Chapter 45...
THE WINNER PRINCE...
When Jalal reached the camp the fire of the war was very much on control. The air was filled in a strangling gloom; not only the awkward smell of blood and cruelty had filled the air, but also a strange melancholic calmness unlike a war had overpowered the normal cacophony all over. Jalal was followed by Maan Singh, Bharmal and the other princes of Amer, all having questions in their eyes, and Jalal's heart filled in an anxiety. Everything now was depending on a single moment, and he was very close to that.
Ignoring the habituated salams from the guards and gatekeepers, Jalal straight entered into a particular tent. The environment inside the tent was exceptionally quiet, and the fragrance of many medicines floating in the air. Jalal, without wasting a word, hurried to the bed surrounded by the physicians, and at first his eyes fell on Jodha's, sitting at the head of the bed, the corners of the eyes filled in tears. Eventually she too looked at him, perhaps tried to control the suppressed tears inside which was about to burst out seeing his one sight, and closed her eyes with a sigh then.
Jalal came beside the bed and put his hand on Bhagwant Das's shoulder. Bhagwant Das looked lost in this whole incident. He just stared at the emperor with questions in his eyes. His eyes too were now filled in worry... worry for Sujamal. King Bharmal, with tire in his eyes, thrashed himself on a seat nearby the bed. The other princes stayed staring, questions crowding in their eyes...
"Khhhkhh khhkkhh
The loud cough helped the whole tent to get back its sound, and Jalal looked at the physician. "Kya lagta hay Vaidyaji? Thik ho jayenge na? [What do you think doctor? Will he be alright?]
The old physician of royal clan shook head with uncertainty. "Bohot hun bahe chukka hay... Chot bhi kafi gahera hay. [A lot of blood has come out and injuries are severe too.]
Jalal gazed at the steel body of Sujamal lying on the bed. His eyes closed in peace, looks like he has been given high dosage of opium to reduce the agony. The wounds are being dressed, and the pile of clean bandages drenched in blood is the proof of how much blood he had to sacrifice just to enter this camp to stop the war!
"Baat kar payenge? [Is he able to talk?] Jalal told in a very low voice, keeping the atmosphere of the tent in mind.
"Ausadhi ke baja se aab peera kam hay, chetna wapas ane par sayad thora baat kar paye, parantu... [Pains are less due to medications, maybe he can talk after getting back sense, but...] The doctor looked at Jalal with disapprovement. "Iss avastha me zyada baat karna kunwar ke liye hanikarak ho sakta hay. [It can be harmful for him to talk much at this state...]
"Khhh khhh... V...vaa...vaidyaji!
The whole attention of the tent was pulled towards the feeble voice from the bed now... "Hum...hume b..baat karni... karni hay! [I...I need to talk!]
"Aap bishram kijie... [You take rest now...] The doctor protested feebly. But Sujamal was adamant. With his stubbornness he even managed to pull himself up a little and to sit half-lied supporting the pillows. "Ss...shahenshah...
"Baat hum badme karenge Sujamal Sahab. Aap thora so jaiye, dard kam hoga... [We can talk later Sujamal Sahab. You sleep a little, pain will reduce...] Jalal sat beside him and held his hands to pacify him!
"Da...dard... dard kam nehi hota.. shahenshah... [Pain... pain is never reduced Shahenshah!] Sujamal's face distorted in pain as he clasped his left chest... "Yeaha... yeaha dard... bass... bass barta hi jata hay... Or dhire dhire sab kuch... sab kuch tabah kar deta hay... yeh dard... bohot bhage hay iss dard se... or... or nehi... [Here pain... pain only... only increases and slowly... slowly destroys everything... The pain... I fled from this pain... but not anymore...]
"Shant ho jaiye aap. [You keep calm...] Jalal patted on his hand slowly. "Thora waqt dijie aapne aapko, dard kam ho jayga... [Give yourself a little time, pain will go...]
"Samay... Sujamal panted horribly. "Nehi hay mere pass samay... yudh rokna hoga... yudh... jane se pahele hume yudh... [I have no time... I need to... need to stop the war... before going I need to...] his sentence remained incomplete with another cough.
"Hakim sahab inhe kuch aisa dawai dijie jo inhe thora sa takat de... [Doctor please give him some drugs that will give him energy...] Jalal sighed while instructing the physician. "Waqt sachme kam hay humare pass. [We really don't have much time.] He murmured on his own. "Maan Singh... he called. Perhaps his call was enough as an order as Maan Singh left the tent instantly, and then came back with some documents in hand.
And simultaneously, the tent allocated for wounded soldiers readily converted itself in a conference of war-negotiation.
