Chapter 12

Chapter 12

            Jodha just finish her puja to kahna and prepare to take arti to jalal, she feel little bit sad because today bhagwan das will going back to amer, she will meet him after she meet jalal, jodha little bit confuse how to reach jalal’s bedroom and with shy she ask a maid, so with arti plate on her hands she is on the way to jalal’s bedroom, hindu maid smile looking at jodha do her duty and it’s very rare to see a hindu woman brint arti place and walk around the palace, when she reach jalal’s bedroom she ask guard that she want to meet shehenshah but they said that jalal is in ruqaiya begum bedroom since last night, and they give jodha the direction, unknown to jodha that ruqaiya don’t like when she is with jalal being disturb by other, jodha arrive at ruqaiya bedroom and ask guard to tell shehenshah that jodha begum want to meet him.

Jalal and ruqaiya are having breakfast together, last night was happiest night for ruqaiya they are spending time in bed and making love, she feel satisfaction when she wake up this morning and see jalal beside her.

“ last night was amazing jalal . . . I hate when you leave palace for a long time, I miss being with you jalal “ said ruqaiya

“ well eventhough I’m not away you can’t always be with me ruqaiya, I have many begum that need my attention too “ jalal reminded her

“ I know jalal and I can’t complain about that but just please spending time with me more . . you have new begum now and as usual you will spending lot of time with her . . and I must to wait until you get bore then you will coming back to me “ said ruqaiya with sad.

“ you are my first begum of course I will always coming back to you “ reply jalal “ may be when we have children I will try to spending time with you and our children “ he add

There is disappointed in ruqaiya’s face since until now she still not pregnant and none begum pregnant too “ I wish I am pregnant now so you will give more attention to me and I will become mariam uz zamani . . . “ said ruqiaya, she always want that title and she will do anything to get that title

“ you will ruqaiya begum . .  don’t worry you will bear my child one day, you will become beautiful mariam uz zamani “ said jalal then he kiss ruqaiya lips gentle and ruqaiya really happy until one maid disturb them.

“ ooh forgive me shehenshah . . ruqaiya begum “ said the maid with scare because she disturb ruqaiya begum time with shehenshah

With angry ruqaiya come to that make and slep her hard “ you dare to disturb me when shehenshah here ? are you don’t want your life again ? “ she ask, jalal just sit there watching the scen

The maid touch her cheeks, it’s hurt and hot and she is scare for her life “ please I’m sorry begum sahiba . . but . . but . . “

“ shut up . . . guard “ shouting ruqaiya and jodha can hear her shout from outside and wonder what is happening, two guards come to ruqaiya bedroom “ take this maid outside and whip her 50 times . . she dare to disturb my time with shehenshah “ order ruqaiya, jalal feel that ruqaiya anger out of control to give that punishment, that maid just little kid may be around 14 years old.

The maid start to cry and beg to be forgiven “ please begum sahiba forgive me . . please . . . “ she beg, jalal bout to say something when ruqaiya shout again to guards

“ what are you doin take her our now and do as I order you “ shouting ruqaiya, then guards drag the crying maid and take her he out, jodha really shock looking at the maid and everyone there listen to her cry, even hamida and selima who not far from there in hurry come to see what is happening.

“ what is this ? what happening ? “ ask hamida, ruqaiya who hear her mother in law voice looking at jalal then they come out and surprise to see hamida and selima but they more surprise looking at jodha there too “ ruqaiya begum .. shehenshah what is this ? why this maid crying like this ? “ ask hamida

“ I punish her to be whip 50 times as she disturb my time with shehenshah “ reply ruqaiya and jodha shock like hell to hear that this maid being punish just because she disturb ruqaiya begum time with shehenshah.

