Thread 2: Destined Love... (New thread created) - Page 15

Originally posted by: jasminegrewal98

Amazing update!
The romance between Purnima&Chandrajeet
Waiting for the next update eagerly. Finally Jodha has come to know a bit more about 'Chandrajeet's' reality.

Originally posted by: Sanarkali

Hey the update was too good i really love ur stories plz make sure they get married soon till chapter 25 the preparation should start plz i wanna see them together as akdha plz

Originally posted by: jasminegrewal98

I loved this!!
Im so glad Jalal washed away Jodha's anger and now I hope she remains firm to her promise that once she finds out who Jalal is she will not hate him.
So much drama at the end haha it was so action packed it was great cannot wait for Jalal to come back to take his Jodha

Originally posted by: Senapatichandri

hmmm... stuti... i will say... ektu tarahuro hoe glo ei chapter ta...

Hmm I understand what are you saying. Tarahuro hoeiche ebong tar fole ektu odbhut o lagbe ami bujhechi lekhar time eo. But ei tarahuro ta plot er karonei proyojon chilo. They had only some minutes to cleat the misunderstandings as totokkhone palace er sobai Jalal ke dhore already berie poreche...

jodha esechilo rege telle begun hoe r ekbarei gole galo...??? ektu ajob laglo...

See you already have answered this question at the last para. Jodha r ja raag chilo tar complete reflection or kaj ei o dekhie dieche... Kintu ekta time er por rag control e ele o bujhte parche je Chandrajeet hoyto oke thokayni ba Amer er khoti korte aseni. Rather o jemon oke mitthe porichoy dieche chandrajeet o same koreche. Tai ekebare kotha barta r sese Chandrajeet jokhon somorpon kore or haat e toloyar tule dieche o oke khoma chhara r ki korte pare...

r ekta byapar... jalal er o kmn akkel... jodha bollo chole jete o chole glo bina kono oppose kore??? eta o ajob laglo...

j bhalobasbe se kichutei take chere jabe na... but jalal eta ki korlo...

Jalal er ei kaj ta khub e bhul as a lover. But eta bhulo na or obochetone sobsomoy eta kaj kore jacche je he is an emperor and he has to save himself for sake of his post. Jodha nije jokhon jete chayni or kache 3 te option chilo, 1- eka chole jaoya, 2- Jodha ke tule nie jaoya jor kore jeta kora ta khub sohoj na karon Jodha nije obola naari noy r pechone Suryabaan chilo, o kichutei eta korte dito na, Tachara kelenkari r ekses hoto eta korle... r 3- sohid hoya. Jalal Purnima ke jotoi bhalo bese thakuk as a responsible emperor or instinct oke ekta meye r jonno evabe atmahatya korte dbe na. Kajei oke first option bachtei hoto...

Ami detail e ei nie likhbo next chapter e.

Bigrahapal o Joubanoshree ke fele rekhei paliechilo sayanbar theke... (Tumi sandhyar megh)

r ekta jinis... jalal nijeke chandrajeet bole porichoi diechilo ble jodha r etto rag... r nije j jodha to purnima hoe galo... tar bela???? jodha r rage r thekeo to bhoyanok hbe jkhn jalal jante parbe... o to bhabbe indirectly ok faste chaiche jodha ...

Raag ta jokhon hoyeche otosoto bhebe hoyni. Or problem ta not only that he has faked his name but he is a Mughal... Jodha bhabchilo Jalal spy hisebe dhukte cheyechilo kajei raag to or hobei. Jalal er kintu raag hoyar sei karon nei. Ekjon rajkumari je nijer naam nie ekta stranger er sathe prem kore berabe na seta bojhar khomota or ache...

Tobe janar por mante problem to hbei...

Dekhoi na ki hoy...

jai hok next chapter e tarahuro koris na... kno tara nei... but ebar er update de...

Lekha start korechi, update kore dbo jaldi...

new life tar comment rate pabi dupure porbo...

Waiting. 😃

Chapter 22:

The conference room of Amer palace was as calm as a sleeping volcano just before bursting out with all rage. At one side there were the members of Amer family, their eyes full of confusion and worry as well, and some people from Bhangarh with the same confusion in face...at another side Sujamal Singh was standing, behind him was Vijay Singh, both staring at floor with guilty face. In middle there was standing Kunwar Suryabaan Singh, the future son-in-law of Amer, fuming in rage; and beside him, hand held tightly by Suryabaan Singh, there was Princess Jodha Bai, standing completely vacant gazing at the wall against her... from her face none could tell what was going on inside her mind.

