Chapter 7
Mahamanga roared loudly "Quite!"
Her loud roar echoed back few times in the Diwan, everyone in the court was stunned into complete silence.
She yelled at the top of her voice "No one has any right to interfere in Shenshah's personal life, no one. Getting married to a Hindu Rajvanshi Princess was not a religious decision but a political one. Shenshah has not broken any rules of our religion. Before pointing out your finger on Shenshah, think twice, you can be punished for disrespecting the King of the kings."
Everyone stayed quiet looking at Maham with wide eyes.
Adam Khan got up and said "There is one thing that I would like to say Vajire Aaliya."
Maham glared at Adham and frustratingly thought 'when will he learn to stay quiet!!! Ya Khuda... '
Adham continued arrogantly "Every decision that is taken by the Shenshah has impact on everyone here and on common people too. They are questioning him today?" he pointed towards Jodha then said "Why this napaak hindu rajvanshi is allowed to stay in Agra palace and that too following her own religion."
Hearing Adham's disrespectful words for Jodha, Jalal's temper went out of the roof and he immediately got up and shouted loudly "Adham" His loud roar once again stunned the whole court into silence.
His eyes turned completely dark and fuming red. He looked at Jodha who was sitting in the corner...she was shivering seeing his horrifying anger. Everyone got up from their chairs out of respect. Jalal Adham furiously stared at Adham then continued "Adham, if you say one more word against Jodha Begum, I will not spare you alive. She is a Mughal begum now, you have to give her respect otherwise be ready for the consequences." Entire court got terrified and froze seeing angry brutal face.
Adham replied looking down "Jo hukum, Shenshah!" and bowed down to Jalal and walked out of the court clutching his hands heatedly.
Jalal looked at Jodha crossly for a second but then he dismissed the court.
Jalal's anger towards Jodha confused Rukaiya; she was unable to understand all these changes in Jalal. She could tell that something was brewing in Jalal's mind.
Rukaiya went to Jalal's room and saw him lost in some thoughts.
Jaal was thinking 'Today I had to take Jodha's side in front of the whole court, I don't want her to think that I care for her...in fact, I don't want anyone to think that. Its better if I just stay away from her...yes that's what I will do...I will just stay away from her from now on, if she doesn't want to be mine and wants to stay away from me than that's what I'll also do... I will also stay away from her.'
Rukaiya kept watching Jalal confusingly, finally after a couple of minutes, she spoke up and asked "Jalal, aisi kis soch me khoye ho ke aapko hamare aane tak ki khabar nahin hui? Hum dekh rahe hain jab se aapki Jodha begum se shadi hui hai tab se aap bahot badal gaye ho. Aapka bartav hame kuch samaj me nahi aa raha. Aapki harkato ne hame sochne pe majboor kar diya hai ke kya iss badlav ki vajah Jodha begum hain?? Kahi aapko Jodha begum se pya..." (Jalal, where are you lost? You didn't even realize when I came in here!! What are you thinking about so deeply? I have noticed that ever since you got married to Jodha begum, you have changed a lot. I am unable to understand your behavior lately. Is Jodha begum the reason behind all these changes?? You haven't fallen for Jodha Begum, have you?? I mean in lov...)
Jalal kept his finger on Rukaiya's mouth so she cannot finish her sentence and crossly replied "Ruk jaiye Rukaiya, aapko to pata hona chahiye hame aasan cheeje pasand nahi aati, aur hum kabhi apne dushman ko aasani se maaf bhi nahi karte, usse apne pairon par jhuka kar rehte hain. Aur aaj tak kisika guroor hamare samne tik nahi paya hai. Aaj hum aapko sunate hain Jodha aur Jalal ki shadi kese hui, Jalal told her everything from their first meeting to war then wedding, Jodha's rejection, her fasting, cooking, everything...ab bataiye Rukaiya, aapko ab bhi lagta hai ke hum apne dimag se nahij dil se chal rahe hain???" (Stop right there Rukaiya, you know me very well, you know I don't like easy things, I never forgive my enemies, I want her to bend down on my feet. She is the biggest challenge I have ever faced. Even after her defeat, she talks with her Rajvanshi pride, I want to crush her ego under my feet and you know me very well no one can stand against Jalal's pride." Then he told her in detail what happened between him and Jodha from very beginning, their first meeting, the war, their wedding, her rejection, him forcing on her, her fasting, cooking everything. After telling everything he asked her "Rukaiya, do you still think that I am falling in love with her? I am not using my heart Rukaiya, I am using my brain to defeat her.")
