** 8 months later**
The heavily pregnant queen rested on the plush cushiony chair, glancing at herself in the mirror. She was just out of fresh bath and she smelt delectable. She ran her palms on the protruding belly and blushed to herself. "Wow. Time flies by quickly.", she murmured to herself and caressed the baby within.
The months which had passed by were an amalgamation of every possible emotion she could have gone through. Sometimes she'd be so happy, she'd just fling herself in her beloved's arms, cherishing the moment; while at other times, she'd be so upset without any reason and wouldn't talk to anyone. Only time would change her mood. Sometimes, she'd be super sweet to everyone and sometimes, the anger that took upon her enclosed everyone in its rage. The one thing that remained invariable throughout, were her fussy and hard to please tantrums. But since she was THE beloved and pampered queen of the Emperor, Jalal left no stone unturned to fulfil her wishes.
The time that passed by wasn't all rosy. Some unfortunate days had her resting in bed, thanks to the nauseating sickness and vomit attacks. Jalal never left her bedside. He'd postpone all his meetings, whether important or not, to be just by her side, taking care of her.
Coming out of her thoughts, her eyes drifted to the red sacred sindoor and just as she was about to apply it, she recalled an incident that had taken place a few weeks ago.
*Flashback*
"TWO MINUTES. You are two minutes late Shahenshah. And please.. now don't act like you are so sorry. Huh!", she hissed in anger and turned away.
It was a daily affair for Jalal to adorn Jodha's maang with sindoor when she got ready, but today he was just two minutes late in arriving.
"What?? When did I say or act that I am sorry?", he asked confused and shocked.
"Wow. That means you aren't. Awesome.", she was nearly screaming now.
Jalal took a deep breath and heaved a sigh before he forwarded his hand to pick up a pinch of red holy powder and was about to fill her maang, when she retreated herself.
"No its fine. I have got my hand and my fingers. I'll do it on my own.", this time her voice was low, as if immensely broken.
A firm grip on her wrist stopped her in her tracks. He made her turn towards him and gave her a hard Just-stay-quiet glare and though after a little protest with her eyes, Jodha followed suit.
He completed the affair he so loved doing. And then he moved to the talking business.
"Hmm.. so I am late??", he asked gently.
"Yes. Whole two minutes.", came her curt reply.
"But it's just a matter of two minutes. And you very well know the reason behind my delay..don't you?", he asked raising his brow.
"No. I don't.", she made a face at him.
"Achaa?!", he locked her wrist in his strong grip and twisted it behind her back gently. "Aaah..", she winced.
He didn't utter any word till she was looking into his eyes with a piercing gaze. Knowing well that he had her full attention, he began.. "I was out of the room arranging for the tangy raw mangoes you craved for. And when I am all here carrying your parcel", he indicated towards a plate which contained slices of raw mangoes and a mixed powder of salt and chillies, "You are angry instead of being happy and thanking me.", he completed and let go of her hand.
A delightful smile instantly made its way on her lips. But gauging the fact that he was still gazing at her, the smile disappeared. She was doing this on purpose, to trouble and tease him. She loved snagging him.
Noticing the vanishing smile, he got upset. "Aren't you happy?", he genuinely asked.
"No.. I am.. Thanks for this.", she deliberately plastered a fake smile, well aware of the fact that he couldn't be fooled.
His expressions dropped and sadness took over. "So she is really upset. What do I do now?", he worriedly thought.
"Okay then.. Shahenshah.. I'll just get ready.. and talk to you later.", she said innocently maintaining the gloomy facade. God! She was enjoying his plight to the core.
She moved towards mirror and began putting on her ornaments. Her back was facing him. She looked his sad profile in mirror and giggled hard suppressing her laughter.
There. There she'd lost the battle.
Jalal noticed her giggles in the mirror and everything was apparent to him instantly. "You're so gone Jodha", he winked at her in a devilish manner.
Jodha knew her game was over. And she braced herself for the impending punishment.
Jalal reached to a slice of raw mango and coated it with the spicy powder. He then placed one end of the slice in his mouth and started advancing towards Jodha with pure mischief in his eyes.
Jodha's eyes widened in horror as the reality dawned upon her. She knew what was coming towards her.
He soon reached to her and tightly pulled her closer with a firm grip on her milky curves. He maintained the tenderness in handling her; throughout!
As his face advanced towards hers, the other end of the slice reached Jodha's lips and was ready to invade her mouth.
A shiver ran down Jodha's spine. She shut her eyes in anticipation while Jalal continued stroking the slice, this time a little harder.
Slice entered her mouth and her lips covered the slice in perfect circle. All this while, Jalal had a devil smile on his face.
As the spices and zesty flavour of raw mango got registered on her taste buds, she opened her eyes, the delight that she derived from the flavours being evident in her eyes.
Before she could munch on the slice, Jalal pulled the slice out, not completely though, and stroked it back again with his might.
Gosh! It all appeared and felt so erotic. What the hell was he doing to her? Jodha could feel her feet and hands going numb. But she was Jodha after all, so she made her mind to not give in to his tactics.
This time, before he could pull back the slice, Jodha munched on it quickly and in order to have the full slice by herself, she hastily used the power of her tongue and teeth to free the slice from his mouth. In this procedure, as soon as she pulled back the slice, her lips caressed his lips.
"Yesss!", his mind did a mini victory dance. Without losing the golden opportunity, he sucked her lower lip and he could still feel the spicy flavour on the tenderness of her lip.
'Mmm', Jodha groaned. Jalal took Jodha into a searing kiss, hence punishing her in his own sweet way.
