Akdha FF: Feast of Memories (On Hold) - Page 4

Chapter 7: The Memory She Doesn’t Have

I was on my arm as I sat on the ground and she was laying down with her head on my stomach.

“What’s worrying her majesty?” I asked her.

“What if you forget me?” She asked.

“Forget you? What is this about?” I asked. How did that thought suddenly cross her mind.

“You’ll find some girl that makes you happier and then forget me?” She asked.

“You’re worried about something that isn’t going to happen, Heer.” I assured. She looked at me. She outstretched her hand and touched my face softly, like tracing it across her fingers. She gave a smile.

“Who is to say that you’re only mine? To possibly imagine that the Emperor of Hindustan would only belong to me is foolish. I’m not the only one to you. I’m not the most beautiful girl in the world. To assume that the Emperor who is famed in the west too would not find another girl to his liking.” She answered.

“You own my heart, Heer. One can forget everything but not their own name. One can walk away from everything when they achieve their fame but not their own heart’s beat. One can forget to speak to their old friends after finding new people but they don’t forget breathing. You’re just like that to me. I’ve reached the truth of being Akbar with you. My fame starts with your presence in my life.You’re like breathing to me. I can’t possibly forget someone that I love as much as I love myself.” I assured her.

“Even the great Heer had lived so much without her Ranjha who deserted her when she needed him so much. All she would have hoped for was that he’d come and take her away with him and he left the world to become an ascetic. I’m not saying that my existence starts and ends with you but my happiness is related to you.I can have all the riches in the world but what is it worth if you don’t have the same love for me.” She confessed.

“The question of deserting comes when I’ll let you go anywhere, Heer. You’re mine and will always be mine. How can I let anything take away what is mine?” He pointed.I brushed her hair with my hands. “You’re my heart and you live in my soul.”

The one who accused me of forgetting her and walking away with someone else is now herself forgotten me and trying to win someone else.

I thought that it would be another business party until my eyes fell on her. Her aura extruding was the same as I remembered. Queenly as she was. Of course, Heer Kunwar would know how to make a grand appearance and make sure that she was noticeable from even far away. Just like that even she was exactly the same.

Everyone in the party was able to notice her. At first, I hadn’t noticed but Sam noticed the dress she was wearing and was gossiping that it was the only one piece of the dress which the girl wore. Sam had wanted to buy it for a real long time but couldn’t. I turned around and saw that it was her. The grace that just pours out of her. Her beautiful dark long hair and her angelic smile. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. She had always made my heart race with her smile.

“So, Sam tells me that you had found another girl at the party. Jalal, you can’t get over things by trying to ignore that part to hide the pain.” Ira told me. I sighed and slouched a little more on the couch. She softly tapped on her pencil on the papers on the writing pad. “I am telling you, we had some real good progress before that incident in Agra. After that, we began from square 12 again. Though I was really glad that it wasn’t the square one but then you started off with your stupid conquests.”

“It washer.” I confessed to her. The writing pad almost fell down from her hands.

“You’re saying that you saw the girl you met in Agra?” She asked.

“Yes.” I answered. She took a deep breath and composed herself.

“And?”

“How is it possible that she doesn’t feel anything? Shouldn’t at least something be there?”

“Jalal, not every human has memories of their past life. You’re a rare case.”

“I know but isn’t it a thing that one should at least feel that connection? Even if she didn’t remember anything, wasn’t it supposed to be like a little familiar to her?”

“Jalal, how about you tell me on what you felt?”

“It is all crazy. To see someone that has taken over my thoughts for so long and to know she didn’t feel even an ounce of feeling that I am feeling. Then she was trying to be with someone else. Why?”

I felt like it was almost so angering me. It almost felt like betrayal. Heer and I had to be the only thing that was completely beautiful. We were so perfect together.Every night since the first time I saw, I had been having flashes of the memories and for 7 years, it was like intense suffering. To know how intense that love felt in your soul but not know how her touch felt like. It was like waiting for her for such a long time and just knowing that she didn’t have a clue on what we were supposed to be.

She looked at me. After a moment. She put the writing pad aside.

“Your reaction is very understandable. Yet, so is hers. Jalal, whenever someone feels a little unusual with someone who is a stranger to you, the general reaction is to brush it off as craziness. You can’t expect a human to just know what is her relation with you. People slowly make up relationships. Friendships don’t happen in days, to think that the kind of love you have for her, she will have in a few hours of seeing you is completely unrealistic. Her state of mind and yours are not on the same level. You’re on a different level of understand of it, Jalal. She is not.” She explained.

“It isn’t that, Doc. I know she is not even in love with that guy but I don’t know why she is so interested in him? I know the exactly way she looks when she’s in love and that is not the look of her in love or anything at all.” I explained.

“Jalal, you just met her. Last time you saw her, she was a high school girl. She was 17 years old. Now, she’s 24. There is going to be a lot of difference between 17 and 24. People almost grow into a different person in the time of 7 years.” She explained.

“The problem is that I cannot and I will not accept that she’s going to be with some other guy. Almost unacceptable. Heer was mine. She had to be mine.” I insisted.She chuckled.

