~*FF-NOT just a passionate affair ~* Compilation Thread-Parts 1 To 62 - Page 5

'Ar...rrr...rrr...rrgh'

The rascal's yells had finally came out 'undisguised' - an involuntary reaction to the alarming pain abruptly inflicted on his back

'Why do I know that voice?' a few doubts instantly raced past Jalal's mind, while still keeping up with that delirious chase. Intrigued, he made a swift mental note of the stalker's dressing  - especially how the elegant footwear was a stark contrast to the 'ruffian' get-up he was otherwise sporting 'I'll find out why I know you...soon...'

Half a second later, and the frenzied boyfriend had flung his arm out once again - this time nearly ripping a hole in the shirt on his back.

'Damn' the psycho swore when his speed was markedly decelerated by the crude yank on his clothes from behind - he'd almost made it to the exit. Turning around, he was about to face his challenger - when two ear-splitting punches suddenly pounded him - one after another!

'Arrrgh!' he screamed in agony once more. The fist punches he'd weathered were so forceful that he could hear a loud drone in his ear now - the strikes so ruthless that blood had begun trickling out - his eardrum had burst!

'You swineee' he charged back at Jalal in vengeance, grabbing him by his neck.

His face reddened by the stranglehold and the veins on his temple throbbing in brazen fury, Jalal retaliated in kind. Grappling his rival's throat with one arm; he tried pulling off with the other, the scarf that was hiding so vicious a secret. Almost immediately, he could feel the monster's asphyxiating grip on his windpipe loosen

'Just as I thought' Jalal scoffed ensuing that successful tit-for-tat move, while catching up on his depleted breath 'This low-life is not here for a fair fight - he's more concerned about protecting his identity!'

What followed was a crazed tug-of-war - one trying to take the mask off and the other not letting that happen - till the fitter fighter's dominance at this game became evident once again.

A few minutes thereon and the stalker found himself being steadily bulldozed by his tough challenger. Inch-by-inch, his feet started slipping and skidding behind till his back hit a wall.

'NO!' the vile criminal grit his teeth when he realized he was entrapped. He couldn't bear the thought of losing - especially, not to his enemy. He hatefully bore into Jalal's blazing eyes that reflected volumes of inherent anger - anger driven by protectiveness and love for a woman that was MEANT TO BE HIS! 'Never... I am not going to let you get your way...I have many heinous plans in store for you!'

'Why do I know you...and yet not know you?' Jalal read-back those damned eyes that were peering at him. All he could perceive in those evil stares were viciousness - a window into the stalker's demented mind. They were an ominous explanation of the reason behind his girl's defeated and slouched figure that he'd just witnessed. Those vile eyes were a harsh reminder of how far he must have mistreated Jodha, if her spirit had been reduced to something so pitiful.

It brought back everything from the present AND the past - every spiteful text and lewd message he'd sent their way - all the humiliation he'd caused him as a man - all the heartache he'd caused them as a couple

'Never...' he seethed in rage, as his fingers trembled closer towards the edge of the scarf 'I am not going to let you get your way...'

Just then; Jalal was in for a rude shock! The stalker had attempted to get his opponent off his throat with a violent diversion  -  by kneeing him in his abs. Worse; this he did over and over again!

The first attack, Jalal defended.

The second one, he withstood.

However, third time around - and a sensitive nerve under his ribs had been struck.

'Urgh!' Jalal writhed, as a piercing pang of pain shot through his torso

Taking advantage of the situation, the stalker freed himself from Jalal's hold with all his might and made a run for it. Unfortunately for him, his chaser was just as determined.

Leaping forth in a frantic attempt to grab his disappearing profile, Jalal nearly missed his mark and tripped on the floor - but caught on to the fugitive's ankle with his left arm in the nick of time.

'Ufff!' the infuriated beast cursed his fate as soon he realized he'd been captured - AGAIN! 'Get lost...' he began kicking the young man at his leg, to make him relent and give up his ironclad grasp 'Get lost you swine...leave me...'

Yet, Jalal held on. Even if it meant he had to withstand hurtful onslaughts on his left shoulder. Even if it meant he was briefly dragged on the floor along with the psycho till the grounds just outside the auditorium. Yes, this was one tough hot-blooded young man!

Nevertheless; fate did have an uncanny knack of twisting its preferences whichever way it willed - and Jalal was to regrettably find out that his happy fortunes were going to be up - very soon!

Giving the boyfriend no time to recuperate from the skirmish, the rogue went on to use the heel of his boot and mercilessly stomp him on his weakened left shoulder - literally squashing the man under him.

'Arrrgh' Jalal grieved under his breath, his courage now tested to its limits. The pain that'd started radiating across his shoulder was too excruciating to endure. Unable to persevere any longer, he ultimately let go of the creep's leg.

Observing the grimaces on the fallen-victim's face, the possessed monster grew wild with delight. With his sick fantasies fed, he decided to utilize the rare edge he had over his otherwise stronger opponent. An overwhelming streak of madness blinding any little sensibility left in his psyche, he yearned to finish the battle then and there - once and for all! Stepping away from the wounded young man, he rushed to pick one of the large border-stones from the university lawn. Returning to the spot in no time, he lifted the jagged rock over his head and brought it down - on Jalal's face

Within a flash of a second, the stalker looked up - to observe the source of the unexpected shriek  

Within THAT flash of a second, Jalal positioned himself away from the perilous spot - to kick the aggressor on his shin in an explosive fit of ferocity

By NEXT second, the stalker was flung back by the force - his weapon rolling aside lifelessly, while he howled and limped in pain

As a footballer, Jalal knew extremely well how painful a 'shin-kick' felt - and he'd done just that!

His desperation to escape now taking precedence, the offender had little option but to endure the debilitating pain and drag himself away from the scene of the crime.

Noting the first signs of helplessness in his enemy's eyes, Jalal slowly stood up and regrouped himself - rejuvenated by the thought of his impending victory. Fully aware that the crook stood no chance against him anymore, the determined young man started to resume his chase. However, just as he accelerated his strides - his eyes fell upon the unconscious figure of Jodha lying on the grass a short distance away.

'Jodha' he whispered in alarm, bringing his pace to an abrupt halt - he hadn't realized she'd lost consciousness. Hurriedly observing the now receding figure of the fugitive, the anxious boyfriend glanced back at Jodha's still form - and then again at the fugitive. No way could he abandon his girl in this state - and at the same time, he didn't want the villain who he was so close to nabbing, escape yet again.

Flummoxed by how to deal with the crisis, he rushed at once to be by her side - simultaneously shouting out instructions to the University gate-watchmen to restrain the evasive culprit.

However, forget be heard - the pair were too far away to even be SEEN from the University gates. So, there was no chance that was going to work.

Biting the bullet on that failed opportunity; Jalal gave up the stalker-chase once and for all and knelt beside Jodha's still body. His breath quickening in worry, he lifted her head up - overlooking the smarting pain that act brought about in his left shoulder. Her body was colder than should be. She was in shock. Wrapping her within the comfort of his arms, he patted her icy cheeks mildly 'Jo... wake up...' with the university path lights now just above them, he could finally observe the actual signs of injuries on her body  - the ligature marks on her wrists and the bruise on her forehead. Immensely disturbed by the unfolding revelations, he felt a sharp lump forming in his throat 'What has that bas***d done to you, Jo?' he rubbed her frigid palms 'J...Jo please wake up...' a minute on and she was still barely responding to his treatments. He then went on to warm her face by caressing his cheek against hers, whispering heartfelt words into her ears as he did so 'Jo...wake up... please... it's me...your Jalal...'

'Jalal...' her eyelids briefly flickered 'Could it be? Am I hallucinating? But that's his voice...'

She opened her eyes gradually. Everything appeared blurred at first - but she could 'sense' it thereafter. The person sitting beside her was her own. Swiftly lifting her palms up to the fuzzy outline of the face hovering over hers, her fingers explored his forehead, his nose, his cheeks, his lips, his chin

'You're fine' a tear slid off her eye 'Oh my God...you're fine... you're fine...'

The visions of his face being smashed into a pulp under the weight of that sharp boulder were only a nightmare! The visions of his bloody body lying lifelessly on the University grounds were only a haunting image. Her man was alive and well! He was with her!

'Thank God...' she continued clutching his cheeks 'You're fine...' she blinked her eyes a few times more -  wanting them to regain clarity quicker, so she could see his 'well and alive' form for herself!

'Kyaa hua Jo?' he enquired affectionately, moved by her distraught reactions

'Jalal...' her tired voice finally came out 'You're fine? That stalker...the r...rock...h...he...'

'Yes' he frowned softly, relieved that she was returning to a state of coherence 'Yes I am fine...'

'B...but...that... he... he... he was going to...'

'Shhh' he shushed her frayed nerves, caressing her forehead tenderly 'Why did you come out of the car? Why did you watch all that? I wouldn't have let him harm me ...don't worry...'

'Jalal...' another tear slid off as she slowly propped herself up so she could hug him to feel his heartbeats. At that point, she could think of doing nothing else. Even his words couldn't calm her down. The momentary shock of assuming that he'd been mauled to death in front of her very eyes was something her subconscious couldn't shake off. The sordid fact that his life was barely seconds away from having been snatched away forever was something she could not come to terms with - not then, not later. This sordid fact was turning into a fear - a fear that would eventually burrow its way through the labyrinths of her mind to entrench itself deep within.

INSIDE A CALL TAXI

'Hey' he spoke up again, running his thumb on the soft hand that he'd tenderly nestled on his lap 'Say something Jo...' he darted her silent form a saddened glance, awaiting an answer from her - but no reply came. Instead, she withdrew her palm from him and continued to look outside her window listlessly. He was hoping for some form of response - a sound, a shout, a scream, a wail, a hug, a nod - ANY form of response, but nothing came. It'd been half an hour since they'd left the University, but she'd said not a word so far.

Neither had she shared her feelings with him about the trauma, nor had she contacted her family to inform them about the incident. Neither had she opened her mouth at the police station when he'd stopped by to file a FIR, nor had she said anything at the pharmacy where they'd halted by to pick up a few medicines.

He could empathize with her need to be by herself. He could gather that she would require time to be able to put the crisis behind her and start afresh. What he wasn't convinced about was her lack of cooperation at the station - especially since this was a woman with a never-say-die attitude and a daring 'activist' mentality

'Why did you not say anything...even to the female constable?' he enquired in a low tone, attempting to understand the state of her mind once more 'He is very dangerous Jodha... time is of the essence here... the further we delay, the lesser chances that they might find any clues... and more the chances he'd escape scot-free... we must lodge a complaint...' he waited for a minute and then leaned ahead so he could observe her expressions. What he saw thereon only depressed him all over again. He couldn't believe that this was his girl. The perennial glow of vibrancy from her features had been replaced by a dull haze. She appeared lost. Her soul was adrift.

Clearing his throat, he worriedly asked her what he'd been meaning to for a while now 'Jo, has the stalker intimidated you into silence?'

She didn't acknowledge his query

'Jo... if you don't talk to me...I can't help you out, can I?'

'I don't feel like talking about ANYTHING to ANYONE now...' came her eventual confession 'So, leave me alone!'

Raising his palms in the air with a 'Fine...whatever!' look, he sat back - looking outside his window now. Yes; the 'man' in him knew she might need time, but the 'lover' in him was beginning to long for her to talk so he could know what was troubling her. He was longing to help her out - show her his support - maybe just hold her hand. However, if she chose to clam-up in a shell there was nothing he could do but display some patience and respect her wishes with maturity. After all, she'd just gone through the worst night of her life!

Having said that; the boyfriend's restlessness wasn't totally unjustified either. His girl was not the sort to clam-up around him, whatever the issue. This was a devoted couple who spent hours updating each other on the most mundane things and the littlest-ever developments on a daily basis. NOT talking about the most serious incident to have hit their relationship, was starting to perturb him - how much ever he denied it.

If only the unfortunate boyfriend knew that his clammed-up girl was just as restless as he was about being unable to share it all with him. She would have blurted EVERYTHING just then if she could. She would have hugged him, wept on his shoulder and sought comfort if she could - but she couldn't. She was not deliberately mum because she wanted to sulk or grieve. She was literally paralyzed - by helplessness, by doubts, by worry and most importantly by ANGER - and for so many different reasons that she couldn't even begin comprehending how to come to terms with it!

She was afraid for the first time in her life - and THAT frustrated her. She was enraged that someone else was now controlling her life. She was bitter that despite having been manhandled, touched and mistreated like a rag doll she'd lost the guts to seek justice for herself. She was furious for Robbie's sake. She was outraged that the worthless fiend was using and disrupting the peaceful life of her dignified young man as a pawn for his own means. She hated that she was starting to feel insecure about her 'future' with Jalal for the first time since they'd gotten together. She was flustered that she'd been cornered into withholding her feelings from the one man who could calm her down and she was EXASPERATED that she couldn't find a solution to any of these questions!

'If you want me NOT to DESTROY him, you better not breathe a word about anything that went on here...to him, to the authorities or to the police...get it?'  

