FF ~A Midsummer Night's Dream~epilogue pg 45 - Page 13

She sat on the swing in the balcony in deep thought .Outside she could see birds chirping in the blue haze and lofty sand dunes which were now glistening with the rays of the sun high above in the sky littered with fluffy white clouds all over . As the swing went up her lehenga puffed up like a balloon and her long damp tresses flew behind her spraying the air with fine mists of water .Lost in her thoughts, her eyes glanced at the Jalaal who was still sitting contemplating, with his eyes closed soaking in the beauty of the morning after his prayer casually exercising in between.Jodha gazed at him trying to absorb what she saw and felt; suddenly she saw him in a new light. He was strong, well built and strong jawed. The glistening golden sun bathed his tanned bare torso which seemed to grab her attention, she noticed how he had changed in all these years.His hair flew with the gusts of the wind, her eyes just slipped scrutinizing each and every toned muscle and the well sculpted abdomen. In short he had changed .He was no more the boy who had left her, instead returned a man. She tried hard not to notice him but her eyes defied her orders .She was shocked how she stared and became dazed looking at his strength ,his wholesome looks and his manliness. There was an intangible tenderness about him, his glistening skin was bathing in the furry warmth of the golden sunlight, his flawless curves provided a slide to the sweat droplets trickling down his forehead and slipping down his body .Her gaze was transfixed at him blatantly ,but still he kept on exercising.His long dark eyes were slightly veiled, half opened .Jodha glanced at his pristine face which had changed .It was the first time ,after all these years ,the she saw him carefully. His view evoked in her some strange feeling, she was a sleeping wood ,frozen all these years ,but her heart simmered in a strange warmth in the heat of his magnetic personality. The wide forehead, the glow of knowledge and those thin lips mumbling and chanting. Who was this man? she wondered as the boy whom she knew and had once felt for was nowhere near him.

Jalaal opened the door of his room in excitement. His eyes searched for Jodha but there was no trace of her. He nodded his head in amusement and smacked his forehead .Utterly dismayed by his stupidity, yearning for her like a fool ,he shook his head and taking a deep breath sighed heavily .Gazing at his reflection in the mirror ,he took a comb and ran his fingers through his hair ,threw it aside and wiped off the sweat from his body . His cheeks had a flush on them beyond the color that had been contributed by the heat and the strong wind; but his eyes were steady. Moments ago his wife was looking at him , this very thought gave him an unknown thrill. Suddenly he saw her reflection in the mirror , thin long fingers clutched the curtains in one corner of the room ,trembling in nervousness and her nose ring shone like a star touching her quivering lips. A smirk ran across his face and he picked up his fluffy achkan ; wearing it suddenly,he turned around and said in flute like tones, "Yun hi chup chup k niharengi Rajkumari 'Aap humari begum hai..Apko haq hai humein yun dekhne ka bahar akar aram se bhi dekh sakti hain..", his eyes lit up with a mischievious glint.Jodha bit her lips and the curtains fell from her hand ;she slowly walked out ,her anklets tinkling with the dragging of her feet. The distance between them was so small butJodha's clumpy gait made it look as if she had been walking since ages. He folded his hands across his bosom and was looking at her with a strange and pensive directness.

" wwo ..Hum apse kuch kehna chahatey hain",her crystalline tones broke the silence and palpable discomfort that had crept between them.

"To kahiye na Jodha'" his smile widened ,"humarein kaan taras gaye hain apki batein sunne ko'apke dil ko samajhne ko aap kya chahti hai kya sochti hai'kuch to kahiye Jodha",he said in a go ,his hearbeat reverberating in excitement of hearing her voice.

It was the first time ,she wanted to speak to him without any effort from his side.She snapped her fingers and dug the earth beneath her toes and lowered her lids and even before Jalaal could react suddenly rushed towards him and fell on his feet, "Humein kshama kar dijiye 'Humne apka bahut apmaan kiya'hum apni ki hui har bhool ki kshamaychna karte hain'.",Jalaal was flabbergasted and stepped back horrified ; grabbing her shoulders ,he made her stand up, "Yeh kya kar rahi hain aap Jodha"

His statement was cut short by her whimpering. "hum apko vachan dete hain ki hum..apna dharm nibhayenge..apko koi bhi shikayat ka avasar nahi denge'Ek achi patni ban kar dikhayenge '",Her voice quivered as she spoke

Jalaal was shocked and nodded his head, "Iski koi zarurat nahi hai'Hum jantey hain aap k dil main kai sawal they ..5 saal pehle jo bhi hua'Wo ek Mulq k hone wale Shehenshah ka farz tha Jodhal aur aisefaislein jazbaati hokar nahi liye jatey ..Aap samjh rahi hain na Hum kya kehna chahtey hain'?.He held her chin and made her look into his eyes. Her eyes met those of Jalaal's as she raised them slowly .Between ticks of the watch they exchanged their life's experiences ,fancies ,histories and pain. .

"Hum jantey hain aap naraz honge humse,aap humein ek avasar dein hum apni sari galtiyan sudhar lenge," ,Jodha choked upon her own words. Her heart wanted to please him. She was scared for her family who could fall prey to his anger because of her stubborn denial of performing the duties as his wife.

"Arey ye aap kyun keh rahi hain'Aaapne humari izzat rakhi, aur humare rishtey ki bhi..aap yahan wapas aa gayi humare paas isse jyada humare liye khushi ki baat ho hi nahi sakti'",Jalaal was overwhelmed with her apology. "Lekin hum sach mein ek achi patni banne ka prayas karenge..aap humein kshama kijiye bas'.",she said in a childlike yearning voice which enamoured his heart, a smile rekindled his face and he smirked,"Acha chaliye maaf kiya ..ab to aap khush hain na'."

She nodded her head and continued, "parantu humein bhi aap se badle mein kuch chahiye'denge aap'", her eyes were inquisitive and her voice grew firm with apprehensions. He nodded his head in wonder and extreme joy ,it was the first time she asked something from him, he wanted to pluck all the stars from the heaven and lay them down at her feet. "Mangiye Jodha jo apka man chahe'.yahan sab kuch to apka hi hai'.aisa kuch bhi nahi jo hum apko na de payein",his voice shook with excitementand pride, "Chup kyun hain boliye na'",his hands trembled as he shook her shoulders floating in ecstacy.Her acceptance ,her tenderness just touched his parched heart. All these years ,he had been craving for her acceptance and the moment almost made him giddy headed.

"Apko humein ek vachan dena hoga..",she extended her palms .

Jodha was surprised as he suddenly burst laughing .

"Kya hua'humne kuch galat keh diya kya'",she scrunched her nose and her heart sank in deep anxiety.

