Chapter 33 Part 4

Tears relieved him from suffocation; he felt much better. All of his inner turmoil came out with his anger and tears, but this storm took away everything from him, his best friend... his mother... and his soul mate. He was left all alone, empty-handed. The feeling of hollowness was killing him inside.

He wiped his tears and gathered himself, then said in a low tone, "Ammi Jaan, I would like to spend some alone time in Queen Jodha's chamber."

Jalal finally got up and started to walk. Everyone watched at broken, weak Jalal; the King of Kings walked like a poor beggar. He was point-blank, devastated, and wrecked.

He went to Jodha's chamber and sat by the temple. And, looked at the divine Jyot helplessly and prayed to Kanah, "Hey Krishna, Please give my Jodha back to me." he sat there for an hour while looking at the divine flame of Diya.

After an hour, he went out to the terrace and sat on the swing. Sun was getting ready to hide behind the mountain and trees. Today after many days, he felt color in his life. A hint of a smile crept on his face seeing the entire orange glowing sky. His ears heard beautiful melodious songs of chirping birds. After many days he felt freshness in the gentle wind. His broken heart stroked with harmony... Satisfaction... Contentment. Finally, he was able to prove his Jodha innocent. A realization hit; he has won the biggest battle of his life. He inhaled deeply and exhaled out with a broad, pleasant smile, but his heart was still longing for Jodha. Without Jodha, his success was irrelevant. He wanted to see her gaze; he wanted to kiss and embrace her in his arms.

His satisfying smile was again lost somewhere, and deep sorrow spread on his face. He recalled the words of the letter... Don't get shattered... Jalal was again lost in his thought... And, suddenly, words came out of his mouth, "Where you are, Jodha... where are you???"

In the middle of the deep jungle, surrounded by mountains, near the river on a lonely big stone, deep doe-like beautiful eyes fluttered while staring at the Moon; two lonely tears brimmed out. While hugging her legs, She sighed, a deep sound coming out from her soul. "Jalal, I am here waiting for you."

Jalal heard the sound of her soul, the sound of her voice, which surprised him at first, looked around restlessly to see her excitedly. But again, he was disappointed. He often heard the sound of her soul but didn't realize it was her soul answering back to his soul. The pain and intensity of their love crossed all the boundaries. Again, he heard... 'Jalal, how are you doing???' He smiled sarcastically and murmured out loud, 'How can I be without you?' while staring at the glorious Moon and twinkling stars.

Jodha also heard the sound of his soul and imagined his sarcastic smile.

Jalal spent the entire night sitting out while looking at the twinkling stars, and finally, the dream took over his restless soul.

The Next Morning.

Jalal sensed as if Jodha's soul gave warmth throughout the night to his shattered heart. He woke up with immense energy and a glow on his face. It was a big day for him.

Today Diwan-E-Khas was filled with many people. The Betrayal news of Queen Rukaiya and Maham Anga spread like a fire in the entire Agra. Everyone felt sad for Queen Jodha and the Shahenshah. Hamida and Salima both were worried about Jalal how he would manage and control his emotions in the court. An announcement was made for the King's arrival.

The King of the Kings, Jalalluding Mohammad, Shahenshah E Hindustan, entered Diwan E Khaas with a mighty, gracious walk; he kept his head straight and masked all his inner turmoil. Seeing the glow on his face, many of them were surprised; Hamida blessed him and took his evil omen. Jalal's eyes met with Hamida; he gently nodded his head.

Before Atgah Sahib announced, Jalal growled, "Bring culprit Maham Anga and Queen Rukaiya."

Both of them came with shameful faces. Their eyes were lowered, and appearances were filled with guilt.

Jalal started with his loud authoritative guilt-free voice, "Both of you are proven guilty now get ready for your punishment. Your punishment should be the death penalty, but you both are Queen Jodha's culprit more than me; that's why I want her to punish both of you. Until Queen Jodha returns, you both will stay as a common person in some corner of the place. Queen Rukaiya from today, you are an ordinary queen. I am taking away all your rights, you will stay in this palace, but you will not be allowed to see me. The same punishment you gave to Queen Jodha will be your punishment now until Queen Jodha punishes you."

Then he dismissed the court and walked out of the courtroom briskly without looking at anyone.

Days passed, Months passed, but Jalal didn't get success in finding his Jodha. In all directions, secret agents were in search of her. They searched every small and big village, state, and city, but unfortunately, no one got a single clue where she could be.

Slowly Jalal learned to leave without her. He diverted his attention towards the sultanate. Now Jalal's primary concentration became his people. Six long months passed, Jalal worked Day and night with higher and higher energy. Within a short period, he made an incredible amount of changes, reformed and centralized his administration process, and consolidated his financial system. Out of six months five months, he traveled to make necessary changes and increase security for the betterment. He found out that he was keenly interested in a different religion and their beliefs; he pursued his interest in Hindus, Parsis, Christians, and Muslims. He realized how his Hindu population was feeling unfair about the Jizya tax. He reformed a committee to see if implication on the sultanate if the Jiziya tax is taken out. Not only on the religious side, but he put banned slavery and young age child marriage. He made many changes for improvement. Day by Day, he was coming closer and closer to (awam)people. He hired many new talented intellectual administrators and artists. Even Though he was illiterate himself due to dyslexia, he encouraged scholars, poets, painters, and musicians, making his court a center of culture. His Diwan-E-Aam and Diwan-E-Khass got filled with many gifted artists, including Tansen.

His heart opened for his people, but no one was able to see his sorrow inside. Only Hamida knew what he was feeling inside. He was hiding his sadness behind his smile. He had no interest left other than his sultanate.

Day by Day, failure to find Jodha was killing him gradually. Abdul was out for three months searching for Queen Jodha. Hundreds of secret agents were looking for Queen Jodha, but she was neither in Amer nor Agra.

Jalal's prime enemy Abul Mali wanted to rule over Kabul, but Jalal defeated him and kicked him out of Kabul. To take revenge, he was waiting for the opportunity to attack Jalal behind his back; because he knew Jalal was undefeatable at the Warfield with his reformed, well-built army.

In search of Jodha, Jalal visited many states and villages one by one in common man attire. When Abul Mali got confidential information, Jalal will pass through a deep forest with only five warriors; it was the perfect opportunity he found to attack.

Even though Abul Mali struck Jalal with Thirty Warriors with planning, he failed to defeat Jalal and his brave troop. They fought very courageously and killed everyone, including Abul mali. While battling, all of Jalal's warriors died or were injured severely; Jalal got wounded very gravely and got unconscious in a very lonely jungle.

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The weird feeling of something terrible going to happen thumped at her soul. She was not able to sleep out of strange and odd sensations.

In the middle of the night, she heard a loud knock on the door, "Hira... Hira... wake up." She swiftly got up and opened the cottage door. Seeing panditji at this late-night, she asked nervously, "What happened, Panditji?"

Acharya (Pandit) replied hastily, "Hira, Naresh was coming back from the forest, and he saw a man in an unconscious and wounded state. He is still breathing; he has brought him to the ashram for treatment. Naresh and I will get a healer from the village; it will take me at least two to three hours; hence Naresh will bring him into your cottage; meanwhile, you try to save him."

Hira rushed to pull out her medicine container, and Naresh carried him to Jodha's bed and ran out to get Healer. As soon as Jodha turned, her heart stopped beating after seeing seriously wounded unconscious Jalal lying on the bed. The blood was oozing out of his shoulder; seeing him in this critical condition, her eyes widened in shock, "She shouted, "Jalal."

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Precap: Jodha hides from Jalal. Will Jalal recognize HIRA?