CHAPTER 44:
THE WAR...
The doomy mist had covered the sky like a old gray blanket, the smoke generated from the blood-thirsty cannons was swirling up to the sky, the noises of cannons and screams of soldiers, the patches of blood here and there along with the lifeless bodies of the soldiers mixes the omen of fear in the air. There was a full-fledged war outside the main army camp of Mughals, perhaps in terms of destruction it was more hostile than the war that has been fought in the real battle-field. The soldiers of Sharifuddin were completely ready to capture the army camp, and the soldiers fighting from the army camp was determined to restrict them far away from the camp. The defense mechanism of the enemy camp expected by the army of Sharifuddin, came out to be much more stronger and lethal than they even have imagined. They had news that cannons will be used in war-field, but here big cannons had been set behind the camp which were actually the weakest point and was targeted by them. After such a fatal battle they are still not able to break the wall of strong defense and to get into the camp. The whole camp is surrounded by big temporary watch-towers, from where archers are showering arrows, and guns are being shot. Rajput army is used to with spares and arrows and swords. Cannons and guns are such things which are nearly unknown to them. So the fire-spewing weapons are giving them defeat easily, they are unable to move much forward crossing the barrier of cannon-balls and bullets.
Here in the army camp the situation was not so good too. They were using their best defense; still the temporary set up is not that concrete to hold the soldiers for life-long. They did not have adequate supply of cannon balls and bullets, and many soldiers of their notably small troop have been injured badly. Also the defense of the front gate is not much strong compared to others, and can fall anytime. Still the soldiers of the camp were fighting fearlessly according to the command of their commanders, and hoping for some really good news to stop the war.
From behind of a rock, far away from the army camp, two men were watching the battle. One was looking tensed, unable to decide what to do, and the other one, who looked physically drained in weariness going by his sweaty face, was watching every steps of the war minutely like an experienced warrior, as if he is keenly trying to find some path to penetrate the war-strategy. The smoke in the air was choking his throat, but his eyes were shining brightest; and a slight smile reflected in his lips as an idea sparkled in his mind...
"Hume shibir me ghusna hay. [We need to enter into the camp.] He addressed his companion. "Or uske liye hume sena ke sath milna hoga... [For that we need to be mixed with the soldiers.]
"Pagal ho gaye hay?[Are you mad?] Fardeen Khan blurted out forgetting the status of the man with whom he is talking. "Dekh nehi paa rahe hay kaise toap se golo ke barish ho raha hay? Piche ke raste pure bandh hay. Iss tarha se chhauni me ghusne se to maut ke kue me kud jana ashan hay![Can't you see the shower of cannonballs? The path from back is completely closed. It is easier to jump into the doom of death that to enter like this! ]
"Humara paristhiti maut ke kue se kam thori na hay? [Is my situation any less that death?] Sujamal smiled sarcastically. "Waise bhi, yoddha ke liye maut ke kue me kudna koi nayi baat nehi hay. Kuch bhi ho jaye, iss yudh ko rokne se pahele hum nehi marenge![However, it is not a big thing for a warrior to jump into the doom of death. Anything can happen, I will not die before stopping this war! ] His eyes glittered. "Piche ke raste me toap ka bandobast kiya gaya hay, par samne ki raste me srif talwarbaad or tirandaaz ke sena hay. Ussi raste se hum chahe to ghus sakte hay! [There are cannons at the back, but only sword-men and archers at the front one. I can enter through that part if I want!]
"Utna asaan hota to aabtak yeh sipahiyan ghus chuke hote! [if it had been so easy then the soldiers would have entered till now.] Fardeen told sadly. "Aap aise jaldbazi me kuch tair maat kijie shahezade sahab, kuch na kuch rasta or niklega! [Do not decide anything in hurry, we can find some better ways.]
"Rasta khojne se rasta nikalta hay Fardeen Khan, chup chap baithe rahene se nehi! [Ways can be found, Fardeen Khan, they do not come by sitting steel.] Sujamal smiled. "Tumhe khatra uthane ki zarurat nehi. Baas yudhbhumi tak mera sath do... [You need not to take risk. Only come with me to the battlefield.]
