Akdha os- Manchala Teri Oor
She was ego- centric that was most people believed, especially Jalal believed it, she was rich spoilt brat, who roamed around the college with prejudice, and she always had a poker face on and yes she spoke a perfect language, no not English, Hindi or any other language, but the language called sarcasm, oh! how he detested her, it had been two and half years he was tolerating her, she seemed to fit into cruella description or the mean girls description, probably even worser than that.
She roamed correction haunted his thoughts as if she were a nightmare, or a ghost, behind him, he always thought of pranks which he played on her, and everyday he attempted one and next day she attempted one. In short it was a tit for tat system, and the college knew of their so called enmity, like the term soul-mates for the people who were madly and deeply in love, the perfect phrase for them was hate- mates. He had never spoken a word with her, in tte--tte sense.
The most probable time he had spoke politely to her was when the first time he meet her he was too engrossed in his phone that he didn't notice her, he hit her and bam all her books were on the floor, he apologized and was trying to help her, when she rudely replied- I don't need your help, I can manage myself.
He was infuriated he said- whatever in the same tone as hers and leaves, why did she behave like that he had no clue, but when he observed her behaviour she behaved like that with everyone the same way.
There was no reason to be rude but she was, the whole college had pet named her cruella, they would mock at her face, but her face was always the same poker faced, not a slight emotion was displayed in her eyes, leave her face.
He often thought whether she actually was heartless or did she have the perfect skills? Because if she was pretending, she had perfect skills for the art of deception, if so he had never seen an Oscar winning actress who could gracefully carry the art of deception without any trace, of flaw in her, just like her. Probably she could take a future profession of an actress, he thought often.
He didn't why, he didn't how, his interest came on her, obviously she was beautiful, every boy's challenge. He had everyday heard his classmates, his juniors placing bets on her saying, who will win her? But none accomplished, what a horror it is. She just ignored every man who tried to woo her, easily bruising each man's ego, and creating enough unwanted havoc in her life.
He often thought how could she manage such a huge fan following? She is attractive in a different way, not just her beauty he found attractive, but her silence, hid behind her rudeness. She didn't have one person to depend on and call a friend in college, she sat alone and the professors noted it, they had discussion in the class, everyone mocked at her, but unlike most of the girls who would start crying.
Her face even didn't shrink a bit to show she was embarrassment, no lines of worry on her forehead and her arms crossed, and her brown orbs burning with fury as usual spoke- whatever I don't give a damn. So the professors left her, she was asked to take up counselling, but it didn't work, because the counsellor said counselling is only possibly when the person is willing to do so, and her will power to interact correction socialize was zero percent or should it be said it was dropping below minus.
She was hard nut to crack, which he wanted to crack, he unlike other boys never proposed her, because her beauty was secondary thing, what was of paramount importance to him was to know exactly what was going in her mind when she made that poker face of hers.
He had probably turned into Sherlock Holmes investigating her, that's what Mirza said, his cousin, he studied in another college, but he knew about her enough because Jalal often spoke about her, making theories, zillions of them about her, his theories often weren't inter-connected, each day a new theory. Mirza had said him that probably he should go to psychologist because he believed that Jalal had an OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) towards her.
He could not rationalize why was he attracted to her? But it was a strange and strong attraction, unexplained, irrational, and mysterious, yet captivating. Here lay the irony of his life there were million of girls who wanted to woo him, but ironically he was falling for the one who was least interested in him.
He wished he knew telepathy or any of that kind, even though he hated Twilight saga, he envied Edward's talent, gift whatever it was of mind reading. Mirza often termed them as Handsome and the Beast instead of Beauty and the Beast, there was a role reversal, he was the Handsome and she the Beast, all he was waiting was for the climax of the movie, where he would find why she was the beast? Any cruse that he could lift, but he found none.
But Alas! Here it wasn't a movie but real life had no climaxes, he didn't know if he could ever know. He didn't even if she knew how closely he observed her. Probably she would remain as one of the unsolved mysteries of time; he left his thoughts correction he forcefully pushed them aside and entered his college thresholds, and headed towards his classroom.
As, he entered his classroom, he saw her, Ugh! Her, not again he thought, he said to himself Jalal you are in third year remember , you need to pass, so stop focusing on that weirdo(that's what he called her) get it idiot.
