Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai - 28 July 2025 EDT
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki: Episode Discussion Thread - 23
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Superb update...
Jalal's feelings on Jodha well described so with Jodha's feelings...Adam😡... he is loser freak...so Adam's lie or him over exaggerating things led to the war... Felt bad for his wife though...MH she is really cunning...Jodha still had trust that Jalal would help her but...continue soon
.Wow nice update
adham khan isse insan kahu ya janavar ek bat se man nahi bharta our to our jhuti bate banane me sabse aage
so sad fr jodha n jalal
bichari jodha koi use puchta bhi nahi or jalal na chahte hui bhi kuch kah nahi sakte
any ways thanks fr pm n update soon
Originally posted by: SShreShthA
Woww... Luvd every single bit... So beautifully written
U r an ausome writter...
Thanks for all that praise and appreciation😳
So sad its all becoz of dat crazy adham that all dis past n even at present chaos is happen... Feel sad abt anjuman
Yes he is indeed a devil which has led to poisoned relationships and chaos .Anjuman is a woman who has been trapped with an animal all those years .I hope one can feel her torment now very easily
Hey lst tym u stop at interesting point I was dying eagerly to know d jalal reaction n how story would approach after dat...
I luvd this update bt want 2 know abt present situation
So as soon as possible do continue soon n update next part fst...
Thanx for pm n beautiful update...
Originally posted by: sweet16cash
Piyu thank you for such lovely updates they were written in the most beautiful way..👍🏼 ❤️.
Kashi 🤗Thanks so much hun for such praise.My cheeks turned a lovelier shade of pink😳
Situations are finally clearing out aadham khan is such a jerk he is the main reason jodha has so much of hatred for jalaal and the mughals on the whole..
Yes it was Adham's loops of lies and treachery which ultimately led to a royal fiasco in an otherwise plain beautiful story where Jodha's fate ahd already been tied to Jalaal by her father.
He manipulated the entire situation to suit his needs in the first place so that he could get jodha to fulfill his desires and then he already had plans to abandon her once he was satisfied and tired of her and would give her the same treatment which anjuman is currently receiving I don't really hate anjuman that much as I used to when she would try her chances for jalaal and separate him and jodha even she has been deprived of true love it was only lust which she encountered in her life..😡.
@Blue Yes Kashi ,one cannot help but feel for Anjuman ,in the subsequent updates too ,her story is going to be dealt in detail .I am sure all your last bits of hatred will vanish in thin air too
When he does not get jodha and raja bharmal want to give jodha's hand in jalaal's hand because they as parents want a bright future for their daughter which is possible only is she marries jalaal as he is the future king and heir of the mughal it was a selfless wish of jodha's parents..
Just because he did not get what he desired he created such a huge misunderstanding and twisted words in such a manner that now jalaal and the whole of agra is against amer I HATE AADHAM KHAN he is the sole reason jalaal and jodha aren't close to each inspite of being together..😡 😡 😡.
Yes Jodha's parents genuinely liked Jalaal and wanted their daughter to get married to the future Shehenshah so that she deserves a bright future but Adham's brutal MU's created just ruined so many lives
I really liked one part jodha actually believed jalaal would trust because of the past encounter and she knew jalaal would understand her and she felt close to him so she wrote aapki jodha but the n feeling awkward cancelled it..😃.
Yes if you see she really had that trust on him ,that he will definitely help her that's why she feels so terribly betrayed all the time.
But there is one thing I was very eager to read jalaal's reaction to what jodha said in the present time how I wish you can just update the next chapter today itself the suspense won't let me live in peace at all it is going to give me sleepless nights..😆.
You're a gem girl you write beautifully plzzz plzzz plzzz plzzz update the next part ASAP I'm dying to read the further story and to find out how jodha's father got killed and how jalaal and jodha ended up being married pretty pleash update soon..😳.
Awww I am not going to keep you waiting..Since it's your birthday tomorrow,I am going to definitely update massive updates tonight and hope that makes your day.I got to know of your birthday from your profile🤗
I really felt bad for jalaal though he was on the verge of loosing the girl of his dreams and the one who ruled his heart but then destiny had something planned for him he did get jodha his agony was depicted in the most mesmerising manner.
Yea now my bakwaas is done phew..😃.
Love,
Kashi..🤗
Chapter 8-part b
THE PROPOSAL
5 YEARS AGO
PALACE OF AMER
The huge barrier stopping the army broke, the iron gate creaked and grated upon its hinges and barged in like a storm of bees ,the royal army stormed the palace .They stabbed ,they slashed and they throttled .Jalaal's sword worked a lightning .The seething rage to see revenge made him mad ,uninhibited knocking out anyone who dared to come his way. The women squealed and rushed to the basements hiding ,the unarmed ,non-alert Amer army was completely taken by shock but still hit back with renewed vigor and might. The power of the heart was mightier than sword, the Agra army came to know within a few seconds but who can hold against a massive attack, the men gave up quickly. Soon the fountains turned into pools of blood, the green lush gardens into heaps of bodies and the marble flooring stained red. He walked without fear, his body burning through the courtyard fighting every man that came his way, but suddenly an attack threw him off balance, the masked soldier hit him, the shining sword swift as a lighting came to his attack. He could only see those bloodshot eyes as another blow knocked off his sword. He took seconds to recover bit grabbed it back again ,defending every blow and countering every move, the force was massive ,the moves agile, Jalaal perspired tired keeping up fight. A huge counter blow threw the soldier off balance and with mark fell; her hair flew in the air. Jalaal was hell shocked, for a second, it took minutes for him to realize that the attacker was indeed the princess. He stood there as a statue of stupor as the fierce warrior princess attacked him ,anger in her eyes and hatred in her veins yelling, "Savdhaan Jalaal,aap is tarah humare hotey hue humarey rajya ko nahi jeet sakte...",Gritting her teeth she yelled .
A sudden realization woke him up, as he ducked the blow and grabbed her wrists caging her in his arms from behind and warned her remembering his duty as a prince, "Khabardar humein humari manzil se koi nahi bhatka sakta..."
She wriggled putting up a tough fight but he was too strong for her, the sword slipped from her hand and she started struggling.
The brave fighter she was, it took him great effort to tame her, her breath ragged and her body gave up ,she whimpered and squirmed trying to catch her breath, equally debatable was Jalaal's plight ,her cool touch had already mellowed him, the ever fragrant hear grazed his cheeks, his defenses began to give up for seconds ,he wanted to bury himself in the lengths of her hair ,in a frenzy he closed his eyes but suddenly something pierced his biceps in a vice like grip, his hold on her loosened and she got away looking at him in pride. Jalaal was horrified for a second as he saw her evil smile and then checked his arms, her gifted dagger ,it was there buried in his muscles ,the blood trickled from it.It took him moments to realize that she actually found her way to his waist and grabbed the dagger stabbing him back. Her audacity incensed his fury, gritting his teeth; he pulled back the dagger almost screaming in pain and threw it away on the floor,
The metal tinkered on the floor echoing splattering the droplets of blood on the milky white marble floor and he dived at her in anger pushing her against the wall, eyeballs burning in rage reddened with the hue of blood oozing from his arms and he clutched her neck hard .She shivered but dared to look back into her eyes fearless, adamant .He tightened his grip so much that now everything around her started reeling ,and her vision blurred ,the face became scarlet red and she almost fainted in his arms. It was then Jalaal came back from his frenzy, She was coughing choked and was on the verge of collapsing .He loosened his grip in horror.
What had he done in rage, he cursed himself .She was a woman, above all a woman of his dreams. His senses became numb, his eyes popped out from the sockets, the voice quivered as he patted her cheeks, "Jodha Jodha", he stammered, his eyes were burning.
She opened her eyes a bit regaining consciousness and breathe when Suddenly Jalaal was pushed by another sword.
"Jodha...Jaldi se jakar chupiye..aur jab tak hum adesh na de..bahar na ayiyega..jayiye...",the voice of Maharaj Bharmal echoed in the corridor.
Jodha got up in haste and was shocked to see Maharaj Bharmal and Jalaal in a brawl.
