~Destined Love~ Thread closed - Page 17

CHAPTER 3...

While Jodha Bai, the elder princess is getting ready for the festival taking place in Amer as well as for the first meeting with her fianc forgetting the overwhelmed sentiments that had born inside her heart after meeting the great warrior last night, let us sneak on the movement of the young warrior we met last night.

The gallant youth warrior, who had snatched the heart of the warrior princess at his first sight only, was now sitting on a rock beside a broken temple some miles distant of the gate of the fort. His strangely bright eyes, those were touched with a mysterious magical charm in the dim moonlight, were now sparking in the reflection of bright Sun with a great majestic aura... None of the world would dare to ignore the attraction of his regal eyes. Due to the hot weather of the dessert he was sweating continuously, each and every drop of the sweat that was rolling on his cheeks was shinning like diamond in the rays of Sun. His magnificent white horse, that too owns a royal style in its gesture, was gazing just beside him. He was alone in the whole place, sitting like a monarch on the rock just aside the time-worn temple, waiting for someone very religiously, but in mind lost in another world- perhaps in the dreamland of the last night...

After sometime, probably being annoyed and bored for sitting vacantly for a long time, he thought to wander around the place. He stood up, caressed the horse's mane for a moment with all his affection and then moved towards the temple's stairs... The temple is small, old and abandoned. But from the not-so-old little deserted huts and a well behind the temple it was clear that once, that also not very long ago, a locality had been built here around this religious place. People used to come in this temple, worshiped their God in their own way, to ask their different wishes of mind... Some people used to do charity, some people used to take that charity... Some people used to come to visit the temple only, some people used to spend their livelihood depending on the temple... Then some devastating thing happened, the spontaneous flow of life that was dependent on this religious place stopped suddenly. God knows what came down as a curse in the life of the poor dwellers of those huts! Maybe any kind of loot or ransack that leaded to the havoc destruction of the whole area surrounded by the temple? The outer walls of the temple also clearly describe the signs of vandalism...

The bright eyes of the young man suddenly sparked in a controlled rage. When the common soldiers will understand that war and vandalism is not same? He will do something very soon for sure... for sure...

"Jahanpanhah!!!!" A gasping voice suddenly caught his attention. His eyes sparked again.

"Hosiyaar Abdul!"[Be careful, Abdul].His controlled voice whipped the air. "Aapne vesh ka ehemiyat mat vulo!"[Don't forget the importance of your disguise!]

"Vesh badalke ke bhi aapke badshahi chal kisike aankho se chupa nehi sakte aap Shahenshah!"[You cannot hide your royal aura even in your disguise your majesty!] The very faithful horseman, who had come very close to him now, replied.

"To yeh bohot darr ki baat hay Abdul!" [Then it is a matter of fear Abdul!] He didn't pay heed to the untimely praise of his faithful attendant. "Agli bar jab mujhe bulaoge, bhul jana ki hum tumhare badshah hay."[Next time when you will call me, forget that I am your emperor.] He ordered.

"Yeahape to koi nehi hay bad..."[But none is here your maje...] Abdul said, and stopped suddenly before pronouncing his designation.

"Kuch kaha nehi ja sakta...Jo bhi ho..."[Nothing can be said... however... ]He did not waste any more time in the silly topic and came into the actual point. "Kya pata chala iss Kille ka hipazat ki intazamat ke bare me? Hume kya sachme humare pahechan ka sabot dena hoga?"[What have you learnt about the security of the fort? Do we really need any kind of identity proof?]

"Jee haa!" Abdul expressed sadly. "Amer me koi jashn chal raha hay. Iss liye hipazat ka intezam char guna bar gaya hay! Koi Kunwar Sujamal ke sar par hipazat ka zimma hay. Or faujdaryon ke mutabik unki nigarbani me ek makhhi bhi thik thak sarkari dastabej ke bina Kille me ghus nehi sakta!"[Yes. A festival is taking place in Amer and so the security has been strengthened for 4 times. Some Kunwar Sujamal is handling all the responsibilities of the security system. And according to the constables even a fly is not able to enter inside the fort without proper official documents under his supervision! ]

"Bohot khub! Agar sach me aisa hay to kabil-e-tarif hay uss sahejade ki soch or hoosiyari."[Very good. If this is true then really the thought and smartness of the prince is appreciable.] The youth is never mean to praise the qualities of even his enemy. But just after that his expression changed. With a controlled disgust in eyes and dissatisfaction in voice he asked "Or yeaha ane ke pahele hume iss baat ki khabar kyu nehi mila? Agar hume iss baat ka andaza na hota or tumhe pata karwane na bheje hote to kya hota?"[And why did not I get this news before coming here. If I had not guessed it and sent you to inspect about it then what would have happened?]

