Chapter 19

It was like a dream come true for even a princess. She never thought he would go this far beyond her imaginations. He has indeed outdone himself to his excellence. His extra detailing and effort made her realize that he cares deeply for her. According to her liking, everything was every little detail of decoration, colors, flowers, candles, fragrances used, and most importantly, their beautiful painting. There was no need for assurance who planned this unique preparation. She felt serenity acutely by his unspeakable gesture; his love and care touched her. She never fabricated, even in her fantasy, that Jalal would change to such an extreme. Finally, her dream came true, to see deep love and longing for her not only in his eyes but in his action.

Before their marriage, Lila and Jodha used to spend hours discussing their desires for their life partner. But, after her marriage, all hopes and wishes were suppressed in her heart. But whatever she saw today was unpredictable and beyond her belief. She pinched herself to acknowledge if it were reality. Even after a pinch, it was unthinkable and hard for her to believe her own eyes. After seeing all this planning, her doubt got cleared that Jalal will spend the night with her, not with Rukaiya. Her heart was jumping profusely, and she was delighted with the feeling of absolute contentment. Tears of happiness gleamed in her doe-like hazel eyes, and her heartfelt content beyond any words, just out of this world. She wondered with a thought- "Where is Jalal??? He was supposed to be here to welcome me." Her eyes were constantly looking at the door for his arrival. 'He is the Shahenshah, so probably he might have gotten stuck in some urgent work. We have returned after so many days, so lots of work would be pending.' She consoled herself with positive thoughts.

She walked around in the chamber and looked at every piece of Rajvanshi Amer Style decoration. His extra effort to impress touched her heart. Thinking about Jalal, butterflies tickled her stomach. She blushed, thinking of him touching, kissing, and passionately making love to her. She was feeling excited about the new steps towards their relation and nervous about her inexperience at the same time. Her empty impatient mind drove her far and far in thoughts; she recalled the first night's conversations with all of her friends and cousins. Almost all of them complained about how painful it was the first time; even Lila said she shouted in pain. Her excitement turned into tormenting edginess.

Another thirty minutes passed, and one of his maids entered the chamber with an entire Rajvanshi vegetarian meal for Jodha and Jalal.

The Hindu maid bowed down and respectfully informed, "This afternoon Shahenshah himself came to the royal kitchen and ordered your favorite meal for both of you and instructed us to deliver it at this time." Then maid politely asked, "Queen Jodha, if you allow me then, I would serve the food."

It was unexpected and unusual to see Rajvanshi style servings, platters, and food. That was another shock for her. His surprises so gratified her that her wet eyes started to flood out with joyful tears. She realized in the excitement of her dreamy night; she hardly ate anything the whole day. The hot food looked so delicious, and the aroma of the food was making her feel hungrier.

Queen Jodha inquired softly, "Do you know where Shahenshah is?"

"Queen Jodha, the last time when I saw Shahenshah at around five o'clock, he was going towards Wazir E Aliya Maham Anga's chamber," maid responded softly, but hesitation in her tone was audible. Her face also turned slightly worried since she knew about the challenge. She silently prayed to Lord Krishna for Queen Jodha and wished that Shahenshah spend the night with her.

Even though Jodha noticed her concerns and worry, she did not doubt Jalal. She was confident he would fulfill his promise. Slowly time was slipping like sand from the hand; she was eagerly waiting for Jalal. Her mind was occupied in making conversation, how to thank him for all these surprises. She decided to pretend upset at first then suddenly kiss him to surprise him. She blushed heavily at her mischievous thought. She was so thrilled that she could even hear her own heart beating so loud, which was continuously telling her that she was in LOVE, and he too loved her unconditionally. She wanted to sing and sing so loud that everyone could hear that she was in love with Jalal, and he only belonged to her.

Another hour passed, but there was no news about Jalal. It was sunset time, and everyone was getting back to their nests to their loved ones. Slowly the sun was setting down, and gradually the light outside was fading. She called the gateman and confirmed- "Did you receive any message from Shahenshah?" But even the gateman didn't know anything.

