New Life: Thread 3... Chapter 50 (epilogue) updated

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Shinning_Stuti

@Shinning_Stuti

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Posted: 7 years ago

#401

Originally posted by: jasminegrewal98
Thank you for pms dear!
Im so sad Sujamal had to die but Im glad his ending was a happy one and there was peace between him & the Amer family!
Yes fierce Jodha she will save her Shahensha.
Im sure the the splash of blood is Aftaar's after Jodha has slashed him for daring to kill her love.
Awaiting Sharifuddin's punishment.
Update soon:)

Thank you so much for sharing your feedback dear.

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Shinning_Stuti

@Shinning_Stuti

Rocker

+ 2

Posted: 7 years ago

#402

(NOTE: I have made a small change from the precap of the previous chapter in this new chapter. It is a very minor one...)

CHAPTER: 46

THE TRAP...

At the very first sight of trapped Jalal hanging from the tree, Sharifuddin was astonished. But then the cruel smirk of triumph was shining in his face over the signs of astonishment. "Jalal! Akhir kar tum humare kabze me aa hi gaye! [Jalal! At last you are under my control!] He laughed viciously...

"Kya baat hay Sharifuddin! Aj kal aapne shahenshah ko naam se pukar rahe ho? [Very good Sharifuddin! Nowadays you're calling the emperor by name?] Jalal also joined his laughter, as if nothing has happened.

"Fande me aatke pare ho, fir bhi shahenshah hone ka gurur nehi gaya Jalal? [You still not lost the pride of being emperor despite being fastened in trap?] Sharifuddin glared at him, still laughing while thinking about his sheer luck.

"Kya baat karte ho Sharifuddin! [What are you telling Sharifuddin!] Jalal smiled. "Shahenshah hone ka gurur to humare khun me hay! Ek chuha ke chillane se o ghamand mit jayega, aisa bhi ho sakta hay kya? [The pride of an emperor is there in my blood. How it can be washed out due to the shouts of a rat?]

"Khud chuhe ki tarha fande me fase pare ho, or hume taana mar rahe ho? [You yourself are in the trap like a rat and you're taunting me?] Sharifuddin picked one brow.

Jalal started laughing loudly. As if he has heard a very funny joke. Then he stopped laughing. He placed his eyes on Sharifuddin's eyes in a cold manner. "Sher hamesa sher hi hota hay Sharifuddin, uska pair ko bandhkar use chuha nehi banaya ja sakta... Chuha to o hota hay jo uljhi hui halat ka samna karne se darr kar bhag jata hay. [A lion is always a lion Sharifuddin, one cannot make him rat by tying his legs.] He blinked. "Waise, bhag hi jab rahe the tab bhag kyu nehi gaye? Achanak se jungal ke andar jaal bichhake do char sipahiyon ko kayed karne ke liye tum bhag jane ka sunahera mauka gaowa diya? Kyu? Tumne to hargis yeh nehi socha tha ki hum khud yeaha iss fande me faas jayenge; zyada se zyada ek-do sipahi ko mar pate tum yeh sab karke, fir bhi! [By the way, when you were fleeing why did not you escaped ultimately? You lost the golden chance of escaping by suddenly entering inside jungle to imprison two-four soldiers?] Suddenly he started laughing again. "Pata hay, kabhi kabhi jab chuha ko lagta hay ki o asal me sher hay o yeh sab karta hay taki aapna ghamand bana rahe... [I know, sometimes a rat also thinks that he is a lion and does all these in order to keep his pride.]

"Yeh sher-chuha ki kissa khatam karo Jalal! Tab humare dimag me jo bhi chal raha ho, asli baat to yeh hay ki tum humare kabze me ho! [Stop all these stories of rat and lion Jalal! No matter what was running in my head that time, thing is now you are under my control.]

"Nehi nehi... asli baat yeh nehi hay! [No. Thing is not that!] Jalal corrected him. "Asli baat to yeh hay ki hum samajh gaye hay ki tumhara dimag kis tarha se kam karta hay. Suno... [Thing is that I understood how your brain actually works. Listen] He started in a playful tone. "Tum sidha kuch soch hi nehi sakte. Tum pahele ek chiz ko aapne tere nazariya se dekhkar or bhi tera banate ho, fir usse or bhi uljhakar bhag jate ho... Or bhagte bhagte tume kuch or teri soch aa jata hay, or firse ghuma fira ke ek hi jaage par aa jate ho... Kyu hay na? Jaise ki dekho... [You cannot think straightly. You first analyze something from your bent eyes, then make that a mess then escape. After running away you suddenly think something more twisted, and then come back to the same place... Isn't it? Like, see...] He was completely enjoying the irritation of Sharifuddin. "Itna kand karke ek jung kar rahe the, achanak se haarne ke darr se bhag gaye. Bhagte bhagte khayal aaya ki abhi bhi jeet sakte ho; to bhagne ke bajay jungal me aa gaye taki jaal bichakar 4-5 sipahiyon ko mar sako, or aapne aap ko yeh bolke bahela sako ki tum ek bohot bara sipahi ho... [After so many trials you arranged a war, and suddenly you ran away fearing from defeat. Then suddenly you remembered that you can win even now; so instead of fleeing you came in this jungle in order to kill some soldiers by this trap, and can convince yourself that you are a good warrior...] He smiled. "Isliye khud ko bachane se zyada 2-4 jaane lena tumhe zyada accha laga. [So you preferred taking 2-4 lives more to save yourself.]

