AkDha OS ..Memories.. Updated

Perhaps the advancing years had somewhat diminished the glow of this beautiful face, but the spark in those sharp eyes of hers was still intact.

It was 6^th February, 1620. A date which had always been a matter of celebrations in the whole of Agra, till fifteen years ago.

Jodha still remembered their first anniversary. Jalal had given her the title of Malika-E-Hind and the right to sit beside him in the DEK, on that very day.

Suddenly, she moved her eyes from the painting to the other side of the room. Then slowly got up, and she was soon standing beside a medium-sized jeweled golden box.

A beautiful royal crown, encrusted with the most precious rubies and diamonds, rested in it. Jodha took it out, with almost trembling hands... and stared at it for a moment.

Her mind wandered back to the day when she first had to go the Diwan-E-Khaas as the Empress.

...

57 Years Ago, 1563.

The young Empress was pacing to and fro in her chamber, visibly impatient and tense.

Jodha Begum..." Jalal in his usual happy tone entered the room, but was a bit surprised to see Jodha this way. He quickly asked her, " Kya hua Jodha Begum? Aap idhar udhar ghoom
kyun rhi hain?" ( What happened Jodha Begum? Why are you pacing to and fro?)

She turned to have a look at her ever-handsome husband, and then again looked down. "Aap toh jaante hi hain na Shehenshah, aaj humara Diwaan-E-Khaas mein pehla din hai... Usi ki
chinta hai humein.." ( You know right, that it's my first day in the
Diwaan-E-Khaas today... I am worried about that only...)

Jalal knew this was coming. That was why he was here now, to tell her that everything will be fine.

"Toh kya hua? Hum hain na, aapko chinta karne ki kya zaroorat? Aur waise bhi aapki siyaasi samajh par humein koi shak nahi..." ( So what? I'm here na...then why are you worrying about
that? And anyway, I have absolutely no doubts on your political understanding...)
Jalal was now beside her, his eyes all the while glued to her.

But Jodha wasn't assured as yet. " Aapke vishwaas ke kaaran hi toh humein shakti milti hai
Shehenshah... parantu fir bhi, humein aisa lagta hai jaise wahaan humari
upastithi se bohot log aprasann hain..." ( You trust is my strength
Shehenshah...but still, I feel many aren't happy with my being there...)

Jodha was still looking down.

Jalal knew exactly what was bothering her. He lifted her face up by the chin..."Humari or dekhiye, Jodha Begum. Humein koi fark nahi padta ki aapke Diwaan-E-Khaas mein rehne se
kon khush hai aur kon naakhush... aur na hi aapko is baat se koi fark padna
chahiye. Hum dono ko milkar apni aawaam ko khush rakhna hai Jodha Begum, aur
hum jaante hain ki aap iss kaam mein humari madad pure dil se
karengi. " ( Look at me, Jodha Begum. I don't care who's happy or who's sad
about you bring in the Diwaan-E-Khaas... and neither should you. We have to
together keep our subjects happy Jodha Begum, and I know you'll help me with it
whole-heartedly...)

This time she looked up at him, feeling blessed to have such a life partner who believed in her so
much.

Jalal took the opportunity to lighten the mood now. He quickly said, " Aur isliye, ab
muskuraiye...aur jaldi se taiyaar ho jaiye. Kya pehle hi din der se pohunchna
hai?" ( And so, now smile...and get ready quickly. You want to be late on the
first day only or what?)

This time she smiled at the efforts of his cute hubby to keep her happy. She was already enjoying
this.

"Aur ye kya, aapka taaj kahaan hai?"( And what's this, where's your crown?) And Jalal went searching around the room.

...

A smile had already crept on the queen's lips while staring at the crown and reminiscing the beautiful past days.

She slowly moved towards the mirror, and while gazing at it, kept the crown on her head. Just like he had, that day. She closed her eyes to float back into those days.

...

Jalal led her to the mirror in the room, and himself made her wear the royal crown.

