"So, did you enjoy your visit to Amber, your sasuraal?" Ruqqayah teased Jalal.

"It was fine. But I guess, Jodha and her mother don't talk all that much."

Ruqqayah did not comment anything on this. She had known, why Jodha and her mother would not talk to each other. She simply sighed and leaned on Jalal's shoulder.

"Jalal, sometimes it is difficult to let things go, but at this time, people should understand that nothing is certain and learn to move on."

"Did something happen when I was not here? You have gained wisdom and let me tell you, it suits you!" he chuckled and she joined him.

"Jalal, you have started teasing me more by the hour!"

"Yeah, as if you don't tease me at all. What was that sasuraal comment then?"

"Okay, I agree. We both love teasing each other!"

"Yeah, we do. But do you know the Rajputs really treat their son-in-law in a really lavish way? They said in their culture, damaad is equalised to Lord Vishnu!"

"You must have been treated like a God then!"

"Yeah, I found that totally amusing. Poor Jodha, she had to do everything for me. And if she would bicker, her family would just kill her."

"And you let her work in this condition?"

"They were not aware of it at first. I asked her to rest as much as possible, but that woman, she never listens to anyone, you see."

"I guess. Anyway, what gifts have you bought for me?"

"And this is why you need my help."

"Yeah. I am sorry Jodha. I would have told her the truth, but she seemed too excited. Plus, you guys are friends now so I was hoping you could manage this situation."

"Sure Shehenshah, I will lie to your wife about the fact that you forgot to buy her a gift and then I will give her something I initially bought for myself. Sounds absolutely alright."

"That's it. Thank you!"

"Are you a fool? Own up for your mistakes."

"Jodha, just this one time. I promise to make it up to you both."

"Just this one time it is then."

Jalal did this purposely. He could have given a gift to Ruqqayah but he didn't want their relationship to ruin. He had heard rumours about the two's friendship and that day he had himself seen how Ruqqayah talked to Jodha, and after all these years he knew, there was something bothering Ruqqayah and that she did not mean what she said. He hoped their friendship to reconcile again. If a push was all it needed, then he was here. He would do everything for his begums to be happy.

Ruqqayah sat against the comfy cushion as she sipped hookah.

"Hoshiyar, refill the hookah!"

"Ji Begum Sahiba."

A few seconds later, she saw Hoshiyar running in again.

"Begum Sahiba, Neela is here. She has brought some news from Begum Jodha."

Ruqqayah looked at Hoshiyar in surprise. A sudden beam of happiness flowed on her face and then wiped away as soon as she realised the reality.

"Listen to what she has to say."

"But Begum Sahiba, Jodha Begum is pregnant, what if it is important?"

Ruqqayah pondered over for a second but then brushed the thought away saying a faint, I am busy. Hoshiyar nodded and left the room. Minutes later he entered again, with another hookah and something else in his hands. Ruqqayah took the hookah as she leaned comfortably on the sofa. Then as though noticing restrain on his face, she cleared her throat.

"Begum Sahiba, this...Neela handed me this." He said showing her a little wrapped piece of cloth.

Ruqqayah took it and unfolded it. Inside were a pair of earrings and a tiny box. She opened it and inside it was red powder. She did not understand what it was.

"Did she not say what it was?" she asked pointing towards the box.

"She said Jodha Begum will only tell you if you visit her."

"Whatever." She sipped in her hookah and after Hoshiyar left, she opened her gift and put the earrings on. They suited her. She smiled and then looking at the tiny box, she thought to herself whether she should go meet Jodha. She wanted to, but she did not want to give in.

"Neela, prepare my bath please."

"Jodha, what do you think? Will Malika-e-khaas come?"

"She will. I am sure."

"I am happy to see you this sure. Anyway, what oils do you want me to put in your bath?"

"Put sandalwood and add some essentials too. I'll be there in a second."

"Sure."

Removing all the pins from her hair and letting herself loose, she changed into a thin white cloth wrapped around her body before heading towards her bathing chamber. The oils and essentials filled her nostrils and evaded all tension around her. She relaxed as she entered the water and Neela massaged her, along with some other maids.

"So Neela, I was thinking about asking you this."

"Jodha, relax. Don't ask me anything right now. I will give you a proper massage. Just relax, kay?"

"Sure, Maa!"

Neela simply smiled and kept doing her job, all this while instructing other maids to do theirs properly. Jodha relaxed and leaned as she threw her head back. The massage relaxed her muscles. It was necessary. She felt sane. As Neela massaged her hair, Jodha showered her with millions of blessings while she kept laughing at her kunwari's condition.

After what seemed like the best bath, she changed into a dark purple lehenga. No jewellery at all, she simply pulled her hair in a bun and relaxed as she half laid on her bed. It was comforting until she heard the guard's announcement. She was enjoying the night sky twinkling, not really expecting any guests at this moment. When the guard announced it was Jalal, she relaxed. She kept lying as he entered.

"So late, why have you come so late at night Shehenshah?" she asked.

He gave her a smile before walking towards her and sitting at the end of the bed.

"I have come to visit my favourite begum. How are you?"

"I am very relaxed."

"And how is my baby?"

"If I am happy, I guess so is he/she."

"Sure thing. Did you..um.."

"I gave Ruqqayah a gift. Don't worry."

"I am glad."

"But, next time, you better be responsible."

"Sure, Malika e Hind!" she smiled and took another sip of her grape juice.

"What is that?"

"Grape juice." She said offering him the glass.

"No thanks," he said and she nodded but before she could react, he leaned in filling the gap between them by kissing her. Breaking the kiss, he said, "Tasty!" she looked at him as his lips pulled up in a mischievous grin.

"Shehenshah, you are so..."

"I know." He said kissing her again and what followed was the closest a man and a woman could get.