...Just then there was a splashing sound of water in the pool near which Jalal had been walking...both Jodha and Jalal heard it...while Jodha rushed to see what had happened...Jalal saw someone shouting for help...and without wasting another secong...he jumped into the pool...
As Jodha saw Jalal jump into water, she shouted in a worried tone-Shahenshah!!...
but then she saw...it was Benazir who was drowning...and she knew not why but as she saw Jalal come out of water with Benazir in his arms...she envied Benazir as she clung tightly to Jalal...she was reminded of the incident when she had jumped into the river...and Jalal had come to save her...for once she felt her importance fading away...for she had, at that instant, thought that Jalal had put his life in danger just to save her life becoz she held some place for him greater than most of his other begums...and now he had done the same for this Benazir.? Was there no difference between a baandi and begum? Or was Jalal really falling for this Benazir so much that he didn't think a moment before risking his life to save hers?
.Meanwhile Jalal had come out and safely put down Benazir on a platform nearby...both were drenched in water and when Jalal saw Benazir shivering...
Benazir- hame bahot thand lag rahi hai...
Jalal (calling out to servants...)jaldi se shawl lekar aaiye...
...and then he saw Jodha standing there...lost in her own world...
Jalal(in an angry tone...)- aap khade khade kya kar rahi hain?? Aaiye aur hamari madad kijiye inko garmahat dene me...(he said while rubbing Benazir's palm with his hands to warm them up...)
...Jodha glanced towards Benazir...and though Jalal had fallen for her game...she knew it instantly from the look on her face and the half smile she hid behind a worried expression...that it was all a plan of hers to bring Jalal closer to hers...while Jalal was busy ordering the servants to bring hot water and shawl for her...she gave an evil winning smile to Jodha as if mocking at her...Jodha just looked at her in disbelief...she wanted to tell Jalal about it...but she knew he would never believe her...not at this moment ...!!
Jodha's heart ached watching all this drama before her eyes...but there was nothing she could do...so without giving Jalal any reply...she went away from there and into her chamber which was so near to the place they now stood...
Jalal (to Benazir...)- ab agar aap kuch behtar mehsoos kar rahi hon...to hame andar chalna chahiye...bahar ki sard hawa me aapki tabiyat nasaaz ho sakti hai...chaliye...(..and he stood up and extended his hand for support...)
...Benazir gave her hand in his and just as he pulled her up to stand on her feet...she acted limp on the pretext of ankle sprain and almost fell in Jalal's arms...
Jalal straightened her once again...and with his one hand holding her hand...he curled another around Benazir's waist to support her and make her walk easily without overstraining her foot...
...Jodha who was watching all this from her jharokha felt herself burning in the fire of jealousy seeing their closeness...her jealousy soon changed to anger and then to shock as she saw them approaching her chamber...
She almost shook in disbelief as she saw Jalal pick Benazir up in his arms as he entered her chamber...Jodha hurriedly got up from the couch to enquire about this unannounced and unwelcome arrival...
Jodha (in a an angry tone...)- Shahenshah!! Aap inhe hamare kaksh me kyun laayein hain??
Jalal- (putting down Benazir on Jodha's bed and making her comfortable under the velvety blanket spread on it...) Jodha Begum...aapko hamare yahan aane se aitraaz hai ye to hum samajh sakte hain...par Benazir ke yahan hone se aapko kya takleef ho sakti hai? (he said giving her a sarcastic look...)
Jodha just stared at him...for her question was still unanswered...
Jalal- Isse pehle ki aap kisi nateeje par pahunche...hum aapko bata dete hain ki Benazir ke pair me moch aa gayi hai aur isliye...wo thik se chal nahi pa rahi thi...saapka kamra nazdeek tha...isliye hum inhe yahan le aaye...raat bhar yahan aara kar lengi to subah tak theek ho jaengi...
Jodha- iski koi avashyakta nahi hogi...hum vaidya ji se kehke inke liye marham mangwa lete hain...use lagate hi inhe aaram ho jaega aur inhe aaj raat yahan rukne ki bhi avashyaka nahi padegi...inhe bhi kasht nahi hoga aur hame bhi nahi...(she said the last words a little louder than the rest...clearly emphasizing on her unwillingness to let Benazir stay in her room...)
...Jalal read those expressions and was furious...
