Chapter 7

Mahamanga roared, "Quite!"

Her loud rumble echoed back a few times in the Diwan (courtroom), everyone got stunned with her sudden outburst, her shout zipped every single administrator and maulvi mouth.

After a pause, she yelled again at the top of her voice, "No one has any right to interfere in Shahenshah's personal life. Getting married to a Hindu Rajvanshi Princess was not a religious decision but a political one. Shahenshah has not violated any practices of our religion. Before pointing out your finger on Shahenshah, think twice; you can be punished for disrespecting the King of the kings."

Everyone stayed quiet, watching at Maham with wide eyes.

Adam Khan, Maham's only son, got up and evenly said, "There is one question I would like to ask to Shahenshah."

Maham glared at Adham and frustratingly thought, 'when will he learn to stay quiet and use his brain!!! Ya Khuda (Oh God)! ' She prayed silently.

Jalal's ferocious glared at Adham ignited him more anger and resentment. His jealousy and desire to be in Jalal's position dulled his brain. To gain respect in others' eyes, he decided to speak on behalf of others to prove Jalal was wrong to marry a Hindu princess. He continued arrogantly in a loud tone, "Every decision that is taken by the Shahenshah has an impact on everyone, including people in this court and common people who live under Mughal sultanate. Today, people are questioning his Shahenshah," he pointed towards Jodha, who was standing behind the curtain. "Why this filthy, impure, and low-class Hindu Rajvanshi is allowed to stay in Agra that too following her religion? How could you agree to this inferior women."

Hearing Adham's disrespectful words for Jodha, Jalal's temper went out of the roof, and he got up from his throne like a volcano erupt with fire; he pulled his sword out and shouted, "Adham!!! how dare you???" His roar echoed many times in everyone's ears, which startled the entire court into silence.

His sharp brown eyes turned dark and fuming bloody haze. Everyone got up from their chairs out of respect. Jalal furiously stared at Adham, then continued, "Adham, if you say one more word against queen Jodha then I will not spare you alive. Respect Queen Jodha; she is a Mughal queen now; disrespectful words against my queen will be considered a contempt of the Mughal saltant. I am expecting not only from you, but everyone in this court has to give respect to queen Jodha, otherwise be ready for the consequences." The entire court got terrified and froze seeing Jalal's anger towards Adham; this was the first time Jalal warned Adham with a commanding attitude in front of the whole court.

Adam responded curtly while looking down, "Your majesty, your order will be obeyed." and bowed down to Jalal and walked out of the court, clutching his fist heatedly.

Jalal looked at Jodha crossly as if all this happened because of her; seeing his petrifying anger, she shivered. While keeping his vehement stare, he yelled, "Court dismissed."

Jalal's angry gaze towards Jodha confused Rukaiya; she could not understand all these changes in Jalal. She could tell that something was brewing in Jalal's mind. On one side, he could not hear a word against her, and on another side, he was glancing at her meanly.

Rukaiya knew it was not advisable to immediately talk to him, so she gave him some time to cool him down, then she went to Jalal's chamber and saw his strained face and intensely lost in his thoughts.

Everything was happening so fast and unexpectedly that Jalal did not want to reveal Jodha's care to anyone. His ego was bruised, and his heart was still sore at her rejection, her bitter words, and piercing, disrespectful gaze was scorching his conscious.

Jalal regretfully said to himself silently, 'Today, the first time she came into the court and began to put a rift between my people and me. What Adham said loudly, everyone is questioning secretly behind my back. She is just a Hindu princess with an arrogant attitude. I spared Amer just for her sake, and she still rejected me even after my bending down towards her. I need to keep her away from court and royal places; otherwise, she will taint my image. She doesn't deserve to be respected as my special queen. I don't want her to think that I care for her. in fact, I don't want anyone to think that she is important. It is better to stay away from her. yes, that's what I will do; if she does not want to be mine and wants to stay away from me, then that's what I'll also do, I will keep her away from me.'

Rukaiya kept watching Jalal confusingly; finally, after a couple of minutes, she sat next to him on the elevated couch and asked straight, "Jalal, where are you lost?"

