Thread 2: Destined Love... (New thread created) - Page 88

Originally posted by: sonali15

I read this story when it was start and still to day I love to read this .Please dont stop writing because you are a awesome writer and we dont want to loss yoi

Thank you so much. I will not stop writing till the day you all people are here to read it. [:D]

Originally posted by: ssoujanya

Beautifully written.....

I am a fan of your writing....

Eagarly waiting for the next update...

Thank you so much dear.

Originally posted by: roseraja1915

Thank you so much,Stuti, for the mega update. Thank you to Manu dear for posting it on your behalf.

>> Rose Di!!!

All of you are back! Offf feeling like those old days!😭

A power-packed chapter it was.

>> Glad that you liked it. [:D]

What can be said of Jalal’s sleek and brilliant moves in getting rid of the trace of potential enemies to stamp his mark as a great emperor – masterstroke each one!

>> He showed who the real boss is.😎

Jaswant , the snake in the grass who double-crossed Sagarmal and Bhagwan Das due to the deep-rooted anger against Amer and Sujamal. One that stole his people’s lands and the other who stole his love.

>> Yeah... He is the most dangerous person among all the characters so far.

Finally, Jalal has arrived ; can’t wait to see Sharifuddin’s fate at Jalal’s hands.

>> Aab khel jamega. [LOL]

Jalal at Amer’s doorstep, the much-awaited meeting between Jalal and Jodha is keeping us on tenterhooks.

>> I am too eager to write that. [:P]

Your meticulous style of writing and the way the story is fleshed out makes each chapter a pleasure to read.

>> Thank you so much Di!

And rest assured,we are always on the lookout for your update, Stuti.

Sorry to hear about your grandmother, dear.

>> Yeah... Thank you for your condolences.

Cant wait to read more....update soonest....dear..

Jaldi update karna stuti. I love akdha/ parijat. Camt wait to read more. Update humari aduri kahani also dear.

Chapter 39:

“Have a sit, Sarifuddin.”

Sarifuddin delivered a tensed smile somehow while placing himself on the seat in front of the emperor. He had definitely expected to face the emperor on the way of his return, but never thought that he will actually wait for him at the hall of the outhouse.

“Victory to the Majesty.” Sarifuddin greeted. “I am so sorry I could not welcome you in Ajmer. I was out on a hunting trip and…”

“What exactly were you hunting, Sarifuddin?” The emperor asked with same constant smirk at the corner of his lips. His eyes were deep, very telling.

“Ahh…” Sarifuddin smiled again. Of course he was a fool to cover it up. The emperor has not come on his own to meet him without confirmed news.

“I was hunting the victory for your majesty…” He answered.

“Is victory a prey for hunt, Sarifuddin?” The emperor’s eyes were still unchanged.

“Victory can come in many forms, My lord. Hunting is definitely one of them, and I can ensure I am the best at that. Watching your prey, setting up the trap for them and seeking the vulnerable moment to attack… Your Majesty, I hereby present you two very important lands in Rajputana- Amer and Sonargarh. If you give me two more weeks I will also get Bhangarh on your feet…”

“You are a great hunter Sharifuddin. I awe your skills.” Jalal got up from his seat while gesturing the body-guards to leave them both alone. “But no matter how skilful a hunter is, the wild animals whom he tricks and hunts down, always loath him and treat him as a thief- not as their conqueror; not as their king… Victory will be achieved when they surrender to you from their heart, anything else other than is not any victory- just a mere feeling of unhealthy self-satisfaction. A hunter can live happily with that self-satisfaction, a king cannot!”

“This mere hunter has found the prey and offered that to your highness,” Sharifuddin said smartly. “Now your grace would conquer them and make them to surrender to ensure the victory… We are some mere soldiers, my lord… we can fight, we cannot achieve victory. Victory always comes through the hands of the emperor.”

“Uh… Well said.” Jalal looked impressed with the style of Sharifuddin’s talking. “That’s why I like you so much Sharifuddin… You can make someone feel anything that you like just by talking. Maybe this very special trait of yours is very much liked by my sister as well. Else it is not very easy to tame her down.”

Jalal is the brother-in-law of Sharifuddin in relation, and also much younger in age. Sharifuddin should have come with a sharp witty reply against Jalal’s chuckle. But he could not. Because he knew the emperor is not here to cut jokes with his brother-in-law. If he is here, he is here to drop some cannonballs on him. He only smiled in courtesy.

“Did you use the same trait to manipulate the commander of Sonargarh’s army, Sharifuddin? Brainwashed him so hard with your words that he turned against his own land and own people to gift you 2 forts together?” Jalal stopped chuckling and suddenly asked.

God, he knows about Jashwant too! Sharifuddin smiled. “I had to do nothing with it, Majesty. I never knew Jashwant Singh before he himself came to me for help. He wanted me to sign up a deal with him.”

“The deal of you helping him with your army to beat down the soldiers of his own land… in exchange of what?” Jalal frowned. “He gave you his own fort without any condition for what? Does he want a full control over Sonargarh and Amer?”

“My lord, that Jashwant Singh is a complete psychopath. Ages ago his clan had been defeated and driven out from own land by the clan of Amer, and so all he wants is to revenge that by killing off the king and the prince of Amer after getting them in front of his feet.”

Jalal raised one brow. “So what did you do to keep this deal?”

“Just sent a message to the king of Amer to come to Sonargarh for negotiation. The fort is captivated by the Mughal army, so they have to obey this anyway… Then I have nothing to do, other things will be taken care by Jashwant.” Sarifuddin said and cleverly omitted the part of Sujamal’s wife. He had special interest on that matter, and he did not want it to be ruined anyway.

“Wonderful.” Jalal suddenly reacted sarcastically. “You would send an official letter with Mughal emblem to a respectful king with the proposal of negotiation, and then you will let your new-found psychopath friend to take the lead and kill the king when he comes to meet with the representative of the Mughal emperor. The whole Rajputana, rather the whole Hindustan will know that the Mughal emperor is such a coward that he calls the enemy king for treaty and then murders him, disregarding all the ethics… What a great honour that would be for me and the empire!”

