CHAPTER 42
He sat beside her "Jodha.." She cringed at his proximity. He was shocked.
"Relax Jodha. You know me enough to know that I can never force myself on you."
She looked up at his stern face which had a hint of hurt hidden in it. Yes he was hurt. He never ever had thought in his wildest nightmare that she would fear him. He opened his cupboard and rushed into the bathroom with his night suit.
He looked at his reflection with wide eyes. Even after knowing him inside out, she was scared that he would force himself on her? Why? She never feared his proximity. Has their relationship broken beyond repair?
No. He will tend and mend it. Healing process just needs some time. And he is ready to give all his time. They need to walk before running.
She stared at the closed gate of the bathroom. He misunderstood her. She wasn't afraid of him. She was afraid of her own feelings for him. His one move and despite of what her brain said, she would have given in. She was afraid of the fact that her body loved his touch. She was afraid that she won't be able to resist. And he took it all in a totally different manner. She never wanted to hurt him.
Coming out he saw her staring at him with lost eyes. He cleared his throat to gain her attention.
"Jalal.. I know you won't do that. Its just that.. I.." she looked down not knowing how to voice out her thoughts.
"Shhh... I know. I understand. Change your dress. It won't be comfortable to sleep in."
"My suitcase isn't here yet"
"You can wear something mine"
She opened the cupboard which was decorated with their pics. But her smile vanished perceiving their absence. She looked at Jalal.
"Looking for something?" He teased.
She tore her gaze feeling like a trespasser.
He switched on the lights "here"
Amazed she was. Their pics weren't captured in his cupboard anymore. The wall adjacent to their bed was beautifully decorated with them. She smiled. She hasn't noticed it when she came here... mainly due to her nervousness, and the dim lights added to the list of reasons.
"You knew about them." Jalal said more like a statement than a question.
She nodded.
"How?" He asked.
"On Abdul's birthday I came to drop you off because you were drunk. And I was looking for a blanket." She said and her eyes moistened remembering the events of that day. Especially the part of the song that he sang for her
"
Tere bina saans bhi chalti hai
Tere bina dil bhi dhadakta hai
Yaad nahin tha yaad aaya
(Without You my breath also works
Without You my heart also beats
I'd forgotten this, but now I realise it)
"
And next day he literally threw her out of this very home.
Jalal understood the reason behind her reaction "Am sorry Jodha"
She nodded. He took out a pair of nightdress and handed it to her.
He sat on the bed waiting for her. And it struck him like a lightening... he did misbehave with Jodha once. In his cabin, in front of Abdul, he did touch her forcefully. He had crossed all his boundaries that day. She has all the reasons to fear him.
She stared at herself wearing Jalal's dress. Although T-shirt was fine, she looked.. a bit funny in oversized pants. It was as stubborn as its owner, giving a hard time to Jodha getting it settled on her small waist. She peaked out of the bathroom and found him lost.
"Is everything okay?" She asked grabbing his attention.
Woah... She managed to look hot even in this oversized dress. Now that she had all her jewellery removed, he could see the vermilion on her forehead which fetched a smile on his lips. He always loved her open hair like she had it at that moment. Conscious of his penetrating gaze, she placed her bridal dress and jewellery in her cupboard. Jalal realised what he was doing and tore his gaze away.
"You sleep on the bed.. I'll sleep on the couch." He said and picked up his pillow.
"This won't be the first time we would share our bed." her questioning gaze stopped him. She wanted to know what the hell was cooking in his head.
"I know I misbehaved with you that day but I swear I never intended to do so. And its okay if you don't feel comfortable with my proximity. I won't bother you." He reasoned his actions.
Walking up to him she grabbed her collar and pulled him close "Lemme remind you of some events which took place after that day Mr Khan.. I kissed you before you told the truth about that vedio and I had even spent a night on this very bed with you"
"When?? I mean you never slept in my bed with me"
Oops she didn't want him to know that. Freeing his collar from her clutch she looked down embarrassed "its nothing"
He smirked seeing her embarrassed. It guaranteed an interesting story. He weaved her sentence into his own interest "It won't be the first time we shared our bed. I once slept with you in your bed. So tell me when did we do THAT in this bed?"
"We did nothing" she fumed.
"Since you are trying to hide the truth. I can assume anything I want to." He smirked.