“She’s not property, Jalal. She’s a girl. Every human is born with free will. You cannot force someone to like you. If you work with the understanding of 14th century, it isn’t going to work. You know that yourself.” She reminded me.

“Heer and I always that special thing. It is like breathing air. That feeling never gets less when she’s around. Like she can instantly make things better. The soft childishness mixed with her grace and intelligence. She can’t be described as clever but she’s intelligent. She’s soft and the moments in which she plays around is just like the freshest change.” I told her.

"She doesn't remember, Jalal. It isn't her fault that she doesn't remember her past life. To tell her that she's a 14th century queen reborn would make her think of you as some creep and someone who is highly delusional." She explained.

"So, what? Just let her walk away from her? She's like my heartbeat,

An hour of sitting with her, I finally went back home. My Abbu was sitting in the living room. He seemed to be in a deep thought.

“What’s bothering you?” I asked him.

“Jalal, she is Heer.” He pointed out.

“I know that, dad. Though Ira says that if she doesn’t remember me, I should rather not tell her about it and make it confusing or weird.” I answered. Abbu sighed.

“That answer is for losers, bhai.” Sam commented while smoothing her nails with nail sharper. Everyone looked at her.

“Have you gone mad? You’re suggesting him to kidnap her or something?” Ammi asked.

“Did I say that?” She asked.

“You’re twisting around.” I commented. “I’m not going to force her to marry her this time around. Last time she had no choice when she married me. I don’t want it to be like that this time.” I explained.

“Bhai, when you married her as the King, she didn’t love you. That much I can imagine. No girl likes the man she is forced to be married to but did that mean she hated you forever?”

“Sam, that is the whole point. I don’t ever want her to hate her and I’m definitely not tricking her into marrying me.”

“Bhai, tell me something. If a guy likes someone from far away, will there ever be a chance of ever winning her heart? No. Because he isn’t even trying to win her heart.There will never be anything because he’s not even daring enough to know her.There are only two instances. One, a girl herself likes you and she’ll herself try to get you to notice her. Two, the guy likes her and she’s not even aware that there is a man who loves her. If the guy never tries to introduce himself to her and hence she will never know of his existence. Hence, she will never even think about him. If she doesn’t think about him, he’s not even going to be in her thoughts. The only way a girl will ever like a guy she doesn’t already if he tried to win her heart. I’m not saying that you should force her to marry you or trick her into you.” She put the nail sharper aside and looked at me.“The fox who never tried to reach the grapes will never know how it tastes because he didn’t even try. The entire human kind would have never progressed if there was no ‘try’.”

She stood up and walked up to me. She put her arm on my shoulder.

“You, bhai, are my brother. Samaira Ali Sheikh doesn’t ever accept defeat. You are my twin. Neither do you ever accept defeat. Then why accept it today? Especially when it is about your heart. That girl, bhai, is the love of your soul. To think that you want to be a loser today on the matter that is so much importance to you is quite astounding. Where is Vikrant Khurana and where is Jalal Ali Sheikh. You, bhai, are my hero. You’ve always been. You’ve always told me never to give up on things that are close to your heart. She is your heart. Why give up someone who is so important to you?” She explained. “Bhai, before you saw her, you didn’t know how her love felt or how she looked. You just knew about her existence and would say that she was someone you always favored. Only when you saw her, you felt how her love was and how it felt to see someone you’ve loved so much. It is the same to her because she has no memory of you unlike her. She just knows about your existence because you’re a businessman. Until she knows who Jalal Ali Sheikh is, who you truly are, she won’t even know what it is be with you. If she doesn’t know, she won’t care for what she lost. You’ll be here your whole life whining about not getting the love of your life and she won’t bat an eyelash.”

“You’re saying that although she seemingly likes someone else, he should try to get between them? Like the villain?” Ammi asked.

“He’s the villain if she truly loves Khurana. If bhai is so confident that she doesn’t love him, there is no question of being the villain. He’s just a man who loves her and has tried to win her heart. If she still wants Khurana, her problem but there is never going to be a chance if they don’t try.” Sam pointed out.

“Shazia, this is Jalal. Have you seen the boy? There hasn’t ever been a girl born in this universe who can say no to him. He’s Jalal. If she doesn’t fall for him,she’s just plain blind. There hasn’t been a girl who didn’t fall for him easily then what is Jodha Singh? She’s just another girl.” Mehtab phoophi insisted. I laughed at her comment.

“Trust me,Phoophijaan, I know her better than anyone else. She has a different name and different family but it hasn’t changed her. She is still every inch Heer Kunwar. She is special and will always be. The first thing I had loved about her even back then is how she is just so confident and determined. To shake her is not less than winning the world. She is not like others.” I commented. Sam just smiled at me.

“Bhai, I don’t want you to give up until she actually sends out invitations to marry that Khurana. If she does then we’ll accept that Heer has forgotten everything about. A person can lose memories of someone they’ve loved not the feeling of being loved and feeling of loving someone. When people break up, they get over the person not the feeling of love.” She explained. “If you still don’t want to go, I suggest you brace yourself for me to call you loser for the rest of your life. You can get offended and never speak to me again but I’ll call you a loser.”

