Slowly riding on horses, Jalal and Abdul entered the campground. It was a small space with only one practice ground. In this lonely place, the only melodic sound of sword collision was ringed in ears. He watched from far where few kids were practicing fencing. Leisurely he scanned the ground, and at last, his eyes caught on the trainer. The petite figure, white soldier attire with white turban covered face; it didn't take him a second to recognize his Jodha. Words spilled loudly mindlessly, "Yah Khuda... Jodha." His heart shouted in excitement and skipped many beats. It was not easy for him to believe what he was seeing; her sword was blazing in the sun, and she was moving like fire on the ground. He stared at her for a few seconds to recognize her eyes from far. It was the same outfit he had seen her in the very first time, the same attire in sword fighting competition. He didn't need any more pieces of evidence to confirm.

He was happy... he was too happy... he was beyond happy... his happiness was beyond any words... He pulled the bridle of the horse and rode towards his life. Abdul was perplexed and surprised by the sudden speed change. He couldn't understand what suddenly happened to Jalal.

His beautiful enchanting fighter Jodha was in the middle of the ground, and four young kids, about ten years old, were surrounding and attacking her. She was teaching the different tactics of defense tricks that how to protect from the attacks. Jalal's horse jumped through the round poles and entered inside the practice ground. The way he landed on the practice ground, all the kids backed off a few steps from their position. The tapping sound alerted her, she swiftly turned and saw Jalal riding on the horse coming towards her; she quickly turned in another direction. Jalal grinned, catching her instant reaction; while galloping on hours, he started circling around Jodha while keeping his mesmerizing sharp eyes on her. A dim victorious smirk was dancing on his lips.

Jodha knew that Jalal had definitely recognized her. In fear of being caught, she lowered her eyes while looking at the ground. Jalal encircled two rounds around her; his horse's tapping sound was audible in the quiet dusky evening. Jodha slowly lifted her beautiful eyelashes, her deep doe-like hazel eyes filled with pain. A trace of tears was visible underneath her eyelids; she looked at him with her moist but powerless stare. Both of them were looking at each other without a blink.

Strangely the shadows of golden-brown clear sky crowded with gray stirring clouds and crashed into each other with loud crackles with lig sparked the dusky evening. The obscure cosmic awning began to float around the surface. As if yearning to meet once again was resounding in nature.

His sad face burst with the deep reddish glow, and his eyes filled with immense Love... pain... happiness... many emotions together. He didn't know what to do... to smile or cry or shout or hug her. He wanted to seize the moment forever. Finally, his search ended, and his Jodha was standing in front of him. Finally, he found her... he found himself... he found his soul... he found his heartbeat... With immense contentment and peace on his face... He utters words loudly in a poetic way.

EK Muddat Se Tera Intezaar Kiya Karte Hai,

(I was waiting for this moment forever)

Har Khwab Me Tera Didar Kiya Karte Hai,

(I saw you in my every single dream)

Teri deewangi mein ho gaye hai hum Deewane Tere,

(In my craziness, I have become crazy for you)

Jo Har Waqt Tere Milne Ka Intzaar Kiya Karte Hai...

(I waited desperately every moment to see you one gaze)

He closed his eyes to feel the peace inside him. It took a few seconds to settle his irregular heartbeats.

He opened his eyes with a charismatic smile on his face. At last, his eyes shifted from Jodha to kids; they all looked confused, shocked, and curious. With a grin, he said in a mischievous tone, "You know kids, I can defeat your trainer in a flicker." Jodha's eyes expanded with little anger and surprise.

Jalal jumped from the horse and came very close to Jodha and whispered in her ears, "Hiraaa...What do you say?"

All of the kids were surprised; who is this man? But soon, their mind diverted, and they started defending their trainer, "Our trainer is the best in fencing." One kid with a loud and proud voice said, "No one can beat her in our class. Don't underestimate her just because she is a woman. She will kick you out within no time."

Jalal looked at her from the side with a scoff and said, "I agree maybe your trainer is good, but she can't conquer against Jalal."

Jodha's heart was beating rapidly, and her brain stopped working after seeing his teasing gaze at her. She couldn't curb her glee for longer; a small grin crept on her face, which sparkled her eyes.

