In search of the diamond -Fanfic-Updated-Chapter 51 - Page 5

Gurleen is Poonam's husband's illegitimate daughter;the late Colonel Mahesh Babbar.This was mentioned in the conversation between Akaal and the granthi in chapter 7.Why she becomes the sole heir will be explained partly in the next chapter.

Actually,part of Akaal's motivation behind marrying her off to his son is that inheritance which would boost the Brar's business.

Originally posted by: Aleyamma47

I'm sorry if you feel hurt that I'm tagging interested forum members for the other two writers and not for you.

The thing is that I don't know who exactly is interested in reading stories of the other family members and characters other than Sahan and Kerry.

Because, Sahan stories are the most sought after, followed by Kerry.

There are very few readers who take interest in other couples including Veerat. You would have already noticed it in the forum.

There's one girl @2005Priya who reads everyone's work and appreciates them. Other than her many don't approve fanfictions of other couples of TMD or be it any show for that matter.

Which is why I had tagged @Vaidehi in the beginning because @Vaidehi does like fictions of other couples.

However, I will tag a few more readers whom I know had appreciated fictions of other couples too.

N.B. Even if none of them reads, I will continue to read your story and give you my feedback as long as I come to the forum.

I'm saying this because I might take a break in the near future.

Heyy, you don't have to apologise.I don't mind you not tagging people for me.It's perfectly alright.I am happy to write even if only one person reads it.And as long as you enjoy it I'm happy.It's ok if you're not able to provide feedback.It's not compulsory.This is a creative outlet for me, that's all .And even if you do stop reading after sometime, it's perfectly fine.🤗

But thank you really for taking the time to read this stuff and providing feedback on them.I have a lot of fun discussing the characters with you and getting to know your perspective.❤️

Ps:And thanks a lot for tagging more people.It us really sweet of you.

Originally posted by: themasked

Heyy, you don't have to apologise.I don't mind you not tagging people for me.It's perfectly alright.I am happy to write even if only one person reads it.And as long as you enjoy it I'm happy.It's ok if you're not able to provide feedback.It's not compulsory.This is a creative outlet for me, that's all .And even if you do stop reading after sometime, it's perfectly fine.🤗

But thank you really for taking the time to read this stuff and providing feedback on them.I have a lot of fun discussing the characters with you and getting to know your perspective.❤️

Ps:And thanks a lot for tagging more people.It us really sweet of you.

@red - I know it's not compulsory but I don't give feedbacks out of compulsion.

I really like this fiction of yours (currently this one is my favorite) and that is the main reason I give feedbacks and not out of some obligation.

@purple - I would not stop reading this fiction until I stop completely coming to this forum (which might happen because of my studies) because as I said I really like this story. You are doing a great work as a debutant.

@pink - It is a small gift for you for entertaining me with your story.

Chapter 9-Gurleen

"Parjaai,the expression is ,a penny for your thoughts."

Gurleen bit back.

Her Parjaai laughed and waved it off.

"Like I care.As long as you understand what I'm saying it's fine.Are you alright?"

Gurleen's shoulders slumped, a woebegone expression on her face.

"Do you really want me to dignify that question with an answer?"

"My my ,look at how high and mighty we've become.I came to apologise and check on you. I'm sorry we didn't tell you sooner and prepare you for it."

"Why ?",was the only word Gurleen could muster.

"You can get your answers only from one person.And you know who that is."

She sighed.

Her Parjaai continued.

"The two of you have to talk at some point.You can't keep dancing around each other forever."

Gurleen got up and started pacing.

"It's difficult parjaai.Everything is a mess.I don't know what to think anymore.What does she want from me?"

"She loves you, you know that's true.It's just that she has always had difficulty in expressing herself."

Gurleen felt her anger rise.

"Really parjaai?She is perfectly fine when it comes to veerji.How in the whole wide world can you still defend her?Why on earth are you hell bent on whitewashing her? Is she blackmailing you or something?"

Pammi watched her sadly.

Gurleen turned to the door,tears in her eyes.

"I used to hate her you know,for bringing me home when she clearly didn't love me.I tried so hard to please her.I tried to be quiet, kind, helpful.I did whatever she asked of me.When I got to know of my parentage,I realised nothing mattered in the end.No matter what I did,I could never measure up to Amrit veerji as I wasn't supposed to exist in the first place.

I tried to hurt her ,just as she had hurt me.Then I just stopped.I started feeling bad for her.She hadn't ill treated me.In fact I was lucky to have been adopted legally and given the Babbar name .How could I punish her for my parents' mistake?So I stayed away.Everything was fine till she decided to mother me and decide something so important without my output.