No, she hadn't envisaged letting herself be intimidated by those threats when she'd heard them first time around. In spite of the physical abuse she underwent in that dark room - despite the acute mental torment he'd inflicted upon her - her fearless spirit hadn't planned to back down. She wanted justice and she'd intended to come out in the open with this. She'd contemplated telling her family everything and lodging a police complaint - even if it meant that the truth about hers and Jalal's relationship might end up coming out in the open!

Seething quietly in the passenger seat of his silver Audi, she'd planned for all of that - till, fate had compelled her to step out of the car that is.

Unnerved about what was beginning to seem like a gut-wrenchingly violent fight between the rivals a short distance away, Jodha had crossed the brief stretch that it took to witness the brutality.  

It was then that she saw firsthand how her resilient boyfriend was literally reduced to nothing for a few seconds as his shoulder was being crushed under the heel of a savage. It was there that the shaken girlfriend witnessed the hideously terrifying horror of how the gleeful demon had 'nearly' dumped a jagged boulder on Jalal's face just to seek revenge. It was thus that she learnt the most daunting lesson of her life - this wasn't just a petty criminal or a possessed stalker - this was a sadistic psychopath! A monster who felt neither fear nor remorse and who wouldn't stop at anything to get his way - even the most inhumane form of murder, if required. It was then that she realized that he wasn't just fibbing when he'd warned her about his intentions

What made it more treacherous was that this sadistic psychopath was someone they were considering one of their own! So, if she went against the maniac - if she didn't make the devastating choices he was blackmailing her to make - what was to say he wouldn't retaliate by harming Jalal in his own silent twisted way?  

Now; with THAT knowledge; how could she wish her justice and honour restored overlooking the threat to her boyfriend's safety? How could she continue to indulge herself in this magical relationship like before, knowing she'd be risking her man's life if she did so? After all, weren't the very notions of 'honour' and 'joy' now absolutely meaningless without him?

The stalker was right. Her greatest 'weakness' and 'fear' was turning out to be something she had absolutely no control over - the life of a loved one. Well, this 'weakness' was a vulnerability that rattled even the bravest of warriors - and she was but a woman in love...

THE MUHAMMED HOUSEHOLD - JALAL'S BEDROOM

CLANG!

The ongoing noises from the kitchen downstairs momentarily jostled her out of her forlorn stupor

CLINK CLINK!

She glanced at the silky grey sheets that he'd tucked her in and then down at his plush bed that he'd helped her rest upon.

The large wall-hung plasma screen in front was playing an uninteresting Bollywood song - something he'd switched on assuming it might divert her the slightest bit, seeing how much she loved Hindi songs otherwise. A quick peek at the bedside clock updated her on the time - 10.10 pm.

With her mind still muddled, her trek from the call taxi to his room upstairs was only a fuzzy memory - she'd obviously not come out of her shock yet.

'Goddd' Jodha buried her face in her palms thereafter to take-in a few deep breaths, exhausted from it all

CLANG!

Just then, another loud crash echoed from below - followed by a slew of his characteristic curses!

'Huh?' an unintentional half-smile escaped her lips for the first time as she tried to make sense of what was going on. Having tucked her in, Jalal'd disappeared to the kitchen to get her a glass of hot chocolate - and this was a good while ago! Instead, what was following was exaggerated kitchen drama with utensils clashing and swear words flying about. Nevertheless; she let him do it at his own pace, knowing fully well he'd be there with her anytime soon!  

Surely enough; a few minutes later and his gentle calls were heard as he made his way up the stairs 'Jo...your drink's ready...' no sooner than he reached the doorway, he stood still for a moment - observing his preoccupied girl. Despite the melancholy marking her features, there was something so moving about the way she was carrying herself. Her elegant form reposing on his bed, silently removing the jasmine strands from her hair - bracing herself for a long night ahead after having waged a million battles in the day - what a poignant spectacle it was! Tragedy or adversity - the one thing that could never be taken away from Jodha Singh was her grace. How fortunate was he to have found such a woman - a true partner by his side - in both happiness and misfortune! 'How are you feeling now?' he interrupted her reverie as he stepped in 'Sorry it took a little longer than expected... I'm a kitchen-novice!'

Darting him a soft frown, she accepted the 'drink' he handed her. One peek in and she could see it was going to be no Cafe Coffee Day frothy delicacy - but, she knew she'd love it regardless.  

'While making your hot chocolate' he added with an innocent look, simultaneously palpating the painful muscles on his left shoulder 'I also gorged on some leftover Mutton Biryani...I was famished!'

Wow! She glimpsed up - somewhat amused, even if only for a second. He'd taken so long to figure out a simple recipe that he could actually finish a quick dinner in the meanwhile?

'Are you sure I can't get you something to eat?' he enquired for the third time since they'd arrived

'I'm sure Jalal...if I eat anything, I'll only puke now!' she put his doubts to rest by scrunching her nose

He let out a pleasant smile, while taking his seat beside her on the bed

'Nahiii... nothing...' he sighed quietly 'Finally getting to see a few familiar expressions and hear a few words from you...so relishing it...'

'Oh!' she thought as his words tugged at her heartstrings. He was right. She'd been so busy delving on the past and dreading the future that she'd totally forgotten about the present. Fighting back her emotions, she leaned forth and took his hand in hers 'I'm sorry if I've been rude...'

'Don't be silly...' he dismissed her regret with an understanding smile 'I'm the last person you should feel the need to apologize to...'

Still immersed in a world of her own, she continued playing with his fingers for a short while - and he let his fingers be her object of diversion, watching her closely all the time. A few minutes on and he asked her the delicate question 'Do you want to tell me what's troubling you?' he was aware that she wanted to say something 'What happened in the green room Jo?'

She exhaled softly 'Jalal...it's taking me so long to just stop feeling physically sick...I don't know when I'm going to stop feeling emotionally and mentally sick about this!'

'And yet you're here now... trying to deal with it...' he went on to caress the sides of her cheek with the back of his fingers 'The fact that you're fighting the hardship... only makes you more of a woman than you already are!'

'God!' Jodha glanced away for a second as a fresh surge of guilt choked her throat. Why did he have so much faith in her? She wasn't as brave as he was making her out to be! Why, she wasn't even able to broach THE conversation yet! Well, she couldn't find the heart to devastate him all over again by disclosing that the stalker might have prematurely snatched away his beloved pet from him. She couldn't find the words to tell him that the threats to his life were truly scaring her now. What should she say when she could predict where this 'conversation' would head? She knew what his decisions would be. Jalal would NOT give-in - NOT to a low-life - and NEVER at the cost of this relationship. However, if safeguarding this relationship was his priority, then wasn't safeguarding his life her priority?

Studying her growing agitation, Jalal couldn't help but wonder what it was that she wasn't telling him about. She was yearning to speak and yet there was something holding her back. The strains on her face reflected how far she was battling back her tears. She couldn't even have a sip of her drink yet since her fingers were beginning to quiver again.

There was only one thing left for him to do to comfort his distressed girl now - to show her how much she mattered to him - to show her that she could say ANYTHING and that she would still be HIS Jo!

Getting off the bed suddenly, he stepped towards his cupboard, opened its doors and pulled out an internal drawer. Once taking out what he had to, he shut the cupboard and then swiftly returned to be by her side 

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

30th August

OSR PART 39

THE MUHAMMED HOUSEHOLD - JALAL'S BEDROOM

'Mmm Jalal' she groaned, freeing her now asleep fingers from his clasp so she could flex them back into life. No doubt, snuggling close to his oh-so-lovely and oh-so-warm frame in the dead of the night felt like the best thing ever - especially with that freezing AC perennially on. However, as a new bride she was yet to practise the skill of ensuring her hands didn't get trapped under the weight of his heavier-arm, if she didn't want to wake up with 'numb' fingers.

Following that brief bout of finger-flexing, Jodha lovingly picked up his hand and wrapped it around her bare hips instead. As her eyes groggily opened for half-a-second thereafter, the first blurry spectacle they fell upon - even in that dim room - was her henna-laden ring-adorned hand. A fresh glow instantly came over her drowsy profile as the first few happy memories came back to her. God! What an enchanting wedding night it'd been  

'You want me to stop?' he'd frowned with mock-disapproval 'But, why?'

'Please Jalal... its...its...' she'd protested crimson-skinned - still catching up on her breath from the unfamiliar thrill-rides he'd been taking her on

'But, why stop? I'm doing all the work...tumhe bass mazze hi tho lene hai...like you have been!'  he'd gone on to nuzzle her ears again 'Fine then...give me ONE good reason why I must stop and I will...if not, you're just gonna be breaking this poor guy's heart - you know that?'

'Jalal because...bec...' her words had stopped halfway again, since she was too abashed to explain. Wasn't it enough he'd been mercilessly teasing her body with sweet torture? Did he have to tease her with such devilish interrogations too?

'Haan bolo' his fingers had rediscovered their way towards her legs again

Another shudder thereon and she'd finally caved-in, blurting what he'd been wanting to hear 'I can't take it anymore...'

'Achaa?' the most mischievous grin had come over his lips

'Jalal...' she'd immediately cursed him, feigning anger 'I don't know when I fell in love with the devil incarnate...but looks like I have...'

'Arre...' she chuckled with her eyes still closed 'Looks like the tranquilizers from the painkillers have knocked you off well and good!'

WAIT! What! WHAT! 

Tranquilizers? What! Painkillers? For what! She sat up in alarm - her eyes battling to regain their clarity. She cast a glance at the man dozing beside her - and the delicate state they both were in. She looked around at where she was - and the worrying 'wrong' address she appeared to be in.

'Oh my God!' cupping her mouth in panic, Jodha stretched across to grab his mobile phone from the bedside cabinet '1:30 am! Oh my God...' she exclaimed in fright 'Five missed calls from bhaiyya's phone... on Jalal's number? I am dead...dead...dead...' the blood from her face now draining away, she made a shocked survey of the trail of discarded attire lying on the floor 'What have I done?' she quivered uneasily as the hormonal fog that'd enveloped her so long started lifting up -  as the feel-good neuro-chemicals in her brain started dipping to normalcy 'What have we done... oh my God...' feeling dizzy from the after-effects of the ride that was abruptly dragging her from the clouds back down to reality, she pushed her sheets aside to get to her strewn garments.

While nervously slipping her clothes on, one after another; her blank gazes kept reverting to his sleeping form - the troubling realities of her decisions now hitting her like an unannounced tornado

'But he isn't my husband yet...' her sensibilities seemed to repeatedly admonish her 'He's my boyfriend'

A few bewildered minutes later came the turn to don on her saree. She stopped in her tracks at thatpoint, staring at the red fabric in her hand 'I am no bride...this was just my college Annual Day dress...what have I done?'  

She literally struggled to re-drape her dishevelled saree thereon, unable to tell left from right and right from left. Her fingers trembling, she went about doing the best she could in that condition of mental disarray. It was when she was going to pin the 'torn' pleats back that the entire picture came to the fore -

The stalker - the abuse - the death threats - the encounter - the night

'Oh God!' she slapped her forehead in angst as the repercussions of her actions sent her through a wave of terror 'What have I done? How am I going to face my parents? And Bhaiyya? And God?'her head seemed to spin 'What am I to tell everyone now?' thoroughly distraught by the unending dilemmas, the young lady's attention fell upon the ring on her finger - the one from where the second half of the entire saga had unfolded 'I am not married...this is no wedding ring... this is only a gift... then, how did I get so carried away?' slowly wiggling it out of her ring finger, she cast a final tearful glimpse at the precious token - before slipping it into an envelope she found at the bottom drawer of the bedside cabinet. Quickly labelling the sealed cover with a legible 'RING' written across its top, she leaned close to the bed - and tucked it beside him on his pillow.

Watching how contented his face appeared in sleep - how blissfully unaware he was of the new turmoils now gnawing away at her conscience, a sharp lump formed in her throat. As she observed his restful profile, she realized that something didn't feel right. She was unable to put a finger on what it was - but, something didn't feel quite 'right'. Yes, she was worried about the consequences of their unforeseen intimacy - but now there was something else too.

Then, she recognized what it was. This 'different' fear that was setting in was about bidding him a farewell. Unlike the many other farewells she bid him on a daily basis, this one felt different  - this one felt very very upsetting.

Overcoming her apprehensions, she bent down to kiss him on his forehead but stopped midway - she'd noticed a teardrop slipping onto his hand. Swiftly wiping it off so it didn't awaken him, she looked up at his handsome face again, studying the genteel grace in his features. Battling-back her whelming emotions in despair, she said her goodbyes with great difficulty 'Sleep well... take care of yourself... and get well soon...' she paused to tuck a beautiful stray hair lock behind his ear 'May Allah always be with you...'

Having bid the oblivious man a heartfelt adieu, she picked up the empty ring box - an innate object - but something that'd strangely witnessed it all. This was to be the memoir that she would take home to remember the night by because right now, she could relate more to that shell of a gift box than anything else. That lone blue box that knew not what lay within. That vacant gift box, that knew not what surprises it's fate held for it!

ENROUTE SECUNDERABAD

She blinked hard. She blinked harder.

The grey skies, the bleak streets, the still surroundings, the strange faces of the few-odd passerbys glaring at her like she was an alien - they all intended to tell her something.

