OS || Wajood

Wajood

"What! She is Mrs. Muhammad? But Mr. Muhammad never made any public appearances with her before; I didn'teven know he is married until now. He broke my heart." Said one of the girls in short dress pouting her lips.

"Arrey, how can you see Mr. Muhammad with her, she is from middle class family; she has no existence compared to his status." Added another woman in the group.

It was a high profile party for the success of a big joint venture project in which Jalal was partner.

Jalal her husband; or the Jalal Muhammad that he had become now; was talk of the town these days.

And why not, for he had reached the peak in such a short span of time on his own, just 3 years into his newly found construction business and he was at the top unbeatable. Not that all of it came easy like a cake walk, it did ask for adjustments and compromises from both of them but that is hardly aside that comes out when you become famous; it's all the news like who you party with or go out on date that gets position in a news article. Nevertheless she already knew these things are to be ignored; though she wasn't used to these stuff coming from a middle class background that she was, but educated enough to differentiate truth from non-sense.

She became spectator of this nonsense while coming out of the washroom, and before she could move ahead their conversation caught her attention again.

"What are you saying; even Mr. Muhammad was a middle class person before the mega highway project he bagged" said another woman; she sounded a bit sensible than others around thought Jodha. But her group easily ignored her and continued.

"Nothing you say can change the fact that she is no match for him. She has no existence in our society."

"And probably Jalal himself realizes that... I mean nobody knows her in our circle yet."

"You are right..."

And she left from there notable to hear anymore; but those words didn't leave her yet.

Later that night she kept turning on the bed thinking on those words; was that true that her existence has got crushed under his huge personality? Her wajood was in question her; and it bothered her. Not that she would let him know of this; not right now at least as he's somuch busy in his biggest project till now.

She woke up with start all sweaty from herthoughts, sleep was far away since he'd left for another of his international project the day before and those useless gossip from party a month ago; which she accidentally heard still managed to keep coming back to her again and again bothering her all the time, making her case more miserable. Not that she didn'tknew it was all utter rubbish, not that she doubted her husband even for asecond, not that she thought they were right; but still not sure why it was bothering her so much if it had nothing close to anything that was right or even seem to be right.

Innumerable times after that night she herself questioned her existence; and also if she was right in doing so. She couldn't come up anywhere near a conclusion or anything that gives rest to her thoughts at least.

Many a times after that when he had some spare time she had tried to discuss the same with him; not directly though like the other night she had asked him what did he think of herworking.

"What's the need jaan? As it is we are getting so less time together, you want me to deny that too getting busy in your works." He had replied and she thought it was true.

She sighed and got out of the bed to take a walk around themansion. Yes! The mansion they'd shifted to recently, just a few months backfrom their old house - a simple, cozy 2 BHK flat.

Then the other day they were discussing about another couple from the party when she had smartly brought the topic on them and asked him what he thought was her place in hislife. Though she thought he didn't take her question seriously but his replywas quite able to satisfy her.

"Well you are mybetter half; my lady luck." He winked.

After that she had struggled all alone with the question hammering her mind repeatedly "what was her wajood? Where did she belong in his life? How is it that she deserves to be with him?"

As she walked around she couldn't help but think of the days of the past; how life has changed all of a sudden with you becoming rich suddenly- well not by lottery but the much needed opportunity for the talent that man -her husband possessed.

As she walked passed their indoor swimming pool, she wondered ifshe could've even dreamt of these luxuries few years ago; a simple middle class girl next door who'd just turned 21 and completed her graduation - it was her, when there happened to be a marriage proposal that came for her.

They matched in everything from caste to status and the elders had already decided onto get them tied before they were allowed to meet each other in person.

Dressed to kill in his kurta-paijama; she was glad he was a man exactly with the qualities she would like to have in her life partner. She couldn't even resist looking at him, refusing was out of question. And soon enough they found themselves tied in the sacred knot, before even they could try to know and understand each other - but now they had all the life to do that - is what the elders suggested.