Rukaiya replied unconvinced "Ye to sirf aap hi bata sakte hain Jalal ke aap apne dil istemal kar rahe hain ya dimag. Aapki aakhon mein hamne Jodha begum ke liye ek tadap dekhi hai, jab bhi aap unki taraf dekhte hain aapka chehra khil uthta hai. Magar aapki baaton mein unke liye beinteha nafrat hai. Aapka baatein kuch aur kehti hain aur chehra kuch aur. Aapko dekh ke koi bhi keh sakta hai ki aapko Jodha begum se mohabbat ho gai hai aur hume lagata hai aapki aakhon mein ek intzar hai. Kuch to hai jo hum samaj nahi pa rahe. Jalal hum aapke ache dost hai phir bhi aaj hume pata nahi chal raha ki aap dil se soch rahe hain ya dimag se. (Jalal, only you can answer your question if you are using your heart or mind. But I can clearly see the desperation in your eyes for Jodha Begum, every time you talk about her your face sparkles. But your talks have immense hatred in them for her. Jalal your words and your eyes don't match... your words have enormous hatred but your eyes say opposite. Anyone can tell, the way you look at her, you have fallen in love with her. Jalal, I am your best friend but still it's difficult for to me to tell if you are using your heart or mind.)
Jalal heatedly replied "Rukaiya, aap hamari sabse aziz dost hain, aapko itna to zarur pata hona chaiye ke Jalal ke pass dil nahi hai, aur jab dil nahin to kisise pyar kaise kareinge hum? Rukaiya hum Jodha ko dil se hara ke hamare dimag ki fateh karna chahte hain. Jalal aaj tak ek bhi jung nahi hara hai, Jalal ko sirf faheh ki aadat hai aur bahut jald hum Jodha par bhi fateh pa leinge." (Rukaiya, you are my best friend, you should know that Jalal doesn't have a heart, and if I don't have a heart how can he fall in love? Rukaiya believe me I want Jodha to lose her heart over me and only then my mind will win over her. Till date Jalal has never lost a war, I have a habit of winning only and I will win Jodha too very soon." he again smirked and walked out of the room.
Rukaiya taking to herself with little tears in her eyes "Kuda kare yahi sach ho...Par patani hame aaj aisa kyun lag raha hai ke aap apne aap se har rahe ho, Aur aapki ye haar hamara sab kuch loot kar le jayegi." (I wish what you are saying is true... but today somehow I feel like you are losing against yourself Jalal and this defeat of yours will take away everything from me.)
Jalal realized after talking to Rukaiya, he is losing his mind over Jodha and he is failing to hide his newly developing feelings towards her. He decided to ignore her as much as possible and don't give her any importance to mask his emotions in front of others. His manly ego got hurt hearing the truth from Rukaiya.
Weeks passed and slowly Jodha got settled in Agra, but between Jalal and Jodha nothing changed. It became a routine for Jalal to see Jodha doing tulsi pooja every morning during his sword practice session. Slowly his wounds started to pain intensely...her rejection was crushing his ego little by little... He thought that in few days she will give up and surrender herself to him but instead she even stopped looking towards him. Jalal noticed that day by day she was losing her charm; even her dressing changed towards simplicity, her face turned pale but still it had a glaze on it of her pride. It was very frustrating for him to accept that she was happy with what she had and didn't miss or need him. Even though she was a princess she didn't request for more maids or any extra luxuries. She was given a small chamber and no maids. Moti and Reva were the only ones taking care of her every need. She just looked satisfied with everything she had and never complained while Jalal was becoming more and more restless with each passing day. To crush her pride he humiliated her at every possible opportunity he got, especially in front of others.