Jalal lifts his strained eyes.

"You didn't even realize when I came inside your chamber!!! I have never seen you that lost, your ears are too sharp, and the brain is too conscious to notice someone's presence. What are you thinking about so deeply? What is going on? I have perceived that you have changed not a little but noticeable since you got married to queen Jodha. I am unable to understand your behavior. Is Queen Jodha the reason behind all these changes? You have not fallen for Queen Jodha, have you?? I mean in lov..."

Before she completes the sentence, Jalal kept his finger on Rukaiya's mouth and replied furiously, "Stop right there, Rukaiya, you know me very well that I don't like easy women, and I never forgive my enemies. I want her to bend down on my feet. She is the major challenge I have ever faced. Even after her defeat, she talks with her Rajvanshi pride; I want to crush her self-esteem under my feet, and you know me very well, no one can stand against Jalal's conceit." Then he narrated in detail what happened between him and Jodha from the very beginning, their first meeting, the war, their wedding, her rejection, her conditions, him forcing on her, her fasting, and cooking everything.

After telling everything, he asked quizzically, "Rukaiya, do you still think that I am falling in love with her? I want her to kneel at my feet. I want to conquest her heart to me with my sharp manipulative brain. "

Rukaiya replied unconvinced, "Jalal, only you can answer your question if you are using your heart or mind. But I can see the desperation in your eyes for queen Jodha; every time you talked about her, your face glowed, and your eyes sparkled, but your talks have immense hatred in them for her. Today, your words are not reaching your eye. No doubt, your words have enormous hatred, but your eyes and action speak contradictory. Anyone can tell, the way you look at her, you have fallen in love with her. Your anger in the court today was not only anger; it was visible you were hurt; you were in pain. Your eyes were bloody red, but behind that, I saw a deep sorrow, which was not at least hidden from me. Jalal, I am your best friend, but still, it's difficult for me to tell if you are playing with your heart or mind."

Jalal heatedly replied, "Rukaiya, you are my best friend and my dearest queen who rules on my brain, then you should know that Jalal doesn't have a heart, then there is no question to fall in love with someone. Jalal does not love women with heart but worships their bodies in the bed. Rukaiya believes me, I want Jodha to lose her heart over me, and then only my mind will win over her. I am a soldier; I am a commander; I only believe in conquered over things. And I will win conquered her heart very soon." he smirked and walked out of the chamber.

Rukaiya sadly murmured to herself with tears in her eyes, 'I wish what you are saying is true, but today I feel like you are losing against yourself. If I am not mistaken, you have already lost your heart to your new queen Jalal and soon defeat of yours will take away everything from me.'

Jalal realized after talking to Rukaiya, he is losing his mind over Jodha, and he is failing to hide his newly growing feelings towards her. He again determinedly decided to ignore Jodha as much as possible and don't give her any attention to mask his emotions in front of others. His manly pride got hurt hearing the truth from Rukaiya.

A few weeks passed, and slowly Jodha was getting settled in Agra, but nothing changed between Jalal and Jodha.

As soon as Jodha came to the palace, she requested the small temple in her chamber and the Tulsi plant in the palace courtyard. Her condition fulfilled as promised. The palace courtyard was across the sword practice area. As per Hindu ritual after god Krishana's prayer, every morning, Jodha comes out to the courtyard and water the Tulsi plant while walking around and chanting the holy mantra. It became a routine for Jalal to see Jodha doing prayer during his morning sword practice, which was the only time they both saw each other in a day.

Days pass and gradually, his wounds began to pain intensely. Instead of calming it down, her rejection was crushing his ego more and more. He thought she would give up and surrender herself to him in a few days, but instead, she even stopped looking towards him. Jalal noticed that she was losing her charm; even her dressing changed towards simplicity, her face turned pale, but still, it had a glaze on her pride. It was very frustrating for him to accept that she was happy with what she had and didn't miss or need him. Even though she was a princess, she didn't request for more maids or any extra luxuries. She was given a small chamber and no maids. Moti and Reva were the only ones taking care of her every need. She just looked satisfied with everything she had and never complained while Jalal was becoming more and more restless with each passing day. To crush her pride, he humiliated her at every possible opportunity he got, especially in front of others.