She sat on the decorated bed in their decorated room as she waited for her husband on their first night. Little shy, little nervous, she knew what made her scared - it was expectations. She never knew what he expected from her or from this relation of theirs as they never had enough time to talk things out. Well she was quite mature a woman for her age and knew the right way to work things out. The door clicked open and she held her breadth not knowing what the next few moments of her life had in store, she closed her eyes tight as she heard the door again - this time it was closed.

But what transpired after that had not only taken away her fear but also gave her a new friend; well yeah, he was feeling no better than she was and him admitting that to her gave her courage enough to be herself. And from there started the journey of being friends.

An ambitious man that he was; he'd never learnt to make compromises with what he wanted. Contrary to his father who was much more a person to get satisfied easily settled with a small business; Jalal couldn't find the needed satisfaction in his father's business and hence started one of his own. After initial ups and downs that he faced; he finally settled to being a decent player in the market and very close to their marriage he'd received one of his biggest projects and looking forward to it for the growth of his firm.

That very night she'd got to know all that about him, he shared that with her- what he was and what he wished to be. He'd asked for her support, to hold his and walk along him, correct him if he went wrong, reward him if he achieved big.

*********************************************************

Walking around, she reached the open area now; that was the part of the mansion where Jalal practiced his martial arts. A memory rushed in flushing her face instantly with a beautiful blush.

It was supposed to be her first day; she'd woken up at 4:30 am feeling thirsty, water was just beside her she would have taken it and slept again but before that she found the other side of the bed empty. It was a matter of confusion as to where couldhe go so early in the morning. She got out of the bed and started looking for him around the house; it didn't take her much time and soon she was at the entrance gate of their flat, she heard some sounds coming from outside and decided to check on it. As she came out she realized the voice was coming from the upper floor; they lived in the topmost floor of the building, the floor above was a common gym for the whole building and above it was the terrace, she knew. Who could be in the gym so early in the morning, she thought as she started to climb upstairs; some part of the brain knew the answer it might be her husband; there was an excitement to know another side of him now.

Gumsum gumsum gupchup gumsum gupuchup

Gumsum gumsum gupchup gumsum gupuchup

Gumsum gumsum gupchup gumsum gupuchup ..

But as she reached there, her eyes met with the sight that made her flush. As it is she was thirsty from the start, the sight just added on to it.

Hulchul hulchul ho gayi teri honth haikyon chup

Hulchul hulchul ho gayi teri baithe haingupchup

There stood her shirtless husband; dressed only in black yoga pants he was kicking high up in the air his bare chest was all wet with his salty sweat as he continued throwing kicks and punches to air not bothered of the surroundings.

Pyaare pyaare chehre ne karte hainishaara

Dekha teri aankhon ne hai sapna koipyaara

Humse gori na tu sharma kehde humse zara

Humse gori na tu sharma kehde humse zara

The sharp look at his face, the flexing muscles, the taut chest, and then her eyes reached to his ironic abs and she couldn't help but gasp at the realization of his masculinity as she stared at him unblinking. Never before had she seen a real man like this and hence she couldn't fathom the excitement that surged through her spine at the mere sight of her one day old husband.

Kehna hi kya ye nein ik anjaan se jomile

Chalne lagi mohabbat ke jaise ye silsile

ArJalal naye aise dil mein khile

Jinko kabhi main na jaanoon

A myriad of thoughts suddenly hit her about him and their closeness; she started to imagine the last night in a different light. How would it be to feel him close, hands sneaking around at forbidden places... and all sorts of sinful thoughts came in like a gush of wind making her go breathless.

Vo humse hum unse kabhi na mile

Kaise mile dil na jaanoon

Ab kya karein kya naam lein

Kaise unhein main pukaroon

But before she could delve-in more into his world, his sudden voice on realization of someone around broke her staring trance.

"Kon?"

She got really nervous and hid behind a pillar

"kon hai waha?"he repeated. He'd stopped his exercise now and started looking out for the intruder.