"Parantu Pitaji..",She screamed.
"Humne kaha jayiyeee", Maharaj Bharmal Pushed back Jalaal and roared.
Jodha stood numb for seconds watching both of them fight. Suddenly Jalaal overpowered Maharaj Bharmal throwing away his sword and in anger yelled, "Humarein Abbajaan Shehenshah ki itni beizzati kisi ne aaj tak nahi ki..ab bhugatiyeee...grrr",he growled in anger and was about to stab his chest when Jodha screamed ,"Nahiii"
His hands stopped at her call ,he turned around looking at her horrified face,her hands covered her mouth, tears trickled down her cheeks and she nodded her head pleading. Jalaal stopped and kept staring at her blankly when suddenly Maharaj Bharmal toppled him back and yelled, "Humne kaha Jodha jayiye yahan se apko humari kasam..."
Jodha ran away as fast as she could occasionally glancing back watching them both fight and heard her father's struggling voice, "Itna bada dhokha Jalaal...itna bada dhokha..."
The wailings grew louder ,some were baffled some were sobbing, Kartikeya buried his head in his mother's lap who broke her bangles in horror crying loudly. His tiny brain could not process anything.
"Maharaj is haar ka apmaan na she sake unhone atmahatya kar li...",Someone wailed hysterically.
The women ,in their area gathered and cried loudly.The men were lost, with no one to protect them ,they cried waiting their terrible fate.They were surrounded with soldiers who had prevented them from committing Jauhar.They were trapped at the mercy of the Mughals .
She sat there on the floor, touching him, her father ,the body was cold as the marble beneath her ,and the chest lied drenched in a pool of blood, stabbed by the ruby gilded dagger.
Bloody murder, Jodha's heart screamed as she recognized the dagger, she sat motionless for seconds. The visions of her father's duel with Jalaal flashed in front of her eyes. His father was not a coward ,he did not kill himself. She looked around at everyone, women ,children grieving the loss of their near and dear ones crying over heaps of dead bodies. The wailings shattered even the walls of the room ,but her heart was silent .
She pulled the dagger back ,her eyes stared at it blankly and her father's words echoed in her mind, "Jalaal hi Jodha ka bhagya hai..."
She threw the dagger away ,and her fingers ran on the wound which was still spurting blood like a pump ,her hands became stained, the heart just crushed and broke into pieces ,she hugged the dead body and stared blankly ,not a tear drop escaped her eyes. She kept on holding him ,trying to find the warmth of his heart but he was lifeless ,speechless unmoved. She wanted to scream ,but her voice choked, she wanted to cry but her tears froze, she wanted to fight but her muscles became stiff as the words of her father echoed near her ears, "Itna bada dhokha Jalaal..."
She lied there for hours and everyone wailed Rani Mainawati trying to hold herself together ,now the kingdom being at her guidance.
The door slammed open and the women squealed as the soldiers marched inside along with him .The women squealed and covered their veils everyone was horrified as they saw Adham Khan grabbing Rajkumari Jodha by her hair pulling her making her stand up to him,
" Kya kaha tha apke walid ne-- apki jagah bahut uchi hai...aaj apko apki Sahi jagah dikha denge hum...Zindagi bhar har ek Agra k har sainik ki bandi na bana ke rakh diya...toh..'
Saying this he dragged her outside, she struggled fighting him, "Choriye humein...', But he slapped her hard, blood oozed from the corner of her mouth and he dragged her on the floor throwing away her veil...
Rani Mainawati screamed in horror and begged for mercy but the soldiers placed a sword near her neck and she whimpered and screamed.
He kept on dragging Jodha to the courtyard, she bit, she fought, she scratched but he repeatedly slapped her until she became almost unconscious being dragged on the floor.
"Ruk jajiye chhor dijiye humari Kunwarisa ko..",little Kartikeya pulled his tiny sword and blocked Adham's way .
"Hahah chuhe kaun bachayega isko..tu...hahaa abhi tera khel bhi khatam kar...",Adham was about to slit his throat when suddenly Jalaal's sword stopped him , "Aap kya kar rahe hain bhaijaan ek nihatthe bache par apni taqat dikha rahe hain...
Jodha's hazy vision saw Jalaal pushing Adham back in seething rage and Kartikeya snuggled behind his legs crying , "Shehzadein Jalaal..."
Jalaal hugged him and a dasi came running and he gave her instructions to take him away.
"Adham bhaijaan Rajkumari ko jane dijiye...",he gritted his teeth , "Kisi aurat ki itni beizzati apko sharm nahi ati...".Jalaal lunged at him and placed is sword on Adham's throat.
"Ise toh..",Adham threw her on the floor but Jalaal jumped and held her in his arms, her clothes were tattered ,her mouth bled and she shivered ,her veil was not on her.
Jalaal was horrified, his anger reached its peak and his heart cried on her plight. He wanted to slit Adham's throat in extreme rage.
Jodha breathed heavily as Jalaal quickly removed his sherwani jacket and covered her and the cloth tied around his waist ,he covered her head and face as a veil, "Rajkumari aap ko kuch nahi hoga...aap bilkul mehfooz hain..."
Jodha opened her eyes ,shivered in a state of extreme shock and clutched him hard and hid behind him still shivering ,still recovering from the incident .
"Jalaal..AAP HAT JAYIYE...aur Rajkumari ko humare hawale kar dijiye...",Adham roared loudly. His voice was so loud, so thunderous that Jodha dug her nails and clutched Jalaal harder in fear.
He held her palms calming her shivering frame assurance in his eyes and then his voice thundered as he clenched his fists, "Hum bhi dekhte hain aap humare rehte Rajkumari Jodha ko chu bhi kaise sakte hai ..."
"Jalaal aaj koi bhi bhi inhe nahi bacha sakta...",He roared.Jalaal was about to slash him into pieces but he stopped.
"Adham Khan ",ANOTHER VOICE ECHOED in the corridor as Shehenshah Humayun walked and retaliated harshly, "Adham Khan...aapki himmat akise hui ..is tarah..."
"..reham kijiye...",Rani Mainwati came running and fell at Shehenshah Humayun's feet .Jodha still curled up like a ball refusing to come out from behind Jalaal holding on to him. He turned around and held her shoulders, "Humarey rehtey kuch bhi galat nahi hoga apke saath ..kuch bhi nahi...",he made her sit and was about to turn away when she held his hand and nodded her head .He sat near her and she hid behind him again pulling her legs closer.
"Maharani. Aap yeh kya kar rahi hai..uthiye..Rajya zarur hi jita gaya hai par aurton par par koi zulm nahi dhaya jayega ".Shehenshah Humayun made Mainawati stand on her feet as she kept on begging, "Humari putri par reham kijiye...Shehenshah..."
"Ap fiqr na karein...aapke shauhar ki maut ka humein dukh hain par ...",Shehenshah Humayun mumbled.
"Shehenshah hum apse ekanta mein baat karna chahte hain..",Rani Mainawati wiped her tears .
"Ji bilkul...Adham khabar daar agar koi bhi jyaddti ki apne..",Shehenshah Humayun warned and paced back with Mainawatiwhile Jalaal still held Jodha's hand. His mind reeled with restlessness, his brother's intentions were now doubtful to him. He sat there torn apart broken by looking at her terrible plight.
The room was well lit, Rani Mainawati couldn't be weaker anymore, her loss was fresh but all her life she had learnt what the duty of a queen was. She feared forJodha, she was scared for Kartikeya and moreover the fate of her kingdom was now at the mercy of people who forcibly attacked them. There was hatred in her heart but she was queen first ,it was now her turn to set things right. What if Adham forced himself on her daughter. After whatever happened in the corridor who would believe that her daughter was untouched? Who would marry her .?What if she is turned into a concubine ,a wh**e ...She had find a solution.
Shehenshah Humayun: "Kya baat hai Maharani aap ne yun..."
RANI Mainawati: kya apko lagta hai aap ne Amer par vijay prapta kar li...
Shehenshah Humayun: aapko abhi bhi shaq hai, hereplied with pride..