Fardeen khan sighed hopelessly and got up. Both of them tied their turban in order to mingle with the rest of the troops and started walking hiding themselves behind the rocks and trees to seek a position...
Sujamal took a long breath while going. What he had planned to do was impossible, but still he knew he will do it, as he was determined to rectify his mistake and to keep his promise to his sister, and when a Rajput blood has to keep a promise, even death cannot stop him!
WHEN ALL COMES TO END...
Sharifuddin was staring confusedly from his horse. Fighting this war is looking almost impossible with passing hours. He could not get that how on earth this bloody Ameri soldiers became so bright to get ready for an attack in army camp too! Jalaluddin Mohammad is a great strategist, he knows, but he had news that he was in battlefield! Then who the hell is leading this troop so efficiently?
No news from Samar Singh till now. No positive news arriving from the main battlefield. Sharifuddin's limited resources are getting short in front of the huge defense; he does not have enough big troop to win over... and the battle seems to be a never-ending combat, until all the resources and hopes of Sharifuddin get drained in vein!
The only hope is they do not need to fight for life-long here. According to Sharifuddin's calculations, the army of Samarkand is going to reach by today... his plan of capturing Shahenshah may fail, but at least he has been succeeded to engage his majesty here in a battlefield, and now with a small help of the large army of Samarkand he can easily win the battle... Sharifuddin tried to see the ray of good hope amongst the mist of anxiety. And he started combatting with an extra jolt of energy...
But this energy-jolt was very short-lived, as even in the noise and chaos of the battlefield Sharifuddin felt someone calling him from behind. He turned back and noticed Aftaar, his shadow, his right-hand, the most faithful follower of him who is standing by him since the day he fled from Amer palace...
Aftaar must have come with some news... Sharifuddin got excited and grinned nervously. But Aftaar did not smile back. He looked utterly worried and frightened as well...
"Bohot bara garbad ho chukka hay Sartaaj! [There is a big mess, my lord!] Aftaar shouted at the top of his voice, but hardly heard by Sharifuddin in the chaos. "Kya hua?? [What happened?] He shouted back, and came beside Aftaar touching his shoulder... "Chalo dur ja kar baat karte hay! [Let's go somewhere far and talk.]
They had already selected a rear place near to the main field for the confidential discussions, and Sharifuddin was leading Aftaar there only, but Aftaar looked too in hurry to reach there. "Zyada waqt nehi hay Huzur! [We do not have much time my lord!] He shouted when they were a little far from the noises. "jung jitne ka khwab chorie or bhagie yeaha se! [Leave the dream of winning th war and flee from here!]
"Kya arab sharab bake ja rahe ho? [What rubbish are you talking?]
Aftaar took a long breath. "Khabar aya hay Huzur! Aapne Samarkand se khabar lane ke liye kaha tha, khabar aa chukka hay! [There is a news My Lord! News from Samarkand for which you were looking for has come!]
"Ha... To bolo kaha hay o log![Yes... tell me where are they?]
"Mughal fauj ki kayed me Huzur! [In the prison of the Mughal Army my lord!]
Sharifuddin stared speechlessly. He even forgot to be astonished in the shock of event.
"Ha mere sartaaz! [Yes my lord!] Aftaar kept on informing... "Samarkand se raoyana hone ki foren baad hi uaha ki sipahiyon par Mughal fauj ne achanak se hamla kar diya tha. O log taiyaar nehi the... haar gaye! Samarkand ki hukumat par Shahenshah Jalaluddin Akbar ne kabza kar liye hay! [The army of Samarkand had been attacked suddenly by Mughal army after they left from Samarkand. They were not ready for it, so lost the battle! Now, Shahenshah Jalaluddin Akbar is having the control over Samarkand's administration!]
Sharifuddin felt a little pain in his head. Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar! How can he even know? How can he be always a step forward than him? How can? How can it be possible???