"Arab sharab bakna bandh karo Jalal! Maut ki muh me khare hoke logo ko itna baat nehi karna chahiye... [Stop talking rubbish Jalal! One should not talk so much at the point of death...] Sharifuddin fumed.

"Maut ki muh...hh..hhihi..h.ahahaha... [Deah... hihihihahahah] Jalal started laughing again.

"Hasi aa raha hay bohot? [You're laughing too much?] Sharifuddin gritted his teeth.

"Maaf karna bhai. [Forgive me brother.] Jalal stopped laughing loudly but was giggling even more. "Pata hay Sharifuddin, tumhare yehi chiz mujhe bohot accha lagta hay. Haar nehi mante ho tum. Amer ki kille se bhag kar jungal me atak gaye par uaha se bhi kitni sandar tarike se sab kuch ulat pulat karke bhag nikle. Or aab khud kayed me jane ki bajay Shah-E-Hind ko per se jhulakar rakh diye... [You know Sharifuddin, I like this quality in you. You never accept defeat. After running away from Amer fort you were entrapped in jungle but even there you managed to mess everything in such a wonderful manner and escaped. Even now in place of going to prison you managed to hang the emperor of Hind...] The frequency of his giggle was increasing. "Par ek hi khot hay tumme, ki tum sikke ki dono pahelu ko eksath nehi dekh sakte. Aab aapne aap par yaakin bohot acchi baat hay, zarurat se zyada yaakin bohot hi buri chiz hay. Aapne aap par yaakin karke tum itna andha ho jate ho ki baki kuch khayal nehi raheta... [But you have only one fault. You cannot see two sides of coin together. It is good to be confident, but over-confident is very bad. Your self-confidence is so much that being blind in that you don't see your surroundings...] He stopped smiling and glared at him. "Jaise ki abhi dekho, tum yeaha mujhe maut ka darr dikha rahe ho, or yeh bhi nehi pata ki tumhare piche sipahiyon ka ek tukri khara hay. Jungal ko gher liya gaya hay. Tum bachke nehi ja sakte... [Like you see today, you are threatening me here, and you even don't know that you have a troop behind you. The jungle is being cornered. You cannot escape...]

"Pahele tumhe mar to du! [First let me kill you!] Sharifuddin smirked again and pulled out the sword from waistband. "Or Shahenshah ko marne ke baad Shahenshah to hum hi honge! Kon rokega mujhe? [I will be the emperor after killing the emperor! Who will stop me?]

"Yeah khuda! Aab iss chuhe ki haatyon marega mujhe tu? [O God! Now you will kill me in hand if this rat??] Jalal laughed again. Then suddenly his laugh vanished in a calm and cold gravity in his glare, "Sharifuddin Sahab, Shahenshah-E-Hind hay hum. Aap jaise chuhyon ke haatyon marne ke liye Shahenshah nehi banaya hay uss khuda ne. Humare sar pe bohot zimmidari hay, or unhe nivane ke liye hume aapna dimag tum jaise logo se kafi tez bhagana parta hay... Aise hi koi Shahenshah nehi banta hay Sharifuddin! Jab tak aapne aapko tahkt ki kabil nehi bana pate tab tak takht tumhe nehi aapnayega. Or ha... [Sharifuddin Sahab, I am the emperor. God did not make me the emperor to let me die in hand of the rats like you. I have a lot of responsibilities, and I need to run my brain more swiftly than you all for taking care of those responsibilities... One cannot become an emperor so easily Sharifuddin! And before you cannot make yourself eligible for the throne, the throne will never accept you!] He smirked at him. "Jalaluddin Mohammad ko marne ke liye ek talwar ka dhar kaafi nehi hay; usse bhi zyada kuch chahiye jo nehi hay tumhare paas. Isliye sapne dekhna chor do... [The sharpness of sword is not enough to kill Jalaluddin Mohammad; it needs something more which you don't have. So stop dreaming.]

"Sapne to tum dekh rahe ho Jalal! [It is you who are dreaming Jalal!] Sharifuddin laughed. "Aab akhri saas le lo. Jane ka waqt aa chuka hay. [Take your last breath, the time has come.]

"Accha, aise latkate hue maroge, yeah fir niche utarne doge? [Are you going to kill me hanged, or will you let me come down?] Jalal laughed. "Aree aise kitne waqt tak latak ke rahe sakta hay ek insaan? [For god's sake for how long one can hang like this?]

"Zyada bako mat Jalal! [Don't talk too much Jalal!] Sharifuddin yelled.

"Thik hay, aab hum chup karte hay. [Okay, I am silent now.] Jalal smiled again and stared at him, his eyes pierced Sharifuddin's eyes, making it unbearable for him. Perhaps it was truth that even in this trapped conditions Jalal's eyes have a strange power to captivate and disarm the person who is attacking him. Sharifuddin's hands shiver for no reason.

"Aapne aankho ko aapne aukat me rakho. Yeah fir hum nouch lenge unhe. [Tell your eyes to stay under limit. Or I will take out them.] Sharifudin whispered.

"Bah tarha tarha ki dhamkiyan de rahe ho. Maza aa raha hay. [Wow you are now threatening me with various option. I am enjoying.] Jalal laughed again. "Abhi bhi aankhiyon me aankhe dalne se darte ho Sharifuddin, or kahete ho ki Shahenshah banoge! He intensed his glare even more. [You still fear to keep eyes on my eyes Sharifuddin, and want to become the emperor?]