RANI Mainawati: yun aap rajya hathiya sakte hain parantu yeh mat bhuliye ki humari praja raja k roop mein aap sab ko hridaya se kabhi nahi sweekaregi vidroh hoga vidroha
Shehenshah Humayun::Yeh aap kya keh rahi hain..
RANI Mainawati: haan hum satya keh rahe hai..parantu humare paas ek prastav hai...jisse yeh punah shanti aur matre ho sakegi...
Shehenshah Humayun: kaisa prastav...
RANI Mainawati: humari putri ka vivah Adham k saath aur humare putra Kartikeya ko bhavi yuvraj ghoshit karne hi is shanti ka prastava hoga..
Shehenshah Humayun: par is sab k baad bhi humara matlab Adham k is
RANI Mainawati : isi vyavhaar k paschaat yeh karna avashyak hai Shehenshah Humayun
Rani Mainawati swallowed poison ,giving up her daughter in the hands of a butcher was not an easy choice to make ,but it was better than her turning into a common wh**e .After the indignation that would bear testimony to her chastity ,who would marry a woman who had been humiliated like this. People had not even left the pious Sita ma ,her daughter was a mere breathing mortal.She knew it was like death for her but still better than living like a slave every day ,at least her dignity will be maintained in front of everyone. Shehenshah Humayun contemplated, indeed Rani Mainawati was right ,this alliance would ensure to garner the much needed respect from people but he paused for a second as now he could sense something fishy because of Adham's audacity.
Shehenshah Humayun:hmm
RANI Mainawati : Soch kya rahein hain Shehenshah ..Amer ke badle hum jyada toh kuch nahi mang rahe hain..hai na...
He walked out and looked at Jodha who sat still hiding behind Jalaal and then at Adham and other courtiers .He cleared his throat , "Tay hua hai ki Aaaj se pure ekl mahine ke baad Rajkumari Jodha ka Niqah Adham Khan k saath hoga", Shehenshah Humayun announced loudly taking everyone by shock including Jodha who looked horrified. Adham grinned at his victory.
Jalaal gritted his teeth and yelled, "Yeh zabardasti hai. Yeh hum nahi hone denge..kabhi bhi nahi..."
"Jalaal apni had mein rahiye jab hum keh rahe hain toh apmein itni himmat kahan se ayi ki humari baat ko katein...", Shehenshah Humayun roared .
"Jalaal humane kaha chup baithiye..",He yelled and Jalaalnodded his head in denial yet he chose to keep quiet out of respect.
"Parantu humein yeh vivah sweekar nahi...",Jodha screamed and ran away leaving everyone in shock.
"Ma abhi humarey pita ki chita bhi nahi jali aur yeh sab",Jodha screamed in the room
"Rani ka jivan kathin hota hai zehar ka ghunth bhi pina padta hai..hum apko kabhi bhi yeh karne ko nahi kahenge parantu Jodha aap sochiye aur bahut ache se sochiye..apne barein mein nahi ek rajkumari hokar sochiye..Kehte hain stri purusha se kamzor hoti hai...sharirik rup se sahi parantu ek jagah hai jahan hum sabse shreshth hai. Humari buddhi...Apne vivek ka prayoga kijiye..Rajkumari...ab samay hai nirnaya lene ka..Ap chahe toh sab kuch apni mutthi mein kar sakti hain chahe toh to us Dust k hathon kuchli Ja sakti hai...Nirnaya hum aap par chodte hain...",Rani Mainawati placed her hand on her head and walked away leaving Jodha in serious contemplation.
Jalaal had argued and counter argued but to his dismay Shehenshah Humayun was adamant so were his counsels along with the Amer ones ,who saw this marriage as a good deal ,a two way benefit. He fumed with rage trying to stop all this forceful crushing of her woman's rights but no one listened to him.
She walked out ,her head held high still wrapped in Jalaal's clothes and announced, "Humein yeh vivah sweekar hai...",and stared blankly from behind her veil. Adham Khan grinned ,he had planned to make her life hell after marriage, he was sure he would rightfully do it now.Jalaal's heart froze ,he wanted to run to her shake her up but he stood there ,rooted to his spot as if someone had dropped a bombshell on him .
"Yeh aapne...", Shehenshah Humayun was about to say something when Suddenly Jodha blurted , "parantu humari ek shart hai..."
"Kaisi shart", Shehenshah Humayun scowled his brows and everyone looked astounded including Rani Mainawati.
"Hum apse vachan chate hain Shehenshah ...",Jodha sighed.
Rani Mainawati smiled as she knew that her words had sunk inside her.Her heart cried but now it was their time to gather the tattered bits and save whatever was left. The whole kingdom .
"Kaisa vachan", Shehenshah Humayun: stared at her confused.
"Aaap humein vachan de Vivah k samay hum par koi dabav nahi hoga aur humari har ichha ka samman hoga...",Jodha said in a monotonous tone.
"Ismein kaun si badi baat hai de diya vachan beti...", Shehenshah Humayun placed his hand on her head.
"Soch lijiye Shehenshah aap muker nahi sakte...Samay and par aapko yeh vachan nib Hana hi hoga...",she challenged him
"Rajkumari Jodha yeh humara vada hai jo pathar ki lakeer hota hai..Hum Shehenshah Humayun bhari sabha mein yeh vada kartein hain ki Rajkumari Jodha ki marzi se hi niqah hoga aur unki har khwahish puri hogi ...niqah se pehle bhi aur pbaad bhi...",THE KING ANNOUNCED PEOPLE CHEERED AS Jodha bowed down to touch his feet and vowed to herself never to give up her fight.Jalaal fumed in rage with the proceedings .
CONTD IN NEXT POST
Chapter 8-part c
The wedding
Palace of Amer-5 years ago
The funeral pyre was lit and she remained dry eyed, the color of her mother's glittering silks changed to white ,she remain unmoved ,the little Kartikeya asked every night about his father ,she remained untouched. Wrapping the blood stained dagger in a silk cloth locking it in her chest, she wrapped her tenderness in the dryness of hatred and locked her heart. Days flew as swift as the sands of time but for Amer the unusual gloom and silence haunted days and nights. Shehenshah Humayun went back with half of his troops back to Agra and gave strict instructions to Adham Khan to stay away from there till the wedding. Somewhere in his heart, he smelled something fishy but the deed was done, the kingdom had been forfeited; now it was his turn to mend bridges and walls. The alliance would allay any coup or unrest .No matter how he loathed the idea of Jodha being forced but he was always a king first.Jalaal took turns at regular intervals to manage state affairs at Amer but all he got were blank looks and hatred in the eyes of people who meekly obeyed him but dare raise their voice against him. His heart shattered to pieces watching the mere shadow Jodha had become she would stand on her jharonkha for hours and look at the horizon blankly. His heart crushed to see her like that, back at home he would try every possible argument to stop the wedding but all fell on deaf ears.Anjuman retreated to her shell, unusually quiet and ill. Adham basked in glory and victory and Maham Anga weaved hopes of a grandson very soon. Life at Agra was different from Amer.
It was a strange that during this whole month Jodha did even think about Suryabhan once, all that she could see was Jalaal's face raising a sword against her father.
Was he the one whom his father had chosen for her? Was he really her destiny, who backstabbed the unwavering faith of her father .She calculated, she thought, not a tear escaped her eyes. Every night she would bury her head in the lap of her mother but her bruised soul did not find any solace. Her dignity was crushed under a brute's feet and she had to bear with him lifelong and the one whom she had trusted brutally had killed her father. Every night she could still taste the blood inside her mouth, the same blood which oozed when she was slapped by Adham Khan and see the color of blood on her hands, the same blood which had spurted from her father's wounds. She was wronged "wronged by those two brothers-one crushed her under his feet and another raised her hopes only to be pushed downhill.
She was angry, she was numb, the emotions she never felt, and everything made her dumb. She would harshly pull away Kartikeya whenever he just clung on to Jalaal.She could see in those eyes a strange feeling, a feeling she knew but ignored, the prince did care a bit but to snub him forever was her motto.Every day her thought process did not end, she kept on thinking for hours without food, without water, without any sleep. She lost count of time, but never did the betrayal and her indignation left her sight. All she could see were visions and hallucinations and her father's words always echoed in her mind, "Jalaal hi Jodha ka bhavishya hain..."
