Posted:
Thank you😳
Samar Singh , defiant till the very end--daring to match the Emperor word for word but ultimately having to surrender to the will of the great man himself by agreeing to sign the document aligning his kingdom with Mughal forces.
The Agra homecoming was a heartwarming scene. No words can describe the joy of Hamida at the seeing the couple, healthy and happy, as normal as before, prior to the tragic turn of events.
Their private moment was a pleasurable read. Being back in Jodha's room brought back the freedom and tranquility that Jalal always felt there.
All his men were rewarded for ensuring the victory of Agra in the war.
Saving the best for last, Jalal bestows the prestigious title of Wali-Nimat Begam on Jodha ,giving her wide ranging powers to administer the kingdom alongside him.
What an update, Stuti.
It is always exhilarating to read the updates of this story.
The intensity of emotions, the intrigue, all so magnificently woven for an overwhelming reading experience. 👏
👍🏼 👏 ⭐️ 🤗
Originally posted by: selvi1275
An Excellent chapter, it is ...Stuti...👏👏>> Thannnk youuu😳Shrewd Jalal underlining his immorality so well and kept him in his limit...those words of bravery doesn't suit Samar Singh😕😡...>> True!🤢Back to Agra...so back to routine.😕...Lovely Welcome...and JoJa have brought in their livelyness in as well😳...Ruqaiya doesn't want to come😕 ...even for curtsey...ok...Good for others.😃😉...>> Good for me and the readers. 🤣 Well, Ruqaiya has become a good girl in this story. 😆Lovely romantic time between JoJa ☺️...I so liked that..."Hey Kanha...and banging her head" ...of Jo...Sweet tender moments.☺️...and I also like the fact that Jo didn't stress much about talking to Ruqaiya😛...she understood and left it as it is...But she is stubborn and exerts her priveleges with Jalal as regards her Love for him☺️...This JoJa is very beautiful...☺️>> Glad to see you liking this bit so much😳Lots of titles and responsibilities given to the deserving one.😊...and Jalal acknowledged Jo's role during the hard times and also gone through with her advise regarding a secondary authority during his absence😳👏...Lovely...one who deserves all these accolades.😳😳...an absolute partner in all His endeavours.😳😃>> I enjoyed writing this part the most! Thank you so much!Wonderful chapter Stuti.👏⭐️...Waiting for more...😃😉>>Thanks for this wonderful review DI! What more do you want from this one? 😆
Word Count: 1
Originally posted by: roseraja1915
Samar Singh , defiant till the very end--daring to match the Emperor word for word but ultimately having to surrender to the will of the great man himself by agreeing to sign the document aligning his kingdom with Mughal forces.
>> Loved your summary on Samar Singh!😳
The Agra homecoming was a heartwarming scene. No words can describe the joy of Hamida at the seeing the couple, healthy and happy, as normal as before, prior to the tragic turn of events.
>> Yes... everything has become normal and everyone is happy!😳
Their private moment was a pleasurable read. Being back in Jodha's room brought back the freedom and tranquility that Jalal always felt there.
>> Thanks for liking this. 😃
All his men were rewarded for ensuring the victory of Agra in the war.
Saving the best for last, Jalal bestows the prestigious title of Wali-Nimat Begam on Jodha ,giving her wide ranging powers to administer the kingdom alongside him.
>> I enjoyed writing this part the most! Thank you! 😳
What an update, Stuti.
What a review Rose Di! 😃
It is always exhilarating to read the updates of this story.
The intensity of emotions, the intrigue, all so magnificently woven for an overwhelming reading experience. 👏
>> ☺️ You made me as red as tomato.
👍🏼 👏 ⭐️ 🤗
>>🤗🤗🤗🤗
Word Count: 1
Originally posted by: Senapatichandri
hmmm porlam...
>> Thanks. 😳
ektu otironjito laglo prothomoto...>> Kon part ta?
Amar ei jinis ta tv teo ajob legeche ekhaneo j Akbar er to koto bou tao jodha k sobar same praise korahoi... bt Jai hok bhalobasa attoprokas...>> Amr o ajob lagto but ekhane erom kothay likhechi? Jalal kothay onno begam der samne Jodha r praise koreche erom likhechi? In the wali-nimat Begam declaration part?😕
jalal r Salina r equation ta osadharon... like best friends... ruqu ja pareni as best friend how korte ta salima puron Kore dieche...>> RIght!
jodha wali niemat begum!!!! interesting...Dekhi ei wali niemat begum ki tight day Mallika e Kabul k...
>> r tight dite hbe na! Amr screw-driver kharap hoe geche.😆
I really waiting fr fakrunnissa's arrival... she is a walking Strom who can distroy everything in a flick of moment...
>>Yes but now I don't want to destroy anything in this last days. 😛
any way besi bolbo na cz ete oto besi bolar my nei... bt next update er jnno opekkha korchi as fakrunnissa dhukle matra ta onekta bere jbe...
>>R e na na r bolar kichu nei.. ebar to ses hoe eseche.
r ha next chapter ta boro r fakrunnissa r Jala er convo rakhis... like seyane seyane kolakoli typ...
>>Chesta korbo..
good work... do more better... keep it up>>Thanks. 😳
Word Count: 1
CHAPTER 48
AND THE PUNISHMENT...
After the declarations being done, the messenger from Kabul, who was seeking for the attention of the emperor, was allowed to get inside. With a positive vibe in his face he announced the news coming from the embassy of Kabul.
"Mirza Hakim ne Mughal Saltanant se aapna haar qubul karte hue ghutne thek diye hay. Kabul ki nayi Mallika Fakhrunnisa Begam ki nigarbani me o or Kabul ka badsahat mahfooz hay. Mahesh Das Sahab ke hukum se fauj Hindustan me wapas aa raha hay. Kabul ki Mallika Fakhrunnisa Begam or Shahzada Mirza Hakim bhi Agra ke liye rauana ho chuke hay. Yeaha aa kar sarkaari taur pe Kabul aapne aap ko Shahenshah ke hawale me kar dega. [Mirza Hakim has surrendered in front of Mughal dynasty. Kabul's throne is safe in hand of the new queen of Kabul, Fakhrunnisa Begam. The army is coming back on the leadership of Mahesh Das. The queen Fakhrunnisa Begam and prince Mirza Hakim also set off for Agra. After reaching here Kabul will surrender in front of the emperor officially. ]
"Suban-Allah! Jalal stood up and rejoiced. "Iss ahem mauke pe Kabul se or ek khuskhabari lane ke liye paigaambar ko inaam diya jaye. [I want to reward the messenger for bringing such a good news in this important moment.] He announced. "Humare bhai Mirza Hakim or Behen Mallika Fakhrunnisa Begam ki aane ki khusi me Agra ko sajaya jaye, un logoki istaakbal me koi bhi kami nehi raheni chahiye... [The whole Agra should be decorated in celebration of my brother and sister's arrival. There should be no gap in their welcome.] He then smiled slightly before he declared. "Mahesh Das Sahab ne humare liye jo kiye hay uska zikar sayad hum labzyon se na kar sake. Ishi liye sayad tamam audhedaaryon ko inaam dete waqt humne unka zikr nehi kiya. Par unhone aapni hosiyaari se naki Hindustan or Kabul dono ko ek bohot bara khatre se bachaya hay, balki hume bhi zindegi k eek bohot dardnaak or darawna faisla lene ke haat se bacha liye hay... Inaam ke taur pe unhe koi khitaab dena unki tauhin hogi, isiliye hum unhe ek naya naam dete hay. BIRBAL- yehi naam se aanewala Hindustan Mahesh Das ko yaad rakhega, or Shaehnshah hone ke taur pe hum ehlaan karte hay ki Birbal humara sabse nasdiki dost bankar humesha humare sath rahenge... [I cannot describe in words what Mahesh Das has done for me. So I did not take his name while rewarding other officers. But not only he saved both Hindustan and Kabul from a grave danger with his intelligence, but also saved me from taking a fearful and painful decision of my life... Giving a status to him as a reward will be an insult of him, so I want to give him a name. Birbal- the future will know him by this name, and I am announcing as an emperor that Birbal will always stay with me as the closest friend of mine.]
All cheered, clapped, and chanted in Birbal's name. The happy environment of the court got doubled after the news of Kabul's peaceful victory came...
Within all these, suddenly some officer came up and told something in the emperor's ears. Jalal's joyful eyes filled with a cloud of melancholy for a while. But he readily overcame it with his kingly attitude. "Abhi hum or ek zaruri ehlaan karna chahte hay. [I want to make another important announcement.] He stood up again and then declared. All looked at him attentively.
"Agra yaaniki pure Hindustan ke khilaaf jinhone itni bari saajish karke aapne hi watan ko toot kar bikharne ki chaal chal rahe the, aaj ishi ahem mauke pe hum un sabka saza mukammal karna chahenge. Sare keyediyon ko ek ke baad ek karke pesh kiya jaye... [All those convicts who tried to divide and break our motherland with their conspiracy, I want to punish them at this moment. All the convicts are ordered to be brought here... ]
All present in the court again cheered in excitement when the prisoners were being brought in the court in chain. Most of the prisoners were the respectable priests of the empire, who themselves were not able to believe that an emperor can presence them in court as a prisoner in broad daylight. They were perhaps not enough sound to understand that somewhere Jalal's publicity has much large impact than their religious lectures. They could not enrage the mass and made them stand against the emperor using their religious sentiment, whereas the mass themselves stood against them when the emperor cunningly spread the news that it was the conspiracy of the priests who led the emperor at the doorstep of death. Generally the emperors fear the influence and power of the religious people of a nation, but Jalal's courage and rigidity is noteworthy- he did not move a bit from his determination and did not hesitate for a moment to present the priests in the court like prisoner. And strange is the confidence of his subjects on him, none protested against it!
"Khwaja Moin or baki maulabiyon ke umar ko dhyan me rakhte huye hum unke jaan baksh kar unhe umra-kayed ki saza sunate hay. [I sentence for life-long imprisonment instead of death to Khwaja Moin and other priests keeping their age in mind.] Jalal went on. "Unke baki sare sathiyan, jinke upar mason gaowalo ke ghar or mandir jalane ka, or kuch kuch jaage par mazhabi bagawat lagane ka ilzaam hay unhe aapne aapko masoom savit karne ke liye tin din diya jata hay, uske baad unhe Saja-E-Maut di jayegi... Hukum ki tamil ho! [The other companions of them, who have the charges of burning the houses and temples and instigating riot in several places, are given 3 days to prove themselves innocent, after that they will be sentenced to death. Order should be carried out!]