"Koi fauj humare madat ke liye nehi aayega, Huzur! Uparse Humare paas larne ke liye kaafi haatiyar or sipahi nehi hay! Yeaha hum chhauni par bhi kabza nehi kar paa rahe, or uaha Samar Sahab ko bhi Mughal Sipahiyon ne gher liya hay! [No army is coming to help us, my lord! Rather we do not have enough weapon and soldiers for continuing the fight. We are not able to rule over the camp here, and there Samar Singh has been cornered by Mughal army!] Aftaar Khan cried in desperation. "Agra me Mughal fauj ke paas sayad aabtak kharab bhi chala gaya hoga, uaha se bhi fauj aa jayega! Huzur, waqt rahete rahete jaan bachakar bhagie! [I think by now the news had been sent to Agra, they will send force here! My lord, escape from here in time!]
"Har gaye! Firse har gaye! [I lost! I lost again!] Sharifuddin's lips shivered in the shock of broken dream... The curtain of nightmare was slowly going away from his eyes and he was slowly able to see the reality again. Yes, he has no way other than to escape. He cannot even imagine what will be his punishment if he is caught alive! Not only he did a great conspiracy against his nation and his emperor, not again did he join hand with the foreign enemies, but also he tried to touch the dignity of the empress of Hindustan! His punishment will be something fatal than death, and the imagination of that made him restless...
"Ha ha chalo bhag chalte hay!![Yes yes let's flee!] He whispered in a desperate voice. "Inn gadhho ko yeaha ladne do, marne do Mughal sipahiyon ke haat me. Jabtak jung khatam hoga hum iss elake se bahar chale jayenge![Let these idiots fight here, let them die in hands of Mughal army. We will flee from this place till the war ends!]
Aftaar nodded eagerly, and both of them ran their horses turning back from the war... They needed to reach to the safer place behind the rocks and trees to take the path to go back to their hideout.
THE LAST FACE-OFF...
Two horses were running back from the war, hiding themselves behind the rocks and bushes nearby. And two men were running to the war-field, hiding themselves behind the rocks and bushes. Strangely both were unknown of the fact that they were actually heading towards each other.
Sujamal had noticed two horses from far. Though being unknown of the fact that there is Sharifuddin riding on one of the horses, he had still figured out a danger and hid himself behind a big rock. Fardeen Khan was beside him, his experienced eyes keenly watching them, and hence quickly deduced who were on the horse... "Aree yeh kya![What is this!] He murmured. "Sharifuddin... Aree yeh Sharifudin jung chorkar bhag raha hay! Dekhie! Akhir yeh batzaat chahta kya hay?? [Sharifuddin! Where the hell this Sharifuddin is running away from the war? Look! What the hell does this evil want?]
"Sharifuddin?? Sujamal was surprised first. But then he could see him clearly as they were nearer. "Achanak se bhag kyu raha hay yeh kayaar? Kya Samar Singh ki bahini yudh me parajit ho gaya? Parantu aisa hota ho vijaydhwani sunai deta... par yudh to abhi bhi chal raha hay! [Why that coward is fleeing? Has the army of Samar Singh has been defeated? But if so then we would hear the chant of triumph. But the war is still on!]
"Ho sakta hay ki haarne ki darr se pahele se hi bhag raha ho? [Maybe they are fleeing in fear of defeat?] Fardeen Khan suggested. "Accha hua. Aab jung jitney me zyada taklif nehi uthana parega! [It is good that we will not face much difficulty in victory now.]
But Sujamal was thinking a different thing. Sharifuddin has not been made the commander of the army officially. There is no proof that Sharifuddin was directly involved in this war. Though the emperor believes his innocence, there is no solid proof that Sujamal had been implicated in this conspiracy... hence it will be a very difficult work to prove his innocence in the laws of Amer. If Sharifuddin flees scot-free and Sujamal is found, Sujamal has to pay for the sins of Sharifuddin. Samar Singh will save his head showing the excuse of peace-treaty, but Sujamal will never be able to wipe out the black spot of traitor prince from his name. Again bunch of dishonor, bunch of humiliation, bunch of pain will wait for him...