She simply can't just show up out of the blue,claim to love me and expect me to love her back.It doesn't work that way.There is a line which cannot be crossed.

"Gurleen,we need you to take over the business.Amrit and I are in no condition to do so."

"What do you mean?Both of you are qualified and have more experience than me.You'll do splendidly."

"Amrit cannot have children."

Gurleen stopped short in her tracks.

"But how is it relevant to the succession?",she asked pointedly,"Why can't you just adopt?"

"It's always been a tradition for the business to be passed within the family.If Amrit and I can't have biological children,then what's the point of the inheritance?"

"Amrit veerji was nineteen when I got adopted.They already knew,didn't they? Is that the reason why I was brought here?Otherwise I would've been left in the orphanage,the same orphanage which burnt down later,leaving no survivors."

"I'm sorry Gurleen."

"I wish I had died in that fire."

There was a shocked gasp behind them.Unknown to them,Poonam had been listening to the conversation.Before they could react,Maitri di showed up.

"Gurleen , the Granthi is on the phone asking for you."

She shot down the stairs followed by her Parjaai.

"Gurleen puttar, don't worry.Your sarangi has been returned.You can come and get it."said the Granthi.

"Thank you chacha ji,thank you so much.I'll come immediately."

"I'm not the one you're supposed to be thanking puttar.You should thank the person who returned it.If you come soon you might get to thank him personally."

Feeling relieved,she grabbed her car keys and dashed out into the yard.

"Gurleen,where are you going in such a hurry?"

Silence

In her hurry , Gurleen failed to notice her momsie, at the top of the stairs with tears in her eyes and a very stunned looking Amrit staring at the scene,mouth agape.She rushed to the and turned on the ignition.Driving at breakneck speed she managed to reach the Gurudwara in record time.

Don't think about home.

Don't think about home.

Don't think about home.

Don't think about home.

She kept on chanting to herself as tears threatened to cloud her vision.She found the granthi near the kitchen who directed her towards the sarowar.There, she saw a serious looking man,gazing at the swans in the water,lost in thought.There seemed to be an air of tranquility about him as he smiled in contentment.The smile lit up his face almost dimming the beauty around.Her sarangi had been placed on a ledge,near the step he was standing on,covered in a waterproof bag.

Descending the steps,she called out to him.Unfortunately, as he turned,slipped and toppled right into the water below.He clearly didn't know how to swim,as he flailed around before plummeting towards the bottom.She stood rooted in her spot,aghast.Without hesitation,she dived in after him.

Amazing chapter

Chapter 10-Jaspal

Jaspal had seen several strange things in life. With a father as driven and at times as eccentric as Akaal Singh Brar,it was bound to happen.He had been extremely suspicious when his father had summoned him to his study the previous night.

"Please take this sarangi to the granthi in the Gurudwara.Make sure you return it to the rightful owner yourself."

Jaspal had raised an eyebrow.

"Can't the granthi do it?"

"No, it's too precious."

"Since when did you start distrusting the granthi?"

"Why do you ask so many questions?"

They had argued back and forth all night until Jaspal had backed down.

I'll just return the instrument and be done with it, he'd thought.

However, he had not counted on the impromptu dip in the sarowar.Even as he dropped like a rock, the panic and the self preservation never showed up.Instead, he found himself drowning in the most beautiful eyes he'd ever seen.His rescuer was swimming towards him in panic, a manic desperation emanating from her.He found herself admiring her beauty.

Her hair was spread out like a hall,tendrils floating in the water;the sunlight reflecting of it made glisten like obsidian.And her eyes,he kept returning to them.He wished to see them up close.As he lost oxygen,he smiled ,basking in the glow which seemed to radiate from her.

His rescuer tried to grab one of his hands but it skipped.She caught hold of his collar and struggled to pull him up.After a long struggle they found themselves face to face.He felt very happy.He could now lose himself in her eyes.Needing her hands free,she bade him to hold on to her ,wrapping his arms around her waist as she swam them up.He complied happily.

After what seemed like an eternity,they managed to break the surface,gasping and coughing.She helped him to the steps and they hauled themselves out of the water.Shivering,they sat under the sunlight, waiting for the chill to leave their bones.As he coughed out water, he felt horror creep up his spine.

WHAT HAD HE DONE?