“Your Majesty… I just…” Sharifuddin stammered.

“I understand! You are not the only one, there are many officers like you who will not hesitate to destroy all my prestige in front of the enemy kingdoms for sake of their own unhealthy satisfaction of getting a win!” Jalal did not sound angry, he was rather hopeless. “You people will never understand how much insulted I feel when I understand the enemy whom I kill will die thinking me as a coward, as a loser and pitying me…”

Sharifuddin tried to deliver a sad face, unable to understand what is there to feel so insulted about it.

“However…” Jalal tried to wipe out the hopelessness. “Now when I have come here, I would like you to confirm it on my behalf that the king of Amer will go back to Amer unscratched after negotiation. If the negotiation takes place, it will follow the proper royal ethics, the claims and demands of both sides will get same priority and will be properly signed by me…”

Here we go…Now you open your sack of kindness and shower all your foolish emotions to those idiots. Sharifuddin thought. That is why the young people should not get bigger responsibilities. They try to mix dream with reality and mess everything. Situation was under-control when Bairam Khan was there upon his head… but now! He could not help sighing. He had planned to enter inside the fort and loot it after two-days ultimatum. Attacking is always better than a treaty.

“As you wish, Your Majesty…” Sharifuddin nodded. “But Your grace, I was wondering would it be ethical to break the deal that I had with Jashwant Singh? I mean… I know he is a kind of psychopath, and the prestige of the empire is much more valuable than his life; but still he is on our team and…”

“Do you believe the man who has back-stabbed his own people?” Jalal smiled. “I know you don’t. I also know that you had no interest of keeping Jashwant even alive after the quest is done. This sudden concern about a mere pawn of your game does not suit with you, Sharifuddin…”

“No… Majesty, I mean…”

“Tell me one thing, Sharifuddin…” Jalal cut him in middle. “Why did you make the deal with Jashwant Singh without notifying me? How could you materialize such a big plan like starting the invasion in Rajputana without consulting once with the capital?”

“Majesty I…” Sharifuddin took a long breath before stating his excuse properly. “I wanted to keep this complete secret… I wanted to make it without…”

“It is not a hide-and-seek game we are talking about, Sharifuddin… It is a war.” Jalal did not look amuse. “There are certain rules to follow here. You cannot take the decision on your own in this. Plus, this much secretive attitude of yours making me to think that you are hiding something from me…” He came closer. “Is there anything else you are not telling me?”

“Nothing is there to hide, Majesty…” Sharifuddin told in hurry. “I will execute all your orders by today, Majesty. If Jashwant does not obey, he can go to hell… Now allow me, Your Majesty, I have to leave early to see everything…”

Jalal nodded. Sharifuddin looked back once before leaving.

“Majesty, you might be angry with me for keeping everything secret…” he smiled. “But, whatever I did, I did it for you… Mughal army could have won Amer in one day, with a lot of bloodshed… But I put the whole Amer in front of your feet without a single drop of blood!”

Jalal looked at him, his eyes shined.

“I know you would take the same policy as me, Majesty… You were also trying to find a hole to penetrate in. Keeping the count of special secretive spies for Rajputana and ensuring there security happen to be one of my duties. I know you sent one of the most eligible spies in Amer…” Sharifuddin said in the same calm tone. “You wanted Amer, Majesty… You wanted Amer without a bloodshed, and now Amer is in front of you. Why should not we take the advantage of these fool kings fighting among each-other, Your Majesty?”

Jalal suddenly smiled in appraisal. “You are so clever, Sharifuddin…”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Sharifuddin bowed and smirked. “Should I order the troop seizing Amer to retreat back, then?”

“No!” Jalal shook head. “First let them sit and talk… And personally, I need to meet with the king!” He murmured.

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“What do you mean we are not going to kill the king and the prince?” Jashwant shouted in utter frustration. “What is the meaning of all these then?”

“Our emperor won’t allow to break the rules of a war, Jashwant Singh!” Sharifuddin said in a very serious tone. “He will not let the reputation of his empire to fall because of someone like you.”

“Reputation my foot!” Jashwant weiled. “You uncultured idiots! You will teach a Rajput to maintain the rules of wars? Your uncultured emperor will teach me how to behave?”

“Apparently yes.” Sharifuddin gave a fake sad smile. “And more than that, it is obvious that we, the uncultured Mughals know the rules of war at least better than you. Don’t talk these big after keeping own motherland’s future in gamble with the enemies. ”

“I did not play gamble with my motherland! I just took revenge from my enemies who once took our home from us!” Jashwant hissed.

“Alright, now stop.” Sharifuddin yawned. “I don’t have time to listen to your bragging. I have to write a long letter of negotiation for Amer. Since they will not come, and I have to follow emperor’s order, had to come with a conclusive idea; hence this written communication, understood?”

“So you are going give them back everything? You are going to free them?” Jashwant told most uninterestedly.

“What did we take that we would give them back?” Sharifuddin sounded a bit disheartened. “Well, to tell the truth, yes… I will make a conditional treaty; I will give them free rights, and they will pay the tax and compensation to Mughal empire for the rest of their existence. They have to surrender to me first… They can also keep their demands then. It is a fair trade, don’t you think?”

“Fair my foot!” Jashwant screamed in anger. “What about my deal then? What about Sonargarh?”

“For now Sonargarh is mine; I will use it as a military camp.” Sharifuddin told thoughtfully. “And let’s forget about the deal! Our emperor says there is no value of a deal that is made with a spineless insect.”

“Sharifuddin you are crossing your limit!” Jashwant roared.

“No. Thing is you don’t know, what your limit is!” Sharifuddin lazily looked at the guards. “Hey you people, arrest him and throw him into prison!”

“What… what! You cannot do this! You have no right to do this!” Jashwant whined while the guards captivated him.

“Yes I can… And I will. I have no intention of getting low in front of my emperor’s eyes right now.” Sharifuddin smiled sadly. “Take him to prison, and tell some maids to bring Lilavati to my bedroom tonight!”

