SS:'Because I Don't Actually Hate Him!'Pt13-SR+Epilogue - Page 14

The Same Morning

In The Arena

Jodha walked along and stopped in the arena. She could clearly see Jalal. The sweat clad figure fighting with a menacing look was hard to miss. She looked on as the Emperor fought hard with his opponent. Poor opponent, she thought with a dry smile. It was nearly impossible to fight with Jalal, a fact she knew by personal experience. Not once, she had fought with him twice. And both times were quite memorable for her to blush every time the queen even thought about it.

She continued gazing at her husband and all her inhibitions prior to her visit to the arena vanished as something else took over. A mellow, a pleasing feeling, something she couldn't quite put her finger on. His eyes. Those dark, expressive eyes. Anyone could drown in those huge oceans of emotions. What his lips seldom spoke, his eyes gave away. Those innumerable memories when Jodha had to struggle and struggle hard NOT to melt in those eyes, came rushing back to her till her cheeks turned red.

Those days when the expression in his eyes was unreadable; they spoke volumes to her only she never understood what they did speak. Anger or Admiration? Hatred or Passion? Apathy or Concern? Care or Madness? She could never make out. The only thing that Jodha was aware of was that they made her go weak in her knees. If not for her steely resolve, Jalal would have long possessed her! Now too, his eyes exhibited a myriad emotions. Joy, vindictiveness, playfulness, hunger for victory, anger and what not.

Jodha inhaled deeply. It was a long time now that she had gratified her senses. She continued eyeing him as Jalal fought as if for life, his face stained with the fruits of his labours, water dripping down from his hair, brows constricted in concentration, right hand gripping his 'lady love'', as he called it fondly. His whole persona was breathtaking! She would have captured that moment and made it last till her last breath if she could have.

A teasing smile crept to her lips as she remembered a long forgotten memory when SHE was at the receiving end of Jalal's unbeatable torments.

On the other hand, Jalal too, remembered the same event while in combat...

He wasn't particularly having any fun today. Yes, the usual amount of energy and enthusiasm always crept into play but there was nothing to look forward to. He already knew he was winning this duel. The soldier, his opponent, was skilled with the sword but he could manage that well enough. No, he wasn't being over confident, he justified, he was merely being realistic. There, there. That was one utterly bad move. Inept soldier, he chided him. No one tries an attack with that offensive swing of the opponent. This man did just that. You have to defend then surprise the attacker with an unexpected move.

There was just one other person, Jalal was thoroughly impressed with when it came to wielding the sword with accuracy and precision, apart from Khan Baba, of course. Now, this person, was unimaginably swift presumably because of her dainty figure and also unpredictable, owing to the fact that she belonged to that sex which she did. JODHA. The name brought with it innumerable memories and also a very broad grin.

Presently, he was angry with her. He hated her to be honest. Yet, one cannot ignore someone's talents, the Emperor reasoned with himself. Jodha and a one on one combat together triggered a chain of memories. Oh! How he had enjoyed that duel. That had been a guaranteed one. He knew who was going to win. Still, more than the victory, the match itself was a very delightful one. He recollected his actions just before the duel. Vindictive. Pleased. Excited. Impatient.

Sometime Ago

At Dawn

In The Arena

Jalal was impatiently waiting for Jodha. He knew it wasn't time yet. The sun hadn't risen above the horizon. Still, he couldn't wait to carry out his plan. This time, she would lose it. He smirked evilly. His Theeki Mirchi had guessed something was up his sleeve. And that something wasn't particularly favourable to her and she WOULD have prepared herself for it. But what exactly would she prepare herself for? Grinning from eye to eye, he imagined what her reaction would be. Stunned. Helpless. Breath taken?

No, THAT was a little too much. She would have been awestruck, SHOULD have been awestruck many a time before, only he couldn't get past the shield of control that Jodha Begum covered herself in all the time. Never had the mask come off. And, today Jalal was determined to get past that faade. Yes, he knew it was a facade. He knew himself well enough. He knew his capabilities. He knew it was impossible not to be affected by Jalaluddin Mohammad. No. It was confidence. Not over confidence.

