Thread 2: Destined Love... (New thread created) - Page 22

Originally posted by: --cute.manasi--

big chappy na !

Originally posted by: Shinning_Stuti

Very big but no Jodha. 😛

Originally posted by: --cute.manasi--

ahha means lots of things would be coming...YESSS YESSS !

Originally posted by: Shinning_Stuti

Yep 😉

CHAPTER 23:

Jalal's stunned eyes kept on staring at the void in the place of the leg of Abdul. The smell of medicated herbs, the big white sterilized bandage with strains of blood, and the stern and frustrated face of Abdul had temporarily taken out his normal sense and left him in a strange hangover... After a while his lips murmured and he uttered in a very cold and icy tone which is more fatal than a forest-fire... "Who did it Abdul?

"I am sorry my lord. I could not get here in time. After I left you at the border of Amer in that state, I was unable to forgive myself... I was praying to Khuda... so that He let me to reach the camp earliest possible... but perhaps He did not pay heed to a sinner like me... Abdul explained... "I ran the whole night... and in the morning I was tired, and I stopped at a place to take rest... I know it is a great offence to take rest in that time for sake of my own health when my emperor is in danger but...

"I asked who did it Abdul. Jalal repeated in the same cold tone.

"That was all in my destiny my lord... Abdul again waved the topic aside... "While taking rest, I saw a caravan of camels and ran to them for help. But perhaps the tire and worry had taken away my common senses... I could not differentiate between a merchant's caravan and the team of dacoits. They took me to their place in order to rob me properly and perhaps to sacrifice me in front of their God! It was all my fate and your blessings my lord, that I fled from there without getting a scratch... but this event caused a lot of delay which was unexpected from me...

"Abdul... I asked who did it... Jalal's eyes were burning in flame of fire now. "I don't want any story Abdul... I want the name...

"I don't want to blame anyone My Lord... Abdul's voice was surprisingly calm. "I know your security is much more important than a mere leg of a negligible person like me. It I have done any mistake in my duty, I am ought to be punished. But... He suddenly sighed. "Only depressing thing is, I was always thinking I was doing my duty... till someone forced me to believe that I am not only an irresponsible soldier, but also a traitor. He smiled. "Your Majesty, I can give my life for you, this leg is a very minor thing in front of my devotion towards you. I would be happy if those dacoits had chopped off my leg. But I got this as my punishment... a punishment for a crime which I never believed I could have done! Now his eyes shivered in excitement. "The pain is not only physical my lord, the pain is not only of becoming an invalid person for the whole life... the only pain of mine is, the Mughal law accused me as criminal; the law insulted and crashed my devotion towards my emperor like this! However... it was all in my fate. I am happy that you are alright...

"So you will not tell me who dared to do this to you overlooking the emperor's wish! Jalal whispered in an almost muted tone as his voice was overpowered by his rage... "Well... And then he stormed out of the tent leaving Abdul and others in shock.

"KHAN BABA!! KHAN BABA! Jalal shouted in extreme rage. He perhaps forgot that he was calling his foster father and he cannot be rude with him that too in public. Bairam Khan was nearby, he frowned and came closer.

"What happened Jalal? You are calling me this way? And you are still here? He touched Jalal's face and then looked at his wounds. And he burst in anger. "Your wounds are still uncared! What the hell the physicians were doing??? They don't know what I will punish them for their negligence!! They will be finished!

"It is not necessary that you have to punish everybody in every second only because you have the right to give them punishment Baba! Jalal did not raise his voice, but the strength in his voice was more that the shout of Bairam Khan. Bairam Khan frowned at him. Perhaps he had felt the heat of the fire inflaming in Jalal's eyes...

"They are assigned to serve their Majesty Jalal, if they are unable to do their duty, there is no scope of forgiveness... Bairam Khan uttered in a clam voice.

"If someone is unable to fulfill your each and every wish according to your mood, that does not mean they are unable of doing their duty Khan Baba! Jalal told in the same tone. "You must not forget, like you, everyone has their own commitments and dedications to their own duty! You have no right to insult their dedications!

"Jalal! Bairam Khan stared unbelievingly for some time; then he smiled with doubt in eyes. "What's the matter? Has anyone told you anything about me?

"I am not a blind or deaf that anyone needs to tell me anything, Khan Baba... Jalal told in a cold tone. "You need not to worry. None in this camp has the courage to speak up against you, and so none has opened his mouth for once. And their fear and hesitation to take any name has told me who is the man they are hiding... He came closer and whispered. "Why did you do it, Khan Baba?

"What have I done? I don't remember doing anything to enrage you so much recently? Bairam Khan smiled.

"You want to say you did not chop off Abdul's leg? Jalal's voice whipped the air.

"So it is Abdul, your nincompoop bodyguard for whom you are talking this way to your mentor? Bairam Khan's eyes sparked in anger. "Yes I did.

"And you think you have done nothing wrong?

"I am the Wazir of the empire Jalal, Bairam Khan stated. "My position gives me the right of punishing everyone for their deeds.

"But your position does not give you the right of chopping off the legs of everyone you don't like without any reason Khan Baba! Jalal suddenly roared.

"You are raising your voice against your mentor! Excellent! Bairam Khan smiled sarcastically. "For your information, let me tell you, I am not chopping off the legs of those people whom I don't like; I only gave punishment to my emperor's chief bodyguard for the negligence and callousness in his duty which told upon the life of my emperor. I think I have that right to decide the punishment for them on behalf of the emperor?

