AKDHA FF: 'No Name To My Desire' THRD 6-chap 24(24 Aug)

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INDEX

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TREAD ONE

FOR Chap 1-6 >>>> CLICK HERE

TREAD TWO

FOR Chap 7-10 >>>> CLICK HERE

TREAD THREE

FOR Chap 11-12 (Part 3) >>>> CLICK HERE

TREAD FOUR

Chap 13-17 >>>> CLICK HERE

TREAD FIVE

Chap 18-20 >>>> CLICK HERE

TREAD SIX

Chap 21-24 (Scroll down)

MUMBAI
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A cavalcade of four luxurious sedan crawled inside the boundaries of a seaside bungalow in Juhu. All four cars stopped under the portico. A lady attendant hurriedly came forward to a particular one and opened its gate for the person inside.

All habitants, more precisely the attendants of this IMPERIAL property were informed beforehand of the arrival of a very important guest ...who was needed to be taken care of with utmost caution. And from her arrival to her stay ...everything was ordered to be kept highly confidential. Hence, post that order all were in attention mode. Only thing they had no idea was...who the guest was.

Jodha slowly came out of the car. She gave the palatial house a quick glance, and then dragged her gaze down at the very next moment. What would have been a matter of delight for others was the reason of disgust for her.

Jodha has always lived a simple life...not that she chose to but that's what her fate made her go through. But she never complained. In fact she learnt to fight her own battles, conquer her own enemies. That's how she had been living TILL NOW. But this latest turn in her life, changed everything. From now on she would have to live in IMPERIAL property...she would have to travel in designated cars...she would always be surrounded by a number of security men whenever she would step out of home. For others it was safety, but for Jodha it was irreversible imprisonment...the last thing she wished for in life.

'Welcome to IMPERIAL Maam! Am Zakira, your personal attendant,' uttered the lady to Jodha who was still lost in her own thoughts. Zakira's words brought her back to present. She looked at her and nodded in affirmation. They proceeded inside the house. Security men took position outside.

Both the ladies entered the living room. Exotic carpet, mehagini furniture, expensive artefacts...everything in this huge room was bearing the mark of royalty and class. But Jodha hardly had interest in any of this. It only keeps her reminding...how unfairly...money extends advantages to the riches.

'Maam...would you like to take a tour of the house?' Zakira thought the guest might like it. But Jodha returned it as it came. 'Nope. I am a bit tired...can you show me the room I am supposed to stay?'

'Yup. Sure. Come with me please.' Zakira took Jodha to the room that had specially been ready for her.

'This is your bedroom Maam,' uttered Zakira as they entered a huge room with a centre bed. It was the largest in the house. Large glass windows were covered with expensive curtains...exotic art pieces were placed in a carefully scattered manner. The cream white interior was complementing the majestic appearance of the room. Jodha had never come across such a huge, gigantic room in her mortal life. It had two seating arrangements. One near entrance and the other near bed. There was a separate study area, a small tea table and even a small fountain inside the rooms!!! But the icing on the cake was obviously the bed -- round plush one, placed at the centre of the room, veiled by cream white net curtains. For the last few hours Zakira put in all her efforts to make this room look special. She was confident that whoever come to live in, would fall in love with it. She was actually counting down to hear praise for it but what she got was odd enough to make her suspicious about the guest.

'Can you arrange another room for me? I mean it's nice but it's too big for a single human being to feel ease at.' Jodha's words made Zakira's jaw dropped in surprise...how on earth can one refuse this!!!

'Aaa,' Zakira fumbled for the right word, as she didn't know what exactly she was supposed to say in reply to such a strange request. But she had to...hence she tried to put the best reason forward, 'Maam actually there is a security reason behind this. From every aspect, this room is the most secured one in this entire house...that's why it has been arranged for you.' Here Zakira paused for few seconds. Then she took a deep breath and uttered the most important part of her speech, 'and Maam...Chote Sarkar has specifically ordered to make you stay in this room. I am sorry to say but there is hardly anything we can do about it.'

It wasn't rocket science for Jodha to understand who this Chote Sarkar was. Nor she needed any explanation regarding such an order. So, she decided to take it as it came. 'Alright then but my luggage is yet to come so', before Jodha could end Zakira took the cue. 'Don't worry Maam. I have got some dresses for you. I was informed you might need them so I arranged...they are in the closet. You can freshen up, I will just go and check whether the lunch is ready or not. And if you need anything in the meantime, dial 300 from any of the intercoms. This will take your call to me.'

Having done with her briefing, Zakira left. This made Jodha all alone in the room. She felt as if she has been transported to some strange land, unknown to her, unfamiliar to her. None of its belongings had any kind of relation to her. She felt alien among them. More precisely...she felt lost among them. But she had no other way but to accept what came to her...the way it came to her.

Jodha brushed aside her troubling thoughts and decided to focus in the present...as every passing second was making her more and more exhausted. She needed a bath terribly.

It took a lot for Jodha to adjust herself in that bathroom. From Turkish bath to hot spring tub, she almost struggled to get an ordinary wash. After finishing her battle she wrapped herself under a bathrobe and stepped inside the dresser, a place...adjacent to the bathroom... behind the sliding glass door. It had the cupboards and mirrors. Remembering Zakira's words, Jodha hesitantly opened one closet. It was filled with numerous expensive dresses, mostly Indian. But Jodha wasn't used to wearing such heavy ones. Hence she tripped through them to zero on a comparatively simple one. It was a sea green salwar suit.


Later in the afternoon...

'Maam your car is ready. Will you leave now?' asked Zakira.
'Yes. But there is a problem. I don't know where the school exactly is' Jodha expressed her concern.

'It's ok Maam. You don't need to worry about that. We have designated persons to take care of all these.' Zakira answered with a convincing smile.
'All right then. Let's go.' With this Jodha left for a short journey to meet her son.

