Thread 3: Destined Love... (Chapter 61 updated) - Page 24

Originally posted by: Shinning_Stuti

Sleep girls👍🏼

Bacha bhi kya h abhiii..update plz kuch toh intresting hoga

Originally posted by: Shinning_Stuti

Sleep girls👍🏼

Chapter 49

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Weeks have passed since Jodha has settled herself in the palace of Agra. Now that she is used to with the place, the earlier excitement of the new place is slowly wearing off. Days are spending in a same routine, nights are passing with same pace. The noontime is like never-ending. Jodha has decorated her room with all the creativity she could have, her own little temple is now almost covered with gold-plates just like how she wanted. She has made friends with the birds of Anguri bag and the fishes of the lake, she has named each of the pigeons that come to eat grains in the balcony of the Harem, and the sapling of Tulsi that she had planted there is growing really fast. The weather of Agra is really beautiful. A soothing breeze of the river awakes her every morning; the euphony of the river puts her into sleep at night. Every moment she looks through the window, the lividness of the greenery amazes her. The daughter of desert has not seen so much green in nature before, is not acquainted with the softness of the nature. Agra has filled her heart. But it is not the only reason she is loving the life again.

She has not seen the emperor again. Not after the magical night she sang for him. The fort belongs to the emperor, but he is almost invisible. He wakes up in the earliest hour, even before the crows start squawking, even before the crow of the roosters declare the morning. He comes to his restroom at the darkest of the night, when not a single lamp from any room is illuminated, when the darkness has overpowered the longest hours, when the flow of the river is singing lullaby to earth’s ear quietly, sending her to the world of sleep. He is the busiest person of the universe, maybe too busy to visit her even in her dreams. But even his unseen presence leaves an aroma behind. Jodha spends her time to drown herself in that aroma. The scent of love is same everywhere… be it the bank of a lake, that broken hut in a desert land or the exquisite fort of the richest emperor of the land…

The man of her love is not the same though. Chandrajeet Rathore was mysterious; but he was as transparent as glass, as rhythmic as the flow of the river. The emperor’s identity is not mysterious anymore. His words are not unpredictable anymore. But he is too guarded to be read, too clouded to see, too high to touch. Chandrajeet’s dreamy presence had become a constant in her life. The emperor’s real identity is hidden in a mist of unknown. Jodha wants to break the wall of mist, wants to touch him, but he is far from her touch.

How strange this is, she could touch her love every moment in her dreams back in Amer when they were too far; and now she is unable to feel him when he is living at the very next building of her, when they are literally connected by the same soil, same air, same fragrance of flowers!

Or maybe he is not so hard to touch. Jodha is not trying harder. This is funny. Jodha is dying to see him in front of her again. Jodha is longing to feel his first touch. But still Jodha is not trying harder. Because Jodha is still living in the world of dilution. She is enjoying each and every moment of this enchanting time… the hours of falling in love… falling in love with the same person with different entity… again and again and again… Jodha is living the dream of Purnima Bai in the reality of Agra palace… Jodha is bending her head in awe to the man who has given her the honour she deserves, the place she beholds… Jodha’s heart is playing with so many emotions right now. And she is enjoying every moment of this. And she does not want to let go this feelings… not before the final moment.

Maybe the emperor knows this too… that’s why he is not coming to her… or who knows, maybe he is living the same dream as she is!

On the third week since Jodha has arrived Agra, something new happened. First, Jodha met someone new, who made her life much brighter. Secondly, she got an invitation. The queen-mother has arranged a feast in her own palace and Jodha is invited. Jodha is not accustomed to Mughalia taste buds; she is vegetarian and her meal is cooked separately by her maids in their own place to avoid the touch of Harem’s non-vegetarian kitchen. So the feast is not much of her excitement. But she is dying to attend the function. Because this is the Marium Makani’s palace. And Jodha has heard that the emperor never ever refuses any request coming from his mother. He will come to the invitation. She will see him again!

She was spending her jobless noon thinking about these. A book was left open in front of her, the soft air turning its pages, and she had no sense of it. She was staring at the window, her eyes fixed at the other window of the opposite building, waiting for a glance of someone even after knowing that he is not there. She was humming, the tune was coming out from her heart…

Madhu mandir vishwa bana, mithi jhankar uthi

Tumko hi dekh rahi samritio ko bhid ghani…

“It’s great that you are seeing him everywhere My Lady, but why don’t you keep the book aside for a moment? If any of the page is lost you will shout on me.” Jodha did not see Moti before she talked and took away the book.

“Moti, I am reading.”

“Oh of course, you read a book by keeping your eyes outside?” Moti chuckled.

“It’s nothing… I was not attentive for a moment.”

“Yes, a moment that has a duration of hours.”

Jodha shook her head in displeasure and rolled on her bed. “What is the time Moti?”

“Still two hours left before sunset.”

