It was a very pleasant morning in Agra. Everything seemed to be calm and peaceful. Everybody was busy in his/her own work. The maids were busy in the cleaning work, the cooks were busy in the kitchen and the officers were having a discussion on some political matters.
Oblivious to all this, the Hindu Begum of Shehenshah Jalal-ud-din Mohammad, Begum Jodha, was sleeping peacefully in her royal chamber. The sleeping beauty was disturbed by the sound of somebody's footsteps. Suddenly, she heard Moti saying something...and woke up with a start. She was amazed to see Moti, Rewa, Ammijaan, Gulbadan Begum, Jiji Anga,Bakshi Bano, Salima Begum and little Rahim...all crowding around her bed. "Happy Birthday Jodha Begum!" All of them said in unison. Jodha was overjoyed to see this. She had never expected this from all of them. Ammijaan sat beside her and said, "Very Happy Birthday, Jodha Beta. May Allah grant every wish of yours and provide you with every happiness of this earth." "Ameen" The others chorused together. Saying this, Hamida Bano hugged Jodha. Her warmth made Jodha feel at home in this otherwise strange atmosphere of Agra. She was the only one here, in Agra whom Jodha could rely on,and was just like a mother to her. Ammijaan smiled at her and ordered her maids to get the gift she had brought for Jodha. She gifted Jodha a beautiful Rajasthani joda. She was overwhelmed at this gesture of her mother-in-law. She thanked her for being so sweet to her, always. One by one, the rest of them handed over their presents to Jodha, congratulating her. Soon after everyone left, Jodha sat thinking.
The sudden seriousness of Jodha, didn't go unnoticed by Moti. She asked her," Why these lines of tension on your face Jodha? I thought you would be glad with the proceedings of the day..." Jodha smiled at her best friend this time. Moti knew Jodha too well. " You're right, Moti. I am overwhelmed with the love and respect I have got here. I had never imagined the day I stepped in Agra, that anyone here would even talk to me ever. But I am glad, I got to know some very nice people here, who care so much for me. But..." "But what Jodha? What upsets you today?" Moti replied, visibly tense. " Arrey Moti, you get tensed so quickly. Nothing serious, just recalled my last birthday in Amer. Maasa, Shivani and Sukanya had also crowded me like this in the morning and wished me. Just missing them a lot...nothing else." Said Jodha, wiping a tear that had escaped her eyes. Moti had expected this as an answer probably. She quickly replied, " Arrey Jodha, don't worry, I'm sure they would be missing you too. And you see, Ranisa will definitely send a wish for you. Just wait for it." Jodha just smiled back at her optimistic dear friend, who knew how to cheer her up, always.
Their conversation couldn't be continued further, due to the sudden interference of an intruder. " Aadaab, Chhoti Ammijaan!" said little Rahim walking in with that biggg smile on his cute, little face. "Arrey Khan-e-khana Rahim aapne swayam aane ka kasht kyun kiya? Humein bulwa liya hota.." ( Oh Khan-E-Khana, why did you take the efforts to come here? You should have called me.) said, Jodha. " Nahi Chhoti Ammijaan, aaj toh hum aapse kisi khaas kaam ke liye milne aaye hain" ( No Chhoti Ammijaan, today have come to you for a special reason. ) replied Rahim with a chirpiness in his voice. " Accha...bataiye toh zara kya kaam tha? " ( Oh really, Tell me what is it ? ) said Jodha, enjoying every moment she got with Rahim. " Hum aapke saal girah ki khushi mein aapke liye ek tohfa laye the" ( I have brought a gift for you on your birthday. ) Awww...shooo cute he looked while saying that. Jodha quickly said, " Accha, toh dijiye humara tofha" ( Oh, then give me my gift. )The little boy spread out his right hand, and there was a piece of paper, rolled and perfectly tied with a beaded string. Jodha picked it up, and slowly unrolled it. A dazzling smile appeared on her face as soon as she saw what the gift was. It was a beautiful painting, in which she could see herself...and...and...Shehenshah... Her cheeks showed a shade of red as her gaze shifted to him. Her chain of thoughts was broken by Rahim. "See Chhoti Ammijaan, how good you two look together." She blushed at the child's innocent comment. Moti was the first one to spot this. Well, she already knew that her friend was head-over-heels in love with Shehenshah, but would never accept that.
