Chapter 59
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“Come in and shut the door!” Gauhar Bai’s worried whisper whipped in the air as the maid came inside her room. Her face was dark in fear and anxiety, drop of sweats started to run down from her forehead. “What have you done there? You had only one duty!” She shouted at the maid in suppressed voice.
“I... I don’t know... I remember I kept in secured under the idol!” The maid stammered. “I sneaked in with the other Hindu maids and kept it properly. I was very thorough I swear, it was very risky but I did it anyway, don’t you blame me...” She started whining.
“Shut up! You took a gruesome amount from me for it. And yet that necklace is still missing!” Gauhar Bai strangled the girl’s throat in pure rage. “I am sure you stole it. Could not control the greed of the diamonds! Give it back! Give it back!”
“Huzoor, if I had stolen it, the guards would have found it by now. They have rampaged every corner of the Harem, Huzoor!” The maid struggled to speak. Gauhar released her grip and sat tiredly. “Then where is it?” She asked in a spent voice.
“I don’t’ know Huzoor. But since they did not get it after searching, they will forget about it? Why don’t you let it go?”
“That’s why one should not take a maid’s advice.” Gauhar mocked. “I kept it in Jodha Begam’s room and accused her maid for stealing it. If the stolen item is not found I will always be a suspect in their eyes. Also I have no idea where is that; anyone can use that against me... I...” Gauhar gripped the maid’s shoulder. “Are you sure they did not find the necklace?”
“Cent percent, My Lady! Only the toe-ring that someone was complaining to be stolen was found from beneath her own chest. Nothing else was found.”
Gauhar Bai clutched her hairs. “God knows why I tangled in this mess! I should never have agreed! Why the hell I got in this business with the queens, God!” She looked helplessly to the maid. “If they get to know I failed so miserably, what will they do to me? What do you think? If somehow my name comes in front? Will they kill me for messing this up?”
“Who are they, My Lady?” The maid whispered.
“Someone very important! Our life has absolutely no value to them!” She murmured. “Have you got that?”
“Yes...” The maid hurried to get something out from the her waist. It was a piece of small scroll sealed very cautiously. Gauhar Bai took that, moved to open the seal first.
“Huzoor, may I ask something?” The maid looked curious. “Who sends these to you? The one who told you to do all these?”
“Shh!” Gauhar stopped her. “We must not talk about the sender.”
“You seriously don’t know who?”
Gauhar took a long breath and shook her head.
“But it is sealed, with royal emblem.”
“That’s the clue that they are too big. They expect absolute silence!” Gauhar proceeded to read the letter. A small letter, covers everything in two lines-
This mess was not expected. Cover up everything and stop the investigation immediately. You have two days.
Gauhar swallowed and put the letter on fire. “How do I stop the investigation? Ruqaiya Begam is furious for all that and she won’t stop. The forces of Harem is completely devoted to this silly necklace mystery which I forged! And I don’t even have the most crucial thing in hand- the stolen item!” She said in deep worry.
“Will you give them your message, My Lady?” The maid asked.
Gauhar Bai sighed and proceeded to write a two line apology which she knew would do nothing in her favour. She took out her ring with the specially craved symbol on it and sealed the letter with that. “This is the ring they gave me. So that they can verify it is me they are talking to without exchanging the names.” She told to quench the curiosity of the maid. She handed the letter to her. “You know where you have to put it?”
“Right where I picked that one from.” The maid answered. “Backyard, third counter, beneath the first garbage box.”
“Be careful. Guards are hovering all over. ” Gauhar Bai uttered in a low voice as the girl went out from her room.
The maid sneaked out towards the rear part of the main Harem building, where mainly garbage is dumped. The special guards are crawling all over the Harem, every now and then each and every person is being checked. One cannot go out of the main building without being thoroughly searched. But she was both careful and lucky, none noticed her as she came to the backyard. No one is supposed to come here except for the sweepers and janitors of the Harem and some lower graded maids very seldom. Gauhar Bai’s handmaid is not a highly respectable position in Harem, so she often has to come here in order to dump garbage. Especially nowadays it has become a regular duty to visit the backyard at least two times... not to keep garbage- but something else.
The place is in open air, less guarded. The yard is divided into various counters with temporary walls between them. Third counter- she counted... regular job for her now- to go and put the letter under the first garbage box, in such a fashion than everyone thinks it is a trash. Easy job, just need to be careful. She was careful enough while keeping the necklace under the idol. That was much more risky than this. God knows what happened there. Will her name come out as well when Gauhar Bai is dragged in front of Ruqaiya Begam? Or will those people who hired Gauhar Bai to do these will kill her? All she wanted to get store some coins for future; there is no security being a maid of a concubine; concubines can be gifted to other kings and the handmaid would either be jobless or deported to hell with her!
She sighed in her own misfortune and was about to get up after placing the letter successfully, suddenly a touch of a cold hand sent chills through her spine.