Discerning the fact that it would only lead to further embarrassment, she gave in "The day I accepted the marriage proposal... I walked down your room in the morning when ammijaan asked my hand for you."
"You were here?" He shouted in horror. "That means.. That means I wasn't dreaming"
"Yes... you weren't dreaming or hallucinating" it was her chance to smirk.
Scratching the back of his neck he muttered "And I remember bantering rubbish."
Now that balls were in her court she played her game. "You didn't seemed to be surprised by my presence. Why?"
"You very well know the answer." He pouted.
"No I don't. Tell me Mr Khan." She chuckled.
"Oh so I am Mr Khan now?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Don't change the topic Mister." She squinted her eyes.
"Okay fine I admit that I dreamt of you often.." He smirked and added "..Mrs Khan"
"Did you make that painting?" She changed the topic. She thought he would fib. She never expected a sincere confession.
"Yes. Do you like it?" He let her get away with it for the moment.
"Its beautiful. You have a creative imagination. Its dated before I came to India." She said softly leaving a question behind.
"I told you I dreamt of you often" he smiled.
"That.. that means..." Jodha fumbled realising what he just said.
"I fell in love with you even before I knew if you were real or just my creative imagination" he chuckled softly. He looked at the painting. "Not just the beauty, it was the innocence and love which those eyes held for me that made me fall. It felt real.. so real."
"You love her" she said meekly. Getting a confused look from him she continued "You love her.. Princess Jodha.. uhuu Begam Jodha.. Not me. You think you love me just because our faces are similar."
He laughed. "You have even a better creative imagination than me."
'How can anyone resist falling in love with you. Even after everything that happened, I can't stop myself from loving you. You just need to smile once and all the past becomes that.. past' her lips wanted to speak but her brain didn't support. But her eyes gave away her vulnerability.
Instead she reasoned "Jalal.. I know that diary isn't a novel or something. Its a true story... your story.. about your love life. And I can feel the extent you two were in love with each other. You love me because you think she is me."
Hesitantly reaching his hands to caress her cheek he said "You are my Jodha.. You have always been. And I won't force you to believe it." To his surprise she gave into his touch and the realisation fetched a bewitching smile on his lips.
"Don't hurt me again. I won't be able to live through it." She whispered. Her legs on their own accord reduced the gap between them. His hands slipped from her cheeks into her tresses guiding her head into his chest.
"I promise.. I will never hurt you again. Now take some rest. You must be tired."
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"I will find out the culprit who actually stole Iris papers." Jalal muttered to himself and laid down beside his sleeping wife. With a new hope of getting his Jo back and determination to find out the person behind everything he slept beside his newly wedded bride.
Morning rays seeped in disturbing peacefully sleeping lady. 'Why am I so warm' her nose crunched in distaste. She opened her eyes lazily and found Jalal wrapped around her like a baby seeking comfort in his mother's cocoon. She decided not to disturb him and glanced at the AC which indicated 24 Celsius. 'No doubt its suffocating'. She decreased the temperature to 16 Celsius.
Soon the room was chilled enough to disturb the soul happily sleeping in his love's cocoon. He shivered hugging her tighter making Jodha gasp. She wriggled within his steel embrace but seeing her attempts going futile, she shook Jalal and called him loud enough to bring him out of his dreamland.
"Mmm.." moaning lazily he snuggled into her chest and tried to continue with his sleep unknown to the upcoming attack his body was going to bear.
"Ahhh" he shouted and sat up straight rubbing his waist assaulted by the irritated lady.
"Why did you pinch me so hard?" He frowned.
"Coz you were literally crushing me" she complained.
"I was feeling cold so I opted for the only available remedy." he shrugged and then glanced dubiously at the AC showing 16 C.
"And I was feeling hot so I reduced the temperature" she reasoned innocently.
"Darling... I know that you are hot but that doesn't mean that you will freeze me" he smirked seeing her expressions changing from shocked to embarrassed to anger. He seized the remote from her. But before he could press any button, it was snatched by the furious lady.
"No Jalal... I am feeling hot" she argued.
"I understand Miss America... But I am feeling cold." He tried to snatch back the remote.
"I am not giving you the remote" she smirked hiding it behind her back.
"Fine then" he switched off the main switch and smirked back victoriously.
"That's not fair" she pouted.
"And making an ice cream of me was fair?" He asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yes... Because you made a hotcake of me" she chuckled.
