Jodha - But Papa, what about my dreams, my future, my love? Isn't that also important? I love Surya and I will not marry this man at any cost!
Bharmal was in tears. He was very upset about hurting his daughter yet he had to save his house. He ultimately begged to her.
Bharmal (joining his hands) - Jodha please, I am begging you, please marry Mr Mohammed! I know he is arrogant but he considered giving back the house to me! I can't see my family suffer like this! His family is also affluent and highly respected! I know we are Hindus and he is a Muslim but it is just a minor discretion! I know you love Surya but the circumstances are such that I can't deny Mr Mohammed! I am really sorry but you have to drink this poison, beta
Jodha was dumb-founded. Her father's weak state broke her. She hadn't expected in her wildest dreams that her father would have to beg to her. She called out to him, as he turned his tear-stained face to look at her. Bharmal wasn't even able to meet his eyes with her. He had led her life to ruin and he could have killed himself for it.
Jodha - Papa, please don't cry! It is because of the insult I caused him that the situation has reached this juncture! And since I have brought it on my family, it is my duty to end their suffering. I have decided that I will marry Mr Mohammed to get our house back!
Bharmal (hugging her) - Jodha beta, thank you so much! I know that you would agree eventually! I know that you care for all of us! (breaking the hug) - Mainavati! Make all the preparations! Mr Mohammed will come to our house with his family in a week's time! We will do the engagement then!
Mainavati - Okay, as you say
Bharmal then left the room, wearing a visible smile on his face. Jodha then broke down, shedding tears. She couldn't believe that this was happening to her. Mainavati and Shivani also began weeping terribly.
Jodha - Ma, what wrong did I do to deserve such a fate? I can't believe that Papa traded me and my life in for the house!
Mainavati (hugging Jodha tightly) - Beta, please don't cry! I know that you are really hurt and upset with the turn of events! But try to understand your Papa's dilemma as well! He must have been terribly saddened to do this but he couldn't be selfish!
Jodha - But Ma, why wasn't my consent taken? Don't I have a right on my life?
Mainavati was rendered speechless at the statement. She was at loss for words.
Jodha - Why did you keep quiet, Ma? You don't have anything to say na? Ma, do you even know what that man did to me? He held my hand! And I wanted to marry Surya! What do I tell him now? That my father, has bargained my life? That I won't be able to spend the rest of my life with him just because a cruel and evil man is going to be in his place?
Mainavati (in anger) - Bas Jodha! Enough! I know that you hate him! But because of whom are we in this situation? You shouldn't have slapped him! You have to accept him as your husband now! Anyways, I need to go and prepare for the engagement now. There is a lot of work to be done
Mainavati then left the room along with Shivani. Jodha was devastated. She couldn't believe that her own family could do this to her. She was crying bitterly. Throughout the night, there were tears flowing through her eyes. She didn't even sleep for a minute. She kept cursing her birth and existence. She wasn't in a state to contact any of her friends or even Surya. Her mother had told her to stop going to college for a few days as she needed her help for the preparations as well.
Jalal on the other hand, told his mother, Hamida Banu, about his decision to get married. She was obviously happy, as her son had finally decided to settle down. She gave him a tight hug.
Hamida - So beta, who is the lucky girl?
Jalal had decided against telling his mother the circumstances which had led to this situation.
Jalal - Ammijaan, her name is Jodha. She is a Hindu Rajput and a very nice girl.
Ammijaan - Hmm...Jodha! The name itself is so beautiful! I am sure she must be a very stunning girl!
Jalal (smiling) - Yes Ammijaan, she is very beautiful! I have already spoken to her family and they have agreed. We have decided to get engaged in a week!
Ammijaan - Arre beta! Itni jaldi! And you are telling me now! We need to make preparations also! Gifts, sweets and clothes! I will manage everything! And I will decide what gift to give her! I have something in my mind! (kissing his forehead) - Beta, this is the best news you have given me! I can't wait to see Jodha now! I want to meet her before the engagement!
Jalal - Okay Ammijaan! As you say! We can meet her and her family tomorrow!
Ammijaan - Okay! I will prepare her gift
Ammijaan went from there, unable to contain her excitement. Jalal on the other hand, needed to talk to Jodha's father right away. He pulled out his cell phone and dialled his number. Bharmal picked it up.
Jalal - Hello Mr Singh, Jalal here
Bharmal - Yes Mr Mohammed, tell me
Jalal - I hope all the preparations are going on well. The engagement is in a week after all.
Bharmal - Yes, everything is done. It will be a small, intimate ceremony with only close relatives in attendance
Jalal - Okay, very well then. Anyways, I called up to inform you that my family wants to meet Jodha. My Ammijaan especially wants to meet her. So, we are coming to your house tomorrow
Bharmal (tensed up) - Umm...okay. But the place where I am currently staying is not mine. It is smaller than my previous house
Jalal - Okay, so we will meet at your old house then. Since, you are officially becoming my father-in-law now; I would like to hand it over back to you. However, don't try to cheat me by calling off the marriage. This marriage is happening at any cost otherwise I will have to seize the house again
Bharmal - Okay, Mr Mohammed, as you say. Anything else that you want me to do?
Jalal - Yes, another thing is that my family believes that this marriage is happening by mutual consent. She doesn't know about the property. So I request you not to tell her anything about the same
Bharmal - Okay, Mr Mohammed
Jalal - Mr Singh, please stop calling me that! I am going to be your son-in-law now! Please call me Jalal only
Bharmal - Okay, Jalal. I will arrange everything for our meeting tomorrow. Thank you
Bharmal ended the call. He was glad that he had gotten the house back but began shedding fresh tears. He was shattered by the fact that he had lost the only chance of getting his daughter out of this mess. An entire day had gone by and Jodha hadn't stepped out of the room even once. Everyone had gone and checked on her all the while; she had not stopped crying. She had also refused to eat. Bharmal somehow needed to tell her that her would-be in-laws were coming to meet her the next day. He decided against telling that he had gotten the house back and if she did ask, he would tell her that Jalal decided to meet them in that house and he would be getting it back only after she got married. Bharmal was very tensed as to not only how the meeting would go but also as to how was Jalal's family; would they take good care of her? How was her to be mother-in-law? All these questions were continuously running in his mind, as he prepared for their meeting.
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