“Handmaid of Gauhar Bai...” A voice hissed harshly. “Take that letter with you and come with us at once. Don’t look back.”
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Two days passed since the necklace fiasco. But the tight vigilance in the Harem has not gone quiet a bit. They are catching random people by surprise and searching them all over; they are spying every movement of the dwellers of Harem, digging up the records of their whereabouts of last seven days. The sincerity of the guards over a single necklace of a concubine is slowly getting silly enough to laugh at it. The whole thing is getting on nerves of the ladies in Harem, all secretly cursing Jodha Begam for this. None of this would happen if she let her maid to get the punishment and move on. Now matters have gone out of hand and Ruqaiya Begam’s strange stubbornness will not let this fire to extinguish till anything is revealed. She might believe someone playing with her, and she will not lose her game. The necklace cannot be here in the Harem premises anymore and has been deported already- many of the ladies have spoken logically- but the trace of that would never leave, and Ruqaiya Begam is all intended to find that out.
Two days of constant tireless searching- for something which is not even worth of it. The trained soldiers of the imperial Harem is vowed to carry out each and every order given by the Empress... but even they are human being. After the incident in Jodha Begam’s temple they might have gathered enthusiasm to reach to an end of it, but with time that has reduced considerably. So if someone is cautious enough, it is not very tough to find a hole in this great wall of surveillance.
Gauhar Bai is cautious enough. As the bell announced the third hour of the night, she sneaked out of her room wrapping a black shawl around her. The main building of the Harem illuminated enough, the guards are either snoring or chatting with each other. she could easily get pass that. There was a little tough security at the gate, but she safely passed that barrier too. The outer premises of the Harem was crypted in dark though, but Gauhar has known these paths since forever, she won’t make mistakes in dark. The paths were exceptionally less guarded; probably the all the guards are still on with the missing necklace and neglecting their daily jobs. Gauhar sighed silently while covering her face completely. She remembered the evening when she got the final message. She was terrified beyond belief, counting every moment in her mind as she waited eagerly for another message which will seal her fate. When her maid brought the little piece of scroll and handed her that shakily, she hardly could check if the seal was intact or not. Reading that took no time, but she still had to process every word in her mind as those words danced in front of her eyes. Before putting that little letter in fire, she unmindfully caressed her fingers on the small broken seal. The only identity of the faceless person who is truly controlling her days and nights now. She reminded the words of the letter as that burnt in the fiery glow. “Already going on your borrowed time. No further delay will be tolerated. Meet me. Backyard, third chamber. Third hour at night.”
“W...why you were so late to hand me this letter?” She charged her maid at once, who was looking paler than her. She swallowed two times before she could look at Gauhar Bai.
“The security was too hard, Huzoor!” The maid uttered in a low voice. “I... I tried hard to reach there but...”
“They gave me an ultimatum of two days before... And this is the last day, I haven’t done anything yet. Why they want me to meet them? They never met me face to face before... What is going to happen!” Gauhar Bai blabbered in panicked voice, stopped only when no response came. “Come on, say something. What should I do?”
“I don’t know... Maybe... run away?” The maid said in a trembling voice.
“Even if I hide under the earth they will dig me up.” Gauhar uttered. “I have no choice but to face them...”
“Why don’t you seek pardon from Begam-E-Khas herself huzooor?” The maid suddenly mumbled desperately. “Tell hell everything, every details; maybe she will understand... Maybe she will spare your life?”
“Are you crazy? She has never forgiven anyone who ever tried to play her. I have to meet them, borrow some more time and come up with a new plan...”
“Pardon My Lady, but maybe a known danger is safer than some unknown mysterious faces hidden in darkness...”
Gauhar stopped for a while, then shook her head. “No... no I cannot risk it.”
Yes, to her taking the risk of sneaking out at night to meet the faceless devil seemed easier than facing Ruqaiya Begam. Maybe sometimes uncertainty is more assuring than a known absolute peril. Gauhar took a deep breath, and strolled towards the decided meeting point. As she covered herself completely to hide behind the curtain of darkness, she felt another person standing right before her like a shadow.
“Gauhar Bai...” A hissing voice called her name from the dark. Even in the terrifying moment Gauhar tried to figure out whose voice is this. A man’s voice, very deep and harsh; but some distinctive tone made sure the shadow is an eunuch. But not a household eunuch like those who serves the queens at Harem, there is not an ounce of softness in that voice; clearly the man works as an armed soldier in internal security chain- where the soldiers are trained to behead a human in a single strike of sword. Gauhar gulped before she spoke.
“H...Huzur...”
“Where is the necklace?” The harsh voice whipped in the air.
“Hu..huzur... give me some time... I swear I will...”
“Do you think we have enough time?” The dark shadow barked. “How the hell did you ruin this well-planned program?”
“Huzur... I did everything as per the instruction. I put the necklace in the temple, I instigated Jodha Begam by calling thief and all so that she gets riled up and looks like a suspect so that somehow they searches her room. Even a havoc chaos was made in this process. Everything was going right but I don’t know where the necklace is!”