What a stark contrast this darkness was, in comparison to the 'bustling' ambience she used to travel through during the million other times that she'd made that return trip from Bungalow No. 23 to her Secunderabad flat. It all had to be telling her something.

What had happened? Why had it happened? Why had she said what she'd said? Why had she done what she'd done? Who was this 'unknown' Jodha who'd taken over her sense of rationality for a few hours?

'I want to feel like the Jodha I was...I don't know if I'll ever go back to normalcy, but I want to feel like me again...emotionally and physically...'

Many other women underwent abuse too - did they all seek comfort in intimacy with their partners? Fine; if she needed such comfort to be able to feel normal again, then why hadn't she stopped after some point?

He'd offered her a choice 'I understand if you don't want to take it any further than this...'

Then, why had she overlooked that? Why had she crossed the line? Hadn't she discarded the sentiments of her family by doing so? Hadn't she disrespected her traditional upbringing by choosing this path? What about the years and years of sane lessons her parents had imparted upon her? What about the implicit faith her brothers had in her? Hadn't she defiled her family's trust upon her by doing so - the family that'd nurtured, loved and cherished her for 23 years!

'I want answers...' her mind raced recklessly, as she rode her scooty through those vacant wide lanes at break-neck speed 'I want answers!' she screamed at the 'other' Jodha 'Tell me what made you do this?'

She blinked furiously thereafter, but the tears now misting her eyes were so pronounced she could barely see the roads ahead. Well, she was in no state - physically or mentally - to be riding a vehicle on a road. Yet, she HAD to. She had to get home as soon as she could. She tried wiping the dampness off her eyelashes through the visor of her helmet, but it wasn't helping.

Alas! She had no other go but to relent and bring her vehicle to a gradual halt. Parking it to a side of a nearly-deserted junction, the lone young lady wiped her eyes off with the end of her saree. It took her a few seconds to come to terms with the fresh bout of grief that'd just hit her, but she endeavoured to compose herself soon after 'You need to get home...' she reminded herself 'It's nearly 2 am...you haven't called home... mamma..pappa..bhaiyya don't even know where you are... or if you're safe... you owe them AT LEAST this much... gather yourself and get home...get home to them NOW... you've done a mistake... so go home and face the music...aur koi raasta nahin hain!'

She restarted her scooty and charged-on...

'Wasn't it an impulsive thing to do?' the question returned to haunt her as soon as she resumed her hurried way home 'Yes, it was an impulsive thing to do' the answer was definite.

Granted; Jalal had taken precautions, but still - what if some accident had happened and she fell pregnant? Was this really what she wanted at this stage in her life? Was this why she'd sweet-talked her family into forking out their savings so she could join Sri Ramakrishna Institute? Was this the very same smart student from a year ago whose only plans in life had been to further her educational prospects?

All right. A few changes in those 'plans' had unexpectedly occurred. She hadn't predicted that a very special man would come along one day and whisper 'But how would you know if a relationship works or not, unless you give it a try first?' 

Enthralled, she'd taken the plunge. She'd hopped onto this pleasure ride with Jalal not knowing where it'd take her. No doubt, she'd thoroughly enjoyed the ride - more and more with each passing day. New feelings, new words, new discoveries, a new sense of belonging - it was all very exciting. So, she'd gone on and on and on. Fallen deeper and deeper in love, till one day - till TODAY - she had to take a halt. Only, the stop was at a destination so far away from where she'd started that she couldn't even recognize where she was at. It was a strange place she was standing in - neither here nor there.  

'God!' she snivelled 'Why did I do this? I'm going to be punished ... had I not indulged in this act, I would have gotten home on time... now my relationship with Jalal is going to come out in the open so disgracefully!' a discouraging visual suddenly came to mind - a visual of her mother's anguished expressions that she'd encounter soon enough 'Mamma! What do I tell her when she asks me where I've been? I'll have to lie again! It's one mistake leading to another, isn't it? I was such an honest person once... never even went to the movies unless mamma gave me permission... and now, I've started lying so much...'  her sobs grew uncontrollable - much like a confused little child's would when lost in a maze 'Fine, I fell in love - I lied to keep it hush till we were ready to bring it out in the open...fine, we wanted to go out on dates - I lied to cover it up... but with THIS deed, things have gone tooo far!'  her scooty came to a gradual halt once more - and this time right in the middle of the road. She was so overcome by emptiness that she couldn't even muster the will to move her vehicle aside. She couldn't care less for the strange peeks coming her way from an old woman sleeping on the street. She couldn't be bothered about the random passing car angrily honking at her for having stopped in the middle of the road. Removing her helmet, she wept inconsolably into her pallu 'Why did I do this?' she angrily demanded of the 'other' Jodha 'Give me some answers please... I am not a bad person... my intent was not to cause anyone hurt... then, please explain why I did this? And why am I in such turmoil?'

'You are in such turmoil because you're in love'

The reply came - supposedly from another entity. She didn't know if it was her conscience speaking, the 'other' Jodha replying or God answering - but THAT evident line was the one answer to a lot of her dilemmas.

'Yes...you're... right...' she looked up from her Pallu and at the dark skies 'You're... you're... right...I'm in turmoil because I 'love' my loved ones! Not because I'm bad...'

Her turmoil now was because of her immense love for her family -  just like her turmoil a few hours ago was because of her immense love for Jalal.

If not, what else?

Following the encounter, wasn't it because of her immense love for Jalal that she'd chosen to trust him with her innermost feelings? Yes, her infatuated self had been drawn towards his words, gestures and looks - but wasn't it primarily because her faith in him was so staunch that she'd given in? Wasn't it due to her devotion towards him that her body and mind had reacted positively to his touches even after having been molested by a stranger?

After having witnessed his horrible brush with death, was it wrong for her to turn insecure? To want to desperately cling to every moment that she could to be with him, even it meant she didn't stop him from making love to her? Was she not justified in becoming furious at the many current circumstances that were pushing her to leave a man she so loved and become someone else's? 

Could it have been her vindictive emotions assuming that becoming one with Jalal meant she'd somehow won over the stalker? Could it have been her vexed mind rebelling against her family - in its own twisted way - for pushing her into a rishtaa she wanted not? Or could it have been that her guilt-ridden conscience was somehow trying the fill the void in Jalal's life - following the loss of Robbie - by this act?

Was her 'decision' an outcome of ALL of this? Maybe!

Had she erred? Yes!

Did that make her immoral? No!

One thing was for sure. Through this decision, she'd traded away the terror of the green room flashes for battles of another kind. A battle in which her heart and conscience was now being ripped apart - a battle between her respect for her upbringing versus her love for her man.

Much like the junction she was standing at, her life was at a crossroad too - one part of her strangely continuing to defend her actions, while the other part looked back at the night in dismay.

Nevertheless, she could self-debate forever but the past would not be undone. She'd acted upon her decisions and she had to bear the consequences for it - come what may. She had to regroup herself and get home to her family as soon as possible - because after all, she loved them too - and just as much as she loved Jalal!

THE SINGH HOUSEHOLD

THUD! The door slammed behind her

The moment had finally come. She'd come face to face with her family after two hours of supposedly going amiss past midnight.

The chilling silence in the Singh family apartment living room that ensued, seemed to last forever. The lull was terrible, both for her and for them. The minutes ticked on. However neither party had it in them to break the silence. No one said anything. No one asked anything. She was stunned, but they were SHOCKED - still trying to come to terms with the alarming realities they'd just unearthed about their 'laadli'!

'God' she nervously played with her fingers, surveying their angry glares and expressions of disbelief. It was obvious from the pale cheeks that her mom had been bawling her eyes out for a while now. It was evident from her father's sweaty forehead that he'd been more stressed than he should have been. She'd never seen Bade Bhaiyya and Kranthi Bhaiyya so livid before. Why, she'd never even witnessed her bhabhi appear so disappointed before. The telephone diaries and scribbled notepads on the centre table told a tale good-enough - her family had been frantically calling around, attempting to get hold of her while she'd been slumbering away in Jalal's bed!

Should she look them in the eye and tell them the truth or hang her head in shame and show remorse - neither seemed easier than the other. So, she just focussed blankly - into oblivion - awaiting the barrage of chidings and scoldings that was to eventually come her way

'Jodha' her mother's trembling tone was finally heard sometime thereon 'Remember how you stepped out to college yesterday? Look at the state you're in now...returning at 2:30 in the morning...' her voice started breaking down once more 'I know that if I ask you what happened, you're only going to lie again... but as a mother, I have to ask. So, tell us. What happened?'

'Mamma...' Jodha looked on with guilt-stricken eyes 'I...I... t... trust me... I' she stuttered for a few seconds 'I was wrapping-up at college after the Annual Day function... when suddenly...' she paused, as if she needed more strength before recalling everything again 'A man barged into the green room and misbehaved with me...' noting her brother's sceptical glances, she indicated to the marks on her wrists 'He is a  stalker... sends me annoying texts... he's even got my mobile now...'

'WHO is this man?' thundered Kranthi Bhaiyya 'That Shareef again?'

'No bhaiyya...not him...'

'And why haven't you told us about him before?' bade bhaiyya's palm rolled-up into a hardball 'If he misbehaved with you, seedhaa ghar aa jaati!' he stepped forward, till he was literally boring into his little sister's pale features 'WE would have taken care of it, choti... reported it at the station... gone out, looking for him...'

'No bhaiyya...' she anxiously crunched her palms watching her brother's rising fury 'It all happened too quickly... he threatened me... he hurt my friend too... in fact, my friend took me to the police station... but...I was too shaken to say anything...' she took a fearful step back, watching how intimidating bhaiyya's stares now were 'Later, I stopped over at my friend's place...and I...I...I... d... dozed off...'  

'And this so-called friend that you're referring to is Jalal! A MAN! Why, couldn't you stop over at Meera's?' his tone was so caustic, she couldn't believe this was the same brother who doted over her like no other 'And if YOU were asleep...why didn't HE pick the calls? Disgraceful...do you think this is America or London... you're coolly telling us you stayed at a MAN's place overnight! Do you know how that sounds?' his voice tapered - and it was for the first time in her life that she saw bhaiyya's eyes actually well-up

Jodha looked away, humiliated by that statement and crushed by the sight of what she'd reduced her proud brother into - but his angst was totally justified. In fact, even THAT condemning statement hadn't elucidated the full extent of her relationship with Jalal - and if they came to know the 'whole story', she would be dead meat.

'Bhaiyya...' she wrestled to gather herself thereafter 'I...I...I wasn't in my senses...'

'Yes you HAVE lost your senses...' papa eventually spoke up what was on his mind 'Do you know how worried we've been? Your brothers were about to leave... to go look for you in Jubilee Hills...' he paused to wipe his eyes with his kerchief 'I am devastated...you are not MY laadli...you're someone else...My laadli's dead!'

'Papa' she covered her mouth in agony as the horror of her father's words hit her - a father who'd had nothing but admiration for his daughter in the past 23 years!

'Don't call us papa mamma...' her mother wailed in defeat 'Where have we fallen short as parents? Why have you done this to us? If this news comes out, our family will be mortified...'

'Mama...' she gasped 'Please don't say this...'

'Still hiding and lying, aren't you?' she furiously traipsed up to her daughter 'Why don't you admit what is going on between you and this ladka then?'

Jodha was startled by that abrupt challenge. She knew this had to come out some day, but the situation now was so touchy - so delicate - that she shuddered at the very thought of the backlash that would follow

'I...' she faltered 'I...I...'

'Bolo...'

'I... my...I...'

'TELLL USSS!' her brother screamed, so loud that it actually jolted her for a second

'I...' she shut her eyes, as a tear streamed down her cheeks - bracing herself for the storm she was going to unleash 'I love him!'

'Chotttiii' bade bhaiyya's temper exploded in a flash. Thankfully, bhabhi and Vishal instantly managed to restrain him in time or the aftermath would have been terrible.  

Nevertheless, mamma did what bade bhaiyya didn't

SLAP! the mother came down upon her daughter

SLAPP! she'd ultimately found a vent for the fury she'd kept suppressed for so long

SLAPPP! SLAPPP!

'Malti stop...' the father eventually interceded, unable to witness the sorry plight of his once lovely daughter

'Why are you stopping me?' the mother protested hysterically 'Why don't you say something to your ungrateful laadli instead? Her brothers paid for her education... we all trusted her...gave her everything she wanted... and now she says she loves a boy... that too from another religion...she's been lying to us all these days and staying out late with him... all this in the name of this ghatiyaa 21st century boyfriend-girlfriend concept! Had we not called Maan some time back to find out where she was... had he not told us everything... we would never have known... what will they think of us? We had to say we didn't know where our daughter was in the middle of the night! What if other family friends get to know about this?'

'Maan?' her voice became parched as another bolt struck her 'HE said everything?'

A few seconds later, she gradually recollected her shattered spirits and folded her palms in front of her family, her face still sore from the onslaughts 'Mamma... please listen to me... Jalal is a wonderful man... just meet him once... and you'll know...'

'WE DON'T WANT TO MEET HIM even if he's the best man in the world! ' bade bhaiyya interrupted, making his stance clear 'You'll get married to a guy of OUR choice ..from OUR religion...  OUR clan... and that's final!'