The days passed quickly, the wedding proceedings were in full swing.
Then came the destined day ,the much awaited day for Amer and Agra...Clad in royal elephants and the finest of silks, accompanied by conchs ,and drum rolls, arrived the royal wedding procession of the groom. Adham was giving a twist to his moustache as Rani Mainawati welcomed them half-heartedly. It stabbed in her heart "the thorns, the pain was excruciating to welcome the culprits but the life of a queen was not a bed of roses, it was a cactus meadow, where every step pricked at the feet and scorched the skin. Jalaal was reduced to a mere spectator of this horrible farce .Anjuman too accompanied them in the finest clothes. It was the dignity of a Begum to welcome her sister to the family...What a cursed fate; she was supposed to call the woman who will steal whatever was hers as her sister. Anjuman cringed yet smiled .The pretense choked all the women, the facade and fake smiles stabbed Jalaal. Everything in Amer was painted and splashed with glittering hues and the welcome was with great pomp and show with the shower of rose petals and scented attar ,while in the hearts the chips were falling beneath the varnishes and people actually wanted to throw bricks instead of petal showers. Cursed was their fate and everyone lamented the princess fate who was ready to wither for life...
She sat there torn and looked at the jeweled mirror held high. The dasis gaggled as they oiled her long mahogany curls, decorating them with little juhi flowers pinning them into the perfect bun.Jodha sat there unmoved in her red gorgeous bridal lehenga with an unknown gloom masking her tender heart. The broad necklace seemed to pull her neck down with her weight. Her wrists were slung with jade bangles, the perfect ruby earrings hung down her small ears .A broad waist belt studded with diamonds rubies and garnets with a thin lining of pearls went around her slender waist, bangles swirled in her wrists and a perfect ruby stud pierced her nose. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror. The guise was perfect. Her every feature was accentuated with the linings of kohl and the color of the roses. Everything suffocated her ,everything , the henna decorated hands couldn't mask the color of blood from her hands ,she could still feel it.Armlets slipped on her perfectly round arms and the anklets touched the lengths of her feet. She was in gold from tip to toe. Her countenance was grim as the dasis lifted her lehenga, the soft brush made from the finest bristles dipped in the molten red liquid alta placed in a huge copper plate and the dasi decorated her tiny feet with delicate patterns, each drop painting her feet with the color of purity and her signs of matrimony.No one was happy, the dasis did the job half-heartedly .But Jodha;She was ready, her varmala was ready, she had to just walk away to accept her destiny giving away her self-respect.
"Nazar na lag jaye itni Khobsurat Dulhan", the dilemma in her heart was torturous and the chatter of Maham Anga as she walked in made her irritated.
"Khubsurat to hai na Ammi Jaan..",Anjuman walked inside faking a smile , "Tabhi toh humare sartaaj inse niqah karne k liye itne bechain the..",She held her chin ,her eyes communicating the hurt which masked her heart. Jodha flinched at the meaning of her words as she could see the fake teasing through her beady eyes.
"Anjuman aap yahan",Maham Anga creased her brows surprised..
"Kyun nahi Ammi hum apni choti behan ko khud tayyar karenge aap chaliye sab aap ko bulla rahe hain...",Anjuman smiled.
Maham Anga walked away kissing Jodha's forehead and Anjuman signalled everyone to leave.
She wrapped the sequined veil on Jodha's head and nodded her head, "Humari Choti behen kitni khoobsurat hai..."
Jodha looked at her blankly trying to understand her pain.
"Huh...Humari choti behan...Aisi behan jo humse sab kuch cheen legi...jo apni hi behan ke haq lengi...Rajkumari Jodha humari Choti behan...",She shivered and was almost on the verge of tears .
Jodha wanted to cry , "Par hum..",She tried hard to find her voice
"Hum Ammi banne walein hai Rajkumari haan Ammi...unka ka waris humari kokh mein hai Rajkumari...sab kuch theek ho sakega..chamatkar ho sakega..par humari choti behan humari hone wale bache se bhi uska sukh cheen legi..Huh istaqbaal hai apka humari zindagi mein...Mubarak ho behan...", Mumbling Anjuman ran way leaving Jodha shocked and baffled.She stared at her reflection in the mirror,tumultuous visions tore her apart ,she could hear voices ,mixed incoherent ,visions blinding her..
"Yeh Meera aur Govind so gaye kya"
"Shehzadein Jalaal ko Jodha ki ore se ek bhenth..."
"Shehzadein Jalaal hi apka bhagya hai..."
"Itna bada dhokha Jalaal itna bada dhokha..."
"Appk ko zindagi bhar bandi bana k rakh na diya toh ..."
"Humarey rehtey aapko kuch nahi hoga Rajkumari aap mehfooz hai..."
"Hum ammi banenge Rajkumari par humari choti behan yeh haq bhi humse cheen lengi..."
"Rani ka jivan kathin hota hai zehar ka ghunth bhi pina padta hai..hum apko kabhi bhi yeh karne ko nahi kahenge parantu Jodha aap sochiye aur bahut ache se sochiye..apne barein mein nahi ek rajkumari hokar sochiye..Kehte hain stri purusha se kamzor hoti hai...sharirik rup se sahi parantu ek jagah hai jahan hum sabse shreshth hai. Humari buddhi...Apne vivek ka prayoga kijiye..Rajkumari...ab samay hai nirnaya lene ka. .AP chahe toh sab kuch apni mutthi mein kar sakti hain chahe toh to us Dust k hathon kuchli JA sakti hai...Nirnya hum aap par chodte hain..."
"Jalaal hi apka Saubhagya hai..."
"Nahiii",She closed her ears with a piercing scream ,the visions stopped but it was now clear in her heart what she wanted.
Every eye remained glued to her feet as she walked ,the beautiful bride with the varmala in her hand ,her face was clearly visible from her translucent veil, never had anyone in Agra seen such a beautiful woman. Adham stood on the altar ,with his head held high and bloating with his fuelled ego. Anjuman watched with tears in her eyes and Rani Mainawati prayed to God for some miracle .Jalaal felt he would be broken to pieces ,his head reeled. Slowly she walked and reached towards the altar ,she stood face to face with Adham for seconds and suddenly wonders of wonders happened as Adham lowered his head waiting to be garlanded ,but to everyone's shock and bewilderment ,she walked past him and with firm resolute steps and even before anyone could react or say something garlanded Jalaal who stood shocked as if someone had struck him with lightning. There was commotion and buzz everyone raised their voices .Adham felt as if the blood in his veins froze.
"Yeh kya budtameezi hai...", Adham yelled in anger coming near her.She did not even look at him and said in a loud voice, "Budtameezi nahi icha hai humari...Shehenshah ne humein vachan diya tha humari har icha ka samman ho aur yehi humari icha hai...",She said with dignity in her voice .Jalaal could feel nothing instead he could only hear an unknown buzz in his ears ,his eyes widened in shock and disbelief.Anjuman almost burst into tears on the verge of an emotional breakdown.
Shehenshah Humayun was shocked to be precise but somehow his heart was happy , he could not fathom the reason ,but seeing a woman suffer indignity was never his choice. Everyone whispered in hushed tones. Jalaal still stood as a statue of stupor and Rani Mainawati gave an evil grin . It was their time to strike back and she was proud of her daughter.
"Yeh kya pagal pan hai...",JMaham Anga dragged Jodha and squeezed her arms.
"Pehle toh humse samman se baat karein ,kisi bhi prakar ka apmaan hum bilkul nahi sahenge..",Jodha shot back taking everyone was surprise including Adham who was fuming .Jalaal looked at the varmala around his neck totally confused and horrified.
"Pagal pan..aap ise pagal pan kehti hain...Humein bal purvak is sabha mein ghasita gaya yeh pagalpan hai...Humare man samman ko kuchla kar rakh diya gaya yeh pagalpan hai...Humein zabardsati ek aise vyakti ko pati sweekar karne par majboor kiya gaya yeh pagal pan hai...haan pagalpan hai yeh...",Jodha screamed shocking everyone.
