Thread 3: Destined Love... (Chapter 61 updated)

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Anushkaa

@nushhkiee

Rocker

+ 15

Posted: 5 years ago

#531

....

Edited by nushhkiee - 9 months ago

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Anushkaa

@nushhkiee

Rocker

+ 15

Posted: 5 years ago

#532

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Shinning_Stuti

@Shinning_Stuti

Rocker

+ 2

Posted: 5 years ago

#533

Chapter 53

A hunting trip is no less than a festival to royals. Especially when the queens under the curtain themselves join the journey with the Emperor. The gorgeous imperial caravan passed though the royal gate of the royal palace, the elephants strolling through the streets with the regal glow, the horses neighing to announce the proud presence of Mughal emblem. The troop of infantry marching at the first line of the caravan, followed by the generals on horse. The carriages full of hunting equipment and arms are just behind them under thorough supervision. The Emperor rides on his horse accompanied by his personal attendant, the circle of bodyguards covering him. Jashn Khan, the second-in-command of Harem’s security force is leading the caravan of Zenana followed by the armed group of eunuch bodyguards. The queens are in the special royal palanquin under the multilayered security. They will ride their respective horses for hunting only after reaching the forest. The procession looks stunning at one glance, proudly reflecting all the wealth and charisma of Mughal Empire.

Jodha was eagerly glaring out of the curtain of her palanquin. When she arrived Agra after wedding her mind was deflected, the sight of the fort did not wonder her like it did to her companions back then. Now the beauty of this place is striking her eyes even more. The clean roads of stone, the walls and the building made of red bricks, the busy citizens of the fort walking down the street, the kids running here and there, the hawkers carrying the carts of bangles or chunri, the flock of old men sitting in front of every alley smoking tobacco; and everyone standing with awe, chanting on the emperor’s name as the caravan arrived… every corner of the fort reflects life. Surprisingly, as Jodha ponders, that very picture of life is not very different from the life in Amer fort. Agra is much greater, much wealthier, it radiates the warmth of pride and power in the air; but the life of Agra fort lives on these common citizens of the fort. And those people are no very different, be it Amer or Agra…

“What are you watching so eagerly?” Jodha looked up hearing the voice. Ruqaiya Begam was sitting in front of her in the royal palanquin as the queens had to share the palanquin till they cross the border of locality. She was half-laid on the seat in luxuriously comfortable way, leaning at the back and closing her eyes, occasionally smoking the hookah that was just beside her… as if she is totally indifferent to the whole world around her. Jodha had no interest to have small talks with her when she acted as if she does not exist, so she did not bother to think about the other person in the same palanquin. She was a bit surprised when Ruqaiya Begam addressed her.

“What are you seeing? The constructions? Walls and buildings?” Ruqaiya begam was talking casually without opening her eyes. “The emperor took special interest in the construction of the fort. The abandoned old fort here was completely rebuilt from scratch as he wished to see in his new home. More than four thousand workers worked day and night to give his dream a form. No other fort of Hindustan can ever match the architecture of our Agra fort. Agra fort, the residency of the royals of great Mughal Dynasty is the greatest, the wealthiest, the most powerful fort ever.”

“Of course Ruqaiya Begam.” Jodha told courteously. “However, I was not looking at the wealth, I was looking the people. I was wondering how simple the lives flow in between those proud, powerful walls of red sandstone.”

Ruqaiya Begam opened her eyes in slits and stared at her for a moment. Then she chuckled. “You are weird, Jodha Begam. You know that?”

“Maybe I think a bit different from you.” Jodha smiled. “That does not make any of us weird.”

“Maybe…” Ruqaiya smiled as she sat straight. Her eyes now staring at Jodha’s face without blink. “So… Jodha Begam… Tell me about yourself!”

The question was unexpected. Jodha chuckled. “What does that mean?”

“What? I want to know you that’s all.” Ruqaiya crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. “You have been living with us for months now. We see each-other every day, we bid each-other, we argue. But I don’t think any of us actually knows each-other well enough?”

Jodha laughed. “You want to know me, that is kind of unexpected!”

“Why? You had assumed like everyone that Ruqaiya Begam knows nothing but herself, right?” Ruqaiya smiled sarcastically.

“I do not assume things.” Jodha said. “What do I tell you about me? You know everything about me.”

“It looks like you have a lot to tell about yourself. Even you try to prove that in every action of yours.” Ruqaiya looked intensely. “Now why do you shy away?”

“I am not shying away!”Jodha laughed. “Just thinking how much I can say you about me. I am the elder daughter of King Bharmal of Amer. Our land is so beautiful that it is often compared with the nose-pin of Rajputana. I am the younger sister of many brothers, so maybe a bit spoilt by them. I have fascinations in various recreations- from singing, reading to swordfight and archery. That’s all!”

“Only this much?” Ruqaiya’s stare grew more intense as she grinned.

“Well, that depends on how much you can tell me about yourself!” Jodha smiled back, her eyes being steady on her stare. “I know you are the Padshah Begam- the chief consort of Mughal Emperor, the chief of Harem, the Mallika of this whole great empire. But that is not your full identity as well, right?”

Ruqaiya snorted and peeped out of the curtain. “Look, we have already passed the gate of the fort. We are at the bank of Yamuna now.” She said in a somewhat lost voice. “His Majesty is actually very fond of nature… No wonder he chose this place out of so many place to build the fort.”