"Hum, Amer Rajbansh ki putra Sujamal Singh, [Me, Sujamal Singh, the son of Amer,] Sujamal Singh, who gained a little strength to talk stably under the effect of high-dosage of drug, announced in a low, weak yet firm voice so that the royal steno can keep the record of the whole process, "aaj sampurn hos-or-awaj ke sath, aapni swayang ki icchanusaar iss shibir me upasthit hokar Amer rajparivar ke sath sandhi karke maitribandhan ka prastaav swikar karte hue yudh-birati ka prastaav rakhte hay. [Today, in my complete sense and entirely as per my wish, accepting the proposal of friendship with the royal family of Amer in this war-camp and hence proposing to put a stop in war.] To everyone's surprise, the deadly physical agony did not become a barrier while he declared his statement in a clean and firm voice without shattering for once. "Agar Amer purana bairita bhulkar humare sath firse sambandh stapit karna chahte hay to hum Amer ki maharaj ka yeh prastaav sanman sahit grahan karenge... [If Amer wants to set a fresh relationship with me forgetting the old enmity I will accept the proposal with utter respect...] he concluded.
"Sujamal Singh... Jalal stood up while speaking. "Aapke samne samjhote ke liye jo jo sharte rakhi jayengi kya aap o manne ke liye taiyaar hay? [Sujamal Singh, do you accept all the conditions put in front of you in this negotiation?]
Sujamal nodded gently with dignity.
The list of the conditions for the treaty, which were already prepared according to Jalal's instructions, was being read by some officer. Sujamal with all his rigidity and patience listened to each and every point and nodded. The conditions did not contain anything which could prove anything offensive or dominating to Sujamal, rather the clearly demonstrated statements were visibly very strong base for a healthy relationship after a war... something different from what Sujamal had expected. He could feel he is not being treated as a leader of bandit rebels here, he has been given the equal respect as a king in this whole negotiating process. The respect he has always craved for, for which he had been fleeing from one side to another of this country, he is fighting with his own blood, he felt he achieved that at last! Not only that respect he gained, he got back something which were more important to him one day, he got back what he always had and what he had rejected harshly while leaving Amer for the first time... he got back his family, his loving ones, the people who are concerned about him, who care for him; he got back those people who will at least shed two drops of tears for him when he dies, and will not turn face out of hatred!
He got the peace, for which he really craved for.
In shivered hands Sujamal signed the documents. The king of Amer signed too, the witnesses signed, and documents were stamped officially. And with all others consent, the treaty had been made and the war was stopped in name of a newly established relationship.
"Maan, Bhagwant Das called. "Abhi ke abhi yudh rokne ka ghosana karo... [Maan, immediately announce to stop the war...]
Maan Singh left the tent like storm, and half a minute later the treaty is being read via amplifiers with the request to the enemy camp to stop the war. The white flags were raised from this camp as a sign of peace and friendship...
"Aab aap thora aram kijie... [You take rest now...] Jalal helped Sujamal to lie down and was about to leave, suddenly king of Amer stood up.
"Rukiye sab. Hume kuch ghosana karna hay. [Stop everyone, I want to make another announcement.] His voice was trembling, but yet there was a strange rigid calmness in his attitude.
Everyone stopped. Sujamal, who was at the end of his breaking point after losing so much energy in this whole process, took a long breath to forcefully hold himself up and looked at his uncles face in drowsy eyes.
Bharmal came closer and cleared his voice. With his hand he instructed the royal steno to take the note... "Hum, Amer ki Maharaja Shree Bharmal Singh, aaj aapne sampurn man or iccha se yeh ghosna karte hay, [Me, Bharmal Singh, the king of Amer, today announcing with my wish,] his quick glimpse touched Sujamal with deep affection for a moment, "ki aaj se Amer ki dakshin bhag ka sampurn uttardayitwa Sujamal Singh ko diya gaya! Sujamal Singh aapne swatantrata ke sath uaha rajya sashan karenge. Or aajse hum Kunwar Sujamal Singh ko Amer ki sinhasan ka bhabi raja ghosit karte hay! Humare mrityu ke baad Sujamal Singh aapne bhrata Bhagwant Das ke sahayta se Amer ki sinhasan me bathkar rajya ko or unnati ki shikar par le jayenge... [that from today Sujamal Singh has been given the whole right of the south of Amer. Sujamal Singh will reign there in complete independence. And from today I declare him as the future king of Amer. After my death Sujamal Singh, sitting on the throne, will help the state to prosper more with the assistance of his brother Bhagwant Das.]