With that she walked away patting my back.

She’s right. How will she know what our love is if she doesn’t feel it? If is a challenge, so be it. I will do everything to win my Heer, Jodha. This is your Jalal, Heer. I can’t possibly let her get away just like that. Jalal ud din Muhammad Akbar never backed out from a challenge and neither will Jalal Ali Sheikh. If Jodha is still Heer, why should I not be the same Jalal. I know her as much as she does. I have won her heart once and I will do it in every life. Because there can’t be any other girl that I can possibly love like I love her.

So, if she’s going to decide, so am I.

Chapter 8: To Handle Him

For some reason, the morning in the office was a little chaotic. One day I take a half day at work and things become like this? Everyone was gossiping.

“What? Had everyone finished their work?” I asked them and they all returned to work. I walked up ahead.

I reached up my office and my assistant herself seemed to be in some kind of daze.

“Gia.” I clicked my fingers in front of her face while standing at her desk. She came out of her daze and stood up.

“Good morning, boss.” She greeted me.

“Can you tell me why the whole office is up in a chaotic fashion? You’re lost in some daydream. Everyone is going around talking and not working. What is going on?”I asked her.

“Boss, you have no idea?” She asked surprised.

“I wouldn’t be asking you if I knew, Gia.” I reminded her.

“Jalal Ali Sheikh showed up at the office in the morning. He’s having a talk with Aakash sir.” She told me. It suddenly felt like everything began to shake. Jalal Ali Sheikh? That man who had almost challenged me that I didn’t really have feelings for Vikrant?

I started walking ahead into my father’s cabin. The receptionist had never stopped me or told me to wait from entering his cabin. I knocked on the door and waited for three minutes before entering. It was a habit I had inculcated right after I had foolishly walked into my father and Rhea in his study in our house. I had instantly developed this habit after that incident.

He was as handsome as I remember him from the party. He looked in the most casual look as if it was just meeting an old friend. Black jeans with a yellow shirt which was unbuttoned till middle of his chest, teasing a look of his well-built chest.His hair perfectly groom and wore silver rings.

“Ah. Jodha.”Dad said with a smile. Jalal gave a smirk to me. The smirk evidently showed that he was up to no good.

“I just came to understand why the company is in an uproar.” I said, my motive clear to Jalal. He gave a laughter.

“I do have that effect on people.” He answered cockily.

“Then you might want to keep it in control, Mr. Ali Sheikh. It isn’t quite admirable to disturb people.” I commented.

“I’m afraid that I cannot control it, Jodha. An inbuilt charm. Cannot remove it at my pleasure.” He replied.

“Well, Jalal had gone through the projects happening in our company and decided to become a shareholder.” Dad explained. “I am quite happy at that.” He added to Jalal.

“Mr Singh,although I don’t have it known to people. I like people with good projects.” He spoke with a charm. He could fool anyone that he had great intention.

“I don’t think he has good intentions.” Vikrant whispered. “No offense to you, Jodha, but why would a business magnet like him, who excels at electronics, robotics and such technological aspects, interest himself in company that is into construction? He already has his own company that is into constructions. I think he was to buy the company and make it his own. I mean people as rich as him don’t like competition.”

“I am not sure what his intentions are, Vikrant, but rest assured I will not let him buyout the company and erase the name from existence.” I made it clear.

“I’m with you in that.” He gave me his support. I just smiled at him. Jalal’s eyes met Vikrant’s. The two men looked at each other. Jalal had the arrogant gaze and Vikrant looked like a defensive lion. It was like two male animals fighting for the female’s attention. Jalal got up.

“Ali Sheikh. Jalal Ali Sheikh.” He introduced himself to Vikrant with the most confident air. Like he was on his own ground. His confidence just as powerful as that of man in whose style he introduced himself.

“Vikrant Khurana.” Vikrant said. They shook hands. Dadu looked amused. The testosterone match between the two men was strong. Vikrant was rich and spoilt. That was the source of his confidence but Jalal held his confidence in being who he was.From head to toe, he was built in confidence, power and richness. Regardless of his casual fashion, he looked every inch intimidating.

“Jodha is the Vice President of our company.” Dad said trying to break the tension. Jalal’s eyes fell to mine. His greyish green eyes were almost hypnotic. He extended his hand. I took it as curtesy dictated.

I stood in my business suit and him in his jeans and shirt. The challenge clear in his eyes.We both held the same confidence and the power on our ground. I wasn’t a new player in this game, Jalal. I won’t let you win over the company. Be assured that Jodha Singh is no easy child to throw away. The moment his hands touched mine, he had a smile to his face.

“I’ll brief you with the whole project.” Dad offered him.

“Aakash, Jodha is in head of this project. I think we should let her brief you. She has gone through it in most detail.” Dadu suggested.

“I hope you don’t mind.” Jalal answered.