Half an hour later...

Days without her jigar ka tukra were like ages to Jodha. How she prayed them to end! How she craved to see his face! How she craved to take him to heart! So much so that she even let Jalal have his way, only to be near her son, near her Rico. But Jodha knew this won't end here. With Jalal at the helm of it, it surely can't here. She knew she would have to pay hefty amount of price for it sooner or later. She had that faith on Jalal!!!

After few turns Jodha's cavalcade finally reached Rico's school. Cars stopped in front of the main gate. An all eager Jodha quickly grabbed the door handle of car to open it. But it was Rashid's voice that interrupted her action. 'Please don't open the door Begum Sahiba. This place is yet to be secured. I would rather request you to stay inside and let us bring Salim to you.' Concluding it here Rashid waited for Jodha's order. But the person, who was supposed to give him direction, herself felt quite directionless at his words.

Jodha never imagined...doing such a simple thing, living up to such simple wish can be so difficult. She couldn't even think in her wildest dreams that she would have to go through security measures to meet her own son while she can just run to him and take him in her arms. She couldn't hold her annoyance back and uttered, 'Why is it needed? I mean I can just go inside and meet him.'

'No Begum Sahiba you can't. We don't know whether this place is secure or not. We cannot let you out here. We are really sorry for that.'

With Rashid's reply...Jodha was sure that whatever logic she may come up with, it was bound to end in failure. Hence she decided to not carry on with her efforts. 'Fine...then go and bring him to me.'

Putting a lid on her motherly wishes Jodha leaned back on the seat and watched Rashid enter the school premises. Within next few minutes her son will be with her...her heart will be at its place again. She had been waiting for this since long. Jodha knew Rico too will be very happy to see her...he will be very happy to know that from now on his mom will live close to him. After all that's what he was wishing for since he has come to Mumbai. Lil master will be more than happy to find his wish fulfilled.

Jodha's eagerness to meet her son was increasing with every passing second. Prolonging the wait was making her more and more impatient. So much so that...if she had to wait for another couple of minutes ...she would have surely shoed the protocol and walked up to her son. But fortunately that situation never arise.

'Mamma'.

This much was enough to call all of Jodha's senses together...her gaze flew out of the window. It was Rico ...running towards the car.

The sight of her ladla spread a light through Jodha...as if after spending a fortnight of draught somebody just arrived at the sight of water. She felt like jumping out of the car and run to him ... showering all her love on her beloved right there. But seeing Rashid's presence she restrained her emotions somehow and waited for him to arrive.

'mamma aap kaha thi...where have you been mom...I missed you so much...' Rico uttered all in one go before hugging her mother tight.

Jodha too took her son in her arms and pulled him onto her lap. She held him tight... really tight. As if loosening her grip would end up losing her son. The pain she endured for last couple of days was something she didn't want to revisit in her life. If god would have appeared to her now and asked for her one wish ...she would invariably have asked for her son's company...all her life.

'I love you mom', Rico placed a kiss on her cheek and smiled to her. This little gesture from her son filled Jodha's heart with bliss...what else she could have asked for. This single moment made her realise, what she was missing. She was missing her life.

'Mom...you will stay with us na?' Rico asked innocently, without knowing how much this lil question meant to his mother.
'Rico...actually...aaa,' Jodha was trying hard to gather some plausible logic before her son.
'Mom...aap mere paas rahenge na?' lil master was growing a bit impatient at his mother's silence.
'Beta...there is something...' Jodha tried to put forward her first logic but failed miserably. 'No...I don't want to hear anything. You will have to stay with me.' Rico shouted stubbornly. This made Rashid, who was sitting in front seat of the car, look back. Then only Jodha realized that they actually had an audience.

After few minutes...

Jodha's cavalcade was speeding towards her house...the place she was staying presently. She had her son, her Rico in her arms...close to her heart.

Evaluating the present scenario...she thought it was best to stop the argument as of now and take Rico with her. So she did. In fact It would allow Jodha to have some time in hand to prepare a proper logic, she needed to convince her son. But before taking Rico with her, there was a task she needed to accomplish. Call Jalal.

Jodha picked out the phone from her handbag. She was given this new phone as she had lost hers during scuffle with the goons in Kolkata. Jodha dialled the number and took it to her ears. After several rounds of ringing... the person concerned picked up the call.

'Yes sweetheart.'

This single line from Jalal shot a dozen round of disgust through Jodha's veins. She felt like slapping him hard for the second time in last 24 hours. But the presence of Rashid and Rico didn't even let her vent her anger over phone. She suppressed it somehow and uttered between her teeth, 'am taking Rico with me...he will stay with me tonight.'
'But he can't sleep without hugging his dad...shall I come too then?'
Jodha could almost visualise his smirk, while uttering this cheesy line. This enraged her further. 'He comfortably sleeps with his mother...he always does. I don't think we need anybody else.'
'Jo hukm Begum Sahiba...' before Jalal could go any further Jodha snapped the call. She had enough for one day!!!

Late at night...

Jodha checked the duvet that was covering Rico, for final time. This duvet wasn't needed if Rico wouldn't have forced to turn on AC. This was one of the many changes Jodha noticed in her son... giving orders to servants for each and every little thing, some of whom he could easily accomplish himself...choices for food as well as for what to wear at night. Jodha got her son back but with some alternation...courtesy Jalal off course.

Jodha placed a soft kiss on the forehead of sleeping Rico and walked out of the room. In the living, she found Zakira arranging the shelves. Looking at her, Jodha remembered something from that afternoon, which brought a mild line of smile on her bow shaped lips.

Ever since Jodha returned with Rico, Zakira was eyeing them with suspicion. Just like others she knew about Salim and she knew that Jodha will visit Salim for some reason. But she got the shock of her life when she saw Salim referring Jodha as his mother. Ever since then Zakira was all confused, the only thing boggling her mind was...'what the hell is this all about!'