His behaviour had been the most inappropriate. She probably thought him to be a creep.He turned around to apologise and to his dismay,he found her even more beautiful under the sunlight,as she sat on the steps,wringing the water out of her hair.To his horror,he desperately wished to run his hands through her hair, removing the tangles.And once again,her eyes had him ensnared.

Underwater,they had been close enough for him to observe every little fleck and the exact shade of brown her irises were.He would give anything to gaze into them again.The sound of someone clearing their throat brought him back to earth.He felt mortified at having been caught staring at her.

She looked at him with uncertainty for a moment.

"I'm sorry for startling you."

"No please don't apologise.In fact I'm indebted to you for having saved my life."

She seemed to blush a bit.

"Thank you for returning my sarangi."

"Oh.Please don't mention it . It's such an exquisite instrument , surely the owner must be as talented."

He died a thousand deaths over.He had flirted with a stranger ,that too in the worst way possible.She looked at the ground awkwardly. Neither knew what to say.

"You're shivering badly and soaking wet."

Searching through the bag next to the sarangi,he pulled out a beautiful shawl.

"Please use this shawl. You won't get hypothermia. It's my bebe's lucky shawl."

She had shrunk back ,a little alarmed.

"I don't think I could accept it."

"Please do. It's the least I can do after you saved my life.I insist.I will rest better knowing that you're cared for."

With that the last of his dignity died a slow,painful death.She looked ready to bolt.

"May I atleast know your name first?"

"Jaspal,Jaspal Singh Brar."

She grew thoughtful.

"Are you perchance related to Akaal Singh Brar ?"

"Yes, he's my father."

She nodded slowly .

Seeing the recognition on her face,he probed her,

"Do you know him?"

"Yes,I met him yesterday after the kirtan.I am Gurleen Babbar by the way."

"Pleased to meet you."

She bowed her head slightly.

"I should probably get going.Thank you for returning my sarangi.Where did you find it by the way?"

Jaspal was at a loss to answer.He had no idea why his father had the sarangi to begin with.Now that he knew her identity,he started to suspect.

Two can play the game Daarji.

"I'm afraid my father had it.He requested me to return it to you."

Let's see if she's smart enough to see through the old man.

She looked lost in contemplation and to his thrill, the realisation had started to dawn on her face .She hurriedly bid him goodbye and walked away.

Gurleen Babbar had him intrigued.There was definitely more to her than met the eye.This was going to be an interesting game.A smile slowly spread across his face,as he watched her retreating back.

Game on Daarji.

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

"Veerji I need your help."

Inder looked at him in worry.

"What's wrong Jaspal?"

"I need to find more information about someone."

"Why have you come to me?"

"You're closely related to her."

"A woman?Are you interested in a woman?"

Inder asked flabbergasted.

"None of your business."

"By jove,you fancy her don't you?"he guffawed.

There was silence.

"You're not denying it.This must be serious, isn't it? You're starting to fall for her aren't you?"

Jaspal thought for a moment.

"No veerji,falling in love is too strong a word.I find her highly fascinating."

He didn't doubt the physical attraction but it wasn't enough.

"Who is it?"

"Gurleen Babbar"

"That Gurleen Babbar?"

"Yes"

"The Gurleen Babbar whose brother nearly drove your parjaai's brother to suicide?"

"Yes"

"The Gurleen Babbar who was declared the sole heir to the Babbar Empire?"

"Yes"

"You've fallen right into Daarji's trap."

"Perhaps but only time will tell.No one gets to best me."

Inder sighed,"Are you sure Jaspal?This is marriage and a life together,not one of your mind games."

"As sure as the sun in the sky veerji."

"In that case,I will help you ,I hope you accomplish whatever you want.May god protect you."

Chapter 9

Oh my god is that Jaspal who came to return Gurleen's sarangi? I'm so excited that I forgot about the first part.

There's some kind of suspense in Gurleen's biological identity/past which her adopted family/Poonam, Amrit and Pammi is hiding from her, I guess.🤔

I can't wait anymore. Let me read the next part.

Originally posted by: themasked

However, he had not counted on the impromptu dip in the sarowar.Even as he dropped like a rock, the panic and the self preservation never showed up.Instead, he found himself drowning in the most beautiful eyes he'd ever seen.His rescuer was swimming towards him in panic, a manic desperation emanating from her.He found herself admiring her beauty.

Her hair was spread out like a hall,tendrils floating in the water;the sunlight reflecting of it made glisten like obsidian.And her eyes,he kept returning to them.He wished to see them up close.As he lost oxygen,he smiled ,basking in the glow which seemed to radiate from her.