"Nahiii'",Jalaal tried hard to control his laughter,"Wo bas'hum soch rahe hain kitne wadein hotey hain Bhia Rajputon mein Shaadi k waqt bhi jane kaun kaun se wadein karwayein apke Pandit ji ne humse..Phir apki shartein..bhaiHum toh thak chuke hain wadein kar karke..phir bhi apne pehli baar humse kuch manga mang lijiye jo bhi aap mangna chahti hai'",his smile widened .

Jodha's bosom heaved up and down as she breathed heavily and said in a go.., "Hum apse vachan chahte hain 'Vachan dijiye humein jab tak aap ki saans mein saans hai aap humare bhai ,humare parivar aur humare rajya par koi anch nahi ane denge..Vachan dijiye humein ki unke sharer par ek khanroch bhi nahi ayegi'..",her hands shook wildly and Jalaal nodded his head in disbelief and suddenly burst laughing again, "Bas itna hi'.Par Rajkumari ye Vachan to apka khali hi jayega'."

Jodha froze with fear and the colour of her face grew pale.Jalaal stared at her dreary gloomy face and walked forward and held her chin ,making her look at him, "iske liye wadein ki zarurat nahi thiJodha..aap humari hain to apka parivar bhi humara hi hua na..aur humare rehte humare parivar par hum anch ane denge yeh apne socha bhi kaise' 'khair jane dijiye..apne pehli baar humse kuch manga hai'apki yeh mang hum zarur karenge",he placed his hands on her palms and gripping them strongly he just bowed over with an old time grace and left a respectful kiss on the back of her hand.Jodha was taken aback by his gesture and felt extremely uncomfortable but sighed heavily as her heart was put to ease now. He walked a few steps forward ,clasped her with his lovely arms and looking into her deep watery eyes asked her with bated breath, "Jodha kya hum sari beeten batein bhulakar ek naye zindagi ki shuruat karein'.",his voice trembled in anxiety and Jodha closed her eyes.Her heart sank in deep melancholy but she was ready to compromise now for the sake of her loved ones. Her mother's words kept haunting her at the back of her mind .She raised her eyelids and stuttered nodding her head , "Ji'".Jalaal suddenly left her and moved backwards a few steps refusing to believe what he heard. Rolled around him , an ineffable ocean of joy and the depths of his being reverberated in extreme happiness. His beaming countenance showed that her acceptance was like a treasure in his heart. All these years ..all these five long years he had been waiting for her to accept him and the moment made him reach new heights of happiness. Beaming in his excesses he suddenly turned around and ran towards a box and throwing away some jewels finally finding what he searched madly for her ,came back right in front of her and catching his heavy breath extended it towards her- the shiny crystal bottle with the most exquisite perfume he had picked up for her in all these years, "Yeh aapke liye'Humari ore se ek chota sa togfa ek nayi zindagi ki shuruat ke liye'Aaap jitna to khushboodar nahi hai..par jab bhi humein apki yaad ati thi ,ise apne hatheli par rakh kar hum apko apne pas hi mehsus karte the'",his uninhibited display of his emotions shocked Jodha as the intensity of his yearnings seeped through his eyes.She looked at the bottle in his shivering palms and then gazed at his eyes. She remained mute but his tender look just moved her for a second and she just held the bottle from his hand and nodded her head ,"Ji dhanyavaad..",her hesitant voice reached his ears which made him realize that she had already accepted his gift and he just stood there like a fool with his extended palms.Flabbergasted for a second ,he just quickly withdrew his hands and Jodha turned around to walk way when suddenly she heard Jalaal's commanding voice stopping her, "Rukiye Jodha'",the distance between them narrowed as he walked towards her closer and closer.Jodha's heart flipped with anxiety and apprehension. Though ,she had accepted her fate and resigned sacrificing but yet her heart doomed and throbbed in fear of surrender.Jalaal came closer to her and held her hands brushing them gently and grabbed back the perfume bottle and with his fingers he tucked a stray lock behind her ears which were small buried beneath the locks of her hair. Her face turned pale and she cast a fleeting look as he dabbed the perfume behind her ears with his gentle touch. A new completely unknown wave of thrill passed through her body. His magic touch roused some new sensations and her eyes half opened . sighing .Jalaal felt her pulse leap at his touch and his eyes just forgot to blink watching her trembling lips and fluttering eyelashes. Silence ensued for seconds and Jalaal felt as if she could fall even with the touch of a feather. "Pasand aya'",Jalaal smirked and whispered gently in her ears .Jodha opened her eyes with a jolt and her face turned pale sensing the nearness between them.She wanted to push him back, the nearness suffocated her as she recalled her father ,but she bit her lips trying hard not to yell and offend the one at whose mercy were the lives of her loved ones. "Humein bahut pasand aya'Dhanyvaad'",Jodha took a step backwards trying to sound as normal as she could but the truth was that her heart was racing a mile every passing second.He smiled sheepishly and moving closer to her again inhaled the sweet frangrance from behind her ears bathing her skin with his warm breaths making her muscles stiff and whispered in his husky tone, "Humein bhi'",his grin grew wider as he saw Jodha stepping back in fear again. He was about to say something when a knock at the door interrupted him, "Gustakhi Maaf Shehenshah par apka Shahi Hamaam tayyar hai.."

Jodha heaved a huge sigh of relief as she heard Jalaal answering and reaching out for his kurta, "Haan hum ate hain'" Jodha turned around with a heavy heart when she stopped at his call again, "Jodha ek baat puchein kya aapne humein kabhi bhi in 5 salon mein ek pal k liye hi sahi..kya aapne humein yaad kiya'?",Jalaal's heart itched to get an answer. Did she ever think about him in all these years? Did she ever miss him? His heart craved to know. His eyes fluttered waiting with bated breath for her reply.Jodha felt cramped and a vague numbness spread over her heart as she turned back and stared at him , "Yaad to unke karte hain jinhe aap bhul jatey hain'Parantu 5 salon se sirf aap hi ke chehre ko yaad kiya humne she stiffened and her face became shadowy with lines and her face was a blank emptiness .Jalaal was ecstatic ,he wanted to rush to her and hold her forever ,but the shock and the confession overwhelmed him so much that he just muttered almost breaking into hiccups, "Apka Bahut shukriya wapas laaut kar ane ka'Apne logon ke paas Humare paas..ab aap wapas aa gayi hai na ..ab sab theek ho jayega'",he said with a huge victorious smile on his face .Jalaal walked out the room leaving Jodha in deep thought. She stood like a frozen statue for minutes and suddenly she mumbled, "Hum aye nahi'yahan laye gaye hain 'humare apno ki suraksha ne humein majboor kar diya yahan ane ko'.",her eyes burned like fire and seemed to be misted with a thin film of tear she looked mournfully at her hand,his lips felt imprinted on her hand and she felt choked..

