Thread 3: Destined Love... (Chapter 61 updated) - Page 5

Originally posted by: swetiii

it's cold... updated read Karne m zada Maza aayega.hehe. update asap buddy.. waiting

Read karne to maza ayega but likhne me to fatega na?😜

Originally posted by: Shinning_Stuti

Read karne to maza ayega but likhne me to fatega na?😜

🤣

Originally posted by: Shinning_Stuti

Read karne to maza ayega but likhne me to fatega na?😜

Update Kar do Yaar 😘

Hi

I m ur new reader. Have read all 45 chapters in last 2 days. U have amazing writing skills and and sketched beautiful new dimension to both characters- jalal and jodha. Smaller emotions of both these two beloved immortal characters in u story have kept me binded for last 2 days. Even total plot.of the story - political, social of amer and agra is very well depicted. Dear pls keep updating this story as now their love is proceeded to official relationship which is complex and intersting. What it makes different as absense of hate in their story. They felt hurt and but not hated eachother.

Originally posted by: Shinning_Stuti

Actually last week I was half dead because of cold and workload. Then we had new year celebrations so only got to write from this year😂😂 Hoping to update before next tuesday.

But now again its too cold😭

Yaaayyy

We'll be getting an update by tomorrow

Originally posted by: Shinning_Stuti

Wait till night

I am feeling sleepy😭..update plzz

Chapter 46…

The strange chaos of emptiness had filled the air of Malwa’s entrance. Silence had enveloped the once-prosperous state like a graveyard. The whole atmosphere was still resonating chill of death and numb terror. The aftershock of the war is still prominent in every little thing visible aside the road.

“This is post-war Malwa, My Lord!” Adga Sahab whispered in the ears of startled Jalal.

“Where is Adham Khan, Adga Sahab?” Jalal asked in a chilled tone.

“Probably busy in massacring the Harem of the fled Sultan.” Adga Sahab commented. “Already the tales of him and the queen Rupmati has become famous in streets. Heard that the woman has committed suicide before Adham could reach her. It seems like he does not know about your arrival.”

“He better not.” Jalal said in a controlled rage. “Adham Khan is trying to dance on my head, Adga Sahab… How dare he perpetrating such barbarism in a land after capturing it after sending false reports to the court about the whole war. He is trying to double-cross the whole system!”

“I had doubts from first, My Lord. The reports about the captivation and gains were seemed to have odd discrepancies. Adham Khan planned to loot Malwa completely for his own interest. So I sent spies and when I got reports from him I took no time to ride here along with you! I wanted you to see the evidences on your own eyes.”

“Thank God you did, Adga Sahab.” Jalal nodded. He looked at his associates. “Make sure that Adham can’t know about my arrival before I meet him personally. I want to catch him by surprise. Let’s see what excuse he has now for his intolerable crime against the empire.”

“This is an act of treason, Majesty. He must be punished!” One of the higher officer said. “He tried to ravage a Mughal land, tried to plunder the treasure which were supposed to be submitted to the court.”

“And he has slaughtered the innocent civilians without handling them to the empire.” Jalal added in fury. “He did not kill them for the purpose of victory, he killed them in his perverted passion. Cold-blooded killers like Adham Khan are needed for the empire’s strength, but I fear if they get uncontrollable, like Adham Khan is going to!”

“Pardon me, Majesty. This is the emperor’s duty to get that control over the killer. Adham Khan must be controlled again, otherwise, he must be eliminated.”

Sighing a little, Jalal looked at the trails of blood on the path. The fifthly smell of blood and decaying bodies had filled the air. “Is there any eye-witness of all these, Adga Sahab?” Jalal asked. “Anyone captivated, whose witness can be used against Adham in the court?”

“Adham took no prisoner, Majesty!” Adga Sahab sighed. “You can take vivid description from my spy to know the scenario; but Adham has left no one alive to utter a single word against him in open court.”

“What has your spy reported?”

Adga Sahab sighed deeply covering his face. “After the sultan was defeated, the army led by Adham forced into each and every house of the fort; killed every man brutally, raped the women mercilessly for countless times; they did not spare the kids, toddlers even the babies. The pregnant women have been shown no mercy even! It is heard that Adham Khan laughed the hardest while crushing the still-born under the feet after cutting it out from the womb of its mother!”

Jalal closed in eyes in deep pain. “Why they don’t fear the God, Adga Sahab!” he uttered in frustration.

“Maybe the spirit of devil possesses all of us at the time of war, Majesty!” Adga Sahab said. “The true warrior can control it, the cold-blooded killer cannot!”

Together the horses of the emperor and others entered through the gate of fort. Ignoring the piles of disfigured dead-bodies and signs of annihilation here and there, Jalal went through the pebbled road to the palace of Malwa, where Adham Khan is enjoying the aftershock of the bloodbath by boozing and torturing the women… The castle door got open, and instead of catching Adham by surprise, Jalal himself got surprised.

