Thread 2: Destined Love... (New thread created) - Page 35

Nice update

Lovely update

Thank you for this amazing chapter.Update soon pleasr

Originally posted by: kajal2005

Lovely update

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Continue soon

Originally posted by: zynahsiddiqi956

stuti where r u ?😕

Originally posted by: Shinning_Stuti

Writing. 😆

Chapter 26

There is a distinct difference between the resplendent atmosphere inside the fort and the impenetrable darkness of the horizon beyond the slight silvery line of the water of Yamuna seen from Jalal's window. It was a new moon night, and the pitchy dark sky was lamenting alone in the absence of the moonlight... just like a lover suffers from the detachment of his beloved, the night sky is also drowned in a distressed, gloomy sea of solitary... as if the night sky is a mirror, reflecting Jalal's heart.

Purnima is lost. Purnima, the moonlight in the sky of his heart is lost...

Jalal continued gazing through the window. He tried to mingle himself with the light trace of watery waves to the horizon, tried to mingle his heart in the calm flow of the river... The darkness has covered the world in a warm, soothing and silky robe; Jalal tried to feel that sooth inside his heart. The darkness is painful, distressing... but at the same time, it gives bliss of peace. The glory of light compels him to go away from the memories of Purnima... and the darkness pulls him towards her... Perhaps sometimes pain becomes more desirable than all the happiness of the world.

Jalal had lost himself while his mind was floating in the dark sky in search of someone... He even did not feel anything when a gentle and affectionate palm touched his shoulder.

"Jalal!

Jalal looked back quite unmindfully. The face of the woman behind his was hazy in the dim light of his room. But he could recognize at the first sight. The woman was tall and beautiful. Gorgeous and elegant. A magnificent aura of her strong personality had already covered the room... She was looking at Jalal with a gentle and loving smile in her lips.

"Ammijaan. You.

The Marium Makani touched Jalal's hairs and started running her fingers through those. "How are you, my son?

"Well. Jalal said. "When did you come, by the way?

"Just a few minutes back. The queen mother said.

"You could have sent someone Ammijaan. I would have come to meet you. Jalal said hiding his resentment inside.

"Sometimes mothers also wish to meet their son in their solitude, Jalal. Marium Makani smiled.

"You have that time to meet your son in his solitude, Ammijaan? Jalal looked at her.

The queen mother smiled sadly. "You are so right Jalal! God has enriched this Hamida Banu Begam with everything that one can get, but time... Time... I could not get enough time to see my son's face properly after giving birth; I could not get enough time to take him in my lap, could not get time to feed him breast-milk... I could not get time to see him to grow up in front of my eyes... and now, I cannot gather enough time to see and understand my grown-up son standing alone in the darkness... What to do!

Hamida Banu Begam slowly rubbed her eyes to wipe out the wet corner of her eyes. Jalal turned back and held her hands readily.

"Sorry Ammi! He uttered in quite a guilty voice. "I did not mean to hurt you!

"I am not hurt Jalal. Hamida Begam smiled. "I was just thinking... what a strange life, we, the royal people have got... is not it? Living in so much wealth and comfort, yet so deprived from all the basic happiness of the world! Why? Why the queen mother has to be different from the other mothers? Why she cannot have her natural emotions for her son. Why a royal queen cannot have the sentiment for their husband? Why they have to overlook their heart for their status and duty? She sighed and uttered quite unmindfully.

"Because the weight of the crown is always heavier than the weight of the emotions... You used to say it. Jalal smiled.

"Yes. I believed it... and followed it... Hamida Begam sighed. "God knows how I spent my whole life just by lifting the weight of my crown. She eventually touched Jalal's face with a tender affection. "You are angry on me.

"How can I be angry on you? I learnt the first lesson of an emperor's duty from you only... Jalal held her hand and became silent. After a moment he uttered- "But yes, I had expected you Ammijaan... I had expected that you will be the first person to welcome me in our new house! His voice was touched with a childlike resentment. "You knew that I was coming back... I was coming back after such a long time... You could have postponed your journey, could not you? Was that work much important than my returning?

"No my son! I could not! Hamida murmured, her voice was a little wet. She slowly wiped out the corner of her eyes.