Faraway in the desert ran his horse ,the storm brewed wildly and the sand covered his face and he hopped down and walked towards the man who stood there inside a tent.

"Aisa kya kaam aa gaya Adham Sahab ki aap khud hi humse milney chale aye",The man in the black masked amour smirked and his bloodshot eyes heated up with the glint of the huge bag of gold coins which hung loosely inAdham's hand.

"Humara ek usool hai'Batein kam kaam jyada'Kaam theek tarah se hona chahiye'.",Adham handed over a rolled piece of message to the man and walked away laughing , "Sitaron ki chaal badalne ka samay aa gya hai"

Jalaal stepped inside the huge pool and numerous maids gaggled around him.Jodha stood frozen like a statue for a few seconds unable to decide what should be done. The other women had told him that a wife of Mughals monitors all the activities of her husband including the bath.Though everything was arranged by the maids ,Jodha was still clueless about her role.Her eyes were lowered as she watched him drowned ina pool of rose petals.Jalaal smiled sheepishly looking at her hesitat face and cleared his throat, "hmmm..ab kya sara din yun kaam chhodkar ubtan lagwane ki intezaar karenge hum'"The baritone of his teasing voice brought Jodha out of her reverie and a considerate maid ran inside handing over a golden bowl of sandalwood and turmeric paste, "Yeh lagana hota hai unpar'",she whispered clearly to Jodha and walked out. In confusion she walked towards him, "Haan abhi laga dete hain'".She hesitantly sat in beside him on the rim of the octagonal pool and with shivering hands applied the cold paste on his skin ,gently brushing him.Jalaal 's eyes were fixed on her and her hands just touched his shoulders and arms hesitantly.Jalaal's eyes grew darker with mischief as he suddenly grabbed her hand and Jodha was shocked. He squeezed it flirtatiously making them reach out to his cheeks and he made her apply the paste roughly on them ,"Zara ache se lagayiye Rajkumari..humarein gallon pe kantein nahi lagey jo apke nazuk haath chil jayenge'". Jodha stared ,trying to free her hand from his grip. Her face seemed to dry up with his sharp gaze . he stared at her hard and laughed strangely ,the ripples spread all over his face and his bowed lips stretched out in a thin smile over the pearls inside his mouth. She was shocked that the otherwise dignified Jalaalhad such brazen sense of humour.She feigned a smile and tried to move away freeing her hand, "Koi dekh lega '" She got up in haste and was stopped dead in her tracks as his hands pulled her back making her fall back on the rim close to him. He dipped them in the paste and extended his hands to caress her face but as if in a desperate bid to escape his touch ,she withdrew her face and struggled to stop him, "Yeh kya kar rahe hain aap'",she muttered but suddenly he brushed his stained cheeks against her cheeks and moving his hands all over them painting them yellow.Jodha froze with shock struggling in his grip .Her face felt hot ,the space around her eyes burned as he stared at her with sheepish eyes. The touch had the caress of a lotus velvety yet tickling. His smile was that of uninhibited flamboyance which was unlike the shy boy she had met years ago. Who was he she wondered ?--the tender ,serene and shy prince or the masculine ardent and the torch of passion who caressed her face.Jodha kept on struggling trying her best not to yell or react harshly.The splashes of water scattered in their struggle making her dreanched.Fine dropletswere now slipping down her supple cheeks.She was on the verge of tears ,Jalaal noticed it and left her in annoyance, "Chaliye bas bahut ho gaya Mazak Suna hai apke yahan Holi hoti hai Jismein ek dusre par rang lagatey hai Abhi maaf kiya apko ,baki k armaan hum holi mein pure kar lenge'Ab aap ja sakti hai'.",Jalaal poured a jug of water on himself and Jodha curled up reday to run away with her brisk steps holding the bowl of ubtan in her hands, breathing a heavy sigh of relief.

"Theheriye",His deep masculine voice coming from behind put a brake on Jodha's feet .She rolled her duptata in her fingers senselessly as she heard his footsteps coming near her.He whispered in a husky tone near her ears, "Holi tak kaun Intezaar karega'.hum to usse pehle hi aapko apne rang mein rang denge ..Kyun Jodha'aap samajh rahi hain na'.", he winked at her naughtily and the bowl of ubtan slipped fromJodha's hands as she saw him walk way spreading his bashful smile .She felt a stab of pain in her chest and to the contrast an unknown dizziness which touched her senses with the caress of his breaths,intermingled in his honeyed eloquence. Trying hard to believe his overzealous flirtatious mannerisms,Jodha bent down and picking up the bowl walked away.

"Rajkumar Jwala Singh apko sadar nimantran bhejte hain ki aap Rajputana kshetra ke vikas aur unnati ke uplakshya mein rakhe gaye ek Goshti mein padharein..5 divasiya is goshti mein aap sabhi ka hardik abhinanadan hain'",Jalaal's eyebrows raised as he heard the messenger reading the message. "Jalaal'Apke Abba aur Apke bhai Adham to is samay riyasat k daure k liye se bahar gaye hain to aapko hi ismein jana hoga'.",Bairam Khan,a powerful and loyalist Wazir of Shehenshah Humayun announced and Jalaal looked quite unhappy with it .The thought of going way for so many days annoyed him.His lovely wife ,the only reason for his existence all these years was back and he wanted to talk to her ,to know her and to spend some time with her ,going on to attend some boring seminar was the last thing on his mind ,but he sighed heavily remembering that duty always comes firs. Fighting hard with his heart ,he fixed his priority sighing that Jodha is now there with him for life he nodded his head in acceptance," Hum zarur jayengeKhan Baba..kab jana hoga..",He asked the messenger with a heavy heart .

"Parson sham ko hi.",Jalaal chuckled thinking he still had almost a day and a half with her .

"Theek hai humare jane ki tayyari kar dijiye'.",Jalaal announced and walked out of the courtroom.