Adham Khan was standing on the door, followed by his men.

“Your Majesty!” Adham uttered in overly emotional voice and directly fell on his feet. “Forgive me, Majesty! Forgive me for all my sins!”

A startled Jalal looked at Adga Khan, who was similarly surprised. Adham Khan was on his feet then. “My Lord, I hereby surrender to you with my whole army. I apologize for not being able to control the wrath of the victorious army after the war resulting the vandalizing in the state.”

“Not able to control the wrath? Really? Or was the whole destruction intentional, Adham Khan?” Jalal asked in a controlled voice.

“His Majesty is a great warrior himself. What can I tell him about the excitement released post-war!” Adham Khan said. “But I can assure you Majesty, that the destruction which took place here is far less than the conquests led by Khan-E-Khana Bairam Khan himself!” A slight smirk played at the corner of his lips.

“Really, this is your excuse!” Jalal shook his head in hopelessness. “Anyhow, what is your excuse about the false reports sent to capital, then?”

“Nothing was false, My Lord. Maybe some miscommunication happened due to distance.” Adham said quickly. “But I was always clear to my intentions.”

“How much of wealth did you acquire from Malwa, Adham?” Jalal frowned. “And what is the amount you sent to the capital? Where is the rest? In your pocket?”

“My Lord, all of the wealth are here to be submitted.” Adham said carefully. “I already said I have surrendered in front of you!”

“A great time to surrender indeed Adham. Just at the moment I showed up at your doorstep in order to punish you!” Jalal smirked. “Looks like your secrets eyes work better than you do!”

“Majesty, there is no spy or anything. I really surrender to you with good intention. I was already going to do it anyhow, by submitting all the spoils retained in the war. Your arrival here is just a matter of co-incident.”

Jalal chuckled bitterly. “Nothing in this small world is really a co-incidence, dear Adham!”

“Well then, punish me!” Adham said in a resented voice. “But remember that I had already surrendered all captures and goods to the higher authority already before you charged me with the accusation of treason. You are the voice of Justice for the Mughals, please tell me is punishing me serve the justice truly?”

“Not by Mughal law theoretically, I must admit. You have done no crime to the court.” Jalal said in a quite calm voice.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Adham Khan sighed of relief.

“What is your point of contest about the accusation of mass-murder and destruction in Malwa, then? ” Jalal smiled again. “That there is no eye-witness of the murders, and everything happened here was just a aftermath of uncontrolled energy release, whose intensity is actually lesser than the conquests led by Bairam Khan, isn’t it?”

“Yes My Lord.” Adham Said fast, and regretted at the next moment understanding how lame it was.

“Great.” Jalal looked at Adga Khan. “Kindly inform Pir Mohammad to have a word with me. Rearrange this mess in Malwa as soon as possible. I will not enter into the palace, rather ride back to Agra right now.” Then he turned back at Adham Khan. “You are coming back to Agra with me.”

“Pardon My Lord.” Adham said with a smile intact. “I would love to go back and meet my Ammi as soon as possible, but being a governor of Malwa I cannot live the place right now.”

“O really!” Jalal looked sarcastic. “You will be happy to know that Malwa is not your concern anymore. I release you from the duty of Malwa’s governor right now.”

“Majesty… But…” Adham looked both disappointed and furious. “You cannot do that to me.”

“I can do worse to you, no matter what fabricated story you put in front of me.” Jalal said in a cold tone. “Thank to your fortune, that I owe your mother a lot more than I hate you, Adham. Not a word more, you are demoted from your position for negligence in duty and sending misinterpreted reports about the war in capital. Your properties here are hereby seized by the capital. And you will be submitting a whole report of your earning and expenses over the year to the court in order to start a serious audit.” He looked at Adga Khan. “Adga Sahab, you stay back with Pir Mohammad till he takes over his new role as governor and come back as soon as possible. We both have a lot mess to clean up in the capital as well.”

He went back to his horse and set off towards the gate, without looking back to anyone. He obviously could not see the evil shadow of rage and revenge in Adham’s face.

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The workload of the Wazir-E-Alia is not very small. But even in her busy schedule, Maham Anga was unable to forget about the new queen of Jalaluddin. The new marriage of Jalal had been an issue of debate lately; Maham Anga herself did not like the idea of befriending the Hindus and giving them access to the Mughal household instead of eradicating them. But she was not much worried about the princess who was going to be married. A little girl of a hopelessly poor king whose annual revenue might be lesser than the monthly earning of her daughter-in-law, she was no way a threat to the Wazir-E-Alia of the empire. She was supposed to sit in dark, cry in vain all the times and cursing her cruel fate; while the emperor being too busy to even remember her for the second time. But no! That little girl has the audacity of humiliating Maham-Anga in front of everyone, this very thought was burning her from the core. Worse thing is, Maham Anga could not say anything. She could not cut off her tongue and fed that to stray dogs. The girl, the very little girl of a very little kingdom has started showing her status of being emperor’s wife before footing the first step on the land of Agra! Maham Anga was humiliated. She was angry. She was furious.