"Ammijaan? Jalal looked at her with question in his eyes.

"You do not know what was there yesterday. Hamida said. "I had to go to the old killa yesterday itself... I had to stay there!

"Why Ammijaan? Jalal asked.

Hamida smiled. "Because yesterday was the most significant day in my life. Years ago, in that auspicious day, me and your father was tied in the great bond of marriage. Yesterday was our marriage anniversary my son! How could I be here in this new palace, leaving your father alone in the old abandoned fort in Delhi?

Jalal was first ashamed. Not for forgetting the date of the marriage of his parents, but for keeping a grudge on his mother without knowing the proper reason. Then he was suddenly sad. He could feel the pain of his mother in his heart... and at the same time he missed his dotting father who left him when he was a mere kid. Then he was amazed... when he could feel the depth of his mother's love and dedication for his father...

"I had a dream the night before yesterday...I saw your father is standing alone in the darkness on the root of our old fort in Delhi... I could not wait more after that... Hamida Begam continued in a wet voice. "You know Jalal, he was alone... very alone in his life... He was different; he was unique... so none understood him... Perhaps even I could not become his true companion of his thoughts and generosity... Perhaps that loneliness was there in his destiny... still I felt I could not let him stay there alone in the darkness in that abandoned palace... I felt as if by doing so I would abandon him too! So I went there... to spend a night with your father... with the memories of your father...

Hamida paused. Jalal gulped to break the bubble of tears inside his throat. For an instance he could see his father's dreamy, glowing eyes in front of him... The eyes full of dreams- dreams for his child... hopes for his child- that he would fulfill all the dreams he had seen all alone...

Today he is nowhere. Lonely darkness was his destiny... and he left all alone; without seeing how his dreams are in the way to be true...

"Ammijaan...

"Yes, my son?

"Do you think Abbujaan would be angry on me? Jalal uttered in an almost muted voice... "For leaving our old palace, and shifting the capital in this new place?

Hamida Begam smiled while caressing her son's hairs. "No Jalal. He would be proud. Just like me... Her eyes glowed in the confidence of pride.

"You know Ammijaan, I always felt I cannot love the palace of Delhi... Right from the day after Abbujaan passed away in that silly yet devil accident, I felt I would detest the fort... I somehow felt that there should be a fresh start of everything... a new palace; a new capital; a set of new rules; new dreams...

"Everyone can dream Jalal. Few have the capacity to make that true. Hamida kissed her son's head. "I know that you have that capacity... and that's why I am proud of you... your father would be proud too; as you have guts to stand on your own feet and fulfill own dream after taking the burden of responsibilities on shoulder! You can think new; you can start fresh; you take your decision based on the situation; you want to grow on your own... You are our pride Jalal! You are the pride of our whole Mughal clan...

"I also thought so... Parents always become happy when their son tries to span his wings on his own... but...Ammijaan... Jalal stopped and held her hand to kiss. Then suddenly the light of his face was dimmed again. He tried to hide his little sigh with his smile and leaded his mother to the bed.

"Sit, Ammijaan... He said.

Hamida sat. Jalal was about to sit near his feet; she held his hand.

"What are you doing Jalal? She uttered in shocked hesitation. "This is not your place...

"I know where is my place, Ammijaan... Jalal smiled naughtily and sat on the floor. Then he kept his head on her lap and closed his eyes. He felt a touch of eternal peace in his heart. Hamida smiled with the deepest affection, her eyes blurred, and slowly she started caressing her son's hairs...

"Jalal...

"Umm?

"You are not happy Jalal... there is something which is paining you. What happened my son?

Jalal sighed... He is not happy. A heap of pain has burdened on his heart... Each and every situation is tending to give him more pain... what would he say?

"You are upset about Bairam Khan. Isn't it? Hamida Begam asked carefully.

Jalal picked up his head and looked at her. Hamida smiled.

"Maham told me. She told that he did such a horrible crime that you were compelled to demote him from his post...

Jalal looked at floor and nodded. "Yes he did. I can never forgive him for what he had done to my personal attendant! Anyways, demoting thing is a bit extravagated. I took the decision after giving that a lot of thought.

"I have trust on you Jalal. Hamida said. "If you have taken any decision, it cannot be harsh and hurried. But I am concerned about you Jalal... I know, you cannot go against your Godfather.