Everyone present was surprised with this sudden decision. Jalal, with a surprised smile, looked at Bhagwant Das. He looked shocked, but not unhappy. There was no sting of dissatisfaction in his face. Rather after a while he stepped forward, stood straight in front of Sujamal, then bowed down. "Yuvraj Sujamal Singh ki jay ho! [Hail to crown prince Sujamal Singh...] He chanted in a strong voice which echoed through the camp... The whole camp joined in this chanting. "Yubhraj Sujamal Singh ki jay! Mahan vir Sujamal Singh ki jay! [Hail to prince Sujamal Singh. Hail to great warrior Sujamal Singh!]
With a strange saturation in heart for Sujamal, Jalal looked at Jodha for a glimpse. There were cloud in her eyes, but the glow of content in her brother's glory was shining like sun in those cloudy eyes. She also looked at Jalal, and smiled brightly with all her gratitude in her heart...
Jalal suddenly felt his heart is filling with some awkward emotions which may reach to his eyes if not controlled. So to stop them to reach his eyes he also joined in the chant... "Yuvraj Sujamal Singh ki Jay! [Hail to crown prince Sujamal Singh!]
Bharmal came forward and leaned at Sujamal's bed. Cutting his finger with a dagger he drew a tilak in Sujamal's forehead. Sujamal stared at his face without a blink, the immense physical pain, the blurred eyesight and the semi-consciousness did not stop him from feeling the warmth of the happiness of reaching the goal... The tilak of blood shone brightly in the forehead of the crown-prince of Amer. The king of Amer gazed at his sweated face for a while, then caressed his hairs with all his affections...
"Kshama kar do mujhe beta! [Forgive me my son!] He murmured in an almost muted tone, only hearable to Sujamal. Two drops of tears that he could not control fell on Sujamal's forehead and put the mark of victory...
Sujamal tried to tell something, he could not. Eventually his eyes get closed in the most awaited peace for which he had been yearning. He got into sleep. A big sleep in a peaceful world...
SETTING OFF FOR SHARIFUDDIN...
The war was finally ended, or rather at the verge of ending. The battle with tribals in the main battlefield had been finished quiet a long ago, and with the declaration of the peace-treaty the war of camp was stopped immediately. Only Samar Singh's army was still fighting, but being cornered by the Mughal force, they have already lost the battle... The war has been won with minimum sacrifice; the destructive god of war had become satisfied with the self-sacrifice of Sujamal Singh only...
Jalal was a little lost in the melancholic environment when they were covering Sujamal's lifeless body in clean cloth and flowers while thinking to take him in the main palace of Amer. The war had ended with least damage, but not a single face looked happy with that incident. The death of the old enemy of the family had borne a deep shade of pain and sorrow in the ground; as all of them have discovered that he was not an enemy, he was the son of the same clan, inheriting the same blood, sharing the same childhood, only became a victim of misunderstanding due to the play of destiny! He was to come back to his family, he was not a soul to lose his life for such a silly reason in this young age. The fact that Sujamal is no more due to a petty house-war, is tormenting the members of Amer family more! Jalal too was shocked when he left his last breath. Yes, he was too weak and wounded to get well sooner, but still looking at his non-ending source of energy Jalal somehow expected that he would survive. But alas, Sujamal was at the end of his breaking point. He could not endure more...
Still, he has died in peace... That is the big thing!
It was afternoon, the power of sun was slowly decreasing. After finishing the needed works, Jalal was going to enter inside his tent. He caught a glimpse of the wounded soldiers being treated here and there... and he saw the war-ground in peace, the mortars and the cannons still there resting quietly. Strange, a war made with so many strategies and energy was finished with a single announcement of peace-treaty? If Sharifuddin was there in the field, it could never be so easy to stop the war. Jalal never expected it to be so easy, and he had different plans for this. But he did not need to think more, as war was completely stopped after a while as army had basically no leader... Sharifuddin had escaped long before the war.
While thinking about this, Jalal's blood started boiling. He is not going to let Sharifuddin escape so easily now!
"Shahenshah...
Jalal looked up. The sincere and one of the most faithful agents of him was standing in front of him with utter respects in eyes... "Fardeen Khan. Jalal addressed. "Batao... [Tell...]
"Bohot dukh hua Sujamal Singh ke bare me sunkar. Jab o soch rahe the maidan me aise ghusenge hume pata tha ki kuch bura hone wala hay! Ajeeb insaan the o! Itni himmat, itni takat or sipahi hone ka itna ghamand maine bohot kam logo me dekha hay Shahenshah! [I am sorry to hear about Sujamal Singh. When he was thinking that he will enter into the camp that way I knew something bad will happen. Strange man he was! I have seen very less people with that much courage, strength and the proud of being a warrior!] Fardeen Khan stated. "Hum fir bhi umeed karte ki o bach jayenge. Par o pahele se hi bohot kamzor the. Pahele Sharifuddin ne dhoke se unhe jaher pilaya, fir unke pet me chaku bhi chala diya tha... [I could still hope he will be alive. But before that he was weak. First Sharifuddin feed him poison, then stabbed him too...]
