Chapter 20

Chapter 20

          Maham anga waiting for adham joint her to have breakfast together, maham anga curious what happening with jalal these lately, sometimes he looks lost in his own mind even when he was in dewan e khaas, and he is not talking to her like he used to when something disturb him, adham khan the enter maham anga chamber.

“ adaab ammijan . . . “ greet adham and he sit across her “ what are you thinking ammijan ? , you looks very serious “ he ask

“ nothing adham I just think about jalal’s behaviour these days, you notice that jalal take times fo himself lately . . . .. “

Adham chuckled “ well I might know what make him change ammijan “ cut adham

Maham anga look at him with curious “ what you mean adham ? “

“ remember when jalal missing at the day you, mariam makani and all jalal begum go to served people ? “ ask adham

“ yes adham I remember that day why ? “ maham anga confuse where adham lead with this talk.

“ well I see jalal out from jodha begum chamber, he is in hurry and but he look happy and satisfied . .  I want to tell this earlier but I’ve been busy with duty than jalal given to me “ reply adham, maham anga look she is in deep shock that adham feel worry over her “ ammijan are you ok ? “

“ adham . . what you just said ? jalal and jodha begum . . they . . they “ maham anga can’t believe what she just heard.

“ I don’t know what they are doin but jalal looks very happy you know like a cat just eat delicious fish “ reply adham “ ooh ammijan that is not a strange things, jalal have lots of begum and you know how jalal everytime he got a new toy . . he will keep playing till ge got bored and he throw away his new toy “ said adham

Maham anga think that what adham said is right but the problem is she is afraid jalal will fall into jodha’s charm and she can see the sign “ I know adham but jodha begum very special and jalal seems start to attract to her “ reply maham anga

“ what you mean ammijan . . I see no difference  . . and what makes jodha begum very special “said adham

Maham anga just looking at her son “ that is because you are not see into jalal’s eyes and soul, jodha begum very special because she is so different from other begum, she is speak her mind which is very rare, she is fearless and that is something new for jalal that someone not afraid to him beside never had or meet someone who have the same nature like him, sometimes I feel that when I look at jalal and jodha begum they are like mirror to each other and that is what makes jalal soo attach to her “

Adham chuckled “ ammijan don’t you think that you are thinking too much about this jodha begum and jalal, I stil thinking that jalal just having fun ane enjoying his new begum just like before soon he will dump jodha begum and start to looking another woman “ maham anga hope what adham said is right

 “ let’s hope what you say is right adham but I’m sure there is more between jalal and jodha begum and now I must make plan to make distance between them because the last thing I need another woman try to take jalal attention from me, one ruqaiya begum is enough for me no need others “ said maham anga

“ well ammijan just tell me what to do and I wil do it for you “ announce adham

“ I will tell you when I got and idea adham and till now keep an eyes on jalal and jodha begum “ said maham anga and adham nod, maham anga think hard and fate will her opportunity to give the first lesson between jodha and jalal.

Selima with happy come to hamida chamber, she is doin namaz and so she wait until hamida finish her namaz.

Hamida see selima begum waiting for her and she smile “ what are you doin here in this hours selima begum ? “ ask hamida

“ ammijan I’ve got good news for you “reply selima

Hamida look curios “ ooh what is this good news selima begum . . please tell me “

“ yesterday shehenshah called me and asking my opinion bout something, ammijan do you know that when we left palace to serve people few days a go and  jalal was missing it turned out he is not missing, he is with us all day and for the first time jalal see what is really happening in his sultanat “ told selima

Hamida looking at selima with disbelief “ are you kidding selima begum ? how can he go with us and why we didn’t see him “

Selima smile “ that is because he was wearing a disguise, he was there as jodha begum guard “ reply selima with happy

“ what ???? but how . . .it . . . “ hamida really confuse how can that happening

“ jodha begum challenge shehenshah to go with us and just like shehnshah said he always up to challenge so he come with us in disguise as one of jodha begum guards, and ammijan what he saw that time make a deep impression for him, he said to me that he never though some of his people must live in poverty and now he doubt himself if he is a good shehenshah and he asked me too what he must do “ said selima

“ ya khuda . . is that true selima begum ? “ ask hamida

“ yes ammijan and I think now jalal’s eyes start to open but let him decide what he want to do we don’t need to force him, I believe shehehshah will do the right thing for his people happiness and welfare, we just need to wait and see “ reply selima

“ we must thanks to jodha begum for make jalal out from his shell and see what is happening in his sultanat, jodha begum very smart to challenge jalal so he couldn’t refuse “ hamida feel happy and proud to his son and daughter in law

“ yes ammijan . . . jodha begum know how to push the button so shehenshah will agree with her and see the real world “ selima to feel happy that now jalal start to listen to other people beside maham anga and ruqaiya begum “ and I think ammijan it will be interesting to see how relationship between shehenshah and jodha begum because if you notice they are very different yet similar “ she add

Hamida chuckled “ yes selima begum I feel the same way too  . . I hope that jodha begum can awaken the good side in jalal, he is been too long living in his dark heart and I hope that jodha begum will bring a light into darkness inside his heart “ she said with hopefully

“ I will pray too ammijan and I believe Allah will listen to our pray “ reply selima begum with confident and that make hamida more confident that she will get back her son, her long lost son, selima know what is hamida mind and she take her hands and hold them, hamida looking at selima and she know that selima understand her pain and she just nod and thank her for her support.