Sharifuddin is the only way which can save him from this extreme humiliation now. He has to be caught alive, as a proof of Sujamal's truth... Sujamal cannot afford to leave him scot-free! He can endure death, but he will not let his name to be dishonored due to some other's nasty conspiracy anymore!
"Fardeen Khan... Hum Sharifuddin ko jane nehi de sakte! [We cannot afford to let him escape Fardeen Khan!] Sujamal whispered. "Ek kam karo. Mujhe aapna chhora do! [Do one thing, give me your dagger!]
Fardeen frowned a little to understand what is going on in Sujamal's mind, but did not late in giving him his dagger. Sujamal sharpened his eyes, set his target, and then threw the dagger in a perfectly synchronized velocity with the hoot of the horses, and the dagger pierced Sharifuddin's left arm, forcing him to fall from the horse's back. Sharifuddin whimpered in pain and in this sudden shock, and the horse, being freed from his master's clutch, kept on running forward...
"Kya hua Huzur!!! [What happened my lord!] Aftaar was coming down, but suddenly a sword flied in front of his eyes, fell down and dug the soil near his feet, missing his head for only an inch, and he did not take risk and fled with his horse. Without wasting a moment Fardeen Khan ran behind him in the back of Sharifuddin's left horse, picking up the sword from ground which he had thrown to him.
"A...aa...Aftaar... Sharifuddin screamed while trying to get up coping up with pain, suddenly his heartbeat skipped as he felt the sharp metallic touch on his throat.
"Bohot chalak samajhte ho aapne aapko, Sharifuddin?? [You think you are very clever, Sharifuddin?] Sujamal's cold voice whipped in air.
"T..tumm... [You...] Sharifuddin stammered.
"Ha... jivit hay hum! [Yes I am alive!] Sujamal smiled. "Chinta maat karo, humare mrityu tumhare zyaise kayaar ke haat nehi likha hay! Tum aapne aapko yodhha kahete ho Sharifuddin? Dono paksho ke beech yudh lagake, satruyon e shibir me gupt-akraman karke, abhi haar ke bhay se pith dikha kar bhag rahe ho? [Don't worry, my death is not written in the hands of cowards like you! You call yourself a warrior Sharifuddin? You are fleeing from the war in the fear of defeat after starting a war and attacking in enemy's army-camp secretly?]
"Tum logo ke jaise zasbaatyon se jung nehi jitte hum! [I do not win wars with emotions like you fool!] Sharifuddin groaned. "Jung to insaan tab hi jitta hay jab khud zinda ho. Or hume koi soukh nehi hay aapne jaan dekar aapne aapko kabil sipahi saabit karne ka... tum logo ki tarha! [One can only win when he is alive. And I have no interest in proving myself a great warrior by giving life... like you people!] He sniggered cruelly while touching his sword. "Bohot khoyaish hay na jung pe marne ki? Aao, woh soukh pura kar dete hay! [You have a great wish of dying, isn't it? Wait, I will fulfill that!]
Both took their positions with the open swords in their hands, and the razor of the swords clashed with each other like lightning bolt. Another breathtaking battle between two titans had been started outside of the battlefield. Both were trained warriors, none was ready to give the least chance to his opponent, both were eager to take the other's life... but perhaps from the point of skill Sujamal has a better grip on his sword, so Sharifuddin understood after a little while that it is one of the toughest duel he had fought ever. The flexible body of Sujamal was moving like a spring in front of him, his sword playing with him, mocking his skills, and though he is stronger than him in terms of physique, and Sujamal is still quite exhausted due to the aftereffects of the high-dose drug, it seemed he is going to lose... Perhaps winning is just a matter of time, but Sharifuddin had no time to test his abilities now!
Rather he always believed on some other thing other than the strength of muscles... the thing which has been saving his life in odd situations from first... and that is his cunningness!
