Akdha OS : Together Forever | Jodha Akbar | Rajat Tokas | Paridhi Sharma

Where there is a will, there is a way. Many wise people havd said this line hundred and million times to bring changes among women's. But there is a institution named MARRIEGE had always been the solution of all problems. Be it about a burden in a face of daughter or more money making their son as a jackpot.
Jodha is a young talented girl. Studied in Mumbai University , having a Bachelor degree in Sanskrit. May be her subject was the oldest language of the world, but her thinking is not as old as the subject. She is modern yet traditional. She always mean all those ritual which can make a mans life soulful and peacefull.

Now its the time as per society, to say good bye to her parents and be a good wife, a good daughter in law, a good sister in law, may be some day a great mother. Jodha is no doubt is a bit offended to get married just after her study end. But in the pressure of her father, and having his age in mind she said yes.

-------------------------------------

Jalal.. a young engineer. Studied in abroad, with an MBA degree from Manchester university of England. With this achievement his parents have a high thinking about his marriage. They will bought a wife for him, but she will obey them, as they are the parents of her husband. They thought that their son is an asset for all those girls family out there. They will see and choose the best for him, like  they want to choose a trophy for him.

As the moment came near. Both of their nervousness started to shoot up. Jalal and Jodha. Two individuals will meet soon.

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

16 February

Jalal's POV

I am upper nervous today. Dad called me numerous times just to remember our visit to Mr. Bharmal's house for my marriage. Dad talked to him. And very much impressed by their gesture and have listen many impressive talent about their daughter. Jodha, that's her name. Once dad given me her photograph. May be I studied in Manchester, have been with many beautiful girls. But at the end of the I am an Indian after all. And i also have that weakness for our country girl. An Indian. As I valued my country culture i also want a girl for me with Indian value and culture yet a modern person who is in parallel with our time. Not an old gramophone record with shrill and old age understanding.
I take a glace on her photograph. I must say she is a complete definition of Indian beauty. On the top the purple saree made her look as i want. Some where in my mind i assume her my to be wife. But will she think the same??

16 February

JODHA'S POV

I have never been in such awkward position. After i came back from college my mom grab me and thump something in my hand. Then she grab me close and whisper in my ear, "check it once my dear
I was a bit astonished by my mother's behaviour. Why she got suddenly excited. After I reach my room and freshen up, i forward my hand towards the cause of my mom's excitement.

The moment the half of the content point out from the yellow envelop i can clearly understand my mom's excitement.

A dark handsome face came in front of my eyes the moment i pull out the photograph. Its not that i haven't seen any more handsome men in my ife. But there is an old saying, each every one's choice is different. For some reason my eyes stuck to that handsome man's face. But oh crap! I don't know his name? I try to see if any info written about him any where in the photo. But sadly there were non. But the moment i saw the envelop i found a name. JALAL' written on it.
Hmm muslim, i though. Not bad. Seems like my parents want me to explore religion.
But i am afraid about the other side. Did the boy's family will be happy to have a hindu girl as bride? Will he be happy to have me as his bride to be?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

After a week

Every one in the house getting ready to welcome the guests. Her mom running here to there inspecting the preparations. Samosas, aloo tikki, pakoda's are preparing in the kitchen. Everyone has a hope about Jodha finally going to get hitched.
Inside the room, her mother was giving her lecture about how to behave in front of the guest. How to be polite and listen everything, don't talk too much, not to open anything in front of the boys family.
Her father came to her room and asked her to be carefull and don't tell anything insufficient.

NOW THE TIME HAS COME!!!

Nearly 4pm in the evening,  Jalal and his family came down from their car. The moment Hamida Muhammad came out and observe the area her second bracket form of eye brows can easily dictated. She is not an cynical lady, but from the day she have tasted royalty and smelled money she forget about everything. Now her aim to come here is only choose her Daughter in law. Same we can say about his father. He did not here for choosing a suitable bride and wife for his son. But to choose a daughter in law for them selves.

After getting inside Mr. Bharmal and his family welcomed the guests.

Sitting in the sofa the started chatting. But Hamida's eyeballs are moving around the room and others sides of the house.

Realising absence of Jalal Mr. Bharmal asked,

"Aren't son Jalal going to come?
"yes he will, but i prefer to see the preety lady first. Lets see if she can fit for Jalal or not??

May be she spoke the words in a bit comical way, but the inner meaning is clearly insult them indirectly.

Gulping the insult in the first over of the meeting, Mr. Bharmal said, yes, Jodha is inside. She will be here any minute.

"oh, i thought she is the one whom i will wait in the drawing room first. But never mind! Today's children's nature!!