Kehna hi kya ye nein ik anjaan se jomile

Chalne lagi mohabbat ke jaise ye silsile

ArJalal naye aise dil mein khile

Jinko kabhi main na jaanoon

She squeezed in herself behind the pillar not wanting him to find out it was her. Her breath stopped momentarily when he passed from the wall that was perpendicular to the one she was hiding in.

And she ran in the opposite direction clinging on to her dear life... But it only made it worse as her naughty eyes now got the full view of his raw back. The artistically carved spine on his evenly tanned fair back only made her gulp harder if possible as she was again lost looking at him.

Vo humse hum unse kabhi na mile

Kaise mile dil na jaanoon

Ab kya karein kya naam lein

Kaise unhein main pukaroon

The next moment she knew was when she was pulled behind by her hand and crashed into the same sweaty chest that she dreamt of touching few minutes ago.

His hands came snaking onto her waist from behind pulling her closer as she stood with her back glued to his rock hard chest. His face was quite close, almost bent on the crook of her neck, his lips very near to her ear.

"Aap? Aap yaha kya kar rahi hain?" he breathed onto her skin behind her ear as his husky baritone registered her mind.

"Wo... woh hum..."

She fumbled badly as she spoke realizing he'd waited long for an explanation; alongside she also struggled to get rid of his hold on her as it was making feel jelly at her knees.

“Chhodiye humey please..."

Seeing her struggle so much in his hold and then her words somehow hit the wrong nerves in him and with a sudden move he had her pinned on to the wall just behind. She felt a bit of pain with the way he held her hands tighter than required and looked up to meet his eyes only to find them red in anger...

"Kya baat hai Jodha... abhi toh aap humey dekh rahi thi; yun achanak humara aapke kareeb aana itna bura kyu laga..."

He barked at her face, his anger evident from her face. Oh! How wrong he had taken her shyness; but that only made her furious just last night he was talking about being friends and taking slow and all of a sudden he expects her to reciprocate... she started back into his eyes with hurt expressions but didn't say anything.

"Kyu aayi thi aap yahan... Boliye Jodha, jawab dijiye?"

He prodded further, harsher this time his face closing in on hers. She was feeling insulted and disgusted. In a sudden moment she pushed freed herself from him and ran off with slight tears in her eyes.

Though it didn't take him long to realize that he'd been wrong and they had made up to it together promising not to indulge in useless fights.

Same day he'd told her that they would take time to move on in their relation, as he was expecting a high in his career and admitted that she was the woman possessing all the powers to distract his mind from work. Well she hadn't known how to react on that; the same day she experienced a spark of passion and same day he'd ruthlessly put a bucket of water in it.

It was almost like he'd sworn on not to touch her after that; not even by mistake or accident. And she could only long for it; the shyness was all gone now in fact she was getting almost desperate and would do silly things around him but wasn't sure if that was having any desired effect as he would only weakly smile at her and go to bed.

**********************************************************

Lost in the memory of that one close moment she reached back to their bedroom now; and the first thing her eyes fell on was the cupboard door reminding her of the only other close moment that happened just last night. She kept staring hard at that door thinking how it supported her back last night when he'd made her bones melt with his passion.

It was just few hours to his flight and they were done with the packing stuff, he'd always help her do that for him and then they spent some time together talking before he left but today for some reason his mood seemed different; it was more cheerful, he looked happy and looking forward to something maybe the trip.

She excused herself and went to fresh up whilst he arranged his papers for the meeting. As she came out, he stood right there in front of her blocking her way. She confused, looked up to meet his eyes only to see the spark she had long forgotten.

Kehna hi kya ye nein ik anjaan se jomile

Chalne lagi mohabbat ke jaise ye silsile

ArJalal naye aise dil mein khile

Jinko kabhi main na jaanoon

"Jalal...?" she spoke questioningly to which his finger instantly came up to her lips and stopped her. Instantaneously she was frozen feeling his touch after so long was like feeling the first shower after long draught. Her closed eyes said it all and his lips closed on her next second; taking hers slowly first he lost his patience soon enough and it turned out to be a nerve wrecking kiss.

