FF : Her First Love 2nd thread, Chapter 20 in pg 53 - Page 33

Chapter 20 ~ The Truth is Finally Out

Recap - Suryabhan goes over to Jodha's work place to meet her and fetch her home after receiving Mainawati's permission. Bharmal has a disagreement with his wife regarding Suryabhan's picking Jodha from work. When Suryabhan finally meets Jodha, Jalal and Moti was also present. Suryabhan get a lesson learn for underestimating Jalal.

Jodha's Place

As soon as Bharmal stepped into the house he was confronted by his wife, Mainawati.

"Could you explain to me what had happened to you just now?"

"I thought I made it quite clear that I want no part in the lie you are feeding our daughter."

"You did, however you forgot a very important thing, you gave your word to me that you will agree with what I want."

"Now that is where you are wrong Maina, I never gave you my word per say, I was always reluctant about keeping this from Jodha. You were the one who was so eager to find a ladka for her even though she said she didn't want to settle down yet."

"Then when does she want to get married?! When she turns 30? Is that it?! Bharmal I am her mother I know what's best for her and Suryabhan is a nice boy he is perfect for our daughter. If I were to wait for Jodha, then we might not be able find another boy for her."

"Then why keep it from her? You could have tried to convince her that he is perfect for her, why hide it? Because you know she would never agree to it."

"She is my daughter she will agree if I tell her to, and she will do what I ask her to do."

"What about what you said the other day?"

"What other day?"

"You said that you saw Jodha getting into a different car than Moti's the night we came back after Sukanya's engagement. You said that she was acting weirdly, she was all dressed up as though she was about to go out on a date."

"Yeah so? What about it?"

"What if Jodha has someone in her life now? What if she's in love with someone?"

"I will prevent that from happening! I will never allow her to fall in love with someone else other than Suryabhan."

"You would do that to your own daughter? I can't believe this, since when have you become so selfish Maina?! How could you even think of doing this to our daughter? I never should have kept quiet when you told me to keep the news about the rishtha from Jodha."

He turned around to walk away but was stopped by the person standing at the front door.

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Das could not believe his ears, his parents had went behind his sister's back and agreed for a rishtha not only she but he and his wife don't know about. As he hears silently to their argument, he further finds out that his mother is determine to have this Suryabhan guy as a son-in-law whereas his father is reluctant to agree.

Another shock he received was his mother reply to his father when he asked her what if Jodha had someone she likes. He wondered why his mother was so obsess with that guy, was he really that great a person that she had to have him as a groom for his sister?

His father has noticed his presence when he turned away from the argument and it was his time to give a piece of his mind to his foolish parents. He felt betrayed on his sister's behalf as she was not given an option to speak her mind. As her elder brother it was up to him to defend her.

"How could you do this maa, papa?"

"Das, beta we can explain."

"What more is there to explain maa? I already heard enough. I can't believe you would agree for Jodha's marriage without her consent?!"

"Das, I'm only thinking about what's best for your sister. Suryabhan is a good ladka, he would take good care of Jodha."

"I don't care how good he is maa, all I care about is my sister's feelings when she comes to know about this. She would be so heartbroken maa, papa."

"This is for her own good Das, she is old enough to have her own family now. Suryabhan is a manager in the company he works at, his income is high, he's good looking and he's from a good family. What more do we need in a son-in-law?"

"First of all maa, if you are truly thinking for Jodha's own good, you wouldn't have agreed for this rishtha without her knowledge and worst of all hide it from her. One more thing is what if what papa said is true, what if Jodha already has someone she likes?"

"I will not allow that! She will marry Suryabhan!" Mainawati was adamant.

"So you would rather Jodha be heartbroken and not happy?" Das asked flabbergasted with the way his mother speaks.

"She will learn to be happy once she gets married."

"Mainawati enough! Stop being so selfish! This is not about you, it's about Jodha. No matter what you decide, at the end of the day it is Jodha who will make the final decision." Bharmal stepped in.

"Jodha doesn't know what is good for her, why don't the two of you understand that I would never decide anything that is bad for Jodha?"

"But maa, what you are doing right now is bad in its own way. Whether you like it or not, what you did is wrong."

"No! I still stick to my decision, I have agreed for Jodha's rishtha, she will marry the ladka I chose and that's final. Nothing will change it."

THUD...

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Jodha was lost in thoughts when she heard quarrelling at the entrance of her house, as she quietly stepped into the house she was shocked to hear her mother speaking of her marriage to a ladka of her maa's choice that she lost the grip on her handbag resulting in a thud'.

