Thread 2: Destined Love... (New thread created) - Page 94

hi everyone

Hopefully next week i will update if everything is ok

Chapter 41:

Sharifuddin was fully prepared for the blow he would be getting from the emperor for hiding about the captivation of the princess of Sonargarh when he had come to meet him in the Mughal camp according to his order. Nevertheless it annoyed him a lot when he had to give back both the girl and the almost-won fort back to those defeated idiots without making any profit for himself. When Bairam Khan was at command, it was easier to achieve a lot of wealth from any single victory; Bairam Khan always concentrated on the central, making sure the enemies do not have any chance to be saved, and not much on what the other generals are doing personally. Rather he would appreciate if any of the generals could make his own profit by exploiting the enemies. According to him, it keeps the terror alive in the land of the enemy, which is more essential. But after Jalaluddin has gained the full control it has become hard to squeeze the defeated kings for own benefit; everything single penny taken as tax has to be registered and authorized by the emperor. Now if he starts to ask for show-cause for every petty reason like picking up a damn woman, it is really hard to survive honestly these days. However, there was another concern which had bothered Sharifuddin. Maybe Jalaluddin won’t see Sharifuddin’s profit in this whole incident, but he will of-course see his own profit. Jalaluddin is too much idiotically ideologist, but he is not a saint. What has happened behind the scenes then? Sharifuddin has got to know from sources that the king of Amer himself had gone to meet the emperor. Has he agreed to surrender under Mughal dynasty? So Amer is a part of Mughal territory now? Sharifuddin was certain that he will get Amer as a reward from the emperor since he knows Rajputana the best. But if the king himself surrenders, will it happen? And the way the emperor is agitated on him for hiding about the princess’s fiasco, he has already been shifted from his good book. Though he will not be ignored by him completely, thanks to the personal relationship he has with the emperor’s family, but right now his extreme curiosity was to know about the deal between Mughals and Amer completely.

Little did he think he will get such a shock after knowing this?

While Adham Khan was describing the treaty, fussing about how Jalal is putting the shoes of feet on their head like an idiot; Sharifuddin was kind of lost. He was not sure for what he should be getting more anxious, for his total loss in this whole fiasco, as after all these hard work the king of Amer at last won the real war while he got nothing; or how his career as the governor of Ajmer can be compromised with this sudden association with Rajputs; or whether he should be worried about his position to his religion and community because of the strangely irreverent act like marrying a Hindu? How his father, who is a priest and a scholar, is going to react? How his career and goals is going to collide with his family, community and own religious beliefs?

“May I come in, Majesty?” He asked at the doorstep of the emperor when he went to meet him.

Jalal was sitting silently inside his own tent, completely lost. He was drowned into some deep thought, the curve on his brows is the proof of that. He did not hear Sharifuddin first time, then looking at him he nodded unmindfully.

“Your Majesty, I know what I had hidden regarding Sonargarh must have hurt you a lot and you may have questioned my loyalty towards you, but believe me, I had no intension of…”

“What do you think about Amer, Sharifuddin? Have you ever been there?”

Sharifuddin was quite shocked at his casual voice. “No, Your Majesty; not in person.” He said confusedly.

“When do you need to visit a place in person to exactly know about the place?” Jalal said intensely.

Sharifuddin smiled. “Whatever my spies have told me, Amer had its legacy once, it had been very important and wealthy fort, but right now a fallen kingdom.” He suggested.

“The fallen would rise again, and I will create a different legacy. A legacy more enriched, more powerful.” Jalal uttered in his mind.

“Majesty, about what you called me I…”

“Sharifuddin…” Jalal got up. “About what I called you… You don’t have to give any excuse to me.”

“I didn’t understand…”

“I know you have prepared a lot excuses; I know none of them are true. I know why you chose to hide about the queen’s captivation, so I don’t want any fabricated answer.” Jalal said in a composed tone. “If you were an ordinary soldier of the Mughal empire, I would care a damn about your intension. But when you happen to be my relative, husband of my sister, then it really makes me uncomfortable.”

“Your Majesty… From ages the unwritten rule of chaos after victory has been carried out, the higher authority has never stooped the undisciplined unruly over-charged group of warriors to celebrate their win over the defeated land in their own gruesome way; rather they appreciated it.” Sharifuddin said in a mild tone. “Everyone knows it, including your sister and there is no problem between us, our happy marital life. I am a Mughal, Your Majesty; a warrior. I have always learnt to win over a land by ruling over the women of the land; you can only break the spine of the land when you break their duty and honour, their women. It keeps me charged, keeps me motivated, gives me fuel to win the next war. I certainly should not tell these aloud, but since you don’t want any fabricated answer, I told the truth.”

“The agony of a tortured woman keeps you charged for the next war, Sharifuddin?”Jalal said in a bitter voice. “And you say you are a warrior! Sharifuddin, this is not a sign of a warrior; this is not a celebration of victory. It is a twisted, crooked, perverted way-out from your pathetic frustration which drowns you every moment in that war-field; you cannot deal with that, and you find solace in more violence! This is not a warrior, Sharifuddin; this is coward!”