The prisoners were taken away. Then a small group of special guards sought attention. Jalal nodded. He had a surprised rage in his eyes and had absolutely no sympathy for the convicts, but that rage was not enough to hide the slight of worry reflecting from his eyes...
Then, Sharifuddin was brought in the court covered and supported by the special guards.
His legs were tied with chains. But perhaps it was not necessary. Sharifuddin had become as slender as a skeleton in these days. The usual glow of a gentleman of a good family was completely gone from his face. The excessive blood-loss, the fight with death while being treated, the further tortures in prison and overall the grabbing frustration had already killed the real Sharifuddin. The man who was standing in front of the emperor was only a shadow of that young devil... Perhaps he had no strength to escape with his own feet now. He kept on staring at the floor listlessly while the announcer continued reading the list of his crimes for which he will be punished. His one eye was covered with bandage, and the other one did not move. Maybe he does not fear any punishment anymore. His life itself has become a curse for him.
Jalal was staring at Sharifuddin when his crimes were being read. He could not remove his eyes from the void place from his shoulder. His strong masculine arms, which were used to hang proudly from the joint of the shoulder, has been mercilessly chopped off in front of his eyes... And that single but violent attack has squeezed all the life from Sharifuddin. Jalal was loathing him as usual, but a slightest pity was mixed in that hatred strangely. Sharifuddin has got his punishment already...
"Sharifuddin! Jalal told in his majestic tone. "Kya tumhe aapna sara gunah qubool hay? [Sharifuddin, do you accept all your crimes?]
Sharifuddin nodded without picking his eye...
Jalal looked at Jodha at his side. Then again in the same majestic tone, he announced. "Sharifuddin ko aapna saza sunane se pahele hum kuch or elaan karna chahenge. Humne humari mallika Wali-Nimat Begam Jodha se kuch wada kiya hay, jise pura karne ke waqt aa gaya hay... Begam Sahiba ne humse zubaan li thi ki jab Sharifuddin pakda jayega uska saza tair karne ka haq hum Begam Sahiba ko denge... Or aaj, saltanant ki oor se hum Begam Jodha ko ek gunehgaar ke khilaf zindegi ki pahela faaysla sunane ka haq dete hay. Sharifuddin ko saza Mughal saltanant ki taraf se Begam Jodha sunayengi... [I want to announce something before declaring the punishment. I had promised my queen Wali-Nimat-Begam Jodha and time has come to fulfill that... Her highness had taken my words that I will give the right of punishing Sharifuddin to her when he will be caught... And today, I am giving the right of doing the first justice of life by punishing a criminal to queen Jodha on behalf of Mughal dynasty. The punishment will be declared by queen Jodha.]
Jodha looked at Jalal for a while. Surprisingly, where she should have been proud and happy, her heart was strangely filled with a string of melancholy. She wanted Sharifuddin alive. She wanted him to punish in front of all. She wanted to avenge the insult he did to her. She wanted to pay him for every sin he had done... But now, when she saw this skeleton in front of her eyes, she got perplexed for a moment. Is it the same Sharifuddin whom she hates so much, and whom she wanted alive so that she could avenge her insult?
Jodha got up with due respect to the emperor and came forward... Before telling anything her eyes suddenly fell on Sharifuddin. He was staring at her. There was no sign of lust in his one-eye. No sign of lust, no sign of revenge, even no sign of rage... nothing! With his vacant glare he was perhaps urging for a punishment which will free him from all the pains and humiliation... He had hardly any strength left to cope up with the adversities of the world. His arms, his proud masculine arms with which he dared to touch her, his eye, which dared to see her inappropriately has been snatched out from him... She has chopped them out in own hand. His sins have been paid off.
Now what will she do with this half-alive shadow? How will she punish him? She had demanded him from her husband as she had a burning rage for him that time... Now she is hardly feeling angry... she is rather having pity... and how one can announce merciless punishment to someone whom she pities?
Before announcing anything, Jodha's eyes suddenly roamed through the curtain behind which the women are sitting. A sigh automatically came out of her heart. Then she determined something in her heart.
"Humari ek maang ko itna mahatwa dekar aaj Shahenshah-E-Hind ne humara maan baraya, iss liye hum unke avari hay... [I am grateful to his majesty for giving me honour by giving so much importance to my wish.] She told gently in a modest tone... "Parantu aaj hume lagta hay ki Sharifuddin ke upar kisi or ka adhikar humse bohot zyada hay. Sharifuddin ne humare sath jo apradh kiya uska bharfai o khud Raipur ke sath yudh me kar chukka hay. Humne usse aapna kiye ki saza de di. Or uske baad uske praanyon ke upar hum aapna adhikar vyakt nehi kar sakte. Iss sabha me koi or bhi upasthit hay jiske upar Sharifuddin ke apradh ke bojh humse kayi gun adhik hay. Hume lagta hay ki Shahenshah ke baad Sharifuddin ke sath nyay karne ki adhikar srif unka hi hona chahiye... [But today I think someone else has much right on Sharifuddin than me. The offence he had done to me has been paid off at the battle of Raipur. I have already punished him for his sins. Now I have no right on him. There is someone in this court on whom the burden of Sharifuddin's crimes are more than me. I think only she should have the right to do justice with him after the emperor.]
A light murmuring started among the crowd. Jodha picked her voice over that and stated. "Iss liye, Shahenshah se sammati lete hue hum Sharifuddin ko saza dilwane ki adhikar Sharifuddin ki patni, Shahenshah ki Behen, Shahzadi Bakshi Banu Begam ko dena chahenge... [Hence, with his majesty's permission, I would like to give the right of punishing Sharifuddin in her wife, the sister of the emperor Bakhsibanu Begam's hand.]
Jalal looked at Jodha's eyes once, and got the meaning... "Bakshi Banu Begam ko pesh hona ka hukum diya jaata hay. [Bakshi Banu Begam is ordered to present herself.] He declared.
Hiding her face in veil, Bakshi Banu presented herself in front of the emperor. Her sloth pace and timid footsteps do not reflect any extra authority in her presence. Sometimes it looks like she has lost the normal sense of thinking and deciding on her own being tortured and dominated from a long time. She stood at one side of the pedestal dully, waiting for the next command from the emperor.
"Bakshi Banu. Jodha Begam ne Sharifuddin ko saza dene ka haq or zimmidari aap par chhora hay. [Bakshi Banu, queen Jodha has given the right and responsibility of punishing Sharifuddin to you.] Jalal uttered. "Hume umeed hay ki aap yeh zimmidari thik se nivayengi. [I hope you will fulfill this responsibility well.]
"Humari jaisi aam ladki ke paas itni takat kaha Huzur ki o kanoon or insaaf ka faisla le sake? [Do a common girl like me has that power to take a lawful decision of justice, my lord?] Bakshi's low and gentle voice has an exceptional firmness today.
"Jodha Begam ka kahena hay, or hum bhi yeh mante hay ki Sharifuddin ne aapne watan ke sath jo kiya hay, usse kayi zyada gunah aapni biwi or bacchi ke sath kiya hay. Sharifuddin ko yeh Mughal Saltanant aapke hawale me kiya hay; aapka haq hay ki aap unka mustakbil ka faisla le... Aap kya yeh haq chhor rahi hay? [As queen Jodha suggested, and me too agree, that Sharifuddin has done much more crimes to his family than he did to his land. The Mughal sultanate has given Sharifuddin in your hand, you have the right to decide his future. Do you want to leave it?]
Bakshi picked up her eyes this time. Her timid and vacant eyes roamed around the whole court-room and then stuck in the face of Sharifuddin. Sharifuddin was too staring at her. His vacant pale face had touched with a little life- a little hope, perhaps after seeing Bakshi... as perhaps he believes no matter how much does he manhandle and insult this poor woman, if there is anyone in this world who has tears to shed for him, it is this stupid, irritating woman- his wife Bakshi Banu whom he hardly acknowledge as human... So, in this last moments of life, his dead soul suddenly saw a ray of hope after seeing her face... perhaps it is not late... perhaps he was arrange everything again... perhaps he can have a fresh start again...
"Hum bohot aam hay Shahenshah! Na humme siyaasat ki koi samajh hay na kanoon ka koi ilm. [I am very ordinary Majesty! Neither I understand politics nor I have knowledge about law.] Bakshi told in a gentle voice, her eyes had an uncanny firmness. "Sharifuddin Sahab ke gunaah ke hisab lagane ka haq humara nehi ho sakta... Hum Sharifuddin Sahab ka gunah ke insaaf nehi kar sakte. Nahi hum koi saza ka faisla suna sakte hay... [I cannot take count of Sharifuddin Sahab's sins... Neither I can do justice; nor I can take decisions...]
"Agar aap aisa hi sochti hay to... [If you think like this then...] Jalal was starting to speak again, but he suddenly got interrupted by Bakshi.
"Maaf karna Shahenshah... Hume iss bare me kuch or kahena hay. [I am sorry Majesty, I have something more to say...] She said. Her eyes were still gazing at Sharifuddin. Sharifddin too was gazing at her with his one eye, trying to convey his urge as much as possible...
"Sharifuddin Sahab ka saza hum tyar nehi kar sakte. Kyuki hume ilm nehi hay insaaf ka. Hume darr hay ki humari zyati zindegi ka ashar insaaf par parega. Is liye hum kisi ek ke haatyon yeh haq dena chahenge, jo aaj tak bohot sare gunehgaaryon ka saza khud tyar kiya hay. [I can't decie Sharifuddin's punishment. Cause I have no knowledge about justice, I fear my personal life will bias the justice. So I want to give this right in such a hand who has already decided punishments for criminals.] She took a large breath before uttering her sentence. "Hum chahte hay ki Shahenshah ke haati Hawai yeh faisla le ki Sharifuddin Sahab ko baksh diya jaye yeah nehi. [I want that the elephant of his majesty, Hawai takes the decision if he should be spared or not.] She held her voice high, as if she is declaring something, and her voice did not tremble for once... "Humara faisla hay ki Sharifuddin Sahab ko Shahenshah ki haathi Hawai ke samne khara kar diya jay. Unke sath kya suluk kiya jayega, o faisla Hawai karega! [My decision is that, Sharifuddin Sahab should be made stand in front of Hawai, his majesty's elephant. Hawai will take further decisions itself!]
There was suddenly a pin-drop silence in the court. All the eyes, including the eyes of the emperor and the empress, was staring at Bakshi Banu shockingly. There was no sign of shiver in Bakshi's eyes. She was still staring at Sharifuddin, her eyes as cold as a rock. Suddenly a pitiful murmur broke the silence in the court. Sharifuddin's lips were trembling... "Nehi Bakshi... nehi... [No Bakshi... No...] An almost muted murmur... but even after this Bakshi did not tremble a bit...