But in deep down, she was afraid.

Had Jalal been like a normal young emperor, seeking pleasure in different beautiful and sensual ladies every night, the Ameri princess would be no threat. The princess is beautiful no doubt, but there are much more beautiful ladies being sold in open market, and they are able enough to attract the physical need of an emperor. This Hindu girl could have been negligible enough even to notice, but she is not someone who is destined to live the whole life in dark, and she has proven that in front of Maham Anga. Maham Anga has seen a lot of people in her whole life, she can sense the heat before the fire. The princess of Amer has that fire inside. And Jalal loves to play with fire; he gets attracted by the fire more than he gets by beauty. No matter how much she is suppressed by the situation, one day or other that fire will come out. The princess has pride, strength, stubbornness of acquiring what she wants… three most important traits of gaining power. If this girl gets the power, she will shine with such glow which will dim all the others around. Maham Anga cannot let a Hindu woman become that powerful in Mughal household.

“What else have you known about her, Dilwar?” Maham Anga asked her eunuch spy who had gathered some important information about Princess Jodha Bai. Dilwar Khan bent her head and smiled a little. “A lot, My Lady! A lot of scandals!”

“Scandals?” Maham Anga frowned.

“She was betrothed to a nearby state’s prince, and the marriage got cancelled after she was found guilty with an affair. Most probably with some impostor she gave refuge.” Dilwar chuckled wickedly. “If I spread this news among all, My Lady, then she will be rightfully paid for your insults she dared to…”

“Shut up!” Maham Anga shouted. “Don’t forget that she is the Mughal queen now, and you cannot spread random rumours on her!”

“Apologies, my lady!” Dilwar looked disheartened. “However, I have also heard that our emperor himself has cleared her name before they set out.”

“What do you mean?” Maham Anga frowned.

“I didn’t hear much; but the emperor said that once he had been given refuge by the princess and for that he is grateful or something…”

“What are you saying…” Maham Anga got up in an unknown worry. “The girl is from Amer… the princess of Amer… and Jalal demanded he once took her refuge… means…” She sighed suddenly… “Yeah Allah!”

“What happened, My Lady?” Dilwar looked concerned while Resham Khan entered.

Maham Anga did not say anything. But her face was shadowed in uncertainty. She had remembered an incident happened long time ago. Jalal had just arrived at camp after an adventure in the desert land of Rajputana. She had met him inside his tent. Jalal was so different that day. So vulnerable. Drowned in agony and uncontrolled emotional turmoil. The Jalal she encounters everyday is someone whom she often fails to understand. The Jalal of that night had opened his heart to her. He had confessed that he had fallen in love with a girl who had given him shelter and food in Amer. Maham Anga had witnessed the pain of love in his eyes. She had scrutinized the facial expression of Jalal, how that changed in hatred when she had picked the topic of imprisoning that girl in Harem. She had understood that moment only, that the maze where the young emperor is trapped in not a colourful path of attraction and desire… the emperor has started walking through the thorn of love. The love which has both abilities of burning and cooling. She had given the situation a thought, but she was not worried. She was sure that emperor Jalal won’t take any drastic step like marrying a street-girl out of emotion. He is practical, he knows the limitation of a royal family.

Now no matter how much impossible does in look, if the girl whom the emperor had fallen in love was really the princess in disguise, and she has already claimed her position in his heart; then there is absolutely no way to stop her!

“Taqliya, Dilwar!” Maham Anga turned her face to Resham. “Resham, I need to discuss something with you.”

“Farmaiye, Wazir-E-Alia…” Resham sat closer to her feet.

“What do you think about the new queen, Resham?”

“A bit over-smart, Huzur! Maybe the effects of Rajputana’s weather. I am sure that trait will worn out in no time when she will get accustomed with the climate of Agra. There were many stubborn girls once upon a time in Harem who are now the most faithful followers of Ruqaiya Begam. She knows how to tame this kind of girls.”

“Unless this girl is not like the others, Resham!” Maham Anga murmured. “She will clutch the emperor first!”

“Pardon, Wazir-E-Alia… I think you are overthinking. We have more important things to talk about other than a random Begam.”