Jodha waiting for jalal at practice room, today his training is start and she still don’t know how jalal will react when he must goin through very hard lesson, jodha remember when sujamal trained her she always got bruise but the more she got bruises the more she feel exciting and enthusiasm, jodha then hear a footsteps and she see jalal enter and for a second she feel hypnotize by him, he looks very handsome and strong.

“ adaab jodha begum . . wow you are very on time “ greet jalal

Jodha smile “ yes well I am on time person . . so you are ready with your train ? “ ask jodha

“ yes I am jodha begum . . . and I’m very exciting “ reply jalal

Jodha nod “ good . . . . “ she said then she take sword made by wood

Jalal looking at the wood sword with confuse “ why are you using that ? “

Jodha looking at wood sword in her hands “ until you can avoid my attack and you can attack me back with eyes close this wood sword will be my weapon . . “ jalal just about to protest but jodha stop him “ believe me shehenshah you don’t want got cut by my real sword in your trained and I assure you that this sword still can hurt you “ she add

Jalal smile “ alright then . . but since now we are in practice you can call me jalal instead of shehenshah “ told jalal

“ sorry shehenshah in my religion and culture a wife can’t call their husband name “ reply jodha

Jalal looking at jodha with curious “ really ? seriously ? “ he ask and jodha just nod “ wow that is the most strange thing that I ever hear . . . then it will be my pleasure to make you call my name “ he said with cheerfull

“ that’s not gonna happen “ said jodha

“ we’ll see jodha begum . . . now let’s get start “ reply jalal, jodha handed jalal a fabric to close his eyes and jalal put it on “ oh then what ? “ he ask

“ this technique will trained your instinct and hearing sense . . you must be able to feel where your enemy position to attack . . now concentrate and attack me then I will attack you . . and before we do it I want to apologize first if I hit you “ said jodha

Jalal smile listening to him “ oooh don’t worry jodha begum . . this is a gold opportunity for you that you can hit shehenshah e hindustand “ tease jalal

“ and I’m goin to enjoying it “ jodha tease him back and jalal chuckled “ ok concentration now “ told jodha and jalal try to concentration, he try to feel the wind and he think he hear a slowly footsteps so he attack to that direction and he feel that he hit into air, then jalal feel something hit his back hard and it’s hurt like hell, he try to concentration again he attacking again when he think he got her now only to got hit by her for the second time, jalal can’t believe that jodha can move without making sounds, jalal very sure that he will got lots of bruises but he wont give up, he try and try again but in the end he getting hit by his back, shoulder, waist and belly, jalal can’t imagine if jodha must goin through the same trained, it must been hard for here since she is a woman but now look how she mastered this technique so jalal wont give up, for more than ah hourse jodha train him and she know even for the best warrior in this world wont easy to mastered this technique but jodha feeling sure that jalal will succeed.

“ ooohh shit “ yell jalal when jodha hit his chest hard, jodha standing not far from him.

“ are you ok ? “ ask jodha

“ no . . hahaha oooh jodha begum you must be really enjoying this beaten me up “ said jalal

“ no shehenshah I’m not enjoying it . . . but this is what you must goin through until you mastered this technique and consider yourself lucky enough that I’m the one who trained you not my guru . . I’ve got beaten prerry bad until I can’t sleep on my back for couple weeks “ told jodha “ you can take that off  . .  I think it’s enough for today I will let you know when we will practice again “ she add and jalal do what she say.

“ I can imagine it must be hard for you . . why are you doin this ? “ ask jalal

“ well I want be good enough like men so when my kingdom in trouble I can help and men no need worry for me “ jalal can understand her point of view and he think that it’s very good and amazing that jodha are very skillfull in sword fighting and archery.

“ you are indeed very strong jodha I have to admit that you even better compare to my soldiers “ praise jalal

Jodha feel strange jalal compliment her “ oww . . thank you “ she said

“ and I can’t wait to mastered this technique so we can have match with eyes close “ suggest jalal

“ aahhh I should see this coming “ said jodha and jalal smile then jalal see hairs fall on her cheeks and before he know what he is doin jalal with gentle put her hairs behind her ears and jodha feel surprise with his acton and jalal too feel surprise by his own action, jodha look up and they both looking at each other, cold sharp eyes meet a warm doe eyes, for a moment time is stop for jodha and jalal they can’t believe what just happening, atgah and abdul see the scene and they are shock too, abdul never see jalal act like that and he can see a little bit softness in his eyes, atgah and abdul looking at each other and they both smile, they don’t want to disturb the precious moment but rahim almost arrive and jalal want to be there when rahim enter palace, so abdul pretend to cough, jodha and jalal almost jump when she hear cough, then they see abdul and atgah standing on the door and jalal can think what they are thinking.