Little by little, she was losing her patience. Every second passing was killing her. She couldn't wait to see him. She wanted to hug him for being so thoughtful. More time passed. She was still trying to convince her mind not to think negatively, but it was a beginning feeling of restlessness. There were no books around to read or anything which could help her pass the time. She didn't know what to do to kill her time. She began to talk to herself- "Why is Jalal so late? He promised me, and he has never broken his promise so far. Something urgent might have come up. But he should have at least sent me a message and informed me in advance about his delay. He knows that I am in his chamber and waiting for him dreadfully. When he comes, I will pretend to get upset at him first; then, when he tries pursuing me, I will hug him to surprise him." She again smirked at her own thoughts and convinced her unsettled, agitated feeling.

Her tolerance level tested her patience, and bit by bit, it started turning into slight anger. Then again, she swayed herself- "How can I get angry at him??? He has worked so hard for today. He selected jewelry, dress, decoration, and this delicious Rajvanshi food. He spared lots of time to prepare for all these things from his busy schedule, and he came to give me the dress and jewelry. But then why is he so late? He could have sent me one message to be late. I have the right to get mad at him."

It was now about three hours she had been waiting for him in his chamber. No news... No message... No Jalal... It was complete silence, an awkward silence, eerie silence. She was waiting for him in silence, waiting in full of hope. She was able to hear the soothing sound of the wind only. Outside it was getting gloomier. Slowly a drip by drip candles was melting and shining at her impatient orbs. Only the beautiful painting of them was giving her a peaceful smile on her face. It was a late night, almost close to midnight. At this point, she had lost all her patience and broke down with tears in her eyes. Her anger turned into sorrow and immense pain. But she still had a little hope left. She murmured to herself- "He will come...He loves me a lot...He would never betray me." Her eyes were constantly looking at the door. She was sitting on the bed with her feet folded, holding her hands on her feet and making her head rest on her knees. Her eyes were clearly showing immense pain, and with bottomless sorrow in her heart, she started singing (Please Read the wording of the Song)

(TO LISTEN TO SONG CLICK ON THE LINK) If possible, please listen to this Song. I recommend it—one of the best songs. The Song will display Jodha's condition.

Raina beeti jaaye shyaam na aaye...

(The night is passing, but Krishna hasn't come yet...)

nindiya na aaye...

(Even sleep does not come.)

Raina beeti jaaye...

(The night is passing.)

shaam ko bhula shyaam ka vaada...

(Krishna forgot his evening together promise.)

sang diye ke baithi raadha

(Radha waits for him while watching burning candles.)

nindiya na aaye...

(Sleep will not come.)

Raina beeti jaaye...

(The night is passing.)

kis sautan ne roki dagariya...

(Which of his other wife put a spell on him?)

kis bairan se laagi nazariya

(Who cast the evil eye on him?)

nindiya na aaye...

(Sleep will not come.)

Raina beeti jaaye...

(The night is passing.)

birha ki maari prem diwani...

(The blow of the weeping makes the lover mad.)

tan man pyaasa ankhiyon mein paani

(The heart and body thirst for you with tears in the eyes.)

nindiya na aaye...

(Sleep will not come.)

Raina beeti jaaye...

(The night is passing.)

At last...she lost all her hopes and patience. Her sound was mixed with subterranean melancholy and enormous pain. All of Jalal's maids were also surprised.

One of the maids said to the other- "Entire day today Shahenshah spent most of his time in the preparation, and he was so eagerly waiting for this night, then where is he now? Is he went to Queen Rukaiya? How could he be so cruel to this innocent queen? Why he played her?"

No one had any clue what to do. All of the guards and maids outside his chamber could hear Jodha's melodious voice full of grief. They were also feeling heartache for her dreadful condition.

Jodha's eyes were glued to the door, and without a blink, she was staring at the door with her diminutive hopes. One Hindu maid came inside and calmly requested her to eat, assuming Shahenshah would not come to her.