Seeing her mellowed eyes, Jalal loudly yelled in excitement, "So let's compete... let's see who wins!" Kids cheered with exhilaration, and they all moved out from the ground and gathered by the pole.

While watching kids moving, Jodha's eyes wedged on Abdul, standing next to the kids and looking at Jodha and Jalal with moist eyes with overwhelming expressions. He slowly bowed down respectfully.

Tears dribbled out from Jodha's eyes after seeing Abdul's happiness; she also respectfully bent down a little.

Jalal pulled his sword out, and while keeping his attentive stare, he waited for her to begin first, but how could she attack her Love? How can she defeat him? She was unable to understand what he was doing? Why was he too excited? And the challenge for a sword fight in this sad situation. She knew he was excited to find her now, but in the end, they have to retake a separate path once again.

In a frustrating tone, she complained, "Aap ki tamasa karne ki aadat gayi nahi hai. Ab aapne apni nautanki me bachho ko bhi shamil karliya."

["Your habit of being dramatic has not changed yet, and now you have involved students in your drama too."]

He snapped back with irony, "Par aapne to sabit kar diya ki aap nautanki me humari bhi ustaad hai. Aap nautanki me to paach saal ke Nandu ki amma bhi ban gayi."

["But you have proven that you are the topmost and unbeatable in this skill. In your drama, you became a mother of a five-year-old Nandu."]

His answer annoyed her more; in response, she attacked him with her sword. Jalal blocked her sword, and with a wide smirk, he loudly said, "Subhan Allah... Aap Ke hamle me aaj bhi wahi takht hai."

["Subhan Allah, You are much stronger and sharper than before."]

With hindrance, she charged, "For God's sake, please leave, don't test my patience. Do you have any idea what pain I am going through? Please don't make it more challenging for me; I won't be able to endure the pain of separation once again."

Jalal understood why Jodha was acting detached and not showing her exhilaration of their gathering after their long separation. He grinned oddly and said, "Thik hai Jodha begum. Jaisi aapki ichha... Hum chale Jayenge aapse bina baat kiye, par ek shart par... Aapko Hame talwar baazi mein ek baar harana hoga. Hum aapse bina kuch kahe chale jayenge."

"Alright, Queen Jodha! As you wish, I will leave this place without even speaking to you, but only on one condition, you have to defeat me in a sword fight, and if you win, then without any question, I will leave." He challenged her to annoy her further. He grinned with a thought of how he missed teasing her. Her irritation and fury were forming waves of passion inside him.

How could he be so insensible? He wants to compete and have the fun of the sport when my heart is breaking apart. Has he lost his mind in the last six months or what? She looked at him disappointedly and replied heatedly, "Then get ready to lose."

He enjoyed seeing the rage in her hazel orbs; he precisely knew what she was thinking in her mind. To aggravate her further, he shamelessly smirked and cynically asked, "Queen Jodha, do you think you would be able to defeat your Love?"

Jodha felt as if someone pinched her heart; his senseless words and sarcastic tone irked her more, "Yes... For your self-respect, pride, and dignity, not only can I fight, but I can fight till my last breath. Don't forget I am the Rajput woman who doesn't think even think twice before martyring at the Warfield to protect her kingdom's pride. For me, your honor is supreme; I would rather sacrifice myself the people pointed at their king's loyalty." she attacked; the blades embrace once again, once again, his overjoyed eyes met with her piercing angry orbs. In a sardonic tone, she stated, "And it's not in every woman's destiny to die at the hand of her husband."

Her attitude, stubbornness, and anger began to hit on Jalal's mood; he mirrored her fiery tone and responded in a poetic tone.

Chingari ka khauf na dena hume

apne dil me aag ka dariya basaye baithe hain

jal jate kabke iss aag mein

Par tere didar ki khatir is dil ko sambhale baithe hain

His poetic words were filled his longing, pain, and retort, calmed her temper a bit. In a pleading tone, she requested, "Please, Jalal, don't be stubborn. Our destiny is not implied to be together. Either you leave, or I will fight till I die, and you should know better when it comes to your pride and dignity; nothing matters, even your command."

With a deep sighed out, he countered, "Then what are you waiting for, attack... Let's see who wins. My Love or your stubbornness."

