FF: Pride and Prejudice, The Mughal Edition [Chapter Three!!] - Page 2

He must love his wife far too much for he had agreed to meeting with the Mughals. He'd have to welcome the Shehensha-e-Hindustan himself, with a smile, what a pity.

He waited, his dear Jodha hiding to listen behind a pillar to remain unseen as she always did. After the meeting she'd honestly review his performance in the court, she was his beloved.

"Shehensha-e-Hindustan Jalaludin Mohammad Akbar Padhar Rahe Hai!"

The Raja stood in respect as young man, much younger than he'd expected for an Emperor of his accomplishments, walked in. His face young, his posture proud, with traces of arrogance. But from his experience as an aged man, as opposed to a king, his eyes reflected vulnerability. In the first two minutes of their acquaintance the Raja had decided that Shehensha-e-Hindustan was at the least, tolerable.

Along with his subjects, the Emperor's brother had also joined them. Most likely as a student studying the art of official negotiations. Bashir Mohammad Akbar walked in with an unexpected warmth in his smile, his nature sweet the King could tell as even greeted the guards.

"We welcome you all to our Palace, we hope the journey has not been tiring."

"Not at all, but the concern is appreciated Raja Sahib. Now if we must get to the point of this arrangement, I am told you have found an option more appropriate than the ones which were offered. Please proceed,"

The King struggled keeping his respectful posture for the sake of his queen, who was watching intently from the netted kaksh above.

"Yes indeed you have heard right Shehensha, my proposal will prove to be beneficial to you as well as your Mughal Sultanat," he tried not to sound disdainful with the last 3 words.

"The Mughal Sultanat rules for the betterment of Hindustan Raja Sahib, it would be appreciated it you were to phrase your words accordingly," Jalal calmly replied.

Betterment? Is that why he had heard such horrid stories of the rulings of the Mughals and their treatment of their people? How dare he lie to a Raja without any traces of shame present! The King wanted to disperse this meeting at once.

Jaina, listening behind the pillar next to Jodha's could not bare to see her father in such an uncomfortable state.

"I must do something!" She whispered to Jodha before leaving.

"Just when I thought she couldn't get any more predictable. Her kindness will be the death of me one day," Jodha admired her beloved sister's panicked state.

Within not even a minute's time, Jodha heard the sound of a familiar payal enter the court. Hoping for the best, she peaked through to find Jaina, walking in with the Rasoi Ghar's daasis with lunch. But the sun hadn't even shined to its utmost brilliance yet. Not even close.

"We had such respected guests over, I thought it would only be right for you to share the meal with them Bapu-Sa, it's just about time for lunch anyways," she explained. Carrying with her freshly prepared cool raita, she served the Emperor's subjects before moving onto Bapu-Sa, the Emperor and his brother.

The Emperor glanced at his dish with upmost disregard. Such a proud man he was! With no humility at all. He looked at the raita as Jaina had just served him poison.

But she wouldn't bother focusing so much so on the rude Emperor when she could observe her sister, blushing as furiously as she'd ever seen her. And the cause of such an enjoyable sight, Bashir Mohammad Akbar. He was amiable, his smile warm.

I felt like an intruder to their already called for privacy as I heard the silent "Shukhriya" he had whispered to Jaina.

"May I have the pleasure of knowing who we have to thank for the food that was prepared today?" The proud Emperor queried.

"Your highness, today would be Wednesday, and like all Wednesdays today's meal was prepared by myself, for my fathe..."

"Not questioned Raja Sahib, please do not take this into offence, it is a norm. And norms are meant to be followed," he replied without a trace of remorse for his actions.

Kunwar Bashir attempted to convince the Emperor but I would not allow him to take such trouble. He was too kind.

"It is sad to see that norms are considered to be above the pride, honor, and above all emotions of a living breathing person."

"As I've stated before, Sahiba, the intention was not t..."

This time she cut him off, for the sake of avenging her sister's pride, "With all due respect Shehensha, I couldn't be less interested in your excuse for this err. If you must question the safety of the meal, I myself shall try every dish in front of you."

"But the norm is the cook must..."

"Norms are created with a purpose. The purpose here is the safety of the Shehensha and his subjects. As long as the purpose is met, the norm has not been disrespected. Unless of course the Emperor prefers following the norms in a manner with no purpose simply blind obstinance which I'm sure an Emperor of your grand stature does not, so without further ado, may I?" She questioned, her head held high under her veil with pride.

"Oh no dear Emperor, what if dear Jaina only poisoned your dish? She is so vicious and cunning sometimes! I must go through this pariksha with the food on your plate," she tested his patience. Either submit to being a blind and proud unnecessarily orthodox fool, leave, or as a Sheneshah with all his shaan and rutbah eat a Rajput Princess's leftovers. Would be his good fortune if he did, she believed. Perhaps he'd also be taking in some compassion and manners.

She got up to leave, "I hope the Emperor has been assured."

Oh so now he was desperate for her scraps? Here she believed she was doing him a favor... Such an arguable man and unfortunately Emperor.

"Allow me," he handed her the dessert scooped into spoon.

"What a gentleman, such manners." She handed him back a half empty spoon. He, with his head held just as high as it was when he walked in, left it clean. Under her veil, she rolled her eyes. She offered her leave when Kunwar Bashir, his eyes still on Jaina, asked for more Shrikhand.

"You should taste it first," Jaina modestly suggested.

"Rajkumari-Sa, even though the possibility of this scenario is nonexistent, I'd relish every bowl clean for your sake, even if I did not like it," Kunwar Bashir did not bother make his flattery secretive. "Furthermore served from your beautiful sister's hands, this dish will not be any less than a gift from Khuda himself." Oh he was a charmer alright, a pleasant disposition and courtesy with the family, I approved.

"Of course Kunwar Bashir," I served him further. His eyes stealing glances at Jaina while trying to be attentive to me, out of respect.

"Shukriya," he smiled. But this Shukhriya was different than Jaina's.

"Bashir Miyan," the Emperor cleared his throat. Being a Rajput Princess does not give me the right to say this but that Emperor, such a prick he was.

***