“Great!” Jodha yawned. “And a long time before the night.”

“Yes… You have to wait more and more and more to see the glimpse of the silhouette of him from that window.” Moti teased.

“Come on Moti. It’s not funny.” Jodha could not hide the blush. Moti came closer and nudge. “If you allow, I can pull some strings.”

“You? Strings?” Jodha laughed. “About what?”

“Seriously Rajkunwari Sa…” Moti looked impatient. “It has been almost a month since you got married, and still haven’t spent a night with your husband.”

“What made you think that you pulling string is going to help this situation anyway?”

“Ok, maybe I have no influence here; but you do have your influence on him.” Moti winked. “Come on, send him a message. Maybe he is waiting for your invitation. I promise you I will send that to him secretly hiding it from Ruqaiya Begam’s spy circle and that white-witch Maham Anga.”

Jodha smiled. “Why would I hide, Moti? When I will invite the Emperor in my room, I will do it in front of everyone. Like it is my right. Not like I am stealing someone else’s property.”

Moti sighed. “I just hope you don’t end up being alone while playing this. That Ruqaiya Begam won’t let him come near you…”

“He will come to me because I am his wife. What can Ruqaiya Begam say in this?” Jodha chuckled. “Moti Bai, don’t overthink it. Ever seen how an exuberant river flows in its own way, but her whole life is meant for one destination only… to surrender herself completely in the deepness of the sea. Meeting to the sea is written to the rivers destiny; it always has been. No matter whatever happens in her path, how her flow is diverted or reduced, she will mingle in the heart of sea as directed by her destiny. Not even the river has to do anything about it.” She unmindfully looked at the window. “My path and destination is also set by my destiny, Moti. No matter what happens, how happens, I was born to be with him, and I will be with him. The deity of my fate has written this, and it will happen in her own flow. Who am I to do anything about it?”

“Okay, enough with your analogies. Thing is you will long for him forever since your fate gives you a chance to meet him?”

Jodha looked at Moti. “How many days are left before that invitation at Marium Makani’s place, Moti?”

“O My God! You are seriously waiting for that day, only to see him? When you have all the rights just to ask him to meet you?” Moti was astonished. “What has got into you?”

“Maybe sometimes going with the flow of the destiny is the most thrilling experience, Moti.” Jodha smiled.

“Then you are just going to sit here like a new-found-love girl?”

“O Moti… I am yet to find my love!” Jodha smiled again. “He is the sea, I am just a jubilant flow of river. Now as I am closer to him, I can feel the roar of the tide, the splash of wave at the shore… but can you really understand a sea from the tide of the shore? I have to see further, far deeper… Else how would the river get the right to mingle herself to the heart of the sea?”

“Great…” Moti shook head hopelessly. “All the poetries are going over my head. However, just for information, what is the river going to do now? And what the sea is supposed to do? Or does he have to do anything at all?”

“Of course…” Jodha touched Moti’s cheek with utter affection. “The river has her own flow, my dear. She has her own rhyme, her own lyrics… The sea has to feel that in his heart too. When the river would absorb the calmness and the depth of the sea in herself and when the sea will engross the rhythm of the river in his tide, then they will be ready for each-other. Then they will mingle with each other, in such a way that no one in this eternity will ever be able to separate them! Till then…” She laughed. “What about going in the path of fate, and trying to engross his depth while captivate him to learn the rhyme of my flow?”

“By longing for him?” Moti raised a brow.

“Moti Bai, longing has the most secret key of love. You just need to find it…”Jodha giggled.

Moti smiled this time. A little sadness suddenly shadowed her face; Jodha noticed that and was going to tell something, but they were suddenly interrupted.

“May I come in?” A little boy, not more than four years old, was peeping from the door.

Both Jodha and Moti smiled out of affection. “Before you come in we must know your identity, young man!” Moti said in a grim tone suppressing her smile.

“My name is Abdur Rahim Khan-E-Khana. I have come here being the messenger of the Shahenshah.” The little boy announced his identity proudly in the sweetest voice.

“Really? You look incredibly small for your name though.” Moti laughed out loud. The kid did not like it visibly, as he directly came inside without hesitation. Plastering a deadly majestic seriousness in his face that he might have copied from the emperor himself, he completely ignored Moti Bai and came to Jodha. “Are you Jodha Begam? Because Shahenshah has some message for you.”

“You are his special messenger?” Jodha knelt before him and touched his chubby cheeks lovingly. “Jodha Begam might be honoured that you have taken the trouble to see her by yourself to hand his message, Khan-E-Khana! Can you please read out the message for me?”

“The message is too confidential.” Rahim said seriously. “He has specifically told me to give the message to her. I can tell this to you only, not her.”

“No she is not Jodha Begam.” Moti came forward. “I am Jodha Begam. Read that out loud.”