He raised his head to take a last glance at her and settle down as no one was there in the class, what he saw shock him to the core, a lone tear rolled down her cheek, her face had shrank with an emotion, called pain, worth capturing, but he didn't want to disturb her, by teasing her, even though he was dying to do so, probably it was something serious , so he left her alone with her emotions and left the class without allowing her to know that he had seen her weak side.
He didn't want to feel all weird in front of her; probably he guessed every strong, rude person had to let her/ his armours down once in a while. He diverted each and every classmate that came, away from the class, finally when it was time for the first class, entered, inside and kicked a chair hard, so that it made some noise and made her know of his presence, she raised her head to see the source of sound, and when she sees him she says- you can't you come in without making noise she said annoyed, he said- no I can't, and he kicked the chair again, she says- Why am I even talking to you? There's no use right? He gives her a fake smile- right, weirdo, She says- dare you call me that, otherwise I'll break or head nose whatever comes in my hand. He sang as if it were a chorus- weirdo, weirdo, weirdo, he loved annoying her.
Even though he annoyed her he was proud of this fact that he was the only one who could ever make her feel one emotion even if it was irritation. She got up and came near him what did you say? He says- weirdo, she pulled him towards herself, he was sitting on the edge, he wasn't ready for this he got up with a jolt. She was not able to balance his weight and thud they were on the floor on top of each other, he on her, she shoved him off, and climbed on him ,and pulled his hair and said dare you call me a weirdo again, he was trying to shove her away.
When the rest of the classmates entered, accompanied by the professor, the whole class was laughing at their childish antics, he was calling her moti, hath, varna mai tere bahar se mar jaunga(Fatty, get aside, otherwise I'll die due to your weight) and she replied- agar mai moti hoon, toh tu genda hai nahi sand hai(If I'm fatty, you're Rhino, no Bull) and then their senseless baseless fight continued as if promising not to stop.
The professor waited for them to finish their mini- world war, and the whole class was either hooting or shouting either cruella, Jalal, and some talking videos, finally the professor had to intervene because there was no trace that the war would end.
That is when the professor shouted- both of you out of my class, to the principal's office, and apology letter 40 times. They both said in unison- not my fault, they professor said I've had enough of you, both of you out, and they went out grumbling, he said it's all your fault, weirdo? She replied- excuse me probably you forgot who instigated me? Psychopath. He said- don't call me that, I'm high functioning sociopath.
She said- I've a copyright, and please stop insulting Sherlock by using his dialogues. He said who said you've a copyright? And I'm not insulting Sherlock I'm a huge fan of his, and one day I'll be like Sherlock .She said- In your dreams, psychopath and if I termed you as psychopath, so I've the copyright, bad luck, let's go to the Princi's office. He replied- pehle apne bal toh dekhle aese lagta hai so kar uthke aye hai, ha ha(First look at your hair, it looks like you just gotten up and have come, ha ha). She replied- sach mai, merko pata he nahi tha, very funny ha ha I laughed dying, pehle apne bal dekhe, lagta hai chidiya ka ghosla hai.( Really, I didn't know, very funny ha ha I laughed dying, first see your hair, they look like a bird's nest), the fight seemed never ending, that's when a peon comes and says the Principal is called them.
They both go to the wash room to look at least presentable, they had full one hour lecture from the principal, and they were supposed to do teamwork, in an orphanage as volunteers in an orphanage. They both said in unison- no way. Principal said- My decision is final, if you want do it or leave the college, they both left the Princi's room in anger.
They spent a whole week in the orphanage as they had a week's leave, he began to see her soft side, she often smiled with them and her smiled, was breath taking he admitted, she admitted that he had a good side. They both began discovering the undiscovered sides of each other. Before leaving the orphanage he said- Probably you aren't that bad. She said- I can't say the same for you still and smiled.
They were back in college after a week and her same poker faced nature continued, he was confused, she was again trying to ignore, and he noticed she was all ok before a phone call came, he decided to protect her, and wait until she gives him a clue. He finally asked- What's wrong weirdo? She said- You shouldn't be coming anymore closer to me Jalal, I don't want you in trouble. For the first time she had called his name, he knew there was something serious, so he decided to do what he could, protects her.
She was too much into her phone, and worried, one day. He thought was she behaving like cruella only because she was afraid that someone will get hurt because of her, but why? To the why he didn't have the answer, only she did, and she wasn't ready to speak, and he wasn't ready to give up.
