SS: Truth, Trust & Love updated: Chapter 8 Pg 20 - Page 9

Originally posted by: JAN_SA

Dearest Friends

Due to a very hectic schedule i am unable to update this week as well. I will endeavour to update asap and will pm those on my buddy list.

A huge hug🤗and thanks to Shresttha, Aanchal for taking interest in reading.

please be patient, i will make it up to you.

lots of love

janitha

On the other side of the palace, the calmness of the night was pierced by the shrill howls and breaking of furniture - the poor bandhi tried to calm her down but to no avail. Maham Anga was stewing in anger - just when she thought that jodha will never return - jalal brings her back and makes her sleep in his chambers - watching over her with concern.

Why Jalal had even thrown her nasty looks, no doubt he is aware of her treachery and all because of Jodha

Resham: Wazeer-e- Aliya - calm down lest you be heard in the palace - jalal is already suspicious and angry don't give him reason to doubt your more.

Maham: I cannot bear the thought of bowing to that hindu begam - I fear her Resham -she has something that draws people to her. Jalal is being drawn to her. Even Ruqaiya cannot compare to her. Jalal who has never raised is voice at me, nor questioned me, I now see suspicion and anger in his eyes when he looks at me. I can't lose my grip on Jalal - especially not to that Jodha begam.

Resham: Huzoor - we will find a way to get rid of her but for now please clam down and rest.

In Jalal's Chambers:

Jalal tossed and turned in his bed - sweating profusely. Suddenly shouting Jodha's name he woke up hyperventilating. Jodha awoke in shock hearing her name being called out so loudly, hopping out of bed she pulled the drapes apart rushing to the king who was still delirious and sweating

Jodha: kya hua shahensha - aap chillaya kyu - getting no response she held his shoulders shaking him gently.

Snapping out of his delirium he stared at Jodha wide eyed and then quickly grabbed her into a crushing hug. Jodha was stunned - she squirmed in his embrace, not knowing how to react. She called out to him placing her hand on his back. He let her go apologizing quietly.

Jodha: what happened Shahensha- you are swearing and look so scared. Did you have a bad dream?

Jalal: yes - he said quietly I dreamt you had drowned and I was doing your final rights. I was lighting your pyre - he shook his head vehemently- I don't want to think or talk about it.

Jodha took her duppata and wiped his forehead and face - tears welling in her eyes she said - Hume kshama kijiye Shahensha- maine apko bahouth kasht diye, lekin aap chinta math kijiye main itni jaldi marenge nahi - aap hume itni jaldi chutkara nahi milenge -she said smiling through her tears.

Giving him a tumbler of water to drink she helped him settle down in bed. Watching her retreating back jalal mumbled to himself - hume aapse kabhi bhi chutkara nahi chaiye jodha begam.

Settling herself in bed she felt guilty - she had no idea her suicide attempt would affect the shahensha in such a manner - it pained her to see him in that state. Mentally vowing she took an oath to never do such a thing again.

Dawn was breaking - Jalal rose from his bed and stood on his balcony watching the rising sun. He re-collected the events of last night frowning at some thoughts and smiling at others. He decided on starting afresh especially with his relationship with Jodha. He smiled thinking about her. Stepping into his chambers, pulling the curtain apart slowly he saw Jodha in deep sleep. The sun's rays were falling softly on her, she look ethereal. He stood for some time admiring her before stepping out closing the drapes.

Having bathed and dressed the Shahensha was about to wake up Jodha when Hamida bano entered his chamber along with Gulbadan and bandhis carrying the breakfast tray.

Jalal - ammijaan aap iss waqt?

Hamida bano - haa beta - I brought you and Jodha breakfast, where is Jodha? I also want to talk to you both.

Jalal - woh soh rahi hai - she is very exhausted.

Hamida together with Gulbandan entered the room where Jodha was sleeping peaceful and slight smile on her lips. Jalal stood a little further.

Sitting down on the bed stroking her hair hamida called out gently to Jodha, fluttering her eyes open she quickily raised herself from the bed. Hamida held her back - calming her down. Don't worry Jodha beta - there is no need to be anxious this is your home and besides you are very tired and need the rest. I brought breakfast and I wanted to speak to you and Jalal.

Jodha: Ammijaan I can't eat anything unless I have taken a bath and offered puja.

Hamida Bano - koi baath nahi beta - complete your puja I will see you later.

Jalal: Ammijaan I will wait for Jodha begam - we shall take breakfast in her chambers.