Padma, Jodha's Mother about to go towards Jodha's room, she saw her daughter coming out in a very sweet yellow maroon brasso saree, with hair having neatly braid. She came and touch Hamida's feet. But Hamidavati did a strange thing. She touch Jodha's hair braid and pull it a bit powerfully.

Everyone is present there,  shocked by the deed of Hamida. Hamida smile a bit,and said, "oh i was checking that her hair is real or a wig?1

Other than Hamida and her husband was astonished by the act of her.

Jodha was also felt insulted by this act. But she ignored the thing and sat down by her mother.

"She is my only daughter Jodha. Just appeared in 3 year final exam.

"did she know cooking? Hamida said by cutting Padma.

"yes a little bit this time Jodha spoke.
"oh my god! What do you mean by little bit? Don't you want to make food in our home??

"no no, she know cooking very well!! said Padma.

Now its time for Jodha to get shock. She look at her mother shockingly.

"and what about others domestic works? Means cooking? Cleaning? Sewing?1

Jodha was a feeling awkward listening their requirement.

"yes, she is a bit slow in sewing, but she can do other household chores very efficiently.

Jodha is getting irritated by the topic discussed. Kind of an job interview!

"i want to ask something finally Jodha spoke.

all the member present in the drawing room look at her. Just the moment Jodha noticed someone in their doorstep standing folding his arms near his chest and listening everything.

Her eyes instantly got stuck on that figure. The figure she saw on the picture, which is now inside her book.
Jalal! He came!

A gush of attitude rush through her mind wating Jalal. now lets see whats his reaction on his parents so called DEMAND for his wife'

"i want to ask something to you aunty Jodha  said directly looking at Mrs. Hamida.

"are you not ashamed?? Mrs Hamida said while dancing her right eyebrow.
"no aunty, absolutely not. Said Jodha confidently.1

"mrs. Sharma" Hamida said a bit angrily looking at Jodha's mom. "don't your daughter have any manners? She is asking questions to us? Do our family don't have any reputation that we have to answer her question? And what kind of behaviour is that? Mrs. Leels start shouting.

"i am not doing anything wrong aunty. Its my right to question u if i have any said Jodha in a calm and compose voice. While Jalal stand in the doorstep looking at the front with amusement. He really want to know what will Jodha do now?

"you have no right to question us girl. We are groom's side said Hamida fussing in anger.

"so what? Do u have any special right from our government that only you can question girl's side? I don't remember any sort of government decision! Jodha shake her shoulder with negative approach.1

"So Jodha sat just opposite of mrs Hamida.

"tell me aunty, what your son do? said sikha.

"Hamida burn in anger the moment the question ends. She want to counter back but the look in Jodha's eyes clearly said, She didn't care.

"he is an MBA, have his own company of textiles. You may be come across Hamida Fashion Hub? He created it with my name as title. Hamida said with a pride in her face.

Jodha want to laugh. Such a self proud
Sasuma she will have.

"What is your contribution in the hub? Jodha questioned directly.

And the a faint chuckle she hear from the door after her question.

Hamida got flabbergasted with her question. "i am Jalal's mother. That is the most important contribution.

"i agree, but what do you do for the hub so that it can flourish a bit more?

"what kind of nonsence is this?

"ok, ok. Next question

"do your son is a virgin?

"what???? both of Jalal's parent's eyes popped out. Even Jalal didn't thought that Jodha will question this to his mother. He cant help but laugh silently
now you have to face her mom.' He thought.

"do he have HIV? Jodha shot again.
"what are you saying? Are you out of your mind?? Hamida shouted on top of her voice.

"what?? I didn't ask any nonsense! If we got married and have physical relation, i have to be careful. If he has HIV so it can cause my life also.

"ok next question. Jodha didn't wait fr Hamida's answer. "do he have any girlfriend before?

By now Hamida is totally devastated by the constant arrow of questions by a mare girl whom they came to see as their daughter in law.

Watching the expression on Hamida's face,  Padma came near Jodha, and whisper in her ears, "please Jodha, don't do this. Its not in our cultur that a girl did not question the groom family. Ever. You cant do that.
Jodha looked at her mother. A helpless mother who is equally helpless in front of her daughter's instant question.

"i am sorry mom, but i cant help myself. The way she started interviewing me to be her daughter in law, i have the equal right to question her as my mother in law. We have to stay together, so i need to check our compatibility level. Nothing else. You don't have to be tensed up like this. She point out her forehead, now wipe your sweat up mom. Let the game begin Jodha got excited.

"so, aunty, did your son had any girlfriend earlier or any link ups?