This state of Zakira didn't go unnoticed by Jodha as well. She knew what Zakira wanted to know...in fact for the first time Jodha herself didn't want to hide it at all. Because she knew...she won't be able to keep it safe from Zakira for a long time. With Salim frequenting her...things were bound to come out. Then why not by Jodha herself.

'Zakira...do you want to ask me something? Is there anything you need to know from me?' Jodha asked very diplomatically. Zakira at first hesitated a bit, knowing not what exactly to say. After a brief lull she began, 'yes I have some questions...but I don't have the authority to ask...you.'
'What if I give you the permission to ask?' Jodha uttered with a smile.
'Then how can I let your permission go waste.' with this both of them broke into giggles.

After some time...

'That means you are Chote Sarkar's wife!!! That means you are our Begum Sahiba!!! Yah Khuda!!!' Zakira couldn't believe what her ears just got. She couldn't believe she was sitting in front of Mrs Jalaluddin Mohammad. This finding only raised her appetite for more.

'But why is it hidden from the world? If we can know the heir...then what's wrong in knowing the mother of the heir?'

'Well...there are some complications...but I think you can manage with what you have got.' With this Jodha gave her a closure look. Indicating...'that's all I have got for you.' It didn't take much for Zakira to understand what she meant. Hence she drew back immediately. Not that her queries were satisfied, but she was well trained to stay within her limits. 'All right Begum Sahiba...Zakira will never ask for more than that.'

'Zakira next time you are going to call me Begum Sahiba...I am surely going to kill you. Am I clear?' Jodha made her point loud and out.
'Yes maam...it's clear.' Zakira abided by that.
'Good...now go to sleep. Subah Rico ka school hai.' Jodha left the place to reach her bedroom...leaving a confused Zakira behind to wonder...'what could be the reason behind such a strange tie!'

Jodha slipped under the duvet...careful enough not to disturb her son's slumber. She relaxed her tired body on the bed...though sleep was still far away from her eyes. Jodha closed her eyes and tried to bring some rest to her mind. But she couldn't. It was her phone that broke the silence this time. Before its ringtone could awake Rico, Jodha quickly grabbed the phone and put it on silent mode. Then she looked at the screen to find out the caller.

A breath of relief ran across Jodha's face. Without wasting any more time she answered the call, 'Ammijan!!! Where have you been!!! I needed you so much!!! I missed you so...' she couldn't continue as her voiced got chocked by a sudden rush of emotion. It didn't go unnoticed by her Ammijan as well. 'Don't cry beta...hum agaye hai na...nothing to worry about now...but first you tell me...why have you given Salim to Jalal? Adgah Sahab told me Salim is staying with Jalal nowadays...why??? How can you just...put your arms down like this...after such a long run battle?'

'I didn't put my arms down Ammijan...I had to surrender...to save the cause I was fighting for...' Jodha summed up her situation in just one line in a subdued voice.

'Hmm...what is it? Tell me in detail.' Hamida Banu wanted to know what exactly bothered her beti so much ...what made her take such a radical decision. Jodha didn't disappoint her either. She opened her heart before her Ammijan. Told her everything...from her shock to her sorrow, from her helplessness to her sacrifice...and last but not least...their marriage.

'What!!! You got married to him! Are you mad or what! How can you just...marry him...you know how much...you know what his intentions are...now am sure, this all must have been framed by Jalal...framed to bind you with himself.' Immense rage could be sensed in Hamida Banu's voice. She was damn sure...Jalal planted this all to get to Jodha...nothing else.

'But Ammijan...he promised he will never...' Jodha couldn't complete what she began. 'HE PROMISED!!! Jodha how can you trust him! How can you trust his promise?' Here Hamida Banu stopped for some moment, maybe to recollect something...then began in a low voice, 'I know my son...he never does anything without a purpose...and I fear this time too he has something in mind.'

'I know Ammijan...the last thing I can do in my life is to trust that man. But I...' here little moistness could be sensed in Jodha's voice...'I...I couldn't have kept Rico safe with me Ammijan...I had to...I had to give him my son. Maybe he knew...I won't be able to stay away if he has Rico...maybe...he framed it...maybe he not...but I really didn't have the option to not go by his words. I couldn't say no to him for the sake of my son's safety.' Jodha poured her heart to her Ammijan, hoping she could understand her state of mind...a mother's state of mind. In fact Hamida Banu didn't fail her as well.

'Hmm...I can understand... ', after a little pause Hamida Banu asked, 'you are not in Kolkata right?'
'No, I have come to Mumbai...' here Jodha paused for a few second...to decide, whether she should tell her about the incident, which compelled her to come to Mumbai, or not. After quickly weighing the possible outcomes ...finally Jodha decided to bypass it. 'I have come to Mumbai...to meet Rico.'

'Ohh...Jalal pareshan toh nehi kar raha?'

'Not yet'.
'Good. If he tries to intimidate you...give me a call then and there. I'll handle the rest. Waise Mera pota kaisa hai? Apni dadijaan ko yaad karta hai?'
'Aaj pooch raha tha...when will my dadijaan come to meet me?'
'Tell him...as soon as I get the green signal to travel...I will fly to him...'

'Aapki tabiyat kaisi hai ammijan?'

'Operation successful tha. Aaj mobile allow kia. Will be discharged by next week I guess. Then one month rest...uske baad...I will be allowed to travel.'
'Take care of yourself...if not for you then do it for me and Rico.'

