Recap -
Finally, All her jewelry was removed and Jodha opened her eyes..She was feeling so happy that she had got such a darling husband..But suddenly something struck her mind..
She got up ..looked at him and said in a sad tone - Shahenshah! Kya kal jaana zaruri hai.. Hum aapke saath mandir jaana chahte the..
Jalal was himself sad to listen this..He said with an assuring tone - Dont worry Jaan! The work is very important and that, it would take two days to finish, But I'll try to finish it as soon as possible..
And we'll go to temple with all peace and happiness.. I am so sorry..(He shook his head)..
Jodha lifted his head and said with a smile - Offo..hum to keval mazak kar rahe the Shahenshah.. Hum bhali bhaanti jaante hain..ki aap apne kaam ko lekar kitne pakke hain..
Humein koi pareshani nahi hai..Aap kal jaiye..lekin haan jaldi ayiega.. Hum aapka intezaar karenge..
With this, they both again got lost in a passionate hug.. And ofcourse, it was another night of sweet passionate love making.
Part 45 ---
** Morning time **
Everybody had gathered in the front Palace Hall. Shahenshah was to leave for an important meeting today and therefore, everybody had gathered to wish him all the very best of luck.
Hameeda Bano, Gulbadan Bano, Jiji Anga etc. waited for the King to arrive in the hall. All the Begums and other Harem ladies waited there too.
After sometime, the guards proclaimed Jalal's arrival and everybody greeted him. The atmosphere was quite cheerful and happy one.
Jalal's eyes were searching for his beloved, and most of the people could make out that the King was looking for his Empress.
Jodha stood quiet back. She knew he would be looking for her and she blushed at the thought of this.
Hameeda Bano came forward and kissed on Jalal's forehead. She had a genuine heart-felt smile on her face. She blessed Jalal. Jalal smiled to his mother.
All the elders blessed him for the meeting. Now it was the turn of Begums to wish him.
His Mallika-e-Hind, Begum Jodha slowly moved forward, with the pooja thaal in her hands, and she did his tilak and pooja.
He looked into her eyes and smirked. Jodha was happy and she felt a bit shy upon his intense gaze.
Jodha - Humari Shubhkaamnayein aapke saath hain Shahenshah! Jalal smiled to her in assurance. After all, She was his love and life.
After Jodha completed her turn..Salima Begum and Ruqaiya also came and wished him all the best.
Jalal thanked everyone for their wishes and dismissed the gathering. He and Jodha were alone in the Hall now.
Jodha's eyes were now brimming with upsetting tears and Jalal noticed them. Jalal placed an assuring kiss on Jodha's forehead.
Jalal with loving tone - Jodha! Hum bahut jald laut ayenge.. Agar tum aise royogi to hum nahi jayenge.. Aur ab tum akeli nahi ho meri mallika..ab to humara bacha bhi tumhare saath hai..
(He slowly knelt down and warmly embraced Jodha's tummy into his arms and kissed it.. Jodha was so emotional at this moment. )
Jalal said to the baby - Apni ammi-jaan ka khayal rakhna..aapke abbu kuch hi waqt mei wapas aa jayenge..
Jodha smiled her heart out. She was so over-whelmed. Everyday of her life was so much full of happiness and contentment.
Jalal stood up and hugged Jodha. This time, both of them were emotional. Jalal gave her warmth and comfort and She felt better.
Jodha broke the hug after sometime and with a lone tear trickling down her eye, she said - Ab jaldi jaiye..aur jaldi ayiyega.. Hum aapka intezaar karenge..
Jalal kissed her on her cheek and took her farewell.
Soon, Jalal left for the meeting with bunch of ministers and a troop of soldiers.
***
A few hours had passed. It was almost early afternoon. All the ladies were chit-chatting in the Harem. Everyone had surrounded Jodha, who was sitting in the center of the ladies' group.
All seemed so happy with the elated atmosphere of the Palace. The worries had been solved and what was left in the palace was nothing but happiness and cheerfulness.
Obviously some ladies were jealous, but some were genuinely happy for their Mallika-e-Hind.
A lady teased Jodha - Aap kitni khushnaseeb hain Mallika.. Shahenshah to sabse zyada waqt aapke saath hi guzaarte hain..Aakhir aap aisa kya karti hain jo Shahenshah aapse itni
mohabbat karte hain..
It was meant as a joke by the lady but Jodha somewhere felt it to be a saddening truth. Jodha knew that, Shahenshah spent his almost whole time with her and that other ladies felt upset upon this.
Ofcourse She wanted Jalal for whole of herself, but She was above than jealousy lines. "Atleast he should spend sometime with other Begums as well"..She gritted under her breath..
Other ladies giggled upon the questions that were asked to her..Jodha almost blushed at most talks.. All had a hearty fun time. After sometime, Hameeda Bano asked everyone to now finish
this kitty party kind of thing. Now Jodha Begum needed rest.. Jodha was AWWED by her mother in law.
Jodha felt herself to be the most lucky woman in the world. Yes, her life had been miserable in the initial days of her marriage but now, She had a completely blessed life with a perfect
family and a loving Husband.
Soon, everybody left for their own work and Hameeda accompanied Jodha to her room. Hameeda asked Jodha to rest and if she needs anything, she better call her anytime.
Jodha gave her a hug and smile. Hameeda left her room. Jodha felt so divine in her own room. The room reminded her of all the lovely moments that she and her Shahenshah had spent.
She saw his portrait on the wall and asked him - Its been only few hours since you left..and I am terribly missing you.. She made a puppy face and asked again..Are you listening to me?