“Not like I have a choice.” I muttered under my breath but gave him a dry smile. “I would be glad for it but don’t you have meetings or important work to handle? We wouldn’t want to keep you long today. Briefing the project might take time.” I said, trying to find an excuse not be around him at all.

Jalal gave a grin. “Do not worry about my schedule, Jodha. I had specially chosen this day because of the clear schedule I have today. Though if you’re busy today, we can go through it on Sunday lunch together.” He offered. Boy, he was good at making things in his favor.

“Well, ifyou insist you have clear schedule today, I wouldn’t mind it.” I said, mentally sighing. I was about to sit down in the cabin when dadu gave me a look.

“I think you should take this to your cabin. You have a board and all to explain better.” Dadu suggested. I have never ever thought of dadu making things difficult for me before. 1 His stubbornness on making his son in law the chairman of the company and now this.

“This way.”I offered him. With that both of us walked into my cabin. He looked around the cabin. He checked the books on the shelf behind my chair. There were company files, project files and some books there. Everything was designed by me in the cabin. A coffee cup next to my laptop. Gia must have brought coffee. I took a sip of coffee.

“Be honest, Ali Sheikh. Why are you here? You may fool my dad and dadu but I know you well.Why would you be interested in our company? Your own construction company workson bigger projects. Almost infamous for their beautiful architectural plans.Why this sudden interest in our company?” I asked him honestly. A grin on his.

“I wouldn’t imagine lying to you. True, I’m not much interested in the projects that take place here but trust that my interest in you is quite a lot. I aim to do something about that. Noting that on our previous meeting, you weren’t quite eager to give me a chance, I decided to create my own chances.” He answered.

“You’re pulling that amount of money just for to wander around me? That’s quite unfortunate, Mr Ali Sheikh. You’ve chosen the wrong girl. I’m interested in Vikrant.” I told him. “It would be a huge waste.”

He put his hands in his pockets and looked at me with a smirk on his face.

“I am having an impression that your worry stems from the fact you know you’re not immune to my charms and you’ll fall for me. Then it will be true that you don’t really have any feelings of Vikrant whatsoever.” He challenged.

“You’re funny, Mr. Ali Sheikh. I am in an understanding that you think a little too high of yourself.” I taunted him. He just chuckled.

“I’m just confident in my charms.” He replied cockily.

“Anyway,I’ll brief you with the project.” I said putting aside the topic. He nodded. I started explaining. He was listening without interrupting me. He’d ask some good questions and I answered him.

Though after a moment, he had begun to stare at me. His ankle on his other knee,fingers touching his lips and his eyes focused on me. He sat on the chair like it was his throne.

“Focus…” I told him. He chuckled.

“You’requite distracting.” He commented with a teasing smile. “How do you expect a guy who is love with you to have standing in front him and not lose themselves in you?”

I sighed and crossed my arms over my chest.

“Mr Ali Sheikh, my time is very valuable. It would be appreciable if you please focus.I don’t want to go over this again just because you didn’t feel like listening.I have much work I have to do rather entertain and amuse you.” I told him. He seemed to be thinking something, like a fond memory. He had a sweet smile on his face.

“Sorry. I’ll focus.” He assured. This time he focused properly.

“Jodha…”Vikrant showed up. Jalal turned around his moving chair to look at him.

“Just a moment. We’re almost done. Then we can go for lunch.” I assured him. He sat down on the couch and I finished the last part of the project’s details.

“Its quite good. Though I think we should go and see the site too.” Jalal said finally. I nodded.

“Sure. Let me know when you’re free. We can go then.” I told him. He pulled out his phone and checked his schedule.

“Would it take more than three hours?” He asked.

“No. I mean if we have to go and just inspect the site, it would only take us an hour. Adding 30 more minutes for travel so it shouldn’t take more than two hours.” I replied.

“Good. I have a little time slot before lunch tomorrow. We can go see the plot then have lunch.” He offered.

“She usually has lunch with me.” Vikrant said.

“I didn’t say you can’t show up. Sure do.” He answered shrugging his shoulders. Jalal’s phone rang. He picked it up.

“Hello, ya.… Haan haan, I’m aware of it.” He listened for a moment and then made faces,“You know its not that simple…” He tried to explain. “What is wrong with you?You can’t change the blueprint because you don’t like the shape, man. The whole thing is about the circuits used in them…” He seemed a little irritated now,“ Adnan, listen to me first. I have personally made the blueprint and hence it can’t possibly be wrong. You’re looking at circuit design on the blueprint and saying it doesn’t look classy. Have you lost your mind? Until you see the prototype, I suggest you keep that stupid opinion to yourself…” He argued.Harsh. “Just give the phone to Anwar. I’ll speak to him.” He waited for a moment. “Yes, what’s the problem with the prototype?”

He excused himself.

“So, did her trouble you?” Vikrant asked.

“No. He was busier with the project we are working on. As such he doesn’t seem to want to buy the company or destroy it.” I told him.

“Just beware. He’s like a clever man.” Vikrant said. We both walked out to proceed for lunch when I saw him speaking to dadu. Dadu seems to have take a liking for him. I don’t blame him. Jalal Ali Sheikh is a synonym for impressive. He just knows how to work people smoothly into our favor. I was quite happy. He was smiling confidently and he laughed.