Jalal- Bas...!! Aapko kuch bhi karne ki koi zarurat nahi hai...humne keh dia ki Benazir aaj raat yahin rahengi to bas phir wo yahin rahengi chahe aapki marzi ho ya na ho...isse hame koi fark nahi padta...samjhi aap!!
Jodha (angrily)- to kya ab hame is baat ki bhi aapse anumati leni hogi ki kon hamare sath hamare kaksh me rahega athwa nahin?? Aapne bina hamri iccha jaane kisi ko bhi kaise la sakte hain hamare kaksh me??
Jalal- Beshak la sakte hain!! Aap shayad bhool rahi hain Jodha Begum ki ye hamara hi harem hai...aur yahan wahi hoga jo hum chahenge...yahan apki marzi ki koi jagah nahi...Benazir aaj yahin rahengi ...ye hamara faisla hai...
Jodha- to fir thik hai...aapki jisko icchha ho is kaksh me aamantrit kijiye...par humne bhi ye nischay kar liya hai ki hum aaj is kaksh me nahin rukenge...(she found hard to control her tears...and as first tear ran down from her swollen red eyes...she quickly wiped it away and raging with anger and pain...she rushed out of her chamber into the cold, damp night air...
*************************
It was almost bed-time now...Jodha sat on one of the many couches put in the royal garden of the palace...the chilly cold breeze blew constantly but Jodha was far from feeling it as the fire in her heart was burning her each moment..."pehle shahenshah ne jashn me usey hamari jagah baithaya...usey hamara uphaar de diya...fir usey hamare vastra bhi pehenne ko diye...aur to aur jab hum unke liye marham le keg aye tab bhi unhone hame uske samaksh hame apmanit kia...aur ab shahenshah ne us baandi ke liye hame hi hamare kaksh se jane ko keh dia?? Aur kitna apmaan sehna padega hamey...hamare aatmsamman ka to koi mol hi nahi hai unki drishti me...apne gusse ki aag me unhe ye bhi nazar nahi aaya ki Benazir sirf unki sampannta aur rutbe ki wajah se unke sameep aane ki koshish kar rahi hai...
...just then Salima Begum came there...she had come there to take back Rahim who had been playing nearby...having sent Rahim inside...she saw Jodha sitting there all alone...she decided to ask her...
Salima Begum- aadab Jodha Begum...
Jodha looked up and was surprised to see her, she said- pranam Salima Begum...
Salima Begum- aap is waqt yahan akele baithi hain...aur itni thand me bhi aapne kuch odha nahi hua hai...aapki tabiyat kharaab ho sakti hai in sard hawaon me...
Jodha-..woh hum bas yunhi baithe the yahan...aur aap chintit na hon...hame thand nahi lag rahi hai...
Salima Begum- kya baat hai Jodha Begum...aap kuch pareshan nazar aa rahi hain...? Aapke aur shahenshah ke bich sab thik to hai na? kal unhone jis tarah aapko jashn se jane ko kaha...hume bilkul achcha nahin laga...baat chahe job hi ho shahenshah ko aisa nahi karna chahiye tha...
Jodha- hum bhi yahi soch rahe the...Shahenshah ke liye ye kitni mamooli baat hai na...jab chahe ek daasi ko ek rani ka maan de diya...aur rani ko daasi ke darje ka bana dia...
Salima Begum- aap fikr mat kariye...aap shahenshah se is bare me baat kijiyega...zarur use sab kuch thik ho jaega...khair jo hi ho...raat bahot ho gayi hai...ab aap apne kaksh me jakar aaram kar lijiye...
Jodha remembered on her mention of going back to her chamber...that tonight there was no place in her own chamber for her...she however could not let Salima Begum even get a hint of this...
Jodha- hmm..aap jaiye...hum bhi kuch der me apne kaksh me chale jaenge...
Salima- jaisi aapki marzi...(she smiled and said...) shabba khair Jodha Begum...
Jodha too gave a faint smile and wished her good night...
After Salima Begum had left...Jodha stood up worried...the night was progressing fast and she had to find some place to sleep...a place where no one could know that she was...this time it was Salima Begum whom she had sent away without letting her know about her dilemma...but if someone else saw her...she could no longer hide her situation...
If she went to the guest chambers...Mahamanga would know about this as all the guest chambers were under her supervision...and same was the problem if she slept with any of his Ameri daasis...if any of the harem women got to know about her not having her own chamber at night due to Shahenshah's grace on Benazir...they would spread rumour in the whole palace about their tensed relation...and that was one thing she could not bear...she had already been subjected to so much insult infront of the whole mehfil the previous day...