The whole family was in shock for the same reason of how Jodha is going to take the news of her so called rishtha. Mainawati was the first to recover asking "Oh Jodha, you are back? How was the ride home with Suryabhan?"

Upon hearing Suryabhan's name Das looked to his father, confused at what his mother meant only to find his father's guilty face. He could guess then that his parents or rather his mother had planned all this. As he look back, he saw his mother trying hard and yet failing to keep her excitement at bay, he wondered if her plan had indeed work based on the silence from Jodha.

"What did you mean by what you just said maa?" Jodha asked.

"I asked how did the ride home with Suryabhan went?"

"I meant what you were saying about me marrying the ladka of your choice and that the rishtha is already paaka?!"

"Oh that, are you not tired? Why don't you go and freshen up first beta?" Mainawati brought her hand up to touch Jodha but the latter brushed it off asking.

"Don't try to evade the question maa, tell me what did you mean by that?"

"Nothing Jodha, I was only..."

"Stop it maa, I heard you clearly, do not try to take me as a fool!"

"Fine then, yes you heard it right, I did agree for your marriage!"

Jodha was speechless, she couldn't believe this, her own mother had agreed for her marriage without asking for her consent. "Ho... How could you maa?"

"How couldn't I Jodha? You are almost 25 years old and you're still single. Your cousin Sukanya is younger than you and she is married. What would people say, I couldn't let that happen that's why I did what I did. I know it is wrong beta but it's for your own good."

Bharmal and Das were listening quietly, the former feeling extremely guilty for not trying harder to stop his wife and the latter not knowing what to do for he too only found out a few minutes earlier than his sister.

"Wh... When did you?"

"During Sukanya's engagement."

"Sukanya's engagement?! Maa, that was like almost a month ago! You have been hiding this from me all this time?! Why?"

"I had to hide it Jodha, I was waiting for the right time to tell you."

"The right time? When would that be?! When I'm about to exchange rings with this ladka?!"

"No, no beta, I was planning to tell you one of these days. I..." Jodha interrupted before Mainawati could continue.

"Who is he?"

"It's Suryabhan."

"Sur... Is that why he came to the office today?"

"Yes, he wanted to spend time with you."

"I... I really don't know what to say."

"You could say yes'." Mainawati tries to persuade Jodha.

"I could, but I won't."

"But why?! You came home him right? You would know he is a good match for you."

"No I didn't come home with him. I came home on my own."

"Why would you do that when Suryabhan was willing to pick you from work?"

"Maybe it's because I don't like him?"

"What's there to not like?"

"I just don't like him that's all"

"Could it be because there's someone else?" Mainawati tries to maintain her cool although she was on the verge to burst out.

"Maybe there is."

"Don't try to be smart with me and stop beating around the bush, is there someone in your life?"

"Yes, there is."

There was a long pause before Mainawati answered "That won't be a problem, you just have to break off with him."

"I will not do such a despicable thing! I love Jalal and I am not going to break up with him just so you could go on with your plan!"

"How dare you speak to me this way! Jodha, what's happened to you? You were such a soft spoken girl, this Jalal has changed you."

"No maa, I am still me only difference now is that I'm voicing out my wish instead of nodding my head to everything you say."

"Look Jodha, he... he doesn't love you okay, he's just using you. Suryabhan is better, I know it. He is the one for you Jodha, I just know it." Mainawati says.

"Maa, first of, you don't know Jalal. He is not using me, he loves me too. Please maa, don't you think I would know it if he isn't sincere? Maa, ever since I met him things are so... it's so beautiful maa. I don't know how to describe it, everyday seems wonderful and the times I spend with him are so lovely maa. Jalal is the one, he is the one maa. I know in my heart, so please can't you be happy for me instead of asking me to end things with him? " Jodha cries, pleading her mother to see reason.

"No Jodha, this Jalal has you blinded. You are not seeing reason beta, trust me he will leave you after using you and your life will be ruined Jodha."

"There is no point speaking to you maa if you're not willing to listen."

"You are the one who isn't listening Jodha! But never mind that, you will marry Suryabhan whether you like it or not!" Mainawati raised her voice.

"I will not marry Suryabhan maa, even if I'm dead!"

"Jodha!" Mainawati raised her hand to slap Jodha only to be stopped by Bharmal who held her arm and Das calling out to her whereas Jodha just picked up her handbag from the floor and walked out of the front door leaving her house.

Precap - Will You Embrace Me