CHAPTER 40...
AFTER THE ATTEMPT ...
Both Jodha and Jalal were stunned seeing the servant lolling on the floor vomiting blood. It was Jalal who first got back into his normal self. "Dekh kya rahe ho? Isse le jao hakim sahab ke paas!" [What are you all seeing? Take him to doctor fast.] He shouted to the other guards.
"Shahenshah... Uss madira me vish..." [Shaenshah... There was poison in that wine...] Jodha meanwhile had clasped Jalal's arm while panting in sudden shock and fear of uncertainty. She was unable to even imagine what was going to happen if she would not have stopped him from drinking! Jalal gripped her hand to make her steady. He himself was too shocked to say anything.
"Sainikon... Turant sibir se bahar nikalne ki sare raste bandh kar diya jaye! Or ek ek karmchari or sainik ko upasthit hone ka adesh diya jaye!" [Soldiers... close all the paths of going out of the camp. And ordr each and every workers and soldiers to be present.] Meanwhile the other members of the royal family had come out from the tent. Bhagwant Das commanded his soldiers. Then he came to the emperor. "Shahenshah, aap thik to hay!" [Are you alright your majesty?]
"Haa Bhagwant Das sahab! Uss bechare bande ki baja se aaj hum bal bal bach gaye!" [Yes Bhagwant Das Sahab. I am all saved for that poor servant!] Jalal sighed. "Bechare ne sayad shahi sharab chakhne ka lalaj nehi samal paya! Yeah Khuda! Rahem karna uspar!" [The poor boy perhaps could not control the greed of tasting royal wine! O God! Have mercy on him!]
Jodha too prayed for that servant along with Jalal. She was still in shock... how the destiny played her game and changed the last stroke of the game through the hand of Jodha! It's true that her husband's life is saved and she is extremely thankful to god for this, but if this poor servant dies now she will never be able to forgive herself. She vacantly stared at the medical camp where the servant had been taken.
"Jodha..." Jalal touched her shoulder. "Hum thora Bhagwant Das Sahab ke sath ja rahe hay tahekikat ka halaat dekhne or punchhtachh karne." [Jodha... I am going with Bhagwant Das Sahab for some investigation.] He told in a mild and caring tone. "Aap jakar aaram kijie thora. Jaiye!" [You go and rest... go!]
"Hum Vaidh ji se iss vish ke visay me puchhna chahte the Shahenshah... or uss sevak ke upachar me kuch bhi kami na ho uss visay me bhi dhyan rakhna hoga." [I wanted to ask the doctor about the poison Majesty! And also we should take care about the treatment of that servant.] Jodha replied.
Jalal gazed at her face for a moment with tender glare. Then he patted on her shoulder. "Thik hay... Jaiye!" [Okay... Go.]
He looked back to Bhagwant Das. "Chaliye Bhagwant Das Sahab. Jald se jald pata karna hay ki yeh gustakhi kiya kisne!" [Let's go Bhagwant Das Sahab. We have to know as fast as possible that who had this much audacity!]
Bhagwant Das nodded and both left the place...
"Shaenshah..."
Jalal turned back. Jodha was staring at his face with some unreadable expression in eyes...
"Jodha..."
Jodha's voice suddenly choked. "Samhalke..." [Be careful...] She uttered after a bit difficulty.
Jalal smiled pale and came towards her. He touched her chin. "Kuch nehi hoga." [Nothing will happen!] He whispered with assurance. Jodha sighed deeply and hugged her husband with all her strength. Her sigh was a mixture of worry and fear of losing the most important person of her life! Though it was embarrassing in front of all, yet Jalal did not loose her grip. Rather he reciprocated with a hug in gentle care. His breaths exhaled an air of relief for coming back safely from the grab of death unknowingly along with it. Then they broke the hug. "Jaldi ayiega Shahenshah... Kal subha Amer or Agra ki bhabishya ke liye atyant mahatwapurn hay!" [Come back soon Shanehsah... Tomorrow morning is very important for Agra and Amer's future!] She murmured. Jalal nodded. "Bharosa rakhie humare upar." [Have faith on me.]He told.