Rahim confusedly looked at Jodha again. Jodha suppressed her laughter and nodded along with Moti.

“No… You cannot be Jodha Begam.” Rahim uttered at Moti half-heartedly.

“Why?” Moti said in a grumpy voice.

“Because he has told that Jodha Begam lives at the corner side block of Harem, just opposite to his room, and she is the one who shines the brightest among all in beauty and grace.” Rahim recited every word as instructed.

“Okay, so you are telling I am not beautiful?” Moti mocked crying. “You don’t think I am beautiful enough?”

“No no…” Rahim looked uncomfortable with this crying. “You are beautiful, but you she is ‘Jodha Begam’ beautiful.”

“Oh God! ‘Jodha Begam’ beautiful?” Jodha giggled. “I am sure no one has ever got such a nice appreciation! I must say you have great eyes. A perfect messenger for the emperor.”

“Actually I had another clue.” Rahim almost whispered. “I have seen you before.”

“You have seen me?” Jodha was surprised.

“Can I give you the message now? I will forget the words!” Rahim said impatiently. Jodha smiled. “Come and say those in my ear.” She whispered.

Rahim came near to Jodha’s lap and whispered- “The Majesty said that he thinks Jodha Begam has something in her possession, apart from his heart, that is very important to him. If Jodha Begam could send that back to him, he would be honoured. He is willing to trade any price for that, including his own soul in the name of Jodha Begam.”

Jodha looked at Rahim, her cheeks blushing, eyes popped. “He sent YOU with this message?”

“Yes.” Rahim told seriously. “And he ordered me to convey your message as well. By the way, how can you have the possession of his heart? Then how is he alive?” He asked in curiosity.

“It’s a code word.” Jodha uttered grimly. “And Khan-E-Khana, a good messenger does not question about the message he should deliver.”

“I know I know. And neither does he hand the message to anyone else apart from the real receiver. And does not talk about it to anyone else later.” Rahim recited again. “Shahenshah told me these as well. Can I get the message for him now?”

Jodha thought a little, then she smiled. “Come here.” She whispered something in Rahim’s eyes, which he murmured once to memorise, and then she kissed his forehead. “Remember, you cannot disclose the message to anyone else. And you cannot change any of the word…”

“It’s so tough…” Rahim told while keeping on recalling the words of Jodha by heart.

“And here is your reward…” Jodha got up from the bed and handed a laddu to him. “Jodha Begam will be very very happy if you visit her most often, even without messages.” She pressed his chubby cheeks and patted on his shoulder. Rahim, who was clearly elated with the reward, kissed her hand in hurry and ran out of the door.

“Such a sweet kid.” Moti looked at Jodha.

Jodha smiled. “And intelligent too. Did you see how he remembered each of the word? This kid is going to become one of the greatest gems of this land when he will grow up.”

“And what about you? Getting all scarlet out of blushing?” Moti giggled. “What is the code word, My Lady?”

Jodha looked at her, smiling brightly. “I said you I will go with the flow of destiny. But if he wants to play games, I am not a new one in this game.”

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“Malwa is under control now, My Lord. Pir Mohammad has taken the whole responsibility.” Adga Khan informed. Jalal was unmindfully staring at the embroidery of the table-cloth. He nodded.

“I hope Adham did not make any trouble there?”

“He is collective now, Majesty. Handed over all detailed report of the looted treasure. Took the news of grand demotion sportingly and rather helped Pir Mohammad to take over his place. I think he is fearing the consequence now.” Adga Khan assured.

Jalal sighed. “I don’t believe it. Did you get any proof so that I get something to take his threat seriously in official level?”

“He is too cautious to leave any evidence behind, My Lord.”

“No Adga Sahab. He is too messy to be that careful. Else he would not commit that bloodbath so viciously at all. Someone is covering up for him.” Jalal said with a frown.

“Pardon, Majesty. I think it is an open secret. And quite expected as well. Maybe I would have done the same for my son.” Adga Sahab sighed and smiled. “We all are somewhat love to enjoy the power in our hand. And consciously or subconsciously utilize that power for our dear ones. The only one factor that shows the difference is what you would choose when you have to choose one… your duty, or your dear-ones. That is the only place that tests the loyalty. That is the place where people fails each-other or fails their empire… And this tests come in everyone’s life. I just hope the one about whom I am pointing will pass this test.”

“I hope so too, Adga Sahab. Thing is, does Adham Khan have the conscience to understand these? Or we are giving him more chances to commit crimes by sparing him?”

“It’s completely your decision, Majesty. According to me this time we have handled Adham well. This was enough to cut his wings. We will increase the spies behind him, that’s it.” Adga Sahab stood up and bowed. “I will inform you if I get anything more about this, My Lord. Now allow me to leave.”