“When did you kept the necklace there?”
“I did not delay a moment, My Lord... The last message from you came, and I planted that. I swear...”
“Who gave you the order?”
“How should I...” Gauhar Bai frowned in doubt. “What are you talking about? I get order from you...”
“And ‘I’ get order from whom?” The shadow in the dark slowly manifested, the giant-built eunuch moved forward and straightway strangled Gauhar’s neck. Gauhar almost saw dark in front of her eyes and suddenly lost the ability to breath.
“Tell me, B*tch. Who gave you the order to frame Jodha Begam and create a mess in Harem? Tell me!”
“Thank you Hamid, that will be it...”
As the softer female voice rang in Gauhar’s ear, she fell directly on ground coughing as the grip on her throat loosened. The eunuch stepped back and bowed respectfully. While trying hard to catch breath, Gauhar felt a royal figure standing right in front of her, she could see her golden anklets and the golden embroidery in her lehenga. Even in her cloudy state of mind Gauhar could understand see has directly jumped inside a trap. Some disparity in her maids voice suddenly made sense to her. But survival is the most important thing for every human, hence instinctively she took no time to fell completely on those feet.
“Huzur... Forgive me Huzur!” She cried pitifully. “I had no intension of insulting you Huzur! If I won’t do it they would kill me!”
“Don’t dare to touch my feet with your nasty sinful hands, Gauhar Bai.” Jodha moved sternly from her position as the place suddenly glowed with lights of torches. Gauhar looked up and saw the guards of Harem whom she had thought to be lazy and asleep has gathered and cornered her completely. Hosiyaar Khan came in front and silently ordered someone to put her in chains.
“Treat her with your best till she says the name of the conspirator.” The voice of Ruqaiya Begam flew in the air. She was now standing right next to Jodha Begam, her face was calm but eyes burning in pure rage.
“Begam Sahiba! Begam Sahiba forgive me! I did not mean to...” Gauhar kept on screaming as the merciless guards dragged her in the dark.
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Jodha’s heart started racing as she entered into the smallest and darkest room of the Harem. The room is so small that she could hardly stand straight, so dark that she could hardly see, so congested that even the air was strangulating. This is a special room associated with Harem’s own prison, used for special purposes- as defined by Ruqaiya Begam. The strangulating air suddenly became too heavy to breath and a chillness flowed through Jodha’s spine as she heard the awful scream of a woman ruptures the silence of the room.
“Go ahead, Jodha Begam.” Ruqaiya Begam said from behind. “You are probably the only queen of this generation of Harem who is fortunate enough to witness what goes on behind the thick wall of our gorgeous palaces.” She looked at Hosiyaar. “Hosiyaar, put on lights, this place is too much dingy.”
They stood in front of a pillar as Hosiyaar made the place a bit more illuminated. Jodha stared I horror how the thick iron shackles are hanging from the ceiling, how the floor is full of several equipment that is used to inflict pain to a person. A giant body eunuch was standing by the pillar with a spiked whip in his hand, he bowed as Ruqaiya Begam stood in front of the person hanging in the pillar and picked up her chin. Gauhar Bai squinted semi-consciously when the light hurt her eyes. Her dress was torn in several places, barely serving the purpose of protecting her decency; and her bare skin is covered in blood in bruises. The smell of blood and torture almost made Jodha throw up. Despite being insanely enraged on Gauhar Bai she could not help feeling sorry for her.
“Did she confess?” Ruqaiya Begam asked the torturer in a hard voice.
“Yes, My Lady.”
“Did she take any name?”
“No my lady. Even after all the processes she keeps on saying she does not know who ordered her to do all these. Tells me stories about getting mysterious letters and all.”
“Hmm...” Ruqaiya nodded. “Leave us alone, will call you once needed.”
After the man went out, Ruqaiya pulled Gauhar’s falling face by neck. “Asking you for the last time Gauhar Bai. Tell me who gave you the orders.”
“Begam Sahiba... kill me if you want!” Gauhar panted. “But believe me, I know nothing about any conspiracy!”
“Killing you does not come under my rights Gauhar.” Ruqaiya stated calmly. “What I will do is to hand you over the imperial court. The emperor himself will be the judge of your actions. You know what your crime is called?” Her voice almost drowned in whisper. “It is called treason. And the punishment of treason is death. A horrible public death. But what I fear is the process you have to go through before facing the final sentence. Have you ever known how the panic rooms of imperial prison look like? Have you ever wondered how those strongest of strong trained warriors break so easily in front of the court? You are a soft woman Gauhar, they will squeeze you like an insect. Believe me when I say this Gauhar, this small panic room in this Harem is a child-room in front of that hell where you are going to be thrown at. If you are unable to bear this, you stand no chance in front of the inhuman murderous torturers who are waiting for a new prisoner everyday in the real prison. Do you want to go there?”