"Sayad yeh sare intazaamat baad me kiya gaya ho! Iss liye humare khabri ko yeh khabar dene ka mouka nehi mila..." [Maybe these preparations had been done later. So our spy did not get the chance to tell us about this...] Abdul readily introduced his excuse.

"Par aab hum log ghusenge kaise?" He was looking thoughtful now. "Agar pahele pata hota to tamam nakli dastabej or mohor lagaya hua kagajyon ki intazam karke late the... Par aab..."[But how will we enter now? If we had known this before, I would bring all the false documents and sealed paper with me... But now...]

"Waapas chalte hay Shahenshah!" [Let us go back majesty!] Abdul could not find any better solution in spite of knowing that his proposal will be declined at once. And obviously he was right.

"Sawal hi nehi uthta..." the orbs of the regal eyes of the youth glittered in pride. "Jalal ek bar jo tham leta hay usse anjam dene ki pahele o khud ki bhi nehi sunta... Humare pass koi dastabej nehi hay, to hum kisi bhi dastabej ki bagair hi kille me ghusenge."[No question of that. What Jalal decides one time he does not listen to himself too before completing that task... If we have no documents then we will enter into the fort without that.] He smirked.

"Par kaise?"[But how?] Abdul cried in tension.

"Dekhte hay!"[Let's see.] He moved to his obedient horse and started to pull his knot to bind that with a tree nearby the temple. "Amer me koi jashn chal raha hay na?"[Is there any festival going on in Amer?]

"Jee haa sartaj." [Yes my lord!]

"To bahar se kafi sare byapariyan bhi aye honge, aapne aapne pahechan ke sabuto ke sath? "[Then there must be many of the outsider merchants too, with their own written ID proofs?]

"Haa par..." [Yes, but...]

"To or kya? Mil gaya na rasta?"[Then what? We have got the way...] the young majesty chuckled and the set of ivory white teeth shone under his lips. "Aab jald se jald aapne ghora ko yeaha bandho or paydal chalo humare sath."[Now tie your horse fast and walk with me...] ordering this he moved his eyes on his horse, with a lovable smile in lips he whispered in its ears. "Tum yeaha humare intezaar karo Tufaan! Hum aaj raat ko hi waapas ayenge..."[You wait here for me Tufaan! I will come back this night only...]

The young man started walking in front with a spontaneous speed, and his attendant cum friend continued to almost run behind... "Par jahapanah hum karne kya wale hay?" [But my lord what we are going to do?]

"Jahapanah!! Firse? Abdul!" [Again my lord' Abdul?] Abdul's lord started laughing. "Abdul aab hum tumhare badshah nehi hay, tumhare maalik bhi nehi hay!"[Now I am neither your emperor, nor your lord!] He clutched his shoulders with sheer affection. "Aab hum dono bhai hay..." [Now we are two brothers...]

"Kya?"[What?] Abdul kept staring in his eyes with confusions. This kind of gestures are not very uncommon to Abdul, rather he is very used to with the friendly behavior of his down-to-earth lord; but still, he does not waste a word only for expressing cheap sentiments. If he tells anything even in casual mood, that too is an order for the man in front of him. He has been born and brought up like this only...

"Hum dono bhai hay, do gaarib bhai... jinhe kaam ki zarurat hay! Srif khana ke badle koi bhi byapari ki karobahi ka koi bhi kam kar denge hum!! Dur dur se Amer aye hue itne sare byapario me koi to aisa hoga jinhe raste me aise majduro ki zarurat hogi!"[We two are brothers, two poor brothers, who need work! We will do any work in the caravans of the businessmen in the exchange of food! There should have someone from the long distant traveler merchants who will need this type of labours on the way...] While speaking these, suddenly he took up a handful of dust from ground and rubbed that in his wet and fair face, perhaps to give himself a look of a tired and hungry poor man hiding the normal glow of a sophisticated person...

"Or aise hi unke sath sath hum Amer me ghus jayenge... Jyadatar waqt bare bare karobahi me kaam karne wale chote mote majduro ke jaanch nehi hota hay. To sayad hum ghus payenge... Par Shahenshah, kya hoga itna khatra uthake. Waapas chalte hay..." [And this way we will enter in Amer along with the caravan... Generally the small labours working in a big caravan are not checked much attentively. So maybe we will get to enter... But majesty, what is the use of taking that much risk? Let us go back...]

As expected, Abdul's word was even not paid least attention. Instead of that he had to hear "Jaldi chalo... Sayad jungle ke paas wale bare raaste me hume aisa koi byapari mil jayega..." [Fast...We will get those caravans on the road beside the jungle...]