"Lemme teach you how to exactly make a hotcake. So which 'flavour' do you like... Chocolate.. Right? That's your favourite flavour." stressing on flavour and chocolate, he whispered in his husky voice which made her quiver in embarrassment. Her reflex made her jump off the bed and flee to the washroom with a reply "Keep your cooking skills to yourself."
"Wait Jodha.. I can assure you its very tasty" he shouted as she fled from his sight making him chuckle.
"Shameless creature" muttering to herself she fumed at his audacity.
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He laid on the bed waiting for his lady to come back when a knock on the door disturbed his ongoing thoughts. Swiftly getting up he unlashed the door and opened it halfway when he was welcomed by his cheesily grinning sister. She tried to peak inside the room.
"Good morning Nimmi" he said sternly.
"Good morning bhai. Where is bhabhi? Can I meet her?" She said with a teasing smirk.
"She is in the bathroom" he stated as a matter of fact.
"So can I come in? I brought her luggage." She chipped.
"Sure.." He opened the door for her and backed off. Sitting on the bed he stifled his giggle on her Sherlock expressions observing each and every corner of the room to find something which could help her in teasing him. But disappointment seeped in when she found everything as normal as any other morning. She sighed defeated but nevertheless smirked shamelessly and left giving a sly smirk to Jalal. He knew her next target will be Jodha.
"Who will save Jodha from this devil now" he chuckled. "Be prepared my love. You can get angry on me for teasing you but not on her."
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.
Jodha came out as fresh as a flower wearing his bath robe. He stared at her open-mouthed. "Ahem" she faked a cough. He smirked at her cute avtaar.
"Get out" Jodha commanded.
"What?" He looked on baffled.
"I said go out. I need to change." She explained.
"But you even changed your dress yesterday when I was in the room." He complained.
"Because unlike yesterday, bathroom is wet. I can't change there. So go out" she elaborated further.
"Kicking me out of my own room. How rude." He muttered.
"If you are forgetting it... Lemme remind you mister.. This room is even mine now." She smirked.
"First day of marriage... And I am being kicked out of my own room. God knows what all I would have to bear in future." He sighed dramatically.
"Done with your fabrications? Now leave." She said disinterested.
"Fine. Have it your way for now." He shrugged and walked out.
"Idiot" Once he was out, she muttered smiling.
#####
Walking down the stairs clad in red and green saree with minimal makeup and classy jewellery, she caught the sight of her husband checking her out, lazily stretched on the sofa sipping on a cup of coffee.
Each time he reminds himself to apply restraints on his desires, the very next moment she shatters his self control and manages to steal his peace off. With that innocent bewitching smile on her lips she looked divine. 'How can anyone resist falling in love with you.' He thought revising their happy moments.
Then her gaze fell on Nimmi and Hamida busy with the servants deciding on the meal preparations. Ignoring her husband's presence, she walked towards her mother in law and sister in law.
He took a deep breath and shut his eyes tightly when he saw her passing him without even a smile. Last night he had a hope that things were coming on track between them. But how can he expect her to calm down so easily, after all she is a tigress.. his tigress.. which makes her even more stubborn.
Bending down in respect she touched Hamida's feet to seek her blessings.
"May God fulfill all your wishes" Hamida caressed her hair.
"Good morning Bhabhi" Nimmi stressed on the new earned title of Jodha inviting a shade a red on the latter's cheeks.
"Good morning dear sister in law" she replied cheerfully after composing herself.
"Oh my God... How much I waited to hear this." Nimmi faked a sigh making everyone giggle. She pulled Jodha away from there leaving Hamida busy with her instructions. Jalal lent all his concentration towards the duo. How can he miss the sight of his wife being teased.
"So bhabhi tell me how was your first night." Nimmi questioned straight making Jodha's jaw drop in shock and Jalal chuckle boyishly.
"Very much interested in getting an account of my first night. Why Missy? Dreaming about your own?" Jodha smirked making Nimmi pout at her question.
"Offfooo... We will talk about my first night after my wedding. For the time being tell me about yours." She pushed her further.
"Okay..." Jodha said as if in great contemplation and continued "what do you want to know?" Jalal's eyes widened and giggles threatened to burst out.
"What all did you do?" Nimmi asked shamelessly.
"We slept" Jodha smirked.
