FF ~A Midsummer Night's Dream~epilogue pg 45 - Page 21

Originally posted by: ..Tahniat..

Wednesday... when will this day come

Originally posted by: aanchal_c

hey waiting for the much awaited update,love this ff.

Originally posted by: shivalkar

😭pls update

Originally posted by: sweet16cash

Heyya piyu m kashmi a huge fan of your writing gal..🤗

Originally posted by: ..Tahniat..

hey when r u updatin??? Dying for ur update...

Chapter 7

5 years ago

Palace of Agra

The conference room in the palace of Agra was echoing in joy and jubilation.The Shehenshah Humanyun sipped the finest grape juice fermented with coconut water from the ruby studded gold chalice raising a toast for their ultimate dream coming true. The evening was refreshing and Bairam Khan and Adham Khan joined too. The jyeshta purnima fair and trip to Amer had been a success as the dream merger of both the states for the welfare of the whole of Rajputana and the expansion of their empire was ultimately going to come true. Shehenshah Humayun had extended his hands in friendship and the signing of the bond was left. Everyone was happy. The drought of Agra was going to end, with the channelization of more resources fromAmer, both the Mughal empire would have emerged as the ultimate power the whole Indian region. Smacking his lips, twisting his moustache, Shehenshah Humayun congratulated them.

Shehenshah Humayun: Bairam Khan ,Adham aur Jalaal aap sabhi Ko yeh kamyabi Mubarak ho...

Bairam Khan: Yeh to aap ka Kamaal hai Shehenshah...ab humar dhire dhire pure Rajputana par rajya hoga.

Adham Khan grinned and everyone nodded their heard. The family get together did always involve Maham Anga who was always a trusted counsel from time to time. Smiling sheepishly , she nodded her head too. Amidst all this celebration, the only person who remained unmoved was Jalaal.Though he had left Amer with the dagger gift from Rajkumari Jodha but he seemed to have left his heart with her. Nights had been restless and days even more miserable as he hallucinated about her every second. Only customary thrown in smiles and occasional shaking of his head did announce his presence which was more vegetative than active. Nothing could amuse him neither THE MERGER nor the CELEBRATION.

Adham Khan cleared his throat and folded his hands speaking out aloud, breaking the enthusiastic mood, "Maaf karein Shehenshah par ijazat ho to apse ek baat kehan chahenge..."

Shehenshah Humayun: Kahiye Adham!!

Adham Khan smiled one of his crooked smiled and raising his brows said in a firm tone, "Shehenshah aaj to Raja Bharmal is gathbandhan k liye tayyar hain par kal ...humara matlab agar ane walein waqt mein unka irada badal gaya aur is gathbandhan ko achanak hi unhone tod diya to...

Shehenshah Humayun: nahi nahi. Maharaj Bharmal apne vade ke pukke hain. Unhone is samjhaute k liye khud hi manzoori di hai...

Adham walked up to Shehenshah Humayun who sat at the center of the couches, "Vade ka kya hai Shehenshah wo to tutte rehte hain...Zindagi ka to koi bharosa nahi..Kya bharosa hai ki Maharaj Bharmal apna vada nahi todenge...

Eyebrows raised and everyone looked at Adham curious, evenJalaal's attention was drawn towards him

Jalaal: aap theek keh rehain hai Adham Bhaijaan Insaan ke vadon ka kya bharosa...

Shehenshah Humayun : Hmmm baat to apki bilkul theek hai par is masle ka hal bhi toh nahi...

Adham Khan bit his lips and held his head high , "hal hai Shehenshah ...hal bilkul hai...",he paused for a second and gulped a huge sip from his chalice, " Kyun na Unki kisi aisi cheez ko humarein paas amanat ki tarah rakhwa le taki wo chahe bhi toh yeh gathbandhan na toda payee aur na hi kabhi dhokha de paye...

Everyone was confused as Adham Khan folded his arms across his bosom .His plans were finally coming into shape ,not anyone knew of his ulterior motives and his faulty weakness for women .Everything was hidden uptill now .

Shehenshah Humayun : Saaf saaf kahiye kya kehna chahte hain...

Adham Khan: Humara matlab yeh hai kyun na Rajkumari Jodha se niqah ki shart rakhi jaye .Humara aur Rajkumari Jodha ka niqah na kewal is samjhaute ko pukka karega parantu shayad aap sab bhul rahe hain ki .. ...agar wo is mehel mein ayengi to pura Rajputana humarein ehsaan tale dab jayega .

There was silence for a few seconds as everyone stared at Adham Khan contemplating whatever he had said ,but Jalaal felt as if someone had tied him with a rope and pelted stones at him. His heart was crushed in an excruciating stabbing pain, the venom spread through his veins and reached his eyes which were misted with incomprehensible thin film of tears.

In anxiety he blurted, "Par yeh toh...Humara matlab...niqah do insano k beech hota hai na ki use kisi siyasati masle ka hal nikalne k liye...Yeh to na-insaafi..."