"Jamai-saa if you don't tell us what happened... Bharmal tried to start a conversation...

"What happened! Hah! Suryabaan laughed sarcastically. "After giving shelter to a Mughal spy in your kingdom, after betraying the Rajput community this way, you are asking me what happened??

"Kunwarsa I have heard about the Mughal spy... We will catch him soon... Bhagwant Das interrupted. "There is no reason of getting so restless...

"From where you will catch him? Suryabaan looked at him with furious eyes. "He has gone! Your treacherous sister has helped him to run away!

All the eyes turned at Jodha. She did not move her eyes a bit, still kept on looking at the wall like before...

"Do you know what are you saying Suryabaan? Bharmal Singh told in a heated voice.

"Ask your daughter what she was doing with that man, Maharaj! Suryabaan hissed.

"Jodha! Bharmal looked at her breathlessly.

"I found a man at the temple some days back. He was wounded and very sick. I gave him shelter outside the fort and tended his wounds. Jodha put her statement without any shiver in her voice. "If I have done any offense to the law of Amer, the great king of Amer may give me my punishment.

"What are you telling Jodha! You gave shelter to a Mughal spy?? Bharmal found it too hard to believe and kept on staring at her... Bhagwant Das was impatient. "What is she telling Sujamal?? He asked.

Sujamal picked up his eyes for once. "When my soldiers reached there, the man had already escaped on the back of his horse... my soldiers are behind him. We... we should wait...

"No matter how much you try to hide the great actions of your great sister, Sujamal Singh, you will not be able to fake me! Suryabaan Singh cast his fuming eyes on him. "Maharaj, ask your daughter who gave that man the horse??

"Jodha!!

"It was me Maharaj! Jodha did not lose the composure in her voice. "And I don't regret that decision...

"Do you know what are you telling Jodha??? Bharmal shouted.

"I believe he was innocent. I did not want him to get harassed by anyone... She gave a quick glare to Suryabaan Singh. "I have done legal offense by taking away the horse from custody and I am ready to face the consequence... She then concluded looking straight to her father. "But the man who fled was not a spy. I can guaranty that from his side Amer will face no harm.

"What guaranty? Is there any proof that he is not harmful?

"There is also not any proof that he can harm out kingdom, Maharaj. Jodha stated calmly. "Just as his horse was found in our kingdom with a thief, we cannot conclude that he penetrated into Amer as a spy.

"Ask your shameless daughter to shut up her mouth, Maharaj Bharmal! The king of Bhangarh shouted at the end of his dignity. "Let us hear the truth from Suryabaan!

"Listen Rajasa... Bharmal tried to keep the dignity of king in his voice though his voice was trembling. "What has happened and what has not we can decide after a discussion...

"You still need to decide things after discussion? Suryabaan shouted madly. "Your characterless daughter was having an affair with a Mughal guy and you need discussions??

"Suryabaan Singh, please don't cross the barrier of your tongue... Sujamal said in a low voice being unable to hide his disgust.

"You will teach me now?? Suryabaan looked at him furiously. "When you and your team have failed in your duty? When one of the soldiers of your troop was directly engaged in this crime??? Hey! Where is that scoundrel Vijay Singh????

Vijay Singh, who was standing behind Sujamal in gloomy face, came forward.

"WHIP THIS SCOUNDREL TO DEATH SO THAT HE BLURTS OUT THE TRUTH! Suryabaan shouted in heart out. All the persons present in the room stood shocked.

"I will tell the truth on my own my lord! Vijay Singh uttered in trembling voice. "I carried the wounded man to the hut, tended him with the help of vaidyaji and in the instruction of the princess keep an eye on him all the time. I did not have any doubt till this horse was found! He deliberately had to say this small lie... "I don't think Kunwari Sa can take any wrong decision so I think maybe he is...

"Who asked your opinion idiot?? Suryabaan looked at Sujamal. "Call that swine Vaidya! Give him a dose if he does not tell anything!

"Kunwar Suryabaan, I think it is not necessary for you to take the headache of our internal judiciary... Bhagwant Das was trying to take a control over the situation but was interrupted. "It is no more an internal issue Kunwar Bhagwant Das! The king of Bhangarh grunted. "The daughter of your house is spending her days and nights with a stranger and you people has no idea about it! Obviously my son has right to ask questions...

"YOU... Bhagwant controlled himself with a great difficulty by tightening his fists, and closed his eyes while shivering in rage. Bharmal Singh was sitting on his throne hiding his face in palm. Sujamal was cursing himself for not being able to do anything... Jodha only closed her eyes with a hope that the darkness in eyes will save her honour from the paws and claws of these demons who are ready to humiliate her in every possible manner.