In the beginning, Hamida banoo invited Jodha to Diwan and other places where other begums were invited but after many times of humiliation by Jalal, Jodha decided to stop attending any of the functions. Lately, she was not even receiving any invitation to Diwan E Khaas or in any special occasions.
Even though Jodha was an officially wedded wife of Jalal and thus a special begum, still there were only two special chairs allotted in Diwan E Khaas, Harem function hall and in the Grand dinner hall for Jalaal's special begums Rukaiya and Salima only. Gradually, every harem women realized that Jalal hates Jodha begum and doesn't want to give her the respect of his official special begum.
Most of the people in the palace started treating Jodha like Jalal's maid or concubine instead of his officially wedded wife. Slowly Jodha accepted this kind of behavior, she got used to hearing loud mocking laughs behind her back, her self-esteem was breaking day by day. When she got married she expected this is how her life would be. The only people who were good to her and had become her support were Ammi Jaan and Salima begum and her only fun was spending time with Rahim. She created her own little world with Ammijaan, Salima, Rahim and her daily routine...she found peace in it.
It was about more than a month now and Jalal's ego was getting bigger with his frustration.
To entertain harem women, every now and then different types of activities and functions were organized and once in a while Jalal would also come to attend the function.
Jalal ordered his newly hired maid to inform his special begums to attend tonight's function since he was planning to attend the function too.
Jodha also received this special invitation by the new maid, which surprised her since this invitation came directly from Jalal. At the same time Jodha was also feeling excited. For some reason every time she heard his name or saw him...some unknown feeling gave her happiness. But still she decided not to attend the function and save herself from any humiliation that might happen there, but Moti convinced her to attend the function saying that this invitation directly came from Shenshah so she should go so as not to create any unnecessary problem or conflict.
Jodha was very pleased inside that Jalal had kept his word and never tried forcing her for anything and also let her follow her religion and rituals. Even after many ignorance's and humiliations she developed respect for him and she decided to attend the function.
Everyone gathered in the big harem function hall. Two chairs were arranged next to Jalal's chair for Salma and Rukaiya and about thirty five chairs were arranged for his special begums, each chair was allotted individually and for rest of the concubines a carpet was arranged in the back to sit.
Everyone came before time and took their places. All of the begums and concubines dressed up with expensive jewelry and dresses to please Jalal. Jalal also arrived and sat on his throne. Rukaiya begum and Salima begum greeted him warmly. About a minute later Jodha entered through the main entrance dressed very simply and with minimum jewelry. Jalal got surprised seeing her in the function without invitation. She looked around in the hall and their eyes met, Jodha quickly stole glance from him and looked for an empty chair, but soon she realized that to humiliate her, she was not allotted a chair. In a few seconds every single person in the hall grasped that she has not been allotted a chair. Jalal noticed many begums were sniggering at her seeing her in dilemma. Jodha gazed back at him with fiery annoyed stare then walked gracefully with stiff neck and sat on the carpet next to the concubines. This extreme humiliation brought tremendous pain on her face. After sitting she couldn't lift her eyes up to see anyone, it was getting very difficult for her to gulp her tears. Her eyes got moist but she controlled her tears to not come out. Her face turned entirely red in intense anger and disgrace.
Jalal couldn't take his eyes off her, his eyes turned soft seeing her in this vulnerable condition. His chair was big enough for two people to sit so he asked Rukaiya to come sit next to him and called his personal maid and instructed her to tell Jodha begum to come and take Rukaiya begum's seat.
Salima begum got pleased hearing that but it was a shock for Rukaiya since he gave her chair to Jodha begum. For Rukaiya her position and power was everything, her eyes got filled with extreme rage towards Jodha.
Rukaiya out of jealousy taunted him "Jalal, what happened, your heart winced seeing her in this condition?"
Rukaiya's statement suddenly made Jalal realize that he was showing care for Jodha in front of the entire harem.
As per his order Jodha came and sat on Rukaiya's chair. Her face expression was impassive. She was still looking down; she suppressed her boiling anger and knuckled her fist.
Jalal dryly in bitter tone asked "Jodha begum, why did you come here without an invitation? What happened to your self-esteem and Rajvanshi ego?"