Sujamal was fighting passionately, forgetting everything except his principles of a warrior. While his sword was moving quicker than his torso, striking with Sharifuddin's sword with spark in every moment being desperate to drink Sharifuddin's blood at any chance, Sujamal's concentration was completely on Sharifuddin's movements, and not on his nasty thought-process. So like every time, naturally, he again missed what was plan Sharifuddin was sketching in his mind. And with a smirk Sharifuddin jumped back suddenly along with his sword. Sujamal too jumped over him followed by his warrior instinct. Their swords met again, and by chance Sharifuddin did a mistake which a strategic warrior should not, and Sujamal took over him, cornering him and putting the sword on his chest, defeating him and to give him a chance to surrender before he kills him...
And suddenly he felt a deadly pain on his belly.
And he heard Sharifuddin laughing loudly! Loudly and viciously.
And with that he fell down, clutching his belly in pain, his eyesight getting blurred...
Sharifuddin had pierced the dagger on his belly with which he had stopped his horse!
"Maaf kar dena Sujamal Sahab! Aaj thoda jaldi me hay, nehi to thora or ladkar jate! [I am sorry Sujamal Sahab. I am in hurry today, else would have fought for some more time!] Sharifuddin laughed nastily.
"Kayaar!!! [Coward!!] Sujamal roared while trying to cope up with pain, biting his lips!
"Chalie, aap yeaha shanti se aankhri saase ginie, hum chalte hay! Alvida! [Okay, you count your last breaths in peace here, I am going. Good Bye!] Sharifuddin laughed out again, patted Sujamal's shoulder with his feet, and ran away at his highest speed. Sujamal tried his best to catch him and to prevent him from fleeing, but perhaps he was at the end of his energy! He distorted his face in pain and clenched his fists, closing his eyes helplessly...
"Sujamal Sahab! Sujamal Sahab!
He understood in was Fardeen Khan running to him on a horse. He came closer and took out the dagger from his belly... "Aap... aap thik to hay na!! [You...you're alright?]
Sujamal pulled himself up from the ground with the little strength he had with the help of Fardeen Khan. Taking a deep breath he opened his eyes and looked at his wound. Luckily, he is not very seriously injured due to his waistband. Else, the sharp dagger would have been taken out his life. Fardeen was swift, he tore a part of his waistband and bandaged the wound. "Hume nehi jana chahiye tha uss gaddhe ke piche. [I should not have gone behind that idiot!] He lamented. "Na usse pakar paye, naa aapki madat kar paye! O sharifudin bhag nikla! [Neither I could catch him, nor helped you! That Sharifuddin also fled!]
"Nehi bhag sakta Sharifuddin! Itni asani se nehi jeet sakta! [Sharifuddin cannot flee. He cannot win so easily!] Sujamal was panting deeply. "Hum usse kamiyaad hone nehi denge! Hum jung rokne aaye the, hum jung rok kar hi jayenge! [I will not let him to win. I had come to stop this war, and I will!] He looked at Fardeen. "Hume tumhare ghore ki avasyakta hay! Hum Shahenshah ki shibir me ghusenge! [I need your horse! I have to enter in the camp of the emperor!]
"Chhauni me? Wohi khatarnak raste se? Iss halat me?? [In the camp? Though that dangerous path? In this condition??] Fardeen could not believe his ears.
"Hum nehi marenge Fardeen Khan! [I will not die Fardeen Khan!] Sujamal smiled. "Vachan dete hay, yudh purn tarha se rokne se pahele hum nehi marenge![I promise, I will not die before ending the war!]
AND HE CAME...
Jodha had been firing constantly from the temporary archer tower since almost 3 hours. She came down only for half an hour, when the other commandos sought her presence for an important discussion. Their camp was safe for now, but at any time the enemies can penetrate inside. They do not have much time and resource to stop them anymore. If the war continues further and nothing changes, they may have to give up!
Everyone was putting their own points in the conference, but Jodha was hardly listening. She felt right now all these discussions have no value. His majesty has given the responsibility of the camp in her hand, and she had done her best. But everything comes to an end. If the miracle predicted by him does not happen and everything goes on as per the plan of Sharifuddin, then the war will only delay, at the cost of the death of many more innocent soldiers. Jodha despises war. She despises the hypocrisy of valour and glory in the name of cruel bloodshed. In this crucial time she had to be present in the war, she herself had to order her soldiers to kill the opponent soldiers. But she was exhausted from heart... She was not a ruthless warrior like her husband or her brothers. Her heart was crying, seeking solace. She was praying constantly to stop this war... she was hoping desperately that he will come at any time, and the war will be stopped at once... and everyone will be happy again, like ever!