Shehenshah Humayun raised his hand , "Shehzadein ,aap pehle Shehzadein hain..Unke liye unki Riyasat pehle ata hai...Jin baton ki apko samjh nahi un baton par jyada rai mat dijiye..Yeh baat toh bilkul sahi hai ki yeh Niqah ek siyasati samjhauta hai Par Adham Khan Anjuman..."

Jalaal's eyes twinkled with hope as he voiced his genuine concern and support, "Haan Bhaijaan ,hum jantey hain Harem mein kai Begumein ho sakti hai par sochiye ki Bhabhi..."

"Jalaal...",The firm voice of Maham Anga pierced his ears as she rose and folded her hands, "Shehenshah apki ijazatho toh hum kuch kehana chahege "

"Kahiye Maham...", Shehenshah Humayun nodded his head ,his mind still calculating the pros and cons of the proposal

Jalaal's heart thumped loudly, he felt as if he will go mad .His own brother was going to marry the princess who had robbed his peace of mind. He was restless and unhappy. Unknown scary feelings made him sink in gloom .

"Shehenshah kya humein pote poti khilane ka haq nahi..Kya apke Muh bole bete Adham ko Abba kehlane ka haq nahi. Yeh baat kisi se chupi nahi ki Anjuman niqah itne saal baad bhi Adham ko waris ki Khushi nahi de payi. Kya hum yun hi reh jayenge ,agar is niqah se ek teer se do kaam ho rahe hain toh yeh parwah kaisi ?Itni batein kyun...Ajuman Mughalon k khandaan se hi hain unke apne Abba ki 5 Begumein thi... ...Hum toh kehte hain...Bina kisi deri k kal subah hi yeh Rishta bhejiye...Unke khandaan ki beti humare ghar ki begum banegi toh yeh gathbandhan bhi zindagi bhar bana rahega aur wo ladki walein hone k karan humare mulazim hi rahenge..."

Mahamanga's words echoed followed by silence as Shehenshah Humayun nodded his head and lowered it, closing his eyes in contemplation. Like a lost child who had accidentally fallen while playing Jalaal's gaze wandered from face to face Bairam Khan nodded his head in the affirmative, Maham Anga seemed more than happy and Shehenshah Humayun still silent.

Jalaal mumbled loudly , "Yeh aap galat kar rahe hain Bhabhi k saath ..Yeh hum nahi hone ..."

"Jalaal", The voice of Shehenshah Humayun roared in the room , "Humne kaha baith jaiye.."

Jalaal was breathing heavily ,an unknown fear gripped him,his face was red with anger. This alliance was important and there was no harm in the marriage but his heart sank .Why was he so restless at the thought of the princess getting married to someone else, he was clueless.

"Par Shehenshah ...",Jalaal choked upon his own words

"Humne kaha na sabse pehle riyasat ka sochana chahiye Jalaal...Yeh humara huqm hai ki ab is baat par koi behas nahi hogi...Adham Khan aap kal hi khud yeh khabar aur rishta lekar humarein Maulvi Sahab k saath Amer jayiye ..Humein yeh samjhauta aur niqah jitni jaldi ho sake chahiye...aur ise humara huqm hi samjhe..",without even listening to the repeated pleas of Jalaal Shehenshah Humayun hugged Adham Khan and Maham Anga placed a kajal ka tika on his cheeks and kissed his forehead.

Jalaal died a thousand deaths in that single moment as he clenched his fists in defeat and denial and walked away with quickened steps as those words uttered from Mahamanga's ecstatic voice slapped his ears , "Ab Is riyasat ka waris Rajkumari Jodha dengi humein..."

Palace of Amer

Jodha looked at the fine tissue cloth which she fondly embroidered with silks of gold and silver ,the emblem of their flag ,the moon. She smiled at her finished work ,the handkerchief for her father's new sherwani was ready and giggling she ran towards his room at the middle of the night to show him her treasured collection. Her lehenga flew behind her and her nimble foot moved as swiftly as she could until she reached the huge room of her parents. The guards bowed and she entered in haste ,the curtains were flowing .She was about to say something when suddenly her father's voice reached her ears. Maharaja Bharmal held Mainwati's chin and said in his sweet endearing tone , "Humarey man mein ek vichar aya hai Mainwati,Apko yeh to gyaat hi hoga ki kuch hi dino mein Agra k saath humara gathbandhan hone wala hai"

Rani Mainawati nodded her head and made him sit and started pressing his feet as he continued, "Hum soch rahe the ki agey ka kya bharosa kal ko agar wo humare rajya ko hathiya le toh is gathbandhan ki aad mein...Rajkumar Kartikeya abhi matra 5 saal k hai..humari umra bhi ho chali hai...kya pata...humare baad phir kya hoga..."

"Shubh shubh boliye Maharaj...apki ayu toh bahut lambi hai..",Mainawati placed her hand on his mouth .