Jodha looked. The river flows wide and soft here, wending its way between the banks covered in vivid green, the clean water sparkling brightly like diamond in the morning sun. River is like a myriad tale of life flowing constantly amidst of the ever-calm, soundless nature. All the chaos of the city mingles here; and the river tells her tale endless and tireless, from the beginning to the end of the time… Amer was really poor… she had everything, but she did not have a river like Agra…

“So beautiful!” Jodha exclaimed in awe.

“You too can hear the tale of life in the flow of river, don’t you? You also find out strange romances out of every elements of nature- the sun, the moon, the river, the darkness- everything?” Ruqaiya was looking at her somewhat fondly now. Then she sighed a little. “No wonder you caught Jalal’s attention so early.”

“I don’t know, the beauty of nature is something which is always there, but sometimes it is caught in human’s eyes in such a way that a human is left dumbstruck.” Jodha told. “I am sure the beauty of nature surprises you as well.”

Ruqaiya grinned again. “A queen who lives inside thousands of walls and curtains can barely see the nature, Jodha Begam.”

“That’s why the beauty of nature is too priceless to queen, Ruqaiya Begam.” Jodha answered. “Availability reduces the price. The rare things are too much valuable.”

Ruqaiya nodded unmindfully. “There are rivers in your father’s place, Jodha Begam?”

“No. Our Amer is desert land. The land is dry there, the soil is full of sand. No source of easy water. We can hardly see green.” Jodha replied. “Desert is beautiful in its own way, but river has her own flow. You are lucky that your land owns such a beautiful river in the lap of green.”

Ruqaiya Begam chuckled. “My land? What is the definition of one’s land, Jodha Begam?”

“I don’t know… maybe the soil where your soul is connected to.” Jodha replied.

Ruqaiya Begam smiled as she looked away in lost glare. “You have already fallen in love with Agra, Jodha Begam. The soil of Agra will connect to your soul very soon. Then maybe Agra will become yours as much as Amer have always been. You have the instinct to adapt. Everyone does not.”

Jodha tried to smile. But she was actually amazed hearing such a warm word from the arrogant queen.

Ruqaiya was still lost while she was gazing at the sky. “My land does not have river.”

“Your land?” Jodha was startled.

“Yeah…” Ruqaiya laughed. “The land from where I came from, the land where we belong, does not have rivers. The land is rough and ruthless. The air breaths chill. The atmosphere is merciless. The land of our Kabul does not connect to anyone. Does not love anyone. I never thought I can possibly love Kabul… the land which is soaked in my father’s blood… the land where my mother took her last breath in front of me. I wanted Hindustan to be my land always instead of Kabul. But it seems the merciless land of Kabul did not let me to. It still stays with me somewhere.” She smiled. “Funny, isn’t it? When you said ‘my land’, the picture that came in front of my eyes is not of the gorgeous fort of Agra; I could only see the blood-soaked ground of Kabul.”

“No matter how merciless the motherland is, maybe it’s really by blood we are connected to her. The shadow of the motherland never leaves. Because erasing the essence of motherland means denying own root. And what it is left in human without any root?” Jodha stated in a calm voice. Then she sighed a bit. “We should never deny our root which is deeply implanted inside the soul of our motherland. No matter how much our land denies to accept us, no matter how much it tries to disown us. Because the base of our whole entity is planted in that…”

Ruqaiya frowned a little. “Why do I feel you are not that happy and proud with your past that you project yourself to be?”

Jodha smiled. “I have come here with hopes of new life, Ruqaiya begam. I brought my dreams only; left the memories of nightmares long back.”

“So there were nightmares.” Ruqaiya smiled intensely.

“There were dreams as well. I don’t want to talk about it.” Jodha said smilingly.

Ruqaiya nodded with a smile. “Never mind. I don’t want to poke you about something you are not comfortable to share. But just a warning. You not talking about your dark nightmares does not mean that they will be hidden forever under the veil of past. There are various tools in this imperial world which are capable of digging out everything from the buried ground of past.” Her eyes intensely stared at Jodha’s eyes, a smirk reflecting in the corner of her lips. “I hope you will be ready with all your weapons to face those nightmares that day.”

A similar smile reflected in Jodha’s lips as well. “If imperial world of Agra is not decent enough to respect my privacy, then what to do. I have seen a lot, Ruqaiya Begam. Some vague picture of an old nightmare won’t break me.”

Ruqaiya Begam laughed. “Jodha Begam, you cannot protect yourself by trusting others moral and decency. The digging has already begun, and anything can happen anytime. I admit, Jodha Begam, I like you a lot. That’s why I warn you. The interior of Agra is not built with the tenderness of nature. It is not built with the flow of simplicity of the common men. The inner world of Agra fort is made of the merciless, ruthless air which we all have brought from our land. There is always a war inside. You want to survive it, then keep your guards up, be prepared with your weapons each moment in your life.”

“I hear you, Ruqaiya Begam.” Jodha said.