Jodha with shock looked at him dreadfully and replied "Shenshah, I didn't know lying is also one your qualities. Your personal maid came and invited me for the function otherwise I have no interest in seeing you or your function." she paused and fumingly stared at him and then continued "By the way thank you for this humiliation." Then she got up gracefully and walked out of the hall.
Jalal recalled his instruction to his new maid and realized that he made a mistake and said all of his special begums instead of giving individual names. He closed his eyes in guilt and after a few minutes he also got up and walked out of the function hall.
Few days later, Jalal was passing through harem to see Rukaiya and he heard a very melodious song. He stopped to hear more and wanted to find out who was singing.
Jalal realized that the sound was coming from Jodha's chamber. He quietly went inside her chamber and got shocked seeing her chamber, she was given the smallest room compared to the other begums. Even the decoration of the room was not like special begums. His eyes caught her singing while doing prayer to kanah. Her eyes were closed and hands were folded and immense peace was on her face. Her simplicity was making her look heavenly. Jalal was surprised by her mellow singing; he did not know that Jodha's voice was so melodic. Jodha's purity always touched his heart and he always knew she had a transparent personality. Jalal got completely lost in her peaceful bhajan. Her beautiful mesmerizing bhajan was making the atmosphere so divine. He had been standing behind her for more than ten minutes but she was so involved in her prayer that she didn't realize he was standing behind her. After the prayer she turned back with Aarti thal and suddenly she saw him standing and looking at her all mesmerized and lost, but seeing him in her chamber in the evening gave her a shiver out of fear.
Jodha forwarded her hand to give him aarti but he didn't understand. He saw sindoor in the aarti plate and remembered how he had put sindoor in her maang at the time of their wedding, so he thought she is asking him to put sindoor in her maang. He took the sindoor and filled her maang.
Jodha got shocked at this gesture from him, she walked back two steps. Tears pricked out of her eyes then she ran out of her room with weeping eyes. This gesture made her realize once again that Jalal is her destiny and this realization made her feel very gloomy.
Jalal got confused with her reaction and thought maybe she wanted him to do something else when she forwarded the thal so to find out he called one of his Hindu administrator and asked him about the importance of Sindoor and aarti.
The administrator explained "Sindoor is symbol of marriage; every married hindu woman fills her maang with it proudly and for long life of her husband. Sindoor is their life; Hindu women want to die before their husbands or with their husbands, so hence they put sindoor." He also explained how to take aarti.
Jalal understood she was trying to give him aarti and not sindoor. Her ignorance always gave him pain. He realized that she hates him to the extreme and doesn't even want him to fill her maang. He was so shocked and impressed by her melodic voice and her divine face, they both were attracting him towards her. Every effort that he made to win against Jodha with his wicked brain was becoming futile for him. Whenever he went in front of Jodha he forgot everything, including his hatred. He was fighting with himself now and losing it every time. This defeat was something very new to him and was making him extremely angry.
Now winning Jodha became his obsession, the entire month Jalal didn't visit any of his begums, at night he just wanted to be alone and think about Jodha. Thinking about her was making him happy. He couldn't hold himself without seeing her and every time he met her instead of happiness, her sharp words and her sad face gave him immense pain and this pain little by little got converted into anger. He wanted to defeat her any way he could.
In fact, his real desire was to win her heart but he was unable to understand his own desire. He realized that he was losing against his mind. His own heart was defeating his mind. Jalal knew this but he didn't want to admit it.
Next day, Jalal received a message from Raja Bharmal and Rani Mainavati that they are coming to Agra for "Pag Phere Rasam" in 3 days. Jalal had no idea what this ritual was? He called the same hindu administrator to ask.
The hindu administrator explained to Jalal that after marriage the father of the girl takes her back to her house and after few days husband has to go and bring her back.
Jalal was confused and asked what the reason behind this custom was?
He explained that "parents want to make sure that their daughter is in good hands and if she has adjusted with her new family or not. Also in the beginning girls feel very lonely and miss their family a lot. So this way they get to see them too."
After finding out about the ritual, Jalal went personally to see Jodha.