Gauhar Bai trembled, unable to say anything. Ruqaiya smiled a little. “Or I can forgive you. Show you mercy and dispatch you to Kabul or Persia. The emperor will never know about this incident and we will move on. Only if you cooperate.”
“Begam Sahiba! I don’t know anything! Believe me no one show me their faces, no one met me in person. They just sent me messages. Those messages were sealed with a royal seal. I did not know...” Gauhar Bai wailed. “Forgive me... Forgive me Jodha Begam! I did not know!”
Perhaps the cry was too much for Jodha. She leaned closer to Ruqaiya. “Maybe she is telling the truth. She would have told after all these, don’t you think.”
Ruqaiya suddenly laughed in amusement. “O dear, you have no idea!” Then she looked seriously to Gauhar. “Jodha Begam wants to show mercy on you, Gauhar. Even after your nasty attempt of humiliating her. Be a good girl and show respect to this mercy. Give me a name who used you as a pawn. Who wanted to remove Jodha Begam from this Harem so badly that she had to be condemned with the humiliation of stealing a damn necklace from a concubine.”
“I... I only... I only saw one person, Begam Sahiba! One eunuch... from the palace of the Dowager Empress. He was the one who handed me the first message... He said to read the messages and burn them instantly. I don’t know him, but I have seen him in the palace of Queen Mother! I... I...”
“Can you recognize that person again?” Jodha asked.
Gauhar nodded confusedly.
“Okay...” Ruqaiya nodded. She clapped two times. “Hosiyaar, call each and every eunuch of the imperial Harem. Everyone- from the guards of security cycle to the personal attendant of Queen Mother. I want that eunuch by morning. Jodha Begam you come with me. Have a drink with me in my chamber.”
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Their walk till the chamber was quiet. Once they reached, Ruqaiya offered Jodha seat before settling on her own couch. “Want some wine, Jodha Begam? Don’t hesitate, usually I am not in the mood of serving other queens wine in my own hand, so consider yourself lucky.”
Jodha chuckled. “I don’t drink, Ruqaiya Begam.”
“Really?” Ruqaiya looked amusedly. “How would you function as partner with Jalal then? He loves wine, can drink overnight without passing out. Warriors need to drink to keep their nerves straight. You have a warrior instinct, still you don’t drink?”
“I don’t think drinking own weary out is a feasible solution of anything. Losing own sense to some substance is not very clever move.” Jodha said.
“Or you are too innocent for this world. You are yet to see things which will make you wish to lose your senses and make you numb of feelings. Princess of a small kingdom, dear oldest daughter of a soft father, beloved sister of several older brothers- you were raised inside a protective cocoon of love and affection aren’t you? How would you know how cruel the real world is!” Ruqaiya laughed, but there was a touch of slight affection in that laugh instead of the usual taunt. This is the first time Jodha had to acknowledge the truth in Ruqaiya Begam’s words. The visual of the torture room was enough for wishing to lose senses. If someone has to deal with these things regularly then... She looked at the full glass of wine in Ruqaiya’s hand, a sigh automatically slipped from her heart.
“Thank you though. You did good.” Ruqaiya said after a few moments. “The plan of exposing Gauhar, it was good.”
“I could not do this without you.” Jodha smiled. “Thank you. For believing me. To be honest when I went right to you with the necklace I had doubt in mind that you won’t take me seriously.”
“Well... It’s obvious you won’t steal a necklace. But I had other doubts when that mini riot erupted in your temple. I might have found you suspicious too, but you came directly to me with the necklace and it was confirmed that someone framed you to create a mess. Following Gauhar Bai’s every move was a good plan. When the guards caught her maid with that secret message and she told the truth I could have arrested her directly. But setting a trap for her to see whom she expects to meet was a right move. Thanks to you.”
“But still it did not work. Gauhar knows nothing.”
Ruqaiya shook head. “Well she knows something... thing is if that knowledge can be used in our favour. Because whoever tried to break my Harem, is too big to put blame on.”
“What about the seal that Gauhar Bai was talking about?”
“Simple one, used by the royals. That’s why Gauhar did not find out when we sent her the fake message.” Ruqaiya sniggered. “She won’t do the stupid thing like using own seal. She must have borrowed from someone else.”
“She... You know who did this?” Jodha raised voice in excitement.
Ruqaiya laughed. “It’s a pity you did not. Never mind, you will figure it out once you learn to know your enemies. Rather...” She looked at the small ring which was discovered from Gauhar. “This one is interesting. They gave her this as a token of signature. Whom does it belong? That eunuch about whom Gauhar was talking about?”
“There’s a letter printed on it...” Jodha pointed.
“Most probably the labelling of that person. This type of rings belong to the lower level eunuchs. Could be anyone actually. Whoever planned this has essentially used this symbol to hide own identity.” Ruqaiya smiled again. “Clever, very clever.”