“No Resham!” Maham Anga shook her face worriedly. “If the girl can trap the emperor in the maze of love, and act such perfectly to enter into the royal Mughal family manipulating him, she can do anything! This Maham Anga cannot manipulate Jalal after raising him from birth, and she being a little girl of two days has the capacity of compelling Jalal to marry her and give status to her family! Can you imagine how fretful she is to the empire?”

“Pardon Huzur, but I don’t think all these can be her act! She might look over-smart and talks high, but does not look power-hungry.”

“Don’t judge anyone by the face, Resham! Today Jalal has married a Hindu girl, uplifting the Hindu community. Tomorrow he will give away all the important posts to that Hindu girl’s family. Day after tomorrow he will announce the child of that Hindu girl as the new emperor! Resham, can you imagine a Hindu woman being the Marium-Zamani?”

Resham Khan sighed a little, shaking his head. “I must admit I won’t be able to bear that personally, Huzur.”

“And exactly that will happen if we let her spread her wings, Resham.” Maham Anga said. “Do something… anything to make her guilty as by Harem’s law; she should be convicted at the court of Ruqaiya Begam so that she cut her wings down. Ruqaiya Begam is the one who manages the discipline of Harem; she also decides who is fortunate to sleep with the emperor. She will ensure that Jalal would not even see her face ever!”

“This is just a matter of a moment, My lady! And these are the petty tactics of jobless concubines of Harem.” Resham said again. “You are the Wazir-E-Alia, you don’t have to bother about these, I will take care of it. You have bigger threats ahead that this Hindu Princess right now.”

“Really? What is that.”

Resham took a long breath. “Do you know where the emperor has gone, My Lady?”

Maham smiled. “Yes I do.”

“He has set out for Malwa! To spy Adham Sahab!”

“I do know.” Maham Anga laughed. “You are not the only eye I have behind my head, Resham. And for the matter of fact, I can see you are slowing down. You concentrate on the petty Harem tactics, I will handle the outside world myself.”

Resham Khan gulped the insult. “I was just worried about Adham Sahab, Huzur. Because I know what he has done in Malwa. And Adga Sahab has sent the news to the emperor’s ears very tactfully! The emperor has decided to go to Malwa and catch him red-handed…”

“And by the time he reaches Malwa, Adham would be at the entrance gate, welcoming him grandly and submitting everything on his feet. There will be nothing to prove Adham as a guilty by law.” Maham Anga told. “You need not to worry, Resham. I have sent a letter personally to him when I have found out about Adga Sahab’s plan.”

Resham nodded a bit worriedly. “If only Adham Sahab decides to abide by the orders in your letter, Huzur!”

“What do you mean?” Maham Anga looked startled. “Adham can be anything, but he still respects me next to God! He won’t let his Ammijaan down.”

“As long as you are his shield in front of the emperor.” Resham Khan uttered. “Gustakhi Maaf, Huzur! But you know it better right? Adham Sahab is getting uncontrollable. And if he falls, he will fall along with you. Your reputation and credibility will be gone in a blink of an eye. He is much more of a threat to you than the Hindu princess right now.”

Maham Anga should have made Resham understand that he should not try to advise his Lady, but somehow she did not. Because she knew it was the truth. Maham Anga had given her whole life in betterment of the empire, and she has the right in the power she desires. But Adham has no limit to his desires. Maham wants Adham to get the highest rank of officer in Mughal court, but Adham wants much more. Adham wants the throne. Adham wants the empire. Maham Anga knows her limits, she knows a son of a maid is not deserving to get that holy throne. She has tried to make him understand, he has pretended to understand. But nothing can set a limit to her son’s ambitions, Maham Anga knows it!

Still, she will do anything from him. Because, what a mother would not do for her son?

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The stout eunuch was standing in a quite humble manner. He looked like a mere jester of this Harem, judging by his wacky face and foolish smile. Reva and Leela was scanning him for a long time, planning to pick on him in a childish manner. Moti was standing by Jodha with an amused look in her eyes. Jodha smiled delicately. “So, your name is Gulal Khan. How long you are serving here, Gulal?”

“Since my birth, Begam Sahiba! I know every inch to inch, corner to corner of this whole fort.” Gulal said quite proudly. “Also, I am expert in everything. I can understand your order before you even think of it! Begam Sahiba, give me one chance to serve you, I will show every other servant of this Harem that how to serve a queen!”

“Looks like he never got any chance to show that before.” Reva whispered in Leela’s ears.

“Great…” Jodha said. “What exactly is your area of expertise, Gulal?”

“Everything, Begam Sahiba! From polishing your shoes to entertaining you. I can sing, I can dance, I can fight, I can…”

“Really?” Reva could not control anymore. “Please give us the honour of hearing your beautiful voice for once?”

Gulal did not understand the teasing and started singing in a rather rusty voice- “Mehkash labon pe aane lagi hai pyasi qurbateinnnnnnnnnnn…….”