Jalal frowned. "Tumhare sath Sharifuddin ka mulakat hua tha? [You met Sharifuddin?]
"Ha Shahenshah. Jab o bhag raha tha main or Sujamal Sahab ne usse range haaton pakda. O besharam chalaki se Sujamal Sahab ko chora marker bhag nikla... Hum uske piche jane ka kosish bhi kiya par pakadh nehi paye. Isliye yeaha aa gaye khabar dene. [Yes majesty. When he was running away Sujamal Sahab had caught him red-handed. That shameless stabbed him and fled... I went behind him but could not follow. So came here to give the news.]
"Gaya kaha hay o? [Where did he go?]
"Jungal ki andar sayad firse uss adibasiyon ki kabila me ghusa hay huzur. Uske sath ek haramkhor Mughal sipahi bhi tha. [Probably he again went to that tribal village in the jungle. There was a scoundrel Mughal soldier with him! ] Fardeen Khan gritted his teeth in rage. "Uss bande ko bhi pakad na paya main! [I was unable to catch him too]
"Koi baat nehi Fardeen. [Never mind Fardeen.] Jalal cheered him up. "Hum abhi use pakdenge. Aab mere haatyon se nehi bach payega... [I will catch him now. He will not be able to escape from my hand...] He looked at sun and quickly chalked out a plan in mind. "Suno Fardeen... [Listen Fardeen...] He gave Fardeen a rough sketch of that. "Tum jao, jakar Mughal sipahiyon ko or Maan Singh ko mera yeh hukum ke bare me batao... hum thora... [You go and tell Maan Singh and other soldiers about my order. I...] He looked at the tent and sighed a little. "Hum thori der me ate hay... [I am coming after a while.]
Fardeen bowed and went from there and Jalal entered inside. Jodha was sitting mum on the bed. Jalal sat beside her. He did not find any word to console her. Or rather perhaps she did not need that too!
She was still in the same suit. Even the white turban was still there on her head. Her wet eyes had been dried from a long time, since Sujamal passed away, and she did not shed a little tear for his demise. She did all her duties as a sister before she got into this camp, and right now sitting here like a burning piece of charcoal... Jalal gazed at her eyes for a while- they were not seeking for peace, rather the fire in her eyes demanded not to be extinguished with the cool shower of peace. They did not want sympathy from him, they wanted revenge!
"Jodha... Still Jalal touched her hand. It has been quite a while...
"Mujhe ekant chahiye... [I want to be alone...] Jodha demanded with authority.
Jalal was rather shocked with the tone of Jodha. He did not expect this... He imagined her to break down with the touch of him; or at least releasing the load of rage while talking to him. But he was not prepared for such a passive and cold response. Still he did not get irritated but got up from her side. Without talking anything else he took up his sword in hand and touched his headgear that was on the table...
"Sharifuddin kaha hay? [Where is Sharifuddin?] Suddenly Jodha asked. She did not even look at him while asking, As if she was lost in her own thoughts...
"Bhag gaya! [He has fled!] Jalal told casually while putting on the headgear. "Khabar mila ki firse kabila me lauta hay. Dhundne ja rahe hay hum. Usse liye bina wapas na ayenge! [News came that he has gone back to that tribal village. I am going to search. I will not return without him] He looked at her, smiling a little.
Now Jodha looked up. Her eyes had a touch of anxiety now with the fire of rage. Jalal smiled and went to her. He tenderly touched her shoulders.
"Bohot bahadur or zabaaj the aapki bhai Jodha! Bohot kuch karna tha unhe aapni zindegi me. Yeh watan unse bohot kuch umeed ki thi! Aisa nehi hona tha Jodha, aisa nehi hona tha! [Your brother was very valiant and brave Jodha! He was out to do many things in his life. This nation had expected a lot from him! It was not to happen Jodha, it was not to happen! ] He took her palms in his palms and pressed them a little. In a calm voice he continued. "Sharifuddin ka ginona sajish ki shikar hokar marna unka takdeer nehi ho sakta hay Jodha! Sharifuddin sare hade par kar di... Usse hum jane nehi de sakte. Use yeh Shahenshah-E-Hind jane nehi dega! Wada karte hay hum aapse! [His destiny cannot allow him to die being a victim of Sharifuddin's nasty conspiracy Jodha! Sharifuddin has crossed all his limits... I cannot let him go easily. This emperor of Hind will not spare him! I am promising you!]
Jodha told nothing, and slowly rested her head on his belly embracing his waist. The drop of tears wetted Jalal's waistband... Jalal put his hand on her head and started caressing.