Jalal stared at the same table-cloth for a few moments after Adga Sahab was gone, thinking deeply. Maybe Adham Khan is still important for the Mughal Empire. Not only because he is an important asset, but also he is a yardstick for Jalal. A yardstick for his patience, his endurance. Then he sighed deeply. Adga Sahab was right. All man have to choose between the dear ones and duties once in a life. Unfortunately, Jalal has to choose between these in every step of his life. And each time, a block of his tender heart falls apart, he replaces it with hard, dead, unkind plate of irons. Each time, a part of him dies along with his decision, and each time, he becomes more and more alone. But he knows he takes the right decision. Every time. This time too, he will pass this test. But its needed to see whether his dear ones are eligible to pass the test or not. Adham Khan will help him seeing that.

Jalal got up from the seat and stood near to the window. The tender rays of the setting sun is touching the beautiful path of Anguri Baag with caring affection. The west sky is red, the sun is about to finish his journey for the day by dipping in the river of Yamuna. Another busy day passed, another busy evening started. And still Jalal’s life did not change for a bit. Smiling sadly, he gazed at the window at the palace of the opposite side. She is so close now, only some hands away… still the burden of the royal life has created an invisible wall between them. Maybe Jodha Bai cannot sneak into his room at midnight with a candle in her hand, like Purnima bai did. Or can he just take a disguise and climb through the wall of Harem to see her? Adventurous no doubt, but will be embarrassing as hell if caught. No, his love has taught him to be patient, and he knows to win the love through the hours of longing… This is another quest of love. The quest of finding his love in the glamour of royal life. The journey of searching for Purnima by falling in love freshly with Jodha Bai… And a king cannot act impulsive in his quest.

Still, sometimes rules should be bent. Jalal chuckled I his own mind while picking up the scabbard of his lost dagger. The dagger was a gift from his father, used to be his closest possession. And he lost it to the woman who mattered the most. In those days of longing he has looked at the empty cover of the expensive weapon, and remembered those lightning eyes, as sharp as the blade of dagger, as glowing as the shine of the metal in sunlight… and that empty scabbard reminded him of himself; how much an empty shell he has become after he bonded his heart, his soul forever to her, just like that dagger…

But now when things have changed, he is filled again, filled like he was never before, he has every right to claim his dagger now. And if he can interact to her in this excuse, what is the harm in that? He has sent his most faithful messenger to her with the very secret message, and…

“Shahenshah…” Two little hands suddenly wrapped him from back.

“Oh! My Khan-E-Khana is here! Let me greet him!” Jalal picked Rahim up in his arms and kissed on his forehead. “So, my big man, how was the day?”

“Let me recite you her reply before I forget, then we will talk!” Rahim told in hurry, while his face still shows a lot of concentration. “I delivered your message to Jodha Begam, and she sent a reply.”

“Okay, first thing first then,” Jalal made him sit on the couch and sat beside him. “Tell me, what did she say?”

“She said that she is honoured that the emperor addressed her; though she is afraid that she is unable to give the one thing the Emperor has asked from her. Because that possession is handed to her by the emperor himself, so that belongs to her now. The thing means more than a lot to her because it reminds her of someone whom she cannot let go at any cost. To claim it back first the emperor has to give her back the price if he is willing to do it.” Rahim gasped after venting out all those words. “She may have said something more, but I could not remember.” He sounded guilty as hell.

“Never mind, you did very good Khan-E-Khana…” Jalal handed him a new ball. “Your reward as I promised. Now if you want another reward, you have to do one more…”

“No I cannot learn by heart anymore.” Rahim almost wailed.

“Don’t worry…” Jalal laughed. “You will just hand her a thing and say that here’s the thing which reminds the emperor of someone very special to him. You ask her if this counts and she could exchange her possession for this price.”

“Yes… This is easier.” Rahim said after giving it a thought.

“Great…”Jalal got up to fetch the ‘thing’ for Rahim. Rahim was looking at him very minutely. “Are you willing to say something, Khan-E-Khana?”

“Shahenshah, Jodha Begam looks like that picture in your room.” Rahim said suddenly. “You know, that’s how I was so sure she was Jodha Begam. Else another woman was claiming that she was Jodha Begam!”

“Really?” Jalal laughed out. “But how did you know that the picture in my room is Jodha Begam’s?”

Rahim started thinking as if he is asked the toughest question. “No I just… I just guessed…”

“You have great intuition.” Jalal laughed.

“The picture is Jodha Begam’s, right?” Rahim asked again to verify.

“No Rahim!” Jalal sighed happily. “The picture looks nothing like Jodha Begam. She is way more beautiful!”

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“And this is the thing.” Rahim fetched something from his little waistband and handed to Jodha.

“What is that?” Moti whispered from behind.

Jodha laughed and showed Moti. “It’s the anklet I lost at Vrindavan.” She giggled and looked at the window of the emperor’s residence. “Now I know who is the stealer.”