“What! No no! You cannot do this!” Jashwant almost broke down this time. “Please Sharifuddin! You want to kill me, kill me… But she… she is ailing! She is very sick, almost fought with death while giving birth two days ago… Still numb in utter shock… Don’t do this to her! Don’t do anything to her I beg you!”

“It’s good to hear someone begging to me! Okay, granted… Not tonight; a lot of works there tonight. Tomorrow night. Done? I will give you the full details of our time together!” Sharifuddin laughed. “Throw him into the prison!” He ordered in a serious tone.

The cursing, wailing and crying voice of Jashwant Singh slowly mingled with darkness while Sharifudin sipped in his wine in a relaxed mood.

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“Did they reply the letter you sent, Bapusa?” Jodha asked while rushing into the room where her father and brothers were sitting. From childhood she used to have a free access in these discussions because of mostly her brothers’ blind affection on her. The recent time, the cursed days of her life had shadowed those memories. She was being realized that she does not belong here, she is nothing but a refugee, or worse, a prisoner… But in this moment of crisis, all the thoughts have set back aside except the thought of how to get save from this disaster.

“Yes Jodha…” Bharmal answered. “Nothing unexpected! They basically want us to surrender, and pay the tax. But we all know where this will end. Our dear land will end up into a land of slavery at the end of the day!” He sighed. “If the Mughal army comes in by any chance; be it through the treaty or by attacking us, they will not spare any of us! They will burn Amer! Their demands will never end! First they will snatch out wealth, our land, then they will try for our women… and they will snatch our honour, our self-respect, will squeeze us till there is nothing left without a skeleton and I have to see all these… Oh!” He leaned against his sit wearily, completely broken, face covered with palms.

Jodha took a long breath, realizing every word of her father being true. She looked at the other men of the room. Bhagwant Das was still scrutinizing the letter. The other brothers of her were staring at their father with guilty look in the eyes. Jodha’s habituated eyes could not help seeking the very familiar face among all… The face, full with positivity and courage, always ready to fight for a better future… so much energy and enthusiasm just got destroyed in a simple family feud! Her very own Sujamal Bhaisa sold his own sole with those gamblers and lost everything so violently in this process! Why, God why!

“Bhaisa…” Jodha tried to regain her composure. “What about Lilavati Bhabisa and the new-born? When they are coming Amer again?”

“Jodha these beasts…” Bhagwant Das sounded exceptionally emotional when he called her name. “Those beasts are playing with our honour right from now! It the previous letter we clearly mentioned our first demand is to bring them back… Still no mention of them in this letter! They are tactfully ignoring our demand and pressurizing us! They know we will break eventually. The stock of food and water will end inside the fort, people will die!”

“Other things can be thought of later; But Bhaisa, do anything to bring Bhabisa home! I can’t imagine what she is going through! God knows what those beasts are doing to her!” Jodha’s voice broke. “If possible go to a straight fight with them, but bring her back!”

“I wish I could Jodha!” Bhagwant Das sighed! “I don’t know what to do! I even sent spies in secret to search Sujamal risking the security of the fort, but no use! God knows where is he! Is he even alive!”

Jodha felt suddenly she was chocking. Forcefully she breath some air. “”What about Bhangarh? Sujamal Bhaisa’s troop was headed to Bhangarh…”

“No news from there. The troop has disappeared all of a sudden. And knowing the war-rules of Bhangarh it is easier to conclude that none of the soldiers are alive anymore!”

Jodha sighed. The face of Vijay Singh flashed in front of her eyes. Then the face of Moti… The dejected, agonized Moti… The face of her best friend Moti, who has forgotten to shade tears; who has become an idol of stone.

The pyres were burning at the bank of the holy lake. The wives of the valiant soldiers who became martyr in the war were performing Sati with pride in their eyes… Moti and Jodha were standing by the window, watching the bravest, the most violent, most pathetic scene of this world with silent tears in eyes… “Can’t an unmarried woman perform sati, Rajkunwarisa?” Moti had suddenly asked. “Even if her body, heart and soul are committed to only one person, the person she has accepted as her husband? Is it mandatory to apply sindur of his name for dying with him?”

The passiveness, the indifference in Moti’s voice, the calm desperation in Moti’s eyes had stunned Jodha… She could not say a word… not even a dry condolence that Vijay is alright, he will come back.

As everyone knows, he will not. Even if he is alive, he will never come back… If in a furthest possibility he does, maybe this Amer will be wiped out from her existence from the map of Rajputana…

There is nothing to save Amer… Absolutely nothing!

“Are not you considering to go with a face-to-face negotiation?” Jodha asked her father. “Maybe it will get better result than these letters. Sharifuddin always wanted you people to go and meet him on person.”

“Going to him means submitting to his will.” One of her brothers grunted in rage.

“If that is, then let it happen!” Jodha snapped. “The king who cannot protect the honour of the women of his family, has no right to advertise about their pride. Where will this pride go, Bhaisa, when those Mughal beasts will send the torn and tormented body of a queen of this clan as a gift to us or imprison a heir of this royal family as their slave? For now your first and foremost priority should be to return Lilavati Bhabi and her child unharmed in Amer, and the safety of the fort after that. Sitting under the safe roof with these false ego is equivalent to suicide right now.”

“Going to Sonargarh right now is equivalent to suicide as well, Jodha…” Bharmal said. “The only reason of them being adamant to go to that fort is to murder us. Those people has no honesty… They can do anything!”

“I have an idea.” Bhagwant Das said. “I will propose to arrange a meeting somewhere in between the two forts. We will go with enough back-up to combat any type of attack from their side. Maybe we are messed up right now, but we still have strength in our arms to kill five enemies at one stroke.”

“No Bhagwant… You will not go! I will go.” Bharmal told. “You will stay here, guard the women, I will go… And… If anything happen, you will escort all the members of the palace outside the fort through the secret passage. The location of that passage is unknown to everyone except you and me, so the enemies don’t know about it! If they kill me, they will attack the fort at that moment. You have to save everyone…”

“What are you telling, Bapusa…” Jodha uttered in a broken voice. “You are ordering us to escape without fighting? You are ordering your son not to fight back and run away even after knowing how unethically they murdered his father? How can you even say that? What will happen to the dwellers of the fort if the royal family flees from the ground?”

