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JALAL-JODHA
OMG! Them tying the holy thread around the tree and then reminiscing the Ajmer Sharif trip as they did so was beautiful a sight as could be. Once they'd finished with the holy gesture, Jalal prays a smile 'Please let this journey of mine that's just started with Jodha Begum never come to an end'
'Let all of Shehenshah's wishes come true!' she wishes for him
How different was this mannat-maanging session when compared to their previous one! How long they've come!
Though at the outset it seemed like Jalal was the ever-curious mischief-monger who couldn't stop himself from asking Jodha what she'd asked for, Jodha's behaviour thereafter showed she was no less!
'You know you're not supposed to say what one's wished for...' she retorts when he questions her 'Yet, you keep asking!'
'If I tell you what I'd asked for, would you tell me' (This actually looked like something two young teenagers in love would say to one another - but, it did not look out of place at all..because, don't they say - we all become a bit of a child when in love😆!)
She needed to weasel her way out of this, so she replies with a naughty smile 'You don't need to say that because I already know what's on the Shehenshah's mind!'
'You do?' he asks with an embarrassed smile
She shrugs impishly!
'You really do?' he asks again
She blushes a bit more, nearly biting the end of her dupatta - like many an adorable village-belle would do - and then scoots off before he could interrogate her any more with those captivating eyes of his!
My God! Jalal's smiles through were different versions of 'If only's
'If only I really knew that you know for certain what's on my mind...'
'If only you'd stop squirming your way out of the truth and tell me what's on yours...'
'If only, I was right...'
It's painful and sweet at the same time - to see that two so-in-love people are unable to open up freely. What Jodha hinted and what Jalal stated was as close to an open confession as one could get - and yet there lurks that air of uncertainty between them!
JALAL-JODHA-RUQAIYYA
Jalal and Jodha were at their charming most - when, the shocking face-to-face meeting with Ruqaiyya takes place!
Jalal's displeasure on watching Ruqaiyya there was evident - the reasons for it being many -
He is more-than-aware that she's come there purely to keep an eye on the growing closeness between Jalal and Jodha. Besides, he didn't look like he was in mood to put up with any further tantrums!
He was enjoying the raw realism, the spirituality and the serenity this trip had to offer him - something he knew would not continue if Ruqaiyya put her foot down and tried to get her way.
As a husband sandwiched between two wives, he obviously did not want to play 'peacemaker' when he'd set out on this trip to seek peace!
Nevertheless; as a good friend would do, he did what he needed to - gave her her choices.
He didn't impose his restrictions on Ruqaiyya - but, at the same time - he was not going to bend his rules for her. It was a pleasure to watch Jalal in this scene! This man would know how to keep his relations happy if he could compartmentalize and preference them this way...
On another note, Jodha was so graceful in letting Jalal and Ruqaiyya have their private word! It is these littler bits that the man has noticed about her nature and grown to admire.
In the following segment,
Ruqaiyya's whining - if she'd shown her royal tantrums while NOT dragging Jodha in every line, it would have made for pleasurable viewing. After all, it is quite understandable that a woman who's used to the frills and fancies of the palace is not going to get used to commoner every day living modes. However, since her prime aim seemed to be putting Jodha down, it got quite jarring by the end of it
Yet, I am overall happy - seeing how Ruqaiyya didn't get her way of making Shehenshah give up his commoner besh and re-adorn the shaahi libaas. (I'd assumed she'd do something of the sort and instead, she had to choose the commoner outfit to join them on the trip!)
As it stands, the two love birds don't seem to mind her presence - they're following the 'Nothing's gonna stop em now' motto in every action/word and glance!😆
'Ruqaiyya' Jalal and Jodha's joint actions say 'We know you have an issue with us having set out alone, but we have no problem with you joining us...however, since we've been enjoying this entire trip as is, we're not going to change it for the sake of your tantrums!'
JALAL-RUQAIYYA
'Don't you think we should have brought a and then maybe b and possibly c' she asks him like a whiny wife (which I actually found quite amusing, but Jalal did not!)
'And maybe d and then some e and f, g, h, i, j too!' he completes her statement.
I laughed out loud at this bit!
Additionally, like Ruqaiyya wasn't jealous enough already, Jalal seems to calmly reason with the queen - citing Jodha's example at every go.
Watching the two women at the chulla only strengthens his impressions of the two - Jodha and Ruqaiyya are vastly different in their mindsets!
JALAL-RUQ-JODHA
I was so glad that Jodha didn't attempt a mahaan karya of eating the burnt roti and giving the other two fresher food (like most other serial heroines would). Instead, she makes Ruqaiyya see that the Emperor values her sacrifices and her love just as much - and he does!
One would think after such lessons, Ruqaiyya would gain some form of empathy for the fellow-queen, but alas! The last scene left a lot to be desired where her characterization was concerned.
As rightly mentioned in the forum, her attempts to humiliate Jodha are only making Jalal's heart grow closer to Jodha day by day!
At the same time, I was also glad that Jodha WAS NOT happy when she mentioned to the Shehenshah that 'She liked to sleep outside in the open, so she'd sleep there!'
She didn't want to make an issue of it, but she was not happy! 😃
My take -
While there was no Todarmal or Jaziya tax or action stunts to grace the episode today - we had another important aspect - Jalal coming to face with the different nature of his two queens and the manner in which he handled the issue!
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
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