“Pardon me Majesty…” Sharifuddin put his eyes on the emperor’s eyes with extreme bravery. “If this is the truth, then you have to admit that 90% of the success of your reign depends on these type of cowards. You can give me order, I will never repeat this kind of act again. But if you want to eradicate this entirely, then leave your throne behind and live a saint’s life. If you wedge a war you cannot control the aftermath of it. You have to give your soldiers the authority over their spirit of warrior… no matter how twisted they are, how perverted they are, they need their spirit to keep on going, to win for you. Whether you see this as a fuel or as a way-out of frustration; you can start a war but the dark soul in yours controls it under which you have to surrender. ”

Jalal smiled “Maybe you’re right; I cannot expect every single soldier of my army to be strong enough to save his soul from the gasp of darkness created from war. I am not a moral compass of the army. But if I see this darkness to swallow my empire’s fate along with my reputation, I will not be quiet.” He paused for a moment before uttering in a serious tone. “We are the race of warriors, Sharifuddin, we are born to rule, to protect. You are not allowed to playing with a woman’s honour while wearing the badge of Mughal dynasty… We are bound to protect them. Not to destroy them to break their lord to satisfy your masculinity.”

“I apologise to ask, your majesty…” Sharifuddin passed a smirk. “I agree with you all along about the duty of warrior. But is not the reality far away from this? Haven’t the powerful kings from the ancient ages have practiced the same to occupy a land? What about you, Your Majesty? Are not you doing the same? Are not you using the girl of Amer’s king to break their pride and make them bowing and kissing your feet for the rest of their lives and generations after generations?”

Right after speaking this Sharifuddin felt he should not have said that; he should not misuse the extra benefit he has from his relationship with the emperor. But he sometimes cannot help his cockiness and his confidence on Jalal will do no harm to his own brother-in-law makes it worse. However, while he expected the emperor to get really agitated, Jalal only smiled amusedly.

“Sometimes you really leave me in dilemma, Brother-in-law! That whether should I get angry by your audacious insults, or should I get amazed and praise your extreme courage!”

“I am sorry, Your Majesty.” Sharifuddin said in a mild tone. “Whatever I said was in a light tone; You yourself have given me the right and honour of talking to you as a friend. I didn’t mean to offence you.”

“No no Sharifuddin I don’t get offended so easily.” Jalal laughed out. “it’s a problem of mine, you know? I don’t get angry easily; I don’t get excited easily… But when I do…” He left the word unspoken. “However, thing is, you were not called here to make fun with me. We can have plenty of time for that later. What are you trying to do here is to try to justify your crime by making me feel guilt.” He chuckled. “You think you are very clever, don’t you?”

Sharifuddin was having goosebumps when the emperor’s cold eyes were aiming at him sharply; just when Adga Khan suddenly came for the rescue, most unexpectedly.

“May I come in, Majesty…”

“Please come in, Adga Sahab…” Jalal smiled looking at the older adviser. “I was not expecting you this time at morning.”

“I am sorry to intervene, Majesty… Just wanted to inform that the messenger from Amer has reached here safely with an official proposal for marriage from the king.”

“Great. The messenger should be treated as a guest. I will meet him and reply in the court which will be held today. Please make sure all the preparations to complete the treaty from our side is taken care of.” Jalal said. “By the way, Adga Sahab. Why you took the hardship to come here in person for this? Any random guards would be fitting enough?”

Adga Sahab smiled most calmly. “My Lord, there is something more I had to share. Besides the king’s sealed proposal, another letter has come from Amer.”

“What is that?” Jalal asked.

“A letter from the princess herself, My Lord!”

Jalal stared at the face of Adga Sahab for a moment, unable to fathom his words. Then he smiled quite confusedly.

“A letter from the princess?”

“Yes, Majesty. The messenger informed that the princess has requested in person to make sure the letter comes to your attention.” Adga Sahab smiled again. “The messenger could have handed it to you in the court as well, but I thought it is more needed to get it to you before you come with an official announcement. And I could trust no one better than myself to hand the letter of the future queen of Mughal dynasty to the emperor.” He gave the scroll to Jalal. “Here is the letter, My Lord.”

“Thank you so much, Adga Sahab. For giving her the honour she will deserve by escorting her message to me yourself.” Jalal took the letter. It is written in a very ordinary parchment, mostly used in household usage, not a royally sealed one. He unmindfully caressed his fingers on it. Maybe it was his imagination, but for a moment he felt his heart was touched with a strange feeling he never experienced before. He then looked at Adga Sahab, his eyes were still filled in awe.

“May I request you to read it for me?” He smiled and asked.

“I am afraid I should not carry out this order of yours, Majesty…” Adga Sahab answered with a small, amused smile at his lips. “This is the first letter of your future wife to you, My Lord. You might not want me to read it out. After all I had been in charge of your caring guardian once and I will be like her father-in-law once she comes in your house.” He bowed his head. “Allow me to leave, Majesty. I don’t want to interrupt the moment anymore.”

Jalal looked at the eyes of Adga Khan, for an instance a flow of respect, love and affection flowed between them. Then Jalal nodded as Adga Khan proceeded to leave.

“So, Sarifuddin…” Jalal looked at Sarifuddin again and handed him the scroll. “Read it out.”

“Apologies, Majesty… But me?”

“I don’t have my confidant Abdul with me right now; my faithful personal attendant has become more attached to his new duties as security official. My new attendant is too boring and I usually flee from his sight.” Jalal smiled. “I request you, brother-in-law, read it out.”

Sarifuddin smiled confusedly and started reading…

“To the respected Majesty of Mughal Empire,

Please accept my heartfelt gratitude to your kindness for being by the side of Amer at the time of her doom. A only truly man of honour can have the sensibility of protecting the honour of others, and Your Majesty, it is an honour to me to come across such a sensible and honourable persona in this hours of bane. I have become aware of the peace-treaty that has been made between Amer and your kingdom; I have known about my father’s proposal to your kindness as an act of permanent negotiation between both of the kingdoms. Your Majesty, I am a naïve woman, almost unaware of politics. But I can understand the importance of this negotiation for both you and the people of my land. It is an honour to have an ally like you beside Amer; and as the princess of Amer it is my duty to protect the fate of my subjects by being a part of this negotiation, which I wholeheartedly accept.