******************
...It was pitch dark outside but his eyes were gleaming brightly...an evil winning smile played on his lips...as he stood there with his sword smeared with the blood of two palace guards he had killed moments ago...for days he had been waiting for this one chance...hours spent inside the prison plotting games and tricks to fool the palace guards and get away from here...he was successful at last...all thanks to his secret faithful sepoys who had come disguised as prison guards to help him escape the jail...after months of spending the life of turmoil...he was breathing freely in the open air...the harsh punishment, though, had done nothing to wash away the wickedness of his heart...infact it had grown ten-folds...he could never forget that it was because of Jodha that he had been put in jail...he had to take his revenge somehow...but right now...it was more important to flee from there and find some hiding place for himself away from Agra's boundaries...
...All the palace gates were strongly guarded by Jalal's army...and there was no way he could get away from there without alerting anybody...he thought and thought...and then the smile on his face broadened as something struck his mind...he knew it was the one and only best way to get out of the palace before daylight had shone in Agra...
He walked all the way around the palace backyard with a swift pace and reached the entrance of a room located towards the east...it was the same room that Jalal had asked Jodha to stay in after saving her from her suicidal attempt of drowning in the river...she had returned to the palace through the secret passage that started from the jungle and ended into this room...and now he had come there to use the same passage for escaping out of Agra...
...he congratulated himself...as he saw its door lock unbolted..."aaj to takdeer bhi hamare sath hai...fir kon rokega hume aaj...ha! ha! ha!..." he thought in his mind as he set his foot inside...
...Jodha had been lost in her thoughts as she sat there on the floor her head resting on the couch...she knew not she had been asleep until she heard someone's suppressed laughter and felt footsteps quite near to her...she woke up with a start and opened her eyes out of sudden fear...the room was dark except for the dim light of few diyas kept near the jharokha of the room, the reflection of which spread across the floor creating shadows all around...
Jodha tried to reach for her dagger but alas it was not with her...it was left behind in her chamber when she had rushed out in anger...she panicked as she saw a shadow on the floor just infront of her...
Jodha- kon hai wahan?
...he was as much shocked and afraid as he heard her voice...he had a fear of being exposed and caught red-handed...what if there were soldiers waiting for him to fall in the trap..?? he froze in his place, silently gauzing the danger around...
..hearing no reply Jodha once again gathered up her courage and asked- humne pucha kon hai wahan?
...this time he recognized that it was Jodha's voice and by the silence of the place he was almost sure that she was alone in that room...the devil in him came to action...he stepped towards the jharokha and pickning up one diya in his hand he started moving towards her...Jodha stood up in fear and as the light of diya shown on their faces...she was in utter shock to see Shareefuddin standing before her...smiling wickedly...
Shareefuddin- wallah!! Aaj to wakai kismat hum par meherbaan hai...humari raah me hi hamari manzil se hamara samna ho gaya...
Jodha (with anger and disgust...)- Aap yahan kya kar rahe hain? Aur aap kaaragar se kaise bahar aaye..?
Shareefuddin brought the diya closer to her face and said- Uff...is roshni me aapka nor...upar se chehre pe ye guroor...aapke isi mijaz ke to hum kabse kayal hain...par aapki tareef ka hume koi mauka hi nahi mila...par aaj hum apni mohabbat ka izahar karte hain...(he said as he stepped closer to Jodha...)
Jodha raged with anger- aapko sharm aani chahiye aisi ghrinit baatein karte hue...mat bhuliye ki hum shahenshah ki begum hain...aur hamare ek ishare se aapko sakht se sakht saja ho sakti hai...mrityu-dand bhi...
Shareefuddin got infuriated by her words...he started closing in on her...
Shareefuddin- achcha...!! To fir hum bhi dekhte hain ki aaj kon aapko humse bachane aur hume saza-e-maut dene aata hai yahan...
Jodha was now frightened...and she started taking her steps backward...trying to find a way to escape from there...
Jodha- hamare sameep mat aayiye...
Shareefuddin brought the diya to his face and blew it off...creating darkness again...as Jodha rushed to get away...Shareefuddin grabbed her hand and pulled her towards himself...Jodha struggled in his grip as he leaned closer trying to kiss her...Jodha's strength was of no match infront of his masculine power...she cried...shouting for help...but the room was too secluded for anyone to hear her cries...