“ yes abdul . . atgah . . what’s wrong ? ask jalal

“ just want to tell you that rahim almost reach palace so may be you want to prepare before welcoming him.

“ ooh yes yes . . I almost forget . . thanks abdul . . . atgah for let me now and of course I must welcoming him “ said jalal then he look at her “ come you must go too . . you will like rahim . . he is very smart but very naughty “ jalal told jodha

“ ooh I want to meet him soon “ reply jodha

“ you will like him “ said jalal

“ you must prepare now shehenshah and you too jodha begum “ said atgah

Abdul watching jodha and jalal with curious “ are you practice together ? “ he ask, it’s kinda weird seeing jalal fight with jodha.

Jodha and jalal looking at each other “ yes we are practice together “ reply jalal

“ ooohh ok ok . . . “ reply abdul

“ better leave now shehenshah . . jodha begum “ warn atgah and both jodha and jalal nod agree with him “ ok then let’s go “ he add and jodha, jalal along with abdul walking behind, abdul and atgah try to hold their laugh, while jodha and jalal feel really happy with their practice and both enjoying their trained, jalal smile because he never thought that he will become very happy like this and all because this jodha begum, jalal confuse that jodha might put spell on him since he keep thinking about her, jalal feel someone touching his shoulder and he see abdul wink to him and jalal just try to compose himself but he can’t take off his eyes from her and he is happy can watching her in silent and observe her, jalal feel funny that he hate her but he feel interesting to her and jalal is not the only one who feel like that because jodha feel the same way and she try to figure out what is this feeling and she hope she will find out about this soon.

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

          Maham anga just got news that jalal is no where to be find at palace and no one know where is he going, maham anga told her spy to find out where is shehenshah, it’s impossble that jalal as shehenshah just missing like that someone must seen him, then maham anga looking for hamida, eventhough they never in good term but may be hamida know that she doesn’t know, maham anga find hamida checking every people got what they deserve.

“ mariam makani “ call maham anga

Hamida look at maham anga “ oooh you maham anga . . what’s wrong ? “ ask hamida

“ I need to speak to you if you don’t mind “ reply maham anga then both move aside little bit

 “ what you want to talk maham anga ? “ ask hamida

“ I want ask did you meet shehenshah this morning ? “ ask maham anga

Hamida look confuse “ no maham anga I didn’t see or meer jalal this morning why ? “

“ because I’ve just got news that he is missing . . no one see shehenshah since morning and atgah looking for him but shehenshah no where to be found “ said maham anga and hamida really shock to hear that.

“ what ? how come shehenshah missing ? how come he just disappear like that ? “ ask hamida, she really confuse how can jalal missing.

“ I don’t how something like this happening . . you think we must going back to palace since sheheshah missing ? “ ask maham anga

Hamida thinking a while “ ok . . . . come with me we will tell others that we will goin back to palace soon “ said hamida then she leave following by maham anga, hamida call ruqaiya, selima and jodha.

 “ what’s wrong ammijan ? “ ask ruqaiya

“we must going back to palace “ answer hamida

“ oooh ya khuda thank you “ said ruqaiya with happy

“ what’s wrong ammijan ? something happen ? why we must goin back to palace now ? “ ask selima

“ shehenshah missing . . . no one see him since morning so I’m worry something happen to him sowe better going back now “ reply hamida, everyone very shock to hear that including jalal himself, he don’t know when people not seeing him all day they think he is missing, jalal looking at jodha and both confuse what to do because it’s impossible for jalal to confess that he is there with them not missing.

“ what ???? how can that happening ammijan ? how on earth jalal is missing ? “ ask ruqaiya, she is angry and worry in the same time.

“  I don’t know how this happening ruqaiya begum but we will find out when we are back “ reply hamida, then jodha looking at jalal and give him a sign that she got an idea.

“ ammijan . . shehenshah is not missing “ said jodha suddenly making everyone surprise

“ what you said jodha begum ? “ ask ruqaiya

“ I said shehesha is not missing ruqaiya begum “ reply jodha

“ how it possible that you know where shehenshah is “ said maham anga, she cant believe this is happening.

“ yes maham anga ji . . I don’t know where shehensah but I know who is with him “ said jodha, maham anga and ruqaiya looking at jodha with skeptical because they don’t believe jodha know whereabout shehenshah.

“ how you know where is shehenshah jodha begum ? “ ask selima

“ well last night shehensha told me that today he want to have sword practice and achery with man singh “ told jodha everyone.

Hamida looking at jodha with suspicious “ are you telling the truth jodha begum ? “ she ask

“ yes ammijan  . . last night shehenshah and me talk and he told me that he want to practice with man singh, he is very exciting bout this because he want to learn special technique from man singh “ jodha explain and jalal smile listening to jodha explanation, she is very smart and quick thinking.

Ruqaiya and maham anga laugh “ learning something from your nephew ? you are joking right ? “ ask ruqaiya

“ no ruqaiya begum I’m not joking, it’s up to you if you want to believe it or not, as a warrior it’s not strange if we want to learn other’s warrior technique “ said jodha, and jalal know that jodha not telling the truth that she is the one who will train him so he guess jodha don’t want others know her sword fighting skill.