However, there is more to it that I want to say to you. Your Majesty, I have told you before that I am an ordinary woman, naïve of politics. The situation of Amer will not change according to my wish. The political atmosphere around Amer will not change according to my decision. The proposal that my father has kept in front of you that has been taken from a bigger aspect. The negotiation between Amer and Mughal Empire is perhaps bigger than that from your perspective. My wish or my decisions are negligible in between those greater motives. As a princess I am habituated to that fact. But, Your majesty, in this ordinary life of this ordinary princess there are other aspects which matters other than politics… The nature of this political negotiation has touched one of these important aspects that matters. My life, no matter how much valueless it is in front of the greater motives, no matter how much it is controlled by the destiny, is still something that belongs only to me; it is the only place where I choose to decide, I choose to rule. The destiny pulls the string of the life; for the life of a princess the political situations act in the place of destiny… But even our fate gives us one opportunity of choice; our destiny values the choice made by us, gives the right to rule our own lives… Your Majesty, I am grateful that you gave me that choice, you gave me that right which has been entitled by the d estiny rather than taking the decision on behalf of me. You are a great man, my emperor, this act of asking for my approval for this proposal might be a very normal gesture for you; but for me, it is a great honour that you have given to me. You have valued my valueless life, have put the decision of my little life before the bigger political decisions… You have given me the equal right in forming a relationship, a relationship which you valued more than a political negotiation; for which I would be grateful to you for the rest of my life.

Hence I dare to speak from the right that you have given to me. Your Majesty, the political negotiation will happen at its place, I have nothing to say regarding that. But another negotiation is happening, which might be very little in front of the importance of Amer and Mughal negotiation, but for me, for the life which I rule, that is most important. The negotiation between us to start a new relationship, a new life together. You have given me the equal right of expressing my opinion regarding this negotiation. Majesty, a negotiation cannot be completed without the fulfilment of the conditions from two sides. For the political negotiation, both Mughal court and Amer royals have set their own conditions. But for the negotiation in our relationship, no condition has been told from my side. Hence I would dare to put two conditions in front of you from the right you have given me…

1. I am not ready to change my religion after the marriage. I request the right of practicing the rituals of my religions freely after marriage.

2. I will be carrying the idol of my deity along with me and wish to build a place of worship in the woman-quarter where I will dwell after the marriage.

Your Majesty, my conditions are not put in front of you with any intension to insult your beliefs. I put these because it is essential for me to protect my views and individuality after the marriage which I expect you would help me to protect. I am willing to accept any condition that you give me an exchange of this two demands from my side. The political negotiation is important, I have no right of disapproving that, but if you really give me the right of taking the decision of the negotiation of marriage that is taking place between us, please pay a little heed to my conditions. As a honourable princess, as an individual woman, as a faithful ally and a future subject and as your future wife I ask for the right of securing my belief in your land after the marriage; with a great hope in my mind that his highness will consider this as a fair negotiation and approve it.

Thanking you with great regards,

Jodha Bai,

Princess of Amer.

“What kind of strange demand is this?” Sharifuddin could not hide his annoyance after completion of the letter. “She wants to continue to worship those dolls and expects to get it approved right in Mughal palace? Although, we can’t expect much intelligence from a woman than this! But how dare she to do this act?”

“Sharifuddin, don’t you think you should be a bit respectful to your future empress?”

“Sorry, Your Majesty…” Sharifuddin uttered. “I just could not hide my expressions after reading this meaningless letter.”

“This might be meaningless to you; but not for everyone. Not for her who has written it.” Jalal looked at Sharifuddin. His voice and eyes were full with enchantment of mesmerisation. “I am surprised too, though. Surprise to see her courage, her sensibility, her wisdom and her quick wit. She is truly a princess… she is much more than I heard of her and imagined her to be.”

“My apologies, Majesty…” Sharifuddin looked surprised. “The demands she has kept in front of you are highly impossible. Does this mean you are going to break the treaty? Based on a naïve woman’s letter?”

“I know what I am going to do…” Jalal clapped once to call the guard outside. “Call for the court. I want to give statement to the king of Amer right now.”

It was just the beginning of Sharifuddin’s shock. He did not realise how grave the letter could be for his career and life, till he went to the temporary courtroom… The emperor announced his treaty with the Amer kingdom, accepted the marriage proposal and gave official document about it, and last one, which was most unexpected not only for Sharifuddin but for the entire court, he declared the two demands put in front by the princess of Amer and sealed an official statement containing the approval of those two conditions in a proper methodical way.

“I request you to hand this over essentially to the princess only.” He told the messenger with a smile. “And give her my message, that it is my honour that she is coming to my kingdom to fill it with her grace; hence while she is concern of protecting her views and individuality, I promise I will protect her honour and her esteem till the end of my life. The official statement I gave to her is just a small evidence to it.”

There was a little noise forming in the court. It increased after the messenger left.

“You cannot marry like this, Majesty… We won’t support!”

“This is insane! This is an insult to our religion.”

“The priests and the subjects of the land would never approve it.”

Jalal got up from his throne and raised a hand to stop them. “I won’t allow anyone to give suggestions about my personal decisions. How I will honour my wife is completely my choice. And mind it, I am not insulting my religion, I am only giving respect to the future queen beliefs. Also I want the Rajputs and other Hindus to see that Mughal emperor is able to fulfil the desire which they craves the most… that is, the security and independence of their belief. I am sure the subjects won’t disagree with this, and it is not under the priests’ duty to guide me about how I should fulfil my future queen’s wish.”