“You are thinking I am bluffing?” Ruqaiya laughed out again. “Don’t worry, Jodha Begam. You will get to see it in your own eyes very soon. I can sense it.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The caravan halted under the tightly-knit canopy over the head; the leaves and branches created a massive web, partially covering the blue sky with the shade of green. The sweet fragrance of greenery has mixed with soil, the soft breeze is carrying a tender, dampening, soothing sensation. The forest is not too dense, but the twigs and shrubs all over the ground has created a mystic mesh. The sound of crunches from the step of the whole caravan mixed with the calm and silent air like a jingle; the pompous human civilization proudly announcing its invasion in the world of nature…

Jalal took a long breath from the back of his horse. This forest of north is not new to him. The familiarity of the environment soothed him like always. There is always something very mystic about the woods…as if the soul has some connection to that broad panorama of green across the horizon. With an amazement in his eyes like every time the emperor stared at the woods. Each of the tree and shrub is standing in their place in perfect harmony. Discipline is must in the rule of the nature. Abiding by the rules to sustain the perfect balance and harmony is necessary for survival. The wordless leaves understand this. But humans do not.

The servants have already set the tents at the feasible location. Everything is going on swiftly in order. While Jashn Khan is scrutinizing the security around, Hosiyaar is setting up everything with perfect discipline. The palanquins just reached at the spot, the queens came out of the curtain under heavy surveillance of security. Ruqaiya Begam looked at the set-up in a glance, a satisfied smile reflected for a moment on her lips. The hunting trip of an emperor is a form of extravagant luxury of royals; Ruqaiya Begam would not tolerate any single flaw in the whole preparation. In her active supervision the whole forest is ought to become a adorned and furnished chamber of the imperial palace in no time.

Though Jodha had no attention to the grand preparation going on. Her eyes were caught to the glimpse of blue peeping out from the mystical web of leaves over the head. The blazing sunlight falling upon the green, the whole forest was shining like gold. All the glory of imperial wealth is dimmed in front of that. She took a long breath in the fresh air. Perhaps she herself did not know how much she missed this fresh, pure air in all these days. She had been a free bird from childhood. The royal norms and social boundaries of a girl never quite bound her. While her sisters fancied playing bride-and-groom with wooden dolls and dreaming about future husband, Jodha rode on the back of the horse with brothers, ran through the chest of nature, absorbing the energy from the sky, the Sun, the trees… After growing up when those boundaries became inevitable, she used to sneak out in the guise of man at night to take a deep breath in this pure air. She envied her brothers so much; because there was no social boundaries to stop them from converge to the horizon. Then so many things changed. The spirit of the free bird was imprisoned in a golden cage. Perhaps the cage changed today, but the bird is not free. Will never be free perhaps. But this little moment of standing under the open sky, breathing on free air seemed like a blessing to her.

“Enjoying the sight, Begam Sahiba?”

Jodha looked back. The emperor was standing right behind him. The young man was looking different today. No royal turban on his head. The silky hairs are blowing clumsily in air. He smiled brightly, almost in a childlike innocence. The closeness with the nature has opened another window in his personality. Jodha noticed in awe how much familiar that childlike smile is.

“I love this forest. There is always something different in every forest which we do not recognize usually. But all of them are differently beautiful. The beauty of this forest lies in the harmony of nature. You know what is so unique about this forest? This forest is very much alive.” Jalal came closer and said unmindfully. “The ground is welcoming here. The atmosphere is calm. The climate is relaxing. I have seen a lot of forests in my whole life. But don’t know why, this forest of north feels safe.”

Jodha smiled quietly. Her eyes excitedly tried to follow the shrilling chirp of a nameless bird in the nearby tree. “Look look! What a beautiful bird!” She shrieked elatedly.

Jalal chuckled in amuse. “There are plenty of various birds here. You can see most of them in the morning. Not only birds. You will be surprised to see the variation of deer here. Chital, Sambar, Kakar and so many more… I don’t even know the names.”

“When will we see them? When will we go in the core part of the forest?” Jodha turned to Jalal and demanded childishly.

Jalal laughed. “What’s the hurry? We are here in hunting trip. Of course we will go. Let the staffs complete the preparations of hunt first! Also this is noontime. In a hot and sunny summer day. You won’t see any wild animal roaming in open forest. To chase the animals we have to wait till afternoon when they come out to drink water. My expert huntsmen know how to bait and trap the animals exactly in those ours. I promise you, you will see all kind of animals of this forest right at today afternoon!”

Jodha pressed her lips while looking at the professional huntsmen and the different hunting equipment. The various weapons and tools whose name Jodha does not know is being arranged under the big shade. Jodha felt these tools from human civilization somehow does not fit in this harmony of nature. The excitement in her feature dimmed somehow.

“What happened?” Jalal must had noticed the sudden change in her expression. He laughed. “Not feeling much excited about the hunting competition?”

“In the forest of harmony maybe a hunting competition is not a preferable fit.” Jodha smiled a little. “The nature itself is so vast and beautiful that the concept of hunting competition feels low in front.”

“Jodha Begam…” Jalal looked intensely. “This hunting trip is an entertainment for me. But you have taken it as a challenge to prove yourself; you have worked hard to prove your worth. You cannot afford to lose this.”

Jodha looked at his eyes for a moment. Then she smiled again. “I won’t lose, My Lord. I have never learnt to.”

“Great! But beware, it would be a tough competition.” Mischief sparkled in Jalal’s eyes. “I cannot say about Ruqaiya Begam, but I am not the one who can be defeated so easily.”

“Well, someone told me once that one can defeat by being defeated too.” Jodha smiled tenderly. “And that victory is the greatest one.”

Both of them looked at each-other’s eyes for a moment. Maybe that magical night beside the lake was reflecting right in front of their eyes.

“Let’s go, My Lord. The tents are ready by now.” Jodha suggested after a while.