'Yes beta...how can I not...after all abhi poteke liye dulhaniya dhundna hai...uska nikah karwana hai...so many things left to do.'
'Don't worry...u won't have to take that much effort. Aapka pota hai...dulhaniya khud dhundke layega...or may be ...shayad uthake laye...' a mild laugh escaped Jodha's lips...though she didn't want it consciously.
'Hmm...you are teasing me right? Marium Makkani ki shaan me gustakhi!!!...chalo koyee baat nehi...haq banta hai tumhara...' with this Hamida Banu broke into a genuine laughter. Jodha joined her as well. Finally a mind wrenching day ended in a light note. Well that was not an exception. With these two together, life always seemed hurdle free. However challenging the situation might be, together they consolidate the nerve to fight through it...just as they did when these two met for the first time. The day when the mother of Jalaluddin Mohammad met the desire of Jalauddin Mohammad...that too in a strange situation.

PRECAP: Reciting the past

Flash back continues...

Both were in hospital bed, fighting their odds. In a way both were responsible for each other's condition. Jodha was in such a torn state only because of Jalal and his torment. On the other hand Jalal's accident was directly linked with Jodha.

After finishing his work in Delhi, when Jalal was gearing up for his return to Shimla, he got a call from the attendant. She informed him of Jodha's going out and not returning till evening. It didn't even take a second for Jalal to understand...Jodha tricked the attendant to flee the place. Now the major worry he had was...where did she go! Jalal knew...health-wise she was not in a good condition...mentally...even worse.

Jalal actually had planned to return to Jodha and be with her for a couple of days to make her understand his feelings. Then he was supposed to take her to Mumbai and prepare for marriage.

But everything turned upside down with the news of Jodha missing. This time more than his love getting away from him, what appalled Jalal more was the wellbeing of his love. He wanted to reach the guest house as soon as possible and start looking for Jodha.

It was this hurry which led Jalal to such a catastrophe. He was driving on the curvy roads of Shimla when his car rammed into another one coming from opposite direction. He was too immersed in his thoughts to even realise when the car came in front of him. His distraction caused him the biggest loss of his life.

Jalal was lying in the hospital bed for weeks. By then the doctors had confirmed...he was in coma. No movement...no response. Only faint signs of breathing could be traced. Entire Mughal family gathered at the hospital to stand by their king...to pray for him. Some of them prayed for him genuinely, some acted to. But things weren't improving much. Doctors from around the world were flown in to treat Jalal but none could bring him out of this vegetative state. Everything seemed useless. As a result...things were getting more critical with every passing moment. Every failed attempt by the doctors was plunging Hamida Banu more into the darkness of lost hope...though the worst was yet to come.

Few minutes later...In doctor's cabin...

'What is it doctor? Is there anything serious about Jalal? Woh thik to hojayega na?' asked a worried Hamida Banu as she rushed into the doctor's cabin. She was sitting outside Jalal's room when the doc called her to his cabin. This call itself was enough to give her a heart attack. She knew if things would have been less important, the doc would have talked about it in the corridor itself...just as they were doing for the last couple of weeks. They never needed to talk in private. Hence this call sent a fear down Hamida's spine...'is everything ok with my son'.

'Is there anything to worry about doctor?' Hamida asked again. This time a slight presence of moist could be traced in her voice.

She was slowly preparing her mind to hear something...something which may not sound good to her ears, which may not taste sweet to devour. But what finally came was much beyond her imagination. It was something she never thought she would have to bear with in her life, ever.

'Please be seated Begum Sahiba...' the doc stood up from his chair and offered Hamida. But the Begum Sahiba was hardly in a mood to even bother about these formalities. She hurled her queries again, this time on a higher pitch. 'Tell me what's wrong with my son!!!'

'Maam...aap shant ho jaiye...aap...'

'Tell me...NOW!' Hamida Banu delivered the ultimatum here.

'Maam...there is a problem.'

'What is it?'

'Sir...'

'Kya hua mere beteko?'

'Maam...actually unhe kuch hua nehi hai...but there is a complication.'

'Kya baat hai, jaldi bataiye...'

'Maam...actually Sir's scrotum has been badly damaged in the accident. I fear he won't be able to become father...ever.' With this the doc paused to gauge the reaction of the listener. And just as he thought...she was completely lost.

'You are kidding right?' Hamida couldn't trust her own ears. How can she! Jalal was not even married...so there was no question of him having any child. And if he can't have any kid in future also...that means...this would be the end of Mughal bloodline...Jalal would be the last Mughal on earth! That was something Hamida never wanted to happen. Though she had many issues against this family, their lifestyle...but she could never imagine something so bad for this lineage. After all she herself was a part of it.

Hamida Banu couldn't realise when she lost her strength and sat on the chair. She was a strong lady all the way but things were getting way too difficult for her weak heart now. She could feel her mind giving up slowly...making her senses too pale to notice. After giving some moment to her much stressed mind she finally asked the doctor in a faint voice, 'mera beta bach toh jayega na?'

'We will try our best Maam...rest is with the Almighty.'

Hamida Banu got her reply. She got the message the doc gave her under the wrap of formal tones. Hamida gathered her strength somehow and slowly stood up from the chair. Without looking at anybody she started strolling towards the door.

Few days later...In the hospital...

'Maam...there is a call from Dehradun, Adgah Sahab wants to talk to you. He says it's urgent.' With this the lady handed over the phone to Hamida who reluctantly took it to her ears. 'Yes Adgah Sahab.'

For next 5 minutes Hamida motionlessly listened to the caller. She absorbed everything without uttering a single word. What the caller was conveying to Hamida was not audible but the changing colour of her face clearly showed...something was wrong!!!

'Alright I am coming...I will be there by today evening.' Hamida ends the call...a deep sigh escaped her body.

Evening...In Dehradun...

'We took utmost care of her...never let her go out of our sight...but donno how she...how she...' the attendant couldn't complete her line as Hamida Banu intervened in the middle, 'I don't want any explanation Atifa...you all are aware of her condition...how can you all be so irresponsible? How did that knife get into her reach?' Before Atifa could gather a fitting reply they already reached the room Jodha was staying. Giving a final glare at her, Hamida Banu entered the room. Seeing Hamida, everybody present in the room came onto their foot and bowed to her. Without wasting any more time she signalled all to leave except the doctor. They obeyed her order.