"Nafrat hay tumhare aankho se hume Jalal! [I so hate your eyes Jalal!] Sharifuddin grunted. "Ankhe niche karo, yeah unhe humesha ke liye bandh kar denge. [Put them down, or I will shut them forever.]

"Hahahhaahahhaha Jalal laughed as if someone has told the funniest joke of the year.

"Dekh kya rahe ho yeaha?? [What are you seeing?] Sharifuddin suddenly fumed at Aftaar who was standing beside him numb. "Jao! Aankhe nouch lo uska! [Go and snatch his eyes!]

"M...mma...main??? Aftaar gulped. [Mm...meee?]

"Bahere ho kya??? JAO!! [Are you deaf? GO!] Sharifuddin yelled. Jalal's attitude was setting him at the edge of his self-control. All the pride of this arrogant emperor reflects from his eyes. Sharifuddin wants to see what he will do when his eyes will not be there with him.

"Hahahahaha! Jalal laughed again.

"Maar dalo isse Aftaar!! In overflown anger Sharifuddin shouted. "Abhi ke abhi! [Kill him Aftaar! Kill him just now!]

Aftaar came in front with opened sword in hand, targeted his left eye and applied all his forces to chop that out while swaying his sword in the air... Jalal was still laughing, without a sign of fear in eyes...

Then...

Slashhh...

Ahhh!!

And a splash of blood spread in the air...

And Aftaar sat on the ground screaming in pain, his shoulder was badly injured with an arrow.

And before Sharifuddin could understand anything, another arrow from air slayed the chest of wind like a lightning bolt and cut the main knot of the net. Jalal fell down, and in a very skillful manner stood straight on the ground after getting himself free from the trap. He smiled big, and pulled out the sword. "Subhan-Allah! He murmured in an amazed voice. "Waqt ka hisab me thora sab hi chuk nehi! [Amazing! Not a single miss in timing!] He shouted then... "Jodha aap thik to hay?? [Are you okay Jodha?]

"Haa Shahenshah! Andhire me thik se nishana lagana kathin tha, iss liye adhik samay nasht ho gaya... Aap thik to hay na? [Yes Shahenshah! It was difficult to target in darkness, so much time is wasted... You are alright?] A feminine voice came from a distance. Sharifuddin tried to see the source of arrows but could not see anything in dark. Also he had no time to see carefully.

As he felt the cold metallic touch of sword on his neck.

"Kaha tha na Sharifuddin, Jalaluddin Mohammad ko marne ke liye talwar ke dhar se bhi zyada kuch chizyon ka zarurat hota hay? [Hadn't I told you Sharifuddin? Something more is needed than a sword to kill Jalal?] He smirked with sparks in eyes. Along with the amusement in his eyes there hide a fire of extreme rage, which only Sharifuddin could feel...

FINAL COMBAT...

Sharifuddin controlled his nerves swiftly, jumped back and took on the sword to defend himself from Jalal's fierce strokes. Jalal had stroke ferociously immediately, he was saved from that only for an instance of time. Another time Jalal raised his sword and their swords clashed in the air, sparking like fire-bolt in the darkness. Sharifuddin was a good swordfighter always, but Jalal always had been an expert of swords, so he knows it was one of the most difficult jobs for him to fight with Jalaluddin Mohammad in this darkness when Jalal's sword is invoking fire like lightning bolt. Already Jalal's sharp razor of sword has given him a deep scratch on his neck. Just now he has barely escaped another life-risking strike of Jalal. He cursed his luck again like always. How Jalal is always one step ahead of him? How it is possible that even after being completely trapped, he is the one who is going to win? How all of a sudden an arrow comes from nowhere and frees him?

"Hum tumhe jitney nehi denge Jalal! [I will not let you win Jalal!] Shrifuddin hissed while applying all his forces on the sword with an intension of distracting Jalal, in spite of knowing that the trial will be all in vein. "Accha? [Really?] Jalal smiled amusedly, and then stroke so badly that Sharifuddin almost fell down on the ground, losing his balance. Jalal swayed the sword once in the air then put that on Shaifuddin's throat; Sharifuddin had been lucky that his sword was still in his hand, he again restricted the pace of Jalal's sword with his all strengths with his sword... He could feel that he is losing the battle badly, and he will get a punishment worse than death in the rules of Mughal law if he loses today. He cannot afford to lose this duel... And from that strong wish he gathered strength to combat again. He skillfully vaulted and stood again and hit Jalal with all his strength; Jalal effortlessly dealt with that attack with his amazing defense, and his next strike again made Sharif bleed a lot and fell on ground again. "Aftaarrr!!! Sharifuddin shouted helplessly, But alas, where was he! He was trying to escape, and right now was dueling at a corner to save own life with a shadow of an armoured warrior...

"Hah! Aftaar ka yaad aa raha hay! [Ohh! Remembering Aftaar now!] Jalal giggled and then shouted. "Jodha, aap Aftaar minga ka khatirdari thik se kar rahi hay na? [Jodha you are taking care of Mr. Aftaar properly?]