Then they followed their path. Jalal came back to his brother-in-law... "Chaliye. Sabko chhauni ki piche wale maydaan me ane ka hukum diya gya hay na?" [Let's go. Has everyone been ordered to be present at the ground behind camp?]
All the soldiers, the guards, the servants, maids and other workers of the camp had been gathered in the field in front of an official tent. The royal people were in that tent. The investigation was going on very swiftly. A faithful worker was presenting the lists of the servants who were in the charge of serving juices and wines in each tents, the other gumshoes were trying to fetch the clue about all the soldiers working near the cooking place or the servant's quarter or the royal tents, as they had maximum possibilities of mixing poison in the wine. Jalal and Bharmal were sitting on the seats, Bhagwant Das was walking around the room impatiently, the other princes were standing here and there with tensed face. There were frowns in everyone's brow. The environment was full of tension.
"Aise nehi hoga!" [It should not be like this.] Jalal suddenly got up from the seat with a sheer impatience. "Yeaha zarur dusmaanon ki chhauni se koi maujud hay. Maan Singh..." [I am sure here is someone present from the enemy camp. Maan Singh...] He stared at Maan Singh who just has entered into the tent. "Zara iss jung me aaye hue sare sipahiyon ka naam ka fehrist dikhaie hume..." [Show me the list of the soldiers participating this war.]
It seemed Maan Singh was ready for this command. He not only presented the name of the soldiers, but also showed everyone what detailed report he has made on this context. "Hume lagta hay ki koi guptchar iss sibir me sipahi ke vesh me pahele se hi upasthit hay Shahenshah. Usne hi vish milaya tha madira me. Hum jab sare sipahiyon ke jaanch ki tab hume laga ki sipahiyon ki sankhya naathi me dikhaiye jane wale sankhya se adhik hay." [I think the spy is already in this camp in disguise of soldier. He has mixed poison in the drink. When I investigated the soldiers then I understood there in one soldier extra in the camp than the enlisted soldiers.] He concluded.
"Yeh kaise ho sakta hay!" [How is this possible?] Bharmal shouted out of worry.
"Yeh koi hayraani ki baat nehi hay Raja-Sahab. Jung ke waqt chhauni me sipahiyon ka har roj jaanch partach nehi hota hay. Koi agar vesh badal kar iss chhauni ki andar tak chala aye to kisi ko pata bhi nehi chalega." [This is not any new thing Rajasahab. The soldiers are not checked every day at the time of war. If someone comes in disguise none will understand.] Jalal stated calmly while his frown had grown deeper. Then he looked at Maan Singh. "Aapko andaza hay o sipahi kon ho sakta hay?" [Do you have any idea who the soldier can be?]
"Nehi Shahenshah. Par hume lagta hay ki agar thik se poonch-taachh kiya jaye to o zyada der tak tat kar khara nehi rahe payega or sach ugal dega." [No Shahenshah. But I think if interrogated properly he will spew out all the truth.] Maan Singh told.
"Thik hay... Jis tukri me hisab ka garbar hay uss tukri ki sari sipahiyon ko ek ek karke bulaiye. Hum khud tehekikaat karenge." [Okay. Call every soldier of that particular troop. I will investigate myself.] Jalal said before sitting down again on the seat.
NEEDLE IN HAYSTACK...
"Naam kya hay tumhara?" [What is your name?]
The man in the formal uniform of Amer's soldiers could not pick up his eyes in front of the emperor. His voice trembled when he uttered his own name.
"Ji... B... Bhanu... Huzur..."
"Kitne saal se kaam kar rahe ho yeaha?" [How long are you working here?] Jalal asked without moving his eyes from his face.
"Ji... 10 saal se..." [From 10 years...] He gulped.
Jalal looked at Maan Singh who had the register-file in his hand. He nodded. Bharmal also nodded looking at Jalal.
"Accha... apna Ameri Sipai hone ka saabut dikhao." [Okay. Now show me the proof of being a soldier of Amer.] The emperor asked suddenly.
This time the soldier looked a bit confused. Then he came forward and showed his batch with the totem of his troop to his majesty.
"Yeh hay tumhare sipahi hone ka saabut?" [Is this the only proof of being a soldier?]