Vikrant put his arm on my back as we walked past them.

Jalal and I both shared a look. Our eyes met. I almost didn’t hear what Vikrant was saying. Jalal’s greyish green eyes felt like they bore into my soul. It wasn’t as if he was some scary man. Yet, his eyes made me feel a little intimidating. I felt as if I had looked into those eyes so often. He passed me a mischievous wink and a killer smirk.

I instantly looked away. I could deny how it felt but it wouldn’t change the truth that I possibly felt a flutter.

Originally posted by: nyamburamoroc

Enter your message hereupdate sooner

Sorry for the late update. I have just updated them above.

Hope you enjoy reading ❤️

Originally posted by: Aishu.R

Wonderful updates...Finally both met, what a meeting between both. One remember everything and other none. Interesting to know how she will comes to know. Waiting for next...

I'm also excited to share the part when it come 😳

Originally posted by: divyaJA

Amazing chptrs
Ja-jo frist meeting and dance also waahh

want to know jalal point of view

update soon

Thanks 😳

Our hero is in full mood to impress his heroine

Both are too good

Superb update

Thanks for the update dear.. amazing as usual.. quite interesting and a different story line.. really enjoying it.. let's see how our jalal wins back his heer..😉

this story reminds me of rose and storm.. feels like it's kind of a spin off.. in modern era.. wonderful work.. keep going..👍🏼

Gratulation,👍🏼🤗

Eine sehr interessante FF und gut geschrieben.

Es gibt viele ungeklärter Phänomene auf der Welt, warum sollte es eine Reinkarnation nicht geben.

Alles kann die Wissenschaft bisher nicht erklären.

Ich freue mich schon auf die nächsten Updates.

Danke für die viele Mühe.👏

Chapter 9: A Disturbed Date Evening

The entire office would try to find excuses to walk past my office and look at him. It actually irritated me. My own assistant would often enter the office asking if we wanted anything. Jalal would occasionally throw a flirty smile at people staring at him.

“Can we focus on the work?” I asked him crossing my arms on my chest.

“Of course. I am focusing, Jodha.” He answered.

“Yes, focusing on that girl’s flirting gaze.” I commented. He looked at me with a mischievous smile.

“That is the entire problem, you see. When I try to throw you any flirty comments, you just ignore it. At least she’s reciprocating. Sitting with you is sort of making me question if my charms work. So, I’m confirming if it works.” He answered with a grin. He looked out again, “And it definitely works.” He gave her a two finger salute and she shot off running. Probably to tell the entire office this.

“I’m more interested in working, Mr Ali Sheikh, rather than having some fun with you.” I told him.

“At least you admit I’m fun.” He said laughing.

No matter how difficult he is when he does this, he’s quite talented and clever and really good with all the details, blueprints and math. He could just simply calculate numbers in his mind. He’s fast with his work. Although occasionally teasing me, he does work seriously when he’s working.

“See, I will give you a suggestion. Take short breaks when you work. Or else, you’ll end up becoming a work zombie.” He insisted.

“I am going to get a break because I’ll be gone in the evening.” I told him. Does he think I’m some all-work boring girl who has no life?

“With Vikrant Khurana. Yes, you’ve told me like 50 times since the morning. Which makes me question if your saying it to tell me or saying it to assure yourself?”He asked. He is determined to have my attention and somehow, he’s got dadu wrapped around his finger. He swirled around in the chair and thought for a moment.

“Are you done with that?” I asked him.

“Yup.” He answered passing the papers. How did he do that while playing around? I checked them and they turned out to be perfectly correct. “It is called multi-tasking. I’ve trained myself to be able to do two things at once.” Answered as if he read my mind.

Although I was working with him, I felt like my entire soul was open against him defenseless.The way his eyes looked at me. His comments should borderline be annoying. Similar to that one person in the office who likes you and thinks of himself as some all-famous hero that everyone should fall for. Yet, there was something about Jalal Ali Sheikh. Like a small part of my heart would constantly smile at his antics.I have no explanations for it. I was working towards having Vikrant and me together but he was like a surprise I did not need in between this hope of saving of my company.

Just then the person I saw had made me forget all of that.

Tarun Kedia. Daisy bouncing around his arm.

“What the hell??!!” I exclaimed. He looked outside.

“Ex-Boyfriend?”He asked.

“As if I will ever date someone as stupid as Tarun Kedia. My mortal enemy is all he is to me. He’s an enemy to my mental stability.” I complained. He broke into laughter like he heard the funniest joke. He was so adorable when he laughed like that. Almost throwing back his head and laughing.

Stop, Jo. Stop. Why are you melting like that?

“I can’t believe that after all he is making you lose your mind?” He laughed.

Just my luck, Tarun and Daisy walked into my cabin. Jalal turned around in his chair and looked at them.

“Don’t be intimidated,Jodha. I know I am extremely handsome and that you haven’t been able to sleep since you had seen my perfection.” Tarun said. I mentally cursed myself for not running away when I had time.