"Jee Shahenshah! Aap Sharifuddin ji ko samhaliye! Or humari upahaar ki baat bhuliega maat! [Yes Majesty. You take care of Sharifuddin Ji. And don't forget about your promise.] Again the fiery voice stated with a laughter... Sharifuddin tried hard to see the face of the woman in the get-up of warrior, but he could not see anything. In his imagination he tried to place Jodha's face in that armour. Not possible! Sharifuddin could only see her beautiful eyes, her petal lips, her soft buttery skin, the curves of her waist and the valley between the healthy molds of flesh on her breast throughout his life. He had not got the eyes of seeing a woman beyond that... So he could not see Jodha there, he could only see a shadow of a warrior. He has always relished the enigmatic aura surrounding Jodha Begam as it always increased his desire of getting her. But the mysterious shadow of this woman warrior invoked fear in his mind for no reason despite knowing he is none other than that woman whom he had lusted from so many years...

"Itni ikminan se udhar kya dekh rahe ho? [What are you seeing there with such concentration?] Jalal tried to disarm him by hitting on his arm and failed as Sharifuddin controlled himself swiftly. Sharifuddin was panting and was looking exhausted by now. Jalal smirked... "Or bhi ladna chahte ho yeah fir humare sipahiyon ke aane tak thora aram karoge? [Do you want to fight more or will take rest before my soldiers come?]

Sharifuddin eagerly tried to find Jalal's one weak point to save himself while keeping on defending himself...

"Jalal... Tum... He panted as Jalal had cornered him again. "Tum hume maar nehi sakte! Hum... hum tumhare behen ki souhar hay; unki bacchi ki waalit hay. Tum hume... [You... you can't kill me! I am your sister's husband, her daughter's father. You can't...]

"Behenoi sahab... [My brother-in-law!] Jalal smirked cruelly as his eyes reflected fire... "Aap jaise souhar rahene se accha hay ki humari behen zindegi bhar beowa bani rahe! [It is better that my sister remains a widow all her life than a husband like you!] And again another strike of sword followed by another metallic clash...

"Nehi Jalal... Jalal tum mera kuch nehi kar sakte! [No Jalal... Jalal you cannot do anything to me!] Sharifuddin's desperation was tending to convert into plead. "Chor do mujhe Jalal! Jane do! [Leave me Jalal! Let me go!]

"Aise kaise jaane de? [How I can leave you this way?] Jalal smiled and waved his sword again. Sharifuddin also tried to hit him with his sword to continue the fight, and Jalal got an injury...

A simple injury on his left shoulder, but Sharifuddin got to see a thin ray of light to escape... The distortion in Jalal's face due to an inhumane pain and the temporary tremble in his limbs were not missed by his eyes. Yes... he remembered... Jalal had just been recovered from a grave injury! Perhaps he has to bandage his left arm even now. His wound is not completely healed.

Sharifuddin concentrated all his targets in Jalal's left arm now. But Jalal had coped up with his pain, and he was too skilled to get his left arm to be hurt again. It did not seem so easy for Sharifuddin to defeat him taking the advantage of his weak point of his body. Again Sharifuddin shouted... "Jalal! Jalal tum aapne behen ke sath aisa nehi kar sakte! [Jalal you cannot do this to your sister!]

"Aapne jaan bachane ke liye aapne samshir ke sivay ristedari ki istamaal kar rahe ho? [Now you are using your relations instead of your sword to save your life?] Jalal laughed. "Isliye kiye the mere behen se shadi? Taaki kuch bhi sajish rachke takht me baith sako or jaan par jab ban aaye tab meri behen ko samne rakh kar aapna sar bacha sako? [Only for this reason you married my sister isn't it? So that you can sit on the throne by conspiring and when it comes to life you can save your head by keeping my sister in front?] Jalal hissed and the slash of his sword torn Sharifuddin's kamij. "Tumhe marna to hay Sharifuddin... Mere samshir se maroge yeah fir Mughal kayed me yeh tum tyaar kar lo! [You will die Sharifuddin... You can decide whether you will die in Mughal prison or in my hand!] He dashed him. Sharifuddin was not able to defend his strikes anymore...

"Jaan baksh do Jalal! [Spare my life Jalal!] Sharifuddin was half fallen on the ground now. He pleaded desperately. "Zindegi me kabhi aapna muh nehi dikhayenge tumhe! [I will never show you my face in this life!]

"Tumhare gunaah maafi ke layak nehi Sharifuddin... Tumne na to srif saltanant ki khilaf sajish ki, Begam Sahiba ke shaan me ghustkhi karne ka jurrat kiya, balki abhi ke abhi Shahenshah ka jaan lena chaha! [Your offense is beyond forgiveness Sharifuddin... You not only conspired against the nation, showed your audacity by trying to defame the dignity of the queen, but also tried to kill the emperor right now!] Jalal smiled cruelly... He put the sword on Sharifuddin's throat. "Bohot khowab hay na, Shahenshah banne ka? Takht me baithne ke liye kabiliyat chahiye Sharifuddin; sajish or chal se logo ke jaan liya ja sakta hay. Shahenshah nehi bana ja sakta. Shahenshah hone ka pahela zimmidari hay aapne logo ki hipazat karna. Jo khud ek bhagora hay, jise aapne aapko bachane ke liye kabhi sajish ka or kabhi aapne biwi ki aanshuyon ki zarurat ho, o kaise karega kisiki hipazat? [You have a dream of becoming emperor isn't it? You need abilities to sit on the throne Sharifuddin; one can take lives by conspiracy. One cannot become an emperor. The first responsibility of an emperor is to protect his fellows. Who himself is escapist, who needs conspiracy and the tears of his wife to save his own head, how will protect someone else? ]

Shaifuddin now remembered his last weapon to save his head. He had no options left but to use that despite knowing it was bad and risky too; as Jalal has to be distracted now!