"I never saw any trace of negligence in Abdul's nature. He is completely devoted to his emperor, and from that point of view your lawful punishment has become a crime committed to him. Jalal's eyes sparked.

"Well, I am more experienced than you Jalal. Bairam Khan spoke. "From that experience I can deduce that a person like Abdul is not safe for you. His main work is to protect you. But instead of that he took you to the land of enemies without giving proper information to us. There, when you were in severe danger, he not only left you alone there, but also became tremendously late to report in the camp about the incident. I don't know about your perception in this incident, but all I can see is a case of utter negligence!

"He did not take me to enemy-land. He accompanied me as I ordered him to do! He did not give proper information to you because I did not want. You saw the delay in reporting in time; you could not see the hardship and agony he has to go through in the whole journey to save me from danger? Jalal uttered disgustedly. "Are you blind?

"No I can see this! Bairam Khan said bluntly. "And that's why I spared him only by chopping off his one leg and also provided him medical help after that... He hissed. "Otherwise I would have chopped off all his limbs and threw him in the desert to die where he got delayed!

"You cannot do this Khan Baba! Jalal too hissed in extreme anger. "You just cannot do anything you want with my personal attendant! You have no right to...

"Of course I have right to punish the people in order to ensure my emperor's safety, Jalal... Bairam Khan stated calmly. "As an emperor you can snatch that right from me, but don't try to teach me about my duty... His eyes sparked in a mute anger on Jalal. "You left the camp without telling me. You had become vanish for so many days... We found no traces of you and your idiot bodyguard! Do you have any idea what was going on me? Do you have any idea how much worried was I? You cannot see that worry in your Khan Baba, but you readily see the pain of your mere attendant? He held Jalal's shoulder. "Yes I have the right to punish him! I have the right to punish him! He was assigned with the task to guard and protect you; but he let you go out from the camp and did not report to me... I know what my duty is Jalal, I will not learn that from you!

"He ought not to report you about my whereabouts especially when I myself forbade him to, Khan Baba. Jalal hissed in a cold anger. "He is not a spy or a guard... He is my personal attendant and he reports only to me! He then came closer to Bairam Khan and put eyes on his eyes. "I am the emperor Khan Baba... I am not a house-arrested prisoner of you! I have rights to go wherever I want!

"Excellent! Excellent! Bairam Khan clapped in great sarcasm. "Indeed, Your Majesty, you are the emperor and I am just a mere servant of yours... I have committed a grave mistake by doing my duty! You punish me whatever you want! Cut off my limbs, throw me in the desert, or hang me till death! You are the emperor! You have the right of course!!

Jalal turned his face in disgust. He was unable to take this melodrama to exploit him emotionally. Bairam Khan forcefully made him to look at him.

"You think you are old enough to do anything you want? You are old enough to ignore and insult your mentor? Listen Jalal... I have trained you to an emperor from a little boy... I have been a support to this empire from even before your birth. I will not let you to harm my empire due to your whimsical acts! And if I think I should punish anyone for the betterment of my empire, I will! If you think you will punish me for that showing your emperorship, you can!

He tried to burn Jalal with the poisonous glare for some moments, then turned back with a don't-care attitude to go away from the place, Jalal suddenly called. "Khan Baba...

Bairam Khan turned and looked at Jalal. There was an icy sharpness in his calm eyes... Bairam Khan's eyelids shivered a little looking at him.

"You punished Abdul because he was unable to protect me right? Jalal asked in a very calm and cold voice.

"Yes! And I will do that again and again if I need! Bairam Khan stated proudly.

"So you mean, your deed has no connection with the Ratangarh fiasco, right? Jalal's cold voice lashed on the air.

"Ratangarh... what are you telling Jalal... Bairam Khan stammered a little while his eyes touched with a very little bit of tension, but he removed that with a shout. "You are questioning my integrity Jalal! You are questioning my honesty!!

"No Khan Baba! I don't dare to question your loyalty and honesty... I am just trying to state that... Jalal hissed in a very cold voice... "... that maybe I am not old enough to take my decisions on my own according to you, but I am not blind. I can see what is happening around me... So... His icy voice whipped on Bairam Khan's face... "You will not repeat same kind of task again. Understood?

"You are ordering your Khan Baba? Bairam Khan hissed in grave insult.

"No... Jalal smiled. "I am ordering my Wazir-E-Ala...

And he turned back and left for his tent without wasting a moment to Bairam Khan. Bairam Khan kept on staring at his exit... He could feel the wall of a rigid personality his student has built around him... which is tough to break even for his foster father!

In the evening, Jalal was lolling restlessly on his bed due to pain. The medicines prescribed by the doctors were not enough to reduce the physical agony and get him sleep tonight. This experience is not new to Jalal; he never feels pain when he is active no matter how much grave injury he gets, but when his body gets a minimum security and rest, all the pains and irritations gets on him. Till morning all the pains were bearable for him, but now even after taking medicines he was not relieved!

Though his mental strain was much more massive than all the pains he was feeling... Everything happened too fast, without giving him a minimum scope to cope up with. Even one day before he was in a dreamland, and just in a moment after coming back to his harsh reality he got such a terrible shock which he was never expecting. He still cannot imagine that a fresh youth like Abdul, who used to be the champion in the fencing and racing in the imperial sporting competition, will never be able to stand on his own feet! And he, Jalaluddin Mohammad is solely responsible for this!