They spent moments together before the soldiers sought for Jalal. Wearing his armour Jalal came out of the camp. A distressed Maan Singh stood in front of him and bowed down.
"Sipahiyon ka tukri taiyaar hay? [Troops are ready?] Jalal asked. "Do tukri me baato sipahiyon ko. Ek tumhare sath chalega, ek humare hukumse... [Divide the soldiers into two groups. One led by you and other one by me...]
"Aap khud jayenge Shahenshah? [You will go yourself, Majesty?] Maan Singh asked with a little surprise.
"Haa... Jalal smiled and affectionately patted on Maan Singh's shoulder. "Agar iss halat me tum aapna kam karne ja sakte ho to hum kyu nehi? Jayenge, or aaj raat ki andar Sharifuddin ko pakad bhi lenge... [Yes. If you can go to your duty in this stage then why not me? I will go, and will catch him by tonight ] He looked at the sun to strengthen his promise. "Chalo! [Lets' go!] He ordered then.
"Rukiye zara... [Stop for a moment please...]
Jalal stopped and smile in his mind. Even in this distressed state Jodha did not forget to come up with the rituals of Aarti... She never lets him to go for a mission without giving her the best wishes by taking an aarti of him and putting a tilak on his forehead. Jalal cannot set out for a war without taking his sword from her hand. It has been a habit now!
"Hum aapki hi intezaar kar rahe the. [I was waiting for you only...] Jalal told with a smile.
But alas! Who came out of the tent after that, Jalal never waited for her. The lady in full warrior-attire, covered in steel iron armour and helmet came out leaving Jalal completely astonished. The iron-plates of her armour shining in the glow of the setting sun, her eyes sparking fire of rage and confidence at the same time, she herself was a ball of fire evaporating extreme source of energy right now. Jalal's mouth automatically opened in wonder as he was stunned, and his shock reflected in his eyes as well...
"Hum prastoot hay Shahenshah! [I am ready Majesty!]
Jalal gazed at her... In his whole life he has never seen her this way... He gazed and gazed to her new look as a warrior, and eventually fell in love...again...
"Hum bhi jayenge aapke sath. Sharifuddin ke khoj me... [I will go with you in hunt of Sharifuddin...] She came forward and declared.
Jalal, who was still lost in mesmerisation, smiled incoherently. "Humpe biswas nehi hay? [You don't believe on me?]
"Aapne aap se bhi zyada biswas hay. Parantu fir bhi hum jana chahte hay. [More than myself! But still I want to go.]
"Humne wada kiya hay aapse ki hum aapko Shariuddin zinda lakar tohfa me denge. Fir bhi aap humare sath jana chahti hay? [I promised you to gift you Sharifuddin alive. Still you want to go with me?]
"Haa Shahenshah... Jodha smiled. "Aapko koi apatti? [Yes Majesty. Do you have any problem?]
"Uaha khatra bohot hoga Jodha... Hume khud nehi pata kaha kaha dhundenge hum usse. Aapko jane ki kya zarurat? [There will be a lot of danger Jodha. I myself don't know where I will search for him. You don't need to go!]
"Sayad zarurat nehi; parantu fir bhi jana chahte hay hum. Humari chinta maat kijie, or yeh bhi maat sochiye ki hume aap par biswas nehi... [Maybe it is not needed, but still I want to go. Don't worry about me, or think that I have no faith on you...] Jodha smiled again. "Humare jane se shakti ghat nehi jayega aapka. Or agar fir bhi aap jane nehi dengi to hum zid nehi karenge. Parantu... [Your strength will not reduce on my presence. If you still don't want to let me go I will not be adamant. But...] Her smile got darker. "Yeh sochenge ki aap ko biswas nehi hay humpar... [I will think that you don't have faith on me...]
This time Jalal's smile got a new glow. "Aapse kon jita hay! Chaliye! [Is there anyone won against you? Let's go!] He gave her his hand to lead her to the horse...
The troop set off to search Sharifuddin...
HUNTING SHARIFUDDIN...
Within 10 minutes the troops of Mughal soldiers commanded by the emperor and Maan Singh reached the village of tribal inside the jungle which had been a temporary base camp for Sujamal's army. With swift instructions Jalal removed the women and children of the village in a disciplined manner to avoid chaos before searching for Sharifuddin. He was there some moments before only, a lot of sign of him was found by the soldiers in the tents, but now he was not here...
Maan Singh was talking to a woman working in the war-camp. He then came to Jalal. "Abhi kuch der pahele nikala hay Shahenshah; aapne kuch bastuyen lene yeaha aya tha. Abhi bhi zyada dur nehi gaya hoga. [Sharifuddin has gone only a few minutes ago. He had come here to take some of his belongings. He perhaps has not gone much far.]