"parantu is niqah k liye apne sabke samne manzoori di thi...ab aap mukar nahi sakti..", Adham yelled.
"Galat AdhamKhan bilkul galat...",Jodha gave a sarcastic smile , "Humne kaha tha hum vivah k liye tayyar hain yeh nahi kaha tha ki vivah kisse karenge. Shehenshah ne humein Vachan diya tha humari icha puri karenge..aaj is bhari sabha mein hum Chandravanshi Rajkumari Jodha apna adhikar aur vachan ki purti mang rahi hain... Humari icha hai humara vivah use ho jo bhavi raja hai...Jiska yeh rajya jeetne ka hum puruskaar hai ..Jisne hum par aur humarey rajya par Vijay ka parcham lehraya..Humari icha hai ki hum Hone wale Shehenshah Jalaal-ud-din ki patni banein yehi humare pita aur humari icha hai... .Yeh vachan pura karna apka karttavya hai maharaj...Yehi Amer aur Agra ki matre ka adhar hoga..kahiye humein humara adhikar denge ya phir apka vachan bhi khali rahega Shehenshah...",Jodha raised her brows with pride and dignity .Everyone in Amer echoed her sentiments ,there was an uproar.Jalaal still stood speechless trying to absorb whatever happened looking around everyone.
"Soch kya rahein hain Shehenshah ya yun kahiye aap bhi kayar hain...",Jodha challenged him .
"Khabradaar Rajkumari Jodha...hum apne vadein ko pura karna jantey hain aur apki har khwahish puri ki jayegi ..apka niqaah...",Shehenshah Humayun roared.
"Par ", Adham raged in anger
"Khabardar Adham, humarey huqm kin a farmani aapko bhari pad sakti hai...",Shehenshah Humayun's shooting words incensed Adham and he stomped his foot and walked away in humiliation.
"Rajkumari Jodha ka niqah Jalaal se aaj abhi yehi hoga humara vada khali nahi jayega...",Shehenshah Humayun announced.Rani Mainawati smiled a bit and Maham Anga and Bairam chose silence to keep the situation in control.
Jodha smiled at her victory.She had pledged to herself , she would never let the brothers be happy, never allowing Adham to crush her and never giving any right to Jalaal even after marriage. She chose to be the queen for her people and knew what she wanted. She was under some strange obsession to set things right take charge not even realizing what this meant. All that she had in her mind that she was not the one to be defeated anymore.
"Pandit ji aur Malvi sahib niqah ki tayayri shuru kijiye...",Shehenshah Humayun gave instructions to the priest but his voice was cut short by a roar , "Theheriye humein yeh rishta manzoor nahi hai...Kabhi nahi..',Jalaal nodded his head and walked away in shock.
He stood looking at the moon ,the corridor was empty ,the main hall was waiting for his decision. Jalaal's head reeled with confusion with the sudden strike of events. He placed his hands on his shoulder , his father King Humayun spoke clearly, "Hum jante hain aap mushkil mein hain par humarey vadein ki izzat ab sirf apke haath mein hai..isse jyada hum kuch nahi kahenge..",He walked away leaving Jalaal in deep contemplation.
He walked back in deep thought ,but his mind made up,He had thousands of questions in his mind ,he had numerous doubts but the word of his father meant everything for him. His pride was at stake and the prince was not at all weak to disobey him for his apprehensions. His torment had been excruciating as he announced his approval for the wedding taking Jodha by surprise equally ,it was then she came back to her senses. She was trapped between the choice to be hogged by a vulture or die a dignified death , she chose later ,both ways was a suicide mission for her as her soul died with her father ,she had made her choice and there was no looking back now. Garlands exchanged under the canopy of juhi linings .The seven circles were taken ,with each circle tied by vows tying two souls under the shower of petals,with each circle ,he felt connected yet confused, with each vow ,he made up his mind, the holy fire bloomed with the offerings of ghee crackling and sanctifying their bond. Hands met while Rani Mainawati gave away her daughter to the future king ,her mind was a bit at rest .The red vermillion marked her as his forever, the mangalsutra tied him to her forever .The hearts beat in tandem and it was a day when Jalaalvowed himself to her. Though out of unexpected turn of events, though by force yet in his heart he knew he was responsible for her now. As the priest explained the vows ,he sat trying to soak in whatever the mantras meant ,whatever the duty he was supposed to take. A 17 year old prince turned into a man in seconds, vowed for life ,tied for life by vows and love ,undying and forever. He looked at her trying to find her ,but it was as if she was a zombie ,who mechanically followed instructions disconnected from everything with each circle she took ,the pain grew deeper, with each ritual the ghosts of his betrayal swam before her eyes .With the holy fire she burned her tenderness ,the last bits which still had fluttered. Closing her eyes for the final circle ,she sighed remembering Suryabhan,his promise to come back had remained unfulfilled and now she belonged to someone else .The realisation grew as the priest announced them man and wife after the quick Niqah ceremony after their hindu wedding.With the announcement came a sense of immense responsibility for Jalaal and a wave of hatred and sadness gripped Jodha.
Kartikeya who had been watching all this was too nave to understand whatever happened but someone told him that Prince Jalaal was his brother-in law now.
He jumped and hugged Jalaal in ecstasy ,"Kya yeh sach hai ki aap humarein jija sa ho.."
Jalaal nodded his head and held him kissing his cheeks.
Kartikeya clapped his hands in mirth. Perhaps he was the only one who was extremely happy about everything.Jodha saw both of them and hurt swam in her eyes. She vowed to herself ,never to give herself to Jalaal "never- ,her heart would remain untouched, she sighed as she touched everyone's feet for blessings .
"Wah wah wah...Kya ghatiya aurat hai...", the fumbling steps of Adham drenched in alcohol stomped through the hall as he clapped his hands .Jalaal signalled a dasi to take away Kartikeya with her and she quickly complied.
"Adham bhaijaan Khabar daar agar apne humari begum..k ",Jalaalyelled in anger standing as a shield between Jodha and Adham.
"begum huh ...Aisi pbegum jiski izzat hum apne haath se yun kuchal kar phenk chuke hai ek bhai ki chhodi hui besharm aurat dusre bhai ki begum...", Adham yelled
"Adham Khan..",Jalaal raised a sword against Adham when suddenly Shehenshah Humayun yelled , "Lekar jao ise Mahamanga lekar jao ise..."
Maham Anga and Bairam Khan pulled back Adham away from the gathering who became unconscious in an inebriated condition.
Jodha swallowed the words like bitter poison. Strange is the world of men who treat woman as nothing. Her head spun with nausea remembering those words which were way beyond her dignity.
Rani Mainawati cleared her throat , "Wo Shehenshah hum bidaai..."
"Theheriye maharani...Bidaai ki koi zarurat nahi...",Anjuman announced suddenly and seeing everyone's shocked faces came closer to Shehenshah Humayun and smiled, "Wo humara matlab hai...waise bhi kal hi Jalaal ka jungi taleem k liye turki jana tay hua hai apni baki ki talim puri karne k liye..Rajkumari Jodha ki bidaai baad mein kar lenge,...waise bhi wahan akeli woh kya karengi aur yahan abhi unki Ammi ko unki jyada zarurat hai..hain na Shehenshah",Anjuman nodded her head looking from behind her veil.
Shehenshah Humayun stopped for a second and understood Anjuman's words. It was indeed very risky to take Jodha with them after such a fiasco ,Jalaal would leave and he might not be able to set things right with Adham. Anjuman too had come up with this idea as she feared Adham would do something if Jodha lives face to face with him. Maybe time is the best healer and thus Shehenshah Humayun announced, "Rajkumari Jodha ki Bidaai waqt ane par ki jayegi tab tak yeh Jalaal aur Agra ki amanat banker yehi rahengi..Theek hai na Maharani Mainawati...". Shehenshah Humayun gave a curious look at Mainawati who seemed to be more than happy with this.Time will heal ,give them the space to settle and contemplate.