“I only care about my family, Jodha… We need to survive!” Bharmal said.

“You are the king! You cannot only care about your family!” Jodha shouted in excitement. “If the worst happen, if they kill you, then order the valiant soldiers of the Amer, each of the soul of each of the house of this land will pour their last drop of blood in the battlefield to avenge that death! Each of the woman of the fort will burn themselves alive before the dirty hands of those beasts touch them… Order us to fight, Bapusa! Don’t tell us to escape!”

“Oho, so that won’t be a suicide, great princess?” The brother with whom Jodha fought earlier taunted.

“Both are different, Bhaisa… There are difference between staying in the safeguard of the palace with the excuse of a false ego and dying in a battlefield like a warrior.” Jodha’s eyes shined. “Either you sit with them and come into a conclusion, or you fight and die in the war. You can’t stay in middle. You can’t stay in the meeting room of your palace for eternity and let your subjects die in starvation, or you cannot run from the battlefield letting your subjects face the attack and burn! If you cannot take a decision in this prime time, you are not a king!”

“Shut up, Jodha!” Her brother roared. “You are insulting my father!”

“He is my father too, and he is not feeling insulted… why are you?” Jodha also raised her voice.

“You have no rights to say these things, Jodha… You are a woman, you live like a woman. Who wants your opinion in this case?” Another stepbrother of Jodha came forward.

“When my motherland is in danger, I will be a coward if I don’t come forward and give my opinion. I have not been raised in that way!” Jodha blazed like fire.

“Yeah, we know how you have been raised!” Her brother mocked. “We all know how you have maligned your upbringing in front of everybody. How you have ashamed our father, ashamed all of us! How do you even dare to come out and raise your voice Jodha? You are the curse to this land!” He shouted.

“Shut up Ranjit!” Bhagwant Das shouted in higher pinch.

“Why you are shutting me up?” Ranjit Singh, the adamant brother of Jodha kept on. “Today she is dancing on our head only because of your too much affection to her! Who is she to say all these big things? Who is she to insult us? She is the one for whom all the other states have cut relationship with Amer. She is the one for whom Amer is humiliated. She is the one who had let a Mughal spy sneak inside! She is the traitor of the land, and now she will tell us how to be a king??”

“Enough Bhaisa!” Jodha’s whole body started trembling in humiliation. “Don’t you say that! You don’t know what I have done and what I did not, so don’t you ever dare me to judge on your own imagination…”

“Yeah, I don’t know, and I don’t want to! I have no intention of knowing or even imagining how my characterless sister has gone to the lowest level with a Mughal spy, has performed as many unholy, unchaste acts possible. With everything you have done Jodha, you should have been locked up in a dark prison for life-time. But you have no shame! You, a characterless woman who has even lost her chastity, will teach us the lesson of honour??” Ranjit Singh ranted in a single gasp, pinching Jodha with poisonous needle with every word.

“WILL YOU STOP IT RANJIT!!” Bharmal shouted. “Stop talking to her like this! Just stop!” He sighed. “Jodha… You go! You are not needed here!”

Jodha was unable to move for a moment. She was feeling a very heavy stone slowly pressing inside her chest, her lungs ready to collapse. She was feeling a sheer pain right at her heart. She kept on staring at Ranjit Singh numbly, even unable to protest. Then, a slight smile flashed at the corner of her lips. If her own brother can say these to her, what the whole world thinks?

Jodha does not care what the world thinks about her. She is too tired to think about it by now. But even after everything she believed from somewhere inside that she belongs to this land. She belongs to her Amer, and the earth of Amer will never disown her.

Today, for a moment the pillar of that strong belief trembled for her! Slowly she got out of the room.

“You should not have said these to her!” Bhagwant Das said angrily. “You cannot insult her like this. This is still a royal family, maintain the etiquette! Remember, if ever again you dare to talk with her like this I will rip you apart!”

“Yeah, you will say that!” Ranjit Singh taunted. “She is your own sister, and we all are stepbrothers! But we also have our own sisters, who might never get married for their life because of your unchaste sister. Shouting does not convert the lie to a truth; your sister is responsible for the misfortune of Amer, and you know this as well. And I also can rip someone apart if I want to, and don’t you forget that.”

“What have you started?” Bharmal said helplessly. “Ranjit, you all are my children. When did this your sister-my sister things start? Please boys, this is not the time to waste in petty fights, this is the time to think, to decide!”

“Jodha was right!” Bhagwant took a long breath to hold his temper. “We have to take a good decision… And everything we are talking about is not strong enough!”

“If we ask for other states’ help?” a prince suggested.

“We already have tried before, none accepted our proposal directly. And now when the Mughal force is knocking at the door, everyone will try to save themselves.” Bharmal said. “I can see only darkness. And nothing!”

All remained silent for a moment, praying to the God to send someone who will be the light in this darkness, and suddenly the messenger knocked at the door.

“A letter has come from the Mughal side, Majesty!” The messenger said excitedly. “A direct letter from the Supremo of the Mughals… From the emperor himself!”

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“She is the one for whom Amer is humiliated. She is the one who had let a Mughal spy sneak inside! She is the traitor of the land, and now she will tell us how to be a king??”

“You, a characterless woman who has even lost her chastity, will teach us the lesson of honour??”

The words more poisonous than the venom of snake kept on burning inside her ears. Jodha sat silently in front of the window, gazing at the dark sky. She was destined to be humiliated by everyone around her forever since those days, and she had accepted this fact. Then why does it hurt so much? Maybe because it is the first time she has been insulted and accused so directly by someone whom she loves, while the other people who were supposed to oppose that stood in silence showing their acceptance for those words? Or because somewhere in her own mind she had assumed that the crisis of Amer will bring the old relationships back, people will forget all unfortunate past incidents and stand and fight together like they always had done before! Because she had assumed that the crisis through which Amer is going now, is far important, far bigger than her at this moment… No matter of what accusation she is charged for, as a princess, as a dutiful citizen of Amer she has the right of putting her opinion; and to point out what she thinks is mistake. It is not anymore about the ego and self-satisfaction of the princes, is has gone far beyond. The fate of thousands people is hanging on a single decision of the king, and for sake of them she is bound to point out if he is doing anything wrong!