“You are telling that Shahenshah is the thief?” Rahim said offendedly. “My Shahenshah is not a thief. He is the best man ever!”

“Sure Rahim.” Jodha pressed his cheeks. “Except he stole something from me once…”

“Never. You must have handed it to him and then forgot.” Rahim defended ferociously. “Now why don’t you give him back what he wants?”

Jodha could not hold her laughter seeing his caricature. “You know Rahim, I would give your Shahenshah anything he wants… but not that… unless he gives me something worth of the price.” She said. “I am sure this anklet must be very important to him. But it does not worth the dagger he once gave to me!”

“Well, if it is only a dagger why don’t you give him that back and take mine?” Rahim suggested like an expert. “You know, my father left me his dagger. You can have mine.”

“Really?” Jodha looked at the innocent kid with utter affection. “You will give your father’s dagger to me? And if he gets angry then?”

“He won’t. He is dead.” Rahim said. Jodha and Moti looked at each other, feeling both terrible and guilty. Both of them had seen Rahim only from the noon, and was still unaware of his identity. They had assumed him to be another member of the extended royal family; maybe the son of some important officer of the emperor’s closed-circle having access to the Harem. His way of innocently delivering the cruel truth broke their heart. “He is dead so his dagger and sword belongs to me now. My Ammijaan kept it, she says I will get them once I am good at handling them. But still, I sometimes touch my father’s dagger… If I give that to you, Ammijaan won’t scold me. She has said to help people always with everything you have, even if that means to give away your most favourite thing.”

“You will give your father’s last sign to me?” Jodha asked amazedly.

“Yes. You have the dagger Shahenshah’s father gave to him, and you won’t return it… Shahenshah too misses his father, so I thought…” Rahim said thoughtfully.

“O dear…” Jodha hugged him dearly. “You know Rahim, your mother must be very proud that you have such a golden heart. I wonder how great and kind-hearted she must be that she is able to teach you such valuable lessons in such a tender age!”

“You want to meet my mother?” Rahim asked excitedly and then pulled her hand. “Let’s go, meet my mother!”

“Rahim wait…” Jodha laughed. “I don’t think it is the right time to…”

“No you have to come right now! I will show you my room!” Rahim kept on pulling Jodha’s hand till she agreed to come with him.

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“Welcome to the house of this poor woman.” The beautiful lady smiled delicately to Jodha. “My name is Salima Sultana Begam. So nice to meet you.”

The touch of surprise was still present in Jodha’s face. Salima Begam lives at the more lavishing portion of Harem. She has her own palace like Ruqaiya Begam. The widow of the ex-commander general Bairam Khan is now married to the Mughal Emperor. Jodha has heard a lots of thing about this woman. The concubines of the Harem loves to gossip about her. The queens do not dare to, but everyone believes one day she is going to take over the throne of Ruqaiya Begam. Ruqaiya Begam treats her specially, respects her visibly. Jodha does not believe the rumours of Harem, but she had somewhat a different picture of Salima Begam in her mind. The calm, composed, matured lady standing in front of her resembles not even a little to that picture. Jodha has seen a lot of beautiful women in her land. After coming to Mughal Harem she has known that beauty varies in place to place… The simple desert girls are no match in beauty to some of the ladies of Mughal Harem. But today, after seeing Salima Begam, she can ensure that this woman is the definition of beauty itself. The touch of her wisdom and intelligence in her eyes escalates that beauty so much more. There is a content smile in her lips… maybe that is the contentment of motherhood that everyone talks about. This woman is Salima Sultana Begam. Mother of a great kid like Rahim.

“Come, have a sit.” Salima Begam took Jodha’s hand and made her sit closer to her. “Rahim did not bother you much, did he?”

“No Ammijaan. I was just delivering the messages from the emperor to her.” Rahim blurted out the top secret information out of excitement. Jodha became scarlet out of shame. Salima Begam laughed out. “What a great messenger the Shahenshah has got!”

“It’s… it’s not what you think…” Jodha tried to cover up. Salima held her hand. “You don’t have to hide from me, Jodha Begam.” She said with gentle smile. “In fact I must admit I was a bit surprised when I saw you first.”

“Why so?” Jodha asked.

“I just wondered how the dream of my emperor came to the reality of flesh and bone? Is this magic? Or the miracle of God?”

“What do you mean?” Jodha smiled.

“Never mind, you will get to know once I talk about it with His Majesty.” Salima Begam chuckled. “But may I say something to you? You are much more beautiful than I anticipated. Maybe when the imagination of a lover’s eyes mix with the creativity of the God, the real beauty blossoms like the flowers of spring… Jodha Begam, pardon me for not meeting you sooner. I was in Delhi, taking care of some old petty matters. I should have been the first person to welcome you in the palace of his Majesty, the home of your husband.”

Jodha smiled in gratitude. Maybe this is the first time someone in this fort welcomed her from the heart.