Jodha with surprising expression welcomed Jalal to her chamber.
Jalal dryly said "Jodha begum, your parents are coming in two days for Pag Fera' ritual."
Jodha got so excited and happy to hear this news, she shouted and called Moti in excitement like a little child and almost jumped and hugged Moti and told her that bapusa and masa are coming for pag fera.
Jalal felt extremely content seeing her happy, his one sentence made her pale face glow in friction of a second.
Seeing Moti's cold response and hesitation all of a sudden she realized Jalal's presence.
She immediately sends Moti out and then in controlled calm tone she said "Shenshah, Please forgive me, I couldn't control myself and got too excited."
Jalal smiled at her genuinely and walked towards the door.
Jodha suddenly called "Shenshah!"
Jalal swiftly turned back and noticed that the happiness she had on her face has completely disappeared and now she has fear on her face, he quickly replied "Yes."
Jodha with requesting tone asked "Can I request you for something?"
Jalal got surprised hearing her requesting tone, till date she never asked for anything. Jalal curiously asked "Yes! What do you want?"
Jodha replied in pleading tone "Shenshah, I do not want anything but I want you pretend in front of my parents that we both are happily married and living like a happy couple."
Jalal confusingly asked "Why do you want me to pretend? You have everything you need here, you have a big palace, you can get anything you dream of, and you have to just ask for it. So tell me why do you think that your parents will be upset seeing you? What else can a person wish for?"
Jodha smirked sarcastically and replied "Shenshah, I had everything in my palace also; I am very much satisfied with what I have in terms of substance. But parents like to see happiness in their child's eyes; I do not want to give my pain to them. If they come to know what happened with me here, how everyone treats me, and that my value in this palace is not more than a maid or a concubine, they will be shattered into pieces. They will be worried for me forever and I don't want that. Also, I want you to give them respect as well. If you treat them the way I am treated, I will never be able to forgive you for that, I can do anything for my parents respect."
She paused and saw in his eyes then continued seeing his impassive expression "Shenshah, you will not understand this easily, the day you will start understanding common people's life you will win everyone's heart. People can stay happy with very minimum stuff but without love, affection, and care no one can survive. If my parents find out I am just a lifeless decorative piece in this palace, an addition to your winning trophies and am not receiving any love or care they will be devastated. I can understand why you questioned me. You can't understand all this since you don't have a heart to feel the pain of parents."
Jalal was completely shaken, and now angry to hear all this from Jodha, he felt as if she slapped him with her calm long lecture. No one ever dared to tell him this truth of life. Jalal was very much annoyed, he knew what she said was very true about him but he didn't want to admit it. Jalal felt like someone had stabbed him, he was feeling suffocated.
Jalal controlled his anger, and used his manipulative brain and told her I can fulfill your wish on one condition, which is that you will have to spend one entire day and a night with me and obey all my orders".
Jodha with irony tone replied "I knew you will ask for something...you believe in give and take. Royal king should always believe in giving and never expect anything in return."
Her every word poked straight in his heart. She was stepping unknowingly on his pride and ego. Jalal shouted out loud "Enough, not a single word, stop lecturing me and giving me your advice. Don't teach me my duties. If you accept my terms then tomorrow before sunrise come to my room." He walked out from there with fuming anger.
Entire night Jalal felt like killing someone. Her words were echoing in his ears constantly. Jodha dared to show him the mirror. Jalal's devil mind was occupied in planning evil plans to humiliate Jodha, he was very sure she will accept his condition to save her parents dignity.
On the other side Jodha wasn't sure what to do? If she accepts Jalal's terms he will make her life hell and if she doesn't her parents will be humiliated and also hurt seeing her condition in Agra. So she decided to bow down and accept Jalal's terms as her parent's dignity was more important for her than her own self respect.
Entire night Jalal and Jodha both couldn't sleep. Early morning Jodha took shower and went to Jalal's room.
Jalal was sleeping on the bed, he heard Jodha's payal. While sleeping he smirked wickedly and said loudly "Welcome to hell Jodha begum. Come here and sit next to me."
Jodha followed his order quietly; she saw his closed eyes with devil smirk on his face.