But alas! 3 hours constantly she has been fighting, and no change in the environment...
"Jodha tum kuch batao... [Jodha you tell something...] Bhagwant Das, after putting his point looked at an unmindful Jodha. Jodha came back from thought and looked at him. "Or kitne samay tak aise chalta rahega Bhaisa! Hume lagta hay ki kisi prakar se Amer se sena laakar agar in logoko bandi banaya jaye to... [For how long this will continue Bhaisa? I think if we could arrange some more soldiers from Amer and can arrest them then...]
"Hume nehi lagta ki yeh samvab hay... [I don't think that's possible...] Bhagwant Das sighed. "Yudh ke karan Amer me sandesh bhejne wale raste bandh ho chuke hay... Ek kam kar sakte hay, mul yudh-bhumi me sandesh bhej sakte hay Maan ko kuch or sena bhejne ke liye... [Due to war all the ways to Amer for sending messages have been stuck... We can do one thing, we can send message to Maan for sending some more soldiers from main battlefield...]
Jodha thought for a while, then nodded. Just when Bhagwant Das was going to order the messenger, suddenly someone stormed in the tent.
"Satyanash ho gaya hay Hukum!! [Great danger my lord!] He panted worriedly. "Uttar disha ka sena-bandhani tut chuka hay! Uaha se satru-sainik shibir me pravesh karne ka prayas kar rahe hay!! [The wall of soldiers in the north face has been broken! The enemies are entering inside through that part!]
"Kya??? [What???] All of them shouted together. "Bhaisa! Bhaisa aap turant jakar dekhie! [Bhaisa you go fast and check!] Jodha uttered worriedly.
"Ha hum... hum dekhte hay!! [Yes... yes I am going!] Bhagwant Das patted on Jodha's shoulder and stormed out of the tent. Jodha wiped the drop of sweat from her forehead and closed her eyes, praying to her Kanha for making everything alright!
Bhagwant Das reached at the north side of the camp at no time and started leading the troops at once. There were three layers in the defense at the north gate, the first and the strongest one of them has been broken, and the rest two are trying to save the camp with all their strength, but the second layer is also looking enough vulnerable. Bhagwant Das took only two seconds to think, then he gathered more soldiers and archers to make another layer of defense for stopping the soldiers to get inside. But the concrete defense had been already broken, and though many of the enemy-soldiers were losing their lives by the hit of arrows now, still it was not protecting the camp like a wall.
"Savdhaaan! Koi bhi sainik shibir me ghusne na paye!! [Beware! None should enter inside the camp!] Bhagwant Das roared to his soldiers and they chanted on Mahadev's name together with all their energy. Another great battle had started at the north gate of the camp.
The battle was going on for quite a long time, and at last the troop of Bhagwant Das was able to scatter the stream of soldiers preventing them from entering inside, suddenly another news raised Bhagwant's blood-pressure...
"Kunwarsa! Ek sena shibir ke taraf bhagkar aa raha hay! [KunwarSa! One soldier is rushing to the camp alone!] One soldier informed. "Use dekhke lagta hay kuch bhi ho jaye, o shibir me ghuskar hi dum lega! [It seems that anything might happen but this man will take breath after entering inside only!]
"Ek sainik? [Only one soldier?] Bhagwant Das felt surprisd for once before he could order- "Maar do! [Kill him!] And the soldiers at the firstrow targeted at him... but before firing they stopped again... "Bohot ghayal lagta hay, Kunwarsa! [He is severely injured it seems, Kunwarsa!]
Before Bhagwant Das could order something, the troop got busy again to stop another force of attack, and the wounded soldier pointed by that soldier kept on moving towards the camp, going through the blood-strained dangerous path inside the battlefield. In a stable and determined speed, he was coming closer and closer, and he was not worried about all his surroundings.
