Chapter 21

The empty room was still reverberating with the words of the emperor, but the proportion of threat, the void of fear in a father’s heart had been patched up by the reassurance of the emperor. The questions for the king of Amer were whether the infamous emperor was at all to be trusted? Was he actually capable of abiding by honor? Should Bharmal take his verses of assurance as his word, a promise he would lay his life for? Why a Mogul emperor be so hell bent on taking his daughter’s hand in marriage, or this alliance as a morsel of peace between two culturally different communities that are no more than sworn enemies? Why he would honor the daughter of his enemy as an empress to rule by his side? He must be wise enough to realize that what a backlash he would be facing as an emperor, marrying a woman of entirely different religion, something that had never happened before? And yet he was ready to risk it all. Could there be more behind what Bharmal’s senses could perceive?

There was no denying that king of Amer was taken aback at the Mogul emperor’s words. Confused and still in dilemma. He left the tent and came out to find his princes stranded and Abdul giving a curious glance as if trying to figure out the state of king of Amer’s mind.

Abdul: I apologize for the scruffle, king of Amer. If you could please take your princes back, I would be saved from using force, while we are negotiating.

Bharmal: I want to see Jodha. Let your emperor know.

Abdul hesitated for a moment but then left nodding to seek Jalal’s consent, if at all he was willing to give one.

It would be an understatement to say that Abdul was infuriated with the way Jalal was handling this situation, he was rather mad at his friend. It made no sense at all, the entire plot had change. He thought there was some sort of change in Jalal’s persona, the way he was talking about Amer, saving that so called girl, all that gibberish about how he wouldn’t let Sharif lay a hand on Amer or Amerians, all that sentimental talk before they had left Malwa. So much for saving Amer, when what Jalal did was exactly what that lecherous Sharif’ud’din would have done. Blackmailed Amer’s royalty that too using a woman like a pawn in an ugly game. This was a low, that Abdul would have never expected Jalal to be capable of reaching to. So, yes he was angry, but even if he doesn’t agree to Jalal’s ways there was noway he would go against him. Loyalty for Abdul had always been beyond reason.

Abdul entered the tent Jalal had moved onto (given Jalal’s tent was still being used as a captive site for Jodha). Jalal was sitting in his casual attire, disarmed, still smeared with dirt and pats of blood that had dried on his palm, looking out of the window. The day had passed and the dusk was spreading.

Abdul (reserved): The king of Amer wants to see his daughter.

Jalal sighed. Looked back at Abdul and nodded an affirmative Yes, without uttering a single syllable and reverted his gaze back out of window.

Seeing his friend that exhausted was acommon sight these days, emotionally drained and lost in thoughts. In any other circumstances he would have offered him some words of peace, warmth of his friendship, but today he was too irritated to give Jalal anything, not even a damn look of concern.

Abdul (with a curtnod): Your highness!

Jalal sensed the sarcasm but didn’t look back at Abdul. He knew Abdul had all the reason to be enraged, but Jalal couldn’t say anything unless his plans have worked. Unless the king of Amer agrees to what he has asked for.

Abdul returned back to where Raja Bharmal was still waiting.

Abdul (softly): This way Raja Bharmal. Let me guide you to where your daughter is.

Bharmal followed Abdul back to Jalal’s tent where Jodha was kept under watch.

Jodha looked at the intrusion with a scorn, but seeing Bharmal, the poor girl rushed and slumped into her father’s arm.

Bharmal (consoling): Its okay my child. Stay strong.

Jodha left her father, gathered her composure.

Jodha: Do not fight it father. Let me go.

Bharmal: Why did you say, that it was your fault, back there? Why do you think, you have anything to do with all this?

Jodha (reluctant): I, I... just know father.

Bharmal (impatient) : How? that's what I'm asking. You know you can tell me anything Jodha. Please be honest, my child.

Jodha (sighed): I..I had met him earlier father, long back. I was out before dawn, patrolling the borders in the forest with brothers. He protected me against a savage herd of Mogul soldiers, Sharif’s men at the border of Amer and Nagaur. (scorned) As if I needed any saving from the brute himself. I didn’t know then father, that he was the devil (whispering inaudibly) in the garb of an angel.

Bharmal (surprised): Saved you against his own men? Did he tell you, who he was?

Jodha: No

Bharmal: So he lied?

Jodha (winced in pain): No, it was the foolish me who stopped him from revealing his true identity.

Bharmal: Do you think if you hadn’t stopped him, he would have told you who he was.

Jodha (recalled): I hate to admit, but I do believe so. So now you see, its all my fault. I wouldn’t lie father, a part of me softened for him that fateful night. Only if I had known better, I would have acted otherwise. Back then I had thought, it was my destiny to have found him, now I see it was my doom.

The mist, the dilemma that had fogged Bharmal’s vision suddenly cleared. He could see the fact, had Jalal wanted to grab hold of his daughter,he could have done it that night itself. There was no one around to stop that from happening, but he didn’t. He went against his own soldiers to safeguard his daughter’s honor, even when he had no reason to. It was not he who attacked Amer, he came and pushed Sharif’s forces back, and that Sharif is nowhere insight now. There is quite a possibility that he could be standing as a line of defence against Amer and Sharif’ud’din’s vicious intent. Can the so called brute emperor have a soft spot for his daughter? Why not, if my ferocious daughter could feel for him..She must have seen something in the man, to have felt that way, if I've raised my child well. Is he trying to ensure her safety against his enemies?

Perhaps the emperor isn’t the devil that the folk lores have painted him to be. Perhaps he could be trusted. Could he be?

Bharmal left Jodha, who tried to stop her father but silenced herself.

Abdul was still waiting outside the tent to escort the king of Amer back to his men.

Bharmal (came out and asked): Where is Sharif’ud’din?

Abdul (surprised, but composed): He fled. But we’ll catch him soon Raja Bharmal. I assure you he’ll be charged with treason and punished under Mogul law for not only the ordeal he made Amer face, but also going against the royal decree issued by the emperor himself that states clearly to not annex any kingdom without his consent. It might seem unbelievable at this moment, but Jalal’s intentions were never to hurt. I do not know, what went wrong but believe me he came to stop..

Before Abdul could finish his sentence, Bharmal put a hand on Abdul’s shoulder in a reassuring way.

Bharmal: I understand. Tell your emperor that I’m taking not only my sons and men, but also my daughter back with me to Amer, and that he has my consent for his terms. Amer’s fidelity to Mogul regime sealed with marital alliance between my daughter and the emperor.My word need no written agreement. What I will send him from Amer is an invitation for the groom and his family to grace us with their presence at the wedding to be held at Sambhar, twenty days from now.

Abdul (gasped): MARITAL ALLIANCE?

Bharmal: Yes. If you could please excuse me now, I would be leaving. You can let him know what I just said. I’m sure, after my consent he wouldn’t have any problems with my daughter leaving with us.

Bharmal went back in to Jodha’s tent leaving a bewildered Abdul.

Bharmal: Jodha! We are leaving, but not without you. You’re coming back to Amer with us child.

Horrified Jodha opened her mouth to differ, but Bharmal stopped her.

Bharmal: No harm will come to Amer, and I’ll honor the word that my daughter gave to the Mogul emperor.

Jodha looked back at Bharmal. Drained out of all the energy to think, she simply nodded. As you say father.