"Ji Huzur!" [Yes my lord.]
"Yeh to kisi ke bhi paas ho sakta hay." [It can be with anyone.] Jalal smiled.
"Hume yehi diya gaya tha Huzur..." [we were given only this my lord!] The man was awfully tensed and hence desperate.
"Bohot khub... Aab aapna sanketik naam batao..." [Very good. Now tell me your codded name.] Jalal asked with a bit smile, emphasizing on the word sanketik' especially.
"Shahenshah..." The soldier looked up suddenly with a lot of confusion in his eyes... Jalal could read his eyes properly now. His signature smirk brightened his face. "Kya hua? Batao..." [Say?]
"Parantu Shaenshah..." [But Shahenshah...] Bharmal interrupted but Jalal raised his hand to stop him. "Chup chap khara mat raho... Bol paoge bhi yea nehi? Humare paas barbaad karne ka waqt nehi hay." [Don't stay all quiet. Tell me if you can say or not? We don't have much time.]
"Kshama karna Huzur..." The man tried to be as composed as possible... "Hume samajh nehi aa raha ki aap kis sanket ki bare me..." [Sorry my lord... But I can't understand what you are talking about...]
"Thik hay, tum baitho..." [Okay you sit.] Jalal waved his hand and someone leaded the man to the corner of the tent where some other soldiers were siting after interrogation. Then the next soldier came inside. A young man not more than 30, with a very strong build and face curved with a lot of pox scars, stood in front of Jalal with trembling limbs.
"Naam?" [Name?]
"L..LL...Lakkk..han..."
Maan Singh smiled while reading the files.
"Kabse kaam kar rahe ho?" [How long are you working?] Jalal asked very casually.
"E...e...eek mahina se..." [F..f...from 1 month...]
Jalal picked one brow... "Accha?" He smirked. "Thik hay, aapna Ameri Sipahi hone ka saabut dikhao..." [Really? Okay show me the proof of being Amer's soldier.]
The man bit his lips in tension. "Jaldi dikhao..."[Fast!] Jalal shouted suddenly.
The man took out his badge and gave that to him, but the emperor did not see that. "Yeh hay Sipahi hone ka saabut?" [Is this the proof of being a soldier?]
Everyone could feel how the man's hands were shivering. He was gulping... one... twice... thrice...
"Nehi Lakkhan. Yeh koi saabut nehi hay. Aapna sanetik naam batao." [No Lakkhan, that's not a proof. Tell me your code name.] Jalal asked with a cruel smile.
The man looked around with a terrible helplessness, almost set to faint. Then suddenly he became all desperate, hence foolish, and tried to flee out of the tent.
"Itni jaldi bhi kya hay... Itni jaldi nehi..." [Why so hurry? Not so soon...] Before the guards could be ready for action, Jalal himself became swift and pulled the man by his collar. "Ek mahina se kaam kar raha hay? Khabri banker aya hay or yeh tak pata nehi hay tujhe ki Amer me pichle tin mahina koi nayi sipahi ko varti nehi kiya gaya hay??" [You are working since one month? Being a spy you should know that Amer has not recruited any new soldier last 3 months!] He murmured in a vicious tone. His calm eyes slowly were clouding with a curtain of dangerous rage. "Amer ki kisi bhi sipahi ke paas koi bhi sanketik naam nehi hay. Yeh bhi pata nehi tujhe! Dusmaanon ki chhuni me ghus aya hay par yeh bhul gaya ki teri naam ki koi sipahi yeaha nehi hay. Iss dimaag se tu humara katal karega?? Humara???" [You don't even know that there is no codename to anyone of Amer's soldiers! You even forgot that there is no soldier of your name in this camp. You were going to kill me with this brain?? You will kill Me???]
The persons present there was silently witnessing the emperor. Generally he does not lose his temper and stay calm in every interrogation process. Especially he does not think he needs to show his grudge on some mere little spy of enemy camp. But today was exceptional, most probably as there was no time to sit calmly and interrogate a spy. But this showcase of rage worked. The man was about to faint in fear, but the red angry eyes of the emperor did not let him to. "Bata!" [Say!]Jalal dashed him on the floor and then again pulled him from there. "Kisne bheja hay tujhe... Bata!" [Say me who sent you!]