...for once she managed to free her hand but the very next moment...he pushed her on the couch and pounced on her...As Jodha tried to get up...he drew out his dagger pointing it to her neck threateningly...
Shareefuddin- Jodha...humari nazar to tum par tabse thi jabse hamey Amer par hamla kia tha...par us Jalal ne hamre iradon par paani pher dia...tumse nikah karke...!! Jalal to aaj tak tumhe nahi jeet paya apr aaj hum tumhe pakar rahenge...
Jodha was constantly struggling to get away...pushing him hard with both her hands...she was not afraid of the dagger pointed to her neck...but by the malifoid intentions of the person holding it...she would rather die than be a victim of his evil desire...
**************
[JALAL'S CHAMBER]
Lying on his bed...sleep was far from his eyes...no matter how much he tried to divert his thoughts...the sight of Jodha's pain- stricken face and her sad tear-filled eyes kept coming back to his mind...had he gone too far taking his revenge?? though he had seen Benazir's mocking expressions to Jodha when he held her in his arms, yet he pretended not having noticed and continued to show his care for Benazir just to provoke her...her jealousy was feeding his ego...he wanted her to envy Benazir...but why?...he had no answer...it was an old proven saying that jealousy was the first sign of love...but in his context...it was confusing him...did he love her and so wanted her to be jealous...or whether he was testing the water with her to find out if by any chance she had any feelings for him...feelings greater than friendship...
...whatever his mind and heart game it was...first he was hurt and now he was hurting her because of it...but hurting her was hurting him only instead of giving him any satisfaction...he repented every single moment he insulted her...yet he could not give up his revenge due to his overpowering ego...but right now what he felt was that he had indeed crossed a limit asking her to move out from her own room at night just for the sake of an ordinary daasi...he had insulted her...hurt her...and he had to make up for it anyhow...he had decided it...when since had he started acting on his heart's impulse...rather than his mind? He had always been convinced that he didn't have a heart at all...but when it came to Jodha...he was no longer sure about it...coz what now was bothering him was not in the least related to the logical thinking of his mind...it was more of a feeling...and feelings were always the resident in the heart and not mind...
...Jalal got up from his bed...throwing a shawl over his shoulders...he came outside his chamber...it was almost midnight and it was chilly cold outside...As he held onto his shawl...wrapping it tight ovr his arms...his thoughts instantly strayed to jodha once again...
Jalal (to himself)- bahar itni sard hawayein chal rahin hain...aur Jodha Begum to apne kamre se bahar chali gayi thi...kahan hogi woh...itna to hum unhe jaante hain unhe ki woh hamare bich jo bhi hua uska zikr kisi se nahi karengi...aur is baat ko chupaye rakhne ke liye unhone koi tanha jagah hi khoji hogi raat bitane ke liye...jahan kisi ki nazar na padey unpar aur unhe kisi ke sawalon ke jawab na dene padey...Amer me bhi wo zidd me aaker bahar sard hawaon me ped ke niche so gayi thi aur beemar pad gayi thi...kahin aaj bhi wo bagiche ke kisi ped ke paas to nahin----hamey khojna hoga unhe...jab wo gusse me kamre se gayi thi to unke paas koi garam kapde bhi nahi the...itni thand me na jane kahan hogi woh...
...he paced in the palace garden from one end to othe looking for Jodha on every couch that came in between...he was quite worried not to find her anywhere...the night was dark and silent...he stood there tired when suddenly the sound of someone's muffled cries caught his attention...from where he stood...there was just one room nearby...and the sound seemed to come from there only...
Jalal drew out his shamsheer and hurried towards the room...As he opened the doors wide open...the lights from the mashals outside lit up the room...and his anger knew no bounds as he saw the scene before him...
Jalal (seething with anger...he shouted...)- Shareefuddin!!! Hum aaj nahin bakshenge tumhe...(...and he leaped forward to kill Shareefuddin that very moment...)
...Shareefuddin was shocked and afraid to hear Jalal's voice...and in his fright...his hold on Jodha loosened and he turned back to defend himself from his attack...but his small dagger was nothing in comparison to Jalal's mighty sword...
Shareefuddin felt his end was near and he pleaded- Nahin...Shahenshah...aap hame nahin maar sakte...!!hum aapki behen ke shauhar hain...hamari jaan baksh dijiye...