Jodha was going to ask something when Hosiyaar made an appearance. “The eunuchs have come, Begam Sahiba... Presented in front of Gauhar.”
“And?”
Hosiyaar’s voice was low. “She could not identify any of them My Lady. Says none of them is the person we are looking for. Maybe she is still lying.”
“Or she is telling the truth.” Jodha said. “Can each of the eunuch present their symbolic rings that labels their rank?”
“I have checked those before My Lady, everyone possesses their own.”
Ruqaiya chuckled. “Then we have a missing eunuch to be found, Hosiyaar. Inform Jashn Khan right now. I need that person by the end of the day.”
Hosiyaar looked confused, but he just bowed and left. Ruqaiya laughed out suddenly as Jodha stared at her. “Sometimes I feel bad to throw order to people like this, Jodha Begam. They are working so hard for a cause which will end up in nothing.”
“You are confusing me Ruqaiya Begam.” Jodha said. “You made it clear you have a suspect in mind. You are trying to reach to the end of this in every way possible. But at the same time you are saying this all will mean nothing? As if whoever is behind this will be scot-free and you can do nothing about it?”
“You are quick-witted, Jodha Begam. You understood me.” Ruqaiya smiled. “I can’t do anything. Even if I could, I won’t do anything.”
“Meaning?” Jodha frowned.
“I am finding evidence to see if I am right. If I am right my score in this house-politics will increase by one point. The more knowledge you gather about others’ mistake, the more your score increases. To survive in this game you have to increase scores- don’t play all of your cards before it is time.” Ruqaiya said. “Besides whatever happened, is just a small ripple in a peaceful life. Stirring it might bring up an unwanted flood in bigger picture. No one needs that right now.”
Jodha kept on staring at Ruqaiya.
The missing eunuch was found later at the evening. Rather, his body was found. One clear stab-wound from behind, professional touch. His ring was missing, and the ring of Gauhar properly fitted in his finger.
“There is a small catch, Begam Sahiba...” Hosiyaar murmured softly in Ruqaiya Begam’s ears. “This man was an apprentice under Dilbar Khan’s supervision. A lot of person work under him, so maybe proves nothing- but still- worth giving a thought, don’t you think?”
“Dilbar Khan... one of the favourite people of Maham Anga.” A sleek smile appeared in Ruqaiya Begam’s face. “Where is he?”
“Not in Agra, My Lady...” Hosiyaar responded with the same smile.
“Understood!” Ruqaiya nodded. “Arrange to bury this poor man. Let’s end this case here.”
As she turned back to her room, she caught a sight of Jodha, staring cluelessly to the dead body. Her eyes are filled with shock and horror.
“Go to your room, Jodha Begam.” Ruqaiya stood beside her and advised softly. “You are still not ready to grasp this.”
“A life is gone. So many lives were put in question. Just to frame a silly accusation of stealing! Just to humiliate me!” Jodha expressed her distress in a shell-shocked voice.
“Collateral damage, Jodha Begam. You’ll get used to it.” Ruqaiya suddenly put a hand of Jodha’s shoulder. Jodha looked surprised as she was not expecting this from the hardened queen.
“A word of advice, Jodha Begam. Forget all of this- don’t take anything in heart. You are a part of the Harem now, the more you will see, the more you will learn.” Ruqaiya said in a tender voice. “Also...” Her voice lowered. “You need to watch out for yourself. Remember, if you don’t, not even the Emperor will be able to protect you in this place. One of the most experienced player is standing against you... learn to know your enemy.”
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“May I come in, Maham Anga?”
Maham Anga was on the floor, sitting straight with a prayer bead in hand, eyes closed. She opened her eyes, a slight smirk flashed in her eyes. “Ruqaiya Begam! What a pleasant surprise! Please come in!” Her smiled instantly changed into a warm and welcoming one as she turned.
“Apologies for showing up in a wrong time. I could come later if you are busy.” Ruqaiya took a step in.
“Please don’t embarrass me by saying so! I am so fortunate that the Empress herself has stepped inside this shelter of mine.” Maham got up and greeted her with great modesty. “Why did you worry to visit? Could have summoned me, I would go myself to see Your Highness...”
“I had to come myself. Wanted to congratulate you.” Ruqaiya smiled as she sat on the couch Maham offered. “Great moves played in Harem. Even greater covering up. But to be honest some parts were dull. I personally expected better from you.”
“I am sorry My Lady, what are you talking about?” Maham chuckled uneasily.
“You don’t know. Of course.” Ruqaiya smiled. “Where is Dilbar Khan, by the way? I had special interest seeing him.”
“Has left to Delhi with Adham yesterday. His wife was in need of him.” Maham smiled. “What you need him for?”
“I wanted to interrogate him about a dead eunuch who was his apprentice, whose ring was suspiciously found in a concubine’s room.” Ruqaiya said. “But why am I saying these to you? You already know the whole story, don’t you?”