Then Hamida slowly sat beside Jodha in the bed. A frail and pale looking Jodha was lying still on bed. As if all of her blood was sucked out of her body, leaving only bare flesh to cover. Her eyes were open, gaze fixed at the ceiling. Her left wrist was wrapped under a white bandage...blood marks could still be seen there.

Hamida slowly caressed her forehead and asked in a caring tone, 'Why did you do this my child?' This spark was enough to ignite the pile of emotions in Jodha. She broke into hard sobs...

'Nahin rote beta...please don't cry like this...' Hamida drew Jodha's head on her lap and started caressing her head caringly. Jodha dipped her head in her lap and started crying her heart out. The warmth of Hamida's love and care was taking the pain out of Jodha's heart...she cried, cried and cried. And Hamida patiently listened to her sobs to decipher the depth of her pain.

'She cut her wrist with a knife...if there was a delay of even 5 more minutes...then...' Hamida waved the doc to not utter all these in front of Jodha. He got the ishara...and silently left the room, leaving the duo behind.

After some time...

Nobody kept the track of time...Jodha was not in the condition to, and Hamida lacked the will to. Both of them were lost in their own pain. It could have gone on for long if Jodha wouldn't have broken the silence.

'I don't want to live...please let me die...I don't want this life.' Jodha uttered in a feeble voice. Her face was still hidden in Hamida's lap. 'I hate my life...I hate it.'

Hamida ran her fingers through Jodha's hair and spoke in a low and soothing voice, 'Why should you die...that person should die who did this to you.'

'Nobody can do anything to him...he is a powerful man...he will again find me...and...again...' uttering this much Jodha again broke into tears as the memories of that terrible night again returned to haunt her mind. She wished she could just disappear from the world so that his lusty eyes can never see her again. But she was no angel to do so...hence she knew it was her fate to live with this fear...the fear of getting into his hands again...the fear of falling in his lusty grip again. That's why she decided to end her life. But due to Hamida's strict instructions regarding monitoring, her plan failed miserably. And the attendants reached her in time.

'I want to run away from him...please save me...please', uttered Jodha in a pleading voice. Her words made one thing very clear to Hamida...'Whoever the culprit was...must be someone very powerful and influential.' But nothing can match up to Mughals when it comes to power and position! Hence she took the step forward and uttered in a low but confident tone, 'Whoever he is...can never breach our fortress. You don't need to worry at all. If my son would have been ok, I would have asked him to find out and perish that criminal...but he is...' Hamida couldn't continue further as her voice got chocked with rush of emotion. She closed her eyes and gulped down the flow somehow.

After spending some moment to compose herself, Hamida began again...'You know beta...life is never fair with women. The more it robs from us, the more it feels the need to rob again. We are always at the giving end. We can't change that. But we can put up a tough fight...we can prove before the world that, 'Look! I don't need anybody's support to stand tall. I can make my life on my own'. So don't let the cruel male chauvinistic life win over you. Don't ever lose the battle before you actually lose it.' With this Hamida Banu paused for some moments. Then she brought her face close to her ears and uttered, 'Promise me...you will never try to commit such stupid thing ever again...come on promise me...'

'Promise', Jodha uttered in a barely audible voice, though this much was enough to spread a light through Hamida's face. Now only thing she wished was Jodha to return to a normal life...though she knew it would take time.

After caressing Jodha's head for some more time, finally Hamida uttered in a playful tone, 'pura din aise hi rehna hai...yah fir mujhe kuch kaam bhi karna hai?' This lightened the room temperature to some extent. Jodha lifted her head from Hamida's lap and looked at her face, 'Am sorry...aap jaiye...'. With this Jodha returned to her place again. But this time, with a better mood. Hamida stood up from the bed and was about to leave when something came to her mind and she turned to ask, 'You didn't tell me your name...did you?'

'Jodha...Jodha Singh Rajput.'

The reply spread a smile through Hamida's face. 'Seriously! Jodha!'

'Yes. Why.'

'No...nothing...actually I have a son named Jalal.'

This brief exchange led to a silent moment in the room. Then Hamida left the place.

After two months...

'How's your son?' Jodha asked a visibly broken Hamida Banu who was looking 20 years older only in the last 2 months. Continuous disturbing thoughts and never ending worries have started taking a toll on her health. Gradually every path was turning dark for her. No hope...no light.

It's been 2 months since Jalal was in coma. Still no improvement. With every passing day doctors were losing hope on him, letting Hamida slip more into the agony of pain. Now the only thing she was praying for was Jalal's life...she wouldn't even mind if she has to see him all life without a limb. A mother will be more than satisfied with only her son's life! But even that seemed a fore lone dream. Now the only thing Hamida could do was...wait. Nobody knows...for how long...

There was actually another thing she was concerned about...Jodha's wellbeing. In spite of being by the side of her son day and night Hamida made it a point to visit Jodha regularly. Today she came to Dehradun for the same purpose. But she didn't know one revelation this afternoon would turn her world upside down and chop her every tie with her beloved son.

'How's your son?' Jodha asked a visibly broken Hamida Banu ... who was losing hope with every passing moment.

The question was too simple to utter, too simple to decipher as well... but for Hamida, it was the toughest query she could have come across right now! She had no idea how to convey the dying condition of her only child. She had no idea how to utter...'my son may not survive!'

It was difficult indeed! For Hamida...for any mother. Jodha was still far away from these feelings but somehow Hamida's pain made to her heart. She walked up to Hamida and touched her shoulder. 'Don't worry...he will be fine. Your son will be with you very soon.'