“ ruqaiya begum you are too hard on her . . . how can you punish her for that small mistake “ scold selima

“ small mistake ? are you kidding me selima begum ? disturb my time with shehenshah will got the hardest punishment “ reply ruqaiya with angry, jodha feel disappointing that jalal just standing there not try to defend his people “ what are you doin ? whip her now “ order ruqaiya with angry and everyone in shock to react when guards start to whip poot little girl, jodha had enough with this cruely so when the guards just about to whip again she catch it, guards, jalal, ruqaiya, selima and hamida shock with her action and now lot people in harem come out to see the scene.

“ enough “ she said in low voice but cold, jalal can feel chilling through his bone

Ruqaiya looking at jodha with angry “ you dare to stop this punishment ? who do you think you are ? “ ask ruqaiya

Jodha take the whip from the guards and tossed it away, then she put her arti plate on the ground, then to everyone surprise she help the little girl to standing up, she still crying and look in pain “ are you ok ? “ she ask with soft and the little girl nod “ I’m sorry because of me you get punish . . you know who I am ? “ she ask again

“ y . . yes “ she said between her sobbing

“ then go to my room and tell reva that I send you and ask her to give medicine to your wound . . ok . . you can do that ? “ ask jodha, hamida can’t believe that someone in this harem can talk with that soft and appreciation to a maid.

“ I . . I  . . can do that “ reply the maid

“ go now then “ said jodha and with scare the maid looking at ruqaiya and shehenshah

“ do as jodha begum told you “ said hamida and then some maids come to help the little girl and leave, after they leave jodha face ruqaiya and jalal.

“ may I ask why you want to punish her ruqaiya begum ? “ ask jodha

“ you heard it . . she disturb my time with shehenshah so she must be punish “ reply ruqaiya, she still angry that jodha stop the punishment.

“ she disturb you because I told guards that I want to meet shehenshah “ said jodha, jalal shock to hear jodha come to meet him

“ you what ? “ ask ruqaiya

“ you heard me . . I look for shehenshah in his bedroom but guards said he is be with you so I come here “ reply jodha

“ why you want to meet shehenshah jodha ? “ ask selima

Jodha looking at her “ I’ve just finish doin puja and come to give arti to shehenshah “ said jodha then she bend and take the arti plate “ but instead I watch something like this, please forgive me ruqaiya begum but I can’t just stand still while a little girl being punish like that “ said jodha but she look at straight to jalal when she said that and jalal got her message very clear that as shehenshah he just keep quite doin nothing

“ this is my harem jodha begum and everything must do according to my words when I said punish then it should be done quickly . . now you said that maid disturb me because of you then I should punish you too “ threat ruqaiya

Now jalal can’t keep quite, ruqaiya is goin to far “ ruqaiya . . . .. “

“ you can punish me if you can answer my question “ said jodha and jalal in the same time and they quite surprise with that, hamida and selima too feel very surprise.

Ruqaiya look at jalal “ what you want to say ? “ she ask

Jalal want to know what jodha want to ask “ let jodha begum talk first “ said jalal

“ what your question ? “ ask ruqaiya

“ who am I ? “ ask jodha and everyone feel confuse

“ you are shehenshah new begum “ answer ruqaiya

“ yes I am shehenshah begum . . like you and other woman in this harem I am shehenshah begum and I have the same right to be with shehenshah and meet him so where I do wrong ? “ ask jodha, jalal kind surprise to hear her saying that

“ when jalal with me no one have right to disturb “ said ruqaiya, she want this jodha understand that shehenshah are belong to her

“ well if that the case you should make an officially announcement when shehenshah will be with you so nothing like this will happening again, may be not every begum know bout this too, especially for me who very new here and don’t know when your time with shehenshah so I wont disturb you “ said jodha, selima and hamida smile listening to jodha smart answer.

Ruqaiya come to jodha want to slep her “ you . . . . “ she rise her hand but jodha stop her

“ be careful ruqaiya begum I’m not weak person . . if you hit me don’t blame me if I hit you back and I think that won’t good for your reputation here in harem “ warn jodha and jalal know that if ruqaiya hit jodha she will hit her back.