She had worn a denim mini skirt and black stockings, with a plane white t-shirt one of the boys put his legs in her way when she was walking and she fell, her stocking tore at the knee, and she was bleeding, and everyone was mocking at her.
He couldn't tolerate it he held her hand in front of everyone, and there was a dead silence and he dragged her to the class room and he gently tended Jodha's wounds, he went out and bought, her another pair of stocking, and gave her.
She asked him why are you doing this? His replies- There's a thing called sentiment. You aren't that bad as you think. And then remember you are girl and second being a coconut doesn't help, hard on the outside and soft on the inside, be strong on inside, weirdo. You fight with yourself way too much.
Suddenly she felt so exposed, he knew her so well, her fears were coming true, she replies- I want to be bad Jalal, please leave me as I'm, stop interfering in my life, and I don't fight myself way too much, and yes I'm emotionless, because sentiment is a chemical defect found on the losing side (Quote from Sherlock from sentiment... side). He said- your wish weirdo, and stop using Sherlock to defend you.
The mere thought that his love for Sherlock didn't die enough now brought a slight smile on her lips. In the evening she was waiting in the bus stop for the bus, and also he was there sitting on a bench, a bit far than her he had pair of headphones in his ears, he was hearing some metal music she guessed, totally his type.
That's when the girl start mocking at her again, that she's a loner, no friends, blah, blah and they keep on ranting. She stood there like a statue, behaving as if she had heard nothing. She wanted to reply back but there's no use she knows. She's tired of fighting, with everyone every time, including herself, so she preferred to remain mum.
Jalal who was sitting there called her out- hey you, a girl jumped in glee saying me, no not you, he replies, her, Jodha turns and points at herself and says-me, you called me. Jalal says- First of all stop giving me this look as if we are strangers, you know me right? Jodha says- yes. Jalal says so, sit with me. She wanted to fight like usual but she refused to do so because she was all drained out.
She didn't like to confess but deep down her heart was full of gratitude towards him for standing for her, even though when she acted she was strong, but she was not. He said want to hear music, she says no. He forcefully puts one of the earphones in her ear and asks- how's the music?
She says- There's no music. He says- There lies the trick my innocent weirdo pretend you here nothing to avoid, people and hear everything, smart right? He ruffles her hair, and she says with a smile- probably, and don't mess with my hair again psychopath, is baar maaf kiya, agli bar itni dayalo nahi hongi mai yaad rakhna(This time I forgive you next time I won't be so gracious, remember it), he smiles at her. He gets up as his bus had come and while stepping inside the bus, he says-Terror yaad rahega.(I'll remember the terror), and she smiled.
She was falling for him so hard so fast, that she felt like she's going to land on her face hard, and get up in the morning and realize it was mere dream. She shouldn't fall from him, it's dangerous, and she's nomadic in nature, not more than 3 years in a place.
She didn't want to afford a reason to stay back, a reason to regret when she goes, when she fades into oblivion, like each time, for each friend, for Jalal who was more than a friend. She couldn't control her feelings towards him, so she tried distancing herself, but to no avail, he like always turned out to be her guardian angel ,even when she was acting like rock hard.
She had to have a chat with her best friend, recently her thoughts, weren't making sense but know they were. She opens her best friend, her diary, her only solace, who would listen to her, without commenting or judging her, she jotted few words that came out in a flow and locked, it and put it in her rucksack.
The next day she couldn't concentrate on any one of her classes, Jalal had noticed that because even if she had maintained the poker face her, she was continuously fidgeting with her pen, and she was scribbling something on a notebook, he saw, not her regular one, it was probably a diary, her personal one he guessed.
It was like feast to him asking him to come and dine, all her secrets, everything about her. His thirst for knowing her would be quenched; he wanted to know what she was afraid of. What made her like this? Everything hidden in the diary, he had to get it by hook or crook.
Lunch break and luckily she had left her diary in the desk drawer by mistake or knowingly, he couldn't say. He opened the diary it was lock protected but he won't give up, he thought harder and harder, he put 31726, it opened, it was Eureka moment for him, it was simple she had to remind her constantly not to cry, so her diary lock password was cry, to be more accurate, 3 for C, 17 for R, and for 26 Y the alphabetically order.
The pages seemed so alluring that he didn't know which one to read first, each had probably a different tale to tell , and he wanted to know all, but there was so less time, before she comes otherwise he would be so dead. Controlling his excitement he decided to read from page one.