"WHERE IS THAT BLOODY VAIDYA??? The king shouted.

Vaidya Sadanand, who was perhaps waiting outside, was taken inside in chains. Jodha did not look at him, rather she could not, as she had no strength to witness the humiliation of a real learned man, but the horrified plead and helplessness in Vaidya Sadanand's voice created a wave inside her heart...

"I swear to God Maharaj... The old man was telling. "When I tended that boy I did not know anything about him! He was... he was quiet a nice boy- not like a Mughal...

"Who gave you the right to take decisions over the king?? Suryabaan shouted. "Why didn't you complained...

"I... I was... Sadanand helplessly confessed. "I was appointed by the princess... and Maharaj... He looked at the king. "The boy was a very nice person Maharaj! I have dealt with lots of people in my whole life, I can understand who is good and who is evil... the boy was honest- I swear... He told his name Chandrajeet, and told a lot about his family and...

"And you, the oldie swine, started chitchatting with him, right?? King of Bhangarh yelled. "Suryabaan, I am sure this oldie definitely knows things more than this. And also... He looked at the dejected, humiliated king of Amer, "Maharaj, you call all the staffs who are involved in this fiasco. They will be whipped till death!

Suryabaan, who was about to hold the collar of Sadanand, looked at his father..."The principal maid of this characterless princess was also in this conspiracy Bapusa, that girl is also having an illegitimate relationship with this soldier Vijay Singh...

Vijay Singh could not control himself anymore... "How dare you! He shouted and was almost about to attack him, Sujamal readily held his hand. Suryabaan Singh came in front of him fuming in rage... "You were going to hit me, you bloody traitor?

Vijay Singh bent his head trembling in anger. Suryabaan looked at the king and shouted. "Maharaj, I want all the staffs in front of my feet! I will decide what should be done with these people...

All of the members of Amer family were standing devastated, their eyes full of the pain and rage of humiliation. Still none could stand against the prince... The anger of this helplessness were making the environment more heated, still all were standing mum... The other soldiers dumbly carried out the order and the staffs were coming inside one by one- most of them had no idea about what they had done...

"Excuse me Kunwarsa... Suddenly a boy came in front. A teenager of merely 15 wearing the royal attire and crown owned by the prince, the elder son of Bhagwant Das looked brighter than anyone present in the room now. Confidently he came in front of Suryabaan and spoke up. "Before you start whipping our faithful servants, I need to confess something. I was also a part of this fiasco. I had idea of what was going on. He stared coldly at the prince. "If your great valiance allows you to beat the servants of another land, I hope you will follow the same in case of me...

"Maan, what are you doing! Bhagwant Das could not stand mum anymore...

"What's the issue Bapusa, I am telling the truth... Maan smiled. "Let me see also, if the great majesty and the ministry of Amer are capable to save his court from anarchy of some people and hold the justice system intact or not!

"Maharaj Bharmal, your grandson is insulting us! King of Bhangarh smirked. "Is it a tradition of Amer to talk big after committing crime? First your daughter, then your grandson...

Bharmal shrank on his throne even more, too devastated to tell anything...

"What happened, Kunwarsa? Continue? Maan smiled.

"If anyone dares to give a scratch on my son, I will forget who he is! The protective father's instinct inside Bhagwant Das overpowered the political correctness of the prince and he roared indirectly pointing at Suryabaan.

Suryabaan exhaled the vapour of anger. He through at least by whipping some of the people involved in this treachery he will vent out the pain of insult that spy and this girl have given him. But perhaps he had understood it too, that what he was doing was crossing limit. But still, the whole thing cannot go out of hand this way...

"Before you shout on me Kunwar Bhagwant Das, he hissed. "You should take care of your house first... I am amazed to see the culture of your family Kunwar Bhagwant. Your sister has no guilt in performing adultery , the whole system is helping her, and even your son dares to come up and insult me as if she is all correct! Great family indeed! He smirked cruelly.

"Suryabaan Singh you have no right to... Bhagwant Das again started, but could not complete his sentence due to that unknown helplessness which was compelling all of them to digest all the insults...

"What is the reason of this late? King of Bhangarh started again. "Maharaj Bharmal, announce the punishment to all of the staffs. If the members of royal family are involved that issue will be discussed after that...

"If the drama is over may I say something?

All present there looked at Jodha, being stunned to hear the blatant arrogance with the mix of princely dignity in her voice.

Looking straightly at the king Jodha continued. "I have faith on the judiciary of Amer. I know as a convict I, and all the arrested people have rights to defend themselves. Before the law proves us guilty, according to Amer's system none can be punished.