His mojris tapped on the marble floor again.This time his heart was at content.His life was back in his palce,in his room ,with the acceptance of her own hear. Life could never have been more blessed for Jalaal.The colors of Holi were still a few days away but the canvas of his deprived life since years was suddenly painted with hues of love. He wanted to talk to her, to hear her complains, her incessant chatter and banter which made his heart instantly her slave ,the very first day he had laid his eyes upon her. With excitement he stepped inside opening the door and was almost in splits as he saw Jodha stiffen on her couch near the jharonkha and she lied down tightly clutching the bed sheet and shutting her eyes pretending to sleep sensing his presence. A beam of light streaked across the floor climbing up on her, which vanished as he smiled and closed the door behind him.. . In the breeze the curtains flew up and kept fluttering near her pillow. Jalaal's heart froze with fear when she heard his footsteps nearing her. When the curtains fluttered in the breeze ,the room was drenched in his fragrance wafting from very near her. She could feel his presence clearly. A long silence followed ,except for the wind and the crackling of the fire outside. The moon was higher and the mango blossoms shadows deeper .Jalaal sat at her side and watched a little cloud drift asunder and shadow her face. She was pretending to sleep sweetly but he smirked at her futile attempt to keep up the pretence. He essayed to take her hand to awaken her. In doing so he touched her balled fists with which she had tightly clutched the bedsheet.He drew back his hand and smiled sweetly looking at her nervous frame.Jodha froze with fear for the unknown but suddenly she heard recding footsteps which again grew louder and a soft feathery touch covered her with a silken sheet.Jalaal walked back to the bed and sighed content and happy. He knew it was definitely a new beginning but her hesitation appealed to him. Everything was so new for her and he was in mood to push her for anything. He wanted her heart ,like an immaculate companion of his trials and tribulations. He wanted to give her his strong body ,his arms to protect her,his legs to carry her never even allowing her tender feet to touch the earth and a heart at her service charged with nothing but absolute love for her. Though his body throbbed with desires in her presence, the overpowering feeling to crush her in his arms made him mad every second .Yet he wanted her surrender from her own will. For him love was not the heady emotion which screamed for only flesh, it was the simple overwhelming joy he felt with her sheer presence. The unabated pleasure which would touch him ,when he would hold her hands watching sunsets dipping in the sand dunes, the fear that would grip him if she would frown, the immense satiety he would experience watching him and her age gracefully together-That was the meaning of marriage for him. He was ready to wait till she poured out her heart for him and he will make sure when the moment comes it will sure be worth the wait. With a sense of deep satisfaction and dreams of a warm future ahead, he closed his eyes.

"Kiski itni himmat ki Jalaal yun baithe hue hain aur abhi tak dastakhan nahi lagaya gaya'", Anjuman roared breaking the silence of the afternoon .Jalaal sat sulking on a stool in the dining area waiting for his lunch to be served.Husna came running, "Arey Bhabhi hum to bhul hi gaye the'Bhaijaan ko dena'."

"Apko pata hai na'Jalaal kisi bhi dasi k hanthon se lagi thali nahi lete'agar hum na dekhein to bas..Jalaal aap abhi rukiye hum khud paroskar latey hain apki thali'",Anjuman fumed and mentally cursed herself for getting late and missing her routine to serve food for him and make him eat every day with banter cajoling etc.

FLASHBACK'

5 YR old Jalaal ran wildly and holding hands of Anjuman and stomped his feet reaching the kitchen along with her, "Hum bhabhi k saath hi khayange ,he ran here and there making Anjuman run behind him.

She wiped a smile on her face as Jalaal frowned ,"Kahan reh gayi thi aap bhabhi humein bhookh lag rahi hai '."

"Abhi layi Jalaal'.",Anjuman's face lit up as she felt needed again'

Her feet started moving towards the kitchen as she ordered a dasi to follow her, "Abhi chaliye humare saath hum khud apne hathon se Jalaal ki thali paros k layange'"

"Iski koi avashyakta nahi Jijisa '",Anjuman's feet stopped and froze as she saw Jodha holding a huge thali in her hands with a variety of dishes neatly served in bowls, the shining gold thali resplendent due to the afternoon rays of the golden sun falling on it illuminating her dazzling face. Jalaal felt surprised and proudly elated as Jodha walked towards him trying to put up a faint fake smile on her face. "Wo humein kshama kijiyega ..apke liye pehli baar bhojan paros rahe the..isiliye thoda samay lag gaya'"She placed the plate in front of him and ordered the dasi , " zara wo pankha humein dijiye'."Anjuman rolled her eyes as she saw both of them talking with their eyes. The pain was excruciating for her .She fumed and biting her lips hard, gulping a huge lump in her throat shot back, "Badi jaldi yaad aa gaya apko Rajkumari'Apko ye to malum hona chahiye ki Jalaal ko kya pasand hai ya napasand..kaisi begum hain aap jo ab tak inhe aur inki zaruraton ko samajh hi nahi payi'hmmm.."

Jodha felt those words stabbing her. In her heart was defiance,in her heart there was anger being forced to keep up this false pretense ,she hated herself, loathed the idea of showering fake love on someone whom she can never accept. But she had to try, she had to sacrifice for the sake of her family. Gulping a huge lump in her throat ,swallowing the insult with dignity smiled and folded her hands ,"Kshama kijiye didisa agey se hum dhyaan rakhenge..",her calmness made Jalaal delighted .He respected Anjuman a lot, no matter what he could never bear if she would have shot back at her. He knew Anjuman was sometimes bitter, he could understand her pain and mood swings leading a deprived life but Jodha's silent gesture of understanding moved him. He wanted to cup her golden face and kiss her forehead overwhelming in the excitement of her being such a wonderful woman that she was. This is the woman who would be there with him always, strong and silent always giving never demanding. Jodha said nothing to him but the hurt swam in her big black expressive eyes which did not go unnoticed by him .He spoke gently, "Bhabhi Rajkumari abhi to aye hain..apse sab kuch sikhne aur samjhne mein waqtlagega na'Apki choti behen jaisi hi toh hain..ap se dhire dhire sab sikh lengi'Hain na..Rajkumari'",Jalaal nodded his head in overwhelming joy as he felt like floating in the vast expanse of the open sky. His wife had served him and was sitting with a huge smile before him. What more he could have asked from his life.

"Arey wah Rajkumari aap ne to sab humari pasand ki cheezein hi parosi hain thal main'" he rubbed his hands and his smile did put a faint smile on Jodha 's face, "Dekha humne kaha tha na akhir humari begum hain. Humari har xheez ka khayal inhe hi toh rakhna hoga hai na'" ,Jalaal smiled and raised his hands in prayer before starting his meal. Jodha sat there beside him like a statue while Anjuman burned with rage. Jealousy spread like forest fire through her as she watched their increasing comfort level and Jalaal's constant support for her. "arey wah ',he chuckled as he saw the food 'the first thali served by his beloved wife. He was deeply overwhelmed and moved with her silent and yet tiny steps towards their new life. He suddenly rasped a chuckle and clasped Gulaal's hands who was busy serving some more rice in his plate, "Yeh apke liye tohfa 'apke hathon se parose gaye khane liye..",he took out his shining ruby ring from his fingers and slipped it on her slender trembling fingers in his grip. Jodha fluttered her eyes a bit sighing and said, "Dhanyawad humein bahut pasand aya'." her big bright eyes sparkled for a moment only to be fizzled and shadowed by the hatred in her heart again. She took the fan in her hand and fanned him lost in her own deep thoughts. Jalaal's chest bloated with pride;he almost forgot to breathe .Seeing her near him with the fan in her hand hugging her knees sitting while he ate made him dizzy with the recollections of his past.