"Mashallah! Aap behad khoobsurat lag rahi hain, Jodha Begum!" ( My God! You look so beautiful, Jodha Begum!) He said, all the while gazing at her.

She blushed at this sudden praise coming from him.

He smiled seeing her all red. And then suddenly, he put his hand around her waist and pushed her closer to him.

She was surprised by this unexpected gesture of his. She gave him a questioning look, to which he just smirked. Then, pointing towards the mirror, he said, " Hum dono saath mein
kitne acche lagte hain na!" ( We both look so good together right!)

Before either of them could respond, another voice echoed through the room, " Sahi kaha
Shehenshah...aap aur chhoti Ammi ek saath bohot acche lagte hain..." ( True
Shehenshah, you and Chhoti Ammi look very good together...)

Both were them shocked by this intruder, and Jalal withdrew his hand quickly. Both Jalal and Jodha were embarrassed by now...and slowly turned back to have a look at little Rahim.

He was busy playing with a small doll on the bed, looking as adorable as ever.

Both of them looked at each other, and then down again, unable to hide the blush.

Rahim was soon followed by Salima Begum, who at once understood the entire thing seeing both
of their faces. She hardly suppressed her laugh.

"Muaaf kijiyega Shehenshah. Hum Rahim ko samjha denge ki aainda se woh aapke hojre mein bina poochhe na aayein..." ( I apologize Shehenshah. I'll make Rahim understand not to
enter your room without permission...)

Jalal was even more embarrassed by the smiling Salima Begum. He didn't even reply to her, which made her laugh out louder.

...

Jodha laughed recalling Jalal's red face at that moment. And this very chuckle brought her back from her beautiful dream land.

As she slowly opened her eyes, she felt a touch on her shoulder. The very same bright smile that made Jodha's day, the same deep eyes which made her want to get drowned in them, the very same golden brown hair which she was never tired ruffling through, the very same enchanting face that
made her go mad...Yes...it's him, it's HER Jalal.

She was lost in that perfect image of him in the mirror, she wanted that to get imprinted in her mind forever. Without a blink, she simply kept staring into her man's charming eyes.

"You still look beautiful Jodha..." He said, his smile even wider, and his eyes as sparkling as ever.

She touched his hand on her shoulder, and pressed it on top of his. She wanted to the feel this touch again. She wanted to feel the warmth of his touch, the comfort of his embrace...again. How much has she missed being with him!

Her tears threatened to fall any moment. She shut her eyes tightly, her hand clutching his hand tighter, not wanting to let go ever again.

I want you back...I want everything to be the same again... I want my Jalal... the very same loving, caring, adorable, tedha Jalal back... Her mind was shouting to her. Why did destiny do this to her?

Suddenly, she felt his touch go away. The soothing feeling disappeared in a flash. She opened her eyes quickly. He wasn't there in the mirror...she turned back. Nothing - except the suffocating loneliness of the room's four walls.

She sat down on her knees. All these years, she had been a pillar of strength. She had been just like her Jalal had always wanted her to be.

She had learnt to live without him. Then what happened today? Just the imaginary touch of him had aroused the broken, almost dead lover inside the empress Jodha.

She had wanted him again... she had wanted him to be there for her, she wanted him to support her by keeping his hand on her shoulder, by hugging her tightly, by just holding her hand once. But now, she can just imagine him, just feel his presence somewhere here.

She would have given everything just to get to hug him once. If only... Destiny could give second chances...

She didn't stop the flow of tears this time, like she had done for numerous times in the past. Perhaps she hoped he would come just to wipe them once...

...

After what seemed like ages, the lady finally got up. She walked over to the jharokha... a place
Jalal had always loved standing at.

She opened the curtains and looked out, and after ages, actually felt the fresh air brushing against her face.

The Angoori Bagh was right there, like it had been ages ago. The flowers were blooming, but even they seemed to be missing happiness since the lovely love-birds of the palace stopped spending time there.