Jalal felt even more restless while thinking about the expressionless frustrated face of Abdul. He suddenly remembered the night of that market-fire in Amer. Abdul had said that he will not even hesitate to give his life for his safety. And he showed how much dedicated he is by completing the journey on feet over the desert. He risked his life to save the life of the head of the Mughal Empire! And what Mughal Empire gave him as a gift? The life-long curse of becoming an invalid person from a soldier? Is the Mughal Law system is so vulnerable that it cannot differentiate between a loyalty and negligence? Or is the Mughal emperor so vulnerable that he has no power to hold the system with firm grip to distribute same justice to all! Jalal was not only dejected, but he was insulted! He was feeling insulted as an emperor! He was feeling insulted as a human! He was feeling insulted as a failed friend. Yes, friend... Jalal does not know Abdul from a very long time. But from the day he has been appointed as a personal attendant of him, he has won his heart with his true dedication and honesty. Jalal had found a friend in him, who not only used to obey him with all his devotion, but also used to understand him, used to give him proper opinions in need. He had owned a very rare thing from Jalal that he usually does not give to anybody... He had won the faith of Jalal. Jalal used to trust Abdul. He was slowly getting used to be dependent on him. He had started to build his own new cycle along with Abdul... Perhaps he started to trust him even more than his Khan Baba... and maybe the reason behind Abdul's cursed fate is not the allegation of negligence etc, but that trust and dependence and friendship only...

Jalal lied straight on his bed and closed his eyes... The memory of some weeks back flashed inside his head... The Ratangarh fiasco... his first political move without any suggestion of his Khan-Baba...

"Jalal! Khan Baba had entered into Jalal's tent without any announcement. Jalal was clueless as he seemed too angry. "What happened Khan Baba? He went closer and approached him.

"What is this Jalal? Khan Baba had opened a scroll of an officially sealed document in front of Jalal.

"An official document... Jalal answered naively as he was unable to read what was written there, and was unable to remember each and every document he needs to seal every day.

"This is a Farman you sent to Ratangarh! Bairam Khan had shouted. "You even sealed it and sent to the fort of Ratangarh and I don't even know about it? Who told you to sign it?

"I had thought to tell you about this Khan Baba, but got no time. We all were busy discussing about the war-strategies... these things I hardly remember. Jalal told casually. "Yes, I had sent this to the Killedar of Ratangarh fort some days before. I have suspended him from his duties and ordered an enquiry on his actions and asked a show-cause from him on the basis of the complaints I got...

"What the hell! Bairam Khan was astonished. "Who complained you about the Killedar of Ratangarh? I never got any complaints till date!

"Some complaints do not come so straightly Khan Baba. Jalal smiled. "So we have to take the twisted path to get the real news.

"Don't talk in riddle Jalal!

"I am not talking in riddle, Khan Baba. I have information about the anarchy and vandalism Makshud Khan is doing inside the fort of Ratangarh. If I hadn't taken a drastic action readily it might be late! Jalal told excitedly. "He is literally looting the dwellers of the fort. They are forcefully converting people, they are torturing kids and molesting women on regular basis and what not? Ratangarh is an important place of our empire, if for a corrupted officer the base of that important point becomes weak, it will directly affect us, isn't it? I was in hurry to take decision and I didn't find you at near to talk with you, so I had to publish the farman. There's nothing to get angry about it...

"Makshud Khan is doing all these? Bairam Khan had sharpened his eyes. "And who told these to you?

"I have my men, Khan Baba... Jalal told in short.

"Your men... Bairam Khan's lips had bent in a sheer amusement. "How do you trust them so much?

"I find no reason of not trusting them, Khan Baba... Jalal had told calmly.

"You know that Makshud Khan is my distant relative and...

"I know, but that does not nullify the crimes he has done, Khan Baba... Jalal's voice was again very calm.

Bairam Khan had stared at his pupil's rigid glare for a while... His eyes reflected astonishment along with resentment. "You should have consulted with me, Jalal...

"I did not find you at near. Anyways, I don't think there is anything needed to consult. I knew what I should do about it... I did not take any whimsical decision rather I ordered a proper enquiry. I think I have enough sense of handling these matters, isn't it?

Bairam Khan was still staring at him with astonished eyes; perhaps was thinking when that little boy has grown up to be a complete matured man like him... but strangely he was not happy with this change...

"Who gave you the news, by the way? He had asked.

"I have my men, Khan Baba... Jalal had smiled.

"Men? Your men?

"Yes... my men; my own group of informers who directly reports to me. Jalal had clarified.

"When did you do all these, without telling me? Bairam Khan's voice was full of surprise, which did not have even a little touch of appreciation.

"Not a long time... Jalal had smiled mysteriously. "But this is effective... You always used to tell me that an emperor should have four eyes to see the state of his empire. So I have started to arrange my eyes... He had a touch of pride in his voice. Clearly he had expected a little-bit of appreciation, but instead he got a bunch of questions.

"You need extra eyes to rule over your empire? Bairam Khan had almost shouted angrily. "Why? You don't believe in the spy-system working under me? Or your spies are spying on me itself?