After Rahim, went away Jodha got ready and went out to the Tulsi plant near the practice area. She hoped secretly that she would get a glimpse of Jalal there. She started her prayers, with her eyes still dancing around to get any sign of him. But, to no avail. Finally, she closed her eyes to chant the gayatri mantra, hoping to find him when she next opens them. After the prayers, as she opened her beautiful doe-shaped eyes, she found someone standing infront of her. No, not Jalal, but the ever - chirpy Moti, who seemed to burst with excitement. " Jodha, aap ki iccha bhagwaan ne purna kar di...Amer se sandesh aaya hai..." ( Jodha, God has fulfilled your wish, there is a message from Amer. ) An excited Moti blurted out. The present happiness took over her previous thoughts. They both went inside Jodha's hojra to see what surprise awaited her.
There were two messages for Jodha. One from Amer and the other from Navalgarh. Her eyes were moist as she read the two wishes. Oh! How much she missed them... " Oh come on Jodha, this is not the time to cry...Its your bday today"...Moti said, not able to see her friend like that. " Abhi toh aapko aur bohot saare tohfe milne baaki hain.." ( There are still many gifts you have not got. )This sentence of Moti, took Jodha back to her thoughts. Jalal had not seen her since morning, leave gifts, not a wish he had made. This irked Jodha a lot. She had that disgusting look on her face. Moti spoke up, " Kiske baare mein sochkar itni krodhit ho rahi ho Jodha?" ( You're getting angry thinking about whom Jodha? ) "Jaise tum nahi jaanti ho Moti...Sabke paas humare liye samay hai...sivaaye Shehenshah ke...ek baar janmdin ki badhai dene tak nahi aaye..." ( As if you don't know Moti, everybody has time for me except Shehenshah, not even once he came to wish me. ) Jodha replied, still having that annoyed look on her pretty face. " Kyun Jodha...aapko kya...aap hi toh kehti thi ki Shehenshah aapse na hi milein toh accha hai." ( Why Jodha, you only wanted Shehenshah to stay away from you na? ) Moti shot a knowing look towards her. " Motiii...tum bhi na...humara ye arth nahi tha ki who humein janmdin ki badhai bhi na dein...humne bhi toh unke janmdin par unhe uphaar diya tha..." ( But Moti, I never meant to say that he must not come to wish me even on my birthday, Even I gave him a gift on his bday. )Jodha spoke up quickly, having a caught guilty' look on her face.
Not wanting to continue this conversation, Jodha quickly called one of her baandis. She ordered the maid to go and check where Shehenshah is. Moti quickly grabbed the opportunity..." Oho Jodha, toh ab jasoosi bhi karne lagi ho Shehenshah ki..." ( Jodha, now you have started following Shehenshah also. ) " Motiii...bohot bolne lagi ho aajkal tum..." ( Motiii, you have started speaking too much.) The two couldn't go any further, as the maid returned. Jodha was astonished to see how fast the girl was. " Begum Sahiba, Shehenshah is in Begum Rukkaiya's quarters. " This was it. Jodha felt something prick her heart. Jealousy...Possessiveness...love...She couldn't tell.
...
Rukkaiya's chambers :
The young emperor paced to and fro, lost in his thoughts. " Kuchh batao Rukkaiya...kya tohfa dein Jodha Begum ko?"..." Tum toh hi jaanti hi ho...humein koi maalumat nahi hai iss muamle mein..." ( Tell me something Rukkaiya, what should I gift to Jodha Begum...You know na that I know nothing about all this. ) Rukkaiya was irritated to see Jalal thinking so much about Jodha. She knew that he was slipping from her grip. " Jalal, iss mein itna sochne wali konsi baat hai...koi beshkeemti haar de dijiye..." ( Whats there to think so much about? Jalal...Just give her a precious necklace. ) Rukkaiya replied, not interested in all this. "Nahi Rukkaiya, tumhe yaad nahi, humare janmdin par unhone kitna lajawaab tohfa diya tha...hum bhi kuchh waisa hi karna chahte hain..." ( No Rukkaiya, don't you remember what an outstanding gift she had given me on my bday...I want to do something like that. ) By this time Jalal had understood that Rukkaiya was not interested in Jodha and her gift. He decided to do everything himself. " Tum rehne do Rukkaiya, hum khud hi soch lenge" ( Leave it Rukkaiya, I'll think about it myself. ) Saying so, he moved out of her hojra...leaving a disgusted Rukkaiya behind.
...
In The Evening ( Jodha's Chambers )
The queen lay on her couch, deep in her thoughts. She was mad on Jalal for not even wishing her once...but deep in her heart...she was mad at herself for expecting him to do so. Her chain of thoughts was broken by a maid's voice " Aadaab Begum Sahiba, Shehenshah has asked you to meet him in about an hour, in the Angoori Bagh. "
The mere mention of him brought a smile to her face. But then, the anger took over. " Pura din toh humari yaad nahi aayi...aur ab bhi swayam na aakar humein bulaya hai..." ( The whole day he never remembered me, and even now he has called me rather than coming himself. ) She muttered. Moti came inside, seeing Jodha still angry. " Arrey Jodha, abhi tak baithi ho...aao hum tumhara shringar kar dete hain." ( Oh Jodha, you're still not ready. let me dress you up. ) Jodha obeyed her this time. She didn't want to get late in meeting HIM. After dressing up, she finally moved towards the Angoori Bagh, still having a cold look.