It read first day of college new life, new place, new faces, that's my life right? Don't speak a word to anyone, be rude always is my mantra. As, I don't want any emotional bonds left when I leave after 3 years. No bonds, no emotions, no regrets, I believe life too short to hold any regrets.
As he was reading her diary he noticed the entries weren't made regularly. The next entry he read one and half week of college everybody call me Cruella. I should be feeling bad right? I do feel I admit, but yes, it's not their fault right that how I project myself? I meet a new student named Jalal he bashed with me and I was all rude with me, probably another bad name for me. He's quite handsome, for a moment I had my breath stuck in my throat. Then I had to remind myself be cruella and I left.
The next entry read we can't stop fighting and playing pranks on each other, the whole college call us hate-mates, funny right? Today he stuck a chewing gum in my hair I had to a crown cut idiot correction psychopath. I had my revenge I sneaked into the boy's gym and put itching powder in his shirt it was fun to see him like that.
The next entry read yet another epic day for me I had fun I offered him Oreo biscuit and he had one; his face was worth watching instead of cream I had put toothpaste. Oh! College life is so fun with him I wish it could last forever. But nothing lasts forever right? I almost broke my back today he loosened the screws on my chair and thud I was on the floor, I had a bad fall, he's going to be so dead, and my back hurts still. He calls me weirdo, I hate it and he's a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes and dreams of becoming one. Really look at your face? I mean it's not that bad, but no ways he can be Sherlock.
The next entry I had my revenge it was fun I had a squeaky stuff that makes a sound of fart when pressed, a loud audible sound, I kept on his seat I know he'll be late because he wouldn't like to face him, and yes as predicted he was late and he sat on it and the whole class was laughing at him, he knew it was me. I know his revenge is pending so I ought to be careful.
The next entry we had camping and he had his revenge how could I be so stupid? I was roaming alone in the nearby woods he came dressed up as a ghost. I almost had a heart attack he made a video and put it in whatsaap. He is going to be so dead.
He continued reading and smiling, one of the entries read- I hate the way he stares at me as if trying to reveal the real me? My heart starts beating at an unbelievable speed when he's near me. Am I in love? Or am I falling for him? Could I? I mean we keep on fighting, how can love happen then?
Next entry read- I have fallen for him for sure we were forced together as part of our punishment to volunteer at an orphanage, he s so sweet dear diary and probably he has started to know me enough. How can I be in love with him when he annoys me so much? Oh! Why is this feeling of love so complicated?
Next entry- He's just so caring, today the way he held my hand in front of everyone, my heat swelled with pride that this the man I love, and after college , the way he protected me, he's my hero, my guardian angel. He called me a coconut? Seriously do I look like one?
Next entry -Mommy's no more dear diary, I'm too afraid she has always protected me from him, my so called step- father, he has always tried to misuse me and mommy has kept me away he's coming to get me, and I've nowhere to escape. What to do? But I have to keep him away from me? I could complain right? Lodge an FIR and all, but I can't the video of mommy he has in his phone, has always keeps me shut. She's no more that doesn't mean I can allow him to play with my mommy respect. After all mommy had married him to protect me. Even thought it ended up a disaster, I can't forget her pure motive; I can't forget her sacrifice to give the place of the man she loved to someone else. Probably it's a long time I've been fighting with darkness trying to keep it at bay, when all the while I belonged to it. I should allow the darkness to consume me. He's coming today in the lunch break he'll take me with him, dragging me to the hell, where he reigns and this time I would be all alone? Probably Jalal's hates me by now. The very thought pains my heart, but this is good. He's away from my problematic life. I had always tried my level best to remain away from men, then people in particular, and here I stand today already fallen head over heels in love with a man, which I never expected. I can't undo it, no matter how hard I try.
He was so angry at her for behaving like that; she was behaving like too strong, when she was dying inside for love and care. He had heard tales that her and her so called step father had a bad relationship, but after knowing the truth he ought to protect he ought to protect his love. She wasn't cruella; she had played the art of deception to well. She was just his coconut, yes his coconut, and nobody takes his coconut away from him,
He went out with his backup and her diary inside it, he tried finding her but to no avail, finally he asked one of their classmates did he see her? He informed him that he had seen her near the back gate with her father?
He ran for his life, hoping and praying that she shouldn't have. It seemed that god had answered him she was still there. She was giving that man a cold stare. Jalal says- hello uncle, could I borrow our phone I've to call Ammi. Jo's hasn't got her phone and I broke my phone, he showed his broken phone.