“Does this mean there is no place of the priests and scholars in your empire, My Lord?” Sharifuddin got up.

“I know you are from a scholar’s family, and my words might have offended you.” Jalal said. “But my intension is not to offend anyone. I just want every individual to stay true to their duties to the empire, and not to overthink and influence an important political decision or the emperor’s personal matter. The negotiation is important for the future of the empire, I don’t want to corrupt it by keeping a void in the conditions from the beginning; also I don’t want them to think that the emperor is incapable of giving anything… Rest is about the personal beliefs and reservations of every man, I can understand if some people are not able to support this marriage, and I give them the free-will to avoid it; I won’t mind anything. But your personal beliefs cannot become a reason of breaking this important alliance with the Rajputs… That’s final.”

The court adjourned, everyone including Sharifuddin was coming out with confused minds. Sharifuddin was in a tough spot. Keeping his personal reservations to the Hindu customs aside, he was worried about his father’s reaction. If he want to keep on growing, he needs to be in the emperor’s confidantes list; but how will he manage his family?

Just then he felt some whispering in his ear; when the emperor was passing by him.

“You asked me what is the difference between you and me when we both are using a woman to win over a land. Now you see Sharifuddin, that’s the difference between you and me. You gather hatred by spreading fear; I earn loyalty by giving the respect they deserve… I know how to respect, how to give honour… you don’t.”

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“The emperor himself has issued this statement for the princess with his personal assurance of protecting her beliefs. This is the farmaan he ordered me to hand only to you.”

The copy of the sealed document was still in Jodha’s hand, while she was looking at the mirror, and still trying to believe everything said by the messenger in the court or every word written in the farmaan was true. That the emperor has agreed to accept her conditions, giving her the freedom of practicing her own religion even after her marriage. It became so easy; only a letter to the emperor and he gave her personal assurance without a second thought, without any counter argument with Amer. Has anyone in her entire life in Amer given this much honour to her words?

Jodha sighed. She will be fine in Agra. She has to be fine. A little freedom to her beliefs, a little honour of living… what else does she need to be happy in a strange land among strangers? Especially when she has got immune to the negligence and humiliations from own people. Everything will be just fine; just like another marriage where the hearts do not tie the knots. It is so common though; after all every marriage is a political treaty for a princess, heart plays a very little place there. Jodha’s heart is arrested in the same time-loop, in those beautiful moony nights in that broken hut… her soulless body has no worth to anyone. Nothing matters anymore.

“Rajkunwari Sa…”

Jodha looked back. Moti Bai was standing with a tray in her hand. She entered inside.

“Your meal. You have not eaten anything since the noon.” She said.

“Thank you.” Jodha smiled. Moti did not reciprocated.

“Is there anything more you want to say?” Jodha asked.

“Does not matter.” Moti answered curtly before starting her works… Jodha stopped her path.

“What is it, Moti?”

Moti looked at her eyes. Her eyes were as cold as ice; numb and isolated.

“Why does a woman have to be sacrificed in every decision made by men, Baisa?”

Jodha stared at her face for a while. Unable to say anything.

Moti placed the plates for dinner, served the foods properly. “Eat, Kunwari Sa… You will need strength to face the future!”

Jodha started eating without a word. Moti poured water in the glass…

“I have no right to say anything to royal matters, Kunwari-Sa… But one thing I regret… This would never happen if Kunwar Sujamal was here.”

“Anything would never happen if he and Bhagwant Bhaisa could stay by each-others’ side, Moti!” Jodha sighed. “Maybe that’s how Amer’s bane was written by destiny! Now we are in a drowning boat, Moti… Trying to save the boat by groping everything on the reach.”

“When the boat is destined to be drowned, it is better to jump off the boat and swim against the tide in order to save yourself rather than hovering to save it, Kunwari Sa.” Moti’s voice was strangely firm. “It has been months since your last late-night adventures, Raj-Kunwari Sa…”

“What are you telling Moti?” Jodha got up.

“Run away, Kunwari Sa!” Moti whispered. “You are almost a prisoner to this house. But you have the access to the secret passage leading outside! I have fetched your old male costumes, wear them. I will take care of the passage door, you get ready fast!”

“I can’t run away, Moti…” Jodha said in a sterned voice.

“There is no time to waste, Kunwari Sa!” Moti almost yelled in a whispering tone. “For whom you will sacrifice? For those who have only tortured and humiliated you all these day? For those who have never tried to understand you and threw you into the doom forever? Believe me Baisa, none will face a damn; only you will be killed every moment. Tomorrow you will be escorted from Amer, nothing would be done then. This night is your last chance!”

“Moti…”

“Kunwari Sa!” Moti pressed her hands. “Don’t you remember that man whom who have loved?”

Jodha got numb and stunned. She felt clouds forming in her eyes.

“Love always gives us chance! I have lost mine; I won’t let you lose yours!” Moti said in hurry. “You are a skilled warrior! You have the capacity of living a life without being dependent to anyone. Your disguise will save you from the wrath of society. Go out and find your love! Don’t let them kill you every day in order to save own hides!”

Jodha suddenly held Moti’s hands with all her strength; tears streaming down her cheeks!

The sky is still the same; the moon is still the same; the path is still the same. But yet the world has changed completely. It has been ages since Jodha went out at night alone. The first time in a long break, and for the last time in the whole life, Jodha has again disguised herself as a boy-warrior and came out of the fort after stealing a horse from the stable. She is not a prisoner anymore; now she is free, free like an open bird after a long captivation in a cage… She can go anywhere with the horse now, wherever her eyes take her; wherever her heart permits her… Like the bank of the lake where she met him for the first time; she had held a sword on his neck, and he combatted like a real valiant soldier… I have another identity; I am a warrior! He said.