Jodha was too relieved to see Jalal but words didn't come to her mouth...in the midst of her sobs, she could just utter with fumbling tone- Sha-hen-shah----
Jalal threw a glance at Jodha...and from her condition he trembled to think what could have happened if he would have not reached here in time...it was too much for him to take in ...he could no longer control himself...tears of repentance flowed from his eyes...
...Shareefuddin took advantage of the situation and pushing away Jalal's sword from his neck...he fled away from there...Jalal's response to this however was delayed and when he reached for the door to catch him back...Shareefuddin had ran quite far from his reach...
Jalal- aaj chahe jitna bhi bhaag lo tum Shareefuddin...!! Tum hamare keher se nahi bach paoge...tumhari is ghinauni harkat ke liye hum tumhe kabhi nahi bakshenge...!!
...when Jalal came back inside...he saw Jodha was still in shock, her heart racing fast and tears flowing down her cheeks in a constant stream...Jalal was heart-broken to see her like this...he rushed to her...and without second thought he pulled her quickly close to his heart holding her tightly in his embrace caressing her back to comfort her...Jodha, getting the much needed comfort...hid her face in his chest and closed her eyes...Jalal, resting his chin on her head...he passionately hugged her...
Jalal- aap thik to hain na Jodha begum...?? Aap fikr mat kijiye...hum aapko kuch nahi hone denge...hume maaf kar dijiye...ye sab hamari wajah se hi hua...(his words were lost in thin air as he closed his eyes and planted a gemtle kiss on her forehead...) Time stood still as they sat buried in each others' arms...lost in some other world...the beating of their hearts had synchronized as if it was one...
...they knew not how long they had been like this...but when they came to themselves...there was an awkward silence between them as they drew apart from each other...both had flown in the tempest of feelings and so none could blame the other...
At last...Jalal broke the silence...
Jalal- Jodha begum bahot raat ho chuki hai...aap hamare sath hamre hojre me chalke kuch der aaram kar lijiye...
Jodha still avoiding to look at him in the eye due to embarassment, said- nahin...uski koi avashyakta nahin hai...hum yahin thik hain... (she said as she got up from the couch turning away from Jalal...)
...As she tried to stand up...her leg slipped and just as she was about to fall...Jalal extended his hand and caught hers firmly...Jodha turned and looked into his eyes...she felt herself melting by the intensity of his gaze...she turned her face away once again...
Jalal, still holding her hand...got up from the couch and trying to make her come with him, he said- apni ye zidd chodiye aur chaliye hamare sath...
Jodha- hamara hath chhodiye shahenshah...humne kaha na ki hum aapke sath nahi chalenge...
...Jalal kept calm even at her stubborn refusal to come with him even after so much happening there...he knew what he had to do and how...
Jalal- shayad lafzon ki zuban aapko samajh nahi aaati hai Jodha begum...to thik hai hamare paas aur bhi raaste hain...
...and saying so...he stepped forward...and leaning closer, he bent and scooped her into his arms before she could protest his move...he made his way to his chamber...
...Jodha just looked on in disbelief at his gesture...initially she struggled to get off but when she saw the determined look in his eyes...she knew her attempts would prove to be futile...As Jalal walked slowly to his chamber, his eyes were constantly fixed on Jodha, who felt very shy under his gaze...she held on to him hesitantly keeping her hand on his shoulder for support, her fingertips grazing his neckline...she had never been so close to any man...his closeness was intoxicating her senses as Jalal kept her close to her chest...his face mere inches apart...his one hand curled around her almost bare back scorched her skin even through the fabric of Jalal's sleeves...Jodha was blushing a full red...
...Jalal was completely lost in her...he only came to himself when a gentle breeze blew his tresses over his eyes...blocking his view...they were now passing by the palace garden and so Jodha was anxious about anybody seeing her like this...
Jodha(in a firm tone...)- Shahenshah...hum swayam chal sakte hain...hume niche utariye...
Jodha (in her mind...)- kaise insaan hain ye?...na to hame marne dete hain...aur na hi hame apni ichcha se jeene dete hain...apne huth ke aage aur kuch nahi soojhta inhe...hamey niche kyun nahi utar dete...hum bhaag thode hi jaenge!!
Jalal- aur agar aap chali gayi to?
Jodha looked at him shocked as to how he replied to the thought in her mind without her saying it outloud...she writhed in his embrace to get off...