Jalal had gazed speechlessly at his face for a while. Then he smiled again. "I was a bit surprised first; you have your spies all around the empire, you have everything under your sharp observation, but how come these incidents did not come into your eyes and I did not even get to know about all these... Then I realized Khan Baba, very less numbers of all the incidents that take place in my empire every day and night, comes under my awareness through the traditional spy-system of the sultanate. I need to keep track of each and every single incident, Khan Baba... I don't want to skip a single one. So I need my own eyes, my own group of spies... He smilingly held his hands. "Don't get angry on me now and go to sleep Khan Baba... You are looking tired.

"You will set spy behind my back, you will openly say that you do not trust me and my spies that much, you will take decisions without even asking for my opinion based on those bunch of spies, and not even tell me before implicating my relative in a certain serious issue, and then you will expect me to go and get sleep? Bairam Khan murmured in a suppressed anger while leaving his hands with a jolt. "Anyways, you are the emperor. Of course you can do it! He had sighed... "By the way, if your team comes up with another news of mine involving in any sort of corruption, you will suspend me and order an enquiry against me also, I suppose?

"I don't think I will ever have to think about these. Jalal was still not a bit moved, he was smiling calmly. "I have faith on you; my informers will never have to come with those types of news... Abdul? You?

Bairam Khan had turned back to the door, and was surprised to see the young chief of Jalal's personal security chain standing there, with a slight wicket smile twisted on the side of his lips. It was for sure that Abdul knows everything about the whole incident. He had already known about the farman, and his smile told that he had a big part in this whole case.

"Come Abdul... I have something to talk with you... Too much of Bairam Khan's surprise, Jalal welcomed that mere attendant heartily completely ignoring his presence... The he looked at him. "Khan Baba... You please don't get angry on me... I know you are thinking I do not believe you but thing is not that... thing is an emperor should have more than one trusty eye with him and...

He was telling a lot of things, but perhaps Bairam Khan hardly heard any of them. Because, he perhaps had diagnosed the main cause behind Jalal's lack of complete dependency on him; and also had found out the center of the cycle where Jalal's trust has been distributed. He had identified the man who has become so important for Jalal that he did not even think twice before suspending the relative of Bairam Khan that too without giving notification!

And after that, and after a little bit more spying on him, after getting proves of Abdul's becoming the head of the small cycle made by Jalal, how could he forgive Abdul for becoming the most faithful and dependable servant of Jalal?

Jalal finished almost half of the jug of the water out of extreme rage. Yes, that is the reason for what Khan Baba took such an inhumane step against Abdul. The overrated story of duty for securing the emperor has absolutely no basis! His action against Abdul is clearly headed by a pure personal trait, based on a clear sting of revenge... Rather, his complete rage was not on Abdul. By punishing Abdul he showed Jalal, he paid back that same insult to Jalal which he unconsciously did by appointing own spies ignoring the presence of his Khan Baba! Jalal is seeing Bairam Khan from a very long time, he has enough brain to understand the mentality of Khan Baba. But still, damn to his weakness, he actually could do nothing to Khan Baba. He himself has personal restrictions to say anything against him... He just cannot imagine he is judging that person from the seat of an emperor who used to even beat him for his every wrong move with his sword once... Bairam Khan always had been more than a father to Jalal. Jalal was not that close to his own father that he is with his Khan Baba. And how can a son even think of raising his voice and showing off his powers against his father as they have differences? And secondly, among all these, he cannot overlook and neglect the love that reflects from Khan Baba's eyes for him... All his rage and wounds of humiliation just lose their ways of getting out in front of that strong love, affection and fatherly protectiveness...

But today what he did was extreme... Was very much extreme!

Suddenly Jalal got up; he had noticed a shadow of someone behind the curtain. "Who's there? He asked...

"May I come in, Your Majesty?

"Abdul!

Spontaneously Jalal jumped up from the bed and almost ran towards the curtain. It was Abdul standing there with support of one of his mates. He was still not habituated with the use of crutches, it was too tough for him to come here and stand and the pain was reflecting from his eyes. "Why you took the hardship to come here Abdul... I could have come to visit...

Abdul looked at him with utter surprise. Jalal could not complete his words. He knows, no matter how much tough it is for Abdul, when he needs to meet the emperor it should be him only who can approach, not the other way around... "Come... Have a sit... come...

With the support of another guy Jalal almost carried Abdul to a seat. Abdul's face shrank in pain when he placed himself on the seat. "Your Majesty... He tried to speak, but the jolt of panting from inside restricted him to speak. Jalal touched his shoulder with empathy. He kept on staring at Abdul's face... Perhaps he felt for first time how much he actually loves his personal attendant.

"Will you take some water, Abdul? He asked in a soft voice...

"No Thanks, Majesty... Abdul tried to smile. "I need to say something to you, Majesty... That's why I disturbed you in the time of your rest.

"What? Jalal sat beside him touching his shoulder without caring about his position and all... "I can understand Abdul, what happened to you is very wrong and I...

"Majesty... Abdul interrupted him. "I want to resign from my duties. Please free me from my responsibilities and allow me to go.

Jalal stared at his face without blink.

"I am no more capable to carry out my work My Lord. Abdul continued. "I should have left earlier. But I waited as I wanted to tell you before leaving... Forgive me for all the mistakes I did, your Majesty, and let me leave...