When she realized he wouldn't give up, she smacked her sword at him once again.

Now Jalal realized she would fight till she loses her life.

He began defending himself, but the way she was attacking non-stop like a wounded tigress shocked him.

They both started nearly a real fight.

Jodha's mind was stuck on thinking that what she was doing was for his pride and self-respect, and at the same time, Jalal didn't even realize that he went too far in a talk he went too far.

Now he had no choice other than to defeat her. The way she was smashing aggressively at him was commendable. Her flexibility and everyday sword practice made her proficient. Jalal was more playing on the defense side and only stopping her attacks.

His sword was not allowing him to pounce at her. They fought for about ten minutes... While defending, Jalal put extra pressure on his injured arm. A small painful squeal rumbled from his throat. "Ahhh. "

Slight pain on his face, and she lost all her concentration. The moment Jodha got unfocused, Jalal took advantage of this perfect opportunity, and with a strong toss, he attacked with the full strength; she lost her balance and fell on the ground with her sword.

Her cover-up and turban came off, and her beautiful silky long hairs soared in the air. Jalal recalled their first meeting; once again, history was repeating itself. Same as before, he was equally desperate to a glimpse of her face. It was more than six months since he has not seen her.

She swiftly got up and ran rapidly towards the River. Jalal gave Abdul an expression to manage the kids who watched their swords fight; then, he followed behind her.

Jodha nearly reached the River; before she could hide or run-away, Jalal finally caught her standing behind; he asked her while breathing heavily, "How much and how far you are going to run from me, Jodha? Aren't you tired?"

Her tears began to stream out like a tsunami. She slowly turned toward him while looking down sadly; seeing her pale, depressed, and tired face, silent tears dribbled out from his eyes. Jalal softly cupped her face and whispered with a deep sigh out, "Jodhaaa."

Her long-wet lashes fluttered, then bit by bit, her lashes lifted toward him. At first, tears made vision hazy, but she could see his tears and soon many hazy emotions in his compassionate eyes. After ages, their eyes met with Love. A strange desire triggered her to feel the warmth of his chest; she couldn't stay away from him any longer. At the same instant, he also craved to take her in his arms to comfort her from the vulnerable separation of pain. Like a powerful magnet pull, they hugged each other closely that there was no room left for even air. They were embracing like there is no tomorrow. he squeezed her tighter in his arms as if it did not satisfy his need. While crushing her, he whispered, "OH Jodha, Finally, I found you."

His whisper woke her and brought her back to the reality that this happiness won't stay long. She protested in a soft tone, "Why Jalal! Why did you come here? Please leave." She cried and sobbed while crushing herself in his arms before he could enlighten her that he had found the real culprit. Jodha got apart from him with a jerk and sat on her knees, then grabbed his feet with madness, and began to beg; her tone was overflowing with craziness, in high pitch thick tone, she said, "Jalal... Hume apne vachan se mukt karo... humse yeh pida sahen nahi hoti... hume apne pran tyagne ki anumati de do... hume nahi jina hain... apni Jodha ko mukt kar do Jala..."

"Jalal, please relieve me from this pain, release me from your promise. I can't bear this unbearable pain anymore. I am the most unfortunate woman; I don't want to live this life anymore. Please allow me to kill myself, release me from your promise so I can get peace. I don't want to live without you anymore. Please relieve your Jodha from this heart throbbing ache; I can't take any more... Jala..." before finishing her sentence; she broke down in a loud cry. Her heart choked up; she couldn't say a word any further. Jalal's heart cried seeing her vulnerable condition; her emotions brought turmoil in him to the extent that he no longer knew what pain he was going through, he realized she was suffering more than him.

The cold, recharging moist air was bidding goodbye to the sparkling golden glob of the sun and welcoming the smoothness of silvery peaceful misty clouds. Soon the rosiness of the sun hid behind the dark floating clouds. A devastating pain brought a wave of the storm, flooded the sky with clouds, and was ready to pour on them with a cool stream. Seeing their pain, not only the ambiance but God's eyes filled with tears. After this painful suffering, as if nature wanted to contribute and make this reunion moment pleasurable for these lovebirds, a calming rain began to pour gently on their battered soul.