"Hukum ki taamil ho! [Obey the orders!] Hiding his sigh inside, the emperor ordered... Sharifuddin was taken away... His one-eye still gazing at Bakshi, perhaps to beg apology and pity from her...
But Bakshi did not tremble a bit...
The court was adjourned for the day...
DEATH OF A WIFE...
At night, Jodha was unable to sleep. It had become a habit to sleep with him these days, so tonight she was feeling too much lonely in her empty bed. He must be sleeping now, she thought... It was a tiring day and he gets only some hours to take rest which he exploits completely. So no scope of counting stars and missing her... But what about Jodha now? From 2 hours she was constantly lolling on the bed, and sleep was not ready to come in her eyes...
Yawning twice, Jodha got up. A fresh air of the night might work as tranquilizer. She took a stroll and covered herself before going out of the room to stand on the balcony. Every one of the palace was sleeping at the late of night. Jalal's room can be seen directly from the balcony of Jodha... Jodha tried to peep, but the room was completely dark. He was really sleeping... Jodha giggled in her mind thinking about her childishness and was about to get inside her room again, suddenly she heard a suppressed weep floating in the air...
"Bakshi Banu?
An astonished Jodha followed the sound and reached to the terrace attached to the room of Bakshi Banu. She was right, it was Bakshi who was weeping all alone at the late of night. When there is no one to witness her tears, when she is alone to deal with her weakness of heart, she is venting out through the tears... Jodha's heart ached for a moment. Everyone was there beside Bakshi when the deadbody of Sharifuddin was taken away from the place of execution to the graveyard allotted for the convicts. Everyone appreciated her for her bravery. Everyone respected her for her strength of mind and rigidity... But alas! None could see the huge burden of agony she was carrying under that cover of strength and rigidity!
Bakshi was wearing a black salwar- a wear of widows in Muslim customs. Though she had denied obeying the rituals a widow should follow for a certain time after the death of husband. None of the royal family had accompanied in Sharifuddin's last rites. No rituals were made from their household. The relation was completely denied and he was buried like a criminal only. And it is not that Jalal did not want his sister to follow any ritual related to Sharifuddin, rather he let Bakshi to choose. It was Bakshi who did not want to accept Sharifuddin the criminal as her husband... and even her mother's words could not move her from her determination. All were amazed seeing the young timid Bakshi with such firmness...
But it seems the wall of firmness is willing to break now in this lonely darkness!
"Bakshi... Jodha slowly went beside her and touched her shoulder. Bakshi turned to her in utter shock. "Bhabijaan!
And then without wasting a word she break down in crying on her chest.
Jodha kept on caressing her hairs. What else could she do!
"Bohot dard hua hoga unhe jaate waqt bhabijaan! Bohot tadap rahe the o! [He was in pain while going Bhabijaan! He was suffering!] Bakshi was sobbing pitifully. "Unke aankho me kuch tha Bhabijaan... Jaise ki humse thori si umeed ki bhikh maang rahe ho... or humne o umeed... [There was something in his eyes Bhabijaan... as if he was begging for some hope... And I broke that hope...] She gulped and picked her head, looking at Jodha... she looked restless. "Kya kare hum Bhabijaan? Unka wohi aankh mujhe chain nehi deta... har ek paher me hume o dikh rahe hay... humari taraf dekh rahe hay o, or maafi ki, zindegi ki umeed ki bhikh maang rahe hay... Kaha jaye hum Bhabijaan? [What should I do Bhabijaan? That eye does not let me live in peace. I see that in every moment. He was looking at me, was begging for apology, for hope of life... where should I go Bhabijaan!]
"Sab thik ho jayega Bakshi! [Everything will be alright Bakshi!] Jodha cupped her face to calm her down. "Dheere dheere sab kuch thik ho jayega. Tumhe zindegi me aage barna hay Bakshi! [Everything will be alright slowly. You have to move ahead in life!]
"Aage barna! [Moving ahead!] Bakshi smiled sarcastically. "Wohi to nehi aata hay hume Bhabijaan. Kash zindegi me sahi samay me beeti hui kal ko chorke aage barne ka kayda jante hum. To sayad sabke zindegi me itni muskil payda nehi karte! [I cannot do that Bhabijaan. If only I knew the art of moving ahead in life forgetting the past. Then perhaps I would not have brought so much hazard in everyone's life! ]
"Yeh kya kahe rahi ho tum Bakshi? Koi dosh nehi hay tumhara... [What are you telling Bakshi? You are not at fault!] Jodha wiped out her tears with care.
"Aap jo bhi kahe Bhabijaan. Galti to humari hi hay! [You may say anything. But fault is mine only!] Bakshi suddenly laughed. "Pata hay Bhabijaan, bohot badi buddhu hay hum. Zindegi ki koi samajh hi nehi hay humme! Iss liye hi to har mor pe kadam ladkhara jata hay! Kabhi dard kya hota hay pata chalne nehi diye the abbujaan ne. Unke jaane ke baad Bhaijaan- humse srif 3 saal ka bada Bhaijaan zindegi ki sari dard, sara zaher khud piker hume mohabbat or khusi ki chaddar se gher kar rakha... Isliye pata hi nehi tha ki dard akhir samhala kaise jaata hay. Zindegi ne jab paheli daaga di- jab humari pahela sauhaar chal base, lagne laga ki zindegi ka or koi matlab hi nehi hay. Samhal nehi paaye aapna kadam... Or srif humare khusi ke liye Bhaijaan firse nikaah karwa diya humara... Kitni badi nasamajh the hum Bhabijaan, ek anjaan aadmi achanak se ek raat akar bola ki hume o zindegi ki saari khusiyan firse la kar dega, or hum uspar yaakin kar baithe! Usse aapna dil de baithe! Usse aapna khuda maan baithe! Or uss galti ke samundar me aise dubte chale gaye, ki picche mor kar bhi kabhi nehi dekh paye- kaise ek jhoot ke piche bhagte bhagte aapni sacchi risthyon ko gala dabakar maar rahe hay hum! [You know, Bhabijaan, I am a big fool. I don't have any understanding of life. So my feet trembles at every step. My father never let me to feel what is pain. After his death my brother- my 3 years elder brother took all the pain and poison of life on his own to protect me with the cover of happiness and love... I never knew how to deal with pain. When life gave me the first jerk- when my first husband passed away, I felt as if there is no meaning of life. I could not balance my steps... And only for my happiness my brother again married me off. I was so stupid Bhabijaan, one stranger came to me at a night and said that he will give me back all the happiness of my life, and I believed him! I gave my heart to him! I believed him as my God! And I kept on drowning in the sea of that mistake, could never see at my back- how I am strangling my other relations while running behind a lie!]
"Tumhari bhagya ne khel khela hay tumhare sath Bakshi... Tumhari koi dosh nehi! [Your fate has played with you Bakshi. You are not at fault!] Jodha tried to pacify her.
"Nehi Bhabijaan! Bakshi smiled. "Insaan ka kaam hi to thik karta hay ki uska naseeb ushe kaha lekar jayega! Bhaijaan kaha karte hay na, ki aapni kismaat ka dhaga aapne hi haatyon hota hay? Humari kismaat bhi humari hi saath thi Bhabijaan... Humare paas humari zindegi thi, aapna faisla tha, humara Bhaijaan tha! Par hum to pahele hi bik gaye the uss darinde ke haatyon! O dard diya, hum mohabbat samajhkar saahete rahe... Usne humara rusbahi karta raha, hum usse aapni haq samajhkar sunte gaye... Tab lagta tha ki na jane kitna mohabbat karte hay hum unse! Par aaj samajhte hay, o humari mohabbat nehi, humari khudgarzi thi, humara laalach tha! Darr te the hum- kayi unki begam banne ka haq na chali jay; kayi firse ekela na ho jana parhe... Kitni nasamajh hay hum hay na, pata hi nehi tha ki hum kabhi unki Begam thi hi nehi! Hum to khud ki aapne aapko unki bandi se barkaar kuch nehi samjha! Ekela hone ke khauf se yeh sab sahete rahe, par yeh nehi dekh paye ki hum to ekela hi the! O humare the hi kab! [No Bhabijan! The work of a human decides where his fate will take him! Brother says that the thread of the fate is always in own hand. My fate was also with me Bhabijaan... I had my life with me, my decisions with me, I had my brother with me! But I had sold myself much before to that devil. He gave me pain, I beared that thinking as his love... He kept on insulting me, I kept on listening taking that as my right... I used to think I love him selflessly! But today I understand, that was not my love- that was my selfishness, that was my greed. I was in fear- what if I lose the right of being his wife, if I have to stay alone again... I was so stupid, I never understood that I was never his wife... I myself never thought me more than a maid to her! I kept on tolerating everything in fear of becoming alone, never saw that I was always alone! When he was with me?]
Jodha sighed silently. Bakshi paused to take breath. She looked at the night sky... "Mughal Shahzadi Bakshi Banu ek khudgarz risthey ke liye khud ko itna niche gira diya ki uaha se uthh pana bhi na-munkin ho! Aapne haatyon se katal kar diya humne baki sare rishtyon ka... Bhul gaye ki hum ek shahzadi hay, ek beti hay, ek behen hay...aapne ek wajud ko kayem rakhne ki chahat me sare rishtyon ko mar dala! Or tajjub ki baat dekhie Bhabijaan, aaj baas yehi soch rahe hay ki kis liye ki humne itna kuch? Konsi rishtey ko bachana chahte the? Konsi wajud ko bachana chahte the? Uss Biwi ki maut to uss din hi ho gaya tha Bhabijaan jisdin se uski sauhaar ne uski tauheen kiya... Itne din to zinda laash bankar chal rahe the hum; ek jhooti khwab ke pichhe bhagte phir rahe the jisse kabhi humne dekha bhi nehi! [Mughal princess Bakshi Banu stooped herself so low for a selfish relation that getting up from there became impossible. I killed all the relations in my own hand... I forgot that I am a princess, a daughter, a sister... to keep alive a single entity I killed all the relationships! And see the strange thing, I am thinking only one thing now- why did I do all these? Which relation did I want to save? Which entity I wanted to keep alive? The wife within me was dead from that day when my husband insulted me... I was living like a dead;I was running behind such a fake dream which perhaps I never dared to dream! ]
"Galti sabse hota hay Bakshi! Par jo aapni galti maankar khud ko sudhar sake wohi asli manushya hay! [Everyone does mistake Bakshi! But who can rectify her mistake, is the real human!] Jodha touched Bakshi's chin and told in a grave voice. "Aaj tumne jo nirnay li hay na, koi bhi nehi le sakta! Aaj tumne jo sahas ka parichaay di hay, o koi bhi nehi de sakta! Aapni andar ki yeh chingari ko bujhne maat dena Bakshi! Aapni aansu bahakar aapni shakti ko nicha maat karna! Kyu ki tumhari iss Shakti ke upar hi to adharit hay tumhari beti ki bhabisya... Tum firse durbal nehi ho sakti... Mahtaab ke liye! [None can take the decision which you took today! None can show the bravery like you did today! Never let this spark to be estinguished in your heart Bakshi! Don't underestimate your strength with your tears! As the future of your daughter depends on this strength... you can't get weak anymore... for Mahtaab!]
