FF: Yeh Ishq hai yah Junoon hai?(upd:PG 26/aug 18) - Page 2

They arrive in Agra and Jodha is very tired. She has been sitting in the palki but sleep could not claim her as her thoughts were on her future, her family in Amer and above all on Jalal. Once they came to a stop she looks out and sees they have arrived at the Mughal Palace. Dread overtakes her and she feels that she has just arrived to a prison, a gilded one for sure, but none the less a prison. How will she survive? She shakes her head and tries to take away these negative thoughts. She knows that these thoughts will not help her with her future and she must stay sharp or else she surely will die a slow death within the palace. These are the cards that life has dealt her, she must move forward and be sure to look fate in the eye. Jalal comes and puts his hand out for her to come out of the palki. She looks at him with disdain and climbs out by herself. There is no way she will ever accept anything from this man.

Jalal smirks, grabs her hand just as she is standing up and pulls her close to him. "Remember my Sherni, when I do or say something, I am not giving you a choice. You did not take my hand; therefore I must make you take it. This game of wills that you are playing ….. remember that I will always be the winner."

Jalal starts walking forward and Jodha realizes that she has no choice right now but to walk with him. Head held high she whispers for his ears only "Just wait and watch, I am no pawn to be moved at your will. You have made me a queen now and I will be your match in every way. I am now Mailka Hindustan after all. "

Jalal smirks and looks at her "you are what I tell you you are….and yes it pleases me for you to be my Malika. The power you have in that role all depends on your good will towards me. Do remember that my dear Sherni."

Jalal's mother and Maham Anga are waiting for Jalal. Jodha greets her mother in law first, but as she is about to bow down to touch her feet, Jalal stops her. "You are now my queen, you do not bow down to anyone but me." Jodha is confused but just nods her head and his mother, with a hurt look, touches Jodha's head and wishes her well.

Jalal then takes her before Maham Anga - "this is the one who raised me and supported me when no one else was there for me. She is more than just a mother figure and is very dear to me. Badi Ammi, this is Jodha my new wife. Please teach her what you can about her place and role in my life. "

With that said, Jalal then takes her to her living quarters. I have assigned two guards to be with you at all times. They will accompany you wherever you go outside your living area. They will not enter your personal area but you are to ensure they are with you if you go outside anywhere. Do not disobey this order."

Jodha – "So you are treating me like a prisoner here? We are in the palace, where could I possibly go that I need an escort with me? This is ridiculous…tell me why?"

Jalal – "This constant bickering and disobedience will end Jodha? Must I remind you that I do not need to explain any of my orders to you? Your job is to obey and serve my needs and desires. That is a wife's place in her husband's life.

Jodha was about to speak but Jalal stops her. " I have no more desire to quarrel with you. You are to join me for dinner tonight in my living quarters. We will have a private dinner. The outfit that you chose not to wear for our wedding will be brought for you to change into. Just because I didn't say anything about your disobedience concerning your bridal attire does not mean that I have forgotten it. It would be in your best interest to try to appease me and not test me."

Jalal turns and walks away – at the door he turns back and says " The lengha you are wearing will be burnt once you change and the jewellery you may keep but do not wear it in my presence ever again. Everything that you wear from this day forward will be given to you by me. I want you to know, every time you get dressed that everything you own belongs to me. Everything I give you is a sign of my good will towards you and I hope that you will show me your gratitude in a suitable fashion. "

With those arrogant words, Jalal walks out. Jodha is amazed at this man's unlimitless pretentious attitude. How can one man have so many negative qualities about him, he makes her sick to even be in the same presence as him.

Jodha thinks " I will not bow down to his every whim. If he thinks he can control my every move, then I must teach him a lesson. This man must start to think of me as his equal, one who deserves respect and to be treated honourably. If I give in, he will think that he can be this rough with me and that it is acceptable. " Jodha turns around when she hears someone at the door, requesting permission to enter to bring her the clothing. Jodha tells them to take it back, but the servant says that the Shenshah himself ordered them to bring it for her. Jodha knows that if she makes the servants go back, retribution might come to her which she can handle but that the servant might also pay for it, so she allows them to enter.

A few hours later someone comes to escort her to the Shenshah's domain. "Please inform the Shenshah that I will not be joining him for dinner. You may go now."

Jodha feels bad that the servant might get in trouble but under no circumstance can she sit in his presence and pretend to enjoy a meal with him. As she sits on her bed thinking about the past 72 hours a few tears escape. She gets startled when she hears Jalal's furious voice calling her name. He storms into her private area " I ordered you to appear for dinner and yet you disobey. Woman, you are testing the little patience I have left for you."

Jodha " I will not have dinner with you. You despicable animal, do you actually think I can eat even one morsel of food in your presence. I would rather go hungry then eat in your presence."

Jalal –eyes flaming with anger "vah vah my sherni. Your wish is my command. Unlike you I have no trouble in honoring your request. " Jalal raises his voice so that all the servants can hear him. "Humari Shehzadi, does not wish to dine with me. It is my order that no food or drink other than water be made or brought for her, until she personally requests to share dinner with her husband." And with that said he storms out of her chamber.

All the servants look at Jodha with pity. She asks them all to leave her as she wishes to be alone.

Now what am I to do, Jodha thinks. Maasa always said that I speak before I think and I am so hungry after our journey and now….Argh! That frustrating man, he wants to subjugate me before all, make me come to him and request his presence for dinner….NEVER! When all of a sudden an idea hits her…..Jalal said that no one can bring or make me food. He never said that I can't go and make myself food. With that she steps out of her chambers and instructs the guardsmen to take her to the kitchen. They start to refuse when she reminds them that the Shenshah said that no one could make or bring her food, he never forbade her to go to the kitchen herself. They think about it for a moment and realize that she is right but are still fearful of what may happen if the Shenshah finds out about this. They show her the way to the palace's kitchens and find them deserted as the dinner hour has passed and the staff are sleeping for they must wake early to prepare for the morning meal.

Jodha looks around and sees some Sabji's and various spices. She knows how to cook as she was instructed by her Maasa and Dadisa to know how to cook for her husband, a duty every woman, no matter of station, must learn and practice. Thank god they made me learn Jodha thinks to herself. Otherwise right now I really would have to declare Jalal as the victor for this round. But this time I have outwitted him…..she laughs to herself.

Jodha makes her food, some sabji, dal, chawal and roti and carries it back to her room herself. After all she is following his order and ensuring that no soldier gets punished on her behalf.

Jodha above all cares about what affect her actions might have on those around her and is always diligent in protecting them. She eats her meal with satisfaction and quickly falls asleep. The dirty dishes on the floor beside her bed.

NEXT: Bairam Khan makes his entry……..