Jalal ignored her protests...and holding on to her even more firmly...he just gave her a smirk and walked on...Jodha knew it was fruitless arguing with him anymore...so she just gave him an angry look and averted her gaze sideways...
Soon they reached Jalal's chamber...Jodha got down from his embrace as he gently freed her from his arms...while getting down...Jodha's dupatta slipped a little from its place revealing her blood soaked choli...before Jalal could see it...Jodha quickly turned around and adjusted it carefully...hiding her wound...
Jalal- Abhi bhi aapka wapas jaane ka irada hai kya Jodha Begum?
Jodha- nahin woh..hum...(...she fumbled with words...unable to think of a quick reply...)
Jalal gestured for her to come inside the chamber...and she walked inside without another word...
...coming inside...they both stood still and once again an awkward silence prevailed...both knew they had nothing to say...
Leaving Jodha there...Jalal moved to his bed and carefully spreading a blanket, he spoke without looking at her...
Jalal- humey pata hai Jodha Begum ki aapko hamare hojre me hamare sath rehne se aitraaz hoga...lekin fir bhi hum chahte hain ki aap subah hone tak yahin aaram karein...hum nahin chahte hain ki aapko firse koi khatra ho...raat bahot ho chuki hai aur hame umeed hai ki aap is samay bewajah behes na karte hue hamari baat maanegi...
Jodha looked at him with conflicting thoughts in her mind...She knew not what to think of him...one moment she was nothing to him...and another moment he was so worried about her safety and well-being that he insisted on being around her whole nigh just to safeguard her from any danger...he was indeed too complex to understand...but one thing she was sure of that he would never take advantage of her...not even if they were at war with each other...he was a man of high nobles and standards...gradually she had known this...As regards to that night's incident...she was by now convinced that there was some huge misunderstanding behind all this...maybe someone's conspiracy even...only thing was that Jalal was not ready to talk about it to her and had taken his insult too deep down his heart causing his ownself to burn in the fire of revenge...injuring her self-respect and feelings...
Jalal, getting no reply from her...looked up towards her...seeing her lost in thoughts...he spoke up...
Jalal- (gesturing towards the bed...)Aap bistar par so jaiye...hum udhar so jayenge...(...and he moved towards the couch without waiting for her response...)
Jodha saw him lie down on the couch and close his eyes...then she slowly walked over to the bed...the pain from her wound was getting worse and she decided to take a look at it...
Jodha sat on the bed and as she slowly removed her dupatta...she felt very awkward and embarrassing having to do it in a room that she had to share with Jalal...she glanced towards the couch where Jalal was sleeping to make sure his eyes were closed and he was not watching her...she felt very shy even though the room was dimly lit by several diyas adorning the jharokaas covered with curtains that flew with gentle breeze...had it been her own chamber...she would have pulled the curtains between the bed and the couch...but this was Jalal's chamber and there were no such curtains here...
...She gave one last look at Jalal and when she was assured that he was by now asleep...she kept aside her dupatta and with her left hand...tried to move the sleeve of her choli down her right shoulder...there was a deep cut just below her collar-bone and though the blood had clotted over it and the wound was no longer bleeding...yet the pain was increasing every moment...her right hand was getting stiffer with pain...and as she tried to remove the sleeve from over it...her finger accidently grazed the wound...she winced in pain and a cry escaped her mouth...
"Ahh...!!"- as soon as Jalal heard her cry...he sat up and rushed to Jodha...
Jalal (in a worried tone...)- kya hua Jodha Begum? Aap thik to hain?
...Jodha was startled to hear Jalal and anxiously she quickly grabbed her dupatta to cover herself as Jalal reached to her side...
Jodha (tightly holding onto her dupatta...)- hum-hum..thik hain---
Jalal saw her frightened expression and increased breath...catching her by the shoulders with both her hands...he asked- "kya baat hai? Aap itni dari hui kyun hain...?"
As Jalal's hand touched her right shoulder...she once again winced with pain...and reaching for his hand, she swiftly moved it aside...
Jalal was taken aback by her action and he asked- "kya chhupa rahi hain aap?? Kahin koi zakhm-----" ...as he said this ...his eyes fell upon fresh blood near her shoulder which was visible due to slipping of her dupatta slightly from over it...the sudden grazing had scratched the cut and blood had started floeing from it once again...
Jalal settled down on the bed and tried to reach for her hand to see her injury...but Jodha stopped him midways...