“How am I supposed to know what an eunuch and a concubine doing in their life? That comes under your territory, isn’t it?” Maham sniggered.
Ruqaiya stared at her, she still had her smile intact, but her eyes glazed in anger. “Maham Anga, apparently the territory under my responsibility and power is huge, because it involves holding the whole Mughal household together. And I had really wished you know better than intruding in my territory with your filthy plans. I warned you explicitly not to involve yourself in my Harem’s internal matter, didn’t I?”
“Sorry, Ruqaiya Begam, I did not get your accusation. When did I involve myself in matter of Harem?” Maham seemed surprised, but the smirk at the corner of her lips was very telling. Ruqaiya gazed at her for some moments. “Why do you care to pretend?” She chuckled then. “Come on, Maham Anga, if you want to play let’s play upfront. You can open up to me... you know, kind of woman to woman?”
Maham Anga laughed out suddenly. “Excuse me, Begam Sahiba. Sometimes being upfront does not help.”
“Accusing a respectable queen of stealing a necklace of concubine help?” Ruqaiya shook her head in disdain. “Maham Anga, I seriously thought you’re better than this. I mean, if some jealous queen made this ploy to down Jodha Begam it would be understandable. But you? One of the prime advisors of the Emperor is playing jealousy with a girl one third of her age?”
Maham smiled tenderly. “It is really warm to see how protective you are of that new girl who is supposedly the beloved of your own husband.”
“Before being my husband he is my Emperor, and protecting her dignity is similar to uphold his honour. Besides, you forget she is a dweller of Harem, Maham Anga. She comes under my responsibility. Her relationship with my husband is not the factor here at all. I am the head of all the queens, the face of all the queens. Each of their honour is my honour. I am responsible for all of them. Also... it’s not your job to analyze a queen and your Emperor’s personal relationship, Maham Anga. You call yourself His Majesty’s mother, so maintain your own dignity accordingly.” Ruqaiya said in a suppressed fury.
“Sense of morality, is it?” Maham laughed. “It’s a common thing in young people nowadays, really. They are so charged up with moral superiority that they forget the ultimate truth- power- that is the only thing that persists. Moral superiority in a person with power is not only dumb, it is harmful.”
“I am not here to listen to your lectures, Maham Anga.” Ruqaiya said. “I came here to warn you. Stay out of the Harem. Quit hampering the well-maintained peace by inventing silly plans to humiliate one girl. The next time it won’t stay between us, and then you will be the only one responsible for the face-loss it will cause. Let me remind you, you will fail again and again, like this time... only the next time it won’t be just both of us sitting and discussing about it.”
Maham chuckled. “You really think I did this? I would risk my reputation for humiliating one girl? And fail in doing so?”
“You are still denying you are behind all these?”
Maham Anga passed another slicky snigger as she stared at Ruqaiya for a few minutes. “No. I am not denying that I am behind all these.”
Ruqaiya Begam perhaps did not expect this direct submission. But before she could process the fact, Maham continued...
“...I am merely denying that I have failed to accomplish what I wanted.”
Ruqaiya hardly could hide the confusion in her eyes.
“You really thought it is all about humiliating that proud-peacock princess who does not know her limit, is it?” Maham laughed as she continued. “Begam Sahiba, accusing a queen of stealing hardly does any harm to her reputation; eventually any maid would take the blame and both of us know that. Even if the necklace were found from her temple, very few would believe it was her who did it.” She looked pitifully. “What did you think? A message would be sent to that concubine via which she would be caught by you all, and I won’t bother to conceal that loose end? I would let you play games with that girl for two days without expecting any response from her or whatsoever?”
“You knew everything...” Ruqaiya chuckled with a sigh. “How we planned to catch Gauhar... that’s why... that’s how the only witness is killed.”
“Harem is surely your territory, Begam Sahiba. But I happen to have several eyes roaming in several territories.” Maham smiled.
“What if I tell The Emperor everything right now?”
“Go on... Let’s see whose story he believes.” Maham chuckled again. “Begam Sahiba, don’t act childishly. You are kind of missing the point.”
Ruqaiya Begam adjusted her veil and sat straight. Her eyes became colder. “You did all these to play with me.”
“Play? I am not a child, Begam Sahiba...” Maham’s glare grew intense. “I did all these for this moment. So that you come to me. Yes, I had something else planned in my mind... did not count the possibility of the necklace ending up to Jodha Begam’s custody... but the end result is same; you have come to me.”
“What do you want, Maham Anga?” Ruqaiya frowned.
“To open your eyes and see. Ruqaiya Begam, it’s already late... if you still sit on the tower of own ego and morals the tower will break in no time. You did not believe in my words, so I showed you in front of your eyes. Still you are missing the whole thing?” Maham got up from the seat excitedly. “You are still pondering on that damn necklace. You are still concerned about the so-called reputation of a queen. But you did not see what it all pointed to. That sudden outburst of those Hindu slaves, Ruqaiya Begam! How the timid, most dominated part of the Harem roared out together and picked weapon against your armory in the name of Jodha Begam, did not you see? They were your slaves till date, and today they have found their messiah. If Jodha Begam lifts a finger, those slaves will break another rampage, won’t refuse to cut your throat out!”