Vo humse hum unse kabhi na mile

Kaise mile dil na jaanoon

Ab kya karein kya naam lein

Kaise unhein main pukaroon

He rested his head on hers in the aftermath of their passion filled moment. She was so shy to look into his eyes and he seemed to enjoy that; saving herself from that she hid herself in his embrace. Soon after that she heard something from him that made her world spin...

"Jodha... I think our wait is going to be end soon."

She sure knew what he was talking about; and the excitement it brought in her body was dangerous. She dare not go on that line else she will not be able to wait till he's back and she pressed herself harder onto him in reply.

Kehna hi kya ye nein ik anjaan se jomile

Chalne lagi mohabbat ke jaise ye silsile

Kehna hi kya

He separated after that, caressed her face softly and with a "take care" and quick peck to forehead he was gone again. The wait was going to be longer this time; as the time seemed to move slower to her.

***************************************************************

It was a week-long trip for Jalal, and though much slower it had finally passed with his arrival due tonight. She didn't know to pass this last day but much to her relief she was informed that her mother-in-law has some ladies gathering in the evening; not that she was much fond of the so-called friends of her MIL all of whom happened to be so much friendly after they moved into the mansion, but this time it meant she would have a busy day preparing for that and time would pass soon.

Soon enough it was evening and the hall was filled with gossips and laughter when Jodha entered with a tray of juice for the guests when one of the aunty who Jodha had never seen before spoke up...

"Arre Hamida behen humey apni bahu se to milwao; kaha chhupa k rakha hai."

None other said anything as they knew Jodha was right there they just muffled their laugh as with all the work all day she didn't get any time to change and hence looked too shabby to be introduced as bahu to her mother-in-law. The look in the face of her mother in law didn't quite help her and she ran away controlling her tears that threatened to fall.

Whole of the evening she sat there nestled in her room in darkness not wanting to see anyone just killing time and waiting to see him. Oh! What all she had thought, to make some special preparations for their special night but everything flew out of the window with the hurt instilled in her. She couldn't help herself but revisit the same questions that haunted her all along. She didn't realize how much time had elapsed until she heard that one voice that gave her strength to drag it till now...

"Jodha..."

Not wasting a moment she stood up and next second he found himself enclosed in her soft arms. He smiled thinking how much she missed him and waiting to see him...

"I missed you too jaan... this trip seemed longer than it actually was."

He shared his heart and separated her just for a moment to get rid of his coat. All her tensions, hurt and insecurities seemed to vanish in his embrace; now all she wanted was to get lost in his embrace; to delve deep and discover their togetherness and so she did...

"Jhhote... you didn't even call me once this time." She complained.

"That's because I didn't had in me to talk to you without wanting to run back in your arms."

He immediately put her complaints on rest and carried her over to the bed without even caring about the tiredness he felt few moments back due to the long flight.

Lips fused, hands entwined and legs entangled there they lied together celebrating their love after waiting for so long... he kissed and caressed her slowly taking away all the barriers in between to which she could just sneak her hand at his back and hairs to show reciprocation. Moments later when they'd explored their treasure well; he looked at her face seeking permission to move ahead but was shocked to find it soaked in tears. He separated from her and cupped her face, to which she immediately opened her eyes missing the warmth.

"Kya hua jaan...Why these tears? You need more time for this?"

Not getting any answer he'd started to part assuming it to be a yes when her hands came looping around his head pulling him back

"Don't leave me Jalal..."

Came her desperate voice; there was no other time she'd wanted to submerge herself in his embrace more than today. It was way beyond any physical need, any expression of love; it was finding herself as she lost herself in him.

"Hold me please. I need you."

Not long after she breathed those words that she found them both lost in each other. The next moment she knew was when a sharp pain hit her at his first unskillful intrusion into her virgin body; only few minutes it lasted after that again she was lost in his world, world of love, passion and togetherness.