“I am not mesmerized or intimidated by you, Tarun.” I answered barely controlling my irritation.

“Look at the way you’re shaking. Am I making you feel ‘things’?” Tarun asked. “Your whole body is shaking with the kind of dirty thoughts you’re having about me.”

Right. The thought I have right now is to murder him. If I murder him, will Jalal help me find a place to dumb his body?

Why does my life have to be so difficult? While Jalal’s slight flirting and a bit of self-praise is a little heart-warming, Tarun’s actions make me almost lose my temper.

Tarun’s eyes then fell on the person before me.

“Ali Sheikh.” He exclaimed in surprise.

“How rude of you, Jodha. At least introduce them to me.” Jalal teased me.

“My sister Daisy.” I introduced. He shook hands and passed her a grin. It wasn’t a flirty grin but a confident one. “And her boyfriend Tarun Kedia.”

“We, of course, know you.” Tarun exclaimed. Jalal shook hands with Tarun.

“If I’m not wrong, Aditya Singh said that his other granddaughter is a model.” Jalal said.

“Yes. We’re both models.” Tarun answered before Daisy could say anything.

After a while Jalal told them that he’ll talk to them later. In a moment, I saw mom and Sanjay.

“You must be Jodha’s sister.” Jalal exclaimed. Such an annoying prat. It would be unbelievable that he had not known she is my mother. “Ali Sheikh. Jalal Ali Sheikh.” Jalal took her hands and kissed her fingers. Mom gave him a smile.

“No. Nope, not her, pretty boy.” Sanjay commented. His look clear that he knew Jalal from long before. Jalal chuckled.

“Almost didn’t see him over your blinding beauty.” Jalal told my mom.

“Stop flirting with my mom.” I told him.

“She possibly can’t be your mom, Jodha. You can joke with me later.” He insisted. Sanjay walked before mom and took her hands from me. Jalal had the cockiest grin on his face.

“Pretty boy, she is my wife, Sanjana Sharma.” Sanjay told him. “So, I suggest you keep your hands off her and Jodha.”

“See, you’re one of the people I grew up around, Sanjay. Jodha and I having something personal. About your wife, she’s just beautiful.” Jalal insisted.

“Grew up around?” I asked.

“Ali Sheikhs are one of my clients. His father is my client.” Sanjay explained to me and turned to him, “Because you’re like this, I never bring her to your parties. She’s met your dad and mom. Now, you’ve found your way to bother her?She’s not to play games with, Jalal. I am very serious.”

“You can trust me with being serious. I’m not playing any games. Though I’ll explain that to you later sometime when you stop by in my office.” Jalal told him.

“I’m glad to meet you.” Mom said to him. He smiled at her.

We had finished our work and left. I had to get ready to meet Vikrant. It was a chase.I sat before the mirror and just looked at myself. Why is it that while I was trying find a space with Vikrant, Jalal comes up in my life? For some reason, I’m so comfortable around him yet intimidated by him. Like I have known him for so long. His smallest actions almost make me feel like smiling at it.

I got ready and waited for Vikrant at the restaurant. He was supposed to be here 40 minutes ago. I ordered some started, tired of waiting for him. Chilli Paneer was a good choice.

“I’m so sorry.I got stuck with something.” Vikrant said. I wore a sundress and took effort to look nice. He wore regular blue faded denim and a simple t shirt with jogging shoes.

“Sure. Order something. I already started eating. I was actually hungry.” I explained.He nodded. He ordered himself a salad. Salad? Please God!

“What a surprise!” We saw Jalal standing there.

“Are you following me around?” I asked him. He laughed.

“As beautiful as you are, Jodha. I’m not a stalker. I was here for a meeting. I was here before you had arrived. I was in a meeting with my partners so didn’t come greet you then.” He explained. I turned around and saw a group of men sitting. Jalal, as usual, in black denim black t shirt and a blue denim over coat. A small locket around his neck, some rings on his fingers, a bracelet and his rolex watch. I noted that he has different colour and style watches which match his every outfit. Not to miss his signature perfume. I have never known that kind of perfume but for some reason it felt familiar. The other men were dressed in suit. Jalal’s casual looked more dressed than both, Vikrant and me combined.

What surprised me the most is that dadu was among the men sitting there. When he saw me, he walked up to me.

“Jodha?” He asked surprised.

“I was herewith Vikrant. How come I don’t know that you’re meeting up with him?” I asked him.

“Ah. Hejust invited me to come have dinner with him. Your dadi is here too.” He explained.

“Sir, I think you should join us, then. I mean we don’t usually meet much. It would be a great opportunity.” Vikrant said in a bid to impress dadu. You’re a little late, Vikrant. A week of knowing dadu and he’s already invited him to dinner.While you’ve known him for quite some weeks. Either Jalal had everything planned or he’s really fast.

“I’ve come here to have dinner with Jalal. It would rude to leave him and sit with you two.” Dadu said.

“Three of you should sit with us then.” Vikrant said. Three more chairs were set on our table.

“Are you sure they wouldn’t mind?” Dadi asked Jalal.