In the beginning, Hamida banoo has been invited Jodha to Diwan and other places where other queens were invited. Still, after many times of humiliation and ignorance by Jalal, Jodha decided to stop attending any functions. Lately, she did not even receive any invitations to Diwan E Khaas or on any special occasions.

Even though Jodha was an officially wedded wife of Jalal, his special queen, still only two specific chairs allotted in Diwan E Khaas, Harem function hall, and the Grand dinner hall Jalaal's special Queens Rukaiya and Salima only. Gradually, every harem woman realized that Jalal hates queen Jodha and doesn't want to respect her as his official special queen.

Most of the people in the palace started treating Jodha like Jalal's maid or concubine instead of his officially wedded wife. Little by little, Jodha accepted this kind of behavior; she got used to hearing loud mocking laughs behind her back, her self-esteem was breaking day by day. When she got married, she expected this is how her life would be. The only people who were good to her and had become her support were Ammi Jaan and QueenSalima, and her only fun was spending time with Rahim. She created her little world with Ammijaan, Salima, little five-year-old Prince Rahim, and her daily routine, in which she found peace in it.

It was about more than a month now, and Jalal's frustration was increasing.

On one side, Jalal was burning with desperation for her, and on the other side, Jodha's heart was slowly beginning to desire for him. Jalal gained respect in Jodha's eyes immediately when he stands up for her against Adham in the court. Gradually her hatred converted into respect for him. Even though she was very young to understand this, she knew that once men desire women, then they can't control themselves easily. He kept his promise not to touch her without consent, which created more respect towards him. Her heart commenced to crave for her husband's attention, but she knew her bitterness had battered his ego, and it was too late for him to turn back towards her. His constant disregard, public insults, and hatred were not hidden from her.

Different types of activities and functions were organized to entertain harem's women, and once in a while, Jalal would also come to attend the gathering.

Jalal ordered his newly hired maid to inform his special Queens to attend tonight's function. He was planning to participate in the gathering, too, without realizing he forgot to specify not to invite Jodha.

As per Jalal's instruction, the new maid requested Queen Jodha to attend the gathering, which surprised Jodha since this message came directly from Jalal. At the same time, she felt excited. For some reason, every time she heard his name or saw him. Some unknown feeling gave her happiness. But she still decided not to attend the gathering and save herself from any more humiliation that might happen there. Yet, Moti convinced her to participate in the function, saying that this invitation has directly come from Shahenshah, so she should attend, saving her from unnecessary problems or conflict.

Jodha was very pleased inside that Jalal had kept his word and never tried forcing her for anything and also let her follow her religion and rituals. Even after many degradations, she developed an admiration for him and decided to attend the function.

Everyone gathered in the big harem function hall. Two chairs were arranged next to Jalal's chair for his special queens Salima and Rukaiya. About thirty-five chairs were arranged for his other royal queens. Each chair was allotted individually, and for the rest of the concubines, a carpet was placed in the back for them to sit.

Everyone came before Jalal and took their places. All of the queens and concubines dressed up with expensive jewelry and dressed to please Jalal. Jalal also arrived and sat on his throne. Queen Rukaiya and queen Salima greeted him warmly. About a minute later, Jodha entered through the main entrance dressed very simply and with minimum jewelry. Jalal got surprised to see her at the function without invitation. She looked around in the hall, and their eyes met, Jodha quickly stole glances from him and looked for an empty chair, but soon she realized that she was not allotted a chair to humiliate her. Every person in the hall grasped that she had not been assigned a chair. Jalal noticed many Queens triggering at her seeing her in a dilemma. Jodha gazed back at him with a fiery annoyed stare, then walked gracefully with a stiff neck and sat on the carpet next to the concubines. This extreme humiliation brought tremendous pain to her face. After sitting, she couldn't lift her eyes to see anyone; this was the severe degradation and humiliation she had ever faced. It was getting tough for her to gulp her tears. Her eyes got moist, and tears began to threaten to pour out, but she inhaled deeply to curb her tears. Her face turned entirely red due to intense rage and disgrace.