Jodha hid herself behind the pillar eavesdropping their conversation as Maharaja Bharmal continued, "is sab ka bhavishya surakshit karne ka humarey paas ek upay hai Mainawati.."

Mainawati.." stuffed his mouth with scented betel nuts and whispered gently , "Kaisa upay maharaj..."

"Hum soch rahe the Kyun na Rajkumari Jodha ka vivah Jalaal se kar diya jaye...",Maharaj Bharmal's eyes twinkled ,"Parantu wo ek Mughal hain Maharaj",Poonam was flabbergasted.Creases of worry appeared on her forehead.

Jodha was rooted to her spot , the handkerchief fell from her hand and her head spun with nausea,her eyes went blank for a second and she had to hold the curtains to get a grip on herself.

"Par Mainawati..Ek toh wo ekdum Yogya var hain humari Jodha k liye upar se Vivah k pashchaat Agra bhi Parivar ka hissa hoga koi apne parivar se dhokha to karega nahi aur yeh gathbandhan Kartikeya ke bhavishya ko bhi surakshit rakhega...",Maharaj Bharmal rubbed his forehead with pride .

"Yeh to bahut hi acha sujhav hai Maharaj , parantu Humari Jodha us parivar mein kya sukhi rahegi? Maharaj phir to hum ladki waley ho jayenge aur agar is baat ka fayda ...",Mainawati knitted her eyebrows with concern.

"Aaap hain na Mainwati Jodha ko sab sikha k bhejiyega jaise apne humein apne vash mein kiya hai waise unhe bhi apna hunar sikha dijiyega...",Maharaj pinched her cheeks became rosy due to constant blushing.

Rani Mainwati smacked her hand , " Dhat ..aap bhi na..."

Both of them giggled dreaming about their daughter's bright future unaware that the dreams of her own daughter were on the verge of being sabotaged. Tears rolled down her cheeks remembering Suryabhan.Where was he she did not knew ? Who will help her ? Who will rescue her? These questions made her dizzy as she heard her father speak in a serious tone , "Upar se Jalaal Hone walein Shehenshah hain...Jodha ko rani banne ka sukh milega. Sab kuch usi k haath mein hoga. Jalaal bade hi snehi hai. Humne dekha tha bhare darbar mein ..Do pakshiyon Meera aur Govind ko unhone kitne sneha se pakda tha...Jo vyakti janwar se itna sneha rakhte ho wo apni patni ko kitna samman denge Mainawati Yeh to sochiye ?Humari Jodha aur Shehzadein Jalaal jaise ek duje k liye hi bane hain...",Bharmal's voice quivered in excitement.

"Hum ane wali Purnima ko swayam hi yeh prastav lekar Agra jayenge...",

Maharaja's eyes glittered with millions of hopes as he hugged Mainawati.

Jodha froze, her voice shook. She cannot marry Jalaal, She loved Suryabhan, and She will not let this happen. Wiping out the tear she was about to intervene in the conversation when Suddenly Mainawati's voice stopped her , "PARANTU Maharaj Ek baar Jodha ka man bhi..agar jaan lete to..."

"Mainawati Ladki ka bhagya uske mata pita hi tay karte hain...Humne faisla le liya hai ,waise bhi Rajkumari ka man agar an bhi ho to bhi unhe apne rajya k hita mein yeh sambandh sweekarna hi hoga.,...Yehi ek rajkumari ka bhagya hota hai...Aur Jodha ka bhagya tay ho chukka hai. Jalaal hi unka saubhagya hai. Yeh baat pathar ki lakeer hai au rise ab koi badal nahi sakta...Jodha ka bhagya Jalaal hi hai...",Maharaj repeated with surety and Jodha knew nothing could change his decision now.

She stuffed her mouth with her pallu muffling her whimper, she ran away to her room crying helplessly in misery.

Palace of Agra

The swing creaked upon its hinges, her hair swept the marble floor ,and the tears just wouldn't stop running trickling from the corner of her eyes, so much that a salty line embedded on her cheeks, she lied swinging, and the glass chalice touched her lips as she gulped the bitter liquid in a single go. In desperation she licked the last drops but the empty chalice burned her heart. In desperation she threw it on the floor and it rolled and ended near his feet .He saw her ,he chunar thrown on the floor, he quickly lowered his eyes and wiping out his tears muttered , "Bhabhi..."

"Kya hua Jalaal...aap abhi tak soye nahi..aapki nayi bhabhi bahut hi jald aa jayegi yahan ...",Anjuman tried to hide her tears in darkness. The alcohol did not satiate her thirst; it burned her tarnished heart even more.

"Bhabhi hum kuch..",.Jalaal was pained to see her like his own heart lamenting every second.

"hahahha",She broke into a hysterical laughter ,got up ,her feet knocking against each other and she wobbled a bit .

Jalaal rushed towards her trying to support her but Anjuman was furious, she pushed him back and mumbled, "Humein kisi ke sahare ki zarurat nahi..."

"Bhabhi hum baat karenge phir se Adham Bhai se..aaap...",Jalaal tried to find his voice.