“ enough ruqaiya . . . .  “ said jalal and ruqaiya looking at him with angry but jalal just staring her with sharp and give sign don’t argue with him in public so ruqaia take down her hands, jalal looking at jodha “ so you come here with this plate and fire . .and what you want me to do ? “ ask jalal then jodha show him what to do “ and you will do this arti every morning ? “ ask jalal

Jodha nod “ yes and as shehenshah patni it’s my duty to bring this arti to you every morning and evening after I doin puja to kahna “ said jodha

“ riddiculus “ said ruqaiya, she still angry to jodha

“ it’s not riddiculus ruqaiya begum . . this is how jodha showing his love and honor to shehenshah “ said selima and jodha looking at her with confuse while jalal almost laugh listening the word love, ruqaiya in rage listening jodha love jalal, so when jalal bout to do what jodha show to him with arti ruqaiya hit the plate so it fall on the ground.

“ oopss I’m sorry “ said ruqaiya without regret.

“ ruqaiya “ warn jalal

“ ruqaiya how come you soo reckless like that “ scold hamida, jodha looking at ruqaiya and she smirk, jodha see the ligt still on it’s wick, then she kneel and take that wick into her hand, she feel burning but she hold on.

“ jodha begum . . . . “ call hamida with shock, that must be hot and hurt having those fire on her hands, jalal and ruqaiya totally shock by her action, then jodha standing in front of jalal and give him her hand when the fire on her palm, jalal know that must be hurt for her but her face show no reaction but he see her other hand grab her lehenge and hold on to it very hard, jalal then quickly do like jodha told him, then he call maid to bring cold water, jalal then take the fire on her palm since it’s almost off then without knowing what he is doin he take jodha hand and put it on cold water and jodha winch the moment her hand touch the water.

“ oooh jodha begum . . It must be hurt . . “ said selima

Jodha just smile “ nothing serious . .  .just a small wound “ said jodha, jalal wipe her hand with water and then both jodha and jalal realise what he just doin, ruqaiya feel jealous looking how jalal give attention to jodha.

“ aahh come on there is nothing serious wound “ she said, then jodha pull out her hands and use her dupatta to cover her wound.

“ thank you shehenshah . . . . now I must go to meet bhagwan das bhaisa . . he will going back to amer today and I want to see him before he go “ said jodha

“ are you sure your hand is ok jodha begum ? “ ask hamida with worry

Jodha smile to her “ it’s nothing mariam makani . . . . “

Hamida feel strange when jodha call her by that title and after what she just watch she start to think what selima said is right “ ooh call me ammijan dear “ reply hamida, ruqaiya looking at hamida as if she already loose her mind but selima smile with happy listening to hamida while jalal can’t think anything.

Jodha looking at hamida and she nod “ it’s nothing ammijan . . . now if you all excuse me I will leave now . . pranaam “ said jodha then she leave from there, jalal watch her leave.

“ shehenshah you new begum really arrogant and dare to challenge me . . now she can get away but in the future if she try to make problem with me she is dead meat “ warn ruqaiya

Jalal looking ruqaya “ you’ve gone too far with that maid ruqaiya . . if you keep act like that no one will want to work in palace anymore “ said jalal

“ I’m the chef of harem jalal and I . . . . . . “

“ I’m aware of that ruqaiya no need to say that over and over again . . . all I’m saying is that you can’t always give punishment for small mistake like that to maid, and all maid will leave palace if you keep doin this “ cut jalal and ruqaiya want to protest but jalal stop her “ enough . . . we’ll talk about this later . . now I must meet bhagwan das too, I must send him leave by my self “ said jalal

“ but shehehnshah . . . . “ but jalal wont listen

“ allah hafiz “ said jalal to hamida, selima and ruqaiya

“ allha haifz “ reply hamida and selime then jalal leave, ruqaiya looking at hamida and selima with angry and shame because jalal scold her in front of them then she is goin back to her bedroom.