"Kya lene aya tha? Jab Amer se bhaga tha to khali haat bhaga tha na? [What did he take? When he fled from Amer wasn't he empty-handed?] Jalal frowned deeply. "Maan Singh, jara pata lagao ki o badzaat yeaha se kya leke gaya hay. [Maan Singh, take a look that what he has taken from here?]
It was revealed that Sharifuddin has taken some tribal weapons like bow and arrows or various traps with him. He was never modest to the tribals, he just had threatened the dwellers and snatched their belongings without hesitation.
"Hume shighra jana chaiye Shahenshah... [We should go in hurry Shahenshah...] Maan Singh hurried. "Zyada der karenge to o dusre rajya me bhag jayega. Iss jayge se nikal kar bada pahar me uthne ka marg milta hay; kisi bhi tarha se bada pahar paar kar liya to Amer ki simant me pohoch jayega... uaha se kisi prakar bhag nikla to usse milna muskil ho jayega. [If we do late he will flee to another state. He can find a route to Bada pahar from this place, and if he can cross that he will reach to Amer border. If he escapes from there it will be difficult to have a trece of him.]
Jalal looked at him. "Tumhe yaakin hay o bada pahar paar karega? [Are you sure that he will cross Bada pahar?]
"Kyu nehi Shahenshah? Bada pahar hi to sabse sidha marg hay bhagne ka. Nehi to fir se jungal me ghusna parega, or jungal se nikalne ka rasta sidhe Amer ki taraf ishara karta hay. Jo aadmi bhag raha ho o kyu us raste ko aapnayega? [Why not majesty? That is the easiest way to escape. Else he needs to get into the jungle, and that route will lead him to Amer. Why a escaping man take that path?]
"Yaakinan! Jalal smiled. "Agar tum yeah hum hote to kabhi uss raste me nehi chalte. Par Sharifuddin uss raste me hi jayega! Hum tumhe likhke de sakte hay. [Sure! If it was you or me we will never take that path. But Shariuddin will not go by that path. I can give you written.]
"Par... [But...] Maan Singh stared in disbelief...
"Haa Maan Singh. Agar bada pahar paar karne ka irada hota to firse yeaha nehi aata... Sharifuddin ka dimag sidhe tara nehi chalta hay, bhagne liye o sidha rasta nehi lega... [Yes Maan Singh. If he was to cross Bada pahar he never would have come back. Sharifuddin's brain never goes in a straight track, he will not take the straight route to escape...] He looked at the sun to understand the time. It was afternoon, sun had started its journey towards west. "Andhira namne wala hay. Tum jaldi se Simant me khabar bhej do taki Sharifuddin bhag na paye, or aapne sipahiyon ka tukri lekar jungal ko gher lo... Jungal ko gherne ke baad charyon oor se jungal me ghusna; yeaha hum Jodha Begam or sipahiyon ko lekar jungal me ghus rahe hay. Sharifuddin ko zammen se khod kar bhi nikalna pare to o karenge hum! [Evening is coming. You send news to the border so that Sharifuddin cannot escape, and then corner the whole jungle with your troops... You people will enter into the forest after covering it from every direction; here I and Jodha Begam are going inside the forest with the rest of soldiers. I will dig Sharifuddin out from the ground too if it is needed!] His eyes shone.
At the next moment, two groups were ready with their tasks. One group of soldiers, leaded by Maan Singh, set off as instructed by the emperor, and the other group followed his orders to enter into the jungle. Two soldiers set out to the border at the end of Bada Pahar in case Sharifuddin takes that route to flee. All were now set to hunt Sharifuddin...
INTO THE WOODS...
The West sky was being enveloped with the dark cloud. The husk roar of the cloud welcome the storm and rain to came down in the earth. Looking at the west sky Jalal shouted hopelessly- "Yeah khuda! [O God!]
The evening had covered the sky with a gray scurf of twilight now. The hunt for Sharifuddin was still on. After entering into the forest Jalal was sure that his assumption was right, as there was clear mark of Sharifuddin's horse's feet on the ground. The small troop was marching in a moderated pace covering their emperor and empress, the procession was secured and well-organized till now, and they were confidently close to their aim... but the untimely rain may change everything in a second...
In no time the sky started roaring violently. Cold and wet wind started wrecking through the leaves of the trees. The speed of the wind had restricted the pace of the horses. They barely could stand straight on the ground, the dust of the road was piercing in their eyes blurring the eyesight. It was becoming difficult even to recognize a man standing at the distance of 5 ft... The sudden change in environment became a panic for the troop and a pandemonium was created.
"Aab kya hoga Shahenshah! [What will happen now Majesty!] Jodha asked while coping up with the wind.