"Thik kaha aapne Bhabijaan! [You said right Bhabijaan!] Bakshi wiped her tears. "Mahtaab ke aanshuyon ne hi to paheli baar hume iss sawal ke samne laakar khara kar diya- kya kiya hay tumne aapni puri zindegi me? Kya maksaad hay tumhare zindegi ka? Kaun ho tum? Srif Sharifuddin ki biwi- unki gussa utarne ka samaan? Yea ek maa? Mehsoos kar paye ki ek maa kabhi sar jhuka kar nehi chal sakti. Usse takatbar banna hi parta hay, aapni bacchi ke khatir! Aapni bacchi ke liye usse aapna kadam tham kar chalna hi parta hay! [Mahtaab's tears made me stand in front of the question- what the hell did you do in your whole life? What is the reason of your whole life? Who are you? Only the wife of Sharifuddin- the purgatory of anger for Sharifuddin? Or a mother? I felt that a mother cannot live bending her head. She needs to be powerful- for sake of her daughter! She needs to walk straightly for sake of her daughter!] She smiled brightly now. "Or nehi Bhabijaan! Or nehi! Or nehi dekhenge pichhe murke. Sharifuddin nehi raha; aab Uski biwi Bakshi Banu Begam ko bhi marna hoga! Srif Mahtaab ki maa zinda rahegi! [No Bhabijaan! I will not turn back to my past anymore. Sharifuddin is no more. Now his wife Bakshi Banu Begam will die too! Only the mother of Mahtaab will live...]
Jodha smiled silently and hugged her...
KABUL ARRIVES AT AGRA...
And some days later, in one fine morning, the caravan of Kabul reached at the doorsteps of Agra.
There were adequate preparations for a celebration... From no angle it was looking like the governor of a rebel state has come to surrender in front of the emperor officially in the capital of the empire. Jalal left no scope to dilute the political tension under the banner of happiness and celebrations of his brother's and sister's arrival. Still, a suppressed pressure was alive inside everyone who is related to the politics. Especially Jalal was worried. He had no tension about the official announcement of Kabul's surrender under the flag of Mughals as it was going to happen... But he was worried about Mirza Hakim. He had no clue about how he was thinking and how he is going to respond. Similarly he had a cloudy view in mind about Fakhrunnisa too. Jalaluddin's Hindustan needs Fakhrunnisa to tame down Kabul; and Fakhrunnisa is precious only when she is under-control. And it was a test for Jalal... to read Fakhrunnisa's mind to understand what she is thinking...
The emperor himself was present to welcome the main caravan from Kabul. Mirza Hakim's elephant was grandly welcomed in the royal gate. Amidst of the chanting of the crowd, the guards and soldiers, the resplendence of Agra, the overall grandeur, Mirza was looking extremely pale... And anyone who has ever seen Mirza's happy face in Agra, would surely differentiate him. It was looking like all his juvenile cheerfulness has been soaked in a terrible storm. "Khushamdeed Mirza... [Welcome Mirza...] Jalal came closer to him after formal exchanges and hugged him spontaneously. Mirza responded too, and his response shocked Jalal for a while. Never in his life has he got such a cold and lifeless hug from someone whom he loves dearly...
The royal palanquin from Kabul stopped at the gate of women's' section. Fakhrunnisa put her first step on the earth of Hindustan. The place deemed in grace when she slowly came out of the transparent curtain and removed the veil from her eyes... Beautiful is a negligible term to describe her; beauty with touch of elegance, royalty and a lot of brain, the eyes sparking with sharp cunningness, the new governor of Kabul was so different and unique that when her enigmatic aura touched the air of Agra, it seemed even the nature of Agra became cautious... The other women in welcome to her were standing silently... They were amazed to see her beauty, but they were touched with the strange mystery that surrounds her...
Jodha came forward to welcome her before the other women copes up with. Joining her both hands together and touching them slightly on her forehead, she uttered elegantly in her regal style- "Agra me swagat hay, Mallika-E-Kabul; Mallika-E-Hind, Wali Nimat Begam Jodha Bai ki abhibadan swikar kare... [Welcome in Agra, Mallika-E-Kabul; Mallika-E-Hind, Wali-Nimat Begam Jodha is welcoming you in our place...]
"Salaam Aleukum, Mallika Jodha... Fakhrunnisa Begam smiled sweetly. "Kabul me rahete waqt kafi suna hay aapke bareme... Aap hi hay o Rajputani hashina, jinhone aapni hunar or hoshiyaari se aaj Shahenshah ke naam se farmaan jari karne ka haq aada ki hay! Khoaish tha ki aapse mulakat ho... [Heard a lot about you in Kabul. You are that same Rajputani beauty, who has achieved the right of declaring official documents from emperor's name with your talent and smartness! I has wish to meet you.]
"Humne bhi suna bohot kuch aapke bareme... [Me too heard a lot about you...] Jodha smiled slightly... "Shahenshah se... [From the emperor...]
There was something in Jodha's tone that only Fakhrunnisa could understand. She tried to read Jodha from her eyes... And she got nothing complex in her beautiful eyes. She does not have any complication in her thought, and that purity reflects from her eyes... The elegance is mixed with that purity, which makes her unique. She has such an elegant and dignified composure in her whole get-up, that she achieves only respect from all... she does not need to fight to earn respect... Fakhrunnisa had a thought that she might pity this woman before she met her; and now she understood how much wrong was she after seeing her. She could feel her completeness only by seeing the content and gentleness of her eyes, and she was left with no choice but to respect her...
"Marium-Makani, yaaniki humari Ammijaan aapki swagat ke liye aana chahte the... [Marium Malani, means our Ammijaan wanted to come here for your welcome...] Jodha continued maintaining the sweet royal dignity in her voice. "Parantu sharir ne saath nehi diya. Unke swasth kuch thik nehi hay; hakima sahiba ne araam karne ke liye kahi hay. Asha karte hay ki aap galat nehi samajh rahe... O aapni kaksh me aapki raha dekh rahi hogi... [But health did not help her. She is not well, the doctor told her to take rest. I hope you will not take it wrong She is waiting for you in her room.]
"Hum zarur Hamida Ammijaan se roobaru honge... sabse pahele... [I will surly meet Hamida Amiijaan first...] Fakhrunnisa replied with a smile. "Or aap sab se bhi thik se baat karni hay hume... Hum paheli baar jo aa rahe hay Agra! [And I have to talk to you all! I am coming Agra for the first time...] There was a very friendly casual tone in her voice when she spoke... as if she was really happy from her heart to see her family and relatives. They again exchanged a formal courtesy adieu before she and her guards proceeded to the room allocated for her.
Jodha smiled slightly seeing Fakhrunnisa's style of walking in her mind... Ruksaar Begam was standing beside her. She was looking confused. "Jodha Begam, she asked. "Humne humesha dekha hay ki aap audha se zyada rishtyon ko mahine dete hay. Fir aaj achanak se aap Shahenshah ki behen ki istakbaal me unhe Mallika-E-Kabul kahekar pukarne lagi? [I saw that you always give more importance to relationships than status. Then suddenly why you called the sister of the emperor as Mallika-E-Kabul in her welcome?]
Jodha smiled looking at her. "Jise jo bhata hay, uske sath to wohi karna chahiye, hay na Ruksaar Begam? [One should behave to someone according to her wish, isn't it Ruksaar Begam?]
TWO BROTHERS...
"Mirza!
Taking another sip from his goblet, Mirza Hakim turned back. A bent smile reflected from his lips. "Ayiye, Shahenshah-E-Hind! Iss naa-cheez bande ko achanak se kaise yaad kiya?[Come, the emperor of Hindustan! How you recalled this negligible servant?]
"Hume tumse baat karni hay Mirza! [I want to talk to you Mirza!] Jalal entered strainghtly and stood in front of him.
"Kyu Shahenshah, aaj darbaar me baat karne ki kami rahe gayi thi kya? [What Majesty! Is there any less talk in the court?] Mirza laughed at his own joke. "Darbaar me to srif aap hi bolte gaye... hum sunte gaye... firse kya batana hay aapko? [You talked in the court, I listened... Now what else?]
"Darbaar me hum Shahenshah the; aab tumhara bhaijaan aya hay tumse baat karne. [I was the emperor in the court. Now your brother has come to you.]
"Accha, to Shahenshah ki mukhoti utarkar bhai ka naqaab pahen liya aapne? [I see... So you have already worn the mask of a brother changing the mask of an emperor] Mirza laughed out. "Sach me... kitna sara naqaab hay aapke paas... Unhe pahente pahente sayad khud hi bhul gaya hay ki asal me aapka chehra tha kaisa! [Really... you have so many masks with you... Maybe you yourself have forgotten how your face was in real while wearing those!]
"Mirza! Jalal uttered in a hurt voice. But Mirza did not respond and started pouring drink in his goblet.
"Mirza... Jalal touched his shoulder. "Ekbar samajhne ki kosish karo... [Mirza try to understand...]
"Jaam piyenge aap? [Will you have a drink?] Mirza suddenly offered. Jalal stared at him confusedly. Mirza smiled. "Hadd hay, hayna? Aapke hi mahel main baithkar, aapka hi jaam aaphi ko pine ka neyota de rahe hay! Chaliye, hum aapke liye pesh karte hay... [Height, isn't it? I am inviting you for a drink in your palace, with your wine! Well, let me serve for you...] and he started pouring wine in another goblet... "Lijie, He handed him the glass then and smirked meaningfully. "Yeh peene ke baad baat karne me ashani hogi! [Take it. You will feel easy to talk after taking this!]
Then he took up his glass and finished that in one single sip before filling that again.
"Ho kya gaya hay tumhe Mirza? [What has happened to you, Mirza?] Jalal stared perplexedly.