"Huh..Kya farq pad jayega agar wo humse khoobsurat ,humse jawaan begum le ayenge...Humari jagah aaj pehle bhi is qile ki chardiwari ke kisi kone mein padi cheez k jaisi thi, aaj bhi waisa hi hai..aur agey bhi waisa hi rahega...",Anjuman walked way dragging her feet towards her room leaving Jalaal in anguish and confusion.

"Adham Hum rajkumari Jodha nahi hai...",a courtesan yelped in his grip, her lips hurt ,the concubine was restless due to Adham's eagerness.

" Hahaha bas kuch din aur phir tera muh bhi nahi dekhunga.."Adham slapped her cheeks dreaming about his victory and Jodha...

Place of Amer

She paced to and fro in her room crying in desperation unable to fathom what to do next. She had no clue where was Suryabhan was ? How was she able to contact him ? She knew nothing about his whereabouts anymore. Jodha had waved him goodbye with only his promise to come .No other questions had been asked, no other queries made. He just left asking her to wait for him. Tears would not rolling down her cheeks .Her father's gruesome words sealing her fate made her nervous and devastated .Jodha rubbed her forehead and her teeth chattered as she threw away the articles on the floor , "Kya karein ..kya karein hum..."

She fell on the floor crying closing her ears angrily as her father's words echoed in them , " Jodha ka bhagya Jalaal hi hain..."

"nahiii ", she squealed in anger , "hum aisa kabhi nahi hone denge. Kabhi nahi...",she ran towards a chest and taking out the pages scribbled with ink...

"Shehzadein Jalaal hum apse vivah nahi kar sakte..kyunki...",she looked at her handwriting and in anger spilled the ink on the pages and crumpled it and fell on the floor crying bitterly , "Jab humarein apne pita ne humare man ko samajhne ka prayas nahi kiya to Ek Mughal Shehzadein se hum kya asha kar sakte hain",she wept kept on weeping ,the night became the witness to her sobs.

The palace of Agra

The faint rays of the sun bathed his body as the sword hurled blindly in the air ,sweat trickled down his bare torso and his eyes burned with impatience. Jalaal was furious ,the visions of Jodha smiling and ruining with her yellow dupatta flowing behind her threatened to blind him .In anger he practiced his sword, heated breath, ragged heartbeat .Jalaal hurled the shining metal in a frenzy ,the anger threatened to burst from inside .He hurled and hurled unless he could not control his emotions anymore. Slopping on the floor ,he threw away his sword and buried his face in his palms and mumbled, "humarey saath hi aisa kyun ho raha hai..."

next chapter contd in next post

Chapter 8-part a

5 years ago continued

Palace of Agra

As he entered the room, he found it unusually beautiful, lit up with fragrant candles, the sandalwood lulling new intoxication in him. He body was already throbbing at the delightful victory, a few days and the object of his desire will be at his mercy. Adham put his turban on the side table and gave a pat on his back as he glanced at his reflection in the mirror with ardor and pride .She came from behind and caressed him with sweeping passion, her warm alcohol laced lips touching his back gently and whispered, ". Kahan they aap..."

The darkness in her life had threatened to snatch away the last bits left with her, in desperation she had lit up the room, illuminating the tiny hope of mercy, and holding on to the last log of wood trying to afloat in the storm and crashing waves. Anjuman lay her self "respect bare, trying to earn back what she was about to lose.

"Anjuman..." Adham yanked his touch and retaliated harshly , "Hum thak gaye hain..."

"Hum apki thakaan mita dete hain..." She extended her arms wrapping him in her warmth in deperation, recalling every skill she had learned her entire life.

The greed of a man could not remain untouched, by her flirtatious advances, his mind already filled with lust for a woman who would be now his forever.

"apne nasha kiya hai...",Adham nodded his head as he looked at Anshumali .All these years he had developed an allergy towards her bored of her skin and flesh but today his mood was different, his victory made him forget everything and the thrill passed on to him within seconds..

"Aap bhi si nashe mein doob jayiye..." She pulled him to their bed .Passion swept like a tornado and faded within seconds. He tore her apart; she surrendered bare in desperation to hold him back .Time ticked and the ravage ended slowly.

She breathed heavily, her breath ragged a tiny tear rolling down her cheeks, after years he had touched her although she was unaware that his orgy of intoxication was his fantasy about his new bride. He turned his face away tired and exhausted.

Anshumali caressed his back, whispering softly, " ...aisa mat kijiye Nayi begum mat layiye hum..."

"Anjuman", a roar so loud that shook her existence and a harsh push made Anjuman swallow poison as she saw Adham getting up and wearing his clothes one by one.

"Suniye..." She hugged him and begged, "Humarey saath aisa mat kijiye...",her eyes shedding tears in hope of a miracle.

"Anjuman utna hi mangiye jiske aap layak hain...Warna jitna kuch bacha hai aap k paas Wo bhi nahi rahega..." Adham rolled his eyes.