"Itna ghamand kaise aata hay Jalal? Tumhe lagta hay ki tum ek kaabil shahenshah ho? [From where do you get so much pride Jalal?] He hissed. "Jo aadmi ek kaabil waalit na ban saka usse ghaamand hay aapni shahenshah hone ka! Chii!! [Who could not become a good father is proud of being an emperor! Shame!]

Jalal's heart stung as he held the sword tighter... "Zabaan samhalo Sharifuddin! [Hold your tongue Sharifuddin!] He muttered in cold rage.

"Zabaan samhalne se sach to nehi chhup sakta hay Jalal. Yaad hay aapne baccho ka muh, Jalal? Kitney umeedyen lekar dunia me aaye the dono! Kitno ki umeedyen juri thi unse! Or kya hua? [Truth cannot be hidden by holding tongue Jalal. Do you remember the faces of your children? They had come in this world with so much hopes, so many peoples had hopes on them. And what happened?] He laughed. "Hamare mahaan kabil Shahenshah se aapni ghar me aapne do ek mahine ke baccho ka hipazaat nehi kiya gaya! [Our greatly efficient emperor could not protect his 1-month children inside his house!]

"Sharifuddin! Jalal gritted his teeth. He tried to control himself. Don't let your heart to overpower your brain Jalal! This bas***d is trying to enrage you to commit some mistake... He said to himself.

"Kabhi kabhi bohot bura lagta hay Jalal... Kya saha hoga tumhare do naanhe baccho ne marne pahele! [I feel bad for you Jalal... Both the little babies had borne so much pain before death!] Sharifuddin made a sound with his tongue. "Kya naam tha uss zaher ka jo diya gaya tha unn dono ko? Yaad nehi aa raha... [What was the name of that poison? I cannot remember...]

Keep your cool Jalal! Keel your cool! Concentrate on the sword only...Despite his warning to himself, Jalal could not help but to tremble in rage...

"Jo bhi naam ho, [Whatever be the name,] Sharifuddin continued... "Bohot tez zaher tha... Bare bare sipahiyon ko maut ki ghat utarne wala zaher. Unn dono nanhe jaan ko to maroch ke todke raakh diya hoga andaar se... Dardse ro rahe the bohot tumhare bacche, hay na Jalal? Chik rahe the, ro rahe the... [It was a strong poison... That poison leads the big warriors at the face of death. Perhaps it had broken and diminished their bodies from inside. The babies were crying too much out of pain, isn't it Jalal?]

"EK LABZ OR NIKALOGE TO ZABAN KAT LENGE SHARIFUDDINNN!!! [A WORD MORE AND I WILL CUT OUT YOUR TONGUE SHARIFUDDIN!!!] Jalal roared out of rage.

"Bechara Jalal! [Poor Jalal!] Sharifuddin smiled. "Samajh sakte hay hum kya bita hoga tum par. Aapne ghar ka hipazaat nehi kar paye Jalal, aab watan ka hipazaat karne me lage ho! Kya hoga yeh sab karke? Firse waalit banoge, firse koi aayega or naak ke niche se usse mar dega... [I can understand what went on you. You could not save your house, and now busy in protecting your nation! What will you get by all these? Again you will become a father, and again someone will come and kill him under your nose...]

"SHARIFUDDINN!! Jalal forgot his promises to Jodha and raised the sword to stab Sharifuddin at once. But he was waiting for this instance only; the moment Jalal moved the sword a little he sprung up and took up his sword. Jalal tried to defend at once but Sharifuddin managed to jump at his left side... Damn! Jalal thought and tried to control over his mind again... But his excited mind was too disturbed to concentrate on his sword now. His normal warrior instinct was being overpowered by his anger. Control yourself Jalal! Control! He held his sword tighter. Sharifuddin had raised his sword, he at once defended that with his sword...

"Mahamanga ki bad-dua yaad hay tumhe, Jalal? [Remember Mahamanga's curse, Jalal?] Sharifuddin whispered...

Again Jalal could not help himself as Sharifuddin poured ghee in his anger. And in that desparate anger he took a small wrong step. Instead of completely nullifying the force of Sharifuddin's sword he targeted his neck and took up the sword to hit. Perhaps it was a very minor miscalculation, usually people are not affected by this. But Jalal had to pay a big price of this small mistake, as Sharifuddin was searching for such a small hole only. And Jalal realized his mistake the moment after he did it... Sharifuddin was at his left side, right beside his shoulder; he at once rotated his sword in a twisted way and slashed it on Jalal's left arm. The already wounded weak part on his body shrank in pain, and Jalal could not stand anymore... With a choked shout in pain he knelt on the ground... He could hear a heart-whelming cry coming from distance calling him, but he could not feel that due to the unbearable pain...

Jalal's anger on Sharifuddin shifted to himself. It was completely his mistake to fall on his trap this time! How did he? Clenching his teeth to deal with the pain he roared and tried to get up from ground, but he could not. As Sharifuddin's audacity dared to jump on him and to keep his heavy shoe on his shoulder and he was unable to move... Blood was dipping from his wound constantly... Jalal tried to grip his sword, he tried to jump up but could not. Sharifuddin's pressure was unbearable. He was crashing his left arm with an insane desperation. "AHHH!! Jalal could not control his scream in this dangerous pain while trying to throw him out with his jolts...