Before giving his next instruction, Bhagwant tried to figure out that particular soldier out of curiosity. He took the telescope and set the view. He was coming on a horse, two arrows peeping out from his chest and arm, he was drenched in blood. He was severely hurt, but that hardly reflected in his determination. In the chaos of the war he was moving straight... straight to them... straight to him... to Bhagwant Das...
Suddenly Bhagwant Das's heart trembled in the tide of an unknown pain... Yes, the man was closer now, and he could see his face. And despite the face being covered with blood, he could recognize that face. He knows him! He knows him very well. He has spent his childhood with him...
"Sujamal! He murmured. The bubble of emotion suddenly choked him. For once the blood-drenched physique on the horse made him forget that Sujamal was his enemy, and this battle is for his death only. He only could recall one thing... that he is his brother!
The soldiers were again targeting arrow to him. Someone inside from Bhagwant Das's heart shouted, and he had no control over him! "Maat maro usse! O yeaha ana chahta hay...Usse... usse ane do!! [Don't shoot him. He wants to come here... let him!!]
All the shoulders looked at him with shock. But BhagwantDas hardly noticed... His eyes stuck at the vulnerable yet strong man on the horse, heading towards the camp...
Jodha was still busy with other officials, one soldier came with the news of battlefield. "Begam Sahiba! Bipaksh ke koi aadmi ekela iss shibir ke taraf aa raha hay... Pata nehi o kon hay or kyu... [Your Highness! Someone from the opponent army is heading towards this camp. We don't know he is he!]
Jodha's heart shivered in an urge of possibility... I knew! I knew it! I knew that he will come!!
"Shahenshah... shahenshah ko turant suchit karo! Kaho ki hum bula rahe hay... jaldi jao!! [Call his majesty at once! Tell him that I am calling! Go fast!!] She whispered, her voice trembling...
BROTHER...
Though Bhagwant Das was giving constant instruction of not to hurt the man on the running horse, the soldiers were having great difficulties in following that order. It was not possible to stop shooting arrows in order to prevent the army, and so the situation was becoming tougher with time. The man was coming closer and closer, barely being saved from the arrows, and in each moment Bhagwant Das was becoming more restless.
"Jao... koi jakar sahayta karo uska! [Go and help him!] He ordered suddenly, his voice distorted in emotion... But it was again another impossible order as it may lead to break the defense mechanism... The soldiers stood steel for sometimes, though they did not need to stand more, as the man had already crossed the barrier of the enemy troops and already reached the first layer of their system, where none of the enemy soldiers has dared to reach. Even in that condition he managed to raise his arm in order to surrender from that running horse. The soldiers were staring without any clue, Bhagwant Das instructed in a choked voice... "Jao... jao le aao usse! JAO! [Go and take him here! QUICK!]
After a while he managed to get in, safeguarded by two soldiers. Bhagwant Das stared at him without a blink... "Sujamal! He murmured. "Kyu? [Why?]
Sujamal tried to tell something, and instantly fell from the horse, right at Bhagwant Das's feet. Fresh blood was dripping from his lips... Bhagwant Das spontaneously bent on his knees and took his head on his lap. "Sujamal! He shouted. "Kya chahte ho tum? Aise... aise yudhbhumi me pagalyon ke tarha... [What do you want? This way in the battlefield like insane...] He realized he has forgotten that he was talking to the leader of his enemies.
Sujamal clasped his hands in great pain, tried to tell something but a jolt of cough from inside prevented him. He stared at Bhagwant's eyes, his eyes filled in content smile. "Sainik! Sainik! [Soldiers! Soldiers...] Bhagwant Das shouted. "Turant jake vaidya ko bulao... Sujamal ko andar le jane ka prabandh karo! Or paani lao... Jaldi! [Go and call the physicians... Arrange to take him inside! And get water... quick!]
"B...Bhaisaa! Sujamal uttered suddenly. Perhaps after one era he called Bhagwant Das as Bhaisa.