'Please bhaiyya...' she tried reasoning again 'Just give me one chance... just...'

'Chup Jodha!' suddenly grabbing her daughter by her arm, the woeful mother dragged her to a side -  and out of everyone else's earshot 'What are you doing?' she shook her laadli hard 'Jodha, one word more and your brothers will lose their cool... they'll hunt Jalal down and butcher him...' with no response from her thereafter, Malti peeked into her girl's pitiful eyes. She could discern something troubling - something even more troubling than the facts that'd already been unveiled 'Jodha...' the overwrought woman dropped her tone down to a whisper, her heartbeats now racing in dread 'Abhi bhi kuch chupaa rahi ho?' she asked, fearing the worst 'Have you done something you shouldn't be doing? With that ladka Jalal?'

'Mamma...' she softly sobbed on her mother's shoulders 'I... I'll explain...'

'Cheee!' the heartbroken mother pushed Jodha away, erupting into a fresh volley of tears 'Say NOTHING more! I DON'T want to hear the answer...you couldn't have done this...you WOULDN'T have done this!' shaking her head in denial, she took a step back from her girl that she wanted little to do with for then 'I'm scared of you, Jodha.. I'm scared of what you've become..' unwilling to see the face of her culprit-of-a-daughter anymore, she turned away in disgust and asked her son tearfully 'The time's 3 am?' 

'Jee ma...'

'Call Raghuvanshi Sahab four hours later... request them to come over today... since it's the weekend, Rishabh could come along too...let them know over phone that Jodha has WHOLEHEARTEDLY accepted this proposal!'

'No mamma' Jodha fell down on the ground, begging her family to heed her cries 'Please don't do this...'

'We'll fix this rishta today...' she concluded 'And pick the earliest wedding date possible...'

30th August

OSR PART 40

THE SINGH HOUSEHOLD - LIVING ROOM

Near-blind to the happenings around her and mentally absent from the ongoing discussions, the young lady sat on the corner armchair - in silence - as she had been for the past half an hour. She was unconcerned about how she appeared - if her attire matched-up to the occasion. She had no idea if the 'ladka' sitting opposite her looked like the one she'd seen in the photo. Instead, she continued staring at her stark ring finger and ruminating on her life's woes - much like she had been for the past half an hour.

'How empty you now look' she commented about her vacant finger, as she relived their ring ceremony from a night before - a ritual that'd been simply divine. Just him, her and their 'rapture' pervading the room. She in his arms gazing into his eyes, as he slid the ring on and proposed his love. How sacred was the intent behind it!

On the contrary, how pretentious was THIS ceremony that she'd been compelled to be a part of. A typical 'milan' between two families - nothing but glorified means for a random ladka's relatives to make judgements on a plausible bride and her hapless household. She hated it.

More than half the people crowding her living room were faces she knew not. At the centre of everyone's attention was a supposed groom that she had no interest in. The gifts and sweet-boxes meant little to her. The priest who'd been busy delving on the 'positive' qualities in her horoscope, had absolutely no idea about the current turmoils wrecking her life. Family 'heads' were engrossed in supposedly refined discussions of traditions and money - something she knew would only to pave the way for dowry-ish expectations in future. SHE - HATED - IT - ALL.

Just by letting herself be subjected to this sham-of-a-ritual, she felt like she was cheating both, herself and her relationship with Jalal. Furthermore; not only was it offensive but plain weird too - people were actually revelling in the coming together of two families, oblivious to the fact that the bride herself was least interested in this arrangement!

'Your beautiful daughter is so coy and quiet...' many of them had remarked!

'Ridiculous' she'd thought - seeing how they couldn't differentiate her blatant disinterest from coy-and-quiet.

What was strange was that the very people now desperately pushing for this alliance were not happy either - her family. She didn't miss the underlying tension behind all those plastered smiles that they'd been putting on throughout. After all, her family's conscience was riddled with guilt too. Forcing their laadli into a marriage she wanted not? Harbouring secrets from the groom-to-be and his parents so that the rishta would be formalized without a hitch? That was not how the Singhs had envisioned their daughter's wedding!

Yet, that's how it was to happen now if they had to preserve their social standing and cover-up for their daughter's blunders!

Oh yes; 'guilt' was plaguing her conscience heavy too. She'd forgotten none of it. Jodha was just as self-reproachful now as she'd been a few hours ago for what she'd put her family through. However, she only wished she didn't have to be punished for her choices in THIS manner. Anyhow, she'd decided she was not going to let this absurdity get under her skin. Given some time to recuperate from the many shockers to have hit her recently, she would try to undo this rishta mess sometime later in the typical Jodha fashion.

Firstly though, there were other things to worry about - more critical developments that needed her urgent attention. Somehow, her family had assumed that getting her married-off was not punishment enough for her supposed crimes. They'd planned worse. They were threatening to take away one more thing she was earnestly devoted to - her MBA degree.

'It's better to stop your University at this stage...paise jaaye bhaad mein...'

'We'll have a word with the Dean and AD ...'

'If you don't go to college, you'd have no chance of meeting that boy again...'

'You can continue your MBA after marriage - if your husband permits you to do so...'

The intimidations that she'd been repeatedly subjected to that morning came back to haunt her every now and again as she sat on that lone armchair, all by herself. Why did Bade bhaiyya and Kranthi bhaiyya have to add to her already-long list of problems? They cared not for the money they'd lose if they took this step. All they cared for was securing their family's repute and THIS was the only sure-fire answer they knew of, to put a stop to their errant little sister's wayward ways. They seemed determined enough to make it happen - and she had to ensure it didn't! But, how?

She'd already begged. She'd pleaded too. She'd even gone on her knees. She'd made promises. Promises that she would give up her social life completely. Promises that she'd end all outings with friends. Promises that she'd stop her meet-ups with Jalal. She'd assured them that she would strictly adhere to the college-home-home-college routine. In fact; other than the ONE thing they wanted to hear she'd tried every trick in the book - but, no! That was not enough.

What they wanted to hear from her was 'I'll give-up my relationship with Jalal altogether...'

They wanted Jodha Singh to have NOTHING to do with Jalal Muhammed ever again. Now, THAT was something she was refusing to promise. After all, she knew she would never be able to give him up - and she didn't want to lie to or cheat her family once again.

'Jalal'  her mind inadvertently went back to thoughts on him - the only solace in her life now'How I wish I could talk to you now...'

Alas, she couldn't!

She had no phone. In spite of having a landline and a laptop at home, she'd been given neither the chance nor the privacy to access them. She had no idea how he was doing. She had no means to tell him about the kind of unforeseen twists her life had gone through in the past ten hours. If only there was some way to speak to him - to discuss the issues with him - to share her worries with him. His supportive words, his sweet smiles, his gentle voice - they would have boosted her morale like nothing else would.

'God! Get a hold on yourself Jodha' she chided herself, as she felt a tear brimming at the corner of her eye. Turning away from the revelry in front, she looked aside and wiped it off subtly. Her only hope remained that she would be lucky enough to meet him for a few minutes after classes at the campus a day after. That is, IF she could manage to step out of her house on Monday. That is, IF she could successfully beg-and-plead her way out of this imposed house arrest. That is, IF her brothers miraculously changed their mind!

'Hope something positive happens... hope they calm down...hey...what if...' she suddenly wondered, as a selfish but much-needed notion struck her 'What if these rishta discussions change their mood...and temporarily make them feel better... iske baad...shaayad... bhaiyya maan jaaye...please Ambe Ma...don't let them take away my MBA away from me...please...please...'

'Singh Sahab!'

The chatter in the living room fell silent at once. The boisterous echo that'd managed to instantly lull down the bustle around her was that of Rishabh's grandfather. Intrigued; Jodha looked up at the profile of the domineering old man, waiting to see what he had to say

'We've seen enough...' he nodded his head assertively 'We've spoken enough... we've dined enough... Rishabh is happy... my son and bahu are happy... our family is satisfied too... we would like to consider this rishta between your daughter and my grandson formalized!'

'Arre wah!'

'Congrats!'

'Badhai ho!'

A wide range of smiles and greetings instantly took over the room like an epidemic. Unmoved by it all, Jodha looked up at her family for a few seconds. She wanted to gauge their reactions. Somehow, they appeared happy. Not 'overjoyed' happy, but 'relieved' happy.

'Hopefully' she surmised thereafter - hopefully, she might be allowed to continue attending college after all!

THE SRI RAMAKRISHNA INSTITUTE LIBRARY

Flick - Flick - Flick - Flick - Flick - Flick - Flick - Flick - Flick - Flick - Flick - Flick - Flick - Flick

She was unaware of how annoying it was beginning to sound- even when the fidgeting of the magnetic clasp on her handbag was now relentlessly echoing within the quiet-zones. Thankfully, the library was near-empty or she would have drawn quite a few miffed glances her way. Well, either way - she couldn't be bothered. The agitated young lady barely had an idea of her whereabouts - forget following etiquettes! So lost was she in her own dilemmas. So engulfed was she by worry that she knew not what she was doing.

'Jalal's passed on this message...' Meera had informed her at the end of the seminar-break 'He said he'll be waiting for you in the library after 4...'

So, here she was - making her after-class trip towards him. The routine was not unlike how she unfailingly did so on every weekday in the past six months. Only, THIS meet-up was anything but 'routine'.

After their momentous rendezvous on Friday night, she'd left behind a man who smiled in content - a man whose features boasted of a blissful glow. However, she was certain that what she would unveil hereafter - would strip off those very smiles and that very glow from his handsome persona. Her unfortunate boyfriend knew nothing - nothing at all. Over the two-day weekend, they'd had no chance to communicate - even via friends! So, she had no idea how he'd take the news. She had no clue how he'd react to the latest unpleasant turn-of-events. All she knew was that the possibilities of their conversations ending on a 'pleasant' note was minimal.

Her pace came to a slow standstill thereon. Her fingers stopped flicking the clasp. There he was - sitting at THEIR favourite table - the one that was best hidden from the librarian's view. Like always, his face was buried in a couple of colossal books on Business - possibly penned by his preferred authors. However, unlike always - he didn't look up to greet her with a 'Hey sweetheart'wink or a grin. This, despite the fact that he NEVER missed her arrival even once. Was this foretelling?

Nevertheless, she watched him for a brief spell more since she loved doing that. It'd only been two days since she'd seen him last, but it felt like an era had passed by. Contrary to her state, he seemed to be at such peace with himself - engrossed in his books. Did she really have to snatch away that sense of joy away from him? Couldn't ONE of them be happy - at least for a while?

'No!' she decided to draw away from her reverie, a few seconds later 'He needs to know everything!'

Letting out a heavy sigh, Jodha resumed her slow journey up to the table. Pulling out a chair, she sat beside him.

He didn't look up.

'Jalal' she called out to him

'Hmmm' he muttered, his eyes still transfixed on the pages  

'Jalaaal' she grew restless

'Hmmm...' he uttered inattentively 

'Jalal' she started shaking his hand rigorously 'Look at me! I'm talking to you...'

'Arre...' he glimpsed at her with a part-amused smile 'What are you doing?' noticing how frantic her expressions were just then, he leaned back on his chair and folded his arms impishly - taking his own sweet time to did so 'Hmmm...1 minute I don't pay you attention and you become so vexed... two days...TWO WHOLE days you've paid my messages no attention...pataa hai?' he started counting on his fingers 'I sent four emails...a message about my doctor's visit...I tried to get in touch with you through Meera...but nope... no response... if nothing else, I wanted to know if you'd reached home safely and on time!' swiftly noting how her temperament wasn't changing for the better, he brought his mini-drama to a gradual halt 'Hey... it's ok...you're here and you're fine now...that's all that matters!'

Jalal moved forward to take her hand in his, briefly falling silent. A mellow grin escaped his lips. It was their first meeting following the night. It was their first meeting after they'd made love. He was getting to play with her fingers again like he had then. He was getting to look into her eyes once more 'God...I've missed you so much...' he whispered 'I knew it would be difficult for you to contact me since you don't have a phone ...but I've been so impatient to talk to you... to know how you were doing...' he paused, a dreamy haze filming over his eyes as the beautiful scenes came back to him in the form of a vivid recollection 'I've lived the most beautiful moments of my life with you on that night, Jo... I guess that's why when I woke up ... it took me a very long time to get back to reality...to comprehend that you weren't physically there beside me... that I was only lying beside a crinkled pillow and an envelope that you'd left behind...'

She sat there speechless as he continued revealing his innermost sentiments. It was true that his experiences mirrored hers. When SHE'd opened her eyes - when she'd woken up, she'd taken long enough to come out of her own dream-world too. The tragedy was that ever since she'd descended from dreamland into reality, her world had been anything but rosy.

'Jo, say something' he called out to his silent girl, before bringing his thoughts to an end 'Since you were gone by the time I woke up...since I received no messages... I assumed you'd woken up to the alarm and left on time... I only wish you'd woken me and not left alone!' he paused - getting a tad bit concerned by the ongoing apathy in her eyes 'I take it you DID reach on time...'

'Why did we do it?' came her sudden response 'Why did we cross the line?'

'What?' his eyes widened in alarm

'WHY DID WE DO IT?' she repeated with an impassive stare 'Fine! I wasn't in my senses...but, YOU could have stopped me, right?'