Selima staring at jodha with amusement “ oohh so you and shehenshah talking almost all night just the two of you . . there is must be an amazing conversation “ tease selima making jodha’s face blush, jalal who see that very curious why jodha blushing when selima tease her.

“ nothing special really . . .  we were just talking “ said jodha with little bit nervous but selima chuckled looking at nervous jodha, maham anga notice what happen to jodha and she wonder too why she behave like that.

“ oooh ok if that the case that we wont need to be worry . .  jalal really like to practice whenever he got time so I think this is not a big problem .. we better back to serve people “ announce hamida, before maham anga and ruqaiya can protest hamida leave with selima, maham anga and ruqaiya looking at each other with disbelief face expression then they look at jodha and leave, jalal come to jodha’s side.

“ you owe me .  . big time “ she said

Jalal looking at her with amusement “right . . right begum sahiba and I will pay you back full with interest “ said jalal.

Jodha looking at him and smile “ good then if you realize that . . now let’s go back to work “ she said and jalal smile because this is the first time someone give him an order, he following jodha and think that he will have amazing life ahead with his new begum, she is like a puzzle to him and he want to solve her puzzle.

Hamida, jodha, selima, ruqaiya and others working really hard to serve their people and thorugh this special occation for the first time jalal know what his people think about him and most of them thinking him in negative way and have bad image bout him in their mind, and jalal don’t know if he like what he just seen and heard about his people, and that make him thinking if he is blind all these years because he can’t see what’s happeing in hiw own sultanat, and jalal need to talk about this with the people he really trust and he definitely need to jodha since she is outsider so her opinion still pure from hear her hard.

It’s afternoon when everyone back to palace and they meet atgah and man singh, jodha really hope that no one will ask man singh about jalal but it’s not her lucky day.

“ oohh man singh . . how is the sword fighting and achery training man singh ? “ask hamida

“ aaah it’s amazing like usual mariam makani “ reply man singh, he really confuse why hamida asking about that all of sudden, then he see jodha wink to him to give him a sign, atgah notice jodha try to give man singh a code.

“ where is shehenshah ? jodha begum said you and shehenshah practice together “ ask ruqaiya, man singh and atgah start to understand everything and they both looking at the man behind jodha who wearing a disguse as guards but man singh and atgah recognize him as jalal since he look at them and wink to them, atgah and man singh don’t know why jalal wear a disguise but they guess he must be had strong reason to do that.

“ yes ruqaiya begum me and shehenshah practice together and he just leave but I don’t know where may be to his chamber “ sain man singh.

“ ooh ok then I will go now . . adaab “ reply ruqaiya then she leave following by maham anga.

“ you all go to your chamber then rest . . thank you for helping me serve people today “ announce hamida and then they all leave, jodha look at jalal before she leave and he just smile to her, atgah and man singh come to jalal.

“ shehenshah what is that all about ? “ ask atgah

“ I will tell you later atgah . . now I need to change my attire and take off this disguise and I need go to jodha begum chamber to do that “ said jalal and he see atgah try to hold his smile.

“ don’t think something weird atgah “ warn jalal

 “ I’m not “ reply atgah

“ think about what ? “ ask man singh he is confuse what they are talking about

“ nothing man singh . . come I must go now or ruqaiya begum will make me headache “ reply jalal then he leave in hurry and atgah watching him with interesting, jalal enter jodha’s chamber but she is not there, he change his clothes fast then then he leave but adham khan see jalal when he leave jodha’s chamber and he smile because he know what jalal do there, adham leave too and he will tell his mother bout this.

Jalal just arrive at his chamber when ruqaiya begum arrive with maham anga, he look at their worry face.

“ adaab shehenshah “ greet maham anga

“ adaab jalal “ greet ruqaiya

“ adaab maham anga . . ruqaiya . . is everything ok ? “ ask jalal

“ we just worry bout you . . I’ve got news that you are missing “ said ruqaiya then she come to jalal’s side “ where are you goin ? is it true that you and man singh go to practice ? “ ask ruqaiya with curious, she still not believe that jalal gone without noticing someone.

“ yes I go with man sing to practice . . why ? “ jalal pretend to be clueless

“ why you don’t tell anyone bout this shehenshah ? “ ask maham anga

“ well I didn’t know that I must report when I want to go practice “ reply jalal with sarcastic

“ it’s not like that shehenshah just everyone feel worry when they can’t find you anywhere ? what if something happen to you ? “ said maham anga

“ I’m not a child maham anga and I can take care of my self perfectly and beside I’m with man singh so nothing to worry about “ said jalal

“ and you didn’t bother to tell me . . but you told jodha begum . . . why you did that jalal ? now you trust her and report everything to her is that right “ ruqaiya ask in angry, she really fall into jealously.