“ wow selima begum . . jodha begum really something . . she face ruqaiya begum with brave and not even flinch when ruqaiya begum want to hit her “ said hamida with amaze

“ hahaha for someone who dare to fight in battlefield I guess this harem like playground for her “ reply selima with amusement

Hamida laugh “ now come selima we must distribute food and money for poor people “ said hamida then she and selima leave too.

Bhagwan das very upset looking at the wound on jodha’s plam but she is assuring him that she is ok, man singh already predict that jodha will had hard time in this palace but he trust his buasa.

“ I’m gonna miss you bhaisa . . and please tell sujamal bhaisa too that I’m going to miss him too especially my cruel training with him “ said jodha

Bhagwan das chuckled “ hey Bhagwan . . are they still left he can teach you ? you already mastered everything, sword fighting . . archery . . you even more skillful compare to man singh and all amer soldier . . what else he can teach you ? “ ask bhagwan das

“ baapusa is right . . you even can fight with eyes close and can shoot moving target with eyes close too . . I’m just pass fight with eyes close but sujamal kakasa hasn’t teach me shooting moving target with eyes close “ protest man singh

“ well man singh . . jodha can teach you that . .  you still need to practice fight with eyes close, what happened yesterday when you fight with adham khan can happen in battlefield and I want you to be ready for any situation “ said bhagwan das and man singh nod “ and you jodha don’t be lazy to practice . . . you might mastered everything but it wont use if you never practice “ warn bhagwan das

“ I heard you bhaisa don’t  worry “ reply jodha, then they hear announcement that jalal arrive, then they all stand up and then jalal enter.

“ praanam shehenshah “ greet bhagwan das

“ praanam “ said man singh

“ adaab “ reply jalal “ so bhagwan das are you sure you want to leave now ? “ ask jalal

“ yes shehenshah . . there are lot to do after war so I can’t stay here too long but later baapusa, maasa and dadisa will come . . this is our ritual after our daughter leave family will visit her in . . and we will give you message when we will come, I don’t know if I can come that time but we’ll see “ said bhagwan das

“ ahh ok . . I hope you enjoying your time here . . . “ reply jalal

“ ooh I’m enjoying my time here shehenshah “ said bhagwan das

Jalal smile “ ok then I’m very glad to hear that . . now come on I will send you of “ said jalal

Bhagwan das smile too “ ooh thank you shehenshah “ then they all go to the gate where bhagwan das horse and some amer soldiers waiting for him, man singh touch his baapusa feet and hug him.

“ be careful baapusa “ he said

Bhagwan das touch his shoulders “ I will . . you take care your buasa ok . . you know she mean a lot to me and sujamal bhaisa “ said bhagwan das, jalal feel curious who is this sujamal.

“ of course I will baapusa . . don’t worry “ reply man singh, jodha then come to her bhaisa and touch his feet and bhagwan das touch her head to bless her.

“ take care my beta will you ? eventhough he is expert in sword fighting he still a kid “ said bhagwan das

“ I will bhaisa . . I will “ said jodha and she feel sad her bhaisa will go and if can she want to cry but she can’t cry, bhagwan das know what’s in jodha mind and he smile to her, then bhagwan das looking at jalal and fold his palm on his chest.

“ I leave two precious person in my life in your care shehenshah . . please taking care of them “ said bhagwan das

Jalal reach bhagwan das hand and hold it “ don’t worry bhagwan das I will taking care both of them “ reply jalal and bhagwan das feel little bit relieve, then he climb on his horse and for the last time he look at jodha and man singh then he leave, jalal watching jodha with curious, he notice that couple times jodha look sad and seems want to cry but she never cry and that make him wonder why she never cry, jodha notice jalal looking at her then she look back and they both looking at each other and something beat in their heart, both don’t know what is happening in their heart, they are not realise that the seed of love are start to fill their heart but time will tell if it will grow fast or slow but one thing for sure that love already exist in their heart but they wont realize what they feel for each other until the right time and the right moment.