"M...ma...main... h...hum..." [Mm..mm...emmmee] The almost fainted man kept on trembling like a leaf under Jalal's clutch. His condition was exactly same as a deer under the paws of a tiger.
"BOLLL!!" [TELL!!]Jalal roared and the man could not hold his tears, and fell in his feet directly... "Kshama...kshmma..." [Mercy... mercy...] He murmured gathering all his courage together... "Sab batate hay... sab..." [I am telling everything... everything...]
"Bolo konsi shibir se bheje gaye ho tum!" [Tell me from which camp are you sent!] Bharmal asked.
"Ku...kumm...kumar Sujamal ki shibir se... huzur..." [F..frrom the tent of Kunwar Sujamal... My lord!] He answered in trembling voice. "H...hum... hume yeahaka gupt samachar lane ke liye... b..bhheja gaya tha... aaj nirdesh aya tha ki... ki shahenshah ko vish prayog kar maar dena hoga..." [I was sent to know the secret news of this camp. Today order came... that I have to kill the emperor applying poison...] He gulped while crying. "Kshama kar dijie Shahenshah... Bohot dayalu hay aap... kshama kar dijie..." [Forgive me.. my kind lord!]
"Kayed me rakho isse!" [Arrest him!] Jalal loosed his grip and sat back on his seat to drink water. He had a deep frown in his brows.
"Dekha baapusa... Sujamal ne humare behen ko bidhba banane ka prayas kiya!" [See Father! Sujamal tried to make my sister widow!] Bhagwant Das burst like a volcano in rage. "Hum kahe rahe hay baapusa! Yeh Shanti Chukti koi kaam me nehi ayega. Sujamal asthi ki saap hay Baapusa... Nehi to o gupt-hatya ki sarayantra nehi karta!" [I am still telling you that this peace treaty won't work. Sujamal is a snake. Else he won't be conspiring of a secret assassination.]
"Bhagwant Das!" Everyone looked at him when his majesty spoke. With composed and cold glare Jalal said... "Aap shant ho jaiye Bhagwant Das Sahab. Yeh hamla Sujamal ke chhauni se aya hay iska matlab yeh nehi ki Sujamal ne hi yeh karwaya ho..." [You keep calm Bhagwant Das Sahab. The attack was from the camp of Sujamal but it does not imply that Sujamal himself has planned this attack...]
"Parantu..." [But...]
"Hum sahi kahe rahe hay Bhagwant Das Sahab. Thande dimag se sochenge to samajh payenge..." [I am right. You will understand if you think calmly.] Jalal looked at Bharmal. "Rajasahab, suraj uthne me kuch hi waqt baki hay. Aap suraj ki pahele kiran ki saath saath Sujamal ki chhauni me samjhote ka paigaam bhej denge. Humare asli dusmaan dar gaya hay, iss liye o log kabhi bhi kuch bhi kar sakta hay! Kahi der na ho jaye!" [Majesty. Only some hours are left before sunrise. You have to send the proposal of treaty just at the dawn. My actual enemy is afraid. So he can do anything anytime. I hope it is not too late.] He sighed.
BETRAYAL?...
Sujamal was trying to sleep from a long time. But he was unable. All the night he kept on staring at the ceiling of the tent. Jodha's face, Jodha's tears, Jodha's words... all were reflecting in front of his eyes back to back. The urge in Jodha's voice was not letting him to go to sleep.
"Aap kyu aapne hriday ko dard ke bojh se bharkar andhire me chupe byathe rahenge Bhaisa? Jivan pukar raha hay aapko! Bahar akar to dekhiye!!"
Poor Jodha! Can't she understand that Sujamal has no way to come out from this darkness? The trial of doing so will again drown him deeper in the sea of darkness?
Jodha thinks everything will be okay if Sujamal goes back to the royal family of Amer forgetting everything. But has she no idea that the same family will never accept this traitor son like before? Does not she know that his own brothers have become the enemy of his blood already, and now a formal treaty will never attach that lost bond of brothers again? His brothers have no fault... Sujamal himself has become their enemy on his own choice... and now after so many years there is no scope of retreat and get back the same relations again.
