FF: All That's Meant To Be UPDATED Pg4

But Jalal has no heart, yet she had fallen for him. What if he did have a heart.. beating for someone else? How could she live with that?

Alone in her room, crying herself to sleep, night after night. Her heart ached with loneliness.

I can't make you love me, nor can I unlove you. She thought to herself. But I will not let anyone else rule your heart either.

Jalal

It was at Amer where he had first saw her. She is mine. He told himself, and he always got what he wanted.

She told herself... But did she really?

Surybhan was amused by his soon to be wife's strange request. "I want Jalal's head!"

The first time he saw her, he fell in love with her beauty. But had never known she would be so fiery. After the war, she would be his.

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The war was inevitable after the incident at Amer. They had to protect their land. Fight to death. If death was all that could be.

Raja Bharamal had always thought about his people first, even before family. It had already cost him his nephew. He was right, after all. Sujamal had joined his hands with the enemy. He knew all of their military tactics. They were sure to lose. If they lost.. Who will care for the people of Amer? The only thing he could see was death and destruction. What could they do? There was a dense darkness in the palace. They were all aware of the impending doom.

"You don't have to fight." Jalal had told him, "All I want is Jodha."

Raja Bharamal's army already reduced to half, his injured son fighting for his life. Is there anything to lose? If he could save everyone's life by giving Jodha..

The proposal was not hidden from Jodha and she had made up her mind. She will do whatever it takes to protect her loved ones. All that she has to say is yes and no one has to die anymore.

"Pitaji.. I have made up my mind. I'm ready to marry Jalal."

"Maasa", called Jodha. "Say something Maasa.. Please."

Raja Bhairmal was speechless. He could say nothing infront of his brave, selfless daughter. Rani Menavati burst in to tears. She knew her daughter will create history. But is this how it was supposed to be?

She had pleas to Suryabhan had been on deaf ears. All her prayers unanswered. All her attempts at changing her beloved daughter's fate had been futile.

Suryabhan, who had promised her Jalal's head did nothing to stop her, nor did he say anything.

'I respect your decision.' Was all that he could say. His fall from grace hit her more than anything. Love she realized is more than the words said to make it real.

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CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

Chapter 2

"I never meant it!" cried Sukanya. She couldn't believe it. Her words, something she said in the heat of the moment had come true. As the guilt sank in, she was overwhelmed by sadness and fear.

What have I done? I have pushed my sister to fate worse than death, for what?

"Please Jodha, don't do this." begged Sukanya.

She fell down on her knees crying. Jodha picked her up, held her tight and whispered.

"Hush, dear. It's alright. It is my destiny after all. None of this is your fault. He thinks he can win me over but he will never really have me. I may marry him but I'll never be his." Jalal had no idea what he had signed up for. She was not the usual attention seeking women he was accustomed to. He was not used to being defied or challenged. To him, this only seemed like a fun game. By marrying her, he wanted to hurt her pride. It never occurred to him that she will never give up so easily. She would marry him, but on her own terms and conditions.

"I always knew you would come to me. But isn't it too soon? We are not yet married." smirked Jalal.

"What?" Jodha stared at him in disbelief.

"Ah, what brings you here, princess?"

Something about his tone made Jodha jump. She wanted to rip his head off. Nice thought, it will all be over in a minute.With great difficulty, she restrained herself from killing him.

"I'm ready to marry you but on one condition."

"Anything for you my princess." Said Jalal with the usual smirk on his face.

"I'll practice my own religion after marriage. You will make me a pooja-ghar in the palace. No one will force me to convert."

"Is that all?" quipped Jalal. "I have no issue." Jalal left the room leaving her to her thoughts.

She had never thought that Jalal would give in so easily. She stood in front of the mirror and feeling less alive. Marrying Jalal will put a tragic end to her dreams, her life. Little did she know that this was only the beginning...

With this, Jodha became Jalal's third begum.

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Hamida Bano had lost all hope. Jalal was deeply hurt first by his Khan Baba's betrayal and then his sudden demise. It was killing him inside but he showed no emotion. If only he would open up, she will ease his pain. Sure, he respected her but he never let her in. To him she was the mother who deserted him.

As she walked towards the Dargah, the anguish on her face was missed by none.

"Please make him see the light this time" she prayed.

"Don't worry Mallika, everything is about to change and the entire Hindustan will witness it." said a voice behind her. She turned to see a Fakir. Suddenly she felt as if all her prayers had been answered at last.

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"Ruqayya Begum!" yelled Najma.

"I had told you not to disturb me!" shouted Ruqayya. Her cheeks blazing red, she picked up her slipper and threw at her maid.

"But Begum.." she pleaded. "Shehanshah.."

"What happened to Jalal?" demanded Ruqayya. All her anger gone, she was now filled with dread.

"Speak up!"

"Shehanshah is well.. he is on his way to Agra with his new bride, Jodha." she said shakily.

She threw a knife from a nearby tray at Najma in anger, almost hitting her.

"Get out before I kill you!" she yelled at her favourite maid in tears.

This isn't true. Jalal only married Salima out of respect for Khan Baba. Why would he marry Jodha, the Rajput princess who ridiculed the Mughals...

She had always been his favourite regardless of the number of women in his life. She, however, felt like her world had come crashing down. How could she not see this coming? Jalal had seemed like a totally different person ever since he had come from Amer. He would smile to himself, even hum. Something he had never done in his life. Every kiss and touch after his return seemed more distant than ever, even though he was next to her, she had never felt more alone. Yet, he never mentioned what had happened at Amer. He didn't tell her. For the first time, he kept something from her.

Jodha had become the talk of the Harem even before her arrival. They had all heard about her beauty, intelligence and bravery."Finally we have someone who will challenge Ruqayya. " They would say.

Maham Anga had her own reasons to be happy. Interesting, the squabble between Jodha and Ruqayya will be fun to witness. She'll be busy with Jodha while I plan to make Adham the khan-i-khana of the Sultanate. She also thought it would be nice to see Ruqayya feel so insecure.

"Aren't you making preparations for Jalal's return? Will you not welcome him this time dear begum?"asked Maham Agan with a hint of malice in her voice.

"Ofcourse I will, why would you even ask that?"

"You don't seem very happy. Actually, you don't seem like yourself at all. Is there anything bothering you ?" observed Maham Anga.

"Of course not! I've just been busy!" snapped Ruqayya.

Hamida Bano enters the room and looks at Ruqayya questioningly. Ruqayya storms off angrily.

"I think we should start the preparations immediately, they will be here in a day." Hamida calls her Hindu dasis and ordered them to make preparations giving them specific instructions.

Maham Anga is shocked but she says nothing. This doesn't look good. All this over some Hindu princess. Why is Hamida happy? She has never been happy about Jalal's... acquisitions. This is no ordinary girl. I better be on my guard. I'll not let anyone ruin everything I have worked for all my life.

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