"After getting caught red-handed... The king of Bhangarh started, but was interrupted by Jodha...

"None has been caught red-handed. Jodha said. "In my sense, I have not done anything which is an offense in Amer's law. Maybe the laws of Bhangarh say something else but Amer has no need to follow the rules of Bhangarh in this matter. She looked at Bharmal. "Maharaj, that man whom all of you believe to be a spy, was found in an abandoned temple outside of Amer fort, injured and senseless. As a sensible woman, I did the same thing which a human should do, to give him shelter and food and treatment. He was not found in Amer; there is no proof that the man was coming here only. How can one think of arresting one injured man resting far from the fort in the charge of trespassing? She took a pause. "Yeah, you can say I should have reported to the court ethically. But then, sometimes these ethics changes upon situations... I took the decision completely on mine; and the servants and soldiers standing here have only carried out their duty by obeying their princess. They have no fault so I will request to his majesty to free them without any question. The whole responsibility falls on me and as a princess I am only answerable.

"So you are trying to escape by the hole of law proving that the man was not a trespasser. King of Bhangarh smiled. "But today, when you found out ultimately that the man was a Mughal spy, why you went to him and helped him?

"My normal sense told me he is not a spy. And I helped him because, as I said Maharaj, Jodha's eyes suddenly inflamed. "I did not want him to be harassed under the banner of the justice system of Amer by some unwanted persons who have a very bad tendency to poke their nose inside every single events going on in Amer administration and pollute the environment by their unwanted presence!

"JODHA YOU DARED TO INSULT MY FATHER!! Suryabaan, who was already a volcano, completely lost himself and was about to hit Jodha. Spontaneously Jodha's brothers had their hand on their swords, and Bharmal stood up breaking his silence in excitement, but Suryabaan could not proceed as Jodha was piercing his eyes with her cold glares. "Don't cross your limit Suryabaan Singh! She uttered in cold voice. "You have already crossed the limit of my endurance.

"And I too have crossed the limit of my endurance long ago Jodha Bai! Suuryabaan shouted. "Will not it be better to you if you tell the actual reason of helping that man instead of insulting me and my father?? Tell them about your nights with him, tell them about your illegitimate relationship with that bidharmi? You characteristic wh**e... You bloody bitch!!

"You are crossing your limit Suryabaan Singh!! Sujamal roared... "How dare you to insult my sister in front of us??

"Still you people get the audacity to shout? Suryabaan laughed. "First I thought perhaps it is only Jodha who is characterless. But now it seems the character of Amer is like this only... All of them carry the same blood! The blood of wh**e...

"SURYABAAN!! The brothers of Jodha found it too much and raised their sword. But Jodha raised her hand to stop them. She came in front of Suryabaan. "You have shown your real form Suryabaan Singh! You have also shown the deep root of your culture. Now I request you to leave. I am the convict of the majesty of Amer, I will bend my head in front of him. But I will not allow any third person to put a finger on my character and on the culture of my family... Leave...

"I am third person?? You are engaged with me and are going to marry me!! Suryabaan told. "Before you and your whole family say a word against me and my family, they must remember that I am the one who is...

"So from that aspect you have taken it for granted that you have all rights to insult me and my family? You have all right of invasion in the laws of Amer? Jodha joined her hands. "In that case, I am hereby releasing you from all the so-called favour you think you are doing on us by signing this treaty and deal of marriage Suryabaan Singh! LEAVE!

Suddenly a curtain of silence dropped in the room.

The king of Bhangarh spoke first. He turned to Bharmal Singh. "Maharaj Bharmal, tell your daughter to mind her language and actions. Else I will be compelled to go back with my son breaking the relation!

"Can't you hear? Jodha smiled sarcastically. "Do you really think that I still bother to marry your son? Who are you to break the marriage? I hereby refuse to marry Kunwar Suryabaan Singh! If you have a little respect left, leave at once!

Both the king and the prince stared vacantly at her fiery face... Then the king got up. "Come son, come! Everyone, we are leaving for Bhangarh right now...

Bharmal Singh, who was sitting like a statue in all these time, suddenly got up and held the king's hand... "Rajasa, don't do it to my daughter... she is... she is an immature child...

"Bapusa! Jodha uttered. "Let him go. I can tolerate everything for my Amer, but I cannot let your and my motherland's head to bend low in front of anyone!

"You don't say a word Jodha! Bharmal shouted in a trembling voice... "Bhagwant, Sujamal... try to convince Kunwar Suryabaan Singh to...

