"WHAT?!" Exclaimed Jodha as a panting Neela fell on the ground after delivering her the message.

"Neela, get up. Go get the eunuch who brought the news."

"Jo..Jo...dh.." Neela could barely speak, and tried getting up but in vain. Agitated and worried, Jodha ran outside her chambers to get hold of the eunuch who delivered the news.

"Wait, where and when did you learn about it?"

"Your Highness, the royal entourage has already arrived!"

Jodha stumbled and the eunuch supported her. She ran towards the balcony from her chambers which gave a neat view of the entrance, although she was desperate. As Shehenshah entered, the crowd shouted for his conquest and flowers were showered upon him. All this while he and the courtiers were greeted and showered with blessings and respect. Amongst the crowd she noticed a tiny figure. Her veil was dropped down to her head, and her head hung low along with her eyes full of pain and probably something else. Fear?

As Jalal's eyes caught glimpse of Jodha staring in his direction, a broad smile lit on his face. He greeted her with his hand gesturing her to meet somewhere private. After about thirty minutes, he came to her chambers and delightedly hugged her. She struggled in his embrace and when he looked at her, she avoided contact.

"Are you not happy to see me?"

"Is the rumour true? Did you forcefully marry a married woman?"

"Who told you about this?" He asked enraged.

"Just answer! Is it true?"

"What do you think?"

"Stop playing games with me."

"No, you stop it. What kind of a relationship is built without trust, ha? When have you ever trusted me? Why do you always question me?" Why must you not look into my eyes and find the truth yourself?

"Shehenshah, don't act defensive." Her words stung his heart.

"Then what do I do, Malika?"

"Just...speak...the truth."

"I have."

"You used force? To marry her?"

"Get your facts straight." Saying this he left.

A few days passed by. Jodha's heart kept saying that no matter what, Jalal would never do something so menial. It reminded her of the first time she saw him.

4 months ago

"Jodha, get up, you sleepy head. You are going to get married in a day and all you do is sleep." Neela exclaimed as she took away the duvet covering Jodha.

"They would have me perform so many rituals. I am just preparing myself for it."

"Next time, think of a better excuse. Now come, you have to get bathed in as well."

"What do I have to do today?"

"What do you mean, what? You have to get dressed and—"

"Aren't all the important rituals already completed?"

"Yeah, but—

"Then all I have to do is dress up and SIT!" She shouted. Neela pressed her mouth with her hand signaling her not to speak further.

"What?" She whisper-yelled this time.

"I have a plan."

"Give up all your plans. I will get married."

"Oh goodness! Not about cancelling it. I know you'll get married tomorrow and that no one can stop it but can't we just sneak out today, for a little fun, just us, celebrating your last days as a kunwarisa?"

"As bad as it sounds..." Neela's face fell. "Let's do it. I am always up for something out of the box."

A broad smile spread through Neela's face as Jodha chuckled. By the time it was 5:45, all the ladies had set in. And as for the men, there tents were a little far, giving Jodha and Neela the advantage to sneak out. They had planned it out properly. They were dressed as commoners. Not the local dress of a Rajput woman, but they wore that of a Mughal style.

As they walked out acting their best, and came to the entrance of the camp, both of them sneaked out. Jodha thought of taking one horse but how would a common girl know how to ride a horse? So, she did not. In any case she did not want to get caught.

As they sneaked out, they wandered in the markets, bought some jewellery, ate local food, danced along with banjaaras, and before they knew, dusk had settled in and it was time to go back. As they reached the camp entrance, Neela tugged her and gestured her for a private minute. They hid behind the bush.

"Shall we go on and see the Mughal camp?"

Jodha's eyes widened at the question. Her curiosity was at its peak. She would never say no to a mischievous idea. She nodded and two brought some pots. As they entered the camp, they reconsidered their decision. Every person had to go through a thorough checkup. She gulped in her throat, fearing what if they might get caught. They just wanted to have some fun, but the beads of perspiration spread all across Jodha's face making her look more doubtful, as she took each dreadful step.

"What's in the pot?" One of the guards asked rather harshly. "Water." Neela replied.

"His Majesty has his own water suppliers. He doesn't drink crap from the soil." The other one commented.

"You fool, this is not crap. It is something, not you, nor your entire family would have ever seen." Jodha shouted losing her temper. But she had instant regret. The man clutched her arm tightly, and also Neela's. "How dare you raise your voice, a mere commoner?"