“ yes jalal why you didn’t tell us too but you only told jodha begum . .  isn’t you hate her why now act like she is important, she is just a hindu begum why give her importance ? “ maham anga bombard jalal

“ silentttttt “ yeall jalal with loud then ruqaiya and maham anga quite “ listen first I’m shehenshah e hindustand and I can do whatever I like without reporting to anyone, two jodha begum is my begum too so there is nothing strange when I told something but I don’t told you two, three it’s my right to choose who I can to talk or who I want to trust and no need other people to tell  me otherwise . . .” said jalal with angry

“ I . . I . . I “ ruqaiya bout to say something but jalal give her sign to keep quite.

“ ruqaiya begum I have other begum beside you including jodha begum so keep this in your mind that i will choose with whom I want to spend my time with and my other begum have the same right like you to be with me “ scold jalal “ now leave me alone .. I feel very tired and to rest . . . “ he add

“ but jalal . . . . “ said maham anga

“ leave “ said jalal once again and maham anga know better not to argue with angry jalal, then she take ruqaiya hand and drag her from there while jalal with relieve lay his body on bed, he can’t believe what happening to him today but one thing for sure that he definitely must rethink again about how he rule his sultanat, for the first time jalal see the reality of his people and it hit him hard and he must thank jodha for opened his eyes and now he must think what he must do for his people, and jalal close his eyes and falling into sleep with the image of his people who suffer and an image of an angel who now walk on mughal sultanat.

After few days since jalal come along with jodha to serve his people there are soo much in jalal’s minds, he still need thinking what he will do about that, the reality he just find out really shocking and jalal need to talk with someone, tomorrow he will talk to atgah but now he need talk to selime begum so he ask guards to send message to selima begum that he is waiting for her at his chamber, and selime enter jalal’s chamber about fifteen minutes later.

“ adaab shehenshah “ greet selima

“ come selima begum and sit with me “ said jalal then selima enter his chamber and sit across jalal.

“ what’s wrong shehenshah ? guards say you want to talk something important ? “ ask selima

Jala nod “ yes selima . . I need your opinion . . and I want you to be honest with me, it’s kinda hard to find someone who can speak honest with me “ reply jalal

“ ok shehenshah  will try to be honest . . what you want to ask ? “ ask selima, she never seen jalal like this and so she wonder what’s happening.

“ I’ve been thinking me as shehenshah what I’ve done for my people . . have I treat them right “ said jalal

Selima see jalal as if he drink something “ why suddenly you said like this jalal .. everything is ok ? “ ask selima

“ you remember few days a go you with mariam makani and other begum leave palace to serve people ? “ ask jalal

“ yes I remember that shehensha . . . so ? “ ask selima, she is very confuse now

“ actually I was there with you all “ reply jalal

Selima don’t understand and very confuse now “ sorry jalal I’m very confuse . .what are you trying to say ? “

“ I was there when you and other begum serve people, I was wearing a disguise so no one can recognize me, I’m with jodha begum . . I was pretend to be one his guards “ jalal explain everything to selima, selima now understand everything and that is why he is missing and now what make selima curious why he was goin with jodha.

“ ok now I understand everything but why you go with jodha begum ? “ ask selima

“ well actuall selima begum it’s jodha begum who ask me to go with you al “ confess jalal which make selima shock because there is only one person who can told jalal wah to do and that is maham anga.

“ seriously jalal ? I mean really ? “ ask selima

Jalal chuckled “ I know what you are thinking selima begum .  . jodha begum challenge me and you know I love challenge and so I go “ reply jalal, selima smile and she admire how jodha make jalal see what happening in his sultanat by challenge him.

“ ok . . I understand . . and something disturb you after that day ? “ ask selima

Jalal nod “ yes . . when I see people even don’t have money to eat properly, to, to go to hakim sahiba when they sick, I feel really shock and I feel I don’t know nothing about my people “ said jalal, selima pray that ya khuda will bless jodha because she is the one who take jalal outside and open his eyes.

“ yes shehenshah . . lot people in mughal sultanat live in poverty, everything very expensive in mughal sultanat, lot kids cant go to school and among other things, that is why me and ammijan trying to help people as much as we can but we can’t help all of them and that makes me sad sometimes as we eat delicious food here but out there lot people who even can’t eat “ selima told everything to jalal and he feel more bad listening to that.

“ it was really make me very bad because I didn’t know bout how my people suffer . . and what I should do to help them “ said jalal

“ shehenshah I know to rule mughal sultanat is not easy and you must think all people not just some of them, your rule should for your people welfare and make evertything easy for them and not the other way around, but now you’ve seen what the reality in your sultanat, I can’t give you any advice because you are the one who must make everything right and I think you should think what is the best for your people, you are their shehenshah, you are like father to them and a father should think about their childrens right so rather think how to be a good shehenshah you better think how to be a better father because if you can be a good father definitely you will become a good shehenshah “ jalal for the first time knowing that selima begum have a bright minds just like jodha begum but jalal refuse to see and listen what selima begum, mariam makanai even jodha begum try to show him but now he understand and he will think how to make his people have a better living.