Jalal was rubbing his eyes as some particles had entered there. "Age barenge! Or koi dusra rasta nehi hay. Uske upar agar barish chalu ho gaya to pair ka nishan bhi mit jayega! [We will move forward! We do not have any other options. If rain starts the signs of feet will be erased!] He sighed hopelessly...
Followed by Jalal's worst predictions, the violent shower started... It was impossible now to go forward in this weather. The troop was not energetic anymore... Most of the soldiers denied to go further and suggested to go back. A chaos was started and Jalal found it difficult to manage in this bad weather. Jodha had come down from the back of her horse as it was impossible to balance on that animal who was terrified in this weather. "Baarish khatam hone tak intezar karte hay. [We should wait here till the rain stops.] She suggested.
But the rain was not taking the name of stopping. The shattering of wind and the blaze of thunder was increasing along with the frequency of shower. Even the shadows of trees were not safe enough due to the lighting...
"Yeaha ruk ke bhigne ke atirikt kuch kam nehi ho rha hay shahenshah! [We are doing nothing except getting wet here, Shahenshah!] Jodha told clutching the arm of Jalal spontaneously when a thunder stuck nearby.
"Thik kaha. Par kar bhi kya sakte hay! [Yes, but what else can we do] Jalal told hopelessly while passing his fingers inside the drenched hairs. "Iss barish me na aage badh sakte hay na piche ja sakte hay. Or mausam jaldi thik hone ka nam nehi lega... Na jane Sharifuddin kaha chupkar byatha hay iss barish me... [We neither can go forward nor backward in this rain. And this climate will not change so easily... God knows where that Sharifuddin is hiding in this rain...]
His sentence was not complete, a sudden incident changed the whole scenario taking away the last hope Jalal, Jodha and their troops had in their heart!
A lightning bolt stroke very nearby, causing an inhumane flashlight being created and making them blind for some moments; in no time the tree on which it had stroke started burning ferociously in this violent rain, and the fire started spreading with the storm, while fighting with the rain, and a smell of burning mixed the smell of danger in the air. Jalal helplessly saw, some people of their troop who were closer to that particular tree, are struggling with the fire as they have been entrapped, perhaps one or two are on the ground injured, and most of them shouting in fear while trying to escape from this place. Jodha was standing beside him like a stone, she clasped his hand even more tightly out of horror. Jalal could not reciprocate her. The sudden calamity has come as a curse to him it seems. He has never seen such a violent rage of the nature in his life...
He understood it is not anymore safe to keep standing. They were too lucky that they were not much close to that place where lighting stroke. "Yeaha se jitna dur ho sake bhag chalo! [Run away from here as far as you can!] He shouted while ordering his men and rode on the horse along with Jodha... He could understand some of his men were following him, but it was now too tough to lead the whole troop in systematic manner...
And what he had predicted was true... After some minutes, riding in the storm and rain like insane, when both of them came in grassland beside a little stream inside the woods, and the rain was controlled a bit, they discovered none- not a single soldier of their army is following them. Their troop is completely scattered!
HIDE AND SEEK...
"Hum kar kya rahe hay Shahenshah? [What are we doing Majesty?]
"Jo karne aye the? Sharifuddin ko dhund rahe hay... [For what we were here... searching Sharifuddin...]
"Par Shahenshah... [But Majesty...]
"Kya? [What?]
"Aapko nehi lagta hay ki hum kuch zyada hi khatra utha rahe hay? [Don't you're think we are taking too much risk?]
"Khuda dekhna chhte hay hum khatre se khel sakte hay yea nehi! Or aap to jante hi hay hum khel se piche hatne wala insaan nehi hay... [God is testing whether I can play with danger or not. And you know that I am not a person to go back...]
"Par agar rasta bhatak gaye to? Kho gaye to? [But what if we lose the paths?]
"Hume yaakin hay hum dono ek dusre ko kho nehi sakte. Or ek sath rahe to rasta bhatak bhi nehi sakte... [I believe we cannot lose ourselves. And if we are together we cannot lost the paths too...]
"Fir bhi, aise ekele... [Still... this way alone...]
"Ekele kaha? Dono log hay na? Hume khatra hua to aap samhalengi, aapko khatra hua to hum... [Where alone? We are two. If I am in danger you will manage, and if you are in problem I will handle...]
Jodha gave up. She knows her husband has a little crack in his brain, and sometimes he becomes crazy in the addiction of danger. He is not a man to flee from danger; danger calls him. And after the whole plan of catching Sharifuddin is ruined for a simple thunderstorm, he is very angry from inside. This anger has given birth to stubbornness, the strange rigidity of swimming against the current to get the aim at any cost. Jodha could understand he is not going back until he catches Sharifuddin today...