What a big idiot she is. She should have known it was never like that. No matter what big danger shadows the fate of Amer, the big fat egos of the men of this fort will never allow them to be pointed out by a woman- especially the woman who had dared to love a man breaking the norms; who, according to them has a questionable character; who, with her ‘un-chastity’ is nothing but a burden and a curse for the land, and nothing else.

Her vision blurred as tears started falling down her cheeks. Why it is so dark all around? Where did all lights go? Is there no one who can save her and her motherland from drowning into this pitch, evil darkness?

Slowly she moved her hand near to her waist, touched the handle of the dagger. The dagger she had won from the stranger whom she had loved, loved from all her core; who had opened her eyes, took her hand and brought her to the horizon of love and belief; whom she does not know, she does not expect to see again in her whole life, but whose memory is the only solace in her life… She took the dagger in her hand and kissed the blade passionately. “I was not a traitor to love you, Chandrajeet…” She whispered. “I will bore your love inside me till the day I live, and when I die, I will die humming your name in my lips.”

She pressed the blade across her wrist, a faint smile died in her lips. Two drops of blood mixed with drops of tears from eyes. “Can you see the blood, Chandrajeet?” She muttered. “The blood… the red… like vermilion. You have written your name in my soul with this colour of blood, Chandrajeet… Our relationship is the purest among all. How can I become a unchaste woman for believing in my love? The air of Amer and the surrounding is poisonous today, the very own people are thirsty of the blood of their close ones. The thorn of disbelief and betrayal has been spread, none is safe from this venom. Only you did not betray me, Chandrajeet… Only your memories did not betray me!” She wiped her tears… “And look at this helpless princess, I could not even accept your love; you had come to me with the right of love, and I declined you so harshly for the respect of the family who does not even care to respect me! How much helpless I am!”

The dejected face of Chandrajeet in that ashram in Vrindavan suddenly flashed in front of her eyes, forced her to break completely. That was the last time she has ever seen him. And she is never going to see him again. Even if she does, she will decline him again, this time perhaps in a harsher way, by putting a stone on heart!

Why all these? For whom? For being insulted till the day she is alive? For sitting here silently and watching her dear motherland to burn alive on the pyre of hatred and disbelief?

“Jodha! What you are doing?”

Jodha got a little shocked hearing her father’s voice behind. Her father was behind her, staring madly at the dagger and the blood on her hand. He kneeled beside Jodha and took her hands inside his palm, his lips quivering in extensive shock. “What… what were you doing with that… that dagger…”

“Don’t worry, bapusa!” Jodha laughed. “I am not going to kill myself for some petty accusation from your son. I am pretty used to it. I will have many better reasons to die in future.”

“Don’t even talk about this, Jodha…”

“I don’t want to.” Jodha smiled. “I know I am living a much more happier and safer life than I deserve; whereas those who do not deserve it are living in hell. Lila Bhabi, Moti, hundreds of the widows of those soldiers who had to burn alive; thousands of the women of this fort who will burn alive in future… I am lucky that I don’t have to face those nightmares! But believe me,” She looked at her father’s eyes. “If it is possible to exchange my place with them, I will happily live in thousand time worse nightmares than those in exchange of all of them living safely and with peace!”

“Jodha…” Bharmal sighed and touched his daughter’s chin. “Nothing will happen to anyone, Jodha. I promise you.”

“Your promise sounds more like a father’s condolence than to be a vow of a king, Bapusa…” Jodha said dryly. “This time the kingdom needs her king much more than the daughter needs her father.” She stopped and smiled embarrassingly. “Look at me, I started again. Bapusa, let me be very clear. Whatever I told you today morning was not intended to hurt or insult you. I only thought I have rights to question you back… I was wrong and I…” She took a long breath and paused. “Sorry, Bapusa!”

“You have all rights to question me, Jodha.” Bharmal touched Jodha’s hairs. “You can always come to me and talk… but my dear, now you can see your brothers are not liking your presence… I mean, the way Ranjit humiliated you was very shameful; and the way all the brothers started fighting among themselves regarding this was alarming… What I suggest that if you want to say something you come to me personally but…”

“It’s okay, Bapusa…” Jodha laughed. “I said I am sorry. Don’t worry. I won’t be a reason for the relationship between the brothers falling apart.”

“I know you won’t.” Bharmal looked relieved. Jodha sighed. Her father can come to pursue her for not going to any public meeting anymore, but he does not have the guts to say anything to his son who publicly berates his daughter in the worst possible way.

“By the way, I wanted to share something to you, Jodha…” Bharmal changed the topic. “Something interesting happened after all these.”

Jodha looked at him.

“The emperor of Mughals sent me a message, Jodha… He requested humbly to meet him personally and discuss about the current condition of Amer.”

“What?” Jodha frowned.

“Yes Jodha. He definitely has some bigger plan.” Bharmal looked tensed. “But he is the highest command of the Mughal force. I hope he will at least not attack or kill us if we go to him. He is safer than Sarifuddin.”

“He won’t care to send a letter if he had to kill you.” Jodha told unmindfully. “He wants something big.”

“I can understand what he wants. Though his letter was very humble, too modest to be a Mughal, but it was clearly an order under the hide of a request.” Bharmal said in a grudge. “The Mughal supremo basically want us to surrender completely to him, and include our land inside Mughal territory. He has given a proposal only, mentioning he is free to discuss other options, but we all know at the end we have to listen to it.”

“But do we have any other option?” Jodha said with pain in her voice.

“No we don’t.” Bharmal shook his head in devastation. “That’s why I am going to meet him tomorrow. At least going to meet Mughal emperor is prestigious than submitting under the pressure of Sharifuddin and his troop.”

“Right!” Jodha sighed and closed her eyes. Like everyone of this Rajputana, she also believes some of the myths roaming in the air about this Mughal emperor. He is harder than mountain, cleverer than the fox, crueller than the devil himself. He is a heartless demon who does not hesitate to wipe out the existence of fort after forts, kingdom after kingdoms. He is the worst nightmare for the small independent forts of Rajputana….

