FF: AkDha in Jungle - Thread 3 - Part 53 (last Ch) Updated on Pg13 6/6 - Page 9

Jalal returned to room hoping for catching a glimpse at his sleeping beauty. He had finished the court matters soon and thought of spending the rest of his time with her. Moreover the morning incident worried him and therefore, he couldn't help but have a glance at his wife for his own sanity.

No sooner he stepped in his room, his eyes widened in surprise not finding her there.

Fear seeped in Jalal's veins instantly as Jodha's absence troubled him. His pace quickened as he checked out the entire room and washroom. Without wasting any second further, he rushed out of the room.

"Did Jodha Begum leave the room? Did you see her?", he asked with anxiety so as to confirm where his beloved might be.

"No Shahenshah. Mallika-e-Hind never left the place. Infact all of us and the baandhis are extra careful regarding this." one of the guards politely answered.

"So she HAS to be in then!", he deduced.. "I hope she's fine.", he earnestly prayed. Caring not to converse a word more and waste the time, he rushed back to the backside garden. Scanning the place with his scrutinising eyes, he again tasted disappointment as he couldn't locate her even there.

"Jodhaaa..", a near squeal escaped his mouth as he felt scared and angered at the same time. "What do I do with you?", he clenched his fist.

Already the fearful incident in the morning scared him and now witnessing this turn of events, his heart only throbbed harder. Racing himself to the only place left he thought where she could be found, he tried to control the cyclone of rage that built within him, lest he would explode on her.

**At Practice Area**

She swirled to and fro, swaying the metallic weapon with her tender yet firm wrist. The electrifying and zesty sounds only made her more and more energetic. She totally loved the way she felt now. She felt liberated.

Procuring a glimpse of her finally, his heart rested. The fact that she looked fine and healthy, added to his relief and solace. But the next moment when reality hit him, all his composure seemed to stump.

'She is having her favourite past time, isn't she? Engaged in her sword-fighting skills like a pro and irritating the hell out of me! Both her favourite hobbies.!', he scorned under his breath.

No matter how much his anger intensified upon his stubborn wife, he couldn't help himself admiring the fiery warrior that Jodha appeared at this moment. The radiance of being fearless and fight-back power of a lioness that she held left him spellbound.

*SLASH* She had hit a sandstone pillar with her sword as if she was attacking on her prey. And the reverberating echoes added to her pride and pleasure. A gleaming smile danced on her lips.

The sound was enough to break his reverie. He was still standing a long distance from her, enough not for her to notice him. He immediately hurried to the weapons' room and quickly got hold of a sharper sword than the one with which Jodha was practising.

He dashed back to the practice area and this time moved closer towards her with long treads.

Stopping at a one meter distance from her (her back was facing him) he spoke in an icy manner,"Here Jodha.. Take this! Once you're done with that sword.. You can practice with this one. It's sharper than the one you have and trust me; you'll have much more enjoyment."

Her profile stiffened and she gulped down hard as her eyes widened in fear and shock. "What is he doing here.. he was supposed to be in the court right now!", she mentally cursed and blabbered. 'Shit! I am so gone now!', she tightened her grip over the sword because it was deceiving her trembling and sweaty palms.
She felt ashamed at this moment. Why does it always happen with her?!

She then turned around to face him. He had forwarded a sword towards her. She gave him a very nervous smile, her eyes displaying a mixture of fear and embarrassment. "If I'll fear from him, he'll easily win and scold me... and if I'll maintain myself normal, maybe he will let me go.", she was busy in her thoughts regarding what to do next.

Before she could muster the courage to utter a single word, he arrested her palm in his with a tight grip and placed the sword in her palm. And the next moment, he left her hand, turned away and exited from the place.

She stood stunned there. It was this moment that she gauged the intensity of his disappointment. She knew he wasn't angry with her; but he was absolutely saddened and disappointed. "What have I done!!!", she looked down on the ground, her eyes brimming with guilt. She threw both the swords hard on the ground and followed suit.