Jodha got up and walked out with Hamida. Moti and rewa with a few other bandis were waiting for their queen outside Jalal's chambers. Escorting their queen to her chambers, bathing and dressing her jodha looked resplendent in a royal blue lengha with intricate gold braiding. After doing her tulsi puja she sat in infront of her mandhir lighting a diya for Bhagwan Krishna singing a melodious bhajan

Man ek bar Hari bol, Man ek bar Hari bol

Hari Hari Hari bolo, Bhav Sindhu par karlo

Brahmanand roop Hari patit pavan Hari ek bar Hari Bol

Jalal made his way to Jodha's chambers, hearing her sweet singing he took off his shoes and silently came closer to the mandhir in her room. He watched her intently as she immersed herself in prayer. Jodha was totally unaware of the shahensha. Opening her eyes she looked at Shri Kanha with loving devotion as she spoke.

Kanha - In my extreme distress I took a wrong decision in trying to commit suicide, I am ashamed of my behavior and the sin I was about to commit. Shahensha saved me from doing the unthinkable, but in turn I caused him distress too, subconsciously he was shaken by what I did. I cant he him in such pain. I need to atone for my wrong doings therefore my loving Lord show me a way to do so. Hey Radhamohan please shower your mercy and grace on Amer and my family. Since my marriage I never considered Agra my home but today Agra holds more in my heart than Amer, its my husband's home and as his consort I pray for the welfare of our people and my family. Shower your blessings upon Shahensha so that he may prosper and win the hearts of all his subjects, may he be known as a just and honorable Emperor. Hey Murlidar - you are know the hearts of all, there is one more prayer I ardently ask, the Shahensha longs for his own child, as much as he loves Rahim, he wants to have an heir born of his blood therefore bless Ruqaiya begam with motherhood. She too longs for a child. Speaking her heart thus and finishing her prayers she bowed her head to her Lords feet when she heard the shahensha speak...

Aur aapke liye kuch nahi maangenge. Jodha was startled but stood up and looked at him squarely and said- kisi bhi pratna sun kar aachi baat nahi hai. He took aarti and smirked at her. Just them Rahim came barging in with Hamida & Salima following

Rahim - Choti ammijaan kaha gayi aap, he said as he threw himself around her legs, I missed you so much, don't you love me anymore he sobbed. Bending down and taking Rahim in her lap she said

Arre kane kano - yeh kya baat hai - you are such a brave strong prince so why are you crying. Wiping his tears kissing him on his cheeks she consoled the little prince as he wrapped his little hands around her neck. He demanded that jodha spend the entire day with him, playing games and he insisted on sleeping in her chambers so that she could tell him stories. Feeding him ladoos she quieted him thus assuring him that she loves him very much.

Jalal, Hamida and Salima smiled at the scene infront of them, indeed only a child can see the purity of a heart and Jodha's heart was pure. There was no doubt how much Rahim loved jodha

Sach choti ammijaan aap humse itna pyar karthi hai - pinching his cheeks she nodded in affirmation.

Turning to Jalal, Rahim said: See shahensha choti ammijaan loves me more than she loves you. Jodha almost chocked whilst Hamida and Salima grinned widely.

Coming to Jodha Salima hugged her and expressed her joy seeing her safe. Taking Rahim along Jodha promised to meet her shortly.

Jodha went up to hamida, touching her feet to take blessings she paid her respects with folded palms.

Drawing jodha into a hug and making her sit beside her she beckoned jalal to come forward

Seating them both together Hamida spoke

Jalal beta - I have always wanted you to undertake a trip to Ajmer Sharif but now I think it is something you must do. Go and pray for forgiveness and seek the saints blessings that you prosper as a Shahensha, may you bring honour and glory to the Sultanate. I want you to pray for your family so that you are blessed with a child. Ruqaiya begum' s miscarriage has been painful for all of us but it has hurt you more. This sultanat has been plagued by mishaps and I don't think is coincidence, some of it is shrewd planning, therefore pray for the peace and love for Hindustan and this sultanat.

Jodha beta - my wish is that you go with Jalal I want you to gain the blessing of the saints, you too have suffered much since you came to agra. As Mallika e Azam I am ashamed that I did not much to protect you. There have been cruel plots against you to defame you. Beta but don't think I will force you to go to Ajmer - I understand that our religion is different but...

Before Hamida could continue Jodha interrupted

Jodha: Ammijan, I apologise for interrupting you but please don't embarrass me further. I agree that we call God by different names and our method of worship is different but love, faith, truth and honesty is the pillars of all religions. Just like how the sun, moon and stars do not differentiate when they shower their light, why should we discriminate. Saints also work for the good of all mankind, when they do not differentiate why should we. If it pleases you Ammijaan I would like to go.

Jalal looked at Jodha in wonderment - he really failed to understand his begam of his!

Hamida: subban allah jodha beta - itni nek aur ucchi khayal - aap hamesha kush rahe she said as he placed her hand on jodha's head.

Turning to Jalal hamida instructed him to take good care of jodha begam as it is the first time she is going alone with him. Hearing that Jalal's heart fluttered a bit but he didn't understand why.