Jodha and Jalaal stared blankly following instructions as Mainawati led them toJodha's room.The dawn would break soon and she left both of them asking them to take rest before Jalaal and his family left for Agra.
The room was bright ,the beautiful bird paintings adorning the walls ,the rich ,silken rugs "the finest from Persia lay beneath his feet. At one corner was a small bed for Meera and Govind who slept by now. His voice choked as he looked around , sitting in the room of his wife ,his mind still cluttered with the proceedings. She stood there in silence looking at the huge portrait of her father staring at him blankly .She had not even shed a single tear after his death ,she did not have the heart nor the time to cry. She was too busy gathering the scattered pieces of her life. She had married his murderer .What an irony of fate. Lost in her conflicting thoughts , trapped in a deep quagmire she stood thus for minutes.Jalaal's clothes became damp with a pool of sweat. He loosened the buttons of his sherwani trying to breathe clueless how to react and what to say. There were so many question left unanswered but he chose silence as he watched her back. Hours passed and no one spoke even a word. Jalaal pulled up all the courage he could summon up and walked up to her and with hesitation placed his hands on her shoulders.
The touch made her flinch , she turned around and stared at him blankly for seconds .The look pierced Jalaal,he could find nothing in her eyes ,no emotion just blankness.
"Rajkum..hmm Jodha..",He cleared his throat and his voice was enough to break her trance .The words of Adhamechoed in her mind and she mumbled, " Ek bhai ki chhodi hui dusre bhai ki nirlajja patni..."
"Yeh aap kya keh rehai hai..aisa bilkul bhi...",Before he could complete his sentence ,Jodha punched his chest and held his collar hitting him scratching him in frustration, "Kyun kyun kyun aisa kyun hua humarey saath...",She cried ,she cried out loud but he pulled her closer ,her cry was pitiful and stabbed his heart .He could understand her ,her pain her lament , "sab theek ho jayega..bas hum par bharosa kijiye...",Jalaal held her with all his strength as tears betrayed her finally and she wept inconsolably . Hebore everything her cries ,her assault quietly ,her pain moved in.Tears stopped but he held on to her .
"Hum apse kuch..",He whispered gently caressing her. Jodha suddenly opened her eyes and was about to push him back when there was a knock on the door. They quickly parted and Anjuman came right in after Jalaal opened the door . "Chalne ka waqt ho gaya Jalaal...",She said in a low tone.
"Ji bhabhi.."Jalaal was about to walk away when suddenly he stopped for a second and looked back, "Hum apko lene jaldi ayenge ..humara intezaar kijiyega aur apna khayal rakhiyega...",he walked away leaving Jodha lost in her thought .
Anjuman smiled ,her heart content looking at both of them ,she slowly walked up to Jodha and kissed her forehead, "Aaap sach mein kisi janam mein humari choti behan hi rahi hongi...",She wiped her tear from her eyes and walked away.Jodhafell like a lifeless staue on her bed...
Chapter 9
THE BETRAYAL
Palace of Agra- 5 years ago-contd
He sat fuming on his bed, the room had been on a rampage, the insult had been too much to bear for him, the scenes emerged in his eyes, the scenes of his public humiliation, the object of his lust walking past him and choosing his younger brother over him. No one had ever heard of such a thing in ages, a woman snubbing a man for his younger brother. The insult was too much to bear for him, his eyes burned with rage as he popped up afeem balls, to satiate his ego, to numb his senses to feel. Once again lost what he wanted at the hands of his brother. Years had passed but still the day younger Jalaal who was announced to be the crowned prince was still afresh in his eyes. He had been the best till then ,whether archery or whether sword fights, extremely well at handling issues of the state, his only weakness his lust for women .Was he not competent enough to be the king or was he overlooked just because he was the not the king's own blood ?Where was merit taken into account ?.All these questions had stabbed him ,pricked his soul , made him greedy with anger .His only way to vent out his frustration had been his escapades with women and now again he had been left with shame and indignation. Adham was horrified and jealousy seeped in the form of heat through his body thinking about his object of fascination that had now been claimed by his brother. His muscles twitched with unimaginable unease and he gritted his teeth, shattering the glass chandelier on the floor .Years of repressed anger and treachery made him shallow but his humiliation swooped upon him threatening to take him down, threatening to kill him in his own fury.
She came slowly in and placed her palms on his shoulders. He gave an angry glance and yanked way her gesture throwing her off balance, "Dur rahiye humse Anjuman..."
She fell on the floor whimpering , rubbing the sharp cut on her elbow ,but she did not give up. The miracle had happened , the wedding had been called off and above all her days of agony will be ending soon ,another miracle was fluttering its tiny wings in her parched womb, years of wait was now over. Soon the dream of her being a complete woman was about to come true .The joy of being a mother usurped the years of insult. She had to hold on to the broken pieces of her life , trying hard not to cry. In desperation ,she clung on to him and cried at her feet ,"Sab kuch bhul jaiye ..."
Adham rolled his eyes and kicked her out of frustration making her squeal as a she covered her abdomen shielding the blow .
She cried again and held his feet with all her might, "..ap..walid banaenge aur hum Ammi... sab kuch bhul kar ek nayi shuruat kartein hain..Aap k liye ,humare liye aur humarein hone wale bache k liye..Sab kuch bhul jayiye...",She cried in desperation.
"Bhul jayein...Bhul jayein...bhul jayein...Kya bhul jayein..Sab kuch apka hi kasoor hai...sab apki manhusiat ki wajah hi hua...",Adham yelled in anger and started kicking her furiously ,she yelped in pain crying out aloud and he kept on kicking her in anger ,fury and frustration.
He cries seemed to arise from the depths of the earth ,the whole palace heard it and so did Jalaal and others who ran to the spot .
Jalaalentered the room without even seeking permission and he was mortified to see the sight in front of him. The Persian rug had been soiled in red ,Anjuman lied drenched in a pool of blood as Adham kicked and beat her madly .
"Adham Khan...", Jalaal dived at him and punched his face throwing him off balance and others rushed to the spot too.
Jalaal ran and hugged Anjuman who was half unconscious, "Bhabhi...",He patted her cheeks frantically .
Adham was about to hit him when suddenly Shehenshah Humayun yelled for the guards to hold him , "Le jao is janwar ko yahan se...aur daal do kalkothari mein...", and slapped Adham hard.
Mam Anga's eyes popped in horror and she fell on Shehenshah Humayun's feet, "reham ye hosh mein nahi hai..."
Jalaal hugged her and was shocked and confused to see so much blood which completely drenched her lehenga...
He stared at her wiping off her face and looking into his eyes ; Anjuman , suddenly broke into hysterical tears crying out aloud ,"Humara bachaaa ...humara bachaaa",In desperation she saw the blood scattered on the floor and pushing him back ,laid her hands on the blood drenched floor ,her head slopped and she whimpered loudly moistening everyone's eyes and shaking their existence.
"Nahi Maham ise jine ka koi haq nahi...",Shehenshah Humayun and Jalaal Yelled loudly placing his sword to slit Adham's throat.
"Nhai Shehenshah nahi hum.. apni jaan de denge apko marna hai toh pehle humein mariye ...hum apne bete ko apne ankhon k agey marta nahi dekh sakte hain...",Maham Anga stood in between Adham and Jalaal while Adham fell on the floor with the aftermath of drinking.
"Le jao Maham ise humari ankhon se dur..le jao...",Shehenshah Humayun yelled and Maham Anga took away Adham and Jalaal scopped Anjuman in his arms calling out loudly for the midwife..
So many gloomy and torturous days passed after the dreadful night.Jalaal's Turkey going was almost postponed by a month but nothing was mentioned or informed to Amer .The pain and shock were too much to bear for everyone.Maham Anga had begged for mercy and the king had ordered Adham to be shifted far away from the place in a remote area to manage that part .He had begged ;Adham Khan ,after his mother asked him to keep low profile ,pretending to repent his deeds but Shehenshah Humayun and Jalaal showed no mercy but to scoot him away .
Adham had shed enough crocodile tears crying to mend and repent for whatever he had done in a fit of rage but in his mind ,the hatred grew.