Jodha- ruk jaiye shahenshah...(she said clenching her dupatta tightly trying to cover up her wound with it...) hamare sameep mat aaiye...hum thik hain...
Jalal- aap thik hain?? Itna gehra zakhm hai aapke...khoon beh raha hai aur aap keh rahi hain ki aap thik hain?? Idhar liye apna hath...hume dekhne dijiye...zaldi isme marham lagana hoga warna zeher fail sakta hai...(...he moved closer and took her hand in his...)
Jodha roughly shook away his hand from her and in an agitated tone she said- "hame chhod dijiye hamare haal par...humne kaha na hum thik hain...hume aapki sahayta ki koi avashyakta nahi hai...
Jalal was shocked to see her stubbornness, -"kaisi baatein kar rahin hain aap...aapko madad ki sakht zarurat hai...agar zyada khoon beh gaya to aapki jaan ko bhi khatra ho sakta hai..." saying this he once again held her hand, this time a little firmly and moved aside her dupatta revealing her bare shoulder and bleeding wound...
..Jodha got enraged by this and shouted in anger...
Jodha- Shahenshah!! hamara hath chhodiye... aapko sirf zakhm dena aata hai...marham lagane ki koshish aap na hi kare to achcha hoga... aapko to sirf apne ahenkaar aur apni jeet se matlab hai na? fir hamare liye chintit hone ka natak kyun? chhod dijiye hame hamare haal par...door rahiye humse...apni sahanubhuti aur sneh kisi aur ke samne dikhayiye...ho sakta hai unhe iski zyada avashyakta ho...parantu hume nahin...!!..aur waise bhi hame kasht ho...peeda ho athwa hamari jaan chali jaye...is aapko kya fark padta hai? Hamara koi astitv hi kahan hai?
Jalal- bas!!!...bas Jodha Begum...bahot keh liya aapne...ab hamari baat suniye...hame fark padta hai ki aap kis haal me hain...hame fark padta hai ki aap kisi musibat me hain...aap begum hain hamari...aur bhale hi aapko hamare hone ya na hone se koi fark na padta ho par hume fark padta hai...jab jab aap hamari nazron se door hoti hain...tab tab hamare zehen me sirf aap hi ka khayal hota hai...aapki baton se...aapki soch se...aapke sukoon se ya fir aapke dard se...hum nahi jaante kabse aur kyun lekin hume aapki har baat se fark padta hai Jodha Begum...aur yahi sach hai...samjhi aap!!
Jodha is shocked to hear all this...
Jodha- jhooth...!! Sab jhooth keh rahe hain aap...agar aapko hamari peeda se fark padta to yu is tarah baar baar hame apmanit nahi karte...agar aapko hamare kasht se fark padta to us Benazir ke samne aap hame yun lajjit karke thes na pahunchate...aur yadi aapko hamari bhavnao ki kadr hoti to baar baar aap hamari ichcha ke virudh hamare sameep aane ka prayas na karte...
Jalal- Jodha Begum...us raat jo hua usse hame bahot thes pahunchi thi...jab aapne hame thukraya to hum wo bardasht nahi kar paye...Jodha Begum aapne hi humse kaha tha na ki hamare paas dil hai??... fir kyun aapne us dil me palne wale ehsason ko pehchanne se inkaar kar diya??...haan...hame bhi kuch der ke liye ye gumaan sa ho gaya tha ki hamare bhi seene me dil hai aur uski dhadkano me kisi ka ehsas hone laga hai...par us din aapne hamari jo beizzati ki use ham ek fayda to hua...ki hame pata chal gaya ki hamare seene me na to kabhi dil ho sakta hai aur na hi kisi ehsas ki jagah...aur fir humne ye faisla kia ki hum aapse apni ruswayi ka badla zarur lenge...par haairani to is baat ki hai ki itni koshishon ke baad bhi...aapko takleef dene se humko sukoon hone ke bajai hamari bechaini aur badh gayi hai...aapki aankhon me ek aansun bhi dekh kar hamari raaton ki neend hawa ho jati hai...aur abhi aapko jis mushkil me humne dekha...usse hum par jo beeti hai hum lafzon me bhi bayan nahi kar sakte...hume aapki fikr hai Jodha begum...aur isi liye hum aapko mehfuz rakhne ke liye yahan layein hain...bhale hi humne aapko jalane ke liye us Benazir ka sahara lia ho...par sach to yeh hai ki jane anjane aapne hamre zehen me ek khaas jagah bana li hai aur wo jagah hum kisi aur ko kabhi nahi de sakte hain...hamari tamam harqaton aur faislon se aapko jo takleef hui...uske liye hum maafi chahte hain par yakeen maniye...hum sirf is waqt aaki salamati chahte hain aur kuch nahin...apne is zakhm par marham lagwane ke liye aap hum par yakeen kar sakti hain...