"Hindustan ke Shahenhah srif ek chota sa killa me ghusne ke liye majduro ke kaam karenge?" Now Abdul became impatient. "Aapke ek isaare me to lakho sipahi jung ke maidan me aapne jaan ki baaji lagakar Amer ki Kille jitke aapke kadmo tale lekar ayenge!" [The emperor of Hindustan will work as a mere labour only for entering into a little fort? Lakhs of soldiers will play with their lives in war-field for winning this fort and keeping it under your feet!]

"Usse jitna nehi kaha jayega Abdul." [That will not be called winning Abdul.] His eyes sparked along with the slight smile at the corner of his lips. "Usse lootna kaha jayega." [That will be called looting.] In a very amused voice he went on. "Chhin lena to sabko aata hay Abdul, par badshah o hota hay jise haasil karna aata ho!" [Everyone can snatch. But who achieves, can only become the emperor!]

The person whose greatest ambition is to bring the whole world within his own territory is saying this? Abdul did not tell anything. He has no ability to understand this man. As a personal attendant of his he has seen him to become a brutal animal during war or in the punishment session of the enemies; he becomes a numb symbol of terror that time- without any emotion, any expression, any trace of humanity! But at the same time, Abdul has not seen so kind, generous, decent and gentle human being in his whole life... He is an emperor, his charismatic personality automatically reflects that spontaneous authority always, that compels one to bow down in respect in front of him; but he is never arrogant or proud for his status. From the day Abdul has joined into his army he has never seen his majesty to shout even a bit on any of his servants, has never seen to express his disgust or rage publicly on anybody; but still everyone fears him, respects him from the core... Sighing a little, Abdul again started to catch up with his speed. Their horses remained standing beside the old temple, with questions in their eyes that where their masters are going. Both of the young men slowly became invisible from their sight...

The young majesty had calculated his each step for the adventurous journey of entering into the fort very properly. But one thing got out of his calculation... he forgot to take the thieves of the new land into his consideration. Perhaps he had not imagined that a horse-thief will be roaming about here and there just around the temple place; and after seeing two great quality horses he will not be able to control his greed and the horses will change their place from here to the central market of Amer for being sold! But unfortunately it happened...

***

Both of the young men were walking beside the road leading towards Amer. Abdul, in spite of making a heartfelt trial of acting like a real rural hungry labour, was looking like a jester in front of his companion, who, despite of having much sophisticated look, were so much believable in his new disguise that everyone will believe that he is a dweller of a slam of labours, searching hard for work.

Now we all have already recognized this magnificent youth even in his disguise... Yes, he is none but Jalaluddin Muhammad, the emperor of the vast and affluent Hindustan... People say he is as mighty as lion, as speedy as light beam, as sudden as thunder, as furious as death! But are these words and comparisons are sufficient to define him? Jalal, the in-born emperor is himself a definition of his own... The ambitions of his bright eyes are as clear as the burning sun, and the dreams within his heart are as mysterious as the moonlight... His biggest entertainment is to come out from the scheduled life and to throw himself in the well of adventures and dangers, and he was enjoying this journey from all his heart. He was happily humming a tune while moving. The tune was not of any authentic and elegant classical genre, but a rural folk of Rajputana... He had forgotten the lyrics, but the tune had been sculpted in his heart. He had heard this song in the mouth of a team of nomadic singers those had come to entertain his majesty in the royal tent... it was about Amer, about the greatness of Amer's king, about the beauty of Amer's princess... The melody was so simple yet heart-touching, and the lyrics were most interesting... the simple lyrics was describing a beautiful state and the heart of the state, the divinely beautiful princess. The lines were so lively that he could see the beautiful lady in front of his eyes then... O God, how can he forget the lyrics?

"Ameeri Rajkumari Jodha sab jag se albeli; rup dekhke chand lajaye, suraj chupe adri badri..."

Abdul, who was thinking about the risky steps that they were going to take, suddenly looked at the young emperor with shock hearing the melodious sound coming from the voice of him. His majesty has lots of qualities, but he can sing too?

"Kya dekh rahe ho?" Jalal smiled. "Baas itna hi yaad hay. Baki sab bhul gaye hay hum! Tumhe yaad hay?" [What are you seeing? I remember only this much. Do you remember?]

"Nehi nehi! Aapko yaad nehi to hum kaise yaad rakh sakte hay..." [No no! You have forgotten, how can I remember?] Abdul readily said. Jalal did not tell anything, and shifted his eyes from his face and fixed that over the sky, and lost in the kingdom of clouds. He was still humming the tune. The simple melody has become so much close to his heart that it drove him to the fort of Amer, to the doorstep of the magnificently beautiful princess whose beauty gives birth of jealousy in the heart of sun and moon!

But will that beauty be able to stand in front of the beauty of the spark of lightening that had suddenly appeared in front of him with the bolt of her open sword? The blazing eyes, the passionate valiance, the delicate handling of the sword, and the intellectual and intelligent way of talking all were not worth of forgetting anyway! Is she the daughter of this soil of the gallant warriors? Are the girls of this dessert land like this only? He has seen a lot of woman in his life... But she is unique! She is mysterious! She is heavenly beautiful!