"Kuch nehi, baas aachanak se bada ho gaya hu! Jo bohot pahele hona chahiye tha! [Nothing. Only I have grown old! I should have been years back!] Mirza finished that goblet too and filled that again. He was slightly trembling out of hangover.
Jalal could not keep his calm anymore and snatched the glass from his hand. "Iss tarha se sharab kyu pee rahe ho? [Why are you drinking this way?]
"Shahenshah-E-Hind ke samne baithkar sharab peena gunah hay kya? [So is it banned to drink before the emperor of Hindustan?] Mirza pierced his glare. "Yeah fir ek haara hua baagi ko sharab pine ke liye bhi shahenshah se farmaan lena parega? [Or a surrendered rebel needs to get a sealed permission from emperor to drink wine?]
"Kya baakte chale ja rahe ho nashe me?? [What are you saying in hangover??] Jalal could not hold his temper anymore and shouted as his instinct of an elder brother did not let him to tolerate these. "Lagta kya hay tumhe? Jo man me ayega karoge or rokne wala koi nehi rahega? Hum baat kaarne aye hay tumse, or tum humare sath aisi battamizi kar rahe ho? Aapna tamaam tamiz or izzat ka sara sikh bhul gaye ho kya? [What do you think? You can do anything and none will stop you? I came here to talk to you, and you are misbehaving with me? Have you forgotten your sense of honour and behavior?]
"Hahahahahhahahhhaaa!! Mirza started laughing nastily! Then he took the pot of the wine and got to pour that directly in throat...
"MIRZA! Jalal controlled his hand before it raised to slap him hard with difficulty. He snatched the pot and threw that on the floor. It fell with a bang and a lot of wine spread on the priceful carpet! "Aaj se sharab ko haat bhi nehi lagaoge! Samjhe?? [You will not touch drink from now on! Understood????] He shouted. But Mirza was still laughing...
"Hasi aa rahi hay tumhe??? [You are laughing??] Jalal pulled Mirza's hand. "Ho kya gya hay tumhe?? Aisa kyu kar rahe ho? [What happened to you? Why are you behaving like this??]
"Kuch nehi Bhaijaan! Baas soch rahe hay ki aapke iss gusse ka baja kya hay! [Nothing brother! Only thinking that what is the reason of your anger!] Mirza smiled. "Ek Bhai ka fikr, yeah fir ek Shahenashah ka ghamandd! [Is it a concern of a brother, or the arrogance of an emperor?]
"Hum tumhare Bhaijaan hay Mirza! Hum dono ke ristey ke bich yeh Shahenshah ka audha kahase aa sakta hay? [I am your brother Mirza! How the status of an emperor comes in between our relation?] Jalal tamed his voice and tried to pursue.
"Aata hay, bhaijaan! Jab ek shahzade ko ek siyashi mohra banakar usse aapna izzat or audha chhinkar usse ek baagi ka darja diya jata hay, tab aata jaata hay! [It comes, brother! When a prince is made a pawn of politics and he is given the role of a rebel snatching his honour and status, then it comes!] Mirza gazed at Jalal's eyes...
"Mirza tum... Jalal sighed. "Dekho, ek chhoti si galat-faimi ho gayi thi, hum baat karke o suljha lenge... Tumne ek galti kiya par humne usse maaf bhi kar chuke hay. Tum to maujud the na aaj darbaar me. Tumne suna na... ki humne yeh bata diya hay, ki Kabul me tumhara wohi darja rahega jo humesha se tha... tum aapne sare haq... [Look Mirza, there was a little misunderstanding, and we can solve it after discussing... You committed a mistake and I have forgiven you for that. You were there in court. You heard that I announced that your status and right will be same as it was and...]
"Hahahahah! Mirza laughed again. "Aapka yeh aada bhi kamal ka hay Bhaijaan. Aap insaan ko ashmaan se sidha zameen par gira dete hay...o or jab o tod-maror kar dhul me mil jaye tab usse ek kurshi me baitha kar uspar rahem karte hay! [Your style is wonderful Brother. First you pull the man down from sky and throw him on the ground. Then when he is broken and crushed completely you make him sit on chair and show him mercy!] He stopped smiling and looked at his eyes with cold glare. "Naahi hume aapki hamdardi chahiye, nahi aapki maafi, or nahi aapka rahem. Aapse rahem ki bhik mangne se accha hay ki hum sare zindegi kayedi ka zindegi bitaye! [Neither I want your sympathy, nor your forgiveness or your mercy. It is better to live like a prisoner than begging in front of you for mercy!]
"Hume kya dosh de rahe ho Mirza? [Why are you blaming me, Mirza?] An irritated Jalal argued. "Mughal saltanant ke khilaaf jung ka elaan kisne kiya tha? Bagawaat ka suruwat karke aapna zimmedari ko nazarandaz kisne kiya tha? Jo khud ek Shahzada ka zimmidari nehi niva paya o aapni izzat or haq ki baat kar raha hay?[Who wedged war against Mughal empire? Who ignored his duty by starting the revolt? Who himself could not fulfill his responsibilities as a prince, how can he expect own right and respect?]
"Kya karu Bhaijaan! [What to do brother!] Mirza smiled sadly. "Uss waqt Shahenshah-E-Hind ki gulaam banne ki zimmidari se zyada ek bte ka farz nivana mujhe zyada zaruri laga! [That time I preferred to fulfill my duties as a son to the responsibilities of a slave of an emperor!] He suddenly hissed. "Humne humesa aapko aapne ammijaan se zyada mana hay Bhaijaan! Par aapne saabit kar diya ki humari ammijaan sahi thi aapko parakhne me! Aap unke sath acche hay jo aapke pair ke niche rahe... Or jo log aapke upar sar uthana chahe unke sar katkar fek dete hay aap... [I always obeyed you more than my mother! But you proved that my mother was correct in understanding you You are good with them who stays under your feet... But who tries to raise head befre you, you behead them...] He paused and then his eyes triggered fire. "Jaise humari ammijaan ke sath kiya... [Like you did with my mother!]
"Mahachuchak Ammi ko humne nehi mara hay Mirza... [I did not kill Mother Mahachuchak, Mirza...] Jalal touched his shoulder.
"Jante hay Bhaijaan... Koi bhi shahenshah aapne haat aapni hi Ammi ki khun se nehi rangayega... Shahenshah ko kisika katal karne ki zarurat hi kya parta hay. Ek hukum hi to kaafi hay uske liye... [I know brother... No emperor will afford to kill his mother in own hand... An emperor does not need to kill anyone on hand. One order is enough for that...]
"Yaakin karo Mirza, humare sath iss katal ka koi bhi rishta nehi hay. Mahachuchak Begam ka katal Abul Mali ne kiya hay... [Believe me Mirza, there is no relationship of mine with the murder. Abul Mali has murdered Mahchuchak Begam.]
"Aapke hukum se. [On your order.]
"Nehi... Kisne kaha tumhe ki... [No... Who told you that...] Jalal suddenly stopped and sighed.
"Humne dekha hay o khat Bhaijaan! [I have seen that letter on my eyes, brother!] Mirza's eyes sparked. "Khat me Shahenshah-E-Hind ka mohar laga hua tha... Paheli me uljhakar Abul Mali ko jo hukum diya jata tha o humne padha hay... He hissed. "Hume pata hay... [There was a seal of the emperor of Hindustan attached with the letter... I have read the order you gave to Abul Mali hiding under the cover of a riddle.]
"Nehi. Galat jante ho tum. [No, you know wrong!] Jalal told sternly. "Abul Mali ke sathe mera koi taaluk nehi hay.[I have no relation with Abul Mali.]
Mirza smiled. "To kya o sare khat or badshah ka mohar nakli hay, bhaijaan? [So was the letter and the seal fake, brother?]
"Nehi. Jalal told. "Par tum jo soch rahe ho o nehi hay... Sach to yehi hay ki... [No, but this is not the way are you thinking... Truth is that...]
Mirza laughed again. "Rahene dijie... Sach kahene se asliyaat to nehi badal jayegi! [Leave it... Truth will not change the fact!]
"Par tumhe batana zaruri hay! [But you need to know!] Jalal shouted. "Fakhrunnisa ko bulate hay hum abhi... Amne samne baat ho jayegi. Hum bhi dekhte hay o kitni badi... [I am calling Fakhrunnisa right now... Let's talk face to face. I will see how much big...]
"Rahene dijie... [Leave it...] Mirza held his hand and stopped him. "Kya saabit karenge aap mere samne? Yehi ki aapka taaluk Abul Mali se nehi, Aapajaan se tha? Yehi ki aap or unhone milkar bohot acchi ek chal chali thi Kabul ko firse Mughal ki ektiyaar me lene ke liye? Yehi ki aapko Kabul me kabza chahiye tha, or aapajaan ko Kabul ka takht, iss liye dono milkar Kabul ko saaf kar diye taaki nayi tarha se suru kiya ja sake, hay na? [What will you prove? That you had no relation with Abul Mali but Aapajaan? That you both together made a plan to get Kabul under Mughal control? That she wanted the throne of Kabul, and you wanted the control, so both cleared the whole Kabul so that everything can be started freshly, is it?]
"Dekho Mirza... tum jaisa soch rahe ho waisa nehi hay! [Look Mirza, what you are thinking is not the fact!] Jalal tried to pursue, but could not understand how. Mirza smiled again... "Ho sakta hay hum jo soch rahe hay waisa nehi hay... Hume kaha aata hay aapke tarha sochna? Aap chust hay siyasaat ke khel me, or nadaan main, siyasaat hi samajh nehi aata... Dekhie na, kitni ashani se hum bhi mohra ban gaye aapke iss khelka?[Maybe what I am thinking is not the fact. How can I think like you? You are so smart in the game of politics, and I am novice, do not understand politics... See, how easily I became a pawn in your game?]
"Humne tumhe mohra banaya hay? [I made you a pawn?] Jalal stated angrily. "Tum aisa soch bhi kaise sakte ho? Hum bhala kyu karenge aisa? Dekho Mirza, yeh sach hay ki Fakhr or humare beech khat ka lenden hota tha... Par humne Kabul ko sunsaan karne ke liye kisike bhi sath koi chal nehi chali... Jo bhi hua sab Fakhrunnisa ke haatyon... [How can you think this? Why I will do this? Look Mirza, this is true that I had exchanges of letters with Fakht. But I made no plan to vacant Kabul... Everything that happened was Fakhrunnisa's...]