“So, how are you enjoying Agra?” Salima Begam asked.

“Good. Agra is great.” Jodha smiled. “A lot different from Amer, but sometimes changes are good!”

“Met the emperor?” Salima asked tenderly.

“Yes… He honoured me by letting me sit beside him in the function of…”

“Jodha Begam…”Salima laughed. “I am not talking about how you sat in your place beside his throne. Or how you changed the cruel ploy of humiliating you in a beautiful evening by presenting your song to him. I am asking have you meet him, the way you dreamt to meet him?”

Jodha gazed in amazement. “It feels like you are reading me inside out and…”

“No God!” Salima laughed. “I am not a psychic or anything. Just let me tell you that I know a lot about you. His Majesty has shared some piece of information to me. Although I am still not able to connect the dots, and I will rush to His Majesty right now to clear out that confusion, I am really really very happy.” She touched Jodha’s shoulder. “I believed with all my strength that His Majesty will be able to find the moonlight of his darkest nights one day. That he will win back his love… he will declare his love openly in front of the world. Because that amount of love cannot get wasted in the tears of lonely nights only!”

Jodha lowered her head in shyness. “What can I say… I am fortunate that…”

“Yes you are fortunate, of course…” Salima said. “But remember, it is not only your fate. When two souls love each other so much that even the destiny craves to make them together, remember that the God himself showers blessing to them. You have a strength inside you which is blessed by God himself. The strength of love. When that strength will meet the might of His Majesty, the destiny of this land will change! Jodha…” she held her hand. “Shahenshah has the power of changing the direction of time within him. It is your responsibility to watch out that he does not lose his focus in the world of darkness. You be the light of his life, and he will bring light to the rest of the world!”

Jodha smiled while her eyes glittered, she was unable to say anything.

Rahim suddenly came back from wherever he was with a pile of papers in his hand. “Look, these are my paintings.” He nudged Jodha to see his artworks. The air of the room lightened very easily as Rahim excitedly kept on describing each of his pictures. “This is Shahenshah sitting on the throne… This is my Ammijaan and me… This is Shahenshah and me… this is Shahenshah and me playing with swords… this is Shahenshah and me climbing the mountain with full of monsters… this is Shahenshah and me…”

“You are the real great admirer of Shahenshah.” Jodha laughed patting on Rahim’s shoulder. Salima smiled. “He worships him. Shahenshah loves him like his own son. He tries in every possible ways to fill up the vacancy of his father. Maybe Rahim’s own father was not that capable of loving him that much!”

“He is a great kid.” Jodha smiled while ruffling his hairs.

“By the way, Jodha Begam, are you willing to give that thing back to Shahenshah now?” Rahim suddenly asked. His way of asking made both of Jodha and Salima laugh.

“It’s serious.” Rahim looked offended. “Ammijaan, you ask Jodha Begam to give that back to Shahenshah.”

“Rahim, messengers are not supposed to give suggestions while delivering the messages.” Salima Begam laughed.

Rahim pouted and started arranging his drawings. Jodha pulled him closer. “Rahim, I will give that thing back to Shahenshah. As soon as he gives me the price worth of it. And I will give that to him with my own hands… Will you deliver one more message for him?”

“Again?” Rahim looked pitiful. “Your messages are too hard to recall!”

“Why don’t you deliver your message yourself, Jodha?” Salima Begam smiled.

Jodha bit her lips with the blush of new bride. Salima smiled and picked up her chin. “Okay, Leave it to me!”

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Jalal was getting ready for the court when Adham Khan almost stormed into his room without even asking for a permission. Jalal looked annoyedly while calling off the servants. This appointment was sudden and unexpected.

“Next time you want to meet me outside the court, probably you would like to seek for my permission at first.” He said in a cold tone.

Adham did not pay heed at the displeasure of his tone. He looked into his eyes directly. “I heard something I could not believe. So had to come here to verify.” He said.

Jalal smiled hopelessly while setting his turban on the head. “Okay, tell me. What can I do to ‘verify’?”

Adham cleared his voice once before answering. “Next month Mughal army had plan of invading the fort of Burhaangadh in my lead. But I got the notice that I am being suspended from the post of the commander in the conquest?”

“You have received the official letter. What made you think that needs double verification?” Jalal questioned in the same cold tone.

“I also heard that you are sending that Bhagwant Das in that battle? Along with his son?” Adham asked in a vexed tone. “Seriously?”

Jalal looked at Adham’s face for a moment before he starts chuckling. “Yes. I figured this is the best time to settle with the fact that the Rajputs of Amer are a part of Mughal army now. And a good opportunity to test their skills. Maan Singh is getting special training in Mughal Army. He will be ranked in the army based on his performance in this battle.”

“A Hindu prince will be holding rank in Mughal Army? The same ranks we, the pure Mughals hold?” Adham stared unbelievably.