“They’re used to it. I don’t linger around them for much after dinner.” Jalal explained.

“Isn’t it important to sit around with your partners and not leave them half way the dinner?” I asked.

“Well, they’re half way in their middle life. Married, settled and working their way towards now being a little slow. I’m still in mid-twenties. My restlessness is an issue but they don’t mind. They’ll get drunk a little soon and there is nothing common between us anymore. So, they don’t mind if I skip their youngster stories.” Jalal answered. Regardless of his such casualness, he seemed to be bred to perfection. Is it the fact that they are somewhere related to royalty or that it is him? He would often dress up like one of those rebellious kids but he had some impeccable table manners.

My eyes fell to the way he ate. He tore the piece of naan with his fingers, took some dum aloo and put it in his mouth. His moustache and beard were trimmed to perfection. Not even a drop on his beard or moustache.

“You have almost seven projects running, how do you even find time for the one you’reworking with our company?” Dadi asked him.

“Well, you do things when you want things.” He answered with a grin.

I was still slightly hypnotized by the way he was eating. I was brought out of it by as light kick on my feet under the table. I noted that it came from Dadi’s side.I looked at her. She gave me a look ‘Do not stare’. I instantly felt embarrassed at staring at him. I looked at my food and continued eating. This is so odd. I’m not usually like this.

Chapter 10: A Small Drive

“I’m so sorry, Jodha. I had something come up. I’ll have to leave now. Will you get acab?” Vikrant said.

“Sure.” I nodded. He quickly dashed off.

“How can you possibly like him so much? For someone who likes to be on time, you’d possibly not find that exciting.” Jalal commented.

“It is alright. Not a big deal. I’ll take a cab home.” I assured.

“I’ll drop you home.” He offered.

“No, its fine. I don’t want to bother you.” I insisted. He smiled.

“You know I like you. Quite possibly, this would be the only time I’d get to take you somewhere. So, my lady, how about, just for the sake of niceness and with a hope that it will be good a end to a terrible date night, let me drop you home.”He said.

“Its really fine, Mr Ali Sheikh. I can take myself home. I’m a big girl.” I answered with a smile. Why is it so easy to smile with him?

“You’re irritated and a little down. What’s the problem with me cheering you a bit?See, at least this much trust you might have on me that I’m not going to prey on you or anything. So, just breathe a little. Let me cheer you up and then I’ll drop you home.” He offered. I looked at him. He couldn’t possibly have figured it out. I’ve kept it well under the wrap that I was a little sad.

It was Vikrant’s idea to have dinner together. Just both of us. Then he gets 40 minutes late, with not even a little effort at trying to be impressing, then he just leaves me like we were passing acquaintance. Even with girls enjoying the chase so much, they try to be a little nicer when a guy is chasing them. If they show up late, at least they show looking nice and dressed. They don’t spend most of the dinner on their phone if they invite you to dinner.

“Alright. I guess I’ll take an ice-cream in the way.” I said with a smile.

“Great,then.” He said with the excitement of a child. The valet brought the car. He opened the door for me and I sat inside. I put the seat belt. He got in the driver’s side. A shiny black Audi with red and black interior.

“Do you still like painting?” He asked.

“Still?” I asked him. He waved his hand.

“Well, you must have become busy now. So, I assumed you must have dropped painting. Your office has a painting hung that is made by you.” He explained. I smiled.

“I don’t get much time because of how the company is but I do paint to de-stress.” I answered.

“You know,the whole problem is that, you don’t relax. Just breathe sometime, Jodha. You don’t have to pull all the heat on your head and overwork yourself.” He said.

“Says the guy who is working eight projects at the same time.” I teased him. He laughed.

“I don’t overwork myself at all. If anything, people who don’t me assume that the only thing I do is play around with women.” He explained.

“I don’t see why. You’re always on magazines with some new girl. They would of course assume it to be the only thing you do.” I explained. He chuckled.

“That’s a little rude to assume I go around breaking hearts. Every single girl I’ve been seen with have the same intention as me, Jodha. Neither of us look for a long-term thing. They’re either in for a rebound or want a little free time off work. Neither are they, nor am I interested in having long term relationship with them.” He explained. “They enjoy having someone who cares for them for a while for a break and not shatter their heart and I enjoy some time myself.”

“Playboy with a heart? So, who broke your heart and made you go around playing?” I asked him. He chuckled.

“You.” He answered. I raised an eyebrow at him. I then hit him with my purse. He laughed.

“Can’t you answer it without trying to flirt?” I asked him. “I’m not going to be your next‘little fun time partner’.”

“Of course,you are not that. You’d possibly not invest your time in short term things.” He answered. The way he answered things about me as if he had known me for ages.

“Why do you have this air that you know everything about me? I mean it is odd but you do actually read things about me that others don’t.” I said. He stopped at Marine Drive. I got out. The air was so breezy and nice. He walked ahead and brought ice-cream for us. We sat down “Like this. Somehow, you know I like kulfi over regular ice-cream.”

“Magicians don’t tell their secrets.” He said teasingly.