*Flashback ends*
*Tuck-Tuck* The sound of the knock broke her reverie. She tried to get up but because of her tummy, she couldn't.
The man who had just entered hustled to her. "No no.. Don't get up sweetheart.", Jalal made her lounge back comfortably. "And look what I have got for you..", he showed her a bowl of fresh fruits.
"WOW. I so love fruits.", she licked her lips in mock delight. Jalal chuckled at her sarcasm.
"You have to finish all these fruits. I am not telling you or asking you.. I am ordering you.", he commanded tenderly.
"No way.", she refused flat.
Jalal placed the bowl on side table and moved back to Jodha. He filled her maang with Sindoor and then helped her in getting up.
Once Jodha was seated comfortably on the bed, Jalal got hold of the bowl of fruits and rested himself by her side.
Watching his approaching hand carrying a slice of apple towards her mouth, she tightly shut her mouth. In no way was she going to open her mouth and let that thing enter her mouth. Argh! She so detested fruits.
"You sure you don't want to have these delicious fruits?", he asked munching on the apple slice.
"No doubt about it."
"Okay then. See you later Jodha.. I got a work actually.", he started getting up from the bed.
"What? Where are you going?", surprised by his sudden departure, she asked shocked.
"Vo... actually.. something important.", he said scratching his forehead.
"Tell me what is it.", she asked suspiciously narrowing her eyes.
"You sure you want to listen to it?"
"Double sure. Now tell me. Will you?"
"Hmm. Actually ... while on my way back here.. Pinaaz Begum halted my way and enquired about these fruits. I said they are for someone special.", he paused looking at her expressions while she just keenly listened to him.. And he continued ,"Even after my statement, Pinaaz Begum requested if I could give her these fruits. And she even asked me to accompany her while having these.", he completed his words only to look at her nose which had turned red by now.
"It seems now that my special someone doesn't want to have these fruits. So I'll just go and give them to Pinaaz (this time he knowingly avoided adding Begum) and will accompany her till she finishes them. What say Jodha Begum (he deliberately added Begum after her name)."
By now, Jodha was boiling with jealousy. "How dare she think of spending time with MY husband?", she bawled within.
"Excuse me? She too is my Begum.", he jibed as if he had perceived her thoughts, knowing pretty well where all this was heading to.
That was the limit. She snatched the bowl from him in a jiffy as the edge of her anger and jealousy exploded. "Just go and get other fruits for her. And yeah, you surely can spend time with her", she yelled while Jalal smirked.
"But give me THESE fruits na, you don't want to have them, right?", he irked her further.
"Will you just leave?", she shrieked as she wasn't enjoying this a bit anymore. She was way too irritated now. Firstly, she didn't feel like having fruits, and now he was deliberately annoying her.
Jalal made his mind to end the mischief as he observed her expressions. "Okay baba. Sorry.", he tenderly embraced her belly. "But please have at least some of these na.", he earnestly requested.
She looked into his deep orbs, which held pure love and affection for her and their baby. She determined to have the fruits, if not for herself, but for him and baby.
3 Days Later...
He paced to and fro nervously outside his room, his palms and forehead sweating like never before. His beloved was inside, fighting hard the pain, to bring into this world- the symbol of their love. Her each cry only added to his pain and shudders. He could put up with anything in this world but witnessing his wife undergoing the turmoil. He was sincerely praying to Allah to bless his wife with all the power and might to go through this.
Soon he heard her loudest piercing cry followed by the low-pitched cries of a newborn. (full on filmy haan 😆 )
Could anything else in this whole world make him happier than he already felt at this moment?' he wondered as a glimmering smile appeared on his face. His heart fluttered in high spirits. He took his own time to register the fact that he was a father now. He had just been bestowed upon with the nature's most blissful feeling, the feeling of being a father. He couldn't wait to get in and have a glimpse at his Queen and his baby.
*Inside the Emperor's Chamber*
Just a glance at the precious tiny form he had just been blessed with and he felt rejuvenated and frightened at the same time. His eyes flickered with the tiny droplets that brimmed within. His gaze tenderly shifted to the dearest woman of his life. She lay all exhausted but the glow on her face was a dead giveaway of her ecstasy. She closed her eyes allowing the exquisite delight to sink in.
He progressed towards her and positioned himself beside her. His palm trembled as he caressed her forehead before placing an alluring kiss on the same.
"Thank you so much.", he hummed in her ears drowning in her fragrance. A fresh torrent of tears surged down her cheeks as she brought herself to believe in the euphoric reality. A loving husband and their prized symbol of love by her side; Could life be more privileged to her?
She couldn't help but cuddle in his lap. She felt protected and contented. The happiness was too much to bear and only his warmth could calm down her racing heartbeats.
Soon her fatigue took over and she fell asleep in his lap. He positioned her back in the bed and tucked her in, embracing by the duvet.
His eyes now fixed on his baby who was sound asleep beside his mother. A lone teardrop trickled down his cheek as he let in the heavenly vibes that his son radiated. He very tenderly took him in his arms, his baby's softness a stark contrast to his arms' vigour.
"Salim..", he lovingly called out to him as the baby moved in his embrace. Jalal had worked over his name well in advance. He kissed Salim's forehead with utmost love and care. The moment was the one he would forever cherish. His baby in his arms and his beloved by his side. His life seemed contented and he wanted nothing more. His family was complete. And all this was possible because of the woman that rested near him. "Thanks again. For this beautiful and amazing life you have given me.", he spoke to her sleeping form before resting himself beside her, a satisfying smile adorning his lips.😳
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