He closed his eyes while humming the same tune...He could clearly see the hazel eyes of the girl of the last night! She was fully dressed as a boy; but her disguise was unable to hide the intoxication of her beauty! The beauty, the valiance, the passion of sword, the jugglery with word... Was she really nothing but only a moment for Jalal? The melody of the song, the lyrics, the name of the beautiful princess Jodha got mingled with each other. All seemed like a fallacy now! That single moment, that conflict of sword, that last smile before bidding adieu had become the greatest truth of his life by now!

"Shahenshah aapko inn rasto ke bare me itne zyada jankari kisne diya?"[Who has told you about the paths your majesty?] Abdul, who was a bit astonished to see the emperor finding the shortcut of the route so fast, asked at last. Jalal looked at him and smiled without saying anything. As always, he does not waste a single word for no reason. Abdul understood that his question has not that intellect, so he changed the question.

"Kya aapko kisine bataya tha kille ki hipazat ke intazam ke bare me? Aap kea ne ke baas kuch waqt baad hi hum yeaha pauche the... Hume to kuch malum neh chala!"[Had anyone told you about the security system of the fort? I had come a few minutes after you but did not know anything!]

"Thik samjhe tum Abdul."[You guessed correct Abdul.] Jalal smiled. "Asmaan ki sina chirke chandni ke kasti me sawar hoke ayi thi o. Usse na milte to sayad zindegi adhuri rahe jati humari..." [She had come through the boat of moonlight slashing the chest of the sky. If I had not meet her, my life would have been incomplete...] He seemed lost. "Khair job hi ho, usse hi pata chala ki hum thik thak pahechan ke bina kille me ghus nehi payenge..." [However, I got to know from her that without proper identification we will not be permitted inside the fort...]

"Ayi thi? Ek ladki?" [She came? A girl?] Abdul uttered with astonishment with a touch of disbelief. Jalal smiled his famous smile again. "Ladki? Nehi Abdul! Ladki ki vesh me ek aag ki chingari thi o!"[Girl? No Abdul! She was a spark of fire in disguise of a girl! ]

Abdul did not move the talk forward. They were on the main road which leads to Amer... Both of them keenly looked at the horizon to see whether any of the merchant coming with his caravan or not!

"Aap sach me majdur ban jayenge or itne sare logo ka bojh aapne sar pe uthayenge? O bhi srif ek Kille me ghusne ke liye?"[You wil really become a labour and carry the loads of so many people only to get inside the fort?] Abdul said in quite uncomforted voice. Jalal now laughed out. "Shahenshah hay, isse bhi bohot zyada logo ke bojh aapne sar pe rakhne ka adat to karna hoga na mujhe! Agar bashah banke mitti se dur chale jaye to mitti pe hukumat kaise karenge?" [I am emperor. I will have to carry much more loads on my head! If I go far from the soil after being the emperor then how will I reign on this soil?]

They had to stop their talks immediately as a caravan of a cloth merchant was coming through the road. While Abdul got extra-cautious with his disguise, Jalal casually walked forward and caught a servant-type person of the caravan.

"Ek kaam dilwa do vaya... Ek futi kori bhi nehi chahiye srif ek waqt ka khana... Bhuke mar jayenge vaya! Pichle hamle me sab ujar gaya hay! Do din se paani khake zinda hay."[Give me one work brother... I will not demand a coin but a meal of one half! We will die in hunger brother! Everything we had, are finished in the last attack! We are alive only on water for two days!] He kept on his mourning and crying in a typical rural style, and much surprise of Abdul, that voice had no similarity with the voice of his majesty!

The owner of the caravan had no option left than to appoint both of them, as Jalal, of course in his new disguise of the typical poor tribal rural man, kept on his drama of crying and pleading irritatingly before getting the consent from the owner to join the work. These merchants are coming from a distant state of Rajputana, many of the labours and the servants are tired and want to get rid of works, this time the help from the local village peoples means a lot!

While walking with the caravan with the loads in shoulders Jalal looked at the burning Sun for once. So the fort of Amer, get ready for Jalal. He is coming to see you, to feel you, to understand you... And the beautiful princess of Amer, the apple of the eye of the whole Rajputana, Jalaluddin Mohammad has come to see you for a glance! Be proud for that and welcome him. He wants to see in his own eyes that how much perfectly the God can create a girl; he wants to measure the proportion of the beauty and personality of you...

But how much beautiful might you be princess, you can never be like the warrior girl he met last night... Who has stolen his heart at the first sight! Maybe in his whole life he meets her again, maybe she do not; but Jalal can never forget the eyes of that unknown girl... never!

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