**Emperor's Chamber**

He lay on the royal bed so peacefully, as if hiding all the restlessness which brewed within. Yes he had taken the risk to leave her there..all alone! But what he was so sure of was the fact that he understood his wife well. If she would have comprehended all his gestures right, she'd be here in the room any second.

And it didn't take long for his doubts to rest. He could feel her walking in and he could sense her scent.
He kept his eyes closed. This was going to be hard for him but come what may, he had to do this.

She saw him resting. She didn't know how and where to begin with. Should she directly apologise as he was way too upset with her? Or should she at least try to explain her actions?

No matter how much she thought or how much worried she became, this time Jalal was actually very distressed.

"Shahenshaah..", her ever so soft voice echoed near him. He feigned ignorance and asked her gently if she was done with her practice.

This ignorance of his added to her guilt. "Shahenshaah.. please.. don't do this na..", she held his palm in her hands. "I.. I am sorry.", she apologised innocently.

Damn! Why does this woman have to be his undoing? Unable to maintain the facade anymore, he got up and positioned himself by her side. His anger long gone, he asked her in a soft manner ,"Jodha.. in morning you had a terrible abdomen pain. I was hell scared then. And now when I come to watch over your sleeping form, I find you practicing all this. What do I do then? Tell me.", his tone evidently revealed the hurt within.

She ducked down her head in remorse while he just looked at her dropped face. "But I was just practicing some very basic moves.", she murmured in a low tone.

"I know that. I know you won't perform anything risky. But the fact is, this is not the right time to perform even the basic moves when your health got detrimental in morning."

"But I took all my medicines. And docs said that my health is all normal."

Noticing that she was nowhere ready to cease points in her favour, he took a deep breath and asked her ,"Will you ever listen to me without any word Jodha? I am doing this for you, am I not?"

His heartfelt words tugged at her heart and she decided to not be stubborn for his sake.

"Okay. But I want to visit the magnificent Ambe maa temple, located in the heart of Agra. After that, I'll listen to each and every instruction of yours."

"What??", his eyes broadened in astonishment as he heard her making demands. It was him who was upset, it was him who should be throwing tantrums around and it was him who was supposed to make demands. But Jodha seemed to be impossible. Jalal didn't know whether to chuckle at her antics or get angry at her.

"And I don't want to wait. I want to visit now now now.", she made a child-like demand.

"You're impossible.", he muttered. "Get ready."

****************

As soon as her palanquin halted at the entrance of the temple, Jalal got down from his stallion and rushed towards his queen to help her come out. Soon she noticed his hand, forwarded towards her with utmost kindness. She smiled and with his help, made her way out from the palanquin. She had insisted a lot to have come over to the temple via walking, but Jalal didn't even care to discuss over that aspect. "No way. If you are to step out of this palace, you have no other choice but rest in a comfortable and secure palanquin.", his firm words resonated in her ears.

Soon, they were within the sacred confines of the temple and Jodha felt heavenly with the divine vibes that stroked her. It felt liberating to be a part of such a pure bliss after a long time. The radiance that glowed on her face brought a satisfactory smile on his lips.

She got engaged in her sincere prayers and Jalal joined her too. All he could pray for was the welfare of his wife, child and his family. After finishing the prayers, Jodha offered him the sweet prasaad.

As they made their way out of the shrine, they heard some chitchat by commoners. The commoners weren't aware of the ears which were all attentive to their chat.

"May god bless our King and Queen.", said one.

"Yes. May Kanha shower all the prosperity and success over them.", prayed another.

"After all he has done so much for us. I haven't witnessed anyone as kind as our king. He modified and made new rules just for us. May God bless him and his family.", uttered another as all of them joined hands to pray for their king.

All Jodha could do was to look at her husband with a proud smile and gleaming eyes. He had made everything so harmonious and peaceful. "Thank you", she conversed with her eyes and Jalal gave her an assuring smile.