The mood of Agra was sour since Sabrina's death. Jodha had felt sad at knowing about her death. One thing she couldn't understand was why Jalal ordered for her body to be cremated. Nevertheless, normal life continued. A few weeks later as everything was turning to normal, Ruqqayah visited Jodha for the tour they had planned prior to Sabrina's death.

"Jodha Begum, I feel suffocated here every day. Especially after Sabrina's death, there is some negativity in the air."

"I feel that too, Malika e..."

"Ruqqayah! Call me Ruqqayah!"

"Ruqqayah!"

"So, what should we do? Do you have any plan?"

"Well, I always do."

Both of them laughed and then Ruqqayah called for Hoshiyar.

"Jalal....! Do I need to remind you?" Hamida Banu shouted as Jalal looked at her all confused.

"Mariam Makani, I don't remember forgetting anything!"

"Go, get out of my room. Don't show me your face until you remember what I am talking about."

It was the late Badshah Humayun's birth anniversary and every year Ruqqayah informed Jalal about it and took care of all the festivities and preparations but this year she left it to him as she was already tired and needed a break.

"I don't know why Ammijaan keeps shouting at me for no reason at all!" Jalal thought to himself as he walked to Jodha's room. As he reached the entrance, Neela greeted him.

"Is Jodha Begum inside?"

"Your Majesty, she is not well so she is resting."

"What happened?"

"She is having a slight fever and tiredness."

"Okay. Take proper care of her."

"Your Majesty!"

"Jodha Begum do you think this is okay? I mean if we get caught?"

"Don't worry Ruqqayah Begum. I have it all covered."

The two queens walked slowly; their faces covered with veils as they passed through the main gate. The guards didn't stop them as they were dressed as maids.

After they had reached a certain distance, they unveiled themselves and sighed.

"It was fun, Jodha!"

"I know, right? Let's go, I have many more things to show you!" Jodha grabbed Ruqqayah's hands as they ran towards the forest like young girls who didn't care about the world. They looked like young princesses sneaking from the palace for some moments of happiness.

"Greetings, Your Majesty! Ruqqayah Begum is not well, so she is taking a siesta."

"That's weird. Both of them got sick on the same day. Anyway, if it is possible can you ask her that is something important today that I am forgetting?"

"Well, it is His Late Majesty's birthday today."

Jalal was shocked and at the same time embarrassed that he forgot such an important date.

"Jodha Begum, stop! I can't anymore." Ruqqayah added as she kept laughing. Jodha stopped dancing and joined her as both of them laughed and giggled.

"You know, when I was young, my mother used to dance like this for me and I would stop crying."

Jodha's face fell as it reminded her of her own mother. Champavati had taken an oath never to have any connection whatsoever with her. She shed a tear involuntarily and wiped it off immediately.

"I have heard that if you share your sorrow, it lessens," Ruqqayah said looking elsewhere. Jodha smiled.

"So, Malika e Khaas, would you like to take a stroll by the lake?"

"Why not?"

Jalal entered the room with a maid following him. He asked her to place the kheer on the table and leave.

"Mariam Makani..." He spoke slowly. Hamida was facing the verandah and turned around. She smiled a little as she proceeded and consumed the dessert.

"I am sorry, Maria..."

"Distribution of alms was taken care of by Ruqqayah as usual and the offering of prayers by Jiji Anga and me. All you had to do was serve me this, and you couldn't remember."

"I promise to never repeat..."

"Don't make fake promises Jalal. You and I both know that you are never going to fulfil it."

"Mariam Makani, at least consi..."

"Where is Ruqqayah?"

"She is not well."

"Did you visit her?"

"No, she is sick then why should I?"

"Where is Jodha bahu?"

"She is sick too."

"And you didn't visit her also."

"Mariam...."

"I know Jalal. I know you have lost a child. But do you know why Allah isn't granting you an heir? It is because you don't know the importance of love. It is because you don't attach importance to the people around you, especially the ones who love you!"

Jalal stood there for a few seconds. He turned around to leave but Hamida stopped him.

"Bakshi Banu is five months pregnant. And I am sure you didn't know this either. You are too involved in taking care of your subjects that you tend to ignore your family. But have you heard something? A man is who is a failure in his personal life tends to become a failure in his professional life too."

A tear escaped his eye as he brushed it away and turned to face Hamida.

"It is easier said than done, Ammijaan! Do you even know what I have gone through? Did you ever care? You and Abbajaan left me as a toddler because protecting yourself was more important than protecting your child, damn it."

"Don't use your pain as a defence. You are not alone. Everybody faces hardships in life. Learn to overcome your pain and fear. Unless and until you do that, don't ever dream of becoming a father."

"The only reason why I am not able to become a father is that I have you in my life." He shouted at her as he left the room, clearly disturbed by his mother's words. She wasn't lying. All of what she said was true but he didn't want to face it. Hot tears flooded his eyes as he walked to his room. He didn't want to meet anyone right now, let alone talk to someone. But destiny loved playing games with him.

"Your...Your Majesty!!" Hoshiyar ran towards him, huffing.

"Not now," Jalal spoke and walked across him.

"Shehenshah, Begum Ruqqayah and Begum Jodha are missing."

"What?!"