Ultimately the rain was stopped destroying each and every plan of Jalal completely. Both of them were now walking on their different horses side by side silently in a slow pace through the path of jungle. The thin beam of moon was smiling shyly from behind the curtain of black cloud, and mocking both of them... Why God why? Why did you let that coward dog to escape again? Why you did not let the emperor to fulfill his promise? How can he be spared after doing so many grave crimes one by one? How? Jodha was feeling extremely frustrated... but the same time her matured mind made her worried about her and the emperor's safety...
"Shahenshah hum agar... [Shahenshah if we...]
"Shhh! Kripa karke thora sa chup rahengi mohtarma?? [Shhh! If you please keep quiet your highness?] Jalal put a finger on his lips. "Hume pata nehi tha ki Jodha Begam itni daarpok hay! [I never knew that Jodha Begam is such coward!]
"Hum darr nehi rahe hay. Baas thorasa sabdhan... [I am not frightened, I was only concerned...]
"Shhh...
Jalal had made a torch with broken branches and piece of cloths and had lit that. The pale light of that torch was the only source of light in this darkness. Now Jalal showed Jodha another source of a very thin light coming from distance... "Dekha, kaha tha na Sharifuddin yehi hoga? [See, I told that Sharifuddin was here only]
"To fir hum sena lekar aate hay? [Then we should come with troops?]
"Aap pareshan kyu ho rahi hay. Sipahiyan hume dhundte dhundte yeaha par hi to ayega! Or... [Why are you worrying? The soldiers will come here finding us! And...] Jalal smiled. "Hum kya ekele kaafi nehi hay Sharifuddin ke liye? [Don't you think alone I am enough for Sharifuddin?]
Jodha sighed as she knows this man will not listen to her. The horses kept on walking following that source of light...
"Shahenshah yeh dekhiye... [Shahenshah see...] Suddenly Jodha's eyes caught something. It was a piece of pearl chain fallen on the ground shining in darkness. These types of ornaments are worn by the males of the high societies of Mughals...
"Bechare Sharifuddin ko bohot ladna parha iss baarish se! [It seems poor Sharifuddin had to struggle a lot in this rain.] Jalal commented with a smile.
Both of them kept on going forward. After a while again a piece of Sharifuddin's shoe took their attention. They went forward. They crossed the stream, they crossed the jungle surrounded by bushes. Now they were in clearer grassland with big trees here and there. The sky was clear now, the bright moon smiling at them... They were very close to the source of the thin light...
"Oh dekhie Shahenshah... Or ek... [See Shahenshah... there...] Jodha pointed out at ground beneath a big tree... Something, probably a ring was shining in the moonlight there...
"O bhi Sharifuddin ka hi hay. Chaliye aage badte hay... [That is also Sharifuddin's... Lets' go...] Jodha commented and enthusiastically was going to proceed, suddenly Jalal held her arm. There was frown in his brows.
"Aap yeaha rukiye. Uss pedh ke piche chhup ke rahiye... hum dekhke aate hay... [You wait here. Hide behind this tree... I am seeing...] He whispered.
"Parantu... [But...]
"Shhh! Jo kahe rahe hay hum o kariye! [Shh! Do what I tell!] Jalal stopped her and slowly proceeded forward. Jodha carried out his order, went behind a big tree nearby and started observing what was happening.
Jalal went beneath the tree, closer to the ring on the ground. He suddenly came down from the horse and bent to have a closer look to the ring...
And something happened which Jodha never imagined!
All of a sudden, at a blink of eye, Jodha saw a net of ropes suddenly entangling Jalal's feet, and entrapping him in another huge net, and at the next glimpse the emperor was hanging from a thick branch of the tree, caught inside the knots of that net trap, struggling hard to get rid of that irritating imprisonment!
And before she could cope up with her astonishment, she saw the source of that thin light coming closer, and by now she could clearly see the figure of two persons walking together... Among them one face is very familiar, the face she loathes so much is now smirking with the shine of victory...
Both of them stood beneath the tree, their eyes gazed at the captured emperor...
Jalal too noticed the presence of both of them. His eyes sparked in a mysterious smile suddenly. "Sharifuddin... He murmured...
PRECAP: "I so hate your eyes Jalal! Sharifuddin whispered. "Keep your eyes down, or I will shut them forever.
"Hahahahahah!!! Jalal laughed as if someone has cracked the funniest joke of the year!
"Aftaar! Sharifuddin shouted! "Kill him right now!! Kill him!
Aftaar, the right hand of Sharifuddin came forward with the open sword in his right hand, targeted emperor's left chest and applied all his forces to slash him...
And a splash of blood spread in the air!!
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