"Kya hum apke liye kuch bhi nahi...hum apki begum hain...aap aisa kaise kar sakte hain..."She whimpered ,"Kya hum ab aap ko ache nahi lagte..."

"Huh...Aap sach sunna chahti hain ..toh suniye..ab hum ub gaye hain apse..aap jab 14 saal ki thi tab niqah kar ayi thi..apmein ek ajeeb kashish 'thi...apki har ada humein behad bhati thi...",Adham caressed her lips with his thumb.Anjuman's eyes swam up with hope recalling her days of exhaustion withAdham, her meek 14 year old body was tormented every single day and night by the him who couldn't keep his hands off her. She use to forget the count of time as he was always by her side. But as the passion withered, the spark faded too ..Slowly the intervals turned into days ,then months and then years. Every night ,her right was shred to pieces on the beds of concubines. What a lowly life she had lived all those years ?,she wondered.

" par ab..",her eyes sparkled with a bit of anticipation..

"Ab..hahhaha Aapka yeh sharir humein nahi lubhata...Apki umra ho chali hai..roz roz ...apko dekhne ka man nahi karta...aur abhi tak aap humein koi waris ki khushi bhi nahi de payi hain..nayi begum ayegi to humara man bhi behlega aur humara khandaan bhi agey badhega...Isliye humse yeh betuki batein karna band kijiye..",he pulled her closer and then pushed her back.

Her voice choked and she smiled sarcastically , "Kya humara sirf itna hi kaam tha..?apka man behlana aur bache paida karna humara iske alawa koi aur rishta nahi...",her mind burned with shame and indignation.

"Huh hahhahah aurat ka isse jyada bhi koi kaam hota hai kya? Apka kaam humara man ko khush rakhna tha..jo apne kai salon tak ache se nibhaya..par ab humein kuch naya chahiye..hum ub gaye hain apse ab...isiliye chup chap qilein k aram mein masroof rahiye aur kisi kone mein bina koi awaz kiye padi rahiye...ab humarein din aur ratein Rajkumari Jodha k naam hongi...",Adham chuckled and walked away leaving Anjuman shocked.

"Ek baat to batate jayiye ..",She screamed loudly ,her tears not leaving her ,her cheeks burned with humiliation and rage, "Agar Rajkumari Jodha se bhi aapka man ub gaya toh..."

"HAHAH..humein ko aurton ki kami hai kya..unhe bhi kisi kone mein phenkar phir nayi begum le ayenge...",Adham walked out of the room and Anjuman slopped on the floor withered and crying at her bitter fate.

He walked in his room in anger and sat on the swing contemplating. Jalaal had argued ,and almost prepared his mind for the ultimate acceptance but his heart still lamented. Torn apart between the responsibility towards his duty as a prince and his wailing heart ,he took the final minutes to arrive at a conclusion. His father's words echoed in his mind, "aap ek Shehzadein pehle hain..."

He wiped off the last traces of tears from his eyes and looked at the moon and took a deep breath , "kuch faisle hum sirf Dusron k liye letey hain ..humey bhi wohi karna hoga...",closing his eyes for one last time remembering the smiling face of Jodha ,Jalaal swallowed a huge lump in his throat.

Palace of Amer

"Swagat hai apka Adham Khan ...kahiye kis prayojana se ana hua hum toh swayam hi...",Maharaj Bharmal folded his hands in greetings welcoming the Maulvi and Adham Khan in his guest room and had asked Jodha and Mainawati to accompany him too.He was now more curious to welcomeJodha's would be in laws and give them a family welcome. Jodha and Mainawati sat behind a translucent curtain and folded their hands in welcome too.Adham's eyes grew wild watching Jodha from a distance. He sighed heavily trying to make patience his virtue and eating the black grapes and numerous sweets laid in front of them in gold plates cleared his throat, "Hum Agra Ke Khandaan ki ore se Amer k saath zindagi bhar dosti ka haath badhane aye hain...Isi silsiley mein Rajkumari Jodha ko Agra ka Mustaqbil banane ki shart rakhna chahate hain..."

Maharaj Bharmal was jubilant to hear this , Mainawati hugged her daughter who sat like a statue heart broken.

"Apne toh humare man ki baat rakh li...Hum to swayam hi...Aaap is rishtey ko pukka samajhiye...Rajkumari apke ghar ki bahu bane isse bada saubhagya unka ho hi nahi sakta...",Bharmal hugged Adham in happiness

Adham Khan smiled victoriously imagining Jodha in his arms and smiled, "Hum Maulvi Sahab ko bhi saath laye hain yeh jald hi Humarein aur Rajkumari Jodha k Niqah ki tareeqkh bhi bata denge...Kyun Maulvi Sahab..."

There was silence for a few seconds as Maharaj Bharmal was shocked equally was Mainawati . Jodha was unmoved. What difference did it make to her ?She was going to be slaughtered and offered in barter for the happiness of her kingdom. It was a curse being a woman. She silently lowered her head unmoved.