Jodha quickly wiped her tears, and politely denied her request to eat. She instructed her to wind up the food and clean the table. She had no desire left to eat anything. After the Maid left, she again sat on the bed, bending her knees while resting her face on it. Her tears were flooding out without any pause. Her deep sorrow and pain started converting into negative thoughts- "Where is Shahenshah??? Is he playing with my emotions??? Was all this a pre-planned plot to shatter me??? Maybe he is with the queen Rukaiya, and as always, both of them are laughing at my tears." Her heart was not ready to accept the fact that he was playing games with her. But the situation was screaming out loud that he played with her emotions. She had mixed thoughts. Her heart was telling her Jalal loves her and can't betray her. In contrast, her mind was thinking that he was playing with her emotions.

The night was getting darker and darker, and now only a few candles were burning along with Jodha's heart. Her anxiety was at the mountain. Gradually and steadily, her mind was getting captured by the negative thoughts of Jalal's betrayal. In the end, her heart gave up, and her mind took over. With every passing second, anger was fuming rapidly inside her.

On the other side, Jalal was in deep slumber sleep and had no clue about what was happening to his most awaiting dream. Rukaiya was sleeping next to him with pride that Jalal came to her instead of Jodha. Most of the harem women were getting jealous of Rukaiya and laughing at Jodha.

As per Maham Anga's instructions, Resham spread the news in the entire Harem that Shahenshah has taught Queen Jodha a big lesson by inviting her to his chamber to spend the night with her while he went to Queen Rukaiya's chamber to spend the night with her. Jodha waited for Shahenshah in his chamber while he slept peacefully with Queen Rukaiya. Some queens doubted seeing Jalal's cruelty towards Queen Jodha if she was innocent. Some said that this is how he is taking revenge on her. Till late night many women waited if the table turns. Finally, they called a night out in favor of Queen Rukaiya.

Lastly, the most horrifying dark night passed with a flood of tears and anxiety. It was early morning now. Jodha was utterly shattered. She was still sitting in the same spot, looking at the door with tears in her eyes. Her body got loosened and tired, but she still sat in the same posture. Her inner turmoil was so intense that she didn't even feel the pain of her body.

Jalal woke up from Maham's sleeping spell. He saw Rukaiya sleeping next to him, and suddenly he sat up with a heavy jolt. His eyes got widened out of shock; he had no idea what exactly had happened. He swiftly got up from the bed seeing a dim glow of the early morning coming through the window right on his face. A panic smeared on his face, and his mind fizzled with a thought. His dreamy night has already passed. He said to himself in a dreadful alarming tone, "Ya Allah...Oh no, What just happened? How am I here in Rukaiya's chamber? Yah Allah Jodha..." He didn't understand what happened; How he went to sleep? What happened to him suddenly? Is he still asleep having a dream, or is this true??? He didn't bother to wake Rukaiya up and ran out of her chamber. He ran madly towards his chamber. His face got filled with extreme terror within a few seconds. He shivered while running. He murmured Oh God, Jodha!' He couldn't believe his dreamy night slipped away from his hand just like that...Within a few seconds, he felt like he had lost his entire world. His mind got preoccupied with millions of negative thoughts in a matter of seconds.

He stopped at the entrance of his chamber, expecting a big tornado. His eyes laid down on JODHA, who was sitting on the bed, resting her face on her knees. Her face turned pale, and her eyes were swollen. Dried tears were visible on her face. He could tell that she had wept the entire night and didn't sleep even for a minute. She was still looking at the door without a blink. There was no reaction from her. He felt like she was sleeping with open eyes. Jalal was so scared seeing her in this frightful condition. He went close to her, cupped up her face, and mumbled in a low tone, "Jodha." His sound didn't reach her ears. She looked like a soulless body. He again called out her name, but this time a bit louder, "JODHA" She suddenly woke up from her nightmare and realized Jalal had finally arrived.

She looked at him with immense pain. She was feeling completely broken. She had no energy left to speak or listen to anything. Without saying a word, she got up from the bed and started walking away from him.

Jalal grabbed her hand and said, "Wait, Jodha... Please listen to me."