“Just a warrior! Is this what that defines you? You, the same man who risked your own life to save strangers from fire; you, the same man who enchanted a woman in your beautiful thoughts and words, made her fall for you… Chandrajeet, you stealer of heart; there are so many more about you, which maybe you yourself do not know; but I could see those in my inner eyes, and I got caught in your charmed trap! I gave away my everything to you! Why did you come, Chandrajeet? Why did you come to me!”

Jodha saw her reflection in the water of the lake. With the costume of a soldier; with this armour, the heavy turban on head and sword in hand, she has the perfect disguise. It’s so hard to believe that there lives a soft and beautiful lady inside the walls of this iron-armour… A valiant warrior in the disguise of a woman. As he had said once… Jodha ringed her finger in the ripples of the water.

The cold breeze swept through her face. She looked up and gazed at the pale moon at the sky. “I don’t know where you are, Chandrajeet… I don’t know who you are! My words will never reach to you. But still, tonight, while the sky, the air and the moon being witness of the moment, I want to say something to you! Whatever happens in my life now, or no matter what is going to happen in future, I will always be yours! Yours and yours only! Till the day the sky, the air and the moon stays in the place where they are now; there will only be a single name written in your Purnima’s heart, that is yours, Chadrajeet!”

After some moment, Jodha stopped her horse in front of the broken hut besides that abandoned temple. The place looks more abandoned now, more haunted. The hut has gone lifeless with the loss of the touch. She slowly entered inside and lovingly caressed the floor of the hut. The cover of dust being gone, the worn out sketch made on the floor became visible. A sketch of her face. Made of care, made of love. She gazed at the sketch for some time, then she knelt down and buried her face on the floor.

“Here I go… I have come to store everything I have right here with you!” She whispered. “All the beautiful memories I have created and lived here, will remain secured here… I keep my soul here, which is full of those memories. I have nothing left to me apart from them! I will leave my soul behind, in this lonely hut. Only a shell of Jodha Bai will leave for Amer tomorrow.”

She picked up her head, and took out a parchment from her waist. With gentle care she placed those behind the stinky hay-stock which had been Chandrajeet’s pillow once upon a time.

“I kept my confession here for you, Chandrajeet.” She said in a gentle voice. “The chances are too less. But if ever in your life you come here to search for your Purnima; you will find this letter. You will find out everything then; why I lied, why I denied to remember you in Vrindavan; everything. You will understand, Chandrajeet; as a princess I had no right to fall in love with you; but I did! There is no one who is more helpless than me, Chandrajeet… You will understand!”

It was almost dawn, when Moti got the signal of opening the secret door from Jodha.

“What happened, Kunwari sa? You came back?” Moti almost wailed while opening the door. “Why did you come back, Kunwari sa?”

Jodha looked worn out, but her eyes were still bright. “I had gone to do some important works left behind. Now I have no ties left.” She said.

“But Kunwari Sa!” Moti Bai held her hands. “If you stay here you have to get married to the Mughal emperor!”

“That’s the condition of the treaty. That’s the way-out to save Amer.” Jodha said in a gentle tone.

“You will sacrifice yourself for the good of Amer’s royalty?” Moti cried. “After everything!”

“Not for saving Amer’s royalty. For me. As a Rajput I am bound to fulfil my promises. I cannot go back after making alliance with someone.”

“But what about your love?” Moti desperately pleaded.

“No Moti, I cannot forget about that man because of my love. I cannot let him down after everything.” Jodha said.

“Which man?”

“The Mughal emperor, Moti.”Jodha’s voice was excessively calm. “The man who gave me the respect I wish even before I met him. The man who not only made a political alliance, he made an alliance with me; gave me my freedom to choose my position. I have agreed to marry him. I cannot go back now… I cannot show him that the Rajput princess is too weak to keep her own words. I have made a peace-treaty with the Mughal Emperor, Moti… And I will follow it till the end of my life!”

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The life in Amer has come to an end for Jodha.

Everything about marriage is almost fixed. For security purposes the Mughal caravan will not enter in Amer’s border. They have camped in Sambhar, the marriage will take place there only. There is a palace of Ameri’s in Sambhar, mostly to spend summers, Jodha and her family will stay there till the wedding.

The atmosphere in Amer has been stung in melancholy. Not a single bird is chirping, not a leaf is swinging its head in spring breeze. The dwellers of the fort are celebrating in deadly silence. The women in the fort are floating in tears… Jodha, who was dwelling in darkness for months and was silently held responsible for the misfortune of the kingdom, has suddenly become valuable. Jodha, the princess of Amer, the daughter of the house, is willingly going to hell for life in order to save Amer’s honour- what can be more painful than this!

A song is floating in air from far…

O Re Kaharo Doli Utaron,

Pal Bhar Ko Theharo Toh Zara,

Dil Se Lagake Bas Ik Dafa Ve,

Dene Ko Gudiyon Ko Dua..

The queen was standing at the doorsteps, her tears have dried already. The other daughters and the wives of the princes’ are dressing Jodha up. The red ghangra-choli, with the bridal veil on head, Jodha was looking like the empress of the world. The priceless jewels of gold and various gems are shining like victorious crown on her body. Maybe that’s how the deity wants to see the devotee just before her sacrifice…

Teri Bindiyan Nikharke, Chudiyan Bikharke,

Chunari Mein Chehake,

Tera Kazara Ho Kara,

Gazara Ho Pyara, Angana Tera Mehake,

Tera Jiyara Re Jhoome, Piyara Jo Chumhein,

Tann Mann Yeh Dumke,

Tohe Anch Na, Aaye Laaz Na Jaye,

Ang, Ang Ye Chamke..