Maharaj Bharmal contemplated confused trying to understand and then hesitantly askedAdham, "Parantu...Rajkumar aap to pehle se hi vivahit hain humara ..matlab..."

"oh ho ho aap bilkul fiqr rahein Rajkumari Jodha hi humari Begum-e-khas hongi aur humara waris bhi unhi ka hi beta hoga. Aap kisi bhi tarah ka shaq apne dil se nikal de...",Adham grinned and placed his hands on his shoulders confidently in assurance.

Jodha gulped a huge lump down her throat , being sold to give birth to kids ,what worse could happen to her? She wanted to run away ..cry bitterly roam around in the deserts search for Suryabhan and be with him forever. But how was she supposed to find him. Belonging to the enemy nomad tribe ,Suryabhan had left her with nothing but a vow to come back...Where was he when she needed him? Her heart cried in utter humiliation and despair.

"Maharaj...aaj se 14 din k baad chandraat ko niqah ho sakega ",the Maulvi calculated dates after scanning through the pages of his book.

His voice broke Maharaj Bharmal's trance who by now was contemplating a lot and Adham smiled, "Niqah ki tayyari shuru kar dijiye maharaj..yeh niqah hi Humare sunehre samjhaute ki shart k saath hoga..."

"Kshama karein Adham Khan parantu humein kuch kehna hai...Humein bahu patni vaad se koi bair nahi parantu kya aap Agra ke rajsinhasan par baithenge agey chalkar...?", Maharaj Bharmal's questioned reconfirming his present knowledge about Jalaal being the future king..

Adham was hit with a stab in his heart and nodded his head , "Nahi par..."

Before he could complete his sentence Maharaj Bharmal stood up and said in stoic stern tone, "Toh phir ye rishta humein sweekar nahi...Amer aur Agra ka gathbandhan tabhi hoga jab Rajkumari Jodha ka vivah Shehzadein Jalaal se hoga..."

Adham Khan felt as if he had been hit with a sword, a wave of rage swept him as he glanced at Jodha and yelled , "Yeh kis tarah ka Mazak hai..."

"Kshama karein parantu Humari putri ka vivah kewal bhavi raja se hi ho sakta hai unka sthana kewal ek yuvrani ka nahi parantu Rani ka hai...Yadi vivah hoga to kewal Shehzadein Jalaal se anyatha is gathbandhan ko bhul hi jayiye...",Maharaj folded his hands across his bosom ,while Mainawati nodded her head in the affirmative and Jodha almost was amazed at the transactions being discussed. As if she had no heart. As if she was just a commodity ..a pawn in lieu of political alliances. She wanted to scream at the hypocrisy of the society.

"Humari itni beizzati",Adham roared in ager,his face became red with humiliation ,"Apko zara bhi ehsaas hai iska anjaam kya ho sakta hai..."

"Aap humein dhamki de rahein hai...", Maharaj Bharmal shot back in anger

"Dhamki hi de rahein hai..aapko zara bhi andaza hai ki agar hum chahe to apke rajya ko yun..chutki bajate khatam kar aur aapki Rajkumari ko kya jagah de sakte hain...unhe begum hone ki izzat dena chahte hain ...chahte to yun hi apke rajya ka namonishan mita kar apne Harem mein bandi bana kar rakh dete",Adham Khan tightened his jaws..

"Savdhaan Adham Khan...Apni vani ko lagaam dijiye...", Maharaj Bharmal roared in anger pulling his sword and placing it near his throat.Jodha and Mainawati shivered at Adham's audacity and stood up in shock.

"Aaap atithi hain warna humari beti humara abhiman hai unka itna apmaan karne ka dussahas karne k liye aap ko mrityu dand bhi de sakte the,..ab nikal jayiye yahan se warna...", Maharaj Bharmal placed his sword closer to Adham's throat and was about to pull the sword when suddenly the Maulvi nudged him, "yeh sahi waqt nahi hai chaliye yahan se..chaliye..",he pulled Adham's hands and he stared at Jodha,his blood shot eyes burned her veil and she watched him in horror as he warned loudly ," Maharaj Bharmal..Kasam hai humein ..is beizzati ka badla hum zarur lenge ...aur yeh humara vada hai apse ...ki apke guroor apki beti ko har raat humare mehel mein humare pairon taley na roundh diya to humara naam bhi Adham nahi...",With blazing and scornful eyes and spitting on the floor in anger Adham paced out of the hall quickly leaving everyone in shock.Jodha burst into tears as her mother hugged her and Maharaj Bharmal's nodded his head in anger.