FLASHBACK 5 YEARS AGO-Place of Amer

"Ruk JayiyeJalaal,Jodha stood with a sword in her hand and threatened him, "Aaap humse humara Rajya yun nahi chin saktey hain'",She raised her sword on him.

Jalaal's eyes glowed from behind the mask and he roared threatening her,"Humey humarey koi nahi rok sakta Rajkumari..aap bhi nahi'.",He caged her in his arms and her sword slipped as she struggled to free herself.

"Jodha Bhabhi lagta hai aapne bhaijaan ko apane Vash mein kar liya hai'.", Husna walked in smirking ,breaking Jodha's trance and teasing both of them , "Kyun Badi bhabhi hain na'."

Jodha's fanning stopped and she froze like a statue, "Humara itna dussasahas nahi hai..hai patni to sirf agya manti hain unhe koi haq nahi hota ..wo to chupchap apne kartavya ka nirvah karti hain ..hum bhi wohi kar rahe hain'.",Jodha's words reached Jalaal's ears and he was hell shocked,his face became red with confusion .

"Jalaal chaliye ab shuru bhi kijiye..",Anjuman sensed the unease between both of them and added fuel to the fire.Jalaal hung his head and took the first bite and suddenly hissed yelling, "Ye khane mein upar se mirch kyun dali '"he spit the it on the floor. Anjuman got up with a jolt and yelled, "Aaapko kuch bhi nahi pata Rajkumari'Jalaal bilkul bhi mirch nahi kha patey'..hum abhi gud lekar atey hain'",Saying this Anjuman ran towards the kitchen.Jodha 's face hardened as she saw Jalaal'sangry and fuming.

"Aaap sirf teekhi batein hi kar sakte hain teekha bhojan nahi kar sakte' kyun ? humein nahi pata tha teekha bhojan na khane wale bhi itna teekha bol letein hain'..",Jodha shot back in frustration.The ghost of her past were still reeling before her eyes.Jodha threw glared hexes at her and in anger gritted his teeth and ate the whole food in a go .Jodha watched him in shock .His face became red, tears coursed down his cheeks. His mouth burned but he kept on eating. Jodha watched him in shock but still sat unmoved. Suddenly he started coughing loudly, his eyes burned .He felt as if he will choke to death but he just froze as he saw Jodha extending a glass of water towards him and rubbed his back as she mumbled, "Titholi samjh bhi nahi ati apko'.bikul bachey hi hain aap'",Jodha tried her best to ease him.She was angry, she was hurt but she was suddenly reminded of her mother's words and was scared that she might have offended him. She liked spicy red chillies and had assumed that he might have liked them too and thus had sprinkled some large amount .She constantly rubbed his back as Jalaal drank the water .The coughing halted and now Jalaalstared at her face which was just inches away from him and her hands rubbed his back .Her soft palms sending chills down her spine. Jodha stopped for a second as his gaze burned her and she suddenly withdrew her hands .Jalaal looked at Husna who stared at both of them giggling and he turned his face away from Jodha and rubbed his eyes and yelled,"Ooo..Humne mirch waley haath laga diye ankhon mein'." And burst into tears like a baby. His eyes burned and he grimaced in pain.

"Dikhayiye humein..Dekhein to'",Jodha hushed him, grabbing his face in her hands and dipping her pallu in the water wiped his eyes and blew her soft breaths on them. The pain was forgotten as a sudden new thrill passed throughJalaal, her warm breaths tickling him and her full round lips almost touching his lashes made him mad.His breath hitched and haltered as Jodha constantly mumbled, "Pata nahi itna gussa kyun karte hain'apna hi nuksaan kar baithe'".Mumbling to herself, her eyes wandered to the impatient craving look he gave her. She felt uneasy and her hands slipped from his face and she turned her face away embarrassed.Jalaal's eyes were better now and just forgot how angry he was and continued to eat the food trying to mask his embarrassment while Jodha chewed her lips in nervousness .Husna giggled, "Bhaijaan Tikhi Bhabhi lekar aye hain aap'.Kuch teekha khana bhi shuru kar dijiye'"She laughed loudly and Jodha just lowered her head and fanned him quietly.Anjuman sensed an unusual vibe and uneasiness between Jodha and Jalaal as she placed the gud on his thali.

The sun had set in and Jalaal sat bemoaning in gloom thinking about her words this afternoon. The heaps of notes in his grip fluttered which he had sat to examine and review with difficulty.He could barely read or write, but his thoughts wavered towards her words. Wasn't she happy ?Why would she feel that way ?.Maybe all this was a little too new for her.He tried to reason. A few moments later a tinkling of ornaments and the wafts of her delicate perfume announced the arrival of the princess. He turned around sitting on the cushions in the study . She walked inside ,the red veil covering her face followed by the servants who placed the hookah in front of him. Jalaal was amused as she clapped her hands signaling the attendants to leave and removed her veil slowly. He was rendered speechless and all he could do was gaze at her. Looking at her radiant self ,he realized that it was gradually turning dark outside. She came forward a few steps. . She lighted the hukkah herself .When the match caught the flame ,he saw her for a brief moment. The dark face glowed red, her hair was disheveled a bit but there was an air of dignity about her, in the darkness her eyes sparkled as if they were very much alive.

"Ye lijiye '",she extended the pipe towards him fanning the smoke from the flaming charcoals simmering on it and sprinkled a dash of tobacco on it.There was a hint of bass in her voice that brought him out of his reverie.

"Ye kya hai'.",he felt amused.

"Hukkah'",she creased her brows'

"Apse kisne kaha ki..hum'.",Kesaraditya burst laughing.

"Sab pitey hain..humara matlab sab Mughal aurtein bhi ..Ma humesha pitaji k liye lati thi..to humne socha'ek patni ka kartavya hota hoga'.",Jodha said in a go but her face suddenly got darkened with the pain in remembrance of her father.

Jalaal rasped a chuckle, "Tch tch tch'",He nodded his head, "Aaapko to humarein barein mein kuch bhi nahi pata'.."