“Alright alright!” Jodha said quickly. “Enough for that. No need of auditioning…”

“Not only this! I can make and recite poems on instance!” Gulal cited excitedly. “Waqt ne kiya yeh kya sitam; aaj Agra ke Harem me aa pauchi ek Hindu Begam…”

“Wow What a great poem!” Moti grumbled. “No doubt why that snobbish Ruqaiya Begam offered this great eunuch’s service to you, Rajkunwari sa!”

“Alright alright!” Jodha laughed. “You see Gulal, I don’t need your great expert services of polishing my shoes or sewing my cloths… Also, I am too naïve to understand your great talent of poetry and singing. But you are experienced in this place, and I am new. I will recruit you as my guide in Agra. Are you okay with that?”

Gulal fell in front of Jodha and kissed her feet. “Thank you, Begam Sahiba! Thank you! Now I will show everyone how to be a great servant! I can foresee, Begam Sahiba that you will be the Mallika-E-Hind one day!”

“Ahh… okay okay!” Jodha readily moved her feet. “Now help my maids to unpack my belongings.”

“Jo Hukum, Huzur!” Gulal readily jumped to the work. Jodha looked at Moti who was staring at her unbelievably.

“This idiot, Rajkunmari sa? Seriously?”

“At least we met one person in this place who is genuine. Let’s appreciate it Moti! Come on!” Jodha smiled. “Let’s decorate the temple and place my Kanha to His new home.”

“Huzur!” Gulal Khan suddenly shouted excitedly. “What an excellent room you got! Just in front of the window of the emperor! I suggest to shift the bed clock-wise, so that after you wake up at the dawn, you see the first light coming from the room of His Majesty! I know the exact position, I will arrange it.”

“Look, this is the value of an experienced.” Jodha said amusedly. “Go ahead, Gulal!”

“Jo Hukum, Begam Sahiba…” Gulal was about to leave, but suddenly stopped seeing the idol of Kanha in Jodha’s hand.

“What is that doll, Begam Sahiba?”

“Him? He is not a doll, Gulal. He is my God.” Jodha said. “You reach to your God through prayer; we try to find the Almighty in this small idol. Both are same, only the medium is different.”

Only God knows what Gulal understood, he only stood with displeased expression. “But worshipping a doll is a sin. Worshiping anything in the name of Almighty is a deadly sin.” He murmured.

“But I am worshiping the God, Gulal. I have been worshiping him since I was a kid knowing in my heart that he is the Almighty, the owner of us all. Your concept of God might be different, but that does not alter the truth of the Almighty; neither it makes my belief a sin.” Jodha said in a firm tone. “I will worship Him till my last breath, in this exact place which the other Begam’s of Harem uses to pray to Him. You go to your own work.”

Gulal left the room showing quite respect which gave Jodha the relief that he won’t make any issue about this; but anyway, she was proved wrong within next two hours, when some Tartar women along with two eunuchs suddenly stormed into the room and started throwing her things here and there in name of searching.

“What is happening?” Moti shouted in disgust.

“A routine search.” An eunuch, the same one who was accompanying Maham Anga before, came forward and showed a scroll to Jodha. Written in Farsi, so she could not read that; though the eunuch explained the meaning. “Some anti-religious artifacts have been reported to enter inside Harem. And we have already found plenty of that inside this room.” He pointed to the small temple at the corner of the room and started moving there.

“No you can’t do this!” Reva shouted as a guard was about to throw Jodha’s Veena. “Who gave you the order of searching??”

“The great Maham-Anga, Hindu nincompoop!” Another eunuch mocked. “She keeps specials eyes on security, she does not let any anti-religious thing to get into this Harem. Today she will throw out all of this, and tomorrow she will throw away all Hindu insects like you!”

“Don’t waste your energy on this idiot maid, Dilwar. Here, give me a hand.” The eunuch was now standing in front of the temple. “Just throw these things off and clean this mess up. I am going to kick this doll out of the Harem.”

He was about to thrash on the idol, when a strong hand grabbed his hand and pulled him straight. With shock, he saw the furious eyes of the Rajput princess. Inside the room she has no restriction of veil, and her open hairs are flying in the air. Her eyes ogling fire, and while staring at those eyes Resham Khan realised that he might be wrong to judge this girl’s power.

“Just get lost.” Jodha uttered in a chilling voice, pronouncing each word delicately. “Get lost and tell your Lady to not to pick these cheap tricks on me. She is an honourable lady, her actions should display that! And you people!” She shouted at the others of the room. “I want my room perfectly clean right now. This is your queen’s order.”

“You have broken the law of Harem!” Resham Khan hissed in fury. “You are no one to order the special attendants of Maham Anga!”