Palace of Agra

"Aaap kis ki baton par bharosa karenge Shehenshah...Ek ghamandi raja jisne bhari sabha mein apko gali dekar humarey samne samjhaute aur paigaam ko mana kar diya ...Kyun unse puchna chahte hain..aapko hum pe bharosa nahi ...Hum keh rahe hain na...Itni beizzati apke khilaf sunkar humari ruh kanpne lagi...Wo kehne lage aisa kayan Shehenshah Humayun se gathbandhan karne se behtar hoga ki Amer Chullu bhar paani mein dub marein sach...",Adham Khan puffed like a mad bull in front of all the family members who looked at him in shock...Jalaal couldn't believe his ears. Maharaj Bharmal had been such a warm and wonderful person how could he refuse the merger at the last moment and hurl abuses at his father. He was still confused ,so was his father King Humayun who was quite vocal to express his concerns, "Par pehle toh wo tayyar the khush bhi the achanak yeh sab..."

"Shehenshah Humayun kaan bharte aur irada badlatey der nahi lagti..humne kaha than aap kis par bhi asani se bharosa kar lete hain...par apko apne hi muh bole betein par bharosa nahi hai..aap chahe to Maulvi Sahab se puch lijiye humne toh kewal niqah ka rishta rakha tha aur unhone kaha niqah toh dur koi gathbandhan bhi nahi hoga..Kyun Maulvi Sahab ji..aap hi kahiye...",Adham winked at the Maulvi whose treasure chests he had already filled with gold coins ,he thus nodded in affirmative.

"Shehen shah ki itni beizzati",Bairam Khan roared in anger.

"Itna hi nahi yeh bhi kaha gathbandhan toh kya Agra k muh par thukenge bhi nahi...AUR..",Adham fumed and feigned anger.

"BASSS",Jalaal roared in anger , "ab hum aur nahi sun sakte..Abbajaan ki itnibeizzati..Amer walon ko iski kimat chukani hi padegi...",He raised his sword ,his eyes burning with rage,...

"Haan ab paani sar se bahut upar chala gaya hai",Shehenshah Humayun rose from his throne and walked like an injured tiger, "Kal subah ka sooraj Amer ke walon ko bhari padega,...Agra apni beizzati ka BADLA zarur LEGA..."

"Haan Abbajaan is beizzati ka badla hum sab lekar hi rahenge",Jalaal's voice echoed in the room as Adham smiled sheepishly ,his chest bloating with pride at the victory of his treachery and false misunderstandings.

Palace of Amer

"Jodha Mainawati, humein is baat ki soochna jakar Shehenshah ko deni hogi..ki Adham Khan ne kitna apamaan kiya Jodha ka...". Maharaj Bharmal ate his food while Mainawati fanned him with concern and Jodha too accompanied him still shocked with the proceedings of the day.

"Parantu Maharaj ab kya fayda ..humein us parivar se ab koi rishta nahi rakhna ..humari Jodha ka kya hashra hoga apne socha bhi hai...",Mainawati whimpered and Jodha sighed a bit ,she was a bit relieved that now this might be a dead end to this alliance.

"Nahi Mainawati ab toh rishta aur bhi avashyak hai humein yeh sari baat Jalaal aur Shehenshah se swayam karni hi hogi..apne dekha nahi us dushta ne kaisi batein kahin..hum chahtey to unhe mirtyu de sakte the parantu yeh mat bhuliye ki is prakar Amer ko Agra ki vinash lila jhelni pad sakti thi..apse toh yeh baat chupi nahi ki humara sena bal unke rajya k agey kuch bhi nahi..aise mein us dhamki se Jodha ki suraksha ab Jalaal aur Jodha ka vivah hi kar sakta hai..", Maharaj Bharmal said in a serious tone.

"Parantu Maharaj wo apne hi muh bole bete ki baat par vishwaas na karke aap ka saath kyun denge..",Mainawati was worried.

"Kyunki hum unse aur Jalaal se bahut baar miley hain..dono hi bahut nishchal hain...Ve zarur is apmaan par kuch vichar karenge akhir Amer se unka bahut fayda hi hoga..unhe pata chalna chahiye ki kis prakar Adham Khan ne apni maryada ka ulaghan kiya ...Aur Jodha unhe ab is gathbandhan ki bhenth chadhna hi hoga ,hum bas itna chahte hain ki wo us ghatiya Adham ki patni ki jagah Jalaal jaise nek insaan ki Rani banein...hum unse is vivah k badle gathbandhan ki baat karenge...Adham Khan ki ghatiya baton ko yun hi jane nahi de sakte..Humein yeh Vivah ati shigra hi karwana hoga ...ati shigra ...hum kal pratah swayam Agra jayenge...", Maharaj Bharmal said in a single breath and Jodha ran way to her room cursing the irony of her fate...

Palace of Agra

The summer sun rose high, the molten lava orange hue spread on the sand dunes, the clear hot dry wind fluttered the empire flag of Agra,his armor was tightened around him ,he opened his bloodshot eyes with a vision, a vision to seek revenge for the indignation of his father. Adham Khan hugged him and placed his head gear on him and congratulated him, "yeh pehli jung hogi jiski aguvayi aap kareng...hum toh bas apke piche piche challenge ..yeh sirf Shehenshah ki beizzati ka badla hi nahi par apke jungi taleem ka imtihaan bhi hai.."