He cocked his head, unable to believe he was hearing what he was 'What are you saying?'

'I knew it...' she began clutching the sleeve of his shirt in frustration 'You've been going on and on about how it's all so beautiful without having an inkling of what I'm going through... is this because we come from different societies that we hold very different views on such a significant issue?'

'Jodha... calm down...maybe we should go somewhere more private to discuss this...' taking her hands off his sleeve, he tried gently holding her down to put a stop to the unanticipated fit of hysteria 'And we haven't done anything wrong...'

'No Jalal... it IS wrong...' she forcefully wiggled her palms out of his clutch 'As a guy this might be trivial for you...but not for me...'

'Trivial?' he was shocked

'Yes...' she spoke over him 'Because where I come from it's considered sinful for an unmarried girl to indulge in something like this... I've gone against every lesson my parents have inculcated in me...and all for my own selfish reasons!' she buried her face in her palms 'I don't recognize myself anymore ... this is NOT how I envisioned love would change me...I don't like this...I should have just stuck to my books...'

A minute or so later - with her head still buried in her hands - the junior brought her rude rantings to a stop. She was nearly breathless. That tirade had come out of the blue. She had no idea why, but she'd flown off on a tangent here.

Having waited a while for him to retaliate - and having hearing nothing from him, she finally looked up. It was then that she witnessed a disappointment in his eyes that she'd never seen before. Her reckless words had pained him. Her heart sank.

What was she doing? What was the point of this meaningless blame-game? She closed her eyes and looked down, as she asked herself why she was hurting him more. Maybe because she was hurt herself? Maybe she just needed to get this off her chest first? Maybe because the only person she could show her frustrated-self to was him? Maybe because she just wanted to blow some steam - something she'd been unable to do for the past two days?

'I'm sorry...' she confessed as she began kneading her forehead 'I am so.. sorry Jalal... damn...' she slapped her forehead 'I'm making no sense, am I?' she glimpsed back at him with remorse 'Jalal, I've been having nightmares of a different kind now...nightmares that I might have taken the wrong decision... because I've disrespected my upbringing...'

'Hmmm...' he finally spoke up, having watched her reactions at close quarters. It'd taken him a few deep breaths and a full two minutes to compose himself - but he had to do so, so he could answer her sensibly 'Jo, I agree I'm not seeing this from your angle...I agree that I don't consider what we did sinful, because my views are different... but just because I'm a socialite's son...just because I party...doesn't mean that I wouldn't know how to value a genuine relationship...what we had was not a blind date, some drunken sex or a one night stand! This is not trivial for me either...far from it! Why I appreciate what we had was because it was very personal to me...' he sighed 'I am so proud of the fact that YOU - an independent decisive woman that I love... trusted ME with the most important sentiment in your life to help you feel better... I find it so dignified that two emotionally and physically torn people found solace in one another... if that's not beautiful, I don't know what is! So, nothing you say now is going to make me undermine what we shared!' his eyebrows knotted into a questioning frown 'And why are you blaming yourself? Yes, you've changed in love...but, who doesn't? Heck, I have!' he slapped the table But that doesn't mean we've lost our identity... instead, we've given ourselves a new identity...' abruptly recognizing that the intensity in his tone was heightening, he tempered his message there for a bit - after all, they were still seated at a library.

In the stillness that ensued, she continued observing her man intently. She let him read her eyes too. She had nothing to hide - she was touched. He'd just given her a strong and earnest wake-up call. While she knew that she wasn't wrong in having had her self-doubts, she realized that he was right at his own place too. It was obvious from his pithy words, that his emotions on the issue were steadfast. Yes, their views on this delicate subject differed slightly - but, she had to admire how sure he was of THEM as a couple.

'Jo...' he resumed the conversation, reinstating her soft palms in his 'Do you want to tell me what's actually happening?'

'If only there was some way I could give YOUR beautiful answers to MY family...and convince them that I've done no wrong by falling in love... then, they'd possibly stop sending me on guilt-trips...stop treating me like a culprit...'

'What!' he sat up, startled

Jodha continued staring at the soothing view of her palms tucked inside his 'I didn't get home on time yesterday morning, Jalal... I reached home only at 2:30 am... my family had learnt of everything by then about us... from Maan...'   

'WHAT!' his fingers had ceased playing with hers 'Maan? Why did he...'

'Yeah... I think bhaiyya called him at midnight to find out where I was... and ever since, they've been roasting me alive like I'm some criminal... no questions, only taunts...I think mamma fears to even think about how far our relationship's progressed, so she's not talking to me about it...' she let out a helpless smirk 'And do you know why I couldn't check my emails over the weekend... because we were busy entertaining Rishabh's family...'

'Kyaa?' he covered his mouth in horror, as another bolt hit him - and hit him hard 'Shit... this is bad...'

'Yeah' she nodded sadly 'My parents are forcing me into this rishtaa...they're listening to nothing I have to say...'

'But that's not right... can you not talk to this Rishabh...maybe he'll sympathize?'

'And then?' she shrugged 'He'll get back to his parents, who'll get back to mine... again, the blame will fall upon me...I will have to think of something else...' her eyes unwittingly began focussing on the stark wall behind Jalal - and into nothingness 'I know our truth had to come out in the open one day... but it's come out so disgracefully even PAPA's not talking to me...' her eyes started welling up 'For 23 years, I was the centre of everyone's attention in my family and suddenly I feel like an outcast!'

'But...but...after telling them about the stalker's misbehaviour, aren't they empathizing with what you went through that night? Have you told them everything...take bhaiyya to the station...he'll understand the gravity of the situation then...it might help calm his anger against you...'

'I started telling them, but stopped midway...' she sighed 'After all, I've been hiding the stalker story from them all along too...so they don't trust my words now...anyway, I'm certain bhaiyya's going to lodge a complaint...'

'Do you want me to speak to my Ammi...' Jalal was clinging at straws here 'It would take me a while to convince her...but...'

'No... no...' she dismissed the suggestion at once 'Don't come anywhere near my house for now... the situation's very bad... I have no idea how they'll react...they're...' she turned aside - the tear had made its way down her cheek by now

'Jo...' he cradled her palms, eager to make her feel better - the sight of her forlorn tears felt worse than the myriad of awful news she'd just updated him with 'They DO love you...it's only that they're very very angry... give them some time...' he paused with a caring frown 'In the meanwhile...I can be your go-to family, if you want!'

Somehow, that statement brought an unexpected smile to her lips. Eventually reverting her attention to him, she went on to nestle his face in her hand - her glances as loving as could be 'You say the sweetest things boyfriend...you will ALWAYS be MY Jalal... but a girl does need her dad and her mom too...'

'I understand...' he smiled sadly 'We knew this would be tough... and we ...'

'Tough? It's a disaster!' she remarked sarcastically 'I never anticipated such a backlash... you know... bhaiyya is planning to stop my post graduation... somehow, I managed to convince them today and get here...maybe because they're still reeling from the joy of my formalized rishta ...'

'Stop your education?' he exclaimed, now evidently flustered by the unending trail of bad news he was getting 'But why?' he'd guessed her family would never approve of this relationship straightaway - but still, why overreact so much? What sense did it make to stop her from getting her degree?'

'They don't even want me attending the same institute as you go to!'

Woah! He rolled his eyes in disdain. This was getting crazy. Oh yes, he could feel his temper rising but he had to lid his rage - after all, it was her family they were discussing about. Nevertheless, this sort of behaviour was alien to him. He'd never expected that her loving educated family would begin pressurizing their daughter to this extent. A forced rishta? Threatening to terminate her education? His free-thinking psyche couldn't understand this sort of conduct. He didn't like it one bit. If only there was something he could do to help her out. If only he could somehow ease her afflictions. If only - but how could he?

- unless of course...

'Jodha...' he spoke up softly after a while 'They don't want you attending the same institute as I go to, right? They need not worry on that front anymore...'

'Why?' she asked, partly surprised 'What are you going to do?'

'I'll tell you later...' his look was determined 'But, this degree's your dream...and I'll ensure nothing affects that! So, chin up now...'

'Chin up?' she laughed lifelessly at the irony of that phrase 'I've lost face at home Jalal...and I'm losing faith in myself too...I'm constantly worried...for your safety...for my dad's health...for my education...for our relationship... the list is endless... I guess I'm going to become mad one day...'

'No you wouldn't... not as long as we're together...' he tightened his grip around her palm - as though to show her that they shared a bond unshakable 'I'll support you all the way... just get back your fortitude... just say - YES WE'LL GET THROUGH!'

No response came.

'Say YES Jo...' Jalal nudged her once more

'Huh?' she queried, somewhat lost 'Oh.. y...yes...it'll happen...'

'When can I see you again? In campus? Tomorrow?'

No response came again - the quiet moments that followed were turning to be a heavy one for him.

'Nahi...' she eventually mumbled in a stupor 'I'm not sure I can meet you in campus Jalal...just give me a week... I need to try sorting a few issues back home at first, ok?'

He was dismayed - not by her answers, but by the lacklustre manner of her replies. Her sullen form was a reflection of her teetering confidence in their future. Her layers of determination were being peeled apart - one after another - by the torrent of catastrophes that'd rained upon them. Watching this slow death of her spirit was torturous. He realized then, that his biggest uphill struggle lay- not in the many problems they faced - but, in restoring her lost attitude in her own self.

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

8th September

OSR PART 42

SRI INSTITUTE - THE CANTEEN

'FINALLY!' she thumped her purse on the canteen table, smiling at the silent friend now sitting opposite her 'Feels like ages since we did this...'

No response came

Making a quick scan of the growing queues at the service counter, she reverted back to her company 'I'm going to get myself some poori chole... what about you?'

No response came again

'Jodha...' she frowned 'Hello... someone's talking to you here...'

'Huh?' the young lady finally answered, as though she'd just come away from a trance

'Where are you? You're definitely not at the SRI canteen...' Meera tapped her own temple 'Well... at least, not mentally...' the playfulness in her tone faded slightly 'Missing Jalal? You're a bit upset that Jalal took off without telling you?'

'Jalal'

Now THAT mention managed to get Meera her pal's attention for a short interval

'Err...y... yeah...' Jodha muttered slowly, her reactions a massive underplay of her true emotions. 

MISSING? 'Missing' would be a very insufficient word to describe what she was feeling in his absence!

A BIT upset? She was REALLY upset that he'd left college - and that she'd known nothing about it till much later.

'Nooo...Jalal... what have you done?' she'd clutched her landline receiver in near-grief when Meera had told her the news over the weekend. Did her ambitious man have to do this? Did her sensible boyfriend have to send her on guilt trips too at this point in time? Couldn't he have waited for a while?

Nevertheless, Jalal was not  alone in bearing the brunt of her displeasure over his decision. Her own conscience was under just as much fire too - for not having seen the signs coming - for not having guessed what he'd meant when he'd made those statements five days ago.

'But Jodha, this degree's your dream...and I'll ensure nothing affects that!'   

If only she'd been given the chance. She would never have let this happen, but alas. Their circumstances had been exceptional and they'd had no means to contact each other. While she was trapped at home, he'd taken a call in her absence! Nothing could be done now 'Yeah...' she confessed once more on a soft note 'I wish he hadn't given up his college life for my sake...'

'Hey... we are ALL missing him a lot...' Meera admitted sympathetically, on noting the lifeless replies 'I know it's crazy but our group doesn't feel like 'THE GROUP' anymore...we used to have such fun together...' her worry lines magnified 'You weren't here all of last week... Jalal no longer attends college...of late, there's been a slight awkwardness between Maan-Payal and the rest of the group after everything that happened ... Renu obviously doesn't mingle with me...' she uneasily shifted in her seat 'You know...she's pretty mad at your family for Jalal's sake...so, only Abdul and I catch up whenever we can...I guess you both were the backbone of our groups...and when you both are hardly around... it's all becoming a bit weird...' she paused suddenly 'By the way, you ARE back at college full time na?'

'Yeah...' Jodha nodded listlessly, still trying to get around the disheartening updates she'd just heard 'Yes... I'm back full time...in fact, I'm even planning to attend tuitions to catch up...Bhaiyya sabke liye maan gaye...' she let out a cynical half-smile 'But HE's going to be dropping me off and picking me up...they don't trust me with the scooty anymore... maybe they fear I'd run away from home or something...'

'I pity you...'

'I pity myself...'

'Ok forget about all this...any news on the stalker? Your bhaiyya lodged a complaint, right?'

'Nope' Jodha grimaced 'No positive news on that front either!'

'Oh...' Meera empathized. It was becoming obvious. So swamped was her pal by problems that no amount of optimism from her end was going to help for now 'So last week's been real bad on you, na? Tough days...how have you been coping?'

'Tough days?' she smirked, as the dramatics of the entire soap opera that'd played out at the Singh household in the past week flashed in front of her eyes. How COULD she cope? Well, her battered soul had no other go but to stick to the standard formulas -  fighting, pleading, praying, crying, sulking, moping, arguing, debating, justifying herself, defending Jalal, braving taunts, braving emotional blackmail, wrestling with loneliness, missing Jalal, battling desperation, worrying about dad's health, trying not to hate herself for giving-in, trying not to hate her family for making her give-in, enduring drama and theatrics she never knew her family could come up with and last but not the least, becoming exhausted!

