Chapter 35-Jaspal
The lohri celebrations were going on in full swing.He knew he ought to join his parents as they started their parikrama,tossing puffed rice into the fire.Someone cleared their throat behind him.He whipped around to find Amrit Babbar studying him.It seemed good looks ran in the family.Amrit Babbar had always been known for his looks and tonight was no exception.He looked stunning in an ensemble of red and yellow which made him glow.
But not the way she does,a treacherous voice whispered in his mind.
"Jaspal ji "
He nodded his head in acknowledgement.
Jaspal finally understood why men and women fell for him.He oozed charm ,cloaked behind a veneer of melancholy which everyone wished to decode.No matter how well one knew them, they'd be an island of their own,closed off from the rest of the world,occupying an entirely different plane if existence . They'd be the ones their lovers would admire and love from a distance.His Inder veerji was one such person.
In another life he might have fallen for Amrit Babbar but in this one,his heart had been ensnared.
He had a flash of a pair of eyes which had pulled him into a deep well of complex emotions and feelings which left him jittery and strangely happy,eyes emanating desperation as they saw him drowning in the sarowar,the eyes which had the stars reflected in them and the eyes which flickered in uncertainty before meeting his whenever they made contact.He could never forget the eyes which told him everything no matter how desperately their owner tried to mask her feelings.
The noise at the bonfire caught their attention. Daarji had been roped into dancing with Bebe while his sisters cheered them on.He allowed himself a slight smile, dearly missing his Inder veerji.It wasn't long before Parjaai and the boys joined in.He suddenly found herself looking for her ;she was humming and tapping her foot to the beat,eyes scrunched in concentration as she attempted to memorize the steps.
For the first time that night,he allowed himself to take in her appearance entirely.She was clad in red upon his Daarji's request,but it was the deepest shade of maroon decorated with mirrors.She finally joined the dance and spun.As she did the light from the fire reflected off the mirrors encased her in a golden light;she burned like the sun itself.
"Are you done staring at my sister?"
Jaspal had forgotten about Amrit and he turned red in mortification.The other man just laughed.
"Mummy and I are shifting to Kolkata after the wedding and Pammi to Amritsar.You had better take care of Gurleen.Honestly, I can think of a dozen better candidates but for some absurd reason she's fixated on you."
"I feel flattered.",Jaspal remarked dryly.
Amrit sighed before looking out at the celebrations.
"I haven't been a good brother or a good partner,both to Vikrant and Pammi."
They were inching into personal territory; apparently even his in laws had picked upon his natural talents for untangling their emotional messes much to his chagrin.He wasn't their counsellor and surely, couldn't they afford a therapist?
The fact that a near stranger was feeling comfortable enough to divulge scandalous secrets unnerved him while the only person whom he wanted to help had pushed him away and was currently dancing with Bebe and Prabhjyot as if she hadn't been crying her eyes out a few hours earlier.His concern for her grew.
Meanwhile his companion continued,
"I've wasted my life away.I can no longer afford to drag my family down."
Jaspal saw her trip and fall.He winced in sympathy.He had to get to her immediately.He hoped she hadn't stepped on the embers and burnt her foot.Glancing back,he saw Amrit looking back with an amused expression.
Go,he mouthed.
"And fix that pagg of yours ." He yelled after him as Jaspal tore off to the crowd surrounding her.
A very concerned looking bebe was gently examining her foot.
"Bebe,please don't worry . I'll take her to my room.I think she needs some peace and quiet.It won't do to crowd her."
His daarji nodded in agreement.
He bent down and whispered,
"Do you think you can stand?"
While she nodded she couldn't hide the wince of pain as she moved her ankle.Shaking his head,he picked her up.She let out a little yelp.He was acutely aware of everyone staring at them, something which he chose to ignore.He made his way to the house,her Parjaai and veerji,who had followed them,in tow.
The four of them ended up in Jaspal's room.He gently laid her down on his bed and summoned a doctor.He sat down beside her and took her hand in his.She stiffened and tried pulling it out.He let go reluctantly. Meanwhile Parminder had settled herself on the chaise while Amrit inspected the room.Jaspal was too tired to protest.
Soon,the doctor arrived with Bebe and Poonam ji.
"I'm afraid it's a clean break."the doctor sighed.
"I'll patch it up for now but she'll need to come to the hospital tomorrow for an x ray.We might have to put a cast on it."
With that he left.
Meanwhile,Gurleen had fallen asleep on his shoulder. He tried to lift her head but she stirred,so he desisted.
Bebe took one look at her and turned to her mother.
"Poonam ji,she looks really exhausted.Perhaps it's better she spends the night here .Parminder can accompany her.And Jaspal will be the perfect gentleman, won't you Jaspal?"
He ignored her and closed his eyes,leaning against the headboard,with her head still on his shoulder. He dreaded Gurleen's reaction in the morning but was too exhausted to care.The mess could wait,he decided.It was time to sleep.
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