"Ek hi baat hua na Bhaijaan! [Same thing, isn't it Bhaijaan!] Mirza laughed. "Ek taraf mere bhai, ek taraf mere aapa... mere liye dono alag hay kya? Or... [My sister at one side, and brother at another, are they different for me? And...] He smirked. "Kon kya kiya hay o zaruri nehi hay Bhaijaan! Zaruri yeh hay, ki jo bhi hua usse aapka raasta saaf ho gaya! Fakhrunnisa Begam ne jo bhi kiya, aapke liye, aapke saltanant ke liye kiya or yeh zimmidari aapko leni hi hogi. Kabul aab shant rahega, kyuki Kabul ki nayi Mallika Shahenshah ki aziz hay; ek hi kaanta tha, Kabul me baithkar khazana ka adha hissa lene wala ek nadaan sautela bhai, ! [Is it important to see who did what, Brother! Important thing is, anything that happened has cleared your path! Everything Fakhrunnisa Begam did, was for your empire and so you are the one who is responsible. Kabul will keep calm now, as the new owner of Kabul is close to the emperor; there was only a single thorn- a stupid step-brother,] His face bent in sarcasm, "Usse bhi badi hi safai se kayedi bana diya gaya! Usse bahela fuslakar kanoon ke jaal me fasakar baagi ka takma de diya gaya! Aab Kabul ki takdir badlegi, Shahenshah-E-Hind ke haatyon... Baah! Kya khel khela hay aap logone! [He is also made a prisoner very tactfully! Very easily he is stamped as a revel by washing his brain! Now Kabul's destiny will change in hand of the emperor... Wow! What a game you played!]
"Pata nehi kis labz me kahu taki tum samjho... [I don't know in what language I should make you to understand...] Jalal sighed.
"Thik hay. [okay...] Mirza looked at his eyes. "Samjhana chahte hay to hum jo mang rahe hay o dijie... Hume Ammijaan ki katil chahiye... [If you want me to understand, give me what I am askin for. I want my mother's murderer...]
"Abul Mali ko bohot jald pakad liya jayega... [Abul Mali will be caught soon...]
"Abul Mali ka baat kon kar raha hay! [Who is talking about Abul Mali!] Mirza laughed. "O to baas ek putla hay! Hume sabke piche jiski dimaag kam kar raha hay usse humare pair ke samne chahiye! [He was only a puppet! I need that person on my feet whose brain is working behind all these!] He came closer and almost whispered. "Hum chahte hay ki aap kal subha unhe griftaar kare or insaaf ke taur par unhe maut ka saza sunaye... Or Kabul ka suba firse humare naam kar de... Tabhi hum samjhenge ki aap humse jo kahe rahe hay sab sach hay... [I want you to arrest her by morning and sentence her to death as a justice... Then again give the whole Kabul to me. Then only I will understand that all you are telling is truth...]
"Yeh hargis nehi ho sakta! [It is never possible!] Jalal told. "Tumhe kuch saabit karne ke liye hum aapne siyasi faisle badal nehi sakte! [I can't change my political decisions for proving you something!]
"Kyu Bhaijaan? Aap to jaante hay na ki inn sabke piche kya hay? To aap insaaf kyu nehi kar sakte? [Why brother? You know who is behind all these. Then why can't you do justice?]
"Tumhari muh-boli baato se kuch nehi hota Mirza. Humare Hindustan me hum aise hi aapna bhai ka dil rakhne ke liye kisi ko saza nehi de sakte. Saabut chaiye. Kis gunah ke liye Fakhrunnisa ko kayed kare hum, saabut hay tumhare paas? [Nothing will change based on your words Mirza. In my Hindustan I cannot punish someone to make my brother happy. I need proof. For which reason should I arrest Fakhrunnisa? Do you have any proof?]
Mirza gazed at his eyes for a while, then laughed out suddenly... "Aab bohot maza aa raha hay! Bohot maza aa raha hay... Begam Fakhrunnisa ko saza nehi mil sakta kyu ki unhone kuch nehi kiya- katal Abul Mali ne kiya, bagawaat Mirza Hakim ne kiya... Fakhrunnisa Begam to srif Badshah ki madat kar rahe the, unhe bhala kyu saza hogi? Or Shahenshah-E-Hind to kuch jante bhi nehi inn sab ke bare me; fir bhi dekho, kaise sab kuch unke haat aa gaya! Or idhar yeh bewakoof Mirza, baithe baithe aapni aapa ke sath pyaar dikhate raho, or aapna bhaijaan ke gulaam bankar sare zindegi unha pair ka dhul chatte raho... Hahahah!!! Kabul me chain or aman bhar gaya; Agra me Shahenshah ke zindegi se ek kanta nikal gaya... udhar Fakhrunnisa ki sapna bhi pura hua... srif yeh bewakoof Mirza baki zindegi aapni khoyi hui izzat ko wapas pane ki aar me shahenshah or Mallika-E-Kabul ki pair ki dhul chatte chatte aapni hi rusbahi me khudwakhud khatam ho jayega! [It is really a fun! Really funny... Begam Fakhrunnisa cannot be punished as she dis nothing... Murder is done by Abul Mali, revolt is done by Mirza Hakim... Fakhrunnisa Begam was only helping the emperor, why would she be punished? And the emperor knows nothing about all; still see, everything came in his hand so easily! And here this idiot Mirza, show your love to your sister and continue your slavery by licking the feet of your brother... Hahahah! Kabul is peaceful now; A thorn of Shahenshah's life is out from path... the dream of Fakhrunnisa is fulfilled... Only this Mirza will be finished automatically while licking the feet of the emperor and the queen of Kabul in the hope of getting back his lost respect again! ] He stopped. His eyes trembled in an unknown pain... Jalal was staring at his eyes vacantly. Suddenly Mirza looked at him again, his eyes sparked in rage...
"Par hum aisa hone nehi denge Bhaijaan... Hum or kisi ko bhi hume lekar khelne nehi denge! [But I will not let this happen Brother! I will let not anyone to play with me!] He suddenly smirked. "Aaj aapse ek wada karte hay bhaijaan... Kabul ko hum chain se nehi rahene denge! Fakhrunnisa ko hum chain se raaj karne nehi denge... Aapko hum raat ko chain se sone nehi denge... Kabul aapke gale me sare zindegi ek kaanta bankar rahegi, aapko parishani degi... Kuch bhi kar lijie aap Bhaijaan, aankhri dum tak Mirza Shahenshah Akbar ko chain se sone nehi dega! [Today I promise you brother... I will not let Kabul to live peacefully! I will not let Fakhrunnisa to reign peacefully... I will not let to sleep you peacefully... The thorn of Kabul will always be there in your throat, will irritate you... anything you can try Bhaijaan, but this Mirza will not let emperor Akbar to sleep peacefully till his last breath!]
Jalal stared at his face for a long time... Then his lips uttered. "Galat kar rahe ho... Bohot bari bhul ka rahe ho. Tabah ho jaoge Mirza... [You are doing wrong... you are doing a big mistake. You will be destroyed Mirza]
"Tabahi hi to chahiye! [Destruction is needed!] Mirza smirked and hissed. "Jaalkar hum rakh ho jayenge, paar uss aanch me aap or aapki pyari behen bhi taapegi! Or ohi mera khusi hay! Siyaasat ki gandagi ki paata chal chukka hay Bhaijaan... Agar aaj sar jhukakar rahe to firse haarna parega, na jane fir kisika mohra banna parega. [I will burn into ashes, but that heat will pain you and your sister! And that will be my joy! I have known the dirtiness of politics Brother... If I bow down today I will lose again, again I have to become a pawn.] He slowly held Jalal's hand and gave a cold glare. "Ek mohra banne se to accha hay ki ek baagi banu, hay na? Waada karte hay Bhaijaan... Ek aisa dusmaan banege ki yeh tarikh hume yaad rakhegi Shahenshah Akbar ka dusmaan ke naam par; ek jhuka hua shahzada samajhkar bhul nehi jayegi! [Is not it better to be a revel than a pawn? I promise you brother... I will become such an enemy that the History will remember me as an enemy of emperor Akbar; will not forget me as a surrendered, defeated prince!]
"Itni nafrat Mirza! [So much hatred, Mirza!] Jalal's voice suddenly took a peach of emotion. "Itni mohabbat karte hay hum tumse, or aaj tumhe o mohabbat jhuta lagne laga?? [I love you so much, and today you feel that is a lie?]
"Mohabbat to hum bhi bohot karte hay aapse, or kya kare, hum uss mohabbat ko nazarandaz bhi nehi kar pate! Par kisine humse kaha hay, ki risthey aapni jaaga or siyasaat aapni jaaga! [I too love you very much. And what to do, I cannot ignore that love! But someone has told me, that love is in it's own place, and politics is in its own!] Mirza smiled and kissed his hands. "Aap hi kahete the na, jo bhi mann se tham lo usse aapne sare takat se pura karo? Humne aapse hi to sikha hay! [You used to tell that what you have determined in mind you should complete that with all your strength? I have learnt from you! ]
Jalal sighed deeply and then freed his hands from Mirza's hold. And then he left the room with a bang without even bidding Mirza.
CLASH OF TITANS...
"Fakhrunnisa!
Fakhrunnisa turned back with a bit of surprise in her eyes. The emperor was standing behind him. His bright, regal eyes were inflaming in a surpressed rage...
"Shahenshah aap kab aye? [When did you come, Majesty?] Fakhrunnisa smiled and came closer to welcome him. "Hume hukum kiya hota, hum chale jate... [You could have ordered, I would have gone...] She said. But Jalal did not respond heartily. Rather he kept on piercing her with his glare...
"Baithiye na Bhaijaan! Jaam piyenge aap? [Sit brother! Will you like to take some drink?] Fakhrunnisa offered him seat and drink in normal courtesy. Jalal sat down on a coach and did not tell anything. Fakhrunnisa stared at him confusedly for some moments, then she got drinks for him...
"Bhaijaan...
Jalal looked at her eyes for a while, then in his usual majestic tone he uttered- "Baithiye... [Sit.]
Fakhrunnisa could feel there was something wrong. And she was ready for this moment.
"Mirza ko kya bataya hay aapne? [What did you tell Mirza?] Jalal straightly asked.
"Jo aapne paigaam me bheja tha wohi... [Which you wrote in the letter...]Fakhrunnisa smiled and passed cunningly. "Unke sath jo bhi baat hua Birbal Sahab ke samne hi hua hay, Shahenshah! [I talked to him in front of Birbal Sahab, Majesty!]
"Humare sath khelne ki kosish maat kariye Fakhrunnisa. [Don't try to play with me, Fahkrunnisa.] Jalal was still staring at her eyes. "Aap jante hay ki hum kis bare me baat kar rahe hay... Mirza Hakim ko Mahchuchak Ammi ki katal ki bare me kya bataye hay aapne? [You know about what I am talking... What did you tell Mirza about the murder of Mahchuchak Ammi?] Then he elaborated.