"It is not your job to decide how much you are capable to do your work, Abdul, that' my responsibility. Jalal said after a short pause. "Your duty is to be my companion. And I still feel none can be more eligible for this job than you. You will stay here, Abdul... I order!

"Pardon your majesty... Abdul told in a bit adamant voice. "I am a paid servant of Mughal Sultanate. Is it not in my right to leave my job if I do not want to continue it anymore?

Jalal kept on staring at his face for a while. Then he sighed and uttered in weak voice. "I will not leave you in this state. How will you live your whole life if you lose the source of earning in this state? He touched his shoulder. "Look, I can understand you are distressed. You take a vacation for some days and have rest till your health gets alright? Then you join whenever you want. But I will not let you to take this drastic decision of leaving the job!

Abdul kept mum. Perhaps he was relishing the friendly concern in the emperor's voice... After a while Jalal spoke again. "I know, I am really sorry for your condition... I know I can never compensate you, but as a sign of my redemption I...

"My Lord... Abdul cut his words again. "I don't need any compensation. Please free me from my duties and that will be my only reward this time!

"Abdul... Jalal held his hands to calm him down, but could say nothing seeing his desperate, dejected face.

"Physical agony is short-lived, Majesty! I will be okay very soon. The other problems which I am facing will be reduced with time when I will be used to with living with one leg... Abdul told after a while. "But Majesty, what is the remedy of the humiliation I got? The pain of this humiliation will not decrease rather it will increase day-by-day... And the fear of getting humiliated will even increase day-by-day... I would rather choose the life of a beggar than this life as a courtier!

"I know what happened with you was not only an injustice, but a crime Abdul. Jalal told.

"No Majesty... Khan-E-Khanaa Bairam Khan cannot do any injustice! Abdul told, but his lips bent in sarcasm.

"I see black as black and white as white, Abdul... There's no other way-around. Jalal told. "If you want justice, I promise you to give that...

"My demand of justice is very much negligible in front of the dynasty, Majesty! Abdul tried to smile. "I am a very common man... what I will do with justice? I need security my lord!

"Security? Jalal frowned.

"Yes my lord! Abdul uttered after a pause. It seemed he was feeling relieved to vent it out. "Once I had the charge of your security. But right now, I feel I am not secure under the roof of Mughal dynasty. For some reason I have enraged the high-command of the Mughal sultanate, and for that I lost my leg. I fear of losing more... my fear and insecurity will not go if I have to stay and work under his supervision for life-long! Free me from this fear, My Lord, let me leave the job!

"Okay... Jalal nodded and got up. "If you want security, I will provide you that right now. He glimpsed once to a surprised Abdul and looked at the man accompanying him. "You, go and convey the order that His Majesty has called for a temporary court at once!

Bairam Khan could do nothing. He was first surprised. Then angry, then stunned. Surprised seeing Jalal to call for a public court all of a sudden without his suggestion and sending him just a notice to attend it... angry to see Jalal straightly walking on the pedestal ignoring his eye-contact completely. He did not even understand on whom he should be angry. Whether on that stupid Abdul, or on Jalal, or on himself! He could do nothing when Jalal stood on the pedestal, declaring statements one after another which indirectly intended to insult him, and at the end of the court proving in front of all that his gives more priority to his silly Abdul than his foster father.

Jalal had started with a very fascinating speech in a moderate pace- which mainly contained the topic of bravery of the soldiers and the other workers in Mughal dynasty- about their service and their importance, and he concluded with the example of Abdul, who did not hesitate once to risk his own life for his emperor... Then he came to the main topic- that he wants to reward Abdul for his loyalty and dedication.

It was tolerable till then, as Bairam Khan thought it will be a considerable compensation to Abdul before he leaves his job forever. But he was stunned when Jalal declared his reward.

"I, Jalaluddin Mohammad, hereby declare Abdul as the new official-in-charge of the intelligence and spy system of Mughal Empire, and giving him the authority and control of the fort of Ratangarh. From now on the head of this department will report only to the emperor and it will be free from the supervision of Commander-In-General Bairam Khan.

Everyone was looking at Bairam Khan only after this declaration. And without caring about others' expressions, Jalal had concluded- "I am very sorry on behalf of the whole justice-system of Mughal Administration for accusing Abdul wrongly and giving him a fatal punishment without his fault led by some sort of misunderstandings. I am hereby taking an oath as an emperor that none of this empire will be able to punish his sub-ordinates without presenting enough proofs against them... the court is adjourned.

Bairam Khan was not able to believe it. Jalal actually took away the responsibility of intelligence department from his hand directly! He gave the authority in Abdul's hand! Not only that, he gave Abdul the whole Ratangarh fort which had been snatched from his relative. That stupid lame bodyguard defeated the great Bairam Khan this way!

Or it was a simple defeat in hand of Jalal? He suddenly remembered his conflicts with Jalal in morning, he remembered the fire in Jalal's eyes he witnessed for first time. He remembered how Jalal took out the topic of Ratangarh fort all of a sudden. So he had connected both the incidents, and so he replied him in his own style! Since all his hatred and grudge on Abdul had started from the fiasco of Ratangarh fort, which Jalal had taken back from his people on Abdul's instigation, Jalal gave the fort to Abdul! It was not to reward back Abdul, it was to insult him indirectly, to show that he has the ultimate authority! Not only that, he even took the responsibility of supervising the spy-system from him! He degraded his position publicly! Yes, emperors have their rights to give and take the responsibilities to anyone at any moment, and it being a regular practice none cares about this; but Jalal- his Jalal took the responsibility from his Khan Baba's hand for a mere servant? How could he?