“Jodha is ready, Maasa…” Bhagwati Bai, the crown-princess came to Mainabati. “She is seeking for your blessing now.”

Mainabati took a long breath; Jodha herself came to her and touched her feet.

“Bless me, Maasa… So that I can stand strong in the toughest time of my life.” She uttered in a calm tone.

Mainabati touched her chin lovingly while gazing at her eyes. “May God bless you, Jodha, so that you can stay true to yourself and your legacy! Never ever forget that you are a Rajput woman; you have been trained from your infancy how to save your honour by yourself! The value of our life is negligible in front of the value of our honour; never forget this!” Her voice trembled as she forcefully stoped the tears. She took Jodha’s fingers in her palm, caressing gently while searching something.

“Jodha? Where is the ring?”

“Which ring, Rani Sa?” The maid in charge of jewelleries asked.

“THAT ring! The most important one!” Mainabati said impatiently. “Jodha? Where is that ring? Are you going to leave Amer without taking the ultimate weapon with you?”

“Calm down, Maasa…”Jodha said patiently. “I did not see the ring for days. Nowadays I hardly take care of my own ornaments.”

“That is not a mere ornament!”Mainabati cried.

“Yes, Maa-sa… Some months ago you took that from me; you were afraid that I will really use that one, though I believe I know when to use that and when to not!” Jodha said with a smile. “You forgot?”

“I remember. But I have gave it back to you! I sent it back to you last night, with a message that maybe the time is coming when you need to use it!” Mainabati snapped back.

“Well, Maasa… Neither the ring nor the message has reached me.” Jodha laughed. “It seems I have some secret well-wisher.”

“This is not a matter of joking, Jodha!” Mainabati looked at Moti. “Call all my maids; I need to know who stole my daughter’s poisonous ring!”

“Stop Maasa…” Jodha held her hand. “Calm down, and try to remember whom did you give the ring exactly. I am sure you haven’t sent it in hand of any maid.”

“I… I…” Mainabati suddenly looked at Bhagwati Bai. “Bhagwati, hadn’t I given it to you?”

Jodha’s elder sister-in-law kept on standing embarrassedly.

“Bhagwati!” Mainabati fumed in fury. “How could you do it being a Rajput woman? You know how much valuable that ring is for her… You know that is the only thing that can save her!” Mainabati’s voice broke completely.

“No, Maasa! That thing will kill her! At least give her a chance to live her life before sending her to the path of death!” Bhagwati Bai said in a calm tone. “Taking own life might not be the only solution in this case!”

“What do you think, when a mother advices her daughter to take her own life? When?” Mainabati could not hold her tears anymore. “Give the ring back, Bhagwati. Do this favour!”

“I did not keep it to myself. It was not me who wanted to hide it.” Bhagwati Bai said hopelessly.

“Then who?” Mainabati exclaimed. Bhagwati lowered her eyes.

“I know.” Jodha smiled amusedly before going out of the room.

Bhagwant Das was just going to take care of the journey in front gate of the palace, suddenly Jodha came in front of the door.

“Bhaisa!”

Bhagwant Das looked at her. His heart suddenly twitched in flood of affection. His little sister is standing in front of her in complete bridal attire. This moment is always an emotional one for a brother. But for Bhagwant Das, Jodha’s calm smile under that red veil kept on stinging like a poisonous thorn. He was there to protect his sister forever with his own life; it was not his sister’s duty to sacrifice her everything in order to save their back! What a useless brother Bhagwant Das is; today he is going to send his sister towards a uncertain future himself!

“Jodha!” He uttered…

Jodha came forward and touched his feet. “Bless me, Bhaisa, so that I can fulfil my duties.” She uttered.

“Be happy!” Bhagwant Das said with all the hope he could gather together in a blessing. Jodha kept on standing.

“Is there anything you want to…”

“I want to ask you something, Bhaisa…” Jodha said.

“Tell me…”

“Have you taken my ring?”

Bhagwant Das stared in shock. “Ring…”

“Yes… the ring the Rajput royal women use as the ultimate choice to protect her honour when there is absolutely vacant in front; by killing herself with the poison in it?”

“Jodha why would I…”

“I am just asking, Bhaisa… Have you taken that ring?”

Bhagwant Das stared at her eyes silently, but could not deny it.

Jodha smiled. “Bhaisa… if you have kept it, be it with you. I have not come here to take it. You need not to say anything, Bhaisa. I know.” She sighed. “I just… just wanted to say something. You need not to worry, Bhaisa… I won’t die. I won’t die and let Amer down.”

“Jodha…” Bhagwant Das could not say anything more.

“This is not the purpose of this ring, Bhaisa… not to seek a way-out of escaping the reality.” Jodha smiled. “I am born-Rajput. Right from my mother’s womb I have learnt how to send the dear ones to the face of death with pride in eyes; I have learnt how to sacrifice myself in the feet of the God of victory; I have learnt to chant the mantra of Jauhar like cry of victory to slash and burn the ego of the enemies in the holy fire of the festival of death. I have learnt to drink that poison inside the ring like nectar and mock the enemy’s idiocy by celebrating own death… But Bhaisa, I have not learnt how to live a life when your own family sells you in order to make a deal with enemies! No one has ever tought me that!”

“No Jodha! Don’t use that phase! This is not like that, believe my Jodha…” Bhagwant Das pleaded in broken voice.

Jodha chuckled while wiping out the tears from her cheek. “Yes. This is something none has done. This is something you are doing first; this is something I am doing first. I will be the first one to feel how it feels to live a life with a man whom you believed to be your enemy since your first word. But I promise you Bhaisa, I will live that life; I will not run away. I am going to be the living bond between two enemy-states; That ring is not for me! Have a good day, Bhaisa…”

Jodha was about to leave, when she heard Bhagwant Das’s voice from behind.