The next moment she knew was in the morning when she opened her eyes sprawled cloth-less over her equally naked hubby. She blushed to deep red as realized the feeling of belonging to him completely. It was surely the feeling that could overpower her mind off any other thought that crossed over.

**************************************************************

3 years later

Her fears had diluted over the years except for the few times when she'd accidently overheard the rubbish of some brainless socialites; she thought as she sat in front of the 52"LCD in the drawing room with a large bar of chocolate half of which was in her hand and other half was all smeared on her mouth; all alone she waited to seethe live telecast of the press conference of her hubby after he'd received the best businessman award last night. Her MIL and FIL had gone to sleep already as it was late in night.

As the program started it was more of business stuff going on; and she was proud of her husband seeing how well he managed to smartly answer their questions.

"So, what will be the next project your firm is taking up?" Came another question towards him.

"Well I think I would go on a long break for now; have worked enough hard in last 6 years. Though we are eyeing some big projects in near future; it wouldn't have my direct involvement." He cleared his plans.

"Are you planning to go in a holiday Mr. Muhammad?" was the next question.

And Jalal knew he'd given them a way to catch him on personal front with his last comment. Well he'd always avoided them; though this time he was much happier and could entertain a few.

"Ah... well not a bad idea; I should seriously think about a 2nd honeymoon with my wife." Came his naughty reply which made all chuckle but not Jodha.

"As if we had a first honeymoon to speak about." She mumbled to herself complainingly and also making a mental note to teach him a good lesson for lying so openly on national TV.

"Being a successful man with celebrity status, what contribution do you think your partner has in your success?"

It was a very general question; asked by a female reporter it could even be called innocent but he knew it was actually an inquisition into his conjugal life; as he’s always kept his personal life away from limelight, there’s always mystery and gossip about it in social circles. He was silent for few moments formulating his answer.

And while he was thinking, something happened, a few incidents and discussions with his wife flashed in his mind; he remembered Jodha asking him something on these lines few times over the years. Is it that his wife also struggled with such questions? He mused.

While Jodha on the other hand was frozen with the question; it was the very question that plagued her over the years; she almost had tears in her eyes realizing that finally her restlessness would find an end. She waited with awaited breath for him to speak.

As he looked at the faces waiting for his answers he almost had that bad churning in his stomach as he recalled the casual response he gave her. He'd been such a fool to not realize the importance of this question in her life; coming from not-so-popular background that they were; he never realized that it would be difficult to cope-up with the lifestyle as they moved up the social ladder with him busy making money all the time she was left alone to drown in her misery all alone. He took a sharp breath in as he decided to finally let the world know where her wajood lied.

"Well I cannot tell you what contributions does a wife has in her husband's success..." he began getting mixed reactions from the faces in front that made him chuckle inwardly.

"But one thing I know for sure that I wouldn't be sitting here holding this live press conference with this award in my hand; had it not been my wife beside me all along the way. There had been many times I failed and I found only one person by my side holding my hand when I spent my nights wide awake. There was even a time when I had almost given up but she hadn't, she held onto to her hopes with all her trust on me. And the part that no one is aware of; I am not a person to compromise on what I want, SHE was the one who compromised her dreams in bargain of my dreams getting fulfilled. She is a part of me that is calm, somber and stable in mid of storm of ambitions and desire to triumph. It is difficult to tell anymore if she is someone different from me."

He stopped and there was a silence of few minutes as everyone was lost processing his words; until someone again questioned.

"Mr. Muhammad we would like to have a few words from Mrs. Muhammad on you winning the award."

He replied to that with a smile slipping his lips...

"Well there is quite a big reason she's not here beside me; and even I should take you a leave as my 9 month pregnant wife is probably flooding my drawing room with her overwhelming tears after this interview."

Saying that he moved out of the place to take good care of his 9 month pregnant cranky wife; he might as well make good use of the chocolate smeared on her mouth I think!