Delicate words of Jodha sent a soothing bliss through Hamida's heart. It opened the gate, she kept close for years. Hamida had no idea why...but she felt like pouring her heart before this little known lady. And so she did.

'You know Jodha...Jalal was never close to me. He always preferred to be with his Choti Ammijaan. The lady...I hate like anything! First she took away my husband, then my only son! I despise her to death. You know what ails me most? That my son trusts this woman more than his own mother. It's she who has spoiled Jalal. It's because of her that he is living such a philanderers life...wine...women...and God knows what else!!!'

Here Hamida paused for some moment then resumed again, 'but still...I am his mother...how can I not be worried about him! Even a little scratch on his hand used to give me sleepless nights...now that he is...how can I?...' Hamida couldn't utter anymore as a clot of moist chocked her voice in the middle. She tried hard to remain composed but few drops failed her attempt, as they made their way down her cheeks.

Jodha lightly swept her fingers on Hamida's face, wiping the tear drops in the process. 'Don't cry...everything will be ok. Achhe logo ke sath hamesha achha hi hota hai.'

This innocent utterance by Jodha brought a faint smile on Hamida's face...she couldn't hold it back even in such a situation! She looked at Jodha and uttered in a pleased voice, 'you know something dear...the more I am getting acquainted with you, the more I am getting fond of you. In fact...nowadays...I feel despair for not having a daughter like you!' Hamida was about to continue but suddenly something came into her notice and she stopped in the middle.

'Jodha...are you not doing well?' Asked Hamida while scanning her face thoroughly.

'Yah...actually...am having a headache for last couple of days...taking Saridon...but thori der baad...its back again...'

'Have you told anyone about this? You must see a doctor immediately. Wait...let me call doctor Riya.' Hamida took the phone from table top and dialled a number.

It hadn't even been a second that Hamida finished the call, she heard a sound. She turned only to find Jodha on the floor. No sense, no movement.

After half an hour...

'She is carrying'.

This much from the doctor knocked Hamida out of her senses. Not because Jodha was unmarried, but because she knew...what kind of relationship brought this life into existence!

'What are you saying! Are you sure?' Hamida went again.

'Yes maam...am hundred percent sure...she is pregnant.' Confirmed the doctor.

This news put Hamida in more troubled waters. Till now she was only worried about Jodha's recovery but now she has this huge secret to deliver! She had no idea whether she should spill this to Jodha in such a condition or wait for an apt moment. But at the same time this was not a matter which could be supressed for long! She couldn't wait for Jodha to find it out herself! Hence she had to do something or the other...that too very soon. 'What should I do...Yah Allah...what should I do?' Hamida felt like banging her head on the wall to release the pressure built inside. A voice broke her trance. It was the doc.

'Maam shall I give this news to Jodha?'

'Nope. I will handle this. You may go now. But remember one thing...from now on she is your responsibility.'

'Yes Maam.' With this the doc left. Hamida strolled towards the room where Jodha was staying.

Inside the room...

Jodha was lying still on the bed. Her face filled with tiredness. Eyes wondering for nothing. After Hamida entering the room, she looked up to her and asked, 'What happened to me? Why did I faint?' Hamida stared at her face for sometime and uttered, 'n...nothing...just weakness.'

'Oh...then it will be over soon.'

'Hmm'.

With this Jodha closed her eyes for time being. But Hamida had other designs in her mind. Now she wanted to get to that person who was responsible for all this. She just could not see Jodha alone suffering in this mess. The culprit must pay for it too. All Hamida wanted was the name of that jerk. Rest she could calculate herself.

Hamida slowly walked up to Jodha and uttered in a firm tone, 'Jodha...I need to know something.'

'Puchiye.'

'I think we should now approach police.' Hamida threw this line with utmost caution, knowing not how Jodha would react. On the other hand Jodha was completely out of this track for last couple of weeks. Hence she didn't get it at first.

'About what?'

'About you dear. About that incident.' This time Jodha got what Hamida meant.

Jodha herself thought about it many a times. But everytime the thought of getting under his radar again, thawed Jodha from taking any such step. Though she knew what he did was no less than a grievous crime, the mentioning of police by Hamida put Jodha again in the rim of confusion.

'I know...I want to...but I am afraid...', before Jodha could finish, Hamida began, 'you don't worry at all. We have very good connections in administration. They will make sure your identity remains safe for ever. You just need to mark that person. Will take care of the rest.' Hamida concluded all in one go, spreading an air of confidence through Jodha, who closed her eyes for some moments and then began in a low tone. 'I don't actually know what his name is...'

'Yah but there must something you know about him. Right?'

'Yes how can I not!!! The image of that hilltop guest house will never fade away from my mind.'

'Where is it actually? In Shimla?'Asked Hamida in an eager tone.

'Yes Shimla. At the end of Hill Cut Road.'

Now that exact location of guest house stirred Hamida's senses. It was theirs only!!! Hence she went to reconfirm what she heard. 'You mean the guest house that is situated at the terminal point of Hill Cut Road? Grey mansion with maroon atop?'

Now such a detailed description form Hamida's mouth shocked Jodha to the core. How come she knows all these!!! 'Have you been there ever?' Asked Jodha with widened eyes. Only to be more shocked!

'That's our family property Jodha!!!'
'What!!!'
'Yes. I have spent many holidays there. It's a Mughal property all the way.'
'Then that person must be known to you!'
'Off course...but...am wondering who it could be...who could have such guts to commit such a damnable crime in our home!!! Whoever it is...will have to taste hell now!' Hamida couldn't believe somebody can even think of breaching Royal etiquettes and do such a despicable thing! She felt like dragging that person to jail herself. She turned to Jodha again, 'how does he look like?'

'He was tall, fair, well-built, dark eyes...and...'
'Jodha that's too vague...almost all of our men are tall and fair...you need to be specific dear...anything particular about him you remember?' Hamida was growing impatient now. But Jodha was really helpless at this...she was not being able to zero upon anything exclusive with him. She was forcing her mind in every possible direction but everytime...same result...NOTHING!

