Recap
“Offo Didi, you must let me finish my sentence….. so as I was saying... I'm not giving you my wallet because I am going to show you a bigger size picture of her instead of that small wallet size picture.”
“Ohhhh….what are you waiting for then, be quick!!”
Finally, he opened his carry on luggage…. then from the inside the hidden pocket took out the pictures and gave them to his sister to see. He smiled and remembered how he had asked her and brought the photos with him for a day so he could get them copied for himself. These were the same pictures he saw in her house and she had once brought to school to show him.
“Wow.” He came out of his thinking hearing his sister’s amazed tone. He looked at her and noticed how she was staring at her pictures with awww. Then she turned towards him and spoke with excitement “She is so beautiful, looks so innocent and she also has long hair just the way you like. I'm so happy for you. You two will look amazing together. I can't wait to meet her in person.” Jalaal grinned widely at her and hugged her gratefully for being on his side. “Thanks Didi!”
Chapter 39
As Jalaal told the whole conversation between him and his sister to Jodha, she felt immensely blessed, overwhelmingly happy and relieved that the first family member that found out about their love, happily approved and accepted them.
In the evening, Vipul came to take Jalaal to his house to meet his wife and parents before they needed to leave for the airport.
On the way they talked about things and Vipul offered to have his wife talk to Jodha, just in case she needs anything or wants to talk once Jalaal is gone. He suggested if Jodha talks to his wife while Jalaal is there then later there's less chance of her hesitating to call if she needs to call for something. She should have someone she can call if and when she needs to, specially when Jalaal won't be around, as making a local call is always much easier than an international call.
Jalaal thought about it and liked the idea. So, he agreed to call Jodha from Vipul’s house and let her talk to his wife. Jalaal really appreciated his friend’s thoughtfulness and felt blessed to have such a wonderful friend who is always supportive and willing to do anything for him.
Soon they reached Vipul’s house and Jalaal met his family. After some time they went in the other room and Jalaal called Jodha.
At first Jalaal talked to Jodha and explained the whole idea behind wanting her to talk to Deepali Bhabhi. Even though she felt odd talking to someone she didn't know she still agreed to talk to her as she understood his worry and point of view. She felt so loved knowing that he thinks so much about her and worries about what she might need even when he isn't there.
“I'll give the phone to Bhabhi now ok!”
“Wait wait….” Jodha spoke loudly and hurriedly.
“What happened?”
“How do I address her?? Should I also call her Bhabhi like you??” She quickly asked. She felt nervous to talk to her but she still agreed to talk as she knew it would relieve his worry a bit.
‘She is so thoughtful.’ Jalaal thought and smiled. This was one of her qualities that he loved so much. “Yes, you can call her Bhabhi too. I'm sure she won't mind.” He told Jodha while looking at Deepali to let her know about it too.
She smiled back brightly and took the phone from Jalaal as he passed it to her.
“Hello” Deepali brightly spoke as she took the phone from Jalaal.
“Hello…” came a timid reply from Jodha. She hesitated to call her Bhabhi right away. She was not sure about what to say and waited to hear from the other side.
Sensing her hesitation Deepali started with a simple “Hi! I am Deepali. How are you doing??”
“Hi! I'm fine” Jodha politely replied but then fell quiet not knowing how to proceed or what to say.
Fully understanding her plight Deepali continued “I know it is a very difficult time for you right now, but please don’t feel that you will be alone now. I want you to know that we are here for you whenever you need. You can call us anytime. We are always here for you.”
“Thank you, thank you so much” She paused a bit then continued “I really appreciate it Bhabhi!!” Jodha replied feeling very grateful.
After talking to her and hearing her encouraging words Jodha felt less nervous and more comfortable. She may not call her to just talk but in emergencies she certainly won't hesitate to call her now.
“Do give me a call whenever you feel like talking, I know we cannot call you but you can call us anytime you want!! Never hesitate.” Deepali said again, trying to make Jodha feel comfortable with her.
“Sure Bhabhi, thank you so much!!”
“Here, talk to Jalaal now. Bye for now and talk to you soon.” Said Deepali as she handed the phone back to Jalaal.
“Bye” Jodha replied softly.