"Kya chahte kya ho tum Sujamal? Kya chahte ho! [What do you want, Sujamal? What do you want!] Suddenly Bhagwant Das became furious. "Kya chahte ho? Amer ka sinhasan? Agra ka takht? Pure Rajputana par adhikar? Humare mrityu? Kya? Agar yudh hi chahte ho to aab iss tarha se yeaha aane ka matlab kya hay? [What do you want? The throne of Amer? The crown of Agra? Whole control over Rajputana? Or our death? And if you want war then why did you come this way?] His eyes became red in anger and tears. "Bidroh karke Amer se sampark tyag karke chale gaye, fir Sharifuddin ke sath milkar Amer ka sarvanash kiya, fir itne saal baad firse Amer adhikar karne ke liye satruyon se haat mila liya? Itna niche gir gaye ki gupt-hatyara bhejkar aapne bahen ki suhaag ko chinne ka prayas kiye! Sandhi prastaav ko thukrate samay baapusa ka maan bhi nehi rakha tumne! Rajput ranneeti ki virudhh jake dut ka hatya kar diya, senashibir par akraman karne se bhi picche nehi haate... Kyu? Srif isliye ki tumhe Amer chahiye? Aise hi de denge hum tumhe Amer, Sujamal! Aapne aapko itna niche mat girao!! Bhagwan ke liye Sujamal, Amer ki bte ho tum! [You first revolted and left Amer cutting all the relations, then drove Amer in grave danger joining hands with Sharifuddin, then after so many years again joined hands with enemies for winning Amer? You pulled yourself so down that you tried to snatch the happiness of your sister by killing her husband secretly? You even insulted my father while ignoring the peace-treaty! Going against Rajput principles you killed the messenger, did not hesitate to attack the basecamp... Why? Because only as you want Amer? I will give away Amer to you Sujamal, don't let yourself go down this way!! For god's sake, Sujamal, you are the son of Amer!] Bhagwant Das lashed out all his frustrations on him at one chance, and the vapour of his frustration and anger came out from his eyes as drop of tears.
"Bh...bhhai...bhaisa! Sujamal's lips shivered as he tried to hold his head up and spontaneously Bhagwant Das pulled him closer to his chest... "Bhh...bhaisa humne... He clasped his hands and tried to tell many things, but only he could tell one thing... "Hum...humne... humne nehi kiya... Bhaisa... [B..bhai...saa... I... I... I did not... do Bhaisa...]
It was not an excuse of a rebel to the administration of Amer... His one little word took Bhagwant Das back to many years. Years ago, when both of them were kids, when they used to play with each other, without any contempt, any ego, any enmity, and Bhagwant Das's toys got broken and by chance all the blames comes to Sujamal and he used to hide, and Bhagwant Das used to go behind him to beat him, Sujamal used to hug him after a vain attempt of Bhagwant to hunt him, and used to urge with glossy eyes- "Humne nehi kiya, Bhaisa! [I did not do, Bhaisa...] And none could afford to disbelieve him after such an urge...
Bhagwant Das could not! Even today! He, like the old days, pulled him closer and clasped him against his chest. His body shivering with the jolt of tears...
"Bhaisa... Sa...samay... samay nehi hay! [Bhaisa... There's no t..time...] Sujamal panted. "Humare... pas... samay...nehi hay... Jaldi...ja...jaldi... hume... th..thik... [No...time... in... my hand... fast... I...]
"Nehi nehi kuch nehi hoga... kuch nehi hoga tumhe! [No no nothing will happen to you!] Bhagwant Das cried excitedly and shouted. "KAHA MAR GAYE SAB!![ALL HAVE DIED OR WHAT???WHERE ARE ALL??]
"Bhh...bhaisa!!
A female voice echoed from behind and Bhagwant Das turned back. Jodha was staring at them. She was looking emotionally exhausted, tears constantly rolling down the cheeks and face distorted in agony. She ran towards them and knelt down beside Sujamal... Bhagwant touched her shoulder and both of them broke down in tears...
Sujamal was taken to the tent for treatment.
PRECAP: "I am ready Shahenshah!
Jalal gazed at her... In his whole life he has never seen her this way... He gazed and gazed to her new look as a warrior, and eventually fell in love...again...
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