Does Sujamal really want back those relations?
Then what does he want? The land of Amer? Does it really have the same importance to him for which he had left all his relations and principles once upon a time?
Then what is his expectation from this war actually? Apart from his own death? An urge of winning back his honour which was snatched from him once?
Yes he can gain his lost honour and respect. If a negotiation process helps him to get back his lost honour then what is the need of this bloodbath? Should he go for the negotiation?
But what about Samar Singh?
Suddenly a word of the emperor rang inside his ears.
Whatever it might happen, my war would always be my war! None would have been able to use me for own profit making this war a weapon!
"Sujamal Singh!"
Sujamal had to come out of the tent. It was clearly the voice of Samar Singh. He felt odd. Only few hours are left before sunrise, and in this late night Samar Singh has come to meet him?
"Kya baat hay Kunwar Samar Singh?" [What happened, Kunwar Samar Singh?] Sujamal asked.
Samar was standing in front of him. The darkness had veiled his face, so Sujamal was unable to read his heart from his eyes. Only he could see the shadow of the mighty prince amidst of darkness. Samar Singh came forward, the beam of moon fell on his face. He had a vacant face, completely hiding the reflection of heart.
"Zaruri baat karni hay. Kya aap humare kheme tak ane ka kasht karenge?" [I have some important work. Will you please effort to come to my tent?] Though the tone was completely requesting, still Sujamal could easily fathom the hidden audacity of command inside that.
"Iss madhyaratri ko aisa kya baat ho gaya hay Samar Ji? Kya sare baate kal nehi kiya ja sakta?" [What is the matter in this midnight Samar Ji? Can't we talk tomorrow?] Still Sujamal did not argue and asked instead.
Samar Singh smiled. "Agar abhi ke abhi yeh sare baate nehi kiya gya to bohot der ho jayegi, Sujamal!" [If we don't talk right now then it will be late.]
Sujamal put on a robe on his night-suit and accompanied Samar Singh. In the meantime he was feeling a bit weird while walking through the camp. The camp was silent than normal... there obviously has been some uncanny change in the environment of the camp which cannot be pointed out, but can be felt.
"Idhar ayiye, Sujamal Singh!" [Come here Sujamal Singh!] Samar Singh pointed beside his tent. Sujamal saw there is a small arrangement of drinking-party around fire, which is generally done by royal people in small meetings in war camps. He could also see someone already sitting on a seat there, who is looking very important personality in this midnight conference called by Samar Singh.
"Khusamodin... Sujamal Sahab." [Welcome Sujamal Sahab.]
Sujamal was shocked as the very familiar and irritating voice had entered into his ears. "Tum???" He shouted. Then he turned at Samar Singh. "Yeh kaisa mazak hay, Samar Singh!" [What kind of joke is this Samar Singh!]
"Aapko sayad humne nehi bataya, ki hum or Sharifuddin Sahab purane mitr hay." [Haven't I tell you? I and Sharifuddin Sahab are old friends.] Samar Singh smiled endearingly, though that looked extremely cunning and cruel to Sujamal.
"Ho sakta hay, par aapko pata hona chahiye ki yeh aadmi abhi humare adhin ek nazarbandhi hay!" [Maybe, but you must know that this man is a prisoner of mine!]
Samar Singh laughed out in response. "Hume to or bohot kuch pata hona chahiye tha, Sujamal Sahab... Par kya aapne hume kuch pata lagne diya?" [There are many thing that I must have to know, but have you let me to?]
Sujamal gazed at Samar Singh for a moment.
"Baithiye Sujamal Sahab. Baithiye. Baate to hote rahenge." [Sit Sujamal Sahab. We can talk later too...] Sharifuddin came in front and smiled with utter modesty. Sujamal looked at his cunning smirk for once, then sat on a seat. Samar Singh sat in front of him. Both were silent for some moments. Meanwhile Sharifuddin was active in serving the wines. "Sujamal Sahab..." He offered a goblet to Sujamal. "Pee lijie Sujamal Sahab. Sharab par gussa nehi nikalte." [Drink Sujamal Sahab. One should not be angry on wine.] He smiled to Sujamal whose eyes were ogling fire at him. "Chaliye suru karte hay." [Let's start.] He raised his hand with the goblet, so Sujamal had to start drinking as per the royal courtesy despite all irritation and questions in mind.