With an angry tone and pressed growl, "no, never. My son is a decent person.

"oh really??? How can you prove that?

Like a wounded tigress Hamida look at her.

"never mind. Now i want to say something.

Padma now sweating profoundly, now what will Jodha do next!!

"Looking directly to standing Jalal she said, "i have completed my graduation recently, and i want to be an independent person by profession. I want to be a working woman.
Befor Hamida started shouting, Humayun said in a matronly voice, "what is the need of you to be a working woman?

Now Jodha got shocked. "what do you mean uncle? You dont like me being an working woman?

"thats not the point young lady. But i want to say whats the need. You see, my son have his own business. He earn so much that you can sit and live your entire life without doing anything. So what is the need to go out? If you need he will provide you all of your comfort and money.

"May be"humayun said it in a very grave and calm tone, but the thought behind it is enough to catch fire. Now Jodha cant stop herself.

"do you really thing in todays world, any woman who is independent like me, want to be in your cage?

"what do you mean by that? humayun frawn.

"i am sorry to say uncle, but didn't see enough todays world. And i am sure aunty also dont know what is the basic need of todays girls out there.
Hamida was about to spoke something, humayun stopped her in middle but catching her elbow.

"uncle, aunty, today women are free to do any work they want. Even some of survey said that womens are much more efficient and deicated that men and even they can do 10 works at a time as you know women had that superior power. So why do you think that after marriage i cant manage my personal and professional life?
Now this made both of them shut there mouth.

"i have one more question. And please give that answer sincerely.

"yes, say said humayun.

"did you ask your son that what kind of girl he ned as his life partner? I am sure that you wont as the way you started your enquire, i understand that you need your daughter in law, but not your sons life partner. Isn't it Mr. Jalal? she said the last sentence looking at Jalal directly.

That is the time when everyone noticed Jalal standing on the door.

"yes ofcourse, Jodha.

He came near her. Then look at his parents. Some how he felt sad as some one indirectly insulted them. But he is feeling  good as by this they will get a good lesson.

"she is right, you never asked me that what kind of girl I want as my wife. Didn't you maa?

"Jalal, you are our child. Dont you think we can do better selection for our daughter in law?

Now Jalal went near Hamida and grab her shoulder. Then said in a mare whisper, "yes maa, i don't have any problem about you selecting your daughter in law, but i have an  objection about you choosing my wife, my life partner.

Hamida had no idea that her son can ever question her, accuse her or say oppose her. While humayun didn't have the courage to say any word in front of his son. Some where he know that their son didn't said any thing wrong. He has the right to choose his own bride as she will be his wife first , his life partner first, then she will be their daughter in law.

Jalal now look towards Humayun. He said nothing, just nodded.

"i have chosen Jodha as my life partner. It is a yes for me he declare while sternly looking at Hamida.
Hamida was fuming in rage but couldn't tell anything in front of her son. Jalal played his eyes on everyone, then stand in front of Jodha who is now totally baffled by Jalal's declaration .

"i am very sorry Jodha, the way my mother behaved with you and your family. But if you need my opinion, I can trust you that you are the right for me and my family, and specially for my mother. Said side looking through the corner of his eyes.
Jodha couldn't control he chuckle. But thatchuckle suddenly turn to shock as Jalal hold her hand " I have chose you for me Jodha, do you give me the pleasure to marry you? Will you accept me as your husband and life partner?

Now this is complete shock for Padma and Mr. Bharmal as well as Jodha her self.

Jodha looking astonished to Jalal, she could never think that some day a handsome person like Jalal would propose for marriage in front of her family.

"Mr. Jalal, i can accept you as my life partner but will have that courage to choose me for you mother's daughter in law?

Now Jalal look at her seriously. "I want a life partner Jodha not a maid for my house chores. I believe in equal right in choosing a life partner be it a girl or boy. He look at every one and said, " May be you see your son or daughter with a thought that they are younger than you, but you never should think that you are his/her parent means you have right to take any decion for them. Yes you can, but it will be him/ her decision is he last. As they will be the one who will be together. If anything goes wrong with your decision, you will not suffer, but its them. Now looking at Hamida, "every one has that right to choose for them be it a choice of job or a life partner. Every parent should appreciate their decision, not throw their own decision on them.+

Before Hamida could say anything Humayun clutched her hand and nodded a no, "they have that right Hamida, we should respect our children, only then they could respect us.

Jalal smiled a bit while Jodha couldn't say anything but blush. She could feel Jalal's eyes at her.
Jalal catch her left hand in his warm hand and whisper, "welcome to my life, Mrs. Jalal Muhammad!!!

Writer : Chandrima Senapati