'Wow!' she exclaimed as she came to the end of that mental checklist 'What a busy week I've had...' she broke out into a sardonic laugh at her own plight - till the non-hilarity of her situation gradually dawned upon her 'And all this for what? For NOTHING! For N-O-T-H-I-N-G!!!!!'

'Badhai ho Singh Sahab...ab tho ham rishtedaar ban gaye...'

'Malti ji... we are looking forward to take your daughter home, as our bahu soon...'

'We are very happy with how the Tilak rituals progressed...the gifts are exceptional...'

'Hello...is it Jodha? It's me...Rishabh here... congrats...so, we are officially engaged now...waise, I realize you're the reserved type... I know you're really busy with college... and I understand you're upset that your dad's not been well lately... but, I'd like it if you could take some time out for me...I think we should start interacting a bit more now... get to know each other more...want to come out for dinner some day?'

Papa's heart condition. Mama's increasingly-worrying silence that was beginning to show signs of onset of clinical depression. Bhaiyya's terrifying threats that'd gone a step too far. The emotional baggage was too heavy - especially for a lone young lady to carry all by herself. The vulnerable daughter in this 23 year old rebel had yielded. She'd succumbed to their wishes - at least, for the time being. Her family had gotten their way - at least, for now.

On Sunday, her brothers had gone over to the Raghuvanshi household and performed the Tilak as was customary. The preliminary set of traditional Rajput ceremonies had been done. She was now officially engaged to Rishabh!

'Hey Jodha...you've zoned out again...' Meera's voice pulled her out of those dreadful flashbacks 'You look so lost...' she went on to hold her bestie's hand supportively 'Anxious about uncle's health? Actually, Payal and I were wondering if we could drop by to visit him once...'

'Hmmm...' Jodha let out a long sigh, her dull gazes still vacillating between Meera's inquisitive glances and the speckled floor 'Thanks for the concern... par, it's ok yaar... papa's getting better ... and waise bhi, things at home are not so good now... so...'

'Oh!' Meera muttered 'Are uncle and aunty still extremely upset about...' her words came to a slow halt 'Jodha' she called out, sensing that there was still something wrong with the entire picture 'We haven't had the time to catch up because of classes this morning ...we can talk now, if you want to...is there something I don't know?'

'Huh?' the preoccupied young lady shook her head lightly 'Nahi...nahi... kuch nahi...'

She was lying. Yup, there was one thing Meera didn't know about. Why, even Jalal knew nothing of the shocking developments from a day ago yet. In fact, no one outside her family did. Not because she was scared to tell, but because even SHE didn't know what to make of this sham-of-an-engagement so far! Well, she definitely didn't consider herself related to Rishabh in any way. So, her shaken mind was still trying to come to terms with how to utter ludicrous statements like 'I've just been compelled to get engaged to Rishabh'.  

'Arre...' Meera spoke up - to snap her absorbed companion out of the stupor-spell she was refusing to come out of 'I'm off to the library after lunch... you wanna come too?'

'No' Jodha uttered 'I have to go the lab... to check my emails...haven't had internet access in a week...'

'WAIT!' Meera exclaimed, putting on a cheerful tone 'You haven't spoken to him yet, na... you can speak to Jalal now... from MY phone! You'll feel better... lo...' she forcefully thumped her mobile into the hands of her dazed pal - another attempt to uplift Jodha's buried spirits from hibernation 'I'm going to the counter to place the order and get our lunches...' she grinned 'In the meanwhile, tum jee bharke flirt karlo!'

Grabbing her handbag as she stood up; the upbeat junior playfully winked at her seemingly 'lost' friend, before disappearing into the famished canteen crowds all alone - supposedly letting the young lady enjoy her privacy for a bit.

Jodha let out a crestfallen smile as her eyes followed the receding profile of her closest buddy'Meera, don't you think I would have called Jalal from your phone...first thing in the morning...if I had to...'

'I don't care even if the police come knocking around...but, I HATE that man... it is because of HIM that you've changed so much... even papa begging you from his hospital bed has had no effect on you...'

'But...' she lamented, continuing to guard the door latch in desperation - her rational mind still wondering if her eyes were deceiving her in some way. She knew her brothers were a hot-headed egoistic lot, but she never realized that 'hot-headed' and 'egoistic' could morph into something so terrifying 'I don't want to get married to Rishabh...'

'Why?' bhaiyya's nostrils flared up in rage 'He's an educated, kind, good looking Rajput...at first, he was reluctant to let you continue studies after marriage...but when papa requested, he agreed... you don't even return his calls...yet...he gladly obliged when we showed interest...and you reject such a magnanimous man for a badtameez...for a roadside Romeo?'

'Bhaiyya!' she shouted back, not realizing that the frenzy in her tone and the fury in her stares had intensified by many notches 'I love papa just as much too... but the person you refer to as a badtameez is in reality a brilliant achiever...' she paused to catch up on her breath, the repression of her simmering anger taking up every ounce of self-control 'ROADSIDE romeo? He is the sole heir to his family's flourishing business...you think Rishabh is magnanimous for LETTING me continue my studies? Do you know... Jalal has actually STOPPED attending college... sacrificed his marks... just so MY education doesn't get interrupted...' she turned to her mother, the disappointment in her expressions bluntly evident 'Mamma...the person you keep referring to as a MANHOOS LADKA actually helps destitute old people by managing an old age home...those people consider him anything BUT manhoos!'

'Kranthi...' bade bhaiyya interrupted the squabble, flustered by Jodha's relentless defences of her choice 'Come on...she is possessed...she's not going to give up...'

'Mamma...papa...' she yelled out frantically, hoping for some support - her grip around the door latch tightening even further 'Say something...please...bhabhi...Vishal bhaiyya...'

'Yes ji...she's right... don't do this...this is very dangerous...'

'Haan bhaiyya...please...'

'Shut up...both of you...' he thundered in retort

'Why waste time...' Kranthi bhaiyya smirked aloud, toughening his clutch around the rubber handle 'Chal...Bhagwant...'

'NO... NO...stop...' finally letting go of the latch, she folded her palms and knelt on the floor - overcoming all sense of ego and self-respect by that point 'Please... don't do this... please don't hurt him... he is innocent...a very good man... he doesn't deserve this... he wouldn't even raise his hands against you bhaiyya...'  

'Choti move... or you'll end up getting hurt...'

'No bhaiyya...'

'CHOTIII!'

'Ouch!' Jodha flinched in pain as she felt his ironclad fingers dig into her arm, tearing her slouched petite body away from the door that she'd been so vehemently shielding 'Bhaiyya... stop... please...Vishal bhaiyya...please rokiye unhe...' she stubbornly continued clenching onto her brother's legs, not allowing him to cross the threshold of her house 'No...no...stop... please listen to me... don't hurt him...I beg you...' she defiantly held on, since the rest of her family's pleas seemed to be having no effect on them 'Please... Jalal... has done nothing but good to me...' 

Following the short tussle that broke out between the siblings, a harrowing howl went off in the corridors of the apartments. The brothers had freed themselves from her forceful grip - her quivering hands could restrain them no more 'Fine bhaiyya...' she gasped - both, in breathlessness and rage as her pride just endured another big blow 'Stoppp' a resentful tear made its way to the corner of her tired eyes. Her aggressive spirit was being compelled to admit that she had no other go but to give in to their whims - at least for then, if she needed to protect her man 'I'll do as you say...but, don't hurt him...'

An unnerving interval of stillness took over the disturbed family

'We want you to stop talking to him...' bhaiyya spoke of their wishes thereon 'We want you to stop conversing with him...to stop sharing ANYTHING with him... in short, to completely forget about him... promise us you'll do that...and I'll drop this plan for now...warna...' he paused 'And I'll know if you lie to us ever again...'

THE MUHAMMED HOUSEHOLD - JALAL'S BEDROOM

KNOCK! KNOCK!

'Yes?' came the gentle voice from inside 'Ammi?'

'Yes it's me...'

'What?' Jalal wondered aloud, as he saw her delightful profile reappearing into his room - with a characteristically refreshing smile on her lips and yet another tray of fried delicacies in her hands

'I just tried out these chicken fritters ... and they've come out so well... you love them na...'

'Ammi...' he blurted in amusement 'I'm at home for STUDY leave...aur...aap...yeh...sab'

'Acha?' she glared back in mock-anger 'When I come in, it's study time ... but when you're alone, it's ok to watch a match all morning...'

'All morning?' he laughed at her exaggerations 'Only 45 minutes...' he paused - to observe her place the platter of sizzling friams beside the pile of books on his desk. She'd gone the whole hog - cocktail sticks, paper napkins and even a drink on one side 'But ammi... it's barely 1 and this is round three already...I'm off to Abdul's place this evening...aur wahaan bhi aunty would have cooked me a feast...' a mischief-laden snigger emerged on his lively features 'At this rate, I'll have to permanently shift my desk to the gym...that is, if I don't want to break the exam chair while sitting on it!'

'Kuch bhi' she dismissed his concerns 'Cut out on your beers and you'll be fine... after eons, you're at home AT THIS TIME of the day...so, your ammi felt like spoiling you a bit...' her smiles turned slightly sheepish 'Besides, I'm trying all this by myself... no help from Shantamma...you know?'

'God ammi...' he grinned at her adorable antics, before dragging out a chair for her and placing it beside his own 'Baitiye...let's have this together...'

'Wow' she thought, mighty pleased with his words. A late-morning catch up with her lad over a plate of self-made fritters - a rarity in this house indeed! So, she wasted no time in taking him up on his offer.

No sooner than he'd helped himself to the first piece and hurled her an 'It's amazingly tasty' wink , she delved right in too

'By the way' she resumed conversation, once she was through her morsel 'What's this extended study leave for? I'm still a bit...er... confused...'

'Kuch nahi...' he brushed her off impishly - his mouth semi-stuffed with a fritter 'It's actually... er... quite complicated...'

'Hmmm...' she let out a sceptical sigh 'Anyway beta...I've been meaning to ask you something...well... if your abbu was here na... he would have wanted to ask you this too...' noticing how intently her son was waiting for her to proceed, she went on to reveal her thoughts - something that'd been lingering in her mind for a long long while now 'What are your plans for the future, Jalal?'

'Future plans?' he cleared his throat in surprise - that 'profound' question had pretty much caught him unaware 'Baap re...not given it much thought ammi...I'm only 25 na...' he shrugged nonchalantly 'Don't know...I'll pass these exams first...then, party hard...maybe travel around a few countries for a while...after a few years, I'll possibly think of taking up the business from Taaya...whattsay?' he concluded his reply with a wicked grin. 

Nope, he wasn't being totally cheeky with that 'future plans' answer. That's pretty much how he'd envisioned his future for most of his growing up years - till, a certain 'Miss exceptional' had stepped into his life and taken centre spot, of course!

'Hmmm...' his mother muttered in accordance 'Interesting plans, no doubt...' she casually picked up another piece of chicken with her cocktail stick 'But Jalal... I wonder... where and how...Jodha fits in the midst of all this...'

'Jo...?' he nearly choked on his bite - simultaneously trying very hard to stop the sudden spurt of hot flush from spreading to his cheeks. Unfortunately for him, he wasn't entirely successful. Surprising how even the very mention of her name still had that effect on him! 'Jodha' he asked again, with a blank expression - aware that his pointless response was only giving him away further, but he couldn't think of anything else to say for then. Damn! His mother's unusually crafty interrogation had managed to temporarily freeze all of his quick-thinking capabilities!

'Yes... JODHA' ...' she battled her eyelashes with an artificially-innocent look 'You know... your special friend... the lovely young lady...in your college... your junior...'

'Yeah...yeah...Jo...' he admitted with poorly-concealed abashment in order to put a stop to her taunts. It took him a minute or so to recuperate from the awkward situation, but he'd managed to think of a good-enough comeback by then 'So...' he queried her in return, putting on a naive frown as he did so 'You're suggesting I should consider Jodha... as part of my future plans'?' he shrugged slowly, as though he was deep in thought 'Come to think of it... not a bad option actually...'

'Beta' she went on to wipe her oily fingers on the paper napkin, well aware of how her darling son was attempting to turn the situation in his favour 'When you've already taken the decision, why this act of bholaapan? Doesn't suit you, you know!' she winked back at him - just like how he always did when he had the upper hand 'When sons grow up to become young men, they stop sharing stuff with their moms... but, a mom never stops perceiving what goes on in her son's mind...'

'O-K-A-Y!' he bit his lip with an embarrassed smile as he glanced down and conceded defeat. After all, who could win against THAT argument?

'Padlo ab...' the bemused mother patted his hair 'I've troubled you enough for a day...' standing up from her chair, she removed the platter and the napkins from the table 'We'll catch up later...'

'Sure' he chirped - finding himself strangely happy following that short and unexpected Ammi-beta catch up session!