Jalal smiled sadly. "I still cannot forget that day when Abbujaan held my hand and took me to the tall, stout and muscular young man. Never ever disobey him. He is your mentor; next to your God'- Abbu had told me. I cannot forget... Neither could I forget that cursed day... when after the burial ceremony of Abbujaan I came to you... and you kept the crown on my head... you had ordered Khan Baba to take an oath of protecting me and guide me forever... You also had ordered me to obey Khan Baba while taking any big decision... You know Ammijaan, Jalal can never go against his mother's wish; neither can he disobey his father's order... I can never go against Khan Baba. But...

"But what? Hamida asked.

"It pains Ammijaan... When the thoughts, the virtues, the principles clash! Jalal uttered in an agonized voice. "It pains when I can understand he is utterly wrong. It pains when he tries to prove me wrong; when he tries to prove my sense of justice, sense of politics as foolish sentiment; it hurts me when he do not hesitate to label my tolerance, my compassion and my thoughts as silly rubbish emotions... He looked at his mother with an excited glare. "I am the son of Shahenshah Humayun, Ammijaan. I have learnt the lesson of tolerance and benevolence from my father. I feel hurt! I feel insulted... I feel someone is insulting my father! I have taken the first lesson of duty from you, Ammijaan... I had been the witness of your struggle throughout my childhood; I have seen you to keep on doing your duty without taking care of own pain when Abbujaan left us. I know how an emperor should take care of his duty. I know the duty of an emperor is not to spread terror to prove his supremacy; but to build a nation of love on the pillar of justice... I can never accept Khan Baba's view over emperorship... Never! What could I do other than going against him?

"He is a warrior, Jalal. He knows the language of crude weapons only. But an emperor cannot think like a warrior every time. As an emperor you are not bound to abide by anyone... Hamida said. "But Bairam Khan had been the only support of Mughal dynasty, Jalal! I am in debt to him. You have seen yourself Jalal, how he had protected the whole empire with each drop of his sweat and blood when we were going to sink in the game of destiny? He is a pillar of the empire. The empire is standing on him. Don't ever do anything for which the pillar starts quivering. There are many enemies all around who are ready to cash this situation, Jalal.

Jalal sighed and nodded.

"I had a request Jalal. Hamida told in a low voice after some time. Jalal looked up. "Order me, Ammijaan.

"I had sat for a long time in your father's grave this time, Jalal...His grave is left alone, uncared... There is a layer of algae and weeds on the tombstone; the grace has been lost in the cruel hit of time... This is not the way an emperor sleeps his last sleep! she sighed. "You remember in which situation we had to bury him in hurry... We did not even get enough time to lament for our great loss!

"Yes! I was not here... at any moment enemies could attack and take up the throne if they would know about the emperor's sudden demise... How you faked that he is alive by presenting a look-alike in front of the subjects; and how we completed all rituals secretly so that none gets to know about the loss till the empire becomes stable... Jalal sighed.

"So many days have passed in between Jalal! Hamida said. "You have grown up; you have took the control and responsibility of our empire in your efficient hands... All the glory of past is restored back along with time... but; your father will never return! She wiped the lap of her eyes. "I was just wondering Jalal... can't we make his last memories immortal by building a mausoleum in his name?

Jalal gazed at her... then suddenly he laughed.

"What happened?

"You know Ammijaan, I had promised myself years ago in the day of Abbujaan's funeral, that one day I will build world's greatest mausoleum for him... I will not let the world to forget him... Now see... He laughed again. "Today morning only, I have ordered the architect to draw a plan to build a unique tomb which no one has seen ever!

Hamida's wet eyes shined in pride and happiness. "Your father must be overwhelmed with happiness in heaven. His son is going to build a unique mausoleum to relive him in the memory of the nation.

"By the way, Ammijaan, I am not building the tomb.

"What? Hamida frowned.

"And I have ordered the architect to consult with you tomorrow morning. Jalal added. "It will be you; Mallika-E-Azam Marium Makani Hamida Banu Begam will build the great tomb to immortalize the memories of her husband, Shah Humayun!

