Apologies for any mistakes!
A footnote in history:
Though she realizes it only years later, the end begins on a normal day. Ruqaiya has her maids dancing for her entertainment, learning moves to entice her husband, when a man comes to announce that Jalal has entered the palace gates. She goes to greet him with her mother-in-law, and is witness to the ever present tug of war between Mahamanga and Hamida Begun, which the latter loses as always.
When Jalal comes to her chambers later on, he is preoccupied, and looking for her advice. It thrills Ruqaiya that he comes to her for help in these matters, for she knows that his questions are a sign of how much he trusts her.
It is not love. But it is enough. Jalal does not love anyway.
She answers his questions, and coaxes him into bed. If Jalal seems preoccupied during their lovemaking, Ruqaiya ignores it. Whatever the matter is, it will be resolved soon and then Jalal will be back in Agra and in her arms, where he belongs.
When he leaves, Ruqaiya notes that the preoccupation has not left his eyes.
"What do you plan to do now?" She asks, taking care to keep her voice gently. It is something she learned from observing Mahamanga- be gentle, let him think he is in control, and then subtly plant a suggestion. Ruqaiya hopes to get him back quickly-with some jewels from those proud Rajputs if he can manage it.
"We attack Amer." Jalal announces, and the gleam in his eyes is disconcerting. "There is something of great value there."
Without waiting for an answer, he leaves, and Ruqaiya watches him go, thoughtful. Something has happened, but she cannot put her finger on it. Dismissing the disquiet from her mind, she turns to her dancers again. Perhaps learning something new will keep Jalal in her bed, and prevent the threat of the heir coming from another woman.
XXX
It is a few months later that the message comes. Mahamanga, Ruqaiya and Hamida are to travel to the army, as Jalal has urgent need for them. It escapes neither woman's notice that his mother is included as an afterthought and that he truly wants Mahamanga and Ruqaiya there. Though it is unworthy, Ruqaiya feels a thrill at being so high in his thoughts. Soon she will eclipse even Mahamanga- the old woman will overstep, as Bairam Khan did.
She does not know of the additional note he has sent to Mahamanga- the gifts he want, the luxuries he demands. Ruqaiya does not know why he demands these things- to impress his soon to be wife.
Traveling to where Jalal's army is located takes a few weeks. When they arrive at the encampment, there is sense of frenetic energy in the air. Ruqaiya notes that a messenger leaves Jalal's tent as they are announced, hurrying away with a letter in hand. Jalal greets them effusively, a glint in his eyes. By his side, Abdul looks at his emperor, worry masked by his impassive face.
"Jalal," Mahamanga's voice is indulgent. "Why have you called us here in such haste?"
"I wanted you to know," Her husband's voice is buoyant. Ruqaiya has never heard him sound so triumphant.
"Know what?"
"Of my new'alliance with Amer." Jalal's eyes are laughing. He is enjoying this secret.
"The Rajput's are willing to treat with you?" Mahamanga is skeptical and Ruqaiya does not blame her. The Rajputs are a proud, stubborn people, accepting death before surrender. An alliance with one they loathe is a strange and unbelievable thing.
"They are. Even if they hate me, they will treat with'family."
The tent is silent for a moment, before Hamida Begum's voice cuts through the silence. "You are marrying a Rajput? Who?"
Jalal's eyes flash, his mouth pulling into a wide grin. "The daughter of Raja Bharmal."
"A Hindu?" Mahamanga's voice rings through the tent. "What will your minister's say? You will have a Rajput as a wife?"
"Think, Jalal." Ruqaiya adds her concerns. "Will this truly be good for the Mughal Empire?"
"Jalal'"
And for the first time in their married life, Ruqaiya sees Jalal square off against Mahamanga. Her husband stands straight and proud, looking the older woman in the eye.
"I am marrying her." There is finality in his voice. Even Ruqaiya knows the futility of the argument. Mahamanga sighs, then nods.
"What is her name?" Ruqaiya asks, curious about the girl.
"Rajkumari Jodha Bai. Jodha." His voice caresses her name. Owns it. Possesses it entirely.
And here is where Ruqaiya begins to get an inkling that something has shifted.
XXX
"How did he come to know of the girl?" Ruqaiya asks Abdul later on. Mahamanga is with Jalal discussing matters of state, and Hamida Begun has retreated to pray. Abdul looks down, unwilling to answer the question.
"Answer me." Ruqaiya commands.
"He'he went to Amer in disguise, to gain intelligence before the war. He saw the princess then."
"And her father agreed to an alliance."
"My queen, please'"
"Answer me!" Abdul's hesitance begins the send trickles of alarm down her spine.
Abdul looks up. "There was no agreement beforehand. Jahapana waged war against Amer. Princess Jodha's fiance, Suryabhan Singh, was within the defending force. When he died, the Rajput's were going to mount a final stand. Shahenshah did not want the women to resort to jauhar, so he proposed the alliance. King Bharmal accepted."
"Why was he so desperate to prevent a massacre? Rajput deaths have never bothered him before'" The answer comes to her in a flash. "Jodha." She whispers.
The trickle of alarm becomes a flood upon Abdul's nod.
XXX
Ruqaiya sees the younger girl only a few days later, after Akbar bears her back to the lavish tent in the center of the encampment. She had not seen Jodha before that, a veil always covering the other girl during the wedding ceremonies.
The elephant lowers itself the same time the palki does, and Jalal steps down, motioning the guards to open the curtains surrounding the palki.
"Jodha," his voice rings over the silent encampment. "You may come out now."
There is a pause of a few moments. The girl's Rajput companions glare around them in impotent fury. Jalal grins, triumphant.