“And you are no one to set the laws of Harem, Resham Khan! Let Mallika-E-Harem to decide that!” Another very calculative voice came from behind.

Hosiyaar Khan was standing. Beside him standing the empress, illuminating the whole room with her grace.

“Begam-E-Khas!” Resham Khan went in front of her. “Maham Anga has ordered us to…”

“Maham Anga must know she is not in charge of the Harem.” Ruqaiya Begam uttered in a measured tone. “Tell me Resham Khan, with whose permission did you dare to vandalise my Harem?”

“Pardon, My Lady… But we had news of this anti-religious things…”

“Then you should have reported to me. Maham Anga should have taken my permission before searching inside my territory, isn’t it?” Ruqaiya Begam said in a calm voice. “Maham Anga has greater posts in court. I don’t even want to know about her powers there. But it will be better for her not to interfere in my business. Tell this to her on my behalf!”

“We are apologizing, My Lady!” Resham Khan said. “But what about her breaking the laws? There are visible evidence of anti-religious signs here and there inside the room.”

“I see.” Ruqaiya Begam came forward and dismissed all the guards. She looked at the burning eyes of Jodha and smiled. “I understand your pride of not bowing in front of me, Princess of Amer; but what is your excuse of carrying these things against Harem’s law?”

“I am sorry to say Ruqaiya Begam, I did not get any catalog depicting the list of the things not to be entered inside Harem.” Jodha told in a controlled voice.

Ruqaiya Begam chuckled. “Funny, Jodha Begam. But that cannot be an excuse of disregarding the law. I don’t intend to show any disrespect to your idol, but in our religion worshiping anything other than Allah is great sin. I won’t allow this in my Harem. You have to shift this idol anywhere else outside the palace.”

“About that, Ruqaiya Begam, I have sealed approval from the emperor. Wait a minute.” Jodha looked at Moti and she handed a scroll in her hand. Jodha handed that to Ruqaiya. “Here the emperor himself has given me the right of worshiping my idol in this palace.”

“I see!” Ruqaiya Begam looked worried for only a moment before she bounced back in the same expressionless face. “Alright, Jodha Begam. I have no words before the emperor’s order. But…” She chuckled again. “It seems you have got the habit of running and urging to the Emperor for every single matter of your life even before you met him, Jodha Begam. Don’t do that. The Harem of Agra is not like your maternal house of Amer.”

“Pardon Ruqaiya Begam.” Jodha said in a calm but sharp tone. “The emperor has married me; and it is my right to have him beside me for every single problem of my life.”

“You seem to understand your rights too much, Jodha Begam?”

“Sorry, but that is a bad habit of mine.” Jodha smiled. “I try to understand my rights before I have to oil anyone else to have mercy on me.”

Ruqaiya Begam stared at her face numbly for a moment. Then exchanging a courteous smile, she went off the room.

“Gulal Khan!” Jodha called the culprit after her room got cleaned. Gulal Khan came trembling like a guilty. “I promise you, My Lady, I had no bad intentions… I was just talking to the other servants about the idol… don’t know from where that Resham got the clue…”

Jodha raised her hand to stop him. “Listen one thing, Gulal Khan… if you want to work here you have to forget the habit of small-talks and gossiping about my lifestyle outside. If you cannot, I will request you to resign right now!”

“Forgive me, Begam Sahiba! Give me a last chance!”

“You can go now!”

With Gulal Khan left, Jodha sat at the bed putting hand on her forehead. Moti stood beside her. “What a place!” She grunted. “Only half a day has passed and each and every soul of this place is hell bent to insult you.”

Jodha chuckled suddenly. “I have swam across a whole ocean of humiliations. These things do not touch me anymore.”

“Still, Rajkunwari Sa. They are hitting on our belief, our religion…”

“I don’t fear them, Moti. I have assurance from the emperor.” Jodha said. “Moti, when I was getting married, I had lost every hope of living a life in Agra. I thought I will live here like a dead, empty vessel, without heart, without mind, without soul. I would have nothing to give to Agra. Agra would have nothing to give to me. But now I think otherwise.”

“What do you think?”

“That… That Agra will offer me something that my motherland had snatched from me. Only I have to fight for it.” Jodha smiled.

“What is that?” Moti asked.

Jodha looked at Moti, smiling. “Right and respect.”

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“May I come in, Begam-E-Khas?”

Ruqaiya Begam was spending her leisure with hookah half-lying on her couch, while the woman with the white dress came at the door making her startled. “Maham Anga! Please come in!”

Maham Anga entered, gesturing to the maids to leave them alone. “Begam-E-Khas, I have come to ask for an apology.”

“You don’t have to apologize to me.” Ruqaiya Begam smiled with modesty. “Please tell me how can I serve you.”