“Yes Adham. They will.” Jalal completely ignored his shock. “Do you have anything else to ask?”

Adham took a long breath. “May I know why you suspended me from my duty?”

Jalal looked at him with a sheer smile. “Sometimes I think you are straight-forward enough to understand Adham, but then you prove me wrong.”

“”Pardon, Majesty. But whatever I have done in my whole life is for Mughal Empire only. The punishments that you are showering on me recently is not only injustice, but also humiliating for me!” Adham snapped. “Not only you handed over my province to a half-witted common general, but now you are giving my position to a nameless Hindu prince??”

Jalal chuckled while putting on his rings. “I had expected that the incident of Malwa was enough to wake your conscience, Adham. How wrong I was!”

“You have to admit it Majesty, that I singlehandedly won Malwa for you.” Adham grunted rudely. “If this Adham Khan won’t lead the troop there, Malwa would still be another dream for Mughal Empire.”

“Adham Khan…” Jalal looked at Adham Khan with a serious face this time. “You were sent to Malwa as a representative of Mughal Empire. You were supposed to win Malwa to make it a province of the Empire. The authority did not grunted you the permission of ravaging the state like a barbaric team of bandits to fill your pockets. As the supreme of Mughal Empire I don’t see this as heroism. This is simply a case of treachery, exploiting power and position. So don’t forget that I have spared you this time before you come here accusing me of humiliation.”

“What proof you have that I did any of this?” Adham shouted. “It was simply a miscommunication. This Adga Khan is manipulating you…”

“Keep your voice down Adham!” Jalal’s raised voice shut Adham down. “Never forget that the law might be blind, but not the ruler.”

“Your shout won’t prove anything, Jalal.” Adham hissed. “The truth is, you were always an unworthy ruler and some people tend to dance on your head. First it was Bairam Khan, whom you could not manage at the end, and now Adga Sahab who is even more dangerous…” He suddenly smiled viciously. “I sometimes wonder what is the reason of your this dependency on the old officers! Maybe your unsolved father-issues… You try to find your father in every person who advises you, little sentimental fool you are!”

Jalal stared at him vacantly. “What… what did you say?”

“You heard it right.” Adham gritted his teeth. “Your craving for your ever-absent father has bent you so much that even Adga Sahab etc are not enough now; you are inviting some Hindu bast**ds right inside the Mughal Empire to dance on your head! You know this way you are starting the destruction of Mughal dynasty? Just like your father did? What else can we expect! Like father, like son…”

The sentence was not completed, as two mighty arms had already pinned the gigantic body of Adham Khan against the wall. Jalal was staring at him in a cold, deadly stare.

“Don’t. Cross. Your. Limit.” He pronounced each word individually.

“Else what!” A stubborn Adham Khan uttered under the shortness of breath.

“Else I will cross my limit!” Jalal hissed in an intimidating tone, his eyes blank in white, chilly rage. “You won’t want me to cross my limit of patience, Adham Khan! Don’t test me!”

A pin-drop silence suddenly burdened the air. Adham started coughing out of the pressure formed in Jalal’s finger Jalal took a long breath and freed him. His eyes were still sparkling fire. “You are nothing but a servant of this dynasty, Adham. Don’t over-estimate yourself.” He uttered in the same chilling tone. “As I told you once before, I won’t even need a single piece of evidence to execute you publicly. Fear is a very important emotion. Learn to be afraid of them whom you need to!”

“After enjoying life-long loyalty from my mother we are now your servant?” Adham grunted while coughing. “Maybe that’s what you people think? Just how you did not even think twice before murdering Bairam Khan brutally so that you can marry his wife!”

“ADHAM!!” Jalal could not resist anymore, and the sharp blade of his sword touched Adham’s throat instantly. “You are already outnumbering the limit of your crimes, Adham. Don’t dare to increase it!” He roared.

“What? You will kill me? Kill me now!” Adham shouted.

“You know what I will do? I will remind you of all your sins with each of the strike. All those doubts who are dangling in my mind because of the lack of evidences will find a way to vent out on you with each of those strike! You will not die, Adham…” The sword cut deeply on the skin of Adham’s throat. “You will beg to die in front of me!”

Jalal raised his sword again to strike back, but suddenly someone rushed inside the room and fell on his feet.

“Jalal! Jalal! Forgive him Jalal! I beg you, forgive him!”

Jalal took long breaths. His whole body was shaking out of rage. “Move away, Badi Ammi!”

“Jalal! For sake of God… For sake of me, Jalal… forgive him!” Maham Anga started sobbing, something she did not do for a long long time. “I beg you son! Spare his life! Don’t kill him!” She rested her head on Jalal’s feet. “Forgive him… Please!”

Jalal sighed deeply before throwing away his sword. He tried to pull the elderly lady up. “Get up, Badi Ammi! What are you doing! You touching my feet?”