Fakhrunnisa kept mum for a moment. Perhaps she was arranging the words in her mind. "Wohi jo sach hay... ki Abul Mali ne Ammijaan ka katal kiya hay! [Only which is truth... that Abul Mali has killed mother!]
"Or? [And?]
Fakhrunnisa smiled. "Or kya, bhaijaan? [And what, brother?]
"Humne kaha na humare sath baatyoon ki khel maat kheliye, Fakhrunnisa... [I told you not to play game of words with me, Fakhrunnisa...] Jalal told in a cold tone. "Aapko humne jo bhi khat likha o Mirza ke haat me kaise aaya? [How the letter which I wrote to you reached to Mirza?]
"Bhaijaan... Fakhrunnisa suddenly giggled. "Pata to aapko sabhi hay. Fir puchkar waqt kyu zaya kar rahe hay? [Brother... You know everything. Still why are you wasting time by asking?]
Jalal was going to say something else, but he stopped suddenly and sighed. Then after a while his tone changed suddenly. "Kya mila aapko Mirza ko mere khilaf uksa kar? Aapki himmat kaise hui mere naam ki jhuti afwa faila kar mere bhai ko mere khilaf bharkane ka? [What did you get by instigating Mirza against me? How did you dare to spreading fake rumours about me to turn my brother against me?]
"Humari itni jurrat ki hum Shahenshah-E-Hind ke khilaf jhuta afwa failay? Khuda khair kare... [How can I dare to spread fake rumours against the emperor? God saves me...] Fakhrunnisa smiled. "Humne koi afwa nehi failaya bhaijaan... Khat bhi aapka tha, paigaam bhi aapki thi, hukum bhi aapka tha or paheli bhi aapka hi banaya hua tha. Aapke bhai aagar khat padke galat matlab nikale to isme mera kya kasoor Bhaijaan? [I did not spread any rumour, brother... the letter was written by you, the message was yours, the order was yours and also the riddle was made by you... If your brother gets a wrong meaning after reading that is that my fault?]
"Aapni safai badi hi acche se taiyaar kar rakhi hay aap! [You have made your excuse very efficiently!] Jalal smiled sarcastically. "Baatyon ke jaal se saabit karna chahte hay ki Abul Mali or humari jhuti taaluk ke bare me aapne Mirza ko nehi bharkaya? [You want to prove with your words that you did not instigate Mirza by telling lie to him about the deal of me and Abul Mali?]
"Taaluk to tha bhaijaan. Abul Mali ke sath na ho, humare sath to tha... [There was a deal, brother. Not with Abul Mali, but with me.] Fakhrunnisa smiled. "Or taaluk jiski bhi sath ho, Mirza ko farq nehi parta. [Mirza does not care about with whom the relation actually was.] She held his hand and uttered. "Mirza ko humne nehi uskaya hay Bhaijaan... Zaher to uske zahen me hi tha. Bachpan se Ammijaan ne zaher bhara hay uske dil me, ek na ek din to uss zaher ko bahar aana hi tha... Nehi to itni ashani se ek khat padkar hi aapne bhai ke khilaf nehi jata o... [I did not instigate Mirza, brother... There was already poison in his mind. Mother has injected posion in his heart from childhood, that was ought to come out... Else he would never go against you so easily...] She paused. "Or yeh baat aap bhi jante hay Bhaijaan... Siyasaat me koi kisika bhai nehi hota. Sab hi sab ka dusmaan hay. Koi pahele banta hay, or koi baadme... Par dosti ka koi jaga nehi siyaasat me. [And you know brother... In politics none belongs to none. Everyone is a foe. Someone becomes foe fast, some takes time... but there is no friend in politics.]
"Iske sath sath aapka yeh janna bhi zaruri hay Fakhrunnisa... [With this you should also know Fakhrunnisa...] Jalal looked at her eyes. "Ki srif nafraat or dusmani ke aag se bhi siyaasat nehi chalta. Agar zindegi ek siyaasat hay, to uaha shaq ke sath sath yaakin, dhoka ke sath sath wafadari, or dusmanyon ke sath sath dostyon ke bhi zarurat hay. Rishtey zindegi or siyasat dono me hi bohot ahem cheez hay Fakhrunnisa... Rishtey ki rushabi karke kuch haasil nehi ho sakta! [That only the fire of hatred and enmity cannot run politics.. If life is a politics, then there is a need of trust alomg with doubt, faithfulness along with betrayal, and friends along with foe. Relationships are very impotant in both life and politics, Fakhdunnisa... One cannot get anything by insulting the relationship!]
"Rishtey ki ahemiyaat? [Importance of relationship?] Fakhr laughed suddenly. "Rishtey to banaya jaata hay Bhaijaan. Aapni mehnaat, lagan or dimaag se rishtyon ko banaya jaata hay, takha jata hay, zindegi ki tarazu pe taula jata hay. Jo rishta zindegi ki intehaam me khara na ho saka, usski kya ahemiyat? Tute hue rishtyon ko khatam karne me hi bhalai hay! [Relationships are made, brother. They are made and tested with own hardship, brain and dedication and then are weighed on the weight of life. The relationship which cannot stand in the test of life, how it can be important? It is better to end the broken relations!]
Jalal came closer and stared at her eyes intensely. His husky tone became grave... "Ishi liye aapni ki ammijaan ko dunia se hata dene ki sajish karne ke waqt zara sa bhi hichhichahat nehi hua, hay na? [So this is why you did not hesitate while conspiring to remove your mother from the world, right?]
"Siyasat me sab zayez hay! [Everything is fair in politics!] Fakhrunnisa's eyes sparked.
"Nehi... Siyasat me kya zayez hay or kya nehi o dekhne ke liye kanoon naam ki kuch cheez hay! [No... There is something called law to see what is fair and what is not in politics!] Jalal's tone was even deeper.
"Thik hay Bhaijaan... [Alright brother...] Fakhrunnisa smiled. "Agar Shahenshah-E-Hind ki kanoon yeh kaheta hay ki hum gunehgaar hay to hum saza ke liye taiyaar hay... De dijie hume saza, or wapas kar dijie sare audha aapna chhota bhai ko. Jor lijie aapka tuta hua rishta... Par... [If the law of emperor says this the I am ready to face a punishment as a convict. Give me punishment and give back the status and all to your younger brother. Join the broken relationship again... But...] She smirked. "Pahele saabit karna hoga ki hum ek mujreem hay. Nehi to Kabul or Kabul ki aas paas ke sab yehi kahenge ki bewafa Shahenshah-E-Hind aapne wada ki khilaaf jakar dhoke se Mallika-E-Kabul ko kayed kar liya hay... Bohot tauheen hoga aapka... Or pata nehi fir se agar or ek bagawat ho jaye to... [First pprove that I am a culprit. Else the whole Kabul and her neighbours will say that the betrayer emperor of Hindustan imprisoned the Mallika-E-Kabul going against his own promise. You will be insulted hugely, and again if another revolt take place then...]
"Dara rahe hay hume? [You are threatening me?] Jalal smiled. "Maat kijie. Kyu ki hum agar kuch tham lete hay to o karke rahete hay... Kisi ke darr se majboor hokar hum kuch talte nehi. Or aap yeh bhi jan le to behetar hoga ki Shahenshah-E-Hind kabhi aapna wada se nehi hilta. Humne aapse wada kiya ki agar aap aapna zimmidari nivayengi to hum aapko Kabul ki Mallika ki audha or tamam izzat bakshenge... Aapko hume azmane ke liye Mirza ke sath khel khelne ki zarurat nehi thi, Fakhrunnisa... [Don't do this. Because if I determine to do something I do that... I do not change or delay anything by giving up in someone's fear. And it will be better for you to know that the emperor of Hindustan never moves away from his promise. I promised you that if you fulfill the responsibilities I will give you the status and respect of Mallika-E-Kabul... You needed not to play with Mirza to test me, Fakhrunnisa...]
"Nehi Shahenshah... aap waisa nehi karte... [No majesty... You would not have done this...] Fakhrunnisa smiled. "Aap aapni pyari bhai se sab kuch chhin kar ek chhoti si khabri ko hargis nehi dete! Aap sayad hume bohot kuch dete Shahenshah... daulat, inaam, takat, izzat... par Kabul Mirza ka hi raheta! Or Kabul me rahete rahete hum ek cheez achi tarha se sikha hay Bhaijaan... Kabul ki sukhi mitti me rishtyon ka ahemiyaat nehi hay. Kabul me agar Mirza takatbar raheta hay, to Fakhrunnisa ka jaaga humesha uske niche hi rahe jayega... Hume aapni jaaga banani thi huzur, kya karte hum? [You would have never given this small agent everything snatching those from your little brother. Perhaps you would have given me many things Majesty... like power, money, repect... but Kabul would belong to Mirza forever! And I have learnt something very clearly from Kabul Brother, that there is no price of relationship in the dry soil of Kabul. If Mirza has power in Kabul, Fakhrunnisa's status would be always low that him... I had to make my own place my lord, what should have I done?]
"Takat paane ke liye aapni hi bhai ko mohra banakar istamaal ki aapne! [To get power you made your own brother a pawn!] Jalal was gazing at her face.
"Takat nehi Bhaijaan... [Not for power, brother...] Fakhrunnisa smiled. "Aapna haq! Aapna izzat! Bass takat hi hume o izzat de sakta hay jo humare rishtyon ne humse chhin liya...Aap nehi samjhenge bhaijaan... [My right! My respect! Only my power can give that respect back which is snatched by my relations... you will not understand, brother...] She suddenly smiled. "Ek baat puchhe aapse bhaijaan? [May I ask you something, brother?] She asked.
"Be-jijaak... [Of course...]
"Hume bakhubi pata hay aapke takat ki bare me bhaijaan... Aapne aankhe bandh karke humare upar yaakin kar lenge o to hum soch bhi nehi sakte. Paar ek sawal hay bhaijaan... [I know well about your power, brother... I never believe that you would trust blindly on me. But I have a question...] She smiled. " Humari sabse ajij bandi ko aapne humpe nazar rakhne ke liye chuna tha. Aapko pata tha ki hum Kabul me chup nehi baithe hay. Hum kuch kar rahe hay jo tufaan la kar dega Kabul me... Fir bhi aapne kuch nehi kiya Bhaijaan. Aap hume rokne ki kosish nehi ki. Kyu? [My closest maid was also chosen by you to spy on me. You knew that I was not sitting quiet in Kabul, I was doing something which would bring a storm...Even after that you did nothing. You did not try to stop me. Why?]