Samar Singh sipped once. "Sujamal Singh Ji." He addressed. "Kal yudh suruhone se pahele humne kuch nirnay liye hay. O batana chahte hay." [I have taken a decision before the war tomorrow. Wanted to tell that only.] He sipped second time. "Hum aajse, abhi se humare sare sainikyon ke netritva ki adhikar aapse chhin kar Sharifuddin Sahab ko dete hay." [I am taking all your rights of leading my army back from you and hence giving that to Sharifuddin right from now.]
The glass in Sujamal's hand would have fallen in the shock of this sudden announcement. But he controlled, and composed himself very fast. "Kya hum iss nirnay ka karaan jan sakte hay?" [May I know the reason of this?]
"Kuch khas nehi." [Nothing special.] Samar Singh smirked. "Baas iss baat ka dhyan rakhne ke liye ki aap humse bishwasghat na kar paye!" [Only to ensure that you will not betray us!]
"Hum humare yudh me senabal badane ke liye aapse sahayata mange the. Or hum hi aapse biswasghat karenge?" [I myself had asked for your help for increasing my strength. Why the hell I would betray you?] Sujamal could not help but to laugh out. "Hum aapko ek buddhiman manusya samajhte the Samar Singh Ji. Aap itni saralta se iss biswasghati bidharmi ke isharo me naachne lagenge yeh to humne kalpna bhi nehi ki!" [I used to think that you are an intelligent person. I never ever thought that you will dance in the fingers of that betrayer and infidel so easily!]
"Or hum sayad aapko zarurat se adhik saral samajh baithe the Sujamal Ji. Aap bhi humse khel khel sakte hay, hume aapne ungliyon pe nachane ka khsamta rakhte hay yeh to humne socha tak nehi!" [And I had thought you too much innocent Sujamal Ji. I never thought that you can also play with me and can dance me according to your wish!] Samar Singh drank once again.
"Hum aapko nacha rahe hay!" [I am making you dance!] Sujamal shook his head amusedly. "Samar Singh Ji, aap ek sadharan si sandeh ki adhaar me ek sandhi ki shartyon ka ulanghan kar rahe hay? Chukti me yeh likha hay ki Raipur ke sainik humare aadhin rahekar yudh karenge. Iss chukti se aap achanak se hat kaise sakte hay? Hum kisi or ki netritwa kyu manenge?" [Samar Singh Ji, you are breaking the conditions of the treaty only due to some lame doubts? How can you go back from this deal suddenly? Why will I allow anyone to be a leader?]
"Kyu ki Sujamal Ji..." Samar Singh smiled. "Sandhi ke shart pahele aapne tora hay." [Because you are the one who broke conditions.]
"Humne!" [I?] Sujamal did not know if he should laugh or cry.
"Aapke or shatru shibir ke bich sambandh hay. Aap unlogo se milte hay, humare bich ki baate unhe bata dete hay... Srif yehi nehi, aap un logo ke sath milkar humare sarvnash karne ki saryantra bhi kar rahe hay. Kya soche the aapne, humko pata nehi chalega?" [You have relations with enemy camp. You meet with those people, you tell them every secrets of us. Not only this, you do conspiracy against usalong with them. What did you think, I will not know about these?]
"Arab-sharab bak rahe hay aap!" [You are talking rubbish.] Sujamal exhaled.
"Accha! To thik baat aap bataiye. Aaj sham ko aapse milne kon aya tha iss shibir me? Aisa kya dekh liya tha Sharifuddin ne ki aapne use bandi bana liye?" [Then you tell the truth. Who had come to meet you in this camp today evening? What had Sharifuddin seen that you imprisoned him?]
Sujamal looked palely at Shirifuddin. Then sighing once, he finished his glass. Then he looked at Samar Singh... there was a touch of amusement in his eyes. "Aapko baas ek mauka chahiye tha humare haat se sare shaktiyan chhin lene ke liye, hay na?" [You only needed a chance to snatch powers from my hand. Isn't it?]