Saying this he clutched tightly on Neela's hand and twisted it throwing her on the ground. She cried in pain and Jodha was took by surprise. She couldn't let go of this anymore. She lifted her hand, and a slap landed on the man's face. He was surprised and shocked by a mere commoner's reaction.

"YOU!" He shouted and pulled Jodha by the hair making her cry out.

Hearing the commotion outside, Jalal got up and left his tent to see what the matter was. As he neared the tent, he saw one woman bowing down, begging the guard to let go while the other one, although only her eyes visible, looked furious. The guard pulled her by her hair as she winced. He sighed and asked one of his men to throw the trio outside the camp. But he had just taken another step, when he heard the cry of the guard. Surprised, he turned around and saw the man wincing with pain on the ground, while clear victory was seen in the woman's eyes. She helped her friend get up and turned around to leave, when for a split second her eyes met his. That was the first time she saw Jalal-uddin Muhammad, the Emperor of Hindustan, her to-be husband. She looked at him for a brushing second, but it seemed like an eternity.

He was immersed in those eyes, and recalled seeing it somewhere before.

Present Day

"Jodha..." Jodha heard the faint voice from somewhere nearby. She straightened herself and at the sight of kaakisaa, jumped in happiness.

"Kaakisaa!" She exclaimed. "I got released a month prior. Shehenshah is very kind. How have you been all this while?"

"No time for that!" Jodha called Neela and had kaakisaa's favourite dishes prepared. Neela frowned at kaakisaa's appearance and then did as told.

"Savour it all." She was extremely happy and guilty too. She acted up earlier. Trust was the basis of a relationship. He must have had his own reasons, she thought. She decided to meet him the next thing tomorrow.

"Congratulations! Congratulations!" Cried one of the eunuchs. On her way to His Majesty's chambers, she stopped him and asked the reason.

"Almighty has finally blessed Shehenshah. What his queens couldn't give him, a mere concubine did." Jodha remembered her conversation with Jalal.

"Hoshiyar!" She called.

"Yes, Begum Sahiba?"

"Who is she again?"

"His Majesty's long-time favourite concubine. She is expecting. All the stars suggest she is going to give birth to a baby boy, an heir to the empire. Finally, Shehenshah's wishes are coming true."

"Umm...can you find out something for me?"

Hoshiyar was loyal to Ruqqayah all this while but getting a tad bit of information won't harm anyone in anyway.

The entire fort was lit and it was time for celebration now. Jalal was happier than she had seen him ever before. She was happy too for him, but somewhere hurt, and she didn't know the reason why.

While ministers and courtiers congratulated His Majesty, the concubine was congratulated by all ladies of the harem, including Maryam Makani. During the celebrations she was seated behind the purdah, and gifts bestowed on her.

Jodha sat quietly as the celebrations took place and almost didn't notice when Ruqqayah came and sat beside her.

"Are you not enjoying the celebrations, Malika?" Ruqqayah asked in a mocking tone.

Jodha turned around to face her, and to give her a good reply, but seeing the pain and remorse and sorrow in her eyes, she restrained herself.

"Begum-e-khaas, are you alright?"

Ruqqayah looked at Jodha with a stern face and nodded. It was the first time, when the two of them didn't fight and spoke to each other properly or rather remained quiet.

Jodha placed her hand over Ruqqayah's for comforting her, and the latter did not even disagree. As the concubine was showered with gifts and titles of various sorts, she tried to control her pain, rather struggled. She held onto Jodha's hand as tightly as possible and Jodha could see little droplets of tears in those eyes.

"Ruqqayah Beg..." Ruqqayah raised her hand gesturing Jodha to stop speaking.

She looked at her, and for the first time Jodha felt that she only pretended to be evil. Through the tears in her eyes, she smiled.

"Every begum has to go through this, Malika! If Jalal loves a particular begum more than me or gives her more titles and stays closer to her, I can tolerate it, but seeing any other woman becoming mother, going through motherhood....and not being able to be one...even if I want to...is more hurting than any other thing in this world."

"Begum-e-khaas!" Jodha wiped her tears and spoke again. "God might not grant you motherhood in this life, but he has given you an even bigger task, that of taking care of the kingdom. You are mother to a thousand people who pray for your safety and love you immensely. So, don't loosen your heart."

That day was the start of a friendship that would last beyond their deaths.

Later that night, once the preparation was all over, and Jodha was heading back to her chambers, Hoshiyar rushed to her and informed her about everything he knew.

Jodha was taken aback at the news. She gasped and regretted having said so much without thinking.