"KSHAMA KIJIYE..",She folded her hands again , "hum agey se khayal Rakhennge. Ab hum apke bhojan ka prabandh karne chalete hain 'agya dijiye '.",she said in a low somber tone making Jalaal frown a bit.He simply nodded his head as he watched her cover her face with the veil again and walk away .The formality in her voice just gagged him. .As she walked the rings of her anklets rang .His heart hammered in his breast as he was lost in deep thought. She was seventeen when he had seen her first ,the color of a desert rose, beautiful and possessed with some strange contrastive attributes DIGNIFIED YET DANDY,FRAGILE YET FLAMBOYANT. Had she laughed the world would have laughed with her but now she was a changed woman, he tried to search the girl in her 'the girl who ran across wildly but strangely what he saw was a dutiful wife. He wanted her to giggle and make fun of him, he wanted her to pull his legs, he wanted her to burst laughing on his flamboyance but Alas she had turned to something else altogether. She was not the one for whom he waited for all these long years. Where was that girl, he wondered he went out in the open and raised his head .There he saw her with her with her unbound hair sitting liking a beautiful portrait in jharonkha of his room. Frozen untouched, devoid of the warmth which he wanted to touch, devoid of the liveliness which he wanted to soak himself in'He kept on looking at her for a long time trying to find the woman whom he had met five years ago-------------------------------------

"Ye lijiye'..humein Dono ki pal pal ki khabar chaiye..har baat ki'",Anjuman placed her pearl necklace in the hands of her trusted maid '

"AAP chinta mat kijiye ..aapka kaam ho jayega'.",the maid walked way happily.

Anjuman glanced at her reflection in the mirror and smirked, "Apko Jalaal ki zindagi se dur nikal kar na phenk diya to humara naam bhi Anjuman nahin'."

This time he peeped gently inside his room ,careful enough not to disturb her. She was exactly where he had expected her to be. Jalaal started to envy the couch in the corner near the jharonkha. She seemed to be attached to the place even more than him, but she was sitting there unaware of his presence. Humming softly, she picked up the juhi flowers between her fingers one by one and guided her fine needle through it's delicate green stalks. The fragrant and pious flowers threaded perfectly into the other giving way to a beautiful garland twisted neatly. The moment of completion of her work as it progressed did still her. An uninhibited smile escaped her lips as she saw the garland and gathered more flowers in the small flap she had made from her dupatta between her legs ,which shook in the rhythm of her song. Jalaal felt delighted. In the spur of the moment ,she picked up some flowers and made a glorious gajra and tied around her loose hair. This time she allowed her smile of hers to have a will of its own'the smile which trembled on the edges of her lips. When she twisted the crown of blossoms around her hair, it reminded Jalaalof the full moon. The door unclicked open accidentally making a noise announcing that he was back startling Jodha , " aap aa gaye", She flustered and the flowers fell on the ground. There was no trace of emotion in her voice nor there was reproach. Jalaal could not understand what she meant. Was she happy ? was she sad ?,he could make out nothing. "Kshama kijiyega humara dhyan kahin aur tha'.Kal humarein'Kanha ji ki puja k liye isiliye'aap yahan baithiye'",She held his hand and made him sit removing his turban and then her mojdis one by one. Jalaallooked at her stunned as went away and then offered him a glass of milk, "Yeh apke liye '".Jalaal nodded his head and smiling took it from her hands. She lit the gleaming ornamental brass lamp in the room turning it into liquid gold. Jalaalsaw her face in the flickering lights as she came back and fixed the pillows and cushions and then swirled the translucent curtains around the bed .Jodha rushed back to him and holding his feet starting pressing them. Jalaal jumped out of his skin and stood on alert mode, "Yeh kya kar rahi hain aap'",His voice was shocked at her stoical equanimity and the way she was behaving like a zombie dutiful wife. "Ap thak gaye honge isiliye socha'",Jodha nodded her head and continued worried, "Humse koi bhul ho gayi..To humein kshama..kar dijiye.." The pain jabbed at her heart but never escaped her lips. Jalaal was shocked and disappointed. He said in a low tone, "Nahi iski koi zarurat nahi hai..Aaap apana kaam pura kar lijiye.",Jalaal took his clothes and walked way to change wondering. Was it not only yesterday that SHE HAD BEEN A YOUNG RADIANT GIRL IN HER LIFE? Had she really once been the sprightly young vivacious girl he met 5 years ago. It seemed that the age which failed to touch her skin had wrinkled her heart. Jodha stood there for a few seconds wondering what she did wrong to offend him.She wanted to fulfill his every wish with a fierce loyalty though she was far away from him emotionally. It was not sacrifice , nor devotion not even love. It was simply her acceptance of her fate. With a heavy heart ,she went back to her work ,this time her lips curled up in a frown. Jalaal came in and sat down ,heedless of his surroundings ,without seeming to see or hear anything, wrapped in his own thoughts. Some silent minutes passed on. Jalaal looked at her ,Jodha kept on weaving garlands from the heap of flowers pretending to be engrossed in her work . Hewatched her carefully. It was about time, he spoke to her ,he thought. He got up in haste and walked towards her. Jodhafroze with a little fear. He came and sat beside her and said in a low tone, "Raat bahut ho gayi hai...yeh kaam kisi dasi ko kyun nahi de deti aap'",Jalaal wanted her to get rid of the irritating task as soon as possible so that he could speak to her. Jodha stiffened and almost screamed , "Nahiii..",realizing what she was about to blabber she softened her tone ,"Wohumarey kanha ji ki maleyein hum swayam hi banatey hain... Aap thak gaye honge aap so jayiye humein abhi samay lagega aap kahein to apke paon daba dein hum'",she asked lowering her head. Jalaal nodded his head in denial and mumbled , "Iski zarurat nahi hai 'hum so jatey hain. "he walked away lost in deep thought. Jodha sighed as her grip on the needle loosened, but her nervousness did not ease for even a second. Her husband had been standing before her in an uneasy half hesitating attitude; Jalaal abruptly walked up and down the lengths of the room and gave her a long suffering look. The hours wore on as Jalaal lied on his bed looking at her. A sense of guilt grew in her .A voice clamored from her inside , "Jalaal apke pati hain. Apko apna tan aur man Samar pit karna hoga yehi apka bhagya hai..", Dread of his steady glance paralysed her thoughts ,penetrating inside her. Jalaal watched her from a distance. Sometimes lying in the bed he felt as if someone had clutched at his heart. There was no respite from the hammering in his chest and bosom. The intoxicating fragrance of the juhi flowers was borne like incense on the breeze. He put out his candle and closed his eyes in a hope to revive the thread of his dreams that gave him company these entire five years .The garland slipped from Jodha's hands and later that night ,she again scribbled on the pages of her diary '

"Kehtey hain prem k liye samarpan zaruri hai aur samarpan k liye prem..parantu yeh humara durbhagya hi to hain ki na hum apko prem de sakte hain aur na hi samarpan. '"

"You cannot love without giving and you cannot give without love. But me..I can neither love nor give'."