Jodha looked into his eyes, speechless...Each word coming from him seemed to be a true and heart-felt confession...her anger and resistance had flown away in tears and as she gazed deep into his eyes...she could see a genuine well-wisher waiting to be forgiven...Jalal looked into her eyes and could read her silent approval for taking his help...he moved forward and making her sit on the bed once again...he himself sat next to her...
Jalal- Jodha begum...aapke zakhm se bahot khoon beh chukka hai...jald hi iska ilaaj karna hoga...(bending forward...he picked up a bowl kept nearby...)
...Jodha begum aapne subah jo marham hamare liye bheja tha...wahi hai ye...aaiye hum ise aapke zakhm par laga dete hain...
...Jodha closed her eyes as he reached for her dupatta and gently removed it from her shoulders...her back was facing Jalal and though her pain was overwhelming she felt her heart skip a beat as Jalal moved aside her tresses down the front of her left shoulder exposing her almost bare back...his fingers reached to untie the topmost dori of her blouse to loosen it a bit so that the sleeve would come down easily without grazing the wound...As Jalal's fingers touched her skin...her fingers crushed the side of bedsheet trying to hide her anticipation and embarrassment...Jalal then turned her to face him...a faint smile came to his lips as he saw her eyes tightly shut like an innocent child and her face red from blushing heavily...her fluttering lips revealed her untold hesitation and inhibition for his touch...her closed eyes were a proof of her trust on him and this impressed Jalal very much...Jalal took some of the marham on his fingers and proceeding like an obedient nurse applied it gently on her wound...blowing air over it to avoid any burning sensation...As Jalal held her hand for support...she collapsed into his arms...due to heavy loss of blood she was syffering from weakness and as he touched her forehead, he realized that she was burning with high fever...
Jalal(in a worried tone...)- Jodha begum...aapko to bahot tez bukhar hai...aap let jaiye-----
...seeing her unconscious...Jalal got up and slowly shifted her into sleeping position carefully holding her injured hand...then he covered her with a blanket and sitting by her side...he adjusted a pillow beneath her head...as he tried to get up from the bed...he realized that his fingers were in a gentle grip of her right palm...he was gladdened by this sub-conscious gesture of togetherness he yearned for...if not as a lover...atleast she had started acknowledging him as a friend...and he was content by this for now...he did not want to leave her side...so he too set himself on the bed by her side sitting next to her...his one hand still held in hers...As he carefully watched her sleeping form...he could help but get lost in her...As if in a dream...he raised his other hand and started stroking her hair...gently putting aside any stray hair strand that came to her face...
Jalal (in his thoughts outloud...)- Jodha begum...ye kaisa jaadu hai aapka...ek sangdil aur berehem shahenshah ko aapne kisi ke takleef me dard mehsoos karna sikha dia? Kal tak hume jo yakeen tha ki hamare seene me dil hi nahi...aaj shayad uski dhadkanein aap hi ka naam lene lagi hain...haan Jodha Begum...hame aapki fikr hone lagi hai...aur hum nahi jante ki ye Mohabbat ka jazbaat kaisa hota hai par itna zarur kahenge ki jabse aap hamari jindagi me aayi hain...kuch hai jo humme badal sa gaya hai...aapke kareeb bitaye har pal hamare zehen pe apni chhap chhod dete hain...aur jab hum aapse door jaate hain...koi anjana sa ehsas hame wapas khich le aata hai aapki ore...agar isi ko saara jahan mohabbat kehta hai to haan...shayad hume bhi mohabbat hone lagi hai aapse...haan...Shahenshah Jalaluddin Mohammad ko mohabbat hone lagi hai...
...saying this...he spread open the shawl covering his shoulders still covering his back and wrapping it gently around Jodha's arms both sides...he fell into a deep sleep...a fairly contented smile spread on his lips with the assurance that the morning ahead will bring forth an all new meaning to the beautiful relation they shared...
~~~~THE END~~~~~
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Advocate Anjali Awasthi
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