Jalal looking at selima begum with appreciation and now she understand why khan baba always ask selima begum advice for everything, she is indeed very wise “ thank you selima begum . . it’s been a pleasure to talk with you and I’m happy finally someone in this sultanat have gut to talk the bitter truth to my face . . well jodha begum done that first but you still special to me . . I will think everything again selima begum and please from now on if you feel there is something that not right tell me, I’ve enough people who always agree to everything I said and don’t need that kind people anymore “

Selima smile to him “ oooh you can count on me about that shehenshah, and beside eventhough I don’t say it to you I believe someone here will always speak her minds no matter what the consequences “ tease selima

Jalal laugh “ shocking yet refreshing right . . . being and outsider she is not care and not afraid to say whatever she want to say and sometimes I hate her for that “ he said in amusement

“ well seems like you didn’t hate her anymore . . “

“ oooh I still hate her selima begum but it’s amazing right that even we don’t like even hate each other but we can talk and act in civil manner “ said jalal

“ yes well it’s interesting to see your interation with jodha begum . . . and I’m looking forward when you two falling in love . . . . “

“ nah selima begum “ cut jalal “ don’t think too far . . I don’t believe in love and I don’t think jodha begum believe that either “ he add

Selima smile with wide “ yes . . yes whatever you think shehenshah, now if we done here I want to back to my chamber . . tomorrow rahim will be back and I’m prepare everything for him “ said selima

“ ahhh yes rahim is back after delayed sometimes finally he is back . . I’m missing him soo much and this sultanat boring without his laugh “ reply jalal

“ when you have your own kids I think this palace will very noisy “ said selima

“ hope so selima but still not good news from ruqaiya begum and other begum “ reply jalal with sad, he is been try to have kids but till none his begum getting pregnant

“ don’t worry shehenshah . . you will have one when the time is right “ selima try to pacify him

“ hope so selima begum . . now go . . prepare everything for rahim . . I want he feel we all missing him badly “ reply jalal

“ ok shehenshah . . Allah hafiz “ said selima and jalal nod then selima leave, while jalal still thinking what he will do for his sultanat but jalal believe that khuda will help him and give him a way.

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

          Ruqaiya begum waiting jalal in her chamber with angry and jealously, jalal keep saying that he hates jodha but she see with her own eyes how he and jodha talking with happy, this is not the first time she see jalal with another woman but she never feel jealous like this, there is something in jodha begum that makes her feel she need to be careful with her, since she come to mughal sultanat she seems don’t have problem with adjust herself, she didn’t hang out with other begum beside selima and she heard every maids like her since she always act nice and kind to them, ruqaiya smoke her hookah and thinking how she can make jodha and jalal more hating each other and if she can get rid of her that would wonderful, ruqaiya will talk to maham anga tomorrow and may be she can give her an amazing idea, guards announce that jalal arrive, jodha have no mood to be nice to him.

Jalal enter ruqaiya chamber and the moment he step in he can feel that ruqaiya looks very anger “ what’s wrong ruqaiya ? something happen ? “ he ask, ruqaiya just looking at him with angry but keep silent make jalal wonder what’s happen with her “ are you ok ? why your face like that ? are you mad or what ? “ he add

“ you are late “ she answer try to hold back her anger

“ oh yes . . I’ve just met jodha begum on the way here and I stop by then we talk but we lost in time so I late to come here “ reply jalal, ruqaiya hates his honesty, he really can’t feel that she is jealous

“ yes I see you and jodha begum . . chatting and talking “ said ruqaiya with angry

Jalal start to realize where this is goin “ don’t tell me that you are jealous because of that ? “ ask jalal

“ jealous? Me ? of course not . . . . why would I feel jealous “ denied ruqaiya

“ then why mad ? me and jodha begum just talking . . “

“ I’m mad because spending time with he instead rather than come here, you know I’m waiting for you “ cut ruqaiya in agry, she tossed away her hookah, jalal disbelief what he just see and listen “ you supposed to be here with me and not with her “ she add and jalal decide he had enough.

“ listen ruqaiya begum . . . it’s my right to decide I want to speak to whom, to spend the night with whom . . and since you mad like this makes me don’t want to stay here ..  I’m goin to pinaz begum . . you better rest now since tomorrow you will go out to serve people “ said jalal and before ruqaiya can react jalal leave her chamber, ruqaiya really angry to herself because she can’t play it with nice so now jalal leave her, ruqaiya hate this jodha begum and she will make sure jodha know that she steal her time with shehenshah, meanwhile pinaz begum really happy that shehenshah come and want to spending time with her, jalal try to forget his fight with ruqaiya but everytime he touch pinaz begum there is only one face that come to his mind, he try to throw away his mind but her face keep coming back, he remember her beauty face under the moonlight, how she with happy looking at the moon, what jalal said to her is honesty, they start everything with the wrong foot, she can feel her hatred toward him at their wedding night but she never act impolite to him, she keep act nice and polite, always brint arti to him in the morning and evening, and never look trouble with him, jalal get up from bed then he put on his clothes, he look down at pinaz begum who sleep peacefully then he leave and back to his chamber, he don’t know why but he feel that he better sleep alone for tonight.