His words remained incomplete, as none of the brothers was interested in convincing anyone for this marriage after such a long term of insult. Bharmal Singh also stopped and sat back on his throne sighing. This sigh was more of a father's lament than a king's worry...

The king of Bhangarh came down from the pedestal and pulled Suryabaan's hand to get him out of the room. Suryabaan was surprised to see the audacity of the princess while she proudly rejected him as her husband in front of everyone instead of falling on his feet for marrying her after all this and to save her dignity! The anger of volcano evaporated again.

"YOU THINK YOU ARE GREAT JODHA BAI, ISN'T IT?? He shouted. "I WILL SEE! I WILL SEE WHO MARRIES YOU IN THIS WHOLE RAJPUTANA! I WILL SEE HOW YOU GO OUT OF YOUR PALACE WITH THIS FACE! I WILL SEE HOW AMER KEEPS ITS NAME AND FAME INTACT IN THE WHOLE RAJPUT COMMUNITY!

His voice echoed in the room like a curse on the dynasty on Amer...

After sometime, when the people of Bhangarh were out of sight, Jodha knelt down... She was at the last point of her endurance after fighting with her fate...

"Bapusa... She told while panting. "I am your offender! I beg for your punishment...

The whole room was lost in the darkness of silence from the moment the king of Bhangarh left. After the moments of excitement now all understood the horrifying seriousness of the matter... that a big cloud of omen has surrounded over the fate of the princess and Amer... what will happen to her life now? What will happen to Amer now? None was able to tell a word now.

"Bapusa... Jodha called again...

Bharmal stood up slowly, came down, walked towards her, made her to stand up, and then slapped her with all force he could apply...

"Bapusa!

"Kakasa!

"Rajasa!

Bharmal was hardly listening to anyone. He clasped Jodha's body and continued shaking her constantly. His eyes flooded with the tears of a worried, dejected father... "You wretched, ill-fated, cursed girl! What did you do?? Why did you tell them to go? WHO WILL MARRY YOU NOW? WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU NOW? Why did you play with your life?? WHY? WHY? WHY?

"Bapusa! Jodha's control broke as she broke down in crying on Bharmal's chest... "Bapusa you punish me anyway you want! But don't tell me to marry him! Whatever happens to me, I will be in Amer Bapusa! I will bear your punishments in Amer, I will not be able to endure the insults by someone else outside Amer! Bapusa give me death-sentence if you want but don't tell me to marry him!

"Oh God!!! Bharmal's shout sounded like a lament as tears flooded his eyes... Then he freed himself from the embrace of Jodha, wiped out his tears and got back on his throne...

"Let the search continue before we find that Mughal. He tried to get back his majestic tone. "Increase the security of border. Order the soldiers to get ready for any kind of situations! He kept on telling without looking at Jodha. "Princess Jodha Bai has committed a crime by letting that man flee. Judging her age and the dignity she holds, hereby I announce a punishment for her. She will be house-arrested the rest of life until the majesty of Amer forgives her!

Jodha closed her eyes and lowered her head.

"Court dismissed! The king declared and stormed out of the room without letting anyone to show any sympathy on his pathetic state...

All the members of the court also left... The officers, the family-members, her brothers... Sujamal Bhaisa patted on her shoulder once before leaving... Then the special guards came to take her to her room- as a prisoner...

She proceeded towards her room, covered by the guards... Moti Bai ran towards her... "Kunwarisa!!! She cried and hugged her. Jodha could not hug her back. Suddenly she felt someone has built a wall around her...

In the entrance of the inner palace she saw ample of women of the palace- her mother, her stepmothers, her aunts, her sister-in-laws... there was a silence of death in the palace. Mainabati broke that silence with her cry all of a sudden and rushed at Jodha, banging her head on her shoulder... "You cursed girl! What did you do? What did you do????

Jodha felt the wall around her to become harder, unbreakable...

She had no pace of her own. Like a robot she followed the guards to her room... The guards stood outside, she slowly shut the door and locked it. She could hear Moti banging the door, she heard her mother crying with the fear of she might take a wrong step, she heard her sister-in-laws running here and there to decide what they should do... but nothing entered in her head...

Slowly she sat in front of the mirror, looked at her face and her swollen eyes... Then she smiled without any reason...

Then she took out the dagger from her pallu... And her smile became more prominent. "Hence, in the name of my love, I surrender my dagger to you... He said something like that, hadn't he? Ignorant guy, he does not know the meaning of surrendering a dagger to a Rajputani woman in Rajput tradition... Unknowingly she has been betrothed to him through this dagger... isn't it? Her smile converted into giggle and her eyes filled in tears suddenly...