Jalal nodded while walking towards the tents. Jodha walked along with him. The large part of the forest is now disguised in an imperial embellishment. Ruqaiya Begam was sitting on a couch under a huge velvet canopy. She stood up as a gesture of greeting. She has changed her dress, her hijab has been replaced with a tight turban which was covering her face as well. Only the shining eyes were visible with which she directly pierced Jalal. “How do you feel about the set-up, Your Majesty?”

“Well, Ruqaiya Begam, what can I say! I have the habit of living in any kind of place without any touch of luxury. That’s how a warrior practices to live. But when I am with you, you spoil me.” Jalal said with a laugh while sitting beside her.

“Warriors only learn how to survive, Majesty… Women teach them to live beautifully.” Ruqaiya said proudly.

“I have to admit that’s true, Begam Sahiba! Once in a while you too say something poetic, isn’t it?” Jalal laughed.

Ruqaiya looked sternly at once, but did not say anything to protest. “Hosiyaar, serve the drinks to us…” She gestured in a very professional voice. “Sit, Jodha Begam. You tell me how are you liking all the set-up?”

“As pleasent as a nest of a bird in the middle of a forest, Ruqaiya Begam… Safe, caring… homely.” Jodha said in a gentle voice.

“Can’t say anything straight, can you?” Ruqaiya chuckled. A maid came and served them cold refreshing sharbat. “What is the plan after this?” Jalal asked after a sip.

“As you please, Majesty. Would you fancy a little rest after lunch or should we go to the denser part?” Ruqaiya asked.

“I don’t want to miss the afternoon. The best time to catch the animals.” Jalal said. “Jashn Khan, instruct the trappers to prepare the hunting ground with baits now. And take care of the security. The queens would join the hunt; I don’t want any single hole in the whole security.”

Jodha was watching the huntsmen and trappers under the awning of arsenal. She was partly amused seeing the professional hunters working hard so seriously for the entertainment of the emperor and his consorts. She has seen hunting trips of royals from childhood. Has joined some of them as well. But the preparations look so different even though there are so many similarities.

A gentle breeze passed through the shade, sweeping her face with cool bliss. Jodha suddenly felt very relaxed while sipping the drink. She was feeling very safe under the sky. Safe and free at the same time.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The hunt began.

Mughal royals are esteemed hunters. Right from capturing the vicious predators like lions, tigers and cheetah, from taming the huge and horrific wild elephants to chasing the hasty herbivorous, there is no competition to them. The emperor himself is an expert huntsman, his tales of taming wild elephants and killing cheetah has already become legend in various states. Deer hunting sounds the simplest one in the category of hunt; but reality is not that easy. Those sweet and naïve animals with beautiful eyes have been blessed with such a speed that they can fool human being at any chance. Royals have invented many methods to trap them… sometimes with the royal pet cheetah or alluring with another herd of tamed deer, sometimes tricking them with baits; those hunts are used to be the trickiest. Though there were not much of using tricks in this afternoon hunt. A lot of animals come out to drink water and taste salt at afternoon in summer times. The royal trappers know the exact locations of salt licks and grassland beside waterbodies which is treated as the resting place for those animals. The royal group of hunters was waiting near to that place now. The head huntsman was watching cautiously; any change in situation, he would send a silent signal to the whole group.

The emperor was on his horseback, his shoulder steadily balancing the iron musket, his eyes eagerly seeking the prey inside all the bushes. Ruqaiya Begam’s musket was hanging behind, her hands griped the rein of the horse, her eyes silently following Jodha’s activity with a slight smirk in her lips. Jodha was just beside her, a little lost among all the arrangements.

“What are you thinking, Jodha Begam!” Ruqaiya whispered. “About how you would cope with defeat when I win the challenge?”

Jodha looked back at her but did not say anything.

“This is your first hunt, Jodha Begam. And your first try with firearm. That too from horseback.” Ruqaiya smiled contently. “Winning this challenge is not so easy for you. My father-in-law used to say one thing, you know? There is a sheer difference between confidence and over-confidence. Who does not understand it is destined to be defeated.”

Jodha smirked this time. “Winning is so important to you, isn’t it, Ruqaiya Begam? You have to win every game in life, by hook or crook!”

“Huh!” Ruqaiya chuckled. “Dear Jodha Begam, I am already on the victory stand. I don’t need to prove myself by winning over and over. These all are mere games for me.”

“But you cannot afford to come down from the victory stand either, can you?” Jodha asked more calmly.

Ruqaiya Begam smirked. “You are most welcome to defeat me in every game, Jodha Begam. But you cannot pull me down from that stand. Because that place was built for me. My entity is implanted to that victory. Don’t chase a wild goose, Jodha Begam. It will finish you.”

“I don’t waste my time in wild goose chase, Ruqaiya Begam.” Jodha answered. “I have my priorities straight in my life. Stealing someone’s place to be her only to lose my own identity is not one of them.”

Ruqaiya was going to tell something, but she was abruptly stopped.

“Shhhh!”

With amazement in eyes Jodha saw a herd of deer grazing in the dimmed sun; the soft rays of western sky falling upon their velvet skin, shining like a gold plate. The stags are taller, their three-pronged antlers, like royal scepters, proudly declaring the regality. The does are much in number, playfully grazing around like a stream on a mountain. The whole nature has embraced all of them securely in her arms, and they are freely roaming around, without any fear or reservation…

Such a beautiful creation of nature!

Jodha could have stared at them amazedly forever. But suddenly something changed abruptly in this perfect picture.

