"Aaj ka Khana kaun bana raha hai" Jalal asked to Maham Anga
"Wahii Bawarchi jo roz banata hai" Maham Anga was confused, what was so important about food today?
'T0 unse kahiye ki Jaldi banaye"Jalal smirked staring nowhere in particular
"Jee"
Maham Anga applied her brains to know what was so special about Today's food. Finally she concluded, it has something to do with the ''New" Begum as all the wierd things[which he never did before for any Begum], she noticed, Shehen Shah do was directly or indirectly related with her.
***
Jalal reached the Dining Room, his eyes searched for someone particular, nowhere to found. He couldn't spot Jodha anywhere, Did she forgot the promised? Or she has broken it? No! Rajputs are particlur about Promises, she will never do that...
"Kin Khyalo me Khoye hai Shehen Shah?" Ruquiya interuppted Jalal's thoughts
"Kuch nahii woh hum..." Jalal's face lit up when he saw Jodha arriving, whcih didn't go un noticed by Ruquiya, Maham Anga and even Hamida and Bakshi Bano.
He smirked, at her nervousness, This is not going to be easy Princess!
Jodha started walking to her seat, Hoping Shehen Shah forgot that, but little did she know, Shehen Sha was waiting paitently for this.
"Are Jodha Begum! kahan jaa rahi hai? Aapko toh aapne aaj ke baithne ki jagah ki malumaat hai" Jalal went on smriking at her, increasing her nervousness. He knew if they were to be alone at this time, she would have surely snapped at him,There is a reason why "Saara Din Dawaat" declared.
He patted the seat next to him, Which Ruquiya earlier thought was for her, But was highly dissapointed when she was told to sit on her seat.
Jodha lowered her eyelids, this is not going to be easy, and if it would, Shehen Shah would do the required. She walked to him and sat on the seat beside. Creating a wave of Surprise among the nearby fellows.
"Khana Parosa jaaye" The courtier Yelled, recieving a green signal from Shehen Shah
As the Lunch was served, Everyone waited for the Shehen Shah to start, so that they could relish too. Jalal stole a mishchievoius glance at Jodha and made a fake throat clear noise "Ahhem" to give Jodha a signal, which she knew what was for!
But she remained still, Actually she was embarassed to feed Shehen Shah, people don't know what deal they made they will think...
"Begum Jodha??" His voice interuppted her thoughts
She glanced at him aware of questioning glances people were giving.
"Jee! Kahiye??"
"Begum Jodha, hum chahte hai ki aap aapne haatho se aapne shauher ko khana khilaye"
Murmurs ran throught the Begums' crowd. They were surely envy and jealous of THIS Begum, she got to feed the Shehen Shah! But How? We are always willing to, And she wasn't interested in Shehen Shah then why always he chooses her??
Jodha didn't wanted to do this. But she had no other option left. One, she promised Second, all were waiting for Shehen Shah to take the first bite so they could start.
She relucantly picked up a Kabab piece and shoved it to his mouth, He, as usual first grasped her hand and took a bite smirking. This lead to more envy in Harem crowd and also resulted in current to pass throught Jodha's body, She has been touched like this before by Shehen Shah, then why now?
After he finished the Kababs, she had to feed him the rest of the meal too! God!
She tore a piece of Naan[Butter Naan was eaten in the Mughal era, but dunno what was called] and fed him like the Kabaabs, Grasping and then taking a bite. He was thouroughly enjoying himself and could see her displeasure but it was subtle now compared to the first few days of thier arrival to Agra.
Next, she spooned the rice and again shoved it to him, slight happy that now it is spoon from which he is being fed, but he, grasped her hand this time too. Spoon or no Spoon! This all was witneesed by the Harem Waasis and were nearly burning this time. But some were rejoicing looking at Begum-e-Khaas' face which was tomato red by now.
Finally came the Dessart, which was Kheer, she slightly jumped at the thought of how delicious Kheer looks, She loves Kheer. Jodha remebered how her mother used to prepare it and Sukanya and she always used to pick up a fight on "You have more Kheer than me" and amidst these Shivani always used to Quietly eat up her Kheer and also bits from thier bowls too. She smiled remebering her childhood memories, unaware Jalal was gazing at her smiling to himself at how beautiful her face looks.
"Begum Jodha!" brought her out of memories
He spooned a little kheer and brought it near her mouth "Yeh Lijiye, Kheer apki pasandida hai na?chakiye aur batayiye Mughal Sultanate ki Kheer kaisi hai?" She was a bit astonished at how he knew. A delibrate "Aapke Amer se toh acchi hogi" brought her back from the "Admiring Jalal" world which she never wanted to go.
Jodha opened her mouth a bit and ate the Kheer, It was indeed delicious! 'Hum jaante hai apa soch rahi hai ki inti acci Kheer toh Amer me kabhi nahi chakhi..." "Bilkul nahi, Hamae Amer me acchi Kheer banti hai iss se bhi acchi"
He enjoyed her Amer ki Mirchi mode, and sometimed did things delibaretely to bring her that side.Then Jodha ate her Lunch too, half by hersel and more than half Jalal deliberately feeding her.
Soon, the Lunch was finished, with Jalal-Jodha nokhjokh continously going on, Harem crownd Burning with Jealousy slightly happy at Ruquiya's plight, and Ruquqiya! Don't ask, Hameeda smiling and praying allah to Bless this unusual and perfect Jodi, and other those who are left were wondering what is wrong?
Jodha sighes finally this was over, But Jalal made her land on the groun with a thud!!
"Apse Shaam ke naashte aur raat ke khaane ke waqt milenge" and flashed his Jalal-waali smirk to her. How she wished to slap off that smirk for his face. Everybody departed with different emotions while Hameeda and Jalal were too happy for different reasons and other Begums were fuming, Jodha was sighing that Day is not over Yet!
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
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