Then she rubbed her forehead with her right palm, and her parting and her forehead filled with red blood... like vermilion. Yes this is the blood of the wound that his sword gave her while she had prevented his strike. This colour in her forehead and partings is also given by him...

She took the dagger in her embracement and kissed that. Two drops of tears fell on that. "I don't know what I would have done without you if everything went perfectly. But that's better! Now I can wait for you for unlimited time without any dilemma even after knowing that you will never find Purnima! My waiting will be true Chandrajeet... Purnima will never lose herself in the burden of the name of Princess Jodha Bai now!

The cold breeze in the desert was literally piercing the bones. Jalal was shivering due to cold in his wet kurta, and he did not even have a blanket to cover him. He had to hide under the water of the lake to save himself from the arrows for a long time, though he was not escaped from all of them. He has pulled out two of them from his arm and shoulder, one is still on his back, blood dripping from the wound constantly hence making him more weak, and the old pain of his feet have come back due to too much jumping and vaulting in morning, his whole body was paining as if someone is piercing him with thousands of pins together... But all the pains were negligible to him now, as the tormenting inflammation inside his heart has overpowered all his senses. Perhaps for his whole life he has lost the right to look at his own face with respect by tagging a level of an escapist on him...

"How I did this! How I escaped leaving her alone in that danger! How? How? He could not endure anymore, hiding his face in his palm he fell on the sand of the desert, punching the rocky soil with blooded fist and crying in pain... Tufaan, who seemed to be tensed seeing his owner's condition, tried to cheer him up by rubbing face on his shoulder or licking him. But Jalal hardly felt that... He was lost in his own grief...

He was possible out of the reach of the soldiers of Amer now. After riding the whole day at full speed without a little halt and after 2 hours hideout underwater he had at last came in the desert far from the territory of Amer. After passing the desert he will reach his camp. He will reach to his real world... The world where he is respected as the emperor... the world for sake of which he forcefully threw out Purnima out of his life and left her behind in danger in order to save himself. In order to save the emperor!

How he did this! She assured him that she will be alright and he fled? Was he really convinced with her words, or he never actually wanted to take her in his actual life! Coward! Coward! Coward! Purnima was still there. Purnima was not able to escape. That bloody prince will kill Purnima. The soldiers of Amer will kill Purnima... When his Purnima will be facing death-sentence, he will be enjoying his emperorship sitting on the throne...

"DAMN ON ME! Jalal screamed and banged his head on the rock. "Jalaluddin Mohammad! You are not a man! You are not a man! He kept on banging his head to find some peace...

"Don't be silly Jalal...

Jalal picked his head up. Someone was standing in front of him...A young man wearing priceless dresses and jewelries, the gem on his turban shining in the darkness. Jalal knows this man... the man came closer and he recognized him... yes he knows him the most. He is him!

"For what you are blaming yourself? What you have done?

Jalal looked at the eyes of the kingly attired him.

"You had nothing to do! When she was not willing to come herself, you had no right to force her! That would be a crime, cannot you understand that?

"I should have forced. They will kill her otherwise! Jalal uttered devastated.

"She has assured you that she will be safe. You have to keep faith on her word! The image of Jalal told.

"That does not mean I have no duty towards her! How I escaped! How?

"What you could have done otherwise? To forcefully take her with you against her wish and then to cage her inside your harem with all the women who entertains you with their beauty and body all the time? And to hurt her already hurt heart again by giving her your real identity so blatantly without giving her the chance to accept your truth? Jalal could hear the voice inside his heart!

"But... at least I could see the consequence...

"Only to get yourself killed! So glorious death of Jalaluddin Mohammad. Isn't it? The kingly-dressed Jalal mocked. "The emperor of Mughals, Jalaluddin Mohammad got himself killed in his expedition in Amer in the hands of some random soldiers...

"At least I... I... Jalal could not say, as he could not think anything...

"Yes, you won't get the pain that you are getting now. But would the history forgive you? Would your dynasty forgive you? After so many years the scattered Mughals in Hindustan has again found a base to rise... after such a long struggle your mother has again started dreaming you as an emperor of a great empire just like your father did till his last breath... And for your love, for your selfish pains you would deceive all of them??

Jalal closed her eyes...