BANG!

While the ear-tearing sudden noise cracked through the calm and quiet air, one of the tallest stags with the most beautiful antler slowly fell down on the ground.

“What a shot Your Majesty!!” Ruqaiya Begam shouted in exclamation!

“Heil to His Majesty! Heil to His Majesty!” The associates started chanting in great awe and excitement. While Jalal casually held down his musket with a content smile on the lips, the group of deer started running like crazy in fear of life.

“Follow!” The group of horses started chasing the frightened herd together.

“My Queens! Remember, who hunts most of those deer is the winner of this hunting!” Jalal shouted as his horse disappeared into the dust…

So did the other horses.

So, the hunt began now, in all ways… The quiet and relieving atmosphere converted into a war field. The cruel bang of firearms, the desperate barks and agonized bellows and cries of the deer strained the air. With a bunch of deadly weapons, the representators of the human civilization vandalized the beautiful forest; the innocent, weak and mute animals got sacrificed to their pleasure.

The sun was about to set, the twilight was going to envelop the west sky, but the royal group was not tired of hunting. The emperor was still chasing down the stags, the passionate shooter within him was beaming in enthusiasm. Ruqaiya Begam was nothing less as a hunter. They had already hunted down a number of deer together, the huntsmen were keeping count of the preys. Suddenly a guard came running towards the emperor on his horse.

“Forgive us, Majesty!” His wail suppressed the bark of the scared animals.

“What happened?” Jalal looked annoyed at the break of concentration.

“Majesty!” The guard was trembling in fear. “We cannot find Jodha Begam!”

“What?” Jalal’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Ruqaiya Begam came just then. “What do you mean you cannot find her? You are the members of the special troop to guard the royal ladies during hunt. How the hell can you lose her?” She said worriedly.

From the guard’s unclear description it came out that Jodha Begam was uncontrollably riding the horse, as if she wanted to pierce through the chest of the whole forest. She was running after the herd like a bolt, her horse disappeared like a spell in the deeper forest. The guards and huntsmen tried to chase after, but they lost trail after a moment. The other guards are still looking for her. But since it will become dark very soon, and she does not know the path, it is indeed a reason to be worried.

No one can have the mood of continuing the hunt after this terrible news. Ruqaiya instructed the lead huntsmen to call off the hunt soon and to start looking for Jodha Begam. She even declared punishment for the troop for losing her. Jashn Khan came up with strategy to comb the whole forest to find the queen. The horses set off again. But the emperor was not present in any of this. He already set out on his horse directionless inside the forest. His only mission to find Jodha…

“Begam Sahiba! Jodha Begam!” His worried shouts tore down the sky as the sun was about to set. His experienced eyes kept on searching for the track of horse hooves on the ground which had already mixed in dust and other tracks as the bushes and grasses became denser. He discovered he is alone in the midst of woods, surrounded by herbs and trees only; there are no sign of lives all around. Suddenly the air started strangling; not even a leaf of a tree is moving. The whole atmosphere became scarily quiet all of a sudden. As the dusk slowly enveloping the whole sky, the dimmed light of setting sun mixed with twilight in the horizon, the whole nature became an enigma, Jalal felt a pinch of fear inside his heart. Fear of losing someone in this vast enigma.

“Jodha Begam, where are you? Jodha!” he shouted with all his energy and desperation.

Suddenly something moved in a nearby bush. Jalal ran his horse towards the bush. His expert hunter eyes caught the sight of the doe at the other side of the bush even before going closer. And he saw something else as well which both tamed down and boiled up his tension.

A royal horse was grazing nearer to that bush. Jalal knows who was riding the horse…

“Jodha…” He murmured in a sinking heart, his eyes desperately combed through all the bushes. Then driven by instinct he hurriedly came down from his horse and ran towards the bush…

“Jodha!”

“Shhh!”

Her big doe-eyes glanced at his eyes, her slender index finger touched her lotus-lips, a slight warm smile in her bright face silently welcomed him. Jalal saw Jodha is kneeling down at the corner of the bush, hiding herself in the branches and leaves.

“What are you doing here? We are searching you like crazy!” In the release of tension Jalal lost the dignity of an emperor and was about to yell like a commoner, but again Jodha silently scolded with eyes… “Shhh!”

Jalal sat beside her. His eyes followed her stare. And he saw the doe in more prominent view. The doe was standing beneath a tree, her beautiful eyes were roaming around frightenedly. And there was a little fawn beneath her, the little child was being fed by his mother.

“When hunt began, all this mother could think about was her child. It ran to save her child, to secure him, to feed him.” Jodha murmured in mesmerization. “The relationship of a mother and her child… the purest thing of this world!”

“You chased the doe to hunt her and ended up in here?” Jalal asked looking at her.

Jodha’s eyes were still filled in amazement. “No… I just wanted to know where the herd of deer comes from. I did not chase any of them to kill them, Majesty. I wanted to escape just like them.”

“Escape? Escape from what?” Jalal frowned.

Jodha smiled delicately without saying anything. “Look at them, My Lord! What would have happened to this child if I killed her? A vast cycle of life is going on forever in every corner of the world; and the evidence of that is so clear in every inch of this forest. There is a rhythm of that cycle, much bigger, much greater than the so-called game of taking lives, Your Majesty. I was here to witness that rhythm of life.”

Jalal nodded with a slight sigh. His mind did not even ran towards his musket even after watching prey in front. “I was worried about you Jodha.” He said mildly.