But Jodha wasn't paying much attention to the flowers by now, she was somewhere else. She could visualize her and Jalal, the young, much-in-love- couple, sitting in the middle of the beautiful garden, and chatting their hearts out, accompanied by hearty laughs in between.

She unknowingly smiled at the beautiful, adorable sight. How adorable he was! How adorable they were as the cute love birds!

How she wished time had never moved on... how badly she wished to relive all those moments again. Where were those days? Why had time moved ahead, leaving her behind?

She still remembered how Moti used to tease her while asking about the topics of her and Shehenshah's conversations, and also how she usedto fake anger at Moti praising Jalal or telling Jodha how much in love she was! Today, the very same Jodha craved to be told of Jalal!

A lone tear escaped her eye.

Everybody has moved on. Then why can't she? Even she had adjusted over the years, the sudden memory of his brought back all the pain again!

Her eyes now shifted from the chatting couple to the rose plant just beside the center of the Angoori Bagh. It was something very special to her and Jalal both.

Jalal had personally taken care of that plant. From watering it daily, to checking it's progress every now and then, it was all Jalal loved to do.

Seeing the beautiful plant, her memory traveled back to the day Jalal had explained to her the significance of the plant.

...

"Shehenshah...aapne humein bulaya? Kuchh kaam tha?" ( Shehenshah...you called me? Was there some work?) Jodha asked while walking over to Jalal, who seemed busy watching
something in the Angoori Bagh.

"Haan Jodha Begum...aapke liye ek tohfa hai humare paas..." ( Yes Jodha Begum...I have a gift for you...) He looked up to her and smiled.

"Accha...aur woh kya hai?" ( Okay, and what is it?) Jodha enjoyed this shower of love from her
husband beyond words.

"Ye dekhiye..." ( See this...) He pointed towards a rose bush in the centre of the Angoori Bagh, which was enclosed in a boundary.

"Ye toh wahi paudha hai na, jise aap he ugaya hai? Chaliye, aapki mehnat rang laayi... dekhiye, kitne sundar phool hain iske!" ( This is the same plant right, which you had planted?
Your efforts have paid off...See, how pretty it's flowers are!) Jodha admiringly
looked at the plant, and then at Jalal.

"Haan...aur jaanti hain ye humne kyun lagaya hai?" ( Yes...and do you know why did I plant it?) He plucked a rose from the plant, and handed it over Jodha.

"Taaki jab bhi aapko humari yaad aaye... toh iske phoolon se baat kar lijiyega... aap toh jaanti hi hain ki humein gulaab ke phool khaas pasand hain...toh who baat hum tak zaroor pohunch
jayegi..." ( I have planted it so that whenever you miss me... you can talk to it's
flowers... you know right how much I love roses...and so your words will reach me...)

Jodha was surprised at the reason stated by Jalal. She chuckled at it..."Shehenshah...aap bhi na! Phoolon se bhi kahin baat ki jaati hai?" ( Shahenshah...you are too much! Does anybody
talk to flowers?)

"Kitni galat baat haiJodha Begum...humne itni mehnat ki hai, aur aap humara mazaak uda rahi hain? Huh!" ( This is so wrong Jodha Begum...I took so much efforts, and you are making fun of me?) And he turned his face to the
other side.

Jodha could hardly suppress her laughter now, her dear husband looked sooo cute while angry

She went over to him, and turned his face towards her by the chin. " Shehenshah...aap gusse mein kitne pyaare lagte hain...thodi der gussa hi rahiye..." (Shehenshah...you look so cute in
anger...stay angry only for some time...) And she laughed heartily at Jalal's
annoyed expressions to her words.

Seeing Jodha laughing, it was hard for Jalal to remain angry for long. He soon joined in...and as usual, their talks ended in that same laughing session.

...

Jodha was now in the Angoori Bagh, staring at the rose bush. She had never realized then that the thing she had simply laughed off that day, would one day mean so much to her.