...
In Angoori Bagh :
As she neared the spot, her expression changed from anger to surprise. The whole garden was decorated like a newly - wedded bride. The trees were covered with garlands, fragrant candles burning all around. A comfortable couch sat in between, with a table infront. Everything seemed heavenly. But, one corner of the garden had a tent, whose flap was closed. She didn't bother to pay attention to it. She kept standing there, still in awe by the beauty of the place.
" Khadi kyun hain Jodha Begum, aaiye baithiye.." ( Why are you satnding Jodha Begum? Come, Sit. ) Her gaze shifted to the man coming from the opposite direction. Uff...He looks sooo good...Jodha's thoughts said. Even Jalal was mesmerised to see Jodha. She looked sooo beautiful in that green joda. He could not move his eyes from her. Both of them kept looking into each other's eyes. Jodha was so busy in drooling over HIM, she never knew when he came so close to her. She moved a step back. He understood what she thought. " Kya hua Jodha Begum? Aaiye baithiye naa" ( What happened Jodha Begum? Come and sit na. ) He moved his right hand towards the couch, gesturing her to sit. She sat on it and he sat beside her.
There was a long silence. Both stealing glances at each other, but not speaking. Finally, Jalal decided to break the silence. " Woh...hum aapke ke saalgirah ke liye ek tofha laye the..." ( I have brought a gift for you on your birthday. ) She met his eyes at this statement. So, he had not forgotten her special day. A strange kind of relief filled her heart. He gave her a silver, jewelled box...with an anxiety on his face. Jalal's mind was constantly thinking...she would like it or not...His heartbeats always raced whenever she was around. This was not an exception. Still, his face was perfectly calm and composed, not revealing anything.
Her eyes enlarged in surprise as she opened the box to see what was inside...A beautiful morpankh sat in the box. She couldn't believe her eyes. She had never thought Jalal could think of something like this. This was a signal of how well he had come to know her. She couldn't have got something better. A genuine, dazzling smile made its way to her lips. Her smile gave the message to him that she liked his gift. He was overjoyed at the thought. He then signalled the guards to open the tent flap. Jodha's gaze shifted towards it. A bunch of musicians sat there, and soon the air was filled with the peaceful Ameri music. The maids came withh big thaals of Ameri food in their hands. All this couldn't get better for Jodha.This time, she decided to say something.
"Dhanyawaad Shehenshah, bohot hi sundar uphaar hai ye...humne toh kabhi nahi socha tha ki aap bhi aisa kuchh kar sakte hain..." ( Thank you Shehenshah, This is such a beautiful gift. I never thought you could do something like this. ) How could he miss the opportunity of teasing her now? "Tofha toh khaas hona hi tha, Shehenshah - E- Hind ka jo hai " ( The gift has to be special, Jodha Begum, afterall its from the King. ) ...Jalal replied , with that trademark smirk of his. " Inka kuchh nahi ho sakta.." ( He'll never change. ) Jodha muttered under her breath. Jalal seemed to enjoy this irritated look on his Ameri Mirchi's face. "Kuchh kaha aapne Jodha Begum? " ( Did you say something, Jodha Begum ? ) He said, enjoying it to the core. " Jee nahi...par ab keh dete hain...humne bhi aapke janmdin par kitna uttam uphaar diya tha aapko" ( No, Shehenshah, but let me say it now, even I had given you a beautiful gift on your bday. ) Jodha said, her nose held high with pride. Jalal wanted to laugh at her cute antics. " Haan haan...UTTAM toh hoga hi...Shehenshah Jalal-ud-din Mohammad ki begum ka jo hai..." ( Ofcourse Jodha Begum, it had to be beautiful, afterall its from Shehenshah's Begum. ) He replied...looking at her...his smirk still intact. This time, she glanced up at him. She had to smile at this statement of his. How cute he looked! Initially, she smiled slightly, and then slowly started giggling and then, finally laughing hard. He looked at this sudden change in her, and then joined in. They both laughed and talked late into the night...pouring their hearts out to each other. They sat there, chatting like old, candid, genuine friends. No teasing, no hatred, no ego,...just pure innocence. They seemed to be oblivous to everything else. Time stood still when these two were together. This was a match made in heaven.
...
I know its quite long. What to do...its my first try for an OS. 😆
Thanks a lot for reading. 😊
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Cricket
62