Jalal couldn't take his eyes off her; his eyes turned soft, seeing her in this vulnerable condition. His chair was big enough for two people to sit, so he asked Rukaiya to come to sit next to him and called his maid and instructed her to tell Queen Jodha to go and take Queen Rukaiya's seat.

Queen Salima got pleased to hear that, but it was a shock for Rukaiya since he gave her chair to Jodha. For Rukaiya, her position and power were everything; her eyes got filled with extreme resentment towards Jodha.

"Jalal, what happened? Your heart winced, seeing her in this condition?" Out of jealousy, Rukaiya taunted him

Rukaiya's statement suddenly made Jalal realize that he showed he cares for Queen Jodha in front of the entire harem.

As per his order, Jodha came and sat on Rukaiya's chair. Her facial expression was blank. She was still looking down; she suppressed her boiling anger and knuckled her fist.

Jalal, dryly in a bitter tone, asked, "My poor queen Jodha, why did you come here without an invitation? What happened to your self-esteem and Rajvanshi ego?"

With a shock, Jodha looked at him dreadfully and replied, "Shahenshah, I didn't know lying is also one of your qualities. Your maid came and requested me for the function; otherwise, I have no interest in seeing you or your gathering." Without thinking twice, she took out her bitterness in front of Salima and Rukaiya and insulted him. She paused and fumingly stared at him and then continued, "By the way, thank you for this humiliation." Then she got up gracefully and walked out of the hall, which staggered many of his queens.

Jalal recalled his instruction to his new maid and realized that he made a mistake and told all of his special Queens instead of giving individual names., He closed his eyes in guilt, and after a few minutes, he also got up and walked out of the function hall, but even though it was his fault, the way she behaved and insulted publicly created a more rift between them.

A few days later, Jalal passed through the harem to see Rukaiya and heard a very melodious song. He stopped to listen more and wanted to find out who was singing.

Jalal realized that the sound was coming from Jodha's chamber. He quietly went inside her chamber and got shocked, seeing her chamber; she was given the smallest chamber compared to the other Queens. Even the decoration of the room was not like special queens. His eyes caught her singing while doing praying to Lord Krishna. Her eyes were closed, and her hands were folded, and immense peace was on her face. Her simplicity was making her look heavenly. Jalal was surprised by her mellow singing; he did not know that Jodha's voice was melodic. Jodha's purity always touched his heart, and he always knew she had a transparent personality. Jalal got utterly lost in her peaceful bhajan (religious song). Her beautiful, mesmerizing spiritual prayer was making the atmosphere divine. He had been standing behind her for more than ten minutes, but she was so engrossed in her prayer that she didn't realize he was standing behind. After the prayer, she turned back with Aarti thal, and suddenly she saw him standing and beholding at her, all mesmerized and lost, but seeing him in her chamber in the evening gave her a shiver out of fear.

Jodha forwarded her hand to give him aarti, but he misunderstood. He saw sindoor in the aarti plate and remembered how he had put sindoor in her hair parting at the time of their wedding, so he thought she was asking him to put sindoor in her parting. He took the pinch of sindoor and quickly filled her parting with it.

Jodha got shocked at this gesture from him; she walked back two steps. Tears pricked out of her eyes; then she ran out of her chamber with weeping eyes. This gesture made her realize that Jalal is her destiny once again, and this realization made her feel very gloomy.

Jalal got confused with her reaction and thought maybe she wanted him to do something else when she forwarded the Aarti plate, so to find out, he called one of his Hindu administrators and asked him about the importance of Sindoor and aarti.

The administrator explained, "Sindoor is a symbol of marriage; every married Hindu woman fills her center hair parting with it proudly and for the long life of her husband. Sindoor is their life; Hindu women want to die before their husbands or with their husbands, so hence they put sindoor." He also explained how to take aarti.