Then, Jodha steps out. Ruqaiya is looking at Jalal when it happens, so she sees how rapidly his expression changes. It goes from triumphant to stunned in a moment and she turns to see the girl who has put that expression on Jalal's face.
Jodha Bai, daughter of Bharmal Singh is beautiful beyond words. Everything about her- the doe-eyes, lips like a bow, creamy skin, delicate hands, and lush body'everything about her is ethereal.
No wonder that she has him under her spell Ruqaiya thinks numbly. The entire encampment is enchanted. But no matter. Beauty is only a small facet of a relationship. Ruqaiya and Jalal have grown together. They have history and understanding'
"My wife." Jalal's voice rumbles possessively as he steps in front of the silent girl. "My wife." He whispers again, hands grasping Jodha's and bringing it to her lips. The princess's eyes spit fire in defiance. "My prize" and Ruqaiya hears the fondness in his tone.
And instinctively she understands, eyes meeting Mahamanga's.
This girl will change things.
XXX
The relationship between the two is turbulent. Jalal seeks to own Jodha, and she defies him at every turn. From denying him her bed (and had that story not circulated quickly!), to disobeying his commands, Jodha spurns Jalal. All it does is make his desire to possess her spiral ever more.
Often Ruqaiya sees Jodha in the harem courtyard, eyes always turned west.
To Amer.
"Queen Jodha mourns him still." Abdul's voice breaks into Ruqaiya's thoughts.
"Mourns who?"
"Raja Suryabhan Singh. Her fiance. He died defending Amer- he was cremated there. It drives Shahenshah mad that she thinks and mourns him still."
"She is a fool." Ruqaiya spits out. "A fool who thinks she is better than we are."
"Forgive me my queen, but I do not think so. I think she is simply'lonely. Alone, forsaken by all'she must miss Amer very much."
Ruqaiya scoffs, not noticing Jalal leaving the area. Abdul's sharp eyes, on the other hand, miss nothing.
XXX
Eventually there is thawing in the relationship. How can there not be? Jodha, against her will, begins to be charmed by Jalal. And Jalal, very much against his will, begins to fall in love.
Ruqaiya recognizes it before her husband does. How can she not? The expression in his eyes, the love she has longed to see, is evident whenever he looks at the Rajput princess.
It makes her weep with fury.
And so she plots. Plot after plot. All fail. Jodha foils every one. And then Mahamanga steps in.
A letter, false or true, and Jalal sends Jodha away. Their fight is witnessed by all.
"You may conquer, Jallad," Jodha spits as she turns, mounting her horse, "but you will never rule. Because you don't know how. This empire will crumble because you know nothing of your people."
Her words ring with the conviction of a prophesy and Ruqaiya turns her face away.
Jalal is hers now.
XXX
Somehow her husband finds out about the plot. And then he does the unthinkable.
He banishes Mahamanga.
"I trusted you!" Jalal's voice is tight with rage. "And you betrayed me. You have taken from me everything that held meaning. You have taken Jodha! Leave!"
"Did you know?!" He asks her later. His eyes spit fire as he repeats the question. Ruqaiya shakes her head, quaking in terror. Jalal sighs in disguist, leaving her palace.
"Where are you going?" She cries out.
"To bring back my wife!"
XXX
He comes back empty handed. Ruqaiya is unsurprised. Jodha never struck her as one who would forgive insult easily.
But Jalal seems calmer, thoughtful almost.
"We had some interesting discussions in Amer." Is all he says when Ruqaiya presses him. Then he begins to change laws, allows Hindus more freedom, greater say. Ruqaiya tries to prevent him from changing the empire so much.
"We are born here Ruqaiya" Jalal tells her one day. They sit in the main courtyard and his gaze is turned toward Amer. "This is our country. And we do not rule only Muslims. The Hindus are our people too."
"Did she tell you that?" Ruqaiya cannot keep the bitterness from her tone.
Jalal smiles sadly. "She taught me that."
Ruqaiya breath catch's at the grief in his gaze. "Jalal'" She whispers.
Her husband continues to look to Amer. Ruqaiya leaves. He does not notice.
XXX
Then, in a move that shocks the populace, Jalal banishes jirza. Ruqaiya is appalled. His ministers are in hysterics. Abdul laughs.
The populace sings his praise. And most importantly for Jalal'Jodha comes back.
Ruqaiya is there when she is announced. Jalal springs to his feet, hurrying to the entrance where Jodha stands. Their eyes lock, and Ruqaiya can see the world fading away for them as Jalal takes Jodha in his embrace.
And Ruqaiya knows looking at a quietly smiling Abdul'she has lost all her rights as a wife.
XXX
Years pass'Jodha gives birth to Jalal, now Akbar's heir- a beautiful boy named Salim. The Rajput queen remains Jalal's love, and he forsakes all their beds for hers. She bears him two more sons while the rest of them remain barren.
Ruqaiya retains her place. She carves a new one for herself as well- she is a second mother to Jodha's children. Later, Ruqaiya is responsible for reconciling Jalal and his son- something even Jodha could not do. Knowing someone from childhood is still helpful. She is respected by Jalal, and is given responsibility of Salim's son.
Ruqaiya is Jalal's friend. She is his advisor. She is a confidant. But she is no longer Jalal's wife in any way that matters. And oh, while Ruqaiya is past childish plots that knowledge stings. To know that she had been with Jalal since childhood and he gave himself to another'some days that knowledge rends and burns.
XXX
Jodha dies. Akbar follows her shortly after. Ruqaiya outlives her husband and his favorite and is given a position of power. Her days are filled with court affairs. Her nights filled with reminisces of Jalal and Jodha.
In the end Ruqaiya knows'all she was, was a line in their story. A footnote in history.
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