SRI COMPUTER LAB

She cast a heavy-hearted glimpse around the familiar surroundings of the quiet air-conditioned lab, standing still in her spot for a few seconds. How many colourful memories that room brought back. It was the first place she'd gotten to know Jalal properly when they'd been grouped together as a team for his thesis. It was a place where her friends had had many bang-your-head-over-a-last minute submission sessions. It was a hub where THE GROUP had enjoyed both, frivolous jokes and intellectual debates alike. Would she ever get those days back? Would college life ever be the same again? Maybe, not! The canteen, the library, the auditorium, the seminar halls, the grounds, the car park - every nook and cranny in that university campus held special memories for her. Could she ever relive them so fondly again? Maybe, never!

'God!' she mumbled dejectedly, before letting her handbag strap fall off her shoulder. Scanning the available chairs thence, her eyes instantly stopped at the cubicle that housed computer No. 6 - Jalal's favourite spot. For reasons only known to him, he always preferred sitting there - and now, it seemed like she'd become so used to occupying cubicle 6 that her eyes refused to trail off elsewhere too.

Proceeding to take her seat, she began typing in her email id and password. As she did so, a strange sense of anxiety gradually began creeping up her body. No, it was not just about the numerous worried messages from Jalal she knew she would find. No, it was not just about her trepidations of how she should reply to any of them. Something else was stressing her out. Something distressing. She could sense it - but she couldn't explain why.

'Damn!' she slapped her forehead in angst, a second later 'Am I becoming mad?' deliberately shutting away the bizarre set of fears taking over her mind, she decided to log onto her email page.

As expected, there were numerous emails - many from Jalal - some from friends - most with the subject headers 'Where are you?'

Making a swift visual scan through the contents of the casual ones, she stopped in her tracks when the pointer finally reached Jalal's email - his latest one. She froze, unable to proceed for a few minutes thence

'Stop conversing with him...stop sharing ANYTHING with him... in short, completely forget about him... promise us you'll do that...warna...'

Should she give up on her pledge to her brother? Should she forsake her promises to her family yet again? What if bhaiyya somehow found out what she was doing behind his back? Besides, what would she reply to her boyfriend's emails - that 'I've just been engaged to Rishabh...too many problems at home.. we can't be in touch for a while now...hope you understand' ?

'Sheesh' she kneaded her forehead agitatedly, as the weird jitters hit her again! What was going on in her mind? Was she perturbed about going against her family once more? Was she unnerved about what to tell Jalal? Or, was it something else?

Nevertheless; now that his email was sitting right in front - now that she was all alone - it was literally tearing her from inside not to reach out to him. She'd somehow stopped herself from making that call a short while ago. However, THAT resolute seemed to be diminishing now. Yes, he would be hurt about the news of her engagement, but he would be hurt much more if she continued staying aloof!

'Whatever' she eventually resolved to ditch her demons. She was going to check his messages and update him on everything too. She knew that doing so would bring as many smiles to her lips as it would tears to her eyes - but, she owed him at least that much!

Struggling to get a hold of her shaky fingers, she clicked on the mouse - but her faltering fingertips meant the pointer slipped to a supposed spam email below Jalal's.

'Urgh' she winced in annoyance, about to press the BACK button - when her glances fell upon the unknown email id who'd sent her email.  

[email protected]

'Your hubs? Your HUSBAND?' something struck her 'Wait a sec...' her eyes widened in horror 'Who is this? Is it the stalker...sending me emails now?'

She scrolled down the message - increasingly uneasy about checking its contents. Her heartbeats began racing faster. The tints on her cheeks steadily bleached out into a pale white. By the time she'd reached the bottom, what she saw left her even more aghast. There were no words or poems this time. There was an attachment instead - a video clipping of some sort.

'No' she fidgeted around nervously. She did not want to click on it. What if it was worse than anything he'd done or said so far? 

However, what she saw thereafter changed her mind in a jiffy - the still montage on the video image had caught her attention. It was a picture of Jalal's house - his porch, to be precise!

'WHAT!' she yelled, thoroughly distraught. She then tried to press the play button at once -but in her desperation to do so, lost control over the mouse. Her numb hands restlessly fiddled and toppled the instrument many times over before she could straighten the mouse and click on it

- and after what felt like eons, the silent video played.

The stalker had shot - from a distance - a MMS of his Silver Audi parked on the front porch - with JALAL still SITTING in it! Worse, he was chatting to someone on his mobile - totally unaware that he was being filmed!

'No... no... no... stop... stop...' she wanted to scream, but her throat had dried out 'What is he doing... what has he done... no...Jalal...are you safe...are you fine...' In a frenzy, she checked the date and time of email - it'd been sent only a few hours ago! She hysterically glimpsed around - searching for someone she could borrow a mobile from. Suddenly, the visuals on the screen changed - drawing her glances towards it again. 

The video had gone blank with a bomb blast-like imagery screening over the whole clipping.

'NOOO' she screamed aloud, kicking back her chair and banging on the screen - like as though it would stop what'd happened!  

A message popped up at the end

'Since you don't listen to my words

Since you go to the police

Since you don't want to break his heart

I had no other go but to break yours...

Signed,

Your husband'

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

24th September

OSR PART 44 - Why Jodha, why?

EXAM CENTRE

11:45 AM - INSIDE THE EXAM CENTRE

The date was the 24th of September. It was the third day of the fourth sem examinations. The subject was Government, Society and Business. Apart from that, he knew little else of the paper he'd just submitted. Having made his early way out of the packed exam halls, the lone young man silently crawled away from the emptyish long corridors. No surprise that each step felt heavier than the previous. Yet, he had to somehow drag his feet along and leave, before the crowds started pouring out of the hall. He'd done the same for the previous two papers and that's what he intended to do for the remaining three too - drifting into the hall barely on time and leaving the centre at least half an hour early.

The dark spell continued, the last two weeks of his life being just as dark and the next two would possibly be - all synonyms of the words 'hope' and 'cheer' now eradicated from his dictionary. MBA, exams, college life, conversations, meeting people - even the close ones - didn't seem to matter anymore. His very attendance at the exams were only to fulfill a promise he'd made to his ammi. If not, he simply had no social existence now - and he preferred it that way for however long it would take. After all, he could not stand the thought of having to witness his own life being judged, dissected and scandalized by those he knew and didn't know alike.

Well, his depressed mind was in no state to greet friends with a fake 'Hey...I'm alright' grin and the last thing his battered self-respect needed was being subjected to 'pitiful' looks from acquaintances. Most of all, his restless spirit could do without having to listen to the same unproductive questions being repeatedly posed to him

'We just heard about it, Jalal ...how are you coping?'

'What went wrong between Jodha and you...'

'We thought you guys were great together...aisa kyaa hogayaa yaar?'

So; with his backpack hanging on his lifeless form, he scampered back to his car to escape it all. He had to return to his hideaway - to his retreat - his room. He had to sleep the pain off. Who knew? Maybe the agony would lessen a bit, when he awoke. Then again, maybe not.

12:30 PM - - OUTSIDE THE EXAM CENTRE

'How would you say the paper went?'

'Errr...' Salim delved upon the questions for a bit 'Not too bad actually...'

'I'd say 50...50' chipped Abdul in, as he slung his bag across his shoulder

'Me too' she nodded, as Renu hastened her strides to keep up with the boy-gang heading out of the exam centre 'What about you, Maan?'

'The paper was quite good yaar...' the nerdy chap smiled sheepishly 'By the looks on everyone's faces I think all five of us...I... I...I... mean all f...four of us are expecting good results for THIS one...' a short lull instantly fell amongst the group. Maan's fumble had given them another unpleasant reminder of the absence of the 'fifth' member from their generally five-member-group 'Waise...' he spoke up thence, his mood more sombre now 'Did Jalal come today? I didn't even see him...'

'He did...' Abdul let out a long sigh 'But I don't know if he completed the paper...I saw him leave early...'

'God...' Renu crunched her eyes in disgust, bringing her pace to a halt 'Why IS he doing this to himself?'   

'I've tried speaking him out of it... many times...but...I think...'

'F**k!' she suddenly interrupted Abdul, her voice turning loud enough to be heard over the commotion of students around them 'Talk of the devil...' she paused 'I mean talk of the bitch and the bitch is here...'

The group were compelled to shift their attention to a far left - and to a swarm of juniors making their way towards the centre for their 2nd semester exams.

'Here yaar' Jodha handed Meera the bunch of notes, while hurrying on her journey 'We have sometime to go... tab tak, we should be able to revise these print outs...'

'Yup...' Meera nodded and quickly shuffled the papers into her hand, the pre-exam nerves evident on her face

'Waise... Payal...' she turned to her friend on the right 'You're joining us for tuition today evening? Exam ke baad?'

'Nahi yaar...' Payal winced 'Tuition wution sab next semester pe dekhloongi...cos I...'

'H - e - l - l - o Jodha'

The dripping sarcasm in the tone of that greeting brought their engrossed conversation to a sudden halt.

'Huh?' having just come away from the study material she was perusing through, Jodha looked up to greet her caller - only to be challenged by an intensely bitter glare staring her in the face 'Oh...hello Renu' she replied, not too startled by the hostile reactions she was witnessing just then

'Hello...everyone...' Payal added with an awkward smile, as Salim, Maan and Abdul were quick to join their small gathering 'Hi Maan... how did the paper go?'

'Hi dear...it went good...'

'Hello guys...'

'CUT the crap...' Renu put a stop to the introductions, by taking a bold step towards Jodha 'You could at least ACT guilty... ACT sorry...for what you've done to him...'

'What?' she frowned, trying to remain unfazed by the abrupt queries being flung at her in public

'Oh puleeezzee... just wipe that fake look of innocence off your face, ok?' Renu folded her arms in disdain 'In the past two weeks... not once... not even ONCE you approached us to find out how he's doing...'

'Renu yaar...' Abdul wedged himself into the conversation, his tone quite composed 'Forget about it na...this is going to change nothing, is it?'

'Yeah... he's right...' the rest of the guys swiftly joined in 'Let's discuss all this later...'

Obviously, the men were not willing to be a part of this confrontation. At least, not at this point in time. The setting was too public, the situation too delicate and the topic too personal to be broached in this manner.

'Log dekh rahe hain Renu...'

'Besides, they have to go in for their exams now...'

'Achaa?' she retorted aloud, without so much as casting a glance back at her gang. Their efforts to quell her agitated approach were definitely not working 'Then, what about JALAL's exams? What about HIS prospects that she totally ruined? If all she wanted to do was unceremoniously dump him and get engaged to someone else, couldn't she have waited till AFTER the exams to do so...that chap gave up his marks, his attendance, his everything for her... and in return, she ditched him...' so scornfully had she pointed her finger at Jodha just then, that she'd nearly jabbed her victim on the shoulder as she did so 'By the way Miss Ungrateful, do you know he's started drinking heavily thanks to...'

'Renuuu...' Abdul kneaded his forehead in frustration 'Remember what Jalal'd said...'

'And do you know?' she charged on, overriding Abdul's endeavours 'He doesn't pick any of OUR calls...he doesn't listen to anything to we have to say...' she threw her hands in the air 'Thanks to you... we've lost our friend... and he's lost his friends...'

'Renuuu... Jalal had specifically requested us NOT to...'

'What is it with you guys...' she shifted her momentary attention to the group who were busy trying to shut her up 'You guys are cowards... you lot can be hush hush about it, if you choose to...but, I can't!' spinning around to confront Jodha, she went on to observe her placid expressions closely - a disgusted smirk gradually erupting on her lips 'Not an ounce of remorse on your face...wow...' she nodded her head 'He'd started a campaign for your sake na.. across all of college... the anti-eve teasing campaign ...and you'd been praised by everyone for it... I so want to start an anti-Jodha campaign across college now...and show everyone your true colours...'

'Dekh...' Payal stepped in at that juncture - she'd had enough. As it is, they were tensed about the upcoming paper. This public humiliation was the last thing they needed right then 'I know you're really pissed off... but this is not the way to speak to Jodha in front of everyone...' she pitched her quiet boyfriend a quick glare to goad him into action 'Maan, why don't you say something...'

'God!' sensing the deteriorating circumstances, Abdul approached Renu and placed a firm hand on her shoulder to snap her out of it - his voice not as composed as it'd been a minute ago 'STOP IT...Jalal had told us...NOT to discuss his life and his problems behind his back...and NOT to make a spectacle of it...remember?'

'Ok' came her much-awaited response, bringing the ongoing arguments to a brief standstill 'Ok...I'm sorry for everything...' she offered them a quick apology, hoping it would end the friction for then 'I had no other go but to make this choice...anyway, I don't expect you all to understand me...' before anyone could say anything to those diplomatic excuses of hers, she hurriedly turned sideways to address her own friends 'Girls let's go...it's getting late...'

'W..what!' Renu stuttered for a few seconds, flummoxed by Jodha's halfhearted show of regret 'Stop Jodha!' she called out to the group of three who'd already begun proceeding in the direction of the hall's large double doors 'WHY? Don't have the guts to listen to what else I have to say...' she angrily ranted on - but alas, her protests were only another failed bid to express her resentment.

It wasn't too long before the trio were totally out of earshot.  