Jodha prayed hard in her heart to prove all these myths to be just rumours. She wished from her heart to keep believe on the honesty and royalty of the Mughal emperor now… Because for now, the fate of Amer rests on him…

“Bapusa…” She said after a long time. “Keep one thing in mind while talking with him, please… Our first priority is to save Lila Bhabi, and the survival of the citizens of Amer. Nothing else. And whatever it costs to snatch both of those from the Mughals, we should be ready to give that without any hesitation… be it my own life…” She uttered unmindfully.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“This way, King Bharmal…”

Bharmal looked back at the Mughal soldier guiding them towards the royal tent. He looked a bit annoyed, maybe because he consider the lack of concentration in this ant-like king as the insult to their emperor. Bharmal sighed a little trying hard to normalize his expression. This Mughal guide has been their company right from the border of Amer where he and his son reached through the secret door, and not for a moment he got a little bit of respect from that common guide that he deserves as a king. Now when they are at the Mughal camp, he was feeling the whole troop was laughing at him and his distress. The Rajput king Bharmal has come himself to surrender in front of the Mughal flag, is there anything less insulting than this?

Mughal camp is a strange place. Bharmal had been told that the emperor was just passing by for visiting a pilgrimage; however, the arrangement of the troops and the expressions of the soldiers do not resemble to pilgrims. They are warriors, their expression reflects the violence of war. The arrangement of the temporary tents are also surprising. They are magnificent, gorgeous, showing off the wealth of the empire; but still a strange gloomy air of suspicion has clouded all over. As if everyone is being spied here; a single wrong move, and the head will be cut off from the body at that moment! The place is strangely silent, as if it is bounded by a strong chain of discipline all over.

The guide stood in front of a giant, decorated red tent marked with flag and emblem and bowed down. A very tall and muscular man almost looking like a giant was standing at the door, he acknowledged the greeting and looked at Bharmal.

“He is that king, then?” He asked, with most disrespect in voice. Bharmal nodded enduring this. “I see…” The man nodded. “The emperor is seeing your path… Malbar Khan…” He shouted as one short guard rushed to them. “Check him thoroughly, he should not carry any weapon. And…” The men’s eye fell on Bhagwant Das. “You had been told to come alone, isn’t it?” He frowned. “Who gave you the permission to carry a bodyguard with you?”

“He is my son.” Bharmal said hiding the anger. “My principle adviser and the future king.”

“Son or slave does not matter… Future king my foot! Remember, there is only one king here, that is our emperor! And you people are nothing but insects to us!”

Bharmal was getting excited, but Bhagwant Das hold him. “I am like his shadow and I will go with him.” He just said in a straight face.

“You will order me now?” The tall man mocked. “Know who am I? Adham Khan! Remember the name. I am the right hand of the emperor. Don’t mess with me.”

“I am not messing with you.” Bhagwant Das said. “I am just saying what I had to say.”

“You are very brave, it seems!” Adham Khan laughed instead of getting angrier. “Alright, first you have to go through a thorough checking procedure. Malbar… Start!”

“We have no weapons…” Bharmal protested sensing the way of humiliating security check.

“That we will see…” Adham Khan smirked.

“What is this?” Malbar asked in a rough voice pointing the swords. “They are musical instruments?”

Bharmal and Bhagwant Das got speechless in humiliation. Adham Khan started laughing. “Malbar, take those weapons from them.”

“This sword is the sign of honour for our family.” Bharmal said with fury. “We cannot leave it behind.”

Adham Khan laughed out. “My dear king, you have come here leaving all your honours behind. Don’t cry for a piece of metal now.”

His laughter spattered venom, burning the heart of father and son. Slowly Bharmal proceeded to take out the sword from his waistband, just when someone stood near the door.

“That is not needed, Your Majesty.” The older man said in a grounded voice, which clearly infuriated Adham Khan. “Our emperor is waiting for you. Please come with me.”

“Adgha Sahab…” Adham Khan intervened. “They cannot meet the emperor with weapons. This is strictly against rules.”

“Kings do not leave their sword behind unless they are dead or defeated. This is the rule, Adham Khan.” The older man said in the same calm tone.

“Well, since they have come here to surrender under Mughal force, it is our right to snatch the sword from them.”

“It is completely between them and our emperor, Adham Khan. You have no right to say anything about it. Our emperor wants to welcome them with all respect, and you are bound to follow it.” Adgha Sahab did not look at Adham Khan anymore and bowed head in front of Bharmal. “I am Samsuddin Adgha Khan, the chief adviser of our Majesty. Welcome to the Mughal camp.”

Bharmal nodded, somewhat being relaxed seeing the calmness in Adgha Khan’s voice. At least this man looks somewhat human. “Come with me.” The old man said. “I will guide you to the emperor.”

They crossed the curtain and entered inside. The temporary courtroom under the canopy looked no less than an original grand hall. The decorations, the colours, the displaying of wealth in every corner of the tent looked magnificent and extremely disciplined. Disciplined, but somewhat lifeless… the air of the place was strangely suffocating, a undercurrent of tension was enveloping the natural beauty of the place… Is it the folly of the place or the situation of Bharmal’s own mind, he could not understand.

Some people with grand gorgeous was sitting at the middle of the room. They had stood up acknowledging the presence of Bharmal and Bhagwant Das. Bharmal swiftly scanned them with his eyes. All looked high class Mughal officials, having the same chilling attitude and vicious smile… It seems all are wearing a very neat mask of courtesy; but none would hesitate to start a bloodbath once instructed. The cruelty was written on their faces…

But where is the emperor? The very infamous young emperor of Mughals who is next to the devil for the little boys and girls in Rajputana’s villages?

“Welcome, Rajasahab. Welcome Shahzade Sahab… I hope your journey was good!”

The voice came from a near distance, Bharmal looked at the caller. There is a small pedestal straight opposite to the door, and a higher throne is kept there, which was blocked from his sight because of the standing courtiers. The emperor is sitting on the throne.