Hamida understood her situation and decided to give her some time. 'You don't need to take pressure...you have the time...think and then reply...ok?' She was about to leave when suddenly Jodha spoke up...in a low and firm tone...'It was the watch...a kind I have never seen in my life. Expensive...big dial like Rolex or Omega...and the colour of the dial kept changing. I mean I came across him three times. Everytime it had different shade on its dial...sometimes blue...sometimes red...sometimes...' before Jodha could complete what she began, to her great surprise, it was Hamida who put the last tile. 'Sometimes black.'

A shock wave hit Jodha as Hamida uttered those words...'how do you know that? You know the guy right?' Jodha was going to ask few more questions but suddenly she saw Hamida falter on her foot. Forgoing her own sickness Jodha quickly got down from the bed and got hold of Hamida...moments of late could have caused the old lady hit the floor. Jodha saved her in time. She made her sit on the bed and called for Atifa to get a glass of water.

'Are you ok? Shall I call the doctor?' Jodha was a bit frightened actually. She never saw Hamida like this. She was way too strong for such weakness! Jodha couldn't understand what made this iron lady go weak all of a sudden...'may be it's because of too much tension and all...' Jodha reasoned this logic to herself. Meanwhile Atifa came with water and gave it to Hamida. She took a little sip and placed the glass back on the table. Both Jodha and Atifa were trying to guess on the possible reason behind such change of emotion in Hamida! But before they could proceed any further, Hamida stood up. While trying hard to stop her tears, she uttered somehow...in a trembling voice, 'I will forward this information to the commissioner of police...don't worry. You will get justice.' Hamida placed her hand on Jodha's shoulder for a moment and paced out of the room, leaving a lost audience behind!

Deep in night...

'Bade Sarkar...are you sure!!! Aap Chote Sarkar ke khilaf police complain karenge!!!' Adgah Sahab couldn't believe his own ears. He knew how tough and just Hamida Banu was in judging crime and criminals...but her own son!!! How can she put him behind bars!!! 'Bade Sarkar...I think you should...' before he could conclude Hamida began, 'Adgah Sahab...just do what I am saying. He deserves no less than life term behind bars.'

'But Bade Sarkar...that will put the reputation of IMPERIAL and Mughal Royalty completely at stake. I mean...accusation of rape against the Mughal king!!! Can you imagine what kind of impact it's gonna draw! It will destroy everything Bade Sarkar!' Adgah almost pleaded to Hamida. But she had already made up her mind. She uttered with a firm jawline, 'The criminal should have thought about it before committing the crime. IMPERIAL is his responsibility too.'

'Yes...but Chote Sarkar is not in a condition to speak anything right now...so...'
'What would he have spoken anyway? A justification for rape?'
'Not justification but atleast the situation...' now this new logic by Adgah Sahab made Hamida Banu even more furious! 'Do you even have any idea what you are saying? Situation of rape! Dimag toh thik hai aapka!' Sensing the boiling atmosphere Adgah toned down his tempo a bit and began in a barely audible voice, 'I can understand what you are saying, infact you are absolutely right. That's a heinous crime for any man to commit. But what am trying to say is...man of a status like Jalaluddin Mohammad doesn't need to put force to have a woman. They flock around him. In fact he already has plenty of them in his life. Now why on earth he would need to rape a girl...that too a girl like her who doesn't even belong to his peripheries!'

'Adgah Sahab can't you see...he is a power blinded megalomaniac! He believes he has right over everything he put hands on. He has inherited all Mughal vices, flawlessly! He needs to pay for this Adgah Sahab. Aap commissioner se kahiye to meet me.'

With this Hamida stood up to leave the room, but halted midway as Adgah threw his last query, 'What about the child? It's a Mughal heir...'

Now this was something even Hamida was weak at! She knew how important this kid was...girl or boy whatever it would be, it would be taking the Mughal lineage forward with it. In such a situation when Jalal had lost the power to become father, this child was more than a trillion in worth to Hamida. And obviously...how can she not like the news of becoming grandmom! It was HER Jalal's bachha after all! Such news would have called for an unprecedented celebration if things would have come in normal order...but it didn't. Being a woman herself Hamida could imagine what amount of unbearable torment a mother has to go through to give birth to a baby, who was the evidence of her violation. Hence, she decided to leave the decision of baby to Jodha only. The mother will decide what she wants to do with her embrayo. It will be her call all the way. Even if she wanted it to abort, Hamida won't stop her...knowing fully well this would end the Mughal's journey on earth.

'I know...I know how much this heir is worth of. I know how much we need it. But how can I forget what Jodha has to go through for this. I can never force her for anything...never.' With this Hamida left for her bedroom, leaving a much bewildered Adgah behind.

Two days later...

'Tomorrow morning commissioner will be here. Just tell him what you have gone through, what you have...just tell him...rest I will take care of. You don't need to be worried of anything. Jo dil me aye batadena.' Hamida explained to Jodha who was looking at her with a meek face. Hamida was trying to boast her to complain minutely to police, so that it makes a strong case. Jodha listened to her attentively and nodded in affirmation.

'Good', with this Hamida walked out of the room. But Jodha was still confused if she could comfortably talk about such things to an absolutely unknown person or not! Suddenly one thing came to her mind...'I don't know the name of the guy. Then how will police find him out?'

Jodha felt like asking the same to Hamida. Hence she walked out of the room to look for her.

'Bade Sarkar...are you there?' Jodha peeped inside Hamida's room. But nobody replied. She waited for some moments then decided to step inside and see where Hamida Banu is. But...even after entering the room, she found none. Jodha rolled her eyes around once, then turned to leave. She was about to exit the room when her gaze fall on the bed side table. Something kept on it caught her eyes.