The lights were swung and the conchs sounded .Her hands trembled as she lit the lamp in her temple in her part of the palace. She had not seen the Jalaal for the entire day, she had woken up and he was not there and no one knew about his whereabouts apart from the fact that he was out for some work. She was scared. Did her attitude offend him again. Her heart cried out in pain, no matter how much she tried but her heart could not warm up for him.She closed her eyes in prayer at the dusk and her lips sang, "Baje re Muraliya baje'.",The hymn was accompanied with the a sudden music of the flute.Jodha opened her eyes with a jolt, the beautiful notes from the flute accompanied her hymn and her eyes lit up. Jalaal was back. She could recognize the notes, the music echoed in the whole palace and she ran as fast as she could bound by the spell of the music. She knew not what carried her towards him, why her feet couldn't stop ,but holding her lehenga in her palms clutched and without even caring to cover herself with the veil ,she ran ,ran as fast as she could, her feet running, her veil flowing behind .She ran ,her breath caught inside her lungs and she ran and reached the gardens and saw him with the flute in his hands sitting on the swing and playing with his half-closed eyes. Her firm bosom rose and fell as she saw him .In a distance ,the sun was dipping into the horizon 'She saw the luminous red glow on his forehead ,her senses suspended in a moment of temporary paralysis ,hypnotized by the majestic beauty of the music. The cool breeze played wantonly with his hair. She breathed heavily and suddenly the music came to a halt as he opened his eyes and his pursed lips thinned out in a faint smile as he saw her. There was stillness as both of them looked at each other. He had missed her the whole day but her glowing face brought him back to happiness easing his anxiety.

"Piu'Piu'.",Jodha's trance was broken as she saw them. Her birds. Meera and Govind hopping towards Jalaal as he got up from the swing and caressed their luminous colorful wings.Jodha's heartbeat elated with happiness and her head spun with dizziness as she ran towards him and fell on her knees hugging Meera and Govind .Tears rolled down her cheeks as her soft lips pecked them and she curled them in her arms .Jalaal heaved a huge sigh of relief as he saw her smile 'the genuine one, the warmth that oozed from her face was REAL!!Now this was HIS Jodha.

"Inhe yahan kaun lekar aya..Aaap'.",She cried in surprise and happiness.

"Haan '",Jalaal acknowledged silently as the tiredness from his body vanished in thin air. The long journey which he took to Amer and back to bring those to her became fruitful and his heart reverberated in sheer joy.

"Ab ye aap hi k saath rahenge'.",Jalaal mumbled watching her run after them happily.

"PAR HUMEIN KUCH KEHNA HAI AAPSE ABHI'CHALIYE'.",Jalaal held her hand firmly and Jodha looked at him seriously as he pulled her. In the gathering dusk, he held her hand and walked away. His life had just begun with her. It was growing dusky. The sky was still suffused with the waning glory of the sunset.

"Ye kya aap kahin ja rahe hain'",She creased her brows as Jalaal got ready.

"Haan hum 5 dino k liye ja rahe hain goshti hai'.",He fixed his turban and said in a soft tone, "par jane se pehle hum'."

"Arey Jalaal Chaliye ab sab tayyari ho chuki hai'"Mahamanga came inside,after some customary goodbyes Jalaal mounted the horse looking back at Jodha who stood there veiled on the terrace.Jalaal's heart pounded heavily and he felt terribly choked leaving her. He wanted to run back and hug her and say a proper goodbye but instead with his head hung pulled the reigns and vanished in thin air leaving Jodha alone staring at him.

Jodha walked back into her room and all of a sudden she felt uneasy. Her feet dragged towards the mirror and she was surprised to see his flute on it resting on a handwritten note-probably Abdul would have helped him;she knew he was still struggling to read or write. Her fingers carefully lifted it up and she read it'

Jodha,

Hum jantey hain aap k liye sab kuch naya hai'Hum jantey hain kuch toh hai to apko pareshan kar raha hai. Par humne aapse wada kiya tha ki hum apki har khwahish ko pura karenge isiliye apse yeh kehna chahtey hain ki aap kisi bhi tarah se apne apko ko badalney ki koshish na karein..kyunki itne salon humne jinhe chaha wo ek sherni thi..jisse humse ladne ki kabiliyat thi'. Humein wo Jodha behad pasand hai na ki woh jo murjhayi si baithi rahein'humse ladne k liye tayyar ho jayiye Rajkumari kyunki wapas akar hum apko bikul nahi chhodenge'Apka sab kuch humara hai lekin, humein wo chahiye jo aap hain na ki wo jo aap humarey liye ban jaye'

Jalaal"

The leaflet fell from her hand. Her face grew stern ,but something stirred in her heart, something so small that her heart failed to recognize it, something so fine leavening the hard fibers of her heart elucidating a strange tear in her eyes which shocked her as she watched it trickle down in her reflection in the mirror. Days followed and nights waned too. She would wake up every morning along with the rise of the sun and followed her mundane routine of bathing , praying and listening to all the chatter and jabs of Husna and incomprehensible taunts of Anjuman. Sometimes she would sit for hours decorating the room with rangoli with intricate patterns of flowers and diyas'But something in her heart made her anxious. There was something missing in the perfect life. There were no eyes following her, there were no faint giggles and no tapping of his feet on the marble floor. She would caress Meera and Govind but there was no one who would sigh in extreme pleasure watching her. The approach of night always made her pound unexpectantly.She felt every moment he would be here but Jalaal was nowhere. Very often the boughs of the mango tree would tremble with the wildness of the wind and she would wake up with a jolt sensing him only to be reminded that it was merely her illusion. Each day she sat on the door and gazed endlessly at the crescent moon waning and warning that the darkness of the Amavasya was near. She tried hard to see Suryabhan's face in the waning moon but she could see nothing ,her heart just sensed the footsteps of Jalaal, sometimes she could feel his eyes on her. Something was terribly missing in her life. She often scribbled on the pages with the feather dipped in ink ..

"Kehtay hain saath rehte rehte kisi janwar se bhi lagav ho jata hai'Phir woh to'Yeh kaisa lagav hai ki har ahat pe unke na hotey hue bhi unke hone ka ehsaas hota hai..aisa kyun lagta hai jaise unki ankhein chup k humein dekh rahi hun..yeh kaisa lagav hai..aisa kyun ho raha hai humare saath..kyun'.."