Meanwhile the scars of Anjuman had started to heal ,her wounds being nursed by the finest physicians but her soul now belonged to Jalaal who had become her shadow ,there was not a single second he left her alone ,days he would be by her side ,cheering her up ,taking care of everything she needed, nights ,he would sit outside her room in the balcony playing his flute to lull her to sleep ,always remaining on guard for taking care of her. In all these days ,he had not even breathed or got time to think about Jodha or Amer ,for him only the comfort of Anjuman ,his soul-sister and her cries were important .
Her wounds healed slowly and her scars of the heart now had been balmed by Jalaal ,like a lost child in desperation ,she used to cling on to him ,for happiness ,for support it was as if in him she had got a meaning to live again .Her friend ,her companion ,and her support. As Anjuman's health got better, Jalaal left for his training leaving her alone ,missing him a lot but his frequent visits every month made her heart bloom with joy.
She had even forgotten that she had a brutal husband ,her slate had been wiped clean now and edged by Jalaal.
Meanwhile in Amer,everything had been unusually calm ,Jodha mostly shrunk to her shell ,thinking the whole day ,her tears had dried by now and she felt absolutely nothing anymore ,no emotion ,no joy ,and no fear. Living like a zombie ,she watched days turn into months and seasons and years.
She followed all the rituals like a married woman ,but felt nothing at all ,it was as she was living in some sort of illusion ,as if her soul was away from her and merely her body obeyed the commandments of Rani Mainawati while offering prayers during vat savitri.They say time is the greatest healer .It became true for Amer ,which slowly forgot the invasion and the memories and grieving of the lost king faded into oblivion watching the occasional visits of Shehenshah Humayun Amer managing state affairs pretty well .
Kartikeya would howl and get eager to meet Jalaal every now and then and Shehenshah Humayun used to happily take him back to Agra to meet him but Jodha never wished or expressed her desire to go ,neither did Jalaal insisted nor Shehenshah Humayun bothered.
Though he wanted to set things right, Adham's behavior had sowed the seeds of doubt in Shehenshah Humayun's mind but he chose to ignore his mistake ,chose to ignore to bring Jodha back soon even when Jalaal came home harping on some weird excuse or the other. Though the marriage was done but in his heart nor Shehenshah Humayun knew what would mean to bring her now...The wounds were fresh and Jalaal was too young to handle everything wisely. Yes he was !!Though other princes sometimes had kids at his age but nor Shehenshah Humayun did not want it now to become a marriage for a purpose ,he had believed a demon and his repent made him sink in depression. Another unwanted and broken relationship ,he did not want that. Watching the plight of Anjuman ,his heart cried for Jodha .So using astrology as his savior ,he made sure Jodha's bidaai was delayed and even he never allowed Jalaal to go and meet her .
Adham pretended to turn into a new leaf altogether crying every time in front of others ,keeping absolutely low profile as usual, slowly finding his way back to the palace ,but Anjuman became aloof to him ,it was as if now he did not exist for her ,her sarcasm and her words made him fume but he bore all of them .
In Amer Jodha used to stare for hours at her father and recalled Jalaal's face and betrayal every day and every night .What an ironical fate she had .Married to her father's murderer. Everyone in Amer believed that the king had committed suicide unable to bear the defeat of the attack , but only Jodha knew that she had been betrayed ,betrayed by the one man whom her father wrote her destiny with. She had kept the blood stained dagger wrapped in a silken sheet , trying to remind herself everyday about the betrayal ,the dagger of her trust ,stabbed right into the chest of her father. Nothing could soothe her soul which burned every night ...
Another soul ,her own part burned every day and night too ,busy with studies and war skills ,the sun tanned his skin ,the years roughened his palms and strengthened his muscles ,but his tiny heart yearned for her.Initial days were excruciating ,lots in a deep quagmire ,a sense of unknown fear ,a sense of confusion ,a sense of sadness thinking about everything that happened ,the pain of her eyes ,the way she had fought him and then her acceptance and shocking decision all resurfaced before his eyes everyday leaving him bereaved ,broken ,shattered .Contemplating his helplessness to protect her from his demon brother ,the tender princess shamed at the merciless hands of his brother made him cry with pangs of guilt. In desperation , Jalaal would long to meet her ,to talk to her ,to question her ,but etiquette and society would not allow him to meet her without permission. Every night ,he would dream about her ,think about her and in sheer agony poured his heart's desires ,questions and wishes through letters, letters which he had never sent ,letters which he always wrote every night ,every day but never had the courage to send them. Later on , he gave those answers himself ,happily creating an unknown happy world for him and her. He tamed and tuned his mind to believe that the marriage was indeed a matter of her choice and not force, he created fantasies where she would love him ,where she would smile to him ,where he tried to understand all the responsibilities and rights of a husband .He would watch his trainer and his wife standing for and with each other ,a part of his impressionable mind believed in a HAPPILY EVER AFTER CONCEPT...Everything else had ceased to exist in his make believe world , a world of illusions where he and his wife were so much in love. He yearned for her company , dreamt about loving her each night ,making her the happiest woman on earth ,dreamt about being pampered exclusively by her. Years went by and his imaginary dream world grew bigger , stronger and formidable " fort which no one could breach ,his convictions no one could shatter .
PRESENT-Palace of Agra
But Jalaal stared at Jodha speechless !!Her simmering words shattering his world of illusions making him delve back into the past trying to reason whatever happened. He stood there in a state of shock unable to realize what she meant.
"Kya ...Hum aap ko kyun maraenge..aur apke pitaji..",Cried he in desperation
"Kyun aap yehi toh karte hain na..jo apke aur apke Lakshya k beech mein at hai aap use apne raste se hata dete hain...Jaise ki apne humare pitaji ki hatya kar di...Batayiye apko khush na kar pane ka dand kya hoga hone walein Shehenshah ji..batayiye...",Jodha wept inconsolably with hatred spreading across her body like forest fire ,each cell of her body loathing herself for having let her father's murderer not only touch her body but also her soul .
"Kya bak rahi hai aap...Apke walid ne khudkhushi ki thi...jis baat ka afsos aaj bhi humein hain...",Jalaal ran his fingers through his hair utterly confused.
"Acha..",Jodha laughed sarcastically and ran to her chest taking out a silken cloth and extended it towards Jalaal.
His eyes froze as he saw the dagger and uttered loudly ,"Yeh apko kahan se mila yeh toh..."
"Yeh toh apne badi berahami se humarey pita ke sine mein bhonkha tha ..hai na...aapko kya laga hum pehchaan nahi payenge...Humara hi pyaar se diya hua khanjaar ,humare hi vishwas ko chalni kar dega aisa toh humne kabhi nahi socha tha...ab yeh keh dijiye ki apne isi khanjar se humarey pita ki hatya nahi ki...".Jodha was boiling in rage and accused him harshly.
Flashback-5 years ago Palace of Amer
"Itna bada dhokhaJalaal..Itna bada dhokha...",Mararaj Bharmal hurled his sword at Jalaal again .Jalaal ducked the attck and with a huge blow toppled him and threw his sword away and was about to slash his throat when suddenly he recalled Jodha's pleas ,her eyes begging him to stop .In frustration ,his hands stopped as he stabbed the sword on the ground beside Maharaj Bharmal who shivered looking at him shocked .The soldiers came running and Jalaal turned his face away and yelled, "Le jayiye inhe bandi banakar warana hum kya kar baithenge humein nahi pata..."
The soldiers dragged away Maharaj and Jalaal breathed heavily .
Present Palace of Agra
"Keh dijiye apne nahi mara humarey pitaji ko keh dijiye...",Jodha pulled his collar and shook him violently and Jalaal pushed her back yelling in disbelief ,"Haan haan nahi mara humne unhe...Nahi mar unhe sirf bandi banya tha...Unhone apne aap ko mara tha...aap yun hum par kaise ilzaam laga sakati hain...",Jalaal's head reeled in confusion. Everything became clear now ,all these years ,she hated him while he happily believed that she would be so comfortable with him. All these years she thought him as her father's murderer and he literally gagged at the kind of love he showered on her. How much her heart must have been in pain when he touched her , he felt like throttling himself and looked at her still trying to process whatever happened .