Hamida gazed at his smile for a moment. Then she smiled along with tears in her eyes... And then, she shifted her eyes to the dark sky... perhaps her eager eyes tried to search any particular star.

Both remained silent for a while...

"Ammijaan...

"Hmm?

"You loved Abbujaan very much, isn't it?

This question is very awkward to be asked to a mother by a son. But Hamida felt no hesitation. "Don't know, Jalal! Never got to understand...

"Then how do you see him in your dreams? How you travel so many miles just to stay a night in the old, left palace... just to live with his memories? How you find his sign every moment, everywhere? How you can talk with such confidence about him- as if he is there with you always? Jalal picked his head and asked anxiously. "If this is not love, then what is love, Ammijaan?

"Perhaps I realized the love after he went far away... Hamida sighed unmindfully. "An emperor can't love, Jalal!

"Why Ammijaan? Jalal's eyes sparked in a suppressed protest.

"I can see the reason of your upset mind is not only your problems with Bairaam Khan. Hamida said after a while. "What happened?

"Nothing Ammijaan... Jalal smiled sadly. "Just think that I had lost my way in the sea of moonlight...

"I hope you have found the way by now. And I also hope that from now onwards you will never lose your way which leads you to your aim. Hamida uttered firmly. "Being emperor is not easy Jalal. None knows it better than you.

"Emperors cannot love Ammi?

"Yes they can... they do... but they cannot give priority to their love before their responsibility... Perhaps for this reason an emperor is destines to remain alone forever... Hamida touched Jalal's head. "You are sensible, Jalal... you can understand...She uttered in a moderated voice. "Who is she?

"A dream, Ammijaan! Jalal smiled while hiding the drop of tear at the deep of his heart.

Some more time passed. A beautiful melodious voice floated in the air along with an aura of celebration and joy. Hamida looked at the window which leads towards the Harem premise.

"I think Ruqaiya has arranged for a celebration for your return. She said while caressing the hairs of his son who was relishing the warmth of his mother's touch wholeheartedly. "Jalal... She nudged him. "Get ready. Will not you go?

"No. Jalal said.

"Don't be silly Jalal. Get up dear... Hamida said. "The function has been arranged for you Jalal... In celebration of your return...

"Fake celebrations...

"What?

"Nothing... Jalal smiled. "However, I find this place more comforting and peaceful than the full-fledged entertainment in Harem for now... And as an emperor I can decide how should I schedule my time... I will meet Ruqaiya afterwards; and will visit the others too... but I don't want any overhyped entertainment right now. He closed his eyes.

Hamida smiled and patted his cheeks with pure affection.

For a moment, King Bharmal kept on staring mum while standing in front of the open door. The pain was grabbing the soul, still he could not move a step forward...

Jodha was sitting on the furnished matrices on the floor; there was a grand Veena in her hand. Her eyes were closed, and she had drowned in the sea of melody...

Raat humari to, chaand ki saheli hay

Kitney dino ke baad... ayi woh ekeli hay...

Sandhya ki bati bhi koi bujha de aaj, andhire se jee bharke

Karni hay baatein aaj...

Andhera rootha hay, gumsumsa kone mein baitha hay...

"Jodha!

The bridge of melody was suddenly broken. Jodha opened her eyes... and kept on gazing...

"May I come in Jodha? Bharmal uttered in a low tone.

"Bapusa!

Jodha forgot to stand up, to tell him to come in. She felt her eyes were getting blurred. King Bharmal too kept on staring, could not move forward...

After a while... Jodha stood up. "Come... Bapusa! She uttered in a controlled voice.

Bharmal entered and stood in front of Jodha. His shivering hands slowly touched Jodha's head with utter care. Jodha lowered her eyes and bent to touch his feet.

"How are you... Even after his trial of controlling his voice, the father in Bharmal could not help but to shiver in emotion.

"I am fine, Bapusa... Jodha uttered. "You?

Bharmal did not respond. Tiredly he sat on Jodha's seat... Jodha looked at him.

"Most the states have refused to stay by Amer, Jodha... Bharmal said suddenly. "None of the neighbor kingdom is going to help Amer in her adversity! They are going to throw Amer at a corner!

"Bapusa... Jodha came closer...