"I know that. I am asking what all did you do before sleeping?" Nimmi pleaded for an answer.
"We did... what all normal couples do" Jodha shrugged off making Jalal sulk 'Liar. We didn't do anything. Don't trust her Nimmi she is lying'
"How did it feel?" Nimmi asked all excited.
"Very satisfying" Jodha said making Jalal gasp.
"Hmmm that's the reason bhai is so tired and sleepy today." Nimmi gibbed making Jodha chuckle. "By the way... Is first time really very painful?" Nimmi whispered.
"First time... It wasn't our first time" Jodha mentally chuckled and Jalal wanted to scream out load pulling his hair in frustration.
"You did that before marriage" Nimmi questioned.
"Yes. Many times. We used to fight often" Jodha laughed out loud and Jalal had a hard time controlling himself from doing the same.
"What??? Fight??? Where did that come from?" Nimmi asked confused.
"That's what we did yesterday. Why.. what did you think?" Jodha controlled her giggles.
"You mean you fought on your first night." Nimmi was more than shocked.
"Yes." Jodha chuckled.
"You are lying" she sulked.
"Why do you think so?"
"Because I know you both love each other"
"So???"
"What so? You know what I mean."
"And what exactly that is?"
"Come on bhabhi don't be so coy"
"You only wanted to know the truth. So I told you the same" Jodha shrugged.
"Ahhh.. Fine don't tell me. I am going" Nimmi sulked and stomped her foot and went towards Hamida making Jodha chuckle.
######
"Very satisfying" Jalal raised his eyebrow "What was so satisfying wifey?"
After a hectic day of sorting out all the piled up office work, which were of course carried out through phones and laptops as they had received strict instructions from Hamida that they won't be going to office that day. Nimmi never left them alone till the dinner was done and they left for their room. As soon as Jodha latched the door from inside, Jalal shot his sly question.
Getting the gist of his question Jodha calmly replied "You already eavesdropped our conversation.. and I hope you are smart enough to know the answer"
"I meant which part of previous night was most satisfying. And even you know that we did anything but fought on our first night." Jalal smirked.
"My favourite part was kicking you out of this room." she instigated him with a challenging smile.
"Mine was waking up in your arms" he chuckled.
"Who asked about you" Jodha questioned.
"Courtesy madam. As I asked you about yours, I ought to tell you about mine." He replied with a wink.
"Yeah yeah... Eavesdropping on my conversation with my sister in law.. courteous enough" she smiled sarcastically.
"I was already sitting there. It's not my fault if you both choose that particular spot for your secret talks" he chuckled.
"Can I ask you something" Jodha whispered after a while.
"You just did" he giggled.
"Am serious" Jodha muttered frustrated.
"Hii serious... I am Jalal. Would you like some tea?" Jalal quipped.
"Ahhh leave it." Jodha fumed and turned back.
"Okay okay sorry. Now ask what you wanted to know" Jalal asked softly which stopped her in her tracks.
Turning back she questioned "It's still not proved that I didn't steal the IRIS papers. What's the difference between then and now that caused this change in your attitude towards me?"
Bridging the gap between them he answered cupping her face "Even if I didn't had any proof I knew that it wasn't you in that vedio. I went to talk to you but then you were saying someone that you love him.. after I recovered from that shock I found you leaving the office. I followed you and reached the mall where I saw you kissing Surya.
I know that there's some mistake.. I don't know how I saw that.. maybe a perfect coincidence to destroy me. I connected all the events forming a theory of my own... that you... like Surya. I don't know how my mind believed that.. but trust me my heart never doubted you even for a second. It's voice was just lost amidst everything.
And then when you told me that he is your brother, I knew I was wrong. I committed a sin by thinking that you cheated on me. I knew you were innocent. IRIS thing never mattered Jodha. Money will be the last thing to doubt you upon. It was just the feeling of seeing you with someone else that made me push myself away from you. I thought it would lessen the pain.. but exactly opposite happened. It intensified the pain thousand times.
I hope you got answers. I know that I can't change what's already done. But I will definitely reconcile for my misdeeds. I just need one chance."
As soon as he was done, his lips were mercilessly crushed beneath hers. His eyes widened in shock. Before he could react or reciprocate the much awaited kiss, she scooted away and winked "I hope you got your answers."
Edited by swetiii - 8 years ago
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