Perhaps Jalal thought of too far, while I always lived only in the present. He knew I would miss him some day, he wanted us to be together...always. As another tear trickled down, she plucked a rose from the bush.

She went to sit on the bench in the center, the one on which she and Jalal sat and chatted almost every day.

She slowly rushed her hand on it... perhaps wanting to experience his presence again.

Realizing that it was to no avail, she sat down on the bench, the rose still in her hand.

It was unusual of the Empress to be here, and the sight of her aroused curiosity all around. She could hear the whispers of the maid and soldiers around.

This was annoying to her, all she needed was peace... and her Jalal. Without wasting a second, she headed back to her room.

...

She stared at the rose for a long time. Then brought it to her lips, and kissed it. Looking at the beautiful red flower, she whispered, " I love you Shehenshah..." Hoping against hope, like an innocent child, that Jalal's stand had been true, that this would really reach him.

Suddenly, almost involuntarily, she got up from her place, and went back again in front of the mirror.

She kept the rose down, and put on the crown again, closing her eyes. Perhaps wishing that he would come to her again. And he did.

When she opened her eyes, sure enough, he was there. Just like earlier in the day, all smiling. Even his reflection was so soothing, she didn't remember to turn back.

She too smiled back her widest smile.

This time he came closer to her...and said, " I love you Jodha..."

The statement brought back fond memories, and a fresh set of tears. "I love you too Shehenshah..." She said in a low tone, unable to control the happiness of this one moment.

He again kept his hand on her shoulder, this time the grasp being stronger. " I'm here with you Jodha, always. You need not go anywhere to get me, I'm there, with you, in your heart, within your soul. You just need to think me, feel me around you. I was, I am, and I'll always be there for you...And always remember, Jalal and Jodha are one and the same, forever..."

Words will never be able to describe how elated she felt at that moment. In that one moment, in the reflection... it was the Jodha of 50 years back. She could see the previous, glowing Jodha in the mirror, and behind her, the charming Jalal of old. A picture-perfect moment in time it was, one she so wanted to capture forever!

Her hand involuntarily travelled back to her shoulder, where Jalal's hand was. She squeezed it tightly, not wanting it disappear like before.

She closed her eyes tightly, her hand clutching his even more tightly, she let tears fall. She wanted to live this moment, his touch, his warmth, his presence for as long as possible.

This one moment with him had given her the strength to live the rest of her life. Feeling a new energy in herself, she finally opened her eyes, clouded with the tears. She blinked them a few times to get a clear vision...and as expected by her, her Jalal was gone.

Jalal had gone...but Jalal's Jodha was back.

She now looked at her own reflection in the mirror.

No, she can't get this weak. She's Shehenshah Jalal-ud-din Mohammad's ardhangini... an emperor who always remained an inexhaustible source of energy. Then how can she be so weak? She's his shadow, she's the one who has to make sure that people remember him whenever they see her.

Her husband had always been a source of inspiration for her. And today, yet again, had inspired her. He had given her life a direction yet again... he had been there today, when she needed him the most.

The virtues and principles of Jalal-ud-din Mohammad should remain alive in her... and she has to make sure that his legacy is never forgotten... that it lives on forever.

Jodha has to stay strong, not only for herself, but also for what Jalal was and is still - An Inspiration.

Till the day Jodha is alive, Jalal can't die, and he won't.

Jalal and Jodha are one and the same, forever.

...

From that day onwards, the palace saw a different Jodha. One
who had unlimited strength, unlimited energy, and one who in the truest sense
symbolized Shehenshah Jalal-ud-din Mohammad. The same shrewdness, the same secular approach, the same love for the subjects...and the same soul.

Jodha now devoted all her time in doing what Jalal would have liked her to do. She behaved in a way Jalal always wanted her to. She knew he was watching her, and she was sure he was all content and proud of her.

...

Thanks for reading.😃