"Hum chhor denge Jalal! Baas wada karo ki tum mujhe jaane doge! Hindustan se bahaar jane doge... [I will leave you Jalal! Just promise me that you will spare my life! You will let me get out of Hindustan...] Sharifuddin murmured while keeping the sharp point of his sword on his shoulder like a stick.

"AHHH!!! GUSTAAKH!!!! [AHHH! Audacious!] Jalal screamed in unbearable pain... "KYA SOCHA HAY! AISE BAACH JAYGA?? [WHAT DO YOU FELL! YOU WILL BE SAVED BY THIS?] He tried to push him with all his strength, tried to reach his body with his sword, but in vain...

"Hum tabtak nehi haatenge jabtak na tum mujhe jaane do! [I will not go unless you let me leave!] Sharifuddin bent to him while crashing his left arm even more... "Kab tak sahoge Jalal? Mar jaoge dard me! [Till when will you endure Jalal? You will die in pain!]

Jalal could feel the truth of his words, as the severe pain had almost made him to stand at the point of unconsciousness. He was feeling as if Sharifuddin is cutting his left arm into pieces, his vision was getting blurred. "AHH!! He shouted again, his eyes automatically filled in tears due to the agony... Where the hell his soldiers are? Where is Maan Singh? Everyone is such worthless!!

"Isse pahele ki aapne jaan gawa byatho hume jaane do Jalal! Hukum do aapne sipahiyon ko lautne ke liye! [Before losing your life let me go Jalal! Order your soldiers to go back!] Sharifuddin gritted. "SUNA TUMNE! YEH FIR TUM AAPNE SIAHIYON KE SAMNE AAPNI YEH RUSBAAHI BARDAST KAROGE? [CAN YOU HERE? OR YOU WANT THIS HUMILITION IN FRONT OF THEM?]

The pain and humiliation was tearing Jalal apart now... If for his one mistake he has to become the hostage of sharifuddin at last, he will prefer death above it. But... but where is Jodha now! He tried to find her but could not raise his head as the pain was spreading through his whole body...

"Mujhe... mujhe choro Sharifuddin! [Leave me Sharifuddin!] Jalal was too exhausted even to talk. "Tum... tum aise karke... aapne liye or muskil... or muskil khare kar rahe ho!! [You are making it difficult to yourself by doing these!]

"Jaan baksh do Jalal... Hum chale jayenge... [Spare my life, I will go!] Sharifuddin panted in excitement. "Nehi to aise tarpa tarpa kar marenge tumhe! [Or I will kill you torturing you this way!] He started laughing suddenly... "Kyu Saale sahab? Kya kahe rahe the, tumhe marne ke liye samsheer kafi nehi, hay na? [What brother-in-law, what were you saying, that sword is not enough to kill you right?]

Jalal was at the end of his tolerating point now. He was having difficulty to keep his eyes open. He was still trying to hurt him anyway with his tight grip on his sword, but due to the position and his weakness, the hit of the sword was not affecting Sharifuddin... In that situation, his blurred eyes suddenly caught something...

"Jo... Jodh... JODHA!!

"Hahahaahahahah!! Biwi ki yaad aa rahi hay?? [Hahahhh! Now you remember your wife?] Sharifuddin screamed joyously! "Kaha chhup gayi aap Jodha Begam?? [Where are you hiding Jodh Begam??] He shouted. "Dekhie aapne sauhar ka haalat. Or waqt rahete rahete aapne sipahiyon ko hatt jane ke liye hukum dekar humare sath chaliye! Agar aap humare sath aayi to or koi fikar nehi! [See the condition of your husband. Before time exceeds order your soldiers to retreat and come with me. If you come with me then there will be no tension.] He laughed out again. "Kaha gaye Begam Sahiba... Aapki sauhaar me daam nehi hay or aapki hipazat karne ka! Aiye mere samne... Hum bohot... [Where are you Begam Sahiba... Your husband has no more energy to protect you! Come in front of me! I am very...]

He could not complete his sentence, as a hard kick of two strong legs on his back made him to lose his balance and fell down on the ground. The kick came from sky, and he had no prediction of this... Jalal was at last freed from his clutch; he immediately rolled on the ground to change the position, and writhed on the ground groaning in pain. An awestruck Sharifuddin controlled himself soon, and tried to get up and grab Jalal again, but he could not. A dreadful pain at right arm made him fall in the ground. Blood ringed out...

"Picchle baar ki talwar ki ghao abhi bhi muh me leke ghumte ho Sharifuddin... Fir bhi iss talwar ki sakti pe biswaas nehi hua tumhara? [You still carry the scratch of this sword on your face Sharifuddin... Still you do not believe in the power of this sword?] A female voice whispered in violent rage. "Aaj abhi ke abhi hisab chukana hoga tumhe Sharifuddin! Abhi! [You have to pay for all Sharufuddin. Right now!]

Sharifuddin stared horrified. The woman in warrior-suit looks like Jodha Begam. But she is not Jodha. The red eyes burning in fire, the open hairs being freed from the headgear while fighting somehow flying like black cloud, and the sharp sword being the inviter of death itself, she is looking like a destruction! Sharifuddin had seen her in this form only once, and that day had scratched a permanent mark on his face. He was dumbstruck seeing her in that form that day too, and today also he forgot to take up his sword for a moment. The sword came on him like a lightning bolt and blood splashed out...

"AHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Sharifuddin tried to cope up with the pain and to hold the sword... Horrified, he saw his left arm was not there where it should have been. It was lolling on the ground being chopped off from his body!

"Issi haat se mujhe chhune ki spardha kiya tha na?? [It was the same hand with which you showed the audacity to touch me, isn't it??] Jodha's eyes sparked in blind anger... She again raised her sword, and before Sharifuddin could protest, her sword came down like another thunder, and another hand of him fell aside getting loose from the attachment of him body!

"ISSI SE HATYA KIYA THA NA MERE BHAI KA?? ISSI SE CHOT POHUCHA RAHA THA MERI SHAHENSHAH KO??? [Isn't it the one with which you killed my brother? With which you hurt my majesty??] The roar of Jodha echoed in the jungle...

Sharifuddin was no more in this world. He was writhing on the ground getting insane in unbearable pain... He could not even see Jodha was raising her sword again...

"Issi jiwha se humare naam pe aapsabdh kaheta tha! Hay na? Ussi aanko se meri upar bura nazar dala! Uss pair ko humari pati ki upar rakhne ka dusshash kiya! [This is the same tongue through which you talked bad about me! Isn't it? You put bad eyes on me through those eyes! That is the leg which you dared to keep on my husband!] She breathed in mad excitement. "Chhalli chhalli kar denge hum tera! 10 tukre karke srigaal ko khilayenge tabhi hume chain milega!! YEH LEH!! [I will piece you apart! After making 10 parts of body I will feed them to foxes and then I will get peace! Take this!!] She stabbed on his one eye...

"AHHH!!!!!!!!!! Sharifuddin screamed once then stopped. He was not able to bear it anymore and lost his consciousness.

"OR YEH LEH! [AND THIS!] Jodha rose the sword again, this time target was leg... but...

"JODHAA!

She turned back. Jalal has gathered his strength somehow and was coming towards her now... "Baas Jodha or nehi! [Enough Jodha, not more!] He was still panting. "Aapne aap par kabu rakho! Darinde maat bano! [Have control on yourself! Don't become a monster!]

Jodha kept on staring to him. She was fuming in deadly rage. The splash of blood had covered his face, her hairs floating in the darkness, her eyes invoking fire... She was no more the divinely beautiful wife of Jalal. She was a ball of fire now... She was the Goddess of death and destruction...

Jalal stood in front of her and gazed at her... He remembered the face of that black Hindu Goddess with skeleton-heads as garlands, destructing everything with her weapon... Who gives birth to respect and the fear at the same time... He could see the shadow of her face in Jodha for a moment. Perhaps all the women who are the forms of Goddess Lakshmi, can change into Goddess Kali too in need!

Jodha's sword fell from her hand as she ran towards him...

"Jodha!!!

"Shahenshah... Shahenshah aap... [Majesty... Majesty you...]

She did not complete and almost jumped on his chest embracing him with all her strength... He too, ignoring the lethal pain he was going through, hugged her back...

They could hear the sounds of hoots and neighs. The soldiers were coming...

ALL IS WELL...

"Shahenshah... Jodha's tender touch got Jalal back from his sleep. She was sitting beside her with a glass of medicine. It was early of morning in the calm army-camp. They were back in the tent now. Sharifuddin was under custody. All was well...

"Sukriya Jodha... [Thanks Jodha...] Jalal got up and sat with Jodha's help and took a sip from the glass. "Manna parega hakim sahab ki yeh sare dawaiyon ko Jodha! Karwa hay, par ek ghhut pine se bilkul tandurast ho jate hay log! [I must say these medicines of the doctor are great Jodha! They are bitter, but only with one sip one becomes fir like ever!]

Jodha touched his bandage very carefully. "Dard to nehi hay na or? [Is it still paining?]

"Pahele se kaafi kam hay, par... [Much less than before, but...] Jalal looked at his wound sadly. "paheli baar ghao bharne me itna din lag gaya tha, aab fir se! Pata nehi kab puri tarha se thik hoga... [It took such a long time to recover last time, again now! God knows when it will heal completely now!]

"Chinta maat kijie, thik ho jayega. [Don't worry, it will be alright.] Jodha patted his shoulder to cheer him up. "Aap thora or so jaiye... [You sleep a little more...]

"Nehi hum thik hay bilkul. Hakim Sahab ke dawai ki jaadu se bohot accha nind aya raat ko. [No I am alright now. Due to the magical medicines of doctor I had a sound sleep at night.] He looked at Jodha. "Aap kaafi taklif uthhayi hay kal; aap raat ko soyi thi naa? [You had taken so much difficulties yesterday, did you sleep at night?]

"Soyi to thi... [I tried...] Jodha sighed with a smile. "Parantu aankh bandh nehi kar paye... Hume bhi hakim sahab se dawai le leni chahiye thi! [But could not close eyes for once... I should have taken medicines too!]

"Kaha tha na humne? [I told you before?] Jalal affectionately took her hand and observed her wounds. "Kya haal ban gaya hay humari Begam Sahiba ki makhmal se bhi molayem haato ka! Kon kahega aapki inn nazuk si haato ko dekhke, ki jab isme samsheer jhalkata hay tab dusmaan ko chhalli karne ke waqt yeh haat ek bar bhi nehi kaapte! [What happened to my dear queen's soft hands! Who will say seeing these soft hands that when sword shines here then this hand does not hesitate to slash the enemies!]Then he tended to kiss her. "Hume aap pe naaz hay Jodha! Aaj aapne fir se saabit kar diya ki kyu hume itni mohabbat ho gaya aapse! [I am so proud of you Jodha! You again proved why I fell in love with you once!]