“You did it then! Despite my sheer warning of keeping your nose out of my Harem you dared to insert the poison of religious discrimination there?” Ruqaiya’s voice was chilling but her eyes burned in rage. “You dare you cross my...”
“You want to hang me for this? Fine, find an evidence, send me in the prison. Do whatever you want.” Maham said in a gentle tone. “But believe me when I say so. I am not the one who planted the seed of discrimination, Ruqaiya Begam. It was already there deep inside. I knew it will grow the moment that Hindu Begam got permission to enter inside the palace with her idol. The whole Harem was under your control till now... But now there is another leader- who is talking in their language, eating their food, worshipping their god. She was alone at her first day here. Slowly she got companions, followers. And then few days back slaves revolted against the law of Harem while chanting for her. Can you imagine what will happen in a year or two? Can you imagine if this queen bears the child of the Emperor what will be your status?”
“I will be the mother of his child!!” Ruqaiya shouted suddenly, her face blazing in fury. Taking a deep breath inside she composed herself. “Stay out of my life, Maham Anga. How I manage my Harem is none of your business. Don’t try to pull any stunt like this again to prove something to me. You have a responsibility to think about the whole empire, do that. Stay out of my Harem!”
“Your Harem is just a miniature of this whole Empire, Ruqaiya Begam. If Jodha Begam is able to snatch the Harem from you, the Mughals will lose their glory to these natives again!” Maham said in a very serious tone. “The corner of household is just a start, Ruqaiya Begam. You will be surprised to know same thing is happening in the Empire as well... everyday... and Jalal, like you, is high on morals. If this thing goes on, the leeches like Jodha Begam and her family will swallow the whole Mughal Empire from inside out. The example is right in front of you.”
“Don’t try to manipulate me, Maham Anga. I know well what happened back there. If you throw stone in a quiet pond there will be ripples, that does not mean the pond can flood.” Ruqaiya said in a cautious tone.
Maham smiled. “You really think the Harem is a still pond anymore? No Ruqaiya Begam, look around. There is clearly two groups in Harem now. This fiasco of neckless have brought this thing in daylight and no one is even hiding their favourable team now. Jodha Begam is the face of the group who does not approve you. All the slaves, all the Hindu maids, all the converted workers are favouring Jodha Begam. Jodha Begam is not just another queen, she has a separate entity there... she is someone who is the only opponent of your from the other side. You might think today it’s still not enough. But the Hindu community in your Harem will increase day-by-day because Jalal will eventually marry Hindu princesses again. Jodha Begam will be the face of those new queens, not you. Your position will never be the same. The Harem is already broken, Ruqaiya Begam. That will literally break in two segments eventually. And if Jodha Begam becomes the queen mother...”
“I...will...be...the...next...queen...mother!!” Ruqaiya Begam uttered in extreme rage, her eyes glowing. “Stop your nonsense, Maham Anga. I know very well how to attain my position. And know one thing... Even if eventually Jodha Begam becomes another superior leader in my Harem and breaks it in two segments, you won’t be there to see that. You will be long gone by then. Because this audacity you show me today, will not let you linger much longer. Mark my words!”
Maham smiled. “You are taking another wrong move, Ruqaiya Begam. I am your ally, not your enemy. That’s why I want you to be on my side- not for me, for your benefit. If you stand by my side, I will be able to save the Mughal household from falling apart and being controlled by an infidel woman. If you don’t stand by me, I will do it anyway- just like I was able to create a small ripple in your still water of Harem. The difference is, that time your tower of morality and ego will fall down and crushed just like this time, before the fire touches Jodha Begam it will burn you.”
“Don’t you dare to threaten me again, Maham Anga!” Ruqaiya hissed. “And this self-satisfaction of creating a small ripple effect in my Harem, keep it to yourself. Ripples would eventually fade in the stillness of water, and no one will remember this, everyone will stay together in one side when any big storm comes- because that’s how the women of Mughal Empire has always survived.” She stood up and adjusted her veil; then pointed her fingers at Maham Anga as a sign of ultimatum. “Don’t try to bring the fire of your hatred inside those four walls- because before it touches any of the queen it will burn you first.”
“Sure, that we will see.” Maham Anga smirked.
As Ruqaiya stormed out of the room, Maham stared at her path with a slight smile at the corner of her lips. “Poor, silly little girl!” She sighed as her eyes shined.
