Bonds Of Hearts
Chapter 1
Umerkot, Rajasthan.
Seven years had passed since the future emperor of the Mughal Sultanate was born in this very town of Rajputana. But his father, the kingdomless king of the Mughal Empire, was still in exile. He has still not regained his lost kingdom, and along with that, his prestige too.
All his men had nearly lost hopes to win Agra back from the powerful clutches of Sher Shah Suri. And this was one of the reasons of them not being victorious. A warrior's greatest weapon is his courage; and once hopelessness takes over, victory seems far-fetched. The Mughal troops were going through this same gloomy phase. But their king, Emperor Humayun, had still held on to his hopes. He was not one to be overshadowed so easily.
Meanwhile, another leader of the Mughal Empire was in making. The first borne of Shehenshah Humayun and his consort Hamida Banu Begum, Shehzada Jalal. He was a naughty little boy of seven, with curious brown eyes, that seemed to take in everything they were subjected to. He had the sharpest memory you could imagine, and his charming presence along with his quick - wittedness could make even the dullest person smile.
"Ammijaan..." ( Mother... ) He called out to his mother. " Hum gurukul ja rahe hain. " ( I'm going to school. ) And he ran away before his mother could respond.
Being here in Rajputana, there was no suitable tutor available for Jalal. Even the tutor of the princesses of Umerkot had denied teaching a Mughal. Therefore, the king of Umerkot had suggested Humayun to let Jalal attend the gurukul nearby. Besides, the Guru had also agreed to teach Jalal, for he was a man of values, who didn't believe in the walls of religion. And Jalal had already mastered in Hindi and Rajasthani, so he could easily mingle with the students there. Considering all points, finally Jalal had been sent to the gurukul.
The gurukul was located midway between Umerkot and Amer. Students from in and around these towns came to get their daily lessons. It was a lively place, all full of childish chat and cute fights. It was a temple of learning, as well as God's abode in the truest sense, for God lives in the hearts of these innocent bundles of joy.
...
Amer, Rajasthan.
" Jodhaaa...Hey Bhagwaan! Kitni pratiksha karwaogi tum? Humein pehle se hi vilamb ho raha hai...ab sheeghra chalooo..." ( Jodhaaa...Oh God! How much will you make me wait? We're already late. Lets go now. ) A little girl of seven requested to her adamant friend.
" Oho...itni bhi kya sheeghrata hai Champa? Bass ek laddoo aur le lein..." ( Oh! Whats the hurry, Champa? Let me take just one more sweet...) Jodha seemed unoved by her friend's panic.
" Kitna khaogi tum haan? Kal hi Raani Sahiba ne kaha tha ki kam khaya karo. Arrey itna hi khati rahogi toh fool kar kaddu jaisi ho jaogi...aur fir tujmse vivaah kon karega? " ( How much will you eat Jo? Yesterday only your mom told you to control yourself. If you keep going like this, you'll look like a pumpkim hen you grow up. And who'll marry you then? )Champa giggled after imagining her words.
" Kya? Kya kaha tumne? Tumhe toh hum baad mein dekhenge." ( What? What did you just say? I'll see you afterwards. ) The pouty Jo replied. " Aur haan tum humare vivaah ki chinta na karo...dekh na humara vivaan toh kisi sundar se Rajkunvar ke saath hi hoga haan..." ( And yes, don't you worry about my marriage...You see, some dream prince will marry me...) And she was lost in her dreamland. " Aur haan, vivaah se yaad aaya, kal humari gudiya ka vivaah hai? Tumne sabko bata diya na? " ( And yes, do you remember, we have our doll's wedding tomorrow? Have you told everyone? )
" Oho...swapn toh dekho inke..." ( Oh! You and your dreams! ) Champa couldn't stop laughing.
Suddenly Jo's face grew tense. " Shhh...lagta hai koi aa raha hai..." ( Shhh...I think someone's coming...)
And both of them turned their gaze towards the door.
A maid stepped in. " Pranaam, Rajkunvari sa. Raani Saahiba ne aapko bulaya hai. Aapke bhojan karne ka samay ho gaya hai. " ( Greetings, princess. The queen has called for you. ts your lunch time now. )
Jodha quickly brought around her authoritative tone. " Tum jao...hum thodi der aur khelenge. " ( You go...I'll play for some more time...)