"Kya aap daave ke sath kahe sakte hay ki shatru shibir ke sath aapke koi sambandh nehi hay?" [Can you say with confidence that you have no relation with anyone of the enemy camp?]
Sujamal smirked sarcastically. "Ha. Hum kahe sakte hay Samar Singh. Hum praman bhi de sakte hay ki hum kisi bhi saryantra se yukt nehi hay. Parantu hum aapko kisi bhi baat ke spastikaran kyu de? Aap humare sath srif sandhi kiye the. Hum aapke das nehi hay ki aapse biswasghat karne ka zarurat ho!" [Yes I can, Samar Singh. And I can also prove that I am not indulged in any type of conspiracy. But why I will be answerable to you for any matter? We had a deal only. I am not your servant that I will need to betray you! ]
"Aisi baat hay to aajse aap Raipur ki sainik aapke adhin kam nehi karenge. Sharifuddin aab iss yudh ki senapatitwa karenge." [If so then the army of Raipur will not work under you. Sharifuddin will lead the war.] Samar Singh took out a sealed document. "Yeaha sab likha hay. Aap ek dastkhat kar dijie." [Everything is written. You please sign here.]
"Hum kyu dastkhat kare Samr Singh?" [Why will I sign the paper Samar Singh?] Sujamal put the glass on the table with a bang. "Aap humare hi shibir me aakar humare hi bandi ko sar par charhayenge, humare hi yudh me humse hi sena ki netriwa chhin ke iss biswasghati ko denge, or aapko lagta hay ki hum yeh maan lenge? Hum iss narak ki keet ke adhin aapne hi parivaar ke birudhh aapna adhikar ka yudh ladenge?" [You will put my prisoner on your head after coming in my own camp, you will give my powers of a leader to that betrayer, and you still think I will accept all? You expect me to fight for my right against my family under that insect of hell??] He took out the scroll and threw that on Samar Singh's face. "Abhi ke abhi Raipur laut jaiye aapne sena ke sath Samar Singh. Sandhi todkar sainikyon ko lekar chale jane ka purn adhikar hay aapke paas. Parantu humare hi shibir me baithkar aapko yudh ki senapati chhunne ka adhikar kisine nehi diya." [You can go back to Raipur with your army at once Samar Singh. You have every right to go breaking the treaty. But you have no right to decide the leader for the war sitting in my camp!]
"Accha... Aab aap hume wapas bhej kar un Ameriyon se haat milayenge. Sandhi karenge!" [Okay... Then you want to join hands with Amer after sending me off!] Samar spitted nastily to insult him. "Dhikkar hay aapke kayrata par Sujamal!" [Damn to your cowardice Sujamal!]
"Hume bhi aapne aap par dhikkar hay Samar Singh. Iss liye nehi ki hum Amer se yudh na karne ki bare me soch rahe hay; balki issi liye kyu ki humne aapke sath sandhi ki. Yeh samajhne ki bawajud bhi ki aap humare paristhiti ka lav utha rahe hay hum srif aapke sainik or lokbal ki lalaj me itne din tak aapko barhava diye hay... issi baat ka khed hay hume. Or aap par to hume..." [I too hate myself Samar Singh. Not as I am thinking of not fighting against Amer now; but because I joined hand with you. Despite understanding that you are exploiting my situation I still let you to do that for your workforce and power... I am extremely regretful for this! And you...] He smiled heartily. "Karuna aati hay hume aap par. Bohot saal pahele jo galti humne ki thi, aaj aap bhi wohi galti kar rahe hay iss shrigaal par bharosa karke! Sapne dekh rahe hay na bohot bare bare, o sapne jab tut jayenge na, tab aasmaan se siddha niche girenge aap... Bach nehi payenge." [I pity you Samar Singh! You are repeating the same mistake which I did long ago by believing on this fox! You are dreaming high, and when that dream will break you will fall directly from sky. You will not survive.]
"Aap yudh nehi karenge?" [You will not go for war?] Samar was a bit down after hearing the heated words of Sujamal.