Having heard the whole conversation, Jalaal smiled at her gratefully as he took hold of the phone.
Deepali smiled back at him as she walked out of the room to give them some privacy.
“Hello”
“Wow. She is sooooo nice!!” Jodha said instantly in excitement.
“Yes, that she is!” Jalaal happily replied while mentally making a note to thank Deepali once again before leaving.
“So what’s the plan now?? When do you leave for Airport??” Jodha asked.
“Well from here we will go back home, have dinner and then we will all leave for the airport. I think, Jiju, Bhaiya-Bhabhi, kids, everyone should be there by now.” Jalaal explained.
“All of them are coming to the Airport with you??” Jodha asked, astonished.
“Yes,” Jalaal replied laughing at her tone. “They all want to come and I don't want to say no to anyone, you know! ” he continued.
“Wow they all love you so very much. They want to spend as much time with you as possible. Lucky them!! Wish I could also come to the Airport to send you off.” Jodha pouted.
"That will never happen!!” not liking the hint of sadness and yearning in her voice Jalaal firmly replied.
“Why, why can't I come??” Jodha asked, confused at the firmness of his tone.
“No, I will make sure you never get a chance to come to the airport to send me off, ever!! ” Jalaal said again firmly.
“But why??” Jodha asked, getting annoyed.
Jalaal smirked before whispering “Because when you come to the Airport with me, it certainly won't be to send me off, you will also be flying away with me, not sending me off, I'm not leaving you here again and going by myself. No way I'm going to let that happen” he cheerfully replied.
Jodha laughed hearing this and at the same time tears came in her eyes feeling emotional. “Promise” she whispered dreamily.
“Absolutely” Jalaal smiled happily feeling satisfied about cheering her up.
“OK, now I need to go Jaan. Will call you soon.”
“Oh ok.” Jodha replied in understanding.
After hanging up the phone Jalaal went out of the room. Soon he said his goodbyes to Vipul's family and then he left with Vipul to go back to his own family.
On the way in the car he made sure to thank Vipul for his thoughtfulness and asked him to give a special thanks to Deepali from His and Jodha's side for her kindness. He couldn't thank her himself in front of Vipul's parents so decided to pass on the message. Vipul of course brushed his thanks away saying how can he thank them after what he did for them. This is nothing compared to what he did for them and told him that there is no need for any thanks between them.
At Jodha's House
After talking to Jalaal, Jodha was sitting in her room with her books open and trying to study, but her mind was all over the place. She was scared of the future, their future, the uncertainty of how things will go from this point was making her restless. It was not that she didn't trust Jalaal, she did with all her heart but was worried about how this journey to reach their destination of Togetherness will be?? When will she see him next?? In what circumstances?? How will their families react?? How will they make them agree?? Will they agree?? What would they do if they didn't agree?? There were too many questions swimming in her mind but no answers. Having no answers to any of the questions was making her restless. She tried her best to be normal and calm every time she talked to Jalaal but in reality she was anything but. She was sad that he was leaving and she won't be able to see him for who knows how long but at the same time she also understood that it was important for him to go. She desperately wanted to trust in God and believe he will help them through this difficult time and deep inside her heart she did trust God but sometimes the mind strays far away without control and it becomes difficult to stay positive. It's a normal human tendency. She just needed to be patient and give it all some time, time to let things work out on their own.
Then she reminded herself “Everything happens for a reason. This is the path God has chosen for them, so this is where they have to walk. They have to go through this separation, only then they can be together. God is testing them and they must pass this test.” She started chanting in her mind “Jo kismat mein hai wo koi chheen nahin sakta aur jo kismat mein nahin hai wo koi de nahin sakta!! Aur jo hota hai achhe ke liye hota hai!!” (No one can take away what you are destined to have and no one can give you what you are not Destined for!! Everything happens for good!!)
Repeated chanting helped her a bit in calming down. Finally feeling a bit positive, she smiled.
She decided to prepare for Accounts exam to keep her mind busy while she waited for Jalaal's call.
At Jalaal's House
As Jalaal reached his house with Vipul, he saw his house was of family members. Everyone was there waiting for him. His Brother with his family, his Sister's husband also arrived and some neighbors. Firstly the neighbors that were waiting for him, wished him good luck and left. Then his elder Bhabhi asked everyone to have dinner. Jalaal asked everyone to start eating and made excuse that he needs to check some final things in his suitcase and went to the other room. He glanced at his Sister on the way and she gave him a knowing smile.