While thinking about the court that had been held in evening, Bairam Khan was taking sips from his goblet sitting in front of the camp fire. Suddenly he felt a touch on his shoulder...

"Khan Baba... Then the very familiar and hearty tone took away his grudge and grief for a single moment. He looked back. Jalal was behind him, his calm smile was shining in the flame of fire...

"I thought you will come to meet me after the court, Khan Baba... Jalal told.

"The emperor has taken the decision, what a servant can say about it! Bairam Khan could not stop the fatherly grievance to come out this way. He turned his face again.

Jalal laughed. "I knew you will be mad at me, Baba... I was waiting for this reaction from you. The he pulled his hand on his lap and smiled with utter care and gentleness. "But still I think we need to talk to each other like two matured persons rather sitting mum and fuming in mind full of resentment. At least we both should not have any kind of misunderstanding between us, isn't it?

"You still have something to tell? Bairam Khan laughed sarcastically. "After insulting me in front of the whole court that way by snatching out my rights from me...

"Khan Baba, I only reduced a little weight from your whole burden of duties by taking the responsibility of supervising the intelligence department from your hand. I know I will not be that good as you, he smiled. "Still, I too need to have experiences. Otherwise how I will be an all-rounder emperor, right? After all, my Khan Baba will not be there always to back me every moment...

There was something in Jalal's voice which made Bairam Khan a bit uncomfortable. He did not raise that topic any more. Instead, he looked at him. "Why do you trust on Abdul so much?

"I am trying to experience in this art of trusting people too. Jalal smiled casually. "You know, one need to expertise on their skill of trusting people around him too along with practicing the skill of suspecting people. So, what my observation has said, I have concluded that I should trust Abdul as he is trust-worthy.

"And that trust is so strong that you believed him over your Khan Baba, and gave him the responsibility of the whole department?

"What to do Khan Baba? Jalal smiled without a bit of excitement. "The old in-charge was not good enough for me. I never got any confidencial news about my empire from him. I did not even know about the incidents of Ratangarh from him. What could I have done? He carefully looked at the eyes of Bairam Khan. "I know that the old in-charge who used to report you were your faithful, I also know Ratangarh's old officer was your relative, but apart from that if I think from the point of view of an emperor, he smiled. "I have ample reasons to take their jobs and to give that to Abdul. He paused a moment before he finished. "You have taught me that the law is equal for everyone. Whether it is your relative, your faithful, or you yourself!

"Why are you keeping on talking about my faithful or my relatives and all? You are taunting me? Bairam Khan fumed in rage. "You are questioning on my honesty and integrity?

"When did I question you? Jalal's eyes were still calm. "I can never dare to question the honesty and integrity of the greatest pillar of my empire. But yeah, I am surprised... He sighed a little. "I am surprised to see that what was expected to be done by my Khan Baba himself, when is done by me, he became so mad at me that he did not hesitate to chop off the leg of an innocent whom he had held responsible behind my decision?

"Ohh! So these were punishments of mine? The replies of Abdul's pain? Bairam Khan taunted. "I heard he met you just before the court? What he urged? Justice for himself? Punishment of Bairam Khan?

"He wanted either of two things... Resignation from his job, or security... I gave him security and respect which was deeply hurt. Jalal smiled again. "Don't worry, he did not want justice. If he had wanted so, and I really gave him his deserved justice, then you know Khan Baba... he stopped and glared at his eyes meaningfully... "Justice is equal for everyone, Khan Baba... One cannot see his personal relationships while doing justice. You taught me once... He whispered in a cold voice.

"You are threatening me? Bairam Khan murmured in shock.

"Am I mad that I will threaten my Khan Baba? Jalal laughed. "I am answering your questions only. However, I think I have cleared my stances and you will be no angry on me? He cheered up. "Good Night! I am going to sleep. My wounds are paining and I need rest!

Bairam Khan told nothing. Jalal again turned back before leaving.

"Khan Baba...

Bairam Khan turned back.

"If anything bad happens to Abdul even after all these, or any other is punished severely for silly reasons, his voice was suddenly grave. "then none will be able to stop the real justice to be done... Then none will be spared only by the assurance of security... justice will prevail!

Both of them shared an eye-lock for some moments silently. Then Jalal nodded. "Good Night, Khan Baba...

He walked towards his tent. Bairam Khan kept on seeing him...

Resting half-lied on the bed of his tent, Jalal was gazing at the moon. After the whole incident of today he was extremely tired from inside. Perhaps only the moonlight had the power to absorb his weary and to sooth him. As, he could see her face in the shine of the dreamy moonlight.

Only two nights before, these hours used to be the best hours in his life... He used to live in a heavenly dreamland... and the princess of his dream, the angel of moonlight used to come to him... the ray of her love had elevated him, had made him pure... how those nights seem like dreams only in his real world of tough reality!

It was strange for Jalal. He did not remember Purnima for once when he was involved in the conflict with his Khan Baba regarding Abdul... He was lost in his little scope in his nasty world. The face of Purnima reflected in front of his eyes when he needed peace... when he really needed her. Jalal's heart ached suddenly. As if suddenly he realized how much important Purnima had become in his life! But he felt it too, that the pain of missing Purnima is also beautiful and relieving... It hit her heart like chilling breeze of winter... hard, unavoidable, but essential to enjoy the flavor of life and love...