"O humare upar nirvar karta hay ki hum kya karenge. Aap filhaal aapne sainikyon ke sath Raipur ke taraf yatra praramv kare. Amer or Sujamal ki bhisay me or na soche tabhi bahetar hay." [What I will do only depends on me. You can leave for Raipur easily with your soldiers. It will be better if you don't think more about Amer and Sujamal.]
"Nehi Sujamal Sahab... jung to hoga. Agar aap nehi karenge to hum karenge jung. Par jung zaruri hay." [No Sujamal Sahab. War will happen. If you don't want to fight then we will do it for you. But war is necessary.] Sharifuddin, who was silent before, suddenly smirked.
Sujamal looked at him with cold look. "To jaiye. Jung kariye Shahenshah ke sath. Parantu humare saaye me rahekar nehi. Hum yeh yudh Amer me aapna adhikar ki liye lar rahe the; aap jaise kuttyon ki laalsa ko charitarth karne ke liye nehi!" [Then go. Go and fight with the emperor. But not keeping my name in front. I was fighting this war for my birthright in Amer; not for fulfilling the lusts of the dogs like you people!]
"Nehi Sujamal. Jung to hum aapke naam se hi larenge." [No Sujamal. We will battle only in your name. ] Sharifuddin insisted. His evil voice mocked the darkness. "Dastkhat kijie yeaha. Agar na bhi kare to bhi koi baat nehi, ungli ki chap se kaam chala lenge. Waise bhi aapke sipahiyon me sabke saab anpaar jungli hi to hay!" [Sign here... If you don't do then too it's okay, we will work with finger print. Your all soldiers are illiterate only!] He laughed out and held his collar. "Chaliye, dasthkhat kijie..." [Come on... Sign here...]
"Samar Singh..." Sujamal called out. "Yeh bidharmi pisach se hum kisi bhi chiz ki apeksha nehi karte. Parantu aap to Rajput hay. Aap kaise aapna sanskaar or sikhsha ko bhul kar ek sammanit rajkumar ke sath aise byabhaar karne de sakte hay? " [I have no expectation from this nasty man. But you are a Rajput. How can you allow him to behave with a prince this way forgetting your background, culture and education?]
"Chhor dijie unhe Sharifuddin Ji." [Leave him Sharifuddin ji.] Samar Singh ordered in a mild tone. Then he looked at Sujamal Singh. "Dasthkat na karna hay to na karie Sujamal Ji. Parantu yudh hoga hi!" [If you don't want to sigh, don't. But war will take place.] He smiled. "Chaliye Sharifuddin Ji. Amer se shanti prastaav ane wala hay. Uttar dene ka karya aapko hi karna hoga." [Let's go Sharifuddin Ji. The proposal of peace is coming from Amer. You have to reply.]
"Jo hukum janaab! Chaliye..." [As you wish sir. Let's go...] Sharifuddin smiled and went back. Sujamal tried to get up from his seat at once to take proper actions... but he could not...
Suddenly he was feeling very drowsy. His eyesight was getting hazy. What happened to him suddenly?
He again sat back on the seat, and clasped his hairs to get out of the drowsiness. With a helpless glare e looked at Samar Singh and Sharifuddin. Samar Singh looked at his face for a while, murmured something, then left the place without telling anything. Sujamal looked at Sharifuddin. The lust of victory was beaming in his evil eyes. "Maaf karna Sujamal Sahab... Aapne or koi rasta nehi chhora." [I am sorry Sujamal Sahab... You didn't leave any choice.] He took out a little canister from his pocket. "Nind ane ka dawai hay Sujamal sahab! Zyada taklif nehi hogi... So jaiye. Sabba-khair." [This is only a medicine of sleep! It will not be painful! Go to sleep. Good Night.] He laughed out suddenly, and then went far from his sight while humming a tune of lullaby.
Sujamal tried to stand. He could not. His legs were trembling, he was unable to open his eyelids longer, he was drowning into an uncanny drowsiness.
PRECAP: Jalal was staring at the dead face of the messenger all stunned. "Hence I send you a reply of your proposal with this messenger... my dear little coward Kakasa! If you are a man then come out of the veil and fight; don't lick the feet of your son-in-law like a dog!" Bhagwant Das read out the reply message. His voice was trembling in rage!
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