His rescuer tried to grab one of his hands but it skipped.She caught hold of his collar and struggled to pull him up.After a long struggle they found themselves face to face.He felt very happy.He could now lose himself in her eyes.Needing her hands free,she bade him to hold on to her ,wrapping his arms around her waist as she swam them up.He complied happily.

After what seemed like an eternity,they managed to break the surface,gasping and coughing.She helped him to the steps and they hauled themselves out of the water.Shivering,they sat under the sunlight, waiting for the chill to leave their bones.As he coughed out water, he felt horror creep up his spine.

WHAT HAD HE DONE?

His behaviour had been the most inappropriate. She probably thought him to be a creep.He turned around to apologise and to his dismay,he found her even more beautiful under the sunlight,as she sat on the steps,wringing the water out of her hair.To his horror,he desperately wished to run his hands through her hair, removing the tangles.And once again,her eyes had him ensnared.

Underwater,they had been close enough for him to observe every little fleck and the exact shade of brown her irises were.He would give anything to gaze into them again.The sound of someone clearing their throat brought him back to earth.He felt mortified at having been caught staring at her.

She looked at him with uncertainty for a moment.

"I'm sorry for startling you."

"No please don't apologise.In fact I'm indebted to you for having saved my life."

She seemed to blush a bit.

"Thank you for returning my sarangi."

"Oh.Please don't mention it . It's such an exquisite instrument , surely the owner must be as talented."

He died a thousand deaths over.He had flirted with a stranger ,that too in the worst way possible.She looked at the ground awkwardly. Neither knew what to say.

"You're shivering badly and soaking wet."

Searching through the bag next to the sarangi,he pulled out a beautiful shawl.

"Please use this shawl. You won't get hypothermia. It's my bebe's lucky shawl."

She had shrunk back ,a little alarmed.

"I don't think I could accept it."

"Please do. It's the least I can do after you saved my life.I insist.I will rest better knowing that you're cared for."

With that the last of his dignity died a slow,painful death.She looked ready to bolt.

"May I atleast know your name first?"

"Jaspal,Jaspal Singh Brar."

She grew thoughtful.

"Are you perchance related to Akaal Singh Brar ?"

"Yes, he's my father."

She nodded slowly .

Seeing the recognition on her face,he probed her,

"Do you know him?"

"Yes,I met him yesterday after the kirtan.I am Gurleen Babbar by the way."

"Pleased to meet you."

She bowed her head slightly.

"I should probably get going.Thank you for returning my sarangi.Where did you find it by the way?"

Jaspal was at a loss to answer.He had no idea why his father had the sarangi to begin with.Now that he knew her identity,he started to suspect.

Two can play the game Daarji.

"I'm afraid my father had it.He requested me to return it to you."

Let's see if she's smart enough to see through the old man.

She looked lost in contemplation and to his thrill, the realisation had started to dawn on her face .She hurriedly bid him goodbye and walked away.

Gurleen Babbar had him intrigued.There was definitely more to her than met the eye.This was going to be an interesting game.A smile slowly spread across his face,as he watched her retreating back.

Oh jeez!! I read this part again and again.

I was waiting for Jaspal-Gurleen's first meet and the way you have written it....😘😘

I loved the way they meet and the smallest things happening between them:

the initial attraction, the curiosity which builds around them, Jaspal being pulled towards Gurleen, the awkwardness he felt of his inappropriate embrace, his open flirting....😍😍

The way you have explained everything was in a top-notch way.

This is my favorite chapter of my favorite TMD fanfic.

I wish I could star it like we do in whatsapp but unfortunately IF doesn't have such a feature.

Chapter 11-Gurleen

She hadn't spoken to anyone in a week.And they'd been rather accommodating of her desire to stay alone in her room which she appreciated.The last week had been a PR nightmare as they struggled to contain the media which had suddenly become very interested in her life.Countless interviews and a grand photoshoot later, she was spent.On top of this hectic social schedule,her responsibilities at work had increased as well as she was introduced to the board members and CEO s of all their companies.

Her momsie was currently the chairman,a spot she hoped Gurleen would occupy some time in the future.However,they had their work cut out for them.Many favoured her veerji over her and they soon discovered why.Emotionally labile,her brother was easier to manipulate .He tended to trust too easily and would make the perfect puppet.And to make matters worse,he had managed to bungle up their finances.After several rounds of auditing,it was obvious that they'd go bankrupt within a year .

She could cut costs and repay the loans they'd taken,but that would only help them scrape through to make ends meet.They'd still suffer losses.A few years back,it wouldn't have been an issue;their reputation alone would have pushed them through a bad quarter.But now,with newer companies in the market,holding onto clients and investors and clients was tricky.