“No need to be so sweet, Begam Sahiba. After sending the message through my attendants.” Maham Anga snapped. “I heard that my people has created mess in your territory, so maybe I should apologize.”

“Don’t apologize, Maham Anga.” Ruqaiya stated in a cold tone, adding sharpness at the end. “Just request you to remember your limits before sending people everywhere. Harem is a place that belongs to me, and I won’t allow any interference there.”

“Really!” Maham Anga smiled softly. “Good then, be happy playing dollhouse with the living dolls of your small Harem; keep being blind to the rest of the world.”

“Harem itself is a big world, Maham Anga. I deal with real people with real problems here; and the girls live here might look doll to you people, but they all are individuals with different feelings. I manage a whole world full of different people, Maham Anga, I don’t have the time of seeking opportunities from outside world.…” Ruqaiya said. “And I have my husband to look out for the rest, and no one can do that better than him.”

“And what about the small world inside your husband’s heart, Ruqaiya Begam?” Maham Anga put carefully. “Do you even have the idea what a great storm has just devastated that world?”

Ruqaiya Begam frowned. “What do you mean, Maham Anga?”

“I am talking about Jalal’s love interest, Ruqaiya Begam.” Maham Anga said.

An unreadable shadow passed through Ruqaiya’s face. Then she laughed suddenly. “The Emperor of Hindustan does not have the time to think about love, Maham Anga.”

“I am afraid you are wrong, Begam Sahiba. Jalal is a human. He has his emotions, his desires. He has a thirst for unconditional love. If he does not get it from home isn’t it obvious that he will fetch that from outside?” Maham Angas told in a twisted tone. “It is a wife’s duty to bind her husband with love. But here the wife has no idea about the feelings of the husband. I feel extremely ashamed to be the carrier of the news of husband’s love-life to his wife!”

Ruqaiya Begam chuckled. “I am afraid you again forget your limit, Maham Anga. Our relationship is certainly not that close that you will teach me lessons about my married life. And for your information, I am the Emperor’s wife; the Emperor’s first wife.” A sad smile projected on her face all of a sudden. “Since my childhood I have learnt the lesson that I am the first, but I am not the only one. I have been trained to share my husband with thousands of women. I am dutifully sending different women to my husband every night for his pleasure for years after years. I have trained myself not to feel anything about these. So, these news do not affect me anymore.”

“Is it, or because you do not care for Jalal?” Maham Anga asked in the same sarcastic tone. “Ever tried to reach her, Ruqaiya Begam?”

Ruqaiya Begam stood up. “If you have anything more to discuss other than my personal relationship with my husband, then please go ahead.”

“I knew it Ruqaiya Begam!” Maham Anga laughed suddenly. “However, as a well-wisher, I must give you the news. Ruqaiya Begam, this sudden alliance with Rajputs via marrying their princess is not a mere political move. Jalal did it out of love. He is in love with that snobbish Hindu Princess.”

“Have you lost your mind completely?” Ruqaiya Begam frowned. “Jalal and a random princess, there is no way to have any connection.”

“I have proof, Ruqaiya Begam.”

“I don’t care about your imaginary proofs.” Ruqaiya uttered in annoyed voice. “Even if I believe that Jalal had been somehow attracted to the princess, then also you cannot make me believe that the marriage is not political.”

“Forget about the motives, Ruqaiya Begam!” Maham Anga said in a measured tone. “Think about the aftermaths. Just imagine, today Jalal has placed a princess in his life; tomorrow he will give the official roles to her family… day after that he will make the Hindu girl the Mallika of Hindustan. The Hindu Princess has nothing till now, still she is proud as a peacock. Can you imagine what will be your place after she gets power?”

“I am not in the mood of listening to your blabbering, Maham Anga. I must say that you are getting old; these all are the fruits of your old age.” Ruqaiya Begam smiled.

“Smile as much you want, Ruqaiya Begam!” Maham Anga chuckled back. “One day you will cry and no one will be there to see your tears; when you will witness how this proud Hindu Princess will take each and everything that belongs to you.”

“It is not possible.” Ruqaiya smiled. “Even if Jalal gives any special place to that girl, she will still not be able to take my position from me. Don’t forget, Maham Anga, that I am not only a queen. I belong to this Mughal dynasty by my blood. There is no way a random girl can take my place.”

“She will, Begam Sahiba. When she will be the Queen-Mother!” Maham Anga said in a grave tone. “I request you to finish the risk of that probability.”

“What do you want me to do?” Ruqaiya laughed out. “Make sure that she never gets the chance to sleep with Jalal? Maham Anga, you said right now that Jalal has already fallen for her. I cannot go against his wish, you know that. And besides, I am not going to alter my rules of Harem being manipulated by your old-talks! Maybe people think that I am partial while choosing women for him, but it does not work in that way. Managing hundreds of women’s desire together is a hard task, Maham Anga, I don’t want to use that to conspire against a new girl who hardly knows this world.”