“I know what you think about us! Believe me, we all hate us a lot more than you can possibly imagine for doing this to you. But there was hardly any choice, Jodha!”

“Thank you for choosing this way-out then, Bhaisa! Till these days Rajput women have only died to protect their honour. Today this Rajput girl will live to protect the common people of the kingdom. We will not be remembered as the most valiant warriors in History. None will remember my name as a great brave woman who died for honour. But we will survive! Our people will survive! And for common people, survival is the most important thing!”

The sun was about to set, the royal caravan set off for Sambhar. The last day of Amer’s beloved princess in this soil; but not a single soul dropped a single tear. Because they are too much in shock to express their feelings. Everyone crossed their fingers, prayed with all their heart for the uncertain future… Only the soil of Amer kept on weeping silently, no one could see her tears!

The palanquin started through the sandy path outside the fort, Jodha looked back at her childhood home for the last time. There were no tear in her eyes. Only the tune of the song was still crashing in her heart… She slowly closed her eyes, tried with all her heart to shut out all her senses and drown into a fitful sleep till the eternity so that she could feel nothing! Not a damn thing!

Takiyein Pe Tere Tare Bichayein,

Chand Ye Tere Liye, Thumariyan Gayein,

Kheedki Pe Teri Raat Ki Rani,

Murkhiyan Leke Lori Sunaye..

Soja, Soja Gudiya Soja Ankhyon Se Tu Ojhal Ho Jaa,

Ori Subhah, Ab Na Jagao,

Pal Bhar Ko Theharo Toh Zaa-A-Ra,

Neend Ye Aadhi, Sapna Ye Aadha,

Poora Toh Hone Do Zaraa..

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

“Where are you heading at, My Lord?”

Jalal squeezed his face in the heat of the blazing sun and looked at his bodyguard’s idiotic face. “Towards Amer, can’t you see?”

“You want to see the princess before wedding, isn’t it?” Hamid chuckled innocently.

“Very likely!” Jalal got unmindful again. It is the same disguise he had taken last time when he had come to see the princess here in this enemy land. Everything of his life changed so drastically after that trip. Now in the play of destiny, he is going to marry the same princess. But now he is on a quest to search someone else. Someone who is determined to hide from him. But he needs to find her; to see her for the last time.

Jalal has never faced such a conflict of mind in life. In every decision he has taken since childhood, he always knew what he is doing. But after Purnima, everything is tangled. One moment he drowns in frustration, determines not to seek her ever; but again the adamant mind in him drives him away to find her real identity. The same mind has brought him at the border of Amer again, despite the grave risk of being caught, being killed at the blink of eyes.

“My Lord… Pray to look at that…” Hamid called suddenly. Jalal looked at the distant crowd and line of people near the border. Seems like a festive carnival, going by the gorgeousness of the caravan, though judging by the deadly silence one can mistake it as a procession of mourners in a funeral.

“What is happening there? Any strange kind of Hindu festival?”

Jalal shook his head. “No. The princess is leaving for Sambhar.” He pulled the rein of Tufan. “Let’s go there.”

“To see the caravan and the princess?” Hamid asked confusedly.

“We cannot see the princess from the road; the guards are too cautious.” Jalal said. “We will bypass the crowd and go somewhere else.”

Jalal ran his horse, passing though the caravan, avoiding the crowd by accelerating. The palanquin of the princess passed by him, both of them were only some feet away, but none of them could see each-other! Jodha’s palanquin headed towards Jalal’s camp in Sambhar, Jalal’s horse headed towards the place where their story started…

The abandoned temple and the broken hut…

Jalal stopped Tufan at the doorstep of the hut and got ready to get inside. Hamid stared confusedly for a moment before entering. And the first thing he saw in that hut is an almost-worn-out yet understandable sketch of a beautiful woman on the floor. Jalal was staring at it without blink.

“Such a nice sketch.” Hamid exclaimed. “Seems like a rural woman by dress, but God she looks like a princess!”

Jalal looked at him all of a sudden, his expression unreadable.

“Who painted this here, My Lord!” Hamid continued with a smile. “Looks like her lover has sketched this to impress her.”

Jalal took a long breath to somehow hold back his emotions from Hamid. “Hamid, can you recognise her?”

“No My Lord… I think the picture is too hazy to recognize the features.” Hamid said.

“Result of getting wet and dried in rain and scorching sunlight for months…” Jalal uttered. “But did you see something, Hamid? The sketch was supposed to be filled in dust. So was the other parts of the floor… But it is not!” He suddenly looked excited. “It seems someone has come here! Someone has definitely come here last night! O’ God! She…”

“Who, my lord?” Hamid sounded excited. “Any spy? Or maybe a vicious assassin? Should we call army and raid?”

Jalal did not pay heed to his nonsense as his eyes were searching for any clue frantically. Purnima was surely here… She was waiting for him here! Maybe she has left something for him!

“What is that…”

Jalal leaned towards the hay-stack and picked up the hidden parchment. Something was written on that.

A letter! Same way she had sent him once… after the night when they realized how much in love they are in! That letter is now locked in his closet, and he being too busy to get it read from someone!

But he can do it now…

“Read it out, Hamid!” He ordered his bodyguard.

“Is this the coded letter from the assassin?” Hamid looked deadly serious. He started reading.