Jodha did not say anything. She just stared at his eyes. There were something unknown written all over her face.

“Let’s go! It is getting dark.” Jalal stood up. “You really scared the hell out of me.”

Jodha chuckled suddenly while getting up.

“You are laughing?” Jalal frowned.

“Nothing… It just felt nice you know…” Jodha’s sharp eyes pierced Jalal. “To know I have the power of scaring the hell out of the mightiest emperor and made him worried so much it forced him to snatch him from the deadly intoxication of taking lives.”

There was something in her voice that stopped Jalal from smiling back. He could not answer anything. But nevertheless, he could not stop relishing the soothing feelings of relief when she turned and walked with him. He felt the strangulated air in the forest is free again, the woods have again got their life back.

When they joined the rest of the groups, the sun already set. The orangish glow embracing the horizon, the birds are chirping back to their home. The hunting expedition did not go as planned because of the mishap, but they still managed to hunt enough of those deer. The huntsmen had carried the preys to the camp. It was the counting time to make sure who hunted the most of them.

All total 13 deer were hunted. Emperor himself slaughtered eight. Rest of them were shot by Ruqaiya Begam. Others were instructed to trap them but not to shot any.

But what about Jodha Begam’s preys?

Both Ruqaiya and Jalal looked at Jodha together. Jodha stood beneath a brunch, casually holding the musket like a wooden stick. Her victorious smile brightened the glow of her face.

“I accept defeat, Ruqaiya Begam. I did not shoot any of the preys.” She uttered in a calm voice.

Ruqaiya stared in confusion. She was trying to read Jodha’s smile. Jodha took the challenge of shooting instantaneously. She worked hard to win this challenge. Why would she lose the challenge on her wish without even trying once? Why would a woman so clear of her path and aim would deny to pick up her weapon right in the war-field? Ruqaiya could not understand her. And she could not understand the meaning of the glow in her face. And that victorious smile, that glory in her eyes did not let her to rejoice her win for a moment. Why did she feel she has lost for the first time in her life?

Jalal was too staring at her. His eyes were full of so many expressions. Full of admiration, pride, envy, dishonour and distress… What was he thinking in his mind? God knows!

----------------------------------------------------

The evening spent well in the camp.

As expected, Ruqaiya Begam never fails to surprise with her excellent skill of organizing. No one can ever feel any gap, any sheer feeling of discomfort in any trip away from imperial palace when Ruqaiya begam herself is organizing it. After darkness prevailed in the forest, and the surroundings became extremely quiet, and a slight feeling of loneliness was glooming inside everyone’s mind, the staffs and maids illuminated the whole camp with various lamps and candelabra, and the gloomy environment of the camp quickly turned into a colourful, lively, joyous celebration night of the palace. The small musical concert was organized under a vast awning, the best courtesan of the Harem performed the best while the emperor sat on the couch in the middle of his two beautiful queens, enjoying the soothing sweep of breeze of the nature and the incredible ghazal of Farida Bai.

“Baharein sari mein auron mein baant dungi, magar

Jo tujhko chhuke chale wo hawayein meri hein

Tu mera hai to ye sari fizayein meri hein

Fizayein meri hein”

As the whole place shined like a golden plate amongst the dark, Jodha slowly stole a glance to the emperor. His Majesty’s eyes were fixed to the singer, but his mind was somewhere else. As if he is lost in the dark loom of his mind. His finger was tapping automatically with the sound of instruments as his head was nodding slowly along with the tune, but he was too distant to be drowned in the melody. Jodha took a deep breath while staring at his face. This whole long tiring day was full of events.

The whole experience of hunt, the heart-wrenching screams of those deer as the cruel flock of royals kept on murdering them for mere entertainment… everything was taking a toll on her. She was feeling suddenly that she is thrown out at the midst of a slaughtering ground, where the barbarians sacrifice the innocents for pervert joy; and she has categorized herself in those barbarians unknowingly. The heavy musket in her hand was too heavy, and all she could do that time was to run… To run along with those frightened deer, to escape from this bloodthirsty slaughter-land somehow… She had forgotten she is not an individual soul here, she has come as a queen, its her duty to hold the dignity of a Mughal Queen among these staffs and huntsmen. She ran and ran, until she found the soothing sight of the mother feeding her child. Until she witnessed the evidence of nature, that how precious and big the life is in front of death. She could stand there forever like a lost soul in a forest, like the wild bird fled from the golden cage… She knew by then she was perhaps ruining the whole trip, perhaps everyone is searching for her. But she could not care any less. She was lost in the woods. There was open sky over her head. The wet grass of the ground was embracing her feet. She was almost as free as the deer in the forest. Who wants to go back to a cage leaving such a great world behind?

And then he came. His face was pale in worry, his eyes full of fear… the fear of losing her. Jodha’s heart had clenched as she saw how the extreme excitement of a slaughter’s eyes has immediately changed in fear. How the fear slowly released into relief as he sat right beside her. And he confessed how much worried he was just at the thought of losing her. Maybe that was the time Jodha felt from her heart that there was no way of escaping from that cage anymore. She is bound forever… And till the day these eyes will be worried for her, the cage will be nothing less than the entire world for her.

How many shades this man has? A moment ago she was loathing the glance of an exterminator of innocents in this man; but just after that his worried face, his desperate calls made her fall in love again… Maybe Jodha will never be able to recognize all of him… But, she has the strength of holding this man back, she has the power of turning his face from mindless execution and let him breath in the soothing breeze of love… this realization filled herself from inside again.