“It’s a mother begging for her son’s life from the emperor! Forgive him!” Maham Anga could not lift her face out of embarrassment. “I know what he was saying is unforgivable. But if I have ever done anything for…”

“Don’t do this Badi Ammi!” Jalal lifted her up, wiped out her face. “Look at me…”

Maham looked at Jalal. Her eyes were red and puffy, her face drowned in shame.

“Will it happen forever Badi Ammi? You will come between Adham and me whenever he does something that cannot be spared?” Jalal asked in a cold tone. “What you did for me, for the empire, is not repayable. You will exchange that for this scoundrel’s life? Is he that worthy?”

“He is my… he is my son, Jalal!” Maham Anga sniffled. “You imprison him if you want… But spare his life, I beg you.”

“You are too precious to me to beg for anything. Don’t insult yourself by dragging yourself that low, Badi Ammi!” Jalal sighed and went to Adham who was scornfully looking at him. “How much shameless you must be, Adham. Your old mother is falling on someone else’s feet to spare your life and you are taking that advantage? How long you will take this advantage, Adham?”

“Adham, fall on his feet and apologize!” Maham instructed while weeping.

“No need!” Jalal shook his head. “Get out of my room, Adham. And remember, you won’t be getting this advantage forever.”

Adham grunted again and got out of the room.

“Thank you Jalal!” Maham Anga sighed of relief. “Whatever Adham has said, I am asking forgiveness on his behalf…”

“Why I would take your apology on his behalf, Badi Ammi?” Jalal snapped. He looked exhausted. “For how long?”

“Jalal…” Maham Anga sighed. “I will talk to him.”

“This is going far from talking, you know that?” Jalal tiredly sat on a couch, looking at the broken face of Maham Anga in a cold stare. “You have done enough covering for your son’s crimes. I have ignored because it was you. Because I love you much more than I hate your son. But everything has a balance, Badi Ammi. I hope I never have to see a day when my hatred for Adham Khan exceeds the gratitude I have to you!”

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Perfect..beautiful..I'm not satisfied, I want more...

Update soon please

Awesome chappy Di

Enjoyed their messages

When will these distances gonna end

Update soon Di

Thanks for Pm Di

Yaaayyyyyyy

Update aa gaya

Wow! JJ love games

Amazing

Loved it

Little pieces of cute information about each other

Such a refreshing nok jhok

Can't get enough of it

Want more and more

This adham is a f***ing bas****

He should burn in hell

Jalal should kill him right away

I don't like this maham too

Both mother and son are using jalal to the core

Update asap buddy

Please

We don't have much to do in quarantine

Waiting for more

This update was like light in darkness.... Amazing... 👏... Buttt I don't think corona virus existed in the 15th century🤓... Why the social distancing between jodha n jalal....? 😭 I thoughted we will get some hot palang tod romance after the looooonnnngggg wait of them kissing n making it up.... Make up toh kar liye... Bas kissing reh gaya 😭.... Hum pe rehem karo hukum.... 😭

My my you always make the wait worth for us 🤗 Stuti di you're best 🤗

What a tremendous update it was

Even though miss Akdha scene together ☺️

But only you can make the update worth enjoying without even leads being on same scene

But first a big hug for you🤗 that you take time from hectic day and update chapter for us thank you 😍Stuti di 🤗

The description about Jo Ja way of living their life 😍😍

Both missed and yearn for each other I laughed hard when I read Ja even thought of sneaking into harem🤣 his own place like thief as much I would love to imagine him doing it I don't want him to do 😆and thankfully he discarded it

Jo hm her life seems better in Agra than Amer, She's truly getting her own time to ponder upon her life, and make a best out of her life now 😎

Now our little messenger Cupid of Akdha my Rahim😍😍 uff his cute he's 😂I was truly smiling throughout reading his scene, he's smart and truly very good child 😎 always in hurry to deliver whatever he has to say and I laughed harder when he tell ja she said more but forget 🤣

And How he was so interested to get the thing back to him😆 for this he was ready to hand his father's dagger to her awe such a bundle of joy full of innocence I fall in ❤️with Rahim here ☺️

Then Queen Salima hm wow what a description of her the way both of them talk was best it was truly sensible and very nice

Adham Maham I rather not talk about them, but they're truly hard to miss, everytime Ja wish to punish Adham the favour of his wet nurse Maham come on way, if not the thoughts then she herself. 😡

But I love the way he cleared himself at last "not for long"! Not always 😎 meaning it's getting out of his paitence to pardon him for his audacity, 😈 and this shouldn't be understimated

I am thrilled how he's truly very interested to know how no evidence are against Adham and he suspect about him very much 😎

over all the update was worth waiting Stuti di🤗 I am eager to read more and more😈 I cannot get enough of your work 😆

stay safe🙏🏼 take care 🤗