Maham Anga stared at her for a moment. Then she grinned. “You really think this is it, Ruqaiya Begam? It will be so easy to see a Hindu Princess to become the next emperor’s mother?”

“Maham Anga… even if the Hindu Princess becomes the mother of Emperor’s child, she won’t be the next queen-mother.” Ruqaiya Begam said. “That place is for me.”

“Who gave you that surety, Begam Sahiba?”

“My blood did, Maham Anga.” Ruqaiya exclaimed proudly. “No matter how much Jalal desires for any woman, she won’t be able to give him what I can. An heir of pure Mughal blood, the legacy of emperor Babur pumping through his veins. Jalal and I will create that legacy together who will bind the new Hindustan built by his father. That is my one and only desire from my life, Maham Anga! The only dream I do see nowadays!” She murmured in a sudden-trembling voice. “No random girl will be able to gift that pure-blooded heir to the Mughal throne. None will be able to be the queen mother. The beautiful girls with sensuality can win a man’s heart, Maham Anga; but they cannot create legacy of the empire along with him. I can!"

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The silence of the night had fallen across the horizon, spreading a vibe of loneliness all over. Jalal unmindfully sighed while gazing at the pale moonlight.

“When are we supposed to reach Agra, Hamid?” He asked.

“Maybe by tomorrow afternoon, My Lord. If the weather is feasible and we keep on ride at the same speed.” Hamid answered.

“I have a lot of works to do!” Jalal uttered in his own mind. A lot of works to do. A lot of things to take care of. A lot of messes to clean up. But what about the mess in his personal life? Who is going to take care of that? Who I going to rearrange his dreams and his realities separately again to give him his peace back?

The face of the dejected princess suddenly flashed in front of his eyes.

“There is no Purnima, Your Majesty… Purnima is lost the moment ‘Chandrajeet Rathore’ stopped existing.”

The suppressed anger, the unforgettable agony all started swirling up together through his throat again. What is his fault in all these? Why the hell the destiny made him the pawn of her game? The princess of a desert land far from his home… why she had to be connected to his fate like this?

He looked at the moon again, sighing deeply. The moon smirked at him.

“What is making you so dejected, Jalal? You have got what you craved for.”

“No I did not. Not like this. I loved her, she loved me. I never wanted a forced relationship to taint the love.”

“Isn’t your love strong enough to win this tainted phase and take it to the highest level of togetherness?”

“I am not sure I can! A broken pot is never fixed. There is no existence of love when there is no trust.”

“Or you don’t want to fix it, because of your big ego? Your beloved hurt you by telling your love a lie, and you want to hurt her back by forcing that into a truth?”

“No, I am not.”

“Yes you are… that is making you blind. Pull out that blindfold from your eyes Jalal, you will see that nothing is changed. Open your eyes Jalal, recognise your love; fight to win your love back! The destiny has given you what you wanted, what you deserved… don’t let this chance go due to your false ego. Your destiny wants you two to be together. Who are you to decline it?”

Jalal sighed and looked back at the ground.

“Do you wish to drink another one, My Lord?” Hamid came closer to him with the jug of wine, pointing at the empty goblet in his hand.

“I guess I have enough.” Jalal smiled unmindfully and sighed. “I guess I should call it a day. Going to lay down for some hours, will head towards Agra at dawn. Be ready for that.”

“Sure, Majesty. Wish you a very good night.”

“Good night to you as well, Hamid.” Jalal wished back and moved into his tent. The tent was uncannily dark which stroke in his mind. “Anyone has not lit a single lamp here?” He frowned while moving towards the bed. Right then, he felt something moving.

For an instance only, but Jalal has the ability to smell danger.

“GUARDS!!” He shouted while pulling the sword from his waistband quickest possible. Concentrating on the sound of slight movement in dark, he raised the sword and restricted the strike that was going to chop his head off in an instance.

“Show me your face, you bas*ard!” Jalal shouted and stroke for the second time. A muffled cry in dark told that the attacker is injured. The guards had already came inside the tent with lamps, they caught the attacker like a trapped mouse.

“I want the name of the mastermind by the dawn! Arrest him!” Jalal ordered. The man in black dress screamed and cried, and was dragged out of his sight.

Jalal sighed for a moment before wiping out the sweat from his forehead. Third attack on him in last six months even after doubling the security. Someone from close circle is doing these things. Maybe Jalal has a vague idea about him in his mind. How to erase off these petty distractions from his path?

Jalal rested his head on the pillow and sighed deeply. Time to change the faces of the close-circle it seems… he thought. The new faces will automatically eliminate the corrupted ones, the empire will have a fresh start from now.