Jalal opened his sharp eyes suddenly and Jodha got scared seeing the dark devil in his eyes. He slowly came closer to her. He pretended he is going to kiss her, he came very near her lips, she got threatened with fear, her tears rolled out from her eyes but she didn't move even an inch.
Seeing her so vulnerable and sad, he felt happy at first but this happiness diminished in a few seconds when he saw her deep gloomy sad eyes, his heart winced in her pain. His own pain made him devil, his own vulnerable feelings created anger inside him. He decided to humiliate her until she begged for mercy.
He went very close to her ear and whispered sensually "Begum Jodha, massage my head."
Jodha hadn't said a single word since she came to his chamber. She quietly started massaging his head. She was acting like a puppet, her face was completely impassive...no expressions at all. Jodha's silence started to bother Jalal gradually. Her defenseless act started to kill him from inside. Her pain was unbearable for him to see. But his ego was way bigger than the pain that he felt for her.
After a while he ordered her to massage his legs. She followed his instruction without a single word.
Then Jalal took off his top (kurta) and told her to massage his back. Jodha looked at him with teary and angry eyes.
Jalal wickedly smirked and said "Jodha begum, I am not touching you, you are touching me. I will not break my promise." He was lying down on his bed; Jodha went close to him and started massaging his back with her soft hands. Her touch was making him crazy for her. He turned towards her suddenly and Jodha felt embarrassed seeing him, without his top and so close to her... She turned her face to the other side. Jalal ordered her to massage his shoulders and hands. She quietly followed his orders...now her unstoppable tears were flooding out constantly. Jalal wanted to see her pain but now her pain was bothering him. He always wanted her to bend down at his feet but his victory was giving him intense sting. He couldn't bear to see her vulnerable face anymore so he ordered her to make preparations for his shower, his clothes, and his Jewelry. She walked towards the shower room without any reaction. There was absolutely no expression on her face. He was confused with his own feelings and emotions... his mind wanted to crush Jodha and his heart was crying seeing her in this state. Jalal called out to few maids and told them to help Jodha. They were surprised seeing Jodha preparing shower for Jalal. Jodha's silence was dreadful for him. He was missing her lively...mischievous Jodha.
After Shower he was back to his mission again. Jodha was testing his patience with her silence. He wanted to break her silence anyhow. He ordered Jodha to cook breakfast for him and her. Jodha hadn't done prayer yet so as per her daily routine she cannot eat. She made Prasad for Kanah and breakfast for Jalal.
Jalal knew that she will not eat without doing prayer. He wanted her to say something... refuse to eat... he knew Jodha will not eat without Krishna's prayer, he said in commending tone to serve food for both and she did as he ordered.
Wickedly he ordered "Jodha begum, Eat your food." he knew now she will say something but Jodha was still quiet, she was in big dilemma, on one side her parents and other side Krishna, she didn't know what to do and who to choose. She was shivering, her heart bleed from inside. Tears were flooding out constantly with her silence. It was suffocating for her, she felt like he was cutting her heart with sharp knife in to little pieces.
She finally gave him a vulnerable and helpless look with her silence. She took a little piece from the plate to eat. Jalal could see enormous pain and tears on her face. She felt like she was about to drink poison. Suddenly she felt extremely weak...she couldn't move her hand, finally with all her strength she took her hand near her mouth and was almost about to put the bite in her mouth when suddenly Jalal held her hand and requested her to stop... his eyes were filled with her pain.
He said in defeated tone "Jodha begum, go finish prayer first and then come back."
She looked at him for a few seconds without any expression. It took her a few seconds to come out of the shock. She swiftly got up and ran out of the room and cried out loud bitterly in a corner...she was completely shattered and broken...she felt like she died a thousand times in the minute.
Jalal was looking at her from his window. At last, finally his heart melted and tears pricked out from his eyes. Jalal knew that if she would have eaten without prayer...she would have died right in front of him. This was an extreme punishment for Jodha. He was feeling her pain. Her purity and love for Lord Krishna and her parents was so divine. He murmured "Kash, aap humse bhi aese hi mohabbat karti." (I wish you would have loved me like this.)
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