Hamida just finish namaz and she will prepare to go serve people, she come out from her chamber and accidentially she see jalal come out from his chamber, hamida smile looking at him, then with curious hamida watching jalal come to jodha’s chamber and she feel surprise because she got a feeling that jalal and jodha don’t like each other but seeing this hamida feel may be she was wrong.

“ what jalal do ? go to jodha’s chamber early morning ? “ ask hamida and she will talk about this with selima, meanwhile jalal enter jodha’s chamber and he look at jodha with smile when he see her in common people attire, eventhough she is is disguise but she still look very beautiful.

“ adaab jodha begum “ greet jalal, jalal turn around and see him

“ pranaam shehenshah . . . you here “ she greet him back

“ like I said I will come early morning . . so everything is ready for me ? “ he ask

Jodha nod and smile to him “ of course shehenshah . . this is your clother please wear this then I will make over your face little bit “ reply jodha, then she give sign to moti to handed jalal his disguise attire, jalal take them and smile

“ so I will become you guard today “ he said

“ yes you are . . so change now “ reply jodha then she leave him for a moment so he can change and only need few minutes for jalal to change clothes.

“ I’m done jodha begum “ said jalal then jodha come back in and she watch jalal witn interesting because although jalal wear a simple attire but his royalty aura can’t disappear and he looks really handsome “ how do I look ? “ ask jalal

“ very good . . . “ praise jodha and jalal feel really happy listen to that “ now come and sit here I will put beard and moustache for you “ she add

“ but I had moustache “ reply jalal

“ I know but this one just to make you more convincing “ said jodha, then moti and reva handed jodha fake moustache and beard, jodha help him to put that stuff on his face and so she must touching his face and she feel really amazing sensation when she touch him, jalal too feel the same, when her smooth skin touch his cheeks he feel something beating soo fast inside and he almost can’t breath, moti and reva seems understand what’s happeing inside jalal and jodha head and they both just smile because this is amazing scene to them “  ahhh ok done . . . you can check how it is “ said jodha

Jalal looking at mirror and he almost laugh “ wow jodha begum this is amazing, this beard and moustache really make me different “ he feel really amaze with jodha’s works.

“ yes you looks very different . . .  now come . . ammijan waiting of us “ reply jodha and jalal nod then they both following by moti and reva leave too, everyone waiting for hamida and jalal come, and when jodha and jalal arrive everyone looking at them but none of them recognize jalal and jodha smile because her plan looks like will work, jodha join other begum, ruqaiya looking at jodha with angry.

“ you should keep your poker face ruqaiya begum “ said maham anga in whispers

Ruqaiya looking at her “ what you mean maham anga ? “ ask ruqaiya pretend not understand what maham anga said.

Maham anga chuckled “ I can see it clearly ruqaiya begum . . you are very jealous towards jodha begum, but you must keep your cool because believe me when you go against jodha begum you can’t use your emotion “ said maham anga

Ruqaiya hate when maham anga right “ yes maham anga you are right . . I must keep my cool” reply ruqaiya “ after this serve thing over I want to talk to you . . come to my chamber after we got back from serving people “ said ruqaiya and maham anga nod with happy, the guard announcement hamida arrival with selima begum, she and selima pass jalal but they don’t realize that guard is jalal.

“ adaab “ hamida greeting everyone

“ adaab “ everyone greet him back

“ pranaam “ greet jodha, she look at jalal who seems arouse when nobody recognize him, she smile and think this is good for his ego.

“ I appreciate everyone come and help me to serve people, and since you all already knew your assignment so we better leave and start to do work “ announce hamida, then she and selima lead the way while others following them, jalal keep tagging on jodha and he can watch her closely, jodha look happy and excited to meet people in agre, she open small camp with other hakim sahiba and they give free medicine for people, jalal see lots of queue and he wonder why soo much people come for free medicine, he watch jodha checking a very older woman and her grandson.

“ what’s your name ? “ ask jodha to older woman

“ I’m asha and this is my grandson emir “ said asha, emir looking at jodha with shy

Jodha smile to emir “ helo emir . . . you look soo cute . . how old are you ? “ ask jodha

“ I’m nine years old “ said emir

“ ok . . “ then jodha look at asha “ are you sick asha ji ? “ ask jodha

“ no jodha begum . . he is the one who sick . . . he fall from tree yesterday “ reply asha

“ oooh come emir let me see your wound “ ask jodha, emir come to jodha and open rolled up his sleeve and jodha see blue bruises “ wow that must be hurt “ she said

“ yes jodha begum . . very hurt “ reply emir with teary eyes, jalal look at emir hands and see small bruises.

“ that’s small bruises . . and look not too hurt “ said jalal, emir looking at him with angry

“ this is very hurt “ said emir with teary eyes

“ of course it’s hurt . . . I’m sorry emil my guards not understand how hurt this bruises “ scold jodha and she look at jalal with warning glare and jalal just smile and weird because he never been scold by anyone.