I need you Shahenshah..Come na..please.. I am waiting for you.. Its feels so lonely without you.. (She was really sad..but she soon smiled when she realised that he was with her only..
in her tummy..She smiled to herself)..
As the afternoon headed ahead, Jodha was sleepy. She definitely needed some rest. She laid down on her bed, and within a few minutes, she dozed off.
The security outside their room was more than tight and full-proof. Even Hameeda Bano visited her room often to check upon her condition.
Soon the afternoon passed by calmly.
****
Ruqaiya was restless the whole day. She had been waiting for late night, when she would put her plan to implementation. Jodha was unbearable to her. " No punishment but Death serves Jodha the best " muttered Ruqaiya to herself.
Ruqaiya had been anxiously waiting and she was so happy that finally, Jalal was not in the palace.
She would easily kill Jodha and no-one would blame her, as she would leave no clue behind. Moreover, She had the permission to be with Jodha anytime, as Jalal himself had agreed to this.
She took out the dagger from her cupboard and hid it in her dress in such a way that it was not visible.
***
As the late night arrived, Jodha and Hameeda had their dinner together. Both talked their hearts out to each other and after dinner, Hameeda blessed her bahu.
She wanted to be in her room for Jodha's safety, but she knew, the security was tight enough and that Jodha needed her own space as well. So she left the room.
Finally, Jodha was resting on the bed. The night was darker than usual. She could feel the restlessness. Something was wrong, she could feel.
Jodha got up and looked at the fiery wind which was blowing in and out of their room's window. She saw the portrait on the wall moving to and fro with faster pace, due to the wind.
She was alarmed. The portrait was about to fall, when Jodha ran to it and caught it before it could fall and break. She was relieved, but was that a hint?
She was terrified. She always had this fear, whenever he was away. She was worried for him..Her forehead and palms were sweating like hell.
"Kahin ye koi ashubh sanket to nahi hai?"..She was blabbering with fear... She held his photo close to her heart..and hugged it..!!
"Shahenshah..hum abhi aapse milna chahte hain..jaldi wapas aa jaiye na.." She knew it was not a war he had gone to fight, but the political meetings were no lesser.
She immediately went to the Kanha temple in her room and sat in front of him. She was so scared and worried at this moment. She kept his portrait in the temple, beside Kanha's idol.
She joined her hands and started praying for his wellness and success. She wanted to see him as soon as possible.
***
Ruqaiya moved out of her room with the dagger hidden in her dress. She could already feel the darkness and she felt so happy to experience this wicked atmosphere.
The climate seemed to support her. She headed for her destination with wicked smile on her face.
As soon as she reached their room, the guards stopped her. Ruqaiya was so furious at first, but within a second, she calmed down.
She said with pride - Dont you know I am the Begum-e-Khaas of Shahenshah..How dare you stop me from entering his room?
Guards with their heads bowed down - We are sorry Begum Ruqaiya but Shahenshah has ordered us to not allow anyone except Mariam-makani to enter into their room..We are extremely sorry.
We have been given strict orders regarding the safety of Mallika-e-Hind!
Ruqaiya with a frowning tone - SHahenshah has himself asked me to stay with Jodha Begum, when he's away..you get that! You cannot stop me!
With this, She straight went into the room, leaving upset and shocked guards outside..
Ruqaiya entered into the room, which once she thought, was all made for her. She had dreamt of staying in it forever..with her Jalal. She smiled to herself. How she had wished to spend whole of her life in his
chamber..!
But as soon as She saw Jodha sitting in front of Kanha, all her dreams shattered within a second, and she was back to reality. She was so angry. her eyes tearing up with the insults she had gone through
because of this Jodha.. She clutched the dagger in her hand.. She wiped of her tears and went near Jodha..
Jodha was surprised to see Ruqaiya in her room at this point of time.. Jodha wiped off her tears and sweat and smiled to her..
Ruqaiya too smiled.. Ruqaiya - Kya hua Jodha begum..bahut pareshan dikh rahi hain..
Jodha - Kuch nahi Begum Ruqaiya..bas aise hi Shahenshah ki safalta ki kaamna kar rahe the..aap bataiye..aap is waqt yahan..
Ruqaiya pretended further.. - Jee.. hum soch rahe the..ki Jalal to yahan nahi hain..lekin unka ansh to yahan haina..bas isi ki dekhbhaal karne aa gaye..
Jodha was so happy to hear that from her.. She finished her prayers and stood up.. Ruqaiya supported her in getting up.
Ruqaiya asked Jodha to rest, while she would go and close the door. Jodha agreed.
Where Jodha moved towards the bed, Ruqaiya went and closed the door.
Jodha was about to sit down on bed, when Ruqaiya came and pushed her. Jodha straight fell on the bed with a thud.
Jodha was EXTREMELY SHOCKED.. What happened suddenly? Her mind was not even ready to comprehend the things..
Jodha gave a little cry and got up again.. SHe looked at Ruqaiya whose eyes were red with anger..
Jodha with a furious tone - Ye kya badtameezi hai Ruqaiya Begum..
Ruqaiya gave out a psychotic laughter and took out the sharp dagger from her dress.. Jodha was dumbstruck and numbed to see the dagger in her hands..
She could not believe, that Ruqaiya was doing all this.. A tear of shock rolled down Jodha's eyes..
Ruqaiya looked at Jodha with killer eyes..whereas Jodha looked furious yet helpless..
Thats all for this chap..Leaving at a cliff-hanger is so pleasurable!!! šš
I wont say I'll update soon because that I say, when I take atleast a week to update..
I am gonna update tomorrow..Because I wont keep you all in much suspense!!
Please do leave your review and Hit Likes.. šš³
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