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Ruqaiya stormed inside her room, sat on her couch, ordered Hosiyaar to bring her hookah. Her mind was racing in excitement, her head pounding in extreme rage. Maham Anga’s audacity could have left her speechless, but now she could not help getting mad at herself. She should have known, she always have known that power-hungry wet-nurse of the Emperor who has leeched her ways into the imperial politics. She should have expected a hit from her the moment she first came to her with a hint. She thought a snake like Maham Anga can be stopped with a mere threatening. Hence Maham Anga played this game just to make sure how much wrong Ruqaiya is. She was a fool, a damn fool.
As a maid kept the hookah in front of her, she readily started smoking. Usually the smoky burn inside cools her nerves, but today it flared the rage up instead. That woman dared to insult the Padshah Begam. Not only that, she kind of proved that the rank of Padshah Begam is just an eye-wash, basically she has no ability to do anything as an answer to that insult. Maham will hit again, no one knows how and when; and she won’t stop. How long can she stand as a wall between those hits and the peace of Harem? Eventually it will break her, it will crash her position and no one will stand by her side to prevent those hits.
Why should not she save herself?
As the thought creeped inside her mind, Ruqaiya sat straight. The incident in Jodha Begam’s temple flashed in her mind. All those timid slaves who perhaps never whispered a word in their lives standing together in front of the dreadful Harem guards, chanting Jodha Begam’s name. Jodha Rani ki Jay Ho...Has any of the woman of this entire Harem ever uttered Ruqiya Begam’s name with that passion and respect voluntarily?
What if Maham Anga is right?
Power is the ultimate truth- Maham Anga said. Moral superiority in a person with power is not only dumb, it is harmful. Is she taking a wrong side by defying Maham Anga?
Ruqaiya shook her head adamantly. What the hell is she thinking? She is the Begam-E-Khas, she is the face of the imperial family, the chief of the Harem. She is not a mere soldier who takes side. She is the one who stands in front with a large group of followers standing behind; who is Maham Anga to offer her to come in her side?
But again, the picture of that day flashed in mind... a large group of followers standing together, taking their queens name, ready to die for her... and Ruqaiya had never been that queen, could never be that queen!
“Begam Sahiba?”
The voice of the guard broke the chain of thought, and Ruqaiya lashed on him in anger. “What the hell do you want? Get the hell out of my sight!”
“I... I am sorry, My Lady... Actually a visitor...”
“Kick that person out of the room and go away! I don’t want to see anybody!” Ruqaiya ordered in an irritated voice. The guard was about to say something, but before that another familiar voice almost shocked her.
“Thank you, I will take it from here.”
As the guard left the place, Jodha Begam came inside the room. Ruqaiya almost failed trying to hide her annoyance. “Excuse me for being rude, Jodha Begam; but this is not a visiting time and I usually like to preserve my personal space without any unwanted intervention.” She said in a passive aggressive tone.
Jodha did not listen to her though, because she took a seat next to her couch and looked at her. “I know you had gone to meet Maham Anga this morning.”
“So?” Ruqaiya raised one brow. “Now you want to interrogate me?”
“No.” Jodha laughed. “I don’t know what you two discussed. I hardly can guess how the conversation have gone. But after the recent event I can’t help but thinking...” She sighed. “The incident was related to me. A person lost his life. More life could have gone in the chaos of the temple. Everyone had to live in an unsettling environment these days. I feel I am responsible for this, Ruqaiya Begam. That responsibility has sent me to you today.”
“Don’t fret, you are responsible for nothing.” Ruqaiya scoffed. “Eat, drink, make merry, occasionally go for boat-rides with the Emperor. Don’t mingle yourself in these.”
“You yourself have advised me to know my enemies, Ruqaiya Begam.” Jodha said. “I might be naïve, but I am not an idiot. I can understand. I wanted to tell you if I could help...”
“Thank you, Jodha Begam...” Ruqaiya interrupted her. “This Harem is my responsibility and I will handle this. You watch out for yourself and that would be enough.”
Jodha smiled a little. “I know. I wanted to thank you, Ruqaiya Begam. And also I owe you an apology. I had misunderstood you once, I won’t repeat that mistake again. You are probably one of the few persons in this new world whom I can believe, I can rely on.”
Ruqaiya was about to say something, but she laughed instead. “Don’t believe someone so easily, Jodha Begam. You never know.”
“I am willing to take that chance.” Jodha smiled. “I came here to say something more, Ruqaiya Begam.” She sighed. “I don’t know what you and Maham Anga discussed about. But I can see the consequence of this event. I hear what is in the air, and maybe I can guess what it is all about. So today I want to promise you something.” She came closer and held Ruqaiya’s hand without hesitation. “No matter what happens, the crown of the Empress of this Harem will always belong to you. It will be always you who binds all these women together under one rule. There might be ripple effects sometimes, maybe some will rebel once in a while, some will try to bring down the peace... but I will always stand by your side, help you to attain the unity. This Harem will never break because of me, I won’t let it break with all my strength. No matter what happens in future, whatever storm comes, you will always be the head of the Harem, the face of the imperial household, our leader!”
Ruqaiya stared at her speechlessly.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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