Jodha rested her head on his chest and relished the moment at her best...

"Humne kaafi bar dekha hay aapko ladte hue. Par fir bhi pata nehi kyu... [I have seen you fighting ample of times. Still I don't know why...] Jalal smiled with amaze. "Aaj bhi jab aapke haato me kangan ki jayga shamsheer ko khanakne dekhte hay hum hayraan rahe jaate hay! Kahi kho jaate hay! [Whenever I see the sword shining in you hands instead of bangles I become amazed! I lose somewhere!] He touched her chin with affection. "Aapki ek hi jism me or kitne rup hay Jodha? Har bar ek nayi soorat me aati hay, or hum hayraan rahe jaate hay! Or bar bar aapki deewana ho jate hay! [How many forms do you have in your body Jodha? You come in each of the forms everytime, and I become amazed. And become mad for you like everything!]

"Bohot ho gaya aapka jhuti tarif! [Enough of your fake praises!] Jodha cuddled her face on his chest like a little girl.

"Hum sarasar sach kahe rahe hay Jodha! [It is completely tue Jodha!] Jalal told. "Kal jis tarha se aapne Sharifuddin ke samna kiya or hume bachaya... [The way you saved me from Sharifuddin...] he smiled. "Agar aap nehi jaati mere sath to mera kya hota khuda hi jaane! [If you hadn't go with me God knows what would happened to me!]

"Pata nehi Shahenshah kaha se aa gaya tha humare bhitar aisi ashurik Shakti. [I don't know Shahenshah, from where did I get that power.] Jodha told after some moments. "Jab aap Sharifuddin ke sath ladh rahe the hum uska o dahina haat Aftaar ko bhagne se rok rahi thi. Hume biswaas tha ki aap ekele hi Sharifuddin ke liye paryapt hay issliye humne dhyan bhi nehi diya... Hum jab Aftaar ko bandh rahe the achanak se aapka chik sunai diya or dekhaa ki... [When you were fighting with Sharifuddin I was trying to stop his right hand Aftaar from escaping. I had faith that you alone are enough for him so I didn't even notice much... When I was tying Ataar I suddenly heard your scream and saw that...] She shivered a bit thinking about the incident. "Pata nehi kaha se humme aa gaya utna shakti or shahaas. Hume baas kuch bhi karke uss Sharifuddin ko parast karna tha! Hum ek ped dekhi jiska ek daal Sharifuddin ke piche parta hay; bina kuch soche hum sidha ussi me chadd gaye or picche se uspar prahaar kar diya! [God knows from where I got that strength and courage. I only wanted to defeat Sharifuddin that time. I saw a tree whose branch was right back of Sharifuddin, and without thinking anything I climbed that and attacked him from behind!]

"Sach me aapka jawab nehi Jodha! [Really you are great Jodha!] Jalal told in appreciation. "Agar hum hote aapke jayga to sayad itni jaldi nehi soch paate... [Perhaps even me would not have thought so swiftly.]

"Hume bhi nehi pata kya ho gaya tha hume! Kis tarha se humne bina aapna haat kaapaye Sharifuddin ke upar prahaar ke baad prahaar karti gayi! Hume bodh hi nehi tha ki hum kya kar rahe the; hum kaise uss tarha se Sharifuddin ko... [Even I don't know what happened to me! How I kept on hitting Sharifuddin that way without trembling my hands...] She shook her head. "Nehi Shahenshah! Hume aapne aap par niyantran rakhna chahiye tha. Sharifuddin jaise bhi ho, hum uske sath itni krurta se... [No majesty! I should have a control over myself.However Sharifuddin was, I had been so cruel to him that... ]

"Jodha... Jalal stopped her. "Yeh sab baat dimag se nikal dijie. Jo jaisa hay uske saath waise hi bartaab kiya jata hay. Kabhi kabhi sab ke acchai ke liye aapne aap se kaabu khona acchi baat hay. [Throw these thoughts out of your head. One is treated the way he is. And sometimes it is good to lose your control for betterment of all.]

Jodha smiled sadly and again slowly kept her head on his chest. Her eyes were getting closed due to tire. Jalal started stroking her head with sheer affection... Suddenly the corner of his eyes filled with tears. He was thinking about Sharifuddin's words which he used to instigate him. He knew that Sharifuddin wants to distract him yet he got distracted by getting excited... He can never keep his cool intact when someone pulls up the topic of his children's death and points to his inefficiency as a father. He loses his temper, as he does believe in his mind till today that he is responsible for his children's death, as he failed to protect them as a father. The deepest wound inside his heart... the wound of his left-arm will heal with time; but what about the wound in heart? Will it ever be healed? Or it will always stay there as the greatest weak-point of him as a warrior or as an emperor?

He once thought he should share his grief with Jodha. He looked at her face. Jodha was now sleeping peacefully in the shelter of his chest- the safest place of her world... Jalal smiled and caressed her hairs. No, he will not let her to shed tears by giving her the share of his grief now. She has shed enough of tears. Now she needs rest. She needs to sleep peacefully inside his chest. Today she needs him...

PRECAP: Jalal and Jodha came back to Agra...