"Spies have come with a news... The king of Bhangarh is planning to attack our fort anytime soon... He is gathering army to dominate us completely! After taking away our honour by maligning our daughter's name publicly he is on the way to snatch our freedom! Bharmal's voice choked suddenly...

"Bapusa... Jodha held his hand...

"I don't care Jodha... I don't care! Bharmal wiped the corner of his eyes in a sudden excitement. "They may snatch everything from me... but not in the price of my daughter's happiness! Not by ruining my daughter's life... I...

He became quiet and touched Jodha's hand with his forehead. His body was shivering. Jodha kept on gazing him speechlessly...

"Sorry Jodha! After a moment, Bharmal picked up his face.

"Bapusa you... Jodha started weeping out of emotion. "Forgive me, Bapusa! All happened because of me! I am responsible for everything!

"No! Nothing has happened because of you! The king shouted suddenly. "It is my fault! I chose wrong! Only for political benefit I was going to bind my daughter with such a man who never deserves her! I ruined the future of my daughter in my own hand! I... He banged his head. "O God! How would I restore everything? How would I marry you off? How would I arrange your life again?

"Don't worry Bapusa! Jodha held her father's hands quickly. "Don't worry about me. Your primary concern is Amer's future, Bapusa... and that is much more important than me! You would not hesitate to sacrifice hundreds of Jodha when it comes to Amer's future, Bapusa...

Bharmal sighed and nodded while patting on Jodha's head. "I still hope our valiant soldiers can defeat Bhangarh... but how would we survive if Mughals really attack us? Amer is completely alone in this risky situation! Don't know how to proceed!

"All have to proceed together... forgetting these silly fights. Jodha uttered unmindfully. Then suddenly she looked disturbed. "Where is Sujamal Bhaisa going, Bapusa?

"He has gone already. In Sonargarh, his brother-in-law's kingdom... He came to meet you, no? Bharmal stated.

Jodha frowned with a lot of doubt. She was not feeling good. Perhaps king Bharmal understood that.

"You have doubt in mind, right? He sighed. "It's not that I did not have any... but I can do nothing about this. Everything is written on fate. Now everything will be controlled by our destiny!

Jodha did not like this attitude of her father... but she did not comment anything further. Her heart was already burdened with a lot of emotion after seeing and talking with her father and getting his affectionate touch. She just gripped his hand tightly to support him and became silent.

"I had come to tell you something... Bharmal told. "From now onwards you will not be living inside this single room like a prisoner anymore. I have declared the order. You will go anywhere anytime in this palace without any guards... You will again practice sword, will again sit with me and your brother in any discussion, you will participate in all the customs and rituals like before... I have let you to suffer too much! Not more! He uttered in a desperate excitement.

Jodha could not tell anything more. So now her father wants to mend her scattered life as much as possible by him. But little does he know, imprisonment or freedom- all values same to Jodha now!

"I am going. You go to roof and have some fresh air... You will feel good! Bharmal patted her cheeks affectionately and bid her goodbye.

Jalal silently entered into the room of the chief queen at night. Ruqaiya Begam was unmindfully half-lied on her couch. Without wasting a single word Jalal came towards her and pulled her closer while hugging from back.

"Who... what is this... Majesty? Ruqaiya jumped in surprise. Jalal smiled.

"You don't recognize my touch? Very bad Ruqaiya!

"I did not expect you! Ruqaiya answered in a dull voice. "Otherwise I would not have done this mistake...

"Of course you would not have. Who else of this palace would have that audacity to hug the chief queen from back? Jalal laughed. "But you were not expecting me?

"I am practiced Majesty... After hours spent in vain expectation, I have learnt not to expect time from you. Ruqaiya said.

Jalal frowned for a moment to recollect. Then he laughed. "I was not feeling to come in the celebration, Ruqaiya. I really needed rest so I...

"You need not to answer me. You are the Emperor, you can do anything you want.

Ruqaiya got up from the couch. It was clear that she wants to close the topic in her signature style... Jalal smiled again. "So much anger? Ruqaiya, as far as I know almost every night this type of celebration takes place in the Harem; my presence or absence does not count much there... I will attend any other day, what is the...