He bent down and held her from both shoulders; she got up and rested her head on his chest while sobbing. Jalal didn't want to wait for even a second to let her know that he has found the real culprit. He got apart immediately, with a very emotional tone, he demanded, "Jodha, look in my eyes." Slowly thick black eyelashes and her hazel eyes twinkled at him. She saw in his sharp, deep intense eyes, which were glinting with simmering emotions.

He asked her in a calm tone, "Do you trust me?" She simply hummed' in response

He asked her again, "Do you love me?"

She prompted in a low tone, "Yes."

"Then listen, I have found the real culprit and proven that you were innocent." Jodha's mind was not in a state to hear anything; she just said "Yes." There was no expression on her face. She struggled to grasp what she heard; her mind utterly ignored it subconsciously.

Jalal realized she has not heard what he just said. He shook her from both shoulders and loudly said, "Did you hear what I said? I have found the real culprit and proven you innocent." He again shouted, "I have found the real culprit Jodha."

Her ears registered this time; her depressed eyes abruptly gleamed, she looked straight in his eyes with an unbelievable expression. She was in shock for a moment and forgot to breathe. Her ears couldn't believe what she just heard. For a while, she didn't understand how to react to this; In a mere second, everything changed, various emotions flitted across her face. She didn't know she should cry or she should laugh. She was looking at Jalal with wide-open eyes. It took her really long to grasp and control herself. After a long six months, a happy tear touched her cheek.

Jalal was confused seeing her weird, shocking reaction; he was puzzled if she was happy or sad. Her mind took longer to process. His word echoed in her mind to assured her. I have found the real culprit,' She crooned, "Oh, he has found the culprit..." As soon as she came out of the unexpected shock, She screamed, "Jalal, What did you say? repeat it!"

Jalal smiled with excitement, cupped her face tenderly, and repeated to assure her once again, "Junglee Billi... Yes, you have heard it right." then loudly he yelled, "I have proved you innocent."

Hearing that again, Jodha went utterly crazy. She rapidly jumped on Jalal to hug him. Jalal carried her from her waist; their happiness was unexplainable, beyond any words.

She screamed out loud, "I can't believe my own ears... Control me, Jalal feels like I am going crazy." She yelled, "Jalal..."

After a few seconds, she calmed down then cupped his face, and he was still carrying her from her waist. She asked while caressing his hair. "Jalal, how you did all this?"

Jalal grinned at her curiosity and said, "Junglee Billi... My wild cat, my arm is hurting; come down."

Jodha realized she was putting pressure on his injured shoulder in excitement. She coyly said, "Jalal, put me down, please."

Jalal put her down; both looked at each other while breathing hard with joyful, happy faces. Gradually they realized their separation was over, and their eyes filled with tears; both were feeling vulnerably happy. Jalal softly pulled her and took her in his embrace. Flood of tears gushed out from their eyes; both were crying for each other's pain. But soon, they controlled their overwhelming emotions, and their tears renewed into peaceful, content smiles and happiness. Their soft and gentle soothing hug soon converted into an affectionate hug.

While hugging, Jodha said in dim sound, "Shahenshah,"

Jalal, with closed eyes, just said, "hmmm, Jodha begum."

"Shahenshah, Your touch has poured life inside my lifeless body; the sound of your beats is making me feel that I still exist; once again, I am feeling complete. Whenever I closed my eyes, you were there to give me the strength to face this difficult time. After our separation, I realized my every breath whispers your name. When I had no hopes left, I still survived just because of your Love. I felt you near me all the time; even when I broke apart, you held my hand and fondled me. I have lived the past six months in dreams, so it feels like I still vanish in a beautiful dream. I can't believe this is all real, and I am too scared; I feel like I will open my eyes and realize that was my dream. I won't be able to endure the pain; I will die, I can't fight with destiny any longer." She cried out loud while hugging him and continued sadly, "Jalal, I can't tell you in words how I have spent my days without you. Without Jalal, Jodha doesn't exist."

The sky giggled with a loud crackle sound with the sparkling lightning and roaring sounds. Clouds wanted to pour on them to create a sensual spark in them. With thunder, heavy rain began.

Jalal caressed her softly and patted her back to calm her down. "Jalal, I love you so so much, I just want to stay in your warm embrace till eternity."