Jalaal quickly shut the door and called Jodha.
“Hi Jaan!!” he whispered.
“Hi! You reached home?” she inquired.
“Ya, a little while ago.” he whispered again.
“Why are you whispering?" She confusingly asked.
"Because there are so many people roaming around here, I don't want them to hear me talking to you.” He amusedly replied still in whispering tone.
"Okay” Jodha laughingly replied.
Jalaal enjoyed hearing her laugh and then asked “What were you doing??”
“Trying to study but not able to!!”
“Why?”
“I was missing you” she somberly replied but quickly realized her slip and changed her answer “I mean I was waiting for your call only. So what's everyone doing??” She tried to sound cheerful.
Jalaal knew she was truly feeling but he also knew how hard she was trying to be strong for him. He didn't want to ruin her efforts by confronting her so he let it go. “They are all having dinner!”
“Then why are you not eating??”
“I will, I wanted to call you first.”
“Oh ok. You should also go and eat now. You have to leave soon after dinner, right??” she asked a bit dimly.
“Hmm soon.” he replied in the same tone.
She stayed quiet.
So did he.
With every passing second they were going far from each other, though only physically.
Their hearts were together.
So were their souls.
But still they could feel the burden of the separation choking them.
“Jaan”
“Hmm”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.” Came a prompt reply from Jodha.
“I will come back for you.” He said determined.
“I know” she smiled.
“Wait for me”
“Always”
Silence engulfed them. They both knew they needed to hang up but both didn't really want to.
“Jalaal come and eat, it's getting late.” Came a call from Bhabhi.
“Coming" he replied loudly.
“Go and eat now. I will wait for your call.” Jodha insisted.
“Did you eat??”
“Yes, I did. You should also go and eat now.”
Even though she was asking him to go, she didn't really want him to go. Neither did he want to go. Each and every second they spent together was so precious for them. They knew every passing second was increasing the distance between them. They were on separate roads right now and they needed to walk alone towards the end where the roads will meet again and they can be together again.
They reluctantly hung the phone up and Jalaal went to the other room where everyone was eating. He stood in the doorway admiring his whole family and felt blessed to have them all around. He wanted to savour the moment and felt the importance of it more than ever. He knew it will be a very long time before they will all be around him once again. His eyes met with his sister who was already looking at his gloomy eyes.
He smiled for her, though she smiled back, she could see the pain and sadness behind it.
“Are you okay?” she mouthed.
He nodded his head in yes and smiled at her concern.
She moved a bit and made space for him to sit next to her. Then looked at him and with her eyes gestured him to come over. He went and sat next to her, took a plate and started eating.
On his other side was his mother and he started talking to her. He wanted to tell her about Jodha but not in front of everyone. She was the only person in the whole family whom he was sure wouldn't have any objection about his and Jodha's relationship. She was very open minded and he knew for sure that she would approve. In fact, he was pretty sure she would be very happy with the news that he loves someone and would support him one hundred percent.
He thought for a few minutes and then with a plan in mind turned to his sister. He leaned closer to her and whispered softly “Di make sure Mom sits in your car on the way to the airport.”
“Uhh okay,” she replied, confused with the sudden demand.
Next he went to Vipul and asked him to make sure that his eldest brother and sister-in-law go in his car as he wants to talk to his mother about Jodha.
“Sure, no problem!” came Vipul's prompt reply.
His other elder brother's family would go in their own car, so no issues there. He only needed to make sure to sit in his Sister's car with his Mom.
After everyone was done eating they started getting out of the house and towards the car.
Jalaal silently went in a corner and made a quick call to Jodha to let her know that they were leaving for the Airport and he would call her from there.
Then he went downstairs and made sure everyone was in the cars and also checked all his luggage was there as well and nothing was forgotten. After making sure he looked towards Vipul and his second brother and gestured to them to start moving. He himself went and sat in his Sister's car along with her husband, kids and their mother.