“Chandrajeet, My Love…

I have done wrong with you. I have nothing to ask from you- except forgiveness. You had to go without me as I denied to come with you. I even denied to recognize you when you were desperately pleading to me. I denied your love, I denied your loyalty, I denied your acceptance. I won’t lie today. It is not that I denied because I have feared someone; or I had no choice. The denial was my own choice, because of my own priorities, my duties. This society expects me to lead the life the way it is planned always. There was a time when I wanted to break that barrier. But not anymore. As my life is not always only about my choices. Many lives depend on it. I cannot let them down. That’s why I denied to recognize you. I tried to mingle your memories with all other beautiful dreams of mine… Chandrajeet, I was not supposed to be involved with you. I was not supposed to love. But I did. I have no regret for that. I am the happiest person in this world when I stay with you. I am the richest person in this world when I think about you. My love is my pride, and I do honour it more than my own life. In the name of that pride, today I want to confess all my truths to you. The night sky and the moonlight had always been the witness of our love. Let be the sky and the moon witness this moment as well, let them understand how much truth is there in my love, and let them be the judge of my sins.

I have lied to you, Chandrajeet. I have lied all along. I am not Purnima Bai. I am not the maid of the princess. I am not a local girl of Amer, who has the freedom of choosing own life. I am much more than that. Chandrajeet, I am that bird who has been captivated in a golden cage since its birth, who craves to spread its wing on the sky, but cannot… as the golden chain in fastened in its leg. And then, one day she realises that the golden chain is actually a myth; she never had the power of flying. The golden cage is her destiny, completing the beauty of the cage is her duty… The cage is the place where she belongs, where she has been brought up, has been fed; and today she cannot leave it… She craves for the sky today as well, but the bond of the cage is too hard to be denied… Chandrajeet, I am that bird of the cage, who knows what she wants, but cannot deny the duty towards the motherland. I am a prisoner, Chandrajeet; from the first day of civilization the women like me are prisoners only… We serve, we bend, we obey; and then after some days we are dispatched to another prison- again to serve and obey… This is my destiny, Chandrajeet… This is always my destiny. I always knew it was. Still I loved you. For those beautiful moments you made the dreams true for me, and my reality became an illusion. I will cherish those moments inside my heart always, those moments will help me to stand, to fight. Thank you, Chandrajeet, for being my strength.

I don’t know your real name… Neither I do know your real identity. Let my real name also be untold. You had said once that names do not carry the identity of humans. For me, you will always be my Chandrajeet; I will always be your Purnima.

With all my love,

Your soulmate for life and death, forever,

Your Purnima!”

Jalal kept on standing like a stone. His eyes shined in the ray of sun.

If you are a caged bird, then I am also that, Purnima! I am not the sky, the way you think! I also crave for that blue sky, I also want to spread my wings and fly. But the chain of duties and responsibilities prevents me! If we are same, then why can’t we be together; we can be happy together if only we can stay by each-other in the same cage which we will make our home! Why can’t we!

“Seems like a highly coded letter, My Lord. Though we have the clue that the writer with the code name Purnima is a prisoner of Amer’s jail.” Hamid said in a serious tone.

Jalal came back in reality and chuckled. It seems to be an advantage to get a brainless attendant sometimes. He took the letter in his hand and uttered almost silently… “Who are you, Purnima!”

Then he suddenly felt a strange thing. A very slight feeling of familiarity flowed through his veins when he touched the letter. The way it did when Purnima had sent a message for the first time. And strangely, the same way he felt when the letter of the Princess of Amer was being read in front of him.

And was not he feeling that the way the princess puts her words together is somehow very known to him? Like he is reading a letter from a known person; as if he has talked to her before?

Maybe a mistake. A result of overthinking!

But… but…

Jalal closed his eyes and tried to concentrate. Both the letters. The wordings. The way of writing. Aren’t they very close to each other? As if they are written by the same people?

The things Purnima wrote in this letter… about being the bird of cage, about being prisoner, about her duties towards many people… how can it be a letter from a common woman?

Jalal felt how his heartbeats were getting raised with the thought of the most crazy and nonsense possibility of Purnima’s real identity. Is it even possible? How can it actually happen? There is nothing that can prove it for sure! A strange feeling over a letter is the most lame reasoning he has ever made in life. Surely a result of overthinking! Surely it is!

But still… why his heart wants to believe otherwise?

“My Lord, what to do now?” Hamid asked…

“Hamid…” Jalal looked at him in firm eyes. “Do anything in need; I need to get Vaidya Sadanand in my tent as soon as possible!”

you updated yaayyyyyy...........

What an amazing update dear, simply mindblowing. So finally jalal is recognising his poornima to be his future wife. He will be on cloud nine to know this😃. Pls update next part soon.

Woooowww what a chapter..loved every part...i liked how Jalal answered shariff question at last...it feels like Jodha has lost the fire and I hope by only seeing Jalal😉 it will come back..as she is Jalal tigress

It's such a shame that Rajputs a respected clan did this..they used to blame Jodha so much..I just want to see suryabhan in their marriage..also Jalal should kill him for insulting Jodha and joja relationship... hoping their is lots of drama in marriage

U ended the chapter I don't know at the wrong time or right time.. u r such a tease how can u do this to us... curiousity is killing me now we have to wait for another month..try to update fast..just can't get enough of this story..between wait is always worth👏

Amazing chappy Di

Update soon Di

Plz reveal everything to them

Can't see this separation

Update soon Di

Thanks for pm Di

What a beautiful update ! Your style of writing is so heart touching that I can find myself there on that place , actually experiencing before my eyes rather reading . You have portrayed the feelings and longlines for each other by both the characters. Eagerly waiting when truth would be disclosed

Awwwww.....god y u have finish it like that.... I can't get enough of ur story dr........have to w8 for nxt update.......u r a wonderful writer......