Bharmal forgot greeting him and kept on gazing at his face.

This is the emperor who has become the nightmare of all the Hindu kings over the country? Bharmal, along with other people, had clearly had an image of the Mughal emperor in their mind- the image of the cold, sly, cruelest beast always thirsty for bloodbath, greed and viciousness in eyes. The man in front of his does not even match a little with that image. All Bharmal could see in front of him was an enthusiastic, charming youth- rather a boy- who is yet to cross his twenties. He is not that tall like the other giant people of the room, though has a strong, muscular built; his pretty face looks matured than his age, but the touch of pure innocence of a teenager is yet to go completely from his look. The smile on the lips radiates warmth, the bright, shining eyes radiating compassion and intelligence. The emperor of Mughals, the infamous nightmare of Rajputana looks exactly like a common human being with uncommonly bright and attractive eyes, whose smile has the capacity to give hope instead of apathy. He looks exactly like a young boy who cannot be hated at the first glance… rather a strange pinch of affection fills the fatherly heart of Bharmal with a light of positivity.

“Take a sit, Rajasahab…” The emperor himself got up in courtesy. “I was eagerly waiting for you.”

Bharmal and Bhagwant Das proceeded in front for their allotted seats as shown by Adgha Khan.

“Abdul…” The emperor looked at a limp man beside him. “Arrange some drinks for my guests…”

“We… we are fine, Majesty… Thank you for offering.” Bhagwant Das told in hurry.

“Why? Do you have a problem in drinking water from Mughal household? Or are you afraid that I will mix poison in your drink?” The emperor laughed in a lighthearted manner, followed by a chorus of laughter. Bhagwant Das felt awkward, but he also felt there was no sign of taunting in the emperor’s voice… not like the way Adham Khan was insulting them.

“I won’t force you if you have any restrictions.” The emperor stopped laughing. “But if you are afraid of the second possibility, I assure you, you are completely safe here. I don’t know what you people think of me… but the truth is, we are the son of warriors, we know the language of wars; we don’t need dirty tricks to defeat our enemies.”

“No…no Majesty, we were not thinking like that…” Bhagwant Das said, but the emperor raised his hand.

“This is the reason you are constantly rejecting Sharifuddin’s proposal of negotiation, right? You are afraid?”

Bhagwant Das cleared his throat and looked at the eyes of the emperor. “We are not afraid, Majesty. If we had been afraid, we would not accept this proposal as well. Thing is, a negotiation can happen only between two kings; you are the king of Agra, and my father is the king of Amer… a talk can happen between you two. We did not think meeting one of your mere subordinate general on person was worthy enough for the time and respect for our king. Would you ever do it, if you were on our position?”

“You watch your mouth, prince!” Someone from side shouted, but the emperor looked amused. “Do you think the same rule is applicable for the king whose people are kept as hostages inside the captivated fort?”

“Do you think the values of a king can change with different situation?” Bhagwant Das questioned back.

The emperor smiled, seeming truly satisfied. “So, now when I am in front of you, let us get straight into the topic?”

Bhagwant Das nodded, while Bharmal looked at the face of the emperor with no reaction.

“I think in my letter I already specified my opinion to get out of this haphazard situation?” The emperor smiled. “What have you thought about it?”

“About surrendering under your force and pay taxes to you on exchange of so-called freedom?” Bhagwant Das said. “Majesty, before we talk about that, I would like to make ourselves clear. We are Rajputs. We don’t bend our heads before our enemies even when we are beheaded. Freedom is in our soul, we cannot buy freedom in exchange of life-long imprisonment. Still we are here to have a face-to-face discussion with you… That has some reasons.”

The emperor smiled. “We are here to discuss those reasons only, isn’t it?”

“First of all, Majesty, your force has captivated our force for more than one week. People are forced to starve to death.” Bharmal started talking. “I certainly believe that no healthy discussion can go on by putting some innocent lives at the point of dagger. Let’s not sacrifice those poor life in our own political war.”

“You are right, Rajasahab.” The emperor said. “What do you suggest? Me to order the force to retreat back right now?”

Bharmal and Bhagwant Das looked at each other in slight confusion.

“Granted.” The emperor announced. “Amer fort will be free within one day. Anything more?”

“My daughter-in-law had been in Sonargarh when the seize took place.” Bharmal spoke again. “She and her son are under Sharifuddin’s clutch right now. We are indirectly threatened that the worst is going to happen to them.” He noticed how the emperor’s clam smile was clouded with a frown. “Majesty, we are here to talk. But I refuse to talk before we are promised that she will be alright.”

“Sharifuddin has captivated a royal woman?” The emperor sighed with a sheer disappointment and rage. He paused for a moment to cope up with it. “I had no idea about this. But now when I know about this, I assure you that your daughter-in-law and grandson will reach Amer safely by tomorrow night.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty…” Bharmal exhaled a sigh of relief.

“So, now, Rajasahab…” The emperor suddenly got up from his seat. “Can we talk about my proposal now?”

Bharmal and Bhagwant Das took a long breath.

“We are ready to pay the compensation, and an one-time tax… But we are not ready to submit our integrity under Mughal force.” Bharmal said with a bit trembled voice. “The throne of Amer will be held by our clan only… no sign of Mughal emblem should be there.”

“Your land is already drowning with poverty.” The emperor said amusedly. “After years of drought, sudden attacks, fire in market and many unfortunate happenings the economy of your kingdom is already drowning. In this situation you are trying to make a deal with money with Mughals? Do you have the guts to fulfill the demands of Mughal empire, Rajasahab?” His voice grown deeper. “Or are you intending to starve your people to death after saving them from starving to death for now?”

Bharmal looked nervously.

“Rajasahab, ” The emperor looked at the king. “If you agree to the deal of paying one-time tax, and I declare the amount right now, I want you to make sure you will be ready to pay that right in a month. If not, then the deal will be extended, and Mughal force will feel free to enter in your kingdom to collect the money of deal anytime they want. Are you sure you want this? This continuous chaos and free loot?”

“I… We expect you to understand the situation and demand the amount with…” Bharmal stammered.