She looked back at him with fire in her eyes, then acidly in a thick, loud tone she shouted "Enough!!! Don't you dare touch me again? You have won today... You have played with my emotions enough, but not anymore, no more explanations. Your name will be written with golden letters in history for the best betrayal ever. You broke your promise and shattered my dreams. You can never love anyone, and you don't deserve to be loved by anyone. I hate you. You have proven today that you are a husband of 500 women, and you have the right to break anyone's heart. You are a heartless, cruel, tricky, and sly person." She spitted out her bitterness without taking a breath.

Hearing this much hatred from her, Jalal felt traumatized. He lost all his strength to say anything further to her. Her words pierced his heart. He loosened his grip and let go of her hand. They both looked at each other with intolerable pain. It took him a few minutes to come out of this shock. He walked behind her, but before he could say anything, Jodha ran out of his chamber. Jalal stopped at the gate, watching a bunch of queens outside his room.

The news was already spread that Jalal went back to his chamber. To watch the drama unfold, half of the harem women were standing outside waiting for Jodha to come out. Jodha was shocked to see the harem women laughing at her and making fun of her.

The beauty Queen, Pinaz, stopped Jodha and asked her mockingly- "How was your night Queen Jodha?" Other queens laughed out loud- "Night in or with Shahenshah's chamber!" Another one said, "Hmm, last night was the best night queen Rukaiya ever had with Shahenshah." While another one said, "Some people have a terrible habit of flying so high with their extreme proud, but they come to reality only when they fall from so high." They all laughed out loud. Everyone out there was disrespectful and making fun of Jodha. Jodha was helplessly standing out there; she was completely shattered. She didn't know how to respond to this situation... without any answer, she ran away from there.

Jalal was also shocked and disturbed by Jodha's words. He went back to his chamber without saying a single word. He was too hurt, 'How could she thinks that I have done this on purpose. She didn't even listen to me once... Oh... god, how could she think that I am playing games with her and taking revenge on her?" Jalal was deeply hurt by these horrendous accuses, "Queen Jodha, don't you have trust in me... don't you have trust in my love? You are right; You don't love me and don't trust me." He murmured with deep sorrow.

They were both shattered without any fault.

Abdul also heard the news that Shahenshah spent his night with the Queen Rukaiya. Abdul was very much shocked. He knew how desperate Jalal was for his first night with a queen Jodha, then how could he spend his night with Rukaiya? Abdul immediately went to see him. Jalal was not in the mood to talk about anything with anyone, but he didn't want to upset Abdul, so he allowed him to enter.

Abdul asked worriedly-"What happened, Shahenshah? What did you do? Why did you spend your night with a queen Rukaiya instead of queen Jodha?"

Jalal told him the entire story with regret and anger, then finally he said to Abdul- "I was wrong; Queen Jodha begum doesn't love me. She doesn't even trust me."

Abdul got utterly shocked. Worryingly he asked again, "But how suddenly you went to sleep? Jalal, this doesn't make any sense. How can you get unconscious???"

Jalal disappointedly replied, "It doesn't matter how that happened, but I can now clearly see that she doesn't love me, and she doesn't even have any trust in me. She didn't even give me one chance to justify it." Finally, Jalal requested Abdul that he wanted to stay alone. With a sad expression, Abdul got up to leave, but then Jalal stopped him and instructed him to make arrangements for camping by the pond-side for the next two days and keep that a secret. With a heavy heart, he said- "I want to be alone there... I can't stay here in this palace, especially in this chamber with all the decoration and broken dreams. I don't want to see Jodha and her face again. Neither I can't see her in pain, and nor I can see hatred in her eyes for me. I don't think I will get peace anywhere."

Abdul left with a puzzling confusion. His heart broke, seeing Jalal in deep pain.

Jalal called Atgah Saheb and instructed him to manage everything in his absence as he won't be available for the next two days.

Jodha walked back to her chamber with tears in her eyes and pain in her heart because of Harem women's offensive behavior. On the way back, she passed Rukaiya's chamber and saw her sitting on the divan. Unfortunately, their eyes met; Jodha had no interest in talking to anyone. She was very disturbed and had no courage left to hear any more else's taunts, but how Rukaiya could miss the most significant opportunity. She sent his Maid Hoshiyar out to call queen Jodha to her chamber. Jodha had no choice but to see her. She wiped her tears and got ready for another attack on her self-esteem.