1:00 PM - INSIDE THE EXAM CENTRE - THE CORRIDORS

'Ye Payal kahaan chali gayee? Arre Meera...woh Supply Chain Management ka question bank ek second pass karna...' the preoccupied junior requested in haste, compelled to yell over the clamour of noisy students around her

'Here...' Meera managed to fish out the file from the bundle of papers she was precariously balancing 'Lo Jodha...'

'By the way, I came across these points about direct vs online marketing yesterday...' she promptly leaned across to pick out a mid-sized book from her bag. Flipping through the pages in a jiffy, her eyes lit-up as soon as she'd arrived at the chapter she was after 'Just glance through them... they're really cool...'

'Jodha...'

'Haan bol...' she nodded, while proceeding to browse through the question bank in her hand

'JODHA...LOOK at me na...' Meera called out on a stern note, briefly intruding into her friend's frantic last-minute exam preps. There was something eating away at her mind and she felt like she just couldn't concentrate on the subject till she got the concerns off her chest 'I'm your bestie yaar... you don't have to hide what you feel, ok?' she heaved empathetically 'What Renu said to you outside...some time ago... must have hurt you like hell...why haven't you spoken anything about it yet?'

O-KAY! Drawing in a long and hard breath, Jodha leaned back on the wall and put the papers down for a moment. Well, she'd expected the long overdue questions to come - sometime - somewhere - and here they were 'Of course, it hurt like hell...' her confession was soft 'How would it not hurt? But then again, she's right at her place na...' she shrugged her shoulders heavy-heartedly 'I'm just trying to look at the positives... and I'm feeling a bit better now...'

'W...what... what do you mean?'

A short spell of stillness later, Jodha revealed her wise opinions on the touchy issue 'You know Meera...when Renu used to act all crabby and bossy... I used to wonder WHAT the boy-gang saw in her that they liked hanging out with her...I realize why now...' she paused 'And I also realize why Jalal holds her in such high regard...unlike many others, she's the only one capable of telling someone the ugly facts on their face... she's gutsy... practical... and most importantly, very protective of her close ones...' she glanced aside to dart her pal a half-smile 'She's the one who's going to get Jalal out of his depression...even if she has to drag him out of his room to do that. She is not going to let him stay like this for long...she's not going to allow him to drown in his sorrows ...and that's why I said, I'm feeling a bit better now...'

'But I still don't understand why you're doing this to him AND to yourself?' Meera asked,  just as perplexed now as she was a minute ago

'Listen dear... we're going to go to the tuition together na...wahaan explain karti hoon... chalo... let's concentrate on our paper now ok?'

'Fine... fine...'

TUITION - THE PROFESSOR'S HOUSE

Sipping on their glasses of water, the two ladies tried hard to contain their embarrassment - like they had been for so long as the professor rushed about to finish up on his chores. Well, how else could they to react to their own oversight? So engrossed had Meera been in catching up on the stories - so distracted had Jodha been while narrating the incidents, that they hadn't even bothered looking at the time. They hadn't realized how early they'd turned up for their tuitions. At least; not until they'd come to face with a mildly stunned professor and his mess-of-a-house.

So; while the unfortunate man went about quickly tidying his books, piles of clothes, his yoga mat and the medicine strips from the table - the girls had no other go but to sit put on the sofa and patiently wait for him to finish. It was only when the man disappeared into his room more than ten minutes later that the girls could finally share a few glances and hush words thereon    

'God, we're so stupid...' Meera whispered with half-a-giggle

'I know...' Jodha frowned faintly

'Ok forget about all this...tell me then...' Meera pressed on, eager to resume from where they'd last left off 'What were you saying... why did you not want bhaiyya to go to Jalal's place?'

No sooner than she heard the troubling queries being put forth once again, Jodha exhaled in worry - almost like she needed to muster a lot of grit before recalling those disturbing scenes 'Because, bhaiyya wanted to meet his family to humiliate them...' she faltered for a second, finding herself very uncomfortable about disclosing her family's recent not-so-pleasant deeds 'When Bade bhaiyya and Kranthi bhaiyya were ready to seek Jalal out, they had cricket bats in their hands...they wanted to beat him up...'

'WHATTT!' Meera's eyes widened in shock

'Shhh... speak softly...'

'What!'

'Yeah...it was horrible...I had to agree to the engagement just to stop them from leaving...' she shuddered as the distressing flashbacks returned. God, how she wished she could just erase those painful memories off - memories of incidents where she'd found herself gradually getting disillusioned by her own ones 'It was like a scene out of some movie or something... ' her voice commenced shaking, prompting her friend to hold her hand in support 'I realized that the more I resisted, the more everyone was turning hostile... can you imagine as a daughter, what I must have gone through when witnessing my mama sitting in front of the mandir and refusing food for days on end... when papa emotionally blackmailed me by seeking promises on his hospital bed ... when my loving bhaiyya started threatening me? I do understand...they're afraid of the repercussions this would cause back in our hometown, since our extended families there are very orthodox ...still, they needn't have gone so overboard...that's why, I had to put a stop to it... I was beginning to get embittered by my own family... and I didn't like it...'

'God... you've been through HELL yaar' an evidently disappointed Meera acknowledged on a low note 'I knew your family would pose problems... but it's more severe than I thought...'

'Haan... I hadn't predicted THIS sort of a backlash...' she withdrew her jittery fingers from Meera's clasp thereon

'But you could have confided all this to Jalal, na?' Meera suggested out of concern 'Jalal would have understood and helped...'

'Yes... and Jalal being Jalal will try and come up with solutions. He wouldn't give up and he wouldn't let me give up, when the truth is that I don't want him to do anything for now...'

'Fine then...at least, you could tell him everything...everyone wouldn't misunderstand you like this...and Jalal wouldn't be THIS miserable...'

At that instant, Jodha had to look away. She needed a moment to herself. Her mind was suddenly battling such an overwhelming maze of emotions that it was taking all her available strength just to stay poised. Her gazes floated away for a while - veering towards the window beside her and the busy scenes outside it 'You think I'm happy? But, it is him being THIS miserable that's probably going to keep him alive...how do I make you understand yaar?'  

'What happened?' Meera pushed for an answer, noticing how she no longer had her friend's attention 'Why are you not telling Jalal anything?'

'Because, I received another death threat from the stalker...' Jodha murmured lifelessly 'MMS recording... filming him in his car...'

An eerie silence prevailed for a few seconds

'GOD!' Meera covered her mouth in shock 'This is crazy...'

'That is when I caved in... I gave up... I broke it off...because, if anything happened to him...I'd never be able to forgive myself...'

'Have you gone to the police yet?'

'Police?' she smirked, while still gaping at the life on the bustling roads 'They're nothing but an inefficient bunch of bullies who haven't taken ANY action yet...and with the creep stalking Jalal and I, going to the police is only turning out riskier...so, I'm not concerning myself with the police anymore...'

'But don't give up, Jodha'

Give up? Well, she'd definitely given up on the inefficient law force system. She'd also given up on society's narrow-minded ideals that would let innocents like herself and Jalal be punished for their choices, while perverts like Shareef and criminals like the stalker were roaming around scot-free. However, one thing she'd resolved NOT to give up on was her own 'self' and her own 'abilities' - and that was something she was persistently sticking to. She was doing what needed to be done - but by depending on her judgement and HER judgement alone.

She'd needed a computer technician who would be able to help her unravel some truths about the MMS and yet, a person who would do so without charging her a single Rupee! She needed someone she'd known for long enough - someone she could trust implicitly - and yet, someone she was confident would stay out of the stalker's radar. Thankfully, she'd found just the guy and the means to get him onboard!

'You're taking advantage  of the fact that you have an extra smart brother...who has a bit of spare time on his hands...'

'Wah... a bit of spare time? You have plenty of spare time, Vishal bhaiyya...please tell me what you can about where this MMS clipping was sent from na...'

'Achaa? And what about the risks involved? I'm doing a pretty risky thing here...if bade bhaiyya finds out... I'll be grounded... along with you...'

'No one bothers snooping around on YOUR stuff...all that treatment is only reserved for me... anyway...' she looked down, her expressions commencing to appear quite grief-stricken 'I thought...I could at least depend on you... but looks like no one understands my plight here...' by this stage, the grimaces on her face were emotional enough to look real - emotional enough to tug at the heart strings of even the most nonchalant of brothers

'Ok... ok...choti... stop the drama...' he'd nearly slapped his forehead there 'But, what do I get in return for this?'

'Thanks bhaiyya' she put on a smile of instant relief - wiping off the tear that she'd literally had to squeeze out of her eyelids 'I'll tidy up all of your your electronic equipment...your dvds, wires everything... you can tell mamma YOU did it...'

'Not enough...'

'I'll tidy up AND make you your favourite chilli cheese toast...'

'Nah...not enough'

'I'll tidy up after you for a MONTH!'

'Errr... ok... I'll think about it...'

'BHAIYYAAA!'

'Fine fine... don't scream... I'll do it...'

'Jodha... you've gone all mum again...I'd asked you why you didn't tell Jalal anything about the MMS?'

Mildly flinching at the light tap she felt on her shoulder, Jodha snapped out of her daze thereafter 'I wish I could have told Jalal the truth and put him out of his misery...but I can't...' she began playing with her nails, hints of her well-buried nervousness now starting to show through 'If I told Jalal the truth, his agony wouldn't be real... and the stalker would pick that up in no time, since he knows Jalal too well... who knows how mad it'd make an already madman...who knows how badly he'd retaliate...how could I take that risk? So, I had to opt for a temporary heartache over a permanent one!' a guilty haze soon glossed over her doe-eyes 'And I don't want to tell you anything Meera, because I don't want to put YOU in trouble too... the person who's sent the MMS is probably someone who knows you too... ' she eventually turned away from the window vista and back towards her company, her mellow stares pleading for some patience from her bestie 'I'm sorry that I can't explain any further now Meera...but I want you to promise me that you'd never repeat a word of anything I've said, to anyone...not even to Payal or to Abdul...ok?'

'But... w...why?'

Jodha folded her palms as a gesture of request, aware that what she was asking was possibly something that'd work against her friend's conscience 'Meera...Payal is a very sweet girl...a very close friend... but, she's a chatterbox... and actually, I trust no one else from that group... so please...just for my sake.. promise me that you'd tell no one...'

'Ok...ok... I understand buddhu...you come first for me!' setting Jodha's palms down, the moved young lady observed the latent melancholy in her face for a short while 'So THIS IS IT for you two? Damn yaar... everyone loved you two...nazar lag gayee tum donon ki jodi ko... shyea...I'm so annoyed...' she wiped a stray tear that was beginning to fog her sight 'How much it would pain him to think that you've moved on... and how far would it pain you, when he moves on? I can only imagine...'

'Move on?' Jodha let out a miserably cynical laugh. Moving on was something she was confident neither he could do, nor she. EVER! After all, what they'd had was no brief fling. It wasn't just about a relationship that prided itself on many interesting dates and witty conversations. It was about a sublime companionship that they'd both discovered in each other - a beautiful bonding that most others could only ever hope for. What they both shared - even on that fateful evening - was not just the consequence of superficial attraction. It was Not Just a Passionate Affair. It was something magical, meaningful and wholesome - to both.

She had no regrets now. She'd finally grown to find peace within herself about her decisions, actions and her changed mindset - but not without his gentle guidance that'd helped her do so first. Like her family feared, her priorities had shifted - but it was only because her man was worth it in every way! So, moving on was impossible! How could they move on from something truly irreplaceable?

'What we have...its too precious...in fact, it's irreplaceable... to me...AND to you...' a soft grin broke out on a corner of her lips as she recalled his final words fondly

'You're missing him, right?' Meera enquired, noting the fresh sparkle in a pair of eyes that'd been listless for so long

Jodha nodded 'You know how headstrong we both are...you know how egoistic we both are... yet in the past 8 months, Jalal and I didn't have a single major argument... that's how well we understood and complemented each other...tho it's obvious, I'll miss him...'

Actually, she was playing down her emotions grossly. Missing? She YEARNED for him! Any second that went by where she didn't have something to recall about him, was a rare second indeed! When there'd been not a dull minute in his company - when there'd been not a day where she hadn't learnt something new from him - when there'd rarely been a touch of his that hadn't turned her on, how could she not miss him? What wouldn't she do to be back in his arms - to experience his husky voice whispering sweet-nothings into her ears - to relish the scents of his tantalizing cologne dotted on his neck. What wouldn't she do to just lie on his lap for five minutes and savour the feel of his fingers combing through her hair 'Be patient my heart' she had to tell herself many times a day 'It'll all come back...'

'Plus, you're engaged to a guy you have no interest in... having to put up with this Rishabh's phone calls and dinner dates... damn...' Meera rolled her eyes 'I wish something happens... and the engagement gets cancelled...'

'Huh?' Jodha gasped, mildly surprised by the abrupt venting. Yes, the offtopic had dragged her away from her dreamy 'Jalalian' reverie - but, the anger in her pal's tone was so adorable that she couldn't help but smile.

Besides; much like Meera, she was fervently wishing for Rishabh to call off this rocky engagement too. However, unbeknown to Meera - she KNEW it should happen sometime soon. After all, it'd been a week since she'd let half the college know of this particular development.

So if her calculations were right, it was just a matter of time before the stalker struck again - and on his new victim, Rishabh Raghuvanshi!