"You can't die without a reason Jalal. You are an emperor! You cannot die a death of a glorified lover as the world owns you, the world expects much from you! And you know it...so you were able to escape... you knew at the proper moment what the priority in your life...is

Jalal sighed... yes, for a moment perhaps his subconscious mind had reminded... that he is the emperor, his life has a cost, much more cost than Purnima's, a common girl's life... for that instant the emperor won over the sentimental lover... The emperor will always live to do his duties, carry out his responsibilities from now, and the lover inside his heart will be killed every day by him... and the emperor is helpless!

Jalal tried to control over his heart... and he succeeded... when he opened his eyes, the image was gone...

With heavy heart and agonized body he tried to pull out the arrow from his back once but it gave only pain... The cold was increasing with time... he understood he needs to get out of here as soon as possible else he will be frozen but his body was too exhausted. Still he got up, wiped his eyes and patted on Tufaan's head... His poor Tufaan has become thin in these days. He is hungry and thirsty after such a long journey; but from where will Jalal find food for him in this desert... He remembered someone else suddenly. Abdul... where did he got vanished? Has the desert grabbed him forever? But Abdul is too strong for that... then where??

Just before he was going to ride on his horse, he saw some dots of light coming from far. He became cautious... He does not have a single weapon to fight now except his hands... How will he fight if the robbers of the deserts attack him?

The lights coming closer and closer... Jalal became excited and in excitement pulled out the arrow from back. At least he had something sharp in hand now, and for rest the hands are enough... The lights came close, and the sound of hoots and neighs were audible. The first man riding on the horse held the torch in front of Jalal's face. The sudden reflection of light blinded him temporarily but he adjusted readily. He looked at the faces and the uniforms of the men of the troop standing before him... And he could recognize the first man...

"Zashim Khan! He uttered in his usual majestic voice that came out automatically seeing his subordinates. "It's pleasure to see you!

"Shahenshah!! The man jumped down with worried face. "Yeah Khuda! You are injured! Hey listen!! The ordered to the rest of the troop... "Give a blanket... Pass the water here... Help Shahenshah to get on the horse... we have to reach the camp fast!

"Nothing to get worry Zashim Khan... Jalal assured him while covering himself with the blanket. "But to be honest, you were late... where is Abdul? Did not he reach in right time?

Though it was dark, but Jalal could clearly see the shade of gloom in Zashim's face. His heart skipped beating. "Where is Abdul? He shouted. "Is he alright?

"He is right in the camp, my lord... Zashim Khan replied. His voice did not seem good.

"Is he alright? Jalal repeated? "Or has he faced something bad in the journey...

"He is okay, Shahenshah! Zashim hurried. "But we should go now! Wazir-E-Ala Bairam Khan is already arranging troops to attack Amer. Before the soldiers set off we need to go!

"What? Jalal exclaimed with half disgust in voice. Then he got onto the horse. The horses started running... The Amer is left behind...

When the horses reached the Mughal camp the sun had risen in the East. There was a disciplined pandemonium inside, just like it happens in an army before marching for a war. Though soon the environment changed as a messenger had rushed into the camp and informed all that the emperor had returned.

Jalal was half-conscious, half-sleeping out of exhaustion and depression throughout the whole journey. The noise of the camp broke his drowsiness. He opened his eyes and saw he has reached to his place. The Mughal camp covers a vast place in an open field under the scrutiny of many invisible sheer eyes. Even a leaf which comes under the territory of the camp cannot fall in its own wish; the air of regulations strangulates the nature here... The flag of Mughal totem was standing on the highest pedestal announcing the greatness of Jalal's ancestors... The horses entered into the camp and some of the soldiers and servants rushed towards the horse of the emperor. Jalal came down from the back of his horse without taking any help of the attendants. He looked at front, a slight smile of peace came in his lips automatically...

"Khan Baba... He uttered...

"Jalal. My son... The commander-in-general of the army rushed at him. For a moment perhaps he forgot that it was a public place and hugged the emperor without caring about his emperorship and his post. "I am so relieved to see you safe and sound my son! Where were you?

"Don't worry Khan Baba, I am perfectly alright. Jalal smiled and bent to kiss his hand as a showcase of respect. The commander smiled at him proudly. Bairam Khan, the prime minister and the commander-general of Mughal Empire was not only the trainer of Jalal, he has been always respected as the foster father of Jalal. The very strong and rigid man in his late forties, owner of an iron body and stone-heart, had a strange fatherly affection on his foster son. His curtly handsome Persian face, which hardly shows any type of emotion other than vehemence, had a touch of worry of love today. With tender eyes he looked at the bloody patch of Jalal's dress, and his expression changed all of a sudden. "They hurt you! He murmured...

"This is nothing much Khan Baba. Jalal assured him. "As you always say, wounds are the ornaments of a warrior...

