not see him ... she felt bad for him, he already was through an almost death experience and then to face this at home ... almost wanted to leave to solve the problem, but she promised Jalal she would stay ...
HB walks by and sees Jo sitting on the stairs "This is what you want right? The pain, see what your presence is doing, tearing my family apart"
"Mrs Mohammed" was all Jo could say before she walks away ... Jo takes a deep breath, leaning against the rail when Jalal walks up sits next to her, his mother stops and looks at them ... Jalal pulls Jo against his chest, Jo pulls away lightly pushing him away
"Not you too Jo" he whispers kissing her neck while his mother stood watching
"I know, I made this choice, I should accept it, no matter how difficult it might be, separate myself emotionally from the problems in front of me ...even if it feels inhuman, and wrong"
He sighs "I'm sorry ... bare with me till my sister's wedding ..." Jo does not answer him, they sit in silence, then he suddenly gets up "I am going to bed, I am tired ..." he gets up and walks up the stairs ... Jo sits quietly looking out the window watching the last rays of light vanish from the skies, darkness taking over ... Then continues to sit in the dark ...finally gets up and walks up to her room ... tiptoeing in the darkness ...crawls into bed next to Jalal wondering if he was sleeping ... Finally losing the battle with fatigue drifts into sleep as negative thoughts plagued her thoughts ... Rukiaya's threats ... was pregnancy her trump card?
The days went by quickly ... the fights continued, Jo just minded her own business, nasty comments continued to be hurled at her from all sides ... "she's Jalal's mistress" ... "Jalal's flavor of the month" ... "she is sleeping with him for his money, he picked her up from the streets" "she's a tramp" "keep your husbands away from her she will trap them too, she'll do anything for money" ... ignored all the snide comments and digs ... silently buried them deep down ... When Jalal was around he defended her, soon no one spoke a word against her in front of him and behind his back threw darts at her ... waking up everyday before sunrise, showers, does her Pooja, runs to the kitchen to cook special foods for Jalal keeping up with diet restrictions, making sure he had his meds ...mid days were spent with Jo helping Jalal run his business ... Abdul bhai came everyday and they would go over emails ... Jo learned a lot about his business in detail, he was a calculated businessman and was shocked at the extent of his wealth and amount of personal attention Jalal gave to minute details ... Kasim kaka as Jo called him was her pillar of strength ...
"Beti, I have seen a lot of things happen in Jalal's life, you are the best that has happened to him ...you have brought a lot of change in Jalal, he cares for you, he enjoys your company, you care for him naturally ... a welcome change Jalal is usually surrounded by people pretending to care for him ... which is a lot for him ... I have never seen him this happy all his life, continue what you are doing, he will live a long healthy life."
Jo was able to convince Jalal to let her stay away in her room for the wedding celebrations, grudgingly Jalal agrees ... Bakshi's wedding weekend arrived and went by quickly without a lot of drama and much fuss as Jo stayed away, ... after sending of Bakshi in style and pomp a tired Jalal slumped in bed next to Jo, pulling her into his arms ... hugging her, his breath reeked of alcohol ...Jo sits up pushing him away "Jalal, you can't drink too much alcohol, you are taking cholesterol medications and it interacts and affects you liver" but Jalal did not care ... Jo could see he was fully aroused ...from the day he returned home from the hospital Jo was able to pull away after light foreplay before it got out of control ... but today was having a tough time as he was a little intoxicated as well ...
"Jalal, the doctor said to wait for atleast 4 weeks"
Grinning he pulls her back into bed "that's why they are doctors ... that's the job to give advice, but I know me, I know my body ... and it wants you, you have no idea how hard it has been these past weeks to resist you, begins kissing her, caressing her ... you can do all the work ... for me, take control of my body baby" he pleaded sofly
Jo begins pleasuring him with her hands and mouth slowly as he watched, looking into his eyes she sees lust and longing "you so amazing Jo" he hissed as she glided her tongue around his length gently, slowly pushing him back in bed, grabs a hold of him and sits on him as he slowly undressed her ... he leans forward, pulling her up begins kissing her ...and slowly he possessed her gently ...made love, gasping reaching his peak, orgasming together, finally collapsing on her ...
Jo leans on his chest hearing his heart go erratic, jumps up immediately "Jalal, your heart ... OMG ...what have I done"
Jalal laughs "Jo, baby calm down, its okay, I am alive, I am fine, just bit short of breath, I am fine baby, I won't go anywhere .." then takes a deep breath and whispers "I missed this, your passion, your warmth, the comfort and peace of being in your arms fully satisfied, yet yearning for more" continues running his hands over body, caressing her intimately, pinching her nipples " ...thank you for putting up with my family, I think my ammijaan is beginning to like you" he whispered ...pressing his body against hers ... tomorrow afternoon I have set up a press conference to announce my divorce and introduce you ... right now I want you again..."
I know this is a shorter chapter than my usual ...have a busy weekend and if I did not post now, would not be able to till mid next week
Have a blessed and fun weekend
Prema
Edited by crystalwings - 9 years ago
Pati Patni Aur Panga
Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile
Tum Se Tum Tak
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Vasudha
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