“ I’m sorry jodha begum . . “ reply jalal he observe asha and emir and curious why asha not taking emir to hakim sahiba before “ why you didn’t take him to hakim sahiba before ? “ ask jalal

Asha smile with sad “ go to hakim sahiba very expensive and I can’t afford that, even emir didn’t go to school because he is busy helping me and beside school here only for rich people not for people like me and hindu people “ said asha “ sometimes I wonder what shehenshah doin . . we all suffer here, everything very expensive these days and he just stay inside his golden cage, eat from silver and golden spoon while we must working very hard  just for a small food and sometimes I must hold my self because I want my grandson healthy and eat enough food, shehenshah only think himself and never think his people especially small people like me, shehenshah should be like a father to his people, a father should taking care of his kids, making sure they are happy and thinking kids welfare, not keep conquear another kingdom and make lot family lost the man in their family “ jodha really don’t know how jalal will react with asha words but she hope this is reality check for jalal and she hope this is a good thing.

Jalal really surprise and shock to hear what his own people think about him “ I believe shehenshah try his best “ reply jalal and he look at jodha but her expression unreadable.

“ I don’t think so . . even I don’t know if shehenshah know his people condition . . I just hope emir could have a better life so it’s ok I have less but he must have more “ said asha then she look at jodha “ first time I heard you marry to shehenshah I hate you because you are hindu but I heard bout you help hindu people pay tax so they can pray in mandir and how you always give away money, food and clothes everytime you to mandir then I start to respect you, finally there are other than mariam makani and selima begum who think small people like me and others “ she add

“ I’m glad if I can help “ said jodha, then jodha put medicine for emir and after finish jodha give him sweets because he is not crying when she put medicine, then asha and emir leave, jalal look outside to people who come to get free food, clothes, medinice and small money, they look suffer and some look not in good condition, how can his people become like this, does he not doin his duty as shehenshah very well, soo many things come to jalal’s minds, then he see mariam makani come to jodha’s camp and jalal bend his head so she wont see him.

Hamida enter jodha’s camp see jodha just finish checking one patient and finish give medicine “ aree jodha why don’t you take rest for awhile . . you’ve been working since you arrive here and I haven’t see you eat or drink “ said hamdia, she is very happy looking selim and jodha genuinely happy helping these people.

“ I will just about to rest . . . come and sit with me ammijan “ reply jodha and she sit “ you must be tired ammijan, I notice too that you hasn’t rest too, you keep checking everyone and make sure everything fine “ she add and hamida smile, then moti and revae bring water and light food for them.

“ you are really enjoying this service don’t you ? “ ask hamida

Jodha smile with excited “ yes ammijan in amer I always the same thing just in amer I usually come to people home who need medicine “ said jodha

“ aahh I see so that is why you look very enjoying this “ reply hamida

“ hmm shehenshah  never accompany you in this service ? “ ask jodha and jalal now giving her a warning glare.

Hamida shaking her head with sad “ no . . jalal seems like hate me, may be for him I even barely exist “ jalal can feel pain and disappointing in hamida voice and he look at her teary eyes

Jodha reach hamida hands and hold it “ that is not true ammijan . .  I’m sure that shehenshah love you . . you are his ammijan why he hate you ? “ ask jodha

“it’s complicated jodha begum, he think I abandon him since I must go with humayun to battlefield, may be you and jalal wont understand now but when you two have kids in future will understand my feeling when I must leave him, it’s like killing me slowly, everyday I cried and thinking about him but I can’t turn back the time and what’s done is done . . I just hope one day he can forgive me . .i love him jodha begum more than everything in this world “ jodha try to read jalal’s face expression but hard to read, and jalal feel very mix feeling now, listening how hamida feel for him make him confuse and curious.

“ don’t worry ammijan because I’m very sure one day shehenshah will understand your feeling to him “ reply jodha with confident, hamida wipe tears that falls on her cheeks and jalal see that and he feel hurt too.

“ thank you jodha for the pray . . . now better back to work . . people still waiting outside “ said hamida and jodha just nod then hamida leave, jalal watching his mother leave and he is bout to say something to jodha when ruqaiya come to jodha’s camp.

“ jodha begum “ she call her

Jodha look up to her “ aree you ruqaiya begum .  .what can I do for you ? “ ask jodha

“ nothing . . I come here to warn you stay away from shehenshah, he is mine and last night you steal my time with him . . shehenshah belong to me and I wont let another woman take him from me and especially not by a woman like you . . . . you are like toys for shehenshah, he will feel interesting to you at first bit you will see he will get another pretty woman and he will just forget about you . . you are not important to him . . so next time you disturb again my time with shehenshah I personally will kill you if that happen again “ jodha can’t believe that ruqaiya threating her but now jodha got people in queue to give medicine so no need time to listen to her words, jalal feel embarassing with that, ruqaiya really goin too far, jalal looking at jodha who seems not care with what ruqaiya said but him, jodha want to laugh because jalal listening to all of this but jalal will make ruqaiya understand couple things in his mind, ruqaiya then leave just like that and jalal see jodha and he see she feel amusement and he know that this one is special.