Jalaal took a deep sigh ,no other thought crossed his mind ,the last traces of confusion ,he had fought last night,the princess was his heart but his father was his life and he could not just sit back and take any insults on his name and kingdom.

"Sab tayyar ho...",he raised his sword against the huge army which echoed back in affirmative .The conchs sounded ,the bigul's resounded and the huge drums rolled .The sound seemed to rise from the depths of the earth .

He roared clenching his fists, "hamle k liye tayyar ho..." and climbed on his horse and Shehenshah Humayun and Adham Khan followed him on the elephant along with thousands of soldiers marching on foot and galloping on horses.The dust and the sand rose like a whirlwind as the padded hoofs ran through the vast stretch of the deserts.Amer was not farway now. Rage in his eyes and valor in his sword, Jalaal straddled his horse as fast as he could.

Palace of Amer

She had not slept the whole night trying to reason. Trying to find ways ,trying to fathom her next move, She sat with Meera and Govind ,caressed their necks remembering Suryabhan.Last night she had even tried to think of running away ,but she was a kshtrani ,a princess, running away would mean that she was a coward ,it would ruin her father's reputataion.She knew Suryabhan had promised that he would himself fight for her ,build bridges but he needed time and had left with a promise. His words meant a lot for her ,but the current situation demanded prompt action from her. She had to act. Lost in her thoughts ,she sat there like a statue of stupor ,a peck on her hands broke her trance, and Meera pecked her arms with her beak. Suddenly a thought crossed her mind as she remembered her first meeting with Jalaal...

Flashback

"Aye aye aye...hatiye...",a sudden crash and Jalaal found everything rolling around him, She dashed across his bosom ,hurting his ribs in the best possible way with her elbows and the impact of the collision was so Sudden that she misbalanced and fell right into his arms. As quick as the lightening, his hands encircled around her slender waist and the other held her arm holding and stabilizing her in his strong grip.

She ran her fingers through her hair and remembered how he just intervened when she was about to be scolded by her father.

Flashback

"Wo...Humein Kshama...,Jodha handed over the birds to her dasi and folded her hands.

"Iski koi zarurat nahi hai...",Jalaal cut short her statement and stepped forward completely forgetting others.

--

A tiny glint of hope struck her. May be she could trust him, maybe she could write to him ,maybe he will help her. Somehow her tiny heart had this notion that he would not betray her and set things right for she had seen truth in his eyes, eyes that were free from nay malice ,eyes that reminded him of Suryabhan.Maybe ..Just maybe...

She wiped her last traces of dry tears and got up with new hope and mumbled, "Meera Govind shayad Shehzadein humari sahayta kar sakein...",She ran inside her room and took out her writing paper and scribbled quickly in ink...

"Shehzadein Jalaal ko humara pranam..aap yeh soch rahe honge ki achanak ye sandesh kyun parantu hum apse kuch kehna chahte hain bahut shigra hi humarey vivah ki baat apse hone wali hai...parantu yeh vivah hum nahi kar saktey hum kisi aur se prem kartey hain aur humara yeh jivan unhi k liye samarpit hai. Ap ka apamaan karne ka koi irada nahi hai..aap ko pakar koi bhi stri apne aap ko is duniya ki sabse bhagyashali stri hone ka gaurav payegi parantu aise vivah k bandhan ka koi laabh nahi jismein hum apko koi sukh na de payenge...

Asha kartein heinn aap humein kshama karenge aur is vivah ko kisi bhi surat mein ho0ne nahi denge...

------------ Apki Jodha.

She thought for a second and striked out apki Jodha and wrote , "Rajkumari Jodha instead. She placed the letter in an envelope and was about to call Moti Bai when suddenly she heard a loud noise and Motibai came running madly huffing trying to catch her breath .

"Yeh shor kaisa Moti bai...",She raised her eyebrows curious...

"Rajkumari ghazab ho gaya..Jalaal ki sena ne mehel par akraman kar diya hai...Humarey sarein sainik ya toh marey gaye ya unke dwara bandi bana liye gaye...Ab wo qiley k dwar par hain..jaldi chupiye chalkar...",She ran away trying to inform as many people as she could .There was sudden commotion and everyone ran here and there.

Horror paralysed her limbs and the letter fell from her hand on her heap of dairies and she yelled ,"Kyaa" ,and ran towards the balcony.

Her eyes popped out from her sockets as she saw Jalaal along with his soldiers sitting on a horse and the huge log of wood banging on the iron gate of their fort, it banged at intervals ,the huge locks seemed to give up .She stared at him with wide open eyes and parted mouth ,his arrogant victorious smile gave her chills.

Originally posted by: sweet16cash

Piyu just a night more u gotta update tomorrow u have promised us..😳.
Update soon gal uv stopped at a crucial point matter of life and death..😛

Originally posted by: manzilmukul

Updating definitely updating🤗tonight only BTW what's your name ??