“With what?” The emperor suddenly looked a bit annoyed. “Rajasahab, I am here to make a treaty with you. I am not here to bargain, and certainly I am not liable to show mercy on you and ask for a little money for namesake and let you go freely. I am seeing your benefits here, and hence I expect you to see my benefits as well… And one more thing, I am not a looter. I have enough wealth for me, and I don’t need to squeeze a poor kingdom and destroy it for a little amount of money.”

“The thing that you want… a complete submission under Mughal flag, is not possible for us!” Bhagwant Das said.

“So what should I do to make it possible? Start another direct war against you? Destroy the whole fort and start a new reign there?” The emperor looked at Bhagwant. “I can do it anytime, Shahzade Sahab. At this situation I will need only half a day to destroy the whole Amer. But I won’t, because I don’t want to. I don’t want to kill people. All I want is a fair deal where you people are more benefited. Your land would be yours, you will be the king like before; only you will pay the monthly tax to Mughal empire like other states…”

“And our fort will be marked as a Mughal territory!” Bharmal snapped in fury.

“Of course, Rajasahab. When I am seeing your benefit, you should see my benefits as well.” The emperor said. “I can’t understand why it is so hard for you to accept this? Mughal force had captured your force, the fort is technically ours… I am giving you the opportunity to survive again, what is the problem to take it?”

“You cannot say you won us by tricking us in a war and unethically keeping our people hostages.” Bharmal argued.

“Oh really!” The emperor smiled sarcastically. “Then tell me, your grace, where exactly do you see the lack of ethics from our side? Two state of Rajputana fought against each-other, one of them asked for our help which we gave. The king of that state died in internal feud and we got to capture that fort too; technically you could not win that war against that state so you have lost against Mughal force. You wanted your people free, I ordered my force to retreat back. You wanted the freedom of your daughter-in-law, I granted without a question. Now you people being at the end of the cliff has come to me to survive. I want you to surrender and take your lands back. Where do you see folly from my side, Rajasahab? How do the kings of your land win wars with ethics then? Or you are still in denial that you have lost, and still trying to hide your worthlessness by blaming me as unethical?”

“Majesty…” Bharmal stammered.

“No more talks, King Bharmal.” The emperor stopped him. “I was here to talk with another king. Not with a broken man who cannot accept his defeat. I am not here to snatch the little wealth you have. I am not here to excuse you from every liability of war out of kindness as well. All I want is a fair deal, a concrete peace-treaty. So unless you have any better thing to propose, don’t talk anymore. And if you want to die like a warrior instead of surrendering, tell me and go ahead. I will order the army to start a proper war with given notice, and win Amer in a proper conventional way. No need of these show-off negotiation meetings anymore.”

“We are extremely sorry to irritate you, Majesty…” Bhagwant Das said slowly. “Actually we are not habituated to bend our head in front of anyone as I told before. I have always known from childhood that signing a treaty between two states give a stability of situation, and those two states are treated as equal. There are no inferior-superior relationship between them. But in this treaty with you all I can foresee is that we, the people of Amer are slowly becoming the servants of Mughals. The Mughals will not treat us as equals, rather we will be humiliated every moment. Some unfortunate events right today morning has made me believe this. Shahenshah, we have no problem in accepting what you proposed. But we are not ready to lose our integrity as Rajputs.”

“That I can assure you.” The emperor said, his tone calmed down.

“Pardon, Majesty. Maybe in this case your assurance is not enough… We need some concrete evidence to be assured enough that we will be treated as kings, not inferiors.”

“Tell me what you want as evidence. Any written documents? Or anything else?” The emperor looked at Bharmal. “Rajasahab, what do you use as a token when you Rajputs make treaty between two kingdoms? Like some months back you were making a treaty with fort Bhangarh which suddenly broke very unfortunately?”

“In case of Bhangarh we were establishing a marital relationship between two forts.” Bharmal said slowly. “The marriage of my eldest daughter was fixed with the prince of Bhangarh. However… that… did not happen unfortunately.”

“Hmm… Marital relationship as a token. Interesting. And assuring as well. A hell-and-heaven difference between submitting under a greater force and establishing a relationship between both. Much prestigious, much stronger…” The emperor looked interested and thoughtful. “Then, what do you think?” He looked meaningfully at both Bharmal and Bhagwant Das.

“Since this marital relationship is not possible…” Bhagwant Das proceeded.

“Or it is possible!” Bharmal suddenly spoke out.

“What are you telling Bapusa!” Bhagwant Das blurted out in excitement while the emperor looked at him with sheer amusement.

“All I am saying is…” King Bharmal took a long breath, feeling suffocated from inside. He had no idea which force was making him to say all these things… only one image was floating in front of his eyes… the desperate, bold face of his elder daughter Jodha, who is sitting alone at her window, praying desperately to the god to let them win… Amer should win, at any cost!

Be it my own life!

“Marital relationship is possible in between Amer and Agra, if your Majesty agrees. This way Mughal empire will get what he demands, and Amer will not lose her respect and integrity.” Bharmal completed. His son was staring at him absolutely shell-shocked, and the emperor was still smiling.

“I have an unmarried daughter… my elder daughter, Jodha Bai.” Bharmal gulped and cleared his throat to break the bubble of hesitation. “I propose you her hand for the marriage.”

A sudden pin-drop silence covered the whole room for a moment.

Amazing chapter.....

Eagerly waiting for moment when they meet...

Please update next chapter as soon as possible.......

Really amazing presentation of emperor and his views. Stopped at a place where we eagerly wait for ur next update Thank you for giving amazing story

I am reading your story from when u started it is so different from other akdha stories and very additive. This story deserves more recognition I think u should post it on wattpad.

Lots of love...Update soon can't wait to see how they both will react when they will come to know each others real identity

What an amazing writing stuti. The whole chapter was too exciting. Did not want it to end. Dont know what ja jo's reaction would be when they meet for the first time. Both will get the shock of their life. Cant wait for next chapter. Pls relieve us of this over excitement in my heart by not making us wait too long for next chapter😊. Want this soul mates to be together forever