Some things in life you find too hard to keep in mind, some you simply cannot keep off it! Good memories may dry out, but bad ones never fail to hit it! Such was the case with Jodha. She was never that much careful about worldly matters...wealth, ornaments, profits...none of them were matter of concern to her. Neither she was used to expensive lifestyle, nor did she have any aspiration to live one. Hence she had very little knowledge about the icons of that world! For her...there was no difference between Rolex and Timex...both were watches to her!

But there was one thing her mind never forgot...a big dial watch on that devil's wrist! It didn't take more than a moment for her to recognise it, even in a half lit room! It was the same watch she was seeing in front of her...kept on the table in a polythene pack.

Half astonished, half bewildered Jodha unconsciously walked up to the table and picked up the packet. It was so obvious, yet she was not getting it...'what the hell this watch is doing here! Or is it just a look alike!' Within next few seconds Jodha got her reply, from Hamida Banu herself.

Jodha didn't realise when Hamida arrived, she did only when her voice pierced her ears. 'Rolex Submariners...exclusive Hue collection...only one person on earth poses this premiere piece...Jalaluddin Mohammad...'

'Yah but that person from Shimla also...' Hamida didn't let Jodha complete her sentence. She wanted to finish it at once. 'THAT person from Shimla is Jalaluddin Mohammad...my son.'

With this utterance the entire room succumbed into darkness of absolute silence. Not even the sound of breath could be heard. On one end it was the silence of shame, on another it was the silence of shock! This latest revelation pushed Jodha into a strange dilemma. For the first time she came across the name of her perpetrator, still she could not curse him openly...her love, her respect for Hamida Banu held her from pronouncing those words aloud! She was actually clueless about what to say and what to do! Sensing her condition Hamida made it a bit easier.

'You don't need to think about this. Police se wohi kehna...what you want to say. Don't keep his identity in mind...these things doesn't matter.'

'But...'before Jodha could begin anything Hamida waved her off. 'I think you should go and sleep now. Tomorrow is an important day. Now go.' After this Jodha had no other option but to leave the room. But this one single news turned her world upside down. Made things way more difficult for her to handle.

It was not that she didn't want her perpetrator to be punished...or she had any other thought about it in mind. But this news made her worried of something she never imagined to possess in her life. A mother.

Since her childhood, in her every prayer to God, Jodha always asked the same question...'why did you take away my mother?' One aspect she hated most about her being an orphan was...living without motherly care...living without a mother. She always craved for motherly love, motherly care. And Hamida filled exactly that gap in Jodha's life. She came as an angel in Jodha's life...whom she wished for long. In fact her love, her care was heeling Jodha's wounds slowly. She had started living a new life under Hamida's affection.

But just as always...fate could never be happy seeing Jodha happy! Hence she turned the wheel again! Making Jodha face the wild tide...this time a more complex one!

NEXT morning...

'Jodha!!!! Are you out of your mind!!! Do you have any idea what you are saying!!!' Hamida couldn't control her temper, as she heard Jodha narrating her allegation to police.
'Madam please...let her speak for herself...please don't force her for anything.' Requested the police commissioner.
'Am not forcing her for anything...but that's not truth what she is telling you.' Yelled Hamida again.
'Whatever it is madam...let her speak.' With this the police commissioner turned to Jodha again. She began in a low but steady tone. 'I didn't see his face clearly. Nor do I remember the exact place. Am sorry that's all I have now. Please excuse me...' finishing the line Jodha ran out of the room. Leaving a lost Hamida behind... who had no idea what could be the reason behind Jodha' s lies!

After some moment...

'Why did you do this Jodha? Aisa kyun kia tumne?' An irate Hamida wanted her answers from Jodha who was staring at the void outside the window. 'Chup mat raho Jodha...answer me!' This time Hamida almost yelled at the addressee! Finally there was a reply, a kind Hamida never expected to hear!

'I don't want my child to know who his or her father is...I don't want my kid to know what let to his or her birth...I don't want it Bade Sarkar...'
Hamida couldn't believe her own ears...she couldn't believe what she just heard. 'What! What you saying!'
'Zindegi ne pehli baar kuch dia hai mujhe...for the first time in my life I am going to have somebody who will be mine. Mera apna...wajah chahe koyee bhi ho...I don't want to lose it.' Jodha uttered in a teary voice.

'But Jodha...nobody is taking your rights away from you...and what on earth it has got to do with justice?' This time Hamida asked in moderate tone, sensing the sensitivity of the situation.
'Baat samne ayegi...all will get to know about this. Fir sab mujhe bhi dhund lenge...then sabko pata chal jayega...about me...my child. Nothing will remain secret. I don't want it to happen. Please...forgive me if I sound selfish...but I really can't help it.'

Now this argument of Jodha left Hamida out of words. She took a deep breath and uttered, 'Alright. If this is what you wish for then let it be so. It's your life afterall! Nobody has the right to dictate you.'

'Thank you Bade Sarkar...' with this Jodha hugged Hamida tight. This gesture of her forced a smile on Hamida's face. This lil depiction of affection washed away the disappointment which Hamida was feeling moments ago for Jodha's turn around. She placed a caring hand on Jodha's head.

'How did you come to know about the child?' Asked Hamida in a low voice.
'I read the prescription last night' replied Jodha.

Then there was a spell of brief silence in the room until Hamida spelt some words. 'Jodha can I ask for a favour?'
'Boliye'
'Will you allow the kid to call me dadijaan?'

The audacity of the favour shocked Jodha on its arrival. But keeping in mind who uttered it, Jodha controlled her mind and replied in a reserve tone, 'Let time take this call.'

NB: sorry for late update. And sorry for not giving any space to Jalal (many of you requested for the same). But I promise our HERO will rock the next chappy. Be ready for a naughtier Jalal this time!!!