Jalal closed his eyes and tried to imagine an image of Purnima... He could not concentrate. A suppressed worry had clouded his mind. Where is she now? Is she alright? What will they do to her? What type of man he is? She is alone in danger and he is enjoying his nap in a comfortable bed? He should do something. He has to do something... anything! Anything!

"Aahhh! Jalal got up suddenly as he felt a sudden inflammation in the wound of his arm. Then he suddenly got so much surprised that he could not tell anything...

"Your wounds needed to be dressed, Jalal... The rigid voice of the lady reflected motherly affection while her efficient hands swiftly changed the bandage on Jalal's arm.

"Badi Ammi!

The middle-aged lady with a tough facial built and rigid personality smiled looking at him. Her look and attire says itself that she is a very pious lady living a saintly life, and her eyes say she is not a common woman. She is tough, she is unforgiving, fearless, and she is cunning... She used to be beautiful in her young age, and that hangover of beauty was still there is her face. But the blazing ray of personality has faded that beauty. Perhaps now one will fear her before he could appreciate the beauty in her eyes... With a natural gravity that shells her every time, she tenderly touched Jalal's cheek. "You were resting Jalal. I thought not to disturb you...

"But you... here... in this night! Jalal stated in a happy confusion. "I still can't believe! Am I dreaming?

"No! She smiled. "I was coming back from Ajmer Sharif. Thought to meet you once before going back to Agra... I was missing you. Don't know I was having a feeling that you are not well...

I am not well Badi Ammi... I am not well... Jalal thought, but did not tell anything. "It's too pleasure to meet you Badi Ammi. Really! He told with a hearty smile.

"I am happy to Jalal! The lady smiled mildly. "Not only because I saw my Jalal safe and sound, but... she touched his shoulder. "As I saw the glimpse of a real emperor in you today! I can see the emperor in you whom I wanted to see for so long!

"You know what happened today, then? Jalal asked with a sigh.

"Of course I got to know. She chuckled. "Congratulations Jalal! You have grown old. You have learnt to play politics. You have learnt to give tit-for-tat without hurting anyone directly. You have learnt to take decisions like an emperor...

"Thanks Badi Ammi... Jalal tried to smile.

"It is good to see you took the control of spy-system in your hand. This way slowly you need to free your empire from the clutches of Bairam Khan... Else he will always try to make you the puppet emperor.

Jalal sighed seeing at the face of his ambitious foster mother. Maham-Anga used to be a wet-nurse of the prince in her young ages, who has taken an important part in politics and life of the emperor with her wonderful sense of politics. Jalal has a very special bond with this lady who has brought him up. But nowadays he clearly understands what she means when she starts talking against Bairam Khan. His foster father and his foster mother cannot even tolerate themselves. The main reason is their possessiveness on Jalal, and also the silent fight of influencing Jalal. Where Maham Anga cannot tolerate the importance of Bairam Khan in Jalal's court, Bairam Khan cannot bear the fact that Jalal has a large influence of his foster mother in his every decision and he actually gives a lot of weight on her opinions, even much than he gives to his Khan Baba. And on the other hand, Jalal can feel the displeasure of Maham Anga for not getting an important place in Jalal's court as an advisor only because of the superiority of Bairam Khan. She is cunning, and she is able to smell the tension between him and Khan Baba. So she leaves no stone unturned in her trial of showing the real truth of Khan Baba to Jalal. Same things happen to Khan Baba too when he depends much on Maham Anga. Jalal has been balancing both of them efficiently from a long time, but sometimes he really feels irritated.

"To be honest, I never intended to do anything which indirectly hurts Khan Baba... But today he made me helpless. Jalal told. "I know he is hurt, but Abdul was much more hurt than him. If I kept mum today like I do always, it would have been an injustice to him.

"Why do you think you hurt him? As an emperor you have rights to order him, and he has to understand that!

"I know Badi Ammi... Jalal smiled. "But thing is, I care for his emotions. I never thought him anything else other than my father.

"And he exploits you based on that emotion. The lady sounded excited. "Yes... he exploits you for enjoying his power and position. Bairam Khan is the most sadist and power-hungry person I have seen ever in my life!

"No he is not. He is over-protective and conservative. He is impatient and cruel. He is not power-hungry or dishonest... Jalal stated in a firm voice. "And also, Bairam Khan is the strongest pillar of our Mughal Dynasty. Disregarding him, or eliminating him will directly tell upon the base of the empire. Bairam Khan is as important as Jalaluddin Mohammad for this dynasty and they cannot get apart.

"You don't know Jalal... You can't see...

"Yeah I can see Badi Ammi... I have eyes... Jalal suddenly interrupted in a little impatient voice.

"You don't even understand how he manipulates you... Maham Anga sighed.

"I have enough sense to understand who tries to manipulate me and when, Badi Ammi, and I also have enough intelligence of my own for not getting manipulated by anyone... Jalal stated sternly and waved the topic aside. "However, can we talk about something different?