And after such an exhausting day, as she sits besides him; he lost in his thoughts, she lost in him; Jodha could say that her life is worth rejoicing. Carefully hiding the elated smile, she again stole another moment to secretly touching his hand with her palm. The touch pulled the emperor down from the heap of thoughts as he looked at her at once. Jodha kept eyes on her eyes and smiled calmly. There was a gentle reassurance in her eyes… The emperor smiled back, his eyes full of gratitude as he tenderly pressed on her hand. Jodha stared steadily at his eyes, her fingers spontaneously entangled with his finger in a warm brace. They kept on staring at each other for some more stolen moments, then both of then drowned together in the sea of melody.

“ Hamara pyar ab is se haseen kya hoga

Utthe hein haath tere aur, duayein meri hein

Tu mera hai to ye sari fizayein meri hein

Fizayein meri hein”

-------------------------------------------------------------

There were two royal tent set. One for the Emperor and the Padshah Begam, the other one for Jodha Begam. Hosiyaar Khan never imagined he can ever be yelled at by Emperor himself for this petty matter. The emperor made it clear to him that there should be three separate tents for all the royal family members, especially when the emperor is travelling with two individual queens. Pre-assuming that one queen will share the tent of the emperor and the other will get a private tent is an insult to the dignity of both the queens and the emperor himself. So, it take a little more time to set another tent for the queen; so Jodha entered into her tent some moment later than the expected time. Moti had already prepared her bed and was waiting to dress her hair. Reva and Lila was sparkling rose-water around. All three of them stood up while Jodha came inside. Jodha greeted with a smile and sat in on the couch while undoing her hair. The girls came behind her.

“Jai ho, Rajkunwari Sa! Really, these Mughals live a ravishing lifestyle, isn’t it?” Lila said excitedly. “I mean, I have seen plenty of hunting trips before. But this one practically looks like more of a wedding venue than a hunting camp.”

“Don’t say these, Lila…”Moti smiled with a little pride. “Our Rajkunwari Sa is a Mughal Queen now. She is one of the ravishing Mughals. Don’t forget she happens to be the first queen to sit on the Mughal throne ever.”

“Still she is out Rajkunwari Sa. And we can say whatever we want in front of her.” Lila demanded childishly. She sat on the ground in front of Jodha and looked up excitedly. “Rajkunwarisa, how was the hunting? Was it as gorgeous as the evening function?”

The maids did not attend the hunting expedition. So obviously they had the curiosity. Jodha ruined that shaking her head. “Nothing special on a hunt, Lila. All are the same. Better not to hear in detail.”

“Where had you gone in the middle of the hunt?” Moti asked suddenly. “There was a gossip that you were missing…”

Jodha giggled a little. “I lost in the forest, Moti. It feels good to be lost sometimes.”

Moti looked at her with sharp eyes, but did not tell anything.

“But I heard you lost the challenge?” Reva said in a disheartened voice. “I was not believing it at first. But Gulal Khan himself told. He was devastated to know that his training was of no use and you lost the challenge in front of Ruqaiya Begam! Why, Rajkunwari Sa?”

Jodha looked at her prominently. “Why? I cannot lose? Winning and losing is a part of game Reva, we should accept our defeat the way we embrace our victory.”

“Unless you lost deliberately.” Moti smirked a little. “You did not even try to raise the musket; did you?”

Jodha looked at her mischievously. “You know me so well, Moti…”

“Have been seeing you since childhood, Rajkunwari Sa. I got it the moment I heard you were lost.” Moti said. “Did you do it deliberately as well, to stop them from hunting anymore?”

Jodha shook head. “I just wanted not to be a part of something I could not accept from heart. So I chose my path. Others chose theirs, I had no hand in that.”

Moti sighed. “And what about your fight? Your promise to prove your caliber?”

Jodha laughed. “Moti, I have my entire life ahead to prove myself. But If I would lose myself in order to prove myself in front of some third persons, I would never be able to forgive myself.”

Moti nodded. But Reva and Lila was still not satisfied with the answer. “What about our honour now? All of those Begams and concubines their maids will taunt us the moment we get back to Agra. What about your respect in front of Ruqaiya Begam? I thought you will smash her ego under your feet!” They complained.

Jodha smiled. “Just ignore the other Begams and the maids. And Ruqaiya Begam… Well…” She smiled. “Looks like she is not that bad as I thought at first. I think I have no problem to see her winning over me every time.”

“Seriously!” Moti popped her eyes. “What magic she did on you in that palanquin trip, really?”

Jodha laughed. “Don’t know Moti. I just saw something today. She is not the stone-idol sitting at the highest tomb of Harem as a heartless representation of the static imprisonment of the Harem; she is a human; like you, like me. She is one of us.”

------------------------------------------------------------------

Ruqaiya was relaxing on her bed after the lamps were put out; all the maids had bid goodnight except for Hosiyaar, who was still pressing her feet despite forbidding. The air of the tent had got almost toxic due to his huffed breathing. It was clear that he was not here for some happy reason.

“Hosiyaar!” Ruqaiya called clumsily after a moment.

“Order, Begam Sahiba!”

“Just get out.” Ruqaiya yawned. “I had a long day and I want to sleep.”

“Sure, Begam Sahiba. Afterall, I am just a servant of yours; no matter what I do, I will still be a servant….”