"The women of Harem wait for your one glance. They expect you to come... Being an emperor is not it your duty to take care of their expectations? Ruqaiya told in a raged voice. At the next moment her voice was calm. "Will you like to have some drink? She uttered in a moderated tone while pouring wine in goblets.

Jalal looked at her for some time. Then he sighed and went to her. He held Ruqaiya's hand to prevent her from pouring drink in glass.

"Sorry! He admitted. "I was really not feeling to enjoy the dance performances today evening... I thought I would enjoy your sole company in the room rather than sitting in a celebration and drinking together, and you would like it too. I wanted to be alone in evening, Ruqaiya; and I wanted to be alone with you at the night... I did not want anyone else in between...

"You need not to be sorry, Majesty. Of course, your mood is the ultimate deciding factor... But only one request... Ruqaiya looked at his eyes straightly. "Please don't insult me by forcing me to face this uncomfortable situation anymore by not turning up in any function arranged by me! You are the emperor, Your Highness, you have the responsibility of the whole world on you. But since I am the chief of this women's world, it is my responsibility to take care of the happiness of the residents of this Harem! Her voice suddenly lost her control as her eyes shivered. "I don't want any single person of this Harem to put finger on me. I don't want to hear allegations like Ruqaiua Begam keeps her husband captured in her fist, so his majesty meets her alone in her restroom instead of coming in the celebration! There is a distinct difference between the emperor sitting beside her empress and doing favor to the other ladies in a celebration and the emperor spending night with the empress instead of attending the functions. First one is a habit to everyone. But people cannot take the second one normally!

Ruqaiya turned back, letting Jalal's astonished eyes to stare at her. She rubbed her eyes to remove the trace of any little wet vapour instantly. Jalal slowly touched her shoulders affectionately and then leaned on her back. "You are angry because I came to meet you like your husband alone at the night instead of attending a mere celebration along with you like the emperor? You are angry because I gave you more importance than the function arranged by you?

"What to do Jalal... Things are not always between you and me! Ruqaiya smiled sarcastically.

"Forgive me, Mallika-E-Mughal Saltanant! Jalal smiled. "I promise you, I will give time to each and every woman in the Harem from tomorrow... so that they cannot blame that Shahenshah-E-Hind is biased towards his Padshah Begam.

Jalal loosed his grip and sat on the couch. He looked unmindful. Ruqaiya sat beside him and touched his shoulder.

"Are you angry on me now? She uttered.

Jalal smiled and cupped her face to plant an affectionate kiss on her forehead. "Why would I be angry on you? This is me who was at fault. I should have been much serious about this!

"Jalal... I arranged the celebration just for your entertainment. All expected you to come... I thought I will give you a great surprise... but...

"It's okay... Jalal touched her lips. "Let's talk about something else... something else apart from Harem, duty and all. Okay?

"Something else? Ruqaiya could not understand how to proceed the conversation further. "Would you like to play chess?

"No! Jalal smiled.

"Then... Chausar?

"Come on Ruqaiya... Jalal laughed.

"Let's drink together then... A special drink has come from Iran. I am calling Hosiyaar to serve that to...

"I don't want to drink now... Jalal said.

"Then... should I call any dancer to...

"I told you before I have no mood for these. Jalal said. "Come on Ruqaiya... Can't we spend a single night for us forgetting that I am the emperor and you are the empress?

Ruqaiya sighed with a smile. "Then? Let's sleep? She showed him the bed and blushed from inside...

Jalal took her hands inside his palms and gazed at her eyes for a long time. Then he smiled suddenly. Ruqaiya stared being confused.

"Let's go to the terrace. Jalal suggested.

"Terrace?? Ruqaiya frowned.

"Yes Ruqiaya... Jalal said excitedly. "Have you seen tonight's sky? There is a pitch dark. No trace of moonlight. The stars are playing hide and seek with the clouds... Tonight there is a strange aura of agony floating in the air of the night... He touched her shoulder. "Please, let's go, Ruqaiya... I might need to tell you about something... He sighed suddenly.

"Okay... Ruqaiya said half-heartedly. Then both of them left the room together to go to the terrace.

Wow. I m waiting for update thnks for pm.

Wow too much emotions dear

Originally posted by: konica.arora.92

Wow too much emotions dear

Superb chappy

Continue soon dear waiting ASAP 😛