“I’m borderline putting you in the stalker area.” I warned him. He laughed.

“I’m not stalking you. Nor do I have a detective finding out things about you and telling me. Let’s say, it is a hunch.” He answered.

“No hunch can be so perfect.” I commented.

“Then what do you think?” He asked.

“It is odd. I’ve never felt so comfortable with a stranger before. I don’t know why I trust you even though it seems that you’ve come over to take the company from us. I don’t know why I act like I know you. I don’t even know why I’m even telling you all this.” I said. “I’m not even drunk.”

He smiled. “Kuch cheezon ko samajne ki zaroorat nahi hoti. Unhe mehsoos karna hota hai. Jo baat dil ko pata hoti hai, use dimag se tola nahi jaa sakta.” He said.

I looked down and smiled. It was a warm feeling.

“You still didn’t answer the question. Why not settle for a long-term relationship?” I asked him.

“I believe in my soulmate. When you love someone a lot, you’d do everything to keep them with you. That is the same in my case.” He answered.

“There is nothing like soulmates, Mr Ali Sheikh.” I refused to believe in that stuff.

“You can disagree but can’t change my belief. I’ve seen it myself. My parents have been together for around 30 years now. Yet, they still love each other like it had begun just yesterday. I don’t mean to say they have zero fights but they always make up quickly. There is always someone in the world born just for you. There is no proof but ask the hearts that still beats for the person who has left them and they’ll tell you that soulmate exists. Ask the person who lives with someone but is in love with another person. They’ll tell you soulmates exists.Bigger, if only you’d take some time to see the way I look at you, you’d realize that I’d want to exist only for you.” He answered.

“Doesn’t it hurt that you feel something but I don’t? Why carry on with something that hurts?” I asked.

“We all do things for love. You’re willing to spend rest of your life with a man you have no so ever feelings for the company. I’ve spent a long time in your dreams.Life is about chasing your dreams.” He answered.

“Why is it so odd with you?” I asked him. He just smiled.

“Let’s get you home considering you have finished your kulfi.” He suggested. He was beautiful. Soon, he drove back to my home. He stopped outside. I got out of the car. He got out and leaned against the car. “Hope you had a good time with me.Though, I should say that you really look beautiful in the sundress.”

I smiled. “Thank you.” I thanked him. I tucked the hair behind my ear. I blushed softly.

“Oh, wait. I forgot.” He suddenly said. He opened the backseat and opened a box. “Here.”

“What is this?” I asked him.

“Open.” He insisted. There was a rose over the box. I opened it and saw a ship in a bottle art piece. It was beautiful. I smiled at that.

“It is beautiful. Thank you.” I thanked him. I had assumed that the day would be bad enough but he came along and made everything better. I put it back in the box and hugged him. “I’m glad that today didn’t end as badly as I thought. I was a little upset with how everything had gone but you had made it better. You didn’t have to but still did. I don’t what to say. You are up front about your feelings but I don’t want to hurt you because you seem to be a nice person…” I didn’t know what else to say. It would be wrong to give him some hope when I’m trying to win Vikrant for the sake of the company.

“I’ll tell you this, Jodha. Life is short. If you live your life for someone else’s ambition, it isn’t worthwhile to you. The problem you’ve put yourself in is bigger than the solution you’re looking for.” He tried to warn me. I was confused.

“I don’t understand.” I said.

“There is a simple solution to the problem you’re bothering with.” He started, “Your grandfather had said he’d give the chairman position to his son in law. A simple solution to overrule it is to challenge that decision in the board when the position is elected. If majority of the board votes the person out, you can easily overrule that decision. Instead of finding a man and marrying him to keep the company,try to win the support of the board of directors. When you convince them that whoever the person that your grandfather is electing is not worthy and might possibly ruin them, they’ll vote him out. Clearly, by that time you’ll find a time to put yourself in their eyes as a person who has good intentions and has the skill to run the company well.”

“Overrule dadu? He is my grandfather. I don’t want to go against just for the sake of the company. I am ambitious but I’m not greedy. I won’t ever challenge dadu. He deserves respect.”

“No one said you shouldn’t respect him. Of course, you should respect him but marrying a man that you have never loved is difficult.” He explained.

“80,000 people, Mr Ali Sheikh. Singh Corporation employs 80,000 people. If the company goes bankrupt, then we’ll be forced to shut down. When the company is shutdown, all those people go out of work. These 80,000 people have worked day and night to build this company. Even the smallest accountant had worked to build it. I won’t let their hardwork go waste, ever. That is why I’m willing to do what it takes.” I explained myself. “Yet, there are certain things that we all have to respect. I don’t know why dadu is doing this but I’m sure he has a reason. Dadu has never done anything wrong in his life. He has always done the right thing and inspired others to do the right thing. If dadu has thought of this, there is some reason behind it.”

“As you see it fit.” He put his hands up in the air in surrender. He wrapped his arms around me. I hugged him back. It felt so comforting. It was reassuring that everything will be fine. I had never felt safer in a man’s hug who wasn’t my father, dadu or Sanjay. I, for some reason, trusted him with myself.