Even the smallest compromise in quality could hammer the final nail into the coffin.Moreover, she had no desire to initiate the proposed lay offs.Most employees had worked for them for several years by now.They did not deserve to pay for her brother's mistakes.While her momsie and brother might have been involved in shady business from time to time, they had always treated their employees well,with hefty paychecks and retirement benefits.

Though expensive at first,it had paid off in the long run as the quality and reputation of their products soared.As a result,they had always had the upper hand in negotiations.This system had to remain intact if they were to survive.They needed fresh capital and the sooner ,the better.

As she wracked her brains, she happened to glance upon the shawl ,hanging off the back of her chair.

Jaspal Singh Brar

He had returned her sarangi.They'd talked for five minutes ,during half of which, he'd flirted with her.While creeped out at first,she had found his embarrassment rather endearing.After returning home day, she'd thrown herself into research,looking him up and making subtle enquiries.He could be a potential ally in the long run.

He had quite a reputation,stolid, serious and hard to read.In Gurleen's experience,such a man usually spelled danger. Until his brother's disgrace,he had worked in the shadows ,away from the public eye;no one had known what to make of him yet had expected a lot from him.And as his father's heir,he had disappointed no one.

She ended up admiring him for his poise, demeanor and the grace with which he carried himself.But there was also a certain wariness to him;a part of him was always closed off.If the rumours were true, he had a strained relationship with most of his family which seemed to be circus of it's own.A single glance at a tabloid had given her enough trauma to last the rest of the year.

Her mind wandered off to the Brar patriarch,Akaal Singh Brar who had all but engineered their meeting last week.She had to admit, her hunch had been right.He had been testing waters for a potential alliance between the Brars and the Babbars. He was a man she needed to watch out for.And finally her mind circled back to the shawl which she'd had washed and cleaned.Considering the fact that it had sentimental value,it had to be returned at the soonest.

Except, she couldn't exactly saunter off to the Brar's doorstep.It was perfect fodder for rumor and unwanted attention.She needed help in handling this situation.Sighing,she went downstairs to find her Parjaai.

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

"I can't believe you're making me do this."

Gurleen muttered as the gates to the Brar estate opened for their car to pass through.It had caused quite an uproar.It wasn't everyday that a Babbar dropped in announced,and especially not the heir.

"Sending Maitri di or someone else to return the shawl would be disrespectful , especially when you consider the value of the gift."her Parjaai replied primly from the passenger's seat.

They drove in silence for a while,passing vast lawns and an ostentatious fountain which looked out of place amidst the otherwise traditional decor.

"Gurleen"

"Hmm Parjaai?"

"I'm sorry.I know we were being selfish."

Silence

"Parjaai, I'm not mad at you anymore.You weren't involved in my adoption,momsie and Amrit veerji were, so the onus is on them.While I really wish you had informed me of this before,I understand your desire to save me from heartbreak."

Her Parjaai sniffled a bit.

"And I'm truly sorry for not informing you of the takeover.I know it must have been a shock."

Gurleen glanced at her Parjaai; she looked miserable.

"Parjaai,all that is water under the bridge.I'm learning to adapt so I'll be fine.Let bygones be bygones.Just promise me that you won't hide anything from me in the future."

"I promise."

The car came to a stop in front of an imposing mansion,where a valet waited to take their keys.

"Parjaai,is it a good idea to drop in unannounced like this?"Gurleen whispered,her misgivings finally catching up to her.

"We are the Babbars.We don't schedule our visits based on others' conveniences,"her Parjaai replied before walking in as if she owned the place, leaving behind a very embarrassed Gurleen to follow.

There was a very thin line between pride and indifference,and her Parjaai seemed hell bent on pulverising it.

Originally posted by: Aleyamma47

Oh jeez!! I read this part again and again.

I was waiting for Jaspal-Gurleen's first meet and the way you have written it....😘😘

I loved the way they meet and the smallest things happening between them:

the initial attraction, the curiosity which builds around them, Jaspal being pulled towards Gurleen, the awkwardness he felt of his inappropriate embrace, his open flirting....😍😍

The way you have explained everything was in a top-notch way.

This is my favorite chapter of my favorite TMD fanfic.

I wish I could star it like we do in whatsapp but unfortunately IF doesn't have such a feature.

I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter.I was afraid that I'd made their romance very cringey and rather over the top .Thank you for your beautiful review.❤️❤️