She stared at her engravings and froze with fear,splashing the ink on it she crushed the paper with her palms and hugged her knees crying, "Nahi hum aisa kabhi nahi soch sakte'kabhi nahi'.."

It was the final day of the conference,the days had been miserable for Jalaal,he was disinterested and participated half heartedly.The late night chats could not amuse him,the damsels coutesans and their dances could not please him,nor did the talks about security and development.All that he could think about was Jodha and her pretty face.Days were restless and nights equally worse.The final evening made him relax.He will be back next morning and he just wanted to run to her and crush her in his arms.If last 5 years were tormenting for him,these 5 days were like hell.Suddenly he had grown extra greedy,he wanted to see her pristine face,he wanted to hear her faint giggle,he wanted to touch her hands.

"Kyun Shehzadein Sahab",one of the fellow prince placed his hand on Kesar's shoulders.

Jalaal came out of his trance and smiled back as the prince uttered,"Jane se pehlay ek muqabla ho jaye ghudsawari ka'"

Jalaal nodded in denial, "Nahi dil nahi hai'."

Another prince walked and teased him,"Ab inka man in khelon mein kahan lagega'Nayi Begum ko jo chhod kar aye hain'"

Everyone giggled and Jalaal's face flushed withanger, "Nahi aisa nahi hai..wo to hum'.chaliye ho hi jaye'",Jalaal patted his horse straightening the saddle joining the other princes in a fun horse race.

He mounted the horse and the sentinel banged the brass bell marking the onset of the race when suddenly Jalaal's horse neighed and rose its feet high up in the air.He was shocked as the horse ran haywire and Jalaal struggled to pull it's reigns.But it ran fast wildly ,without any clue of direction vanishing in thin air.The royal horse was running wildly and Jalaal was really not able to control it, he had now reached at the neck of the horse in the hopes of controlling it but all was of no use, he was clutching his neck in his arms so as to avoid him falling off, the horse had become very afraid of something and now was completely out of control. By this time they had reached at a faraway place, Kesar tried one more time to take the reins of the horse but again failed, instead the horse flung itself in the air, making him loose his balance n fall badly on the ground. After this also the horse didn't stop n ran away in an unknown direction. Jalaal was completely shocked out of his wits, he had no idea where he was, this was another kingdom and he was completely unaware about this place. He got up from the ground and examined his knee and elbows which were hurt due to the fall; a little blood was seeping from them.

Jalaal: "Yeh kahan agaye hum, pata nahi konsi jagah hai yeh'. Yeh bhi samajh nahi paa rahay hen ke yeh konsa rajya hai" he looked here n there to understand the place, "ab hum kya karen, yahan toh koi nahi jin se hum yeh poochen ke mehel kis aor hai", he thought for a few moments n decided to walk in a direction because the sun was already setting n in some time the night was about to fall.

He pulled her dress in his secret mahal,which fell at her feet on the floor,she giggled and his passions rose.He pulled her hair harshly and smashed his lips against hers biting them making her squeal in delight .His hands frisked her golden skin clawing her harshly but the back of his mind was wholly preoccupied with something else.His grip became lose,Adham could not focus anymore and a courtesan who was squirming beneath him stared at his disinterest.

Courtesan: "Kya? Aaj aap ka dhayan kahin aur hi hai? Ham yahan hai aur aap baar baar samay dekh rahay hen?"

Adham smiled in an evil way: "Waqt ki dhaara hi toh sab kuch hai waqt se bada koi nahi, sitaron ki chaal bhi toh waqt ki mohtaaj hoti hai, jaisa waqt waisi un ki chaal"

Courtesan:"Waqt, chaal, sitaray? Kya ab sitaray aap ko hum se bhi achay lagnay lagay hen? Aap kya keh rahay hen hamen toh kuch samajh nahi araha "

Adham looked at her with irritated expressions: "Tujhay kuch samajhnay ki zarurat nahi hai" He ducked his head and crushed her against his hungry flesh feasting upon her like a beast.

The night had now fallen and Jalaal had reached a place which looked like a forest, there were huge trees standing everywhere around him and the only source of light was faint moon light.

Jalaal :"Hum kab tak aisay chaltay rahen, hamari toh samajh nahi araha yeh hamaray sath kyun ho raha hai, kal hum ghar kesay puhanch payen ge, Jodha bhi kitna chinta karen geen hamari"
He stood next to a tree and placed his hand on it for support n hung his head down as he was very tired now,
"Hamein kuch dair yaheen araam karna chahiye, ab aur nahi chal saktay hum"

He was about to sit on the ground, near the tree, when something reflected on the trees in front of him, the reflection was a faint one but Jalaal's senses became alert all of a sudden. He stood still for a few seconds and then quickly turned around only to see two men with covered faces, attacking him with their swords. Jalaal quickly held one man's arm otherwise the sword would have slain him;he pushed him backwards with full force. In the mean while the other man came running forward n attacked him with his sword, Jalaal dodged him quickly and with in a friction of a second pulled his sword out ;he was ready to fight with him. The first man was again on his feet now and both the veiled men came forward to attack him, Jalaal raised his sword in the air and the fight started between the two while the other man also kept attackinghim, few minutes have gone by but still Jalaal was not able to get rid of them. They were very strong and here he was becoming weak second by second as he was hurt , tired as well, yet he was fighting with bravery and courage for which he was famous for. Suddenly the first man's sword was able to get to him and made a slit on his right arm. Jalaal winced in pain n held the wound with his other hand. The swordsmen seemed happy and Jalaal looked at them with rage in his eyes. All the three again raised their swords and this time he was able to kill one of the swordsmen. The other quickly dodged Jalaal's attack and made a counter attack which he narrowly escaped. The sword just went in the air very very close to his neck. Just then the person attacked Jalaal one more time n this time his sword was able to make a slit on his chest. He again winced in pain, blood started seeping from his chest wound also. The blood loss, his wounds n the fight were now making his senses very weak, he was feeling like everything around him was going very blur. Still he tried his best to keep his focus on his sword and the attacker. Jalaal tried to attack him but he dodged and in this attempt, he fell on the ground. He was now trying to get up with all the energy left in his body but was not able to, his visions were becoming hazier and he was now able to only see a blurry silhouette of that person. The last vision he had before fainting was of that person raising his hand with the sword to kill him, the last voice which echoed in his brain was the tinkling of Jodha's anklets .He breathed heavily and his eyelids shut ,Jodha" ,he sighed