“Hosiyaar!”

Hosiyaar stopped nagging at once and got up. “Yes, Begam Sahiba?”

“Stop sulking and get lost.” Ruqaiya ordered.

Hosiyaar took a deep breath and was just about to leave while Ruqaiya deliberately fell into his trap and picked up the topic herself.

“What do you want, Hosiyaar? I have to go to the Emperor and to start quarrelling with him because he rightfully ordered you something?” She said in a calm and gentle tone.

“Pardon, Begam Sahiba… I have been in this service before he became emperor. I know all the etiquettes of royal family by heart. The emperor blaming me for messing up with royal etiquette in front of my subordinates was very insulting to me.” Hosiyaar breathed.

“Well, what can I say… You should not have set two tents instead of three then!” Ruqaiya said.

“Begam Sahiba, it’s not the first time you are in a hunt with the emperor. Always I am in-charge, and there is only one tent for the emperor and empress. Even if any other woman from Harem joins the trip anyway.” Hosiyaar argued.

“Any other woman, Hosiyaar. Not a rightfully wedded queen of the emperor…” Ruqaiya raised her voice. “No matter what you think, what the rest of the Harem thinks, Jodha Begam proved herself as the rightful queen of the Mughal kingdom, and you are bound to give her that respect!”

“Pardon, Begam Sahiba.” Hosiyaar sighed. “I take all the blame on me. But I cannot stop me from saying this to you. The whole scenario took place because it was Jodha Begam. Had it been any other rightfully wedded queen in this trip today, Shahenshah would not even bother to see how many tents are being set up or if he is showing any disrespect to that queen by sharing same tent with the Padshah Begam.”

Ruqaiya looked into Hosiyaar’s eyes. “Don’t you dare to criticize His Majesty’s doings in front of me, Hosiyaar. Don’t demean him like any other commoner. I won’t tolerate.”

Hosiyaar lowered his eyes but his voice was still steady. “I am devoted to you and you only, Begam Sahiba. So I cannot keep myself quiet after seeing everything. This was the reason I was against your decision of including Jodha begam in the hunt. You saw, the whole challenge was a wastage of time. She knew she is not able to shoot so she did all these dramas today to skip the hunt. She called off the challenge right when it started and tried to be the damsel in distress.”

Ruqaiya was quiet for a moment. Her face was gloomed suddenly. “You really think she called off the challenge and lost it because she did not learn to shoot?”

“Of course!” Hosiyaar demanded.

Ruqaiya shook her head. “No… She is not like that, Hosiyaar. She knows how to win; she won’t lose a challenge deliberately.”

“Then why she did not picked up the gun?” Hosiyaar asked.

Ruqaiya sighed. “Don’t know, Hosiyaar. Maybe she proved she does not need to accept my challenge to prove herself; to prove that she is way higher than me!”

“What are you talking about, Begam Sahiba? That Hindu Begam is higher than you??” Hosiyaar almost wailed.

Ruqaiya smiled. “I don’t know, Hosiyaar. But I cannot forget the smile she cast to me after announcing that she did not shoot. The smile of pride and victory… the smile that brightened her face in the light of superiority… I cannot forget that smile.”

Quote

Shinning_Stuti

@Shinning_Stuti

Rocker

+ 2

Posted: 5 years ago

#534

Originally posted by: MahiraSingh3030
UPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATEUPDATE

OMG!!!!!!😛🤣

Quote

Shinning_Stuti

@Shinning_Stuti

Rocker

+ 2

Posted: 5 years ago

#535

Guys,

Here is your 'most-anticipated' update.... Coming up with the next update in after an indefinite period of interval.... Its a casual update written in desperate hurry but going to devote much more in the next one hopefully...

Don't want you people to waste your precious forgiveness on a promise-breaker like me😭 So won't apologize for being late. Or not going to make promises of updating soon anymore...

Just know I will end the story for all of you. I love you guys.❤️

Quote

Shinning_Stuti

@Shinning_Stuti

Rocker

+ 2

Posted: 5 years ago

#536

Hello Mahira,

You are so sweet🤗 to comment for all of the chapters... Looks like I have to reread them to get back to you individually😆

Thank you so much for giving me the motivation I need to keep up writing.

Quote

Shinning_Stuti

@Shinning_Stuti

Rocker

+ 2

Posted: 5 years ago

#537

Originally posted by: Aishu.R
Stuti di!!
Please dont leave this one in the middle, it's a wonderful journey to be destined as the title itself. We can wait as long as you want to be back here. We will wait patiently.
And I Pray for your quick recovery and health.
🤗

Recovery seems impossible in this stage... However, trying to survive😆

Thank you for being so considerate dear

Quote

Kavya

@Kavya_P

Stunner

+ 3

Posted: 5 years ago

#538

Amazing chappy Di

Arrangements to description

Missing out

Fear for his love

Displaying something which is entirely different from original

Mysterious characters

Update soon Di

Thanks for Pm Di

Quote

Anushkaa

@nushhkiee

Rocker

+ 15

Posted: 5 years ago

#539

Originally posted by: Shinning_Stuti
Hello Mahira,
hello...stuti di
You are so sweet🤗 to comment for all of the chapters... Looks like I have to reread them to get back to you individually😆
thank you so much dear...i was free..roaming in my house..so thought to comment also😆

Thank you so much for giving me the motivation I need to keep up writing.
❤️❤️