The daasi knew how ziddi their little princess was. So she quickly moved out, without further ado.
The tense look returned, but to Champa's face. " Lekin Jodha, hum mahal se baahar kaise jayenge ? " ( But Jodha, how will we escape from the palace? )
A naughty smirk played on Jodha's lips. " Humare paas ek yojna hai. " ( I have a plan. )
Jodha called in another one of their naughty gang.
" Moti...tum humaara ek karya kar dogi? Agar tum safal huyi na...toh hum tumhare liye vishesh ghevar mangvayenge..." ( Moti, can you do something for me? If you succeed, I promise to get you a special ghevar. )
( Ghevar is traditional Rajasthani sweet dish. )
" Ghevarrr..." Moti jumped in delight. Now it was Moti's turn to be naughty. Well these girls didn't need turns actually. They were all born mischievous.
" Keval ghevar se kaam nahi chalega Jodha. Humein toh tumhari Leela bhi chahiye..." And she winked at Jodha. ( Only ghevar will not suffice Jodha, I want your doll Leela too. )
" Kyaaa? Lekin Leela ka toh kal vivaah hai na. Woh hum tumhe kaise de sakte hain? " A gloomy look adorned Jodha's chubby little face. ( Whaaat? But its her wedding tomorrow. How can I give her to you? )
But Moti simply laughed away. " Arrey... toh kya hua? Uska vivaah hum karwa denge. " ( No problem dear. I'll handle her marriage. )
Jodha had no other option left. She agreed. Jodha explained her entire yojna to Moti.
...
Champa went to the gurukul near Umerkot. Whereas for Jodha, tutors came to the palace to get her skilled in every subject. It was Jodha's deep wish to have a look at an actual gurukul, full of kids like her, learning together. She hated being in the four walls of the palace. Hence, today she had decided that she and Champa would go to her gurukul. Their only concern was to escape the palace security.
There was a special path, that linked the inner palace to the outside world. This was meant only for the royal family, so they won't have to cross the entire fort security to move out. And hence, this place was mostly isolated, and less secured. Jodha decided to escape from here only. Her plan was going to handle the two guards that stood at the door.
...
A little girl sat near the palace door, crying bitterly. One of the guards heard the noise and came towards her. The girl was none other than Moti.
Meanwhile, Jo and Champa hid behind a pillar some distance away. The other guard was still on duty.
Moti noticed that there was still one guard left. She continued her cries, with increased intensity, ignoring the guard's questions. The guard asked in his softest tone, " Kya hua tumhe? Tumhari Maasa kahaan hain? Aur tum ro kyun rahi ho? " ( What happened? Where is your mother, child? And why are you crying? ) Moti's tears only increased their size.
Irritated by the noise, the other guard also went to join his companion. As soon as Moti noticed this, she winked at Jodha.
And at this signal of hers, both the little naughties got ready. Jodha made sure that both the guards were busy. She and Champa slowly tiptoed to the main gate. And with one final glance at the actress Moti, ran out with all their speed.
Once away from the palace, Jodha said, " Aaj toh hum Moti ke abhinay ki prashansa jitni karein utni kam hai. " ( My words for the praise of Moti's acting are falling short today. )
Champa nods her head in agreement. " Agli baar jab mahal mein koi naatika hogi na, toh hum usi ko mukhya paatra banyenge. " ( Next time when we have a play in the palace, we must give her the lead role. "
" Haan, uss par woh Dadi Maa waala patra shobha dega na. " ( Oh yes! That granny's role would suit her so much. ) Replied Jodha, grinning slightly.
And both the girls laughed out loud at this.
...
Meanwhile, both the guards returned to their original places. They were still stunned by the answer that little girl gave them. " Woh hum isliye ro rahe the...kyunki...kyunki...humari priya gudiya kho gayi hai..." ( I'm crying...coz..coz...my dear doll's lost. ) And she laughed off at them, running away into the halls of the palace.
Both of them shook their head slightly, thinking, 'Children will be children. No one can understand them completely. '
...
Thanks for reading. 😃
Sorry if this seems too kiddish. 😛😆
Udne Ki Aasha
Cricket
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