Maham Anga stopped and looked at Jalal's eyes. There was a suppressed spark in his eyes when he uttered the time manipulate'. Why? Did he mean her indirectly? Maham calculated in her mind... She needs to be more careful from now. It is almost an impossible job to control Jalal's thoughts according to own wish. He listens patiently to everyone. He gives weightage to each and every word. But when it comes to decide, his brain does not allow anyone to take the decision on his behalf. Jalal is too intelligent. He is not made for living like a puppet. Maham Anga has understood it long before; alas, that Bairam Khan could not! Bairam Khan's ego did not let him to understand Jalal completely and that will be the reason of his elimination from the dynasty. Only matter of time, Maham Anga should wait... Her impatience can tell upon her reputation to Jalal, so she will be much careful from now on. Jalal should not understand her personal grudge when she will talk about Bairam Khan...

"Okay, no more talks on politics now. Maham Anga changed her tone at once. "Come here... She made Jalal rest his head on her lap and started caressing his hairs. "What a condition of your hairs! And why you are so much wounded? What had happened to you? Where had you been?

"I wanted to see the beauty of the deserts... Jalal lied. "And somehow I had put myself in some unwanted problems that's all... nothing much. You say... He picked up his head and looked at her. "How is Ammijaan?

"All are fine in Agra, my son! Maham smiled... "But Jalal, you did not tell me properly. Where had you been? She sharpened her eyes... "What were you doing in Amer? If you only wished to see the beauty of desert, you would not have entered inside the fort of enemies with so much risk... then?

Jalal sighed suddenly. He could tell nothing.

"You want to capture Amer? Mahamanga asked. Jalal shook his head. "Nothing like that, Badi Ammi...

"Then?

"I just wanted to visit Amer...

"Only for visiting Amer? Mahamanga frowned. "Or someone else? I got to know some nomadic had come and sang the songs on the beauty of the princess of Amer just some days before you went to Amer?

Jalal looked at her for a while then smiled. "Leave it Badi Ammi... I don't want to talk about it...

"You don't want to talk? Maham Anga's frown grew deeper. "Okay, at least tell me that where were you in these days? You were extremely injured when Abdul left you. So, who tended you?

Jalal lowered his eyes. The ache in his heart was spreading all over his body and the stone he buried in his heart tried to choke his throat. "There was a naturapath, Badi Ammi... he gave me medicine. And... He sighed. "There was a girl... who gave me shelter, dressed my wounds and fed me... and... he could not complete his sentence.

"A girl? Maham repeated.

"Yes... a girl of desert land. Jalal felt extremely uncomfortable while sharing these to his Badi Ammi. He did not want to share her with anyone.

Maham Anga told nothing but he gazed at Jalal's face. The rapid change in Jalal's expressions had caught in her experienced eyes at once... After a while she touched his face. "Jalal...

"Y...yes, Badi Ammi... Jalal seemed to be almost lost in other world when he reciprocated.

"Who is that girl? Is she a dweller of that land? Do you like her? Maham Anga questioned.

Jalal kept mum. He only likes' her?! Funny!

"If you like her and why did you leave her there? You should have abducted her! Maham Anga suggested in a surprised tone. "Why did not you pull her on your horse and bring her here?

"Abduct her? What are you telling Badi Ammi? Jalal stared in shock.

"Of course. You are the emperor! Everything that is beautiful in this world, is yours! Any beautiful girl whom you like has to be in your Harem only! Maham Anga stated proudly. "Okay, if you like her... at once send soldiers to capture Amer. Then all the other women along with that particular girl will be there to serve you in your harem...

Jalal could tell nothing as a jolt of sudden hatred had choked his throat. He was hating himself all of a sudden. His position expects him to abduct any girl against her wish and capture her in harem to fulfill the urge of his lust- that very point suddenly made himself to loathe him. He could never imagine Purnima as a woman in his harem, but when his Badi Ammi forced him to imagine that for a moment, he felt strangulated as his heart felt the pain of the humiliation of love. He got up. "Badi Ammi, I am feeling extremely sleepy. If you don't mind, can we talk tomorrow?

"Yes of course. Maham Anga got up. "Good night my son! But... She touched his shoulder. "What happened Jalal? You are behaving strange when I talked about that girl? If you desire her, you have to get it, why to be worry?

"It's not necessary to get everything in hand which I desire, Badi Ammi... I don't think like you. I think we should close this matter now! Jalal sat on bed. "Good Night Badi Ammi...

"Okay, good night my son... Maham Anga stared at her for some moments, then got out of the tent.

Jalal lied back on the bed. He felt a strange excitement heating inside his head... Even the soothing moonlight failed to cool him down...

Originally posted by: -Kavya_P-

Res Di

Originally posted by: -Kavya_P-

Unres Di

Amazing chappy Di

So disgusting people

How can they think like that

Update soon Di

Hope jo is fine

N they meet soon

Superb update

unres.
so this injustice was done by bairam to Abdul.
how can bairam decide without any prove that Abdul is incapable of duties he is given...huh.
how mercilessly he had chopped off Abdul's leg.
jalal took a good decision by giving Abdul respect and new post and also took away bairam's responsibilities as he is no more capable of it. huh
this witch lady finally came into picture. now she vl definitely do Golmaal ..hope she Dnt involve herself in this love story..
how cunning and shameless she is."u r emperor so u can hv wtever u like" huh ..even she is lady so how can she think so low. .idiot MA.
now barium card is opened waiting for maham's cards to open and also waiting for joja's next meet.
overall wonderfully scripted dear..
fabulous update..