As they started moving, he turned towards his mother and held her hand in his. She looked at him lovingly and thinking he was jittery due to him leaving, put her other hand on his cheek and kissed on his forehead. He smiled at her motherly gesture and looked at her.
“Mom, I want to tell you something” he said, getting straight to the point. He did not have time to beat around the bush. He needed to tell her everything before reaching the Airport.
“Yes Beta, what is it” she confusedly asked.
But before saying anything he turned towards his nephew and niece. “Whatever you both are about to hear here, stays here. No one outside this car should know about it. Okay!!” he instructed them both. Making his Mom and Brother in law look at each other in concern.
Both the kids looked at him wide eyed and nodded their heads in yes wondering what was going on.
Feeling satisfied with their response, he turned towards his Mother and Brother in law.
“Mom, Jiju, there's a girl I love. Her name is Jodha.” He said quickly.
Before anyone could react or say anything, both the kids squealed in excitement from the third row of the car. Seeing their excitement, Jalaal gave them a bright smile. Then turned and looked at his mother who also had an equally bright and beautiful smile. Jalaal felt relieved seeing her happy face.
“Does she love you too??” came her first question.
“Will she wait for you??” simultaneously came the question from his Brother in law.
“Yes and yes” he replied looking at them happily.
He felt relieved to know that their concerns were if she also loves him and will wait for him and not that what her religion is or how her family is, etc.
Suddenly they rained questions on him asking about why he was telling them last minute and didn't tell them before? When can they meet her?? How did he meet her?? Where did he meet her?? Can they see a picture??
He laughed at their enthusiasm and started answering all of their questions one by one.
Soon they reached the Airport and met other family members.
He and Vipul went ahead to check in his luggage while everyone else waited outside.
As soon as he was out of hearing range of his family he called Jodha to let her know that they were at the Airport now and he was on his way to check in. He told her to sleep as it was getting late. But she refused.
“Are you going in? Is this your last call?”
“No, not yet but soon!”
“Ok, then please call me just before you are going in.”
He felt a pinch in his heart knowing exactly how she was feeling. She wanted to talk as much as possible. He felt the same way.
“Okay, I will call you before giving the phone to Bhaiya!”
He then went and said his goodbyes to everyone, gave them each a hug.
As he hugged his Mother, she whispered in his ears "I am very happy that you found someone and are finally willing to get married. Settle yourself and come back soon.”
He smiled happily and nodded in yes to her.
Then again he went to the side and called Jodha….not bothering that his family was there looking at him. He was too desperate to care.
“Hello” came from the other side of the phone.
“Jaan, I'm about to go in now. Don't worry so much, I will call you tomorrow evening after I get there. Okay!! You take care of yourself for me please.”
“Okay. I will wait for your call. Happy Journey and have a safe flight.” She wished him.
“Thanks Jaan. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
“I'll be giving the phone to bhaiya and going in now. You please sleep and rest. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
They both stayed quiet hearing each other's heart. Finally the moment was there, both were not willing to hang up the phone. Even though they knew they had too.
In the meantime, Vipul walked up to Jalaal and kept his hand on his shoulder and nodded, indicating it was time to go. Jalaal nodded back in understanding.
“Jaan”
“Hmm”
“Need to go”
“Ok”
“I will call you tomorrow. I love you so much. Bye Jaan.”
“I love you too. Bye. Have a safe trip.”
Finally they hung up. Jalaal took a deep breath and reeled his emotions in. Hiding his unshed tears, he turned towards Vipul and his family and smiled.
Vipul could see his sad smile, so he hugged him tightly, trying to reassure him, he said “Don't worry, everything will work out.”
Jalaal nodded and appreciated his thoughtfulness yet again.
Saying final goodbye to his family, he took his hand bag and went inside.
Walking through the Airport towards his gate he felt like a long and difficult journey of his life was starting.
This difficult journey, at the end of which his reward will be Jodha.
A most precious reward for him.
He was happily willing to go through this difficult journey because he knew it would all be worthwhile.
For Jodha, I will go through anything. He had determinedly thought.
With this determination, he strongly moved ahead.
On the other side of the city, Jodha sat alone in darkness, with tears in her eyes and sadness in her heart for their separation. But her eyes were close and hands were folded while she prayed for his safety and well being.
The most difficult journey of their life started.
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