Dear Friends
I know I have my other SS: Truth Trust & Love to complete but I couldn't resist doing another SS on the current track. I am hoping to complete this in maximum 3 chapters
CH 1
Jodha was shaken to the core, how can the Shahensha be so callous, no doubt she was wrong in shoving him in the manner she did, she could have been more tactful and sensitive especially after he expressed his feelings. She tried explaining and apologizing but the stubborn emperor would hear none of her explanations. Whatever was done was done in privacy - it does not make the crime any less but at least it was something between them.
Humiliating her in front of the special ladies of the harem was the limit, but more so in front of a mere dancer - angry hot tears spilled from her hazel eyes. He has insulted her in public before during the miscarriage fiasco but then the hurt she felt was against her Rajputana pride and honesty.
The hurt she felt now was different, her heart was on fire and her soul was in pain. For all the other times she had her ghrina for jalal to protect her but now even if she willfully wanted to hate him, she could not bring herself to hate him.
She slumped in front of her Kahnaji's mandhir. In a choking voice she said - Bhagwan yeh dard kya hai, mujhe laga ki koi mera hriday ko aag lag diya. She placed her head at Kanha's feet and sobbed her heart out. Exhausted from the pain and sobbing jodha did not realize when she drifted off to sleep, her head resting at Kahna's feet.
Hamida was worried about Jodha being insulted so harshly. she went to her chambers to find her slumped in front of the mandhir. Gently shaking her at the shoulders jodha woke up. Seeing hamida she touched her feet to receive blessings. Looking at her tear stained face Hamida hugged jodha, trying to console this pure innocent soul. Sitting down Hamida asked jodha what brought this on.
Jodha explained how she tried to convey her praise to the shahensha at hamida's request but could not do so, hence she decided to write him a letter conveying what she felt. It was given to him by Moti. It seemed the emperor misread her letter and tried to seduce her.
Hamida - jodha beta do you know that the shahensha is unable to read or write?
Jodha was stunned - she had absolutely no idea.
Hamida called for moti and asked her to whom did she give the letter. Moti explained that the shahensha was with maham anga went she handed him the letter. Signaling her to leave hamida said to jodha - beta jalal cannot read hence he must have given the letter to maham anga - she is a cunning woman and she dislikes you, she may have misread your letter to jalal.
Jodha - but why ammijan - she claims to love the shahnesha like her own son even if she hates me why would she deliberately cause pain to her son.
Hamida - your love is pure therefore you don't understand these things, people love the shahensha for various reasons, some for power, some for wealth and some for position and to maintain that they can go to any lengths, even hurting the one they claim to love.
Hamida offered to help jodha but she refused saying "Ammijaan with your support and love I know I will be successful but I cannot involve you, yeh pati patni is mamla hai, if maham anga has played a dirty trick by hurting my husband and dared to interfere in the Shahensha's married life I won't spare her!
Hamida was elated, showering blessings upon jodha she left her alone. Jodha went to take a bath dressing herself in a deep red lengha, filling her maang with sindoor she look like the fiery goddess Durga maa.
Clasping her mangalsutra in her hand she thought - "who am I kidding, no wonder my heart felt as if it was on fire, the shahensha is my husband first and foremost, hiding behind the veil of friendship I failed to acknowledge my real feelings for him, as his wife I hate the way he entertains that cheap dancer, but right now I need to channel my anger in the right direction.
Summoning moti she asked her to keep a strict eye on maham anga and resham, she wanted no carelessness or mistakes. Moti was surprised to see jodha's roop and the firmness in her voice.
Walking out her chamber she made way with rewa, suniti and a few other bandhi to Durga maa's mandhir. Offering puja and singing a beautiful bhajan in praise of the goddess. She was joined by the great Ramtanu Pandey who on hearing her melodious voice could not resist joining her. After praying she sought his blessings by humbly touching his feet. The artist was surprised by the queen's humility and blessed her. Praising her talent he asked her to continue her practice and she in turn asked him to frequent Agra so that all could benefit from his talent.
Walking back to the palace she saw the shahensha teaching Benazir shamsheer baazi, that too in her practice clothes. Her eyes stung with unshed tears and a lump formed in her throat. Seeing her Jalal moved closer to the woman holding her closer Jodha quickly averted her eyes and walked away head held high.
Jalal looked longing at her retreating back, he couldn't understand why his heart ached seeing jodha upset, previously when he insulted her he felt a sense of joy, but lately he could not stand to see her upset. Moving away from the dancer he retreated to his chambers.
Jodha vowed no matter how hard she will not let Jalal see her upset, she will mask her pain. Seeing Benazir in her practice clothes gave jodha an idea.
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