A gentle breeze was blowing as the sun rose in the horizon. A bright red colour, it was, the weather cool and pleasant, just right to hum one's favourite tune. Jalal's favourite music had been the clank of metal against metal since time immemorial. Nothing rejuvenated him more than a duel of "Shamsheerbazi" and love making with his lady love, his Shamsheer. Sounds strange, but Jalaluddin Mohammad was born and brought up in such cruelty and barbarism that now it was his second name. He was called Jallad by his people, friends and foes alike. Only, a tinge of joy coursed through him when she called him Jallad. A kind of vindictive pleasure that he had gotten on her nerves.

But where was she? The sun was up. She should have been here. Why is she late? So like her to keep others waiting, thought Jalal. He turned around in irritation only to find Jodha resplendent in her pearl white anarkali, with a sword in her hand and her head covered with the dupatta that also covered her mouth. Only her eyes were in full display and with them came the resolute expression in her eyes. Determined, stern, serious yet had a tinge of playfulness in them. Oh! How adorable she was!

"Assalaam Waleikum, Jodha Begum." With the characteristic Adaap', he greeted her. 'Pranam Shehenshah." "You are late, Jodha Begum. I said just after sunrise. Look, the sun is well above the horizon. Jodha stared dumbfounded at the obvious lie. She was ON time. The sun had just risen and she countered, "No. Shehenshah. I am not late. I am punctual as always. You were before time which is not my fault, is it?"

"Let us not waste any more time and start the match. Are you ready? You look quite nervous. Don't worry Jodha Begum. Jalaluddin Mohammad always fights fair and square."

"I think you are being flattered unnecessarily and excessively. I have no reason to be afraid or nervous. I am confident that I will perform well today. Can we start without further ado?" "No. Wait." With a clap of his hands, Jalal summoned a bandhi and ordered for water. He splashed the water all over his face. Water droplets dripping from his face and hair, he ran his fingers through his hair smoothening them and turned back to face Jodha.

She displayed no emotion indeed but the observant in Jalal noticed the way she tightened her grasp on the hilt of her talwaar'. He smirked. "Shehenshah, can we start?" Her hurry and impatience to begin conveyed the effect he had on her. Women drooled over him. All his begums vied for his attention because he was that charming and handsome. He could hold a woman captivated as long as he wished with little effort from his side. To top it all, his wet look could get a woman weak in her knees and Jodha Begum too was a woman with ungratified senses, she too had her own desires and he knew this.

"Actually Jodha Begum, it is quite pleasant and cool, but somehow, I am still feeling quite warm. Are you feeling the same?" Jodha gave him a dubious look. "No. I think the weather is perfect. Maybe you are too cold from within and so are feeling warm on the exterior." She sternly replied. She was clearly not liking the direction all of his antics were taking.

Something was definitely not right. Why was Shehenshah doing all of this? Is it got to do with the revenge? But, how can that be related to this? I somehow cannot let him win this duel. He would mock me for a long time to come. He would not waste a single opportunity to remind me about the defeat. I have to win this. "Jodha, concentrate. You have to defeat him. Do not let him distract you."

Jodha slowly opened her eyes determined to be determined only to stare in shock and disbelief at her husband slowly untying his jama. Wait, what is he doing? As the bandhi helped him out of it, and he handed it over to her along with the rings on his fingers, Jodha stared on. She openly and shamelessly checked him out. His chiseled body, well-built figure, muscular arms, he stood there almost as if Kama personified on earth.

She could not take his eyes off him though she tried very hard to do so. Jodha had seen him many a time before in his ... well, half naked form but then she had always camouflaged the sensations she felt, and how well she had done that! With a sharp intake of her breaths, she tried looking away but in vain. She was breathing quite heavily now; heavy enough for Jalal to know the game was half won.

Will be continued soon.

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