"Jo khanjar humne apko vishwas k saath diya tha use apne ek pal bhi nahi lagay humarey pita k sine pe war karne se pehle..Dhikkar hai ..Dhikkar hai...",Jodha cried hoarsely.
He grabbed her shoulders and cried, "Jodha humara bharosa kijiye us din humne sirf bandi banaya tha unhe humne nahi mara ..Unhe sach ... Apke Walid ne khudkhushi ki hi...humne nahi mara...",He shook her trying to prove his truth .The hatred of her eyes burned him ,his guilt overpowered him. How many times in those last years he had reasoned that what he did was right and a duty of a prince to protect the honour of his father but her piercing look made him drown in that subdued guilt. There was no respite for him now.
"Jhooth sarasar jhooth", she yelled , "Humarey pitaji itne kayar nahi the ki wo swayam apni jaan le..aap hi ne mara hai unhe...aur ab humey...bhi...",Jodha yelled poiting her fingers at him.
"Jodha humara bharosa kijiye hum sach keh rahe hain...Humara bharosa,,,",He held her hand firmly ,looking into her eyes in desperation .
"Huh Vishwaas Kya wajah hai jo hum aap par vishwaas karein...Koi wajah hai ap par vishwaas karne...Us vyakti par jisne humarey rajya par akraman kiya..jisne humarey rajya par bina chetavni war kiya...koi wajah hai...",Jodha pulled back her hand.
"Wajah hai wajah hai ...Jodha ...Wajah hai...",Jalaal yelled loudly begging.
"ACHA zara hum bhi toh wo wajah janey jisse hum aap par vishwas karein aisi kaun si wajah hai jisse hum yeh maan le ki aapne pitaji ko nahi mara...",Jodha creased her brows in anger.
"Wajah bas yehi hai Jodha ki hum apse mohabbat kartey hain...",Jalaal muttered in a low tone , "mohabbat kartey hain hum apse beinteha mohabbat ...aaj se nahi humarey niqah se nahi..us din se jis din humne aapko pehli baar dekha tha...Us pal se hi humara dil apne bas mein hi nahi raha ..pyaar kartey hain hum apse Jodha...",Jalaal's voice quivered .
Jodha looked into his eyes and cried ,"Jhooth aap sirf apne aap se pyaar karte hain ...tabhi..."
"Apko yeh sab jhooth lagata hai...Yeh dekhiye Jodha ...",Jalaal threw open a chest and threw the letters towards her ,yeh wo khat hain jo humne aap ko har din likhein...Yeh yeh yeh...",He threw her payal towards her, "Yeh apki payal jo gir gayi thi aur humne aaj tak sambhal k rakhi hai...Yeh...",he threw a peacock feather towards her, "Yeh apke Meera k pankh...Yeh...",He threw his varmala dried and crumpled towards her ,the petals crushed and fell on the floor, "Yeh wo dhaga jisse apne humein humesha k liye apne zindagi mein shamil kiya tha...Yeh sab humne aaj tak sambhalkar rakha hai...Janti hain kyun kyunki jisse mohabbat karte hain uski har ek cheez apko pyari hoti hai...Har ek cheez ..jab hum in bejaan cheezon ko itna sambhal kar rakh sakate hain..Toh aap ko zara bhi andaza hai apke walid humein kitne apne lagte honge,.,,,apka khoon aphi ke Walid Jodha ,apko lagta hai ki hum unhe mar sakte hain..humari apni Jodha k walid ko...batayiye batayiye Jodha...",Jalaal clutched her shoulders and Jodha did not react ,her heart overwhelmed ,her eyes brimming with tears .Her heart telling her to believe whatever he said as looking deep into his eyes she saw love ,a look that now woman could mistake.
"Haan hum mante hain humne aap k riyasat par humla kiya parantu wo ek siyasati faisla tha...apke walid ne humarey Abba aur humari riyasat ki be-izzati ki thi...Uski saz toh unhe milna hi thi...",Jalaal said in a firm tone .
"Apmaan ..Kaisa apamaan aur us apamaan ka kya jo apke nirlajja bhai ne humara kiya...kya kaha tha unhone ajivan who mujhe apni dasi bana k rakhenge...Ek pita k samne uski putri ka aisa apmaan kaun sahega...Humarey pita ...kya galti thi unki..yehi na ki wo chatey they ki humara vivah apse ho naki Adham Khan se..Wo kewal yehi toh chahtey the ki hum apki Rani banein ...humarey pita kehte nahi thakte the kiJodha. Jalaal har tarah se apke yogya hain..wohi apka saubhagya hai...,Jalaal hi apka saubhagya hai...bas itna hi toh kaha tha unhone apke us rakhshas bhai se ...aur unhone bhari sabha mein humara apaman kiya...kya kartey humarey pita ...unki ghatiya baton ko sehan kartey rehtey...Itna sab kuch hone k baad bhi unhone us akhri raat humarey sar par haath rakhkar kaha Jodha hum kal hi Jalaal se jakar si Vishay mein baat karenge...huh,..unhe kya pata tha ki jise wo apni putri ka bhagya samjh rahe the wo swayam hi unke pran le lenge...Bade garv se kaha tha unhone Shehzadein Jalaal hi Rajkumari Jodha k liye sabse yogya var hain...kaisa yogya var dhunda unhone jisne swayam hi unse unka rajya ,unki garima aur yahan tak ke unse unke pran hi cheen liye...Yogya var Jalaal...",Jodha minced no words, her words were uttered with brutal honesty and Jalaal stared at her shock.
"Yeh aap kya keh rahi hai...Yeh sach nahi hai. Aisa nahi ho sakta ...apke Abba ne humarey Abbajaan ko gali di thi...",Jalaal's voice quivered in shock .
"Huh gali...Itna sab kuch hone k baad bhi humarey pita agley hi din Shehenshah se milne ane wale the parantu wo suryodaya ek naya andhakar lekar aya humarey jivan mein...Jin hathon ko humarey pita ne humari raksha karne k liye chuna tha unhi hathon ne unhe humse cheen liya...Jin ankhon mein humarey pita humarey liye prem aur sammna dekhna chahtey the unhi ankhon se aap chup chaap apni Jodha ...haan yehin kaha than a apne APNI Jodha ko yun beizzat hone diya. Kahan tha apka prem jab apke janwar bhai se humara vivah hone ja raha tha. Kahan tha apka prem jab apki hi Jodha apke ankhon k samne kisi aur se vivah karne ja rahi thi...kahan tah wo prem ?... Aap koi prem nahi kartey ..apne kaha humarey pita ne apke pita ka apmaan kiya ..jhooth bilkul jhooth ...satya toh yeh hai ki apne prem shabda ka apmaan kiya hai ...Jinhe prem karte hain Unke saath yun vishwaas ghaat nahi karte...",Jodha spoke loudly ,tears trickling down her cheeks with hurt and betrayal .
"Yeh sab kya bakein ja rahi hain..Keh dijiye yeh sab jhooth hai Rajkumari...Yeh sab sach nahi...hum hum...Humein toh Maulvi sahib aur Adham bhaijaan ne kuch aur baat kahi thi...yeh sach nahi ho sakta...Hum apki baat par kaise bharosa kar le batayiye ",Jalaal was hell shocked listening to everything and grabbed her shoulders.
"Huh...Kya kaha tha apne..Prem...ap humse prem karte hain...hain na..Jinse pyaar karte hain unki har ek baat par vishwas karte hain..shaq ya duvidha ka koi sthana hi nahi hota... Aaapko us bhai ki baton par vishwaas hai jisne apki apni Jodha k saath itna kuch kiya aur APNI Jodha pe hi vishwas nahi...Apko Apni Jodha par vishwaas nahi Boliye hone walein Shehenshah ji Boliye kyun kiya apne apni Jodha k saath aisa kyun...Kyun kyun ...kyun...",She shook him holding him by his collar and wept slopping on the floor while the blood in Jalaal's veins froze .
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