"That's a different thing Jalal! Bairam Khan's eyes were trembling in sudden rage. "Those cheap Hindu Kafers have dared to hurt our emperor! They dared to hurt the pride of Mughal! And they have to pay for it... He looked back and instructed one of his followers... "Nashir, order the troops to march for Amer at once...

"No Khanbaba no! Jalal usually does not oppose his godfather, but today he had to. He caught Bairam Khan's hand. "They did not hurt me knowing I am the emperor. It was like an accident. You cannot attack Amer now!

"So what? The kingdom of that Amer and their ant-like king... those bloody kafers with polluted blood... Mughal army can smash those Hindu Rajputs under their boot... Bairam Khan's words had something more than just rage. He was bearing his deep hatred on the Hindus in each word coming out of his lips, the hatred which he has achieved over years... He also had tried to mold Jalal in that fire of hatred, but most probably due to Jalal's own parentage and sensibility, with the increasing age this hatred seems baseless to him, and he unknowingly was getting distanced from the way of Bairam Khan...

"No Khan Baba. You will not attack until I find it needed. It is too early to attack. Jalal, hence, told with a pressurized rigidity in voice. Bairam Khan was trying to tell something more, but he stopped, as he had found something in Jalal's eyes which he did not expect.

"Okay... you go and take rest. I am sending the physicians... Bairam Khan told in a calm voice.

"Before that I need to meet Abdul. Jalal said. "Where is he?

"Abdul? That worthless, irresponsible bodyguard of you? Bairam Khan looked at him with sheer surprise. "What is your work with him?

"What are you telling? He risked his life to save mine, and I will not thank him? Jalal looked here and there... "Where is he?

"He risked his life? Bairam Khan laughed mockingly. "Don't you think Jalal that it comes under his duty? However, besides that, I found him totally irresponsible and not at all fit as a personal attendant of the emperor after all this fiasco...

"I always find Abdul to be the most faithful attendant I could have ever... Jalal did not pay much heed on his words. "Anyways where is he? When he was so much late, I was really worried for him! Is he alright?

Bairam Khan kept on staring at Jalal, scrutinizing him with the glare of him.

"Zashim! Jalal called out. "I will go to Abdul. Where is his tent?

Zashim looked at him terrified for once and then lowered his eyes.

"What happened? Jalal frowned. "Anything happened to him?

"My lord... he is not... not alright... Zashim stammered.

"I want to meet him. Now! Where is he?

Zashim's lips trembled for once as he looked at Bairam Khan. Then he lowered his head and uttered... "This way, Shahenshah...

While entering inside the particular tent, the smell of highly concentrated medicinal herbs blocked the nasals of Jalal for once. Then he looked at the bed. A man was lying on the bed covered with a blanket and surrounded by some people. The overall environment of the tent was highly heated as the men sitting around the bed looked too much angry. But all of them lowered their eyes and stood up and bowed down to respect when the emperor came inside. Jalal entered with surprised eyes and came towards the bed... He gave a vivid look on the face of lying Abdul. It seemed someone has soaked all the life he had from his face. The bright jubilant youth was lost somehow.

"Abdul... Jalal called worriedly.

Abdul opened his eyes. His face glowed with real happiness. "Shahenshah! My Shahenshah! You're back! You're okay! There was a deadly weakness in his voice also...

"What happened to you Abdul? Jalal did not hesitate to sit beside him and touch his forehead. "You are not looking good. What happened to you? Did you face any great problem in your journey? Or the desert has soaked your life! Why are you looking so weak?

"I can cross the whole word by my feet for my Shahenshah! How a mere desert can make me weak? Abdul tried to smile. "I only wish if I had been a bit quicker, if I had not been late, maybe... he sighed...

"You're hiding something from me. Jalal told after a moment. "What is that?

"You are looking injured my lord! I think you should take rest... I would have accompanied you to your tent if I could but... Abdul smiled with a lot of frustration blurring his eyes... "I cannot!

Jalal kept on looking at him with frown in his brows. He then scanned him from head to toe. His eyes stuck at his waist from the part he is covered with the blanket. His eyes sparked for once.

"Remove the blanket. He ordered. But all other present was hesitating.

"Did you follow? I told to remove the blanket. Jalal's voice made the others to shiver now. One of Abdul's mates leaned and removed the blanket.

"Yeaah Khuda! The sound came out automatically from the mouth of astonished Jalal. He automatically covered his mouth with his palm in shock and kept on staring at Abdul, at the left leg of Abdul.

As, there was nothing in the place of where his leg was supposed to be... His left leg had been inhumanely chopped off from his knee!