Jodha gave him a look which clearly meant what on earth are you doing here? As far as she could remember his phone was perfect. Then how did he break his phone? Or did he knowingly break his phone? If do so why?
Her step- father replies- you're Jalalludin Mohammad right? Jalal gives a fake smile- yes, sir. Her step father replies- It's good to know my little princess has a friend like you; she usually doesn't make many friends you know. She is a shy type girl an introvert. I wanted to have a business with your father but no one responded.
Jodha could feel her insides burning with rage what did he call her little princess? Oh! She wanted to shout at the top of her lungs Jalal he's a fraud, but all she did was stare at him. Jalal could clearly read her eyes, he shared the same amount of rage as her, but he decides to play on, he says- sir your phone please and he gives his phone to him, and Jalal's go a little far away.
Her step- father said- you've caught good bait Jodha? He'll be useful on the future. She looked at him said First of he's not my friend, and second of all he's not a bait and I wouldn't allow you to misuse him got it? He replies- Oh! Jo your eyes are so expressive, it's evident by your statement that he's more than a friend; the game is going to be full of fun, that's when Jalal comes and returns the phone.
He says to Jodha- comes lets go Jo. Both Jodha and her step father were shocked. Jalal came near Jodha and kissed on her cheek and said- Just behave normal coconut, normal remember. Jalal looks at Jodha disappointed, and says- you didn't tell him?
Jo, honey you promised. You're so shy. Jodha was thinking what's he up to? Is he mad? Honey yuck? So cheesy...
He continues talking- Sir, Io and I are living together since the past 2 months, her eyes almost popped out. He continues- that's what we wanted to say. Her step father- says I can't let my daughter with you like that I won't and holds Jo's.
Jalal's jerks away his hand from hers' with anger and he replies in angry tone- Your daughter, is above 18 she has the right to decide how she wants to live? And what's your problem? She isn't even your real daughter? Oh! I forget her mother would have given all her property to Jo, right so right now you have no money, so sad, you're beggar. I'm taking what's mine. You have no right on her. You had right on her when she was your wife's daughter, and otherwise also she carries her mother's surname not yours. So goodbye. Her step father says you'll have to pay for it.
Jalal says- we'll see, who pays for what? That is when police comes and arrests her step father. Jodha asks him- how did you know? He took out her diary from his bag, and gave it to her and said- I hope this belongs to you? She said with disbelief- you read it? Jalal nodded- See I'm a bad boy so you couldn't expect me to not read it? He thought she's going to kill me but she did the opposite.
She was crying she mumbled- thanks, and hugged him, the hug was unexpected, he hugged her back and said- it's ok, it's all over. She says- but the video? He says- Oh! You think I'm that stupid. Why did I break my phone then weirdo, my poor phone died the martyr's death saving you. She smiled- bas bohat gaya tumhare drama( enough of your drama). You act well. He says- you know it's an inborn talent? She replies- yup! But please don't call me honey again it's so not you and so chessy. Kuch bhi bolo par honey nahi( Call me anything except honey) He gave a light laugh and said- coconut, chalega?(coconut will work?) She says- dode ga(It will run). He knelt to the ground and said- Coconut, will you date a psychopath like me? Because I've an OCD(Obssesive-Compulsive Disorder) towards you, and it won't be cure unless you say yes. She says smiling- sheedi basha mai bolo I love you, ghuma phira ke kya bol rahe ho( Say in lehman's language I love you, when are talking so complicated). He says- yes or no? She says- what if I say probably? He says- toh uthke teri jaan le lunga(I'll get up and take your life)You have only two options yes or no, jaldi bol (say soon) mere knees mai pain ho raha(My knees are paining) she says- chalo tum bhi kya yaad rakhoge ki maine haan bol( What will you remember I said yes) He gets up and says- bhaave toh dekho iske( She her attitude?)She replies- toh kya? Jalal ki girlfriend hoon so bhaave to unche he hone chaiye(so what? I'm Jalal's girlfriend so my attiude should also be like that) and she intertwines her hand with his and he smiles and they walk out form the college. She says- Psychopath you know right I love you? Jalal says- puch rahe hai ya bata rahi hai?( Are you confessing or asking?) She says- I'm serious. He says- yes I know, your eyes keep saying me twenty four seven and turns and kisses her forehead.
The End
Mr And Mrs Parshuram
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