"Sayad aapko samajhne me galti ho gayi thi. Pata nehi tha aap jo tufaan lane wali hay o kitna bada hoga. [Maybe I had mistaken in knowing you. I did not know that the storm brought by you would be so big!] Jalal said.
"Yeah fir tufaan ka maza le rahe the aap? Kya aapko pata nehi tha ki Kabul ki uljhan ko suljhane ka ek hi tarika hay- sab kuch dho kar saaf kar dena? [Or you were enjoying the storm? Did not you know that the only way to solve the problems of Kabul is to flush out everything and clean it?] Fakhrunnisa smirked. "Aap chahte to hume rok sakte the, par nehi roka... Kyuki agar aap kuch karte to sare dunia ko aap or humare saude ke bare me pata chal jata, aapka bana hua khel bigad jata. Aapke liye to yehi accha hua na... Na Mahachuchak Begam rahe, na Abul Mali... Agar Mirza aapke khilaf nehi jaata to Kabul se aapki dusmaanyon ke naam-o-nishan to mit jati, bhaijaaan! Mirza ka kahena hay ki humne usse ek mohra banaye hay. Par sach to yeh hay ki aap hume mohra banaye hay! Jo kam aap nehi kar sakte the usse aap humse karwa liya, o bhi bina hume kuch hukum dete hue... Ristey naate ki kya baat kar rahe hay Huzur, aap kya khud rishtey me siyasat nehi dekhte? Hum bhi to rishtey me behen hay aapke, par aapne to mujhe mohra banakar Kabul par kabza karna chaha... Agar aap kar sakte hay to hum kyu nehi? [You could have stopped me if you wanted, but you did not... Because if you would have done so,the worold would know about our deal, and your game could have spoilt. It is good for you isn't it? No Mahchuchak Begam, no Abul Mali... if Mirza won't have gone against you, there would be enemy in Kabul, brother! Mirza says I made him a pawn! But truth is that I was a pawn of yours. The work which you yourself could never do, you completed that in my hand without even ordering me... You talk a lot about relationships my lord, but don't you see politics in relations? I am also your sister, but you wished to get back control in Kabul using me...If you can, then why can't I?] Her voice suddenly trembled. "Itna kuch kiya humne aapke liye, uski keemat to hume milni chahiye... agar ek zasbaati, nadaan ladka humari or humari khwabyon ke beech ek kaanta ban kar khara ho jaye to kya hume haq nehi ki hum uus kaanta ko nikal feke? Aap kya karte agar aap humare jaage pe hote to? [I did so many things for you, I need the price for that! If an emotional fool boy comes in my path becomes a thorn in my path of dream, don't I have the right to prick that out? What you would have done if you were in my place?]
"Bohot zyada sochti hay aap, or bohot aage ki sochti hay Fakhrunnisa. Aapka kahena hay ki humne aapka istamaal kiya; par kya aap nehi chahte the is tarha se istamaal hona? [You think too much, and think too far, Fakhrunnisa. You want to say that I used you; but hadn't you wanted to be used by me this way?] Jalal picked one brow with a touch of smile in eyes.
"Chahte the na... Humne aapko kuch diya, aapne hume kuch diye; aap chahte the hume istamaal karke Kabul me kabza jamana, hum chahte the aapse sahara lekar khoye hue izzat wapas pana. Yehi to siyasat hay Bhaijaan. [Yes I wanted. I gave you something, you too gave me something; you wanted to control Kabul using me, I wanted to get back my respect using you. This is politics, brother.] Fakhrunnisa smiled. "Mirza ko yeh siyasat samajh nehi aya, isliye gir gaya... Aa jayega usse bhi ekdin samajhme; tab samhal lega... Iske ilawa chara bhi kya tha bhaijaan? Aap hi bataiye na, agar kabhi aap yeh mahsoos kare ki aapka aapne haatyon se banaya hua yeh Mughal saltanant ko agar koi nadaan akar chhin sakta hay, aap kya karenge? [Mirza does not understand politics, so he fell down... He will understand one day, and he will cope up with... Was there any other way brother? You tell me, if you feel ever that a novice can snatch the Mughal empire made by your own hands, what will you do? ]
"Hum jo bhi kare Fakhrunnisa, yeh zarur dhyan me rakhte ki kayi humare ek kaam se hum aanewale kal me aanch na aye! [Whatever I would have done Fakhrunnisa, I always would keep in mind that my action will not affect the future!] Jalal smiled slightly. "Dekhna yeh hay ki kya aapne uss baat ka khayal rakha hay? Aapne shaq or darr ke bajay se Mirza ke jo chingari aap jalayi hay, jab wohi ekdin aapko or aapki Kabul ko jalakar raakh kar dega, tab usse samhal payengi na aap? [I only want to see if you also kept that in mind or nor! You inflamed a spark in Mirza's heart due to own doubt and fear, if that spark becomes fire to burn you and your Kabul into ashes, will you be able to control that?]His glare intensed. "Jante hay, aag jalane se kayi zyada muskil hota hay aag bujhana. Iss liye aag bujhane ki takat agar na rahe to aag jalana bhi nehi chahye... Dhyan rakhiega, nehi to khud jal jayengi! [You know, it is much difficult to extinguish fire that to inflame it. If one does not have the power to estinguish it, he should never light a fire... Take care, else you yourself will burn!]
Fakhr gazed at him silently, her eyes sparking. Jalal removed his icy eyes from her eyes and took up the glass from the table to sip. "Jo bhi ho, maan na parega aapko! [However, I have to accept!] He smiled with appreciation. "Aapko samajhne me humne galti kar diye the! Hume laga tha ki aap ek aisi auraat hay jiski dil me aag ki chingari hay. Par aap to khud hi aag ki gola hay! Jitni safai se aapne pura khel khela... hum hayraan rahe gaye! [I really had mistaken in understanding you! I thought that you are a woman with a spark inside. But you are a fireball yourself! I am amazed to see how well you played the game!] He got up from the seat. "Aapko jitna socha tha usse kayi zyada saatil or chust hay aap. Jiski paas itni saatil dimag ho usse siyaasat mein hissa lene ka haq hay. Or hum kabhi kisise uska haq nehi chhinte. Humne wada kiye the ki aapki zarurat puri karenge... Isliye humne Kabul ki pura haq aapko diya hay. Par yaad rahe... [You are much more smart and intelligent than I thought. Who has such a smart brain has a right to take direct part in politics. I have never snatched right from anyone. I had promised once that I will fulfill your needs... So I give you the complete right of Kabul.. But remember...] He almost hissed in a cold glare. "Humare sath khel khelne ka zurrat maat karna. Yaad rakhiyega, hum agar Fakhrunnisa ko utha sakte hay, to usse gira bhi sakte hay... Kabul ko aabse aapki nigarbani me shant rahena hay... Samajh rahe hay na aap, hum kya kahe rahe hay? [Don't try to play with me. Remember that if I can make Fakhrunnisa to rise high, I can be the reason of her fall too... Kabul should be calm in your control... Do you understand what I am telling?] His eyes sparked. "Mirza Hakim ka saara zimma aapke haatyon saupte hay. Agar o firse kuch galat faisla le, to uske liye zimmidar hum aapko samjhenge! Or ek baat... Kabul aapki hay, Kabul ka takht aapki hay... Aapni saajish or dimag ki jaal ko Kabul tak hi atak kar rakhiye, Agra tak yeh na aane paye; kyuki yeaha or bhi log hay jinhe aapki hi khel bakhubi acche se khelna aata hay... [I am giving the responsibility of Mirza in your hand. If he does something wrong again, I will hold you responsible! And another thing... Kabul is yours, the throne of Kabul is yours... it will be better if you restrict the web of your brain and conspiracies within the border of Kabul, they should not reach to Agra. Here are many people in Agra who can play your game very efficiently...] He smiled slightly. "Humare hazaar aankhe hay Fakhr... Kabul me bhi aapke piche kayi sare aankhe aapko har waqt nazar me rakh rahe hay. Iss liye bhul kar bhi koi chhoti si bhi galti maar kariyega... Aap samajhdaar hay, ummeed karte hay hum ki aapko aapni kamiyaan ke bare me acche se paata hay, or yeh bhi pata hay aapko ki hum chahte to kya kar sakte hay! [I have 1000 eyes, Fakhr... Already a lot of pairs of eyes are keeping eyes on you in Kabul. So don't commit a smallest mistake by mistake too... You are sensible, I hope you know well about your limitations, and you also know that what can I do if I want!]
Fakhrunnisa started smiling. Her suppressed giggle and trials of controlling her laughter confused Jalal. He frowned deeply. Fakhr looked at him.
"Aapne abhi bhi hume nehi samjha Bhaijaan! Par accha lag raha hay yeh dekhke... ki Shahenshah-E-Hind humari jaisi ek aam aurat se inta khauf kha rahe hay ki humare picche ek pura fauj motayen karne ke bare me soch rahe hay... [You are yet to understand me, brother! But I feel good to see, that the emperor of Hindustan is so afraid of a common woman like me that he is thinking to place a whole troop behind me.]
"Yeh humara khauf nehi... chetavni hay aapke liye Fakhrunnisa... [It is not my fear... but a warning to you Fakhrunnisa...]
Fakhrunnisa smiled again. "Kabul puri salamat se rahengi. Wada karte hay hum aapse... [Kabul will be secured. I promise you...] And then she bent in front and bowed. "Hum bewafa nehi hay Shahenshah, or nahi hum bewakoof hay... Hume aapna takat ko maapna bhi aata hay... Par agar kisine humari haq humse chhin kar humari tauheen kiya, to hum usse rakh kar denge Shahenshah. Yeh bhi wada karte hay aapse! [I am not ungrateful. Nor I am a fool... I can measure your power... But if anyone tries to snatch my right and dares to insult me, I will burn him to ashes majesty. This is also my promise to you!]
Jalal did not say anything. He was still gazing at Fakhrunnisa... Perhaps she was too tough to predict!
Precap: "You remember what there is today? Jodha asked with a strange enthusiasm in her eyes.
"What? Jalal could not remember anything.
"Majesty! How can you forget?
"Seriously I don't remember! Jalal tried to recall. "I can't remember that there is any festival... neither your birthday nor our marriage anniversary... then...
"Shahenshah!
Jalal was shocked hearing the tone of her voice.
"Today is Hassan-Hossain's birthday! Her voice was trembling. "You forgot them Shahenshah! So easily!
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